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[NET2OOO COMMUNICATIONS LOGO]
10,000,000 Shares
NET2000 COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
Common Stock
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This is an initial public offering of shares of common stock of Net2000
Communications, Inc.
Prior to this offering, there has been no public market for the common
stock. The common stock has been approved for quotation on the Nasdaq National
Market under the symbol "NTKK."
SEE "RISK FACTORS" ON PAGE 6 TO READ ABOUT CERTAIN FACTORS YOU SHOULD
CONSIDER BEFORE BUYING SHARES OF THE COMMON STOCK.
----------------------
NEITHER THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION NOR ANY OTHER REGULATORY
BODY HAS APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED OF THESE SECURITIES OR PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY
OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL
OFFENSE.
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<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Per Share Total
--------- -----
<S> <C> <C>
Initial public offering price............................... $20.00 $200,000,000
Underwriting discount....................................... $1.40 $ 14,000,000
Proceeds, before expenses, to Net2000....................... $18.60 $186,000,000
</TABLE>
To the extent that the underwriters sell more than 10,000,000 shares of
common stock, the underwriters have the option to purchase up to an additional
1,500,000 shares from Net2000 at the initial public offering price less the
underwriting discount.
----------------------
The underwriters expect to deliver the shares in New York, New York on
March 10, 2000.
GOLDMAN, SACHS & CO.
DONALDSON, LUFKIN & JENRETTE
J.P. MORGAN & CO.
LEGG MASON WOOD WALKER
INCORPORATED
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Prospectus dated March 6, 2000.
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PROSPECTUS SUMMARY
You should read the following summary together with the more detailed
information regarding us and our common stock being sold in this offering and
our financial statements and the notes to those statements appearing elsewhere
in this prospectus.
Net2000 Communications is a rapidly-growing, innovative provider of
state-of-the-art broadband telecommunications services. As a competitive
telecommunications provider, we offer businesses located throughout the
mid-Atlantic and northeastern regions of the United States cutting-edge,
responsive solutions as an alternative to traditional telephone companies. We
focus on high-end customers, primarily large- and medium-sized businesses,
having a minimum of 50 business access lines and spending $50,000 annually for
Internet, data and voice telecommunications services. Today, we offer an
integrated package of high-speed data services, Internet services, local
telephone services and long distance services, primarily delivered from our own
network over a single, high capacity "broadband" connection and conveniently
billed on a single invoice. Since the introduction of our Net2000-branded
services in July 1998, we have successfully acquired over 1,100 new business
customers, representing approximately 78,000 access lines. In January 2000, we
entered into a letter of intent to sell approximately 250 resale customer
accounts representing approximately 10,000 access lines, reducing our customer
count from 1,100 to 850. This sale will result in a 15% increase to our average
access lines per customer.
We intend to offer services in major markets throughout the United States
in three phases over the next 24 months. Our Phase I deployment consists of 13
switches that transfer data traffic and 5 switches that transfer voice traffic
in 10 markets in the telecommunications-rich Boston to Washington, D.C.
corridor. Our Phase II deployment will establish our national presence with 10
additional data switches and 2 additional voice switches in 10 markets and is
scheduled to be completed in December 2000. Our Phase III deployment, scheduled
to be completed by late 2002, entails adding 4 additional markets and upgrading
all of our existing data switches to Internet protocol-based (IP) switches that
can provide both data and voice services.
We are building our network by initially deploying lower-cost data switches
and leasing fiber optic lines from others. As we experience increases in
customer traffic in a given market, we will consider deploying voice switches
and owning a portion of the fiber optic lines. By deploying this "smart-build"
network strategy, we believe that we will gain capital efficiencies that may
lead to stronger operating results.
After five years of successfully identifying and acquiring business
customers by selling advanced data and voice services as Bell Atlantic's number
one sales agent, we transitioned out of the agency program and launched our
Net2000-branded services in July 1998. Since this transition, we have incurred
significant expense for the establishment of our brand and the build-out of our
network and, as a result, we have not generated any net income. We expect
significant losses and negative cash flow to continue for at least the next
several years.
Our objective is to become the provider of choice of integrated business
telecommunications services in our target markets. We believe we are
well-positioned to compete effectively against other traditional telephone
companies and competitive telecommunications providers. The key differentiators
of our business are:
- proven sales and marketing track record;
- strong relationships with over 3,000 businesses;
- focus on complex, communications-intensive business customers;
- e.mpower, our next generation, web-enabled proprietary customer self-care
system;
- state-of-the-art, readily expandable customer care and back office
systems;
- data-focused, innovative smart-build network; and
- experienced and proven management team.
We believe these key differentiators will enable us to capitalize on the rapid
growth of the Internet and e-commerce, and the resultant increased demand for
broadband data services.
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BUSINESS STRATEGY
The key elements of our business strategy include the following:
- acquire customers and expand existing customer relationships by using
our proven sales and marketing techniques;
- target complex telecommunications-intensive businesses;
- use technology, including web-based customer account and
state-of-the-art back office systems, to deliver superior customer
care;
- continue build-out of our data-focused expandable network to maximize
speed to market and minimize investment risk;
- benefit from the 19 year average industry experience of our proven
management team; and
- capitalize on our relationship with Nortel Networks, which provides
technical and operational support and the ability to economically
upgrade our network switches.
RECENT EVENTS
In February 2000, we and Williams Communications entered into a non-binding
letter of intent detailing a proposed transaction between the two parties in
which we will purchase from Williams $128 million of telecommunications services
over 20 years, of which $75 million will be paid in cash or through the
utilization of network credits over the first seven years of the term. These
services will include service on Williams' fiber optic lines between cities and
within cities, advanced data services and collocation services. We expect this
arrangement to lower our network costs, allow us to offer new and improved
services to our customers and provide better control of our network connections.
In addition, Williams will purchase $15 million of equity from us in exchange
for network credits and cash.
THE OFFERING
Shares of common stock offered....... 10,000,000 shares
Shares of common stock outstanding
after this offering................ 34,862,607 shares
Nasdaq National Market symbol........ NTKK
Use of proceeds...................... To expand our sales force and sales
office locations, fund the expansion and
development of our network and
information technology systems, repay
debt and provide for working capital and
other general corporate purposes,
including funding operating losses.
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The calculation of the number of shares outstanding after this offering is
based on the number of shares outstanding on December 31, 1999, and does not
reflect shares that may be issued upon the exercise of options and warrants.
Unless otherwise specifically stated, information in this prospectus, including
the foregoing numbers, assumes the underwriters do not exercise their option to
purchase additional shares in the offering. See "Underwriting."
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PRINCIPAL OFFICES
Our principal executive offices are located at 2180 Fox Mill Road, Herndon,
VA 20171 and our telephone number is 1-800-825-2000. Our website address is
www.net2000.com. Information on our website does not constitute part of this
prospectus.
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SUMMARY HISTORICAL CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL AND OTHER DATA
The following table presents our summary consolidated financial and other
data which should be read together with our consolidated financial statements
and related notes and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations" presented elsewhere in this prospectus.
EBITDA consists of net income (loss) excluding net interest, taxes,
depreciation and amortization (including amortization of deferred compensation).
EBITDA is provided because it is a measure of financial performance commonly
used in the telecommunications industry. EBITDA is used by management and
certain investors as an indicator of a company's historical ability to service
debt. Management believes that an increase in EBITDA is an indicator of improved
ability to service existing debt, to sustain potential future increases in debt
and to satisfy capital requirements. We have presented EBITDA to enhance your
understanding of our operating results. You should not construe it as an
alternative to operating income as an indicator of our operating performance nor
as an alternative to cash flows from operating activities as a measure of
liquidity determined in accordance with GAAP. We may calculate EBITDA
differently than other companies. For further information, see our financial
statements and related notes elsewhere in this prospectus.
The pro forma net income (loss) per share data summarized below gives
effect to the automatic conversion of all of our preferred stock into common
shares as if the conversion occurred at the beginning of the respective period.
The pro forma balance sheet data gives effect to the automatic conversion of the
preferred stock as of December 31, 1999. The pro forma as adjusted balance sheet
data gives effect to the issuance and sale of 10,000,000 shares of common stock
in this offering, as if these transactions occurred on December 31, 1999. See
"Use of Proceeds."
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
----------------------------------------------------
1995 1996 1997 1998 1999
---- ---- ---- ---- ----
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AND OPERATING DATA)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS DATA:
Operating revenue................................... $1,238 $1,939 $ 3,544 $ 9,419 $ 27,693
Operating income (loss)............................. 334 85 (1,318) (14,294) (41,355)
Other (expenses) income............................. (15) (17) 817 527 2,562
------ ------ ------- -------- --------
Net income (loss)................................... $ 319 $ 68 $ (501) $(13,767) $(38,793)
Net income (loss) applicable to common
stockholders...................................... 319 68 (501) (22,670) (60,330)
Net income (loss) per share applicable to common
stockholders -- basic and diluted................. 0.03 0.01 (0.05) (2.25) (5.97)
Pro forma net income (loss) per share applicable to
common stockholders -- basic and diluted.......... (1.57)
OTHER FINANCIAL DATA:
Capital expenditures................................ (27) (34) (88) (2,031) (36,147)
Cash flows provided by (used in) operating
activities........................................ 220 1 (476) (11,717) (27,695)
Cash flows (used in) provided by investing
activities........................................ (27) (34) (88) (2,980) (38,715)
Cash flows (used in) provided by financing
activities........................................ (222) 2 2,909 45,788 38,494
EBITDA.............................................. 329 106 (313) (13,604) (33,898)
OPERATING DATA:
Total access line equivalents billed(1)(2).......... -- -- -- 10,554 45,762
Total customers billed(3)........................... 1 21 87 490 795
Total employees..................................... 12 18 58 164 485
Switches in service:................................ -- -- -- -- 9
Voice............................................. -- -- -- -- 3
Data.............................................. -- -- -- -- 6
</TABLE>
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(1) Line equivalents calculated on the basis of 64 kilobits per second per line.
(2) Includes approximately 10,000 access lines which we intend to sell.
(3) Includes approximately 250 customers which we intend to sell.
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<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
DECEMBER 31, 1999
----------------------------------
PRO FORMA
ACTUAL PRO FORMA AS ADJUSTED
------ --------- -----------
(UNAUDITED)
<S> <C> <C> <C>
BALANCE SHEET DATA:
Cash and cash equivalents................................... $ 5,523 $ 5,523 $190,223
Property and equipment, net................................. 72,592 72,592 72,592
Working capital............................................. (4,264) (4,264) 180,436
Total assets................................................ 101,668 101,668 286,368
Long-term debt.............................................. 46,039 46,039 46,039
Redeemable preferred stock.................................. 80,940 -- --
Common stock................................................ 102 249 349
Total stockholders' (deficit) equity........................ (74,381) 6,559 191,259
</TABLE>
Net2000, Net2000 Group and the Net2000 logo as displayed on the cover of
this prospectus are our registered service marks. Service mark registration
applications are pending for e.mpower and the phrase "Leading the
Telecommunications Revolution." All other trade names, trademarks and service
marks used in this prospectus are the property of their respective owners.
Except as otherwise indicated, information in this prospectus gives effect
to:
- a five-for-four stock split in the form of a stock dividend of all
outstanding shares of our common stock effected on January 12, 2000; and
- conversion of all outstanding shares of our preferred stock into
14,673,045 shares of our common stock upon the closing of this offering.
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RISK FACTORS
RISKS RELATED TO OUR BUSINESS
A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF OUR BUSINESS COMES FROM A CONCENTRATED GROUP OF
CUSTOMERS AND ANY DECREASE IN REVENUE FROM THESE CUSTOMERS COULD ULTIMATELY
DECREASE OUR INCOME.
A significant portion of our revenue as a competitive telecommunications
provider has been generated from a limited number of customers. In the three
months ended December 31, 1999, our top 10 customers, approximately 1% of our
customer base, accounted for approximately 19% of our revenue, and we expect
that these customers will continue to account for a significant portion of our
revenue in the future. The loss of a number of these key customers could
significantly decrease our revenue, which would seriously harm our operating
results and decrease our income.
OUR COSTS COULD RISE IF WE ARE UNABLE TO LEASE FIBER OPTIC LINES FROM
OTHERS, WHICH MAY NOT BE AVAILABLE ON ATTRACTIVE TERMS OR AT ALL.
We initially seek to lease fiber optic lines from other telecommunications
services providers, such as Williams Communications, to interconnect our
switches and have access to our customers and the networks of other providers.
We cannot assure you that Williams Communications or other service providers
will lease or continue to lease fiber optic lines to us on economically
attractive terms and on a timely basis. If we fail to obtain needed leased fiber
optic lines on satisfactory terms, our ability to reach certain market areas
could be delayed or we may need to make additional unexpected up-front capital
expenditures to install our own fiber optic lines. In addition, any extended
interruption in a telecommunications services provider's network from which we
lease fiber optic lines could disrupt our operations and have a material adverse
effect on us.
RESISTANCE BY POTENTIAL CUSTOMERS TO ACCEPT US AS A NEW PROVIDER OF
TELECOMMUNICATIONS SERVICES MAY REDUCE OUR ABILITY TO INCREASE OUR REVENUE.
The success of our service offerings will be dependent upon, among other
things, the willingness of additional customers to accept us as a new provider
of broadband telecommunications services. We cannot assure you that we will be
successful in overcoming the resistance of potential customers to change their
service provider, particularly those that purchase services from the traditional
telephone companies, or that customers will buy our services. The lack of
customer acceptance would reduce our ability to increase our revenue.
OUR LIMITED OPERATING HISTORY PROVIDING TELECOMMUNICATIONS SERVICES MAKES
EVALUATING OUR PERFORMANCE DIFFICULT.
We began operating as a competitive telecommunications provider in July
1998. Prior to that, we were a sales agent for Bell Atlantic, a business from
which we transitioned in June 1998. As a result of our limited operating history
as a competitive telecommunications provider, you have limited operating and
financial data with which to evaluate our past performance and determine how we
will perform in the future. We cannot assure you that we will be able to
successfully operate our new business.
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WE HAVE A HISTORY OF OPERATING LOSSES, AND WE MAY NOT BE PROFITABLE IN THE
FUTURE.
We have incurred significant losses since we began operations as a
competitive telecommunications provider and expect to continue to incur losses
in the future as we build our network. As of December 31, 1999, we had an
accumulated deficit of $84.2 million. We expect to experience losses during our
network and service deployment which will continue for the foreseeable future.
Prolonged effects of generating losses without additional funding may restrict
our ability to pursue our business strategy. Unless our business plan is
successful, your investment in our common stock may result in a complete loss of
your invested capital.
If we cannot achieve profitability from operating activities, we may not be
able to meet:
- our capital expenditure requirements;
- our debt service obligations; or
- our working capital needs.
OUR FAILURE TO PROPERLY MANAGE GROWTH COULD ADVERSELY AFFECT THE CONTINUED
IMPLEMENTATION AND EXPANSION OF OUR SERVICE OFFERINGS.
If we successfully implement our business plan, we will rapidly expand our
operations. We cannot assure you that we will successfully implement the
necessary operational and financial systems or that we will successfully
maintain the systems necessary to manage a competitive business in an evolving
industry. Any failure to implement and improve these systems at a pace
consistent with the growth of our business and industry changes could cause
customers to switch service providers which would have a material adverse effect
on us.
We expect to expand our business plan to include additional switches,
markets and telecommunications services. We cannot assure you that we can:
- implement these additional switches or that such implementation will be
technically or economically feasible;
- successfully develop or market additional products and services; or
- operate and maintain our new networks and telecommunications services
profitably.
IF WE ARE UNABLE TO ATTRACT AND RETAIN KEY MANAGEMENT AND PERSONNEL, WE MAY
NOT BE ABLE TO IMPLEMENT OUR BUSINESS PLAN.
We believe that our future success will be due, in part, to our experienced
management team, including Messrs. Thomas, Heintzelman, Mendes and Clarke.
Losing the services of one or more members of our management team could
adversely affect our business and our expansion efforts and possibly prevent us
from:
- further deploying and improving our operational, financial and
information systems and controls;
- hiring and retaining qualified sales, marketing, administrative,
operating and technical personnel; and
- training and managing new personnel.
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In addition, competition for qualified employees has intensified in recent
years, especially in the Northern Virginia region where we are headquartered,
and may become even more intense in the future. Our ability to implement our
business plan is dependent on our ability to hire and retain a large number of
new employees each year. If we are unable to hire sufficient qualified
personnel, our ability to increase revenue could be impaired, and customers
could experience delays in installation of service or experience lower levels of
customer care.
WE MAY NOT BE ABLE TO OBTAIN ADDITIONAL FUNDS, WHICH COULD PREVENT US FROM
IMPLEMENTING OUR BUSINESS PLAN.
We need additional financing for future capital expenditures to implement
our business plan, including:
- construction of our network and our automated back office systems;
- offering new broadband telecommunications services;
- acquisitions;
- paying scheduled principal and interest payments on our bank and Nortel
debt; and
- financing operating losses.
We cannot assure you that any additional financing we may need will be
available to us on favorable terms or at all. If we do not obtain needed
financing, our ability to implement our business plan will be impaired.
WE MAY NOT BE ABLE TO COMPETE EFFECTIVELY AGAINST OTHER COMPETITORS THAT
HAVE SIGNIFICANTLY GREATER RESOURCES THAN WE DO WHICH COULD CAUSE US TO
LOSE CUSTOMERS AND IMPEDE OUR ABILITY TO ATTRACT NEW CUSTOMERS.
The telecommunications industry is highly competitive and is affected by
the introduction of new services by, and the market activities of, major
industry participants. Several of our competitors are substantially larger and
have greater financial, technical and marketing resources than we do. We have
not achieved, and do not expect to achieve, a significant market share for any
of the broadband telecommunications services we offer in our target markets. In
particular, larger competitors have certain advantages over us which could cause
us to lose customers and impede our ability to attract new customers, including:
- long-standing relationships and brand recognition with customers;
- financial, technical, marketing, personnel and other resources
substantially greater than ours;
- more funds to deploy telecommunications services;
- potential to lower prices of competitive telecommunications services; and
- fully-deployed networks.
We face competition from other current and potential market entrants,
including:
- domestic and international long distance providers seeking to enter,
re-enter or expand entry into the local telecommunications marketplace;
and
- other domestic and international competitive telecommunications
providers, resellers, cable television companies and electric utilities.
A continuing trend toward combinations and strategic alliances in the
telecommunications industry could give rise to significant new competitors which
could cause us to lose customers and impede our ability to attract new
customers.
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THE CONDUCT OF THE TRADITIONAL TELEPHONE COMPANIES, INCLUDING BELL
ATLANTIC, COULD CAUSE US TO LOSE CUSTOMERS.
Currently, we depend on our interconnection agreements with Bell Atlantic
and GTE, and in the future, we will need to execute similar agreements with the
other traditional telephone companies operating in our target markets.
Interconnection agreements are agreements between local telecommunications
services providers that set forth the terms and conditions governing how those
providers will interconnect their networks and/or purchase or lease certain
network facilities and services. Our interconnection agreements with Bell
Atlantic and GTE provide that our connection and maintenance orders will receive
the same attention as Bell Atlantic's and GTE's end-user customers and that Bell
Atlantic and GTE will provide capacity at key telecommunications intersections
to keep call blockage within industry standards. Accordingly, we are and will
continue to be dependent on Bell Atlantic and GTE and, as we expand our network,
we will be dependent on other traditional telephone companies, to assure
uninterrupted service and competitive services. Blocked calls result in customer
dissatisfaction and risk the loss of business. Interconnection agreements, such
as our agreements with Bell Atlantic and GTE, typically have short terms,
requiring us to renegotiate frequently. Some of our agreements with Bell
Atlantic have one year or less remaining before we will have to renegotiate
them. If the terms of any interconnection agreements are not favorable to us, it
could have a material adverse effect on our business.
Traditional telephone companies may not provide timely installation of
business access lines or adequate service quality, thereby impairing our
reputation with customers who can choose to switch back to the traditional
telephone company. In addition, the prices set forth in our interconnection
agreements may be subject to significant rate increases at the discretion of the
regulatory authority in each state in which we operate. Part of our
profitability depends on these state-regulated rate structures. We cannot assure
you that the rates charged to us under the interconnection agreements will allow
us to offer low enough usage rates to attract a sufficient number of customers
and to operate our business profitably.
THE TELECOMMUNICATIONS INDUSTRY IS UNDERGOING RAPID TECHNOLOGICAL CHANGES,
AND OUR FAILURE TO KEEP UP WITH SUCH CHANGES COULD CAUSE US TO LOSE
CUSTOMERS AND IMPEDE OUR ABILITY TO ATTRACT NEW CUSTOMERS.
The telecommunications industry is subject to rapid and significant changes
in technology, customer requirements and preferences and our failure to keep up
with such changes could cause us to lose customers and impede our ability to
attract new customers. New technologies could reduce the competitiveness of our
network. We may be required to select one technology over another, but at a time
when it would be impossible to predict with any certainty which technology will
prove to be the most economic, efficient or capable of attracting customer
usage. Subsequent technological developments may reduce the competitiveness of
our network and require unbudgeted upgrades or additional products that could be
expensive and time consuming. If we fail to adapt successfully to technological
changes or obsolescence or fail to obtain access to important technologies, we
could lose customers and impede our ability to attract new customers.
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A SYSTEM FAILURE COULD CAUSE DELAYS OR INTERRUPTIONS OF SERVICE WHICH COULD
CAUSE US TO LOSE CUSTOMERS.
Our success will require that our network provides competitive reliability,
capacity and security. Some of the risks to our network and infrastructure
include:
- physical damage to business access lines;
- power surges or outages;
- capacity limitations;
- software defects;
- lack of redundancy; and
- disruptions beyond our control.
Such disruptions may cause interruptions in service or reduced capacity for
customers, any of which could cause us to lose customers.
IF OUR BACK OFFICE AND CUSTOMER CARE SYSTEMS ARE UNABLE TO MEET THE NEEDS
OF OUR CUSTOMERS, WE MAY LOSE CUSTOMERS.
Sophisticated back office processes and information management systems are
vital to our growth and our ability to achieve operating efficiencies. We are
dependent on Saville for our billing system, Metasolv for our provisioning
systems, and Siebel for our customer support system. We cannot assure you that
these systems will perform as expected as we grow our customer base which could
cause us to lose customers. The following could prevent our back office and
customer care systems from meeting the needs of our customers:
- failure of third-party vendors to deliver products and services in a
timely manner at acceptable costs;
- our failure to identify key information and processing needs;
- our failure to integrate products or services effectively;
- our failure to upgrade systems as necessary; or
- our failure to attract and retain qualified systems support personnel.
IF MISAPPROPRIATION CLAIMS AGAINST OUR SOFTWARE DEVELOPER ARE FOUND TO HAVE
MERIT, OUR USE OF THE E.MPOWER SOFTWARE COULD BE IMPEDED AND RESULT IN OUR
INABILITY TO PROVIDE A CUSTOMER SELF-CARE SYSTEM
The developer of e.mpower has been accused of misappropriating the
intellectual property of another of its customers for use in e.mpower. Should
this customer's claims be found to have merit, our use of e.mpower could be
impeded and result in our inability to provide our customers with this self-care
system.
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ALL YEAR 2000 PROBLEMS MAY NOT HAVE BEEN ADDRESSED BY OUR SUPPLIERS AND ANY
SERVICE INTERRUPTION WE EXPERIENCE AS A RESULT OF THESE PROBLEMS MAY CAUSE
US TO LOSE CUSTOMERS.
The Year 2000 issue generally describes the various problems that may
result from the improper processing of dates and date-sensitive transactions by
computers and other equipment as a result of computer hardware and software
using two digits, rather than four digits, to identify the year in a date. Any
computer programs or systems of our suppliers that have date-sensitive software
may recognize a date using "00" as the year 1900 rather than the year 2000.
While we have experienced no Year 2000 issue to date, and we are not aware of
any material issues for our suppliers, we are continuing to evaluate and
determine whether our significant suppliers are in compliance or have
appropriate plans to remedy Year 2000 issues when their systems interact with
our systems. We do not expect that this will have a material impact on our
operations. However, there can be no assurance that the systems of other
companies on which we rely are Year 2000 compliant, that another company's
failure to successfully convert, or that another company's conversion to a
system incompatible with our systems, would not have an impact on our
operations. The failure of our principal suppliers to be Year 2000 compliant
could result in delays in service deliveries from those suppliers and materially
impact our ability to do business.
RISKS RELATED TO OUR INDUSTRY
DEREGULATION OF THE TELECOMMUNICATIONS INDUSTRY INVOLVES UNCERTAINTIES, AND
THE RESOLUTION OF THESE UNCERTAINTIES COULD ADVERSELY AFFECT OUR BUSINESS
BY FACILITATING GREATER COMPETITION AGAINST US, REDUCING POTENTIAL REVENUES
OR RAISING OUR COSTS.
The Telecommunications Act of 1996 provides for significant deregulation of
the telecommunications industry, including the local telecommunications and long
distance industries. This federal statute and the related regulations remain
subject to judicial review and additional rulemakings of the Federal
Communications Commission, or FCC, making it difficult to predict what effect
the legislation will have on us, our operations and our competitors. Several
regulatory and judicial proceedings have recently concluded, are underway or may
soon be commenced, that address issues affecting our operations and those of our
competitors, which may cause significant changes to our industry. We cannot
predict the outcome of these developments, nor can we assure you that these
changes will not have a material adverse effect on us. For a more thorough
discussion of the regulatory issues that may affect our business, see
"Government Regulation."
RISKS RELATED TO THIS OFFERING
OUR MANAGEMENT HAS BROAD DISCRETION OVER THE USE OF PROCEEDS FROM THIS
OFFERING, WHICH COULD ADVERSELY AFFECT OUR BUSINESS AND DEPRESS OUR STOCK
PRICE.
We intend to use the proceeds of the offering to expand our sales force and
sales office locations, fund the expansion and development of our network and
information technology systems, repay debt and provide for working capital and
other general corporate purposes. We cannot predict in which, if any, of our
existing or future opportunities we will ultimately invest. While we currently
expect to use the proceeds of the offering as described above, if our plans
change, we would use any remaining cash to fund other development projects or
acquisitions and for general corporate and working capital purposes. If our
management does not effectively use of the proceeds from this offering, our
stock price could decline.
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OUR EXECUTIVE OFFICERS, DIRECTORS AND SIGNIFICANT STOCKHOLDERS ARE ABLE TO
EXERCISE SIGNIFICANT INFLUENCE OVER OUR COMPANY, WHICH COULD ADVERSELY
AFFECT OUR BUSINESS AND DEPRESS OUR STOCK PRICE.
After this offering, our executive officers, directors and significant
stockholders will continue to control approximately 75% of our common stock and
will exercise significant influence over stockholder voting matters which will
limit the influence of our new stockholders. If these officers, directors and
significant stockholders act together, they will be able to determine the
composition of the board of directors and will continue to have significant
influence over our affairs in general, which limits the influence of our new
stockholders and may depress our stock price.
OUR STOCK DOES NOT HAVE A TRADING HISTORY AND MAY BE EXTREMELY VOLATILE
BECAUSE WE OPERATE IN A RAPIDLY CHANGING INDUSTRY.
The trading price of our common stock is likely to be volatile. The stock
market has experienced extreme volatility and this volatility has often been
unrelated to the operating performance of particular companies. We cannot be
sure that an active public market for our common stock will develop or continue
after this offering. Investors may not be able to sell their common stock at or
above our initial public offering price or at all. Prices for the common stock
will be determined in the marketplace and may be influenced by many factors,
including variations in our financial results, changes in earnings estimates by
industry research analysts, investors' perceptions of us and general economic,
industry and market conditions.
FUTURE SALES OF OUR COMMON STOCK MAY LOWER OUR STOCK PRICE.
If our existing stockholders sell a large number of shares of our common
stock, the market price of the common stock could decline significantly. The
perception in the public market that our existing stockholders might sell shares
of common stock could depress our market price. Immediately after this offering,
approximately 34,862,607 shares of our common stock will be outstanding. Of
these shares, 10,000,000 of the shares included in this offering will be
available for immediate resale in the public market. The remaining 24,862,607
shares, or 71% of our total outstanding shares, will become available for resale
in the public market as shown on the chart below. Of these remaining shares,
24,821,647 shares are subject to lock-up agreements restricting the sale of such
shares for 180 days from the date of this prospectus. However, the underwriters
may waive this restriction and allow these stockholders to sell their shares at
any time.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NUMBER OF SHARES DATE OF FIRST AVAILABILITY FOR RESALE
---------------- -------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
0 Immediately after the date of this prospectus
40,960 90 days after the date of this prospectus
24,821,647 After 180 days from the date of the prospectus subject, in
some cases, to volume limitations
</TABLE>
INVESTORS WILL EXPERIENCE IMMEDIATE AND SUBSTANTIAL DILUTION OF $14.51 IN
THE BOOK VALUE OF THEIR INVESTMENT.
If you purchase shares of our common stock in this offering, you will
experience immediate dilution of $14.51 per share because the price that you pay
will be substantially greater than the net tangible book value per share of the
shares you acquire. This dilution is due in large part to the fact that our
earlier investors paid substantially less than the public offering price when
they
12
<PAGE> 14
purchased their shares. You will experience additional dilution upon the
exercise of stock options and warrants to purchase common stock.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS ARE INHERENTLY UNCERTAIN.
We make forward-looking statements in the "Prospectus Summary," "Risk
Factors," "Use of Proceeds," "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations" and "Business" sections and elsewhere in
this prospectus. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited
to, statements about our plans, objectives, expectations, intentions and
assumptions and other statements that are not historical facts. We generally
intend the words "expect," "anticipate," "intend," "plan," "believe," "seek,"
"estimate" and similar expressions to identify forward-looking statements.
Because these forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties,
including those described in this "Risk Factors" section, our actual results may
differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking
statements.
13
<PAGE> 15
USE OF PROCEEDS
The net proceeds from the offering, after deducting estimated fees and
expenses, are estimated to be approximately $184.7 million. We intend to use the
net proceeds of the offering together with the approximately $30.0 million cash
balance remaining from the January 7, 2000 draw on our Nortel senior discount
note as follows:
- $20.0 million to expand our sales force and sales office locations;
- $80.0 million to fund the expansion and development of our national
network infrastructure and information technology systems;
- $42.0 million to repay the outstanding balance on the Nortel senior
discount note, which bears interest at the Treasury rate plus 8% per
annum (14.45% at December 31, 1999), and matures on July 30, 2009; and
- $72.7 million to cover other general corporate expenses, including the
funding of operating losses.
As part of our strategy, we may make acquisitions and a portion of the net
proceeds from the offering may be used for such purposes. We have no definitive
agreement with respect to any acquisition, although we regularly engage in
discussions with other companies and assess opportunities on an ongoing basis.
We may be required to obtain additional financing to complete our network
build-out if, among other reasons, we use a portion of the proceeds from the
offering to fund acquisitions, or if our plans or projections change or prove to
be inaccurate. We cannot assure you that this additional financing will be
available on terms acceptable to us or at all.
DIVIDEND POLICY
We have never paid cash dividends on our common stock nor do we have plans
to do so in the foreseeable future. The declaration and payment of any dividends
in the future will be determined by our Board of Directors, in its discretion,
and will depend on a number of factors, including our earnings, capital
requirements and overall financial condition. In addition, our ability to
declare and pay dividends is substantially restricted under our credit facility
with Nortel.
14
<PAGE> 16
CAPITALIZATION
The following table sets forth our consolidated capitalization as of
December 31, 1999, adjusted to reflect our recapitalization as described below,
our pro forma capitalization which gives effect to the automatic conversion of
our redeemable convertible preferred stock into common stock and our pro forma
capitalization as adjusted to reflect the issuance and sale of 10,000,000 shares
of common stock in this offering and the application of the resulting net
proceeds. See "Use of Proceeds." You should read this table together with
"Selected Consolidated Financial and Other Data," "Management's Discussion and
Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and the historical
financial statements and notes thereto included elsewhere in this prospectus.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PRO FORMA
ACTUAL PRO FORMA AS ADJUSTED
------ --------- -----------
(IN THOUSANDS)
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Lease obligations, long-term portion...................... $ 4,573 $ 4,573 $ 4,573
-------- -------- --------
Notes payable, long-term portion.......................... 41,466 41,466 41,466
Redeemable convertible preferred stock (non-cumulative),
par value $0.01 per share; 11,738,437 shares authorized:
11,738,437 shares issued and outstanding, actual; no
shares issued and outstanding, pro forma and pro forma
as adjusted............................................. 80,940 -- --
Stockholders' (deficit) equity:
Undesignated capital stock, par value $0.01 per share;
no shares authorized, issued or outstanding, actual;
60,000,000 shares authorized and no shares issued and
outstanding, pro forma and pro forma as adjusted..... -- -- --
Common stock, par value $0.01 per share; 200,000,000
shares authorized, 10,189,562 shares issued and
outstanding, actual; 24,862,607 shares issued and
outstanding, pro forma and 34,862,607 shares issued
and outstanding pro forma as adjusted................ 102 249 349
Additional capital...................................... 16,707 97,500 282,100
Deferred stock compensation............................. (7,002) (7,002) (7,002)
Accumulated deficit..................................... (84,188) (84,188) (84,188)
-------- -------- --------
Total stockholders' (deficit) equity............ (74,381) 6,559 191,259
-------- -------- --------
Total capitalization............................ $ 52,598 $ 52,598 $237,298
======== ======== ========
</TABLE>
15
<PAGE> 17
DILUTION
At December 31, 1999, we had a pro forma net tangible book value of
approximately $0.26 per share of common stock. Pro forma net tangible book value
per share of common stock at any date represents the amount of our total
tangible assets minus total liabilities divided by the total number of our
outstanding shares of common stock after giving effect to the automatic
conversion of all outstanding shares of redeemable convertible preferred stock
into 14,673,045 shares of common stock. After giving effect to the sale of the
10,000,000 shares of common stock offered by this prospectus at the initial
public offering price of $20.00 per share and the application of the estimated
net proceeds as described in "Use of Proceeds," our pro forma as adjusted net
tangible book value would have been approximately $191,259,000, or $5.49 per
share. Thus, under these assumptions, purchasers of our common stock offered by
this prospectus will pay $20.00 per share and will receive 10,000,000 shares
with a net tangible book value per share of common stock of $5.49, which
represents an immediate dilution of $14.51 per share.
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C>
Initial public offering price per share................ $20.00
------
Pro forma net tangible book value per share as of
December 31, 1999................................ $0.26
Pro forma increase per share attributable to new
investors........................................ 5.23
-----
Pro forma as adjusted pro forma net tangible book value
per share after the offering.......................... 5.49
------
Pro forma dilution per share to new investors.......... $14.51
======
</TABLE>
The following table summarizes, on a pro forma as adjusted basis as of
December 31, 1999, the difference between the existing stockholders and new
investors with respect to the number of shares of common stock purchased from
us, the total consideration paid and the average price per share paid at the
initial public offering price of $20.00 per share (before deducting estimated
underwriting discounts and commissions and offering expenses payable by us):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SHARES PURCHASED TOTAL CONSIDERATION
-------------------- ---------------------- AVERAGE PRICE
NUMBER PERCENT AMOUNT PERCENT PER SHARE
------ ------- ------ ------- -------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Existing stockholders...... 24,862,607 71.3% $ 50,600,205 20.2% $ 2.04
---------- ----- ------------ -----
New investors.............. 10,000,000 28.7% 200,000,000 79.8% 20.00
---------- ----- ------------ -----
Total............ 34,862,607 100.0% $250,600,205 100.0% $ 7.19
========== ===== ============ =====
</TABLE>
The foregoing table assumes no exercise of stock options or warrants. As of
December 31, 1999, there were options and warrants outstanding to purchase
5,417,850 shares of common stock at a weighted average exercise price of $1.85
per share. To the extent outstanding options and warrants are exercised, there
will be further dilution to new investors.
16
<PAGE> 18
SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL AND OTHER DATA
The following tables set forth certain historical consolidated financial
and other data of the Company for each of the five years in the period ended
December 31, 1999. We derived our selected historical consolidated financial
data as of and for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 1999
from our audited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this
prospectus. We derived our selected historical consolidated financial data as of
and for the year ended December 31, 1995 and 1996 from our audited consolidated
financial statements that are not included in this prospectus.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
-----------------------------------------------
1995 1996 1997 1998 1999
---- ---- ---- ---- ----
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA AND
OPERATING DATA)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS DATA:
Revenue.................................................. $1,238 $1,939 $ 3,544 $ 9,419 $ 27,693
Operating costs and expenses:
Operating costs.......................................... 150 514 907 7,888 22,375
Selling, general and administration (exclusive of
non-cash compensation expense shown below)............. 749 1,313 3,833 15,075 41,162
Non-cash compensation expense............................ -- -- -- 63 1,646
Depreciation and amortization............................ 5 27 122 687 3,865
------ ------ ------- -------- --------
Total operating expenses................................. 904 1,854 4,862 23,713 69,048
Operating income (loss).................................. 334 85 (1,318) (14,294) (41,355)
Other income (expenses).................................. (15) (17) 817 527 2,562
------ ------ ------- -------- --------
Net income (loss)........................................ $ 319 $ 68 $ (501) $(13,767) $(38,793)
Net income (loss) applicable to common stockholders...... 319 68 (501) (22,670) (60,330)
Net income (loss) per share applicable to common
stockholders -- basic and diluted...................... 0.03 0.01 (0.05) (2.25) (5.97)
Pro forma net income (loss) per share Applicable to
common stockholders -- Basic and diluted(1)............ (1.57)
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
----------------------------------------------
1995 1996 1997 1998 1999
---- ---- ---- ---- ----
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA AND
OPERATING DATA)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
OTHER FINANCIAL DATA:
Capital expenditures...................................... $ (27) $ (34) $ (88) $ (2,031) $(36,147)
Cash flows provided by (used in) operating activities..... 220 1 (476) (11,717) (27,695)
Cash flows (used in) provided by investing activities..... (27) (34) (88) (2,980) (38,715)
Cash flows (used in) provided by financing activities..... (222) 2 2,909 45,788 38,494
EBITDA(2)................................................. 329 106 (313) (13,604) (33,898)
OPERATING DATA:
Total access lines equivalents billed (3)(4).............. -- -- -- 10,554 45,762
Total customers billed(5)................................. 1 21 87 490 795
Total employees........................................... 12 18 58 164 485
Switches in service....................................... -- -- -- -- 9
Voice................................................... -- -- -- -- 3
Data.................................................... -- -- -- -- 6
</TABLE>
17
<PAGE> 19
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
DECEMBER 31, 1999
DECEMBER 31, ----------------------------------------
------------------------------- PRO FORMA
1995 1996 1997 1998 ACTUAL PRO FORMA(1) AS ADJUSTED(1)
---- ---- ---- ---- ------ ------------ --------------
(IN THOUSANDS) (UNAUDITED)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
BALANCE SHEET DATA:
Cash and cash equivalents.... $ 33 $ 3 $ 2,348 $33,440 $ 5,523 $ 5,523 $190,223
Property and equipment, net.. 49 147 510 11,529 72,592 72,592 72,592
Working capital.............. 136 167 2,083 30,562 (4,264) (4,264) 180,436
Total assets................. 380 603 4,040 50,091 101,668 101,668 286,368
Long-term debt............... 16 63 258 2,000 46,039 46,039 46,039
Redeemable preferred stock... -- -- 3,500 59,403 80,940 -- --
Common stock................. 100 100 100 101 102 249 349
Total stockholders' (deficit)
equity..................... 191 259 (1,087) (23,620) (74,381) 6,559 191,259
</TABLE>
- ---------------
(1) The pro forma net income (loss) per share data summarized below gives effect
to the automatic conversion of all of our preferred stock into common shares
as if the conversion occurred at the beginning of the respective period. The
pro forma balance sheet data gives effect to the automatic conversion of the
preferred stock as of December 31, 1999. The pro forma adjusted balance
sheet data gives effect to the issuance and sale of 10,000,000 shares of
common stock in this offering as if these transactions occurred on December
31, 1999. The pro forma as adjusted does not reflect the extraordinary loss
of approximately $4.9 million resulting from the Company's extinguishment of
its Senior Discount Note upon consummation of an initial public offering.
(2) EBITDA consists of net income (loss) excluding net interest, taxes,
depreciation and amortization (including amortization of deferred
compensation). EBITDA is provided because it is a measure of financial
performance commonly used in the telecommunications industry. EBITDA is used
by management and certain investors as an indicator of a company's
historical ability to service debt. Management believes that an increase in
EBITDA is an indicator of improved ability to service existing debt, to
sustain potential future increases in debt and to satisfy capital
requirements. We have presented EBITDA to enhance your understanding of our
operating results. You should not construe it as an alternative to operating
income as an indicator of our operating performance nor as an alternative to
cash flows from operation activities as a measure of liquidity determined in
accordance with GAAP. We may calculate EBITDA differently than other
companies. For further information, see our financial statements and related
notes elsewhere in this prospectus.
(3) Line equivalents calculated on the basis of 64 kilobits per second per line
equivalent to one traditional telephone line.
(4) Includes approximately 10,000 access lines which we intend to sell.
(5) Includes approximately 250 customers which we intend to sell.
18
<PAGE> 20
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and
results of operations should be read in conjunction with the "Selected
Consolidated Financial and Other Data" and the financial statements and notes
thereto contained elsewhere in this prospectus. Financial information contained
herein relating to periods prior to June 30, 1998 primarily reflects our
operations as a sales agent for Bell Atlantic. Because of our transition to a
competitive telecommunications provider and our deployment of facilities, the
financial information relating to periods prior to June 30, 1998 does not
reflect our current and planned business. Comparisons of financial information
between such periods will not provide valid comparisons.
OVERVIEW
We began operations in 1993 as a sales agent selling Bell Atlantic local
telephone services to businesses. Under this program, we received a one-time
commission for selling complex and high-capacity telecommunications services. We
were the largest producing sales agent based on the annual sales revenue which
we generated out of more than 100 sales agents during our last four full years
in the sales agent program, 1994 through 1997.
We initially used the resale of telecommunications services as a market
entry strategy while we began the build-out of our network. In January 1998, we
began offering long distance and non-local data services on a resale basis. In
June 1998, we left the Bell Atlantic sales agent program and began offering
Net2000-branded local telecommunications services on a resale basis directly to
large- and medium-sized businesses. We ceased acquiring new resale customers in
markets where we deployed our own network. In March 1999, we deployed our first
switch and began offering facilities-based telecommunications services. Also in
March 1999, we ceased reselling Bell Atlantic local services in all markets
except New York City and Long Island, where we ceased reselling in November
1999. We no longer use local resale as a primary customer acquisition strategy,
do not intend to do so in the future and plan to migrate as many of our existing
resale customers as possible to our network. In limited circumstances, we use
resale to satisfy customer needs for data and long distance services outside our
network area.
As of December 31, 1999, we have deployed a total of nine switches in our
network, including three voice switches and six data switches throughout the
mid-Atlantic and northeastern regions of the United States under Phase I of our
network deployment schedule. When we complete Phase II in December 2000, we are
scheduled to have deployed a total of seven voice and 23 data switches in major
markets throughout the United States, thereby completing our national data
backbone network. Phase III includes the deployment of four additional data
switches and eleven additional voice switches. We expect to complete Phase III
by September 30, 2002.
We estimate that, as of December 31, 1999, our average customer had
approximately 71 access line equivalents. We count one access line equivalent as
64 kilobits of bandwidth, known as a DS-0 circuit, which equates to
approximately one traditional telephone line. Approximately 56% of our customers
purchase more than one service from us.
We expect to continue to derive revenue from the sale of integrated
telecommunications services, including:
- data communications services;
- voice services, including local and long distance services; and
- enhanced Internet services.
19
<PAGE> 21
We believe that providing telecommunications services over our own
smart-build network will enable us to:
- improve operating margins;
- broaden service offerings and enhance customer control by providing more
efficient service;
- reduce network capital requirements;
- improve speed to market and mitigate the risk associated with investing
capital in long term assets, thereby preserving capital for other uses
such as sales and marketing; and
- reduce operating expenses.
Although we believe our smart-build strategy will improve our results of
operations over the long-term, this strategy is expected to have a negative
effect on our financial condition and results of operations over the short-term.
We expect significant losses and negative cash flow for at least the next
several years, which we expect will be primarily attributable to the deployment
of our national network and expected expansion of our operations.
REVENUE
We generate most of our revenue from the sale of local, long distance,
Internet access and other data services to large- and medium-sized businesses.
We are currently offering our full suite of services in markets where we have
deployed our network. Outside of these markets, we offer data and long distance
services on a resale basis to meet the needs of our large customers.
Our revenue consists of monthly recurring charges, usage charges and
initial, non-recurring charges. Monthly recurring charges include the fees paid
by our customers for lines in service, additional features on those lines and
collocation space. Usage charges consist of fees paid for each call made
generally measured by the minute but also measured by the call. Non-recurring
revenue is typically derived from fees charged to install new customer lines.
In addition to revenue generated from end-user customers, we also generate
revenue from access fees charged to long distance companies for the local
origination and termination of long distance calls from or to our customers. If
an imbalance occurs based on inbound versus outbound local calls, we may also be
owed reciprocal compensation from the traditional telephone company. We will
bill the access and reciprocal compensation to the long distance companies and
local telephone companies on a monthly basis. Reciprocal compensation and access
charges are not significant components of our revenue and represented less than
5% of total revenue for the year ended December 31, 1999. Although we expect
revenue from reciprocal compensation and access charges to increase as more
customers come onto our network, we anticipate deriving the majority of our
revenue from the sale of our telecommunications services to large- and
medium-sized businesses.
Prior to July 1998, our revenue primarily consisted of commissions earned
as a Bell Atlantic sales agent, and of telecommunications revenue earned from
the sale of long distance and data services under our own brand name. Since we
began providing Net2000-branded telecommunications services on a resale basis as
a market entry strategy and because we only provisioned our first customer on
our network in May 1999, the majority of our revenue for the year ended December
31, 1999 was derived from the resale of telecommunications services. However,
because we no longer use resale as a primary customer acquisition strategy, we
expect this revenue to quickly diminish in the future as a percentage of
revenue. We expect to transition customers which generate approximately 70% of
our existing resale revenues to our network
20
<PAGE> 22
within the next 12 months. As a result of these transition periods, revenue
comparisons to prior periods may not be valid comparisons.
OPERATING COSTS AND EXPENSES
We expect that our primary operating costs and expenses will consist of the
cost of providing our services and selling, general and administrative expenses.
OPERATING COSTS. Our most significant expense will be the cost of leasing
certain elements of the full "bundle" of traditional telephone services for sale
to our local service subscribers, the cost of leasing part of the data network
being used by our data customers and the cost of leasing parts of the long
distance network being used by our long distance service customers.
We purchase local telephone service for our customers on a "wholesale"
basis pursuant to interconnection agreements with the traditional telephone
companies in our targeted markets. Typically, these agreements establish the
terms and conditions of the interconnection arrangements along with the cost per
minute to be charged by each party for the calls that travel between each
carrier's network.
We provide data services to our customers over our own switches in six
markets and leased fiber optic lines, and in other areas by leasing part of the
data network requirements from various telecommunications companies pursuant to
written agreements.
We have entered into agreements with long distance providers in order to
originate or terminate long distance traffic in areas where we cannot do so over
our own network. These agreements provide for the origination or termination of
long distance services on a per-minute basis and contain minimum usage volume
commitments. If we fail to meet minimum volume commitments, we may be obligated
to pay underutilization charges. To date, we have met our usage volume
commitments and have not incurred any underutilization charges.
To minimize our costs, we lease fiber optic lines between cities on a fixed
cost basis pursuant to written agreements with the providers of fiber optic
lines. These fiber optic lines interconnect our switches, enabling us to
cost-effectively provide much of the data and long distance needs of our
customers. For the needs of our customers beyond our network coverage, we
purchase that capacity on a wholesale basis under our interconnection agreements
with other telecommunications companies.
If we underestimate our need for fiber optic lines, we may be required to
obtain capacity through more expensive means. These costs are usage sensitive
and will increase as our customers' long distance calling volume increases. As
traffic on specific routes increases, we may lease flat-rated long distance
trunk capacity to reduce our variable costs and improve our gross margins.
Once we have deployed a switch in a particular market, we expect that
switch site leasing and maintenance expense will be a significant part of our
ongoing cost of services.
Our primary expense associated with providing Internet access to our
customers is the cost of interconnecting our network with a national Internet
service provider. Currently, we provide our customers direct connectivity to the
Internet through a national Internet access provider.
As a result of the termination of our Bell Atlantic agent agreement in June
1998, we no longer incurred the costs, consisting primarily of labor costs, to
support our agency revenues. Subsequently, all of our resources were shifted to
support our activities as a telecommunications provider.
SELLING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES. Our selling, general and
administrative expenses include our infrastructure costs, including selling and
marketing costs, customer care, billing, corporate administration, personnel and
network maintenance expenses. The nature of
21
<PAGE> 23
these costs have been generally consistent throughout our history; however,
these costs have increased to support our growth as a telecommunications
provider. Our selling, general and administrative expenses exclude non-cash
compensation expense, which is classified on our income statement as non-cash
compensation expense.
We employ a direct sales force in each of our markets. To attract and
retain a highly qualified sales force, we offer our sales personnel a
compensation package that emphasizes commissions. We expect to incur significant
selling and marketing costs as we continue to hire additional personnel and
expand our operations.
We have deployed a state-of-the-art billing system that provides
consolidated billing for all services we provide to our customers on a single
invoice. We began issuing invoices in the first quarter of 1998, billing long
distance services and, subsequently, local, Internet access and other data
services.
We have developed tailored systems and procedures for operational support
and other back office systems that are required to provision and track a
customer order from point of sale to the installation and testing of service.
These systems are operational on a stand alone basis today and will interface
automatically with trouble management, inventory, billing, collection and
customer care systems by the end of the first quarter of 2000. In October 1999,
we implemented e.mpower, our e-commerce, web-based customer interface that
provides customers the ability to review near real-time network utilization
statistics. Subsequent phases will continue to build on this robust feature set
while providing further enhancements and value-added customer capabilities.
Along with the development cost of the systems, we will also incur ongoing
expenses for customer care and billing. As our strategy stresses the importance
of personalized customer care, we expect that the expenses related to our
customer care department will remain a significant part of our ongoing
administrative expenses. We expect the cost to maintain, enhance and operate
these systems and provide these critical functions will grow and will continue
to be a significant part of our ongoing general and administrative expenses.
We incur other costs and expenses, including the costs associated with the
maintenance of our network, administrative overhead, office leases and bad debt.
We expect that these costs will grow significantly as we expand our operations
and that administrative overhead will be a large portion of these expenses
during the initial phases of our business expansion. However, we expect these
expenses to become smaller as a percentage of our revenue as we build our
customer base.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1999 COMPARED TO YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998.
TOTAL REVENUE. Total revenue increased 195% to $27.7 million for 1999 from
$9.4 million for 1998. The increase resulted primarily from the launch of our
offering of communications services to large and medium-sized businesses offset
by the termination of our relationship as a Bell Atlantic agent.
AGENCY REVENUE. Agency revenue, which represents fees earned in our
capacity as a Bell Atlantic sales agent, decreased to zero for 1999, from $3.0
million for 1998. The decrease resulted from the termination of our Bell
Atlantic agency relationship.
TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND OTHER REVENUE. Telecommunications and other revenue
increased 333% to $27.7 million for 1999 from $6.4 million for 1998. The
increase resulted from the full launch of our business as a competitive
telecommunications provider in July 1998. Telecommunications and other revenue
for resale activities increased 309% to $26.2 million for 1999 from
22
<PAGE> 24
$6.4 million for 1998. Telecommunications and other revenue for direct provision
of telecommunications services increased to $1.5 million for 1999 from zero.
OPERATING COSTS. Operating costs increased 184% to $22.4 million for 1999,
from $7.9 million for 1998. This increase was attributable to the cost of
providing the telecommunications services underlying the increased revenue from
telecommunications services. Operating costs for resale activities increased
224% to $21.7 million for 1999 from $6.7 million for 1998. Operating costs for
direct provision of telecommunication services increased to $0.7 million for
1999 from zero for 1998.
SELLING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE. Selling, general and administrative
expenses increased 173% to $41.2 million for 1999, from $15.1 million for 1998.
This increase was primarily attributable to the increase in sales, delivery and
support associated with the increase in revenue discussed above, the launch of
our telecommunications services and the hiring of key senior management and
other personnel to develop and implement certain infrastructure initiatives to
support our new non-agent business.
DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION. Depreciation and amortization expense
increased 457% to $3.9 million for 1999, from $0.7 million for 1998. This
increase was primarily due to amortization of back office systems and software,
and depreciation of network elements and staff related expenses.
OTHER INCOME. Other income increased 420% to $2.6 million for 1999, from
$0.5 million for 1998. This change was primarily attributable to a $3.5 million
gain on a negotiated settlement with Bell Atlantic.
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998 COMPARED TO THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997.
TOTAL REVENUE. Total revenue increased 169% to $9.4 million for 1998 from
$3.5 million for 1997. The increase resulted primarily from the launch of our
business as a competitive telecommunications provider to large and medium-sized
businesses.
AGENCY REVENUE. Agency revenue decreased 12% to $3.0 million for 1998 from
$3.4 million for 1997. The decrease resulted primarily from the termination of
our Bell Atlantic agent agreement in June 1998, six months into the year while
we were a Bell Atlantic agent for the entirety of 1997.
TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND OTHER REVENUE. Telecommunications and other revenue
increased 6,300% to $6.4 million for 1998 from $0.1 million for 1997. The
increase resulted primarily from the launch of our business as a competitive
telecommunications provider to large and medium-sized businesses. In 1998, the
Company's resale business contributed 100% to the telecommunications and other
revenue.
OPERATING COSTS. Operating costs increased 778% to $7.9 million for 1998
from $0.9 million for 1997. The increase resulted primarily from the launch of
our business as a competitive telecommunications provider to large- and
medium-sized businesses as discussed above. As a result of the termination of
our Bell Atlantic agent agreement in June 1998, we no longer incurred the costs,
consisting primarily of labor costs, to support our agency revenues.
Subsequently, all of our resources were shifted to support our activities as a
telecommunications provider. Operating costs for agency activities increased 33%
to $1.2 million for 1998 from $0.9 million for 1997. Operating costs for resale
telecommunications activities increased 6600% to $6.6 million for 1998 from $0.1
million in 1997.
SELLING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE. Selling, general and administrative
expenses increased 297% to $15.1 million for 1998 from $3.8 million for 1997.
The increase resulted primarily from the launch of our business as a competitive
telecommunications provider to large- and medium-sized businesses.
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<PAGE> 25
DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION. Depreciation and amortization expenses
increased 600% to $0.7 million in 1998 from $0.1 million in 1997. This increase
was primarily due to the depreciation expense related to our billing system and
to our furniture and computer equipment and the amortization of software for our
growing employee base.
OTHER INCOME. Other income decreased 38% to $0.5 million for 1998 from $0.8
million for 1997. This change was attributable primarily to a one-time gain on
sale of our consulting division.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
The development of our business, the deployment and start-up of switching
facilities in our targeted markets and the establishment of reliable operations
support systems will require significant capital to fund the following:
- capital expenditures,
- working capital needs,
- debt service and
- the cash flow deficits generated by operating losses.
Our principal capital expenditure requirements will include:
- the purchase and installation of digital switches,
- the development of operations support systems and other automated back
office systems and,
- in certain cases, the overbuilding of leased fiber lines in those
instances where traffic volume growth makes it economically attractive to
do so.
Future overbuilds of leased fiber optic lines and potential strategic
acquisitions may increase capital requirements, although cash requirements may
be reduced if network expansions are accomplished over a longer time frame or if
we do not continue to experience significant sales growth.
To date, we have funded our start-up expenditures through the private sale
of equity securities and a senior term loan facility with Nortel. In November
1998, May 1998 and October 1997, we raised a combined total of approximately
$50.5 million through the private placement of our preferred stock. We have
entered into a credit agreement with Nortel Networks whereby Nortel will provide
draws to us under a term loan arrangement in an aggregate principal amount of up
to $75 million. These are to be used for the purchase of telecommunications
equipment and related software licenses and for working capital purposes. To
secure the facility, we have granted Nortel a security interest in all of our
assets. The loans must be repaid over a five-year period commencing November
2001. Interest payments are due monthly in the case of base rate (prime based)
draws or at the end of the LIBOR loan period. Interest will accrue at a lower
rate if we meet specified financial tests. On December 23, 1999, TD Securities
(USA), Inc. and Goldman Sachs Credit Partners L.P. purchased this facility. As
of December 31, 1999, we had $41.4 million outstanding under this senior term
loan facility. Since December 31, 1999, we have increased our debt significantly
to finance our growing business.
In July 1999, we issued to Nortel a senior discount note with a face amount
of $75 million. This note accrues interest at the Treasury rate plus 8% per
annum and requires no interest or principal payments until July 2004. For the
next five years thereafter, we must pay interest semi-annually at an interest
rate of 13.5%. The note must be repaid in full upon the closing of this
offering. As of December 31, 1999, we had no principal amounts outstanding under
this senior discount note. On January 7, 2000, we borrowed $41.5 million, the
full amount available under this facility. In conjunction with that borrowing,
in July 1999, we issued to Nortel warrants to purchase 1,119,930 shares of
common stock at $0.008 per share. The warrants may be exercised in whole or in
part during the ten year exercise period which is from July 30, 1999 to
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<PAGE> 26
July 30, 2009. Our senior discount note will be extinguished upon an initial
public offering, resulting in an extraordinary loss on the extinguishment of
debt.
Net cash used in operating activities was $27.7 million for the year ended
December 31, 1999 and $11.7 million for the year ended December 31, 1998. The
increase of $16.0 million is primarily due to an increase in operating losses,
offset by an increase in non-cash reconciling items for depreciation and
amortization and an increase in accrued liabilities. Net cash used in investing
activities was $38.7 million for the year ended December 31, 1999 and $3.0
million for the year ended December 31, 1998. The increase of $35.7 million
represents an increase in capital expenditures during the year ended December
31, 1999 for our expansion into new markets. Net cash provided by financing
activities was $38.5 million for the year ended December 31, 1999 and $45.8
million for the year ended December 31, 1998. The decrease of $7.3 million is
the result of an increase in borrowings under notes payable of $41.4 million
offset by an increase in repayments of capital leases of $2.2 million and a
decrease in funds raised from preferred stock of $47.0 million. Our capital
expenditures were approximately $2.0 million in 1998 and approximately $36
million in 1999 and are currently expected to be approximately $115 million in
2000.
We estimate that Phases I and II of our business plan, as currently
contemplated, including future capital expenditures, operating losses associated
with the rollout of our network in new and existing markets and working capital
needs, require approximately $430 million from the beginning of Phase I through
the point when we anticipate these phases will become cash flow positive. Upon
completion of this offering, we will have pre-funded more than 60% of these
capital requirements with:
- cash,
- cash equivalents and short-term investments currently on hand,
- committed borrowing capacity under our $75 million senior term loan
facility with TD Securities (USA), Inc. and Goldman Sachs Credit Partners
L.P., and
- anticipated cash flows from future operations.
We plan to raise the remaining $165 million needed to complete Phases I and
II from alternative sources, which may include additional bank or vendor debt.
We believe our equity base of $250.5 million and the continued execution of our
business plan will enable us to access these capital sources shortly after this
offering. We expect that funding the capital expenditures and operating losses
associated with Phase III, as currently designed and at current prices for
network equipment, through the projected time that it becomes cash flow positive
will require an incremental $130 million. To the extent we proceed with Phase
III as planned, we expect to pre-fund these requirements by raising additional
capital from the equity or debt markets on an opportunistic basis.
We expect to make significant capital outlays for the foreseeable future to
continue the development activities called for in our current business plan and
to fund expected operating losses. Until such time as we begin to generate
positive cash flow from operations, these capital expenditures will need to be
financed with additional debt and equity capital. We believe that our current
resources, together with the net proceeds of this offering, will be sufficient
to satisfy our liquidity needs for the succeeding 12 months; however, we cannot
assure you to that effect. Thereafter, we will need substantial additional
capital. If our plans or assumptions change, if our assumptions prove to be
inaccurate, or if we experience unexpected costs or competitive pressures, we
will be required to seek additional capital sooner than currently expected. In
particular, if we elect to pursue significant additional acquisition
opportunities, our cash needs may be increased substantially, both to finance
any such acquisitions and to finance development efforts in new markets. We
cannot assure you that our current projection of cash flow and losses from
operations, which will depend upon numerous future factors and conditions and
many of which are outside of our control, will be accurate. Actual results will
almost certainly vary
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<PAGE> 27
materially from our current projections. It is likely that actual costs and
revenues will vary from expected amounts which will likely affect our future
capital requirements. Because our cost of expanding our network services and
sales efforts, funding other strategic initiatives and operating our business
will depend on a variety of factors, including, among other things:
- the number of subscribers and the services for which they subscribe,
- the nature and penetration of services that may be offered by us,
- regulatory and legislative developments, and
- the response of our competitors to a loss of customers to us and changes
in technology.
We intend to seek additional debt and equity financing to fund our
liquidity needs after we use the proceeds from this offering. We cannot assure
you that we will be able to raise additional capital on satisfactory terms or at
all. If we decide to raise additional funds through the incurrence of debt, our
interest obligations will increase and we may become subject to additional or
more restrictive financial covenants. If we decide to raise additional funds
through the issuance of equity, the ownership interests represented by the
common stock will be diluted. In the event that we are unable to obtain such
additional capital or to obtain it on acceptable terms or in sufficient amounts,
we may be required to delay the development of our network and business plans or
take other actions that could materially and adversely affect our business,
operating results and financial condition.
PROPOSED TRANSACTIONS
On January 7, 2000, we entered into a letter of intent with Access One
Communications Corporation which we anticipate will result in the sale of
approximately 250 resale customer accounts representing approximately 10,000
access lines. This sale will facilitate our focus on servicing customers
connected to our network. Under the terms of the letter of intent, Access One
will pay us $750 per access line, subject to downward adjustments, but no less
than $500 per access line, if either (i) certain gross margin targets are not
met within 90 days from the closing date or (ii) there is customer attrition
within 90 days from the closing date. Access One will also have a right of first
refusal to acquire any future resale customers that we may offer for sale for a
two year period from closing. At closing, we will receive $2 million and the
balance of the purchase price, which may range from $3 million to $5.5 million,
will be payable in the form of an interest-free promissory note payable over
nine months. This sale is expected to increase average access lines per customer
by 15% from approximately 71 to approximately 82 and reduce customer count by
approximately 23% from 1,100 to 850.
In February 2000, we and Williams Communications entered into a non-binding
letter of intent detailing a proposed transaction between the two parties in
which we will purchase from Williams $128 million of telecommunications services
over 20 years, of which $75 million will be paid in cash or through the
utilization of network credits over the first seven years of the term. The
letter of intent also provides for us to pay a termination penalty of up to $5.4
million in the event we terminate the definitive agreement prior to the end of
the 20 year period. These services will include service on Williams' fiber optic
lines between cities and within cities, advanced data services and collocation
services. We expect this arrangement to lower our network costs, allow us to
offer new and improved services to our customers and provide better control of
our network connections. In addition, Williams will purchase $15 million of
equity from us in exchange for network credits and cash. This equity will be
non-voting and non-transferable for a period of one year and the price will be
based upon the fair market value of our stock at the time the transaction
closes. We expect to enter into a definitive agreement during the first quarter
of 2000.
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<PAGE> 28
IMPACT OF THE YEAR 2000 ISSUE
The Year 2000 issue results from computer programs being written using two
digits rather than four to define the year. Any of our computer programs or
systems, or those of our suppliers, that have date-sensitive software may
recognize a date using "00" as the year 1900 rather than the year 2000. This
could result in a system failure or miscalculation causing the disruption of
operations, including among other things:
- A temporary inability to process transactions;
- A temporary inability to send invoices;
- A temporary inability to engage in normal business activities; and
- Interruptions of customer care.
We did not experience any problems on January 1, 2000 and to date, we have
not experienced, nor are we aware of, any material Year 2000 issues with any of
our internal systems or our services, and we do not anticipate experiencing such
issues in the future. Further, we are unaware of any issues with our vendors,
suppliers or customers that will materially affect us.
Our Year 2000 Steering Committee oversees a team responsible for monitoring
the assessment and remediation status of our Year 2000 issues and reports the
findings to our management and Board of Directors. This Steering Committee
retained an outside consulting firm to assess the potential effect and costs of
remediating Year 2000 issues for our internal systems.
We believe that we have identified all major computers, software
applications and related equipment used in connection with our internal
operations that will need to be modified, upgraded or replaced to minimize the
possibility of a material disruption to our business. Under the direction of the
Steering Committee, we have completed assessing the potential impact of Year
2000 issues on these computers, equipment and applications and have modified,
upgraded and replaced major systems that we believe have Year 2000 issues.
In addition to computers and related information, operation, and network
systems, the operation of office systems, facilities and equipment, such as fax
machines, security systems and other common office devices, may have Year 2000
issues that have not yet surfaced. We will continue to monitor the performance
of these office systems, equipment and facilities.
We are actively contacting third-party suppliers of components and
telecommunications services, and our key subcontractors used in the delivery of
our services to identify, and to the extent possible, resolve issues relating to
the Year 2000 issue. While we expect that we will be able to resolve any
significant Year 2000 issues identified with these third parties, because we
have no control over the actions of these parties, these third parties may not
remediate any or all of the Year 2000 issues identified. Any failure of any of
these third parties to timely resolve Year 2000 issues with either their
products sold to us, or their systems could have a material adverse effect on
our business, operating results and financial condition. In addition, the
delivery of our services is also dependent on the operation of the networks of
many local exchange carriers and long distance carriers with whom we must
interact as part of our normal business operations, but with whom we do not have
formal contractual arrangements. Consequently, failure of these carriers'
networks to fully operate as a result of Year 2000 issues could also affect our
operations. To our knowledge, none of these networks experienced any problems on
or since January 1, 2000.
Our total cost to proactively address our Year 2000 issues was
approximately $0.3 million. The cost of addressing Year 2000 issues will be
reported as a general and administrative expense.
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We believe we identified and resolved all Year 2000 issues that could
materially and adversely affect our business operations. However, for the
reasons discussed above, we believe that it is not possible to determine with
complete certainty that all Year 2000 issues affecting us have been identified
or corrected and we may not know that this is true for several months. As a
result, we believe that the following consequences are possible:
- operational inconveniences and inefficiencies for us that will divert our
management's time and attention and our financial and human resources
from ordinary business activities;
- business disputes and claims for pricing adjustments or penalties by our
customers due to Year 2000 issues, which we believe will be resolved in
the ordinary course of business; and
- business disputes alleging that we failed to comply with the terms and
conditions of contracts or industry standards of performance that result
in litigation or contract termination.
We developed contingency plans to be implemented if our efforts to identify
and correct Year 2000 issues affecting our internal systems were ineffective. We
have adopted the Year 2000 contingency plans as our standard operational
contingency plans. Our contingency plans are designed to minimize the
disruptions or other adverse effects. Our plans include:
- accelerated replacement of affected equipment or software;
- short to medium-term use of backup equipment and software;
- increased work hours for our personnel; and
- use of contract personnel to correct on an accelerated schedule any Year
2000 issues that arise or to provide manual workarounds for information
systems.
Our implementation of any of these contingency plans could require us to
expend additional funds and could have a material adverse effect on our
business, operating results and financial conditions. Our efforts in this
regard, if necessary, will be to minimize expense associated with the
implementation and use of any contingency planning with our objective to employ
the least costly plan necessary to address the relevant operational issues.
QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURE ABOUT MARKET RISK
We do not have operations subject to risks of foreign currency
fluctuations, nor do we use derivative financial instruments in our operations
or investment portfolio. Our earnings are affected by changes in interest rates
as our long term debt has variable interest rates based on either the Prime Rate
or LIBOR. If interest rates for our long term debt average 10% more in 1999 than
they did during 1998, our interest expense would increase, and loss before taxes
would increase by $2.3 million for the year ended December 31, 1999. These
amounts are determined by considering the impact of the hypothetical interest
rates on our borrowing cost and outstanding debt balances. These analyses do not
consider the effects of the reduced level of overall economic activity that
could exist in such an environment. Further, in the event of a change of such
magnitude, management would likely take actions to further mitigate its exposure
to the change. However, due to the uncertainty of the specific actions that
would be taken and their possible effects, the sensitivity analysis assumes no
changes in our financial structure.
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BUSINESS
OVERVIEW
We are a rapidly-growing, innovative provider of state-of-the-art broadband
telecommunications services. As a competitive telecommunications provider, we
offer businesses located throughout the mid-Atlantic and northeastern regions of
the United States cutting-edge, responsive solutions as an alternative to the
traditional telephone companies. Today, we offer an integrated package of
high-speed data services, Internet services, local telephone services and long
distance services, primarily delivered from our own network over a single
broadband connection and conveniently billed on a single invoice. Since the
introduction of our Net2000-banded services in July 1998, we have successfully
acquired over 1,100 new business customers, representing approximately 78,000
access lines. In January 2000, we entered into a letter of intent to sell
approximately 250 resale customer accounts representing approximately 10,000
access lines. This sale will result in a 15% increase to our average access
lines per customer.
BUSINESS STRATEGY
We strive to be the provider of choice of integrated business
telecommunications services in our target markets. We believe that our six-year
operating history, existing customer base and substantial experience will enable
us to implement effectively our growth strategy. The key elements of our
strategy include the following:
TARGET HIGH-END TELECOMMUNICATIONS USERS
Over the last six years, we have sold local telephone data and voice
services to high-end businesses. Our average customer has over 71 access
lines, having bandwidth provided by three high-capacity digital
transmission lines known as T-1 lines. When we complete the anticipated
sale of approximately 250 resale customer accounts representing
approximately 10,000 access lines, our average access lines per customer
is expected to increase 15% from approximately 71 to approximately 82.
More than 55% of our customers purchase multiple services from us.
ACQUIRE CUSTOMERS BY USING OUR PROVEN SALES AND MARKETING TECHNIQUES
- UTILIZE OUR EXPERIENCED SALES STAFF TO ACQUIRE NEW CUSTOMERS AND TO
EXPAND EXISTING CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIPS. Since 1993, we have utilized a
highly-consultative sales approach whereby experienced sales executives
work with new and existing customers to analyze their needs. This
personalized approach enables us to optimally configure each customer's
services and deliver superior customer care. Using this approach, we have
established close relationships with over 3,300 businesses. We served as
the Bell Atlantic sales agent to approximately 2,200 of these businesses.
We believe these relationships represent a significant opportunity for
new customer acquisitions.
- OFFER BUNDLED SERVICES ON A SINGLE INVOICE. We are one of the first
companies in the industry to offer a bundled package of high-speed data
services, Internet services, local telephone services and long distance
services, through a single broadband connection that is conveniently
billed on a single invoice. We believe that our ability to offer this
enhanced package will continue to provide us with a strategic advantage
in the marketplace.
USE TECHNOLOGY, INCLUDING WEB-BASED SOLUTIONS, AND STATE-OF-THE-ART BACK
OFFICE SYSTEMS TO DELIVER SUPERIOR CUSTOMER CARE
- INCREASE CUSTOMER SATISFACTION AND LOYALTY THROUGH OUR PROPRIETARY
WEB-ENABLED SELF-CARE SYSTEM. Our proprietary, web-based customer
interface, e.mpower, uses to our advantage
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<PAGE> 31
the power of the Internet by providing our customers with an e-commerce
tool to manage and procure their telecommunications services. We believe
we are revolutionizing our customers' buying experiences by providing
them direct access to information regarding network performance, ordering
services, capacity use on the network, billing data and management
reports. Currently, e.mpower enables our customers 24 hours per day,
seven days per week, to order services, report troubles, initiate and
view the status of trouble tickets, analyze invoice data and access
network utilization statistics, which are updated every 15 minutes.
- UTILIZE STATE-OF-THE-ART, READILY EXPANDABLE INFORMATION SYSTEMS. Our
operational support systems consist of software applications from ADC
Telecommunications, Inc. (formerly Saville Systems plc), Metasolv
Software, Inc., Siebel Systems, Inc., Wisor Telecom Corporation,
Linguateq Incorporated and DSET Corporation. These systems, which are
integrated and readily expandable, enable us to reduce costs and shorten
the interval between a customer's order and service installation by
eliminating repeated manual data entry.
- CONTINUE TO FOCUS ON EXCELLENCE IN CUSTOMER CARE TO MAINTAIN HIGH
CUSTOMER RETENTION RATE. Our heritage and focus as a sales, marketing and
customer care company have generated customer loyalty and a low annual
customer churn rate of approximately 3% annually for all of our
customers, including our resale and customers connected to our network.
CONTINUE BUILD-OUT OF OUR DATA-FOCUSED NETWORK TO MAXIMIZE SPEED TO MARKET AND
MINIMIZE INVESTMENT RISK
- DEPLOY INNOVATIVE, SMART-BUILD NETWORK WITH MINIMAL USE OF
COLLOCATION. Our approach is to deploy and own the key elements of our
network necessary to establish customer loyalty, including proprietary
back office systems and data and voice switches that can be modified for
the service provided. We lease fiber optic lines to interconnect our
switches and typically we only share space with the traditional local
telephone companies, or collocate, in one location per market. This
strategy greatly mitigates capital risk and allows us to take advantage
of falling costs of network elements and new technologies, including
digital subscriber line, or DSL, technology.
Our smart-build strategy differs from those of other competitive
telecommunications providers in several ways because we:
- LEAD WITH DATA. We initiate service in new markets by first deploying
lower-cost data switches. This better positions us to address the
complex data needs of larger business customers and generates traffic
on our national network in targeted markets before investing
significant capital in multi-service communications equipment capable
of supporting data, voice and multi-media services;
- BACK-FILL WITH VOICE. When data traffic and customer concentration
reach an optimal level, we install multi-service communications
equipment in an incremental fashion to meet our customers' growing
needs;
- ENHANCE MARGINS UTILIZING DSL TECHNOLOGY. We believe that we can use to
our advantage the industry's rapid deployment of DSL technology and the
effects of recent regulatory rulings to reduce our cost of connecting
customers to our network by up to 50%; and
- MINIMIZE COLLOCATION WITH TRADITIONAL TELEPHONE COMPANIES. Unlike other
competitive telecommunications providers, we do not presently collocate
our network equipment in the traditional telephone company central
offices. This allows us to open new markets faster and have greater
control over service quality. In order to capitalize on a recent
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regulatory ruling, we plan to establish one traditional telephone
company collocation in each market to allow us to reduce the cost of our
customer connections.
- CONTINUE TO INSTALL STATE-OF-THE-ART NETWORK. Our Nortel-based flexible
network design supports state-of-the-art, broadband data and voice
telecommunications services, and is designed to support evolving data
technologies with minimal additional capital expenditures; and
- OPTIMIZE CUSTOMER CONNECTIONS TO INCREASE MARGINS. By utilizing newly
developed equipment, we can place more services on the same high capacity
telecommunications lines at our average customer site, thereby allowing
us to generate more revenue without increasing our operating costs.
BUILD ON THE EXPERIENCE OF OUR PROVEN MANAGEMENT TEAM
Our proven senior management team has an average of 19 years of
telecommunications experience with industry leading corporations. This
experience has been a major factor in our success to date and will continue to
play a key role in the execution of our strategy.
CAPITALIZE ON OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH NORTEL NETWORKS
- MAINTAIN FULL-TIME ON-SITE TECHNICAL AND OPERATIONAL SUPPORT. As part of
our professional services agreement, Nortel provides us with dedicated
full-time employees to support our network build-out;
- MITIGATE TECHNOLOGICAL OBSOLESCENCE. The Nortel equipment in our network
can be upgraded from local telephone switches to data switches at modest
cost; and
- TAKE ADVANTAGE OF NORTEL'S EQUITY POSITION. Nortel has provided us with a
$30 million equity investment and $150 million of debt and equipment
financing for the build-out of our network. This investment more closely
aligns our mutual business and technical interests.
MARKET OPPORTUNITY
We believe that the Telecommunications Act and certain state regulatory
initiatives provide substantial opportunities in the telecommunications
marketplace by opening local markets to competition and requiring the
traditional telephone companies to provide increased access to connect our
network to theirs for exchanging data and voice traffic. In addition, we believe
that accelerated growth rates in local traffic related to increased demand for
Internet access, interoffice communications and other data service applications
and the desire for "one-stop shopping" by business customers presents an
attractive opportunity for new entrants to achieve product differentiation and
significant penetration into this very large, established market.
The two main segments of the telecommunications industry, voice and data
services, continue to drive growth. The Yankee Group, a leading industry
analyst, estimates that the voice services market in the United States is
expected to grow from $224 billion in 1998 to $281.5 billion in 2002, and the
data services market in the United States will grow from $22.3 billion in 1998
to $61.7 billion in 2002. This growth in the data services market represents a
compounded annual growth rate of 29.0%. High-speed data services and Internet
connectivity have become important to business due to the dramatic increase in
Internet usage and the proliferation of personal computer and IP-based
applications.
We believe we are well-positioned to capitalize on the overall growth of
the telecommunications industry. As of December 31, 1999, our 13 Phase I markets
represented a region with more than 9 million business access lines. This
equates to approximately one-fifth of total United States business lines
according to TeleCon, LLC, an independent telecommunications research firm. In
Phase III of our deployment, we plan to extend our network to include markets
encompassing approximately one-half of the business access lines in the United
States. The
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following table sets forth certain information from TeleCon regarding the
markets in which we currently operate and the markets we plan to enter by the
end of 2002.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
BUSINESS ACCESS
MARKET LINES
- ------ ---------------
<S> <C>
Phase I:
Washington, DC 1,527,799
Baltimore, MD 585,289
Richmond, VA 248,548
Norfolk, VA 344,960
New York, NY 2,289,680
Boston, MA 1,440,942
Williamsburg, VA 16,247
Long Island, NY 759,989
Newark, NJ 931,929
Philadelphia, PA 1,180,532
Providence, RI 230,876
Frederick, MD 37,616
Roanoke, VA 65,911
Phase II:
Denver, CO 480,972
Atlanta, GA 875,543
Los Angeles, CA 3,179,616
Wilmington, DE 114,260
Charlotte, NC 279,263
Pittsburgh, PA 412,462
Chicago, IL 2,191,806
Dallas/Fort Worth, TX 1,054,348
San Jose, CA 564,285
Salt Lake City, UT 227,270
Philadelphia, PA Included Above
Phase III:
Chicago, IL Included Above
Miami, FL 453,323
Charlotte, NC Included Above
San Francisco, CA 1,169,218
Houston, TX 922,816
Los Angeles, CA Included Above
Denver, CO Included Above
Dallas/Fort Worth, TX Included Above
Pittsburgh, PA Included Above
Seattle, WA 458,393
</TABLE>
Data for Los Angeles, CA includes Orange County, CA and data for San Francisco,
CA includes Oakland, CA.
SERVICES
We have designed our service offerings to meet the specific needs of
business customers in our target markets. Our integrated network access service
allows customers to combine data services, such as advanced data services,
private line or Internet access and voice services, local and long distance, on
the same high capacity network access circuit, thereby reducing the cost of
these services. Unlike many telecommunications services providers, we can offer
all Net2000
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services to our customers using the same broadband network connection. We offer
a comprehensive selection of data and voice services including:
- high-speed data communications;
- voice;
- domestic and international long distance; and
- Internet access.
All of these services are supported by e.mpower, our innovative web-based
customer care application. We also provide billing for all of these services on
a single invoice. Our products and services include:
DATA COMMUNICATIONS SERVICES
- WIDE AREA NETWORK INTERCONNECTION. We provide businesses with high-speed
data connectivity between locations throughout the United States. These
connections are typically over high capacity telecommunications lines and
use advanced data services, or asynchronous transfer mode connections.
Asynchronous transfer mode is a high speed technology that collapses
voice, video and data onto the same network. Asynchronous transfer mode
uses switches to establish an end-to-end connection which allows complete
control of the quality of service provided. We currently provide this
connectivity over our own advanced data services backbone in the
mid-Atlantic and northeastern regions of the United States and utilize
our interconnection with other carriers to provide services throughout
other areas of the United States. As we continue our national backbone
deployment, which we anticipate to be substantially complete in late
2000, we will be able to provide a large percentage of these connections
on our own network. In addition, many Internet and other enhanced service
providers are collocating equipment in our switching centers, thereby
allowing them to utilize our backbone wide area network connections
between major cities.
- FRAME RELAY. We offer another variety of high-speed advanced data
services known as frame relay, to customers throughout the United States.
We provide this service today over our six data switches and
network-to-network interconnections with other national carriers.
- PRIVATE LINE SERVICE. Our private line service provides digital
connectivity between customer locations for data or voice traffic. We
offer both local private line services for connecting offices within a
metropolitan area and long distance private line services for connecting
offices beyond geographic boundaries established by regulatory bodies.
- HIGH-SPEED INTERNET ACCESS. We provide customers with a variety of
Internet access offerings. Our Internet access services range from very
high bandwidth connections to lower speed, dedicated 128 kilobits per
second and advanced data services connections. For customers that
subscribe to more than one service, we provide high-speed Internet access
coupled with any of our other services over a single broadband facility.
- ENHANCED INTERNET ACCESS SERVICES. Our enhanced Internet access services
provide full-time connections to the Internet as well as several
associated services. Customers can utilize this access in combination
with customer-owned equipment and software to establish a presence on the
web or to provide e-commerce services. We also offer a managed Internet
access solution, which provides the customer with the networking
equipment required to access the Internet, (such as routers and channel
service units). Enhanced Internet access services also include obtaining
IP addresses, registration of company domain names (i.e.,
companyname.com) with the appropriate organization, newsfeeds for
participation in discussion groups and domain name services which
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<PAGE> 35
translate Internet addresses to facilitate routing across the Internet.
Our web based e-mail services provide the customer with electronic mail
using a web browser.
VOICE SERVICES
LOCAL TELEPHONE SERVICES. We provide customers with a variety of local
telecommunications services designed to meet their specific needs.
- CONNECTION PRODUCTS. We offer the same traditional and enhanced local
telecommunications services offerings as the traditional telephone
companies. These services include:
- traditional business lines (private branch exchange, or PBX,
interconnection trunks);
- direct inward and outward dial trunks; and
- analog and digital access.
In contrast to the traditional telephone companies, we offer a simplified
equipment interface which saves customers money and provides a user-friendly
billing format. With the recent advent of local number portability, customers
can choose to keep their existing phone numbers. We have found local number
portability to be an increasingly useful tool to capture existing business from
our primary competitors, the traditional telephone companies.
- ENHANCED SERVICE FEATURES. Through our advanced data and voice switches
that can be modified for the services provided, we offer and support over
100 features to enhance customers' telecommunications usage with features
such as call forwarding, call transferring, caller ID, call waiting,
three-way calling and call holding. We also offer operator services,
directory assistance and 911 emergency service capability.
LONG DISTANCE SERVICES. We provide a comprehensive line of domestic and
international long distance services. We offer all customers connected to our
network, low-cost dedicated access rates irrespective of calling volume. This
allows customers to further optimize their network access and equipment
configuration by minimizing the need for special access or overflow lines.
- INBOUND SERVICES. We are able to provide 800/888 toll free services
through our own long distance service or by reselling long distance
service in all 50 states, Canada and the surrounding territories to help
our customers improve their relations with customers, employees and
investors.
- OUTBOUND SERVICES. We offer a number of long distance service packages
created to meet the needs of our customers based on volume and calling
patterns including 1+ outbound calling. Our account codes feature,
whereby a customer enters an account code on the telephone key pad,
allows us to provide a monthly invoice showing outbound usage by account
code. Customers typically use account codes to itemize call activity
based on department, client, business unit or individual.
- OPERATOR SERVICES. Our customers have access to operator services for
assistance in placing calls.
- CALLING CARDS. We offer calling cards to make calls while traveling in
the United States and selected international locations.
COLLOCATION, REMOTE ACCESS AND OTHER CARRIER SERVICES
We offer collocation services to Internet service providers and other
carriers. Our Internet service provider customers are able to establish local
numbers to dial into any city on our backbone network, without incurring the
expense of building their own network facilities in each city. Further,
collocation allows Internet service providers and other carriers to quickly
install and
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<PAGE> 36
provide an immediate low-cost, highly reliable connection to the full suite of
our services and advanced data services backbone.
We offer between 900 and 6,400 square feet of collocation space in our
multi-service communications centers. The average customer uses 20 square feet
of collocation space in our multi-service communications centers. Collocation
provides our customers with inexpensive equipment housing, in a highly secure,
environmentally controlled and monitored space. As of December 31, 1999, we had
over 11,000 square feet of dedicated collocation space available and we expect
to have 29,600 square feet of collocation space by April 2000. We expect this
space to increase significantly as our switch deployment progresses.
SALES AND CUSTOMER CARE
We market our services by providing each customer with a responsive,
highly-trained face-to-face executive sales team supported by customer care
managers. These teams provide customized solutions and a point-of-contact for
each of our customers. We believe that this personalized, attentive approach to
sales and service facilitates incremental sales of new services to existing
customers, while maximizing customer retention.
SALES -- DIRECT SALES
We currently market our telecommunications services through our rapidly
growing direct sales force as well as through sales agents. As of December 31,
1999, our sales force consisted of 152 people, excluding contractual
relationships with five sales agents. Our sales executives are located in sales
offices servicing eight markets, including metropolitan Washington, D.C., New
York City, Long Island, Boston, Providence, Baltimore, Richmond and Norfolk.
Over the next 12 months, we plan to aggressively grow our sales staff in
existing markets and open sales offices in northern New Jersey, Philadelphia,
Wilmington, Atlanta, Charlotte and Chicago. We supplement our sales efforts
through:
- trade shows;
- seminars;
- outsourced telemarketing for lead generation;
- direct mail campaigns;
- regional advertising; and
- utilization of database tools, such as mining.
The following table sets forth each of our existing and proposed sales
office locations, the date we plan to open each proposed office, the number of
direct sales representatives currently located in each office and the number of
direct sales representatives we intend to be located in each office at year-end
1999, 2000 and 2001.
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<PAGE> 37
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
DIRECT SALES STAFF
--------------------------------------------
AS OF PLANNED PLANNED
OFFICE DECEMBER 31, YEAR END YEAR END
STATUS 1999 2000 2001
MARKET ------- ------------ -------- --------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Washington, DC open 32 49 49
Baltimore open 16 32 32
Richmond open 13 36 39
Norfolk open 13 31 31
New York open 9 28 48
Long Island open 7 21 32
Newark open 4 21 27
Boston open 10 30 48
Providence open 5 9 13
Philadelphia planned 0 24 37
Phase II markets planned 0 32 187
Phase III markets planned 0 23 57
</TABLE>
We believe our target market, large- and medium-sized businesses, are
largely underserved by traditional telephone companies and have needs that are
too complex for other competitive telecommunications providers to serve. In
order to achieve our goal of sales excellence, we employ four key strategies:
- selectively recruit experienced sales personnel;
- provide extensive and continuous training;
- segment our sales teams based on experience; and
- offer a full portfolio of competitively priced services.
Our sales executives are segmented based on their typical experience and
track record of success:
ACCOUNT MANAGERS. Our account managers are proven professionals with two or
more years of general sales experience and focus on businesses spending
$15,000 per month or less.
SENIOR ACCOUNT MANAGERS. Our senior account managers have four or more
years of proven sales experience, including experience in the
telecommunications industry and focus on businesses spending $10,000 to
$25,000 per month.
MAJOR ACCOUNT MANAGERS. Our major account managers are our most senior
sales executives, having five to seven years of telecommunications sales
success and focus on businesses spending $20,000 to $1 million per month.
In addition to our new customer acquisition sales force, we utilize a
client solutions group and a carrier sales team.
CLIENT SOLUTIONS GROUP. Our client solutions group focuses on retaining and
selling additional services to existing customers. This group's sales goal
is to convert to our network our resale customers and those businesses with
which we had relationships during our tenure as a Bell Atlantic sales
agent. This group will also focus on selling incremental services to all
existing customers. New customers are generally transitioned to this group
120 days after service is installed.
CARRIER SALES TEAM. Our wholesale or "carrier" sales organization focuses
on selling collocation and other tailored solutions to Internet service
providers and carriers.
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<PAGE> 38
All of these sales teams are supported by a support organization and
marketing organization which provides customer prospect management, customer
sales record extraction and analysis, pricing and proposal generating.
The following table describes our sales force:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SALES FORCE BY TYPE
----------------------------------
AS OF PLANNED PLANNED
DECEMBER 31, YEAR END YEAR END
1999 2000 2001
------------ -------- --------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Account Managers............................................ 52 188 349
Senior Account Managers..................................... 29 59 123
Major Account Managers...................................... 11 31 53
Client Solutions Group Representatives...................... 5 26 28
Sales Management............................................ 12 32 47
Carrier Sales............................................... 4 10 20
Marketing and Sales Support................................. 39 78 130
--- --- ---
Total.................................................. 152 424 750
=== === ===
</TABLE>
Our sales executives meet with prospective customers to gain a thorough
understanding of their business and telecommunications requirements. Sales
executives then submit a professional, highly-customized and comprehensive
proposal that outlines several alternatives for operational enhancements and
cost savings based on an integrated bundle of services.
To attract and motivate sales professionals, we generally provide a
comprehensive compensation package which includes a competitive base salary,
stock options and a non-capped commission plan based on sales results. The
commission structure targets approximately 60% of a sales executive's
compensation to be derived from new and incremental revenue generation.
In 1999, direct sales accounted for 99% of our revenue and we estimate 94%
of our revenue in 2000 will be generated through direct sales.
SALES -- INDIRECT SALES
In addition to our direct sales team, we utilize sales agents who sell our
services and typically focus on specific niche markets or industries, augmenting
our direct sales initiatives. Customers acquired through agents are serviced by
our customer care representatives, are invoiced by us and have the same direct
relationship with us as any of our other customers.
Over the past six years, our customer acquisition efforts also have been
bolstered by entering into strategic relationships with various industry
vendors. We establish these relationships with systems integrators,
"interconnect" or equipment companies and others which offer complementary
telecommunications products and services to the same group of target customers.
For example, our sales staff works closely with Lucent Technologies on a weekly
basis to make joint customer sales calls and proposals. Although we do not have
a written contract with Lucent, this relationship has been in place for five
years and has proven to be beneficial for facilitating sales.
CUSTOMER CARE
Given our heritage is as a sales, marketing and customer care company, we
pride ourselves on providing the best possible customer care in the industry. To
this end, we provide an installation sales manager and customer care
representative to each new customer. The role of the installation manager is to
manage and oversee the implementation of the customer's telecommunications
services. The customer care manager is the primary point of contact for the
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<PAGE> 39
customer after the installation is complete. The customer care effort is
complemented by our 24 hours per day, seven days per week customer response
center.
We are investing in a sophisticated customer relationship management, or
CRM, system that is integrated with an automated call distribution, or ACD,
platform. This system identifies the incoming phone number and matches it with
the customer's name and account information including reported troubles and
services installed along with other key account information. If the designated
customer care manager is unavailable to take the call, the call is re-directed
along with all customer information to our customer response center. This call
treatment is transparent to the customer.
We believe that knowledgeable and well-trained employees are necessary to
provide the proper level of customer care to our large target customers. As a
result, all customer care managers, installation managers, installation
personnel, customer response center representatives and field installation
technicians receive continuous training, including rigorous technical, customer
care and corporate culture training. Extensive case studies, role playing and
immediate peer and instructor feedback during the training program give our
employees the knowledge and confidence to provide comprehensive support to
customers on the full range of Net2000 services. All training is developed and
conducted in-house by full-time "faculty" at "Net2000 University." We believe
our training program provides us with a key strategic advantage.
Each customer care team is carefully selected and closely managed to ensure
that a broad range of technical and support experience is available to address
customer requests or concerns. Sales executives work closely with customer care
and installation professionals to provide responsive service and support for the
customer.
Our customer response center operates 24 hours per day, seven days per week
from our new operations center in Herndon, Virginia. Our network operations
center, located adjacent to our customer care personnel, houses technical staff
who monitor our network and switches. This center allows us to remotely diagnose
and correct problems or dispatch technicians. Our investment in service
automation and trouble resolution software reduces the time required for
customer care resolution. In addition, Nortel provides on-site switch
technicians to support our network operations center.
In October 1999 we launched e.mpower, our user-friendly web-based tool to
provide our customers with billing data as well as access to network performance
and bandwidth utilization information. Currently e.mpower enables our customers
24 hours per day, seven days per week to order services, report and check on the
status of troubles and outages, view and analyze invoice data and access network
utilization statistics which are updated every 15 minutes. Subsequent phases
will continue to build on this robust feature set while continuing to provide
customer centric capabilities. We believe this web-based interface will further
strengthen our bond with customers and enhance our customer retention programs.
Formal recognition programs are an inherent aspect of our culture. Progress
toward specific internal and external customer satisfaction goals is measured
through monthly customer care surveys. Customer care managers are paid quarterly
bonuses which comprise 25% of their annual compensation and are based on key
customer satisfaction indices.
Our focus on customer care is reflected in our low churn rate of 3%
annually for all of our customers, including our resale customers and our
network customers. Since initiation of our network services in May 1999, we have
lost only one network customer.
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<PAGE> 40
BACK OFFICE
Back office refers to the hardware and software systems that support the
primary functions of our operations, including:
- sales support;
- order entry and provisioning;
- billing; and
- customer care and trouble management.
Our goal is to have a back office that allows customers to switch service
from their current local providers to our network as easily and as quickly as
they can switch long distance providers today. Over time, we strive to have
"flow-through" provisioning capabilities, allowing services to be implemented
with limited human intervention.
We have implemented the primary elements of our back office, including
order entry, provisioning, billing and customer care. We believe we have
implemented the best application for each function. The following table
describes our key back office systems, their purpose, their status and timeline
for integration.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SYSTEM PURPOSE IN-SERVICE INTEGRATION
------ ------- ---------- -----------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Siebel Systems............ customer care 3rd Quarter 2000 3rd Quarter 2000
Wisor..................... sales support Yes 2nd Quarter 2000
Metasolv.................. provisioning Yes 2nd Quarter 2000
DSET...................... communications center 2nd Quarter 2000 2nd Quarter 2000
connection
Saville................... billing Yes 1st Quarter 2000
e.mpower.................. extranet Yes Integrated
INM-3..................... Network Operations Center, Yes N/A
network management
Linguateq................. call record consolidation Yes N/A
CHA....................... wholesale billing Yes N/A
Oracle Financial.......... accounting/finance Yes 2nd Quarter 2000
Super Sleuth.............. fraud prevention Yes 1st Quarter 2000
Vitria.................... application integration 2nd Quarter 2000 2nd Quarter 2000
</TABLE>
ORDER ENTRY AND PROVISIONING
Order entry involves the initial loading of customer data into our
information systems. Currently, our sales executives take orders and our
customer care and provisioning representatives load the initial customer
information into our Saville billing system and load the initial customer
information into our Metasolv provisioning system. We are in the process of
integrating our systems which will increase efficiency and reduce duplicative
data entry and error.
We use the Metasolv TBS system to manage and track the timely completion of
each step in the provisioning process. When Metasolv is coupled with
capabilities of DSET, orders can be submitted to business partners
electronically, thereby minimizing implementation time, coordination
complexities and installation costs.
In addition to the cost benefits associated with the electronic
installation of access lines and inventory management system, the Metasolv
system improves our internal processes in various other ways, including:
- directing electronic customer orders to the appropriate employee, network
component or outside vendor;
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<PAGE> 41
- tracking order progress and alerting operations personnel of steps
required to fulfill orders within standard work intervals; and
- the ability to forecast, control and communicate customer care
commitments.
The system is designed to enable the sales executive or customer care
coordinator to keep an installation on schedule and notify the customer of any
potential delays. Once an order has been completed, we update our billing system
to initiate billing of installed services.
BILLING
The Saville billing system provides our customers with a consolidated
invoice for all of our services. Customer calls generate billing records that
are automatically transmitted from the switch to the billing systems. These
records are then processed by the billing software which calculates usage costs,
integrates fixed monthly charges and assembles bills in a customer-specific
billing format.
For those customers who request electronic billing, we have the capability
to provide the invoice and call detail records on CD-ROM. This Saville system
allows us to add advanced features such as special discounts based on call
volume, or number of services used, complex local taxation and discrete billing
options by type of service ordered. We believe these features are exceptionally
important given our sophisticated client base.
CUSTOMER CARE AND TROUBLE MANAGEMENT
A fully-integrated back office system allows customer care representatives
to call up a customer while simultaneously electronically accessing all aspects
of a customer's service profile. This capability requires full system
integration accomplished through the use of Vitria, a software package that
takes two or more applications and makes them work seamlessly together and
Siebel's CRM module. Our trouble management system is integrated into the
operational support system. It enables our customer care personnel to track
customer problems proactively, assign repair work to the appropriate technical
teams and provide employees and management access to comprehensive reports on
the status of service activity.
We have entered into a service agreement with Nortel to assist us in the
continuous monitoring and operating our switch network. The network management
system is also designed to anticipate failures and intervene before many service
interruptions or service degradations occur.
CUSTOMER SELF-CARE -- E.MPOWER
In October 1999, we launched e.mpower, which includes our on-line
Internet-based bill presentment and analysis system. Currently, e.mpower enables
our customer 24 hours per day, seven days per week to order services, report
troubles, initiate and view the status of trouble tickets analyze invoice data
and access network utilization statistics such as call blocking, network
availability and traffic studies which are updated every 15 minutes.
Integration of these systems facilitates functionality, scalability,
automation and superior customer care. We are currently implementing a tailored
operational support system architecture that integrates our internal operational
processes and establishes links to our financial and accounting systems. The
system will be flexible and integrated and will provide a single interface for
all support personnel through a secure and fault-tolerant electronic network.
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<PAGE> 42
THE INTEGRATED COMMUNICATIONS NETWORK
OVERVIEW
We plan to deploy a nationwide integrated telecommunications network. We
began building our network in March 1999 and have deployed facilities in the
mid-Atlantic and northeastern regions of the United States. Building from this
established network base, we plan to expand our network nationally to include 27
markets over the next two years. We initiate service in new markets by first
deploying lower-cost data switches in new markets and adding voice switches when
justified by customer traffic.
We serve each of our markets with one or more state-of-the-art integrated
data and voice central offices. These multi-service central offices will be
equipped with both broadband data and voice switches to address current customer
requirements and provide a platform for innovative future services. We plan to
interconnect our central offices using leased fiber optic lines to minimize
expenses while optimizing reliability and service flexibility. We will continue
to use other telecommunications services providers in our operating markets and
along our transmission routes to expand our geographic coverage and provide cost
effective connections to existing and new customers.
Our approach is to deploy and own the key elements of our network necessary
to establish customer loyalty, including proprietary back office systems and
voice and data switches that can be modified for the services provided. We lease
fiber optic lines to interconnect our switches. This strategy greatly mitigates
capital risk and allows us to take advantage of falling costs of network
equipment and new technologies, including DSL.
Our smart-build strategy differs from other telecommunications services
providers in several ways because we:
- LEAD WITH DATA. We initiate service in new markets by first deploying
lower-cost data switches. This better positions us to address the
complex data needs of larger business customers and generates traffic on
our national network in targeted markets before investing significant
capital in multi-service communications equipment.
- BACK-FILL WITH VOICE. When data traffic and customer concentration
reaches an optimal level, we install multi-service communications
equipment, capable of supporting data, voice and multi-media services,
in an incremental fashion to meet our customers' growing needs.
- ENHANCE MARGINS UTILIZING DSL TECHNOLOGY. We can use to our advantage
the industry's rapid deployment of DSL technology and the effects of
recent regulatory rulings to reduce our cost of connecting customers to
our network by up to 50%.
- MINIMIZE COLLOCATION WITH TRADITIONAL TELEPHONE COMPANIES. Unlike other
smart-build competitive telecommunications providers, we minimize our
use of space at traditional telephone company central offices for our
network equipment, typically using one central office per market. This
allows us to open new markets faster and have greater control over
service quality. In order to capitalize on a recent regulatory ruling,
we plan to establish one traditional telephone company collocation in
each market to allow us to reduce the cost of new customer connections.
In February 2000, we and Williams Communications entered into a non-binding
letter of intent detailing a proposed transaction between the two parties in
which we will purchase from Williams $128 million of telecommunications services
over 20 years. These services will include service on Williams' fiber optic
lines between cities and within cities, advanced data services and collocation
services. We expect this arrangement to lower our network costs, allow us to
offer new and improved services to our customers and provide better control of
our network connections.
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<PAGE> 43
DEPLOYMENT
We plan to deploy our network in three phases:
PHASE I
Phase I of our network build-out plan includes the Boston to Washington
corridor. We have chosen this territory as the foundation of our networks in
order to use to our advantage our reputation and existing relationships and
capitalize on this strategic, high volume telecommunications region.
Our Phase I markets include:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
DEPLOYMENT OF
DEPLOYMENT OF LOCAL TELEPHONE
MARKET DATA SERVICES SERVICES
- ------ ------------- ---------------
<S> <C> <C>
Washington, DC............................... In service In service
Baltimore, MD................................ In service In service
Richmond, VA................................. In service In service
New York, NY................................. In service 2nd Quarter 2000
Boston, MA................................... In service 2nd Quarter 2000
Norfolk, VA.................................. In service 1st Quarter 2000
Williamsburg, VA............................. 1st Quarter 2000 1st Quarter 2000
Long Island, NY.............................. 1st Quarter 2000 2nd Quarter 2000
Newark, NJ................................... 1st Quarter 2000 2nd Quarter 2000
Philadelphia, PA............................. 1st Quarter 2000 In Phase II
Providence, RI............................... 1st Quarter 2000 2nd Quarter 2000
Frederick, MD................................ 1st Quarter 2000 2nd Quarter 2000
Roanoke, VA.................................. 2nd Quarter 2000 2nd Quarter 2000
</TABLE>
PHASE II
In Phase II, we plan to deploy a national backbone network, made up of
switches that can carry advanced data services and three additional voice
switches. We believe our Phase II markets are generally among the largest 50
metropolitan areas in the United States, or tier I markets, and contain high
concentrations of large sophisticated customers with a high density of access
lines. In addition, we believe these markets are geographically dispersed,
providing the optimal locations for originating and terminating traffic on our
own network. These markets are interconnected by existing fiber routes. We
expect to complete the build-out of Phase II by the end of 2000. Our Phase II
markets include:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
DEPLOYMENT OF
DEPLOYMENT OF LOCAL TELEPHONE
MARKET DATA SERVICES SERVICES
- ------ ------------- ---------------
<S> <C> <C>
Denver, CO................................... 2nd Quarter 2000 In Phase III
Atlanta, GA.................................. 2nd Quarter 2000 4th Quarter 2000
Los Angeles, CA.............................. 3rd Quarter 2000 In Phase III
Wilmington, DE............................... 4th Quarter 2000 4th Quarter 2000
Charlotte, NC................................ 2nd Quarter 2000 In Phase III
Pittsburgh, PA............................... 4th Quarter 2000 In Phase III
Chicago, IL.................................. 2nd Quarter 2000 In Phase III
Dallas/Ft. Worth, TX......................... 2nd Quarter 2000 In Phase III
San Jose, CA................................. 3rd Quarter 2000 In Phase III
Salt Lake City, UT........................... 4th Quarter 2000 N/A
Philadelphia, PA............................. In Phase I 3rd Quarter 2000
</TABLE>
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PHASE III
In Phase III, we plan to further expand our geographic coverage and add
additional switches in our existing markets. In Phase III, we complement and
upgrade our Phase I and II network facilities in order to provide our full suite
of services and to more fully utilize the national backbone network constructed
during Phases I and II. We anticipate we will substantially complete the
build-out of Phase III in the third quarter of 2002. Our Phase III markets
include:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
DEPLOYMENT OF
DEPLOYMENT OF LOCAL TELEPHONE
MARKET DATA SERVICES SERVICES
- ------ ------------- ---------------
<S> <C> <C>
Chicago, IL.................................. In Phase II 1st Quarter 2001
Miami, FL.................................... 1st Quarter 2001 2nd Quarter 2001
Charlotte, NC................................ In Phase II 1st Quarter 2001
San Francisco, CA............................ 1st Quarter 2001 2nd Quarter 2001
San Jose, CA................................. In Phase II 2nd Quarter 2001
Houston, TX.................................. 2nd Quarter 2001 2nd Quarter 2002
Los Angeles, CA.............................. In Phase II 3rd Quarter 2001
Denver, CO................................... In Phase II 4th Quarter 2001
Dallas/Ft. Worth, TX......................... In Phase II 1st Quarter 2002
Pittsburgh, PA............................... In Phase II 2nd Quarter 2002
Seattle, WA.................................. 1st Quarter 2002 3rd Quarter 2002
</TABLE>
NETWORK ARCHITECTURE
We have deployed, and plan to deploy, Nortel DMS-500 voice switches and
Nortel Passport data switches throughout our network. The DMS-500 voice switch
integrates local and long distance service capabilities. We chose these switches
based on their robust and completely integrated local and long distance service
capabilities, including:
- local number portability;
- emergency services;
- integrated services digital network; and
- least cost routing.
By using an integrated switching platform, we believe that we can provide
more efficient service, reduce network capital requirements and reduce operating
expenses, including:
- training and payroll;
- spare parts;
- maintenance;
- equipment space; and
- power expenses.
To complement the DMS-500, we have deployed a Tellabs Titan 5500 and 532
Digital Access Cross-connect System, or DACS, to manage all fiber optic lines.
This data and voice architecture allows us to offer integrated services not
currently offered by other competitive telecommunications providers, thereby
resulting in higher service revenue and increased customer reliance upon us as a
single source competitive telecommunications provider. Use of a DACS and an
integrated access circuit reduces our maintenance and local connection expenses.
It also improves our network monitoring capabilities, facilitates reliability
through alternate routing and provides efficiency through bandwidth
optimization.
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Our strategy to target high-end users of telecommunications services and
the smart-build network configuration we have deployed to serve these customers
provides the opportunity for us to significantly lower our costs to connect to
our customers. Our use of data switches provides the ability to integrate
multiple services over a single customer connection. Further, this technology
enables us to monitor individual customers' capacity needs, in real-time, and
allocate the appropriate bandwidth on demand. This capability allows us to offer
customers more billable services over fewer network connections than our
competitors.
Additionally, we can lower our costs of connecting customers to our network
through the use and exploitation of DSL and dedicated telephone lines. DSL can
provide a high capacity telecommunication line equivalent connection between the
customer and the Net2000 network at savings of up to 50% off traditional high
speed telecommunications line connections. Recent regulatory rulings have
created the opportunity to deploy dedicated telephone lines between our network
and our customers in lieu of traditional high speed telecommunications line
connections, which we believe may reduce our cost of these connections from 20%
to 50%.
To address the growing need for data telecommunications services, we
continue to deploy the latest generation Nortel Passport data switches. We have
deployed data switches in our central offices and at key transmission points of
presence, or POPs, within and in our future target markets. This allows us to:
- increase the proportion of traffic carried on our network;
- provide a foundation for our integrated data network;
- enhance network control; and
- simplify the provisioning effort.
As part of our smart-build strategy, we deploy data switches in
multi-service communications centers of other service providers, on a
collocation basis. This allows us to enter a new market and provide data
services and long distance voice services within a few months.
We believe that the traditional voice networks of other telecommunications
providers will be required to change significantly over the next several years.
Our deployment of the Nortel Passport equipment may reduce the risk of network
obsolescence and positions us to transition our traditional voice network to our
data network in response to technology advances. This transition will enable us
to offer more advanced services while further reducing network costs. We have
agreements with Nortel to credit and replace any network components that need to
be upgraded.
AGREEMENTS WITH NORTEL
Our relationship with Nortel consists of the following stand-alone
agreements:
Stock Purchase Agreement
In November 1998, Nortel invested $30,000,000 in our company in exchange
for shares of our preferred stock.
Equipment Purchase Agreement
In November 1998, we entered into a renewable three-year equipment purchase
agreement with Nortel under which we purchase Nortel equipment but are not
subject to any minimum purchase requirements. The equipment purchase agreement
is exclusive to Nortel until November 2001 for a limited number of switching
products and services. We are not restricted to purchasing from Nortel all of
the telecommunications products and services that we need. As a
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<PAGE> 46
result, we are free to procure products and services from any telecommunications
equipment vendor.
Credit Agreements
We entered into a credit agreement with Nortel which provided for a five
year, $120 million term loan facility and a five year $20 million revolving
credit loan facility to finance a portion of our costs to purchase Nortel
equipment and services. The term loan and the revolving credit loan facility
were secured by a security agreement and a pledge of all the stock and assets of
our subsidiaries.
In July 1999, we amended this term loan and revolving credit loan facility,
resulting in a stated principal amount of $75 million for the term loan facility
and the removal of the revolving credit loan facility. In December 1999, Goldman
Sachs Credit Partners L.P. and Toronto Dominion (Texas), Inc. purchased the $75
million Senior Term Loan Facility from Nortel and amended the facility to permit
us to increase our incremental borrowing capacity up to $50 million, subject to
certain restrictions, after $60 million has been drawn under the original loans.
In July 1999, we issued to Nortel a senior discount note with a principal
of $75 million along with warrants to purchase 1,119,930 shares of our common
stock at $0.008 per share. The warrants may be exercised in whole or in part
during the ten year exercise period which is from July 30, 1999 through July 30,
2009.
Professional Services Agreement
We entered into a professional services agreement under which Nortel
provides us with on-site technicians to assist in the maintenance and operation
of our network. For each voice switch we install, Nortel provides us with two
dedicated full-time employees. In addition, Nortel provides system monitoring of
each switch to various maintenance services, surveillance and monitoring of
alarm types and monthly reporting.
COMPETITION
We operate in the highly competitive telecommunications services industry.
We do not have a significant market share in any segment of the market, and many
of our existing and potential competitors have financial resources significantly
greater than our own. We believe that the traditional distinctions between the
local, long distance, data and Internet access markets are eroding.
Competition for our products and services is based on price, quality,
reputation, geographic scope, name recognition, network reliability, service
features, billing services, perceived quality and responsiveness to customers'
needs. Implementation of the Telecommunications Act and the related trend
towards business combinations and alliances in the telecommunications industry
may create significant new competitors for us. The Telecommunications Act was
designed to eliminate most barriers to local competition and to permit the
traditional local telephone companies, if they demonstrate compliance with
certain pro-competitive conditions, to provide in-region traditional long
distance services.
Our primary competitors in local service markets are the traditional
telephone companies which provide local telephone services to most telephone
subscribers within their respective service areas. These providers have
long-standing relationships with customers and regulatory authorities at the
federal and state levels. In addition, they have existing fiber optic networks
and switches. If future regulatory or court decisions afford traditional
telephone companies increased rates for access or interconnection services,
greater pricing flexibility, the ability to refuse to offer particular services
or network elements on an unbundled basis, or other regulatory relief, such
decisions could have a material adverse effect on us.
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In addition, AT&T and MCIWorldCom, the two largest long distance carriers
in the United States, each offer local communications services in major U.S.
markets using their own facilities or by resale of other providers' services.
New competitive telecommunication providers, cable television companies,
electric utilities, microwave providers, wireless telephone system operators and
large customers who build private networks also seek to compete in the local
services market. These entities, upon entering into appropriate interconnection
agreements or resale agreements with the traditional telephone companies, may
offer single-source local, long distance and Internet access services similar to
those that we offer or propose to offer. Today, our most typical competitors in
our target markets are the traditional telephone companies, AT&T and
MCIWorldCom.
Significant competition in the long distance market is expected to be
provided by the traditional telephone companies when permitted under government
regulation. Prior to enactment of the Telecommunications Act, a federal court
order known as the Modified Final Judgment prohibited regional Bell operating
companies from providing long distance service that originated, or, in certain
cases, terminated, in one of its in-region states, with several limited
exceptions. The prohibition against offering in-region local services imposed on
the regional Bell operating companies by the Modified Final Judgment will be
lifted for each affected company if and when it has satisfied certain statutory
conditions specified in the Telecommunications Act. The process for
demonstrating compliance with the statutory fourteen point checklist of
pro-competitive actions includes approval by the relevant state regulatory
authority and the FCC. Once the regional Bell operating companies are allowed to
offer widespread in-region traditional long distance services, both they and the
largest long distance providers will be in a position to offer single-source
local and long distance services. Our success will depend upon our ability to
provide high-quality services at prices generally competitive with, or lower
than, those charged by our competitors.
Additional pricing pressure may come from telecommunications services
providers providing services through Internet Protocol transport, a
telecommunications technology that currently can be used to provide data and
voice services at a cost that may be below that of traditional
telephone-switched telecommunications services. Although this service currently
is not regarded as comparable to traditional voice telecommunications service,
it could potentially be used as a substitute for traditional voice service and
put pricing pressure on rates. Any reduction in prices may have a material
adverse affect on our results of operations.
We also will face competition from fixed and mobile wireless services
providers. The FCC has authorized cellular, personal communications services and
other providers to offer wireless services to both fixed and mobile locations.
These providers can offer wireless local loop service and other services to
fixed locations, such as office and apartment buildings, in direct competition
with us and existing providers of traditional wireline telephone service.
In addition, FCC rules went into effect in February 1998 that will make it
substantially easier for many non-U.S. telecommunications companies to enter the
U.S. market, thus potentially further increasing the number of competitors.
The market for data telecommunications and Internet access services also is
extremely competitive. Existing telecommunications companies, cable companies,
wireless telecommunications companies and new companies such as Internet service
providers compete to offer data and Internet services. There are no substantial
barriers to entry, and we expect that competition will intensify in the future.
Our success in selling these services will depend heavily upon our ability to
provide high-quality Internet access connections at competitive prices.
EMPLOYEES
As of December 31, 1999, we had 485 full-time employees. We also hire
temporary employees and independent contractors as needed. In connection with
our growth strategy, we
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anticipate hiring a significant number of additional personnel in sales and
other areas of our operations by year-end 2000. Our employees are not unionized,
and we believe our relations with our employees are good. Our success will
continue to depend in part on our ability to attract and retain highly qualified
employees.
PROPERTIES
Our corporate headquarters is located in a 126,000-square foot facility
which we lease in Herndon, Virginia. The headquarters facility also houses our
customer care operations, our network operations center and certain network
facilities. We lease additional sales offices and switching facilities. The
aggregate amount we paid under our leases for the year ended December 31, 1999
was $2.8 million. Although our facilities are adequate at this time, we will
need to lease additional facilities, including additional sales offices and
switching facilities, as a result of anticipated growth.
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
From time to time, we are a party to routine litigation and proceedings in
the ordinary course of business. Currently, we are aware of the following
potential litigation:
In November 1999, Teligent, Inc. filed an action against Clara Vista
Corporation claiming that Clara Vista, who developed Teligent's "e.magine" bill
presentment web interface software application, misappropriated Teligent trade
secrets and breached its agreement with Teligent when it developed our e.mpower
web-based software application. While we have not been named as a party in this
action, the claims raised by Teligent may affect us because we retained Clara
Vista to develop our "e.mpower" web-based software application. Clara Vista has
given us written assurances that it engaged in no such misappropriation. In
addition, in our written agreement governing the development of "e.mpower,"
Clara Vista expressly warrants that it has all necessary intellectual property
rights and licenses to perform under such agreement. While we cannot be certain
about the outcome of the action, we believe that we have adequate contractual
and legal protections in place to ensure our uninterrupted use of the "e.mpower"
web interface software.
GOVERNMENT REGULATION
OVERVIEW
Our telecommunications services are subject to regulation by federal, state
and local government agencies. Generally Internet and certain data services are
not directly regulated, although the underlying telecommunications services may
be regulated in certain instances. We hold various federal, state and local
regulatory authorizations for our regulated service offerings. The FCC has
jurisdiction over our facilities and services to the extent those facilities are
used in the provision of interstate or international telecommunications. State
regulatory commissions also have jurisdiction over our facilities and services
to the extent they are used in intrastate telecommunications. Municipalities and
other local government agencies may require telecommunications services
providers to obtain licenses or franchises regulating use of public
rights-of-way necessary to install and operate their networks. The networks also
are subject to certain other local regulations such as building codes and
generally applicable public safety and welfare requirements. Many of the
regulations issued by these regulatory bodies may change and are the subject of
various judicial proceedings, legislative hearings and administrative proposals.
We cannot predict what impact, if any, these proceedings or changes will have on
our business or results of operations.
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FEDERAL REGULATION
The FCC regulates us as a non-dominant common carrier, or one that is not
considered to be dominant over other service providers in the relevant product
or geographic markets in which it operates. Non-dominant carriers are subject to
lesser regulation than dominant carriers but remain subject to the general
requirements that they offer just and reasonable rates and terms of service and
do not unreasonably discriminate in the provision of services. We have obtained
authority from the FCC to provide domestic interstate long distance services and
international services between the United States and foreign countries and have
filed the required tariffs. While we believe we are in compliance with
applicable laws and regulations we cannot assure you that the FCC or third
parties will not raise issues with regard to our compliance.
THE TELECOMMUNICATIONS ACT
In February 1996, the Telecommunications Act was passed by the United
States Congress and signed into law by President Clinton. This comprehensive
telecommunications legislation was designed to increase competition in the
long-distance and local telecommunications industries. The Telecommunications
Act imposes a variety of duties on competitive telecommunications providers to
facilitate competition in the provision of local telecommunications and access
services. Like all local telecommunications carriers, where we provide local
telephone services, we are required to:
- interconnect our networks with those of other telecommunications
carriers;
- originate calls to and terminate calls from competing providers on a
reciprocal basis;
- permit resale of our services;
- permit users to retain their telephone numbers when changing providers;
and
- provide competing providers with access to poles, ducts, conduits and
rights-of-way, if any.
Traditional telephone companies, such as the regional Bell operating
companies, are subject to requirements in addition to these, including the duty
to:
- undertake additional obligations applicable to the interconnection of
their networks with those of competitors;
- permit collocation of competitors' equipment at their central offices;
- provide access to individual network elements and "unbundled elements,"
including network facilities, features and capabilities, on
non-discriminatory and cost-based terms; and
- offer their retail services for resale at wholesale rates.
The Telecommunications Act also eliminates certain pre-existing
prohibitions on the provision of traditional long distance services by the
regional Bell operating companies and GTE on a phased-in basis. Regional Bell
operating companies currently are permitted to provide long distance service
outside those states in which they provide local telecommunications service. In
order to provide this category of long distance services, the regional Bell
operating companies must receive all requisite state or federal regulatory
approvals customary to the provision of long distance services. Regional Bell
operating companies will be permitted to provide traditional long distance
service within the regions in which they also provide local telecommunications
service upon demonstrating to the FCC, with input from state regulatory agencies
and the Department of Justice, that they have complied with a statutory
checklist of requirements intended to open local telephone markets to
competition. GTE and other traditional telephone companies are not limited by
this regional restriction. To date only Bell Atlantic has been granted approval
to provide
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traditional long distance services and that is restricted to long distance calls
originating in New York. Entry of Bell Atlantic, and additional regional Bell
operating companies, into the long distance business could result in substantial
competition to our services and may have a material adverse effect on us and our
customers.
The FCC is charged with establishing national rules implementing certain
portions of the Telecommunications Act. In August 1996, the FCC released an
order adopting an extensive set of regulations governing network
interconnection, network unbundling and resale of traditional telephone company
services, under the Telecommunications Act. In July 1997, the United States
Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit issued a decision vacating substantial
portions of these rules, principally on the ground that the FCC had improperly
intruded into matters reserved for state jurisdiction. In January 1999, the
United States Supreme Court reversed many aspects of the Eighth Circuit's
decision, concluding that the FCC has jurisdiction to implement the local
competition provisions of the Telecommunications Act. In so doing, the Supreme
Court found that the FCC has authority to establish pricing guidelines
applicable to the provision of unbundled network elements and the resale of
traditional telephone company services, to prevent traditional telephone
companies from disaggregating existing combinations of network elements, and to
establish rules enabling competitors to select all or portions of any existing
traditional telephone company interconnection agreements for use in their own
interconnection agreements with traditional telephone companies. The Supreme
Court, however, did not evaluate the specific pricing methodology adopted by the
FCC and has remanded the case to the Eighth Circuit for further consideration.
While the Supreme Court resolved many issues, including the FCC's jurisdictional
authority, other issues remain subject to further consideration by the courts
and the FCC.
Although most of these FCC rules were upheld by the Supreme Court, the
Court found that the FCC had not adequately considered certain statutory
criteria for requiring traditional telephone companies to make unbundled network
elements available to competitive telecommunications providers. The FCC then
conducted new proceedings to reexamine which unbundled network elements
traditional telephone companies must provide. On November 5, 1999, the FCC
released an order in which it required that traditional telephone companies make
available most, but not all, of the network elements specified in its initial
order, as well as certain new network elements not included on the original
list. The FCC also clarified the obligation of traditional telephone companies
to provide certain combinations of network elements. We expect interested
parties to seek reconsideration or appeal of the FCC's order.
In the first half of 1998, four regional Bell operating companies
petitioned the FCC to be relieved of certain regulatory requirements in
connection with their provision of advanced telecommunications services.
Advanced telecommunications services are wireline, broadband telecommunications
services, as opposed to traditional voice services, and are widely used for
Internet access, often relying on DSL technology and data-switched technology.
In response, in August 1998, the FCC issued an order and notice which clarified
its views on the applicability to advanced services of existing statutory
requirements in the Telecommunications Act relating to network interconnection
and unbundling. The FCC also solicited public comments on a wide variety of
issues associated with the provision of advanced services by wireline carriers.
In March 1999, the FCC adopted a further order strengthening the rights of
competitive telecommunications providers to obtain physical collocation for
purposes of interconnecting with traditional telephone company networks, as well
as requiring that traditional telephone companies permit competitive
telecommunications providers to collocate equipment used for interconnection
and/or access to unbundled network elements even if such equipment includes
certain switching or enhanced services functions. The FCC also adopted rules
designed to limit traditional telephone companies' ability to deny competitive
telecommunications providers the ability to deploy transmission hardware in
collocation space by purporting that the equipment will cause electrical
interference with other wires, and it proposed rules making these requirements
more
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specific. In the recent proceeding addressing unbundled network elements,
however, the FCC declined to require traditional telephone companies to provide
competitive telecommunications providers with unbundled access to data switching
services, except in limited circumstances. The FCC also has not yet determined
whether it will permit traditional telephone companies to deploy advanced
telecommunications services through a separate affiliate, which would not be
regulated as a traditional telephone company and therefore would not be subject
to the Telecommunications Act's unbundling and resale provisions. Moreover, in
November 1999, the FCC ruled that DSL services that traditional telephone
companies sell to Internet service providers need not be resold to competitive
telecommunications providers at wholesale rates. The FCC's decisions on these
matters are currently subject or expected to be subject to judicial review.
As noted above, a regional Bell operating company seeking to provide
traditional long distance services within its local operating region must first
comply with certain market opening conditions set forth in the
Telecommunications Act as well as receive approval from the FCC. On December 22,
1999, the FCC approved an application filed by Bell Atlantic seeking authority
to begin providing long distance services to customers located in the State of
New York, where it also provides local telephone service. This action represents
the first approval by the FCC of a regional Bell operating company request to
provide long distance services to customers located in their local operating
region. The FCC's approval of Bell Atlantic's application to provide such long
distance services is likely to strengthen its competitive position in New York
substantially. In addition, we anticipate that Bell Atlantic will soon initiate
similar proceedings to obtain such long distance service authority in other
states in its fourteen state operating region. For example, Bell Atlantic
already has begun the necessary regulatory review process in the Commonwealth of
Massachusetts. In addition, on January 10, 2000, Southwestern Bell filed an
application with the FCC seeking permission to provide long distance services to
customers in Texas. We expect other regional Bell operating companies to seek
similar relief from the traditional long distance service ban as it applies to
them.
When the FCC permits the regional Bell operating companies to provide
traditional long distance service in their local telephone service regions, they
will be able to offer integrated local and long distance services and may enjoy
a significant competitive advantage. However, the Telecommunications Act imposes
restrictions on the regional Bell operating companies after they are permitted
to enter the long distance services market in their local service regions. Among
other requirements, for the first three years, unless this time period is
extended by the FCC, the regional Bell operating companies can provide these
traditional long-distance services within their local operating regions only
through separate subsidiaries with separate books and records, financing,
management and employees. In addition, transactions between regional Bell
operating company affiliates and these subsidiaries must be conducted on a
non-discriminatory basis.
ACCESS REGULATION
The FCC regulates the interstate access rates charged by traditional
telephone companies for the origination and termination of interstate long
distance traffic. Those access rates make up a significant portion of the cost
of providing these long distance services. Over the past few years, the FCC has
implemented changes in interstate access rules that result in the restructuring
of the access charge system and changes in access charge rate levels. On remand
from an appeals court, the FCC is conducting further proceedings to explain and
refine its recent reforms affecting access charge rate levels. The FCC is
considering several proposals to further reform access charge rate structures.
These and related actions may change access rates. If access rates are reduced,
access revenues of all local telecommunications carriers, including us, could be
reduced, and the costs to traditional telephone companies and long distance
carriers to provide long distance services also could be reduced significantly.
The impact of these new changes will not be known until they are fully
implemented.
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The FCC has also raised the issue of whether it should begin to regulate
the access charges imposed by competitive telecommunications providers.
Currently, competitive telecommunications providers are free to charge access
rates at any levels they deem appropriate. The current proceeding seeks comment
from the industry on whether competitive telecommunications providers should be
required to cost-justify the access charges they impose on long distance
carriers or whether such rates should be limited to a range of "reasonable"
charges. A decision by the FCC to regulate competitive telecommunications
providers' access charges could result in the reduction of those charges for all
competitive telecommunications providers.
Over the past few years, the FCC has granted traditional telephone
companies significant flexibility in pricing their interstate special and
switched access services. We anticipate that this pricing flexibility will
result in traditional telephone companies lowering their prices in high traffic
density areas, the probable areas of competition with us. We also anticipate
that the FCC will grant traditional telephone companies increasing pricing
flexibility as the number of potential competitors increases in each of these
markets. In August 1999, the FCC released an order that granted substantial
additional pricing flexibility to traditional telephone companies for certain
interstate services. Among other things, the FCC granted immediate pricing
flexibility to many traditional telephone companies in the form of streamlined
introduction of new services, the ability to change rates for certain interstate
services based on geographic location, and removal, after certain local toll
dialing restrictions are lifted, of certain interstate long distance services
from restrictive pricing regulation. The FCC also established a framework for
granting many traditional telephone companies greater flexibility in the pricing
of all interstate access services once they satisfy certain prescribed
competitive criteria. The FCC also invited public comment on proposals for yet
further traditional telephone company pricing flexibility.
UNIVERSAL SERVICE
In 1997, the FCC established a significantly expanded universal service
regime to subsidize the cost of telecommunications services to high cost areas,
and to low-income customers and qualifying schools, libraries and rural health
care providers. Providers of telecommunications services, like us, as well as
certain other entities, must pay for these programs. Our share of the payments
into these subsidy funds will be based on our share of certain defined
telecommunications end-user revenues. Currently, the FCC is assessing these
payments on the basis of a telecommunications services provider's interstate and
international revenue for the previous year. Various states are also in the
process of implementing their own universal service programs. We are currently
unable to quantify the amount of subsidy payments we will be required to make in
the future or the effect that these requirement payments will have on our
financial condition. Moreover, the FCC's universal service rules remain subject
to change, which could increase our costs.
DETARIFFING
In November 1996, the FCC issued an order that required non-dominant, long
distance carriers, like us, to cease filing tariffs for our domestic long
distance services. Tariffing is a traditional requirement of telephone companies
whereby such companies publish for public inspection at state and federal
regulatory agencies all terms, conditions, pricing, and available services
governing the sale of all such services to the public. Traditional long distance
service tariffs are filed with the FCC and tariffs for local telephone services
are filed with state regulatory commissions. The FCC's order required mandatory
detariffing for long distance services and gave interstate long distance service
providers nine months to withdraw federal tariffs and move to contractual
relationships with their customers. This order subsequently was stayed by a
federal appeals court, and it is unclear at this time whether or when the
detariffing order will be implemented. In June 1997, the FCC issued another
order stating that non-dominant local services providers may withdraw their
tariffs for interstate access services provided to long
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distance carriers. The FCC continues to require that services providers obtain
authority to provide service between the United States and foreign points and
file tariffs for international service.
In March 1999, the FCC adopted further rules that, while still maintaining
mandatory detariffing, required long distance carriers to make specific public
disclosures on the services providers' Internet websites of their rates, terms
and conditions for domestic interstate services. The effective date of these
rules also is delayed until a court decision is rendered on the appeal of the
FCC's detariffing order. If the FCC's orders become effective, non-dominant
interstate services providers will no longer be able to rely on the filing of
tariffs with the FCC as a means of providing notice to customers of prices,
terms and conditions under which they offer their domestic interstate services,
and will have to rely more heavily on individually negotiated agreements with
end-users.
RECIPROCAL COMPENSATION
Recently, the FCC has determined that both dedicated access and dial-up
calls from a customer to an Internet service provider are primarily interstate
in nature and therefore are to be considered interstate calls, subject to the
FCC's jurisdiction. The FCC has initiated a proceeding to determine the effect
that this regulatory classification will have on the obligation of a service
provider to pay reciprocal compensation for dial-up calls to Internet service
providers that originate on one service provider's network and terminate on
another service provider's network. Currently, the FCC has permitted existing
reciprocal compensation arrangements between service providers, as set forth in
interconnection agreements and approved by state regulatory commissions, to
remain intact. The FCC is currently determining whether a new compensation
mechanism should be implemented. A decision which invalidates current reciprocal
compensation arrangements could result in the reduction, or elimination, of
revenue we receive from reciprocal compensation payments for traffic terminated
over our network to Internet service providers. In addition, in various
contexts, certain traditional telephone companies have asked the FCC to rule
that certain calls made over the Internet are subject to regulation as
telecommunications services including the assessment of interstate switched
access charges and universal service fund assessments. Although the FCC has
suggested that Internet-based telephone-to-telephone calls may be considered
telecommunications services, it has not reached a final decision on that issue.
CUSTOMER PRIVACY
The Communications Act of 1934 and FCC rules protect the privacy of certain
information that a telecommunications carrier such as us acquires by providing
telecommunications services to such customers. Such protected information known
as Customer Proprietary Network Information, includes information related to the
quantity technological configuration, type, destination and amount of use of a
customer. Under the FCC's rules, a carrier may not use this information acquired
through one of its offerings of telecommunications services to market certain
other services without the approval of the affected customers. The United States
Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit, however, recently overturned the FCC's
rules regarding the use and protection of this information. The FCC relaxed
these rules recently, but may seek review of the Tenth Circuit's decision by the
U.S. Supreme Court.
STATE REGULATION
The Telecommunications Act preempts state and local statutes and
regulations that would tend to prohibit the provision of competitive
telecommunications services. As a result, we will be free to provide the full
range of local, long distance and data services in all states in which we
currently operate, and in any states into which we may wish to expand. While
this action greatly increases our potential for growth, it also increases the
amount of competition to which we may be subject.
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Because we provide intrastate common carrier services, we are subject to
various state laws and regulations. Most state public utility and public service
commissions require some form of certification or registration. We must acquire
this authority before commencing service. In most states, we are also required
to file tariffs or price lists setting forth the terms, conditions and prices
for services that are classified as intrastate. We are required to update or
amend these tariffs when we adjust our rates or add new products and are subject
to various reporting and record-keeping requirements in these states.
Many states also require prior approval for transfers of control of
certified providers, corporate reorganizations, acquisitions of
telecommunications operations, assignment of carrier assets, carrier stock
offerings and incurrence of significant debt obligations.
States generally retain the right to sanction a service provider or to
revoke certification if a service provider violates applicable laws or
regulations. If any regulatory agency were to conclude that we are or were
providing intrastate services without the appropriate authority or in violation
of any regulation, the agency could initiate enforcement actions, which could
include the imposition of fines, a requirement to disgorge revenues or the
refusal to grant the regulatory authority necessary for the future provision of
intrastate telecommunications services. We are authorized to provide intrastate
long distance services in all states except Alaska and are in the process of
obtaining intrastate long distance authority in that state. We have authority to
provide competitive local telecommunications services in Connecticut, Delaware,
the District of Columbia, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey,
New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Virginia and West
Virginia. We have applications pending to provide competitive local
telecommunications services in other states, including Georgia and Maine. There
can be no assurance that we will receive the authorizations we seek currently or
in the future.
LOCAL INTERCONNECTION
The Telecommunications Act imposes a duty upon all traditional telephone
companies to negotiate in good faith with potential competitive
telecommunications providers to provide interconnection to their networks,
exchange local traffic, make unbundled network elements available and permit
resale of most local telephone services. In the event that negotiations do not
succeed, we have a right to seek arbitration with the state regulatory authority
of any unresolved issues. Arbitration decisions involving interconnection
arrangements in several states have been challenged and appealed to federal
courts. We may experience difficulty in obtaining timely traditional telephone
company implementation of local interconnection agreements, and we can provide
no assurance we will offer local services in these areas in accordance with our
projected schedule, if at all. We have entered into interconnection agreements
with Bell Atlantic in Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland, Massachusetts,
New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Virginia and West Virginia,
and with GTE in Virginia. We have begun to negotiate similar agreements in the
other states where we have obtained status as a competitive telecommunications
provider. Moreover, a number of our interconnection agreements will expire at
various times over the next six to 36 months, after which time, we will be
required to renegotiate each such agreement. It is uncertain how successful we
will be in negotiating the terms critical to our provision of local data and
voice services and we may be forced to arbitrate certain provisions of such
agreements.
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MANAGEMENT
OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS
Our officers and directors, and their ages as of January 31, 2000 are
listed below:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NAME AGE POSITION(S)
---- --- -----------
<S> <C> <C>
Clayton A. Thomas, Jr. .............. 37 Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive
Officer
Clyde Heintzelman.................... 61 President and Director
Mark A. Mendes....................... 37 Executive Vice President and Chief Operating
Officer and Secretary
Donald E. Clarke..................... 40 Executive Vice President and Chief Financial
Officer and Treasurer
Christine Ramsey..................... 37 Executive Vice President, Sales and Marketing
Communications
Bruce W. Bednarski................... 41 Senior Vice President, Technology and Services
Peter B. Callowhill.................. 49 Senior Vice President, Sales -- North and
Director
Jeffrey E. Campbell.................. 37 Senior Vice President, Business Operations
Kathleen A. Dickerson................ 50 Vice President, Human Resources and
Administration
Stavros Hilaris...................... 41 Vice President, Network Engineering and
Planning
David Nelson......................... 40 Vice President, Network and Customer
Operations
Lee Weiner........................... 42 Senior Vice President and General Counsel
Stephen D. Wright.................... 35 Vice President, Sales -- South
Eric Geis(1)(2)...................... 53 Director
Reid Miles(1)(2)..................... 37 Director
Mitchell Reese(2).................... 40 Director
</TABLE>
- ---------------
(1) Audit Committee
(2) Compensation Committee
CLAYTON A. THOMAS, JR., a co-founder, has been our chief executive officer
and a director since our inception in August 1993. From August 1993 to November
1999, Mr. Thomas was also our president. In May 1995, Mr. Thomas founded N2N
Communications, an Internet service provider, which was subsequently sold in
1996. From October 1986 to July 1993, he served in various sales and marketing
roles with Bell Atlantic Corporation. Mr. Thomas serves on the board of
directors of the Northern Virginia Technology Council.
CLYDE HEINTZELMAN has been our president since November 1999 and a director
since March 1997. From December 1998 to November 1999, Mr. Heintzelman served as
president and chief executive officer of SAVVIS Communications Corporation, a
national Tier 1 Internet service provider. From May 1995 to November 1997, he
was president and chief operating officer of DIGEX Incorporated, an Internet
service provider providing service to markets among the 50 largest metropolitan
areas in the U.S. In mid-1997, DIGEX was sold to Intermedia Communications,
Inc., a national CLEC, and from November 1997 to November 1998, he served as a
retained business consultant to Intermedia. In addition, from 1964 to 1992, Mr.
Heintzelman was in several executive capacities with Bell Atlantic Corporation
and its predecessor companies (AT&T). Mr. Heintzelman serves on the boards of
directors of Sonoma Systems Inc. and Optelecom, Inc., a fiber optic device
company, and SAVVIS Communications.
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MARK A. MENDES has been our executive vice president and chief operating
officer since October 1997. From March 1997 to October 1997, Mr. Mendes was
chief operating officer of US WATS, Inc., a public long distance carrier. From
March 1995 to March 1997, he was vice president of service and technology at
Access Teleconferencing International, Inc., now Vialog, Inc., a conference call
service provider. From July 1993 to March 1995, Mr. Mendes was vice president,
engineering and operations of InterNet, a prepaid calling card carrier. From
December 1992 to July 1993, he was a director of network development for
FiberNet Inc., a competitive access provider. Mr. Mendes held various operating
positions at Frontier Corporation from 1985 to 1992.
DONALD E. CLARKE has been our executive vice president and chief financial
officer since December 1997. From August 1994 to April 1997, Mr. Clarke was
chief financial officer, and from September 1995 to April 1997 was president, of
Plexsys International Corp., a provider of wireless infrastructure equipment
principally to developing countries. From September 1986 to July 1994, he served
in various executive positions including vice president, chief financial
officer, controller and assistant controller at Intelicom Solutions Corporation,
affiliated with CSC Intelicom, Inc., a worldwide provider of specialized
software solutions to telecommunications services providers.
CHRISTINE RAMSEY has been our Executive Vice President, Sales and Marketing
Communications since January 2000. From January 1998 to December 1999, Ms.
Ramsey was senior vice president, sales/marketing, and from February 1997 to
January 1998 she was vice president, national accounts for Statoil Energy Inc,
an energy solutions provider focused on large and medium sized businesses. From
October 1990 to January 1997 Ms. Ramsey held several sales and marketing
positions at SkyTel Corporation (formerly Mobile Telecommunications
Technologies) including director of market management, director of channel
marketing and strategic accounts manager.
BRUCE W. BEDNARSKI, a co-founder, has been our senior vice president,
technology and services since our inception in August 1993. From May 1990 to
September 1993, he was a third level systems engineer for the Bell Atlantic
Corporation. From April 1987 to April 1990, Mr. Bednarski was a systems engineer
for the United States Senate where he managed the Senate's telecommunications
infrastructure. From March 1984 to March 1987, he was a second level technical
support engineer for Northern Telecom Inc. where he installed and engineered
central office switching platforms.
PETER B. CALLOWHILL, a co-founder and director, has been our senior vice
president, sales -- north since August 1997. From August 1993 to June 1997, Mr.
Callowhill was our vice president, marketing. In May 1995, Mr. Callowhill
co-founded N2N Communications, an Internet service provider, with Mr. Thomas.
Mr. Callowhill spent 11 years at Northern Telecom Inc. and served in various
capacities, including premier account manager and account executive.
JEFFREY E. CAMPBELL has been our senior vice president, business operations
since September 1999. From March 1999 to September 1999, Mr. Campbell was our
vice president, network operations, and from July 1998 to March 1999, he was
vice president, network implementation. From December 1996 to July 1998, he was
regional director of operations at Frontier Cellular, a wireless carrier
company. From February 1991 to September 1996, Mr. Campbell held several
positions at MFS Communications Company, Inc., including vice president of
upstate New York, vice president of sales and regional director operations.
KATHLEEN A. DICKERSON has been our vice president, human resources and
administration since June 1998. From April 1997 to April 1998, Ms. Dickerson was
vice president of administration for MA BioServices, Inc., a biotech testing
company. From May 1995 to April 1997, Ms. Dickerson was vice president of
administration for IGEN International, Inc., a biotech research and development
company, and from July 1986 to May 1995, served in various capacities, including
director of training and development at Marriott International, Inc.
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<PAGE> 57
STAVROS HILARIS has been our vice president, network engineering and
planning since May 1999. Mr. Hilaris held several positions at Teleglobe
International Corporation, a global telecommunications services provider,
including vice president, access network, USA and Americas from January 1999 to
May 1999, and vice president, network engineering and operations from April 1995
to January 1999. From April 1988 to April 1995, he held several positions at
Worldcom, Inc., including director of engineering, vice president of earth
station engineering and vice president of engineering planning.
DAVID NELSON has been our vice president, network and customer operations
since October 1999. Mr. Nelson also served as our vice president, customer
service and programming from May 1998 to October 1999. From October 1993 to May
1998, he was vice president, customer service and operations at Loral Orion,
Inc., a satellite owner, operator and provider of private multi-media networks.
From June 1989 to October 1998, Mr. Nelson held several positions in operations,
sales and marketing at Northern Telecom Inc., including director of operations,
northern Europe and director of sales, Norway.
LEE WEINER has been our senior vice president and general counsel since
October 1999. From June 1998 to June 1999, Mr. Weiner served as vice president
and acting general counsel, and senior associate general counsel and assistant
secretary for Qwest Communications International Inc. after its merger with LCI
International, Inc. in June 1998. From September 1994 to June 1998, he served as
vice president and general counsel at LCI International, Inc. Mr. Weiner has
also held several managerial positions at MCI Telecommunications Corporation,
including director of legal affairs for MCI Business Services Division.
STEPHEN D. WRIGHT has been our vice president, sales -- south since August
1999. From August 1998 to August 1999, Mr. Wright was our branch sales director
in Richmond. From July 1995 to August 1998, he was business sales manager, and
from June 1991 to July 1995 was an account executive, at GTE Wireless
Incorporated.
ERIC GEIS has been a director since March 1997. In March 1997, Mr. Geis was
a founder, and has since served as a senior officer of Rhythms NetConnections
Inc., a data service carrier providing dedicated high-speed and high performance
data networking solutions, primarily using digital subscriber line technology.
At Rhythms, Mr. Geis has been vice president national deployment and ILEC
management from January 1998 to the present, and vice president and general
manager from June 1997 to December 1997. From December 1997 to the present, he
has also been secretary and treasurer of ACI Corp., now Rhythms Links Inc., a
wholly-owned subsidiary of Rhythms. From December 1995 to March 1997, Mr. Geis
was director of sales for GRC International, Inc., a seller of data networking
software, and from July 1991 to December 1995, chief executive officer and a
director of Quintessential Solutions, Inc., a provider of telecommunications
pricing and optimization software applications.
REID MILES has been a director since November 1997. From January 1996 to
the present, Mr. Miles has been a founder and managing director of Blue Water
Capital LLC, an expansion stage venture capital firm focused on investments in
the information technology arena. From April 1994 to January 1996, he was vice
president of marketing and business development of Advance, Inc.
MITCHELL REESE has been a director since May 1998. Mr. Reese has been a
managing director of The Carlyle Group since September 1997. From August 1994 to
August 1997, he was the president of the venture capital division at Morgan
Keegan, Inc.
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<PAGE> 58
CLASSIFIED BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Our certificate of incorporation and bylaws provide for a classified board
of directors consisting of three classes of directors, each serving staggered
three-year terms. As a result, a portion of our board of directors will be
elected each year. To implement the classified structure, two of the nominees to
the board have been elected to one-year terms, two have been elected to two-year
terms and two have been elected to three-year terms. Thereafter, directors are
elected for three-year terms. Messrs. Callowhill and Thomas are class I
directors with terms expiring at the 2000 annual meeting of stockholders,
Messrs. Miles and Reese are class II directors, with terms expiring at the 2001
annual meeting of stockholders, and Messrs. Geis and Heintzelman are class III
directors, with terms expiring at the 2002 annual meeting of stockholders.
BOARD COMMITTEES
Our bylaws provide that our board of directors may designate one or more
board committees. We currently have an audit committee and a compensation
committee.
Our audit committee, currently comprised of Messrs. Geis, Miles and Reese:
- recommends to our board of directors the independent auditors to conduct
the annual audit of our books and records;
- reviews the proposed scope and results of the audit;
- approves the audit fees to be paid;
- reviews accounting and financial controls with the independent public
accountants and our financial and accounting staff; and
- reviews and approves transactions between us and our directors, officers
and affiliates.
Our compensation committee, currently comprised of Messrs. Geis, Miles and
Reese:
- reviews and recommends the compensation arrangements for management,
including the compensation for our president and chief executive officer;
- establishes and reviews general compensation policies with the objective
to attract and retain superior talent, to reward individual performance
and to achieve our financial goals; and
- administers our stock option plans.
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION
From January 1999 to November 1999, members of our compensation committee
were Messrs. Thomas, Heintzelman, Miles and Reese. Mr. Thomas was our president
and chief executive officer from January 1999 to November 1999. Mr. Heintzelman
has been our president since November 1999. From November 1999 to the present,
members of our compensation committee are Messrs. Geis, Miles and Reese. None of
our executive officers has served as a member of the compensation committee (or
other committee serving an equivalent function) of any other entity, whose
executive officers served as a director of our company or member of our
compensation committee.
COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS
Since his election to our board, Mr. Geis has received $600 per board
meeting and Mr. Heintzelman, prior to becoming an employee, also received $600
per board meeting and no other directors received compensation for serving as
directors. We also reimburse our directors for reasonable expenses they incur to
attend board and committee meetings.
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<PAGE> 59
Our non-employee directors are eligible to receive grants of options to
acquire our common stock pursuant to our 1997 Equity Incentive Plan and our 1999
Stock Incentive Plan. In December 1997 and October 1998, we granted options to
Mr. Geis to purchase 40,000 and 10,000 shares of our common stock, respectively,
at $0.14 and $3.40 per share, the fair value at each grant date. In November
1999, Mr. Geis received an additional option to purchase 12,500 shares of common
stock at an exercise price of $5.60 per share. In December 1997 and October
1998, we granted options to Mr. Heintzelman to purchase 40,000 and 10,000 shares
of our common stock, respectively, at $0.14 and $3.40 per share, the fair value
at each grant date. See "1997 Equity Incentive Plan" and "1999 Stock Incentive
Plan."
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The following table summarizes the compensation paid to our chief executive
officer and the other four most highly paid executive officers whose total
salary and bonus exceed $100,000 for the year ended December 31, 1999, whom we
refer to as our named executive officers:
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
LONG-TERM
COMPENSATION
ANNUAL COMPENSATION ------------------
----------------------------- SECURITIES
SALARY BONUS OTHER(1) UNDERLYING OPTIONS
------ ----- -------- ------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Clayton A. Thomas, Jr.,
president and chief executive
officer............................. $157,500 $37,500 $ 6,000 --
Mark A. Mendes,
executive vice president and chief
operating officer................... 159,894 56,250 4,850 --
Donald E. Clarke,
executive vice president and chief
financial officer................... 151,371 55,000 4,850 56,250(2)
Bruce W. Bednarski,
senior vice president, technology
and services........................ 137,712 32,500 6,000 --
Peter B. Callowhill,
senior vice president,
sales -- north...................... 158,908 37,500 6,000 --
</TABLE>
- ---------------
(1) These amounts represent automobile allowances paid to the named executive
officers in the fiscal year ended December 31, 1999.
(2) This option becomes exercisable over a four-year period, 25% of which vested
immediately on the date of grant and the remainder vesting in monthly
installments for the next three years.
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<PAGE> 60
OPTION GRANTS IN 1999 AND YEAR-END OPTION VALUES
The following table sets forth information regarding options granted to the
named executive officers during 1999.
OPTION GRANTS IN LAST FISCAL YEAR
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
INDIVIDUAL GRANTS
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- POTENTIAL REALIZABLE VALUE
PERCENT OF AT ASSUMED ANNUAL RATES
NUMBER OF TOTAL OF STOCK PRICE APPRECIATION
SECURITIES OPTIONS FOR OPTION TERM
UNDERLYING GRANTED TO EXERCISE OR --------------------------------
OPTIONS EMPLOYEES BASE PRICE EXPIRATION
NAME GRANTED(1) IN 1999(2) ($/SHARE)(3) DATE(4) 0%(5) 5% 10%
- ---- ---------- ---------- ------------ ---------- ----- -------- ----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Clayton A. Thomas,
Jr. ................. -- -- -- -- -- --
Mark A. Mendes......... -- -- -- -- -- --
Donald E. Clarke....... 56,250 2.4% $12.00 11/10/09 $945,000 $424,504 $1,075,776
Bruce W. Bednarski..... -- -- -- -- -- --
Peter B. Callowhill.... -- -- -- -- -- --
</TABLE>
- ---------------
(1) All options were granted under our 1997 equity incentive plan. These options
are subject to vesting in the event of a change in control of our company.
(2) Based on options to purchase 2,349,369 shares of our common stock granted to
employees in 1999.
(3) The exercise or base price per share reflects the fair value of the common
stock if the options are issued with exercise prices below that amount. The
actual exercise price of Mr. Clarke's options granted in 1999 was $3.20 per
share which resulted in an unrealized gain on the date of grant of $495,000.
(4) The options have ten year terms, subject to earlier termination upon death,
disability or termination of employment.
(5) Potential realizable value based on actual exercise price of $3.20 per share
and the offering price of $20.00 per share.
YEAR-END OPTIONS VALUES
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NUMBER OF VALUE OF UNEXERCISED
UNEXERCISED OPTIONS AT IN-THE-MONEY OPTIONS AT
DECEMBER 31, 1999 DECEMBER 31, 1999(1)
--------------------------- ---------------------------
EXERCISABLE UNEXERCISABLE EXERCISABLE UNEXERCISABLE
----------- ------------- ----------- -------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Clayton A. Thomas, Jr. .................. -- -- -- --
Mark A. Mendes........................... 528,727 75,534 $10,354,973 $1,479,312
Donald E. Clarke......................... 299,005 136,441 $ 5,831,233 $2,564,079
Bruce W. Bednarski....................... -- -- -- --
Peter B. Callowhill...................... -- -- -- --
</TABLE>
- ---------------
(1) Calculated on the basis of the initial public offering price of $20.00 per
share for our common stock, less the exercise price payable for those
shares, multiplied by the number of shares underlying the option.
No compensation intended to serve as incentive for performance to occur
over a period longer than one year was paid pursuant to a long-term incentive
plan during the last year to any of the executive officers named above.
EMPLOYMENT ARRANGEMENTS
We have entered into an employment agreement with each of our named
executive officers. Each agreement has an initial term of two and one-half years
and is automatically extended for additional one year terms unless we or the
executive elects to terminate the agreement within
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<PAGE> 61
60 days before the end of the current term. Under these agreements, these
executives receive an initial annual base salary that will be subject to
adjustment by our board of directors, compensation committee, or chief executive
officer. These executives also receive an annual bonus of up to 25% of the
executive's then current salary, based upon performance objectives set by our
senior management. The bonus is payable 50% in cash and the remaining 50% in
options to acquire shares of our common stock which will have an exercise price
at the then fair market value and vest according to the terms of each
executives' agreement. These executives also receive an automobile allowance of
$500 per month.
In November 1999, we entered into an employment agreement with Clyde
Heintzelman, our president. This agreement has an initial term of two years and
is automatically extended for an additional year unless we elect or Mr.
Heintzelman elects to terminate the agreement 60 days before the end of the
current term. The agreement provides that Mr. Heintzelman will receive
compensation in the form of a $190,000 base salary and a target annual bonus of
25% of his then current salary, based upon performance objectives set by our
chief executive officer. Mr. Heintzelman received an option to purchase 343,750
shares of our common stock at an exercise price of $3.20 per share. The amount
of unrealized gain that Mr. Heintzelman would receive is $5,775,000 based on the
initial offering price of $20.00.
The following table shows information about the compensation arrangements
for our executive officers as of December 31, 1999.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ANNUAL TARGET
BASE SALARY ANNUAL BONUS
----------- ------------
<S> <C> <C>
Clayton A. Thomas, Jr. ..................................... $200,000 25%
Mark A. Mendes.............................................. 167,500 25%
Donald E. Clarke............................................ 158,000 25%
Clyde Heintzelman........................................... 190,000 25%
</TABLE>
Under the terms of the employment agreements, our executives have agreed to
preserve the confidentiality and the proprietary nature of all information
relating to our business during the term of the agreement and until the
information becomes public. In addition, each of these executives has agreed to
non-competition and non-solicitation provisions that will be in effect during
the term of this agreement and for eighteen months after the agreement ends.
The following table sets forth information regarding options granted to the
executive officers during 2000:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NUMBER OF SECURITIES UNREALIZED GAIN
UNDERLYING OPTIONS EXERCISE PRICE EXPIRATION ON THE DATE OF
NAME GRANTED (1) PER SHARE (4) GRANT DATE DATE GRANT
---- -------------------- -------------- ---------- ---------- ---------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Clayton A. Thomas, Jr.... 75,000(2) $20.00 1/28/00 1/28/10 $600,000
Clayton A. Thomas, Jr.... 100,000(3) $20.00 2/10/00 2/10/10 800,000
Clyde Heintzelman........ 100,000(3) $20.00 2/10/00 2/10/10 800,000
Donald E. Clarke......... 90,000(2) $20.00 2/10/00 2/10/10 720,000
Donald E. Clarke......... 50,000(3) $20.00 2/10/00 2/10/10 400,000
Mark A. Mendes........... 110,000(2) $20.00 2/10/00 2/10/10 880,000
Mark A. Mendes........... 50,000(3) $20.00 2/10/00 2/10/10 400,000
<CAPTION>
POTENTIAL REALIZABLE
VALUE AT ASSUMED
ANNUAL RATES OF STOCK
PRICE APPRECIATION FOR
OPTION TERM
-----------------------
NAME 5% 10%
---- --------- -----------
<S> <C> <C>
Clayton A. Thomas, Jr.... $660,339 $1,673,429
Clayton A. Thomas, Jr.... 880,452 2,231,239
Clyde Heintzelman........ 880,452 2,231,239
Donald E. Clarke......... 792,407 2,008,116
Donald E. Clarke......... 440,226 1,115,620
Mark A. Mendes........... 968,497 2,454,363
Mark A. Mendes........... 440,226 1,115,620
</TABLE>
- ---------------
(1) All options were granted under our 1999 Stock Incentive Plan.
(2) These options are subject to vesting over a four-year period.
(3) These options are subject to vesting over the earlier of 25% per year or our
achievement of stock performance goals.
(4) The exercise price per share reflects the fair value of the common stock on
the date of grant. The actual exercise price of the options granted was
$12.00 per share.
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<PAGE> 62
1997 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN
Effective October 1997, we adopted our equity incentive plan. This plan
provides for the grant of stock-based awards to any of our employees, directors
or any person who provides us services.
Under the plan, we may grant:
- options that are intended to qualify as incentive stock options within
the meaning of Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code;
- options not intended to qualify as incentive stock options;
- stock appreciation rights; and
- other stock-based awards.
Incentive stock options may be granted only to our employees. A total of
4,373,388 shares of common stock may be issued upon the exercise of options or
other awards granted under the plan. The exercisability of options or other
awards may in certain circumstances be accelerated in connection with an
acquisition event, as defined in the plan.
The plan expires in October 2007. As of December 31, 1999, we had granted
options to purchase an aggregate of 4,977,402 shares of common stock under the
plan, of which 833,670 shares have expired according to their terms. These
options generally vest monthly over a four-year period, beginning on the first
anniversary of the date of grant. No further options will be granted under the
plan after the effective date of the offering. Options granted under this plan
prior to its termination will remain outstanding according to their terms.
1999 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN
Our stock incentive plan was adopted in November 1999. This plan authorizes
the grant of:
- stock options;
- stock appreciation rights;
- stock awards;
- phantom stock; and
- performance awards.
The compensation committee of our board of directors administers our stock
incentive plan. The committee has sole power and authority, consistent with the
provisions of our stock incentive plan, to determine which eligible participants
will receive awards, the form of the awards and the number of shares of our
common stock covered by each award. The committee may impose terms, limits,
restrictions and conditions upon awards, and may modify, amend, extend or renew
awards, to accelerate or change the exercise timing of awards or to waive any
restrictions or conditions to an award. As of December 31, 1999, we have granted
an option to purchase 343,750 shares of our common stock out of the 4,375,000
shares available under this plan.
STOCK OPTIONS. Our stock incentive plan permits the granting of options to
purchase shares of our common stock intended to qualify as incentive stock
options under the Internal Revenue Code and stock options that do not qualify as
incentive options. The option exercise price of each option will be determined
by the committee. The term of each option will be fixed by the committee. The
committee will determine at what time or times each option may be exercised and,
the period of time, if any, after retirement, death, disability or termination
of employment during which options may be exercised.
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STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS. The committee may grant a right to receive a
number of shares or, in the discretion of the committee, an amount in cash or a
combination of shares and cash, based on the increase in the fair market value
of the shares underlying the right during a stated period specified by the
committee.
STOCK AWARDS. The committee may award shares of our common stock to
participants at no cost or for a purchase price. These stock awards may be
subject to restrictions or may be free from any restrictions under our stock
incentive plan. The committee shall determine the applicable restrictions. The
purchase price of the shares of our common stock will be determined by the
committee.
PHANTOM STOCK. The committee may grant stock equivalent rights, or phantom
stock, which entitles the recipient to receive credits which are ultimately
payable in the form of cash, shares of our common stock or a combination of
both. Phantom stock does not entitle the holder to any rights as a stockholder.
PERFORMANCE AWARDS. The committee may grant performance awards to
participants entitling the participants to receive cash, shares of our common
stock, or a combination of both, upon the achievement of performance goals and
other conditions determined by the committee. The performance goals may be based
on our operating income, or on one or more other business criteria selected by
the committee.
1999 EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN
Our employee stock purchase plan, which will become effective upon the
closing of this offering, provides for the issuance of up to 1,875,000 shares of
common stock. This plan, which is intended to qualify under Section 423 of the
Internal Revenue Code, provides our employees with an opportunity to purchase
shares of our common stock through payroll deductions.
All of our employees, including directors who are employees, are eligible
to participate in the purchase plan. Options to purchase our common stock will
initially be granted to each eligible employee on the first trading day on or
after the date of the initial public offering. Thereafter, options will be
granted on the first trading day on or after January 1 of each year, or such
other date as determined by the administrator. Each option will terminate on the
last trading day of a period specified by the administrator and no option period
will be longer than 27 months in duration. Subsequent option periods of equal
duration will consecutively follow, unless the administrator determines
otherwise.
Each option represents a right to purchase shares of our common stock. The
administrator determines the purchase price of each share of common stock,
provided that the purchase price will never be less than the lesser of 85% of
the fair market value of the common stock at the beginning or end of the option
period.
Any employee who immediately after a grant owns 5% or more of the total
combined voting power or value of our capital stock may not be granted an option
to purchase common stock under the purchase plan. Participation may also be
limited where rights to purchase stock under all other purchase plans accrue at
a rate which exceeds $25,000 of the fair market value of our common stock for
each calendar year.
401(k) PLAN
We adopted a tax-qualified employee savings and retirement plan, or 401(k)
plan, covering our full-time employees located in the United States. The 401(k)
plan is intended to qualify under Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code of
1986, as amended, so that contributions to the 401(k) plan by employees, and the
investment earnings thereon, are not taxable to employees until withdrawn from
the 401(k) plan. Under the 401(k) plan, employees may elect to reduce their
current compensation up to the statutorily prescribed annual limit and have the
amount of such contribution contributed to the 401(k) plan. The 401(k) plan does
permit additional matching contributions to the 401(k) plan by us on behalf of
participants in the 401(k).
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CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS
SALE OF STOCK
In October 1997, we issued 4,087,592 shares of series A convertible
preferred stock for an aggregate purchase price of $3.5 million, including
1,167,884 shares to Mid Atlantic Venture Fund III, L.P., 1,167,884 shares to
Societe Generale Capital Corporation and 1,751,824 shares to Blue Water
Strategic Fund I, L.L.C., of which Mr. Miles, one of our directors, is a
managing director.
In May 1998, we issued 5,510,535 shares of series B convertible preferred
stock for an aggregate purchase price of $17.0 million, including 3,037,189
shares to Carlyle Venture Partners, L.P., of which Mr. Reese, a member of our
board of directors, is a managing director, 1,194,445 shares to PNC Capital
Corporation, 486,224 shares to Blue Water Strategic Fund I, L.L.C., of which Mr.
Miles, one of our directors, is a managing director, 468,528 shares to Societe
Generale Capital Corporation and 324,149 shares to Mid Atlantic Venture Fund
III, L.P.
In November 1998, we issued 2,140,310 shares of series C convertible
preferred stock for an aggregate purchase price of $30.0 million to Northern
Telecom Inc.
In connection with the preferred stock financings, we granted registration
rights to the preferred stockholders. Upon exercise of these registration
rights, these stockholders can require us to file registration statements
covering the sale of shares of common stock held by them and may include the
sale of their shares in registration statements covering our sale of shares to
the public.
ISSUANCE OF OPTIONS
In December 1997, October 1998 and November 1999, we granted to Mr. Geis
options to purchase 40,000, 10,000 and 12,500 shares of our common stock at
exercise prices of $0.14, $3.40 and $5.60 per share, respectively, in connection
with his service as a member of our board of directors. In December 1997 and
October 1998, we granted options to Mr. Heintzelman to purchase 40,000 and
10,000 shares of our common stock at exercise prices of $0.14 and $3.40 per
share, respectively, in connection with his service as a member of our board of
directors. In November 1999, upon becoming our president, Mr. Heintzelman
received an additional option to purchase 343,750 shares of common stock at an
exercise price of $3.20 per share, of which 114,583 shares immediately vested.
In addition in February 2000, Mr. Heintzelman was granted an option to purchase
100,000 shares of our common stock at an exercise price of $12.00 per share. In
January 2000, we granted to Mr. Thomas an option to purchase 75,000 shares of
our common stock at an exercise price of $12.00 per share. In addition in
February 2000, we granted Mr. Thomas an option to purchase 100,000 shares of our
common stock at an exercise price of $12.00 per share.
In December 1997 and May 1998, we granted to Mr. Clarke options to purchase
251,825 and 129,871 shares of our common stock at exercise prices of $0.14 and
$0.76 per share, respectively. In November 1999, Mr. Clarke received an
additional option to purchase 56,250 shares of our common stock at an exercise
price of $3.20 per share. Additionally, in February 2000, we granted to Mr.
Clarke options to purchase 140,000 shares of our common stock at an exercise
price of $12.00 per share. In October 1997, we granted options to Mr. Mendes to
purchase 109,490 and 31,716 shares of our common stock at exercise prices of
$0.685 and $1.577 per share, respectively. Additionally, in December 1997 and
May 1998, Mr. Mendes received additional options to purchase 377,740 and 194,805
shares of our common stock at exercise prices of $0.14 and $0.76 per share,
respectively. In February 2000, Mr. Mendes received additional options to
purchase 160,000 shares of our common stock at an exercise price of $12.00 per
share. Mr. Clarke and Mr. Mendes were granted options in connection with their
service as officers.
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DEBT FINANCING
We entered into a credit agreement in November 1998 with Nortel. This
agreement provided for a five year, $120 million term loan facility and a five
year, $20 million revolving credit loan facility to finance a portion of our
costs to purchase Nortel equipment and services. The term loan and the revolving
credit loan facility were secured by a security agreement and a pledge agreement
whereby our subsidiaries pledged all of their stock and assets to Nortel.
In July 1999, we amended this term loan and revolving credit loan facility,
resulting in a stated principal amount of $75 million for the term loan facility
and the removal of the revolving credit loan facility. This loan is to be used
for the purchase of telecommunications equipment and related software licenses
and for working capital purposes. To secure the term loan facility, we have
granted Nortel a security interest in all of our assets. The loans must be
repaid over a five-year period commencing on November 2001. Interest payments
are due monthly in the case of base rate (prime based) draws or at the end of
the LIBOR loan period. Interest will accrue at a lower rate if we meet specified
financial tests. On December 23, 1999, TD Securities (USA), Inc. and Goldman
Sachs Credit Partners L.P. purchased this facility. As of December 31, 1999, we
had $41.4 million outstanding under this senior term loan facility.
Additionally, in July 1999, we issued to Nortel a senior discount note with
a principal of $75 million along with warrants to purchase 1,119,930 shares of
common stock at $0.008 per share. This note accrues interest at the Treasury
rate plus 8% per annum and requires no interest or principal payments until July
2004. For the next five years thereafter, we must pay interest semiannually at
an interest rate of 13.5%. The loan must be repaid in full upon the closing of
this offering. As of December 31, 1999, we had no principal amounts outstanding
under this senior discount note. On January 7, 2000, we borrowed $41.5 million,
the full amount available under this facility.
We have a policy whereby all transactions between us and our officers,
directors and affiliates will be on terms no less favorable to us than could be
obtained from unrelated third parties. These transactions must be approved by a
majority of the disinterested members of our board of directors. The
transactions set forth in "Certain Transactions" were conducted under
application of this policy and were no less favorable to us, as we would have
obtained in an arm's length transaction with an unaffiliated third party.
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENTS
We have employment agreements with our executive officers as described in
"Management -- Employment arrangements."
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<PAGE> 66
PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDERS
The following table sets certain information regarding beneficial ownership
of our common stock as of January 31, 2000, and as adjusted to reflect the sale
of the shares offered hereby, by:
- each person who we know beneficially owns more that 5% of our common
stock;
- each member of our board of directors;
- each of our named executive officers; and
- all directors and executive officers as a group.
Unless otherwise indicated, the address for each stockholder listed is c/o
Net2000 Communications, Inc., 2180 Fox Mill Road, Herndon, Virginia 20171.
Except as otherwise indicated, each of the persons named in this table has sole
voting and investment power with respect to all the shares indicated.
For purposes of calculating the percentage beneficially owned, 25,027,392
shares of common stock equivalents are deemed outstanding before the offering,
including 10,354,347 shares of common stock outstanding as of January 31, 2000
and 14,673,045 shares of common stock equivalents issuable upon conversion of
the preferred stock. For purposes of calculating the percentage beneficially
owned, the number of shares deemed outstanding after the offering includes: (a)
all shares deemed to be outstanding before the offering and (b) 10,000,000
shares being sold in this offering, assuming no exercise of the underwriters'
over-allotment option. Share ownership in each case includes shares issuable
upon exercise of outstanding options and warrants that are exercisable within 60
days of January 31, 2000, as described in the footnotes below.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PERCENT OF COMMON
NUMBER OF STOCK OUTSTANDING
SHARES --------------------
BENEFICIALLY BEFORE AFTER
NAME OF BENEFICIAL OWNER OWNED OFFERING OFFERING
- ------------------------ ------------ -------- --------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Carlyle Venture Partners Group(1)....................... 3,796,486 15.2% 10.8%
c/o The Carlyle Group
1001 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20004
Northern Telecom Inc.(2)................................ 3,795,317 14.5 10.5
2221 Lakeside Boulevard
Richardson, TX 75082
Blue Water Strategic Fund I, L.L.C.(3).................. 2,797,560 11.2 8.0
c/o Blue Water Capital
8300 Greensboro Drive
Suite 1210
McLean, VA 22102
Societe Generale Capital Corporation.................... 2,045,515 8.2 5.8
1221 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10020
Mid-Atlantic Venture Fund III, L.P. .................... 1,865,041 7.5 5.3
11710 Plaza America Drive
Suite 120
Reston, VA 20190
</TABLE>
65
<PAGE> 67
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PERCENT OF COMMON
NUMBER OF STOCK OUTSTANDING
SHARES --------------------
BENEFICIALLY BEFORE AFTER
NAME OF BENEFICIAL OWNER OWNED OFFERING OFFERING
- ------------------------ ------------ -------- --------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
PNC Capital Corporation(4).............................. 1,493,056 6.0 4.3
c/o PNC Equity Management Corporation
3150 CNG Tower
625 Liberty Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15222
Bruce W. Bednarski...................................... 2,488,750 9.9 7.1
Peter B. Callowhill..................................... 2,493,750 10.0 7.1
Donald E. Clarke(5)..................................... 305,021 1.2 *
Eric Geis(6)............................................ 36,666 * *
Clyde Heintzelman(7).................................... 172,545 * *
Corlyn A. Marsan........................................ 2,203,125 8.8 6.3
Mark A. Mendes(8)....................................... 638,218 2.5 1.8
Reid Miles(3)........................................... 2,797,560 11.2 8.0
Mitchell Reese(1)....................................... 3,796,486 15.2 10.8
Clayton A. Thomas, Jr.(9)............................... 2,471,250 9.9 7.1
All executive officers and directors as a group (16
persons)(10).......................................... 15,313,437 58.5 42.4
</TABLE>
- ---------------
* Less than one percent
(1) Represents (i) 2,678,660 shares beneficially owned by Carlyle Venture
Partners, L.P., (ii) 547,044 shares beneficially owned by C/S Venture
Investors, L.P., (iii) 355,260 shares beneficially owned by Carlyle U.S.
Venture Partners, L.P. and (iv) 215,522 shares beneficially owned by
Carlyle Venture Coinvestment, L.L.C. Mr. Reese, a director, is a managing
director of The Carlyle Group. Mr. Reese shares voting and dispositive
control over these shares. Mr. Reese disclaims beneficial ownership of
these shares except to the extent of his pecuniary interest. Mr. Reese's
address is c/o The Carlyle Group.
(2) Includes 1,119,930 shares issuable upon exercise of a warrant issued in
July 1999.
(3) All such shares are beneficially owned by Blue Water Strategic Fund I,
L.L.C. Mr. Miles, a director, is the founder and managing director of Blue
Water Capital, the managing member of the Blue Water Strategic Fund I,
L.L.C. Mr. Miles shares dispositive and voting control over these shares.
Mr. Miles disclaims beneficial ownership of these shares, except to the
extent of his pecuniary interest. Mr. Miles's address is c/o Blue Water
Capital.
(4) Represents (i) 1,248,941 shares beneficially owned by PNC Capital
Corporation and (ii) 244,115 shares beneficially owned by Wood Street
Partners.
(5) Includes 290,021 shares issuable upon exercise of options to acquire our
common stock.
(6) Includes 36,666 shares issuable upon exercise of options to acquire our
common stock.
(7) Includes 172,545 shares issuable upon exercise of options to acquire our
common stock.
(8) Includes 528,728 shares issuable upon exercise of options to acquire our
common stock.
(9) Includes 4,375 shares of our common stock held by Mr. Thomas' wife.
(10) Includes 1,129,901 shares issuable upon exercise of options to acquire our
common stock.
66
<PAGE> 68
DESCRIPTION OF OUR CAPITAL STOCK
Our authorized capital stock currently consists of 200,000,000 shares of
common stock, with a par value of $0.01 per share, 11,738,437 shares of
preferred stock, with a par value of $0.01 per share and 60,000,000 shares of
undesignated capital stock, with a par value of $0.01 per share. As of December
31, 1999, there were 10,189,562 shares of our common stock outstanding, held of
record by 68 stockholders. As of December 31, 1999, we had outstanding an
aggregate of 11,738,437 shares of convertible preferred stock consisting of
4,087,592 shares of series A preferred stock, 5,510,535 shares of series B
preferred stock, and 2,140,310 shares of series C preferred stock. Effective May
19, 1998 and November 4, 1998, we declared a four for one stock split in the
form of a stock dividend payable on May 19, 1998 and November 4, 1998 for
stockholders of record of our common stock and series A preferred stock,
respectively. Effective January 12, 2000, we declared a five-for-four stock
split in the form of a stock dividend payable on January 12, 2000 for
stockholders of record of our common stock as of January 12, 2000. The series A,
B and C preferred stock are held of record by three, five, and one stockholders,
respectively. All outstanding shares of preferred stock will be automatically
converted into an aggregate of 14,673,045 shares of common stock upon the
closing of this offering and will no longer be issued and outstanding. After
this offering, we will have outstanding 34,862,607 shares of common stock if the
underwriters do not exercise their over-allotment option, or 36,362,607 shares
of common stock if the underwriters exercise their over-allotment option in
full.
The following is a description of our capital stock.
COMMON STOCK
Holders of common stock are entitled to one vote for each share of record
on all matters submitted to a vote of stockholders. The holders of common stock
are entitled to receive ratably such lawful dividends as may be declared by the
board of directors. However, such dividends are subject to preferences that may
be applicable to the holders of any outstanding shares of preferred stock. In
the event of a liquidation, dissolution, or winding up of the affairs of our
company, whether voluntary or involuntary, the holders of common stock will be
entitled to receive pro rata all of our remaining assets available for
distribution to stockholders. Any such pro rata distribution would be subject to
the rights of the holders of any outstanding shares of preferred stock. Our
common stock has no preemptive, redemption, conversion or subscription rights.
Piper Marbury Rudnick & Wolfe LLP, our counsel, will opine that the shares of
common stock to be issued by us in this offering, when issued and sold in the
manner described in the prospectus and in accordance with the resolutions
adopted by the board of directors, will be fully paid and non-assessable. The
rights, powers, preferences and privileges of holders of our common stock are
subject to, and may be adversely affected by, the rights of the holders of
shares of any series of preferred stock that we may designate and issue in the
future.
PREFERRED STOCK
At the closing of the offering, our outstanding shares of preferred stock
will be automatically converted into common stock. For a description of this
preferred stock, please see note 7 to the notes to financial statements included
elsewhere in this prospectus.
UNDESIGNATED CAPITAL STOCK
Immediately following the offering, our board will have the authority to
designate and issue up to 60,000,000 shares of capital stock, in one or more
series. Our board can establish the preferences, rights and privileges of each
series, which may be superior to the rights of the common stock.
67
<PAGE> 69
WARRANTS
We have outstanding a warrant to purchase up to 1,119,930 shares of our
common stock at an exercise price of $0.008 per share, expiring July 30, 2009.
This warrant is currently exercisable.
REGISTRATION RIGHTS
After this offering, holders of (i) an aggregate of 5,109,490 shares of
common stock issued upon the conversion of the series A preferred stock (the
"series A registrable shares"); (ii) 6,888,168 shares of common stock issued
upon the conversion of the series B preferred stock (the "series B registrable
shares"); and (iii) 2,675,387 shares of common stock issued upon the conversion
of the series C preferred stock (the "series C registrable shares") will be
entitled to rights with respect to the registration of such shares under the
Securities Act.
The Second Amended and Restated Investor Rights Agreement, dated November
4, 1998 enables the holders of 14,673,045 shares of our Common Stock to register
the sale of those shares under the Securities Act of 1933. Upon request of at
least a majority in interest of the eligible Series A, Series B and Series C
shares, we must register those shares of Series A, Series B and Series C,
provided that the aggregate offering price is at least $20,000,000. A majority
of each class of stockholders can request one such registration unless it has
previously requested four shorter registrations on Form S-3. Each class can
request an additional registration in the event that less than 70% of the shares
were registered under a previous registration of the respective class. In
addition to these rights, each class of shares may require us to file, generally
one year after this offering, a maximum of four shorter registration statements
on Form S-3 under the Securities Act, provided such registration is available
under the Securities Act of 1933. This number is reduced to three, if the
respective class has previously requested a long form registration.
If we propose to register our securities under the Securities Act after
this offering, these stockholders will be entitled to notice of the registration
and to include their shares in the registration provided that the underwriters
of the proposed offering will have the right to limit the number of shares
included in the registration. We must pay for all expenses in connection with
these registrations, other than underwriters' discounts and commissions.
ANTI-TAKEOVER EFFECTS OF OUR CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION AND BYLAWS AND
DELAWARE GENERAL CORPORATION LAW
OUR CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION AND BYLAWS AND DELAWARE GENERAL
CORPORATION LAW. Certain provisions of Delaware law and our certificate of
incorporation and bylaws could make the following more difficult:
- the acquisition of us by means of a tender offer;
- acquisition of us by means of a proxy contest or otherwise; or
- the removal of our incumbent officers and directors.
These provisions, summarized below, are expected to discourage certain
types of coercive takeover practices and inadequate takeover bids. These
provisions are also designed to encourage persons seeking to acquire control of
us to first negotiate with our board. We believe that the benefits of increased
protection of the potential ability to negotiate with the proponent of an
unfriendly or unsolicited proposal to acquire or restructure us outweigh the
disadvantages of discouraging such proposals because negotiation of such
proposals could result in an improvement of their terms.
68
<PAGE> 70
ELECTION AND REMOVAL OF DIRECTORS. Our board of directors is divided into
three classes. The directors in each class will serve for a three-year term, one
class being elected each year by our stockholders. This system of electing and
removing directors may tend to discourage a third party from making a tender
offer or otherwise attempting to obtain control of us because it generally makes
it more difficult for stockholders to replace a majority of the directors.
In addition, our bylaws provide that, except as otherwise provided by law
or our certificate of incorporation, newly created directorships resulting from
an increase in the authorized number of directors or vacancies on the board may
be filled only by:
- a majority of the directors then in office, though less than a quorum is
then in office; or
- by the sole remaining director.
STOCKHOLDER MEETINGS. Under our certificate of incorporation and bylaws,
only the chairman of the board, the chief executive officer, the president or a
majority of the board of directors may call special meetings of stockholders.
REQUIREMENTS FOR ADVANCE NOTIFICATION OF STOCKHOLDER NOMINATIONS AND
PROPOSALS. Our bylaws will establish advance notice procedures with respect to
stockholder proposals and the nomination of candidates for election as
directors, other than nominations made by or at the direction of the board of
directors or a committee of the board.
DELAWARE ANTI-TAKEOVER LAW. We are subject to Section 203 of the Delaware
general corporation law, an anti-takeover law. In general, Section 203 prohibits
a publicly held Delaware corporation from engaging in a "business combination"
with an "interested stockholder" for a period of three years following the date
the person became an interested stockholder, unless the "business combination"
or the transaction in which the person became an interested stockholder is
approved in a prescribed manner. Generally, a "business combination" includes a
merger, asset or stock sale, or other transaction resulting in a financial
benefit to the interested stockholder. Generally, an "interested stockholder" is
a person who, together with affiliates and associates, owns or within three
years prior to the determination of interested stockholder status, did own, 15%
or more of a corporation's voting stock. The existence of this provision may
have an anti-takeover effect with respect to transactions not approved in
advance by the board of directors, including discouraging attempts that might
result in a premium over the market price for the shares of common stock held by
stockholders.
ELIMINATION OF STOCKHOLDER ACTION BY WRITTEN CONSENT. Upon the completion
of the offering, our certificate of incorporation will eliminate the right of
stockholders to act by written consent without a meeting, unless the consent is
unanimous. This provision may have the effect of discouraging, delaying or
making more difficult a change in control of our company or preventing the
removal of incumbent directors even if a majority of our stockholders were to
deem such an action to be in our best interests.
UNDESIGNATED CAPITAL STOCK. The authorization of undesignated capital stock
will make it possible for our board of directors to issue stock with voting or
other rights or preferences that could impede the success of any attempt to
change control of Net2000. These and other provisions may have the effect of
deterring hostile takeovers or delaying changes in control of our company or
management.
69
<PAGE> 71
LIMITATION OF LIABILITY
As permitted by the Delaware general corporation law, our certificate of
incorporation provides that our directors shall not be personally liable to us
or our stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a
director, except for liability:
- for any breach of the director's duty of loyalty to us or our
stockholders;
- for acts or omissions not in good faith or that involve intentional
misconduct or a knowing violation of law;
- under Section 174 of the Delaware general corporation law, relating to
unlawful payment of dividends or unlawful stock purchase or redemption of
stock; or
- for any transaction from which the director derives an improper personal
benefit.
As a result of this provision, we and our stockholders may be unable to
obtain monetary damages from a director for breach of his or her duty of care.
Our certificate of incorporation and bylaws provide for the indemnification
of our directors and officers to the fullest extent authorized by the Delaware
general corporation law. The indemnification provided under our certificate of
incorporation and bylaws includes the right to be paid expenses in advance of
any proceeding for which indemnification may be had, provided that the payment
of these expenses incurred by a director or officer in advance of the final
disposition of a proceeding may be made only upon delivery to us of an
undertaking by or on behalf of the director or officer to repay all amounts so
paid in advance if it is ultimately determined that the director or officer is
not entitled to be indemnified. If we do not pay a claim for indemnification
within 60 days after we have received a written claim, the claimant may at any
time thereafter bring an action to recover the unpaid amount of the claim and,
if successful, the director or officer will be entitled to be paid the expense
of prosecuting the action to recover these unpaid amounts. In any such action,
we shall have the burden of proving that the claimant was not entitled to the
requested indemnification or payment of expenses under applicable law.
Under our bylaws, we have the power to purchase and maintain insurance on
behalf of any person who is or was one of our directors, officers, employees or
agents, or is or was serving at our request as a director, officer, employee or
agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other
enterprise against any liability asserted against the person or incurred by the
person in any of these capacities, or arising out of the person's fulfilling one
of these capacities, and related expenses, whether or not we would have the
power to indemnify the person against the claim under the provisions of the
Delaware general corporation law. We intend to purchase director and officer
liability insurance on behalf of our directors and officers.
STOCK TRANSFER AGENT
The transfer agent and registrar for our common stock is American Stock
Transfer and Trust Company.
70
<PAGE> 72
SHARES ELIGIBLE FOR FUTURE SALE
After this offering, we will have 34,862,607 shares of common stock
outstanding. If the underwriters exercise their over-allotment option in full,
we will have 36,362,607 shares of common stock outstanding. 10,000,000 of the
shares we sell in this offering will be freely tradable without restriction or
further registration under the Securities Act, except that any shares purchased
by our affiliates, as that term is defined in Rule 144, may generally only be
sold in compliance with the limitations of Rule 144, which is summarized below.
The remaining 71%, or 24,862,607 shares of common stock outstanding after
this offering, will be restricted shares under the terms of the Securities Act,
of which 24,821,647 shares are subject to lock-up agreements as described below.
Restricted shares may be sold in the public market only if registered or if they
qualify for an exemption from registration under Rules 144, 144(k) or 701
promulgated under the Securities Act, and subject to the lock-up requirements
which rules are summarized below. Giving effect to the lock-up agreements
described below, these restricted shares will be available for resale in the
public market as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NUMBER OF SHARES DATE OF FIRST AVAILABILITY FOR RESALE
---------------- -------------------------------------
<C> <S>
0 Immediately after the date of this prospectus
40,960 90 days after the date of this prospectus
24,821,647 After 180 days from the date of the prospectus subject, in
some cases, to volume limitations
</TABLE>
Before this offering, there has been no public market for our common stock,
and we cannot predict what effect, if any, that market sales of shares of our
common stock or the availability of shares of our common stock for sale will
have on the market price of our common stock prevailing from time to time. Sales
of substantial amounts of our common stock in the public market could adversely
affect prevailing market prices and could impair our future ability to raise
capital through the sale of our equity securities.
RULE 144
In general, under Rule 144, beginning 90 days after the effective date of
the offering, a stockholder who owns restricted shares that have been
outstanding for at least one year is entitled to sell, within any three-month
period, a number of these restricted shares that does not exceed the greater of:
- one percent of the then outstanding shares of our common stock, or
348,626 shares immediately after this offering; or
- the average weekly trading volume in our common stock on the Nasdaq
National Market during the four calendar weeks preceding the sale.
In addition, our affiliates must comply with the restrictions and
requirements of Rule 144, other than the one-year holding period requirement, to
sell shares of common stock that are not restricted securities.
Under Rule 144(k), a stockholder who is not currently, and who has not been
for at least three months before the sale, an affiliate of ours who owns
restricted shares that have been outstanding for at least two years may resell
these restricted shares without compliance with the above requirements. The one-
and two-year holding periods described above do not begin to run until the full
purchase price is paid by the person acquiring the restricted shares from us or
an affiliate of ours.
71
<PAGE> 73
REGISTRATION RIGHTS
We have entered into an investor rights agreement with some of our
stockholders, who will own an aggregate of 14,673,045 shares of our common stock
following this offering. These stockholders have registration rights which, upon
exercise, require us to file registration statements covering the sale of their
shares of common stock and to include the sale of their shares in registration
statements covering our sale of shares to the public. See "Description of our
Capital Stock -- Registration Rights."
STOCK OPTIONS
We intend to file one or more registration statements under the Securities
Act within 180 days after this offering to register up to 8,748,388 shares of
our common stock underlying outstanding stock options or reserved for issuance
under our stock plans. We expect these registration statements will become
effective upon filing, and shares covered by these registration statements will
be eligible for sale in the public market immediately after the effective dates
of these registration statements, subject to the lock-up agreements described
below.
LOCK-UP AGREEMENTS
All of our officers and directors and other holders of all of our capital
stock have agreed that they will not, without the prior written consent of
Goldman, Sachs & Co., sell or otherwise dispose of any shares of our capital
stock held by them or any securities convertible into or exchangeable for any of
our capital stock held by them for a period of 180 days from the effective date
of this registration statement.
Goldman, Sachs & Co. currently has no plans to release any portion of the
securities subject to lock-up agreements. When determining whether or not to
release any portion of the securities subject to lock-up agreements, Goldman,
Sachs & Co. will consider, among other factors, the stockholder's reasons for
requesting the release, the number of shares for which the release is being
requested and market conditions at the time.
72
<PAGE> 74
UNDERWRITING
Net2000 and the underwriters named below have entered into an underwriting
agreement with respect to the shares being offered. Subject to certain
conditions, each underwriter has severally agreed to purchase the number of
shares indicated in the following table. Goldman, Sachs & Co., Donaldson, Lufkin
& Jenrette Securities Corporation, J.P. Morgan Securities Inc. and Legg Mason
Wood Walker, Incorporated are the representatives of the Underwriters.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Underwriters Number of Shares
------------ ----------------
<S> <C>
Goldman, Sachs & Co. ....................................... 3,187,500
Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette Securities Corporation......... 3,187,500
J.P. Morgan Securities Inc. ................................ 1,275,000
Legg Mason Wood Walker, Incorporated........................ 850,000
Bear, Stearns & Co. Inc. ................................... 200,000
Lehman Brothers Inc. ....................................... 200,000
Salomon Smith Barney Inc. .................................. 200,000
SoundView Technology Group, Inc. ........................... 200,000
J.C. Bradford & Co. ........................................ 100,000
Johnston, Lemon & Co. Incorporated ......................... 100,000
McDonald Investments Inc., A KeyCorp Company ............... 100,000
Ormes Capital Markets, Inc. ................................ 100,000
Raymond James & Associates, Inc. ........................... 100,000
Scott & Stringfellow, Inc. ................................. 100,000
Wachovia Securities, Inc. .................................. 100,000
----------
Total............................................. 10,000,000
==========
</TABLE>
If the underwriters sell more shares than the total number set forth in the
table above, the underwriters have an option to buy up to an additional
1,500,000 shares from Net2000 to cover such sales. They may exercise that option
for 30 days. If any shares are purchased pursuant to this option, the
underwriters will severally purchase shares in approximately the same proportion
as set forth in the table above.
The following table shows the per share and total underwriting discounts
and commissions to be paid to the underwriters by Net2000. Such amounts are
shown assuming both no exercise and full exercise of the underwriters' option to
purchase additional shares.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
No Exercise Full Exercise
----------- -------------
<S> <C> <C>
Per Share.............................................. $ 1.40 $ 1.40
Total........................................ $14,000,000 $16,100,000
</TABLE>
Shares sold by the underwriters to the public will initially be offered at
the initial public offering price set forth on the cover of this prospectus. Any
shares sold by the underwriters to securities dealers may be sold at a discount
of up to $0.84 per share from the initial public offering price. Any such
securities dealers may resell any shares purchased from the underwriters to
certain other brokers or dealers at a discount of up to $0.10 per share from the
initial public offering price. If all the shares are not sold at the initial
offering price, the representatives may change the offering price and the other
selling terms.
Net2000 has agreed with the underwriters not to dispose of or hedge any of
its common stock or securities convertible into or exchangeable for shares of
common stock during the period from the date of this prospectus continuing
through the date 180 days after the date of this prospectus, except with the
prior written consent of the representatives. This agreement does not apply to
any existing employee benefit plans. See "Shares Eligible for Future Sale" for a
discussion of certain transfer restrictions.
73
<PAGE> 75
Prior to the offering, there has been no public market for the shares. The
initial public offering price has been negotiated among Net2000 and the
representatives. Among the factors considered in determining the initial public
offering price of the shares, in addition to prevailing market conditions, were
Net2000's historical performance, estimates of the business potential and
earnings prospects of Net2000, an assessment of Net2000's management and the
consideration of the above factors in relation to market valuation of companies
in related businesses.
The common stock has been approved for quotation on the Nasdaq National
Market under the symbol "NTKK."
In connection with the offering, the underwriters may purchase and sell
shares of common stock in the open market. These transactions may include short
sales, stabilizing transactions and purchases to cover positions created by
short sales. Short sales involve the sale by the underwriters of a greater
number of shares than they are required to purchase in the offering. Stabilizing
transactions consist of certain bids or purchases made for the purpose of
preventing or retarding a decline in the market price of the common stock while
the offering is in progress.
The underwriters also may impose a penalty bid. This occurs when a
particular underwriter repays to the underwriters a portion of the underwriting
discount received by it because the representatives have repurchased shares sold
by or for the account of such underwriter in stabilizing or short covering
transactions.
These activities by the underwriters may stabilize, maintain or otherwise
affect the market price of the common stock. As a result, the price of the
common stock may be higher than the price that otherwise might exist in the open
market. If these activities are commenced, they may be discontinued by the
underwriters at any time. These transactions may be effected on the Nasdaq
National Market, in the over-the-counter market or otherwise.
The underwriters do not expect sales to discretionary accounts to exceed
five percent of the total number of shares offered.
Net2000 estimates that its share of the total expenses of the offering,
excluding underwriting discounts and commissions, will be approximately $1.3
million.
Net2000 has agreed to indemnify the several underwriters against certain
liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933.
VALIDITY OF THE SHARES
Piper Marbury Rudnick & Wolfe LLP, Reston, Virginia, will pass upon the
validity of the shares of common stock on our behalf. Latham & Watkins, New
York, New York will pass upon legal matters for the underwriters.
EXPERTS
Ernst & Young LLP, independent auditors, have audited our consolidated
financial statements at December 31, 1999 and December 31, 1998, and for each of
the three years in the period ended December 31, 1999, as set forth in their
report. We have included our financial statements in the prospectus and
elsewhere in the registration statement in reliance on Ernst & Young LLP's
report, given on their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.
74
<PAGE> 76
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
We have filed with the SEC a registration statement, including exhibits,
schedules and amendments. This prospectus is a part of the registration
statement and includes all of the information that we believe is material to an
investor considering whether to make an investment in our common stock. We refer
you to the registration statement for additional information about us, our
common stock and this offering, including the full texts of the exhibits, some
of which have been summarized in this prospectus. The registration statement is
available for inspection and copying at the SEC's Public Reference Room at 450
Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549. You may obtain information about the
operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. In
addition, the SEC maintains an Internet site that contains the registration
statement. The address of the SEC's Internet site is "http://www.sec.gov."
75
<PAGE> 77
INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
NET2000 COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
Report of Independent Auditors.............................. F-2
Consolidated Financial Statements:
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 1998 and
1999, and unaudited pro forma Balance Sheet as of December
31, 1999.................................................. F-3
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Years Ended
December 31, 1997, 1998 and 1999.......................... F-4
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Deficit for the
Years Ended December 31, 1997, 1998 and 1999.............. F-5
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended
December 31, 1997, 1998 and 1999.......................... F-6
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.................. F-7
</TABLE>
F-1
<PAGE> 78
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
Board of Directors
Net2000 Communications, Inc.
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Net2000
Communications, Inc. as of December 31, 1998 and 1999 and the related
consolidated statements of operations, stockholders' deficit and cash flows for
each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 1999. 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 auditing standards generally
accepted in the United States. Those standards require that we plan and perform
the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements
are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis,
evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An
audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant
estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial
statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis
for our opinion.
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above
present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Net2000
Communications, Inc. at December 31, 1998 and 1999 and the results of their
operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended
in December 31, 1999, in conformity with accounting principles generally
accepted in the United States.
/s/ Ernst & Young LLP
McLean, VA
January 26, 2000
F-2
<PAGE> 79
NET2000 COMMUNICATIONS, INC
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
ASSETS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PRO FORMA
DECEMBER 31, DECEMBER 31, DECEMBER 31,
1998 1999 1999
------------ ------------ ------------
(UNAUDITED)
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Current assets:
Cash & cash equivalents................................ $ 33,439,030 $ 5,522,935 $ 5,522,935
Restricted cash........................................ 948,707 3,516,629 3,516,629
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful
accounts of approximately $229,000 and $1,919,000 at
December 31, 1998 and 1999, respectively............. 3,618,646 7,595,418 7,595,418
Other current assets................................... 50,950 1,528,082 1,528,082
------------ ------------ ------------
Total current assets..................................... 38,057,333 18,163,064 18,163,064
Property and equipment, net of accumulated
depreciation........................................... 11,528,518 72,592,117 72,592,117
Other noncurrent assets.................................. 504,657 3,597,590 3,597,590
Unamortized debt discount................................ -- 7,315,370 7,315,370
------------ ------------ ------------
Total assets............................................. $ 50,090,508 $101,668,141 $101,668,141
============ ============ ============
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' (DEFICIT) EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable....................................... $ 1,402,010 $ 791,646 $ 791,646
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities......... 3,670,907 17,612,436 17,612,436
Current maturity of note payable to bank............... -- 41,667 41,667
Current maturities of capital lease obligation......... 2,422,597 3,981,133 3,981,133
------------ ------------ ------------
Total current liabilities................................ 7,495,514 22,426,882 22,426,882
Capital lease obligation, less current maturities........ 2,000,155 4,572,791 4,572,791
Related party noncurrent liabilities..................... 4,811,381 26,427,946 26,427,946
Other noncurrent liabilities............................. 215,531 215,531
Notes payable............................................ -- 41,389,549 41,389,549
Note payable to bank..................................... -- 76,389 76,389
Redeemable convertible Series A, B and C preferred stock,
$0.01 par value; 11,738,437 shares authorized,
11,738,437 and 11,738,437 issued and outstanding at
December 31, 1998 and 1999, respectively............... 59,403,297 80,940,295 --
Stockholders' (deficit) equity:
Common stock, $0.01 par value; 200,000,000 shares
authorized, 10,109,490 and 10,189,562 shares issued
and outstanding December 31, 1998 and 1999,
respectively......................................... 101,095 101,896 248,626
Additional capital....................................... 299,061 16,706,946 97,500,511
Deferred stock compensation.............................. (162,102) (7,002,437) (7,002,437)
Accumulated deficit...................................... (23,857,893) (84,187,647) (84,187,647)
------------ ------------ ------------
Total stockholders' (deficit) equity............ (23,619,839) (74,381,242) 6,559,053
------------ ------------ ------------
Total liabilities and stockholders' deficit..... $ 50,090,508 $101,668,141 $101,668,141
============ ============ ============
</TABLE>
See accompanying notes.
F-3
<PAGE> 80
NET2000 COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31,
-----------------------------------------
1997 1998 1999
---- ---- ----
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Revenues:
Telecommunications.............................. $ 88,111 $ 6,465,903 $ 27,692,992
Agency commissions and other.................... 3,456,118 2,952,999 --
----------- ------------ ------------
Total revenues.................................... 3,544,229 9,418,902 27,692,992
Operating costs and expenses:
Operating costs................................. 906,999 7,888,478 22,375,261
Selling, general and administrative (exclusive
of non-cash compensation expense shown
below)....................................... 3,832,971 15,074,961 41,161,490
Non-cash compensation expense................... -- 63,054 1,645,480
Depreciation and amortization................... 122,437 686,670 3,865,360
----------- ------------ ------------
Loss from operations.............................. (1,318,178) (14,294,261) (41,354,599)
Other income (expenses):
Gain on sale of consulting division............. 875,000 -- --
Settlement of supplier dispute.................. -- -- 3,500,000
Miscellaneous income............................ 7,838 3,104 91,435
Interest income................................. 18,517 679,450 1,059,487
Interest expense................................ (84,666) (155,405) (2,089,079)
----------- ------------ ------------
Loss before provision for income taxes............ (501,489) (13,767,112) (38,792,756)
Provision for income taxes........................ -- -- --
----------- ------------ ------------
Net loss.......................................... $ (501,489) $(13,767,112) $(38,792,756)
=========== ============ ============
Preferred stock accretion......................... -- (8,903,296) (21,536,998)
----------- ------------ ------------
Net loss available to common stockholders......... $ (501,489) $(22,670,408) $(60,329,754)
=========== ============ ============
Pro forma net loss available to common
shareholders.................................... $(38,792,756)
=========== ============ ============
Basic and diluted loss per share.................. $ (0.05) $ (2.25) $ (5.97)
=========== ============ ============
Pro forma basic and diluted loss per share........ $ (1.57)
============
Shares used in calculation of loss per share:
Basic and diluted................................. 10,000,000 10,079,793 10,113,042
Pro forma basic and diluted....................... 24,786,087
</TABLE>
See accompanying notes.
F-4
<PAGE> 81
NET2000 COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' DEFICIT
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
COMMON STOCK DEFERRED TOTAL
--------------------- ADDITIONAL STOCK ACCUMULATED STOCKHOLDERS'
SHARES AMOUNT CAPITAL COMPENSATION DEFICIT DEFICIT
------ ------ ---------- ------------ ----------- -------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Balance at December 31,
1996........................ 10,000,000 $100,000 $ -- $ -- $ 159,004 $ 259,004
Net loss.................... -- -- -- -- (501,489) (501,489)
S Corp. distribution........ -- -- -- -- (845,000) (845,000)
Issuance of compensatory
stock options............. -- -- 87,216 (87,216) -- --
---------- -------- ----------- ----------- ------------ ------------
Balance at December 31,
1997........................ 10,000,000 100,000 87,216 (87,216) (1,187,485) (1,087,485)
Net loss.................... -- -- -- -- (13,767,112) (13,767,112)
Exercise of stock options... 109,490 1,095 73,905 -- -- 75,000
Issuance of compensatory
stock Options............. -- -- 137,940 (137,940) -- --
Amortization of deferred
stock Compensation........ -- -- -- 63,054 -- 63,054
Accretion of Preferred
Stock..................... (8,903,296) (8,903,296)
---------- -------- ----------- ----------- ------------ ------------
Balance at December 31,
1998........................ 10,109,490 101,095 299,061 (162,102) (23,857,893) (23,619,839)
Net loss.................... -- -- -- -- (38,792,756) (38,792,756)
Exercise of stock options... 80,072 801 19,403 -- -- 20,204
Issuance of compensatory
stock Options............. -- -- 8,485,815 (8,485,815) -- --
Amortization of deferred
stock compensation........ -- -- -- 1,645,480 -- 1,645,480
Issuance of Warrants........ -- -- 7,902,667 -- -- 7,902,667
Accretion of Preferred
Stock..................... -- -- -- -- (21,536,998) (21,536,998)
---------- -------- ----------- ----------- ------------ ------------
Balance at December 31,
1999........................ 10,189,562 $101,896 $16,706,946 $(7,002,437) $(84,187,647) $(74,381,242)
========== ======== =========== =========== ============ ============
</TABLE>
See accompanying notes.
F-5
<PAGE> 82
NET2000 COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEAR ENDED
DECEMBER 31,
-----------------------------------------
1997 1998 1999
---- ---- ----
<S> <C> <C> <C>
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net loss......................................... $ (501,489) $(13,767,112) $(38,792,756)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash
used in operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization.................. 122,437 686,670 3,865,360
Allowance for doubtful accounts................ 10,000 218,776 1,690,000
Deferred stock compensation.................... -- 63,054 1,645,480
Amortization of debt discount.................. 587,298
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable......................... (636,255) (2,790,822) (5,666,774)
Other current assets........................ (32,783) 6,893 (1,477,132)
Other noncurrent assets..................... (70,316) (426,473) (3,092,933)
Accounts payable............................ 312,870 1,036,086 (610,364)
Accrued expenses and other current
liabilities............................... 319,236 3,255,798 13,941,529
Other noncurrent liabilities................ 215,531
----------- ------------ ------------
Net cash used in operating activities............ (476,300) (11,717,130) (27,694,761)
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Acquisition of property and equipment............ (87,746) (2,031,058) (36,147,477)
Restricted cash.................................. -- (948,707) (2,567,922)
----------- ------------ ------------
Net cash used in investing activities............ (87,746) (2,979,765) (38,715,399)
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Proceeds from line of credit..................... 560,176 75,000 --
Repayments on line of credit..................... (120,000) (515,176) --
Proceeds from notes payable to shareholders'..... 952,143 -- --
Repayments of notes payable from shareholders'... (1,052,143) -- --
Proceeds from note payable to bank............... 125,000
Repayments on note payable to bank............... (6,944)
Proceeds from issuance of common stock........... -- -- --
Proceeds from notes payable to related party..... -- -- 41,389,549
Proceeds from exercise of stock options.......... -- 75,000 20,204
Proceeds from sale of redeemable convertible
preferred stock................................ 3,500,000 47,000,001 --
S corporation distributions to shareholders'..... (845,000) -- --
Repayment of capital leases...................... (86,018) (846,703) (3,033,744)
----------- ------------ ------------
Net cash provided by financing activities........ 2,909,158 45,788,122 38,494,065
Net increase (decrease) in cash.................. 2,345,112 31,091,227 (27,916,095)
Cash at the beginning of period.................. 2,691 2,347,803 33,439,030
----------- ------------ ------------
Cash at the end of period........................ $ 2,347,803 $ 33,439,030 $ 5,522,935
=========== ============ ============
</TABLE>
See accompanying notes.
F-6
<PAGE> 83
NET2000 COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
1. ORGANIZATION
Net2000 Group, Inc. was formed on June 18, 1993 under the laws of the State
of Virginia and on October 23, 1997, was reincorporated in the state of
Delaware. On November 1, 1998, Net2000 Group, Inc. entered into a
recapitalization transaction whereby it exchanged all of its stock with Net2000
Communications, Inc. As a result of the exchange, Net2000 Group Inc. became a
wholly owned subsidiary of Net2000 Communications, Inc. and accordingly, the
financial statements of Net2000 Communications, Inc. include the financial
position and results of operations of Net2000 Group, Inc. for all periods prior
to the transaction as the successor to Net2000 Group, Inc. Subsequent to the
transaction, the ownership interest of Net2000 Communications, Inc. is identical
to that of Net2000 Group, Inc. prior to the exchange of stock. References to
"the Company" represent Net2000 Group, Inc. for periods prior to the exchange
and Net2000 Communications, Inc. for all subsequent periods.
Subsequent to the transaction, seven wholly-owned subsidiaries were created
to address specific organizational functions, including Net2000 Communications
Holdings, Inc., Net2000 Investments, Inc., Net2000 Communications Group, Inc.,
Net2000 Communications Capital Equipment, Inc., Net2000 Communications Real
Estate, Inc., and Net2000 Communications of Virginia, LLC. In addition, Net2000
Group, Inc. changed its name to Net2000 Communications Services, Inc.
During 1998, the Company changed its primary business activity from the
selling of network services of Bell Atlantic on a commission basis to the resale
of local, long-distance, and data services. In 1999, the Company began
constructing and operating a packet- and circuit- switched network.
2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
PRINCIPLES OF CONSOLIDATION
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company
and all wholly owned subsidiaries. All material intercompany transactions and
balances have been eliminated in consolidation.
USE OF ESTIMATES
The preparation of consolidated 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 revenues and expenses during the
reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
For purposes of the statements of cash flows, the Company considers all
highly liquid investments with a maturity of three months or less at the time of
purchase to be cash equivalents. On December 31, 1997, 1998 and 1999, the
Company had investments of $2,335,626, $32,870,179 and $5,992,560, respectively,
in securities with maturities of less than three months which are included in
cash and cash equivalents.
F-7
<PAGE> 84
NET2000 COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
STOCK COMPENSATION
The Company accounts for its stock-based compensation in accordance with
APB No. 25, "Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees" ("APB 25") using the
intrinsic value method. Stock-based compensation related to stock options
granted to non-employees is accounted for using the fair value method in
accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standard No. 123 "Accounting
for Stock-Based Compensation" (SFAS No. 123). The Company has made pro forma
disclosures required by SFAS No. 123.
REVENUE RECOGNITION
The Company recognizes telecommunications revenues over the period in which
the services are provided. Monthly recurring charges include fees paid by
customers for lines in service and additional features on those lines. Usage
charges are billed in arrears and are fully earned as usage is accrued on the
provider's network. Non-recurring revenue, typically for installation fees for
new customer lines, is recognized to the extent of direct selling costs
incurred, with any excess deferred and amortized to income over the remaining
contract term. Commission revenues on agency sales are recognized when the
product has been installed or accepted for installation. Consulting revenue is
recognized when earned.
FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
The Company considers the recorded value of its financial assets and
liabilities, consisting primarily of cash and cash equivalents, accounts
receivable, accounts payable, accrued expenses and debt, to approximate the fair
value of the respective assets and liabilities at December 31, 1997, 1998 and
1999.
ADVERTISING COSTS
All advertising costs are expensed as incurred.
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
For the years ended December 31, 1997, 1998 and 1999 the Company's net
income reflects comprehensive income, accordingly, no additional disclosure is
presented.
VALUATION ACCOUNTS
A summary of the Company's allowance for bad debts is as follows:
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
Balance at December 31, 1997........................... $ 10,000
Additions charged to expense......................... 219,000
Accounts receivable written-off...................... --
----------
Balance at December 31, 1998........................... 229,000
Additions charged to expense......................... 701,000
Additions from settlement (see Note 11).............. 1,500,000
Accounts receivable written-off...................... (511,000)
----------
Balance at December 31, 1999........................... $1,919,000
==========
</TABLE>
F-8
<PAGE> 85
NET2000 COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
IMPAIRMENT OF LONG-LIVED ASSETS
The Company assesses the impairment of long-lived assets in accordance with
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"). SFAS 121 requires impairment losses to be recognized for
long-lived assets when indicators of impairment are present and the undiscounted
cash flows are not sufficient to recover the assets' carrying amount. The
impairment loss of these assets is measured by comparing the carrying amount of
the asset to its fair value, with any excess of carrying value over fair value
written off. Fair value is based on market prices where available, an estimate
of market value, or determined by various valuation techniques including
discounted cash flow.
3. NET LOSS PER COMMON SHARE
Basic and diluted net loss per common share is calculated by dividing the
net loss by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding. Pro forma
net loss per share is computed using the weighted average number of shares used
for basic and diluted per share amounts and the weighted average redeemable
convertible preferred stock outstanding as if such shares were converted to
common stock at the time of issuance.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FOR THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31,
-----------------------------------------
1997 1998 1999
---- ---- ----
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Net loss........................................ $ (501,489) $(13,767,112) $(38,792,756)
=========== ============ ============
Preferred stock accretion....................... -- (8,903,296) (21,536,998)
----------- ------------ ------------
Net loss available to common stockholders....... $ (501,489) $(22,670,408) $(60,329,754)
=========== ============ ============
Pro forma net loss available to common
shareholders.................................. -- -- (38,792,756)
=========== ============ ============
Weighted average of common shares, denominator
for basic loss per share...................... 10,000,000 10,079,793 10,113,042
Effect of dilutive securities:
Stock options................................. -- -- --
Warrants...................................... -- -- --
Convertible stock............................. -- -- --
----------- ------------ ------------
Denominator for diluted loss per share.......... 10,000,000 10,079,793 10,113,042
=========== ============ ============
Pro forma adjustment for redeemable preferred
stock......................................... -- -- 14,673,045
----------- ------------ ------------
Pro forma denominator for basic and diluted loss
per share..................................... -- -- 24,786,087
=========== ============ ============
</TABLE>
4. PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT
Property and equipment, including leasehold improvements, are recorded at
cost. Depreciation is calculated using the straight-line method over the
estimated useful life ranging between three and eight years. Leasehold
improvements are amortized over the lesser of the related lease term or the
useful life. Interest capitalized and included in the cost of switch equipment
totaled $790,257 for the year ended December 31, 1999.
F-9
<PAGE> 86
NET2000 COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
The Company capitalizes certain software purchases and implementation costs
in accordance with FAS 86.
Construction in process includes equipment and other costs for switches
which are not complete as of the balance sheet dates. When construction of a
switch is complete the balance of the assets are transferred to switch
equipment, and depreciated in accordance with the Company's policy.
Property and equipment consist of the following:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
DECEMBER 31,
-------------------------
1998 1999
---- ----
<S> <C> <C>
Software................................................ $ 1,039,789 $11,977,579
Computer equipment...................................... 5,241,808 9,005,331
Office furniture and equipment.......................... 301,213 4,950,963
Leasehold improvements.................................. 487,292 7,972,454
Vehicles................................................ -- 295,014
Switch equipment........................................ -- 21,958,325
Construction in process................................. 5,290,872 21,129,988
----------- -----------
12,360,974 77,289,654
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization.......... (832,456) (4,697,537)
----------- -----------
$11,528,518 $72,592,117
=========== ===========
</TABLE>
5. DEBT
SECURED CREDIT FACILITIES
On November 2, 1998, Net2000 Communications Group, Inc., a subsidiary of
the Company (see Note 1, Organization) entered into credit facilities with
Northern Telecom, Inc. ("Nortel"), the Series C Preferred shareholder (see Note
7), in the aggregate principal amount of $140 million. The agreement consisted
of a Term Loan Facility in an aggregate principal amount of $120 million and a
Revolving Loan Facility with availability of $20 million (together, the "Credit
Agreement").
On July 30, 1999, the Company amended the Credit Agreement to restructure
the existing $140 million senior secured facility to provide for additional
working capital availability. The revised agreement provides for a Senior Term
Loan Facility in the aggregate principal amount of $75 million, and a Senior
Discount Note with a face amount of $75 million. The Senior Term Loan Facility
may only be used to purchase Nortel goods and services. The Senior Discount Note
may be used for general corporate purposes. The Senior Term Loan Facility is
secured by a first priority perfected security interest in or first priority
lien on all present and future assets of the Company. The Senior Discount Note
is unsecured. Interest on the Senior Term Loan Facility will accrue at a Prime
Rate Loan Rate plus 3.5% or Eurodollar Loan Rate plus 4.5% as defined in the
terms of the amended Credit Agreement (12% at December 31, 1999). The Senior
Discount Note will bear interest at the Treasury rate plus 8% per annum (14.45%
at December 31, 1999). Repayment of accrued interest on the Prime Rate Loan Rate
is on each quarterly due date. Repayment of accrued interest on a Eurodollar
loan is on the last day of the interest period, and in the case of interest
periods greater than three months, at three month intervals after the first day
of such interest period. Nortel is required to provide access to the credit
facilities through November 2, 2001 (commitment termination date). Beginning the
quarter after the commitment termination date, the Company is required to begin
repayment of the Senior Term Loan in twenty
F-10
<PAGE> 87
NET2000 COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
quarterly installments. The Senior Discount Note will accrue interest
semi-annually in arrears until the fifth anniversary of the issuance date, after
which interest will be due semi-annually in arrears, with the principal due on
July 30, 2009. The Senior Term Loan Facility has certain mandatory prepayment
options as defined in the agreement. The Senior Discount Note has certain
prepayment penalties, call limitations and mandatory redemption features as
defined in the agreement. If borrowings have not exceeded approximately $44
million prior to either the sale of the Note to a third party or July 31, 2000,
the loan will automatically increase to that level, and any additional
borrowings will be prohibited. The amended Credit Agreement contains covenants
which require the Company to meet certain financial measures in addition to
other non financial covenants.
In connection with the Credit Agreement, the Company issued to Nortel
detachable warrants to acquire 1,119,930 shares of common stock at $0.008 per
share. The fair value of the warrants, $7.9 million, is treated as a discount on
the Company's debt and amortized as additional interest expense over the lives
of the respective debt instruments. The Company used the Black-Scholes pricing
model to estimate the fair value of the warrants with the following assumptions:
estimated fair value of the common stock of $7.06 per share; dividend yield of
0%; risk free interest rate of 6.5%; volatility of 25%; and expected life of
five years, consistent with the assumptions used for the stock option
disclosures required under SFAS 123 and included in Note 7 to the financial
statements.
On December 23, 1999, the Company's $75 million Senior Term Loan Facility
was purchased and assumed from Nortel by Goldman Sachs Credit Partners L.P. and
Toronto Dominion (Texas), Inc. The First Amendment contains terms which are
substantially the same as those in the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement
dated as of July 30, 1999. In addition, the Company has access to incremental
borrowing capacity up to $50 million, which will carry identical terms and
covenants as applicable under the First Amendment and will be available, subject
to certain restrictions, after $60 million has been drawn under the original
loans. No borrowing under the incremental tranche can cause there to exist a
default on a pro forma basis.
As an additional covenant to the First Amendment, the Company must sell to
Nortel an aggregate of $75 million in principal amount at the stated maturity of
the Senior Discount Note on or prior to January 7, 2000. On January 7, 2000, the
Company sold an aggregate of $75 million in principal amount of the Senior
Discount Note and proceeds of $41.5 million were received. As a result of this
transaction, both the Senior Term Loan Facility and Senior Discount Note are
recorded as a liability by Net2000 Communications Group, Inc., a subsidiary of
the Company.
As of December 31, 1999, the Company paid all accrued interest and
commitment fee amounts outstanding under the Senior Term Loan Facility.
At December 31, 1998 and 1999, the Company had purchased $4.8 million and
$26.4 million, respectively, of Nortel goods and services which have been
classified as a noncurrent liability as these purchases were subsequently
financed under the credit facility. At December 31, 1999, the Company had $41.4
million and $0 outstanding under the Senior Term Loan Facility and Senior
Discount Note, respectively.
Other Debt
On September 20, 1999, the Company entered into a term loan agreement with
a bank for a principal amount of $125,000 for the purchase of Company vehicles.
The agreement calls for repayment over 36 months at an annual interest rate of
8.75%. Availability of the loan to the Company occurred on October 6, 1999.
F-11
<PAGE> 88
NET2000 COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
Maturities of notes payable outstanding as of December 31, 1999 are as
follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FISCAL YEAR
-----------
<S> <C>
2000........................................................ $ 41,667
2001........................................................ 1,593,775
2002........................................................ 6,243,154
2003........................................................ 6,725,802
2004........................................................ 8,795,279
Thereafter.................................................. 18,107,928
-----------
Total notes payable......................................... $41,507,605
===========
</TABLE>
The Company paid interest of $52,410, $173,058, and $2,089,079 related to
the notes payable and capital leases in the years ended December 31, 1997 and
1998, and 1999, respectively.
Letters of Credit
The Company maintains irrevocable letters of credit with four separate
vendors, which are disclosed as restricted cash on the balance sheet. The first
letter of credit, in the amount of $900,000, has a two year term expiring on
September 30, 2000 and serves as an advanced security deposit in connection with
the financing of certain billing system equipment under capital lease. This
letter of credit was amended on October 6, 1999 for an additional amount of
$984,289, which represents an advanced security deposit in connection with the
financing of financial and operational support system hardware, software and
services under capital lease. The additional amount has a three year term
expiring on October 31, 2002. The term of the original $900,000 amount was
extended to February 28, 2002. The second letter of credit for $730,969 has a
seven year term expiring on June 10, 2006, and represents a deposit in support
of the Company's obligations under an office space lease agreement. The third
letter of credit for $598,304 has a ten year term expiring on November 02, 2009,
and represents a deposit in support of the Company's obligations under a lease
agreement for its New York switch facility. The fourth letter of credit for
$291,477 has a ten year term expiring on December 27, 2009, and represents a
deposit in support of the Company's obligations under a lease agreement for its
Boston switch facility. The letters of credit are fully collateralized by
certificates of deposits maintained with a bank, with maturities ranging from 90
days to one year, and with stated interest rates ranging from 3.19% to 5.51%.
CAPITAL LEASES
The Company currently leases office furniture and equipment under
non-cancelable capital leases. The Company had $5,366,972 and $12,552,402 of
assets held under capital leases at December 31, 1998 and 1999, respectively.
Amortization and depreciation related to capital leased equipment is included in
depreciation and amortization expense.
F-12
<PAGE> 89
NET2000 COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
The future minimum lease payments under non-cancelable capital leases at
December 31, 1999 are as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FISCAL YEAR
- -----------
<S> <C>
2000........................................................ $4,803,974
2001........................................................ 3,127,522
2002........................................................ 1,977,757
2003........................................................ 15,851
----------
Total minimum lease payments................................ $9,925,104
Less amount representing interest........................... 1,371,180
----------
Present value of minimum lease payments..................... 8,553,924
Less current portion of capital lease obligation............ 3,981,133
----------
Long term portion of capital lease obligation............... $4,572,791
==========
</TABLE>
6. TAXES
The Company accounts for taxes under Statement of Financial Accounting
Standards No. 109, Accounting for Income Taxes ("SFAS 109"). Under SFAS 109,
deferred tax liabilities and assets are determined based on the difference
between the financial statement and tax basis of assets and liabilities using
enacted rates expected to be in effect during the year in which the differences
reverse.
For periods prior to October 31, 1997, the Company and its stockholders
were taxed as an S Corporation under the Internal Revenue Code. Under the
provisions of the tax code, the Company's stockholders include their pro rata
share of the Company's income in their personal income tax returns. Accordingly,
the Company was not subject to Federal or state income taxes during that period.
On October 31, 1997, the Company sold Redeemable Convertible Series A Preferred
Stock, which disqualified the S corporation election. From November 1, 1997
forward, the Company has been taxed as a C corporation.
At December 31, 1999, the Company had net operating losses of approximately
$51.5 million. The timing and manner in which the operating loss carryforward
may be utilized in any year by the Company will be limited to the Company's
ability to generate future earnings and may be limited upon a change in
ownership. Current net operating loss carryforwards will begin expiring
substantially in 2018. As the Company has not generated earnings and no
assurance can be made of future earnings needed to utilize these net operating
losses, a valuation allowance in the amount of the net deferred tax asset has
been recorded. The valuation allowance increased $14,054,251 from December 31,
1998 to December 31, 1999.
F-13
<PAGE> 90
NET2000 COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
At December 31, 1998 and 1999, deferred taxes consist of:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
DECEMBER 31,
-------------------------
1998 1999
---- ----
<S> <C> <C>
Tax Liability
Cash to accrual adjustment............................ $ (85,461) $ (56,974)
Depreciation.......................................... (488,267) (1,219,953)
Capital lease......................................... (93,753) (93,745)
Tax Assets
Net operating loss carryforward....................... 5,613,532 19,572,412
Reserves.............................................. -- 204,528
Allowance for bad debts............................... 86,843 728,452
Deferred revenue...................................... 178,843 81,647
Stock options......................................... 49,348 86,222
Other................................................. 6,350 19,097
----------- -----------
5,267,435 19,321,686
Valuation allowance................................... (5,267,435) (19,321,686)
----------- -----------
Net deferred tax asset.................................. $ -- $ --
=========== ===========
</TABLE>
The Company paid no income taxes for the years ended December 31, 1996,
1997, and 1998 or for the nine months ended September 30, 1999.
A summary of the items which cause the recorded income taxes to differ from
the statutory Federal income tax rate is as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEAR ENDED YEAR ENDED YEAR ENDED
DECEMBER 31, 1997 DECEMBER 31, 1998 DECEMBER 31, 1999
----------------- ----------------- -----------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Tax expense (benefit)
at statutory
Federal rate....... $(170,506) $(4,680,818) $(13,189,537)
Effect of:
State income tax,
net............. (30,084) (826,026) (1,466,144)
Stock option
compensation.... -- 24,591 544,972
Other.............. 66,485 348,920 56,458
Increase in
valuation
allowance....... 134,105 5,133,333 14,054,251
--------- ----------- ------------
Income tax expense... $ -- $ -- $ --
========= =========== ============
</TABLE>
7. EQUITY
EQUITY TRANSACTIONS
On October 23, 1997, the Company reincorporated in Delaware pursuant to a
statutory merger of the Virginia corporation into a newly formed Delaware
corporation. On the merger date, each share of the prior Company's $1 par value
common stock was exchanged for
F-14
<PAGE> 91
NET2000 COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
500 shares of $0.01 par value common stock of the new Company. This transaction
was accounted for as a stock split and the accompanying financial statements
have been restated to reflect this transaction for all periods presented.
On October 31, 1997, the Company sold 4,087,592 shares of Redeemable
Convertible Series A Preferred Stock ("Series A Preferred Stock or Share") for
$0.856 per share. On May 19, 1998 the Company sold 5,510,535 shares of
Redeemable Convertible Series B Preferred Stock ("Series B Preferred Stock or
Share") for $3.085 per share. Both Series A and B Preferred Shares are
convertible into shares of common stock at a rate of 1:1.25. Both Preferred
issues have mandatory conversion in the event of an initial public offering. The
Series A and B Preferred Stock accrue a dividend of $0.069 and $0.309 per annum,
respectively, payable if and when declared, and are subject to certain
adjustments and limitations as defined in the purchase agreement. Should a
qualifying event (initial public offering or acquisition) be consummated prior
to the third anniversary of the Series A and B original issue dates, no
dividends, whether or not accrued, will be payable. At December 31, 1997, 1998
and 1999, dividends in arrears were $46,667, $1,374,868 and $3,359,667,
respectively. Voting rights of both Preferred issues are on an as if converted
basis. The Series A and B Preferred Shares have redemption rights at their
respective fair values subject to certain limitations, and certain antidilutive
and future registration rights as defined in the purchase agreement and other
agreements. The Series B Preferred Stock ranks senior and prior to the Series A
Preferred Stock as to dividends and upon a liquidation event as defined.
On May 19, 1998, the Board of Directors and stockholders of the Company
approved a 4 for 1 stock split of the Company's $0.01 par value voting common
stock. All references in the accompanying financial statements to the number of
shares of common stock have been restated to reflect the split.
On November 1, 1998 and pursuant to the recapitalization of the Company
discussed in Note 1-Organization, Net2000 Group, Inc. exchanged common shares
with the stockholders of the new parent company, Net2000 Communications, Inc.,
in a one-for-one transfer. In addition, the number of authorized shares of
common stock was increased from 28 million to 30 million.
On November 2, 1998, the Company sold 2,140,310 shares of Redeemable
Convertible Series C Preferred Stock ("Series C Preferred Stock or Share") for
$14.017 per share. Certain terms and conditions of the Series A and B agreements
were amended and restated as a result of the Series C Preferred Stock issuance
and are reflected herein. Each Series C Preferred Share is convertible into
shares of common stock at a rate of 1:1.25. The Series C Preferred Stock has a
mandatory conversion in the event of an initial public offering which has gross
proceeds of at least $50 million and at an IPO price of at least $6.40 per share
of common stock. The Series C Preferred Stock accrues a dividend of $1.121 per
annum, payable if and when declared, and subject to certain adjustments and
limitations as defined in the purchase agreement. At December 31, 1998 and 1999,
dividends in arrears were $399,881 and $2,799,167, respectively. Voting rights
of the Series C Preferred Shares are on an as if converted basis. The Series C
Preferred Shares have redemption rights at their fair values beginning on the
later of one year after the maturity of any high yield debt issued by the
Company prior to December 31, 1999 or November 2, 2004; or in the case of an
acquisition event, the 30 day period commencing upon the receipt of notice of
the acquisition event. The Series C Preferred Shares have certain antidilutive
and future registration rights as defined in the agreement. The Series C
Preferred Stock ranks senior and prior to the Series B Stock as to dividends and
upon a liquidation event as defined in the Company's certificate of
incorporation, as amended.
F-15
<PAGE> 92
NET2000 COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
On November 10, 1999, the number of authorized shares of common stock was
increased from 30 million to 200 million, and the number of authorized shares of
preferred stock was reduced from 12,000,000 to 11,738,437. In addition, the
Board of Directors authorized the designation and issuance of up to 60 million
shares of Undesignated Capital Stock, in one or more series, at $.01 par value
per share. The Board of Directors can establish the preferences, rights, and
privileges of each series, which may be superior to the rights of the common
stock.
Effective January 12, 2000, the Board of Directors and stockholders of the
Company approved a stock dividend of 0.25 shares for each outstanding share of
common stock. All references in the accompanying financial statements to the
number of shares of common stock and per share amounts have been restated to
reflect the dividend.
STOCK OPTION PLAN
During 1997, the Company adopted a stock option plan (the "Option Plan")
which allows the Company to grant up to 1,678,830 Common Stock options to
employees, board members and others who contribute materially to the success of
the Company. Individual grants generally become exercisable ratably over a
period of four years from the grant date. The contractual term of the options is
10 years from the date of grant. In November 1998, the number of stock options
reserved under the Option Plan was increased to 3,379,436. In September 1999,
the number of stock options reserved under the Option Plan was increased to
4,373,388.
On November 10, 1999, the Company adopted a stock incentive plan (the
"Incentive Plan") which authorizes the grant of stock options, stock
appreciation rights, stock awards, phantom stock, and performance awards. As of
December 31, 1999, there were 4,375,000 shares reserved under the Incentive
Plan, of which 343,750 options to purchase common stock were issued and
outstanding.
Also on November 10, 1999, the Company adopted an employee stock purchase
plan (the "ESPP") which provides for the issuance of up to 1,875,000 shares of
common stock. The ESPP is intended to qualify under Section 423 of the Internal
Revenue Code and provides the Company's employees with an opportunity to
purchase shares of common stock through payroll deductions.
The Company determines the fair value of its common stock used in its
accounting for stock option grants based on both arms length equity transactions
and independent valuations obtained during the period from the plan's inception
to December 31, 1999.
In December 1997, the Company issued 1,282,595 options to certain employees
at an exercise price of $0.14 which was below the fair market value at the time
of the option grant. During 1998, the Company issued 1,689,188 options to
certain employees at a weighted average exercise price of $0.62. The exercise
price for a portion of these option grants was below the fair market value of
the common stock at the grant date. During 1999, the Company issued 2,349,369
options to certain employees at a weighted average exercise price of $4.38,
which was below the fair market value at the time of the option grant.
Accordingly, the Company recorded deferred stock compensation of $87,216,
$137,940 and $8,485,815 in 1997, 1998 and 1999, respectively.
During 1998 and 1999, amortization expense for stock based compensation was
$63,054 and $1,645,480, respectively, and relates to employees whose salaries
are included in selling, general and administrative expense.
F-16
<PAGE> 93
NET2000 COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
Additional information with respect to the Option Plan is summarized as
follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
---------------------------------------------------------------------
1997 1998 1999
--------------------- --------------------- ---------------------
WEIGHTED- WEIGHTED- WEIGHTED-
AVERAGE AVERAGE AVERAGE
EXERCISE EXERCISE EXERCISE
SHARES PRICE SHARES PRICE SHARES PRICE
------ --------- ------ --------- ------ ---------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Outstanding at beginning of period.... -- $ -- 1,282,595 $0.14 2,559,111 $0.42
Options granted....................... 1,282,595 0.14 1,689,188 0.62 2,349,369 4.38
Options exercised..................... -- -- (109,490) 0.69 (80,072) 0.25
Options canceled or expired........... -- -- (303,182) 0.29 (530,488) 2.59
--------- --------- ---------
Outstanding at end of period.......... 1,282,595 $0.14 2,559,111 $0.42 4,297,920 $2.33
========= ========= =========
Options exercisable at end of
period.............................. 62,956 $0.14 838,592 $0.32 1,559,371 $0.82
========= ========= =========
</TABLE>
The following table summarizes information about stock options outstanding
at December 31, 1999:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
DECEMBER 31, 1999 DECEMBER 31, 1999
OPTIONS OUTSTANDING OPTIONS EXERCISABLE
------------------------------------------ -----------------------
WEIGHTED-
AVERAGE WEIGHTED- WEIGHTED-
REMAINING AVERAGE AVERAGE
NUMBER CONTRACTUAL LIFE EXERCISE NUMBER EXERCISE
RANGE OF EXERCISE PRICE OUTSTANDING (IN YEARS) PRICE EXERCISABLE PRICE
- ----------------------- ----------- ---------------- --------- ----------- ---------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Less than $0.80................... 2,159,328 8.16 $0.37 1,317,816 $0.36
$0.81 to $3.20.................... 31,716 7.79 1.58 27,751 1.58
$3.21 to $5.60.................... 2,106,876 9.65 4.35 213,804 3.53
--------- ---------
4,297,920 8.89 $2.33 1,559,371 $0.82
========= =========
</TABLE>
Had compensation expense related to the stock option plans been determined
based on the fair value at the option grant dates consistent with the provisions
of SFAS No. 123, the Company's pro forma net loss and earnings per share would
have been as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
---------------------------------------
1997 1998 1999
---- ---- ----
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Net loss available to common shareholders -- pro forma...... $(504,453) $(22,805,690) $(61,384,928)
Pro forma net loss per share................................ $ (0.05) $ (2.26) $ (6.07)
</TABLE>
The effect of applying SFAS 123 on the years ended December 31, 1997, 1998
and 1999 pro forma net loss as stated above is not necessarily representative of
the effects on reported net loss for future years due to, among other things,
the vesting period of the stock options and the fair value of additional stock
options granted in future years.
The fair value of each option grant is estimated on the date of grant using
the Black-Scholes option-pricing fair value model with the following
weighted-average assumptions used for all grants: volatility of 25%; dividend
yield of 0%; expected life of five years; and risk-free interest rate of 6.5%.
The weighted average fair values of the options granted in 1997 with a stock
price equal to the exercise price is $0.21. The weighted average fair values of
the options granted in 1998 with a stock price equal to the exercise price, with
a stock price less than the exercise price and with a stock price greater than
the exercise price are $3.40, $0.51 and $0.59 per share,
F-17
<PAGE> 94
NET2000 COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
respectively. The weighted average fair values of the options granted in 1999
with a stock price equal to the exercise price and with a stock price greater
than the exercise price are $3.40 and $6.50 per share, respectively.
SHAREHOLDER DISTRIBUTIONS
During 1997, the Company's board of directors approved and paid an S
Corporation distribution to shareholders in the amount of $845,000.
ACCRETION TO REDEMPTION VALUE OF CLASS A, CLASS B, AND C PREFERRED STOCK
For the years ended December 31, 1998 and 1999, the Company has accreted
its preferred stock to their redemption value based on the fair market value of
the Company using the effective interest method. The Company recorded accretion
totaling $8,903,296 and $21,536,998 for the years ended December 31, 1998 and
1999, respectively.
8. COMMITMENTS
OPERATING LEASES
The Company currently leases office space and equipment under
non-cancelable operating leases. Rent expense for the years ended December 31,
1997, 1998 and 1999 was $384,919, $894,273, and $2,804,250, respectively.
On May 26, 1999, the Company entered into a facilities lease agreement for
new headquarters office space and switch space. The leased premises consists of
126,276 of rentable square feet. The lease term date for the office space leased
premises commenced on November 22, 1999. The lease term date for the switch
space leased premises begins on the earlier of 30 days after substantial
completion of construction on the space or the date the Company has commenced
beneficial occupancy of the space; currently anticipated to in late January
2000. The lease term for the office space expires on December 31, 2006. The
lease term for the switch space expires on the tenth anniversary of the switch
space rent commencement date. Base annual rent for all leased premises is
$2,910,764 for years one through five, and $3,422,281 for years six through ten,
subject to additional rents for the Company's proportional share of real
property taxes and common expenses as defined in the lease agreement.
The future minimum lease payments under non-cancelable operating leases at
December 31, 1999 are as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FISCAL YEAR
- -----------
<S> <C>
2000................................................. $ 6,629,361
2001................................................. 6,488,404
2002................................................. 6,113,818
2003................................................. 5,964,002
2004................................................. 5,590,682
Thereafter........................................... 24,505,972
-----------
Total...................................... $55,298,239
===========
</TABLE>
The Company has executed employment agreements with certain key executives
under which the Company is required to pay base salaries totaling $1,495,200 for
the year ending December 31, 2000.
F-18
<PAGE> 95
NET2000 COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
9. SALE OF CONSULTING DIVISION
On October 27, 1997, the Company sold its consulting business to a
third-party purchaser in exchange for $875,000 in cash and a 20% equity interest
in the company into which the consulting business was merged. The Company
recorded its investment in this company at a nominal value and accounts for it
using the cost method. The Company and the purchaser entered into an agreement
whereby either party can require the sale of the remaining 20% of the business
to the other entity at any date after December 31, 1998. On July 29, 1999, the
purchaser exercised its option to acquire the remaining 20% of the business for
$64,448.
10. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
The Company maintains key-man life insurance policies for each of six
officers with aggregate coverage of $34,000,000. The Company paid $13,672,
$35,268 and $36,714 of premiums related to these policies during the year ended
December 31, 1997, 1998 and 1999, respectively.
11. SIGNIFICANT CUSTOMERS AND SUPPLIERS
The Company derived a significant portion of its sales from two major
customers during 1997 and 1998, and 1999. For the years ended December 31, 1997
and 1998 and 1999, the Company recorded sales of approximately $2,795,000,
$2,861,000, and $0 respectively, from these customers. As of December 31, 1998
and 1999 the Company had no accounts receivable resulting from sales to these
major customers.
On July 30, 1999, the Company and a major supplier of local
telecommunications resale services settled a dispute over claims that certain
acts and omissions by the supplier had an adverse impact on the Company's
ability to resell and earn revenue from the resale of local telecommunication
services. Net settlement proceeds to the Company totaled $5 million, of which
$1.5 million was utilized to offset impaired accounts receivable due to the
dispute and 3.5 million was recorded as a gain. In addition, the Company will be
entitled to compensation for future lost usage, which is recognized as earned as
the usage is accrued on the supplier's network, and is calculated in accordance
with the terms of the agreement, subject to audit by the supplier, and for a
period commencing subsequent to the settlement date and for as long as the
Company and supplier are engaged in the resale of local telecommunication
services.
12. DEFINED CONTRIBUTION PLAN
The Company maintains a defined contribution plan (401(k) plan) covering
all employees who meet certain eligibility requirements. Participants may make
contributions to the plan up to 15% of their compensation (as defined) up to the
maximum established by law. The Company may make a matching contribution of an
amount to be determined by the Board of Directors, but subject to a maximum of
6% of compensation contributed by each participant. Company contributions vest
ratably over four years. Company contributions to the plan as of December 31,
1998 and 1999 were $74,943 and $171,380, respectively.
13. PRO FORMA ADJUSTMENTS (UNAUDITED)
The pro forma balance sheet as of December 31, 1999 reflects the conversion
of all classes of the Company's preferred stock into common stock as of that
date. The pro forma net loss per share reflects the conversion of all classes of
the Company's preferred stock as of the respective date of issuance.
F-19
<PAGE> 96
NET2000 COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
14. EVENTS SUBSEQUENT TO AUDITORS REPORT (UNAUDITED)
On February 14, 2000, the Company entered into a non-binding letter of
intent with PSINet, Inc. The Company subsequently determined that it is not
probable that a definitive agreement will result from the letter of intent.
On February 14, 2000, the Company entered into a non-binding letter of
intent with Williams Communications, Inc. (Williams) under which the Company
proposes to purchase a minimum of $128 million of telecommunications services
over a 20 year period. These services include services on the Williams fiber
optic lines within cities and between cities, advanced data services, and
collocation services that will be made available on the Williams fiber optic
network. This arrangement will include the purchase by Williams of $15 million
of equity in our company at the fair market value at the signing of the
definitive agreement of which $5 million will be in cash and $10 million will be
in credits for services. This equity will be non-voting and non-transferable for
a period of one year.
In February 2000, an officer of the Company exercised 158,982 stock options
for $444,441.
15. SELECTED QUARTERLY INFORMATION (UNAUDITED)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1ST QUARTER 2ND QUARTER 3RD QUARTER 4TH QUARTER
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
1997
Revenues.......................... $ 697,691 $ 714,178 $ 956,780 $ 1,175,580
Operating loss.................... (18,057) (243,826) (207,462) (848,833)
Net (loss) income................. (27,226) (256,650) (217,980) 367
1998
Revenues.......................... $ 1,652,033 $2,217,693 $ 2,048,232 $ 3,500,944
Operating loss.................... (994,529) (2,479,382) (4,832,126) (5,988,224)
Net loss.......................... (985,860) (2,398,776) (4,677,273) (5,705,203)
1999
Revenues.......................... $ 5,056,729 $6,031,126 $ 7,581,941 $ 9,023,156
Operating loss.................... (6,451,190) (8,647,418) (10,373,846) (15,882,145)
Net loss.......................... (6,169,939) (8,544,731) (7,318,718) (16,759,368)
</TABLE>
F-20
<PAGE> 97
------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------
No dealer, salesperson or other person is authorized to give any
information or to represent anything not contained in this prospectus. You must
not rely on any unauthorized information or representations. This prospectus is
an offer to sell only the shares offered hereby, but only under circumstances
and in jurisdictions where it is lawful to do so. The information contained in
this prospectus is current only as of its date.
----------------------
TABLE OF CONTENTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Page
----
<S> <C>
Prospectus Summary.................. 1
Risk Factors........................ 6
Use of Proceeds..................... 14
Dividend Policy..................... 14
Capitalization...................... 15
Dilution............................ 16
Selected Consolidated Financial And
Other Data........................ 17
Management's Discussion and Analysis
of Financial Condition and Results
of Operations..................... 19
Business............................ 29
Government Regulation............... 47
Management.......................... 54
Certain Transactions................ 63
Principal Stockholders.............. 65
Description of our Capital Stock.... 67
Shares Eligible for Future Sale..... 71
Underwriting........................ 73
Validity of the Shares.............. 74
Experts............................. 74
Additional Information.............. 75
Index to Financial Statements....... F-1
</TABLE>
----------------------
Through and including March 31, 2000 (the 25th day after the date of this
prospectus), all dealers effecting transactions in these securities, whether or
not participating in this offering, may be required to deliver a prospectus.
This is in addition to a dealer's obligation to deliver a prospectus when acting
as an underwriter and with respect to an unsold allotment or subscription.
------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------
10,000,000 Shares
NET2000
COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
Common Stock
----------------------
[LOGO]
----------------------
GOLDMAN, SACHS & CO.
DONALDSON, LUFKIN & JENRETTE
J.P. MORGAN & CO.
LEGG MASON WOOD WALKER
INCORPORATED
Representatives of the Underwriters
------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------
