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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, DC 20549
------------------------
FORM 10-K
[X] ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996
OR
[ ] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
COMMISSION FILE NUMBER 000-26118
MIDCOM COMMUNICATIONS INC.
(EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)
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<S> <C>
WASHINGTON 91-1438806
(STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION OF (I.R.S. EMPLOYER
INCORPORATION OR ORGANIZATION) IDENTIFICATION NO.)
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1111 THIRD AVENUE
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON 98101
(206) 628-8000
(ADDRESS, INCLUDING ZIP CODE, TELEPHONE NUMBER AND AREA CODE, OF PRINCIPAL
EXECUTIVE OFFICES)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
NONE
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
COMMON STOCK, PAR VALUE $0.0001 (SYMBOL: "MCCI")
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports
required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the
registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such
filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes X No __
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item
405 of Regulation S-K (229.405 of this chapter) is not contained herein, and
will not be contained, to the best of registrant's knowledge, in definitive
proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this
Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. [ ]
As of March 24, 1997, the aggregate market value of the Registrant's Common
Stock held by nonaffiliates of the Registrant was $96,289,947 based on the
closing sales price of the Registrant's Common Stock on the Nasdaq National
Market.
As of March 24, 1997, the number of shares of the Registrant's Common Stock
outstanding was 16,028,038.
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
Portions of the Registrant's definitive proxy statement relating to its
1997 annual meeting of shareholders, to be held on June 12, 1997, are
incorporated by reference into Part III hereof.
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Page 1 of 78 Pages
the Exhibit Index begins on page 73
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PART I
ITEM 1. BUSINESS.
INTRODUCTION
MIDCOM Communications Inc. ("Midcom" or the "Company") provides long
distance voice and data telecommunications services. As primarily a
nonfacilities-based reseller, Midcom principally utilizes the network switching
and transport facilities of Tier I long distance carriers, such as Sprint
Corporation ("Sprint"), WorldCom, Inc. ("WorldCom") and AT&T Corp. ("AT&T"), to
provide a broad array of integrated long distance telecommunications services on
a seamless and highly reliable basis. Midcom's service offerings include basic
"1 plus" and "800" long distance, frame relay data transmission services,
wireless services, dedicated private lines between customer locations and
enhanced telecommunications services such as facsimile broadcast service and
conference calling.
Midcom focuses on serving small to medium-sized businesses. The Company
estimates that during the fourth quarter of 1996 it invoiced approximately
100,000 customer locations, a significant majority of which were located in the
major metropolitan areas of California, Florida, Illinois, New York, Ohio and
Washington. The Company believes that the larger long distance carriers, such as
AT&T, Sprint, WorldCom and MCI Communications Corporation ("MCI"), tend to focus
their sales and customer support efforts on residential and large commercial
customers and do not routinely provide significant pricing discounts for small
to medium-sized businesses. By purchasing large usage volumes from the
facilities-based carriers at wholesale prices, Midcom seeks to offer its
customers more favorable pricing than they could obtain from such carriers
directly. In addition, the Company believes that businesses in this market
segment do not typically have in-house telecommunications expertise and
therefore require more assistance with the assessment and management of their
telecommunications requirements. As a result, the Company believes that it is
able to differentiate its service offerings from the larger carriers in this
market segment on the basis of price, breadth of service offerings, customer
service and support and the ability to provide customized solutions to the
telecommunications requirements of its customers. See "-- Marketing and Sales,"
"-- Competition" and "-- Customer Concentrations."
Midcom believes that the Telecommunications Act of 1996 (the
"Telecommunications Act") will substantially expand its market opportunities.
The Telecommunications Act removes substantial legal barriers to competitive
entry into the local telecommunications market and directs incumbent local
exchange carriers to allow competing telecommunications service providers such
as the Company to interconnect their facilities with the local exchange
networks, to lease network components on an unbundled basis and to resell local
telecommunications services. According to Federal Communications Commission
("FCC") and other industry estimates, in 1995 long distance providers reported
revenue of $72.4 billion while local telecommunications providers reported
revenue of $102.9 billion. See "-- Industry Background," "-- Regulation" and
"-- Competition."
Midcom was incorporated in the State of Washington in 1989. Its executive
offices are located at 1111 Third Avenue, Seattle, Washington 98101, and its
telephone number is (206) 628-8000.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Statements herein concerning expectations for the future constitute
forward-looking statements which are subject to a number of known and unknown
risks, uncertainties and other factors which might cause actual results to
differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking
statements. Forward-looking statements herein include, but are not limited to,
those concerning anticipated growth in sales and profitability; deployment of a
network of high capacity local and long distance switching facilities;
introduction of local and other additional telecommunications services;
geographic expansion; increases in sales, customer service and other personnel;
improvements in customer service; sales through new sales channels; adequacy of
available sources of working capital to implement strategies; negotiation of
more favorable carrier supply contacts; and expectations for growth in the
telecommunications industry. Relevant risks and uncertainties include, but are
not limited to, unanticipated actions by competitors, regulatory or other
obstacles which
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restrict the Company's ability to implement local or other services, greater
than expected costs to open new offices, install switching equipment or execute
other aspects of the Company's growth strategy, greater than expected declines
in sales, inability to hire and retain key personnel, unfavorable determinations
of pending lawsuits or other disputes, inability to obtain more favorable
pricing and other terms from suppliers, inability to secure additional sources
of working capital if and when needed, inability to manage growth or integrate
acquired operations and regulatory changes. Additional risks and uncertainties
include those described under "Risk Factors" below and those described from time
to time in the Company's other filings with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the "Commission"), press releases and other communications.
THE PRIVATE PLACEMENT
In August and September of 1996, the Company completed a private placement
(the "Private Placement") of $97.7 million in aggregate principal amount of
8 1/4% Convertible Subordinated Notes due 2003 (the "Notes") pursuant to a
Purchase Agreement, dated as of August 15, 1996 (the "Purchase Agreement"),
among the Company, PaineWebber Incorporated ("PaineWebber") and Wheat, First
Securities, Inc. ("Wheat, First," and together with PaineWebber the "Initial
Purchasers"). The Notes were sold to qualified institutional buyers pursuant to
Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933 (the "Securities Act"), certain
"accredited investors" pursuant to Regulation D under the Securities Act, and
certain non-U.S. persons pursuant to Regulation S under the Securities Act. The
Notes are convertible into the Company's common stock, par value $.0001 per
share (the "Common Stock"), at the option of the holder thereof at any time
prior to maturity (unless previously redeemed) at a conversion price of $14.0875
per share, subject to adjustment in certain events.
The net proceeds to Midcom from the Private Placement were approximately
$94.2 million, after deducting the discount to the Initial Purchasers and
expenses. The Company used the net proceeds as follows: (i) $34.0 million to
repay in full all obligations under the Company's secured revolving credit
facility with Transamerica Business Credit Corporation and certain other lenders
(the "Transamerica Credit Facility"), (ii) $5.0 million to pay the first
installment of an $8.8 million payment in connection with the satisfaction of
past shortfalls and reduction of the minimum commitment under the Company's
carrier supply contract with AT&T and (iii) $10.0 million to bring current a
number of payment obligations existing prior to the completion of the Private
Placement. The balance of the net proceeds has been and will be used for working
capital, capital expenditures and general corporate purposes.
INDUSTRY BACKGROUND
The existing domestic long distance telecommunications industry was
principally shaped by a 1984 court decree (the "Decree") that required the
divestiture by AT&T of its 22 Bell operating companies ("BOCs"), organized the
BOCs under seven regional Bell operating companies ("RBOCs") and divided the
country into some 200 Local Access Transport Areas or "LATAs." The incumbent
local exchange carriers ("ILECs"), which include the seven RBOCs as well as
independent local exchange carriers, were given the right to provide local
telephone service, local access service to long distance carriers and intra-LATA
long distance service (long distance service within LATAs), but the RBOCs were
prohibited from providing inter-LATA service (service between LATAs). The right
to provide inter-LATA service was given to AT&T and the other interexchange
carriers ("IXCs"). Conversely, IXCs were effectively blocked from providing
local telephone service.
A typical inter-LATA long distance telephone call begins with the local
exchange carrier ("LEC") transmitting the call by means of its local network to
a point of connection with an IXC. The IXC, through its switching and
transmission network, transmits the call to the LEC serving the area where the
recipient of the call is located, and the receiving LEC then completes the call
over its local facilities. For each long distance call, the originating LEC
charges an access fee. The IXC also charges a fee for its transmission of the
call, a portion of which consists of a terminating fee which is passed on to the
LEC which delivers the call. To encourage the development of competition in the
long distance market, the Decree required LECs to provide all IXCs with access
to local exchange services "equal in type, quality and price" to that provided
to AT&T. These so-called "equal access" and related provisions were intended to
prevent preferential treatment of
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AT&T and to level the access charges that the LECs could charge IXCs, regardless
of their volume of traffic. As a result of the Decree, customers of all long
distance companies were eventually allowed to initiate their calls by utilizing
simple "1 plus" dialing, rather than having to dial longer access or
identification numbers and codes.
The Telecommunications Act is expected to significantly alter the
telecommunications industry. The Decree has been lifted and all restrictions and
obligations associated with the Decree have been eliminated by the new
legislation. The seven RBOCs are now permitted to provide long distance service
originating (or in the case of "800" service, terminating) outside their local
service areas or offered in conjunction with other ancillary services, including
wireless services. Following application to the FCC, and upon a finding by the
FCC that an RBOC faces facilities-based competition and has satisfied a
congressionally-mandated "competitive checklist" of interconnection and access
obligations, an RBOC will be permitted to provide long distance service within
its local service area, although in so doing, it will be subject to a variety of
structural and nonstructural safeguards intended to minimize abuse of its market
power in these local service areas. Having opened the interexchange market to
RBOC entry, the Telecommunications Act also removes most legal barriers to
competitive entry by interexchange and other carriers into the local
telecommunications market and directs RBOCs to allow competing
telecommunications service providers such as the Company to interconnect their
facilities with the local exchange network, to acquire network components on an
unbundled basis and to resell local telecommunications services. Moreover, the
Telecommunications Act prevents IXCs that serve greater than five percent of
presubscribed access lines in the U.S. (which includes the nation's three
largest long distance providers) from jointly marketing certain local and long
distance services until the RBOCs have been permitted to enter the long distance
market or for three years, whichever is sooner. This gives all other long
distance providers such as the Company a competitive advantage over the larger
long distance providers in the newly-opened local telecommunications market. As
a result of the Telecommunications Act, long distance carriers such as the
Company will face significant new competition in the long distance
telecommunications market, but will also be afforded significant new business
opportunities in the local telecommunications market. See "-- Competition" and
"-- Regulation."
Legislative, judicial and technological factors have helped to create the
foundation for smaller long distance providers to emerge as legitimate
alternatives to AT&T, MCI and Sprint for long distance telecommunication
services. The FCC has required that all IXCs allow the resale of their services,
and the Decree substantially eliminated different access arrangements as
distinguishing features among long distance carriers. In recent years, national
and regional network providers have substantially upgraded the quality and
capacity of their domestic long distance networks, resulting in significant
excess transmission capacity for voice and data communications. The Company
believes that, as a result of digital fiber optic technology, excess capacity
has been, and will continue to be, an important factor in long distance
telecommunications. As a consequence, not only have smaller long distance
service providers received legal protection to compete with the network-based
carriers, they also represent a source of traffic to carriers with excess
capacity.
COMPANY STRATEGY
During the second and third quarters of 1996, Midcom recruited a new
executive management team with extensive experience and expertise in the
telecommunications industry. In May 1996, the Company hired William H. Oberlin
as its President and Chief Executive Officer, appointed Mr. Oberlin, Marvin C.
Moses and John M. Zrno to its Board of Directors and engaged Mr. Moses and Mr.
Zrno as consultants. In December 1996, Mr. Zrno became Chairman of the Company's
Board of Directors. These individuals formerly held senior management positions
at ALC Communications Corporation ("ALC"), a leading provider of long distance
and other services to small and medium-sized businesses. During their tenure at
ALC, ALC completed a successful turn-around and experienced profitable growth.
From the fiscal year ended December 31, 1991 through the 12 months ended June
30, 1995 (prior to ALC's merger into Frontier Corporation), ALC's revenue
increased from $346.9 million to $677.1 million and net income increased from
$5.3 million to $75.0 million. In addition, in July 1996 the Company appointed
Daniel M. Dennis to the Company's Board of Directors. Mr. Dennis has served in a
number of management positions with MCI for over 23 years.
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Midcom's executive management team has developed a restructuring, network
and marketing strategy which is designed to address the operational challenges
experienced by the Company and increase internally generated sales and
profitability. Principal components of the Company's strategy are set forth
below. Although the Company believes that its executive management team has the
relevant skills and experience necessary to implement this strategy, its ability
to do so is subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, and there can be no
assurance that this strategy will be successfully implemented or that the
intended positive results will be achieved. See "-- Risk Factors."
Operational Restructuring Strategy
Continue to Build Management Team. Midcom will continue to seek
opportunities to augment management with individuals who have telecommunications
industry experience and expertise. Since May 1996, the Company has appointed
more than 10 individuals to key operational management positions. These
individuals have extensive experience in the operation of a telecommunications
company, including (i) network design, implementation and operation, (ii)
marketing and sales, (iii) management information systems and (iv) bill
processing and collection. Midcom believes that the experience and depth of this
management team will improve the Company's ability to address its current
operational challenges and to pursue its transition from primarily a
nonfacilities-based reseller of long distance and other telecommunications
services to a switch-based provider of integrated telecommunications services.
Integrate and Improve Information Systems. The Company's management team
has focused on, and has substantially completed, the consolidation and
integration of the Company's multiple information and billing systems and other
redundant functions of its acquired long distance operations. The management
team will continue to focus on integrating the Company's data transmission and
enhanced telecommunications services, enlarging and enhancing the Company's
information system and improving its financial reporting and internal controls.
The Company believes that these activities will (i) reduce the overhead and
maintenance costs associated with its management information systems, (ii)
improve the amount and type of information that can be accessed about customers,
sales and operations, (iii) increase the speed with which information can be
processed and (iv) reduce the Company's working capital investment by shortening
the time it takes for the Company to produce and distribute customer bills. See
"-- Information Systems."
Renegotiate Carrier Agreements. The Company currently resells network
switching and transport facilities of long distance carriers such as Sprint,
WorldCom and AT&T. Midcom believes its relationships with these carriers enables
it to provide customers a broad array of integrated long distance
telecommunications services on a seamless and highly reliable basis. Despite the
Company's successful resale of these network facilities, the Company's
profitability was reduced as a result of a supply contract with AT&T which
provided for higher rates than those obtained from alternative suppliers.
However, the Company has entered into a new carrier supply contract with AT&T
which provides for more favorable rates. In addition, in the first quarter of
1997, the Company entered into a new carrier supply contract with Sprint which
also provides for more favorable rates. The Company believes the successful
renegotiation of its supply contracts with AT&T and Sprint and its other
carriers will contribute significantly to the Company's ability to offer
competitive rates and improve its margins while providing the same level of
service to its customers. See "-- Suppliers."
Network Strategy
The Company has acquired six state-of-the-art high capacity switches, three
of which have both local and long distance functionality. The Company plans to
install these switches in areas of the country where it has a sufficient volume
of long distance traffic and where the regulatory environment and market
conditions will permit it to provide local service at acceptable margins. The
Company believes that, in the cities where it intends to deploy switches, there
will be significant local circuit capacity at attractive rates available from
competitive local exchange carriers ("CLECs"), ILECs and 38GHz wireless
providers. Using its own switches will enable the Company to (i) direct customer
call traffic over multiple networks which is expected to minimize costs and
improve gross margin, (ii) switch local traffic, thereby increasing the economic
viability of entering the market for local telecommunication services, (iii)
shield proprietary information regarding its customers from the underlying
carriers, thereby increasing customer control, (iv) facilitate access to call
data
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records and (v) implement differentiating features and billing enhancements
without involving the underlying carrier. See "-- Switching Facilities."
Marketing Strategy
Reorganize and Expand Sales Efforts. To take full advantage of its planned
switching network and expanded product offerings, Midcom has reorganized its
direct sales force into (i) a national and key accounts group consisting of
highly experienced sales personnel focused on larger customers with
sophisticated telecommunications requirements and (ii) a general accounts group
focused on smaller customers. Both groups will be located in major metropolitan
areas where the Company has customer concentrations sufficient to support a
sales and marketing presence and where the Company believes it has significant
market opportunities and can compete effectively on the basis of price. The
Company intends to implement training programs and financial incentives designed
to increase the cross-selling efforts of its direct sales force and further
integrate the Company's broad array of service offerings. In addition, the
Company intends to increase the number of sales representatives from
approximately 35 at the end of July 1996 to over 250 by the end of 1997. The
Company plans to continue to supplement its direct sales force with its network
of resellers and distributors. In addition to its existing non-territorial
distributor network, the Company is in the process of developing a new tier of
distributors who will be offered long-term financial incentives and who will be
required, within selected territories, to market and sell the Company's service
offerings exclusively. The Company believes that the long-term financial
incentives and exclusive marketing arrangements offered to this new tier of
distributors will result in improved performance and increased loyalty to the
Company and its service offerings. See "-- Marketing and Sales."
Expand and Enhance Customer Support Efforts. Midcom intends to support its
expanded sales efforts and reduce customer attrition by continuing to build an
enhanced customer service and support operation. The Company has increased its
customer service and support staff from approximately 45 at the end of July 1996
to approximately 60 at the end of 1996 and intends to further increase this
staff through 1997 to the extent necessary to support growth in sales. This
expanded operation is intended to include (i) a staff of trained customer
service representatives available twenty-four hours a day at a number of
integrated customer service centers, (ii) trained account representatives
assigned and dedicated to individual customers with sophisticated
telecommunications requirements and (iii) teams of technical specialists
available to develop customized solutions for a customer's telecommunication
needs. See "-- Customer Service."
Resell Local Services and Provide a Single-Source Solution. Regulatory
changes resulting from the Telecommunications Act significantly expand the
number and types of services Midcom is permitted to offer. As a result, Midcom
intends to offer its customers local dial tone and a variety of other local
telecommunications services primarily in locations where it has a significant
sales and marketing presence or where it plans to deploy switching facilities.
The Company believes that its large and geographically concentrated customer
base of small to medium-sized businesses represents a significant potential
market for these additional services. These additional services will afford the
Company the opportunity to provide its customers with a single-source solution
for local, long distance, wireless and enhanced telecommunications services. The
Company believes that bundling these services will provide substantial
advantages to its customers, including lower overall costs and a higher level of
service due to a single source for ordering, installation, customer service and
account management. In addition, Midcom believes that offering a single source
for telecommunications services will permit the Company to (i) leverage its
significant customer base and increase sales by increasing its share of the
telecommunications expenditures of its customers and (ii) improve customer
control and retention by strengthening its relationships with its customers. See
"-- Industry Background," "-- Regulation" and "-- Competition."
MARKETING AND SALES
Midcom markets its services nationwide through three distinct channels:
direct sales, independent distributors and, on a wholesale basis, other
resellers.
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Direct Sales. Midcom believes that direct sales activities are more
effective than advertising for securing and maintaining the business of small to
medium-sized commercial customers. The Company believes that the face-to-face
customer contact afforded by its direct sales activities results in increased
customer loyalty, improves cross-selling opportunities and will ultimately have
a positive effect on revenue. Accordingly, direct sales activities comprise a
substantial portion of the Company's marketing and sales resources. To optimize
the Company's selling efforts, the Company intends to increase the number of its
direct sales representatives, from approximately 35 at the end of July 1996 to
over 250 by the end of 1997, and has reorganized the direct sales force into the
following two groups:
National and Key Accounts. The national and key accounts group
consists of highly experienced sales personnel and concentrates sales
efforts on businesses with sophisticated telecommunications requirements.
Target customers for the national and key accounts group generally include
those which require dedicated access to the Company's long distance points
of presence and a high level of customer service and support. In
particular, the Company expects that these customers will increasingly
require support for data communication applications. Dedicated account
representatives will be assigned to each of these customers. In addition,
these customers will be supported by technical specialist teams trained to
provide customized solutions to their telecommunications problems.
General Accounts. The general accounts group concentrates sales
efforts on businesses with less sophisticated telecommunications
requirements. Typically, these customers do not require dedicated access to
the Company's long distance point of presence and utilize only basic "1
plus" and "800" long distance and cellular service and calling cards.
Moreover, although the Company provides these customers access to its
customer service and support centers, it generally will not assign to them
a dedicated account representative.
Each of these groups will be geographically focused, concentrating on major
metropolitan areas where the Company has customer concentrations sufficient to
support a sales and marketing presence and where the Company believes it has
significant market opportunities and can compete effectively on the basis of
price. At the end of 1996, the Company's direct sales force was located in
Atlanta, Boston, Charlotte, Chicago, Cleveland, Dallas, Detroit, Long Island,
Los Angeles, New Haven, New York, San Francisco and Seattle. The Company plans
to deploy its direct sales force in additional locations during 1997.
Midcom has experienced a high level of turnover in its direct sales force
which has had a negative impact on internally generated sales. The Company
believes that, in the past, difficulties experienced with the Company's
information systems and changes in senior management contributed to this
turnover. However, the Company believes this turnover is now primarily
attributable to the intense competition for, and the mobility of, qualified
sales personnel endemic to the reseller segment of the telecommunications
industry. The Company has restructured the commission arrangements and other
financial incentives offered to its direct sales force in order to increase the
incentive of its direct sales force to generate new sales, cross-sell the
Company's telecommunications offerings and bundle high margin services with
lower margin services thereby improving the Company's sales levels and gross
margins. In addition, the Company recently began to offer its direct sales force
career advancement opportunities to reward individual achievement. For example,
through the first quarter of 1997, six sales representatives were promoted from
the general accounts group to the national and key accounts group. The Company
believes that appropriate financial incentives and opportunities for career
advancement, along with the recent additions to the Company's management team
and improvements to the Company's information systems, will result in decreased
turnover in its direct sales force. However, there can be no assurance that
turnover in the Company's direct sales force will be reduced or that any of
these other objectives will be achieved.
Distributors. Midcom supplements its direct sales efforts by marketing
through independent distributors located throughout the country. The Company
enters into distributor agreements with, but is otherwise not affiliated with,
its distributors. Distributors maintain sales offices and sales staff at their
own expense. However, customers provided by distributors belong to the Company,
are billed directly by the Company or one of its billing agents and are in most
instances supported by the Company's customer service centers.
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In the past, the Company's distributor network was not organized according
to geographic area or service offerings, and the Company generally granted its
distributors a non-exclusive right to solicit customers, required the
distributor to maintain a minimum quota and offered a commission on business
generated for the Company by the distributor. These non-territorial and
non-exclusive distributor arrangements failed to promote distributor loyalty to
the Company's service offerings and did not enable the Company to use its
distributor network to develop market share in specific geographical areas.
Midcom believes that distributors may have substantial marketing resources
and access to a large base of potential customers. Accordingly, in August 1996,
the Company began to enhance its then existing non-territorial distributor
network of approximately 160 distributors with a new tier of territorial
distributors. To improve performance and increase loyalty to the Company and its
service offerings, the Company offers its new tier of distributors long-term
financial incentives and requires that, within selected territories, the
distributors market and sell the Company's service offerings exclusively. By
making use of territorial limitations, the Company intends to direct the
marketing and sales efforts primarily in cities where it has not developed a
significant marketing presence and which are outside the focus of its direct
sales efforts. Because distributors cover their own costs, the Company believes
that this will be a cost-effective way to increase its market share in these
cities. At the end of 1996, the Company's new tier of distributors consisted of
10 distributors and the Company intends to increase its new tier of distributors
by engaging approximately 20 additional distributors during 1997.
Wholesale to Other Resellers. At the end of 1996, Midcom offered
telecommunications services on a wholesale basis to several small resellers of
long distance services. The Company does not have direct relationships with the
end users of the services purchased by its resellers. Those customers are not
billed by the Company and are not supported by the Company's customer service
centers. Although gross margins on sales to resellers are generally lower than
the Company's average, sales through this channel enable the Company to (i)
enter markets with minimal cost or risk where small resellers have already built
strong direct customer relationships, (ii) increase the volume of services
purchased by the Company from facilities-based carriers, thereby obtaining
higher volume discounts from those carriers and (iii) spread the costs of
acquiring, installing and integrating the Company's switching facilities over a
larger revenue base.
CUSTOMER SERVICE
Midcom strives to provide superior customer service and believes that
personal contact with potential and existing customers is a significant factor
in customer acquisition and retention. The Company's goal is to have frequent
contact with prospects and customers both through its direct sales
representatives as well as its customer service representatives.
At the end of July 1996, Midcom's customer service and support staff
consisted of approximately 45 employees located at one of the Company's six
customer service centers. To support the planned expansion of Midcom's sales
efforts, Midcom added 15 customer service representatives to its customer
support staff during 1996 and intends to further increase this staff through
1997 to the extent necessary to support growth in sales. In addition, Midcom has
reorganized its customer service and support efforts. This reorganization has
involved the consolidation and integration of Midcom's service centers so that
each is capable of supporting all of Midcom's service offerings. Moreover, the
Company's customer service department has been organized into two groups, each
with its own management and reporting structure. One group consists of customer
service representatives, available twenty-four hours a day at a number of
integrated customer service centers, who primarily respond to customer calls.
The other group consists of account representatives who are dedicated to the
Company's higher volume customers and take proactive measures to pursue
opportunities to cross-sell the Company's various service offerings to such
customers and address their telecommunications needs before they arise. The
account representatives also coordinate customer access to teams of technical
specialists trained to provide customized solutions to the customer's
telecommunications problems. To ensure that customer service representatives and
account representatives have the knowledge required to support the Company's
broad range of service offerings, Midcom intends to allocate a portion of its
customer service resources to training programs for its customer service staff.
In addition, Midcom intends to establish a small group of customer service and
technical specialists who are available exclusively to the direct sales
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representatives, customer service representatives, account representatives and
distributors. The Company believes that these changes will improve the level of
customer service and support provided to its customers.
PRODUCTS AND SERVICES
Midcom, primarily through contractual arrangements with facilities-based
carriers, offers small to medium-sized businesses a wide variety of
telecommunications services including basic "1 plus" and "800" long distance,
frame relay data transmission services, wireless services, dedicated private
lines between customer locations and enhanced and other value-added
telecommunications services. The Company also plans to provide local
telecommunications services in the newly opened local telecommunications market,
and to develop new products and services. Each of these services is discussed
below.
Long Distance. Historically, substantially all of Midcom's revenue has
been generated by basic "1 plus" and "800" long distance services. Midcom's
success as a provider of these basic services has depended on the volume
discounts it has been able to negotiate with underlying carriers and its ability
to direct customer call traffic over the transmission networks of more than one
carrier. As the Company expands its network of switching facilities, it will
increasingly have the ability to choose among the transmission networks of
different carriers to take advantage of the most favorable rates to different
destinations at different times of the day.
Data Transmission. Through its wholly-owned subsidiary, PacNet Inc.
("PacNet"), Midcom offers data transmission services primarily using its own
frame relay switches and a fiber optic transmission network which, at the end of
1996, connected over 40 cities in the Western United States. PacNet is a member
of the UNI-SPAN(R) consortium of frame relay data network providers. Members of
the UNI-SPAN(R) consortium are permitted to contract for access to frame relay
networks of other members at favorable rates. In addition to cost savings, the
consortium enables the Company to provide end-to-end connectivity to its
customers on a nationwide basis.
Private Line Services. Midcom provides data transmission service on
private line facilities on a point-to-point basis. This enables high volume
users to send and receive voice and data transmissions between locations on a
highly reliable and cost effective basis.
Enhanced and Other Services. Midcom offers a variety of enhanced and other
value-added services, including the following:
- Fax Broadcast and Fax Mailbox. Through its wholly-owned subsidiary,
Adval Data Corporation ("Adval"), Midcom offers facsimile-related
services that allow a user to send a facsimile to many destinations
simultaneously (Fax Broadcast) and to store and retrieve facsimiles in a
manner similar to electronic mail (Fax Mailbox).
- Travel Cards. Midcom's travel cards offer low-cost long distance service
through various flat-rate pricing or per-call fees.
- Conference Calling. Midcom offers a full-featured teleconferencing
service that allows for connection of multiple locations simultaneously.
- Custom Billing. Midcom provides many of its direct-billed customers
billing and management reports with a level of detail and features that
the major carriers generally provide only to their higher volume
customers. In addition, the Company's customers can choose to have one
centralized bill sent each month to their principal place of business or
individual bills sent to branch offices, with a master copy sent to the
principal place of business. The Company believes that its value-added
billing capability enables its customers to manage their
telecommunications costs more effectively, helps differentiate the
Company's services from services offered by the larger long distance
carriers and will continue to be an important factor in its ability to
successfully compete in its targeted market.
Wireless Services. Midcom offers wireless services in the Pacific
Northwest through Cel-Tech International Corp. ("Cel-Tech"), its wholly-owned
subsidiary. Outside the Pacific Northwest, there is a proliferation of wireless
opportunities that the Company intends to pursue aggressively in order to
provide wireless services in the major markets it serves.
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Local Service. Midcom is evaluating opportunities created by the
Telecommunications Act to offer local telecommunications services either on a
resale basis or over its proposed network of switching facilities. The Company
intends to offer local services in large cities where it has (i) deployed high
capacity switches, (ii) a significant customer concentration and (iii) a sales
and customer support presence. The Company believes that targeting larger cities
for local service will be advantageous due to the availability of multiple local
circuit capacity alternatives to the ILECs and more favorable and less time
consuming interconnection negotiations with the ILECs. The Company's ability to
enter into the local telecommunications market may be impaired by certain
logistical challenges. Prior to selling local services to its customers, the
Company must complete a number of operational, marketing and regulatory tasks,
including the negotiation of interconnection agreements with local circuit
providers, the development of billing, provisioning and customer service
capability and the creation of a local marketing, pricing and sales strategy.
However, despite these logistical challenges, the Company believes that
introducing local services will enable it to leverage its extensive customer
base by increasing the number of service offerings available to its existing
customers.
New Services. Midcom intends to increase its efforts to develop new
telecommunications services based on evolving technologies and changing industry
standards. There can be no assurance, however, that the Company will have the
ability or resources to develop such new services, that new technologies
required for such services will be available to the Company on favorable terms
or that such services and technologies will enjoy market acceptance.
Midcom markets its products under a number of registered and common law
service marks, including Infinity(R), Logicall(R), ADNET(TM), Cel-Tech(TM),
Adval(TM), MIDCOM(R), PakLink(R), Elite(TM), Network Observer(TM), Custom
Point(TM) and Infinity Point(TM), as well as various registered logos.
SWITCHING FACILITIES
A key element of the Company's operating strategy is to deploy a national
switching network. The Company believes that successful implementation of its
strategy to increase switching capacity will improve its ability to direct
customer call traffic among networks owned by other long distance carriers in
order to take advantage of the most favorable rates to different destinations at
different times of the day. The Company expects that this will minimize costs
and have a positive impact on gross margin. In addition, the Company expects
that deployment of switches will enable the Company to (i) switch local traffic,
thereby increasing the economic viability of entering the market for local
telecommunications services, (ii) shield proprietary information regarding its
customers from the underlying carriers, thereby increasing customer control,
(iii) facilitate access to call data records and (iv) implement differentiating
features and billing enhancements without involving the underlying carrier.
High Capacity Switches. In the first quarter of 1997, the Company acquired
six state-of-the-art high capacity switches, three of which have both local and
long distance functionality. At the date of this Report, the Company was in the
process of installing these switches in Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles,
New York and Seattle. The Company believes that, in these locations, its volume
of long distance traffic and the regulatory and market conditions will permit it
to provide local services at acceptable margins. Moreover, the Company believes
that there will be significant local circuit capacity at attractive rates
available from CLECs, ILECs and 38GHz wireless providers in these locations. The
Company estimates that it will take at least until the second quarter of 1997 to
install and fully integrate these switches, at an aggregate cost of
approximately $15.0 million. The Company anticipates employing on-site
technicians at each switch location to provide switch service and support. In
addition, the Company is working to establish a remote service center staffed
with approximately four technicians capable of monitoring and providing limited
service and support for each of its switches twenty-four hours a day. The
Company estimates that this service center will cost approximately $1.5 million
to $2.0 million to establish and will be operational in the second or third
quarter of 1997. There can be no assurance, however, that these switches will be
installed or fully operational, or that a remote service center will be
installed and operational, within anticipated deadlines and budgets, or that the
Company will not encounter technical, operational or other problems in the
installation or operation of this sophisticated switching and monitoring
equipment.
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Frame Relay Data Switches. In addition to voice switches, PacNet, a
wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, offers data transmission services
primarily using its own frame relay switches and a fiber optic transmission
network which, at the end of 1996, connected over 40 cities in the Western
United States. PacNet is a member of the UNI-SPAN(R) consortium of frame relay
data network providers. Members of the UNI-SPAN(R) consortium are permitted to
contract for access to frame relay networks of other members at favorable rates.
In addition to cost savings, the consortium enables the Company to provide
end-to-end connectivity to its customers on a nationwide basis.
Limited Capacity Switches. The Company previously owned and operated
limited capacity switches in nine locations, most of which were acquired through
acquisitions of other telecommunications service providers. As a result of
limitations inherent in these switches and the Company's plans to install a
state-of-the-art high capacity switch network, the Company removed these
switches from service during the third quarter of 1996. The Company may utilize
these limited capacity switches to complement the planned deployment of high
capacity switching facilities; however, there can be no assurance that this will
be feasible.
ACQUISITIONS
Midcom experienced rapid growth through the end of 1995. A significant
portion of this growth, particularly in 1995, was attributable to acquisitions
of customer bases and of other telecommunications service providers. These
acquisitions were intended to (i) enhance Midcom's sales force capability, (ii)
broaden its service offerings, and (iii) increase its customer base and revenue.
The Company's acquisitions resulted in revenue growth and increased
customer concentrations in certain metropolitan areas which, in turn, increased
the Company's ability to control transmission routing for customers in those
areas in order to lower costs and improve gross margin. However, these
acquisitions placed significant demands on management resources and disrupted
the Company's normal business operations. For a number of reasons, the Company
was not able to consolidate and integrate the sales and marketing, customer
support, billing and other functions of certain acquired operations as quickly
as anticipated. Pending such integration, it was necessary for the Company to
maintain billing systems and other functions of certain acquired operations,
which caused inefficiencies, added operational complexity and expense, increased
the risk of billing delays and financial reporting difficulties and impaired the
Company's ability to cross-sell the various products and services offered by
certain acquired operations. In addition, the Company often experienced high
initial customer attrition from acquired customer bases. The Company believes
this occurred as a result of difficulties encountered in transitioning acquired
customer bases to the Company's services and systems, a process which often
prompts customers to consider competitive alternatives in the telecommunications
marketplace. Also, where the Company did not acquire the sales channel
associated with an acquired customer base, there was often a period of enhanced
exposure to competitors as the Company's sales force became familiar with its
newly acquired customers and established relationships with the appropriate
customer contacts. In addition to problems associated with integration,
consolidation and customer attrition, certain of the Company's acquisitions have
resulted in disputes between the Company and the sellers of the acquired
operations. See "Item 3. Legal Proceedings."
The Company's current strategy is to generate growth primarily through
internal sales and marketing efforts, rather than through the acquisition of
customer bases or other telecommunication service providers. Although growth
through acquisitions is no longer central to the Company's growth strategy, the
Company will consider, on a selective basis, acquisitions which the Company
believes will contribute to its infrastructure, create synergies or which
otherwise have strategic value to the Company. There can be no assurance that
there will not be adverse consequences to the Company from its past or future
acquisitions. Further, there can be no assurance that the Company will be able
to identify attractive acquisition candidates in the future, that acquisitions
pursued by the Company will be completed, or that, if completed, such
acquisitions will be beneficial to the Company. As of the date of this Report,
the Company has no commitment or agreement to make any acquisitions. Further,
the Company is prohibited from making any acquisitions without the prior
approval of its lenders. See "Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations."
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INFORMATION SYSTEMS
Telecommunication service providers generally must record and process
massive amounts of data quickly and accurately in order to bill customers in a
timely manner, verify billings from third party carriers, service customer
accounts, respond to customer inquiries and otherwise support operations. These
tasks require sophisticated, high capacity and reliable management information
and billing systems.
In late 1993, Midcom began the development of a proprietary information
system, referred to as "Keystone," designed to integrate its customer
information system, billing system and financial reporting system. The billing
module used in Keystone was designed to replace the Company's existing billing
system. The Company began using the Keystone billing module for a portion of its
customers in February 1995. Due to difficulties encountered during the
implementation of Keystone and required modifications to Midcom's customer data
base, which delayed full implementation of the Keystone billing module, the
Company continued to bill most of its customers under its prior billing system
until late April 1995. At that time, the Company completed the conversion to the
Keystone billing module.
The Company estimates that in 1995 the number of call data records
processed by the Company grew from approximately 20 million to as many as 35
million per month, each of which had to be identified with the appropriate
customer for proper billing. This growth was attributable in large part to
customers of acquired customer bases and operations. Difficulties encountered
during the implementation of Keystone were compounded by this rapid growth and
contributed to operational difficulties. Partly as a result of these operational
difficulties, the Company was not able to consolidate and integrate the sales
and marketing, customer support, billing and other functions of certain acquired
operations as quickly as anticipated. Pending such integration, it was necessary
for the Company to maintain billing systems and other functions of certain
acquired operations, which, among other things, caused operational
inefficiencies, added complexity and expense to the billing and financial
reporting process and increased the risk of billing delays and financial
reporting difficulties.
During the second, third and fourth quarters of 1995, difficulties in
implementing the new billing system caused an increased number of calls to be
billed later than expected by the Company. Delays in billings contributed to a
significant increase in customer invoice adjustments and bad debt expense in the
fourth quarter of 1995. In addition, in the process of reconciling unbilled
accounts as of December 31, 1995 with amounts ultimately billed, the Company
discovered that certain reports generated by its new information management
system for recognizing unbilled revenue for the third quarter of 1995 failed to
fully reflect all discounts that were properly included in the bills
subsequently sent to the Company's customers. Primarily as a result of this
failure, reported revenue was overstated for the third quarter of 1995 and the
Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for that period had to be amended to
restate reported results. See "Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations -- Restatement of Results for the
Third Quarter of 1995."
In connection with the audit of Midcom's 1995 Consolidated Financial
Statements, Midcom's independent auditors identified two conditions which were
characterized as material weaknesses in its internal financial controls. See
"Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results
of Operations -- Past Material Weaknesses." In response to the recommendations
of the Company's auditors, the Company hired additional finance and accounting
personnel, curtailed acquisitions, reorganized its financial reporting functions
to improve communications between senior management and the finance department
and established the policy of billing substantially all customer call traffic in
a financial reporting period before revenue for the period is reported, thereby
eliminating the need to estimate any material portion of revenue. As part of the
Company's operational restructuring, the Company's management team has focused
on, and has substantially completed, the consolidation and integration of the
Company's multiple information and billing systems and other redundant functions
of its acquired long distance operations. In addition, the management team will
continue to focus on integrating the Company's data transmission and enhanced
telecommunications services, enlarging and enhancing the Company's information
system and improving its financial reporting and internal controls, and it
intends to increase the number of information systems personnel from
approximately 18 full-time employees and seven independent contractors at the
end of July
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1996 to approximately 50 full-time employees by the end of 1997. As a result of
these and other restructuring efforts, on March 13, 1997 Midcom's independent
auditors reported to the Company's Audit Committee that the material weaknesses
identified in connection with the 1995 audit have been corrected.
Although Midcom has experienced difficulties in the implementation of its
management information system, it is now able to provide many of its
direct-billed customers billing and management reports with a level of detail
and features that the major carriers generally provide only to their higher
volume users. The Company is currently able to collect numerous multiple call
data items for each phone call placed by a customer, including customer name,
call origination point, call destination point, billing code, minutes, date,
time and rate code. From this data, the Company can organize the customer's
monthly phone calls into a wide variety of report formats. These reports can
include: (i) state/international codes, (ii) date and hour distributions, (iii)
type of service ("1 plus", "800", etc.), (iv) frequently called numbers, area
codes, cities or states, (v) calling card summaries, (vi) graphic presentation
of data and (vii) color-coded long distance calling activity maps. In addition,
the Company's customers can choose to have one centralized bill sent each month
to their principal place of business or individual bills sent to branch offices,
with a master copy sent to the principal place of business. The Company believes
that its value-added billing capability enables its customers to manage their
telecommunications costs more effectively, helps differentiate the Company's
services from services offered by the larger long distance carriers and will
continue to be an important factor in its ability to successfully compete in its
targeted market.
In light of the volume of financial data to be processed, the reliance upon
timely receipt of call data records from suppliers, the anticipated rate of
growth of the Company, the demands on key financial personnel, the potential for
turnover in key finance and accounting positions, the challenges associated with
the integration of acquired businesses and other factors, there can be no
assurance that the Company will not encounter additional billing delays, other
internal control weaknesses or other difficulties in future financial reporting.
SUPPLIERS
Midcom purchases from facilities-based carriers the long distance
telecommunications services that it provides to its customers. The Company has
entered into multiple-year supply contracts with Sprint, WorldCom and AT&T for
long distance telecommunication services. In addition to its contracts with its
major suppliers, the Company has from time to time acquired access to
telecommunications services on a short-term basis from a number of other
suppliers. In 1994, 1995 and 1996, Sprint, WorldCom and AT&T were collectively
responsible for carrying traffic representing approximately 97%, 67% and 74% of
the Company's revenue, respectively, and for those periods no single carrier was
responsible for carrying traffic representing more than 46%, 31% and 31% of the
Company's revenue, respectively.
To obtain favorable forward pricing from certain of its suppliers, the
Company has committed to purchase minimum volumes of a variety of long distance
services during stated periods whether or not such volumes are used or, in one
case, to pay a surcharge equal to a percentage of the Company's shortfall from a
specified quarterly minimum volume. As of September 30, 1996, Midcom's minimum
volume commitment under its supply contract with AT&T, its largest supply
contract, was $117.0 million. The Company estimates that, as of September 30,
1996, it would have been in shortfall of its minimum commitments to AT&T by
approximately $27.6 million based on then-applicable contract requirements.
However, on October 31, 1996, the Company and AT&T executed a Release and
Settlement Agreement pursuant to which substantially all disputes between the
Company and AT&T were resolved. Also on October 31, 1996, the Company and AT&T
executed a new carrier contract pursuant to which the Company's minimum
commitment to AT&T was reduced to $13.7 million for the eighteen month period
immediately following execution of the contract, of which approximately $10.0
million remained as of the date of this Report. In addition, the new carrier
contract provides for more favorable pricing for certain network services
provided by AT&T. In consideration for the terms of the settlement and the new
rate structure, the Company is required to make two payments to AT&T in the
aggregate amount of $8.8 million. The first payment of $5.0 million was made on
November 6, 1996. The second payment of $3.8 million will be due within 30 days
of Midcom announcing quarterly gross revenue in excess of $75.0 million, or upon
completion of a change in control. In addition, in the first quarter of 1997
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the Company entered into a new carrier supply contract with Sprint which also
provides for more favorable rates. The Company's minimum volume commitments to
all of its carriers as of March 15, 1997 aggregated approximately $92.0 million,
to be used over the next three years. See Note 15 of Notes to Consolidated
Financial Statements. There can be no assurance that the Company will not incur
additional shortfalls in the future or that it will be able to successfully
renegotiate, or otherwise obtain relief from, its minimum volume commitments in
the future. See "Risk Factors -- Minimum Volume Commitments and Shortfalls."
Because of Midcom's commitments to purchase fixed volumes of use from
certain of its suppliers at predetermined rates, the Company could be adversely
affected if a supplier were to lower the rates it makes available to the
Company's target market without a corresponding reduction in the Company's
rates. Similarly, the Company could be adversely affected if its suppliers
failed to adjust its overall pricing, including prices to the Company, in
response to price reductions of other major carriers. See Note 15 of the Notes
to Consolidated Financial Statements.
Each month, Midcom receives invoices from its suppliers. In those areas in
which the Company intends to direct call traffic through its own switches, it
will receive bills directly from the ILECs for access charges. Due to the
multitude of billing rates and discounts which suppliers must apply to calls
completed by the Company's customers, and due to routine logistical issues such
as the addition or termination of customers, the Company regularly has
disagreements with its suppliers concerning the sums invoiced for its customers'
traffic. The Company pays its suppliers according to its own calculation of
amounts owed as recorded on computer tapes provided by its suppliers. The
Company's computations of amounts owed are frequently less than the amount shown
on the suppliers' invoices. Accordingly, the suppliers may consider the Company
to be in arrears in its payments until the amount in dispute is resolved.
Although these disputes have generally been resolved on terms favorable to the
Company, there can be no assurance that this will continue to be the case. In
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, the Company records as
an expense amounts in dispute that correspond to the aggregate amount that the
Company believes it will be required to pay and adjusts that amount as the
underlying disputes are resolved.
Midcom, like all other long distance providers, is dependent upon LECs for
call origination (carrying the call from the customer's location to the long
distance network of the IXC selected to carry the call) and termination
(carrying the call off the IXC's network to the call's destination). The
Company's ability to maintain and expand its business depends, in part, on its
ability to obtain telecommunications services on favorable terms from
facilities-based carriers, and the cooperation of both IXCs and LECs in
initiating and terminating services for its customers in a timely manner (the
process of initiating service for a customer is referred to as "provisioning").
FCC policy currently requires all common carriers, including IXCs, to make their
services available for resale and to refrain from imposing unreasonable
restrictions on such resale. The Telecommunications Act further requires all
ILECs both to offer their services for resale at wholesale rates and to allow
access to unbundled network elements at cost-based rates. The ILECs are also
required by the Telecommunications Act to provide all IXCs, including the
Company, with equal access for the origination and termination of long distance
calls. If any of these requirements were eliminated, the adverse impact on the
Company could be substantial. Access charges represent a substantial portion of
the Company's current cost of service. The FCC, however, has undertaken to
reform its universal service and access charge rules by May 1997 in order to
rework the current universal service subsidy system and to move access charges
toward the economic cost of originating and terminating long distance traffic.
The level at which the FCC sets access charges and universal service
contributions could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business,
financial condition and results of operations. Moreover, implementation of a new
access charge structure and repricing of local transport could place many
interexchange carriers, including the Company, at a significant cost
disadvantage relative to larger competitors. The FCC has also imposed on
facilities-based interexchange carriers the obligation to track the
payphone-originated tollfree and access code calls which they carry and to
compensate payphone service providers for such calls, initially on a per-phone,
and, commencing in October 1997, on a per-call basis, in amounts reflective of
soon to be deregulated local coin rates. See "-- Regulation."
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COMPETITION
The long distance telecommunications industry is highly competitive. Midcom
believes that the principal competitive factors in this industry include
pricing, customer service, network quality, value-added services and the
flexibility to adapt to changing market conditions. A number of the Company's
current and potential competitors have substantially greater financial,
technical, marketing and other resources than the Company, and there can be no
assurance that the Company will remain competitive in this environment. The
Company's ability to compete may also be impaired by its leveraged capital
structure and limited capital resources.
The long distance telecommunications industry is significantly influenced
by the marketing and pricing activities of the major industry participants,
including AT&T, MCI, Sprint and WorldCom. While the Company believes that AT&T,
MCI and Sprint historically have chosen not to concentrate their direct sales
efforts on small to medium-sized businesses, these carriers control
approximately 85% of that market. Moreover, AT&T, MCI and Sprint have recently
introduced new service and pricing options that are attractive to smaller
commercial users, and there can be no assurance that they will not market to
these customers more aggressively in the future. AT&T and, as an interim
measure, the structurally separate interexchange affiliates of the RBOCs have
recently been reclassified as non-dominant carriers and, accordingly, have the
same flexibility as the Company in meeting competition by modifying rates and
service offerings without pricing constraints or extended waiting periods. These
reclassifications may make it more difficult for the Company to compete for long
distance customers. See "-- Regulation." In addition, a significant number of
large regional long distance carriers and new entrants in the industry compete
directly with the Company by concentrating their marketing and direct sales
efforts on small to medium-sized commercial users. Activities by competitors
including, among other things, national advertising campaigns, telemarketing
programs and the use of cash or other forms of incentives, contribute to
significant customer attrition in the long distance industry.
The Company contracts for call transmission over networks operated by
suppliers who may also be the Company's competitors. Both the IXCs and LECs
providing transmission services for the Company have access to information
concerning the Company's customers for which they provide the actual call
transmission. Because these IXCs and LECs are potential competitors of the
Company, they could use information about the Company's customers, such as their
calling volume and patterns of use, to their advantage in attempts to gain such
customers' business. The Telecommunications Act has strengthened the rules which
govern the privacy of customer proprietary information by expressly prohibiting
telecommunications carriers which receive proprietary information from resale
carriers for purposes of providing telecommunications services to those resale
carriers from using such information for their own marketing purposes. In
addition, the Company's future success will depend, in part, on its ability to
continue to buy transmission services and access from these carriers at a
significant discount below the rates these carriers otherwise make available to
the Company's targeted customers.
Regulatory trends have had, and may have in the future, a significant
impact on competition in the telecommunications industry. See "-- Regulation."
As a result of the Telecommunications Act, the RBOCs are now permitted to
provide, and are providing or have announced their intention to provide, long
distance service originating (or in the case of "800" service, terminating)
outside their local service areas or offered in conjunction with other ancillary
services, including wireless services. Following application to and upon a
finding by the FCC that an RBOC faces facilities-based competition and has
satisfied a congressionally-mandated "competitive checklist" of interconnection
and access obligations, an RBOC will also be permitted to provide long distance
service within its local service area. The entry of these well-capitalized and
well-known entities into the long distance service market could significantly
alter the competitive environment in which the Company operates.
The Telecommunications Act also removes most legal barriers to competitive
entry into the local telecommunications market and directs ILECs to allow
competing telecommunications service providers such as the Company to
interconnect their facilities with the local exchange network, to acquire
network components on an unbundled basis and to resell local telecommunications
services. Moreover, the Telecommunications Act seeks to facilitate the
development of local telecommunications competition by requiring
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ILECs, among other things, to allow end users to retain their telephone numbers
when changing service providers and to place short-haul toll calls without
dialing lengthy access codes. In response to these regulatory changes, AT&T, MCI
and many of the Company's other long distance competitors have announced plans
to enter the local telecommunication market.
While the Telecommunications Act opens new markets to the Company, the
nature and value of the resultant business opportunities will be dependent in
large part upon subsequent regulatory interpretation of the statute's
requirements. While the FCC has promulgated rules implementing the local
competition provisions of the Telecommunications Act, these rules have been
appealed and key provisions have been "stayed" pending the outcome of the
appeals. Various state regulatory authorities are currently in the process of
implementing the remaining FCC rules. The Company anticipates that ILECs will
actively resist competitive entry into the local telecommunications market and
will seek to undermine the operations and the service offerings of competitive
providers, leaving carriers such as the Company, which are dependent on ILECs
for network services, vulnerable to anti-competitive abuses. No assurance can be
given that the local competition provisions of the Telecommunications Act will
be implemented and enforced by federal and state regulators in a manner which
will permit the Company to compete successfully in the local telecommunications
market or that subsequent legislative and/or judicial actions will not adversely
impact the Company's ability to do so. Moreover, federal and state regulators
are likely to provide ILECs with increased pricing flexibility for their
services as competition in the local market increases. If ILECs are allowed by
regulators to lower their rates substantially, engage in aggressive volume and
term discount pricing practices for their customers, charge excessive fees for
network interconnection or access to unbundled network elements, or decline to
make services available for resale at discounted wholesale rates, the ability of
the Company to compete in the provision of local service could be materially and
adversely affected.
The Company believes that, principally due to its economies of scale and
personalized service, it is able to differentiate its service offerings from the
larger carriers in its targeted market segment on the basis of price, breadth of
service offerings, customer service and support and the ability to provide
customized solutions to the telecommunications requirements of its customers. As
a result, the Company believes that it competes favorably in this market
segment. The Company also believes that its ability to compete in this market
segment will increasingly depend on its ability to offer on a timely basis new
services based on evolving technologies and industry standards. However, there
can be no assurance that new technologies or services will be made available to
the Company on favorable terms.
REGULATION
The terms and conditions under which Midcom provides communications
services are subject to government regulation. Federal laws and FCC regulations
apply to interstate telecommunications, while particular state regulatory
authorities have jurisdiction over telecommunications that originate and
terminate within the same state.
Federal
Midcom is classified by the FCC as a non-dominant carrier and therefore is
subject to relaxed regulation. Historically, the FCC has generally either
excused or presumed compliance by non-dominant carriers with many of the
statutory requirements and regulations to which dominant carriers are subject,
including most reporting, accounting and record keeping obligations. However, a
number of these requirements are imposed, at least in part, on non-dominant
carriers such as the Company whose annual operating revenues exceed $100
million. The FCC retains the jurisdiction to impose fines or other penalties on,
or to act upon complaints against, any common carrier, including non-dominant
carriers, for failure to comply with its statutory or regulatory obligations.
The FCC also has the authority to impose more stringent regulatory requirements
on the Company and change its regulatory classification. In the current
regulatory atmosphere; however, the Company believes that the FCC is unlikely to
do so. Non-dominant carriers are also subject to a variety of miscellaneous
regulations that, for instance, dictate the materials required to document and
the procedures necessary to verify a consumer's election to change its preferred
long distance telephone provider, mandate disclosure of rate and other data
associated with the provision of operator services and require contribution to a
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variety of FCC-mandated funds and payment of various regulatory and other fees.
There has generally been increased enforcement activity by the FCC and the
states with respect to such regulations, particularly with respect to those
regulations governing the verification of consumer elections to change long
distance service providers.
Among domestic carriers, only the ILECs are classified as dominant
carriers, although ILECs currently would only be classified as dominant in their
provision of long distance telecommunications services if they were to provide
such services other than through structurally separate affiliates. As a
consequence, the FCC regulates many of their rates, charges and services to a
greater degree than the Company's, although the FCC is currently evaluating
proposals to streamline and otherwise relax its regulation of the ILECs. AT&T
and, as an interim measure, the structurally separate interexchange affiliates
of the RBOCs have recently been reclassified as non-dominant carriers and,
accordingly, have the same flexibility as the Company in meeting competition by
modifying rates and service offerings without pricing constraints or extended
waiting periods. The impact on the Company of the reclassification of AT&T and
the RBOC interexchange affiliates as non-dominant carriers cannot be determined
at this time, but it could make it more difficult for the Company to compete for
long distance customers.
With the passage of the Telecommunications Act, the RBOCs are now free to
offer long distance service outside their respective local telephone service
areas as well as long distance service bundled with wireless, enhanced and other
ancillary services. Following application to and upon a finding by the FCC that
an RBOC faces facilities-based competition and has satisfied a
congressionally-mandated "competitive checklist" of interconnection and access
obligations, the RBOC will be permitted to provide long distance service within
its local service area, although in so doing, it will be subject to a variety of
structural and nonstructural safeguards intended to minimize abuse of its market
power in these local service areas. As a result of the removal of the legal
barriers to competitive entry into the local market, long distance carriers like
the Company will be allowed to compete with the RBOCs in the provision of local
service. It is impossible to predict the impact of RBOC entry into the long
distance telecommunications market on the Company's business and prospects, but
it could make it more difficult for the Company to compete for long distance
customers.
The Company has all necessary authority to provide domestic interstate
telecommunications services under current laws and regulations. The Company and
one or more of its subsidiaries have been granted authority by the FCC to
provide international telecommunications services through the resale of switched
services of U.S. facilities-based carriers. The FCC reserves the right to
condition, modify or revoke such international authority for violations of
federal law or rules, as well as to approve assignments and transfers of control
of such international authority.
As the result of a stay of the FCC's order to eliminate the filing of
interstate tariffs (which order would have been effective September 23, 1997)
issued by the federal district court in Washington, D.C., the FCC has
reinstituted the requirement that all interstate carriers file such tariffs
pending the court's resolution of the issue. Although the tariffs of
non-dominant carriers, and the rates and charges they specify, are subject to
FCC review, they are presumed to be lawful and are seldom contested. As an
international non-dominant carrier, the Company is required to include, and has
included, detailed rate schedules in its international tariffs, and is permitted
to make tariff filings on a single day's notice. Prior to a 1995 court decision,
Southwestern Bell v. FCC, 43 F.3rd 1515 (D.C. Cir. 1995), domestic non-dominant
carriers were permitted by the FCC to file tariffs with a "reasonable range of
rates" instead of the detailed schedules of individual charges required of
dominant carriers. In reliance on the FCC's past practice of allowing relaxed
tariff-filing requirements for non-dominant domestic carriers, the Company and
most of its competitors did not maintain detailed rate schedules for domestic
offerings in their tariffs. Until the two-year statute of limitation expires,
the Company could be held liable for damages for its failure to do so, although
it believes that such an outcome is highly unlikely and would not have a
material adverse effect on the Company's operations.
To date, the FCC has exercised its regulatory authority to set rates only
with respect to the rates of dominant carriers, and it has increasingly relaxed
its control in this area. Thus, the FCC does not regulate the rates of the
Company or any other long distance telecommunications provider, including AT&T,
although it would regulate the rates charged by any ILEC that elected to provide
interexchange services other than
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<PAGE> 18
through a structurally separate affiliate. While the FCC continues to cap the
prices that dominant ILECs may charge to originate and terminate interstate
calls, it has afforded the ILECs a modicum of geographically-restricted pricing
flexibility when they face competition in a given market. The FCC has indicated
that it will initiate in the near future a comprehensive review of its access
charge structure, evaluating embedded costs and subsidies that produce current
access charge levels. The FCC is currently conducting a rulemaking procedure to
implement the universal service provisions of the Telecommunications Act and
will be determining in that proceeding the contributions that telecommunications
companies such as the Company will be required to make to support universal
service. The FCC also has recently completed a rulemaking proceeding to
implement the local competition provisions of the Telecommunications Act. In
that proceeding, the FCC has set forth comprehensive national rules and
guidelines for states and local competitors to follow that, among other things,
govern the interconnection obligations among telecommunications carriers,
including interconnection with the local exchange network, and access to a
minimum set of unbundled network elements, as required by the Act. The FCC also
has set forth pricing methodologies for both the FCC and the states to follow in
implementing the Telecommunications Act's requirement that interconnection and
access to unbundled network elements be made available by ILECs at cost-based
rates with a reasonable profit. The rules adopted by the FCC in implementing the
local competition provisions of the Telecommunications Act have been appealed
and key provisions, including the pricing methodologies, have been "stayed"
pending the outcome of the appeals.
The FCC-styled "trilogy" of access charge reform, universal service and
local competition proceedings comprise the FCC's effort to respond to the
Telecommunications Act's goal of transitioning telecommunications markets to
full competition. The FCC does not expect this framework to be complete until
state public service commissions complete their own efforts to implement and
supplement the Telecommunications Act's provisions. Until the FCC's "trilogy" of
proceedings is completed, and until such state actions are taken, the impact of
the FCC's actions on the Company's access arrangements or access charge
obligations, or more broadly, on the Company's operations in general, cannot be
determined at this time.
The Telecommunications Act grants the FCC authority to forebear from
applying any statutory requirement or regulation to classes of carriers or
services upon a determination that such application is unnecessary and no longer
in the public interest. Utilizing this newly-granted authority, the FCC has
already reduced, and has proposed further reductions in, its regulation of
non-dominant IXCs such as the Company. While the FCC's proposal to adopt
mandatory detariffing has been deferred, the FCC is expected to continue its
efforts to reduce the regulation of non-dominant IXCs.
The microwave licenses held by the Company's subsidiary, PacNet, are
subject to FCC regulation and licensing. PacNet's licenses are for
point-to-point microwave systems operating in the Private Operational Fixed
Microwave Service ("OFS"). Such facilities must be constructed and operated in
strict conformance with their authorizing licenses and FCC rules and policies
and such licenses may not be modified, transferred or assigned without prior FCC
approval. OFS licenses may be cancelled or revoked, and fines and other non-
monetary penalties imposed on OFS licensees, for failure to comply with FCC
requirements. OFS licenses are granted for a fixed five-year term, with the
potential for renewal. The majority of PacNet's licenses expire in December 1997
and the balance expire in June 1999. As of the date of this Report, the Company
intends to seek renewal of the microwave licenses for each of PacNet's stations
and currently anticipates that these licenses will be renewed in the ordinary
course of business. However, PacNet has substantially discontinued directing
traffic over this microwave system and is in the process of attempting to sell
its microwave equipment and related licenses. As a result, the Company does not
believe that failure to obtain renewal of microwave licenses upon expiration
would adversely affect the Company. See Note 4 to the Notes to Consolidated
Financial Statements. Moreover, the Company does not expect the
Telecommunications Act to significantly impact the Company's microwave licenses.
State
The intrastate long distance telecommunications operations of Midcom are
also subject to various state laws and regulations, including initial
certification, registration and/or notification, as well as various tariffing
and reporting requirements. Currently, the Company is certified and tariffed,
where required, to provide
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<PAGE> 19
intrastate service to customers throughout the United States except in Alaska
and Hawaii. The Company continuously monitors regulatory developments in all 50
states and intends to obtain the appropriate certificates wherever feasible.
Midcom is currently subject to varying levels of regulation in the 48
states in which it provides intrastate long distance telecommunications service.
The large majority of the states require Midcom to apply for certification to
provide intrastate long distance telecommunications service, or at least to
register or to be found exempt from regulation, before commencing such service.
At present, 34 states also require Midcom to file and maintain detailed tariffs
listing its rates for intrastate long distance service. Many states also impose
various reporting requirements and/or require prior approval for transfers of
control of certified carriers, assignments of carrier assets (including customer
bases), carrier stock offerings and/or incurrence by carriers of significant
debt obligations. Certificates of authority can generally be conditioned,
modified, cancelled, terminated or revoked by state regulatory authorities for
failure to comply with state law and/or the rules, regulations, and policies of
the state regulatory authorities. Fines and other penalties, including the
return of all monies received for intrastate traffic from residents of a state,
may be imposed for such violations. Except for the request for approval which,
as of the date of this Report, was pending in Arkansas with respect to the
Company's acquisition of a customer base from Cherry Communications Incorporated
("Cherry Communications"), the Company has secured approval for its acquisitions
of the capital stock, customer bases or other assets of other telecommunications
service providers. With respect to the Company's acquisition of the customer
base from Cherry Communications, the Arkansas Public Utility Commission has held
the docket in abeyance pending filing of appropriate tariffs by Midcom to cover
rates and services applicable to former customers of Cherry Communications. The
Company does not believe that failure to obtain approval in Arkansas prior to
completing the acquisition will have a material adverse effect on the Company's
business, financial condition or results of operation.
When the Company enters the local telecommunications market, it will be
subject to regulation, often as a facilities-based provider, by state public
service and public utility commissions in the states in which it provides local
exchange service. Virtually all states require local exchange providers to be
certified prior to initiating service and to maintain on file with the state
commissions detailed tariffs specifying rates, as well as terms and conditions,
of service. The Company will be subject to a higher level of regulatory
oversight as a local exchange provider than it has been as a long distance
carrier. Among other things, the Company will be subject to a variety of
additional service quality and consumer protection requirements, as well as
requirements to provide emergency, handicapped and subsidized services. The
states also impose additional reporting and prior approval requirements on local
service providers. Certificates of local authority can generally be conditioned,
modified, cancelled, terminated or revoked by state regulatory authorities for
failure to comply with state law and/or the rules, regulations, and policies of
the state commissions. Fines and other penalties may also be imposed for such
violations.
RUSSIAN JOINT VENTURE
In December 1993, Midcom contracted to acquire a 50% interest in Dal
Telecom International ("Dal Telecom"), a provider of local, long distance,
international and cellular telecommunications services in the Russian Far East.
To acquire its interest in Dal Telecom, Midcom committed to make a capital
contribution of cash, equipment and services of approximately $12.7 million. As
of December 31, 1995, the Company had invested a total of approximately $8.8
million in the joint venture but was unable to fund additional contributions. In
March 1996, the Company and the joint venture partner agreed to amend the terms
of the joint venture to provide that the Company had a 40% equity interest in
the joint venture.
The Company's commitment to Dal Telecom required significant amounts of
capital resources and management attention given the logistics of maintaining a
relationship in Russia. As a result, the Company decided that it was in its best
interests to focus on its domestic business and to sell its interest in Dal
Telecom. As a result of this decision, the Company wrote down its investment in
Dal Telecom to $2.0 million at December 31, 1995, which was the Company's
estimate of the net recoverable value of its investment in Dal Telecom, and
recorded a loss of approximately $6.8 million on impairment of the asset. This
estimate was based on market information currently available to the Company and
certain assumptions about the future
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<PAGE> 20
operations of Dal Telecom, over which the Company had limited control. There can
be no assurance that the Company will be successful in its efforts to sell its
interest in Dal Telecom. The Company discontinued recording its share of the
income or losses of Dal Telecom as of December 31, 1995. During the third
quarter of 1996, the remaining investment of $2.0 million was written off to
loss on impairment of assets, as the Company was unable to locate a purchaser
for its interest. See Note 5 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
CUSTOMER CONCENTRATIONS
The Company estimates that during the fourth quarter of 1996 it invoiced
approximately 100,000 customer locations. Certain Midcom customers receive
multiple billing invoices because they have multiple locations. As of the end of
1996, the Company was unable to aggregate the invoices of such customers to
determine an exact customer count. During 1994, 1995 and 1996, no one customer
accounted for more than 5.0% of Midcom's revenue. Midcom believes that the loss
of any single customer would not have a material adverse effect on its business,
financial condition or results of operations.
EMPLOYEES
As of December 31, 1996, the Company employed 527 persons on a full-time
basis. None of the Company's employees are members of a labor union or are
covered by a collective bargaining agreement. The Company has never experienced
a work stoppage and considers its employee relations to be good.
DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
The following table sets forth certain information as to the directors and
executive officers of the Company.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NAME AGE POSITION
- ------------------------------------- --- ----------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
John M. Zrno......................... 58 Chairman of the Board and Director
Paul Pfleger......................... 61 Vice Chairman of the Board and Director
William H. Oberlin................... 52 President, Chief Executive Officer and Director
Robert L. Nitschke................... 49 Executive Vice President, Operations
Robert J. Chamberlain................ 43 Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer,
Treasurer and Assistant Secretary
Paul P. Senio........................ 64 Vice President and Secretary
Steven P. Goldman.................... 37 Vice President, Assistant Secretary and General
Counsel
John M. Orehek(1)(2)................. 42 Director
Scott B. Perper(2)................... 41 Director
Karl D. Guelich(1)................... 54 Director
Marvin C. Moses(1)................... 52 Director
Daniel M. Dennis(2).................. 49 Director
</TABLE>
- ---------------
(1) Member of the Audit Committee.
(2) Member of the Compensation Committee.
John M. Zrno has served as the Chairman of the Company's Board of Directors
since December 1996. In addition, he has served as a director of the Company and
a consultant to the Company since May 1996. From August 1995 to October 1995,
Mr. Zrno was Vice Chairman of Frontier Corporation, a long distance
telecommunications provider, and was President, Chief Executive Officer and a
director of ALC Communica-
19
<PAGE> 21
tions Corporation ("ALC"), a long distance telecommunications provider, from
August 1988 until its merger with Frontier Corporation in August 1995.
Paul Pfleger has been Vice Chairman of the Company's Board of Directors
since December 1996. In addition, he served as the Chairman of the Company's
Board of Directors from the Company's formation in 1989 until December 1996, and
he served as acting President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company from
April 1996 to May 1996. Mr. Pfleger was a founder and currently is Chairman of
the Board of Directors of SP Investments, Inc., has been Chairman of the Board
of Directors of Interfinancial Real Estate Management Company, a real estate
management company, since 1984 and has been its President since April 1993.
Pursuant to a shareholder's agreement (the "Shareholder's Agreement") among
Ashok Rao, a former officer of the Company, trusts for benefit of family members
of Mr. Rao and limited partnerships controlled by Messrs. Pfleger and Orehek,
the parties thereto have agreed to vote their shares to elect Mr. Pfleger to the
Board of Directors. The Shareholders' Agreement expires on June 7, 1999.
William H. Oberlin has served as President, Chief Executive Officer and a
director of the Company since May 1996. Prior to joining the Company, Mr.
Oberlin was President and Chief Operating Officer of Frontier Corporation from
August 1995 to November 1995 and was Executive Vice President, Chief Operating
Officer and a director of ALC from October 1988, July 1990 and July 1993,
respectively, until its merger with Frontier Corporation in August 1995.
Robert L. Nitschke has served as Executive Vice President, Operations since
October 1996 and Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer from
October 1995 to October 1996. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Nitschke was
Vice President for U.S. Intelco Holdings, a telecommunications holding company,
and President of its subsidiary, USI-Gateway, Inc., a developer of products and
services for local number portability, from July 1995 to October 1995, and was
Vice President of Operations of its subsidiary, U.S. Intelco Network, a billing
aggregation and database and information services provider to local exchange
carriers, from September 1989 to July 1995.
Robert J. Chamberlain has served as Executive Vice President, Treasurer and
Assistant Secretary since October 1996 and as the Chief Financial Officer of the
Company since April 1996. He served as the Company's Senior Vice President of
Finance and Administration from April 1996 to October 1996. He also served as a
consultant to the Company, advising on financial matters, from January 1995 to
May 1995 and from January 1996 to April 1996. Prior to joining the Company, Mr.
Chamberlain was the Vice President of Finance and Operations and Chief Financial
Officer of ElseWare Corporation, a font technology software developer, from
January 1992 to December 1995. Prior to that, Mr. Chamberlain was a partner at
KPMG Peat Marwick.
Paul P. Senio has served as Secretary of the Company since 1989, becoming
General Counsel in January 1994. He served as Vice President of the Company from
January 1994 to September 1994 and again from December 1995 to the present. He
served as the Company's Senior Vice President from September 1994 to December
1995. From 1984 to December 1993, Mr. Senio served as General Counsel for
Security Properties Inc., a real estate management company controlled by Paul
Pfleger.
Steven P. Goldman was appointed Vice President, Assistant Secretary and
General Counsel of the Company in March 1997. Prior to that he was with AT&T
Wireless Services, Inc. (formerly McCaw Cellular Communications, Inc.), a
wireless services provider, as regulatory counsel from August 1989 to December
1991, Regional Vice President and General Counsel from January 1992 to March
1994, and Vice President -- Law from March 1994 to January 1997.
John M. Orehek has served as a director of the Company since January 1993.
Mr. Orehek has served as President and Chief Executive Officer of SP Investments
Inc., an investment management company, from 1991 to the present. In addition,
Mr. Orehek has been a director of IREMCO since 1993. From 1987 to 1991, Mr.
Orehek was President of Hallmark Capital Partners, Ltd., a Seattle-based real
estate development corporation.
Scott B. Perper has served as a director of the Company since June 1994.
Mr. Perper has been a Senior Vice President of First Union Corporation, a bank
holding company, and First Union National Bank of North
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<PAGE> 22
Carolina since January 1990, and an executive of First Union Capital Partners,
the private equity and mezzanine investment arm of First Union Corporation,
since February 1989.
Karl D. Guelich has served as a director of the Company since November 1995
and served as a consultant to the Company from March 1996 to April 1996. Since
March 1993, Mr. Guelich has been in private practice as a certified public
accountant. From June 1964 to February 1993, Mr. Guelich was employed by Ernst &
Young LLP, where he served as the Area Managing Partner for the Pacific
Northwest offices headquartered in Seattle from October 1986 to November 1992.
Marvin C. Moses has served as a director of the Company and a consultant to
the Company since May 1996. From August 1995 to January 1996, Mr. Moses was
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Frontier Corporation and
from January 1996 to April 1996 Mr. Moses was Vice Chairman and Chief Financial
Officer of Frontier Corporation. He also was Chief Financial Officer and a
director of ALC from October 1988 and September 1989, respectively, until its
merger with Frontier Corporation in August 1995.
Daniel M. Dennis has served as a director of the Company since July 1996.
Mr. Dennis served in numerous executive positions since joining MCI in 1973, the
most recent being president of MCI Large Accounts, a division of MCI, from
February 1996 to August 1996. Although Mr. Dennis continues to serve as a
consultant to MCI, he has resigned from MCI effective August 1996.
RISK FACTORS
Prospective investors are strongly cautioned that an investment in the
Company involves a very high degree of risk. The Company's ability to halt the
deterioration of its results of operations and financial condition and
successfully implement its operating strategy is subject to an unusual number of
material risks and uncertainties. Prospective investors should not dismiss, as
"boilerplate" or "customary" disclosure the risk factors set forth below. The
contingencies and other risks discussed below could affect the Company in ways
not presently anticipated by its management and thereby impair its ability to
continue as a going concern and materially affect the value of its debt and
equity securities. A careful review and understanding of each of the risk
factors set forth below, as well as the other information contained in this
Report, is essential for an investor seeking to make an informed investment
decision with respect to the Company.
Ability to Continue as a Going Concern; Need for Additional Working Capital
As a result of Midcom's rapid growth, substantial operating losses, billing
and collection cycle, acquisition strategy and other factors, the Company has
required substantial external working capital. In addition to funds required for
day to day operations, the Company's principal working capital requirements
include capital expenditures (including those associated with the proposed
installation of new switching facilities), interest and principal payable under
the Notes and other contingencies and obligations described under "Item
7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations -- Liquidity and Capital Resources." The Notes will mature on August
15, 2003. Interest on the Notes is due semi-annually on February 15 and August
15 of each year, in the aggregate amount of approximately $4.0 million for each
payment. The report of the Company's independent auditors included in this
Report with respect to the Company's 1996 Consolidated Financial Statements
states that the Company's recurring operating losses and shareholders' deficit
raise substantial doubt about the Company's ability to continue as a going
concern. The report of the Company's independent auditors with respect to the
Company's 1995 Consolidated Financial Statements also stated that the Company's
recurring operating losses working capital deficiency and then-existing credit
agreement defaults raised substantial doubt about the Company's ability to
continue as a going concern. The Consolidated Financial Statements included with
this Report have been prepared assuming the Company would continue as a going
concern and do not include any adjustments to reflect the possible future
effects on the recoverability and classification of assets and liabilities that
may result from this uncertainty.
The Company's available sources of working capital at March 14, 1997
consisted of cash flow from operations and approximately $14.5 million in cash
and short-term, investment grade, interest-bearing
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<PAGE> 23
securities, which represented the remaining net proceeds from the Private
Placement. Prior to completion of the Private Placement in September 1996, the
Company had for several months experienced a severe working capital short-fall
which required the Company to seek extended payment terms from certain of its
suppliers, delay payments to many of its suppliers and other vendors, delay or
cancel purchases and take other steps to conserve operating capital. Also, for
several months prior to the completion of the Private Placement, the Company was
in default of certain financial and other covenants under the Transamerica
Credit Facility, although the lenders continued to permit borrowings under that
facility. The existence of defaults under the Transamerica Credit Facility also
constituted defaults under certain of the Company's capital leases. For these
reasons, the auditor's report with respect to the Company's 1995 Consolidated
Financial Statements included the going concern disclosure referred to above. In
connection with the completion of the Private Placement and the application of
the net proceeds therefrom to the repayment in full of all borrowings under the
Transamerica Credit Facility, the lenders waived all then-existing defaults and
amended the financial covenants under the facility to levels forecasted to be
consistent with Midcom's revised business plan. However, the decline in revenue
and related gross profit in the last two quarters of 1996, due in significant
part to the unanticipated loss of revenue from a customer base which is the
subject of a dispute, caused the Company again to be in default of certain
financial covenants under the Transamerica Credit Facility. See "Item 3. Legal
Proceedings -- Cherry Communications Lawsuit." Due to the existence of these
defaults and an insufficient borrowing base to satisfy a $20.0 million minimum
excess availability requirement, no borrowings were available to the Company
under the Transamerica Credit Facility and the lenders terminated the facility
in January 1997.
In February 1997, the Company entered into a new revolving credit agreement
with Foothill Capital Corporation (the "Foothill Credit Facility") which will
permit borrowings of up to $30.0 million (subject to borrowing base limitations)
secured by substantially all of the assets of the Company. Borrowings under the
Foothill Credit Facility will not be available until satisfaction of a number of
conditions, consisting primarily of final documentation of security
arrangements, which is expected to occur by May 1997. In addition, in February
1997 the Company entered into a lease facility under which approximately $13.0
million is available for acquisition of capital equipment, which the Company
expects to use primarily to finance the purchase of its high capacity switching
equipment. See "Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition Results of Operations -- Liquidity and Capital Resources."
As of March 14, 1997, the Company estimated that it will require between
$40.0 million and $50.0 million in order to fund operating losses, working
capital requirements and capital expenditures during the remainder of 1997. The
Company believes that it will be able to satisfy the conditions to borrowing
under the Foothill Credit Facility by May 1997. Assuming borrowings become and
remain available under the Foothill Credit Facility and the Company achieves
anticipated revenue growth, the Company believes that the remaining proceeds
from the Private Placement together with funds available under the Foothill
Credit Facility, leasing facilities and cash flow from operations will be
sufficient to fund the Company's expected working capital requirements. However,
the exact amount and timing of these working capital requirements and the
Company's ability to continue as a going concern will be determined by numerous
factors, including the level of, and gross margin on, future sales, the outcome
of outstanding contingencies and disputes such as pending lawsuits, payment
terms achieved by the Company and the timing of capital expenditures.
Furthermore, there can be no assurance that borrowings under the Foothill Credit
Facility will become and remain available or that this facility together with
the Company's other anticipated sources of working capital will be sufficient to
implement the Company's operating strategy or meet the Company's other working
capital requirements. If (i) the Company experiences greater than anticipated
capital requirements, (ii) the Company is determined to be liable for, or
otherwise agrees to settle or compromise, any material claim against it, (iii)
the Company is unable to make borrowings under any of its credit facilities for
any reason, (iv) the implementation of the Company's operating strategy fails to
produce the anticipated revenue growth and cash flows or (v) additional working
capital is required for any other reason, the Company will be required to
refinance all or a portion of its existing debt or obtain additional equity or
debt financing. There can be no assurance that any such refinancing would be
possible or that the Company would be able to obtain additional equity or debt
financing, if and when needed, on terms that the Company finds acceptable. Any
additional equity or debt financing may involve substantial dilution to the
interests of the Company's shareholders and
22
<PAGE> 24
the holders of the Notes. If the Company is unable to obtain sufficient funds to
satisfy its cash requirements, it will be forced to curtail operations, dispose
of assets or seek extended payment terms from its vendors. There can be no
assurance that the Company would be able to reduce expenses or successfully
complete other steps necessary to continue as a going concern. Such events would
materially and adversely affect the value of the Company's debt and equity
securities. See "Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations -- Liquidity and Capital Resources."
Recent Losses and Anticipated Future Losses
The Company has experienced significant losses since its inception. Net
losses for 1994, 1995 and 1996 were approximately $3.0 million, $33.4 million
and $97.3 million, respectively. The execution of the Company's restructuring,
network and marketing strategy will require the Company to substantially
increase its investment in sales, marketing, capital equipment, systems
development and other areas. The Company expects that a substantial portion of
these expenditures will be made before the Company realizes a significant
increase in revenue or an improvement in gross margin. The Company therefore
expects that, during at least the first three quarters of 1997, operating costs
will increase both in actual dollars and as a percentage of revenue and net
losses will continue. See "Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations -- Introduction."
Material Weaknesses in Internal Financial Controls
In connection with the audit of Midcom's 1995 Consolidated Financial
Statements, Midcom's independent auditors identified two conditions which were
characterized as material weaknesses in its internal financial controls. One
material weakness identified by the auditors was the failure of the accounting
and finance systems to provide accurate information necessary to monitor the
Company's financial position, results of operations and liquidity, as
demonstrated by the restatement of the Company's third quarter results and the
difficulties in completing the 1995 year-end audit which resulted in numerous
material adjustments to preliminary fourth quarter results. Factors identified
as contributing to this weakness and requiring immediate attention included
insufficient staffing and systems to accommodate significant growth from
acquisitions, transitional difficulties associated with major new information
and billing systems, inadequate communication between senior management and the
finance department and demands associated with the Company's initial public
offering. The second material weakness identified by the auditors was the
Company's process of estimating unbilled receivables. With respect to this
material weakness, the auditors recommended that the Company review and revise,
as necessary, all policies and procedures with regard to its reconciliation of
unbilled receivables with actual billings to ensure that all unbilled amounts at
a reporting date represent properly recorded revenue. As a result of operational
and other changes implemented by the Company, on March 13, 1997 the Company's
independent auditors reported to the Company's Audit Committee that the material
weaknesses identified in connection with the 1995 audit have been corrected. See
"Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results
of Operations -- Past Material Weaknesses" and "-- Information Systems."
However, in light of the volume of financial data to be processed, the reliance
upon timely receipt of call data records from suppliers, the anticipated rate of
growth of the Company, the demands on key financial personnel, the potential for
turnover in key finance and accounting positions, the challenges associated with
the integration of acquired businesses and other factors, there can be no
assurance that the Company will not encounter other internal control weaknesses.
Restatements of Financial Results
It is the Company's practice, which is common in the long distance
industry, to include in reported revenue and accounts receivable an amount for
unbilled calls equal to an estimate of the amount that will be billed and
collected for calls occurring in that reporting period. During 1995, the Company
converted its customer billing function for those calls for which it provides
direct billing to a new billing system. The Company experienced difficulties in
implementing the new billing system which caused an increased number of calls to
be billed later than expected by the Company. See "-- Information Systems."
Also, in the process of reconciling unbilled accounts as of December 31, 1995
with amounts ultimately billed, the Company
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<PAGE> 25
discovered that certain reports generated by its new information management
system that were used for recognizing unbilled revenue for the third quarter of
1995 failed to fully reflect all discounts that were properly included in the
bills subsequently sent to the Company's customers. Primarily as a result of
this failure, reported revenue was overstated for the third quarter of 1995 and
the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for that period had to be amended to
restate reported results. See "Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations -- Restatement of Results for the
Third Quarter of 1995." In addition, the Company had previously been required to
restate its financial statements for the year ended December 31, 1994 after
determining that revenue and accounts receivable had been overstated by
approximately $1.8 million net of reserves as a result of using historical
averages of unbilled calls as the basis for its revenue estimates, a practice
that the Company discontinued in the first quarter of 1995. In light of the
volume of financial data to be processed, the reliance upon timely receipt of
call data records from suppliers, the anticipated rate of growth of the Company,
the demands on key financial personnel, the potential for turnover in key
finance and accounting positions, the challenges associated with the integration
of acquired businesses and other factors, there can be no assurance that the
Company will not encounter additional billing delays or other difficulties in
future financial reporting.
Disputes and Litigation
The Company, its Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors and largest
shareholder, the Company's former President, Chief Executive Officer and a
director, and the Company's former Chief Financial Officer are named as
defendants in a securities action filed in the U.S. District Court for the
Western District of Washington (the "Complaint"). The Complaint was filed on
behalf of a class of purchasers of the Company's Common Stock during the period
beginning on July 6, 1995, the date of the Company's initial public offering,
and ending on March 4, 1996 (the "Class Period"). An amended complaint (the
"Amended Complaint") was filed on July 8, 1996. In November 1996, the Court
granted defendants' motion to dismiss plaintiff's Amended Complaint without
prejudice and plaintiffs refiled a second amended complaint (the "Second Amended
Complaint") on December 19, 1996 with limited changes or amendments. In January
1997, the defendants filed a motion to dismiss the Second Amended Complaint
claiming a failure by plaintiffs to plead with particularity and a failure to
plead facts establishing scienter, both as required under the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), and the failure to
establish tracing to the prospectus relating to the Company's initial public
offering, as required under the Securities Act. The Second Amended Complaint
alleges, among other things, that the registration statement and prospectus
relating to the Company's initial public offering contained false and misleading
statements concerning the Company's billing software and financial condition.
The Second Amended Complaint further alleges that, throughout the Class Period,
the defendants inflated the price of the Common Stock by intentionally or
recklessly making material misrepresentations or omissions which deceived the
public about the Company's financial condition and prospects. The Second Amended
Complaint alleges claims under the Securities Act and the Exchange Act as well
as various state laws, and seeks damages in an unstated amount. While the
Company believes that it has substantive defenses to the claims in the Second
Amended Complaint and intends to vigorously defend this lawsuit, it is unable to
predict the outcome of this action. If determined adversely to the Company, this
lawsuit could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business,
financial condition and results of operations. See "Item 3. Legal Proceedings."
The Company was informed in May 1996 that the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the "Commission") was conducting an informal inquiry regarding the
Company. The Company has voluntarily provided the documents requested by the
Commission. In addition, the Commission has requested the Company's cooperation
in interviewing certain current and former Company personnel and the Company is
in the process of scheduling such interviews. However, the Company has not been
informed whether the Commission intends to commence formal action against the
Company or any of its affiliates. The Company is, therefore, unable to predict
the ultimate outcome of the investigation. In the event that the Commission
elects to initiate a formal enforcement proceeding, the Company and certain of
its current and/or former officers could be subject to civil or criminal
sanctions including monetary penalties and injunctive measures. Any such
enforcement proceeding could have a material adverse effect on the Company's
business, financial condition and results of operations. See "Item 3. Legal
Proceedings."
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In addition, by virtue of its rapid growth, past acquisition activities and
large volume of business with suppliers, the Company is involved in litigation
or disputes with sellers of acquired operations, suppliers and other third
parties. See "-- Acquisitions," "-- Suppliers," and "Item 3. Legal Proceedings."
Although the Company intends to defend its existing litigation and other
disputes vigorously, it is unable to predict the nature or timing of any
resolution of such matters. If the Company is determined to be liable for, or
otherwise agrees to settle or compromise, any claim, it would most likely be
required to make a payment in the form of cash, indebtedness or equity
securities. Depending on the size, type and timing of any such payment, it could
materially impair the Company's limited capital resources or significantly
dilute the Company's existing shareholders. See "-- Risk Factors -- Need for
Additional Working Capital." In addition, the Company's pending litigation,
investigations and disputes could result in substantial legal costs to the
Company and divert management's attention from the other business affairs of the
Company for substantial periods of time.
Minimum Volume Commitments and Shortfalls
Midcom has entered into multiple-year supply contracts with Sprint,
WorldCom and AT&T and short-term contracts with a number of other suppliers for
the long distance telecommunication services provided to its customers. To
obtain favorable forward pricing from certain of its suppliers, the Company has
committed to purchase minimum volumes of a variety of long distance services
during stated periods whether or not such volumes are used or, in one case, to
pay a surcharge equal to a percentage of the Company's shortfall from a
specified quarterly minimum volume. In the past, Midcom has fallen short of its
minimum volume commitments with certain carriers and has renegotiated the
commitment. For example, in October 1996, Midcom entered into a renegotiated
carrier supply contract with AT&T pursuant to which, among other things, the
minimum volume commitment was reduced from $117.0 million to $13.7 million for
the eighteen month period following execution of the contract. In November 1996,
the Company paid AT&T $5.0 million as the first installment of $8.8 million to
be paid in connection with satisfaction of past shortfalls and reduction of the
remaining commitment. The Company's minimum volume commitments to all of its
carriers as of March 15, 1997 aggregated approximately $92.0 million, to be used
over the next three years. See Note 15 of Notes to Consolidated Financial
Statements. There can be no assurance that the Company will not incur additional
shortfalls in the future or that it will be able to successfully renegotiate, or
otherwise obtain relief from, its minimum volume commitments in the future. If
future shortfalls occur, the Company may be required to make substantial
payments without associated revenue from customers or the supplier may terminate
service and commence formal action against the Company. Such payments are not
presently contemplated in the Company's capital budgets and would have a
material adverse effect on the Company's business, financial condition and
results of operation. See "-- Suppliers."
Because of Midcom's commitments to purchase fixed volumes of use from
certain of its suppliers at predetermined rates, the Company could be adversely
affected if a supplier were to lower the rates it makes available to the
Company's target market without a corresponding reduction in the Company's
rates. Similarly, the Company could be adversely affected if its suppliers fail
to adjust their overall pricing, including prices to the Company, in response to
price reductions of other major carriers. See "-- Suppliers" and Note 15 of the
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
Ability to Implement Network Strategy and Enter Local Markets
A key element of the Company's operating strategy is the deployment of
dedicated switching facilities and the transition from primarily a
nonfacilities-based reseller of long distance and other telecommunications
services to a switch-based provider of integrated telecommunications services.
See "-- Company Strategy." The Company's ability to implement its network
strategy may be impaired by technical, operational or other difficulties
encountered in the installation or operation of the Company's sophisticated high
capacity switching equipment. See "-- Switching Facilities." In addition, the
Company's ability to enter into the local telecommunications market may be
impaired by certain logistical challenges. Prior to selling local services to
its customers, the Company must complete a number of operational, marketing and
regulatory tasks, including the negotiation of interconnection agreements with
local circuit providers, the development of a billing,
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provisioning and customer service capability and the creation of a local
marketing, pricing and sales strategy. See "-- Products and Services -- Local
Service" and "-- Regulation."
Ability to Manage Growth
The Company intends to pursue substantial growth in connection with the
implementation of its operating strategy. This growth will place significant
demands on the Company's management and systems of financial and internal
controls and will require an increase in the capacity, efficiency and accuracy
of its billing and customer support systems. Moreover, this growth will require
an increase in the number of the Company's personnel, particularly sales,
customer service and technical personnel. The market for such personnel is
highly competitive and there can be no assurance that the Company will be able
to attract the personnel required by its operating strategy. Further, the
Company will be required to expand, train, motivate and manage its employee
base. This will require an increase in the level of responsibility for both
existing and new management personnel. There can be no assurance that the
management skills and systems currently in place, or to be implemented in
connection with the Company's operating strategy, will be adequate or that the
Company will be able to assimilate its new employees successfully. Finally, the
Company has experienced a high level of turnover in its sales force. The Company
believes that this turnover is primarily attributable to the intense competition
for, and the mobility of, qualified sales personnel endemic to the reseller
segment of the telecommunications industry. Although one objective of the
Company's operating strategy is to decrease the level of turnover in its sales
force, there can be no assurance that this objective will be achieved. The
Company's failure to attract and retain sufficient qualified personnel, to
train, motivate and manage such personnel or to otherwise manage its growth
could impair its ability to implement its operating strategy and could have a
material adverse effect on its business, financial condition and results of
operations. See "-- Marketing and Sales."
Dependence Upon Management Team
Midcom's ability to implement its operating strategy is highly dependent
upon its ability to retain its senior management team. These individuals are
generally in high demand and are often subject to competing employment
opportunities. Midcom believes that it will need to retain key management
personnel to meet the demands of its business. The loss of William H. Oberlin,
the Company's President and Chief Executive Officer and one of the Company's
directors, or the other key members of the management team could have a material
adverse effect on the Company's business, financial condition and results of
operations. See "-- Company Strategy."
Customer Attrition
Midcom's revenue is affected by customer attrition, a problem inherent in
the long distance industry. The customer attrition experienced by the Company is
attributable to a variety of factors, including the Company's termination of
customers for non-payment and the marketing and sales initiatives of the
Company's competitors such as, among other things, national advertising
campaigns, telemarketing programs and the use of cash or other incentives. In
particular, the Company commonly experiences high initial customer attrition
from acquired customer bases as these customers are transitioned to the
Company's services and systems. Although one of the objectives of the Company's
operating strategy is to reduce customer attrition, there can be no assurance
that this attrition will not remain at current levels or increase. Failure to
reduce customer attrition could have a material adverse effect on the Company's
business, financial condition and results of operations. See "Item 7.
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations -- Customer Attrition."
Rapid Technological Change
The telecommunications industry is characterized by rapidly evolving
technology. Midcom believes that its success will increasingly depend on its
ability to offer, on a timely basis, new services based on evolving technologies
and industry standards. Midcom intends to increase its efforts to develop new
services; however, there can be no assurance that the Company will have the
ability or resources to develop such new services,
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that new technologies required for such services will be available to the
Company on favorable terms or that such services and technologies will enjoy
market acceptance. Further, there can be no assurance that the Company's
competitors will not develop products or services that are technologically
superior to those used by the Company or that achieve greater market acceptance.
The development of any such superior technology by the Company's competitors, or
the inability of the Company to successfully respond to such a development,
could render Midcom's existing products or services obsolete and could have a
material adverse effect on the Company's business, financial condition and
results of operations.
Ability to Integrate Acquired Operations
Midcom experienced rapid growth through the end of 1995. A significant
portion of this growth, particularly in 1995, was attributable to acquisitions
of customer bases and of other telecommunications service providers. For a
number of reasons, the Company was not able to consolidate and integrate the
sales and marketing, customer support, billing systems and other functions of
certain of these acquired operations. The Company may experience difficulties in
the integration and consolidation of customer bases or operations acquired in
the future. Pending such integration and consolidation, it may be necessary for
the Company to maintain separate billing systems and other functions of the
acquired operation, which could cause inefficiencies and additional operational
complexity and expense, increase the risk of billing delays and financial
reporting difficulties, increase customer attrition and impair the Company's
efforts to cross-sell the products and services of the acquired operation. If
the Company acquires customer bases or other operations in the future,
difficulties encountered in integrating and consolidating such operations could
have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, financial condition
and results of operations. See "-- Acquisitions" and "-- Information Systems."
Dependence Upon Integrity of Call Data Records
Midcom depends on the timeliness and accuracy of call data records provided
to it by facilities-based carriers supplying telecommunications services, and
there can be no assurance that accurate information will consistently be
provided by the carriers on a timely basis. Failure of the Company to receive
prompt and accurate call data records from its suppliers will impair the
Company's ability to bill its customers on a timely basis. Such billing delays
could impair the Company's ability to collect amounts owed by its customers. Due
to the multitude of billing rates and discounts which suppliers must apply to
the calls completed by the Company's customers, and due to routine logistical
issues such as the addition or termination of customers, the Company regularly
has disagreements with its suppliers concerning the amounts invoiced for its
customers' traffic. The Company pays its suppliers according to its own
calculation of the amounts owed as recorded on the computer tapes provided by
its suppliers. The Company's computations of amounts owed are frequently less
than the amount shown on the suppliers' invoices. Accordingly, the suppliers may
consider the Company to be in arrears in its payments until the amount in
dispute is resolved. Although these disputes have generally been resolved on
terms favorable to the Company, there can be no assurance that this will
continue to be the case. Future disputes which are not resolved favorably to the
Company could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business,
financial condition and results of operations. See "-- Suppliers."
Dependence Upon Facilities-Based Carriers
Midcom does not currently own a transmission network and, accordingly,
depends to a large extent on Sprint, WorldCom, AT&T and other facilities-based
carriers for actual transmission of customer calls and other services. Further,
the Company, like all other long distance providers, is dependent upon LECs for
call origination (carrying the call from the customer's location to the long
distance network of the IXC selected to carry the call) and termination
(carrying the call off the IXC's network to the call's destination). The
Company's ability to maintain and expand its business depends, in part, on its
ability to obtain telecommunication services on favorable terms from
facilities-based carriers and the cooperation of both IXCs and LECs in
provisioning and terminating service for its customers in a timely manner. FCC
policy currently requires all common carriers, including IXCs, to make their
services available for resale and to refrain from imposing unreasonable
restrictions on such resale. Further, the Telecommunications Act requires all
ILECs both to
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offer their services for resale at wholesale rates and to allow access to
unbundled network elements at cost-based rates. The ILECs are also required by
the Telecommunications Act to provide all IXCs, including the Company, with
equal access for the origination and termination of long distance calls. If any
of these requirements were eliminated, the adverse impact on the Company could
be substantial. Access charges represent a substantial portion of the Company's
current cost of service. The FCC, however, has undertaken to reform its
universal service and access charge rules by May 1997, in order to rework the
current universal service subsidy system and to move access charges toward the
economic cost of originating and terminating long distance traffic. The level at
which the FCC sets access charges and universal service contributions could have
a material adverse effect on the Company's business, financial condition and
results of operations. Moreover, implementation of a new access charge structure
and repricing of local transport could place many IXCs, including the Company,
at a significant cost disadvantage relative to larger competitors. The FCC has
also imposed on facilities-based IXCs the obligation to track the
payphone-originated tollfree and access code calls which they carry and to
compensate payphone service providers for such calls, initially on a per-phone,
and, commencing in October 1997, on a per-call basis, in amounts reflective of
soon to be deregulated local coin rates. See "-- Regulation."
Termination of Service Under Carrier Supply Contracts
In the past, the Company has, from time to time, been substantially in
arrears of its payment obligations to AT&T and other suppliers. See "Item
1. Business -- Risk Factors -- Minimum Volume Commitments and Shortfalls."
Although the Company is generally entitled to be given notice of defaults and an
opportunity to cure under the terms of its agreements with its interexchange
suppliers before such service can be terminated, and although the Company has
the ability to transfer its customers' traffic from one supplier to another,
provisioning a customer that is not serviced by a Midcom switch to an alternate
supplier takes several days. Accordingly, if a major supplier were to decline to
continue to carry the Company's traffic, due to non-payment or otherwise,
without sufficient notice for the Company to make alternate arrangements, there
is a possibility that the customers serviced by that supplier would be
temporarily without "1 plus" long distance calling which could have a material
adverse effect on the Company's business, financial condition and results of
operation. See "Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations" and "-- Suppliers."
Competition
The long distance telecommunications industry is highly competitive. A
number of the Company's current and potential competitors have substantially
greater financial, technical, marketing and other resources than the Company,
and there can be no assurance that the Company will be competitive in this
environment. The Company's ability to compete may also be impaired by its
leveraged capital structure and limited capital resources.
The long distance telecommunications industry is significantly influenced
by the marketing and pricing activities of the major industry participants,
including AT&T, MCI, Sprint and WorldCom. While the Company believes that AT&T,
MCI and Sprint historically have chosen not to concentrate their direct sales
efforts on small to medium-sized businesses, these carriers control
approximately 85% of that market. Moreover, AT&T, MCI and Sprint have recently
introduced new service and pricing options that are attractive to smaller
commercial users, and there can be no assurance that they will not market to
these customers more aggressively in the future. AT&T and, as an interim
measure, the structurally separate interexchange affiliates of the seven RBOCs
have recently been reclassified as non-dominant carriers and, accordingly, have
the same flexibility as the Company in meeting competition by modifying rates
and service offerings without pricing constraints or extended waiting periods.
These reclassifications may make it more difficult for the Company to compete
for long distance customers. See "-- Regulation." In addition, a significant
number of large regional long distance carriers and new entrants in the industry
compete directly with the Company by concentrating their marketing and direct
sales efforts on small to medium-sized commercial users. Activities by
competitors including, among other things, national advertising campaigns,
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telemarketing programs and the use of cash or other forms of incentives,
contribute to significant customer attrition in the long distance industry.
The Company contracts for call transmission over networks operated by
suppliers who may also be the Company's competitors. Both the IXCs and LECs
providing transmission services for the Company have access to information
concerning the Company's customers for which they provide the actual call
transmission. Because these carriers are potential competitors of the Company,
they could use information about the Company's customers, such as their calling
volume and patterns of use, to their advantage in attempts to gain such
customers' business. In addition, the Company's future success will depend, in
part, on its ability to continue to buy transmission services and access from
these carriers at a significant discount below the rates these carriers
otherwise make available to the Company's targeted customers.
Regulatory trends have had, and may have in the future, a significant
impact on competition in the telecommunications industry. See "-- Regulation."
As the result of the Telecommunications Act, the RBOCs are now permitted to
provide, and are providing or have announced their intention to provide, long
distance service originating (or in the case of "800" service, terminating)
outside their local service areas or offered in conjunction with other ancillary
services, including wireless services. Following application to and upon a
finding by the FCC that an RBOC faces facilities-based competition and has
satisfied a congressionally-mandated "competitive checklist" of interconnection
and access obligations, it will also be permitted to provide long distance
service within its local service area. The entry of these well-capitalized and
well-known entities into the long distance service market could significantly
alter the competitive environment in which the Company operates.
The Telecommunications Act also removes most legal barriers to competitive
entry into the local telecommunications market and directs ILECs to allow
competing telecommunications service providers such as the Company to
interconnect their facilities with the local exchange network, to lease network
components on an unbundled basis and to resell local telecommunications
services. Moreover, the Telecommunications Act seeks to facilitate the
development of local telecommunications competition by requiring ILECs, among
other things, to allow end users to retain their telephone numbers when changing
service providers and to place short-haul toll calls without dialing lengthy
access codes. In response to these regulatory changes, AT&T, MCI and many of the
Company's other long distance competitors have announced plans to enter the
local telecommunications market.
While the Telecommunications Act opens new markets to the Company, the
nature and value of the resultant business opportunities will be dependent in
large part upon subsequent regulatory interpretation of the statute's
requirements. While the FCC has promulgated rules implementing the local
competition provisions of the Telecommunications Act, these rules have been
appealed and key provisions have been "stayed" pending the outcome of the
appeals. Various state regulatory authorities are currently in the process of
implementing the remaining FCC rules. The Company anticipates that ILECs will
actively resist competitive entry into the local telecommunications market and
will seek to undermine the operations and the service offerings of competitive
providers, leaving carriers such as the Company which are dependent on ILECs for
network services vulnerable to anti-competitive abuses. No assurance can be
given that the local competition provision of the Telecommunications Act will be
implemented and enforced by federal and state regulators in a manner which will
permit the Company to successfully compete in the local telecommunications
market or that subsequent legislative and/or judicial actions will not adversely
impact the Company's ability to do so. Moreover, federal and state regulators
are likely to provide ILECs with increased pricing flexibility for their
services as competition in the local market increases. If ILECs are allowed by
regulators to lower their rates substantially, engage in aggressive volume and
term discount pricing practices for their customers, charge excessive fees for
network interconnection or access to unbundled network elements or decline to
make services available for resale at discounted wholesale rates, the ability of
the Company to compete in the provision of local service could be materially and
adversely affected.
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Regulation
Federal and state regulations, regulatory actions and court decisions have
had, and may have in the future, negative effects on the Company and its ability
to compete. The Company is subject to regulation by the FCC and by various state
public service or public utility commissions as a non-dominant or resale
provider of long distance services. The Company is required to file tariffs
specifying the rates, terms and conditions of its international services with
the FCC and is required to file tariffs or obtain other approvals in most of the
states in which it operates. Neither the FCC nor the relevant state utility
commissions currently regulate the Company's profit levels, but they often
reserve the authority to do so. The large majority of states require long
distance service providers to apply for authority to provide telecommunications
services and to make filings regarding their activities. The multiplicity of
state regulations makes full compliance with all such regulations a challenge
for multistate providers such as the Company. There can be no assurance that
future regulatory, judicial and legislative changes or other activities will not
have a material adverse effect on the Company or that regulators or third
parties will not raise material issues with regard to the Company's compliance
with applicable laws and regulations.
Pursuant to the terms of the 1984 court decree which required AT&T to
divest its local exchange operations, the RBOCs were prohibited from providing
long distance telecommunications service between certain defined geographic
areas, known as Local Access Transport Areas or "LATAs." However, the
Telecommunications Act allows for immediate provision by the RBOCs of long
distance service outside their respective local telephone service areas as well
as long distance service bundled with wireless, enhanced and certain other
services. The Telecommunications Act also provides a mechanism for eventual
entry by the RBOCs into the long distance market within their respective local
service areas. The competition faced by the Company will increase significantly
as the RBOCs expand their provision of inter-LATA services.
As a result of a 1994 court decision, the Company became obligated to
provide detailed rate schedules in all of its federal tariffs, and the Company
could possibly be liable for damages for following an FCC policy which did not
require the Company to file such detailed schedules of its domestic charges in
the past. The FCC's policy which would have implemented mandatory detariffing by
August 1997 has now been stayed pending determination of the issue by the
federal district court in Washington, D.C. Also, AT&T and, as an interim
measure, the structurally separate interexchange affiliates of the RBOCs have
recently been reclassified as non-dominant carriers and, accordingly, have the
same flexibility as the Company in meeting competition by modifying rates and
service offerings without pricing constraints or extended waiting periods. The
reclassifications may make it more difficult for the Company to compete for long
distance customers. See "Regulation."
When the Company enters the local telecommunications market, it will be
subject to regulation by various state public service and public utility
commissions, often as a facilities-based provider. Virtually all states require
local exchange providers to be certified prior to initiating service and to
maintain on file with the state commissions detailed tariffs specifying rates,
as well as terms and conditions, of service. The Company will be subject to a
higher level of regulatory oversight as a local exchange provider than it has
been as a long distance carrier. Among other things, the Company will be subject
to a variety of additional service quality and consumer protection requirements,
as well as requirements to provide emergency, handicapped and subsidized
services. The states also impose additional reporting and prior approval
requirements on local service providers. The multiplicity and volume of state
regulations governing the provision of local service make full compliance with
all such regulations even more of a challenge for multistate providers such as
the Company than compliance with state regulations governing the provision of
long distance service. As with the Company's provision of long distance service,
there can be no assurance that future regulatory, judicial and legislative
changes or other activities will not have a material adverse effect on the
Company's provision of local exchange service or that regulators or third
parties will not raise material issues with regard to the Company's compliance
with laws and regulations applicable to its provision of such service.
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Substantial Leverage
The Company is highly leveraged. As of December 31, 1996, the Company's
total indebtedness and shareholders' deficit was $112.1 million and $69.3
million, respectively. The Company's ability to make scheduled payments of the
principal of, or interest on, its indebtedness will depend on its future
performance, which is subject to economic, financial, competitive and other
factors beyond its control.
Repurchase of Notes at the Option of Holders Upon a Change of Control
In the event of a change of control, each holder of Notes has the right to
require that the Company repurchase the Notes in whole or in part at a
redemption price equal to 101% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued
interest, if any, to the date of repurchase. If a change of control were to
occur, there can be no assurance that the Company would have sufficient funds to
pay such redemption price for all Notes tendered by the holders thereof. If the
Company is required to pay such redemption price, such payment could have a
material adverse effect on the Company's liquidity, results of operations and
financial condition. Moreover, the Company's repurchase obligation could have
the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change of control of the
Company and could limit the price that certain investors might be willing to pay
in the future for the Common Stock.
Shares Eligible for Future Sale
As of December 31, 1996, there were 15,954,917 outstanding shares of Common
Stock (assuming no redemption of the shares owned by the Company's former
President and Chief Executive Officer), of which 9,150,437 shares were
"restricted securities" subject to restrictions set forth in Rule 144
promulgated under the Securities Act. Of the restricted securities, 5,617,272
shares may be sold under Rule 144, and an additional 2,649,319 shares will be
tradable pursuant to Rule 144 upon the expiration of the applicable one-year
holding period.
As of December 31, 1996, the Company had reserved for issuance 4,108,816
shares of Common Stock under its Amended and Restated 1993 Stock Option Plan
(the "Stock Option Plan") and 256,354 shares of Common Stock for issuance under
its Revised and Restated 1995 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the "Stock Purchase
Plan"). Under the Stock Option Plan, as of December 31, 1996 options to purchase
3,693,379 shares of Common Stock were outstanding and options to purchase
212,240 shares of Common Stock were exercisable. At December 31, 1996, warrants
to purchase 59,500 shares of Common Stock were outstanding. Also, in March 1997,
the Company issued a warrant to purchase 117,000 shares of Common Stock in
connection with a capital lease financing arrangement, which warrant is fully
exercisable. In addition, the Notes are convertible into Common Stock at the
option of the holder thereof at any time prior to maturity, unless previously
redeemed, at a conversion price of $14.0875 per share, subject to adjustment in
certain events. If the Notes outstanding as of December 31, 1996 were fully
converted, the Company would be obligated to issue to the holders thereof an
aggregate of 6,938,279 shares of Common Stock (not including an indeterminate
number of shares that may be issued in connection with certain anti-dilution and
other provisions).
Certain individuals and entities have certain rights with respect to the
registration under the Securities Act of the public offer and sale of certain
shares of Common Stock acquired in connection with the formation of the Company
and various unrelated acquisition and financing transactions. As of December 31,
1996, holders of approximately 9,040,212 shares of Common Stock were subject to
such registration rights. At December 31, 1996, holders of approximately
2,012,000 shares of Common Stock subject to such registration rights had the
right to require the Company to register the public offer and sale of their
shares under the Securities Act. Notwithstanding such registration rights, the
Company voluntarily filed a Registration Statement with the Commission on
November 25, 1996 (file no. 333-16681) to register under the Securities Act the
public offer and sale of the approximately 1,600,000 shares of Common Stock
subject to such registration rights. The Company intends to maintain the
effectiveness of this Registration Statement until approximately December 31,
1997. In addition, pursuant to a Registration Rights Agreement between the
Company and the Initial Purchasers of the Notes (the "Registration Right
Agreement"), the Company has
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agreed to register under the Securities Act the public offer and sale of the
Notes and the shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the Notes (the
"Conversion Shares"), subject to certain conditions and limitations. Pursuant to
the Registration Rights Agreement, the Company filed a Registration Statement
with the Commission on October 18, 1996 (file no. 333-14427) to register the
public offer and sale of up to $97,743,000 aggregate principal amount of Notes
and an indeterminate number of Conversion Shares. The Company is required under
the Registration Rights Agreement to maintain the effectiveness of this
Registration Statement for a period of three years from the completion of the
Private Placement or, if shorter, when (i) all the Notes and Conversion Shares
have been sold pursuant to the Registration Statement or (ii) the date on which
there ceases to be outstanding any Notes or Conversion Shares.
Sales of substantial amounts of Common Stock in the public market under
Rule 144, pursuant to the exercise of registration rights or otherwise, and even
the potential for such sales, may have a material adverse effect on the
prevailing market price of the Common Stock and could impair the Company's
ability to raise capital through the sale of its equity securities.
Control by Principal Shareholders
At December 31, 1996, Midcom's directors and executive officers
beneficially owned or had the power to vote approximately 40.0% of the Common
Stock. Although such shareholders will not have the ability to control matters
requiring shareholder approval, they may have the ability to influence the
affairs and management of the Company and the elections of directors. This may
have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change in control of the
Company and could limit the price that certain investors might be willing to pay
in the future for the Common Stock.
Anti-Takeover Considerations
The Company is subject to the anti-takeover provisions of Chapter 23B.17 of
the Washington Business Corporation Act (the "WBCA") which prohibits, subject to
certain exceptions, a merger, sale of assets or liquidation of a corporation
involving a 20% shareholder unless determined to be at a fair price or approved
by disinterested directors or two-thirds of the disinterested shareholders. In
addition, Chapter 23B.19 of the WBCA prohibits a corporation registered under
the Exchange Act from engaging in certain significant transactions with a 10%
shareholder. Significant transactions include, among others, a merger with or
disposition of assets to the 10% shareholder. Further, the Company's Amended and
Restated Articles of Incorporation (the "Articles") require super-majority
shareholder approval of certain business combinations and provide for a
classified Board of Directors with staggered, three-year terms. Also, the
Company has the authority to issue up to 10 million shares of preferred stock in
one or more series and to fix the preferences and other rights thereof without
any further vote or action by the Company's shareholders. The issuance of
preferred stock, together with the effect of other anti-takeover provisions in
the Articles and under the WBCA, may have the effect of delaying, deferring or
preventing a change in control of the Company and could limit the price that
certain investors might be willing to pay in the future for the Common Stock.
Volatility of Stock Price
The market price of the Common Stock has been, and is likely to continue to
be, volatile. There can be no assurance that the market price of the Common
Stock will not fluctuate significantly from its current level. The market price
of the Common Stock could be subject to significant fluctuations in response to
a number of factors, such as actual or anticipated variations in the Company's
quarterly operating results, the introduction of new products by the Company or
its competitors, changes in other conditions or trends in the Company's
industry, changes in governmental regulations, changes in securities analysts'
estimates of the Company's, or its competitors' or industry's, future
performance or general market conditions. See "Item 7. Management's Discussion
and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations." In addition,
stock markets have experienced extreme price and volume volatility in recent
years, which has had a substantial effect on the market prices of securities of
many smaller public companies for reasons frequently unrelated to the operating
performance of such companies. These broad market fluctuations may have a
material adverse effect on the
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<PAGE> 34
market price of the Common Stock. See "Item 5. Market for Registrant's Common
Equity and Related Stockholder Matters."
Limitations on Dividends
Since its incorporation in 1989, the Company has not declared or paid cash
dividends on its Common Stock, and the Company anticipates that any future
earnings will be retained for investment in its business. Any payment of cash
dividends in the future will be at the discretion of the Company's Board of
Directors and will depend upon, among other things, the Company's earnings,
financial condition, capital requirements, extent of indebtedness and
contractual restrictions with respect to the payment of dividends. In addition,
the terms of the Foothill Credit Facility prohibit the payment of cash dividends
without the consent of the Company's lenders. See "Item 5. Market for
Registrant's Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters" and "Item 7.
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations -- Liquidity and Capital Resources."
ITEM 2. PROPERTIES.
As of December 31, 1996, the Company's headquarters in Seattle consisted of
approximately 59,000 square feet of office space under a lease that expires on
November 30, 2004 and that requires minimum annual lease payments in 1997 of
approximately $1.0 million. In addition, as of December 31, 1996, the Company
and its subsidiaries leased an aggregate of approximately 100,000 square feet of
space for 17 offices in 10 states. Management believes its present office
facilities, together with additional space available under expansion options,
are adequate for its operations for the foreseeable future and that similar
additional space can readily be obtained as needed.
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.
Class Action Lawsuit. The Company, its Vice Chairman of the Board of
Directors and largest shareholder, the Company's former President, Chief
Executive Officer and director and the Company's former Chief Financial Officer
are named as defendants in a securities action filed in the U.S. District Court
for the Western District of Washington (the "Complaint"). The Complaint was
filed on behalf of a class of purchasers of the Company's Common Stock during
the period beginning on July 6, 1995, the date of the Company's initial public
offering, and ending on March 4, 1996 (the "Class Period"). An amended complaint
was filed on July 8, 1996 (the "Amended Complaint"). In November 1996, the Court
granted the defendants' motion to dismiss the Amended Complaint without
prejudice and the plaintiffs refiled a second amended complaint on December 19,
1996 (the "Second Amended Complaint"). In January 1997, the defendants filed a
motion to dismiss the Second Amended Complaint (the "Second Motion to Dismiss")
claiming failure by plaintiffs to plead with particularity and failure to plead
facts establishing scienter, both as required under the Exchange Act, and
failure to establish tracing to the prospectus relating to the Company's initial
public offering, as required under the Securities Act. The Second Amended
Complaint alleges, among other things, that the registration statement and
prospectus relating to the Company's initial public offering contained false and
misleading statements concerning the Company's billing software and financial
condition. The Second Amended Complaint further alleges that, throughout the
Class Period, the defendants inflated the price of the Common Stock by
intentionally or recklessly making material misrepresentations or omissions
which deceived the public about the Company's financial condition and prospects.
The Second Amended Complaint alleges claims under the Securities Act and the
Exchange Act as well as various state laws, and seeks damages in an unstated
amount. All discovery proceedings are stayed until defendants' Second Motion to
Dismiss is acted on by the Court. While the Company believes that it has
substantive defenses to the claims in the Second Amended Complaint and intends
to vigorously defend this lawsuit, it is unable to predict the outcome of this
action.
SEC Investigation. The Company was informed in May 1996 that the
Commission was conducting an informal inquiry regarding the Company. The Company
has voluntarily provided the documents requested by the Commission. In addition,
the Commission has requested the Company's cooperation in interviewing certain
current and former Company personnel and the Company is in the process of
scheduling such
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<PAGE> 35
interviews. However, the Company has not been informed whether or not the
Commission intends to commence a formal action against the Company or any of its
affiliates. The Company is, therefore, unable to predict the ultimate outcome of
the investigation. In the event that the Commission elects to initiate a formal
enforcement proceeding, the Company and certain of its current and/or former
officers could be subject to civil or criminal sanctions including monetary
penalties and injunctive measures. Any such enforcement proceeding could have a
material adverse effect on the Company's business, financial condition and
results of operations.
Frontier Lawsuits. On August 19, 1996 the Company was served with a
complaint filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan
by Frontier Corporation ("Frontier"). This complaint names as defendants the
Company and eleven individuals, all of whom are former employees of Frontier who
resigned their positions with Frontier at various times in the last year. These
individuals include William H. Oberlin, the President and Chief Executive
Officer and a director of the Company, and nine other employees of the Company.
The complaint alleges, among other things, that: (i) certain of the individual
defendants, with the acquiescence and active assistance of the Company, have
engaged in a systematic strategy to hire key employees and independent
contractors of Frontier in violation of various written agreements; (ii) the
individual defendants have used confidential information belonging to Frontier
in their new employment with Midcom in violation of written agreements and
fiduciary duties and (iii) Mr. Oberlin has breached fiduciary duties as a former
employee and officer of Frontier and breached obligations under an employment
agreement with Frontier. The complaint further alleges that: (i) Midcom is in
violation of a non-disclosure agreement between Frontier and Midcom by virtue of
its alleged use of confidential information of Frontier obtained through
employees hired from Frontier and otherwise; (ii) Midcom has aided and abetted
Mr. Oberlin's alleged breaches of fiduciary duties and (iii) Midcom and the
other defendants have tortiously interfered in Frontier's contractual
relationships with various Frontier employees and contractors. The complaint
seeks: (i) that the defendants be preliminarily and permanently enjoined from
breaching their respective agreements with Frontier; (ii) that Midcom be
enjoined from aiding and abetting certain alleged breaches of fiduciary duties;
(iii) an order that the defendants hold all profits which Midcom earns as a
result of its hiring of the individual defendants and other Frontier employees
as constructive trustees for the benefit of Frontier; (iv) an accounting of all
profits realized by Midcom as a result of its hiring of the defendants and other
Frontier employees; (v) a declaratory judgment on its various claims; (vi)
damages in an unspecified amount; (vii) Frontier's costs, including reasonable
attorney's fees, incurred in bringing the action; and (viii) other appropriate
relief. The Company intends to vigorously defend this action. Based on the
Company's review of the allegations in the complaint and the underlying facts,
the Company believes that the ultimate outcome of this matter will not have a
material adverse effect on the Company's business, financial condition, results
of operations or liquidity.
An affiliate of Frontier has also filed a complaint in the same U.S.
Federal District Court claiming $515,000 for unpaid amounts under a supply
agreement. The Company believes this claim to be without substantial merit and
is vigorously defending it.
Adnet Lawsuit. On August 1, 1996, a complaint (the "Adnet Complaint") was
filed by David and Maria Wiegand, the former shareholders of ADNET
Telemanagement, Inc. ("Adnet"), in the Superior Court of the State of California
for the County of Orange against the Company, the Company's former President and
Chief Executive Officer and other defendants. The Adnet Complaint alleged
intentional and negligent misrepresentation, intentional concealment of facts,
breach of contract, breach of implied covenants of good faith and fair dealing
and violation of California Securities Laws in connection with a merger
agreement and related documents (the "Merger Agreement") and the Company's
acquisition of Adnet in December 1995 pursuant thereto. The Wiegands sought
recovery of monetary damages in an amount which they described as "not yet
ascertainable, but potentially [in excess of] $10,000,000." The Wiegands
furthermore sought rescission of the Merger Agreement, restoration of all
consideration paid by the Wiegands to the Company pursuant to the Merger
Agreement, punitive damages in an amount to be determined at trial and
attorneys' fees and other costs and expenses of the lawsuit.
In August 1996, the Wiegands agreed to dismiss the Adnet Complaint without
prejudice and not to re-file the Adnet Complaint pending negotiation of a
definitive settlement agreement. In December 1996, the
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<PAGE> 36
Company entered into a settlement agreement with David and Maria Wiegand (the
"Settlement Agreement") pursuant to which the parties mutually agreed not to
assert against each other the claims set forth in the Adnet Complaint, claims
arising out of the Merger Agreement and the Company's acquisition of Adnet
pursuant thereto and claims arising out of David Wiegand's employment with the
Company or his employment agreement or non-competition agreement (collectively,
the "Claims") until December 31, 1999 and not after March 31, 2000. In addition,
the Settlement Agreement provides that all Claims will be released on March 31,
2000 or, if earlier, upon the first to occur of certain Release Events including
(a) the issuance of any shares of Common Stock pursuant to the exercise of the
Wiegand Option (as defined below), (b) the date on which the average closing
sale price of the Common Stock as reported on Nasdaq is at least $20.50 per
share and (c) a change of control of the Company if, in connection therewith,
David Wiegand would be entitled to receive at least $20.50 (in cash or freely
tradable securities) per share of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the
Wiegand Option. If a Release Event does not occur prior to December 31, 1999,
the Wiegands may assert Claims against the Company provided they do so prior to
March 31, 2000. There can be no assurance that a Release Event will occur prior
to December 31, 1999 and that the Wiegands will not assert Claims against the
Company at that time. In consideration for the Settlement Agreement, the Company
pre-paid certain non-compete fees of approximately $330,000, reimbursed the
Wiegands for approximately $90,000 in legal fees incurred in connection with the
Claims and the Settlement Agreement, entered into a consulting agreement with
David Wiegand and granted him a fully vested stock option for the purchase of up
to 150,000 shares of Common Stock at an exercise price of $10.00 per share (the
"Wiegand Option").
Cherry Communications Lawsuit. In September and December 1995, the Company
acquired two significant customer bases from Cherry Communications. The first
transaction ("Cherry I") provided for the purchase of long distance customer
accounts having monthly revenue for the three months preceding the date of
closing of $2.0 million, net of taxes, customer credits and bad debt. The second
transaction ("Cherry II") provided for the purchase of long distance customer
accounts having monthly revenue which were to average $2.0 million per month
over the 12 months following the transaction, net of taxes, customer credits and
bad debt. The Company is responsible for the underlying carrier costs associated
with the customer traffic acquired from Cherry Communications at a rate which
would yield to the Company a gross profit on such traffic at an agreed rate. The
purchase price payable with respect to Cherry I was a total of $10.5 million, of
which $5.5 million was paid in cash and the balance was paid by the delivery of
317,460 shares of Common Stock (subject to a possible increase in such number
based on the future value of the Common Stock), of which 126,984 shares are held
in escrow to be applied to indemnity claims or to cover shortfalls in revenue
from the $2.0 million monthly average. The purchase price for Cherry II was
$18.0 million, of which $7.0 million has been paid in cash. Additional
installments of $3.4 million were due in February, March and April of 1996, of
which $400,000 of each installment was to be placed in an escrow account for
satisfaction of indemnity claims or to cover shortfalls in revenue from the $2.0
million monthly average. The parties later agreed that the Company could pay up
to $9.0 million of the Cherry II payments either in cash or by delivery of
shares of Common Stock. Separately, the Company also agreed to pay Cherry
Communications $40,000 per month per customer base for servicing customer
accounts on behalf of the Company. The acquired customer bases have not
generated the required minimum revenue levels and Cherry Communications has
failed to remit to the Company collections received by Cherry Communications
from a portion of the acquired customers. Accordingly, the Company has withheld
the final three installment payments for Cherry II (a total of $9.0 million
excluding escrowed sums), payment of invoices for carrier service for the
acquired bases (up to $11.0 million) and accrued customer service charges of
$840,000. Negotiations between Cherry Communications and the Company failed to
produce a settlement of these disputes.
Cherry Communications filed a lawsuit against the Company in the United
States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Eastern Division.
In its First Amended Complaint filed on July 18, 1996, Cherry Communications
seeks recovery of (i) approximately $7.2 million plus interest and attorneys'
fees alleged to be due and owing under a Rebiller/Reseller Agreement for
Switched Services between Cherry Communications and the Company, (ii)
approximately $9.0 million plus interest and attorney's fees alleged to be due
and owing under the November 1, 1995 Customer Base Purchase and Sale Agreement
between Cherry Communications and the Company (the "Cherry II Agreement"), and a
Promissory Note executed in connection with the Cherry II Agreement, (iii)
customer service charges of $40,000 per month for each
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<PAGE> 37
month of customer service Cherry Communications has provided to the Company
under the September 1, 1995 Customer Base Purchase and Sale Agreement between
Cherry Communications and the Company (the "Cherry I Agreement"); and (iv)
customer service charges of $40,000 per month for each month of customer service
Cherry Communications has provided to the Company under the Cherry II Agreement.
It is the position of the Company that Cherry Communications has breached its
obligations under the Cherry I Agreement and the Cherry II Agreement by among
other breaches (i) failing to sell Midcom customer bases having the average
monthly revenues required by the customer base agreements, and (ii) failing to
remit to Midcom monies collected from the customer bases. It is also the
position of the Company that, as a result of Cherry Communication's breaches of
the Cherry I Agreement and the Cherry II Agreement, as amended by certain
addenda, that the Company has offsets and counterclaims against Cherry
Communications in excess of the sums it has withheld from Cherry Communications.
The Company is attempting to negotiate a resolution of the disputes. In the
event that a settlement is not reached, the Company intends to vigorously defend
the lawsuit filed by Cherry Communications. However, the Company is unable to
predict the outcome of this lawsuit. As a result of this litigation, as of
September 1, 1996, the Company discontinued booking revenue generated by the
customer bases acquired from Cherry Communications.
The Company is also party to other routine litigation incident to its
business and to which its property is subject. The Company's management believes
the ultimate resolution of these matters will not have a material adverse effect
on the Company's business, financial condition or results of operations.
In addition to the proceedings described above, the Company is involved in
certain other disputes that arise in the ordinary course of business. See "Item
1. Business -- Suppliers." The Company believes that no current dispute will
have a material adverse effect on its financial condition or results of
operations.
ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITIES HOLDERS.
The 1996 annual meeting of Midcom's shareholders was held on October 29,
1996. The following proposals were submitted for approval by the Company's
shareholders at the annual meeting:
1. To elect eight directors to hold office for initial terms ranging
between one to three years, or until their respective successors are
elected and qualified. The proposal passed with the following number of
votes:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
AFFIRMATIVE WITHHELD
---------- --------
<S> <C> <C>
CLASS I FOR A ONE-YEAR TERM
Karl D. Guelich....................................... 12,916,181 177,264
Scott B. Perper....................................... 12,916,581 176,864
CLASS II FOR A TWO-YEAR TERM
Daniel M. Dennis...................................... 12,916,181 177,264
Marvin Moses.......................................... 12,916,381 177,264
John M. Orehek........................................ 12,916,781 176,664
CLASS III FOR A THREE-YEAR TERM
William H. Oberlin.................................... 12,916,381 177,064
Paul Pfleger.......................................... 12,916,381 177,064
John M. Zrno.......................................... 12,916,381 177,064
</TABLE>
2. To approve an amendment to the Stock Option Plan to increase the
number of shares of Common Stock authorized for issuance thereunder by an
additional 3,000,000 shares. This proposal passed with 9,524,598
affirmative votes, 1,569,710 negative votes, 135,504 abstentions and
1,863,633 broker non-votes.
3. To approve an amendment to the Stock Option Plan to permit and
ratify the grant of options to certain incumbent directors. This proposal
passed with 11,557,147 affirmative votes, 1,144,350 negative votes, 138,584
abstentions and 253,364 broker non-votes.
4. To approve an amendment to the Stock Option Plan to create a
maximum number of options that may be granted thereunder to any one
employee in any three consecutive fiscal years. This proposal passed with
12,621,500 affirmative votes, 80,780 negative votes, 137,804 abstentions
and 253,361 broker non-votes.
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<PAGE> 38
PART II
ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS.
The shares of the Company's Common Stock have been quoted on the Nasdaq
National Market since July 6, 1995 under the symbol "MCCI." The stock prices
below are the high and low sales prices on the Nasdaq National Market as
reported in published financial sources for the periods indicated.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
HIGH LOW
---- ---
<S> <C> <C>
1995
Third Quarter (from July 6, 1995).......................... $16 3/4 $11 1/4
Fourth Quarter............................................. 18 7/8 13 3/4
1996
First Quarter.............................................. $18 1/4 $ 7
Second Quarter............................................. 15 1/4 6 1/2
Third Quarter.............................................. 16 10 1/4
Fourth Quarter............................................. 14 8 1/2
</TABLE>
At March 24, 1997, there were approximately 146 holders of record of the
Company's Common Stock.
Since its incorporation in 1989, the Company has not declared or paid cash
dividends on its Common Stock, and the Company anticipates that any future
earnings will be retained for investment in its business. Any payment of cash
dividends in the future will be at the discretion of the Company's Board of
Directors and will depend upon, among other things, the Company's earnings,
financial condition, capital requirements, extent of indebtedness and
contractual restrictions with respect to the payment of dividends. In addition,
the terms of the Foothill Credit Facility prohibit the payment of cash dividends
without the consent of the Company's lenders.
37
<PAGE> 39
ITEM 6. SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA
The following selected consolidated financial data are derived from the
Company's 1996 Consolidated Financial Statements. The information set forth
below should be read in conjunction with "Item 7. Management's Discussion and
Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and the Company's
1996 Consolidated Financial Statements and notes thereto contained elsewhere in
this Report.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
----------------------------------------------------------
1992 1993 1994 1995 1996
------- ------- -------- -------- --------
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS DATA:
Revenue......................................... $27,894 $66,010 $111,699 $203,554 $148,777
Cost of revenue................................. 14,817 45,363 79,044 139,546 107,950
------- ------- -------- -------- --------
Gross profit.................................... 13,077 20,647 32,655 64,008 40,827
Selling, general and administrative............. 11,246 18,125 27,697 62,061 65,025
Depreciation and amortization................... 295 1,881 4,134 13,790 32,687
Restructuring charge............................ -- -- -- -- 2,220
Contract settlement............................. -- -- -- -- 8,800
Loss on impairment of assets.................... -- -- -- 11,830 20,765
------- ------- -------- -------- --------
Operating income (loss)....................... 1,536 641 824 (23,673) (88,670)
Interest expense................................ 951 1,368 2,965 5,288 8,726
Other expense (income).......................... (65) (249) 871 390 (77)
------- ------- -------- -------- --------
Income (loss) before income taxes and
extraordinary item......................... 650 (478) (3,012) (29,351) (97,319)
Provision (benefit) for income taxes............ (4) 51 17 -- --
------- ------- -------- -------- --------
Loss before extraordinary item................ 654 (529) (3,029) (29,351) (97,319)
Extraordinary item(1)........................... -- -- -- (4,067) --
------- ------- -------- -------- --------
Net income (loss)............................. $ 654 $ (529) $ (3,029) $(33,418) $(97,319)
======= ======= ======== ======== ========
Per share amounts(2):
Income (loss) before extraordinary item......... $ 0.07 $ (0.05) $ (0.31) $ (2.42) $ (6.27)
Extraordinary item(1)........................... -- -- -- (0.34) --
------- ------- -------- -------- --------
Net income (loss)............................. $ 0.07 $ (0.05) $ (0.31) $ (2.76) $ (6.27)
======= ======= ======== ======== ========
Shares used in calculating per share data....... 9,930 9,930 9,930 12,101 15,529
SUPPLEMENTAL OPERATING DATA:
EBITDA(3)....................................... $ 1,831 $ 2,522 $ 4,958 $ 1,947 $(35,218)
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
AS OF DECEMBER 31,
----------------------------------------------------------
1992 1993 1994 1995 1996
------- ------- -------- -------- --------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
BALANCE SHEET DATA:
Total assets.................................. $11,090 $35,414 $ 66,078 $133,331 $ 79,923
Long-term obligations, less current portion... 8,618 16,431 34,195 3,691 102,953
Shareholders' equity (deficit)................ (6,196) (6,565) (6,304) 23,799 (69,284)
</TABLE>
- ---------------
(1) Includes $2,992 of original issue discount and $1,075 of deferred financing
costs written off in the third and fourth quarters of 1995.
(2) Net loss per share is based on the weighted average number of common and
equivalent shares outstanding using the treasury stock method. Common stock
equivalents are excluded from the calculation of net loss per share due to
their antidilutive effect except that pursuant to Commission requirements,
for periods prior to the Company's initial public offering in July 1995,
common and equivalent shares issued during the twelve month period prior to
the initial public offering have been included in the calculation as if they
were outstanding for all periods presented using the treasury stock method.
(3) As used herein, "EBITDA" is defined as operating income plus depreciation,
amortization and loss on impairment of assets. EBITDA is commonly used to
measure performance of telecommunication companies because of (i) the
importance of maintaining cash flow in excess of debt-service obligations
due to the capital and acquisition-intensive nature of the
telecommunications industry, and (ii) the non-cash effect on earnings of
generally high levels of both amortization and depreciation expenses
associated with capital equipment and acquisitions common in this industry.
EBITDA does not purport to represent cash provided by operating activities
as reflected in the Company's consolidated statements of cash flow, is not a
measure of financial performance under generally accepted accounting
principles and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for
measures of performance prepared in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles. See "Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations."
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<PAGE> 40
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS
OF OPERATIONS.
INTRODUCTION
Midcom was formed in 1989 and initially operated as an aggregator of long
distance telecommunications services. In 1991, Midcom shifted its focus from
aggregation to providing telecommunications services and, accordingly, began to
(i) enter into volume-based supply agreements with multiple underlying
facilities-based carriers, (ii) establish a knowledgeable direct sales force to
target small and medium-sized business customers, (iii) obtain the necessary
federal and state certifications to provide interstate, intrastate and
international service, (iv) build an infrastructure to bill and service a large
volume of customers and (v) develop enhanced and value-added products and
services to supplement its basic long distance service. Midcom does not provide
its telecommunications services through the operation of its own transmission
network. Rather, Midcom purchases large volumes of long distance services
utilizing transmission networks owned and operated by various other
interexchange carriers, and then resells those services to its customers.
Midcom, or one of its billing agents, receives monthly records from its
underlying carriers which detail the calls made by its customers, then rates the
calls and bills its customers.
Subsequent to its initial public offering in July 1995, Midcom completed
numerous acquisitions of businesses and customer bases. Although these
acquisitions contributed to substantial growth, they placed significant demands
on management resources and disrupted Midcom's normal business operations. In
particular, the Company was not able to integrate the sales and marketing,
customer support, billing and other functions of certain acquired operations as
quickly as anticipated. Pending such integration, it was necessary to maintain
billing systems and other functions of certain required operations, which
increased the Company's overall cost structure and resulted in lower
profitability and cash flows. See "Item 1. Business -- Acquisitions." Also,
during 1995, the Company was in the process of implementing a new management
information system, including the installation of a new billing system. Problems
encountered in this implementation process contributed to the Company's
operational difficulties. In addition, certain reports generated by the new
management information system that were used to estimate unbilled revenue for
the third quarter of 1995 failed to fully reflect all discounts that were
properly included in the bills subsequently sent to the Company's customers. See
"Item 1. Business -- Information Systems." Primarily as a result of this
failure, reported revenue was overstated for the third quarter of 1995 and the
Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for that period had to be amended to
restate reported results. See "-- Restatement of Results for the Third Quarter
of 1995." In addition, the Company's profitability was reduced as a result of
the Company's supply contract with AT&T which provided for higher rates than
those provided by competitive suppliers, although the Company has entered into a
new carrier supply contract with AT&T which provides for more favorable rates.
See "Item 1. Business -- Suppliers." These factors contributed to defaults under
the Transamerica Credit Facility and caused the Company's auditors to include
going concern disclosure in their report on the Company's financial statements
for the year ended December 31, 1995. Similar going concern disclosure is
included in their report with respect to the Company's 1996 Consolidated
Financial Statements. See "-- Liquidity and Capital Resources." The Company's
auditors also identified certain material weaknesses in the Company's internal
financial controls in connection with the audit for the year ended December 31,
1995. See "-- Past Material Weaknesses."
During the second and third quarters of 1996 Midcom recruited a new
executive management team with extensive experience and expertise in the
telecommunications industry. This executive management team has developed a
restructuring, network and marketing strategy which is designed to address the
operational challenges experienced by the Company and increase internally
generated sales and profitability. See "Item 1. Business -- Company Strategy."
The implementation of the Company's restructuring, network and marketing
strategy has required, and will continue to require, the Company to
substantially increase its investment in sales, marketing, capital equipment,
systems development and other areas. The Company expects that a substantial
portion of these expenditures will be made before the Company realizes a
significant increase in revenue or an improvement in gross margin. These
expected trends will have a material adverse impact on the Company's near term
profitability and levels of cash flows. See "-- Liquidity and Capital
Resources."
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<PAGE> 41
If Midcom successfully implements its operating strategy, it anticipates
that, over the long term, (i) revenue will increase as a result of its
reorganized and expanded direct sales efforts, the development of a new tier of
distributors and reduced customer attrition and (ii) operating expenses will
decrease as a result of deploying its network of switching facilities and
obtaining more favorable terms from its suppliers. As a result of these expected
trends, the Company expects that gross margin as a percentage of revenue will,
over the long term, be comparable to other telecommunications providers despite
an anticipated increase in costs associated with its larger sales force and
customer support efforts. However, the Company's ability to implement its
operating strategy is subject to an unusual number of risks and uncertainties,
and there can be no assurance that the strategy will be successfully implemented
or that the intended positive results will be achieved. See "Item 1.
Business -- Forward-Looking Statements" and "Item 1. Business -- Risk Factors."
PRIOR ACQUISITIONS
In 1994, Midcom acquired PacNet, Inc. ("PacNet") and certain assets of
American Telephone Network, Inc. ("ATN"). In 1995, Midcom acquired Adval, Inc.
("Adval"), Cel-Tech International Corp. ("Cel-Tech"), ADNET Telemanagement, Inc.
("Adnet") and certain assets of Communique Telecommunications, Inc.
("Communique"). With the exception of ATN, the consideration for these
acquisitions was paid primarily in the form of Common Stock and the assumption
of certain liabilities. The consideration for ATN was primarily in the form of
cash and the assumption of certain liabilities, financed principally through
working capital and borrowings under an expired revolving credit facility. In
addition to the acquisitions of businesses, the Company has made numerous
acquisitions of customer bases, including acquisitions of two significant
customer bases from Cherry Communications in September and November 1995. See
"Item 1. Business -- Acquisitions" and "Item 3. Legal Proceedings -- Cherry
Communications Lawsuit."
To date, all business combinations have been accounted for using the
purchase method except for Adval and Adnet which have been accounted for as
pooling of interests transactions. The Company's consolidated financial
statements for the years ended December 31, 1995 and 1994 and the following
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations for 1995 versus 1994 have been restated to reflect the inclusion of
the accounts and results of operations of Adval and Adnet in both of those
periods. Using the purchase method, the purchase price paid in excess of the
fair market value of the assets acquired is recorded as an intangible asset and
amortized generally over three years using the straight-line method. During the
second quarter of 1996, the Company wrote down certain acquired customer bases
and equipment and recorded a loss on impairment of assets of $18.8 million. A
total of $15.5 million of intangibles associated with acquisitions remained to
be amortized as of December 31, 1996. See Note 6 of the Notes to Consolidated
Financial Statements.
SUPPLIER RELATIONSHIPS
Midcom has entered into multiple-year contracts with Sprint, WorldCom and
AT&T and short-term contracts with a number of other suppliers for the long
distance telecommunication services provided to its customers. In 1994, 1995 and
1996, Sprint, WorldCom and AT&T were collectively responsible for carrying
traffic representing approximately 97%, 67% and 74% of the Company's revenue,
respectively, and for those periods no single carrier was responsible for
carrying traffic representing more than 46%, 31% and 31% of the Company's
revenue, respectively.
To obtain favorable forward pricing from certain suppliers, the Company has
committed to purchase minimum volumes of a variety of long distance services
during stated periods whether or not such volumes are used or, in one case, to
pay a surcharge equal to a percentage of the Company's shortfall from a
specified quarterly minimum volume. Under the Company's agreements with other
suppliers, if certain volume levels are not achieved during stated periods,
pricing is adjusted going forward to levels justified by actual volumes. In the
past, Midcom has fallen short of its minimum volume commitments with certain
carriers and has renegotiated the commitment. For example, in October 1996,
Midcom entered into a renegotiated carrier supply contract with AT&T pursuant to
which, among other things, the minimum volume commitment was reduced from $117.0
million to $13.7 million for the eighteen month period following execution of
the contract, of which approximately $10.0 million remained as of the date of
this Report. The Company's
40
<PAGE> 42
minimum volume commitments to all of its carriers as of March 15, 1997
aggregated approximately $92.0 million, to be used over the next three years.
See Note 15 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. There can be no
assurance that the Company will not incur additional shortfalls in the future or
that it will be able to successfully renegotiate, or otherwise obtain relief
from, its minimum volume commitments in the future. See "Item 1.
Business -- Switching Facilities," "Item 1. Business -- Suppliers" and "Item 1.
Business -- Risk Factors -- Minimum Volume Commitments and Shortfalls."
CUSTOMER ATTRITION
Midcom's revenue is affected by customer attrition, a problem inherent in
the long distance industry. The customer attrition experienced by the Company is
attributable to a variety of factors, including the Company's termination of
customers for non-payment and the marketing and sales initiatives of the
Company's competitors such as, among other things, national advertising
campaigns, telemarketing programs and the use of cash or other forms of
incentives. In particular, the Company experienced high initial customer
attrition from acquired customer bases as these customers were transitioned to
the Company's services and systems. The Company believes that this attrition
occurred as a result of difficulties encountered in transitioning acquired
customer bases to the Company's services and systems, a process which often
prompts customers to consider competitive alternatives in the telecommunications
marketplace. Also, where the Company did not acquire the sales channel
associated with an acquired customer base, there was often a period of increased
exposure to competitors as the Company's sales force established a relationship
with its new customers. See "Item 1. Business -- Competition" and "Item 1.
Business -- Acquisitions." The Company is aware of the significant impact
customer attrition has on its business. However, because of numerous
acquisitions and lack of historical data concerning its acquired customer bases,
the Company has found it difficult to measure customer attrition in a
consistently meaningful manner. As a consequence, the Company has not formulated
a statistical basis for measuring or reporting customer attrition.
PAST MATERIAL WEAKNESSES
In connection with the audit of Midcom's 1995 Consolidated Financial
Statements, Midcom's independent auditors identified two conditions which were
characterized as material weaknesses in its internal financial controls. One
material weakness identified by the auditors was the failure of the Company's
accounting and finance systems to provide accurate information to monitor the
Company's financial position, results of operations and liquidity. Factors
identified as contributing to this weakness and requiring immediate attention
included insufficient staffing and systems to accommodate significant growth
from acquisitions, transitional difficulties associated with major new
information and billing systems, inadequate communication between senior
management and the finance department and demands associated with the Company's
initial public offering. The second material weakness identified by the auditors
was the Company's process of estimating unbilled receivables. With respect to
this material weakness, the auditors recommended that the Company review and
revise, as necessary, all policies and procedures with regard to its
reconciliation of unbilled receivables with actual billings to ensure that all
unbilled amounts at a reporting date represent properly recorded revenue. In
response to these recommendations, the Company hired new finance and accounting
personnel, curtailed acquisitions, reorganized its financial reporting functions
to improve communications between senior management and the finance department
and established a policy of billing substantially all customer call traffic in a
financial reporting period before revenue for the period is reported. See "Item
1. Business -- Information Systems." As a result of operational and other
changes implemented by the Company, on March 13, 1997 the Company's independent
auditors reported to the Company's Audit Committee that the material weaknesses
identified in connection with the 1995 audit have been corrected. However, there
can be no assurance that the Company will not encounter other internal control
weaknesses. See "Item 1. Business -- Information Systems" and "Item 1.
Business -- Risk Factors -- Material Weaknesses in Internal Financial Controls."
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<PAGE> 43
RESTATEMENT OF RESULTS FOR THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1995
Midcom announced on March 4, 1996 that it would issue restated financial
statements for the third quarter and nine months ended September 30, 1995 that
would lower previously announced results. The restatement was primarily
attributable to an overrecognition of revenue and unbilled accounts receivable
which occurred during the conversion to a new billing system. In the process of
reconciling unbilled accounts as of December 31, 1995 with amounts ultimately
billed, the Company discovered that certain reports generated by its new
information management system that were used for recognizing unbilled revenue
did not fully reflect all discounts that were properly included in the bills
subsequently sent to the Company's customers. Primarily as a result of this
failure, the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the third quarter of
1995 was amended to report a $3.3 million reduction in revenue and a $4.5
million reduction in accounts receivable, consisting of a $3.8 million reduction
in unbilled accounts receivable and a $0.7 million increase in the allowance for
doubtful accounts. The amended 10-Q also reflects a reclassification of $1.2
million of customer adjustments to revenue to bad debt expense (included in
selling, general and administrative expenses on the statement of operations).
These adjustments resulted in the net loss for the quarter and nine months ended
September 30, 1995 being increased from $3.8 million and $8.0 million,
respectively, to $8.3 million and $12.5 million, respectively. See "Item 1.
Business -- Information Systems."
SEASONALITY
Due to its predominately commercial customer base, Midcom tends to
experience decreases in customer usage and revenue around national holidays and
traditional vacation periods. The Company anticipates revenue from existing
customers during the last two quarters of the year to be somewhat lower than
during the first two quarters. Historically, however, period-to-period
comparisons have been affected more significantly by acquisitions of customer
bases and customer attrition than by seasonal factors.
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<PAGE> 44
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, the percentages
that certain items bear, except as noted, to total revenue:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
---------------------------
1994 1995 1996
----- ----- -----
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Revenue................................................... 100.0% 100.0% 100.0%
Cost of revenue........................................... 70.8 68.6 72.6
----- ----- -----
Gross margin.............................................. 29.2 31.4 27.4
Selling, general and administrative expenses.............. 24.8 30.5 43.7
Depreciation and amortization............................. 3.7 6.8 22.0
Settlement of contract dispute............................ -- -- 5.9
Restructuring charges..................................... -- -- 1.4
Loss on impairment of assets.............................. -- 5.7 14.0
----- ----- -----
Operating income (loss).............................. 0.7 (11.6) (59.6)
Interest expense.......................................... (2.6) (2.6) (5.9)
Other income (expense).................................... (0.8) (0.2) 0.1
----- ----- -----
Loss before extraordinary item............................ (2.7) (14.4) (65.4)
Extraordinary item........................................ -- (2.0) --
----- ----- -----
Net loss.................................................. (2.7)% (16.4)% (65.4)%
===== ===== =====
SUPPLEMENTAL OPERATING DATA:
EBITDA(1)................................................. 4.4% 1.0% (23.7)%
</TABLE>
- ---------------
(1) As used herein, "EBITDA" is defined as operating income plus depreciation,
amortization and loss on impairment of assets.
1996 COMPARED TO 1995
Revenue. Total revenue in 1996 was $148.8 million, a decrease of 26.9%
from revenue of $203.6 million in 1995. This decrease is due primarily to
customer attrition offset in part by increases in revenue from customer bases
acquired in the third and fourth quarters of 1995. The Company expects that
during the first six months of 1997, revenue will begin to increase due to sales
generated by its direct sales force.
Gross Margin. The Company's cost of revenue consists of the cost of
service provided by local and interexchange carriers. Gross margin was 27.4% and
31.4% of total revenue for the years ended December 31, 1996 and 1995,
respectively. The decline in gross margin in 1996 is the result of changes in
the mix of customers, and an increase in fixed costs as a percentage of overall
costs due to the decline in revenue. These factors were offset in part by
negotiation of price reductions with some of the Company's major suppliers, the
full impact of which is not yet reflected in results of operations.
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses. Selling, general and
administrative expenses consist primarily of payroll and related expenses for
sales and marketing, customer support and administrative personnel, sales
commissions, bad debt expense, billing fees and professional fees. Selling,
general and administrative expenses increased to $65.0 million in 1996 compared
to $62.1 million in 1995. The increase is due to several factors, including an
increase in payroll and related expenses due to the hiring of additional
personnel, primarily to expand the sales and marketing departments. In addition,
legal and other professional fees increased in 1996 over 1995 due to the number
of outstanding disputes. See "Item 3. Legal Proceedings." These increases were
offset in part by reductions in commissions, primarily to distributors, and
certain other marketing expenses. The Company employed 527 and 457 persons on a
full-time basis as of December 31, 1996 and 1995, respectively.
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<PAGE> 45
Depreciation. Depreciation expense increased to $6.0 million for 1996 from
$4.5 million in 1995. The increase is due to an increase in fixed assets
acquired during 1996 and depreciation of computer systems and equipment related
to the Company's management information system which was placed into service in
the second quarter of 1995. The increase was partially offset by the reduction
in depreciation of limited capacity switching equipment due to the partial
write-off of such equipment in the fourth quarter of 1995.
Amortization. Amortization expense increased to $26.7 million in 1996 from
$9.3 million in 1995. In conjunction with the preparation of the first quarter
financial statements, the Company completed a review of its accounting policies
and practices, including those relating to intangible assets. Based on certain
changes in circumstances that occurred in the first quarter of 1996, including
turnover in personnel, reduction in sales force and continuing attrition of
acquired customer bases, the Company determined that effective January 1, 1996,
a reduction in the estimated useful life of acquired customer bases from 5 years
to 3 years was appropriate. The increase in amortization expense is a result of
the change in the estimated useful life and amortization of customer bases,
non-competition agreements and goodwill resulting from acquisitions completed in
the second half of 1995.
Charge Related to Contract Settlement. On October 31, 1996, the Company
and AT&T executed a Release and Settlement Agreement pursuant to which
substantially all disputes between the Company and AT&T have been resolved. Also
on October 31, 1996, the Company and AT&T executed a new carrier contract
pursuant to which the Company's minimum commitment to AT&T was reduced to $13.7
million to be used over the eighteen month period immediately following the
execution of the agreement. In addition, the new carrier contract provides for
more favorable pricing for certain network services provided by AT&T. In
consideration for the terms of the settlement and the new rate structure, the
Company is required to pay AT&T $8.8 million payable in two installments. The
first payment of $5.0 million was made on November 5, 1996, and the remaining
balance of $3.8 million will be due within 30 days of the Company announcing
quarterly gross revenue in excess of $75.0 million, or upon completion of a
change in control. The Company recorded a charge of $8.8 million in the second
quarter of 1996 in connection with this settlement.
Restructuring Charges. In March and April 1996, the Company made
announcements regarding changes in senior management and the restructuring of
its operations in order to reduce expenses to the level of available capital.
These actions included the layoff of certain employees and contractors and the
closure of six sales offices. As a result, the Company recorded a charge of $1.6
million during the first quarter 1996 and $0.6 million during the second quarter
of 1996, the major components of which relate to severance and lease
cancellation charges. Included in the restructuring charge is approximately $0.4
million relating to the extension of the time period to exercise outstanding
stock options. As of December 31, 1996, $0.8 million of this restructuring
charge remained in accrued liabilities to cover payments to be made in the
future.
Loss on Impairment of Assets. The Company periodically reviews the
carrying value of its long-term assets in accordance with Statement of
Accounting Standards No. 121, "Accounting for the Impairment of Long-Lived
Assets and for Long-Lived Assets to Be Disposed Of." To the extent that the
estimated future cash inflows attributable to the asset, less estimated future
cash outflows, is less than the carrying amount, an impairment loss is
recognized. In connection with such a review, in 1996 the Company recorded the
following losses on impairments of assets: (i) a $17.8 million write-down of
customer bases, (ii) a $1.0 million write-off of microwave equipment and (iii) a
$2.0 million write-down of the remaining interest in the Russian joint venture.
Other Expenses. Interest expense increased over 1995 primarily due to an
increase in average borrowings outstanding, an increase in average interest
rates, and $1.1 million in fees paid in connection with a temporary bridge loan.
At December 31, 1996, the Company had outstanding interest-bearing obligations
of $112.1 million, as compared to $58.1 million as of December 31, 1995. The
increase in debt at December 31, 1996 was primarily due to issuance of the $97.7
million convertible subordinated notes, net of repayment of outstanding
borrowings under a prior credit facility. The Company discontinued recording its
share of the income or losses of a Russian joint venture as of December 31,
1995, and during the third quarter of 1996 the remaining investment of $2.0
million was written off to loss on impairment of assets.
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<PAGE> 46
Income Taxes. The Company has incurred losses for all periods presented.
No tax benefit has been recorded with respect to these losses due to the
uncertainty as to the utilization of the Company's net operating loss
carryforward, which totaled approximately $60.0 million as of December 31, 1996.
Net Loss. The substantial increase in net loss in 1996 over 1995 is
attributable to the decline in gross margin, the increase in operating expenses,
the $20.8 million loss on impairment of assets and the restructuring and
settlement charges described above.
1995 COMPARED TO 1994
Revenue. Total revenue in 1995 increased 82.2% to $203.6 million from
$111.7 million in 1994. The increase is primarily attributable to incremental
telecommunications services revenue resulting from acquisitions and, to a lesser
extent, new sales through the Company's combined sales channels, offset by the
impact of attrition. Increased revenue also was partially offset by a decrease
in aggregation fee revenue compared to 1994. The decline in aggregation fees is
due to the attrition of aggregation customers and the Company's efforts to
convert aggregation customers to other Midcom products.
Gross Margin. Cost of revenue grew 76.5% in 1995, primarily as a result of
the increase in revenue as discussed above. The gross margin percentage for 1995
increased to 31.4% versus 29.2% in 1994. Telecommunication services gross margin
increased to 30.8% in 1995, up from 25.2% in 1994. The higher gross margin in
1995 is attributable to several factors, including (1) acquisitions of customer
bases whose mix of customers generally resulted in higher average revenue per
minute and acquisitions of higher margin businesses, such as PacNet, (2)
negotiation of price reductions with some of the Company's interexchange
suppliers as a result of increased traffic volume, and (3) an increase in
traffic over the Company's own switches, all of which were acquired or placed in
service on or after September 30, 1994. These factors were partially offset by
an increase in wholesale revenue as a percentage of total revenue, which carries
a lower gross margin percentage, and a decline in aggregation fee revenue as a
percentage of total revenue, which has no cost of revenue and the write-off of
calls which were not billed during the conversion to the Company's new billing
system.
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses. Selling, general and
administrative expenses increased as a percentage of total revenue from 24.8% in
1994 to 30.5% in 1995. The increase was due to several factors, including a
substantial increase in bad debt expense and other adjustments given to
customers largely attributable to delays in billing which occurred during the
conversion to the new billing system, higher commission rates associated with a
telemarketing program for lower volume customers, the addition of personnel and
other costs incurred in connection with conversion to the Company's new
information processing systems and costs to open sales offices, some of which
were closed in the first quarter of 1996. Midcom also incurred additional
expenses during 1995 in connection with the maintenance of duplicate billing and
information systems, including those of acquired businesses, and to a lesser
extent, additional personnel costs. The Company employed 457 and 366 persons on
a full-time basis as of December 31, 1995 and 1994, respectively.
Depreciation and Amortization. Depreciation and amortization expense
increased as a percentage of revenue during 1995. This increase reflects the
amortization of customer bases and goodwill, the depreciation of telephone
switching equipment resulting from acquisitions in the second half of 1994 and
throughout 1995 and the depreciation/amortization of significant continued
capital investment in computer equipment and software development used to
support internal systems.
Loss on Impairment of Assets. The loss on impairment of assets recorded in
1995 consists of the following: (i) a $6.8 million write-down of the Company's
interest in the joint venture in Russia to reflect the estimated current value
of this investment (see "Item 1. Business -- Russian Joint Venture"), (ii) a
$2.5 million write-off of the Company's current telephone switching equipment as
a result of its decision to migrate to a different switching platform (see "Item
1. Business -- Switching Facilities") and (iii) a $2.5 million partial
write-down of the Company's capitalized software for its management information
system due to weaknesses identified in the system (see "Item 1.
Business -- Information Systems").
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<PAGE> 47
Interest Expense. Interest expense increased 78.4% to $5.3 million in 1995
from $3.0 million in 1994 primarily due to the increase in average borrowings
outstanding in 1995. At December 31, 1995, the Company had outstanding
interest-bearing obligations of $58.1 million, up from $36.3 million outstanding
as of December 31, 1994. The increase in debt was due to the funding of
acquisitions and the development of management information systems and purchase
of related equipment.
Extraordinary Item. In July 1995, the Company completed an initial public
offering which resulted in net proceeds of $54.2 million to the Company. The
Company used the proceeds to pay down various obligations, including $15.0
million in principal amount of certain subordinated notes. As a result of the
early extinguishment of these notes, the Company expensed as an extraordinary
item in the third quarter of 1995 the unamortized portion of original issue
discount which aggregated approximately $3.0 million. In addition, in the fourth
quarter of 1995, the Company obtained a new credit facility and paid off its
prior revolving credit facility. As a result, the Company was required to
write-off as an extraordinary item during the fourth quarter unamortized
deferred financing costs associated with its prior credit facility totaling
approximately $1.1 million.
Other Expense/Equity in Loss of Joint Venture. Other expense consists
mainly of finance charges and other nonoperating expenses. The Company's portion
of the loss generated by its Russian joint venture, Dal Telecom, was $52,000 in
1995, down from $458,000 in 1994, due mainly to improved operating results of
the joint venture.
Income Taxes. The Company has incurred losses for all periods presented.
No tax benefit was recorded with respect to these losses due to the uncertainty
as to the Company's ability to utilize its net operating loss carryforward which
totaled approximately $19.1 million as of December 31, 1995.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
The Company has experienced significant losses since its inception, with
net losses of approximately $97.3 million, $33.4 million and $3.0 million for
1996, 1995, and 1994, respectively. As a result of these losses, the billing and
collection cycle with its customers, prior acquisition strategy and other
factors, the Company has required substantial external working capital. Given
the Company's billing and collection cycle with its customers and the timing of
its payments to its suppliers, the Company generally pays its suppliers from
thirty to forty-five days prior to the time it is paid by its customers for the
same services. The Company has financed its growth with the proceeds from its
July 1995 initial public offering, bank borrowings, subordinated debt, capital
leases, cash flow from operations, and the issuance of Common Stock and
assumption of indebtedness in connection with acquisitions of businesses and
customer bases.
The Company's cash and cash equivalents balance were $31.0 million at
December 31, 1996 versus $1.1 million at December 31, 1995. During 1996, the
Company used $19.6 million of cash in operations compared to $5.9 million in
1995 and $2.1 million in 1994. In 1996, the Company experienced significant
operating losses which resulted in a use of cash in operating activities. The
Company reduced its unbilled receivables balances from $26.2 million as of
December 31, 1995 to $5.6 million as of December 31, 1996. This was primarily
attributable to a reduction in the backlog of billings which built up during the
second half of 1995, and a reduction in the run rate of monthly revenue.
The Company invested $4.3 million to purchase furniture, equipment and
leasehold improvements during 1996, compared to $6.9 million in 1995 and $4.2
million for 1994. During 1995, the Company used $11.4 million in business and
customer base acquisitions as compared to $5.1 million in 1994. Investments of
$2.6 and $4.2 million were made in the form of advances to a Russian joint
venture in 1995 and 1994, respectively. No similar investments were made during
1996.
During 1996, the Company received $2.9 million in proceeds in connection
with the exercise of stock options and the purchase of shares under the Stock
Purchase Plan, compared to $0.4 million received in connection with the exercise
of stock options during 1995. In addition, the Company received $54.2 million in
net proceeds from its initial public offering in July 1995, paid $8.6 million to
redeem outstanding preferred stock, and paid $1.3 million to shareholders of
acquired companies.
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<PAGE> 48
In August and September of 1996, the Company completed a private placement
(the "Private Placement") of $97.7 million in aggregate principal amount of
8 1/4% Convertible Subordinated Notes due 2003 (the "Notes"). The Notes were
sold to qualified institutional buyers pursuant to Rule 144A under the
Securities Act, certain "accredited investors" pursuant to Regulation D under
the Securities Act and certain non-U.S. person pursuant to Regulation S under
the Securities Act. The net proceeds to Midcom from the Private Placement were
approximately $94.2 million, which were applied as follows: (i) $34.0 million to
repay in full all obligations under the Company's secured revolving credit
facility with Transamerica Business Credit Corporation and certain other lenders
(the "Transamerica Credit Facility"), (ii) $5.0 million to pay the first
installment of an $8.8 million payment in connection with the satisfaction of
past shortfalls and settlement of other obligations under the Company's carrier
supply contract with AT&T and (iii) $10.0 million to bring current a number of
payment obligations existing prior to the completion of the Private Placement.
The balance of the net proceeds has been and will be used for working capital,
capital expenditures and general corporate purposes.
Interest on the Notes is due semi-annually, on February 15 and August 15 of
each year, commencing February 15, 1997, in the aggregate amount of
approximately $4.0 million per payment. Interest payments will adversely affect
the Company's liquidity. In addition, in the event of a "change of control" of
the Company, as defined in the indenture pursuant to which the Notes were issued
(the "Indenture"), holders of the Notes have the right to require the Company to
repurchase the Notes in whole or in part at a repurchase price equal to 101% of
the principal amount thereof, plus accrued interest, if any, to the date of
repurchase. If the Company is required to repurchase the Notes upon a change of
control, payment of the repurchase price could have a material adverse effect on
the Company's liquidity, results of operation and financial condition. Also, if
the Company is in default under the Indenture, holders of the Notes have the
right to demand immediate repayment of the Notes. If the Company were required
to repay the Notes upon default, such repayment could have a material adverse
effect on the Company's liquidity, results of operation and financial condition.
In connection with the resignation of Ashok Rao, the Company's former
President and Chief Executive Officer, the Company has elected to repurchase
885,360 shares of Common Stock held by Mr. Rao and certain trusts established by
Mr. Rao at a price equal to the fair market value of such Common Stock on the
date of Mr. Rao's resignation, as determined by arbitration, to be paid ratably
over a period of 36 months. The Company's election to repurchase such shares of
Common Stock will adversely affect the Company's liquidity. In addition, the
unpaid balance of a promissory note delivered to Cherry Communications in
connection with the acquisitions of two customer bases is approximately $10.2
million, of which $9.0 million may be paid in cash or by delivery of Common
Stock, as the Company may elect, and the remaining $1.2 million is subject to
certain hold-back arrangements. The acquired customer bases have not generated
required minimum revenue levels and Cherry Communications has failed to remit to
the Company collections received by Cherry Communications from a portion of the
acquired customers. Accordingly, the Company has withheld the final three
installment payments for the second of the two acquisitions, payment of invoices
for carrier services for the acquired bases (up to $11.4 million) and accrued
customer service charges of $0.8 million. Negotiations between Cherry
Communications and the Company failed to produce a settlement of these disputes
which are now the subject of litigation. As of September 1, 1996, the Company
discontinued booking revenue generated by the customer bases acquired from
Cherry Communications which accounted for $2.6 million of revenue during the
third quarter of 1996. See "Item 1. Business -- Legal Proceedings." In addition,
in the event of the sale or transfer of the majority of the voting stock of
Cel-Tech, a payment of a maximum of $2.0 million would become payable to
Cel-Tech's former shareholder.
The Company's available sources of working capital at March 14, 1997
consisted of cash flow from operations and approximately $14.5 million in cash
and short-term, investment grade, interest-bearing securities, which funds
represented the remaining net proceeds from the Private Placement. The report of
the Company's independent auditors included in this Report with respect to the
Company's 1996 Consolidated Financial Statements states that the Company's
recurring operating losses and shareholders' deficit raise substantial doubt
about the Company's ability to continue as a going concern. Similar going
concern disclosure was included in the report of the Company's independent
auditors with respect to the Company's 1995 Consolidated Financial Statements.
The Consolidated Financial Statements included with this Report have
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<PAGE> 49
been prepared assuming the Company would continue as a going concern and do not
include any adjustments to reflect the possible future effects on the
recoverability and classification of assets and liabilities that may result from
this uncertainty.
Prior to completion of the Private Placement, the Company had for several
months experienced a severe working capital short-fall which required the
Company to seek extended payment terms from certain of its suppliers, delay
payments to many of its suppliers and other vendors, delay or cancel purchases
and take other steps to conserve operating capital. Also, for several months
prior to completion of the Private Placement, the Company was in default of
certain financial and other covenants under the Transamerica Credit Facility,
although the lenders continued to permit borrowings under that facility. The
existence of defaults under the Transamerica Credit Facility also constituted
defaults under certain of the Company's capital leases. For these reasons, the
auditor's report with respect to the Company's 1995 Consolidated Financial
Statements included the going concern disclosure referred to above. In
connection with the completion of the Private Placement and the application of
the net proceeds therefrom to the repayment in full of all borrowings under the
Transamerica Credit Facility, which aggregated approximately $34.0 million, the
lenders waived all then-existing defaults and amended the financial covenants
under the facility to levels forecasted to be consistent with Midcom's revised
business plan. However, the decline in revenue and related gross profit in the
last two quarters of 1996, due in significant part to the unanticipated loss of
revenue from a customer base which is the subject of a dispute, caused the
Company again to be in default of certain financial covenants under the
Transamerica Credit Facility. See "Item 3. Legal Proceedings -- Cherry
Communications Lawsuit." Due to the existence of these defaults and an
insufficient borrowing base to satisfy a $20.0 million minimum excess
availability requirement, no borrowings were available to the Company under the
Transamerica Credit Facility and the lenders terminated the facility in January
1997.
In February 1997, the Company entered into a new revolving credit facility
with Foothill Capital Corporation (the "Foothill Credit Facility") which will
permit borrowings of up to $30.0 million subject to a borrowing base limitation
of 85% of eligible billed and 75% of eligible unbilled receivables. Borrowings
under this facility will bear interest at a prime rate, plus one percent, and
will be secured by substantially all of the assets of the Company. Under the
terms of the Foothill Credit Facility, the Company is required to maintain
minimum levels of adjusted net worth and is subject to a number of negative
covenants which place limitations on, among other things, capital expenditures,
investments and additional debt. Other covenants preclude payment of cash
dividends and require the Company to obtain the lenders' consent prior to making
any acquisitions. Borrowings under the Foothill Credit Facility will not be
available until satisfaction of a number of conditions, consisting primarily of
final documentation of security arrangements, which is expected to occur by May
1997. In addition, in February 1997 the Company entered into a lease facility
under which approximately $13.0 million is available for purchases of capital
equipment, which the Company expects to use primarily to finance the purchase of
its high capacity switching equipment.
As of March 14, 1997, the Company estimated that it will require between
$40.0 million and $50.0 million in order to fund operating losses, working
capital requirements and capital expenditures during the remainder of 1997,
including an estimated $15.0 million to acquire and install high capacity
switches. The Company believes that it will be able to satisfy the conditions to
borrowing under the Foothill Credit Facility by May 1997. Assuming borrowings
become and remain available under the Foothill Credit Facility and the Company
achieves anticipated revenue growth, the Company believes that the remaining
proceeds from the Private Placement together with funds available under the
Foothill Credit Facility, leasing facilities and cash flow from operations will
be sufficient to fund the Company's expected working capital requirements.
However, the exact amount and timing of these working capital requirements and
the Company's ability to continue as a going concern will be determined by
numerous factors, including the level of, and gross margin on, future sales, the
outcome of outstanding contingencies and disputes such as pending lawsuits,
payment terms obtained from the Company's suppliers and the timing of capital
expenditures. Furthermore, there can be no assurance that borrowings under the
Foothill Credit Facility will become and remain available or that this facility
together with the Company's other anticipated sources of working capital will be
sufficient to implement the Company's operating strategy or meet the Company's
other working capital requirements. If (i) the Company experiences greater than
anticipated capital requirements, (ii) the Company is determined
48
<PAGE> 50
to be liable for, or otherwise agrees to settle or compromise, any material
claim against it, (iii) the Company is unable to make future borrowings under
any of its credit facilities for any reason, (iv) the implementation of the
Company's operating strategy fails to produce the anticipated revenue growth and
cash flows or (v) additional working capital is required for any other reason,
the Company will be required to refinance all or a portion of its existing debt,
sell assets, curtail operations or obtain additional equity or debt financing.
There can be no assurance that any such refinancing or asset sales would be
possible or that the Company would be able to obtain additional equity or debt
financing, if and when needed, on terms that the Company finds acceptable. Any
additional equity or debt financing may involve substantial dilution to the
interests of the Company's shareholders as well as the holders of the Notes. If
the Company is unable to obtain sufficient funds to satisfy its cash
requirements, it will be forced to curtail operations, dispose of assets or seek
extended payment terms from its vendors. There can be no assurance that the
Company would be able to reduce expenses or successfully complete other steps
necessary to continue as a going concern. Such events would materially and
adversely affect the value of the Company's debt and equity securities.
49
<PAGE> 51
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA.
INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PAGE
----
<S> <C>
Report of Ernst & Young LLP, Independent Auditors..................................... 51
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 1996 and 1995.......................... 52
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and
1994................................................................................ 53
Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity (Deficit) for the years ended December
31, 1996, 1995 and 1994............................................................. 54
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and
1994................................................................................ 55
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements............................................ 56
</TABLE>
50
<PAGE> 52
REPORT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP, INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
The Shareholders and Board of Directors
MIDCOM Communications Inc.
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of MIDCOM
Communications Inc. as of December 31, 1996 and 1995, and the related
consolidated statements of operations, shareholders' equity (deficit), and cash
flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 1996. Our
audits also included the financial statement schedule listed in the Index at
Item 14(a). These financial statements and schedule are the responsibility of
the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these
financial statements and schedule based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes
assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by
management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.
We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above
present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of
MIDCOM Communications Inc. at December 31, 1996 and 1995, and the consolidated
results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the
period ended December 31, 1996, in conformity with generally accepted accounting
principles. Also, in our opinion, the related financial statement schedule, when
considered in relation to the basic financial statements taken as a whole,
presents fairly in all material respects the information set forth therein.
The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared
assuming that the Company will continue as a going concern. As more fully
described in Note 1, the Company has incurred recurring operating losses and has
a shareholders' deficit. These conditions raise substantial doubt about the
Company's ability to continue as a going concern. Management's plans in regard
to these matters are also described in Note 1. The financial statements do not
include any adjustments to reflect the possible future effects on the
recoverability and classification of assets or the amounts and classification of
liabilities that may result from the outcome of this uncertainty.
ERNST & YOUNG LLP
Seattle, Washington
March 21, 1997
51
<PAGE> 53
MIDCOM COMMUNICATIONS INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
DECEMBER 31,
--------------------------
1996 1995
--------- --------
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT
SHARE DATA)
<S> <C> <C>
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents..................................... $ 30,962 $ 1,083
Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts of
$7,802 and $10,581 in 1996 and 1995, respectively.......... 16,969 51,814
Due from related parties...................................... -- 502
Prepaid expenses and other current assets..................... 1,548 2,510
--------- --------
Total current assets.................................. 49,479 55,909
Investments in and advances to joint venture.................. -- 2,000
Furniture, equipment and leasehold improvements, net.......... 11,045 13,719
Intangible assets, less accumulated amortization of $39,532
and $12,812 in 1996 and 1995, respectively................. 15,547 60,781
Other assets, net............................................. 3,852 922
--------- --------
Total assets.......................................... $ 79,923 $133,331
========= ========
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT)
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable.............................................. $ 3,179 $ 6,624
Carrier accounts payable...................................... 17,143 32,534
Accrued expenses.............................................. 10,006 10,051
Notes payable................................................. 9,680 14,576
Interest payable.............................................. 2,932 335
Current portion of long-term obligations...................... 3,314 41,721
--------- --------
Total current liabilities............................. 46,254 105,841
Long-term obligations, less current portion..................... 99,153 1,844
Other long-term liabilities..................................... 3,800 1,847
Commitments and contingencies
Shareholders' equity (deficit):
Preferred stock, $.0001 par value, 10,000,000 shares
authorized no shares issued or outstanding................. -- --
Common stock, $.0001 par value, 90,000,000 shares authorized,
15,803,242 and 15,128,829 shares issued and outstanding in
1996 and 1995, respectively................................ 68,330 62,400
Deferred stock option compensation............................ (1,707) (13)
Accumulated deficit........................................... (135,907) (38,588)
--------- --------
Total shareholders' equity (deficit).................. (69,284) 23,799
--------- --------
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity
(deficit)........................................... $ 79,923 $133,331
========= ========
</TABLE>
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
52
<PAGE> 54
MIDCOM COMMUNICATIONS INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
----------------------------------
1996 1995 1994
-------- -------- --------
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE
DATA)
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Revenue.................................................... $148,777 $203,554 $111,699
Cost of revenue............................................ 107,950 139,546 79,044
-------- -------- --------
40,827 64,008 32,655
Operating expenses:
Selling, general and administrative...................... 65,025 62,061 27,697
Depreciation............................................. 5,966 4,481 1,477
Amortization............................................. 26,721 9,309 2,657
Restructuring charge..................................... 2,220 -- --
Contract settlement...................................... 8,800 -- --
Loss on impairment of assets............................. 20,765 11,830 --
-------- -------- --------
Total operating expenses................................... 129,497 87,681 31,831
-------- -------- --------
Operating income (loss).................................... (88,670) (23,673) 824
Other income (expense):
Equity in loss of joint venture.......................... -- (52) (458)
Other income (expense)................................... 77 (338) (430)
Interest expense......................................... (8,726) (5,288) (2,531)
Interest expense -- shareholders......................... -- -- (434)
-------- -------- --------
Loss before extraordinary item............................. (97,319) (29,351) (3,029)
Extraordinary item: loss on early redemption of debt....... -- (4,067) --
-------- -------- --------
Net loss................................................... $(97,319) $(33,418) $ (3,029)
======== ======== ========
Per share amounts:
Loss before extraordinary item............................. $ (6.27) $ (2.42) $ (0.31)
Extraordinary item......................................... -- (0.34) --
-------- -------- --------
Net loss................................................... $ (6.27) $ (2.76) $ (0.31)
-------- -------- --------
Shares used in calculating per share data.................. 15,529 12,101 9,930
======== ======== ========
</TABLE>
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
53
<PAGE> 55
MIDCOM COMMUNICATIONS INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
TOTAL
DEFERRED SHAREHOLDERS'
NUMBER COMMON STOCK OPTION ACCUMULATED EQUITY
OF SHARES STOCK COMPENSATION DEFICIT (DEFICIT)
--------- ------- ------------ ----------- ------------
(IN THOUSANDS)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Balance at January 1, 1994........... 8,011 $ 502 $ (104) $ (6,963) $ (6,565)
Conversion from S corporation to C
corporation..................... -- (7,679) -- 7,679 --
Stock issued in acquisition........ 114 1,040 -- -- 1,040
Compensation attributable to stock
options vesting................. -- -- 20 -- 20
Stock option forfeitures........... -- (54) 50 -- (4)
Issuance of common stock warrant... -- 3,500 -- -- 3,500
Distributions by acquired
company......................... -- -- -- (1,266) (1,266)
Net loss for the year.............. -- -- -- (3,029) (3,029)
------ ------- ------- --------- --------
Balance at December 31, 1994......... 8,125 (2,691) (34) (3,579) (6,304)
Issuance of compensatory stock
options......................... -- 268 -- -- 268
Stock issued in acquisitions....... 500 4,757 -- -- 4,757
Compensation attributable to stock
options vesting................. -- -- 21 -- 21
Stock issued in initial public
offering........................ 5,456 54,182 -- -- 54,182
Stock issued in customer base
acquisitions.................... 331 5,120 -- -- 5,120
Stock issued for exercise of stock
options and warrants and
employee stock purchase plan.... 717 442 -- -- 442
Distributions by acquired
company......................... -- -- -- (1,269) (1,269)
Conversion of acquired company from
S corporation to C
corporation..................... -- 322 -- (322) --
Net loss for the year.............. -- -- -- (33,418) (33,418)
------ ------- ------- --------- --------
Balance at December 31, 1995......... 15,129 62,400 (13) (38,588) 23,799
Stock issued in acquisitions....... 107 933 -- -- 933
Stock issued for exercise of stock
options and employee stock
purchase plan................... 567 2,861 -- -- 2,861
Issuance of compensatory stock
options......................... -- 2,136 (2,136) -- --
Compensation attributable to stock
options vesting................. -- -- 442 -- 442
Net loss for the year.............. -- -- -- (97,319) (97,319)
------ ------- ------- --------- --------
Balance at December 31, 1996......... 15,803 $68,330 $ (1,707) $(135,907) $(69,284)
====== ======= ======= ========= ========
</TABLE>
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
54
<PAGE> 56
MIDCOM COMMUNICATIONS INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
----------------------------------
1996 1995 1994
-------- -------- --------
(IN THOUSANDS)
<S> <C> <C> <C>
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating
activities:
Net loss........................................................... $(97,319) $(33,418) $ (3,029)
Depreciation....................................................... 5,966 4,481 1,477
Amortization of intangibles........................................ 26,721 9,309 2,657
Amortization of deferred financing costs........................... 896 620 483
Loss on impairment of assets....................................... 20,765 11,830 --
Equity in loss of joint venture.................................... -- 52 458
Compensation attributable to stock options......................... 862 289 16
Noncompetition payments............................................ -- -- (250)
Loss on sale of assets............................................. 53 -- --
Long-term portion of contract settlement........................... 3,800 -- --
Extraordinary item -- write-off of original issue discount and
deferred financing costs......................................... -- 4,067 --
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable................................................ 34,563 (17,784) (9,811)
Due from related parties........................................... 502 138 (606)
Notes receivable................................................... 86 390 (348)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets.......................... 776 (719) (1,201)
Other assets....................................................... (324) (142) 11
Accounts payable and accrued expenses.............................. (4,295) (3,559) 4,062
Carrier accounts payable........................................... (15,391) 16,638 8,236
Accrued interest payable........................................... 2,597 228 (869)
Deferred income.................................................... -- (67) (3,229)
Other long-term liabilities........................................ 150 1,717 (202)
-------- -------- --------
Net cash used in operating activities................................ (19,592) (5,930) (2,145)
-------- -------- --------
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Purchases of furniture, equipment and leasehold improvements......... (4,309) (6,884) (4,187)
Net assets acquired in business and customer base acquisitions....... -- (11,407) (5,089)
Proceeds from sale of assets......................................... 692 -- --
Investment in and advances to joint venture.......................... -- (2,625) (4,190)
Loan to related party................................................ -- -- (1,234)
-------- -------- --------
Net cash used in investing activities................................ (3,617) (20,916) (14,700)
-------- -------- --------
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Repayment of loans from related parties.............................. -- -- (3,617)
Proceeds from notes payable.......................................... 333 -- 3,485
Repayment of notes payable........................................... (5,229) (21,628) (10,592)
Proceeds from long-term obligations.................................. 112,743 69,205 34,350
Repayment of long-term obligations................................... (53,814) (64,841) (3,851)
Proceeds from common stock issued for stock purchase plan and stock
options............................................................ 2,861 442 --
Issuance of common stock............................................. -- 54,182 --
Preferred stock redemption........................................... -- (8,597) --
Distributions to shareholders of acquired companies.................. -- (1,269) (1,266)
Deferred financing costs............................................. (3,806) (525) (1,512)
-------- -------- --------
Net cash provided by financing activities............................ 53,088 26,969 16,997
-------- -------- --------
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents............................ 29,879 123 152
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of year................... 1,083 960 808
-------- -------- --------
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of year......................... $ 30,962 $ 1,083 $ 960
======== ======== ========
</TABLE>
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
55
<PAGE> 57
MIDCOM COMMUNICATIONS INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE AND PER SHARE DATA)
1. NATURE OF OPERATIONS
MIDCOM Communications Inc. ("Midcom" or the Company") provides long
distance voice and data telecommunications services. As primarily a
nonfacilities-based reseller, Midcom principally utilizes the network switching
and transport facilities of Tier I long distance carriers such as Sprint
Corporation ("Sprint"), WorldCom, Inc. ("WorldCom") and AT&T Corp. ("AT&T") to
provide a broad array of telecommunications services. Midcom's service offerings
include basic "1 plus" and "800" long distance voice, frame relay data
transmission services, wireless services, dedicated private lines between
customer locations and enhanced telecommunications services such as facsimile
broadcast services and conference calling. The Company's customers are primarily
small to medium-sized commercial businesses.
Risks and Uncertainties
The Company is subject to certain significant risks and uncertainties that
may affect the amounts reported in the financial statements. These significant
risks and uncertainties include impairment of assets and litigation. Additional
information concerning these risks and uncertainties is included in the notes to
the consolidated financial statements.
Going Concern and Liquidity
The Company incurred operating losses during each of the three years ended
December 31, 1996 and, as of December 31, 1996, had a shareholders' deficit of
$69.3 million. The Company's credit facility at December 31, 1996 was terminated
on January 31, 1997. In February 1997, the Company entered into a new credit
facility with Foothill Capital Corporation (the "Foothill Credit Facility").
However, borrowings under the Foothill Credit Facility will not be available
until satisfaction of a number of conditions, which is expected to occur by May
1997. The consolidated financial statements have been prepared assuming the
Company will continue as a going concern and do not include any adjustments to
reflect the possible future effects on the recoverability and classification of
assets and liabilities that may result from this uncertainty.
Assuming borrowings become and remain available under the Foothill Credit
Facility and the Company achieves anticipated revenue growth, the Company
believes that its existing cash resources together with funds available under
the Foothill Credit Facility, leasing facilities and cash flow from operations
will be sufficient to fund the Company's expected working capital requirements.
However, the exact amount and timing of these working capital requirements and
the Company's ability to continue as a going concern will be determined by
numerous factors, including the level of, and gross margin on, future sales, the
outcome of outstanding contingencies and disputes such as pending lawsuits,
payment terms achieved by the Company and the timing of capital expenditures.
Furthermore, there can be no assurance that borrowings under the Foothill Credit
Facility will become and remain available or that this facility together with
the Company's other anticipated sources of working capital will be sufficient to
implement the Company's operating strategy or meet the Company's other working
capital requirements. If (i) the Company experiences greater than anticipated
capital requirements, (ii) the Company is determined to be liable for, or
otherwise agrees to settle or compromise, any material claim against it, (iii)
the Company is unable to make borrowings under any of its credit facilities for
any reason, (iv) the implementation of the Company's operating strategy fails to
produce the anticipated revenue growth and cash flows or (v) additional working
capital is required for any other reason, the Company will be required to
refinance all or a portion of its existing debt or obtain additional equity or
debt financing. There can be no assurance that any such refinancing would be
possible or that the Company would be able to obtain additional equity or debt
financing, if and when needed, on terms that the Company finds acceptable. Any
additional equity or debt financing may involve substantial dilution to the
interests of holders of the Company's debt and equity securities.
56
<PAGE> 58
MIDCOM COMMUNICATIONS INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
If the Company is unable to obtain sufficient funds to satisfy its cash
requirements, it will be forced to curtail operations, dispose of assets or seek
extended payment terms from its vendors. There can be no assurance that the
Company would be able to reduce expenses or successfully complete other steps
necessary to continue as a going concern. Such events would materially and
adversely affect the value of the Company's debt and equity securities.
2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Basis of Presentation
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of MIDCOM
Communications Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, PacNet Inc. ("PacNet"),
Cel-Tech International Corp. ("Cel-Tech"), AdVal, Inc. ("AdVal") and Advanced
Network Design ("AND") (collectively referred to as "Midcom" or the "Company").
All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in
consolidation.
The Company's investment in Dal Telecom International ("Dal Telecom"), a
Russian corporate joint venture, was accounted for on the equity method,
adjusted to estimated fair value, in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles. During 1995 and 1994, the Company recorded its pro rata
share of Dal Telecom's income or loss one month in arrears.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
All short-term investments with a maturity of three months or less at the
date of purchase are considered to be cash equivalents.
Revenue Recognition
Resale and transmission revenue and related costs are recognized in the
period the customer utilizes the Company's service. At December 31, 1996 and
1995, net unbilled resale revenue totaled $5,636 and $26,153, respectively.
Financial Instruments and Concentration of Credit Risk
The Company's financial instruments consist of cash and cash equivalents,
accounts receivable, accounts and carrier accounts payable, notes payable and
long-term obligations. The fair value of the financial instruments, except
long-term obligations, approximates their recorded value based on the short-term
maturity of the instruments. The fair value of the long-term obligations
approximates their recorded value based on the current rates offered to the
Company for similar debt of the same maturities. The Company does not have
financial instruments with off-balance-sheet risk.
Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to
concentrations of credit risk are accounts receivable. Concentration of credit
risk with respect to receivables are limited due to diversity in geographic
locations of customers as well as diversity of industries. The Company
continually evaluates the credit worthiness of its customers; however, it
generally does not require collateral. The Company's allowance for doubtful
accounts is based on historical trends, current market conditions and other
relevant factors.
Deferred Financing Costs
Financing costs are capitalized and amortized over the term of the related
debt on a straight-line basis which approximates the effective-interest method.
Included in other assets at December 31, 1996 and 1995 are deferred financing
costs of $3,419 and $510, respectively (net of accumulated amortization of $297
and $15, respectively).
57
<PAGE> 59
MIDCOM COMMUNICATIONS INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
Furniture, Equipment and Leasehold Improvements
Furniture, equipment and leasehold improvements are stated at cost.
Maintenance and repairs are expensed as incurred. When properties are retired or
otherwise disposed of, gains and losses are reflected in the consolidated
statement of operations. Depreciation and amortization, which includes
amortization of assets recorded under capital leases, are computed using the
straight-line method over the following useful lives:
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
Buildings and towers.......................................... 30 years
Transmission equipment........................................ 12 to 15 years
Data processing systems and equipment......................... 3 to 5 years
Switches...................................................... 5 to 7 years
Furniture, equipment and leasehold improvements............... 3 to 7 years
</TABLE>
Intangible Assets
Intangible assets represent the excess of the purchase price over the
estimated fair value of identifiable assets acquired in business and customer
base acquisitions. Amounts are allocated primarily to customer bases which are
amortized over three years using the straight-line method. Amounts are also
allocated to noncompete agreements and goodwill as applicable, which are
amortized using the straight-line method over terms ranging from 18 months to 25
years.
The Company periodically reviews the carrying value of its intangible
assets whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying
value may not be recoverable. To the extent the estimated future cash inflows
attributable to the asset, less estimated future cash outflows, is less than the
carrying amount, an impairment loss is recognized.
Net Loss Per Share
Net loss per share is based on the weighted average number of common and
equivalent shares outstanding using the treasury stock method. Common stock
equivalents are excluded from the calculation of net loss per share due to their
antidilutive effect, except that pursuant to Securities and Exchange Commission
("SEC") requirements, for periods prior to the Company's initial public
offering, common and equivalent shares issued during the 12-month period prior
to the initial public offering have been included in the calculation as if they
were outstanding for all periods prior to the Company's initial public offering
using the treasury stock method.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally
accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and
assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the
date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and
expenses during the reporting periods. Actual results could differ from those
estimates.
Stock Based Compensation
In 1996, the Company adopted the Financial Accounting Standards Statement
No. 123, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation ("SFAS 123"). SFAS 123
establishes financial accounting and reporting standards for stock-based
employee compensation plans. It defines a fair value based method of accounting
for an employee stock option or similar equity instrument and encourages all
entities to adopt that method of accounting for all of their employee stock
compensation plans and include the cost in the income statement as compensation
expense. However, it also allows an entity to continue to measure compensation
cost for those plans using the intrinsic value based method of accounting
prescribed by Accounting Principles Board
58
<PAGE> 60
MIDCOM COMMUNICATIONS INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
("APB") Opinion No. 25, Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees. The Company
has elected to account for compensation cost for stock option plans in
accordance with APB Opinion No. 25.
Reclassifications
Certain reclassifications have been made to the prior years' financial
statements to conform with the current year presentation.
3. CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
The Company's cash and cash equivalents as of December 31 consist of the
following:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1996 1995
-------- -------
<S> <C> <C>
Cash.................................................... $ 1,194 $ 1,083
Commercial Paper........................................ 19,878 --
Money Market............................................ 9,890 --
-------- --------
$ 30,962 $ 1,083
======== ========
</TABLE>
Due to the short-term nature of these investments, changes in market
interest rates would not have a significant impact on the fair value of these
securities. These securities are carried at amortized cost which approximates
fair value.
4. FURNITURE, EQUIPMENT AND LEASEHOLD IMPROVEMENTS
Major classes of furniture, equipment and leasehold improvements, including
assets under capital leases, as of December 31 consist of the following:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1996 1995
-------- -------
<S> <C> <C>
Buildings and towers.................................... $ 534 $ 787
Transmission equipment.................................. 3,842 3,747
Data processing systems and equipment................... 12,133 11,120
Switches................................................ 141 --
Furniture, equipment and leasehold improvements......... 6,974 4,663
-------- --------
23,624 20,317
Accumulated depreciation and amortization............... (12,579) (6,598)
-------- --------
$ 11,045 $13,719
======== ========
</TABLE>
The gross amount of furniture, equipment and leasehold improvements
recorded under capital leases was $6,073 at December 31, 1996 and 1995.
Included in furniture, equipment and leasehold improvements are unamortized
development costs related to the Company's proprietary management information
system. This system was placed in service in May 1995 and is being amortized on
a straight-line basis. As a result of billing problems encountered after the
system was placed in service, the Company evaluated the system during the fourth
quarter of 1995 and determined that the system would require additional
enhancements to meet its initial design objectives and that its value had been
impaired. As a result, in 1995 the Company reduced the unamortized costs from
$4,471 to $2,000 and recorded a $2,471 loss on impairment of the asset.
In the fourth quarter of 1995, the Company determined that it intended to
replace certain limited capacity switches, the majority of which were acquired
through acquisitions of other telecommunications service providers, with newer
switches having increased functionality and capacity. As a result of this
decision,
59
<PAGE> 61
MIDCOM COMMUNICATIONS INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
the Company wrote off these switches and in 1995 recorded a $2,544 loss on
impairment of assets. In June 1996, the Company recorded a $1,000 loss on
impairment of microwave equipment.
5. INVESTMENT IN JOINT VENTURE
In December 1993, Midcom contracted to acquire a 50% interest in Dal
Telecom International ("Dal Telecom"), a provider of local, long distance,
international and cellular telecommunications services in the Russian Far East.
To acquire its interest in Dal Telecom, Midcom committed to make a capital
contribution of cash, equipment and services of approximately $12,700. As of
December 31, 1995, the Company had invested a total of $8,815 in the joint
venture but was unable to fund additional contributions. In March 1996, the
Company and the joint venture partner agreed to amend the terms of the joint
venture to provide that the Company had a 40% equity interest in the joint
venture.
The Company's commitment to Dal Telecom required significant amounts of
capital resources and management attention given the logistics of maintaining a
relationship in Russia. As a result, the Company decided that it was in its best
interests to focus on its domestic business and to sell its interest in Dal
Telecom. As a result of this decision, the Company wrote down its investment in
Dal Telecom to $2,000 at December 31, 1995, which was the Company's estimate of
the net recoverable value of its investment in Dal Telecom, and recorded a
$6,815 loss on impairment of the asset. This estimate was based on market
information currently available to the Company and certain assumptions about the
future operations of Dal Telecom, over which the Company had limited control.
The Company discontinued recording its share of the income or losses of Dal
Telecom as of December 31, 1995. During the third quarter of 1996, the remaining
investment of $2,000 was written off to loss on impairment of assets, as the
Company was unable to locate a purchaser for its interest.
6. BUSINESS COMBINATIONS
During 1994, 1995, and the first three months of 1996, the Company
completed a series of acquisitions from telecommunications companies offering
services similar or complementary to those offered by the Company. Certain of
these acquisitions included the purchase of substantially all of the operating
assets of the acquiree, including customer bases, and in other situations only
specific customer bases. These asset acquisitions have been accounted for using
the purchase method, with the excess of the purchase price over the net tangible
assets acquired being allocated to acquired customer bases, non-compete
agreements and goodwill. Revenue generated from the acquired customer bases are
included in the accompanying statements of operations from the dates of the
acquisitions.
The total consideration paid for these acquisitions was $89,769 of which
$74,735 was allocated to intangible assets. These acquisitions generally were
financed through borrowings under the Company's lines of credit, issuance of
debt and stock and assumption of liabilities.
Components of intangible assets at December 31, 1996 and their respective
estimated useful lives were as follows:
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C>
Customer bases....................................... $49,986 3 years
Non-compete agreements............................... 3,527 2 to 4 years
Goodwill............................................. 1,566 25 years
-------
$55,079
=======
</TABLE>
Based on certain changes in circumstances that occurred in the first
quarter of 1996, including turnover in personnel, reduction in sales force and
continuing attrition of acquired customer bases, the Company determined that
effective January 1, 1996, a reduction in the estimated life of previously
acquired customer
60
<PAGE> 62
MIDCOM COMMUNICATIONS INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
bases from 5 years to 3 years was appropriate. This reduction in estimated life
increased amortization expense by $10,260 for the year ended December 31, 1996.
In addition, the Company wrote down certain acquired customer bases and recorded
a loss on impairment of assets of $17,765 during 1996.
Substantially all of the Company's intangible assets consist of acquired
customer bases which are subject to attrition. The estimated useful lives of
these customer bases are based on attrition rates considered standard in the
industry. If the Company's actual attrition rates were to exceed these
estimates, or other unfavorable changes in business conditions were to occur,
the value of the related customer bases would be impaired and future operating
results would be adversely affected.
In connection with certain previous acquisitions, the Company was obligated
to issue or release from escrow additional shares of its common stock or pay
additional cash consideration upon the satisfaction of certain contingencies.
Such contingencies include, among other things, maintenance of specified revenue
levels and satisfaction of general representations and warranties. The
contingency periods range from six months to two years. During 1996, the Company
issued or released from escrow a total of 106,782 shares of common stock and
paid $1,154 in cash to partially satisfy these obligations. As of December 31,
1996, there were a total of 151,675 shares in escrow that may be released upon
the satisfaction of remaining contingencies.
In accordance with applicable accounting standards, the common stock or
other consideration issuable under the contingency arrangements has not been
included in the determination of purchase price, nor have the shares been
considered outstanding for purposes of net loss per share calculations.
Additional consideration will be recorded when the outcome of a contingency is
determined.
The Company is obligated in certain cases to issue additional shares of its
common stock in the event that the market price of such stock, when the shares
become registerable, is less than the price at the acquisition dates. In January
1997, the Company issued 49,233 shares of common stock in partial satisfaction
of these obligations. Based on the Company's stock price on March 21, 1997,
approximately 255,000 additional shares remain to be issued as a result of these
obligations.
7. NOTES PAYABLE
At December 31, 1996 and 1995, the Company had $680 in notes outstanding,
secured by a personal guarantee of the principal shareholder of the Company. The
notes are due upon 30-day demand, or no later than March 28, 1999. Interest on
these notes is payable monthly, at a rate of prime plus 2% (but in no event
lower than 9% or greater than 13%) per annum. Warrants to purchase up to a total
of 59,500 shares of Common Stock at an exercise price of $7.44 per share,
subject to adjustments in the exercise price related to dilutive activities,
were granted to the holders of the notes. The warrants expire on March 28, 1999.
In connection with a customer base purchase agreement, the Company had a
noninterest-bearing obligation totaling $12,000 as of December 31, 1995. The
unsecured obligation required monthly payments of $3,000 from January through
April 1996, payable in cash or common stock. The Company paid $3,000 to the
seller in January 1996 and has withheld the remaining payments pending
resolution of certain disputes with the seller. Based on the Company's stock
price on March 21, 1997, the Company would be required to issue approximately
507,000 shares of its common stock to satisfy this obligation.
At December 31, 1995, the Company had approximately $2,000 in additional
notes payable to sellers of certain customer bases. These notes bore interest at
rates up to 10% and were paid in full during 1996.
61
<PAGE> 63
MIDCOM COMMUNICATIONS INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
8. LONG-TERM OBLIGATIONS
Long-term obligations as of December 31 consisted of the following:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1996 1995
-------- -------
<S> <C> <C>
Convertible subordinated notes payable, maturing on
August 15, 2003, interest at 8 1/4%, interest payable
semi-annually, convertible into common stock at the
option of the holder at any time prior to maturity.... $ 97,743 $ --
Senior Revolving Credit Facility with Transamerica
Business Credit Corporation. Applicable interest rate
on outstanding advances at December 31, 1995 was 9%.
This facility was secured by substantially all of the
Company's assets. The balance was repaid in full in
1996.................................................. -- 37,428
Note payable secured by assets acquired, interest
payable quarterly at the prime rate plus 1%. Balance
due in full September 30, 1998........................ 800 800
Note payable secured by certain property and equipment,
interest at 5% to 15%, principal and interest payments
due in monthly installments through May 31, 1997...... 27 408
Capital Lease Obligations, interest at 5% to 14.3%,
principal and interest payments due in monthly
installments through 2002............................. 3,897 4,929
-------- -------
102,467 43,565
Less current portion.................................... 3,314 41,721
-------- -------
$ 99,153 $ 1,844
======== =======
</TABLE>
Principal maturities of long-term debt at December 31, 1996 are as follows:
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
1997.............................................. $ 3,314
1998.............................................. 976
1999.............................................. 142
2000.............................................. 144
2001.............................................. 148
Thereafter........................................ 97,743
--------
Total........................................ $102,467
========
</TABLE>
In August and September of 1996, the Company completed a private placement
(the "Private Placement") of $97,743 in aggregate principal amount of 8 1/4%
Convertible Subordinated Notes due 2003 (the "Notes"). Interest on the Notes is
due semi-annually, on February 15 and August 15 of each year, commencing
February 15, 1997. The Notes are convertible into shares of the Company's common
stock, at a conversion price of $14.0875 per share (equivalent to a conversion
rate of 70.985 share per $1,000 principal amount of Notes), subject to
adjustment in certain events.
In November 1995, the Company obtained a senior secured revolving credit
facility from Transamerica Business Credit Corporation ("Transamerica") and
certain other lenders (the "Transamerica Credit Facility") which provided for
borrowings of up to $50,000, subject to certain limitations and financial
covenants. The Company was not in compliance with some of these covenants as of
December 31, 1995. The Transamerica Credit Facility was further amended in March
1996 to reduce the overall commitment by the lender from $50,000 to $43,000. The
outstanding balance under the Transamerica Credit Facility was repaid in
62
<PAGE> 64
MIDCOM COMMUNICATIONS INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
full in August 1996 with the proceeds of the Private Placement, and the facility
was terminated on January 31, 1997.
On March 28, 1996, the Company obtained a temporary bridge loan of $15,000
from Transamerica. The bridge loan was secured by substantially all of the
Company's assets, bore interest at 12% and was originally due on April 27, 1996.
The Company paid an initial loan fee of $500 and had the right to extend the due
date of the loan for 30-day periods upon payment of an additional fee of $200
for each 30-day extension, with final payment due by September 24, 1996. This
bridge loan was repaid in August 1996.
The Company recorded an extraordinary item in the third and fourth quarters
of 1995 of $2,992 and $1,075, respectively, related to the write off of original
issue discounts and deferred financing costs.
9. PREFERRED STOCK
During 1994, the Company issued 859,653 shares of Series A Redeemable
Preferred Stock (the "Preferred Stock") to retire shareholder notes payable. The
preferred stock was redeemed at $10 per share in July 1995 with proceeds from
the Company's initial public offering.
10. COMMON STOCK
On July 6, 1995, the Company completed the initial public offering of
shares of its common stock at $11.00 per share, which resulted in net proceeds
of approximately $54,182 to the Company after deducting the expenses of the
offering. The net proceeds were used to repay indebtedness and redeem all of the
outstanding shares of Preferred Stock.
At December 31, 1996, common stock was reserved for the following:
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
Conversion of the Notes.......................................... 6,938,279
Exercise and future grant of stock options....................... 4,108,816
Employee stock purchase plan..................................... 256,354
Exercise of outstanding warrants................................. 59,500
----------
Total common stock reserved................................. 11,362,949
==========
</TABLE>
11. STOCK OPTION PLAN
The Company has a stock option plan which provides for the granting of
nonqualified and incentive stock options to purchase up to 4,739,063 shares of
common stock. Options granted become exercisable over vesting periods of up to
five years at exercise prices determined by the Board of Directors, and
generally expire ten years from the date of grant.
Stock options have generally been granted at the fair market value at the
date of grant. However, a limited number of options have been granted at less
than the fair market value, in which case compensation expense has been
recognized over the vesting period based on the excess of the fair market value
stock at the date of grant over the exercise price.
63
<PAGE> 65
MIDCOM COMMUNICATIONS INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
Presented below is a summary of stock option plans activity for the years
shown:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXERCISE
SHARES PRICE
--------- --------------
<S> <C> <C>
Options outstanding at January 1, 1994............ 484,805 $2.29 - $ 5.71
Granted......................................... 663,139 $2.29 - $ 9.14
Canceled........................................ (117,460) $2.29 - $ 9.14
--------- --------------
Options outstanding at December 31, 1994.......... 1,030,484 $2.29 - $ 9.14
Granted......................................... 740,954 $1.00 - $18.50
Canceled........................................ (365,619) $2.29 - $15.75
Exercises....................................... (66,333) $2.29 - $18.50
--------- --------------
Options outstanding at December 31, 1995.......... 1,339,486 $1.00 - $18.50
Granted......................................... 3,545,009 $3.00 - $15.50
Canceled........................................ (637,202) $2.29 - $18.50
Exercises....................................... (563,914) $1.00 - $10.50
--------- --------------
Options outstanding at December 31, 1996.......... 3,683,379 $2.29 - $18.50
========= ==============
</TABLE>
At December 31, 1996, a total of 425,437 shares were available for future
issuance under the plans.
The following table summarizes information for options currently
outstanding and exercisable at December 31, 1996:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
OPTIONS OUTSTANDING
-------------------------------- OPTIONS EXERCISABLE
WEIGHTED AVERAGE --------------------------------
RANGE OF NUMBER REMAINING WEIGHTED AVERAGE NUMBER WEIGHTED AVERAGE
EXERCISE PRICES OUTSTANDING CONTRACTUAL LIFE EXERCISE PRICE EXERCISABLE EXERCISE PRICE
- --------------- ----------- ---------------- ---------------- ----------- ----------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
2.29 - $ 6.50 128,215 8.8 $ 3.69 89,000 $ 3.50
6.51 - $12.00 3,316,815 9.5 $ 8.85 228,532 $ 9.70
12.01 - $18.50 238,349 8.5 $15.69 57,250 $16.96
--------- -------
3,683,379 374,782
--------- -------
</TABLE>
The Company applies APB 25 in accounting for its stock issued to employees.
Had compensation cost for the Company's stock options been recognized based upon
the fair value on the grant date under the methodology prescribed by SFAS 123,
the Company's net loss and net loss per share for the years ended December 31,
1996 and 1995 would have been impacted as indicated in the following table. Note
that due to the adoption methodology prescribed by SFAS 123, the proforma
results shown below only reflect the impact of options granted in 1995 and 1996.
Since option vesting occurs over five years, the proforma impact shown for 1996
and 1995 is not representative of what the impact will be in future years.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1996 1995
--------- --------
<S> <C> <C>
Net loss -- as reported............................... $ (97,319) $(33,418)
Net loss -- proforma.................................. $(101,549) $(34,066)
Loss per share -- as reported......................... $ (6.27) $ (2.76)
Loss per share -- proforma............................ $ (6.54) $ (2.82)
</TABLE>
64
<PAGE> 66
MIDCOM COMMUNICATIONS INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
This fair value of options granted (which is amortized to expense over the
option vesting period in determining the proforma impact), is estimated on the
date of grant using the Black Scholes option-pricing model with the following
weighted average assumptions used for grants in 1996 and 1995:
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
Expected life of option............................................ 3 1/2 yrs
Risk free interest rate............................................ 6.5%
Expected volatility................................................ 60.0%
Dividend yield..................................................... --
</TABLE>
The weighted average fair value of options granted during 1996 and 1995 is
as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1996 1995
---------- --------
<S> <C> <C>
Fair value of each option granted.................... $ 4.16 $ 7.02
Total number of options granted...................... 3,545,009 740,954
--------- -------
Total fair value of all options granted.............. $ 14,747 $ 5,201
========= =======
</TABLE>
In accordance with SFAS 123, the weighted average fair value of stock
options granted is required to be based on a theoretical statistical model using
the preceding Black-Scholes assumptions. In actuality, because company stock
options do not trade on a secondary exchange, employees can receive no value nor
derive any benefit from holding stock options under these plans without an
increase in the market price of Midcom stock. Such an increase in stock price
would benefit all stockholders commensurably.
12. INCOME TAXES
Components of the Company's deferred tax liabilities and assets as of
December 31 are as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1996 1995
-------- --------
<S> <C> <C>
Deferred tax assets:
Sales reserves and allowances........................ $ 2,248 $ 1,326
Accrued compensation costs........................... 322 --
Provisions not currently deductible.................. 1,829 376
Accrued restructuring costs.......................... 373 --
Contract settlement.................................. 1,520 --
Tax depreciation different than financial accounting
depreciation...................................... 1,455 --
Intangible tax amortization different than financial
financial statement amortization.................. 17,560 1,832
Losses and write-down of foreign joint venture....... 3,769 3,022
Net operating loss carry forwards.................... 24,817 7,648
------- -------
Total deferred tax assets............................ 53,893 14,204
Valuation allowance.................................... (53,502) (13,017)
------- -------
$ 391 $ 1,187
------- -------
Deferred tax liabilities:
Tax depreciation different than financial accounting
depreciation...................................... -- (424)
Cash to accrual change............................... (391) (763)
------- -------
Total deferred tax liabilities.................... (391) (1,187)
------- -------
Net deferred tax liabilities........................... $ -- $ --
======= =======
</TABLE>
65
<PAGE> 67
MIDCOM COMMUNICATIONS INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
On January 1, 1994, when the Company became a C Corporation, a valuation
allowance on deferred tax assets was not required due to the net deferred tax
liability position. At December 31, 1994, the valuation allowance of $316 was
established for the deferred tax assets in excess of deferred tax liabilities.
The valuation allowance was increased $40,485 and $13,333 in 1996 and 1995,
respectively.
The Company has net operating loss carry forwards for federal income tax
purposes available to offset future federal taxable income, if any, of
approximately $60,042 with the following expirations: $4,536 in 2009, $8,770 in
2010 and $46,736 in 2011.
The provisions for income taxes differ from the "expected" income tax
benefit as follows for the years ended December 31:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1996 1995 1994
----- ----- -----
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Computed expected federal tax benefit............... (34.0)% (34.0)% (34.0)%
State taxes, net of federal benefit................. (6.0)% (6.0)% (6.0)%
Deferred taxes associated with Midcom S Corporation
to C Corporation conversion, January 1, 1994...... -- -- 6.8%
Deferred tax asset realization related to
acquisitions...................................... -- -- 16.8%
Change in valuation allowance for net deferred tax
assets............................................ 39.8% 38.0% 10.4%
Other............................................... 0.2% 2.0% 6.0%
----- ----- -----
--% --% --%
===== ===== =====
</TABLE>
13. RELATED-PARTY TRANSACTIONS
The largest shareholder of the Company and the Company's former President
and Chief Executive Officer jointly own QuestWest Inc. QuestWest Inc., in turn,
holds approximately an 85% interest in Quest America Limited Partnership ("Quest
LP"). In December 1993, the Company entered into a distribution agreement with
Quest LP that entitles Quest LP to a sales commission from the Company at a rate
equal to the most favorable rate available to other comparable Company
distributors. In October 1995 the largest shareholder sold their interest in
Quest LP to a third party and the most favorable rate clause in the distribution
agreement was eliminated. During 1995 and 1994, Quest LP received $295 and $66,
respectively, in net commissions.
Effective May 1996, the Company entered into an employment agreement with
William H. Oberlin, the Company's President and Chief Executive Officer. The
agreement provides for a base salary of $25 per month and an annual bonus to be
determined each year by the Company's Board of Directors based on certain
quantitative and qualitative targets set forth in the Company's annual business
plan. In connection with entering into the agreement, the Company granted Mr.
Oberlin options to purchase up to 1,214,714 shares of Common Stock pursuant to
the Company's Stock Option Plan. The options vest ratably over a five-year
period. Mr. Oberlin is entitled to up to two years severance (reduced to one
year severance in certain circumstances) in the event of termination. Severance
generally equals the sum of the annualized base salary at the time of
termination and the average annual bonuses for the fiscal years preceding
termination. The agreement also contains a non-interference provision pursuant
to which, for a period of six months following termination of employment, Mr.
Oberlin has agreed to, among other things, preserve the confidentiality of the
Company's customer list and refrain from actively soliciting the Company's
customers existing at the date of termination.
Effective May 1996, the Company entered into consulting agreements with
Marvin C. Moses and John M. Zrno, each a director of the Company, pursuant to
which Messrs. Moses and Zrno have agreed to provide consulting services to the
Company with respect to acquisitions, investor and other strategic relations and
strategic financial matters. Pursuant to the agreements, the Company is required
to pay each of these
66
<PAGE> 68
MIDCOM COMMUNICATIONS INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
individuals a retainer of $8.333 per month. In addition, in connection with the
agreements, the Company has granted to each of these individuals options for the
purchase of 253,681 shares of Common Stock pursuant to the Company's Stock
Option Plan. The options vest ratably over a five-year period. The agreements
terminate after a period of five years beginning on June 1, 1996, unless
terminated earlier in accordance with the terms thereof. The agreements may be
terminated by either party at any time upon 30 days prior written notice.
In June 1994, the Company entered into an employment agreement with Ashok
Rao, the former President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company. The
agreement provided for a base salary of $25 per month. Mr. Rao resigned from the
Company in April 1996. In connection with Mr. Rao's resignation, the Company has
elected to repurchase 885,360 shares of Common Stock held by Mr. Rao and certain
trusts established by Mr. Rao (the "Rao Shares"). See Note 15, below. Under an
agreement between Mr. Rao and Paul Pfleger, Vice Chairman of the Company's Board
of Directors, pursuant to which Mr. Rao purchased the Rao Shares from Mr.
Pfleger, Mr. Pfleger is entitled to receive payments aggregating approximately
$2.2 million out of proceeds received by Mr. Rao from the sale of the Rao Shares
to the Company.
14. EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS
401(k) Salary Deferral and Profit Sharing Plan
Prior to February 1, 1996, the Company maintained a 401(k) Salary Deferral
and Profit Sharing Plan with its affiliate SP Investments Inc. ("SPII").
Effective February 1, 1996, SPII withdrew from the Retirement Plan. The Company
maintains a voluntary defined contribution profit sharing plans covering all
eligible employees as defined in the plan documents. Participating employees may
elect to defer and contribute a stated percentage of their compensation to the
plan, not to exceed the dollar amount set by law. The Company matches 50% of
each employee's contribution up to a maximum of the first 6% of each employee's
compensation.
The Company's matching contributions to the plan were approximately $283,
$253, and $156 for the years ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994,
respectively.
Employee Stock Purchase Plan
In December 1994, the Company established an Employee Stock Purchase Plan
which became effective upon the successful completion of the Company's initial
public offering of common stock. The Company's plan provides that eligible
employees may contribute up to 10% of their base earnings toward the semi-annual
purchase of the Company's common stock. The employee's purchase price is 95% of
the lesser of the fair market value of the stock on the first business day or
the last business day of the semi-annual offering period. The total number of
shares issuable under the plan is 262,500. There were 3,717 shares issued under
the plan during fiscal 1996 at prices ranging from $8.08 to $13.66, and 2,429
shares issued under the plan during fiscal 1995 at a price of $14.61.
15. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
LEASES
The Company leases its office space and certain equipment under terms of
noncancelable operating leases, which expire on various dates through 2004. The
leases generally require that the Company pay certain maintenance, insurance and
other operating expenses. Rent expense under operating leases for the years
ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994 was $3,281, $2,535, and $566,
respectively.
67
<PAGE> 69
MIDCOM COMMUNICATIONS INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
At December 31, 1996, minimum future lease payments under noncancelable
operating leases are as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
OPERATING
LEASES
---------
<S> <C>
1997............................................... $ 3,092
1998............................................... 2,797
1999............................................... 2,521
2000............................................... 2,271
2001............................................... 1,765
Thereafter......................................... 3,340
-------
Total......................................... $15,786
=======
</TABLE>
COMMITMENTS WITH PROVIDERS
Under the terms of carrier contracts executed with AT&T and other carriers,
the Company has made commitments to maintain or achieve certain volume levels in
order to obtain special forward pricing. Under some of these contracts, the
Company guarantees to sell a certain amount of long distance volume within a
certain time period or purchase all or a portion of any unused volume. Under
others, if certain volume levels are not achieved during stated periods, pricing
is adjusted going forward to levels justified by current volumes.
At December 31, 1996, minimum future usage commitments are as follows:
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
1997.............................................. $ 26,790
1998.............................................. 3,287
1999.............................................. --
2000.............................................. 75,000
--------
Total........................................ $105,077
========
</TABLE>
As of September 30, 1996, Midcom's minimum volume commitment under its
supply contract with AT&T Corp. ("AT&T"), its largest supply contract, was
$117,000. The Company estimated that, as of the last measurement date on
September 30, 1996, it would have been in shortfall of its minimum commitments
to AT&T by approximately $27,600 based on then current contract requirements.
However, on October 31, 1996, the Company and AT&T executed a Release and
Settlement Agreement pursuant to which substantially all disputes between the
Company and AT&T have been resolved. Also on October 31, 1996, the Company and
AT&T executed a new carrier contract pursuant to which the Company's minimum
commitment to AT&T was reduced to $13,700 to be used over the eighteen month
period immediately following execution of the agreement. In addition, the new
carrier contract provides for more favorable pricing for certain network
services provided by AT&T. In consideration for the terms of the settlement and
the new rate structure, the Company is required to pay AT&T $8,800 payable in
two installments. The first payment of $5,000 was made on November 6, 1996, and
the remaining balance of $3,800 will be due within 30 days of Midcom announcing
quarterly gross revenue in excess of $75,000 or upon completion of a change in
control.
At the present time, the Company has achieved or reserved for all of its
required volume commitments. There can be no assurance that the minimum usage
commitments will be achieved in the future, and if such commitments are not
achieved future operating results could be adversely affected.
During the years ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994, the Company relied
on three carriers to carry traffic representing approximately 74%, 67% and 97%
of the Company's revenue, respectively. The Company has the ability to transfer
its customers' traffic from one supplier to another in the event a supplier
declines to
68
<PAGE> 70
MIDCOM COMMUNICATIONS INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
continue to carry the Company's traffic. However, such transfers could result in
disruption of service to the customers, with a subsequent loss of revenue which
would adversely affect operating results.
ACQUISITIONS
In connection with several business or customer base acquisition
agreements, the Company is obligated to issue additional consideration upon the
satisfaction of certain contingencies.
SHARE REDEMPTION
In connection with the resignation of Ashok Rao, the Company's former
President and Chief Executive Officer, the Company has elected to repurchase
885,360 shares of Common Stock held by Mr. Rao and certain trusts established by
Mr. Rao (the "Rao Shares") at a price equal to the fair market value of the Rao
Shares on the date of Mr. Rao's resignation. The date of resignation and the
amount of the restricted security discount to be applied to the value of the Rao
Shares have been submitted to arbitration. Once determined, the purchase price
is to be paid by the Company in 36 equal monthly installments and will bear
interest at a rate of 8% per annum.
REGULATION
Federal
The Company has all necessary authority to provide domestic interstate and
international telecommunications services under current FCC regulations. Midcom
has filed both domestic and international tariffs with the FCC, and PacNet has,
and is only required to file, international tariffs. Pursuant to a 1995 court
decision, detailed rate schedules now must be filed in lieu of the "reasonable
range of rates" tariff previously accepted by the FCC. In reliance on the FCC's
past practice of allowing relaxed range of rates tariffs for non-dominant
carriers, Midcom and most of its competitors did not maintain detailed rate
schedules. Until the two-year statute of limitations expires, Midcom could be
held liable for damages for its failure to maintain detailed rate schedules,
although it believes that such an outcome is highly unlikely and would not have
a material adverse effect on it. Pursuant to authority granted to it in the 1996
Telecommunications Act, the FCC is considering "mandatory detariffing" for
domestic non-dominant carriers. This proposal (which has been stayed by an order
of the federal district court in Washington, D.C.) would relieve the Company of
its obligation to file tariffs applicable to its domestic interexchange
offerings.
State
The intrastate long distance operations of Midcom are also subject to
various state laws. The majority of states require certification or
registration, which the Company has secured in 47 states and Washington, D.C.
Many states require tariff filings as well.
In certain states, approval for transfers of control and acquisitions of
customer bases must be obtained. Midcom has been successful in obtaining all
necessary regulatory approvals to date, although revisions of tariffs,
authorities and approvals are being made on a continuing basis, and many such
requests are pending at any one time.
Some states may assess penalties on long distance service providers for
traffic sold prior to tariff approval or the state's consent to an acquisition.
Such states may require refunds to be made to customers. It is the opinion of
management that such penalties and refunds, if any, would not have a material
adverse effect on the results of operations or financial condition of the
Company.
69
<PAGE> 71
MIDCOM COMMUNICATIONS INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
DISPUTES AND LITIGATION
Class Action Lawsuit. The Company, its Vice Chairman of the Board of
Directors and largest shareholder, the Company's former President, Chief
Executive Officer and director, and the Company's former Chief Financial Officer
are named as defendants in a securities action filed in the U.S. District Court
for the Western District of Washington (the "Complaint"). The Complaint was
filed on behalf of a class of purchasers of the Company's Common Stock during
the period beginning on July 6, 1995, the date of the Company's initial public
offering, and ending on March 4, 1996 (the "Class Period"). An amended complaint
(the "Amended Complaint") was filed on July 8, 1996. In November 1996, the Court
granted the defendants' motion to dismiss the amended Complaint. The Amended
Complaint alleges, among other things, that the registration statement and
prospectus relating to the Company's initial public offering contained false and
misleading statements concerning the Company's billing software and financial
condition. The Amended Complaint further alleges that, throughout the Class
Period, the defendants inflated the price of the Common Stock by intentionally
or recklessly making material misrepresentations or omissions which deceived the
public about the Company's financial condition and prospects. The Amended
Complaint alleges claims under the Securities Act and the Exchange Act as well
as various state laws, and seeks damages in an unstated amount. Defendants filed
a motion to dismiss on August 7, 1996 and filed a reply to plaintiffs'
opposition on September 18, 1996. Oral arguments were heard on November 1, 1996.
All discovery proceedings are stayed until defendants' motion to dismiss is
acted on by the Court. While the Company believes that it has substantive
defenses to the claims in the Amended Complaint and intends to vigorously defend
this lawsuit, it is unable to predict the outcome of this action.
SEC Investigation. The Company was informed in May 1996 that the SEC was
conducting an informal inquiry regarding the Company. The Company has
voluntarily provided the documents requested by the Commission. In addition, the
SEC has requested the Company's cooperation in interviewing certain current and
former Company personnel and the Company is in the process of scheduling such
interviews. However, the Company has not been informed whether or not the SEC
intends to commence a formal action against the Company or any of its
affiliates. The Company is, therefore, unable to predict the ultimate outcome of
the investigation. In the event that the SEC elects to initiate a formal
enforcement proceeding, the Company and certain of its current and/or former
officers could be subject to civil or criminal sanctions including monetary
penalties and injunctive measures. Any such enforcement proceeding could have a
material adverse effect on the Company's business, financial condition and
results of operations.
The Company is also party to other routine litigation incident to its
business and to which its property is subject. The Company's management believes
the ultimate resolution of these matters will not have a material adverse effect
on the Company's business, financial condition or results of operations.
70
<PAGE> 72
MIDCOM COMMUNICATIONS INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
16. SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1996 1995 1994
------ ------- ------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Noncash investing and financing activities:
Application of related-party accounts receivable to
related-party accounts payable......................... $ -- $ -- $1,234
Conversion of amounts due to related parties to redeemable
preferred stock........................................ -- -- 8,597
Issuance of notes payable and assumption of liabilities
for acquisitions of customer bases..................... 459 42,591 5,154
Capital lease obligation for equipment.................... -- 1,892 2,207
Issuance of notes payable for equipment................... -- 310 --
Issuance of common stock warrants in connection with
financing.............................................. -- -- 3,500
Issuance of common stock for acquisitions................. 513 9,877 1,040
Issuance of note payable for settlement of carrier
accounts payable....................................... 3,800 3,500 --
Cash paid for interest...................................... 5,074 4,128 1,453
Cash paid for income taxes.................................. -- 25 131
</TABLE>
17. RESTRUCTURING CHARGE
In March and April 1996, the Company made announcements regarding changes
in senior management and the restructuring of its operations in order to reduce
expenses to the level of available capital. These actions included the layoff of
certain employees and contractors and the closure of 6 sales offices. As a
result, the Company recorded a charge of $1,620 during the first quarter 1996
and $600 during the second quarter of 1996, the components of which relate
primarily to severance and lease cancellation charges. Included in the first
quarter restructuring charge is approximately $420 relating to the extension of
the time period to exercise outstanding stock options. As of December 31, 1996,
$807 of this restructuring charge remained in accrued liabilities.
18. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
In February 1997, the Company entered into an agreement with Foothill
Capital Corporation for a revolving credit facility. Under the terms of the
agreement, the Company will be able to borrow up to $30,000, subject to a
borrowing base limitation of 85% of eligible billed and 75% of eligible unbilled
receivables. Borrowings under this agreement will bear interest at a prime rate,
plus one percent, and will be secured by substantially all of the assets of the
Company. Pursuant to the agreement, the Company is required to maintain minimum
levels of adjusted net worth and is subject to a number of negative covenants
which place limitations on, among other things, capital expenditures,
investments and additional debt. Other covenants preclude payment of cash
dividends and require the Company to obtain the lenders' consent prior to making
any acquisitions. Borrowings under the agreement will not be available until
satisfaction of a number of conditions, consisting primarily of final
documentation of security arrangements, which is expected to occur by May 1997.
On February 18, 1997, the Company announced that it had awarded a supply
agreement to Northern Telecom ("Nortel") for the acquisition of a total of six
DMS-250 and DMS-500 local/long distance switching systems. Scheduled for
completion by mid-1997, the network will handle local, long distance and value
added services. The Company also announced that it had entered into a master
lease agreement with Comdisco, Inc. ("Comdisco"), to provide financing for the
Nortel switches. The initial financing is approximately $13,000. In March 1997,
a warrant for the purchase of up to 117,000 shares of the Company's common stock
was granted to Comdisco in connection with this financing arrangement.
71
<PAGE> 73
ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND
FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE.
None.
PART III
ITEM 10. DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT.
See "Item 1. Business -- Directors and Executive Officers of the
Registrant."
Information concerning compliance with Section 16 of the Securities
Exchange Act is incorporated herein by reference to information appearing in the
Company's Proxy Statement for its 1997 annual meeting of shareholders to be held
on June 12, 1997, which information appears under the caption "Compliance with
Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act." Such Proxy Statement will be filed by April
30, 1997.
ITEMS 11, 12 AND 13.
The information called for by Part III (Items 11, 12 and 13) is included in
the Company's Proxy Statement relating to the Company's 1997 annual meeting of
shareholders to be held on June 12, 1997 and is incorporated herein by
reference. The information appears in the Proxy Statement under the captions
"Executive Compensation," "Voting Securities and Principal Holders," and
"Certain Transactions." Such Proxy Statement will be filed by April 30, 1997.
PART IV
ITEM 14. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES, AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K.
(a) The following documents are filed as part of this Report:
1. Management Contracts or Compensatory Plans or Arrangements
The following list is a subset of exhibits described below and
contains all compensatory plans, contracts or arrangements in which any
director or executive officer of the Company is a participant, unless the
method of allocation of benefits thereunder is the same for management and
non-management participants:
(a) Revised and Restated 1993 Stock Option Plan. See Exhibit 10.25.
(b) Amended and Restated 1995 Employee Stock Purchase Plan. See
Exhibit 10.26.
(c) Employment Agreement, dated May 24, 1996, between the Company
and William H. Oberlin. See Exhibit 10.109.
(d) Consulting Agreement, dated May 24, 1996, between the Company
and John M. Zrno. See Exhibit 10.110.
(e) Consulting Agreement, dated May 24, 1996, between the Company
and Marvin C. Moses. See Exhibit 10.111.
72
<PAGE> 74
2. Financial Statements.
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
Report of Ernst & Young LLP, Independent Auditors..................... 51
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 1996 and 1995.......... 52
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31,
1996, 1995 and 1994................................................. 53
Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity (Deficit) for the
years ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994........................ 54
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31,
1996, 1994 and 1993................................................. 55
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements............................ 56
</TABLE>
3. Financial Statement Schedules.
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
Schedule II -- Valuation and Qualifying Accounts...................... 79
</TABLE>
All other schedules have been omitted because the required
information is included in the financial statements or the notes
thereto, or is not applicable or required.
4. Exhibits Filed as Part of This Report.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXHIBIT
NUMBER
(REFERENCED TO
ITEM 601 OF
REGULATION EXHIBIT
S-K) DESCRIPTION
- -------------- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
<C> <C> <S>
3.1 -- Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation.(6)
3.2 -- Bylaws.(1)
4.1 -- Form of Common Stock Certificate.(1)
4.2 -- See Exhibits numbered 3.1 and 3.2 for provisions of the Amended and Restated
Articles of Incorporation and the Bylaws of the Company defining the rights
of the holders of Common Stock.
4.3 -- Purchase Agreement, dated August 15, 1996, among the Company, PaineWebber
Incorporated and Wheat, First Securities, Inc.(7)
4.4 -- Indenture, dated as of August 22, 1996, between the Company and IBJ Schroder
Bank & Trust Company.(7)
4.5 -- Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of August 22, 1996, by and among the
Company, PaineWebber Incorporated and Wheat, First Securities, Inc.(7)
10.1 -- Senior Subordinated Note and Warrant Purchase Agreement, dated as of June 10,
1994, by and among the Company, First Union Corporation and The
Robinson-Humphrey Company, Inc.(1)
10.6 -- Warrant Agreement, dated as of June 10, 1996, by and among the Company, First
Union Corporation and The Robinson-Humphrey Company, Inc.(1)
10.7 -- Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of June 10, 1994, by and among the
Company, First Union Corporation and The Robinson-Humphrey Company, Inc.(1)
10.17 -- Agreement of Formation and Activities of Russian-American Joint Stock Venture
"Dal Telekom International," dated as of December 5, 1993, by and among the
Company, DalREO, the joint stock company Rostelekom and the state enterprise
Rossvyazinform in the cities of Khabarovsk, Blagoveschensk and
Petropavlovsk-Kamchatski, as amended; Addendum to Agreement Regarding
Reorganization of Dal Telecom International, dated as of December 5, 1993, by
and between the Company and DalREO; Amendment to the Agreement on the Joint
Venture between the Company and DalREO, dated July 13, 1994; Second Amendment
to the Agreement on the Joint Venture between the Company and DalREO, dated
December 19, 1994; Proxy with regard to Voting of Shares of Dal Telecom
International, dated December 5, 1993.(1)
</TABLE>
73
<PAGE> 75
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXHIBIT
NUMBER
(REFERENCED TO
ITEM 601 OF
REGULATION EXHIBIT
S-K) DESCRIPTION
- -------------- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
<C> <C> <S>
10.21 -- Shareholders Agreement, dated as of June 7, 1994, by and among Paul Pfleger,
Ashok Rao, the trust for the benefit of Siddhartha Rao, the trust for the
benefit of Kavita Rao, the trust for the benefit of Divya Rao, the trust for
the benefit of Anjali Rao, John M. Orehek, and the Company.(1)
10.23 -- Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of December 30, 1994, by and between
the Company and Richard W. Stroup.(1)
10.25 -- Revised and Restated 1993 Stock Option Plan, adopted by the Board of
Directors on December 30, 1993 and the shareholders on December 29, 1994, as
amended by the Board of Directors on February 21, 1994, March 28, 1994,
January 19, 1995 and March 21, 1995, such amendments being approved by the
shareholders on October 7, 1994 and March 30, 1995, and further amended by
the Board of Directors on April 25, 1995, July 26, 1995, November 9, 1995,
July 25, 1996 and January 9, 1997.(7)
*10.26 -- Amended and Restated 1995 Employee Stock Purchase Plan adopted by the Board
of Directors and the shareholders on December 9, 1994 as amended by the Board
of Directors on December 13, 1995, December 18, 1996 and March 13, 1997.
Exhibit replaces identically numbered exhibit to the Company's Registration
Statement on Form S-1, file no. 33-90814.
10.27 -- Employment Agreement, dated as of June 7, 1994, by and between the Company
and Ashok Rao.(1)
10.30 -- Reseller Service Agreement, dated as of December 31, 1992, by and between
West Coast Telecommunications, Inc. and the Company.(1)
10.34 -- Software License and Services Agreement, dated as of October 26, 1993, by and
between ORACLE Corporation and the Company.(1)
10.35 -- Service Agreement, as amended, dated as of February 7, 1995, by and between
the Company and ORACLE Corporation.(1)
10.36 -- One Plus Billing and Information Management Services Volume Purchase
Agreement, dated March 4, 1995, by and between Zero Plus Dialing, Inc. d/b/a
U.S. Billing and the Company.(1)
10.42 -- Distributor Agreement, dated as of December 28, 1993, by and between the
Company and Quest America L.P. Portions of this exhibit have been omitted
pursuant to an application for an order granting confidential treatment,
which order was granted by the Commission on July 6, 1995. The omitted
portions have been separately filed with the Commission.(1)
10.50 -- Agreement and Plan of Reorganization, dated as of November 8, 1994, by and
among the Company, P.N. Acquisition Corporation, PacNet, Inc. and Richard W.
Stroup.(1)
10.51 -- Agreement for the purchase of Mid-Com Consultants' Aggregation Customer Base
and Aggregation Plans by Mid-Com Communications, Inc., dated as of January 3,
1995, by and between the Company and Mid-Com Consultants, Inc. (1)
10.52 -- Asset Purchase Agreement, dated as of January 20, 1995, by and between the
Company and Communique Telecommunications, Inc.(1)
10.60 -- 1111 Third Avenue Lease Agreement, dated as of March 8, 1994.(1)
10.61 -- Agreement of Sublease, dated January 1, 1994, by and between Bank of New
Zealand and the Company.(1)
10.62 -- Real Estate Sub-Lease, dated as of October 1, 1994, by and between Digital
Telecommunications, Inc. and the Company.(1)
10.66 -- Option Agreement, dated March 6, 1995, by and among Paul H. Pfleger, Ashok
Rao, John M. Orehek and the Company.(1)
</TABLE>
74
<PAGE> 76
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXHIBIT
NUMBER
(REFERENCED TO
ITEM 601 OF
REGULATION EXHIBIT
S-K) DESCRIPTION
- -------------- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
<C> <C> <S>
10.67 -- Release and Settlement Agreement, dated January 1995. Portions of this
exhibit have been omitted pursuant to an application for an order granting
confidential treatment, which order was granted by the Commission on July 6,
1995. The omitted portions have been separately filed with the Commission.(1)
10.73 -- Overseas Private Investment Corporation Contract of Insurance against
Business Income Loss.(1)
10.74 -- Overseas Private Investment Corporation Contract of Insurance against
Expropriation Political Violence.(1)
10.75 -- Letter Agreement, dated May 12, 1995, between First Union Corporation and the
Company.(1)
10.78 -- Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of April 1, 1995, by and among the
Company and Darren Narans, Kevin Narans and Steven Tomsic.(1)
10.79 -- Stock Purchase Warrant issued on April 1, 1995 by the Company to Darren
Narans granting Darren Narans the right to purchase from the Company 12,250
shares of the Company's Common Stock.(1)
10.80 -- Stock Purchase Warrant issued on April 1, 1995 by the Company to Kevin Narans
granting Kevin Narans the right to purchase from the Company 23,625 shares of
the Company's Common Stock.(1)
10.81 -- Stock Purchase Warrant issued on April 1, 1995 by the Company to Steven
Tomsic granting Steven Tomsic the right to purchase from the Company 23,625
shares of the Company's Common Stock.(1)
10.83 -- Letter Agreement, dated June 6, 1995, between First Union Corporation, The
Robinson-Humphrey Company, Inc. and the Company.(1)
10.86 -- Carrier Transport Switched Services Agreement, dated June 14, 1995 and
amended November 1, 1995 by and between Sprint Communications Company L.P.
and the Company. Portions of this exhibit have been omitted pursuant to an
application for an order granting confidential treatment, which order was
granted by the Commission on May 31, 1996. The omitted portions have been
separately filed with the Commission.(6)
10.87 -- Telecommunications Services Agreement, dated March 27, 1996, by and between
Worldcom Network Service, Inc. d/b/a WilTel and the Company. Portions of this
exhibit have been omitted pursuant to an application for an order granting
confidential treatment, which order was granted by the Commission on May 31,
1996. The omitted portions have been separately filed with the Commission.(6)
10.88 -- Customer Base Purchase and Sale Agreement, dated as of September 1, 1995,
between Cherry Communications Incorporated and the Company.(2)
10.89 -- Master Equipment Lease Agreement, dated as of September 12, 1995, between
Keycorp Leasing Ltd. and the Company.(3)
10.90 -- Agreement and Plan of Reorganization, dated as of September 29, 1995, among
the Company, AV Acquisition Corporation, AdVal, Inc., AdVal Data Corporation,
Theodore D. Berns and Donald D. Dean.(4)
10.91 -- Credit Agreement, dated as of November 8, 1995, among the Company, PacNet,
AdVal, Cel-Tech (the "Borrowers") and Transamerica Business Credit
Corporation, as agent.(6)
10.92 -- Revolving Note, dated December 20, 1995, in the amount of $30,000,000 made by
the Borrowers to the order of Transamerica Business Credit Corporation.(6)
10.94 -- Revolving Note, dated December 20, 1995, in the amount of $13,000,000 made by
the Borrowers to the order of Nationsbank of Georgia, N.A.(6)
10.95 -- Stock Pledge Agreement, dated as of November 8, 1995, made by the Company in
favor of Transamerica Business Credit Corporation, as agent.(6)
</TABLE>
75
<PAGE> 77
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXHIBIT
NUMBER
(REFERENCED TO
ITEM 601 OF
REGULATION EXHIBIT
S-K) DESCRIPTION
- -------------- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
<C> <C> <S>
10.96 -- Security Agreement, dated as of November 8, 1995, made by the Borrowers in
favor of Transamerica Business Credit Corporation, as agent.(6)
10.97 -- Letter Agreement, dated March 6, 1996, between the Borrowers and Transamerica
Business Credit Corporation, as agent.(6)
10.98 -- Letter Agreement, dated March 18, 1996, between the Borrowers and
Transamerica Business Credit Corporation, as agent.(6)
10.99 -- First Amendment to Credit Agreement, dated March 28, 1996, between the
Borrowers and Transamerica Business Credit Corporation, as agent.(6)
10.100 -- Promissory Note, dated March 28, 1996, in the amount of $15,000,000 made by
the Company to the order of Transamerica Business Credit Corporation.(6)
10.103 -- Agreement and Plan of Reorganization, dated December 29, 1995, among the
Company, ADNET Telemanagement, Inc., David Wiegand and Maria Wiegand.(5)
10.104 -- Contract Tariff No. 969 effective February 15, 1996 between the Company and
AT&T Corp.(6)
10.105 -- Second Amendment to Credit Agreement, dated July 26, 1996, among the Company,
PacNet, AdVal, Cel-Tech, Advanced Network Design and Transamerica Business
Credit Corporation, as agent.(9)
10.106 -- Third Amendment to Credit Agreement, dated August 21, 1996, between the
Company, PacNet, AdVal, Cel-Tech and Advanced Network Design and Transamerica
Business Credit Corporation.(10)
10.107 -- Customer Base Purchase and Sale Agreement, dated as of November 1, 1995,
between Cherry Communications Incorporated.(8)
10.108 -- Distributor Agreement, dated April 4, 1996, between the Company and Tie
Communications, Inc.(11)
10.109 -- Employment Agreement, dated May 24, 1996, between the Company and William H.
Oberlin.(12)
10.110 -- Consulting Agreement, dated May 24, 1996, between the Company and John M.
Zrno.(13)
10.111 -- Consulting Agreement, dated May 24, 1996, between the Company and Marvin C.
Moses.(14)
10.113 -- Settlement Agreement and Release, dated as of December 27, 1996, among David
Wiegand, Maria Wiegand and the Company.(7)
10.114 -- Consulting Agreement, dated as of November 25, 1996, between the Company and
David Wiegand.(7)
10.115 -- Stock Option Agreement, dated as of November 25, 1996, between the Company
and David Wiegand.(7)
10.116 -- Amendment to Agreement and Plan of Reorganization, dated as of December 27,
1995, among the Company, David Wiegand and Maria Wiegand, amending the
Agreement and Plan of Reorganization dated December 29, 1995 among the
Company, ADNET Telemanagement, Inc. and David Wiegand.(7)
10.117 -- Amendments to Non-Competition Agreements of Maria Wiegand and David Wiegand,
dated as of December 27, 1996, among the Company, Maria Wiegand and David
Wiegand. Portions of this exhibit have been omitted pursuant to an amended
application for an order granting confidential treatment. The omitted
portions have been separately filed with the Commission.(7)
</TABLE>
76
<PAGE> 78
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXHIBIT
NUMBER
(REFERENCED TO
ITEM 601 OF
REGULATION EXHIBIT
S-K) DESCRIPTION
- -------------- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
<C> <C> <S>
10.118 -- Release and Settlement Agreement, dated October 31, 1996, between the Company
and AT&T Corp. Portions of this exhibit have been omitted pursuant to an
amended application for an order granting confidential treatment. The omitted
portions have been separately filed with the Commission.(7)
10.119 -- Carrier Agreement, dated October 31, 1996, between the Company and AT&T Corp.
Portions of this exhibit have been omitted pursuant to an amended application
for an order granting confidential treatment. The omitted portions have been
separately filed with the Commission.(7)
*11.1 -- Statement re: computation of net loss per share.
21.1 -- List of significant subsidiaries of the Company.(6)
*23.1 -- Consent of Ernst & Young LLP, Independent Auditors.
*27.1 -- Financial Data Schedule
</TABLE>
- ---------------
* Exhibit is filed herewith.
(1) Exhibit is incorporated by reference to an identically numbered exhibit to
the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1, file no. 33-90814.
(2) Exhibit is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.3 filed with the
Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on December
18, 1995.
(3) Exhibit is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 filed with the
Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30,
1995.
(4) Exhibit is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 filed with the
Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on October
13, 1995.
(5) Exhibit is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 filed with the
Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on January
11, 1996.
(6) Exhibit is incorporated by reference to an identically numbered exhibit
filed with the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 1995.
(7) Exhibit is incorporated by reference to an identically numbered exhibit to
the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1, file no. 333-14427.
(8) Exhibit is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.4 filed with the
Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on December
18, 1995.
(9) Exhibit is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 filed with the
Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30,
1996.
(10) Exhibit is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 filed with the
Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30,
1996.
(11) Exhibit is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 filed with the
Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30,
1996.
(12) Exhibit is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 filed with the
Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30,
1996.
(13) Exhibit is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 filed with the
Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30,
1996.
(14) Exhibit is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 filed with the
Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30,
1996.
(b) No Current Reports on Form 8-K were filed by the Company during the
fourth quarter of 1996.
77
<PAGE> 79
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on
its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
MIDCOM COMMUNICATIONS INC.
Dated: March 25, 1997
By: /s/ ROBERT J. CHAMBERLAIN
--------------------------------------
Robert J. Chamberlain
Executive Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1934, this report has
been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in
the capacities and on the dates indicated.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SIGNATURE TITLE DATE
- ---------------------------------------- -------------------------------- ---------------
<C> <S> <C>
By: /s/ WILLIAM H. OBERLIN President, Chief Executive March 25, 1997
- ---------------------------------------- Officer and Director (Principal
William H. Oberlin Executive Officer)
By: /s/ ROBERT J. CHAMBERLAIN Executive Vice President and March 25, 1997
- ---------------------------------------- Chief Financial Officer
Robert J. Chamberlain (Principal Accounting and
Financial Officer)
By: /s/ JOHN M. ZRNO Director March 25, 1997
- ----------------------------------------
John M. Zrno
By: /s/ PAUL H. PFLEGER Director March 25, 1997
- ----------------------------------------
Paul H. Pfleger
By: /s/ JOHN M. OREHEK Director March 25, 1997
- ----------------------------------------
John M. Orehek
By: /s/ SCOTT B. PERPER Director March 25, 1997
- ----------------------------------------
Scott B. Perper
By: /s/ KARL D. GUELICH Director March 25, 1997
- ----------------------------------------
Karl D. Guelich
By: /s/ MARVIN C. MOSES Director March 25, 1996
- ----------------------------------------
Marvin C. Moses
By: /s/ DANIEL M. DENNIS Director March 25, 1996
- ----------------------------------------
Daniel M. Dennis
</TABLE>
78
<PAGE> 80
SCHEDULE II: VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS
(IN THOUSANDS)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
BALANCE AT CHARGED TO CHARGED TO BALANCE AT
BEGINNING COSTS AND OTHER ACCOUNTS DEDUCTIONS -- END OF
DESCRIPTION OF PERIOD EXPENSES -- DESCRIBE DESCRIBE PERIOD
- ------------------------------- ---------- ---------- -------------- ------------ ----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Year Ended December 31, 1994:
Valuation accounts deducted
from assets:
Allowance for doubtful
accounts................ $ 1,167 $1,505 $1,948(1) $ (1,748)(3) $ 2,872
Year Ended December 31, 1995:
Valuation accounts deducted
from assets:.............. $2,832(1)
Allowance for doubtful
accounts................ $ 2,872 $9,874 $4,406(2) $ (9,403)(3) $ 10,581
Year Ended December 31, 1996:
Valuation accounts deducted
from assets:
Allowance for doubtful
accounts................ $ 10,581 $9,781 $1,217 $(13,777)(3) $ 7,802
</TABLE>
- ---------------
(1) Reserves associated with business and customer base acquisitions.
(2) Primarily charged against revenue.
(3) Written off, net of recoveries.
79
<PAGE> 81
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
EXHIBITS
TO
FORM 10-K
MIDCOM COMMUNICATIONS INC.
<PAGE> 82
MIDCOM COMMUNICATIONS INC.
INDEX TO EXHIBITS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SEQUENTIALLY
EXHIBIT NUMBERED
NUMBER IDENTIFICATION OF EXHIBITS PAGINATION
------ --------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------
<C> <S> <C>
10.26 Amended and Restated 1995 Employee Stock Purchase Plan adopted by the
Board of Directors and the Shareholders on December 9, 1994, as
amended by the Board of Directors on December 13, 1995, December 18,
1996 and March 13, 1997. Exhibit replaces identically numbered
exhibit to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1, file no.
33-90814.
11.1 Statement re: computation of net loss per share.
23.1 Consent of Ernst & Young LLP, Independent Auditors.
27.1 Financial Data Schedule.
</TABLE>
<PAGE> 1
EXHIBIT 10.26
MIDCOM COMMUNICATIONS INC.
AMENDED AND RESTATED
1995 EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN
(AS REVISED ON DECEMBER 13, 1995,
DECEMBER 18, 1996 AND MARCH 13, 1997)
1. Purpose of the Plan. The 1995 Employee Stock Purchase Plan as
amended and restated (the "Plan") is intended to encourage stock ownership by
all eligible employees of MIDCOM Communications Inc., a Washington corporation
(the "Company") and participating subsidiaries so that they may share in the
fortunes of the Company by acquiring or increasing their proprietary interest in
the Company. It is intended that the Plan shall constitute an "employee stock
purchase plan" within the meaning of Section 423 of the Internal Revenue Code of
1986, as amended (the "Code"). Accordingly, the provisions of the Plan shall be
construed to ensure that participation is consistent with the requirements of
the Code.
2. Definitions.
2.1 "Account" shall mean an account to which amounts deducted
from a participant's paycheck for the purpose of purchasing stock under this
Plan are credited. Amounts credited to an employee's account shall remain the
property of the respective participant at all times but may be commingled with
for any proper corporate purpose.
2.2 "Common Stock" shall mean shares of common stock of the
Company, $.0001 par value.
2.3 "Compensation" shall mean all earnings required to be
reported on an Employee's Form W-2 (or any analogous tax form for foreign-based
employees) plus any amounts not included on Form W-2 by reason of deferral into
a tax-qualified employee benefit plan of the Company (such as 401(k) or
cafeteria plan salary deferrals), but excluding all earnings recognized by an
Employee as the result of (a) the exercise of a non-qualified stock option of
the Company, (b) upon any disqualifying disposition of an ISO, (c) upon any
disqualifying disposition of shares acquired pursuant to this Employee Stock
Purchase Plan, and (d) income recognized upon the grant of a prize, gift of
tangible property, bonus travel and similar events whereby phantom income must
be recognized by an Employee.
2.4 "Enrollment Date" shall mean the first day of each Offering
Period. A different date may be set by resolution of the Plan Administrator.
2.5 "Exercise Date" shall mean the last Trading Date of each
Purchase Period.
2.6 "Fair Market Value" shall mean the value of the Company's
common stock (the "Common Stock"), as of any date, determined as follows:
1
<PAGE> 2
(a) If the Common Stock is listed on the National Market
System ("NMS") of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. Automated
Quotation ("NASDAQ") System, its Fair Market Value shall be its closing sales
price (or the average of its closing bid and asked prices, if no sales were
reported) on the date of determination, as reported in The Wall Street Journal
or such other source as the Plan Administrator deems reliable; or
(b) If the Common Stock is quoted on the NASDAQ System
(but not on the NMS) or is regularly quoted by a recognized securities dealer,
but selling prices are not reported, its Fair Market Value shall be the average
of its closing bid and asked prices, as reported in The Wall Street Journal or
such other source as the Plan Administrator deems reliable; or
(c) By any other reasonable method as the Plan
Administrator may determine.
2.7 "Offering Period" shall mean each of successive six (6)
month periods during which an option granted pursuant to the Plan may be
exercised, commencing on January 1 and July 1 of each year and terminating on
the following June 30 and December 31, respectively, until this Plan is
terminated by the Board or no additional shares of Common Stock of the Company
are available for purchase under the Plan. The Board shall have the power to
change the duration of any Offering Period (including the commencement date
thereof) without shareholder approval if such change is announced at least
forty-five (45) days before the Enrollment Date of the Offering Period to be
affected.
2.8 "Participating Subsidiary" shall mean any subsidiary of the
Company which is designated by the Board to participate in the Plan. The Board
shall have the power to make such designation before or after the Plan is
approved by the shareholders.
2.9 "Plan Administrator" shall mean the Board of Directors of
the Company or a committee designated by the Board to administer the Plan
pursuant to Section 19 below.
2.10 "Purchase Price" shall mean an amount equal to ninety
percent (90%) of the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock on the Enrollment
Date or the Exercise Date, whichever is lower.
2.11 "Trading Day" shall mean a day on which the National
Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotation (NASDAQ) System (or such
national stock exchange as the Company's Common Stock may be listed for trading)
is open for trading.
3. Eligible Employees. Subject to any express limitations
contained herein or otherwise imposed by law, any individual who has been a full
or part-time regular employee of the Company for purposes of tax withholding
under the Code for at least ninety (90) consecutive days, and whose customary
employment with the Company or any Participating Subsidiary is not less than
twenty (20) hours per week is eligible to receive options under the Plan,
provided, however, that no person shall be granted an option under the Plan if,
immediately after the grant,
2
<PAGE> 3
such person would own shares and/or options to purchase shares under the Plan
(including all shares which may be attributed to such person under the rules of
Section 425(d) of the Code) representing five percent (5%) or more of the total
combined voting power or value of all classes of shares of the Company or of its
parent or subsidiary corporations. For purposes of the Plan, an employee on sick
leave or other leave of absence approved by the Company shall retain eligibility
for the Plan for a period of ninety (90) days, or such longer period as may be
guaranteed by statute or contract.
4. Offering Periods. Until the Plan is terminated pursuant to
Section 20 of the Plan, options shall be offered under the Plan during
consecutive Offering Periods commencing on January 1 and July 1 each year, or
such other date as the Board shall determine.
5. Participation.
5.1 An eligible employee may participate in an Offering Period
under the Plan by completing, signing, and filing a Subscription Agreement in
the form of Exhibit 5.1 to this Plan at least fifteen (15) business days prior
to the applicable Enrollment Date, unless a longer or shorter period is
prescribed by the Plan Administrator.
5.2 Payroll deductions for a participant shall commence on the
Enrollment Date and shall end on the termination date of such Offering Period
unless earlier terminated by the participant as provided in Section 14 of the
Plan or unless automatically transferred in a new Offering Period pursuant to
Section 15 of the Plan.
5.3 Participation in one offering under the Plan shall neither
limit, nor require, participation in any other offering; provided, however, that
participants may not participate in more than one Offering Period at any time,
and provided, further, that unless participants submit a Withdrawal Notice as
provided in Section 14 of the Plan prior to the end of the Offering Period in
which they are participating, such participants shall be automatically
re-enrolled in the next succeeding Offering Period.
6. Payroll Deductions.
6.1 At the time a participant files his or her Subscription
Agreement, he or she shall elect to have deductions made from his or her pay on
each payday during the Offering Period at a rate of between one percent (1%) and
ten percent (10%) of his or her Compensation (in whole percentages only).
6.2 All payroll deductions made for a participant shall be
credited to his or her Account. A participant may not make any separate cash
payment into such Account nor may payment for shares be made other than by
payroll deduction.
6.3 A participant may decrease, but not increase, the rate of
his or her payroll deductions at any time during an Offering Period by
submitting to the Company a revised Subscription Agreement indicating the
desired rate at least five (5) business days before the
3
<PAGE> 4
beginning of the applicable pay period. A participant may only increase his or
her deduction rate for the next succeeding Offering Period, by delivering a
revised Subscription Agreement to the Company at least fifteen (15) business
days prior to the beginning of such Offering Period. The Plan Administrator may
limit the number of rate changes during any Offering Period.
6.4 Notwithstanding the foregoing, a participant's payroll
deductions may be reduced during any Offering Period to the extent necessary to
comply with Section 423(b)(8) of the Code and Section 7 of the Plan. Payroll
deductions shall resume at the beginning of the first Offering Period scheduled
to end in the following calendar year at the rate indicated in such
participant's Subscription Agreement, unless terminated or modified by the
participant as provided above.
7. Granting of Option.
7.1 On the Enrollment Date of each Offering Period, the Company
shall grant to each participant an option to purchase, on each Exercise Date
during the applicable Offering Period, that number of full shares of Common
Stock equal to the amount in the participant's Account as of the Exercise Date
divided by the applicable Purchase Price, provided, however, that such
participant remains eligible to participate in the Plan at all times during the
Offering Period up to and including the applicable Exercise Date; and provided,
further, that no participant shall be granted an option to purchase during any
single Offering Period more than that number of shares determined by dividing
twelve thousand five hundred dollars ($12,500) by the Fair Market Value of one
share of Common Stock on the Enrollment Date.
7.2 Notwithstanding the foregoing, no participant shall be
granted an option which permits his or her rights to purchase Common Stock under
the Plan and any similar employee stock purchase plans of the Company or any
parent or subsidiary corporations to accrue at a rate which exceeds twenty-five
thousand dollars ($25,000) of Fair Market Value of such stock (determined at the
time such option is granted) for each calendar year which any such option is
outstanding at any time. The purpose of the limitation in the preceding sentence
is to comply with Section 423(b)(8) of the Code, and it does not limit the
amount of stock which an employee may purchase pursuant to any plan other than
an employee stock purchase plan under Section 423.
7.3 If the total number of shares for which options are to be
granted on any date in accordance with Paragraph 7.1 exceeds the number of
shares then available under the Plan as provided in Section 17 of the Plan
(after deduction of all shares for which options have been exercised or are then
outstanding), the Company shall make a pro rata allocation of the shares
remaining available in as nearly a uniform manner as shall be practical and as
the Plan Administrator shall determine to be equitable.
8. Exercise of Option.
The option of each eligible participant on an applicable
Exercise Date shall be exercised on such Exercise Date, and the maximum number
of full shares subject to such option
4
<PAGE> 5
shall be purchased for such participant with the accumulated payroll deductions
in his or her Account (subject to the maximum number of shares allowable under
Section 7 of the Plan). No fractional shares will be purchased, and any
accumulated funds not sufficient to purchase a full share shall remain in the
participant's Account for the subsequent Offering Period, subject to withdrawal
by the participant pursuant to Section 14 of the Plan.
9. Tax Withholding. The Company shall not be obligated to issue,
transfer or deliver a certificate of Common Stock to any participant, or to his
personal representative, until adequate provision has been made by the
participant for satisfaction of any federal, state or local tax withholding
obligations associated with such exercise. The Company may, but is not obligated
to, withhold from the participant's Compensation any amount necessary for the
Company to meet such withholding obligations, including any withholding required
to qualify the Company for any tax deductions or benefits attributable to the
sale or early disposition of the stock by the participant.
10. Delivery. Certificates for stock issued to participants will
be delivered as soon as practicable after the Exercise Date. Shares to be
delivered to a participant under the Plan will be registered in the name of the
participant, or, if the participant so directs, by written notice to the Company
prior to the termination date of the pertinent offering, in the names of the
participant and one such other person as may be designated by the participant,
as joint tenants with right of survivorship or as community property, to the
extent and in the manner permitted by applicable law.
11. Participant's Rights as a Shareholder. No participant shall
have any right as a shareholder with respect to any shares under the Plan until
the shares have been purchased in accordance with Section 8 of the Plan.
12. Rights Not Transferable. No participant shall be permitted to
sell, assign, transfer, pledge, or otherwise dispose of or encumber either the
payroll deductions credited to his or her account or any rights with her account
or any rights with regard to the exercise of an option or to receive shares
under the Plan other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution.
Further, such right and interest shall not be liable for, or subject to, the
debts, contracts, or liabilities of the participant. If any such action is taken
by the participant, or any claim is asserted by any other party in respect of
such right and interest whether by garnishment, levy, attachment or otherwise,
such action or claim will be treated as an election to withdraw funds in
accordance with Section 14 of the Plan.
13. Interest. No interest will be paid or allowed on any money in
the Accounts of participants.
14. Withdrawal.
14.1 A participant may withdraw from the Plan, in whole but not
in part, at any time prior to the last business day of each offering by
delivering a Withdrawal Notice to the
5
<PAGE> 6
Company in the form of Exhibit 14.1 to this Plan, in which event the Company
will refund the entire balance of his or her Account as soon as practicable
thereafter.
14.2 A participant who has withdrawn may re-enter the Plan by
filing a new Subscription Agreement in accordance with Section 5 of the Plan.
14.3 A participant may elect to discontinue his or her payroll
deductions during the course of a particular offering, at any time prior to the
last business day preceding the final payday during such offering by delivering
to the Company a revised Subscription Agreement indicating a deduction rate of
zero percent (0%). Such election shall not constitute a withdrawal for the
purposes of this Section 14 of the Plan, and the participant shall remain a
participant in such offering and shall be entitled to purchase from the Company
such number of full shares of Common Stock as set forth in and in accordance
with Section 8 of the Plan.
15. Automatic Transfer to New Offering Period. To the extent
permitted by Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act ("Rule 16b-3"), if the Fair
Market value of the Common Stock on any Exercise Date in an Offering Period is
lower than the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock on the Enrollment Date of
such Offering Period, then all participants in such Offering Period shall be
withdrawn immediately after the exercise of their option on such Exercise Date
and automatically re-enrolled in the immediately following Offering Period.
16. Termination of Participant's Rights. A participant's rights
under the Plan shall terminate when he or she ceases to be a participant because
of resignation, retirement, layoff, discharge, or change of status. The Company
shall treat the date a participant's employment ceases as a withdrawal date, and
all payroll deductions not used will be refunded. If a participant's employment
shall be terminated by reason of death or disability prior to the end of an
Offering Period in which he or she is participating, he or she (his or her
designated beneficiary, in the event of his or her death, or if none, his or her
legal representative) shall have the right, within ninety (90) days thereafter,
to elect to have the balance in his or her account either paid to him or her in
cash or applied at the end of such Offering Period toward the purchase of Common
Stock.
17. Stock Subject to the Plan. Subject to changes in the Company's
capitalization as provided in Section 18 of the Plan, the maximum number of
shares that may be issued pursuant to the Plan in the aggregate shall be two
hundred sixty-two thousand five hundred (262,500). The stock subject to the
options shall be shares of the Company's authorized but unissued Common Stock or
shares of Common Stock reacquired by the Company, including shares purchased in
the open market.
18. Changes in Capital Structure. Except as expressly provided
herein, no issuance by the Company of shares of stock of any class, or
securities convertible into shares of stock of any class, shall affect the
number or price of shares of Common Stock subject to the Plan.
18.1 If the outstanding shares of Common Stock of the Company
are increased or decreased or changed into or exchanged for a different number
or kind of shares or other securities of the Company or of another corporation,
by reason of any reorganization, merger,
6
<PAGE> 7
consolidation, recapitalization, reclassification, stock split-up, combination
of shares, or dividend payable in shares, appropriate adjustment shall be made
by the Plan Administrator in the number and kind of shares as to which an option
granted under this Plan shall be exercisable, to the end that the participant's
proportionate interest shall be maintained as before the occurrence of such
event. Any such adjustment made by the Plan Administrator shall be conclusive.
18.2 If the Company is not the survivor or resulting corporation
in any reorganization, merger, consolidation or recapitalization, each
outstanding option shall be assumed by the surviving or resulting corporation
and shall continue in full force and effect, and each option shall apply to the
same number and class of securities of the surviving corporation as a holder of
the number of shares of Common Stock subject to the option would be entitled to
under the terms of the reorganization, merger, consolidation or capitalization.
19. Administration of the Plan. The Plan shall be administered by
the Board of Directors of the Corporation (the "Board") or by a committee
designated by the Board composed of one or more members of the Board and such
other persons as the Board shall designate. Any such committee shall have the
powers and authority vested in the Board hereunder as the Board shall designate.
The members of any such committee shall serve at the pleasure of the Board. A
majority of the members of the committee shall constitute a quorum, and all
actions of such committee shall be taken by a majority of the members present.
Any action may be taken by a written instrument signed by all of the members of
such committee and any action so taken shall be fully as effective as if it had
been taken at a meeting. The Board, or any committee thereof appointed to
administer the Plan, is referred to herein as the "Plan Administrator."
Subject to the provisions of the Plan or any limitations imposed on
it by the Board, the Plan Administrator shall have sole authority, in its
absolute discretion, (a) to construe and interpret the Plan; (b) to define the
terms used herein; (c) to prescribe, amend, and rescind rules and regulations
relating to the Plan; (d) to determine all of the other terms and conditions of
Options granted under the Plan; and (e) to make all other determinations
necessary or advisable for the administration of the Plan and do everything
necessary or appropriate to administer the Plan. All decisions, determinations,
and interpretations made by the Plan Administrator shall be binding and
conclusive on all participants in the Plan and on their legal representatives,
heirs, and beneficiaries.
20. Termination and Amendments to Plan. The Board or the Plan
Administrator may terminate the Plan at any time. If not terminated by act of
the Board or the Plan Administrator, the Plan will terminate on the earlier of
(a) the date on which all or substantially all of the unissued shares of Common
Stock reserved for the purpose of the Plan have been purchased, or (b) ten (10)
years from the date the Plan is adopted by the Board of Directors. Upon such
termination or any other termination of the Plan, all payroll deductions not
used to purchase stock will be refunded.
The Plan Administrator may amend the Plan from time to time in any
respect; provided, however, that any amendment for which shareholder approval is
required by Rule 16b-3 or under
7
<PAGE> 8
Section 423 of the Code (or any successor rule or provision or any other
applicable law or regulation), shall be subject to approval of the shareholders.
21. Conditions Upon Issuance of Shares. Shares shall not be issued
with respect to an option unless the exercise of such option and the issuance
and delivery of such shares pursuant thereto shall comply with all applicable
provisions of law, domestic or foreign, including, without limitation, the
Exchange Act, the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the rules and regulations
promulgated thereunder, and the requirements of any stock exchange upon which
the Company's stock may then be listed, and shall be further subject to the
approval of counsel for the Company with respect to such compliance.
As a condition to the exercise of an option, the Company may require
a participant to represent and warrant at the time of exercise that the shares
are being purchased only for investment and without any present intention to
sell or distribute such shares if, in the option of counsel for the Company,
such a representation is required by any applicable law.
22. Reports. Statements of individual accounts, setting forth the
amounts of payroll deductions, the number of shares purchased, the Purchase
Price and the remaining cash balance, if any, will be delivered to participants
at least annually.
23. Approval of Shareholders. This Plan is being implemented by
action of the Board of Directors with the understanding that approval of the
Plan by the shareholders of the Company will be sought. Options granted
hereunder prior to the date of the first meeting of the shareholders of the
Company duly convened following the effective date of this Plan shall be granted
subject to ratification of this Plan by the shareholders of the Company at such
duly convened meeting, and if shareholder ratification is not obtained at such
meeting, each and every option granted under this Plan shall be null and void
and shall convey no rights to the holder thereof and all payroll deductions will
be refunded promptly, without interest.
Approved by the Corporation's Board of Directors as of December 9,
1994, and as amended by the Board of Directors on December 13, 1995,
December 18, 1996 and March 13, 1997.
Approved by the Corporation's Shareholders as of December 9, 1994.
MIDCOM Communications Inc.
By /s/ Paul P. Senio
---------------------------
Paul P. Senio
Its Vice President
8
<PAGE> 9
EXHIBIT 5.1
MIDCOM COMMUNICATIONS INC.
1995 EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN
AS AMENDED AND RESTATED THROUGH MARCH 13, 1997
SUBSCRIPTION AGREEMENT
___ Original Application Enrollment Date: _______
___ Change in Payroll Deduction Rate
___ Change of Beneficiary(ies)
(a) ______________________________ hereby elects to participate in the
Amended and Restated MIDCOM Communications Inc. 1995 Employee Stock
Purchase Plan (the "Employee Stock Purchase Plan") and subscribes to
purchase shares of the Company's Common Stock in accordance with this
Subscription Agreement and the Employee Stock Purchase Plan.
(b) I hereby authorize payroll deductions from each paycheck in the amount
of __________ percent ( _____%) of my Compensation on each payday
during the Offering Period in accordance with the Employee Stock
Purchase Plan. (Please note that no fractional percentages are
permitted.)
(c) I understand that said payroll deductions shall be accumulated for the
purchase of shares of Common Stock at the applicable Purchase Price
determined in accordance with the Employee Stock Purchase Plan. I
understand that if I do not withdraw from an Offering Period, any
accumulated payroll deductions will be used automatically to exercise
my option.
(d) I have received a copy of the complete memorandum to participants
summarizing the "Mid-Com Communications Inc. 1995 Employee Stock
Purchase Plan." I understand that my participation in the Employee
Stock Purchase Plan is in all respects subject to the terms of the
Plan. I understand that the grant of the option by the Company under
this Subscription Agreement is subject to obtaining shareholder
approval of the Employee Stock Purchase Plan.
(e) Shares purchased for me under the Employee Stock Purchase Plan should
be issued in the name(s) of (Employee or Employee and spouse only):
________________________________
___________________________________________________.
9
<PAGE> 10
(f) I understand that if I dispose of any shares received by me pursuant
to the Plan within two years after the Enrollment Date (the first day
of the Offering Period during which I purchased such shares) or one
year after the Exercise Date, I will be treated for federal income tax
purposes as having received ordinary income at the time of such
disposition in an amount equal to the excess of the Fair Market Value
of the shares at the time such shares were delivered to me over the
price which I paid for the shares. I HEREBY AGREE TO NOTIFY THE COMPANY
IN WRITING WITHIN THIRTY (30) DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF ANY DISPOSITION OF
MY SHARES AND I WILL MAKE ADEQUATE PROVISION FOR FEDERAL, STATE OR
OTHER TAX WITHHOLDING OBLIGATIONS, IF ANY, WHICH ARISE UPON THE
DISPOSITION OF THE COMMON STOCK. The Company may, but will not be
obligated to, withhold from my compensation the amount necessary to
meet any applicable withholding obligation including any withholding
necessary to make available to the Company any tax deductions or
benefits attributable to sale or early disposition of Common Stock by
me.
(g) I hereby agree to be bound by the terms of the Employee Stock Purchase
Plan. The effectiveness of this Subscription Agreement is dependent
upon my eligibility to participate in the Employee Stock Purchase Plan.
(h) In the event of my death, I hereby designate the following as my
beneficiary(ies) to receive all payments and shares due me under the
Employee Stock Purchase Plan:
NAME: (Please print) __________________________________________________________
(First) (Middle) (Last)
____________________ ___________________________________
Relationship
___________________________________
(Address)
Employee's Social
Security Number: ___________________________________
I UNDERSTAND THAT THIS SUBSCRIPTION AGREEMENT SHALL REMAIN IN EFFECT THROUGHOUT
SUCCESSIVE OFFERING PERIODS UNLESS TERMINATED BY ME.
Dated: _________________________________________________________
Signature of Employee
_________________________________________________________
Spouse's Signature (If beneficiary other than spouse)
10
<PAGE> 11
EXHIBIT 14.1
MIDCOM COMMUNICATIONS INC.
1995 EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN
AS AMENDED AND RESTATED THROUGH MARCH 13, 1997
WITHDRAWAL NOTICE
The undersigned participant in the MIDCOM Communications Inc. 1995
Employee Stock Purchase Plan as Amended and Restated through December 18, 1996
(the "Plan") hereby notifies the Company that he or she hereby withdraws from
the Plan. He or she hereby directs the Company to pay to the undersigned as
promptly as practicable all the payroll deductions credited to his or her
account under the Plan. The undersigned understands and agrees that his or her
option for the current Offering Period under the Plan will be automatically
terminated. The undersigned understands further that no further payroll
deductions will be made for the purchase of shares in the current Offering
Period and the undersigned shall be eligible to participate in succeeding
Offering Periods only by delivering to the Company a new Subscription Agreement
in accordance with the terms of the Plan.
Name and Address of Participant:
___________________________________
___________________________________
___________________________________
Signature:
___________________________________
Date: ____________________________
1
<PAGE> 1
MIDCOM COMMUNICATIONS INC.
EXHIBIT 11.1 STATEMENT RE: COMPUTATION OF NET LOSS PER SHARE
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
------------------------------------------
(In thousands, except per share data) 1996 1995 1994
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Loss before extraordinary item $(97,319) $(29,351) $(3,029)
Extraordinary item -- (4,067) --
-------- -------- -------
Net loss $(97,319) $(33,418) $(3,029)
======== ======== =======
Weighted average common shares outstanding 15,529 12,101 8,011
Net effect of stock options and warrants granted during the
twelve months prior to the filing of the registration
statement with respect to the Company's initial public
offering at less than the $11.00 offering price calculated
using the treasury stock method and treated as outstanding
for all periods prior to the closing of the Company's
initial public offering. -- -- 1,079
Weighted average common shares giving effect to the redemption
of Series A Redeemable Preferred Stock, calculated assuming
net proceeds at the $11.00 offering price. -- -- 840
-------- -------- -------
Weighted average shares outstanding 15,529 12,101 9,930
======== ======== =======
Per share amounts:
Loss before extraordinary item $ (6.27) $ (2.42) $ (0.31)
Extraordinary item -- (0.34) --
-------- -------- -------
Net loss per share $ (6.27) $ (2.76) $ (0.31)
======== ======== =======
</TABLE>
<PAGE> 1
EXHIBIT 23.1
CONSENT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP. INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement
(Form S-8 No. 33-94682) pertaining to the 1993 Stock Option Plan and the 1995
Stock Purchase Plan and the Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 333-15703)
pertaining to the Revised and Restated 1993 Stock Option Plan of our report
dated March 21, 1997, with respect to the consolidated financial statements of
MIDCOM Communications Inc. included in the Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the
year ended December 31, 1996.
ERNST & YOUNG LLP
Seattle, Washington
March 26, 1997
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 5
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-END> DEC-31-1996
<CASH> 30,962,000
<SECURITIES> 0
<RECEIVABLES> 24,771,000
<ALLOWANCES> (7,802,000)
<INVENTORY> 0
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 49,479,000
<PP&E> 23,624,000
<DEPRECIATION> (12,579,000)
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0
0
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<EPS-PRIMARY> (6.27)
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</TABLE>
