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ITC^DeltaCom Announces Second Quarter 2009 Results

August 7, 2009
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HUNTSVILLE, Ala., Aug. 7 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — ITC^DeltaCom, Inc. (OTC Bulletin Board: ITCD), a leading provider of integrated communications services to customers in the southeastern United States, today announced its operating and financial results for the quarter ended June 30, 2009. For the 2009 second quarter, ITC^DeltaCom reported total operating revenues of $118.6 million, a net loss of $(2.7) million, and adjusted EBITDA* of $22.7 million.

“We are pleased to report again our highest quarterly profitability to date as measured by adjusted EBITDA,” said Randall E. Curran, ITC^DeltaCom’s Chief Executive Officer. “Our strategy to improve our business’s cost structure through process improvements and network optimization is helping our company offset the effects of the challenging economic conditions that are currently impacting our industry.”

Among its operating highlights for the second quarter of 2009, ITC^DeltaCom:

  • recorded operating income of $4.9 million compared to operating income of $2.3 million in the second quarter of 2008 and a net loss of $(2.7) million compared to a net loss of $(4.8) million in the second quarter of 2008;
  • increased adjusted EBITDA, as defined by the company below, by 4.0% over the second quarter of 2008 to $22.7 million;
  • experienced a decrease in total operating revenues of $6.9 million, or 5.5%, from the second quarter of 2008;
  • experienced a decrease in business local, data and Internet revenues of $1.8 million, or 2.1%, from the second quarter of 2008;
  • ended the quarter with over 428,400 voice lines in service, of which 86.9% were provided on the company’s own network, which represented an increase from 83.8% provided on the company’s network at the end of the second quarter of 2008;
  • increased its core, facilities-based business voice lines in service by approximately 10,200 lines over the second quarter of 2008 and by 2,600 lines over the first quarter of 2009;
  • experienced a decrease in total business voice lines in service of approximately 3,900 lines from the second quarter of 2008 and 400 lines from the first quarter of 2009;
  • continued to derive benefit from investments in process redesign and other efficiency gains, resulting in selling, operations and administration expense equal to 35.3% of revenue compared to 37.3% of revenue in the second quarter of 2008;
  • generated $21.4 million in net cash provided by operating activities, which represented an increase of $7.5 million over the second quarter of 2008; and
  • increased adjusted unlevered free cash flow, as defined by the company below, by 21.1% over the second quarter of 2008 to $9.2 million from $7.6 million.

“Our total revenues declined in the second quarter due to loss of long distance and regulatory revenues as customers migrate to mobile and bundled minute packages, declines in our wholesale dial-up PRI product, and customer disconnects and pricing pressure related to the impacts of the recession. However, we continue to remain focused on process improvements, increasing efficiencies in our network cost structure, and strengthening our balance sheet,” said Richard E. Fish, ITC^DeltaCom’s Chief Financial Officer. “Our adjusted unleveraged free cash flow reached over $9 million in the second quarter, and we increased our total cash and cash equivalents to $73.8 million.”

Additional information about ITC^DeltaCom’s business and operating results is contained in the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2009 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

* Adjusted EBITDA is defined by ITC^DeltaCom as net income (loss) before interest income and expense, net, provision for income taxes, depreciation and amortization, stock-based compensation, non-cash loss on extinguishment of debt, debt issue cost write-off, prepayment penalties on debt, equity commitment fees, restructuring expenses, merger-related expenses, asset impairment loss and other income or loss, all as disclosed in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss. Adjusted EBITDA is not a measurement of financial performance under generally accepted accounting principles. For a quantitative reconciliation of adjusted EBITDA to net loss, as net loss is calculated in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, see the accompanying table captioned “Adjusted EBITDA Reconciliation.”

** Adjusted unlevered free cash flow is defined by ITC^DeltaCom as adjusted EBITDA (as defined above) less capital expenditures (including equipment purchased through capital leases) and changes in accounts payable – construction, all as disclosed in the consolidated statements of cash flows. Adjusted unlevered free cash flow is not a measurement of financial performance under generally accepted accounting principles. For a quantitative reconciliation of adjusted unlevered free cash flow to net cash provided by operating activities, as net cash provided by operating activities is calculated in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, see the accompanying table captioned “Adjusted Unlevered Free Cash Flow Reconciliation.”

ABOUT ITC^DELTACOM, INC.

ITC^DeltaCom, Inc., headquartered in Huntsville, Alabama, provides, through its operating subsidiaries, integrated telecommunications and technology services to businesses and other communications providers in the southeastern United States. ITC^DeltaCom has a fiber optic network spanning 15,965 route miles, including more than 12,020 route miles of owned fiber, and offers a comprehensive suite of voice and data communications services, including local, long distance, broadband data, Internet connectivity, wireless voice and data services, and customer premise equipment. ITC^DeltaCom is one of the largest competitive telecommunications providers in its primary eight-state region. For more information about ITC^DeltaCom, visit ITC^DeltaCom’s web site at http://www.deltacom.com.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Except for the historical and present factual information contained herein, this release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. When used in this release, the words “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “plan” and similar expressions as they relate to ITC^DeltaCom, Inc. or its management are intended to identify these forward-looking statements. All statements by the Company regarding its expected financial position, revenues, liquidity, cash flow and other operating results, balance sheet improvement, business strategy, financing plans, forecasted trends related to the markets in which it operates, legal proceedings and similar matters are forward-looking statements. The Company’s actual results could be materially different from its expectations because of various risks. These risks, some of which are discussed under the caption “Risk Factors” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008, and in the Company’s subsequent SEC reports, include the Company’s dependence on new product development, rapid technological and market changes, the Company’s dependence upon rights of way and other third-party agreements, debt service and other cash requirements, liquidity constraints and risks related to future growth and rapid expansion. Other important risk factors that could cause actual events or results to differ from those contained or implied in the forward-looking statements include, without limitation, customer attrition, delays or difficulties in deployment and implementation of colocation arrangements and facilities, appeals of or failures by third parties to comply with rulings of governmental entities, inability to meet installation schedules, general economic and business conditions, failure to maintain underlying service/vendor arrangements, competition, adverse changes in the regulatory or legislative environment, and various other factors beyond the Company’s control. ITC^DeltaCom disclaims any responsibility to update these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise.

                                   ITC^DeltaCom, Inc.
                                 Financial Highlights
                                    (Unaudited)
                     (In thousands, except share and per share data)

                                     Three Months              Six Months
                                    Ended June 30,            Ended June 30,
                                   2009         2008        2009         2008
    OPERATING REVENUES:
      Integrated communications
       services                $100,053     $104,357    $202,129     $207,826
      Wholesale services         14,625       16,425      30,243       33,064
      Equipment sales and
       related services           3,925        4,766       8,206        9,441

    TOTAL OPERATING REVENUES    118,603      125,548     240,578      250,331

    COSTS AND EXPENSES:
      Cost of services and
       equipment, excluding
       depreciation and
       amortization              54,627       57,461     111,104      115,829
      Selling, operations and
       administration            41,817       46,818      85,487       93,072
      Depreciation and
       amortization              17,216       18,945      34,135       37,261

        Total operating
         expenses               113,660      123,224     230,726      246,162

    OPERATING INCOME              4,943        2,324       9,852        4,169

    OTHER (EXPENSE) INCOME:
      Interest expense           (7,552)      (7,868)    (15,091)     (16,186)
      Interest income                14          299          29          876
      Other income (expense)       (151)         397        (132)         428

        Total other expense, net (7,689)      (7,172)    (15,194)     (14,882)

    LOSS BEFORE INCOME TAXES     (2,746)      (4,848)     (5,342)     (10,713)

    INCOME TAX EXPENSE                -            -           -            -

    NET LOSS                     (2,746)      (4,848)     (5,342)     (10,713)
    PREFERRED STOCK DIVIDENDS
     AND ACCRETION                    -            -           -       (7,073)

    NET LOSS APPLICABLE TO
     COMMON STOCKHOLDERS        $(2,746)     $(4,848)    $(5,342)    $(17,786)

    BASIC AND DILUTED NET
     LOSS PER SHARE APPLICABLE
     TO COMMON STOCKHOLDERS      $(0.03)      $(0.06)     $(0.07)      $(0.23)

    BASIC AND DILUTED WEIGHTED
     AVERAGE COMMON SHARES
     OUTSTANDING             80,954,845   80,748,100  80,911,185   78,567,987

    COMPREHENSIVE LOSS
     NET LOSS                   $(2,746)     $(4,848)    $(5,342)    $(10,713)
    OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS
      Change in unrealized
       gains (losses) on
       derivative instrument
       designated as cash flow
       hedging instrument, net
       of tax                     1,529        3,677       3,335         (413)

    COMPREHENSIVE LOSS          $(1,217)     $(1,171)    $(2,007)    $(11,126)

                                   ITC^DeltaCom, Inc.
                                 Quarterly Highlights
                                     (Unaudited)
                                    (In thousands)

                                             Three Months Ended
                           June 30,  March 31,  Dec. 31,   Sept. 30,  June 30,
                             2009       2009      2008        2008      2008
    Integrated communications
     services revenues:
      Long distance
       and access           $15,529   $16,021    $16,312     $17,229   $17,996
      Business local,
       data and internet     84,524    86,055     86,445      86,169    86,361

    Total integrated
     communications
     services revenues      100,053   102,076    102,757     103,398   104,357

    Wholesale services
     revenues:
      Broadband transport    12,237    12,664     12,983      13,046    13,186
      Local
       interconnection          308       740      1,034       1,193     1,210
      Directory
       assistance and
       operator services      1,019     1,029      1,093       1,146     1,141
         Other                1,061     1,185      1,122       1,117       888

     Total wholesale
      services revenues      14,625    15,618     16,232      16,502    16,425

     Equipment sales
      and related services
      revenues                3,925     4,281      3,826       4,817     4,766

     Total operating
      revenues              118,603   121,975    122,815     124,717   125,548

      COSTS AND EXPENSES:
         Cost of services
          and equipment,
          excluding
          depreciation
          and
          amortization       54,627    56,477     58,824      58,246    57,461
         Selling,
          operations and
          administration
          expense            41,817    43,670     45,158      44,893    46,818
         Depreciation and
          amortization       17,216    16,919     17,035      19,218    18,945

      Total operating
       expenses             113,660   117,066    121,017     122,357   123,224

     OPERATING INCOME        $4,943    $4,909     $1,798      $2,360    $2,324

                                   ITC^DeltaCom, Inc.
                            Quarterly Highlights (continued)
                                     (Unaudited)

                             June 30,  March 31, Dec. 31, Sept. 30, June 30,
                               2009      2009      2008     2008      2008

    Retail business voice
     lines in service(1)
      UNE-T and other UNE
       lines(2)               372,413   369,787  369,496  368,724  362,174
      Increase from
       previous quarter           0.7%      0.1%     0.2%     1.8%     3.6%

      Resale and commercial
       agreement lines(3)      56,022    59,017   62,629   66,300   70,167

      Decrease from
       previous quarter          (5.1)%    (5.8)%   (6.0)%   (5.5)%   (5.6)%

    Total retail business
     voice lines in service   428,435   428,804  432,125  435,024  432,341

    Wholesale voice lines in
     service(4)                 8,625    12,489   26,151   38,203   40,595
      Increase (decrease)
       from previous quarter    (30.9)%   (52.2)%  (31.5)%   (5.9)%   (0.6)%

    Total business voice
     lines in service (5)     437,060   441,293  458,276  473,227  472,936

    Number of employees (6)     1,452     1,511    1,565    1,615    1,700

    (1) Lines in service include only voice lines in service.  Conversion of
        data services provided to customers to a voice line equivalent is not
        included.
    (2) Facilities-based service offering in which ITC^DeltaCom provides local
        service through its owned and operated switching facilities.
    (3) Voice lines for local and mobile services served via commercial
        agreements and reselling incumbent local exchange carrier tariff
        offerings.
    (4) Represents primary rate interface circuits provided as part of
        ITC^DeltaCom's local interconnection services for Internet service
        providers.
    (5) Reported net of lines disconnected or canceled.
    (6) Includes full-time and part-time employees.

                                   ITC^DeltaCom, Inc.
                       Balance Sheet and Other Financial Highlights
                                    (In thousands)

    Balance Sheet Data (at period end):       June 30, 2009  December 31, 2008
                                                 (Unaudited)

    Cash and cash equivalents (unrestricted)        $73,802           $56,683
    Working capital                                  43,341            33,902
    Total assets                                    377,662           382,661
    Long-term liabilities                           305,474           307,880
    Stockholders' deficit                           (13,427)          (12,401)
    Total liabilities and stockholders' deficit     377,662           382,661

                                           Three Months Ended
                         June 30,  March 31,   Dec. 31,   Sept. 30,  June 30,
                          2009        2009       2008        2008     2008
    Other Financial Data:
                                              (Unaudited)
    Capital
     expenditures(1)     $13,465     $8,329    $29,843     $8,005   $14,187
    Cash flows (used
     in) provided by:
      Operating
       activities         21,430     17,271     10,685     21,267    13,864
      Investing
       activities        (12,795)    (6,792)    (9,593)   (33,257)  (13,435)
      Financing
       activities           (581)    (1,414)     2,918      4,417      (583)

    Adjusted EBITDA(2)    22,697     22,357     19,269     22,131    21,835
    Adjusted unlevered
     free cash flow(3)     9,232     14,028    (10,574)    14,126     7,648

                                 ITC^DeltaCom, Inc.
              Balance Sheet and Other Financial Highlights (continued)
                                  (In thousands)

    Notes:
    (1) Includes equipment purchased through capital leases and changes in
        accrued capital related costs.

    (2) Adjusted EBITDA is defined by ITC^DeltaCom as net income (loss) before
        interest income and expense, net, provision for income taxes,
        depreciation and amortization, stock-based compensation, non-cash loss
        on extinguishment of debt, debt issue cost write-off, prepayment
        penalties on debt, equity commitment fees, restructuring expenses,
        merger-related expenses, asset impairment loss and other income or
        loss, all as disclosed in the condensed consolidated statements of
        operations and comprehensive loss.  Adjusted EBITDA is not a
        measurement of financial performance under generally accepted
        accounting principles.  For a quantitative reconciliation of adjusted
        EBITDA to net loss, as net loss is calculated in accordance with
        generally accepted accounting principles, see the accompanying table
        captioned "Adjusted EBITDA Reconciliation."

    (3) Adjusted unlevered free cash flow is defined by ITC^DeltaCom as
        adjusted EBITDA, as defined above in Note (2), less capital
        expenditures (including equipment purchased through capital leases)
        and changes in accounts payable-construction, all as disclosed in the
        condensed consolidated statements of cash flows.  Adjusted unlevered
        free cash flow is not a measurement of financial performance under
        generally accepted accounting principles.  For a quantitative
        reconciliation of adjusted unlevered free cash flow to net cash
        provided by operating activities, as net cash provided by operating
        activities is calculated in accordance with generally accepted
        accounting principles, see the accompanying table captioned "Adjusted
        Unlevered Free Cash Flow Reconciliation."

                                 ITC^DeltaCom, Inc.
                           Adjusted EBITDA Reconciliation
                                  (In thousands)
                                   (Unaudited)

    Adjusted EBITDA is defined by ITC^DeltaCom as net income (loss) before
    interest income and expense, net, provision for income taxes, depreciation
    and amortization, stock-based compensation, non-cash loss on
    extinguishment of debt, debt issue cost write-off, prepayment penalties on
    debt, equity commitment fees, restructuring expenses, merger-related
    expenses, asset impairment loss and other income or loss, all as disclosed
    in the condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive
    loss.  Not all of these adjustments are applicable in every period.
    Adjusted EBITDA is not a financial measurement under generally accepted
    accounting principles ("GAAP").  ITC^DeltaCom's management uses adjusted
    EBITDA, together with financial measures prepared in accordance with GAAP,
    such as revenue, to assess ITC^DeltaCom's historical and prospective
    operating performance.  Management uses adjusted EBITDA to enhance its
    understanding of ITC^DeltaCom's core operating performance, which
    represents management's views concerning ITC^DeltaCom's performance in the
    ordinary, ongoing and customary course of its operations.  ITC^DeltaCom's
    management also uses adjusted EBITDA to evaluate ITC^DeltaCom's core
    operating performance relative to that of its competitors.  See
    "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results
    of Operations--Overview--Adjusted EBITDA" in ITC^DeltaCom's Annual Report on
    Form 10-K for its 2008 fiscal year for additional information regarding
    management's reasons for including adjusted EBITDA data and for material
    limitations with respect to the usefulness of this measure. The following
    tables present adjusted EBITDA amounts for the fiscal quarters indicated
    and also sets forth a quantitative reconciliation of adjusted EBITDA to
    net loss, as net loss is calculated in accordance with GAAP (in
    thousands):

                                             Three Months Ended
                           June 30, March 31,   Dec. 31,   Sept. 30, June 30,
                             2009      2009       2008        2008     2008
                                               (Unaudited)

    Net loss               $(2,746)  $(2,596)   $(6,848)   $(5,336) $(4,848)
    Add: non-EBITDA
     items included in
     net loss:
      Interest income
       and expense, net      7,538     7,524      8,367      7,628    7,569
      Depreciation and
       amortization         17,216    16,919     17,035     19,218   18,945
      Stock-based
       compensation            538       529        436        553      566
      Other (income) loss      151       (19)       279         68     (397)

    Adjusted EBITDA        $22,697   $22,357    $19,269    $22,131  $21,835

                                   ITC^DeltaCom, Inc.
                  Adjusted Unlevered Free Cash Flow Reconciliation
                                   (In thousands)
                                    (Unaudited)

    Adjusted unlevered free cash flow is defined by ITC^DeltaCom as adjusted
    EBITDA (as defined above) less capital expenditures (including equipment
    purchased through capital leases) and changes in accounts payable-
    construction, all as disclosed in the condensed consolidated statements of
    cash flows.  Adjusted unlevered free cash flow is not a measurement of
    financial performance under GAAP.  ITC^DeltaCom has included data with
    respect to adjusted unlevered free cash flow because its management
    considers adjusted unlevered free cash flow to be a useful, supplemental
    indicator of its operating performance. When measured over time, adjusted
    unlevered free cash flow provides supplemental information to investors
    concerning the growth rate in ITC^DeltaCom's operating results and its
    ability to generate cash flows to satisfy mandatory debt service
    requirements and make other mandatory, non-discretionary expenditures.
    See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
    Results of Operations--Overview--Adjusted Unlevered Free Cash Flow" in
    ITC^DeltaCom's Annual Report on Form 10-K for its 2008 fiscal year for
    additional information regarding management's reasons for including
    adjusted unlevered free cash flow data and for material limitations with
    respect to the usefulness of this measure. The following tables present
    adjusted unlevered free cash flow amounts for the fiscal quarters
    indicated and also sets forth a quantitative reconciliation of adjusted
    unlevered free cash flow to net cash provided by operating activities, as
    net cash provided by operating activities is calculated in accordance with
    GAAP (in thousands):

                                            Three Months Ended
                          June 30,   March 31,   Dec. 31,  Sept. 30, June 30,
                            2009        2009       2008       2008     2008
                                                (Unaudited)

    Net cash provided by
     operating
     activities            $21,430    $17,271    $10,685    $21,267  $13,864

    Adjustments to
     reconcile adjusted
     unlevered free
     cash flow to net cash
     provided by operating
     activities
         Elements included
          in net cash
          provided
          by (used in)
          operating
          activities not
          included in
          adjusted
          unlevered free
          cash flow:
         Total changes in
          current operating
          assets and
          liabilities       (4,671)      (154)     2,025     (5,204)   1,882
         Provision for
          bad debts         (1,050)    (1,680)    (1,200)      (950)    (900)
         Interest expense
          excluding
          interest paid
          in kind and in
          common stock,
          and
          amortization of
          debt issuance
          costs and debt
          discount, net
          of interest
          income             6,932      6,917      7,759      7,018    6,958
         Other (income)
          loss                  56          3          -          -       31

       Adjusted EBITDA      22,697     22,357     19,269     22,131   21,835
    Less:
       Capital
        expenditures       (12,490)   (10,096)   (22,063)   (15,486) (11,387)
         Change in
          accounts
          payable
          -construction       (975)     1,767     (7,780)     7,481   (2,800)

    Adjusted
     unlevered free
     cash flow              $9,232    $14,028   $(10,574)   $14,126   $7,648

    Investor Contact:
    Richard E. Fish
    Chief Financial Officer
    256-382-3827
    Richard.fish@deltacom.com

SOURCE ITC^DeltaCom, Inc.


Source: newswire