United States
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, 2006
OR
¨ | TRANSITIONAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the transition period from to
Commission File Number 1-11484
HUNGARIAN TELEPHONE AND CABLE CORP.
(Exact Name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware | 13-3652685 | |
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) |
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) |
1201 Third Avenue, Suite 3400, Seattle, WA 98101-3034
(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)
Registrants telephone number, including area code: (206) 654-0204
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of Each Class |
Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered | |
Common Stock, par value $.001 per share | American Stock Exchange |
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes ¨ No x
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes ¨ No x
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 requirement 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 is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrants 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. [ ]
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of accelerated filer and large accelerated filer in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large Accelerated Filer ¨ Accelerated Filer x Non-Accelerated Filer ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ¨ No x
As of March 12, 2007, 12,888,171 shares of the registrants Common Stock were outstanding, of which 4,672,782 were held by non-affiliates of the registrant. The aggregate market value of the registrants Common Stock held by nonaffiliates, computed by reference to the closing price of the Common Stock on the American Stock Exchange as of the last business day of the registrants most recently completed second fiscal quarter was $70.1 million. The exclusion of shares owned by any person from such amount shall not be deemed an admission by the registrant that such person is an affiliate of the registrant.
Documents Incorporated by Reference
Part III - Portions of the Registrants proxy statement for its 2007 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.
Glossary of Terms
Our industry uses many terms and acronyms that may not be familiar to you. To assist you in reading this document, we have provided below definitions of some of these terms.
Access Lines. Telephone lines reaching from the customers premises to a connection with the telephone service providers network. When we refer to our access lines, we include our customers with either a wired or fixed wireless connection to our network.
Access Network. The part of the telecommunications network which connects the end users to the backbone.
Average Revenue Per User (ARPU). The average revenue per user.
Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM). A broadband, network transport service that provides a fast, efficient way to move large quantities of information.
Backbone. A centralized high-speed network that interconnects smaller, independent networks.
Bandwidth. The number of bits of information which can move through a communications medium in a given amount of time (normally measured in bits per second).
Broadband. High speed access to the Internet. Telecommunication in which a wide band of frequencies is available to transmit information. Because a wide band of frequencies is available, information can be multiplexed and sent on many different frequencies or channels within the band concurrently, allowing more information to be transmitted in a given amount of time. Various definers have assigned a minimum data rate to qualify as broadband.
Carrier Selection (CS). The ability to select the telecommunications service provider for certain calls on a call-by-call basis, whereby a telecommunications service provider different from the default telecommunications service provider may be selected by the customer by dialing a prefix when making certain calls.
Carrier Pre-Selection (CPS). The ability to select the telecommunications service provider for certain calls on a pre-set basis so that the selected telecommunications service provider is the default telecommunications service provider on such calls without having to dial a prefix.
Central Office (CO). The site with the local telecommunications providers equipment that routes calls to and from customers. It also connects customers to Internet Service Providers and long distance carriers.
Churn. It represents the percentage of customers that disconnect or are terminated from service relative to the customer base.
Dark Fiber. Unused fiber optic cable. Fiber optic cables convey information in the form of light pulses so that dark fiber means that no light pulses are being sent over the fiber optic cable.
Dense Wavelength Division Mulitplexing (DWDM). A way of increasing the capacity of fiber optic networks. DWDM carries multiple colors of light, or multiple wavelengths on a single strand of fiber.
Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications (DECT). A wireless standard based on time division multiple access technology used for wireless local loop systems.
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Digital. A method of storing, processing and transmitting information through the use of distinct electronic or optical pulses that represent the binary digits 0 and 1. Digital transmission and switching technologies employ a sequence of these pulses to represent information as opposed to the continuously variable analog signal. The precise digital numbers minimize distortion (such as graininess or snow in the case of video transmission, or static or other background distortion in the case of audio transmission).
Digital Subscriber Line (DSL). A technology for providing high-speed data communications over copper telephone lines.
Ethernet. A local area network architecture. It is the most common type of connection computers use in a local area network. An Ethernet port looks much like a regular phone jack, but is slightly wider. This port can be used to connect a computer to another computer, a local network, or an external DSL or cable modem.
Fiber Optic Cable. A type of cable made from hair-thin glass (rather than copper) through which information travels as light. Fiber optic cables have a much greater bandwidth capacity than metal cables. Fiber optic cables form the basis for telecommunication providers backbone networks in transmitting information long distances.
Firewall. A system that acts as an interface between two networks and regulates traffic between those networks for the purpose of protecting the internal network from electronic attacks originating from the external network. Normally a firewall is deployed between a trusted, protected private network and a public network. For example, the trusted network might be a corporate network and the public network might be the Internet.
Fixed Lines/Fixed Telephone Lines. Refers to both wireline and fixed wireless telephone access lines.
Fixed Wireless. The operation of wireless devices (such as a telephone) in fixed locations such as homes and offices. The geographic range of the mobility is limited to a small area.
Frame Relay. A high speed switching technology, primarily used to interconnect multiple local area networks.
Incumbent Local Telephone Operator (ILTO). A traditional wireline telecommunications service provider that, prior to the end of 2002, had the exclusive right and responsibility for providing local telecommunications services in certain local service areas within Hungary.
Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN). A telecommunications standard that uses digital transmission technology to support voice, video and data communication applications over regular telephone lines.
Internet Protocol (IP). A protocol for transferring information across the Internet in packets of data.
Internet Service Providers (ISPs). Businesses that provide Internet access to customers.
Last Mile. The telecommunications technology that connects the customers premises directly to the network of the telecommunications provider, traditionally a wired connection through a twisted pair copper wire telephone cable (in the case of the telecommunications provider) or a coaxial cable (in the case of a cable television operator) but it can also be a fixed wireless connection.
Local Area Network (LAN). A network located in a single location such as a floor, department or building.
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Local Loop. The telephone line that runs from the local telephone companys equipment to the end users premise. The local loop can be made up of fiber, copper or wireless media. It usually refers to the wired connection from a telephone companys central office in a local area to its customers premises.
Local Loop Unbundling. The process of making the local loop available to the local loop owners competitors.
Metropolitan Area Network (MAN). A network that covers a metropolitan area such as a portion of a city. The area is larger than that covered by a local area network but smaller than the area covered by a wide area network.
Multiplexing. The combination of multiple analog or digital signals for transmission over a single line.
Network. An arrangement of data devices that can communicate with each other such as the telephone network over which telephones and modems communicate with each other.
Point of Presence (POP). The physical location where the line from a long distance carrier or the server of an Internet Service Provider connects to the line of the local telecommunications service provider (usually at the local telephone companys central office).
Point to Multipoint (PMP). Refers to the use of microwave technology to link the telecommunications service providers point-of-presence with a number of remote customer locations.
Point to Point (PP). Refers to the use of microwave technology to link the telecommunications service providers point-of-presence directly with one single customer location.
Private Branch Exchange (PBX). Computerized on-site telephone systems located within an organizations premises. They route calls both within an organization and from the outside world to people within the organization.
Private Lines or Dedicated Lines or Leased Lines. A telephone line (a direct circuit or channel) specifically dedicated to an end-user organization for the purpose of directly connecting two or more of that organizations sites. They are used to transmit voice, data or video between the sites.
Synchronous Digital Hierarchy (SDH). The international standard for synchronous data transmission over fiber optic cables. The North American equivalent of SDH in SONET.
Transit Services. An interconnection service whereby a carrier provides transportation services for information (voice, data and video) by linking two networks that are not directly interconnected.
Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS). A third generation (3G) wireless system designed to provide a wide range of voice, high speed data and multimedia services.
Unbundled Network Elements (UNEs). The discrete elements of a telecommunications service providers network that are sold or leased to competing telecommunications service providers, which elements may be combined to enable that competitor to provide retail telecommunications services.
Virtual Private Network (VPN). A private network that operates securely within a public network (such as the Internet) by means of encrypting transmissions. It provides the functions and features of a private network without the need for dedicated private lines between different end-user organizations sites. Each end-user organizations site connects to the network providers network rather than directly to the end-users other sites.
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Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP). The transmission of voice using Internet-based technology over a broadband connection rather than a traditional wire and switch-based telephone network.
Web Hosting. The business of providing server space, storage, Web services and file maintenance for Web sites controlled by individuals or businesses that do not have their own Web servers.
Wide Area Network (WAN). A geographically dispersed network that is housed in more than one location. Its area is larger than that covered by metropolitan area network.
Wireless Local Loop. A wireless connection between the customers premises and the telephone companys central office.
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PART I
In this Form 10-K, all references to $, USD or U.S. dollars are to United States dollars, all references to , EUR or euros are to the euro which is the currency of the European Monetary Union, all references to HUF or forints are to Hungarian forints which is the currency of the Republic of Hungary, and all references to DKK are to Danish kroner which is the currency of Denmark. Certain amounts stated in euros, forints and kroner herein have been also stated in U.S. dollars solely for the informational purposes of the reader, and should not be construed as a representation that such euro, forint or krone amounts actually represent such U.S. dollar amounts or could be, or could have been, converted into U.S. dollars at the rate indicated or at any other rate. Unless otherwise stated or the context otherwise requires, such amounts have been stated at December 31, 2006 exchange rates. As of December 31, 2006, the euro/U.S. dollar middle exchange rate was approximately 0.758 euros per U.S. dollar, the forint/U.S. dollar middle exchange rate was approximately 191.62 forints per U.S. dollar and the krone/U.S. dollar middle exchange rate was approximately 5.65 kroner per U.S. dollar.
Unless the context requires otherwise, references in this report to the Company, we, us and our refer to Hungarian Telephone and Cable Corp. and its consolidated subsidiaries.
Item 1. Business.
Company Overview
Hungarian Telephone and Cable Corp. (HTCC or the Registrant) was incorporated in Delaware in 1992 as a holding company to acquire concessions from the government of the Republic of Hungary to own and operate local wireline telephone networks in Hungary as Hungary privatized its telecommunications industry. We have provided basic local wireline telephone services as the incumbent provider within three defined regions of Hungary since 1996 and long distance services to our customer base in these three defined regions since 2002. Our regions cover 668,000 people, representing approximately 7% of Hungary's population. We operate that business primarily through our Hungarian subsidiary, Hungarotel Tavkozlesi Zrt. (Hungarotel). Hungarotel is also a broadband and dial-up Internet Services Provider.
In order to expand our business in Hungary and the surrounding countries, we acquired PanTel Tavkozlesi Kft., a Hungarian company (PanTel). We purchased an initial 25% interest in PanTel in November 2004 and acquired the remaining 75% from Royal KPN NV, the Dutch telecommunications provider (KPN), in February 2005. PanTel is one of Hungarys leading alternative telecommunications providers with a nation-wide fiber optic backbone telecommunications network linking every county in Hungary. PanTel provides voice, data and Internet services to businesses throughout Hungary in competition with other telecommunications service providers including Magyar Telekom Nyrt. (the formerly State-controlled monopoly telephone company, Magyar Telekom") and Invitel Tavkozlesi Szolgaltato Zrt. (Invitel). PanTel provides, through another one of our subsidiaries PanTel Technocom Kft., telecommunications services to MOL (the Hungarian oil company) and operates and maintains various parts of MOLs telecommunications network. PanTel also uses its network capacity to transport voice, data and Internet traffic on a wholesale basis for other telecommunications service providers and Internet Service Providers in Hungary. PanTels network crosses Hungarys borders and, using a combination of owned and leased capacity, extends PanTels wholesale services into other countries of the Central and Eastern European region including Austria, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Turkey and Ukraine. To service its customers global telecommunications needs, PanTel has interconnection agreements with several major international telecommunications service providers, which provide for interconnection at major international telecommunications hubs, including hubs in Frankfurt, London and Vienna.
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Our strategy is currently focused on three key markets: the Mass Market; the Corporate Market; and the Wholesale Market.
The Mass Market consists of Hungarian residential and small office/home office (SoHo) customers, both inside Hungarotels three defined regions (in-concession) and outside Hungarotels three defined regions (out-of-concession). At the end of 2006, Hungarotel had approximately 125,000 telephone lines connected to its network to service its in-concession Mass Market customers. At the end of 2006, PanTel serviced approximately 44,000 telephone lines in the out-of-concession Mass Market through carrier selection, carrier pre-selection and local loop unbundling services.
The Corporate Market consists of Hungarys large and medium-sized businesses and other institutional customers. At the end of 2006, PanTel had approximately 59,000 telephone lines in service in the Corporate Market, including approximately 7,000 carrier pre-selection telephone lines.
The Wholesale Market consists of other telecommunications service providers and Internet Service Providers in Hungary (Domestic Wholesale) and outside Hungary (International Wholesale) for whom PanTel transports voice, data and Internet traffic on a wholesale basis.
Substantially all of our assets are located in the Republic of Hungary. During 2006, 2005 and 2004, 72%, 74% and 100%, respectively, of our total revenue was derived from Hungary with the remaining revenue derived primarily from various countries in Central and Eastern Europe.
On January 8, 2007, we entered into a Stock Purchase Agreement with Invitel Holdings N.V. to indirectly acquire 99.98% of the outstanding shares of Invitel. The total consideration for the acquisition, including the assumption of net indebtedness on closing, is 470 million (approximately $620 million) and will be comprised of new borrowings and the issuance of up to 1.1 million shares of our Common Stock (representing approximately 6.2% our outstanding Common Stock on a fully diluted basis) to certain members of Invitels current executive management team. The closing of the acquisition is subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions, including receipt of Hungarian and Romanian regulatory approvals, and is expected to close in the first half of 2007.
Invitel is the second largest wireline telecommunications service provider in Hungary. It is the incumbent provider in nine defined regions within Hungary, which cover 1.4 million people, representing approximately 14% of Hungary's population. At the end of 2006, Invitel had approximately 348,000 telephone lines connected to its network to service its in-concession Mass Market (316,000 telephone lines) and Corporate (32,000 telephone lines) customers. Like us, Invitel has expanded beyond its historical operating areas and now provides voice, data and Internet services in the remainder of Hungary. Invitel had 185.6 million (approximately $245 million) in revenue in 2006.
The Hungarian Operating Subsidiaries; the Parent Company
Hungarotel
We acquired the concession rights for local wireline telephone services in three defined regions from the Hungarian government for $11.5 million (at historical exchange rates) and purchased the existing telecommunications infrastructure, including 61,400 telephone access lines, from Magyar Telekom in 1995 and 1996 for $23.2 million (at historical exchange rates). The acquired telecommunications infrastructure was somewhat antiquated (manual exchanges and analog lines). We overhauled the existing infrastructure with a major capital expenditures program ($217 million through 2006 (at historical exchange rates)). The results of this investment are expanded and modern telecommunications networks in the three operating regions (Bekes, Nograd and Papa/Sarvar, each
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a Hungarotel Operating Area and together, the Hungarotel Operating Areas) deploying Siemens and Ericsson technology. Hungarotel was able to provide telephone service to customers who had waited years (in some cases, for over 20 years) for telephone service and offer modern telecommunications services beyond traditional voice service to all of its customers.
Hungarotel now owns and operates virtually all existing public telephone exchanges and local loop telecommunications network facilities in the Hungarotel Operating Areas and was, until the expiration of its exclusivity rights in 2002, the sole provider of non-cellular local voice telephone services in such areas. Hungarotels networks have the capacity, with only normal additional capital expenditures required, to provide basic telephone services to virtually all of the estimated 279,600 residences and 38,500 business and other institutional customers (including government institutions) within the Hungarotel Operating Areas.
While Hungarotel had a government-protected monopoly on local wireline voice telephone services in the Hungarotel Operating Areas through 2002, Magyar Telekom was the sole provider of domestic and international long distance wireline voice telephone services through 2001 under a government-protected monopoly. Hungarotel had to transfer all of its long distance voice traffic to Magyar Telekom for completion. When Magyar Telekoms monopoly expired, Hungarotel became the sole long distance carrier for its customer base beginning in 2002. Since we did not have our own nation-wide long distance network or an international network, international calls and certain domestic long distance calls initiated in the Hungarotel Operating Areas by our customers had to be transferred to another telecommunications carrier for transmission to the local telecommunications network of the party receiving the call. Competition in the Hungarotel Operating Areas for wireline services effectively began in 2004. With carrier selection, unbundling obligations and number portability now fully implemented in the Hungarian telecommunications marketplace, Hungarotel is subject to intense competition in its home markets. See -Summary of the Communications Act-Significant Market Power.
In addition to local, domestic long distance, and international voice services, Hungarotel offers its customers data transmission and other value-added services, including broadband DSL Internet access and services, dial-up Internet access and services, voice mail, Internet Protocol-based voice services for international calls, leased line services, caller ID, call waiting, call forwarding, three-way calling, toll free calling services and audio text services.
The following table sets forth certain information as of December 31, 2006 with respect to each of the Hungarotel Operating Areas.
Area |
Bekes | Nograd | Papa/Sarvar | Total | ||||
Population |
391,700 | 147,900 | 128,400 | 668,000 | ||||
Residences |
166,900 | 62,400 | 50,300 | 279,600 | ||||
Businesses (1) |
23,100 | 8,900 | 6,500 | 38,500 | ||||
Access Lines: |
||||||||
Residential |
59,400 | 25,700 | 27,300 | 112,400 | ||||
Business (2) |
14,500 | 6,000 | 5,200 | 25,700 | ||||
Total |
73,900 | 31,700 | 32,500 | 138,100 | ||||
Pay phones |
695 | 334 | 294 | 1,323 | ||||
Population Penetration (3) |
18.9 | 21.4 | 25.3 | 20.7 | ||||
Residential Penetration (4) |
35.6 | 41.2 | 54.3 | 40.2 |
(1) | Represents Company estimates of business and other institutional customers or potential customers (including government institutions). |
(2) | Represents Company estimates of customers which are businesses and other institutional customers (including government institutions), leased lines and pay phones. Includes ISDN equivalent lines. Approximately 13,000 of the business customers are in the Corporate Market and serviced by PanTel. |
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(3) | Population Penetration rate is defined as the number of access lines per 100 inhabitants. |
(4) | Residential Penetration rate is defined as the number of residential access lines per 100 residences. |
The following map shows the location within Hungary of the Hungarotel Operating Areas.
PanTel
PanTel was founded in 1998 by KPN, MAV Rt. (MAV, the Hungarian state railroad company) and KFKI Investment Ltd. (a Hungarian entity) to compete with Magyar Telekom, the former State-controlled telecommunications company which had a government-protected monopoly in the Hungarian domestic and international long distance wireline voice telecommunications market. Following a tender process, the Hungarian government awarded PanTel licenses to provide data transmission and other services that were not subject to Magyar Telekoms government-protected monopoly rights for long distance voice services. In 1999, PanTel began building along MAVs railroad rights-of-way what is now a 3,700 kilometer-long state-of-the-art fiber optic backbone telecommunications network. The network was built based on SDH/DWDM (synchronous digital hierarchy/dense wavelength division multiplexing) and Internet Protocol (IP) technology and can carry voice and data traffic on dedicated lines as well as voice and data over IP. PanTels nation-wide backbone network enables it to service customers throughout the entire country. PanTel also built metropolitan area networks, including a metropolitan area network covering Budapest, which networks connect to PanTels backbone network.
Until 2002 PanTel was only allowed to offer data and VoIP services in Hungary. When the Hungarian government ended Magyar Telekoms monopoly rights for long distance voice services, PanTel was able to compete with Magyar Telekom and offer all modern telecommunications services including traditional voice services. Customers can now choose their provider on a call-by-call basis through carrier selection (by dialing a 4 digit prefix) or on an automatic continuing basis through carrier pre-selection. PanTels target market has been larger business customers with whom it can establish a direct high bandwidth fiber optic (fiber-to-the-premise) or a wireless point-to-point connection between
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the business customers premises and PanTels network. For these business customers, PanTel can meet all of the business customers wireline telecommunications requirements by providing all of the capacity and bandwidth that the customer needs as well as high standard voice and high speed Internet services. PanTel has the authorization and the necessary network to utilize the 1.5 and 3.5 GHz wireless frequency blocks which enable PanTel to service smaller and medium-sized business customers with lower traffic and bandwidth requirements by connecting them to PanTels backbone network with a wireless point-to-multipoint connection. For these customers, PanTel can provide high quality services without having to construct a direct physical connection to the business or lease an existing connection from another telecommunications service provider (through unbundling). See -Summary of the Communications Act-Significant Market Power.
In 2004 the Hungarian government took another step to increase competition in the telecommunications marketplace by implementing number portability. Customers are now free to switch telephone service providers and keep their existing phone numbers. Allowing customers, particularly business customers, to keep their phone numbers when they switch service providers took away one more hurdle to a competitive environment. PanTel is now able to compete primarily on price and service. PanTel can connect a new customer (switching service to PanTel) directly to the PanTel network by constructing a fiber optic or wireless connection to the customers premises or by using the existing connection of the customers former service provider under an interconnection or unbundling arrangement. See -Summary of the Communications Act-Significant Market Power.
Like Hungarotel, PanTel offers its business customers modern domestic and international telecommunications services over its high speed network and that of its international partners as well as the traditional voice services such as local calls and domestic and international long distance calls. PanTel also offers its business customers other services that businesses require including: high speed Internet access; data transport services including managed leased lines, ATM services, and frame relay services; virtual private networks; and Web Hosting. At the end of 2006, PanTel had approximately 59,000 telephone lines in service in the Corporate Market, including approximately 7,000 carrier pre-selection telephone lines.
In order to take advantage of PanTels strengths, including its brand name which was already established country-wide, we revised our Mass Market strategy in 2006 and now use PanTel as our provider of services to the out-of-concession Mass Market outside the Hungarotel Operating Areas. At the end of 2006, PanTel serviced approximately 44,000 telephone lines in the out-of-concession Mass Market through carrier selection, carrier pre-selection and local loop unbundling services.
PanTel is also a wholesaler and sells capacity and transport services on its network to other wireline and wireless telecommunications providers, cable television operators and Internet Service Providers. PanTels international network allows it to transfer voice, data and Internet traffic to and from Hungary.
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The following commercial maps depict PanTels national and international networks.
Hungarotel and PanTel
Prior to our acquisition of PanTel, Hungarotel and PanTel had established a working relationship and were providing each other with various services. With the PanTel acquisition complete, we are now capitalizing on the synergies of a combined Hungarotel and PanTel. Hungarotel brings the combined
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entity its experience in the residential markets and local networks while PanTel provides its experience in the nation-wide business and wholesale markets and its international experience along with its backbone network.
The Hungarian Telecommunications Market
Hungary has a population of approximately 10.1 million. As of December 31, 2006, there were over 3.2 million fixed telephone lines in service in Hungary, which represents approximately 33 fixed telephone lines per 100 inhabitants with about 66.4% of all Hungarian residences having a fixed telephone line. There were over 9.9 million wireless phones in service representing a penetration rate of approximately 99% of Hungarys population.
The Parent Company
Our Common Stock is traded on the American Stock Exchange under the symbol HTC. Our principal office in Hungary is located at Dorottya Udvar, Bocskai ut 134-146, H-1113, Budapest; telephone (361) 888-3535. Our United States office is located at 1201 Third Avenue, Suite 3400, Seattle, Washington 98101-3034; telephone (206) 654-0204. Our Internet address is http://www.htcc.hu and it contains a link to our filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC).
The Republic of Hungary
Hungary is located in Central Europe bordering on Austria, Slovenia, Croatia, Serbia, Romania, Ukraine and Slovakia. Six Western European capitals are within a one-hour flight. Its total area is approximately 93,000 square kilometers. It has approximately 10.1 million inhabitants, approximately 1.7 million of whom reside in Hungarys capital, Budapest.
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For nearly 40 years, Hungary had a one-party government and a centrally planned economy. Democracy was restored and the foundations of a market economy were built between 1988 and 1990. Free elections were held in 1990. Today, Hungary has a parliamentary democracy with a single-chamber National Assembly. As a result of a large scale privatization effort, private enterprise has become the basis of the Hungarian economy.
Since 1995, the Hungarian government has embarked on an economic stabilization effort aimed at putting the economy on a sustainable path of low-inflationary growth. The following table provides Hungarys annual GDP growth and inflation rates since 1995.
Annual GDP % Growth Rate |
Annual % Inflation Rate | |||
1995 |
1.7 | 28.2 | ||
1996 |
1.3 | 23.6 | ||
1997 |
3.5 | 18.2 | ||
1998 |
5.0 | 14.5 | ||
1999 |
4.9 | 10.0 | ||
2000 |
5.3 | 9.8 | ||
2001 |
3.8 | 9.2 | ||
2002 |
3.5 | 5.3 | ||
2003 |
2.9 | 4.7 | ||
2004 |
4.0 | 6.8 | ||
2005 |
4.6 | 3.6 | ||
2006 |
3.9 | 3.9 |
The unemployment rate has decreased from 11.1% in 1995 to 7.5% in 2006.
Today Hungary is considered one of the most developed countries in Central and Eastern Europe. Since 2000, foreign direct investment, from countries around the world including the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, Austria, the Netherlands, and Japan, has exceeded 13.6 billion (approximately $17.9 billion). The Hungarian government has undertaken increased efforts to create a positive and competitive business climate and infrastructure in order to attract investment capital. The Hungarian government is promoting Hungary as the logical regional hub for Central and Eastern Europe based on a knowledge-based economy, innovation and hi-tech industries. Hungary has seen increased investment in service and R&D centers as well as the electronics, automotive, IT, biotechnology, pharmaceutics, chemical and energy sectors of the economy. Foreign investors in Hungary include global companies such as Ericsson, ExxonMobil, Flextronics, GE, General Motors, GlaxoSmithKline, IBM, Microsoft, Nokia, Novartis, Oracle, Philips, Siemens, Volkswagen and Zoltek.
Hungary is a member of the European Union (EU), the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and the World Trade Organization (WTO). Hungarys current target date to adopt the euro as its currency is 2011.
Overview of Hungarian Telecommunications Industry
The Hungarian Telecommunications Industry Prior to Privatization
In 1989, the Hungarian state-owned Post, Telegraph and Telephone (PTT) was divided into three separate companies: the Hungarian Broadcasting Company (Antenna Hungaria), the Hungarian
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Post Office (Magyar Posta) and Magyar Telekom. The Hungarian PTT was historically the exclusive provider of telecommunications services in Hungary. The Hungarian telecommunications market was significantly underdeveloped without the investment in the telecommunications infrastructure necessary to achieve a comparable level of teledensity to that of Western Europe. As of December 31, 1995, Hungary had a basic telephone penetration rate of approximately 21 telephone access lines per 100 inhabitants compared to a European Union average of approximately 48 telephone access lines per 100 inhabitants and a United States average of approximately 60 telephone access lines per 100 inhabitants. Of such access lines in Hungary, approximately 40% were located in Budapest (in which approximately 17% of Hungarys population resides). In the Hungarotel Operating Areas, access line penetration was approximately 9 telephone access lines per 100 inhabitants as of December 31, 1995.
Privatization of Magyar Telekom and Local Telephone Service
In 1992, the Hungarian government began the process of privatizing Hungarys telecommunications industry by selling an initial 30% stake in Magyar Telekom (raised to 67% in 1995) to MagyarCom, a company then wholly owned by Deutsche Telekom AG, the German public telephone operator (Deutsche Telekom), and Ameritech, a United States telecommunications company. In 1997, Magyar Telekom completed its initial public offering pursuant to which MagyarComs stake in Magyar Telekom was reduced to approximately 60% and the Hungarian States stake was reduced to approximately 6%. The Hungarian State also retained certain shareholder rights by retaining one Golden Share. In 1999, the Hungarian State sold its remaining 6% ownership interest in Magyar Telekom but retained its Golden Share. In 2000, Deutsche Telekom purchased the entire ownership interest of SBC Communications Inc. (Ameritechs successor) in MagyarCom. Today, MagyarCom owns 59.2% of Magyar Telekom while 40.8% is publicly traded on the Budapest and New York Stock Exchanges.
In 1992, the Hungarian government divided the country into 54 primary telecommunications service areas in order to take some of the primary telecommunications service areas out of Magyar Telekoms national network with respect to the provision of basic local wireline telephone services. Magyar Telekom was allowed to continue its monopoly in the provision of domestic and international long distance services through 2001. In 1993, the Hungarian government solicited bids for concessions to build, own and operate telecommunications networks in the 25 service areas which had been chosen to exit the Magyar Telekom system. The Hungarian government awarded 23 concessions out of the 25 that the Hungarian government solicited bids for. Holders of those 23 concessions today (each an Incumbent Local Telephone Operator, ILTO, and together the ILTOs) include: us (5 concession areas); Invitel owned by Mid Europa Partners, GMT Communications Partners and the management of Invitel (9 concession areas); Monor Communications Group (Monortel), part of Liberty Global, Inc., the global cable television operator based out of Colorado (NASDAQ:LBTYA) (1 concession area); and Magyar Telekom (8 concession areas). Magyar Telekom also retained the rights to service the 2 concession areas for which there were no successful bidders. Each of the ILTOs (including Magyar Telekom) received 25-year licenses to provide basic local wireline telephone services with exclusivity rights in their respective concession areas, which exclusivity rights all expired by the end of 2002. In addition to the fees paid to the government which aggregated approximately $80.0 million (at historical exchange rates), each of the non-Magyar Telekom ILTOs negotiated a separate asset purchase agreement with Magyar Telekom for each concession areas existing basic telephone plant and equipment, which led to the transfer of approximately 260,000 access lines from a total of 1.2 million access lines in the Magyar Telekom system. Today Magyar Telekoms basic local wireline telephone service areas cover approximately 72% of Hungarys population and approximately 70% of its geographic area.
Domestic and International Long Distance Services
The Hungarian government allowed Magyar Telekom to continue its monopoly in the provision of domestic and international long distance wireline voice services through 2001. In 1998, the Hungarian government awarded PanTel licenses to provide such services as data transmission, voice mail and other
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services, which were not subject to exclusive concessions. PanTel built its own country-wide telecommunications network. At the end of 2001, the domestic and international long distance market was officially opened up to competition when Magyar Telekoms right to provide exclusive domestic and international long distance wireline voice transmission expired. Other telecommunications service providers have since entered the market. See -Competition.
Wireless Services
In 1993, the Hungarian government awarded Westel (the predecessor to T-Mobile Hungary) and Pannon licenses to provide nation-wide digital wireless telephone services. Westel already had a license to provide analog wireless telephone services. T-Mobile Hungary is a part of Magyar Telekom and Telenor ASA (the Norwegian telecommunications company) owns 100% of Pannon.
In 1999, the Hungarian government awarded an additional digital mobile phone license to Vodafone Rt. (Vodafone), a subsidiary of Vodafone Group Plc., following a bidding process.
Market Liberalization; The Regulatory Framework
In 2001, the Hungarian government enacted its first significant market-oriented telecommunications act. The goal of this act was to provide for a more liberalized telecommunications market by making market entry easier, promoting competition and harmonizing Hungarys telecommunications laws with those of the European Union. In 2003, the Hungarian government enacted Act C of 2003 on Electronic Communications (the Communications Act). The goal of the Communications Act is to further promote competition and to harmonize Hungarys telecommunications laws with the European Union framework that was put into effect in 2003. The Communications Act is a framework piece of legislation with the detailed governing regulations contained in a series of implementing decrees.
Telecommunications services in Hungary are currently regulated by the Ministry of Economy and Transport of the Hungarian government (the Ministry) which is led by the Minister of Economy and Transport (the Minister). The National Communications Authority, a central administrative organization, reports to the Minister and the Hungarian government. The National Communications Authority is divided into two units: the Council of the National Communications Authority and the Office of the National Communications Authority. Hungarotels operating concessions for local wireline telephone services from the Hungarian government were originally governed by individual concession contracts which have been substantially superseded by subsequent legislation. Negotiations with the Minister to amend or terminate Hungarotels concession contracts are pending. See - Summary of the Communications Act.
The Hungarian Telecommunications Industry Today
Since 1994, the ILTOs, including Magyar Telekom, have spent over a billion U.S. dollars to build modern state-of-the-art telecommunications networks throughout Hungary. At the end of 2006, Magyar Telekom had approximately 2.644 million access lines connected to its telecommunications network, while Invitel, Monortel and Hungarotel (the other ILTOs) had approximately 348,000, 70,000 (estimated) and 138,000 access lines, respectively, connected to their local telecommunications networks. Hungarotel had 21 access lines per 100 inhabitants in its Hungarotel Operating Areas as compared to 33 access lines per 100 inhabitants in all of Hungary at the end of 2006.
In the domestic and international long distance market, other service providers have entered the market to compete with Magyar Telekom and PanTel. However, only Magyar Telekom and PanTel have nation-wide networks while Invitel has expanded its network out of its local service areas to a large part of Hungary.
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At the end of 2006, T-Mobile Hungary had a wireless phone customer base of 4.4 million, while Pannons customer base was 3.4 million and Vodafones customer base was 2.1 million. The overall penetration rate for wireless service in Hungary was approximately 99% at the end of 2006. The Hungarian government awarded each of three incumbent wireless providers a Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS or 3G) license in 2004 following a tender process. In late 2005, the three wireless carriers began rolling out their 3G service in Budapest. Since 2004, more than 50% of the total voice traffic market within Hungary has been handled by the 3 Hungarian wireless telephone service providers
In the Internet services market, all of the ILTOs are providing dial-up and broadband Internet service. There are also independent Internet Service Providers without telecommunications networks. Some of the cable television operators in Hungary are offering Internet services and UPC Hungary, the owner of the ILTO Monortel, and T-Kabel, a subsidiary of Magyar Telekom, have also introduced voice services over their cable television networks.
TDC
TDC A/S, formerly known as Tele Danmark A/S (together with its affiliates, TDC), owns 62% of our outstanding common stock (Common Stock) in the aggregate. Most of the remaining 38% of our outstanding Common Stock is held by the public and traded on the American Stock Exchange.
TDC, based in Copenhagen, Denmark, is the leading provider of communications solutions in Denmark, the second-largest telecommunications provider on the Swiss market and has a significant presence in the pan-Nordic market and in selected markets in Central Europe. In February 2006, Nordic Telephone Company ApS, a Danish entity owned by 5 private equity firms (NTC), completed its tender offer for the outstanding shares of TDC. NTC now owns over 87.9% of TDC.
At December 31, 2006, TDC had total assets of Danish Kroner 80.8 billion (approximately $14 billion) and shareholders equity of Danish Kroner 3.6 billion (approximately $637 million). For 2006, TDC had net income of Danish Kroner 3.44 billion (approximately $609 million) on net revenues of Danish Kroner 47.4 billion (approximately $8.4 billion).
As a result of certain agreements that we have entered into with TDC (the TDC Agreements), we have issued 2,579,588 shares of Common Stock to TDC. In 2002, TDC purchased 1,285,714 shares of Common Stock from a former stockholder of the Company. In 2004, TDC purchased an additional 1,383,544 shares of Common Stock and 18,000 shares of the Companys preferred stock convertible into 180,000 shares of Common Stock that were held by another former stockholder of the Company. In 2005, TDC purchased, from another former stockholder of the Company, an additional 2,750,936 shares of Common Stock, warrants to purchase 2,500,000 shares of Common Stock, 12,000 shares of the Companys preferred stock convertible into 120,000 shares of Common Stock, and notes issued by the Company in the principal amount of $25 million. As of March 12, 2007, TDC owned 62% of the outstanding Common Stock and 66% of the outstanding Common Stock on a fully diluted basis. The TDC Agreements provide TDC with certain preemptive rights to purchase, upon the issuance of Common Stock in certain circumstances to third parties, shares of Common Stock in order to maintain its percentage ownership interest of the outstanding Common Stock. See Notes 6, 7 and 15 in Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, and see also Item 12 Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters and Item 13 Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence.
Directors and Officers
The members of our current Board of Directors include: Jesper Theill Eriksen (Chairman), the President of TDC Mobile International, a business unit of TDC; Ole Steen Andersen, a member of the
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Executive Committee and the Chief Financial Officer of Danfoss A/S, a Danish company; Ole Bertram, our former President and Chief Executive Officer; Robert R. Dogonowski, a director in TDCs Corporate Business Development department; Jens Due Olsen, an Executive Vice-President and the Chief Financial Officer of GN Store Nord A/S, a Danish company; Carsten Dyrup Revsbech (Vice-Chairman), the Chief Financial Officer of TDC Mobile International; John B. Ryan, a retired financial consultant; and Henrik Scheinemann, a Vice-President of TDC Mobile International. Our executive officers are Torben V. Holm, President and Chief Executive Officer; Steven Fast, Chief Financial Officer; Peter T. Noone, General Counsel and Secretary; Tamas Vagany, Chief Commercial Officer (Domestic); and Alex Wurtz, the head of our Corporate Business Development. Messrs. Holm, Fast, Vagany and Wurtz comprise the Executive Committee of management.
The Hungarotel Operating Areas
The following is a brief description of each of the Hungarotel Operating Areas:
Bekes
Our Bekes operating region encompasses the southern portion of Bekes County, which borders Romania. The Bekes operating region is comprised of 75 municipalities and has a population of approximately 391,700 with an estimated 166,900 residences and 23,100 business and other potential customer (including government institutions). Bekes is the most intensively cultivated agrarian region in Hungary and produces a substantial portion of Hungarys total wheat production. Industry, generally related to food processing, glass and textile production, is also a strong employer in the region. Foreign investors in the operating region include Owens-Illinois of the United States and a number of European manufacturers. The region is also a center for natural gas exploration and production. As of December 31, 2006, we had 73,900 access lines connected to our network in the Bekes operating region. Our network in the Bekes operating region utilizes a combination of a conventional build, fiber optic and wireless local loop technology.
Nograd
Our Nograd operating region is comprised of 76 municipalities in the eastern portion of Nograd County, which borders Slovakia. The Nograd operating region has a population of approximately 147,900 with an estimated 62,400 residences and 8,900 business and other potential customers (including government institutions). The principal economic activities in the Nograd operating region include light manufacturing, tourism, some coal mining and agriculture. Foreign investors in the region include the Italian-owned dairy producer, Sole, and the German company, Paramount Glass. The Nograd operating regions proximity to Budapest, 1.5 hours by car, and its many cultural attractions makes it a desirable weekend and tourist destination. As of December 31, 2006, we had 31,700 access lines connected to our network in the Nograd operating region. Our network in the Nograd operating region utilizes a combination of a conventional build, fiber optic and wireless local loop technology.
Papa/Sarvar
Our Papa/Sarvar operating region is composed of 114 municipalities located in the counties of Veszprem and Vas. The population of the Papa/Sarvar operating region is approximately 128,400 with an estimated 50,300 residences and 6,500 business and other potential customers (including government institutions). The portion of the Papa/Sarvar operating region in Veszprem County is relatively underdeveloped economically with the principal economic activities centered around light industry, appliance manufacturing, agriculture and forest products. Foreign investors in Veszprem County include Electricité de France. The principal economic activities in the portion of the Papa/Sarvar operating region located in Vas County include heavy manufacturing and assembling, agriculture and tourism. Significant employers in Vas County include: Linde (a German natural gas distributor); Flextronics (an electronics
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components assembler); and Saga (a British-owned poultry processor). As of December 31, 2006, we had 32,500 access lines connected to our network in the Papa/Sarvar operating region. Our network in the Papa/Sarvar operating region utilizes a combination of a conventional build, fiber optic and wireless local loop technology.
Network Design
Hungarotel has versatile modern telecommunications networks which substantially replaced the antiquated systems purchased from Magyar Telekom. The networks provide many of the technologically advanced services currently available in the United States and Western Europe. Most of Hungarotels networks are based on digital hosts and remotes with fiber optic rings and copper feeder and distribution. Such a distribution system is the conventional system used in the United States and Western Europe. Telecommunications services are transmitted to the home through twisted pair copper wire telephone cable. We have replaced all manually operated local battery and common battery cord type switchboards purchased from Magyar Telekom and have replaced all of the analog switching systems with digital technology in order to provide the latest features and services. Hungarotels conventional networks have been designed to employ an open architecture, generally using Synchronous Digital Hierarchy (SDH) technology for system resilience. Hungarotels networks are designed to provide voice and high speed data services. We believe that the flexible design of Hungarotels conventional networks allows us to readily implement new technologies and provide enhanced or new services. Hungarotels switches in its conventional networks allow it to connect to networks operated by the other ILTOs, and the long distance carriers such as Magyar Telekom and PanTel in order to route voice and data transmissions.
PanTel built a nation-wide state-of-the-art fiber optic backbone network based on SDH/DWDM and Internet-Protocol technology linking every county in Hungary. The network provides fiber optic access to every major city within each Hungarian county. Within these cities PanTel has microwave access networks which cover up to a 20 to 30 kilometer range around each city. PanTels network enables it to provide all of its customers capacity and bandwidth requirements for voice, data and Internet transmission. PanTel built a metropolitan area network in Budapest, which network connects to the PanTel backbone network allowing PanTel access to Hungarys capital. PanTel has city-wide coverage in Budapest with point-to-point and 3.5 GHz point-to-multipoint wireless systems.
In some areas, when geographic conditions make it more feasible, Hungarotel is utilizing a wireless network technology based upon the Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications (DECT) system which interfaces radio technology to fiber-optic, digital microwave, or fixed copper networks. Hungarotel is deploying a fiber optic cable to the node in the same fashion as in a conventional network build-out. At each node, we have constructed a radio base station (RBS), rather than switching to twisted pair copper wire distribution to the home. Each RBS has the capacity to provide service to between 60 and 600 customers. As additional customers are brought onto the network, we will install a transceiver unit at the customers premises. Such transceivers operating software is digitally encrypted so that it will operate only with its supporting RBS. A conventional telephone jack is then installed in the customers household near an electrical outlet which is used to power the transceiver unit. The customer then uses a conventional phone to make outgoing and receive incoming calls. The DECT-based wireless local loop system provides the same type and quality of services as a conventional telephone network (except for DSL service), including such services as voice mail, call forwarding and call blocking. When an expedited connection is required, the DECT system can connect the customer quickly while a wireline connection is being constructed.
PanTel is deploying a wireless connection to certain businesses with much more bandwidth capacity than Hungarotels wireless system. Rather than deploying a fiber optic connection to the businesss premises, PanTel can use its wireless 3.5 GHz frequency band. This enables lower traffic and bandwidth customers (smaller and medium-sized businesses) to be connected to the PanTel backbone network.
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We have interconnection arrangements in place with the other significant Hungarian wireline telecommunications service providers and all three Hungarian wireless providers. PanTels network also crosses Hungarys borders and extends into other countries in the Central and Eastern European region including Austria, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Turkey and Ukraine. To service our customers global telecommunications needs, PanTel has interconnection agreements with several major international telecommunications service operators which provide for interconnection at major international telecommunications hubs, including Frankfurt, London and Vienna.
Network Administration
Both Hungarotel and PanTel continually monitor their networks with modern technology to ensure uninterrupted and high quality service. Both entities are able to evaluate and respond promptly and appropriately to any network failures.
The Market/Tariff and Fee Structure
Background
The ILTOs, including Hungarotel, Invitel and Magyar Telekom, had government-protected exclusivity rights to provide local wireline voice services in their concession areas, which exclusivity rights expired by the end of 2002. Magyar Telekom also had exclusive rights to provide wireline long distance voice services throughout Hungary, which rights expired at the end of 2001. While competition was officially sanctioned in both the local and long distance voice markets prior to the adoption of the Communications Act, it took the enactment and implementation of the Communications Act to accelerate competition, particularly the introduction in 2004 of number portability and the revision of regulations regarding carrier selection, carrier pre-selection and the requirement for the ILTOs to provide network access and local loop unbundling which allows third party service providers to use the ILTOs networks to compete with the ILTOs. These changes, along with the vigorous enforcement of such regulations by the Hungarian regulators, have truly stimulated competition. See -Summary of the Communications Act.
A Hungarian customer may now pre-select a telecommunications service provider to provide (i) local and domestic long distance service and (ii) international service. A customer may choose the same service provider to provide both (i) local and domestic long distance service and (ii) international service. Therefore, while Hungarotel, Magyar Telekom and the other ILTOs still retain their rights to provide telecommunications services, they are subject to competition in their home markets from each other and from new entrants into the market. Competitors can enter these markets either by building out their own networks (an overbuild) or by using the existing network of the ILTO through either interconnection or an unbundling agreement. See -Summary of the Communications Act-Significant Market Power.
With the stated goal of further promoting competition and getting interconnection rates in line with EU rates, the Hungarian government has required the ILTOs to significantly reduce their interconnection rates in 2004, 2005 and 2006. This makes it easier for a competitor to enter one of the Hungarotel Operating Areas and take a customer away from Hungarotel while using Hungarotels network to service that customer. That service provider can now provide the customer with local and long distance services with a minimal investment. That competitor could use Hungarotels connection to the customer to service outgoing calls and pay a per minute interconnection fee to Hungarotel. In this case, Hungarotel would still receive a monthly subscription fee from the customer for supplying the line connection to the premises. Conversely, Hungarotel and PanTel can go into markets outside of the Hungarotel Operating Areas and compete with the ILTO using that ILTOs network. See -Summary of the Communications Act-Significant Market Power.
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Hungarotels fees and retail tariffs are regulated while PanTels fees and tariffs are not regulated. See -Summary of the Communications Act-Significant Market Power and -Price Regulation.
Revenue
Hungarotels revenues are primarily derived from the provision of local and long distance (domestic and international) telephone services which consist of (i) charges for measured telephone service, which vary depending on the day, the time of day, distance and duration of the call, and (ii) subscription fees. Hungarotel is also permitted to charge its customers connection fees. Hungarotel also receives other operating revenues consisting principally of charges and fees from leased lines, fees for the provision of broadband DSL and dial-up Internet services, detailed billing, voice mail, caller ID and other customer services, including revenues from the sale and lease of telephone equipment. PanTels revenues are derived from (i) local, domestic and international long distance voice and data services, (ii) Internet services, and (iii) similar to Hungarotel, fees for value added services like voice mail and caller ID and such business oriented services as the provision of leased lines and virtual private networks. In addition, PanTel derives revenues from the wholesale market - transporting voice, data and Internet traffic and providing leased line services for other telecommunications service providers, cable television operators and Internet Service Providers.
Measured Service
Hungarotel has two basic rates for outgoing calls, peak and off-peak, for each of local and domestic long distance calls and calls to Hungarian wireless phones within Hungary. All of Hungarotels rate packages include a set amount of calling minutes within the package. The rates for outgoing international long distance calls are based solely on the country called and do not depend on the time of day that the call is made. In response to regulatory and market pressures, in 2005 Hungarotel increased the number of available rate packages and rebalanced its tariff structure to increase the monthly subscription fees and decrease the variable rate fees for measured service. PanTel derives fees from measured service as well from both its Mass Market and Corporate Market customers. PanTel has competitive peak and off-peak set tariffs but also negotiates special customized rate plans, including bundled packages of services, for most of its larger business customers who generate a significant volume of traffic. The measured service fee scheme is summarized below.
Local Calls - For all local calls between its customers within a Hungarotel Operating Area, Hungarotel retains all of the revenues associated with the call. For PanTel's Mass Market and Corporate Market customers, local calls to non-Company customers require the payment of a per minute interconnection fee to the telecommunications service provider of the recipient for completing the call.
Outgoing Domestic and International Long Distance Calls (Non-LLU, Non-Carrier Selection and Non-Carrier Pre-Selection Customers) - For calls between our customers, we have the capability to carry the call from the calling party to the receiving party entirely over our telecommunications networks. For such calls, we keep the entire revenue collected from our customers. For domestic calls initiated by one of our customers to another service providers customer, we have the network capability to deliver the call to the local telecommunications network containing the party receiving the call. In such cases, we collect a fee for the domestic long distance call from our customer and pay a per minute interconnection termination fee to the telecommunications provider completing the call. Prior to our acquisition of PanTel, Hungarotel had to, in some cases, arrange for either Magyar Telekom or PanTel to transport the call to the local telecommunications network containing the party receiving the call. Today, PanTel can transport all of these calls. For international calls, we have to transfer the call to one of our international service partners for completion. We must then pay, directly or indirectly, a per minute termination fee to the telecommunications provider completing the call, and, in some cases, a per minute transmission fee to the telecommunications provider who transports the call from our network to the local telecommunications network of the telecommunications provider who completes the call. With PanTels
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international network, we can deliver the calls to various countries in the Central and Eastern European region. For other calls, we can use PanTels network and transfer the calls for completion to one of our international partners at one of the major international telecommunications hubs, including Frankfurt, London or Vienna.
Outgoing Domestic and International Long Distance Calls (LLU, Carrier Selection and Carrier Pre-Selection Customers - For calls between our customers, we have the capability to carry the call from the calling party to the receiving party entirely over our telecommunications networks. For such calls, we keep the entire revenue collected from our customers but have to pay the ILTO that owns the connection to our customer either a per minute interconnection fee (carrier selection and carrier pre-selection customers) or a monthly fee (LLU customers). For domestic calls initiated by one of our customers to another service providers customer, we have the network capability to deliver the call to the local telecommunications network containing the party receiving the call. In such cases, we collect a fee for the domestic long distance call from our customer and pay a per minute interconnection termination fee to the telecommunications provider completing the call in addition to the per minute interconnection fee or monthly fee to the ILTO that owns the connection to our customer. For international calls, we have to transfer the call to one of our international service partners for completion. We must then also pay, directly or indirectly, a per minute termination fee to the telecommunications provider completing the call, and, in some cases, a per minute transmission fee to the telecommunications provider who transports the call from our network to the local telecommunications network of the telecommunications provider who completes the call. See -Summary of the Communications Act-Significant Market Power.
Incoming Domestic and International Long Distance Calls - For domestic and international long distance calls to one of our customers from customers of other service providers, we receive a per minute interconnection fee for completing the call. For our carrier selection and carrier pre-selection customers, we do not receive any fees for incoming calls. Hungarotels fees for completing these calls are regulated. See -Summary of the Communications Act-Significant Market Power.
Wireless Calls - Our networks directly interconnect with the three Hungarian wireless phone carriers networks. For calls by our customers to Hungarian wireless phones, we must pay a per minute fee to the wireless carrier for completing the call. The fees charged by the Hungarian wireless phone carriers for terminating calls are regulated. The prices charged for Hungarian wireless phone calls to our customers are unregulated and set by the wireless carriers. The wireless carriers pay us a per minute interconnection fee for completing wireless calls to our customers. For our carrier selection and carrier pre-selection customers, we do not receive any fees for incoming calls from wireless phones. Hungarotels fees for completing these calls are regulated while PanTels fees are not. See -Summary of the Communications Act-Significant Market Power.
Internet Services - Hungarotel provides dial-up and broadband DSL Internet services to its Mass Market customers. For dial-up Internet service, Hungarotel charges its Internet customers for both the telephone usage and the Internet usage. Hungarotel offers its dial-up Internet customers monthly packages consisting of a flat monthly discounted fee for the telephone and Internet usage for a fixed amount of monthly hours with variable telephone and Internet charges for Internet usage beyond the monthly limit. Lower usage dial-up Internet customers can pay a per hour fee for telephone and Internet usage without a monthly fee. For the broadband DSL Internet service, Hungarotel charges a combined monthly fee for both the high-speed access and the Internet service for an unlimited amount of time. When a third party Internet Service Provider provides Internet service to a Hungarotel customer, Hungarotel receives monthly access and usage fees from the third party Internet Service Provider plus, in the case of dial-up Internet service, variable fees from its telephone customer for the telephone usage which fees have to be shared with the third party Internet Service Provider. PanTel offers similar packages of dial-up and broadband DSL Internet service to the Mass Market outside the Hungarotel Areas but pays access charges to the ILTOs. See -Summary of the Communications Act-Significant Market Power-Internet Service. PanTel provides high speed Internet access to its Corporate Market customers at set prices or, in some cases, as part of a customized bundled service package.
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Subscription Fees
Hungarotel collects a monthly subscription fee from its customers. Hungarotel has multiple pricing packages to choose from with each package containing different monthly subscription fees, different rates for the measured service per minute fees, and different amounts of free minutes included within the monthly subscription fee. In 2005 Hungarotel increased the number of available rate packages and rebalanced its tariff structure to increase the monthly subscription fees and decrease the variable rate fees for measured service. For PanTel's Mass Market customers, it receives a subscription fee only when it is a LLU customer, for which PanTel leases the line to its customer on a monthly basis from the ILTO. Dependent upon the terms of agreement for service, PanTel may charge its Corporate Market customers a subscription fee. See -Summary of the Communications Act-Significant Market Power and -Price Regulation.
Connection Fees
Both Hungarotel and PanTel charge their Mass Market customers connection fees upon initiation of service. Occasionally, Hungarotel and PanTel offer special promotions on the connection fees. Dependent upon the terms of agreement for service, PanTel may charge its business customers in the Corporate Market a connection fee. See -Summary of the Communications Act-Price Regulation.
Other Operating Revenue
We supply private line service (point-to-point and point-to-multi-point), virtual private networks and other services primarily to the Corporate Market. We generate additional revenues from the provision of value-added services, including ISDN, voice mail, call waiting, call forwarding, and three-way calling, as well as through the sale and rental of telephone equipment.
Wholesale Services
PanTel provides wholesale telecommunications services, which includes transporting voice, data and Internet traffic for other telecommunications service providers, cable television operators and Internet Service Providers. PanTel also provides leased line services to this market. For example, PanTel provides transport services to the Hungarian wireless providers as well as cable television operators that have begun offering voice services. PanTel also provides transport services for Hungarian Internet Service Providers, including cable television operators providing Internet services. With its international network and international partners, PanTel can transport voice, data and Internet traffic into, and out of, Hungary for, and to, its international partners.
Strategy
Due to statutory and regulatory developments, competitors are no longer hindered by historical barriers to entry. With intense competition fully in place in Hungary resulting from market and regulatory forces, we face new opportunities and challenges. We believe that such factors as pricing, customer service and bundling of product offerings are the key factors in maintaining or increasing market share. Our goal is to provide the broadest array of telecommunications services with exceptional quality and service at reasonable prices by becoming the most efficient full service telecommunications provider in Central and Eastern Europe. Our strategy is currently focused on three key markets: the Mass Market; the Corporate Market; and the Wholesale Market.
Mass Market. The Mass Market consists of Hungarian residences and small office/home office (SoHo) (generally with 10 employees or less) customers. Hungarotel provides services to the Mass Market within the Hungarotel Operating Areas (in-concession), while PanTel provides services to the Mass Market outside the Hungarotel Operating Areas (out-of-concession).
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In-Concession - Hungarotel is the dominant ILTO in the Hungarotel Operating Areas competing against other wireline service providers, wireless service providers, resellers, and the cable television providers that are now competing with telephone services in the Hungarotel Operating Areas. Due to increased competition and regulatory mandated changes to Hungarotels tariff structure, Hungarotel lost a significant amount of customers in 2005. In 2006, in an effort to stabilize the losses in its customer base, reconnect lost customers, and acquire new customers, Hungarotel (i) revamped its sales force; (ii) refocused its efforts on customer service; and (iii) restructured its product offerings with highly competitive pricing packages, special packages to reconnect disconnected customers, and discounted prices for broadband DSL Internet service. Hungarotels goal was to transition its customers away from lower-priced subscription packages which contained higher variable usage charges to higher-priced subscription packages which contain more variable minutes included in the base subscription fee. As a result of its efforts, Hungarotel stabilized the losses in its customer base to below national averages, transitioned more of its customers over to the higher-priced subscription packages which have a higher ARPU, significantly increased its broadband DSL Internet service penetration rate, and improved its customer satisfaction ratings.
Hungarotel continues to capitalize on its brand awareness in the in-concession Mass Market by marketing itself as the known service provider that has brought modern telecommunications services to the cities and villages of the Hungarotel Operating Areas at fair prices with exceptional customer service. Hungarotels marketing efforts include advertising on radio and television, door-to-door marketing, newspaper advertising, participation in local trade shows, direct mail, community meetings, billboard advertising and sponsorships. Since many Hungarians prefer face-to-face personal marketing, Hungarotel is leveraging the benefits of having a customer service center in each Hungarotel Operating Area to give personal demonstrations.
One of our goals is to generate more revenue from Internet services, specifically broadband DSL Internet service, to compensate for the lost revenue from voice services. The Hungarian government is promoting Hungary as the logical regional hub for Central and Eastern Europe based on a knowledge-based economy, innovation and hi-tech industries. As part of this effort, the Hungarian government has been promoting the use of the Internet throughout Hungary. Most schools have Internet access and an estimated 40% of Hungarian residences have a computer. An estimated 23% of Hungarian households have broadband Internet access. While Hungarys Internet access is currently at the low end of the EU spectrum, the percentage of Internet users with broadband access is high compared to Western Europe where a large dial-up Internet access base set the stage for widespread broadband adoption. But Hungary has adopted an Internet to All 10-year program to be funded, in part, with funds from the EU. Hungary has also adopted a National Broadband Strategy to increase broadband Internet access. While the Internet penetration for the Hungarotel Operating Areas is lower than Hungary as a whole, we believe that both dial-up and broadband Internet access are long-term growth industries in Hungary as the Hungarian economy progresses within the EU. Internet growth can generate additional telecommunications revenue. We are continuing to offer innovative incentives to increase the Internet services penetration rate in the Hungarotel Operating Areas and throughout Hungary, including special introductory rates for broadband DSL Internet access. See -Summary of Communications Act-Significant Market Power-Internet Service.
Out-of-Concession - To compensate for the loss of customers in the Hungarotel Operating Areas due to increased competition, we have intensified our efforts to compete in the Mass Market outside the Hungarotel Operating Areas. During 2006, we initiated a large scale effort to brand PanTel as a country-wide telecommunications provider to the Mass Market. With the PanTel brand name already well established throughout Hungary as the key competitor to Magyar Telekom and Invitel in the Corporate Market, we believe that PanTel can successfully transfer this brand awareness to the Mass Market outside the Hungarotel Operating Areas.
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In the more concentrated parts of Hungary, we are using PanTels nation-wide network to support our plan to use parts of the networks of the other ILTOs (including the last mile connection) through unbundling arrangements to offer voice and broadband DSL Internet services to the Mass Market. In an unbundling of the local loop, PanTel rents the last mile connection to the customer from the ILTO for a regulated monthly fee. PanTel then has to make a capital investment at the local point of presence enabling PanTel to offer voice and broadband DSL Internet services. PanTel receives a monthly subscription fee for telephone service, variable fees for telephone call usage, and a monthly fee for the broadband DSL Internet connection. See -Summary of the Communications Act-Significant Market Power.
For the remaining parts of Hungary outside the Hungarotel Operating Areas, we utilize the networks of the other ILTOs to offer voice and dial-up Internet services to carrier selection customers and voice, dial-up Internet, and, in some cases, broadband DSL Internet services to carrier pre-selection customers. For carrier selection and carrier pre-selection customers, PanTel makes a minimal capital investment, smaller than for unbundling. But instead of renting the last mile connection from the ILTO for a monthly fee, PanTel pays the ILTO a variable, regulated, minute-based interconnection fee for the calls made by its customers. For carrier selection and carrier pre-selection Internet customers, PanTel must pay the ILTO additional fees. PanTels customer then pays PanTel variable fees for the voice telephone usage and fees for Internet service. The customer still pays a monthly subscription fee to the ILTO. See -Summary of the Communications Act-Significant Market Power.
We believe that PanTel can increase its penetration of these markets by challenging the ILTOs on service and price. With carrier choice and number portability, we believe that customers are receptive to switching service providers given competitive packages from alternative service providers.
We are also exploring options for PanTel to provide fiber optic connections directly to residences in certain parts of Hungary where PanTel has a metropolitan area network supplementing its fiber optic backbone network. With high-speed connections, we could offer a variety of modern services that a high speed connection could support including Internet-Protocol Television (IPTV).
Finally, we are working with cable television operators outside the Hungarotel Operating Areas to assist them in offering VoIP and broadband Internet services in addition to cable television (triple play services).
Corporate Market. We are continuing to build on the reputation that PanTel has developed in Hungary as the most competitive alternative to Magyar Telekom in the Corporate Market (which includes other institutional customers and government institutions). We are continuing to market PanTel throughout Hungary as an efficient, high quality alternative to Magyar Telekom with excellent pricing plans. PanTel will continue to offer innovative bundled product offerings at competitive prices. We expect PanTels nation-wide marketing, supplemented by a personalized sales effort, will give PanTel the opportunity to continue to increase its market share in a more liberalized telecommunications market.
For the larger customers in this market, PanTel will still establish direct connections to the PanTel backbone network through either a high bandwidth fiber optic (fiber-to-the-premise) or wireless point-to-point connection between the business customers premises and PanTels network. For the smaller customers, PanTel can connect these customers to PanTels backbone network with a wireless point-to-multipoint connection. PanTel can also reach other customers in this market by using the last mile connection of the ILTOs through unbundling and interconnection.
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We believe that the large and medium-sized business customers have the greatest need for the variety of new products and services that a modern telecommunications company can offer. PanTel will bring its expertise on educating the business market on the availability and benefits of our products and services. PanTel focuses on the marketing and sales of various products and services to its business customers such as managed lease lines, ATM services, frame relay services, DSL Internet service, PBX sales and services, ISDN, Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) and Digifon Services (e.g. call forwarding, call waiting, call blocking restrictions). PanTel has also initiated a program to manage some of our customers internal telecommunications needs via outsourcing arrangements. Rather than stopping at the door with just voice, data and Internet services, PanTel will work closely with its customers to meet their internal needs by assisting them in such matters as setting up local area networks and firewalls inside a customers premises and setting up its customers employees home networks. PanTel has an account manager assigned to each business customer who is responsible for continually meeting with each customer to find out their telecommunications needs. The account manager can then demonstrate each of our products and services and, working together with that customer, develop a telecommunications strategy using our products and services which can best enhance that customers business.
Wholesale Market. In the Hungarian market, we are continuing to leverage PanTels modern backbone telecommunications network to make PanTel the provider of choice in the wholesale market by selling capacity on its network to other service providers for the national and international transmission of their voice, data and Internet traffic. PanTel has business relationships and interconnection arrangements with all 3 of Hungarys wireless telephone providers and many Internet Service Providers. PanTel is increasing its business with cable television operators and transporting their traffic as they increase their VoIP and Internet services business. Outside of the Hungarotel Operating Areas, PanTel has established agreements with cable television operators to support their business as they begin to offer VoIP and Internet services. We believe that PanTels ability to offer large bandwidth capacity and dark fiber at competitive prices makes it an attractive choice in the wholesale market.
Internationally, we continue to use the PanTel network as a bridge between Eastern and Western Europe, providing transport services in and out of Hungary, Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, and Ukraine. In 2006 PanTel expanded its reach by providing among the first competitive connections (other than through the home countrys monopolistic telephone company) to Turkey, Macedonia and Bosnia & Herzegovina. With its expanding network in Central and Eastern Europe and its international partners, PanTel is well positioned to capitalize on the growth in telecommunications services in the region. PanTel has established business relationships with numerous wireless telephone providers, incumbent wireline telecommunications service providers, Internet Service Providers and alternative telephone providers for the transport of their voice, data and Internet traffic. PanTel is also establishing relationships with cable television providers throughout the Central and Eastern European region to support their efforts as they enter the voice and Internet services markets.
Strategic Opportunities. The Company will continue to review its options with respect to any merger or strategic alliance possibilities that may enable the Company to increase its presence in the Hungarian telecommunications marketplace. The Company will also continue to pursue alternatives for offering wireless phone service.
Competition
The largest competitor in the telecommunications marketplace is Magyar Telekom, which is the incumbent local telephone operator in local service areas covering approximately 70% of Hungary. Magyar Telekom has a country-wide fiber optic network and is the largest wireline domestic and international long distance carrier. Magyar Telekom is also the largest Internet Service Provider and wireless telephone carrier in Hungary. It is the second largest cable television operator in Hungary. Magyar Telekom has re-branded its product lines along the T brand name: T-Com (wireline telephone services); T-Mobile (wireless telephone services); T-Online (Internet Services); and T-Kabel (cable television).
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Three telecommunications service providers have built long distance networks capable of servicing substantially all of Hungary: Magyar Telekom; Invitel; and PanTel. Invitel is the incumbent provider of wireline telephone services in nine concession areas (covering approximately 14% of the country) and has built networks covering Budapest and 16 other urban areas.
The 3 wireless telecommunications providers in Hungary T-Mobile, Pannon and Vodafone have a combined wireless penetration rate of approximately 99%.
Other Hungarian telecommunications providers include the following entities which have entered the telecommunications marketplace, particularly the business marketplace: e-Tel, an Irish telecommunications services provider; GTS Hungary Kft. (GTS) which provides data and voice transmission services through a nation-wide microwave network and a satellite based network (GTS also owns one of the leading Hungarian ISPs); Antenna Hungaria, the national broadcaster which was recently purchased by Swisscom, Switzerlands incumbent telecommunications provider; BT Hungaria, an affiliate of British Telecom; and Swedens Telia AB. Swedens Tele2 has also entered the Hungarian telecommunications market and is providing voice services and dial-up Internet services as a reseller through carrier selection and carrier pre-selection to residential and small business customers throughout Hungary by using the existing telecommunications networks of all the ILTOs.
In the Internet Services Provider market, in addition to the ILTOs, there are numerous independent Internet Service Providers without extensive telecommunications facilities. The independent ISP market has been consolidating over the last few years into fewer and larger providers.
The largest five cable television operators cover approximately 67% of the total Hungarian cable television market. The remainder of the Hungarian cable television market is highly fragmented with hundreds of small cable television operators providing coverage to the rest of the market. The Hungarian cable television industry has undergone some recent consolidation. UPC, an affiliate of Monortel, is the largest cable television operator in Hungary. UPC is now offering triple play services - cable television, voice (VoIP) and Internet services - in some parts of Hungary, including Budapest and one of the Hungarotel Operating Areas. T-Kabel also offers Internet and voice (VoIP) service in some areas of Hungary including one of the Hungarotel Operating Areas. EMKTV, an affiliate of a Romanian telecommunications company, also offers voice and Internet services in some parts of Budapest.
One of our biggest threats is the continuing intense competition from the three Hungarian wireless providers: T-Mobile; Pannon; and Vodafone. The wireless market growth has been very rapid in Hungary with a penetration rate of approximately 99% at the end of 2006. The Company expects that Magyar Telekom, as the only wireless carrier (T-Mobile) with a country-wide fiber optic network and the largest local telephone operator, will be even more competitive as it combines its wireline and wireless units to offer converged products. Unlike the United States and Western Europe, many Hungarians did not have a wireline telephone before the advent of wireless telephones. Without historic ties to a wireline telephone, their allegiance to their first form of telephony usage wireless makes it harder for a wireline provider to compete with the wireless alternative. Historically, the airtime and monthly fees charged by the wireless operators are generally more than the fees for comparable services charged by the wireline service providers. The wireless telephone providers are, however, currently deploying various discounted pre-paid plans, which make pricing comparisons difficult.
In the Mass Market outside of the Hungarotel Operating Areas, PanTels competition includes the ILTOs (Magyar Telekom, Invitel and Monortel), the cable television operators offering voice (VoIP) and Internet services and the resellers such as Tele2.
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In the Mass Market within the Hungarotel Operating Areas, Hungarotel is competing with cable television operators offering voice (VoIP) and Internet services. Internet Service Providers are using Hungarotels network to compete in the dial-up and broadband DSL Internet services market The resellers offering carrier selection and carrier pre-selection for voice services using Hungarotels networks, such as Tele2, are also competitors for Hungarotels customers.
In the Corporate Market and the domestic portion of the Wholesale Market, Magyar Telekom and Invitel are PanTels biggest competitors throughout Hungary. GTS and BT Hungaria are also competing for business customers.
In the international portion of the Wholesale Market, the Central and Eastern European international wholesale services market is getting increasingly more competitive for PanTel as more networks are built by international carriers, which is increasing the availability of capacity and dark fiber.
Summary of the Communications Act
In 2003, the Hungarian Parliament enacted the Communications Act, which took effect on January 1, 2004. The goal of the Communications Act is to further promote competition in the telecommunications market and to harmonize Hungarys telecommunications laws with the current European Union regulatory framework. The Communications Act is a framework piece of legislation with the detailed governing regulations contained in a series of implementing decrees. Some of the key provisions of the Communications Act and the implementing decrees are summarized below. The provisions are subject to change and legal interpretation.
Administration
The National Communications Authority is the central administrative body that reports to the Minister and the Hungarian government. It is divided into two units: the Office of the National Communications Authority (NCA Office) which is responsible for administrative tasks such as issuing licenses, verifying reports, managing frequencies and supervising markets; and the Council of the National Communications Authority (NCA Council) which identifies providers with significant market power, reviews reference interconnection and local loop unbundling offers for approval and settles disputes between parties.
Market Entry
From a legal standpoint, market entry is now easier than in the past when a concession from the government was required. A potential telecommunications service provider only has to notify the NCA Office that it intends to provide a telecommunications service and provide certain documentation. Licenses are only required if the telecommunications service provider intends to use radio frequencies, build a network or wants a number range to allocate to customers.
Significant Market Power
Under the Communication Act, a service provider shall be deemed to have significant market power (SMP) in a specific market if it possesses a dominant market share of such market. The NCA Council is charged with conducting a bi-annual market analysis and is empowered to assess whether there is effective competition in each of 18 defined communications markets (see table below). If the NCA Council determines that a market is not effectively competitive, it shall identify the service provider(s) with SMP in that market and may impose specific regulatory obligations on such service provider(s) in order to induce competition. The first recourse of the NCA Council to stimulate competition in one of the 18 markets is to regulate the wholesale market - the market between telecommunications service providers. If such action by the NCA Council does not make the market competitive, the NCA Council can then regulate the retail side of that market.
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To date, the NCA Council has issued decisions designating the telecommunications service providers with SMP in 17 of the 18 markets. The following table summarizes the 18 defined markets and the telecommunications service providers with SMP in those markets and the relevant obligations imposed. The NCA Council designated Hungarotel as a service provider with SMP in the provision of fixed-line non-cellular voice services in the Hungarotel Operating Areas. The NCA Council has designated PanTel as a service provider with SMP in only one of the 18 markets (for transparency and equal treatment obligations with which PanTel fully complies). The SMP designation is not removed until such time as the NCA Council determines otherwise following a new market analysis.
COMMUNICATIONS MARKETS |
OPERATORS HAVING SIGNIFICANT MARKET POWER |
OBLIGATIONS | ||
1. Access to the public telephone networks at a fixed location for residential customers |
T-Com (Magyar Telekom) Invitel Hungarotel Monortel |
Access rate (monthly subscription fee) regulated | ||
2. Access to the public telephone networks at a fixed location for non-residential customers |
T-Com (Magyar Telekom) Invitel Hungarotel Monortel |
Access rate (monthly subscription fee) regulated | ||
3. Publicly available local and/or national telephone services provided at a fixed location for residential customers |
T-Com (Magyar Telekom) Invitel Hungarotel Monortel |
Carrier selection | ||
4. Publicly available international telephone services provided at a fixed location for residential customers |
T-Com (Magyar Telekom) Invitel Hungarotel Monortel |
Carrier selection | ||
5. Publicly available local and/or national telephone services provided at a fixed location for non-residential customers |
T-Com (Magyar Telekom) Invitel Hungarotel Monortel |
Carrier selection | ||
6. Publicly available international telephone services provided at a fixed location for non-residential customers |
T-Com (Magyar Telekom) Invitel Hungarotel Monortel |
Carrier selection | ||
7. Minimum set of leased lines |
T-Com (Magyar Telekom) |
Provision of minimum set of leased lines | ||
8. Call origination on the public telephone network provided at a fixed location |
T-Com (Magyar Telekom) Invitel Hungarotel Monortel |
Transparency Access and interconnection obligation Accounting separation Cost based pricing | ||
9. Call termination on individual public telephone networks provided at a fixed location |
T-Com (Magyar Telekom) Invitel Hungarotel Monortel |
Transparency Access and interconnection obligation Accounting separation Cost based pricing | ||
PanTel BT GTS |
Transparency Equal treatment |
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COMMUNICATIONS MARKETS |
OPERATORS HAVING SIGNIFICANT MARKET POWER |
OBLIGATIONS | ||
10. Transit services in the fixed public telephone network |
None |
None | ||
11. Wholesale unbundled access (including shared access) to metallic loops and sub-loops for the purpose of providing broadband and voice services |
T-Com (Magyar Telekom) Invitel Hungarotel Monortel |
Transparency Access and interconnection obligation Accounting separation Pricing | ||
12. Wholesale broadband access service |
T-Com (Magyar Telekom) Invitel Hungarotel Monortel |
Transparency Access and interconnection obligation Accounting separation Cost based pricing | ||
13. Wholesale terminating segment of leased lines |
T-Com (Magyar Telekom) |
Transparency Equal treatment Access and interconnection obligation Accounting separation Cost based pricing | ||
14. Wholesale trunk segment of leased lines |
None |
None | ||
15. Access and call origination on public wireless telephone networks |
None |
None | ||
16. Voice call termination on individual wireless networks |
T-Mobile (Magyar Telekom) Pannon Vodafone |
Transparency Equal treatment Access and interconnection obligation Accounting separation Cost based pricing | ||
17. The wholesale national market for international roaming on public wireless networks |
No decision yet |
- | ||
18. Broadcasting transmission services, to deliver content to end users |
Antenna Hungaria |
- |
Interconnection. In order to ensure widespread provision and interoperability of communications services, the Communications Act provides that operators of public communications networks shall have a right and, when requested by other operators, an obligation to negotiate interconnection of their networks to each other. Therefore, the telecommunications service providers can access each others networks and terminate traffic originated in the other providers network, which enables the two service providers customers to connect with each other. The NCA Council may require a telecommunications service provider with SMP to submit a Reference Interconnection Offer (RIO) to the NCA Council for approval. The interconnection fees set out in the RIO must be based on cost plus a reasonable profit calculated according to the EUs Long Run Incremental Cost model. Such Long Run Incremental Cost model is intended to decrease interconnection fees so that the fees are more in line with EU and international standards. At its discretion, the NCA Council can approve a RIO on terms other than those submitted by the telecommunications service provider. Hungarotels latest RIO was approved by the
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NCA Council in 2006. If a service provider wants to connect to Hungarotels networks in order to provide telecommunications services to Hungarotels customers, Hungarotel must provide interconnection on the terms of its RIO. Therefore, for example, Hungarotel gets per minute interconnection fees for initiating calls when Hungarotel owns the connection to a residence that is now a customer of another service provider for certain outgoing calls (through carrier selection or carrier pre-selection) when that service provider has not established its own connection to such customer or leased Hungarotels connection under an unbundling agreement. Hungarotel would still receive a monthly subscription fee from the customer. Hungarotel also gets per minute interconnection fees for terminating calls to its customers from customers of other service providers. The costs for PanTels and Magyar Telekoms transmission services are not regulated since neither is deemed a service provider with SMP in this market. The termination fees for Pannon, T-Mobile Hungary and Vodafone are regulated based on their respective Long Run Incremental Cost Models since they are all deemed wireless service providers with SMP.
Network Access and Local Loop Unbundling. The NCA Council may also impose obligations on service providers to meet reasonable requests for access to, and use of, specific portions of a service providers network and related telecommunications facilities when the NCA Council determines that denial of such access or the offer of such access on unreasonable terms and conditions would hinder the emergence of a sustainable competitive market or would not be in the end-users best interests.
All service providers with SMP in the provision of local wireline voice telephone services are required to unbundle (offer separately) parts of their local loop networks to competing telecommunications service providers so that the competing provider can offer competitive services to the SMP providers customers. This means that Hungarotel must allow third party service providers access to its networks, at a wholesale rate, to allow such third party service providers to offer competing telephone services and/or broadband services (including broadband DSL Internet services or other high speed data transfer services) in the Hungarotel Operating Areas. The NCA Council may require a telecommunications service provider with SMP to submit an annual Reference Unbundling Offer (RUO) to the NCA Council for approval. RUOs submitted to the NCA Council must be based on the cost to the ILTO plus a reasonable profit based on the EUs Fully Distributed Cost model. At its discretion, the NCA Council can approve a RUO on terms other than those submitted by the telecommunications service provider. Hungarotels latest RUO was approved by the NCA Council in 2006. Once the NCA Council approves a RUO, any third party service provider that wants to use an ILTOs network to provide competing services must take it on the terms approved by the NCA Council. Therefore, for example, if Hungarotel were to lose a customer to another service provider, that service provider could use Hungarotels connection to the residence and pay Hungarotel a monthly regulated fee, per the approved RUO, to use that connection. The monthly fee to Hungarotel from the service provider would compensate Hungarotel for the use of the telephone access line since Hungarotel would no longer receive a monthly subscription fee from the customer which has now become a customer of the competing telephone services provider. A potential competitor is not barred from building its own network in any of the regions of Hungary to establish its own connections to customers.
Internet Service. Telecommunications service providers designated as having SMP in a local wireline market or in the wholesale broadband access market have an obligation to allow third party Internet Service Providers access to their networks to provide dial-up and broadband Internet service to telephone customers. The access would be subject to the terms of a network access agreement to be entered into between the telecommunications service provider and the Internet Service Provider, which terms would be based on the pricing set out in the telecommunications service providers RIO, RUO or in other decisions of the NCA Council depending on the technology and network elements the ISP provider requests to use. Hungarotel receives monthly and usage fees from third party Internet Service Providers for allowing third party Internet Service Providers access to provide Hungarotel's customers with dial-up Internet service. The third party Internet Service Providers are responsible for arranging the Internet
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service with the telephone customers. Telecommunications service providers have to provide the third party Internet Service Providers with the capability of offering dial-up Internet service at a per minute rate or a flat bulk rate for a fixed amount of time. The telecommunications service provider collects the local call fees from the telephone customer for the dial-up calls initiated by that customer to the third party Internet Service Provider for dial-up Internet service. The telecommunications service provider has to pass on a portion of such local dial-up call fees to the third party Internet Service Provider through a legislated revenue sharing arrangement. The intended consequence of these actions is to increase the Internet penetration rate in Hungary. For the use of the broadband DSL access line, the third party Internet Service Provider has to pay the telecommunications provider a flat monthly fee and/or a measured service fee for the use of a DSL access line.
Transparency. The NCA Council may impose a transparency obligation regarding interconnection and/or access to a service providers network, requiring service providers to make public specified information, such as accounting information, technical specifications and network characteristics. For example, the NCA Council may require service providers to publish a RUO with enough detailed information to ensure that the party requesting access to the network does not have to pay for parts of the network which are not necessary for the service requested. The NCA Council may impose obligations for accounting separation in relation to specified activities related to interconnection and/or access. A service provider which has a vertically integrated array of services may be required to make its wholesale prices and its internal transfer prices transparent to ensure (among other things) that its prices are fair and to prevent cross-subsidies from different services.
Carrier Selection
Wireline customers can now choose their telecommunications service provider on a call-by-call basis (carrier selection) or on a continuing basis (carrier pre-selection). A wireline customer may now pre-select a telecommunications service provider to provide local and domestic long distance service (including calls to Hungarian wireless phones) and that service provider will be responsible for billing. A wireline customer can choose a separate service provider for international calls. If an existing Hungarotel customer chooses a different service provider, that service provider could establish a direct connection to that customers home or business. Otherwise, the new carrier could use Hungarotels connection to that customers home or business and pay Hungarotel a per minute interconnection fee per Hungarotels RIO or pay Hungarotel a monthly fee for the use of Hungarotels connection per Hungarotels RUO. See -The Market/Tariff and Fee Structure, -Strategy, and - Competition.
Number Portability
Beginning in 2004, all wireline and wireless telephone service providers in Hungary are required to ensure that their customers have the right to retain their telephone numbers when they change service providers. There are exceptions when a customer of a wireline service provider moves beyond a certain geographical area.
Universal Services
Overview. The Communications Act defines Universal Services as basic communications services that must be made available at a fixed location at a government-approved price. Universal Services include: (i) the provision of access to fixed line telecommunication services so that a customer can make and receive phone calls (including dial-up calls to an Internet Service Provider) and have the capability of making toll-free emergency calls; (ii) the provision of a mandated number of public pay phones; (iii) the provision of directory information services; (iv) the provision of phone number directories; and (v) the provision to customers, at no cost, of selective call barring for outgoing calls. The Communications Act placed universal service obligations on designated telecommunications service providers, including Hungarotel. The Minister is responsible for the designation of the universal service providers so that all of Hungary is covered. Certain telephone service providers, including Hungarotel, have entered into a Universal Services Agreement with the Ministry.
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Universal Service Customers and Pricing. Every universal service provider, including Hungarotel, must offer certain of their customers a government-approved telephone service rate package. The rates are subject to the overall price cap set out for Universal Services. The goal is to encourage people without telephone service to get telephone service. See -Price Regulation.
Universal Services Fund. The Communications Act established a Universal Services Fund (USF). Every wireless and wireline telecommunications service provider in Hungary was required to contribute to the USF and funds from the USF were paid out to universal service providers to offset the cost of providing Universal Services. Due to changes in the regulations regarding Universal Services, the Company does not expect to contribute to, or receive funds from, the USF.
Performance Criteria. Hungarotels Universal Services Agreement provides for certain performance criteria including: deadlines for the installation of telephone service for new customers; minimum standards for the quality of voice and data transmission; and standards for error response. Failure to comply with these performance standards could result in financial penalties. We believe that Hungarotel has demonstrated substantial performance to date under its existing Universal Services Agreement.
Price Regulation
In order to keep prices competitive in the telecommunications marketplace, the NCA Council is empowered with the regulation of the prices charged by telecommunications service providers designated with SMP. Currently, PanTels prices to its customers and prices for outgoing calls from wireless phones in Hungary are not regulated. Hungarotels prices are regulated within the Hungarotel Operating Areas since Hungarotel is deemed a service provider with SMP in those areas. For wireline calls, the regulation of fees is divided into two categories: (a) fees for customers that are designated Universal Service customers, which are regulated regardless of the competitiveness of a particular market; and (b) fees for customers that are not designated as Universal Service customers.
Universal Service Customers. The following fees are regulated as part of a rebalancing formula: (a) local calls; (b) domestic long distance and international calls; (c) calls to wireless phones; (d) connection fees; and (e) subscription fees. The Ministry uses the Hungarian consumer price index (CPI) and an efficiency factor in setting an overall price caps for the fees. Dial-up calls to Internet Service Providers are also separately regulated.
Non-Universal Service Customers. Only dial-up calls to Internet Service Providers and subscription fees (which are tied to the CPI) are regulated. Local, domestic long distance (including calls to wireless phones) and international calls as well as connection fees are not subject to regulation.
Hungarian Taxation
Corporate Income Tax. The operations of our Hungarian subsidiaries are subject to the Hungarian corporate income tax rate of 16%. Effective September 2006, the Hungarian government introduced an additional 4% solidarity tax.
Local Tax. Our Hungarian subsidiaries are subject to local taxes by local municipal governments. The largest local tax is the local business tax, which cannot exceed 2%. The base of the local business tax is revenues less certain allowable costs. When a company is subject to more than one local municipal taxing authority, the base of the local business tax must be allocated between the local municipal taxing authorities. The 2006 local business taxes are fully deductible from the corporate income tax base.
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Innovation Contribution. In 2006, Hungarian companies were subject to a 0.3% levy to fund research and development activities. The base for this tax is the same base as the local business tax.
Value Added Tax (VAT). The Hungarian VAT system is based on EU regulations. VAT is a consumption tax which is fully borne by the final consumer of a product or service. The current standard rates of VAT is 20%. There is reduced rate of 5% applicable to certain products.
Social Insurance Contributions. Hungarian employers are required to pay the state 29% of an employees gross salary as a social security contribution, 3.0% of an employees gross salary as the employers contribution to the unemployment fund, and 1.5% of an employees gross salary in training fund contributions.
Employees
We have approximately 700 employees. We consider our relations with our employees to be satisfactory.
Item 1A. Risk Factors.
In addition to the other information contained in this Report on Form 10-K, the following risk factors should be considered carefully in evaluating our business. Our business, financial condition, or results of operations or future prospects could be materially adversely affected by any of these risks. Please note that additional risks not presently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial may also impair our business and operations.
Risks Affecting Our Business
We face significant competition due to increased telecommunications industry liberalization and other market forces, which competition could adversely affect our business, operating results and financial condition.
We compete in a rapidly evolving and highly competitive markets and we expect competition to continue to intensify in the Mass Market, the Corporate Market and the Wholesale Market. The recent revisions to Hungarys telecommunications laws and regulations, to further promote competition and harmonize Hungarys telecommunications laws with the current European Union framework, have laid the foundation for effective competition in the Hungarian telecommunications marketplace. Competitors are no longer hindered by historical barriers to entry. Hungarotels exclusive rights to provide local wireline telephone services in the Hungarotel Operating Areas have expired. The introduction of number portability, carrier selection and carrier pre-selection, network access and local loop unbundling have all contributed to a highly competitive environment. See Item 1 Business-Summary of the Communications Act-Significant Market Power.
As a result of these regulatory changes, Hungarotel has faced greater competition in its core local wireline business from cable television providers, wireless service providers, ISPs, facilities-based telecommunications service providers using their own networks as well as telecommunications service providers leasing parts of Hungarotels network through government regulated arrangements. PanTel also faces intense competition in the out-of-concession Mass Market, the Corporate Market and in both the domestic and international sectors of the Wholesale Market. With Hungarys high wireless phone penetration rate, competition from the wireless service providers has been intense and we anticipate that such competition will continue in the future. Such competition has led to, and could continue to lead to: price erosion; loss of market share and inability to increase market share; loss of existing customers; more difficulty in retaining existing customers and acquiring new customers; and other competitive pressures that could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.
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In order to compete in this competitive environment, we are seeking to distinguish ourselves from our competitors through numerous initiatives such as expanded product bundling, improved customer service and support, and competitive pricing. However, these initiatives are new and unproven. We may not have sufficient resources to distinguish our products, services or pricing from those of our competitors. Even if successful, these initiatives may not be sufficient to offset our continuing loss of telephone lines and revenue. See Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in Item 7 of this report for more information regarding trends affecting our business.
If we are not able to stem the loss of telephone lines or grow other areas of our business to compensate for these losses, our revenue may continue to decline in the Hungarotel Operating Areas.
Our recent revenue decline is largely attributable to our loss of telephone lines in the Hungarotel Operating Areas, which is the result of increased competition and technology substitution (such as wireless for wireline telephony). We are seeking to improve our competitive position through product bundling, customer service initiatives, competitive pricing and other sales and marketing initiatives. However, we may not be successful in these efforts. If we are not successful, this could result in continued loss of customers, lower market share, lower revenues per customer and lower overall revenue without corresponding cost deductions which could cause a material deterioration to our business, results of operations and financial condition.
Our strategy to expand into new markets may not be successful.
Our strategy to have PanTel offer services to the out-of-concession Mass Market requires a capital investment. While PanTel has experience in the Corporate Market throughout Hungary, PanTel is entering into a highly competitive Mass Market. If we are not successful in launching our product offerings or in responding to our competitors offerings, our business, results of operations and financial condition could be adversely affected.
We may need to introduce new products outside of our traditional products in order to remain competitive and such efforts may not be successful.
Cable television providers, wireless service providers and other alternative telecommunications providers have eroded the market share of wireline telecommunications service providers like us in the recent past. Cable televisions providers are able to cross-finance television, broadband Internet services and voice services in single bundled packages (triple-play services), enabling them to aggressively price and market the voice portion of their product offering. In addition, wireless service providers continue to offer their services at increasingly competitive rates. As a result, we may be required to introduce new services outside of our traditional products, such as Internet-Protocol Television (IPTV), in order to remain competitive. If we are not successful in launching new services, our business, results of operations and financial condition could be adversely affected. In addition, the introduction of such services would most likely require additional capital expenditures, which could in turn increase our need for third party financing or reduce our cash flow available for other purposes. This could have a negative impact on our ability to service existing debt and our business, results of operations and financial condition could be adversely affected.
Our failure to increase revenue from the Internet services market may adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.
Our strategy includes increasing our market penetration in a growing Internet services market to make up for the loss of business in other services. The Hungarian government has been promoting Internet usage throughout Hungary with the goal of making Hungary the logical regional hub for Central and Eastern Europe based on a knowledge-based economy, innovation and high-tech industries. We are
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planning on increasing our revenue from Internet services to offset our decreased revenue from our wireline voice services. If Hungarys Internet usage does not grow as expected, or if our competitors are more successful at obtaining new customers or the competition decreases prices more than we expect, we may not be able to increase our revenue from Internet services as planned, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.
If we are not able to manage costs while effectively responding to competition and changing market conditions, our business and results of operations may be adversely affected.
Our business plan is dependent on our ability to effectively manage the costs associated with running our business. If we need to respond to actions by our competitors or unanticipated changes in our markets, we may be required to make investments in our business and other expenditures which would reduce our cash flow available for other purposes. This could have a negative impact on our ability to service existing debt and our business, results of operations and financial condition could be adversely affected.
Economic conditions could continue to negatively affect our business and results of operations.
We are affected by the general economic conditions in Hungary and the rest of Central and Eastern Europe in general, and in the telecommunications industry in particular. There are many factors that influence global and regional economies which are outside of our control. An economic slowdown may affect business investment spending on information technology and telecommunications systems, which could adversely affect our revenue. In addition, the lower level of wages in Hungary as compared to Western Europe and the United States has had, and could continue to have, an effect on our business. Many residential customers in Hungary can not afford both a wireline phone and a wireless phone. A stagnant economy could decrease the number of our customers and decrease our average revenue per customer, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and our financial condition.
We may not be able to adapt to technological changes in the telecommunications marketplace.
The telecommunications industry is subject to rapidly changing technology which affects customer demands as new products and services are introduced. Our future success will be impacted by our ability to anticipate and adopt new technologies as the telecommunications markets evolve. The successful deployment of new telecommunications technologies may require significant capital expenditures in excess of contemplated levels. There can be no assurance that we will have the capital resources or the ability to obtain such capital to make such investments. New technologies may also necessitate us taking some of our existing assets out of our networks which could require substantial write-downs of the carrying value of our assets, resulting in charges to our Statement of Operations.
Network or system failure could result in lost revenue, increased capital expenditures or a damaged brand name.
Our technical infrastructure (including our network infrastructure) is vulnerable to damage or interruption from information technology failures, power losses, floods, windstorms, fires, vandalism or other acts of intentional wrongdoing, and other unpredictable events. Unanticipated problems at our facilities, network or system failures, hardware or software failures or computer viruses could negatively affect the quality of our services and cause interruptions in service. Any of these problems could adversely affect our revenue, require unexpected capital expenditures and damage our business prospects and brand name in the markets that we serve.
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Our IT Systems are critical to our business and a failure of those systems could materially harm our business.
We depend on our ability to store, retrieve, process and manage a significant amount of information. If our IT systems fail to perform as expected, or if we suffer an interruption, malfunction or loss of information processing capabilities, it could have a material adverse effect on our business.
The loss of key employees could adversely affect us.
Our operations are managed by a small number of key employees. The loss of such key employees could adversely affect our operations. There can be no assurance that we will be able to keep all of our key employees or find adequate replacement employees.
Risks Relating to Regulatory Matters
We are subject to substantial government regulation, which could result in adverse consequences for our business, results of operations and financial condition.
As summarized elsewhere in this report, we are subject to substantial governmental regulation, which could result in adverse consequences for our business, results of operations and financial condition. The Hungarian government regulates the entire telecommunications marketplace in Hungary including, among other matters: prices of wireline telecommunications services; carrier selection and carrier pre-selection; number portability; our Universal Service obligations and benefits; the terms and conditions upon which we are required to unbundle our telecommunications network to allow other telecommunications service providers to use our network to compete with us in the provision of telecommunications services; and the terms and conditions upon which we must provide interconnection of our network to the networks of other telecommunications service providers. The Hungarian government has designated Hungarotel as a telecommunications service provider with significant market power which increases the oversight of its operations. Our business, results of operations and financial condition could be adversely affected by any changes in telecommunications laws or regulations enacted by the Hungarian government. See Item 1 Business-Summary of the Communications Act-Significant Market Power.
Hungary has recently joined the European Union and its integration may cause changes in Hungarys laws, which could result in adverse consequences for our business, results of operations and financial condition.
Hungary joined the European Union in 2004. Hungary has recently revised its telecommunications laws to further promote competition and harmonize its telecommunications laws with the current European Union framework. Our business, results of operations and financial condition could be adversely affected by changes in EU laws and regulations which may require Hungary to revise its telecommunications laws in a manner that increases competition, decreases revenue or requires us to expend additional resources.
Risks Relating to Our Existing Debt
Our ability to generate cash depends on many factors beyond our control, and we may not be able to generate sufficient cash to service our debt.
We have an outstanding secured bank credit facility which is repayable in euros (approximately $150 million outstanding as of December 31, 2006) and outstanding notes which are repayable in U.S. dollars which are held by our majority stockholder TDC ($25 million outstanding as of December 31, 2006). Our ability to pay or refinance our bank credit facility or the outstanding notes will depend upon our future operating performance, which will be affected by general economic, financial, competitive, regulatory and business factors, some of which may be beyond our control.
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We anticipate that our operating cash flow will be sufficient to meet our future anticipated operating expenses and fund our capital expenditures. However, we can not assure you that we will meet our goals regarding revenue, expenses, or cash flow from operations to enable us to pay the required interest and principal payments on our debt or fund our other liquidity needs. If we are not able to meet our debt payment obligations, we may be required to: reduce, forego or delay capital expenditures; limit our growth; issue additional debt or equity; sell assets; refinance our debt; or forego business opportunities. We can not assure you that any of these actions could be executed on reasonable commercial terms or at all.
We are subject to currency exchange rate risks.
Since we generate a substantial amount of our revenue in Hungarian forints, our ability to repay debt and other liabilities denominated in currencies other than the Hungarian forint can be adversely affected by the weakening of the Hungarian forint against such non-Hungarian currencies. For example, the bank credit facility is euro-denominated debt. If the Hungarian forint were to weaken against the euro, Hungarotel and PanTel would need a greater amount of Hungarian forints to pay the same amount of euro-denominated debt. We evaluate this risk frequently and enter into foreign currency forward contracts, if deemed effective, or purchase foreign currency in advance, to attempt to minimize such risks.
We are subject to risks resulting from fluctuations in interest rates.
The interest rates on our bank credit facility and notes are both variable rates tied to current market interest rates. An increase in the market interest rates could adversely affect our ability to service our debt. To limit the interest rate risk of the euro-denominated bank credit facility, we entered into interest rate swap agreements whereby we exchanged 100% of our variable interest rate exposure on the euro-denominated debt for a fixed interest rate. The swap agreements are in place until 2010.
Our secured bank credit facility imposes restrictions on our ability to take certain actions and contains financial covenants that we could fail to satisfy.
Our bank credit facility prohibits us from taking certain actions, without the consent of the banking syndicate. For example, there are limitations on our ability to pay dividends, borrow funds, merge, acquire assets or businesses, or dispose assets. We can not assure you that the operating and financial restrictions in our bank credit facility will not adversely affect our ability to finance our future operations or capital requirements or engage in other business activities that may be in our interests.
Our bank credit facility requires us to maintain certain financial ratios. Those financial covenants are measured in euros while our operating revenue and expenses are generally in Hungarian forints. There can be no assurance that our financial performance will enable us to meet these financial performance tests. Our ability to meet these tests may be affected by events beyond our control, including a negative movement in the currency markets. We may be required to seek waivers if we do not meet these financial tests. We can not assure you that we could obtain such waivers. If we did not obtain the waivers, any breach of these financial covenants could result in a default under the bank credit facility and require us to repay the outstanding balance, including interest, of the bank credit facility. There can be no assurance that we would have the funds to repay the bank credit facility or have the ability to refinance the bank credit facility. If we were unable to repay any amounts owed under the bank credit facility, the banks could take actions to take control of the collateral pledged to the banks as security, which collateral consists of all of our assets, including our parent companys ownership interests in Hungarotel and PanTel.
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Our secured bank credit facility enumerates certain events which, if they were to occur, could trigger a mandatory prepayment provision, which could require us to make a prepayment on the outstanding balance under the secured bank credit facility.
Our bank credit facility requires us to make a prepayment on the outstanding balance of the bank credit facility if we take certain actions such as raising debt or equity capital. We are also required to make a prepayment if we have any Excess Cash Flow (as defined in the bank credit facility). We can not assure you that these mandatory prepayment provisions, if not waived, will not adversely affect our ability to finance our future operations or capital requirements or engage in other business activities that may be in our interests.
We are also required to repay the entire amounts outstanding under our bank credit facility if TDC, without the consent of the banks holding two-thirds of the bank credit facility loans, either (i) disposes of a certain amount of its shares of the Company or (ii) no longer has the right to appoint the Chairman of our Board of Directors, Chief Executive Officer or Chief Financial Officer (the Appointment Rights). However, such mandatory prepayment provision shall not apply if (a) our Total Net Borrowings to EBITDA ratio is less than 2:1 at the end of each of the two fiscal quarters prior to such event, (b) TDC sells all of its shares of the Company to an internationally recognized telecommunications operator with a certain credit rating, or (c) TDC transfers the Appointment Rights to an internationally recognized telecommunications operator with a certain credit rating which telecommunications operator also buys all of TDCs shares of the Company. TDC currently owns approximately 62% of our outstanding Common Stock.
There can be no assurance that TDC will not take any of these actions. If this mandatory prepayment was triggered, there can be no assurance that we would have the funds to repay the bank credit facility or have the ability to refinance the bank credit facility. If we were unable to repay any amounts owed under the bank credit facility, the banks could take actions to take control of the collateral pledged to the banks as security, which collateral consists of all of our assets, including our parent companys ownership interests in Hungarotel and PanTel.
Risks Relating to Our Reported Financial Results as a U.S. Public Company
We are subject to fluctuations in currency exchange rates which could have an adverse effect on our reported financial results.
As a Delaware incorporated company, we report our financial results in U.S. dollars, our reporting currency, while a substantial portion of our revenue and expenses, including capital expenditures, are in Hungarian forints.
| Effect on Revenue and Expense Translation in the Companys Statement of Operations. Changes in the Hungarian forint/U.S. dollar exchange rate have an impact on the amounts reported by us in our financial statements when we translate such forint amounts into U.S. dollars for reporting purposes. For example, if we had the same amount of revenue in Hungarian forints during two consecutive financial reporting periods and the value of the Hungarian forint appreciates against the U.S. dollar during the second financial reporting period as compared to the first financial reporting period, we would report higher revenue in U.S. dollars during the second financial reporting period even though the amount of revenue in Hungarian forints remained the same during each of the two financial reporting periods. Conversely, if the Hungarian forint weakened against the U.S. dollar during the second financial reporting period as compared to the first financial reporting period, we would report lower revenue in U.S. dollars during the second financial reporting period even though the amount of revenue in Hungarian forints remained the same during each of the two financial reporting periods. Therefore, fluctuations in the Hungarian forint/U.S. dollar exchange rate can have a material impact on our reported financial results. |
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| Subsidiary Debt Denominated in Currency Other than the U.S. dollar - Effect on Balance Sheet. If any of our Hungarian subsidiaries hold debt denominated in a currency other than the U.S. dollar, that amount is translated into U.S. dollars at the exchange rate in effect on the balance sheet date. Hungarotel and PanTel have debt denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar (euros). Therefore, if Hungarotel or PanTel were to hold the same amount of euro-denominated debt on two consecutive balance sheet reporting dates, and if the euro appreciated against the U.S. dollar on the second balance sheet reporting date as compared to the first balance sheet reporting date, we would report more debt in U.S. dollars on our balance sheet, with respect to the euro-denominated debt, even though the amount of euro-denominated debt was the same on both balance sheet reporting dates. This increase in debt reported in U.S. dollars due to currency fluctuations would be recorded as a reduction to shareholders equity. Conversely, if Hungarotel or PanTel were to hold the same amount of euro-denominated debt on two consecutive balance sheet reporting dates, and if the euro depreciated against the U.S. dollar on the second balance sheet reporting date as compared to the first balance sheet reporting date, we would report less debt in U.S. dollars on our balance sheet, with respect to the euro-denominated debt, even though the amount of euro-denominated debt was the same on both balance sheet reporting dates. This decrease in debt reported in U.S. dollars due to currency fluctuations would be recorded as an addition to shareholders equity. |
| Subsidiary Debt Denominated in Currency Other than the Hungarian Forint - Effect on Statement of Operations. - Hungarotels and PanTels functional currency for accounting purposes is the Hungarian forint. Hungarotel and PanTel have debt denominated in currencies other than the Hungarian forint (euros). When Hungarotel or PanTel prepares its balance sheet, each must re-value debt amounts denominated in currencies other than the Hungarian forint into Hungarian forints at the exchange rate in effect at the balance sheet date. Therefore, if Hungarotel or PanTel were to hold the same amount of euro-denominated debt on two consecutive balance sheet reporting dates, and if the Hungarian forint appreciated against the euro on the second balance sheet reporting date as compared to the first balance sheet reporting date, Hungarotel or PanTel would report less debt in Hungarian forints on its balance sheet, with respect to the euro-denominated debt, even though the amount of euro-denominated debt was the same on both balance sheet reporting dates. The difference in the amount of Hungarian forints reported for the euro-denominated debt for the two periods would be translated back into U.S. dollars at the average Hungarian forint/U.S. dollar exchange rate for the second period and be recorded as a foreign exchange gain for the period on our consolidated Statement of Operations. Conversely, if the Hungarian forint depreciated against the euro on the second balance sheet reporting date as compared to the first balance sheet reporting date, Hungarotel or PanTel would report more debt in Hungarian forints on its balance sheet, with respect to the euro-denominated debt, even though the amount of euro-denominated debt was the same on both balance sheet reporting dates. In this case, the difference in the amount of Hungarian forint reported for the euro-denominated debt for the two periods would be translated back into U.S. dollars at the average Hungarian forint/U.S. dollar exchange rate for the second period and be recorded as a foreign exchange loss for the period on our consolidated Statement of Operations. |
As a result of the above, while our reported financial performance may change, a significant portion of such change may be due to currency fluctuations.
Changes in accounting rules could have a material impact on our financial results.
U.S. generally accepted accounting principles are subject to interpretation by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB), the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB), the SEC, and various bodies formed to promulgate and interpret appropriate accounting principles. A change in these principles or interpretations could have a significant effect on our reported financial results.
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Changes in accounting assumptions or regulations could affect our financial results.
Changes in accounting assumptions that regulatory agencies, including the SEC, may require or that result from changes in the accounting rules or applications, could result in an impact on our financial results.
The failure of our internal control over financial reporting could harm our business and financial results.
Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting. Internal control over financial reporting is a process to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting for external purposes in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Internal control over financial reporting includes maintaining records that in reasonable detail accurately and fairly reflect the Companys transactions; providing reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary for preparation of the financial statements; providing reasonable assurance that receipts and expenditures of the Companys assets are made in accordance with management authorization; and providing reasonable assurance that unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of the Company assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements would be prevented or detected on a timely basis. Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting is not intended to provide absolute assurance that a misstatement of the Companys financial statements would be prevented or detected. Any failure to maintain an effective system of internal control over financial reporting could limit our ability to report our financial results accurately and timely or to detect and prevent fraud.
Risks Relating to the Invitel Acquisition
We many not be able to successfully complete the Invitel acquisition.
If the Invitel acquisition is not completed for any reason, we will be subject to a number of material risks, including the following:
| the market price of our Common Stock may decline to the extent that the current market price reflects a market assumption that the acquisition will be completed; and |
| the diversion of managements attention from our ongoing business and the potential disruption to our employees and our relationship with customers and business partners during the period before the completion of the Invitel acquisition may make it difficult for us to regain our business and competitive positions if the Invitel acquisition does not occur. |
We may not be able to get the governmental approvals to complete the Invitel acquisition.
We need the approval of the Hungarian and Romanian regulatory authorities in order to complete the Invitel acquisition. These approvals may impose conditions on or require divestitures relating to operations or assets of Invitel. Such conditions or divestitures may jeopardize or delay completion of the acquisition or may reduce the anticipated benefits of the acquisition. While we expect to get such approvals without conditions being imposed or divestitures being required, there can be no assurance that we will be able to do so. If the acquisition is not consummated because we fail to obtain the approval of the Hungarian and Romanian regulatory authorities or are required to divest assets in order to complete the acquisition, it could adversely affect the market price of our Common Stock and our business and financial results.
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We may not be able to get the financing to complete the Invitel acquisition.
We are partially funding the Invitel acquisition with debt. Although we have received commitments to support the acquisitions cash purchase price, any mandatory prepayments of Invitels notes or credit facilities, refinance a portion of our debt or Invitels debt and provide working capital, there can be no assurance that we can obtain such financing. If we are unable to obtain such financing, or obtain financing from other sources, we would be unable to complete the Invitel acquisition and would breach our agreement with Invitel, which could have a material adverse effect on our business and financial results.
If we acquire Invitel, we may not be able to successfully integrate Invitel which could harm our business and our competitive position.
Although we believe that our acquisition of Invitel will have a positive effect on our competitive position in the Hungarian telecommunications market, there can be no guarantee that we will succeed in integrating Invitels business into our existing operations or that it will improve our financial performance. The acquisition of Invitel will expose us to certain post-acquisition execution risks, including the following:
| the costs relating to the acquisition, integration and restructuring may not be offset by the efficiencies we expect to realize as a result of integrating Invitels business; |
| the difficulty of assimilating the operations and personnel of Invitel; |
| the potential disruption to our ongoing business caused by senior managements focus on the acquisition integration; |
| our failure to incorporate successfully Invitels technology into our network and product offerings; |
| the potential loss of our key employees or the key employees of Invitel; |
| the impairment of relationships with our existing employees and Invitel employees as a result of changes in management; |
| a reduced ability to attract and retain key management and personnel and employees; |
| the potential loss of customers and business partners; |
| the failure to maintain uniform standards, controls, procedures and policies; and |
| the unwillingness of customers and business partners to continue doing business with us on the same or similar terms in place prior to completion of the Invitel acquisition. |
There can be no assurance that we will be successful in overcoming these risks, and our failure to overcome these risks could have a negative effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.
The loss of key senior management could negatively affect us.
Torben V. Holm has previously announced his plans to step down as our Chief Executive Officer in connection with the Invitel acquisition and Steven Fast is serving as our interim Chief Financial Officer until the closing of the transaction. If we acquire Invitel, following the closing, Invitels Chief Executive Officer, Martin Lea, and Invitels Chief Financial Officer, Robert Bowker, are expected to replace Mr. Holm
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and Mr. Fast and become the Companys Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, respectively. Our performance and success will depend, in part, on a smooth transition from our senior management to Invitels senior management. In particular, after the closing of the Invitel acquisition, we will depend in a large part on the knowledge, expertise, reputation, and services of Messrs. Lea and Bowker. Their familiarity with Invitel, their ability to lead the successful integration of our two companies, their experience with management and financial matters, and their vast combined experience in the telecommunications market generally make them important to our continued success. The loss of either of these members of our post-closing senior management could have a material adverse effect on our business. Additionally, if the Invitel acquisition is not completed for any reason, we will need to find alternative replacements for Mr. Holm and Mr. Fast, and there can be no assurance that we will be able to find qualified candidates with comparable experience, reputation and knowledge about the Hungarian telecommunications market without a significant investment of time, money and energy.
If we acquire Invitel, our substantial debt could adversely affect our financial position.
If we acquire Invitel, we will have a substantial amount of debt and significant debt service obligations. Our substantial debt could have important adverse consequences. Our substantial debt:
| will require us to dedicate a large portion of our cash flows from our operations to fund payments on our debt, thereby reducing the availability of our cash flows to fund working capital, capital expenditures and other general corporate needs; |
| may contain financial and other restrictive covenants that, among other things, restrict our ability to pay dividends, incur additional debt and sell assets. If we do not comply with these obligations, it may cause an event of default, which, if not cured or waived, could require us to repay the indebtedness immediately; |
| will increase our vulnerability to adverse general economic or industry conditions; |
| could limit our flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changes in our business or the industry in which we operate; |
| could limit our ability to raise additional debt or equity capital in the future; |
| could restrict us from making strategic acquisitions or exploiting business opportunities; |
| could make it more difficult for us to satisfy our obligations with respect to our debt; and |
| could place us at a competitive disadvantage compared to our competitors that have less debt. |
If we acquire Invitel, we will also acquire obligations related to Invitels debt obligations which may limit our ability to take certain actions .
As a result of acquiring Invitel and assuming some of its debt, we will be subject to significant financial and operating restrictions contained in outstanding credit agreements, indentures and similar instruments of indebtedness. These restrictions will affect, and in some cases significantly limit or prohibit, among other things, our ability and the ability of our subsidiaries to:
| incur or guarantee additional indebtedness; |
| pay dividends or make other upstream distributions; |
| make investments; |
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| transfer, sell or dispose of certain assets, including subsidiary stock; |
| merge or consolidate with other entities; |
| engage in transactions with us or other affiliates; or |
| create liens on our and their assets. |
As a result of restrictions contained in Invitels debt instruments, we and our subsidiaries, could be unable to obtain additional capital in the future to:
| fund capital expenditures or acquisitions that could improve our value; |
| meet our loan and capital commitments to our business affiliates; |
| invest in companies in which we would otherwise invest; |
| fund any operating losses or future development of our business affiliates; |
| obtain lower borrowing costs that are available from secured lenders or engage in advantageous transactions that monetize our assets; or |
| conduct necessary or prudent corporate activities. |
Risks Relating to Other Strategic Investments or Acquisitions
We may engage in future acquisitions and strategic investments that dilute the ownership percentage of our stockholders and require the use of cash, incur debt or assume contingent liabilities.
As part of our business strategy, we expect to continue to review opportunities to buy or invest in other businesses or technologies that we believe would complement our current products, expand the breadth of our markets or enhance our technical capabilities, or that may otherwise offer growth opportunities. If we buy or invest in other businesses, products or technologies in the future, we could: incur significant unplanned expenses and personnel costs; issue stock, or assume stock option plans that would dilute our current stockholders percentage ownership; use cash, which may result in a reduction of our liquidity; incur debt; assume liabilities; and spend resources on unconsummated transactions.
We may not realize the anticipated benefits of future acquisitions and strategic investments, and the integration of acquisitions may disrupt our business and management.
We are always reviewing our options with respect to additional acquisitions. Any additional acquisitions would expose us to certain post-acquisition execution risks, including the following:
| the difficulty of assimilating the operations and personnel of the acquired entity; |
| the potential disruption to our ongoing business caused by senior managements focus on the acquisition integration; |
| our failure to incorporate successfully licensed or acquired technology into our network and product offerings; |
| the potential loss of our key employees or the key employees of the acquired organization; |
| the failure to maintain uniform standards, controls, procedures and policies; and |
| the impairment of relationships with employees as a result of changes in management and ownership. |
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There can be no assurance that we will be successful in overcoming these risks, and our failure to overcome these risks could have a negative effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Other Risks
Our business is subject to increasingly complex corporate governance, public disclosure, accounting, and tax requirements that have increased both our costs and the risk of noncompliance.
We are subject to rules and regulations of federal and state government as well as the stock exchange on which our Common Stock is listed. These entities, including the PCAOB, the SEC, the Internal Revenue Service and the American Stock Exchange, have issued a significant number of new and increasingly complex requirements and regulations over the course of the last several years and continue to develop additional regulations and requirements in response to laws enacted by the United States Congress, most notably the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. Our efforts to comply with these requirements have resulted in, and are likely to continue to result in, increased expenses and a diversion of management time and attention from revenue-generating activities to compliance activities.
We are subject to periodic audits or other reviews by such governmental agencies as well as governmental agencies in Hungary and other countries in Central and Eastern Europe in which we operate. The SEC periodically reviews our public company filings. Any such examination or review requires managements time and a diversion of internal resources and, in the event of an unfavorable outcome, may result in additional liabilities or adjustments to our historical financial results.
We have a majority stockholder whose interests may be different from the minority stockholders with respect to some matters.
TDC owns approximately 62% of our outstanding Common Stock. Four officers of TDC are on our Board of Directors and two employees from TDC serve as executive officers of the Company. TDC has, and will continue to have, directly or indirectly, the power to affect our business through their ability to control all actions that require stockholder approval and through their representatives on our board of directors. They are not obligated to provide us with financial support. The interests of the majority stockholder and those of the minority stockholders may differ with respect to some matters.
The low trading volume in our stock and the small public float of our stock subjects our common stock to volatile trading.
One stockholder of the Company, TDC, owns 62% of our outstanding Common Stock. Our Common Stock is traded on the American Stock Exchange. There has been, and we expect that there will continue to be, only limited shares of our Common Stock available on the market and limited trading volume for the Common Stock. Accordingly, the market price of the Common Stock may not be reflective of its underlying value. Limited trading volume can also increase the volatility of the market price of the Common Stock.
Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments.
There were no unresolved comments from the staff of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission as of the date of the filing of this report.
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Item 2. Properties.
We lease our principal executive offices in Budapest, Hungary and also have a United States office located in Seattle, WA. In addition, we own and lease properties throughout Hungary and other countries in Central and Eastern Europe. We have secured all the necessary rights-of-way with respect to our telecommunications networks. Our owned real property and telecommunications assets are pledged as security to banks as required by our syndicated bank credit facility. We believe that our leased and owned office space and real property are adequate for our present needs but we periodically review our future needs.
Item 3. Legal Proceedings.
Local Business Tax
An ambiguous provision in Hungarotels Concession Contracts regarding the payment of local municipal business tax is at issue. At the time of the inception of the Concession Contracts, the local business tax was 0%. When this business tax was instituted in one of the regions within the Hungarotel Operating Areas in 1996, one municipality, citing such provision in Hungarotels Concession Contract, claimed that Hungarotel was liable to pay the local business tax at ten times the prevailing rate. The municipality took the matter up with both the National Communications Authority and the predecessor ministry to the Ministry. However, the municipality has not been able to enforce this undertaking because it is not a party to the Concession Contracts. In 1999, the Hungarian Deputy State Secretary gave a verbal confirmation that the Hungarian government would not require Hungarotel to pay such tax. In November 1999, the Hungarian government sent a letter to the municipality informing the municipality that the disputed business tax provision was not enforceable because the indefinite nature of the undertaking constituted an unjustified burden on Hungarotel and that the undertaking was not in compliance with the laws on Local Business Tax. To date, several municipalities have cited this provision in Hungarotels Concession Contracts and demanded payment of a local municipal business tax from Hungarotel. In March 2004, three municipalities initiated court proceedings against Hungarotel in the Metropolitan Court of Budapest seeking an aggregate of HUF 4.46 billion ($23.2 million) including interest. This is an ongoing matter. The next hearing is scheduled for April 4, 2007. However, the Company believes that this undertaking is not enforceable and intends to defend itself against this action and any other action brought related to this matter.
Fazis
During 1996 and 1997, we entered into several construction contracts with Fazis, a Hungarian contractor (Fazis), which totaled $59.0 million in the aggregate, $47.5 million of which was financed by a contractor financing facility. Fazis financed the facility through Postabank, a Hungarian bank. We have a disagreement with Fazis with respect to several issues relating to the quality and quantity of the work done by Fazis. We rejected invoices from Fazis in the amount of approximately HUF 700 million (approximately $3.6 million) and Fazis subsequently sought payment under separate invoices in the amount of approximately $24 million (at historical exchange rates), which we disputed because of quantity and quality issues and because of our counterclaim for breach of contract by Fazis, amounting to approximately $31 million (at historical exchange rates).
In order to resolve these issues, we purchased from Postabank in 1999 some of Postabanks receivables owed by Fazis to Postabank (HUF 4.0 billion; approximately $20.8 million) with respect to the contractor financing facility. We also purchased from Postabank some of the obligations which we owed to Fazis under the contractor financing facility which were assumed by Postabank (HUF 7.0 billion; approximately $36.5 million). We then set off our remaining uncontested liabilities owed to Fazis (HUF 900 million; approximately $4.7 million) against the amounts owed to us by Fazis (HUF 4.0 billion; approximately $20.8 million).
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Fazis and Reorg Rt. (Reorg, a company responsible for collecting Postabanks debts) contested our actions in Hungarian court proceedings. In 2004, we prevailed against both parties and both Fazis and Reorgs legal proceedings regarding these matters were terminated.
In January 2005, Fazis commenced proceedings against us before the arbitration court that is a part of the Hungarian Chamber of Commerce alleging a new cause of action arising from the original construction contracts. Fazis new claim against us was for alleged unpaid invoices in the amount of HUF 1.7 billion ($8.9 million), including interest and VAT. In January 2006, the Arbitration Court ruled in our favor. Fazis efforts to set aside or overturn this ruling have not been successful to date.
In March 2005, we initiated legal proceedings against Fazis in the Budapest Metropolitan Court seeking HUF 3.5 billion (HUF 3.1 billion plus interest ($18.2 million)) for the debt Fazis owed us following the set off against the receivable purchased from Postabank in 1999. The court rendered a judgment in our favor and ordered Fazis to pay us HUF 3.5 billion ($18.2 million) plus late payment interest. Fazis may appeal. We do not expect to collect anything on this judgment but such judgment should protect us should Fazis ever obtain a successful judgment against us which we do not believe will ever occur.
Finally, we still have a larger claim against Fazis, $31 million, for breach of contract. We are reviewing our options with respect to this claim.
The Hungarian legal system is still developing. Therefore, finality of actions cannot be predicted with any certainty. Consequentially, there can be no assurances as to the final outcome or course of action of this dispute.
Other
We are involved in various other legal actions arising in the ordinary course of business. We are contesting these legal actions in addition to the actions noted above; however, the outcome of individual matters is not predictable with assurance. Although the ultimate resolution of these actions (including the actions discussed above) is not presently determinable, we believe that any liability resulting from the current pending legal actions involving us, in excess of amounts provided therefor, will not have a material effect on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or liquidity.
Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.
No matters were submitted to a vote of our security holders during the quarter ended December 31, 2006.
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PART II
Item 5. Market for Registrants Common Equity,
Related Stockholder Matters
and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities.
Market Information
Our Common Stock trades on the American Stock Exchange (the Amex) under the symbol HTC. The following table sets forth the high and low sale prices for the Common Stock as reported by the Amex for each quarter in 2005 and 2006.
2005 | 2006 | |||||||||||
Quarter Ended |
High | Low | High | Low | ||||||||
March 31 |
$ | 19.90 | $ | 12.26 | $ | 16.50 | $ | 14.51 | ||||
June 30 |
18.90 | 15.85 | 16.63 | 14.10 | ||||||||
September 30 |
17.55 | 12.16 | 16.25 | 12.00 | ||||||||
December 31 |
17.24 | 13.24 | 15.80 | 13.51 |
On March 12, 2007, the closing sale price for the Common Stock on the Amex was $19.60.
Stockholders
As of March 12, 2007, we had 12,888,171 shares of Common Stock outstanding held by approximately 76 holders of record. We believe that we have approximately 1,500 beneficial owners who hold their shares in street names.
We will furnish, without charge, on the written request of any stockholder, a copy of the Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006, including financial statements and the financial statement schedules filed therewith. Stockholders wishing a copy may send their request to us (c/o General Counsel) at 1201 Third Avenue, Suite 3400, Seattle, WA 98101-3034. We also make available, free of charge, all of our Annual Reports on Form 10-K, our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, our current reports on Form 8-K, and amendments to those reports filed or furnished with the SEC pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act after they are electronically filed with, or furnished to, the SEC. You can access those reports at our website http://www.htcc.hu which has a link to our filings with the SEC. You can also directly access our filings at the SECs website (http://www.sec.gov).
Dividend Policy
We have 30,000 shares of Series A Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock with a liquidation value of $70 per share outstanding which are currently held by TDC. Any holder of such Preferred Shares is entitled to receive cumulative cash dividends in arrears at the annual rate of 5%, compounded annually on the liquidation value. We have only paid one preferred dividend. As of December 31, 2006, the total arrearage on the Preferred Shares was $756,000.
We have not paid any dividends on our Common Stock. Under Delaware law, we have been restricted in past years from paying dividends due to a stockholders deficiency. Our secured bank credit facility limits our ability to pay dividends. It is our current policy to retain earnings, if any, to finance the development and growth of our businesses. Accordingly, the Board of Directors does not anticipate that cash dividends will be paid on our Common Stock until our earnings warrant such dividends, and there can be no assurance that we can achieve such earnings.
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At present, HTCCs only source of cash is payments from intercompany loans, payments under its management service agreements with our Hungarian subsidiaries, and dividends, if any, from our Hungarian subsidiaries. Our Hungarian subsidiaries ability to pay dividends or make other capital distributions to HTCC is governed by Hungarian law, and, as noted above, is also significantly restricted by our secured bank credit facility. Our Hungarian subsidiaries are borrowers under the credit facility which provides that the subsidiaries can only make distributions without the banks consent to HTCC for limited purposes. See Item 7 Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and Note 6 in Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities
On November 10, 2004, we issued 250,000 shares of Common Stock and paid cash to PT Invest, a Hungarian based entity, as consideration for our purchase of 14.7% of PanTel. On such date, the price per share of our Common Stock was valued at $10.80 on the American Stock Exchange. Our issuance was not registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission based upon our reliance upon an exemption from the registration provisions of the Securities Act of 1933 (the Securities Act) set forth in Section 4(2) thereof relative to transactions by an issuer not involving any public offering. The purchaser was informed that the transaction was being effected without registration under the Securities Act and that the shares acquired could not be resold without registration under the Securities Act unless the sale is done pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act.
Purchases of Equity Securities by the Company
We did not repurchase any of our shares of Common Stock during the fourth quarter of 2006.
Equity Compensation Plan Information
The following table provides information about our Common Stock that may be issued under our equity compensation plans as of December 31, 2006:
Plan Category |
Number of Securities Warrants and |
Weighted-Average Exercise Price of Outstanding Options, Warrants and Rights(b) |
Number of Securities Remaining Available for Future Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans (Excluding Securities Reflected in Column (a))(c) | ||||
Equity Compensation Plans Approved by Security Holders |
650,000 | $ | 9.36 | 1,243,878 | |||
Equity Compensation Plans Not Approved by Security Holders |
151,284 | $ | 7.54 | 0 | |||
Total |
801,284 | 1,243,878 |
The equity compensation plan not approved by our security holders set forth in the table above is the Director Stock Option Plan (outstanding options to purchase 151,284 shares of Common Stock as of the end of 2006). The Director Stock Option Plan was adopted by our Board of Directors in 1997. The Director Stock Option Plan had 250,000 shares of available Common Stock of which unexercised options to purchase 151,284 shares of Common Stock were outstanding as of the end of 2006 and 10,000 shares of Common Stock had been issued pursuant to exercised options. Following the approval of our
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stockholders, the remaining 88,716 shares of Common Stock were rolled over to, and became part of, our stockholder approved 2004 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the 2004 Plan). Following such stockholder approval, our Board of Directors agreed to not issue any more shares from the Director Stock Option Plan. The Director Stock Option Plan is administered by our Board of Directors. The Director Stock Option Plan provided that each non-employee director shall automatically receive an option to purchase 5,000 shares of Common Stock upon his or her election or re-election to the Board of Directors by our stockholders each year. Each option granted had a ten year exercise term and vested upon the completion of the one-year board term. The exercise price per share of Common Stock is equal to the market value of a share of Common Stock calculated on the date of grant by using the prior 20 trading day average closing price of our Common Stock on the American Stock Exchange. If a director ceases to be a director of the Company and the director is not eligible to retire, the end of the exercise period is accelerated to three years following the cessation of such service (if less than the original term). The options are not transferable except for limited estate planning purposes and by the laws of descent and distribution.
The 2004 Plan which was approved by our stockholders had 1,243,878 shares of Common Stock available for issuances for compensatory purposes at the end of 2006 We had 1,290,082 shares of Common Stock available for issuance under the 2004 Plan at the end of 2005. We can issue, from the 2004 Plan, stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, restricted stock units, unrestricted stock and performance units payable in cash or stock. Stock option awards under employment agreements are granted from the 2004 Plan. Pursuant to an employment agreement, the Company is committed to annually issuing an option to purchase 20,000 shares of Common Stock from the 2004 Plan. See Item 11. Executive Compensation.
Stock Performance Graph
The line graph on the following page compares the cumulative total stockholder return of the Companys Common Stock to the cumulative total return of (i) the American Stock Exchange Market Index and (ii) a telecommunications industry index, for the period commencing January 1, 2002 and ending December 31, 2006. The graph assumes that $100 was invested on January 1, 2002, with any dividends reinvested on the date paid. The graph shows as of December 31st for each of the five years the hypothetical value of such initial $100 investment.
COMPARISON OF FIVE-YEAR CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN AMONG THE COMPANY,
AMEX MARKET INDEX AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS INDUSTRY INDEX
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2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | ||||||||
Hungarian Telephone and Cable Corp. |
$ | 100.00 | 171.09 | 214.35 | 313.04 | 338.04 | 328.26 | ||||||
Telecommunications Industry Index |
100.00 | 74.66 | 94.09 | 106.18 | 100.33 | 141.30 | |||||||
Amex Market Index |
100.00 | 96.01 | 130.68 | 149.65 | 165.03 | 184.77 |
Item 6. Selected Financial Data.
The acquisition of PanTel in 2005 and the adoption in 2006 of the new compensation expense accounting standard SFAS 123R materially affect the comparability of the information reflected in the following selected financial data. See Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in Item 7 of this report for more information regarding trends affecting our business and Note 1(m) in Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
HUNGARIAN TELEPHONE AND CABLE CORP.
AND SUBSIDIARIES
Selected Financial and Operating Data
(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)
For the Year |
2006 | 2005 As |
2004 As |
2003 As |
2002 As | ||||||||||
Revenue |
$ | 193,732 | $ | 179,643 | $ | 69,007 | $ | 69,391 | $ | 61,945 | |||||
Operating revenues, net (Gross Margin) |
$ | 113,265 | $ | 110,240 | $ | 60,340 | $ | 59,609 | $ | 52,182 | |||||
Income from Operations |
$ | 32,570 | $ | 29,979 | $ | 20,056 | $ | 27,872 | $ | 24,032 | |||||
Operating income per common share (basic) (2) |
$ | 2.54 | $ | 2.36 | $ | 1.62 | $ | 2.29 | $ | 1.99 | |||||
Net income |
$ | 17,824 | $ | 2,892 | $ | 16,242 | $ | 12,476 | $ | 27,341 | |||||
Net income per common share (basic) |
$ | 1.38 | $ | 0.22 | $ | 1.30 | $ | 1.02 | $ | 2.25 | |||||
At Year-End |
|||||||||||||||
Total assets |
$ | 332,754 | $ | 298,817 | $ | 192,285 | $ | 176,556 | $ | 169,059 | |||||
Long-term debt, excluding current installments |
$ | 115,351 | $ | 158,227 | $ | 71,715 | $ | 90,839 | $ | 102,165 | |||||
Total stockholders equity |
$ | 100,024 | $ | 70,881 | $ | 81,520 | $ | 46,359 | $ | 29,848 |
(1) | See Note 1(c) Restatements in Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements |
(2) | Operating income per common share (basic) is Income from Operations divided by the weighted average number of common shares outstandingbasic. |
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Item 7. Managements Discussion and Analysis
of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
Cautionary Statement Concerning Forward-Looking Statements
This annual report on Form 10-K contains forward-looking statements. Statements that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements made pursuant to the Safe Harbor Provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based on our estimates and assumptions and are subject to risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the statements. Words such as believes, anticipates, estimates, expects and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements (including oral representations) are only predictions or statements of current plans, which we review continuously. For all forward-looking statements, we claim the protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.
The following important factors, along with those factors discussed elsewhere in this annual report on Form 10-K, including those discussed under Risk Factors in Part I, Item 1A and in our other reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, could affect future results and could cause those results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements:
| Changes in the growth rate of the overall Hungarian, European Union and Central and Eastern European economies such that inflation, interest rates, currency exchange rates, business investment and consumer spending are impacted; |
| Materially adverse changes in economic conditions in Hungary and Central Europe; |
| Changes in the currency exchange markets particularly in the Hungarian forint-euro exchange rate, the Hungarian forint-U.S. dollar exchange rate and the euro-U.S. dollar exchange rate which affect our financial statements and our ability to repay our debt; |
| Our ability to effectively manage and otherwise monitor our operations, costs, regulatory compliance and service quality; |
| Our ability to effectively manage our operating expenses, capital expenses and reduce or refinance our debt; |
| Our dependence on cash flow from Hungarotel and PanTel and certain restrictions on their ability to pay dividends to the parent company HTCC; |
| The overall effect of competition from wireless service providers, other wireline carriers, cable television operators, ISPs and others in the markets that we currently compete in and in the markets that we may enter into; |
| The effects of greater than anticipated competition requiring new pricing, marketing strategies or new product offerings and the risk that we will not respond on a timely or profitable basis; |
| The timing and profitability of our entry into new markets; |
| Our ability to successfully introduce new product offerings including our ability to offer bundled service packages on terms that are both profitable to us and appealing to our customers, and our ability to sell enhanced and data services in order to offset declines in revenue from local wireline service; |
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| Material changes in available technology and the effects of such changes including product substitutions and deployment costs; |
| Our ability to retain key employees; |
| The effect of Hungarian regulatory and legislative initiatives and proceedings including those relating to the terms of interconnection, access charges, universal service, unbundled networks, resale rates and the continued liberalization of the Hungarian telecommunications marketplace; |
| Changes in European Union laws and regulations, which may require Hungary and other countries to revise their telecommunications laws; |
| Political changes in Hungary; |
| The final outcome of certain legal proceedings affecting us; |
| Our ability to comply with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, which requires management to assess its internal control systems and disclose whether the internal control systems are effective, and the identification of any material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting; |
| Changes in our accounting assumptions that regulatory agencies, including the SEC, may require or that result from changes in the accounting rules or their application, which could result in an impact on our financial results; |
| The performance of our IT Systems; |
| Our ability to successfully complete the integration of any businesses or companies that we may acquire, including Invitel, into our operations; and |
| Our relationship with our controlling stockholder TDC. |
You should consider these important factors in evaluating any statements in this Form 10-K or otherwise made by us or on our behalf. We have no obligation to update or revise these forward-looking statements.
Overview
We provide telecommunications services in Hungary through our three Hungarian operating subsidiaries: Hungarotel; PanTel; and PanTel Technocom. Hungarotel principally provides wireline voice, data and Internet services to residential and small office/home office customers (the Mass Market) within 3 defined regions of Hungary (the Hungarotel Operating Areas).
PanTel owns a nation-wide fiber optic network in Hungary and competes primarily with Magyar Telekom, the former national monopoly, and Invitel in the provision of voice, data and Internet services to businesses throughout Hungary (the Corporate Market). PanTel uses its network capacity to transport voice, data, and Internet traffic on a wholesale basis for other telecommunications service providers, Internet Service Providers, and cable television operators in Hungary (the Wholesale Market). PanTel also uses its network to service the Mass Market outside the Hungarotel Operating Areas. PanTel's network also extends into other countries in the Central and Eastern European region. PanTel has interconnection arrangements in place with several major international telecommunications service operators which provide for interconnection at international telecommunications hubs, includings hubs in Frankfurt, London and Vienna. PanTel Technocom provides telecommunications service to MOL (the Hungarian oil company) and operates and maintains various parts of MOLs telecommunications network.
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As of December 31, 2006, Hungarotel had approximately 125,000 telephone lines connected to its network within the Hungarotel Operating Areas to service the Mass Market and PanTel had 44,000 telephone lines through local loop unbundling, carrier pre-selection, and carrier selection to service the Mass Market outside the Hungarotel Operating Areas. Thus, as of December 31, 2006, we had a total of approximately 169,000 telephone lines in service in the Mass Market. In addition, PanTel had approximately 59,000 telephone lines in service, (including 7,000 serviced through CPS) to service the Corporate Market. In order to take advantage of PanTels experience in competing throughout Hungary, these Non-Hungarotel Operating Area Mass Market customers were transferred from Hungarotel to PanTel during 2006. During the past year the Company has focused on the acquisition of carrier pre-selection customers which represent approximately 98% of new customers signed up during the 4th quarter outside the Hungarotel Operating Areas. These carrier pre-selection customers generate less ARPU than our customers in the Hungarotel Operating Areas but generate higher ARPU than carrier selection customers.
Our goal is to provide a broad array of telecommunications services with exceptional quality and service at reasonable prices by becoming a highly efficient full service telecommunications provider in Central and Eastern Europe. Our primary risk is our ability to retain existing customers and attract new customers in a highly competitive market that is constantly in flux due to a challenging regulatory environment, new competitive fixed line telephony entrants, high wireless telephony penetration and macroeconomic factors. Our success depends upon our operating and marketing strategies, as well as market acceptance of telecommunications services within Hungary and the Central and Eastern European region. We plan to continue building on the reputation of PanTel as the competitive alternative in the Corporate Market while using PanTel as our expansion vehicle in the Mass Market outside the Hungarotel Operating Areas. To further solidify and expand our presence in the Hungarian and Central and Eastern European telecommunications markets we entered into a Stock Purchase Agreement to acquire Invitel. Invitel is the second largest wireline telecommunication service provider in Hungary. It is the incumbent provider in nine defined regions within Hungary, which cover 1.4 million people.
We will continue to explore other strategic merger, acquisition or alliance opportunities. We are also continuing to explore wireless service solutions and possibilities so that we can be a full service provider in Hungary, providing both wireline and wireless voice, data and Internet services for residential and business customers.
Critical Accounting Policies
Our discussion and analysis of the financial condition and results of operations are based upon consolidated financial statements which have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (US GAAP). This requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. US GAAP provides the framework from which to make these estimates, assumptions and disclosures. We choose accounting policies within US GAAP that management believes are appropriate to accurately and fairly report our operating results and financial position in a consistent manner. Management regularly assesses these policies in light of current and forecasted economic and regulatory conditions. We believe the following accounting policies are critical to understanding the results of operations and the effect of the more significant judgements and estimates used in the preparation of the consolidated financial statements:
Revenue Recognition Policies Revenues are primarily earned from providing access to and usage of the Companys networks and facilities. Access revenue is billed one month in advance and recognized the following month when earned. Revenues based on measured traffic are recognized when the service is rendered.
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Wholesale data revenue from leased lines is based on the bandwidth of the service and the particular route involved and is recognized in the period of usage or when the service is available to the customer.
From time to time, we sell optical fiber assets to other telecommunications companies; revenue is recognized as and when the transfer of ownership is complete.
In 2006 the Company restated the presentation of its revenues following the guidance of Emerging Issues Task Force No. 99-19. Historically, the Company presented revenues net of cost of sales but now presents separately its gross revenues, costs of sales and resulting gross margin. This restated accounting presentation has no impact on the gross margin, previously reported as Telephone services revenues, net in the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income.
Allocation of Cost of Construction We own and operate fixed line telephone networks and obtain substantially all our revenues from access and usage fees charged to customers for the use of our networks. However, we occasionally sell dark fiber from our network to other telephone operators or build new network between particular locations knowing that we have already contracted to sell certain of the fibers included in the cable (a cable typically may contain 24, 36, 48 or 96 fibers) we will lay to another telephone operator. Where we sell dark fiber from our existing fixed assets to another telephone operator, we record the amount we invoice in our revenues. We determine the cost of the fiber sold based on depreciated book values of the equipment and the construction costs, and transfer that amount to our cost of sales. In cases where the net book value of the given network part can not be determined, an average cost of fiber per kilometer is calculated and is used as the basis for the cost of sales.
Where we construct new network and some of the new fibers will be owned by us and some will be sold to another telephone operator, we determine the allocation of cost between the fibers we will own and the fibers we will sell pro-rata to the number of fibers in the cable. Since the cost of the fiber itself forms a relatively small proportion of the total cost of laying new cable, and since our experience is that expanding our networks gives us opportunities to attract new customers and traffic, we expect to install more fibers than we can immediately foresee demand for when we build new network. This also means that the allocation of cost of construction between the fibers we will own and the fibers we will sell may result in a high proportion of the cost of construction being allocated to fixed assets and a small proportion being allocated to cost of sales.
Recovery of Goodwill We assess the fair value of goodwill at least once a year. To the extent that information indicates that the carrying amount of our net assets exceed the estimated fair value, we will recognize an impairment charge. The estimated fair value of the Company is determined using two methods. The first method places a per access line fair value on each of the Operating Areas access lines and compares this to the book value of the net assets of the Operating Areas. The second method compares the market capitalization of the Company to the book value of the net assets of the Company. During 2006, we performed our annual impairment testing with respect to goodwill, and based upon the results, we concluded that there is no impairment to the carrying value of goodwill reported in our financial statements. Our estimate of fair value will be subject to revision as market conditions change.
Long-lived Asset Recovery Long-lived assets, consisting primarily of property, plant and equipment and intangibles, including concession rights, rights of way and rights of use, comprise a significant portion of our total assets. Changes in technology, changes in our intended use of these assets and/or changes in the regulatory environment may cause the estimated period of use or the value of these assets to change. These assets are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that their carrying amounts may not be recoverable. Estimates and assumptions used in both setting depreciable lives and reviewing recoverability require both judgement and estimation by management. Impairment is deemed to have occurred if projected undiscounted cash flows related to the asset are less than its carrying value. If impairment is deemed to have occurred, the carrying values of the assets are written down, through a charge against earnings, to their fair value.
Contingent Liabilities We establish accruals for estimated loss contingencies when it is managements assessment that a loss is probable and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated. Revisions to contingent liabilities are reflected in income in the period in which different facts or information become known or circumstances change that affect the previous assessments as to the likelihood of and estimated amount of loss. Accruals for contingent liabilities are based upon managements assumptions and estimates, after giving consideration to the advice of legal counsel and other information relevant to the assessment of the probable outcome of the matter. Should the outcome differ from the assumptions and estimates, revisions to the estimated accruals for contingent liabilities would be required.
Income Taxes In assessing the realizability of deferred tax assets, management considers whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will be realized. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income during the periods in which those temporary differences become deductible. Management considers projected future taxable income and tax planning in making these assessments. Actual income taxes could vary from these estimates due to future changes in the income tax laws or the results from reviews of our tax returns by taxing authorities.
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In 2006, the Company has restated a Hungarian local business tax from selling, general and administrative expense to current income tax in accordance with the appropriate accounting under Financial Accounting Standard No. 109. Historically, the Company has recorded this income-based tax as part of its selling, general and administrative expenses. For the years ended December 31, 2005 and 2004, $3,365,000 and $1,268,000, was restated, respectively. This accounting presentation has no impact on the net income as reported in the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income.
Comparison of Year Ended December 31, 2006 to Year Ended December 31, 2005
The functional currency of our Hungarian subsidiaries is the Hungarian forint. The average Hungarian forint/U.S. dollar exchange rate for the year ended December 31, 2006 was 210.39, as compared to an average Hungarian forint/U.S. dollar exchange rate for the year ended December 31, 2005 of 199.59. When comparing the year ended December 31, 2006 to the year ended December 31, 2005, it should be noted that all U.S. dollar reported amounts have been affected by this 5% depreciation in the Hungarian forint against the U.S. dollar. When comparing the years it should be noted that the 2005 results include PanTel for ten months, while the 2006 results include Pantel for 12 months of operation. Certain 2005 amounts have been restated. See Note 1(c) Restatements in Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
Gross Revenues
USD (000s) |
2006 | 2005 | % change | ||||||
As Restated | |||||||||
Corporate |
71,644 | 65,167 | 10 | ||||||
Wholesale |
92,283 | 75,378 | 22 | ||||||
Mass Market |
29,805 | 39,098 | (24 | ) | |||||
Total Operating Revenues |
193,732 | 179,643 | 8 | ||||||
Cost of Sales |
(80,467 | ) | (69,403 | ) | 16 | ||||
Gross Margin |
113,265 | 110,240 | 3 | ||||||
Gross Margin % |
58.5 | % | 61.4 | % | (5 | ) |
The Companys operating revenues increased in US dollar terms by $14.1 million, or 8%, between 2005 and 2006. This increase is attributable to the following:
Corporate Market Revenues
Corporate Market revenues increased in functional currency terms by approximately 15%, mainly as a result of the incorporation in 2006 of two additional months of PanTels operations that were not included in 2005.
However, Corporate Market revenues have declined over the period as the Company continues to suffer from the effects of the substitution of wireline with wireless on a faster pace than expected. Furthermore, revenues were affected by the loss of a government contract to a competitor and the expiration of another large contract at the end of 2005.
We have focused on offering more complex products in terms of voice, data and convergence with IT solutions. We are also promoting higher margin products such as broadband DSL Internet service and Internet connections to customers, which have continued to grow significantly in 2006. We expect the number of DSL connections to continue to grow in the future.
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Our customer retention efforts have required us to grant discounts, to our existing corporate customers, on our listed call tariffs in exchange for fixed term contracts. We expect that the lower ARPU resulting from these discounts will be offset by the increasing DSL usage.
Wholesale Market Revenues
Wholesale Market revenues increased 22% from $75.4 million in 2005 to $92.3 million in 2006. The increase is primarily a result of two factors:
| the inclusion of Pantel wholesale revenues for a full 12 months in 2006, whereas only 10 months were included in 2005; and |
| the sale of a fiber network, in December 2006, that was constructed for a local telecommunications operator, amounting to $4.5 million. |
As a result of the commoditization of the major central European backbone routes, the Companys Wholesale business faces intense price competition that continues to erode revenues and margins. The Company is focusing on rationalizing costs by replacing international access costs on a capacity basis with rented fiber infrastructure so as to protect its profit margins.
Competition has increased significantly for basic backbone services in our Wholesale business through Hungary and neighboring countries. We have had to expand our offering by providing a larger number of circuits to a larger number of customers. While this generally requires more upfront sales work, the Company should experience fewer losses of customers going forward from this customer base.
Wholesale voice services, which represent slightly over half of total Wholesale Market gross revenues, continue to be a relatively low margin, high volume business. However, this service remains attractive to PanTels customers since it complements other business products such as leased lines and Internet bandwidth when bundling services for business customers.
Mass Market Revenues
Our Mass Market revenues for the year ended December 31, 2006 were $29.8 million compared to $39.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2005. This $9.3 million, or 24%, decrease in Mass Market revenues reflects:
| an 11% decrease in the average revenue per minute of use combined with an overall decrease of 19.5% in minutes of use over the same period in the prior year; and |
| Increased competition from other telecommunications service providers offering carrier selection and carrier pre-selection services within the Hungarotel Operating Areas. |
We had an approximate 2% increase in total residential lines in service from approximately 148,387 for the year ended December 31, 2005, to approximately 151,536 during the year ended December 31, 2006. This slight increase is due to two major offsetting issues that influenced the line count figure of the Company:
| We experienced a significant increase in the carrier select and carrier pre-selection activities that were launched during the second quarter of 2005 to challenge the ILTOs on service and price in the Mass Market. During April 2006, we introduced additional carrier selection and carrier pre-selection packages which should provide us with higher revenue than the original packages introduced last year. The sales results of these newly introduced packages have thus far been quite good. As of December 31, 2006, we had 44,000 active carrier selection and pre-selection lines compared to 18,645 lines as of December 31, 2005. |
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| In the Hungarotel Operating Areas we have experienced a decrease in the line counts due to the following factors: (1) a significant number of disconnections due to rate changes during the fourth quarter of 2005 (see below); (2) continued wireless telephone penetration; (3) competition from other service providers, such as cable television operators providing voice services; and (4) economic conditions that resulted in some customers not being able to afford telephone services in general or choosing to receive voice services from just their wireless service provider, and not us, in order to reduce their monthly telecommunication expenses. |
Although we increased our overall line count, our ARPU has declined since the carrier selection and carrier pre-selection customers generate significantly less ARPU than our customers in the Hungarotel Operating Areas. This shift in the customer mix between the loss in the Hungarotel Operating Areas with higher ARPU and the gain in the customers with lower ARPU outside the Hungarotel Operating Areas has resulted in an approximately 25% ARPU decrease between 2005 and 2006. Our main effort is to increase the ARPU and widen the Companys customer base at the same time. Therefore, we have focused on increasing the broadband DSL Internet service penetration rate both in and out of the Hungarotel Operating Areas. We have been successful, almost tripling the number of ADSL connections from 3,863 lines in 2005 to 10,840 lines in 2006. We also provide new packages to our customers with value added services in order to increase the ARPU by not only increasing the tariff but by also providing more quality services. At the same time we were successful in the carrier selection and carrier pre-selection sales activity through different sales channels. We experienced the highest new carrier selection and carrier pre-selection sales growth in 2006 in Hungary and we continue to focus our efforts in this area.
In response to regulatory and competitive pressures in the Hungarotel Operating Areas, we introduced new monthly tariff packages to our customers as of October 1, 2005. The newly introduced packages provided for a re-balancing between monthly subscription fees and calling tariffs, whereby monthly subscription fees were increased and calling tariffs were reduced. The newly introduced packages also included, as a part of the package, a certain number of free minutes per month for each customer. Between October 1, 2005, when the new monthly packages were introduced, and December 31, 2005, we lost 20,400 net Mass Market telephone lines, or 14% of the Mass Market telephone lines in the Hungarotel Operating Areas as of September 30, 2005. This disconnection rate was due to the package re-balancing, increased competition from cable television operators, who began offering telephone services in some of the Hungarotel Operating Areas during the second half of 2005, as well as continued competition from wireless operators. The package re-balancing caused us to lose customers from the lower end of our customer segment base, while at the same time allowing us to have a more competitive offering towards customers within higher market segments. Prior to this package re-balancing, we experienced the opposite in that the disconnecting customers were primarily from the higher customer market segments. During 2006 the disconnection rate has returned to levels similar to the months preceding Hungarotels package re-balancing in October 2005.
Cost of Sales
Year ended December 31, | ||||||
(dollars in millions) | 2006 | 2005 | ||||
As Restated | ||||||
Cost of sales |
$ | 80.5 | $ | 69.4 |
Our total operating revenues have been reduced by Cost of Sales (interconnect costs) which totalled $80.5 million and $69.4 million during the years ended December 31, 2006 and 2005, respectively. As a percentage of total operating revenues, our total interconnect costs have remained consistent at approximately 40% for 2006 and 2005; however in functional currency terms we had an increase of 16% or $11.1 million. The increase in the interconnect costs is primarily due to the inclusion of the additional 2 months of the Pantel business in 2006 compared with 2005.
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The majority, or 98%, of Hungarotels total cost of sales comes from the interconnect costs paid for terminating calls on other operators networks. We are paid a per minute interconnection fee for completing long distance wireline and wireless calls over our network to our customers (incoming). We pay interconnection fees to other wireline and wireless operators to terminate calls from our customers (outgoing). There is an imbalance between our incoming interconnection revenue and our outgoing interconnection expenses. For example, the amount that we paid the wireless carriers for completing calls placed by our wireline customers to the wireless carriers customers are eight times the amount that the wireless carriers paid us to complete calls placed by their wireless customers to our wireline customers. The interconnect prices used between the incumbent operators (including the wireless carriers) are set by the regulatory authorities.
Pantel is not an incumbent operator, and as a result interconnect prices between PanTel and other operators are based on negotiations, and might differ case by case. In addition to traditional voice termination interconnect costs, a significant portion of PanTels cost of sales is related to wholesale voice activity which is a high volume, low margin business that generates significant cost of sales. Pantel also pays access costs related to leased lines or VPN services.
While Hungarotels access costs are mainly interconnect charges, Pantels cost of sales are comprised of interconnect costs and access type costs as well.
Gross Margin
Year ended December 31, | ||||||
(dollars in millions) | 2006 | 2005 | ||||
As Restated | ||||||
Gross margin |
$ | 113.3 | $ | 110.2 |
Gross margin percentage decreased from 61% in 2005 to 58% in 2006, a decrease of 5%. The decrease is due primarily to the inclusion of the additional 2 months of interconnect costs from the PanTel business in 2006 compared with 2005. Gross margins in the PanTel business are lower than those in the Hungarotel business, and thus the additional 2 months of interconnect costs in 2006 has impacted gross margin.
A one-off sale of dark fiber during 2006 to a wholesale customer contributed approximately 11% of the total gross margin realized in the wholesale business.
Selling, General and Administrative
Year ended December 31, | ||||||
(dollars in millions) | 2006 | 2005 | ||||
As Restated | ||||||
Selling, general and administrative |
$ | 53.9 | $ | 53.8 |
Selling, General and Administrative expenses increased 1% for the year ended December 31, 2006 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2005. In functional currency terms, selling, general and administrative expenses increased approximately 3% for the year ended December 31, 2006, as compared to the year ended December 31, 2005. The 3% increase is mainly due to (i) a $0.5 million expense related to certain strategic projects and (ii) an increase in sales commissions of approximately $1.4 million related to sales activities. These effects are partially offset by a $1.1 million reversal in 2006 of the provision booked in 2005 for amounts due from the Universal Service Fund. The costs related to the Sarbanes Oxley Internal Control compliance project remained
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consistent at approximately $1.4 million in 2006 and 2005. Personnel expenses remained consistent compared to 2005 levels which is due to two offsetting factors. The cost savings realized in 2006 due to the workforce reduction plan at Hungarotel in 2005 were offset by the effect of the new bonus policy introduced in 2006 for Hungarotel employees effective from January 1, 2006.
Severance Expense
Year ended December 31, | ||||||
(dollars in millions) | 2006 | 2005 | ||||
Severance expense |
$ | 0.7 | $ | 2.5 |
In 2005, the Company adopted a workforce reduction plan in order to reduce operating expenses. The plan involved approximately 200 employees, primarily within the network and sales and marketing departments of Hungarotel. The cost of the plan amounted to $2.5 million and was based upon Hungarian statutory and union requirements.
Our severance expenses for year ended December 31, 2006, of $0.7 million, are due primarily to the termination costs related to an officer of the Company, as well as other individually insignificant severance costs related to the workforce of the Hungarian entities.
Depreciation and Amortization
Year ended December 31, | ||||||
(dollars in millions) | 2006 | 2005 | ||||
Depreciation and amortization |
$ | 26.1 | $ | 24.0 |
Depreciation and amortization charges increased $2.1 million, or 9%. This increase is due primarily to the inclusion of 12 months of depreciation and amortization in 2006 related to PanTel compared to the 10 month contribution in 2005.
Income from Operations
Year ended December 31, | ||||||
(dollars in millions) | 2006 | 2005 | ||||
As Restated | ||||||
Income from operations |
$ | 32.6 | $ | 30.0 |
Income from operations increased by 9% for the year ended December 31, 2006 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2005. Contributing to such an increase was a higher gross margin partially offset by higher selling, general and administrative expenses and higher depreciation and amortization expenses.
Foreign Exchange Gains (Losses), Net
Year ended December 31, | |||||||
(dollars in millions) | 2006 | 2005 | |||||
Foreign exchange gains (losses), net |
$ | 1.9 | $ | (8.5 | ) |
Our foreign exchange gains for the year ended December 31, 2006 resulted primarily from (i) the
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strengthening of the Hungarian forint against the EUR and U.S. dollar on the Companys average EUR 123.3 million denominated debt outstanding between December 31, 2005 and December 31, 2006. At December 31, 2006, the Hungarian forint had strengthened by approximately 0.2% against the EUR as compared to the December 31, 2005 level, and by 11.5% against the U.S. dollar as compared to the December 31, 2005 level. The Companys foreign exchange losses for the year ended December 31, 2005 resulted primarily from (i) the weakening of the Hungarian forint against the euro on Hungarotels average euro 80 million denominated debt outstanding between February 21, 2005 (refinancing date) and December 31, 2005; (ii) the weakening of the Hungarian forint against the euro on PanTels average euro 64 million denominated debt outstanding between February 28, 2005 (refinancing date) and December 31, 2005; and by (iii) the strengthening of the U.S. dollar against the Hungarian forint on the Companys EUR 9.5 million denominated inter-company loan between February 28, 2005 and December 31, 2005. At December 31, 2005, the Hungarian forint had weakened by approximately 3.6% against the euro as compared to the February 21, 2005 level, 4.2% against the euro as compared to the February 28, 2005 level and the U.S. dollar had strengthened by approximately 17% against the Hungarian forint as compared to the February 28, 2005 level. When non-Hungarian forint debt is re-measured into Hungarian forints, the Company reports foreign exchange gains/losses in its consolidated financial statements as the Hungarian forint appreciates/devalues against such non-forint currencies. See the Inflation and Foreign Currency and Market Risk Exposure sections below.
Interest Expense
Year ended December 31, | ||||||
(dollars in millions) | 2006 | 2005 | ||||
Interest expense |
$ | 14.9 | $ | 14.1 |
Interest expense increased by 6% for the year ended December 31, 2006 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2005. This is due to higher average interest rates paid on the Companys borrowings during the year ended December 31, 2006 compared to the year ended December 31, 2005, partially offset by lower average debt levels outstanding between the periods. See Liquidity and Capital Resources section below
Interest Income
Year ended December 31, | ||||||
(dollars in millions) | 2006 | 2005 | ||||
Interest income |
$ | 1.3 | $ | 0.9 |
Interest income increased 44% for the year ended December 31, 2006 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2005, due to higher interest rates on Hungarian forint deposits between the periods.
Fair Value Changes on Interest Rate Swaps
Year ended December 31, | |||||||
(dollars in millions) | 2006 | 2005 | |||||
Fair value changes on interest rate swaps |
$ | 3.2 | $ | (0.3 | ) |
Fair value changes on interest rate swaps amounted to a $3.2 million gain for the year ended December 31, 2006. The gain recorded for 2006 is the result of a favorable change in interest rates between the swap contract date and December 31, 2006.
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Equity in Earnings of Affiliate
Year ended December 31, | ||||||
(dollars in millions) | 2006 | 2005 | ||||
Equity in earnings of affiliate |
$ | | $ | 0.9 |
Equity in earnings of affiliate for the year ended December 31, 2005, represents the Companys 25% equity ownership of PanTel in January and February 2005, prior to the Company obtaining 100% of PanTel on February 28, 2005.
Income Tax Expense
Year ended December 31, | ||||||
(dollars in millions) | 2006 | 2005 | ||||
As Restated | ||||||
Current tax expense: |
||||||
Corporate tax expense |
$ | 1.9 | $ | 1.5 | ||
Local business tax |
3.9 | 3.4 | ||||
Deferred tax expense |
0.3 | 1.5 | ||||
Total income tax expense |
$ | 6.1 | $ | 6.4 |
The Company recorded a deferred tax expense of $0.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2006 as compared to $1.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2005. The deferred tax expense of $0.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2006 reflects the impact of updating the deferred tax calculation as of December 31, 2006. The amount of the deferred tax asset considered realizable as of December 31, 2006 could be reduced in the future if estimates of taxable income during the future periods are reduced. Management considers projected future taxable income and tax planning in making these assessments.
Net Income Attributable to Common Stockholders
Year ended December 31, | ||||||
(dollars in millions) | 2006 | 2005 | ||||
Net income attributable to common stockholders |
$ | 17.7 | $ | 2.8 |
As a result of the factors discussed above, the Company recorded net income attributable to common stockholders of $17.7 million, or $1.38 per basic share, or $1.24 per share on a diluted basis, for the year ended December 31, 2006 as compared to net income attributable to common stockholders of $2.8 million, or $0.22 per basic share, or $0.20 per share on a diluted basis, for the year ended December 31, 2005.
Comparison of Year Ended December 31, 2005 to Year Ended December 31, 2004
The functional currency of the Companys Hungarian subsidiaries is the Hungarian forint. The average Hungarian forint/U.S. dollar exchange rate for the year ended December 31, 2005 was 199.59, as compared to an average Hungarian forint/U.S. dollar exchange rate for the year ended December 31, 2004 of 202.74. When comparing the year ended December 31, 2005 to the year ended December 31, 2004, it should be noted that all U.S. dollar reported amounts have been affected by this 2% appreciation in the Hungarian forint against the U.S. dollar. In addition, when comparing the years it should also be noted that the 2005 results have been affected by the inclusion of PanTel as of March 1, 2005. Certain 2005 and 2004 amounts have been restated. See Note 1(c) Restatements in Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
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Gross Revenues
USD (000s) | 2005 | 2004 | % change | ||||||
As Restated | As Restated | ||||||||
Corporate |
65,167 | 19,931 | 227 | ||||||
Wholesale |
75,378 | 6,184 | 1,119 | ||||||
Mass Market |
39,098 | 42,892 | (9 | ) | |||||
Total Operating Revenues |
179,643 | 69,007 | 160 | ||||||
Cost of Sales |
(69,403 | ) | (8,667 | ) | 701 | ||||
Gross Margin |
110,240 | 60,340 | 83 | ||||||
Gross Margin % |
61.4 | % | 87.4 | % | (30 | ) |
Corporate Market Revenues
Corporate Market revenues increased by approximately 227% from $19.9 million to $65.2 million mainly as a result of the incorporation in 2005 of ten months of PanTels operations that were not included in 2004.
After excluding PanTels revenues from the 2005 results, the remaining Hungarotel corporate revenues declined approximately 25%, which is due to the following factors: (i) the substitution of wireline for wireless service as a general trend on the market; (ii) increased competition from other service providers which resulted in a 6% churn in terms of total corporate telephone lines in the Hungarotel Operating Areas; and (iii) increased competition which caused us to offer significant discounts to be able to keep the key customers. The average discount on the tariffs we offered to the major corporate customers was approximately 30%, which contributed to a drop in the call revenues.
Wholesale Market Revenues
Wholesale Market revenues increased by $69.2 million from $6.2 million to $75.4 million, mainly as a result of the incorporation in 2005 of ten months of PanTels operations.
Hungarotels Wholesale Market revenues are comprised of rental payments for high bandwidth leased line services and other infrastructure rental. Hungarotels Wholesale Market revenues were similar between 2004 and 2005.
PanTels Wholesale Market voice service is a high volume, relatively low margin service, but remains an attractive service to PanTels customers. In addition, it complements other business products such as leased lines and Internet bandwidth when bundling service for business customers.
By connecting Hungarotels and PanTels access networks and backbone structure, the Company entered into a more efficient and competitive position in the voice transit business within Hungary.
Mass Market Revenues
In reporting currency terms, operating revenues on the Mass Market for the year ended December 31, 2005 were $39.1 million compared to operating revenues of $42.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2004. This $3.8 million, or 9%, decrease in operating revenues is mainly due to the 17% decrease in the number of Mass Market telephone lines in the Hungarotel Operating Areas serviced over the same period in the prior year, which is offset by the increasing broadband DSL Internet revenues and additional revenues from outside the Hungarotel Operating Areas.
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Due mainly to the package restructuring as of October 1, 2005 (see discussion of Mass Market revenues in 2006 to 2005 above), we suffered a significant loss of customers, 18% or 28,600 telephone lines between December 31, 2004 and December 31, 2005. Beside the negative effect of the introduction of the new packages, we faced increased competition from cable television operators, who began offering telephone services in some of the Hungarotel Operating Areas during the second half of 2005, as well as continued competition from wireless operators. These issues led to the revenue decrease for the year, but as a result we were able to start 2006 with a much more competitive package portfolio and with a more stable customer base. The package re-balancing caused us to lose customers from the lower end of our customer segment base, while at the same time allowing us to have a more competitive offering towards customers within higher market segments.
In parallel with stabilizing the Mass Market customer base within the Hungarotel Operating Areas, we launched our carrier selection and carrier pre-selection packages during the second quarter of 2005 to challenge the incumbent local telephone operators on service and price in the Mass Market outside of the Hungarotel Operating Areas. As a result of the carrier selection and carrier pre-selection sales activity, we gained a customer base of 18,645 connections by the end of 2005.
The Company experienced a gain in broadband DSL Internet sales as well, tripling the customer base from 1,226 lines to 3,863 lines between 2004 and 2005. By offering new DSL packages we intend to secure additional revenues from the new service as well as retain the customers by providing the combined DSL access and Internet services at an attractive price.
Cost of Sales
Year ended December 31, | ||||||
(dollars in millions) | 2005 | 2004 | ||||
As Restated | As Restated | |||||
Cost of sales |
$ | 69.4 | $ | 8.7 |
We had a $60.7 million, or 700%, increase in cost of sales from $8.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2005, to $69.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2006. When comparing the years it should be noted that the 2005 figure has been affected by the inclusion of PanTel as of March 1, 2005, with no comparative figures in 2004. As a result, the majority of the increase of cost of sales is due to the inclusion of ten months of costs from Pantel.
Hungarotels cost of sales as a percentage of gross revenues was stable between 2004 and 2005 as interconnection prices set by the regulatory authorities did not change between the two years.
In addition to traditional voice termination interconnect costs, a significant portion of PanTels cost of sales is related to wholesale voice activity which is a high volume, low margin business that generates significant cost of sales. Pantel also pays access costs for leased lines or VPN services.
Gross Margin
Year ended December 31, | ||||||
(dollars in millions) | 2005 | 2004 | ||||
As Restated | As Restated | |||||
Gross margin |
$ | 110.2 | $ | 60.3 |
Gross margin percentage decreased from 87% in 2004 to 61% in 2005, a decrease of 30%. The decrease is due primarily to the inclusion of 10 months of interconnect costs from the PanTel business in 2005 compared with 2004. Gross margins in the PanTel business are lower than those in the Hungarotel business, and thus the acquisition of PanTel in 2005 changed the composition of our interconnect cost and impacted gross margin.
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Selling, General and Administrative
Year ended December 31, | ||||||
(dollars in millions) | 2005 | 2004 | ||||
As Restated | As Restated | |||||
Selling, general and administrative |
$ | 53.8 | $ | 27.9 |
Selling, general and administrative expenses increased 96% for the year ended December 31, 2005 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2004. The inclusion of PanTel's selling, general and administrative expenses for the year ended December 31, 2005 contributed an additional $28.6 million of selling, general and administrative expenses compared to the year ended December 31, 2004. In functional currency terms, selling, general and administrative expenses of Hungarotel increased approximately 12% for the year ended December 31, 2005, as compared to the year ended December 31, 2004. The 12% increase is primarily due to the recording by the Company of a bad debt provision, in the amount of $1.9 million during the fourth quarter of 2005, related to unpaid Universal Services revenues owed to the Company by the Universal Services Fund related to 2003 and 2004. The bad debt provision was recorded due to uncertainties as to whether the amounts would be ultimately paid to the Company. The increase in bad debt expense was partially offset by the decreasing number of new connection fee charges amortized during the year ended December 31, 2004 in relation to the number of connection fee charges that have been fully amortized in 2005. In addition, there was a 28% decrease in the Companys U.S. dollar denominated operating expenses between the periods that is primarily due to a decrease in the amount of variable option accounting expense recorded by the Company in 2005 versus 2004 ($6.4 million in 2004 versus $1.2 million in 2005). The reduction in variable option accounting expense has been partially offset by one-time payments made during the second quarter of 2005 related to retirement and termination obligations paid to members of senior management that were not part of the workforce reduction plan as described in the Severance Expenses section below, as well as significant expenses incurred by the Company related to the Sarbanes-Oxley Internal Control compliance project for 2005.
Severance Expense
Year ended December 31, | ||||||
(dollars in millions) | 2005 | 2004 | ||||
Severance expense |
$ | 2.5 | $ | - |
On August 30, 2005, the Company agreed with the Hungarian Trade Unions representing most of its Hungarian-based employees on the key provisions of a workforce reduction plan, pursuant to which the Company reduced its workforce at Hungarotel by approximately 200 employees, which represents about 20% of the Companys workforce. The first step in the process consisted of an offer to employees to voluntarily accept a severance package, of which approximately 80 accepted in September 2005. The second step in the process occurred during the fourth quarter of 2005 when 120 involuntary terminations took place. The $2.5 million expense during the year represented the severance costs concerning the redundancy program.
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Depreciation and Amortization
Year ended December 31, | ||||||
(dollars in millions) | 2005 | 2004 | ||||
Depreciation and amortization |
$ | 24.0 | $ | 12.4 |
Depreciation and amortization charges increased $11.6 million, or 94%. This increase is due primarily to the inclusion of $11.3 million of depreciation and amortization related to PanTel for the ten months ended December 31, 2005.
Income from Operations
Year ended December 31, | ||||||
(dollars in millions) | 2005 | 2004 | ||||
As Restated |
As Restated | |||||
Income from operations |
$ | 30.0 | $ | 20.1 |
Income from operations increased by 49% for the year ended December 31, 2005 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2004. Contributing to the increase were higher net telephone service revenues partially offset by higher selling, general and administrative expenses, severance expenses and higher depreciation and amortization expenses.
Foreign Exchange (Losses) Gains, Net
Year ended December 31, | |||||||
(dollars in millions) | 2005 | 2004 | |||||
Foreign exchange (losses) gains, net |
$ | (8.5 | ) | $ | 6.9 |
The Companys foreign exchange losses for the year ended December 31, 2005 resulted primarily from (i) the weakening of the Hungarian forint against the euro on Hungarotels average EUR 80 million denominated debt outstanding between February 21, 2005 (refinancing date) and December 31, 2005; (ii) the weakening of the Hungarian forint against the euro on PanTels average EUR 64 million denominated debt outstanding between February 28, 2005 (refinancing date) and December 31, 2005; and (iii) the strengthening of the U.S. dollar against the Hungarian forint on the Companys EUR 9.5 million denominated inter-company loan between February 28, 2005 and December 31, 2005. At December 31, 2005, the Hungarian forint had weakened by approximately 3.6% against the euro as compared to the February 21, 2005 level, 4.2% against the euro as compared to the February 28, 2005 level and the U.S. dollar had strengthened by approximately 17% against the Hungarian forint as compared to the February 28, 2005 level. The foreign exchange gains, for the year ended December 31, 2004, resulted primarily from the appreciation of the Hungarian forint against the euro and the U.S. dollar on the Companys average EUR 46.9 million denominated debt outstanding and U.S. dollar 25 million inter-company denominated debt outstanding during the period. At December 31, 2004, the Hungarian forint had appreciated by approximately 7% against the euro and approximately 15% against the U.S. dollar as compared to December 31, 2003 levels. When non-Hungarian forint debt is re-measured into Hungarian forints, the Company reports foreign exchange gains/losses in its consolidated financial statements as the Hungarian forint appreciates/devalues against such non-forint currencies. See the Inflation and Foreign Currency and Market Risk Exposure sections below.
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Interest Expense
Year ended December 31, | ||||||
(dollars in millions) | 2005 | 2004 | ||||
Interest expense |
$ | 14.1 | $ | 9.1 |
Interest expense increased 55% for the year ended December 31, 2005 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2004. This 55% increase is the result of: (i) the inclusion of PanTels $4.2 million interest expense for the ten months ended December 31, 2005; (ii) the write-off of $1.5 million of deferred financing cost related to Hungarotels previous syndicated loan repaid on February 21, 2005; and (iii) higher average debt levels outstanding between the periods; partially offset by lower average interest rates paid on the Companys borrowings during the year ended December 31, 2005 compared to the year ended December 31, 2004. See Liquidity and Capital Resources section below.
Interest Income
Year ended December 31, | ||||||
(dollars in millions) | 2005 | 2004 | ||||
Interest income |
$ | 0.9 | $ | 2.3 |
Interest income decreased 61% for the year ended December 31, 2005 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2004, due to lower interest rates on Hungarian forint deposits between the periods.
Fair Value Changes on Interest Rate Swaps
Year ended December 31, | |||||||
(dollars in millions) | 2005 | 2004 | |||||
Fair value changes on interest rate swaps |
$ | (0.3 | ) | $ | |
Fair value changes on interest rate swaps amounted to a $0.3 million loss for the year ended December 31, 2005. The loss recorded for the year is the result of a downward movement in the market value of the interest rate swaps between the swap contract date and December 31, 2005.
Equity in Earnings of Affiliate
Year ended December 31, | ||||||
(dollars in millions) | 2005 | 2004 | ||||
Equity in earnings of affiliate |
$ | 0.9 | $ | 0.4 |
Equity in earnings of affiliate for the year ended December 31, 2005 represents the Companys 25% equity ownership of PanTel in January and February 2005, prior to the Company obtaining 100% of PanTel on February 28, 2005. Equity in earnings of affiliate for the year ended December 31, 2004, represents the Companys 25% equity ownership of PanTel from November 10, 2004 until December 31, 2004.
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Income Tax Expense
Year ended December 31, | ||||||
(dollars in millions) | 2005 | 2004 | ||||
As Restated | As Restated | |||||
Current tax expense: |
||||||
Corporate tax expense |
$ | 1.5 | $ | 1.3 | ||
Local business tax |
3.4 | 1.3 | ||||
Deferred tax expense |
1.5 | 1.8 | ||||
Total income tax expense |
$ | 6.4 | $ | 4.4 |
The Company recorded a $1.6 million current tax expense in 2005 primarily as a result of Hungarotel paying 16% corporate income tax on its taxable income for the year.
The Company recorded a deferred tax expense of $1.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2005 as compared to $1.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2004. The deferred tax expense of $1.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2005 reflects the impact of updating the deferred tax calculation as of December 31, 2005. The amount of the deferred tax asset considered realizable as of December 31, 2005 could be reduced in the future if estimates of taxable income during the future periods are reduced. Management considers projected future taxable income and tax planning in making these assessments.
Net Income Attributable to Common Stockholders
Year ended December 31, | ||||||
(dollars in millions) | 2005 | 2004 | ||||
Net income attributable to common stockholders |
$ | 2.8 | $ | 16.1 |
As a result of the factors discussed above, the Company recorded net income attributable to common stockholders of $2.8 million, or $0.22 per basic share, or $0.20 per share on a diluted basis, for the year ended December 31, 2005 as compared to net income attributable to common stockholders of $16.1 million, or $1.30 per basic share, or $1.25 per share on a diluted basis, for the year ended December 31, 2004.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
We have historically funded our capital requirements primarily through a combination of debt, equity and vendor financing. The ongoing development and installation of the networks in the Hungarotel Operating Areas required significant capital expenditures ($216.9 million at historical exchange rates through December 31, 2006). Since the end of 1998, Hungarotels networks have had the capacity, with normal additional capital expenditure requirements, to provide basic telephone services to virtually all of the potential customers within the Hungarotel Operating Areas. With the acquisition of PanTel, our capital expenditures, beginning in 2005, are considerably higher than what has been experienced during the past few years due to the business of PanTel requiring capital expenditures to be incurred in order to connect customers to Pantels nation-wide network.
Net cash provided by operating activities totaled $44.6 million during the year ended December 31, 2006, compared to $43.6 million during the year ended December 31, 2005. This increase is principally due to the combination of the following factors: (i) the 5% depreciation of the Hungarian forint against the U.S. dollar between the two periods; (ii) the change in operating income during the year ended December 31, 2006 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2005; and (iii) the movement in net working capital during the period. For the year ended December 31, 2006 and 2005, we used $18.5 million and $29.0 million, respectively, in investing activities. The $18.5 million used for investing
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activities for the year ended December 31, 2006 is due primarily to additions to our telecommunication networks. The $29.0 million used in investing activities for the year ended December 31, 2005 is due to: (i) $22.1 million to fund additions to our telecommunications networks and other intangibles; and (ii) $7.5 million for the acquisition of the PanTel business (net of cash acquired). Financing activities used net cash of $24.4 million during the year ended December 31, 2006 compared to $3.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2005. Cash flows used in financing activities for the year ended December 31, 2006 reflect: (i) a $24.0 million scheduled repayment under the credit agreement, and (ii) a $0.4 million principal payments made under our capital lease obligations. Cash flows from financing activities for the year ended December 31, 2005 were the result of: (i) the drawing down of $110 million under the new bank credit agreement; (ii) the $74.3 million repayment of our previous loans; (iii) the scheduled repayment of $20.9 million from our new credit agreement; (iv) the $6.5 million payment of financing related costs; and (v) an $11.8 million principal and interest payment on our new credit agreement to fund the debt service reserve account that is stipulated by the credit agreement.
As of December 31, 2006, we have repaid approximately $44.9 million (EUR 36 million), at historical exchange rates, of the original EUR 150 million drawn down under our existing credit agreement.
On February 9, 2005, we entered into an EUR 170 million Credit Facility Agreement (the Credit Agreement) with a European banking syndicate. The Credit Agreement has three facilities. Facility A, in the amount of EUR 84 million, was drawn down by Hungarotel on February 21, 2005 for the purpose of refinancing and terminating Hungarotels existing bank credit agreement as well as to partially finance the acquisition of PanTel. Facility B, in the amount of EUR 66 million, was drawn down by PanTel on February 28, 2005 for the purpose of refinancing and terminating PanTels existing EUR debt. Facility C, in the amount of EUR 20 million provides funds for the repayment of our outstanding notes which mature on March 31, 2007.
The aggregate amounts of maturities of long-term debt for each of the next four years under the Credit Agreement, and in aggregate thereafter, at December 31, 2006 exchange rates, are as follows: 2007, $34,749,000; 2008, $33,338,000; 2009, $41,396,000; and 2010, $40,617,000.
We believe that our future cash flow will allow us to meet our working capital needs, including our obligations under our debt agreements.
Facility A and Facility B are repayable semi-annually on each June 30 and December 31 beginning on June 30, 2005 and ending on December 31, 2010. Facility C is repayable in equal installments on June 30, 2011 and December 31, 2011. The loans accrue interest at the rate of the Applicable Margin (described below) plus the EURIBOR rate for the applicable interest period. The Applicable Margin for an interest period on Facility A and Facility B loans is based on the Company's ratio of Consolidated Total Net Borrowings to EBITDA. The Applicable Margin can range from a high of 2.75% per annum to a low of 1.0% per annum. The Applicable Margin on Facility A and Facility B loans was 2.25% per annum as of December 31, 2005. The Applicable Margin for the Facility C loan is fixed at 2.75% per annum.
We paid a facility agency fee in the amount of EUR 50,000 and an arrangement fee in the amount of EUR 4.0 million under the terms of the Credit Agreement. The fees were paid from the proceeds of Facilities A and B. The Company must pay a commitment fee in the amount of 0.65% per annum on the undrawn amount of the Credit Agreement. Only Facility C has not been drawn down.
We have entered into a series of agreements to secure our obligations under the Credit Agreement pursuant to which we have pledged all of our intangible and tangible assets, including HTCCs ownership interests in its subsidiaries. We are subject to covenants, including maintenance of certain financial
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statement ratios, limitations on paying dividends, borrowing funds, and merging and disposing of our assets. The Credit Agreement contains customary representations and warranties and events of default, which would trigger early repayment of the balance under the Credit Agreement.
We may prepay the loans under the Credit Agreement prior to their scheduled maturity dates. We have certain obligations to make a prepayment on the Credit Agreement under certain conditions including the issuance of additional debt or equity capital in certain circumstances. We are also required to make a prepayment on the Credit Agreement if we have any "Excess Cash Flow" as defined in the Credit Agreement. We must make "Excess Cash Flow" prepayments until such time as our Consolidated Net Borrowings to EBITDA ratio, as defined in the Credit Agreement, is less than 1.5:1.
We are also required to repay the entire amount borrowed under the Credit Facility if TDC, without the consent of the banks holding two-thirds of the Credit Agreement loans, either (i) disposes of any of its shares of the Company or (ii) no longer has the right to appoint the Chairman of our Board of Directors, Chief Executive Officer or Chief Financial Officer (the "Appointment Rights"). However, such mandatory prepayment provision shall not apply if (a) our Consolidated Net Borrowings to EBITDA ratio is less than 2:1 at the end of each of the two fiscal quarters prior to such event, (b) TDC sells all of its shares of the Company to an internationally recognized telecommunications operator with a certain credit rating, or (c) TDC transfers the Appointment Rights to an internationally recognized telecommunications operator with a certain credit rating which telecommunications operator also buys all of TDC's shares of the Company. TDC currently owns approximately 62% of the outstanding Common Stock.
Our major contractual cash obligations, including interest, as of December 31, 2006 (at December 31, 2006 exchange rates) are as follows:
Cash Payments Due by Period
(in thousands)
Obligation |
Total | 1 Year or Less |
23 Years | 4-5 Years | After 5 Years | ||||||
Long Term Debt |
$ | 191,303 | 35,794 | 107,701 | 47,808 | | |||||
Short Term Debt |
25,000 | 25,000 | | | | ||||||
Lease Commitments to Telecommunication Providers |
8,272 | 4,422 | 3,822 | 28 | | ||||||
Other Operating Leases |
5,474 | 1,940 | 2,566 | 667 | 301 | ||||||
Capital Leases |
980 | 554 | 426 | | | ||||||
Total |
$ | 231,029 | 67,710 | 114,515 | 48,503 | 301 | |||||
As of December 31, 2006, the Company's current liabilities of $108.0 million exceed its current assets of $79.8 million. Included in current liabilities is the short-term debt due to TDC of $24.7 million. TDC has expressed its intention to exercise its warrants to buy shares in the Company, thereby eliminating this liability. We believe that cash provided by our operating activities and our financing activities, will provide adequate resources to satisfy our working capital, scheduled principal and interest payments on debt and anticipated capital expenditure requirements.
The Company has fully committed bank facilities in place to finance the acquisition of Invitel. The bank facilities consist of a EUR 210 million bridge facility and additional backstop facilities in the total amount of EUR 412 million to backstop Invitels current high yield bonds, PIK notes and its senior bank credit facility. In addition, the bank facilities to finance the acquisition of Invitel will also refinance the Companys existing bank credit facility.
Our ability to generate sufficient cash flow from operations to meet our contractual cash obligations is subject to many factors, including regulatory developments, macroeconomic factors, competition and customer behavior and acceptance of additional fixed line telecommunications services. Under our Credit Agreement, the ratio of our Consolidated Total Net Borrowings to EBITDA is a measurement of financial performance and becomes the basis for determining the Applicable Margin of the Credit Agreement. We must also maintain a minimum ratio of debt service cover. The ratios are
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calculated based on our U.S. dollar consolidated financial statements translated into euros. This exposes us to the possible risk of not meeting our debt covenant ratios, as measured in euro terms, due to the effect of currency movements on translation of our Hungarian forint denominated assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses into euros. While management seeks to manage the business to be in compliance with the Credit Agreement and related covenants, we operate in a competitive and regulated environment which is subject to many factors outside of managements control (i.e. the governments political, social and public policy agenda). We consider reducing this exchange rate risk, when deemed cost effective, through the use of forward hedging contracts or other hedging products.
Inflation and Foreign Currency
During 2004, high Hungarian forint interest rates attracted foreign investors into the market and, as a result, the Hungarian forint appreciated against the euro, as well as the U.S. dollar. As a result of this strengthening, we recorded an exchange gain of $6.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2004. During 2005, the Hungarian forint weakened against the euro and the U.S. dollar due to a decrease in Hungarian interest rates and, more generally, an increase in U.S. interest rates that resulted in investors divesting from emerging markets and investing in U.S. government securities, resulting in a foreign exchange loss of $8.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2005. During 2006, the Hungarian forint strengthened against the U.S. dollar and remained more or less unchanged against the euro compared to the prior year. Due to a significant Hungarian budget deficit in 2006, the Hungarian National Bank increased interest rates throughout the year to attract foreign investors to the Hungarian market in response to an increase in U.S. interest rates, resulting in a foreign exchange gain of $1.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2006. See Item 7A Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk (Market Risk Exposure below).
We generate approximately 73% of our net revenues in Hungarian forints and incur operating and other expenses, including capital expenditures, predominantly in Hungarian forints but also in U.S. dollars and euros. Approximately 32% of our gross revenues, essentially from our wholesale business, are based on euros. In addition, certain items in the balance sheet accounts are denominated in currencies other than the functional currencies of the operating subsidiaries. Accordingly, when such accounts are translated into the functional currency, we are subject to foreign exchange gains and losses which are reflected as a component of net income. When the subsidiaries financial statements are translated into U.S. dollars for financial reporting purposes, we are subject to translation adjustments, the effect of which is reflected as a component of stockholders equity.
While we have the ability to increase the prices we charge for our services generally commensurate with increases in the Hungarian Consumer Price Index (CPI) pursuant to our licenses from the Hungarian government, and as regulated by the government, we may choose not to implement the full amount of the increase permitted due to competitive and other concerns. In addition, the rate of increase in the Hungarian CPI may not be sufficient to offset potential negative exchange rate movements and, as a result, we may be unable to generate cash flows to the degree necessary to meet our obligations in currencies other than the Hungarian forint. See Item 7A Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk (Market Risk Exposure below).
Related Party Transactions
The amount due to related parties totalling $2,881,000 at December 31, 2006, represents cumulative preferred stock dividends in arrears, in the amount of $756,000, an accrual of $2,033,000 as an estimate of the costs for various individuals employed by TDC A/S (TDC) who have performed work for us, including our President and Chief Executive Officer and the head of Corporate Business Development (see below), for 2005 and for 2006 and an accrual related to uninvoiced directors and officers liability insurance costs amounting to $92,000. TDC owns 62% of our outstanding Common
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Stock, 30,000 shares of preferred stock convertible into 300,000 shares of our Common Stock and warrants enabling it to purchase 2,500,000 shares of our Common Stock at $10 per share with a warrant expiration date of March 31, 2007. We owe TDC $756,000 for the accumulated dividends on the preferred stock. TDC also owns $25 million of notes issued by us which mature in March 2007. Interest is payable semi-annually at the applicable U.S. Dollar LIBOR rate for the interest period plus 3.5% (8.9% at December 31, 2006). During 2006, we paid TDC $1,961,000 in interest on the notes.
Messrs. Dogonowski, Eriksen, Revsbech and Scheinemann, current directors, are officers of TDC. Mr. Holm is an employee of TDC and serves as our President and Chief Executive Officer and is also the head of managements executive committee. Alex Wurtz, also an employee of TDC, serves as our head of Corporate Business Development and is a member of our management executive committee. We have reached an agreement with TDC to reimburse TDC for the services of Messrs. Holm and Wurtz; however, no payment has been made.
For Mr. Holm, we have agreed to pay TDC EUR 778,157 (approximately $1,024,000) for Mr. Holms services for the period from May 2005 through December 2006. We are also responsible for paying other costs pertaining to Mr. Holm, including lodging in Budapest and for certain of Mr. Holm's travel costs back to his home in Denmark.
For Mr. Wurtz, we have agreed to pay TDC EUR 387,224 (approximately $510,000) for Mr. Wurtzs services for the period from June 2005 to December 2006. We are also responsible for paying Mr. Wurtzs lodging in Budapest.
In addition to the services of Messrs. Holm and Wurtz, three employees of TDC have performed financial controlling services for us. We have reached an agreement with TDC to pay approximately $139,000 for such services. TDC has also provided services for us in connection with certain strategic projects, including services in connection with our acquisition of Invitel. For such services, we have agreed to reimburse TDC approximately $360,000.
All of the directors of the Company are covered by a directors and officers liability policy taken out by TDC. In 2006, we had approximately $308,000 in expenses for our portion of the overall premium paid by TDC.
We have agreements in place with TDC and its subsidiaries, pursuant to which TDC and the Company transport international voice, data and Internet traffic for each other over their respective telecommunications networks. For 2006, TDC paid us a net amount of approximately $1,332,000 pursuant to such agreements.
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
Market Risk Exposure
Currency Exchange Rate Risks
We are exposed to various types of risk in the normal course of our business, including the risk from foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations. Our operations, including approximately 73% of net revenues and approximately 85% of operating expenses are Hungarian forint based. Therefore, we are subject to exchange rate risk with respect to our non-Hungarian forint denominated income and expenses, primarily euros and U.S. dollars, due to the variability between the Hungarian forint and the U.S. dollar and euro. We are also exposed to exchange rate risk since we have debt obligations in euros and U.S. dollars. If the Hungarian forint weakens in the currency exchange markets versus the U.S. dollar or euro, we would have to generate more revenue in Hungarian forints to settle such debt obligations. The
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Hungarian forint/euro exchange rate changed from 252.73 as of December 31, 2005 to 252.3 as of December 31, 2006, an approximate 0.2% appreciation in value of the Hungarian forint versus the euro. At the same time, the Hungarian forint/U.S. dollar exchange rate changed from 213.58 as of December 31, 2005 to 191.62 as of December 31, 2006, an approximate 11.5% appreciation in value of the Hungarian forint versus the U.S. dollar. We have not entered into any agreements to manage our foreign currency risks related to such expenses but we continue to monitor our exchange rate risks related to our income and expenses.
Our debt obligations are euro and U.S. dollar denominated. Our policy is to consider utilizing foreign exchange rate hedging instruments or purchases of euro and U.S. dollar in advance in order to reduce our exposure to exchange rate risks associated with cash payments in euros and dollars under our debt obligations. We did not have any open foreign currency hedging instruments at December 31, 2006. Our policy requires that counterparties to any hedging instrument be substantial and creditworthy multinational commercial banks, which are recognized market makers.
Given our debt obligations, which include euro and U.S. dollar denominated debt, exchange rate fluctuations in operational currencies can have a significant impact on our financial statements in connection with foreign exchange gains/losses and the resulting debt balances.
For example, if a 5% change in Hungarian forint/euro exchange rates were to occur, our euro denominated debt, in U.S. dollar terms, would increase or decrease by $7.5 million assuming that the U.S. dollar/forint rate did not change. A 5% change in the Hungarian forint/U.S. dollar rate along with a 5% change in Hungarian forint/euro rates would result in an $7.1 million to $7.9 million increase in the debt balance or a decrease of $7.1 million to $7.9 million.
Interest Rate Risks
We are exposed to interest rate risks because our outstanding U.S. dollar denominated debt obligation accrues interest at a variable rate tied to market interest rates. The interest rate on the U.S. dollar denominated obligation is based on USD LIBOR. If a 1% change in USD LIBOR interest rates were to occur, our interest expense would increase or decrease by approximately $0.2 million annually based upon the our December 31, 2006 U.S. dollar denominated debt level. We evaluate market interest rates and the costs of interest rate hedging instruments by reviewing historical variances between market rates and rates offered by lending institutions on hedging instruments, as well as market expectations of future interest rates.
As of December 31, 2006, we have entered into interest rate swap agreements whereby we have exchanged 100% of the variable interest rate on our euro denominated debt for a fixed rate. The swap agreements are valid until December 31, 2010.
Currency and Interest Rate Risks in Connection with the Invitel Acquisition
In connection with the proposed acquisition of Invitel, we face significant exposure to the value of the Hungarian currency and the level of interest rates as most of the financing will be in EUR with floating rate exposure combined with Hungarian assets primarily generating a HUF cash flow. Therefore, we have entered into contingent cross currency swaps resulting in approximately 80% of the principal loan amounts being denominated in HUF and approximately 80% of the loan amounts being at fixed rates. The contingent nature implies that the hedges are contingent on the transaction closing. If the transaction does not close, the hedges will be terminated with no obligations and no loss of premium for the Company.
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Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.
Reference is made to the Consolidated Financial Statements of the Company, beginning with the index thereto on page F-1.
Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure.
None.
Item 9A. Controls and Procedures.
(i) | Disclosure Controls and Procedures |
Our management, with the participation of our Chief Executive and Chief Financial Officers, has evaluated the effectiveness of the Companys disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Securities Exchange Act of 1934, Rule 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based upon and as of the date of that evaluation, our Chief Executive and Chief Financial Officers concluded that the Companys disclosure controls and procedures were effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports it files and submits under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is recorded, processed, summarized and reported as and when required.
It should be noted that any system of disclosure controls and procedures, however well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable, and not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the system are met. In addition, the design of any system of disclosure controls and procedures is based in part upon assumptions about the likelihood of future events. Due to these and other inherent limitations of any such system, there can be no assurance that any design will always succeed in achieving its stated goals under all conditions. In addition, our Chief Financial Officer, Steven Fast, started his employment with the Company on January 15, 2007. His evaluation of our Companys disclosure controls and procedures, as well as his evaluation of our internal control over financial reporting and the changes in our internal control over financial reporting for the quarter ended December 31, 2006 were based, in part, on his review of work performed by others since he was not the Chief Financial Officer at the end of the year.
(ii) | Internal Control Over Financial Reporting |
(a) | Managements Annual Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting |
Our Managements Annual Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting appears on page F-3 of this report.
(b) | Attestation Report of the Registered Public Accounting Firm |
The attestation report of KPMG Hungaria Kft., our independent registered public accounting firm, on managements assessment, and on the effectiveness of, our internal control over financial reporting appears on page F-4 of this report.
(c) | Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting |
Our management, with the participation of our Chief Executive and Chief Financial Officers, has evaluated changes in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the fiscal quarter ended December 31, 2006 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
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During 2006, we included PanTel and PanTel Technocom within the scope of our assessment of internal control. We also retained an outside consultant to assist us in the assessment, remediation, improvement and testing of the relevant internal controls over financial reporting; not only for the Company as a whole but for the newly in scope subsidiaries in particular. This exercise resulted in the implementation, improvements and/or changes in a significant number of processes and controls, which have enabled us to meet todays heightened internal control standards. These processes and controls are set forth below:
Key Processes at PanTel:
| Core service delivery and billing; |
| Customer contracting and related master data setup; |
| Capitalization of fixed assets; |
| Inventory management; |
| Access cost management; and |
| Accounts receivable management. |
Key Processes at PanTel Technocom:
| Core service delivery and billing; and |
| Payroll calculation and expense management |
The following Information Technology General Controls at PanTel and PanTel Technocom were implemented:
| User authentication to applications and its databases; |
| Regular review of system logs; |
| Setup, revocation and periodic review of access rights; |
| Program change and maintenance management; |
| Emergency change management; and |
| System back-up. |
During the evaluation, and as further described in Note 1(c) in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for the year ended December 31, 2006, we concluded the need for two restatements to the Companys consolidated financial statements. We assessed whether these restatements indicated that we might have a material weakness and considered the following: (1) the Company completed a GAAP checklist at year-end in a comprehensive manner; (2) key members of the financial team have taken GAAP training on various issues; (3) the Company engages outside accounting firms to assist it in evaluating complex accounting transactions; and (4) the Company has improved its understanding, application and documentation of accounting issues in accordance with GAAP.
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As a result of these additional controls, we believe that the likelihood of a material misstatement of the annual or interim financial statements not being prevented or detected is remote.
We intend to regularly review and evaluate the design and operating effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting on an ongoing basis and to improve these controls and procedures over time and to correct any deficiencies that we may discover in the future. While we believe the present design of our disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting are effective, future events affecting our business may cause us to modify our controls and procedures.
Item 9B. Other Information.
None
PART III
Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance.
We have adopted a Code of Ethics that applies to our principal executive officer and senior financial officers.
The rest of the information required by this item is incorporated herein by reference from the Company's definitive Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held May 24, 2007, which Proxy Statement will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Regulation 14A to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
Item 11. Executive Compensation.
The information required by this item is incorporated herein by reference from the Company's definitive Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders.
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and
Management and Related Stockholder Matters.
See Equity Compensation Plan Information under Item 5. The rest of the information required by this item is incorporated herein by reference from the Company's definitive Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders.
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence.
The information required by this item is incorporated herein by reference from the Company's definitive Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders.
Item 14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services.
The information required by this item is incorporated herein by reference from the Company's definitive Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders.
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PART IV
Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules.
(a)(1) List of Financial Statements
Reference is made to the index on page F-1 for a list of all financial statements filed as part of this Report on Form 10-K.
(a)(2) List of Financial Statement Schedules
Reference is made to the index on page F-1 for a list of all financial statement schedules filed as part of this Report on Form 10-K.
(a)(3) List of Exhibits
Exhibit Number |
Description | |
2.1 | Framework Agreement among Hungarian Telephone and Cable Corp., Hungarotel Rt., KPN Telecom B.V. and Pansource B.V. dated May 4, 2004 filed as Exhibit 2.1 to the Registrants Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2004 and incorporated herein by reference | |
2.2 | Agreement for the Sale and Purchase of a certain portion of the issued share capital of PanTel among Hungarian Telephone and Cable Corp., KFKI Investment Ltd. and PT Invest International LLC dated September 21, 2004 filed as Exhibit 2.2 to the Registrants Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2004 and incorporated herein by reference | |
2.3 | Advice and Assistance Agreement among Hungarian Telephone and Cable Corp., KFKI Investment Kft., and PT Invest International LLC dated September 21, 2004 filed as Exhibit 2.3 to the Registrants Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2004 and incorporated herein by reference | |
2.4 | Agreement for the Sale and Purchase of a certain portion of the issued share capital of PanTel between Hungarian Telephone and Cable Corp. and MAV Rt. dated July 14, 2004 filed as Exhibit 2.4 to the Registrants Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2004 and incorporated herein by reference | |
2.5 | Sale and Purchase Agreement dated January 8, 2007 between Hungarian Telephone and Cable Corp. and Invitel Holdings N.V., filed as Exhibit 2.1 to the Registrant's Report on Form 8-K filed on January 9, 2007 and incorporated herein by reference | |
3(i) | Certificate of Incorporation of the Registrant, as amended, filed as Exhibit 4.1 to the Registrants Registration Statement on Form S-8 filed on May 26, 2004 (File #333-115871) and incorporated herein by reference | |
3(ii) | By-laws of the Registrant, as amended, filed as Exhibit 4.2 to the Registrants Registration Statement on Form S-8 filed on May 26, 2004 (File #333-115871) and incorporated herein by reference | |
4.1 | Certificate of Incorporation and By-laws of the Registrant (see exhibits 3(i) and 3(ii)) | |
4.2 | Certificate of Designation of Series A Preferred Stock of Hungarian Telephone and Cable Corp., filed as Exhibit 4.1 to the Registrants Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 1999 and incorporated herein by reference |
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Exhibit Number |
Description | |
4.3 | Form of reissued Amended and Restated Unsecured Notes issued by Hungarian Telephone and Cable Corp. dated as of June 15, 2005 with the attached terms and conditions, filed as Exhibit 10.4 to the Registrants Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2005 and incorporated herein by reference | |
9 | Voting trust agreement (None) | |
10 | Material contracts: | |
10.1 | English Translation of Concession Agreement dated May 10, 1994 between the Ministry of Transportation, Telecommunications and Water Management of the Republic of Hungary and Raba-Com Rt., filed as Exhibit 10(y)(y) to the Registrants Current Report on Form 8-K for February 28, 1994 and incorporated herein by reference | |
10.2 | English Translation of Concession Agreement dated May 10, 1994 between the Ministry of Transportation, Telecommunications and Water Management of the Republic of Hungary and Kelet-Nógrád Com Rt., filed as Exhibit 10(z)(z) to the Registrants Current Report on Form 8-K for February 28, 1994 and incorporated herein by reference | |
10.3 | English translation of Amended and Restated Concession Contract between Pápa és Térsége Telefon Koncessziós Rt. and the Hungarian Ministry for Transportation, Telecommunications and Water Management dated as of June 3, 1996, filed as Exhibit 10.78 to the Registrants Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 1996 and incorporated herein by reference | |
10.4 | English translation of Amended and Restated Concession Contract between Hungarotel Távközlesi Rt. and the Hungarian Ministry for Transportation, Telecommunications and Water Management dated as of June 3, 1996 (Oroshaza), filed as Exhibit 10.79 to the Registrants Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 1996 and incorporated herein by reference | |
10.5 | English translation of Amended and Restated Concession Contract between Hungarotel Távközlesi Rt. and the Hungarian Ministry for Transportation, Telecommunications and Water Management dated as of June 3, 1996 (Bekescsaba), filed as Exhibit 10.80 to the Registrants Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 1996 and incorporated herein by reference | |
10.6 | Form of reissued Warrants to Purchase Common Stock of Hungarian Telephone and Cable Corp., dated as of June 15, 2005, filed as Exhibit 10.3 to the Registrants Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2005 and incorporated herein by reference | |
10.7 | EUR 170 million Senior Secured Debt Facility entered into as of February 9, 2005 among Hungarian Telephone and Cable Corp. and its subsidiaries; Calyon Bank, MKB Bank, WestLB Bank and certain other parties, filed as Exhibit 10.8 to the Registrants Annual Report on Form 10-K for 2004 and incorporated herein by reference | |
10.8 | 2002 Incentive Stock Option Plan of the Registrant, as amended, filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrants Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2004 and incorporated herein by reference (Compensatory Plan) |
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Exhibit Number |
Description | |
10.9 | Non-Employee Director Stock Option Plan, as amended, filed as Exhibit 10.2 to the Registrants Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2004 and incorporated herein by reference (Compensatory Plan) | |
10.10 | 2004 Long-Term Incentive Plan, filed as Exhibit 10.11 to the Registrants Annual Report on Form 10-K for 2004 and incorporated herein by reference (Compensatory Plan) | |
10.11 | Form of Stock Option Agreement issuable under 2004 Long-Term Incentive Plan filed as Exhibit 10.3 to the Registrants Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2004 and incorporated herein by reference (Management Contract) | |
10.12 | Terminated Employment Agreement dated as of March 17, 2003 between the Registrant and its former Chief Executive Officer Ole Bertram, filed as Exhibit 10.8 to the Registrants Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002 and incorporated herein by reference (Management Contract) | |
10.13 | Summary of certain compensation arrangements regarding the Registrants former Chief Executive Officer Ole Bertram, filed as Exhibit 10.18 to the Registrants Annual Report on Form 10-K for 2004 and incorporated herein by reference (Compensatory Plan) | |
10.14 | Terminated Employment Agreement dated as of April 22, 2005 between the Registrant and William T. McGann, filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrants Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2005 and incorporated herein by reference (Management Contract) | |
10.15 | Terminated Employment Agreement dated as of August 1, 2004 between the Registrant and Jan Mulder, filed as Exhibit 10.15 to the Registrants Annual Report on Form 10-K for 2004 and incorporated herein by reference (Management Contract) | |
10.16 | Termination Agreement dated June 22, 2005 between the Registrant and Jan Mulder, filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrants Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2005 and incorporated herein by reference (Management Contract) | |
10.17 | Employment Agreement, as amended as of April 22,2005 between the Registrant and Peter T. Noone, filed as Exhibit 10.2 to the Registrants Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2005 and incorporated herein by reference (Management Contract) | |
10.18 | Summary of Board of Director Compensation, filed as Exhibit 10.2 to the Registrants Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2005 and incorporated herein by reference (Compensatory Plan) | |
10.19 | Employment Agreement entered into on December 22, 2005 between the Registrant and Tamas Vagany, filed as Exhibit 10.19 to the Registrants Annual Report on Form 10-K for 2005 and incorporated herein by reference (Management Contract) | |
10.20 | Employment Agreement and supplemental Letter Agreement dated as of December 14, 2006 between Hungarian Telephone and Cable Corp and Steven Fast (Management Contract) |
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Exhibit Number |
Description | |
10.21 | Separation Agreement dated September 14, 2006 between Hungarian Telephone and Cable Corp. and William T. McGann, filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrants Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2006 and incorporated herein by reference (Management Contract) | |
10.22 | Secondment Agreement dated March 6, 2007 between Hungarian Telephone and Cable Corp. and TDC A/S regarding the services of Torben V. Holm (Management Contract) | |
10.23 | Secondment Agreement dated March 6, 2007 between Hungarian Telephone and Cable Corp. and TDC A/S regarding the services of Alex Wurtz (Management Contract) | |
11 | Statement re computation of per share earnings (not required) | |
12 | Statement re computation of ratios (not required) | |
13 | Annual report to security holders (not required) | |
14 | Code of Ethics, filed as Exhibit 14 to the Registrants Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003 and incorporated herein by reference | |
16 | Letter re change in certifying accountant (not required) | |
18 | Letter re change in accounting principles (none) | |
21 | Subsidiaries of the Registrant | |
22 | Published report regarding matters submitted to vote of security holders (none) | |
23 | Consent of KPMG Hungaria Kft. | |
24 | Powers of Attorney | |
31.1 | Certification of Torben V. Holm, President and Chief Executive Officer, required by Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 | |
31.2 | Certification of Steven Fast, Chief Financial Officer, required by Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 | |
32.1 | Certification of Torben V. Holm, President and Chief Executive Officer, required by Rule 13a-14(b) or Rule 15d-14(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, 18 U.S.C. 1350 | |
32.2 | Certification of Steven Fast, Chief Financial Officer, required by Rule 13a-14(b) or Rule 15d-14(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, 18 U.S.C. 1350 |
-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, as of March 19, 2007.
HUNGARIAN TELEPHONE AND CABLE CORP. | ||
(Registrant) | ||
By | /s/ Torben V. Holm | |
Torben V. Holm | ||
President and Chief Executive Officer |
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange of 1934, this Report has been signed below by the following persons and on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities indicated as of March 19, 2007.
Signature/Name |
Title | |||
/s/ Steven Fast |
Chief Financial Officer | |||
Steven Fast | (Principal Accounting Officer; | |||
Principal Financial Officer) | ||||
/s/ Ole Steen Andersen * |
Director | |||
Ole Steen Andersen | ||||
/s/ Ole Betram* |
Director | |||
Ole Bertram | ||||
/s/ Robert R. Dogonowski * |
Director | |||
Robert R. Dogonowski | ||||
/s/ Jesper Theill Eriksen * |
Director, Chairman | |||
Jesper Theill Eriksen | ||||
|
Director | |||
Jens Due Olsen | ||||
/s/ Carsten Dyrup Revsbech * |
Director, Vice-Chairman | |||
Carsten Dyrup Revsbech | ||||
/s/ John B. Ryan* |
Director | |||
John B. Ryan | ||||
/s/ Henrik Scheinemann* |
Director | |||
Henrik Scheinemann |
* | The undersigned by signing his name hereto, does hereby execute this Report on Form 10-K pursuant to powers of attorney filed as exhibits to this report. |
By: | /s/ Peter T. Noone | |
Peter T. Noone | ||
Attorney-In-Fact |
-80-
HUNGARIAN TELEPHONE AND CABLE CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Index to Consolidated Financial Statements and Financial Statements Schedules
The following information is included on the pages indicated: |
||
Consolidated Financial Statements: |
||
Page | ||
F-2 | ||
Managements Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting |
F-3 | |
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm on Internal Control over Financial Reporting |
F-4 | |
F-6 | ||
Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income |
F-7 | |
F-8 | ||
F-9 | ||
F-10 F-41 | ||
Financial Statements Schedules: |
||
S-1 | ||
S-2 |
F-1
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm on Consolidated Financial Statements and Schedule
The Board of Directors and Stockholders
Hungarian Telephone and Cable Corp.:
We have audited the consolidated financial statements of Hungarian Telephone and Cable Corp. and subsidiaries (the Company) as listed in the accompanying index. In connection with our audits of the consolidated financial statements, we also have audited the financial statement schedule as listed in the accompanying index. These consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedule are the responsibility of the Companys management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedule based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the auditing standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by the management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Hungarian Telephone and Cable Corp. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2006 and 2005, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the years in the three year period ended December 31, 2006, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Also, in our opinion, the related financial statement schedule, when considered in relation to the basic consolidated financial statements taken as a whole, presents fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein.
Effective January 1, 2006, the Company adopted the provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123 (revised 2004), Share-Based Payment, as discussed in Note 1 (m) to the consolidated financial statements.
As disclosed in Note 1 (c) to the consolidated financial statements, the 2005 and 2004 consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income have been restated to reflect the correction of errors in the presentation of revenues, cost of sales and local business tax.
We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the effectiveness of Hungarian Telephone and Cable Corp.s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2006, based on criteria established in Internal Control Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) and our report dated March 19, 2007 expressed an unqualified opinion on managements assessment of, and the effective operation of, internal control over financial reporting.
KPMG Hungária Kft.
Budapest, Hungary
March 19, 2007
F-2
Managements Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
The Board of Directors and Stockholders
Hungarian Telephone and Cable Corp.:
The management of Hungarian Telephone and Cable Corp. and subsidiaries (together, the Company) is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15(d)-15(f).
Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, we conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting based on the framework in Internal Control Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements and even when determined to be effective, can only provide reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation and presentation. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
Based on our evaluation under the framework in Internal Control Integrated Framework, our management concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2006.
Our managements assessment of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2006 has been audited by KPMG Hungaria Kft., an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report which is included herein.
Budapest, Hungary
March 19, 2007
F-3
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
The Board of Directors and Stockholders
Hungarian Telephone and Cable Corp.:
We have audited managements assessment, included in the accompanying Managements Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting, that Hungarian Telephone and Cable Corp. (the Company) maintained effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2006, based on criteria established in Internal ControlIntegrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). The Companys management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting, and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on managements assessment and an opinion on the effectiveness of the Companys internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, evaluating managements assessment, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
A companys internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A companys internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the companys assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
In our opinion, managements assessment that the Company maintained effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2006, is fairly stated, in all material respects, based on criteria established in Internal ControlIntegrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). Also, in our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2006, based on criteria established in Internal ControlIntegrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).
F-4
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheets of the Company and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2006 and 2005, and the related consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income, stockholders equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2006, and our report dated March 19, 2007 expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements.
KPMG Hungária Kft.
Budapest, Hungary
March 19, 2007
F-5
HUNGARIAN TELEPHONE AND CABLE CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Balance Sheets
December 31, 2006 and 2005
(In thousands, except share and per share data)
2006 | 2005 | ||||||
Assets |
|||||||
Current assets: |
|||||||
Cash and cash equivalents |
$ | 18,794 | 15,083 | ||||
Restricted cash |
11,850 | 10,650 | |||||
Accounts receivable, net of allowance of $5,608 in 2006 and $3,798 in 2005 |
38,336 | 33,527 | |||||
Current deferred tax asset, net |
1,685 | 1,034 | |||||
Interest rate swaps |
1,138 | | |||||
Other current assets |
8,026 | 9,335 | |||||
Total current assets |
79,829 | 69,629 | |||||
Property, plant and equipment, net |
180,329 | 164,248 | |||||
Goodwill |
9,622 | 8,461 | |||||
Other intangibles, net |
49,364 | 45,741 | |||||
Deferred costs |
897 | 1,237 | |||||
Deferred tax asset, net |
2,583 | 3,109 | |||||
Interest rate swaps |
1,818 | | |||||
Other assets |
8,312 | 6,392 | |||||
Total assets |
$ | 332,754 | 298,817 | ||||
Liabilities and Stockholders Equity |
|||||||
Current liabilities: |
|||||||
Current installments of long-term debt |
$ | 34,749 | 21,938 | ||||
Short-term debt |
24,657 | | |||||
Current obligations under capital leases |
469 | 388 | |||||
Accounts payable |
6,793 | 13,261 | |||||
Accruals |
28,594 | 24,965 | |||||
Interest rate swaps |
| 254 | |||||
Advance customer payment |
2,310 | | |||||
Other current liabilities |
7,570 | 4,475 | |||||
Due to related parties |
2,881 | 1,052 | |||||
Total current liabilities |
108,023 | 66,333 | |||||
Long-term debt, excluding current installments |
115,351 | 158,227 | |||||
Long-term obligations under capital leases, excluding current portion |
399 | 779 | |||||
Asset retirement obligation |
578 | 483 | |||||
Deferred credits and other liabilities |
8,379 | 2,114 | |||||
Total liabilities |
232,730 | 227,936 | |||||
Commitments and contingencies |
| | |||||
Stockholders equity: |
|||||||
Cumulative Convertible Preferred stock, $.01 par value; $70.00 liquidation value. Authorized 200,000 shares; issued and outstanding 30,000 shares in 2006 and 2005 |
| | |||||
Common stock, $.001 par value. Authorized 25,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding 12,812,665 shares in 2006 and 12,796,461 shares in 2005 |
14 | 14 | |||||
Additional paid-in capital |
156,879 | 156,406 | |||||
Accumulated deficit |
(82,905 | ) | (100,624 | ) | |||
Accumulated other comprehensive income |
26,036 | 15,085 | |||||
Total stockholders equity |
100,024 | 70,881 | |||||
Total liabilities and stockholders equity |
$ | 332,754 | 298,817 | ||||
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
F-6
HUNGARIAN TELEPHONE AND CABLE CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income
Years ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004
(In thousands, except share and per share data)
2006 | 2005 | 2004 | ||||||||
As Restated (1) | As Restated (1) | |||||||||
Revenues |
$ | 193,732 | 179,643 | 69,007 | ||||||
Cost of sales |
80,467 | 69,403 | 8,667 | |||||||
Gross margin |
113,265 | 110,240 | 60,340 | |||||||
Operating expenses: |
||||||||||
Selling, general and administrative |
53,858 | 53,760 | 27,908 | |||||||
Severance costs |
700 | 2,533 | | |||||||
Depreciation and amortization |
26,137 | 23,968 | 12,376 | |||||||
Total operating expenses |
80,695 | 80,261 | 40,284 | |||||||
Income from operations |
32,570 | 29,979 | 20,056 | |||||||
Other income (expenses): |
||||||||||
Foreign exchange gains (losses), net |
1,936 | (8,540 | ) | 6,947 | ||||||
Interest expense |
(14,883 | ) | (14,123 | ) | (9,133 | ) | ||||
Interest income |
1,329 | 932 | 2,255 | |||||||
Fair value changes on interest rate swaps |
3,210 | (255 | ) | | ||||||
Equity in earnings of affiliate |
| 934 | 443 | |||||||
Other, net |
(250 | ) | 413 | 78 | ||||||
Net income before income taxes |
23,912 | 9,340 | 20,646 | |||||||
Income tax expense: |
||||||||||
Current |
(5,749 | ) | (4,957 | ) | (2,635 | ) | ||||
Deferred |
(339 | ) | (1,491 | ) | (1,769 | ) | ||||
Total income tax expense |
(6,088 | ) | (6,448 | ) | (4,404 | ) | ||||
Net income |
$ | 17,824 | 2,892 | 16,242 | ||||||
Cumulative convertible preferred stock dividends |
(105 | ) | (105 | ) | (105 | ) | ||||
Net income attributable to common stockholders |
17,719 | 2,787 | 16,137 | |||||||
Foreign currency translation adjustment |
10,951 | (14,394 | ) | 9,200 | ||||||
Total comprehensive income (loss) |
$ | 28,670 | (11,607 | ) | 25,337 | |||||
Earnings per common share basic: |
||||||||||
Net earnings |
$ | 1.38 | 0.22 | 1.30 | ||||||
Earnings per common share diluted: |
||||||||||
Net earnings |
$ | 1.24 | 0.20 | 1.25 | ||||||
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding: |
||||||||||
Basic |
12,810,084 | 12,727,526 | 12,412,742 | |||||||
Diluted |
14,286,159 | 14,309,820 | 12,963,833 | |||||||
(1) See Note 1(c) Restatements in Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
F-7
HUNGARIAN TELEPHONE AND CABLE CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders Equity
Years ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004
(In thousands, except share data)
Shares | Common Stock |
Preferred Stock |
Additional Paid-in Capital |
Accumulated Deficit |
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income |
Total Stockholders Equity |
||||||||||||||
Balances at December 31, 2003 |
12,230,670 | $ | 12 | | 145,616 | (119,548 | ) | 20,279 | $ | 46,359 | ||||||||||
Proceeds from exercise of options |
172,247 | | | 689 | | | 689 | |||||||||||||
Stock based compensation |
| | | 6,361 | | | 6,361 | |||||||||||||
Stock granted as compensation |
25,500 | 1 | | 112 | | | 113 | |||||||||||||
Stock issued for acquisition |
250,000 | | | 2,699 | | | 2,699 | |||||||||||||
Net settlement of stock option exercise |
5,230 | 1 | | (39 | ) | | | (38 | ) | |||||||||||
Cumulative convertible preferred stock dividends |
| | | | (105 | ) | | (105 | ) | |||||||||||
Net income |
| | | | 16,242 | | 16,242 | |||||||||||||
Foreign currency translation adjustment |
| | | | | 9,200 | 9,200 | |||||||||||||
Balances at December 31, 2004 |
12,683,647 | $ | 14 | | 155,438 | (103,411 | ) | 29,479 | $ | 81,520 | ||||||||||
Stock based compensation |
| | 1,203 | | | 1,203 | ||||||||||||||
Common stock granted to directors |
6,000 | | | 103 | | | 103 | |||||||||||||
Net settlement of stock option exercise |
106,814 | | | (338 | ) | | | (338 | ) | |||||||||||
Cumulative convertible preferred stock dividends |
| | | (105 | ) | | (105 | ) | ||||||||||||
Net income |
| | | 2,892 | | 2,892 | ||||||||||||||
Foreign currency translation adjustment |
| | | | (14,394 | ) | (14,394 | ) | ||||||||||||
Balances at December 31, 2005 |
12,796,461 | $ | 14 | | 156,406 | (100,624 | ) | 15,085 | 70,881 | |||||||||||
Stock based compensation |
| | | 491 | | | 491 | |||||||||||||
Common stock granted to directors |
6,000 | | | 91 | | | 91 | |||||||||||||
Net settlement of stock option exercise |
10,204 | | | (109 | ) | | | (109 | ) | |||||||||||
Cumulative convertible preferred stock dividends |
| | | | (105 | ) | | (105 | ) | |||||||||||
Net income |
| | | | 17,824 | | 17,824 | |||||||||||||
Foreign currency translation adjustment |
| | | | | 10,951 | 10,951 | |||||||||||||
Balances at December 31, 2006 |
12,812,665 | 14 | | 156,879 | (82,905 | ) | 26,036 | 100,024 | ||||||||||||
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
F-8
HUNGARIAN TELEPHONE AND CABLE CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
Years ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004
(In thousands)
2006 | 2005 | 2004 | ||||||||
Net cash provided by operating activities |
$ | 44,598 | 43,613 | 27,700 | ||||||
Cash flows from investing activities: |
||||||||||
Acquisition of telecommunications network equipment and other intangibles |
(23,590 | ) | (22,072 | ) | (4,991 | ) | ||||
Investment in affiliate |
| | (12,824 | ) | ||||||
Acquisition of subsidiaries, net of cash acquired |
| (7,529 | ) | | ||||||
Decrease in construction deposits |
(2 | ) | | | ||||||
Proceeds from sale of assets |
5,116 | | | |||||||
Other |
| 642 | 270 | |||||||
Net cash used in investing activities |
(18,476 | ) | (28,959 | ) | (17,545 | ) | ||||
Cash flows from financing activities: |
||||||||||
Proceeds from exercise of options |
| | 689 | |||||||
Repayments of long-term debt |
(23,960 | ) | (95,167 | ) | (26,322 | ) | ||||
Proceeds from new long-term debt borrowings |
| 109,720 | | |||||||
Deferred financing costs paid under long-term debt agreement |
| (6,490 | ) | | ||||||
Preferred stock dividends paid |
| | (53 | ) | ||||||
Principal payments under capital lease obligations |
(394 | ) | (203 | ) | | |||||
Funding of debt service account |
| (11,796 | ) | | ||||||
Net cash used in financing activities |
(24,354 | ) | (3,936 | ) | (25,686 | ) | ||||
Effect of foreign exchange rate changes on cash |
1,943 | (4,011 | ) | 2,716 | ||||||
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents |
3,711 | 6,707 | (12,815 | ) | ||||||
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year |
15,083 | 8,376 | 21,191 | |||||||
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year |
$ | 18,794 | 15,083 | 8,376 | ||||||
Cash paid during the year for: |
||||||||||
Interest |
$ | 12,135 | 10,255 | 7,280 | ||||||
Income taxes |
$ | 5,523 | 4,569 | 2,540 |
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
F-9
HUNGARIAN TELEPHONE AND CABLE CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004
(1) | Description of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies |
(a) | Description of Business |
Hungarian Telephone and Cable Corp. (HTCC, and together with its subsidiaries, the Company) was organized on March 23, 1992 to own and manage telecommunications companies in Hungary. HTCC is 62% owned by TDC A/S (TDC).
The Companys principal operating subsidiaries are Hungarotel Tavkozlesi zRt. (Hungarotel), PanTel Tavkozlesi es Kommunikacios Kft. (PanTel) and PanTel Technocom Kft. (PanTel Technocom). Hungarotel owns fixed line networks in three operating areas within Hungary and provides telecommunications services to customers within these areas. PanTel has a nation-wide fiber optic backbone network linking every county in Hungary, providing telecommunications services to residential and corporate customers. PanTel also uses its fiber optic network capacity to transport voice, data, and Internet services on a wholesale basis for other telecommunications and Internet service providers in Hungary. PanTel's network also extends into other countries through its minor consolidated subsidiaries in the Central and Eastern European region. PanTel Technocom operates the telecommunications network of MOL, the Hungarian oil company.
The Company acquired the PanTel business in a two-step transaction. On November 10, 2004, the Company acquired an initial 24.9% interest and subsequently, on February 28, 2005, acquired the remaining 75.1% of the PanTel business.
As further described in Note 21 to the financial statements, on January 8, 2007, the Company entered into a Sale and Purchase Agreement to acquire Invitel Távkölési Szolgáltató Zrt. (Invitel), one of the Companys main competitors in the Hungarian market.
(b) | Principles of Consolidation and the Use of Estimates |
The consolidated financial statements include the financial statements of HTCC and its subsidiaries. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. The Company uses the equity method of accounting for its investment in, and earnings of, affiliates that it does not control but over which it exerts significant influence.
The consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (U.S. GAAP). In preparing financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP, management is required to make estimates and assumptions. These estimates and assumptions affect reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, as well as revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
(c) | Restatements |
For its Consolidated Financial Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income for the years ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004, the Company has restated its presentation of its revenues following the guidance of Emerging Issues Task Force No. 99-19. Historically, the Company presented revenues net of cost of sales but now presents
F-10
HUNGARIAN TELEPHONE AND CABLE CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004
separately its gross revenues, costs of sales and resulting gross margin. This restated accounting presentation has no impact on the gross margin, previously reported as Telephone services revenues, net in the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income.
For its Consolidated Financial Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income for the years ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004, the Company has reclassified a Hungarian local business tax from selling, general and administrative expenses to current income tax in accordance with Financial Accounting Standard No. 109. Historically, the Company has recorded this tax as part of its selling, general and administrative expenses. For the years ended December 31, 2005 and 2004, $3,365,000 and $1,268,000, was reclassified, respectively. This restated accounting presentation has no impact on the net income or earnings per share as reported in the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income.
(d) | Revenue Recognition |
Revenues are primarily earned from providing access to and usage of the Companys networks and facilities. Access revenue is billed one month in advance and recognized the following month when earned. Revenues based on measured traffic are recognized when the service is rendered.
Wholesale data revenue from leased lines is based on the bandwidth of the service and the particular route involved and is recognized in the period of usage or when the service is available to the customer.
From time to time, the Company sells fiber optical assets to other telecommunications companies; revenue is recognized as and when the transfer of ownership is complete.
(e) | Cost of Sales |
The Companys cost of sales is comprised of interconnect charges that are paid to other wireline and wireless operators to transport and terminate calls from the Companys customers, connection fees paid to incumbent wireline operators for the setting of carrier pre-selection services and access costs for leased lines.
(f) | Allowance for Doubtful Accounts |
The Company maintains an allowance for doubtful accounts for estimated losses resulting from customers or carriers failure to make payments on amounts due to the Company. These estimates are based on a number of factors including: 1) historical experience; 2) aging of trade accounts receivable; 3) amounts disputed and the nature of the dispute; 4) bankruptcy; 5) general economic, industry or business information; and 6) specific information obtained by the Company on the financial condition and current credit worthiness of customers or carriers.
F-11
HUNGARIAN TELEPHONE AND CABLE CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004
(g) | Foreign Currency Translation |
The Company uses the Hungarian forint (HUF) as the functional currency for its Hungarian subsidiaries. The Hungarian subsidiaries assets and liabilities are translated into U.S. dollars using the exchange rates in effect at the balance sheet date. Results of operations are translated using the average exchange rates prevailing throughout the period. The effects of exchange rate fluctuations on translating HUF assets and liabilities into U.S. dollars are accumulated as part of other comprehensive income in stockholders equity.
The Company uses the HUF as the functional currency of PanTels non-Hungarian subsidiaries. Accordingly, foreign currency assets and liabilities of the non-Hungarian subsidiaries are translated into HUF using the exchange rates in effect at the balance sheet date. Results of operations are translated using the average exchange rates prevailing throughout the period. The effects of exchange rate fluctuations on translating the local currency assets and liabilities of the non-Hungarian subsidiaries into HUF are accumulated as part of foreign exchange gains/(losses) in the consolidated statement of operations.
Foreign exchange fluctuations related to intercompany balances are included in equity if such balances are intended to be long-term in nature. At the time, the Company settles such balances, the resulting gain or loss is reflected in the consolidated statement of operations. Gains and losses from foreign currency transactions and the marking to market of assets or liabilities not denominated in Hungarian forints are included in operations in the period in which they occur.
The translation of the subsidiaries forint denominated balance sheets into U.S. dollars, as of December 31, 2006, has been affected by the strengthening of the Hungarian forint against the U.S. dollar from 213.58 as of December 31, 2005, to 191.62 as of December 31, 2006, an approximate 11% appreciation in value. The average Hungarian forint/U.S. dollar exchange rates used for the translation of the subsidiaries forint denominated statements of operations and statements of cash flows into U.S. dollars for the years ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004 were 210.39, 199.59 and 202.74, respectively.
(h) | Advertising Costs |
The Company expenses advertising costs as they are incurred. Advertising costs for the years ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004 were $1,595,000, $1,391,000 and $194,000, respectively.
(i) | Cash and Cash Equivalents |
The Company considers all highly liquid debt instruments purchased with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents.
(j) | Inventories |
Inventories, which are included in other current assets, consist primarily of DSL equipment, cables and spare parts and are stated at the lower of cost or market and are valued using the first-in, first-out (FIFO) method.
F-12
HUNGARIAN TELEPHONE AND CABLE CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004
(k) | Property, Plant and Equipment |
Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the respective assets. Plant and equipment under capital leases are initially stated at the present value of minimum lease payments and subsequently amortized over the shorter of their useful lives or the lease term.
(l) | Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets |
Goodwill and intangible assets that have indefinite useful lives are not amortized but rather are tested at least annually for impairment. Intangible assets that have finite useful lives (whether or not acquired in a business combination) are amortized over their estimated useful lives. Intangible assets, all of which have finite lives, consist of concession rights, rights of use and rights of way. The rights of way allow the Company to operate its country-wide telecommunications network along the railroad tracks owned by the Hungarian National Railway (MAV). Rights of use refer to the rights to use networks owned by third parties.
During 2006, 2005 and 2004, the Company performed the required annual impairment test with respect to goodwill. The first step of this test requires the Company to compare the carrying value of any reporting unit that has goodwill to the estimated fair value of the reporting unit. If the current fair value is less than the carrying value, then the Company will perform the second step of the impairment test. This second step requires the Company to measure the excess of the recorded goodwill over the current implied value of the goodwill, and to record any excess as impairment. Based upon the results, the Company concluded that there is no impairment of the carrying value of goodwill reported in its financial statements for the years ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004.
(m) | Stock Based Compensation |
From January 1, 2006, the Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (SFAS) No. 123 (revised 2004), Share-Based Payment, (SFAS 123R). SFAS 123R requires the measurement and recognition of compensation expense based on the fair value of the employee stock based awards issued. Compensation expense for awards and related tax effects is recognized as they vest. Through December 31, 2005, the Company used the intrinsic value method to account for stock-based awards to its employees under APB Opinion No. 25, Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees, and disclosed pro forma information as if the Company had applied the fair value recognition provisions of SFAS No. 123, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation (SFAS 123). In addition, effective October 1, 2004, as a result of amendments made to the Companys option plans, the Company accounted for all of its outstanding options under the variable method of accounting. The variable method of accounting required the Company to accrue an expense or benefit as the market price of the Companys common stock changed during the period. The Company has ceased utilizing the variable method of accounting upon its adoption of SFAS 123R. The Company has adopted SFAS 123R using the modified prospective transition method. Under this transition method, compensation cost recognized effective January 1, 2006 includes: (1) compensation cost for all share based awards granted prior to, but not yet vested as of, January 1, 2006 based on the original measure of the grant-date fair value estimated under the provisions of SFAS 123 for pro-forma disclosure, and (2)
F-13
HUNGARIAN TELEPHONE AND CABLE CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004
compensation cost for all share-based awards granted subsequent to January 1, 2006, based on the grant-date fair value estimated in accordance with the provisions of SFAS 123R. Results for prior periods have not been restated. For the year ended December 31, 2006, the Company has recognized $491,000 of compensation expense related to the adoption of SFAS 123R. For the year ended December 31, 2005 and 2004, the Company recognized $1,203,000 and $6,361,000, respectively, of compensation expense related to the variable method of accounting.
As a result of adopting SFAS 123R on January 1, 2006, the Companys income before income taxes and net income attributable to common stockholders for the year ended December 31, 2006, are $827,000 and $697,000 lower, respectively, than if it had continued to account for share-based compensation under APB Opinion No. 25 and followed the variable method of accounting. Basic and diluted earnings per common share would have been $1.44 and $1.30 for the year ended December 31, 2006 if the Company had not adopted SFAS 123R. Reported basic and diluted earnings per common share were $1.38 and $1.24 for the year ended December 31, 2006.
The following table illustrates the effect on net income and earnings per common share if the Company had applied the fair value recognition provisions of SFAS 123R to options granted under the Companys stock option plans for years ended December 31, 2005 and 2004. For purposes of this pro forma disclosure, the value of the options is estimated using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model and amortized to expense over the options vesting periods:
2005 | 2004 | |||||||
(in thousands) | ||||||||
Earnings As reported |
$ | 2,787 | $ | 16,137 | ||||
Plus: stock-based compensation expense included in reported earnings |
1,295 | 6,444 | ||||||
Less: stock-based compensation expense determined under fair- value method |
(1,321 | ) | (970 | ) | ||||
Pro forma |
$ | 2,761 | $ | 21,611 | ||||
Earnings per share Basic: |
||||||||
As reported |
$ | 0.22 | $ | 1.30 | ||||
Pro forma |
$ | 0.22 | $ | 1.74 | ||||
Earnings per share Diluted: |
||||||||
As reported |
$ | 0.20 | $ | 1.25 | ||||
Pro forma |
$ | 0.20 | $ | 1.68 |
Effective October 1, 2004, the Company accounted for all of its outstanding options under the variable method of accounting. The variable method of accounting required the Company to accrue an expense or benefit as the market price of the Company's common stock changed. For the years ended December 31, 2005 and 2004, the Company recognized $1,203,000 and $6,361,000, respectively, of compensation expense related to the variable method of accounting, respectively.
F-14
HUNGARIAN TELEPHONE AND CABLE CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004
The assumptions used in the Black-Scholes option-pricing model are as follows:
2006 | 2005 | 2004 | |||||||
Dividend yield |
0 | % | 0 | % | 0 | % | |||
Risk free rate |
4.46 | % | 4.47 | % | 4.68 | % | |||
Expected option life (years) |
10 | 10 | 10 | ||||||
Volatility |
38.0 | % | 43.0 | % | 34.0 | % |
Upon the adoption of SFAS 123R, expected volatility was based on historical volatilities. The risk-free interest rate is based on U.S. Treasury zero-coupon issues with a remaining term equal to the expected option life assumed at the date of grant. The expected term was calculated based on historical experience and represents the time period options actually remain outstanding. The Company has estimated zero forfeitures based on historical experience and the limited number of option holders.
(n) | Income Taxes |
Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities, net of valuation allowances, are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to operating loss and tax credit carry-forwards, and differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which these temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in operations in the period that includes the enactment date.
(o) | Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and Long-Lived Assets to be Disposed of |
The Company evaluates the carrying value of long-lived assets to be held and used whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. The carrying value of a long-lived asset is considered impaired when the projected undiscounted future cash flows related to the asset are less than its carrying value. The Company measures impairment based on the amount by which the carrying value of the respective asset exceeds its fair value. Fair value is determined primarily using the projected future cash flows discounted at a rate commensurate with the risk involved. Losses on long-lived assets to be disposed of are determined in a similar manner, except that fair values are reduced for the estimated costs of disposal.
(p) | Fair Value of Financial Instruments and Foreign Exchange Financial Instruments |
The Companys financial instruments include cash, receivables, other current assets, accounts payable, accruals and other current liabilities, short- and long-term debt, and interest rate swaps (see note 1(q)). The carrying amounts of cash, receivables, other current assets, accounts payable, accruals and other current liabilities and short-term debt approximate fair value due to the short-term nature of these instruments. The fair value of long-term debt approximates its carrying value as the debt carries a floating interest rate.
F-15
HUNGARIAN TELEPHONE AND CABLE CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004
(q) | Derivative Instruments |
The Company accounts for derivatives and hedging activities in accordance with SFAS 133, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities, as amended, which requires that all derivative instruments be recorded on the balance sheet as either assets or liabilities and be measured at their respective fair values. The accounting treatment of changes in fair value is dependent upon whether or not a derivative instrument is designated as a hedge and if so, the type of hedge and its effectiveness as a hedge.
The Company uses interest rate swaps to manage interest rate movements on its bank debt. The Companys interest rate swaps are used for the purpose of hedging interest rate exposure, which exists because of the variable interest rate component of the Companys credit agreement. For derivative instruments designated as hedges, the Company formally documents the hedging relationship and its risk-management objective and strategy for undertaking the hedge, the hedging instrument, the nature of the risk being hedged, how the hedging instruments effectiveness in offsetting the hedged risk will be assessed, and a description of the method of measuring ineffectiveness. Changes in the fair value of such derivatives are recorded as either assets or liabilities in the balance sheet with an offset to other comprehensive income. For derivative instruments that are not designated or do not qualify as hedges, changes in fair value are recorded immediately in earnings.
The Company, in the ordinary course of business, enters into contractual arrangements with other telecommunications service providers to provide and receive telephone services, and for other services such as the lease of office space. Certain of these arrangements are denominated in currencies other than the functional currency of either party, and are required to be accounted for separately from the host contract as derivatives at fair value. Changes in fair value of such derivatives are accounted for as foreign exchange gains or losses in the period in which they occur. The Company does not engage in derivatives instruments for speculative or trading purposes.
The Company did not have any financial instruments designated as hedges under SFAS 133 for the years ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004.
(r) | Earnings Per Share |
Earnings per share (EPS) is computed by dividing income attributable to common stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period. The computation of diluted EPS is similar to the computation of basic EPS, except that the weighted average shares outstanding are increased to include additional shares from the assumed exercise of stock options and warrants, and the conversion of the convertible preferred stock, where dilutive. The number of additional shares is calculated by assuming that outstanding stock options were exercised, or preferred securities were converted and the proceeds were used to acquire shares of common stock at the average market price during the reporting period.
F-16
HUNGARIAN TELEPHONE AND CABLE CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004
The following is a reconciliation from basic earnings per share to diluted earnings per share for each of the years ended December 31:
2006 | 2005 | 2004 | |||||||
($ in thousands, except share data) | |||||||||
Net income attributable to common stockholders (A) |
$ | 17,719 | $ | 2,787 | $ | 16,137 | |||
plus: preferred stock dividends |
105 | 105 | 105 | ||||||
Net income (B) |
$ | 17,824 | $ | 2,892 | $ | 16,242 | |||
Determination of shares: |
|||||||||
Weighted average common shares outstanding basic (C) |
12,810,084 | 12,727,526 | 12,412,742 | ||||||
Assumed conversion of dilutive stock options, warrants and cumulative convertible preferred stock |
1,476,075 | 1,582,294 | 551,091 | ||||||
Weighted average common shares outstanding diluted (D) |
14,286,159 | 14,309,820 | 12,963,833 | ||||||
Earnings per common share: |
|||||||||
Basic (A/C) |
$ | 1.38 | $ | 0.22 | $ | 1.30 | |||
Diluted (B/D) |
$ | 1.24 | $ | 0.20 | $ | 1.25 |
For the years ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004, 55,000, 0 and 2,530,000 stock options and warrants, respectively, were excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share since such options and warrants had an exercise price in excess of the average market value of the Companys common stock during the year.
(s) | Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements |
Effective January 1, 2006, we adopted SFAS No. 123(R), Share-Based Payment (SFAS 123(R)), which revises SFAS No. 123, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation. See Note 13 - Stock-Based Compensation.
In May 2005, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB), as part of an effort to conform to international accounting standards, issued SFAS No. 154, Accounting Changes and Error Corrections (SFAS 154), which was effective for us beginning on January 1, 2006. SFAS 154 requires that all voluntary changes in accounting principles be retrospectively applied to prior financial statements as if that principle had always been used, unless it is impracticable to do so. When it is impracticable to calculate the effects on all prior periods, SFAS 154 requires that the new principle be applied to the earliest period practicable. The adoption of SFAS 154 has not had a material effect on our financial position or results of operations.
F-17
HUNGARIAN TELEPHONE AND CABLE CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004
In June 2006, the FASB issued Interpretation No. 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes-an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109, Accounting for Income Taxes (FIN 48), which clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes. FIN 48 establishes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. FIN 48 requires that the Company recognize in the financial statements, the impact of a tax position, if that position is more likely than not of being sustained on audit, based on the technical merits of the position. FIN 48 also provides guidance on derecognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods and disclosure. The provisions of FIN 48 are effective beginning January 1, 2007, with the cumulative effect of the change in accounting principle recorded as an adjustment to opening retained earnings. The Company is currently evaluating the effect that the adoption of FIN 48 will have on its consolidated results of operations and financial position or cash flows.
In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS Statement No. 157 (SFAS 157), Fair Value Measurements which defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in GAAP, and enhances disclosures about fair value measurements. This Statement applies when other accounting pronouncements require fair value measurements; it does not require new fair value measurements. This Statement is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007, and interim periods within those years. Earlier application is encouraged, provided the entity has not yet issued financial statements, including financial statements for any interim period for that fiscal year. The Company is currently evaluating the effect that the adoption of SFAS 157 will have on its consolidated results of operations and financial position or cash flows.
In September 2006, the SEC issued Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 108 (SAB 108), Considering the Effects of Prior Year Misstatements when Quantifying Misstatements in Current Year Financial Statements, which provides interpretive guidance on the consideration of the effects of prior year misstatements in quantifying current year misstatements for the purpose of a materiality assessment. SAB 108 is effective for companies with fiscal years ending after November 15, 2006 and is required to be adopted by the Company in its fiscal year ending December 31, 2006. The adoption of SAB 108 has not had a material effect on our financial position or results of operations.
(2) | Cash and Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash |
At December 31, 2006, cash of $18,794,000 comprised the following: $231,000 on deposit in the United States, the equivalent of $768,000 on deposit in Austria, Bulgaria, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia, and $17,795,000 on deposit with banks in Hungary, consisting of $350,000 denominated in U.S. dollars, the equivalent of $3,286,000 denominated in euros and the equivalent of $14,159,000 denominated in Hungarian forints.
F-18
HUNGARIAN TELEPHONE AND CABLE CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004
Restricted cash of $11,850,000 at December 31, 2006 was comprised of a EUR 9 million deposit in a debt service reserve account, which is required under the terms of the Companys Credit Agreement. The Company is required to maintain this EUR 9 million deposit in the debt service reserve account until such time as the Companys leverage ratio, defined as consolidated net borrowings to consolidated EBITDA (Earnings before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization as defined in the Credit Agreement), is below 2:1 for two consecutive quarters. The deposit earns interest at bank deposit rates.
At December 31, 2005, cash of $15,083,000 comprised the following: $98,000 on deposit in the United States, the equivalent of $320,000 on deposit in Austria, Bulgaria, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia, and $14,665,000 on deposit with banks in Hungary, consisting of $106,000 denominated in U.S. dollars, the equivalent of $522,000 denominated in euros and the equivalent of $14,037,000 denominated in Hungarian forints.
Restricted cash of $10,650,000 at December 31, 2005 was comprised of a EUR 9 million deposit in a debt service reserve account, which is required under the terms of the Companys Credit Agreement. The Company is required to maintain this EUR 9 million deposit in the debt service reserve account until such time as the Companys leverage ratio, defined as consolidated net borrowings to consolidated EBITDA is below 2:1 for two consecutive quarters. The deposit earns interest at bank deposit rates.
(3) | Property, Plant and Equipment |
The components of property, plant and equipment at December 31, 2006 and 2005 are as follows:
2006 | 2005 | Estimated Useful Lives | |||||||
(in thousands) | |||||||||
Land and buildings |
$ | 14,723 | 13,039 | 25 to 50 years | |||||
Telecommunications equipment |
284,865 | 241,038 | 3 to 25 years | ||||||
Other equipment |
17,310 | 14,296 | 3 to 7 years | ||||||
Construction in progress |
14,295 | 9,261 | |||||||
331,193 | 277,634 | ||||||||
Less: accumulated depreciation |
(150,864 | ) | (113,386 | ) | |||||
$ | 180,329 | 164,248 | |||||||
F-19
HUNGARIAN TELEPHONE AND CABLE CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004
(4) | Other Intangibles |
The components of other intangibles at December 31, 2006 and 2005 are as follows:
2006 | 2005 | Estimated Useful Lives | |||||||
(in thousands) | |||||||||
Concession Rights |
$ | 7,538 | 6,763 | 25 years | |||||
Rights of Use |
27,889 | 24,017 | See table below | ||||||
Rights of Way |
15,900 | 14,265 | 44 years | ||||||
Other |
6,727 | 5,616 | 3 to 15 years | ||||||
58,054 | 50,661 | ||||||||
Less: accumulated amortization |
(8,690 | ) | (4,920 | ) | |||||
$ | 49,364 | 45,741 | |||||||
Rights of Use Amortization Schedule:
Years 1-9 |
7.7% per annum | |
Years 10-14 |
3.07% per annum | |
Years 15-44 |
0.51% per annum |
Aggregate amortization expense for amortizing intangible assets was $2,936,000, $2,666,000 and $286,000 for the years ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004, respectively. Estimated amortization expense for the next five years, at December 31, 2006 exchange rates, is: $3,428,000 in 2007, $3,428,000 in 2008, $3,428,000 in 2009, $2,748,000 in 2010 and $2,748,000 in 2011.
(5) | Other Assets |
Included in other assets is EUR 400,000 ($527,000 at December 31, 2006 exchange rates) in a restricted cash account related to a performance bond guarantee given to a customer. Should the Company fail to meet the requirements of the performance bond guarantee, the customer may have the right to claim this EUR 400,000 as a penalty payment.
F-20
HUNGARIAN TELEPHONE AND CABLE CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004
(6) | Long-term Debt |
Long-term debt at December 31, 2006 and 2005 consists of the following:
2006 | 2005 | |||||||
(in thousands) | ||||||||
Loan payable, interest at EURIBOR + applicable margin (5.92% at December 31, 2006), payable in 12 semi-annual installments beginning June 30, 2005 with final payment due December 31, 2010; EUR 114,000,000 outstanding at December 31, 2006 |
$ | 150,100 | $ | 156,834 | ||||
Notes payable, interest at USD LIBOR + 3.5% (8.88% at December 31, 2006), due March 31, 2007 (less unamortized discount based on imputed interest rate of 5%; $1,669,000 in 2005) |
| 23,331 | ||||||
Total long-term debt |
$ | 150,100 | $ | 180,165 | ||||
Less current installments |
(34,749 | ) | (21,938 | ) | ||||
Long-term debt, excluding current installments |
$ | 115,351 | $ | 158,227 | ||||
See Note 7 to the financial statements for a description of the Companys Notes payable that were reported in long-term debt in 2005.
On February 9, 2005, the Company entered into an EUR 170 million Credit Facility Agreement (the Credit Agreement) with a European banking syndicate. The Credit Agreement has three facilities. Facility A, in the amount of EUR 84 million, was drawn down by Hungarotel on February 21, 2005 for the purpose of refinancing and terminating Hungarotels existing debt as well as to partially finance the acquisition of the PanTel business. Facility B, in the amount of EUR 66 million, was drawn down by PanTel on February 28, 2005 for the purpose of refinancing and terminating its existing debt at that date. Facility C, in the amount of EUR 20 million, provides funds for the repayment of the Company's outstanding Notes which mature on March 31, 2007.
The aggregate amounts of long-term debt maturing in each of the next four years under the Credit Agreement, at December 31, 2006 exchange rates, is as follows: 2007, $34,749,000; 2008, $33,338,000; 2009, $41,396,000; 2010 $40,617,000.
Facility A and Facility B are repayable semi-annually on each June 30 and December 31 beginning on June 30, 2005 and ending on December 31, 2010. Facility C is repayable in equal installments on June 30, 2011 and December 31, 2011. The loans accrue interest at the rate of the Applicable Margin (described below) plus the EURIBOR rate for the applicable interest period. The Applicable Margin for an interest period on Facility A and Facility B loans is based on the Company's ratio of Total Net Borrowings to EBITDA. The Applicable Margin can range from a high of 2.5% per annum to a low of 0.75% per annum. The Applicable Margin on Facility A and Facility B was 2.25% per annum as of December 31, 2006. The Applicable Margin for the Facility C loan is fixed at 2.5% per annum.
A facility agency fee in the amount of EUR 50,000 and an arrangement fee in the amount of EUR 4.0 million were payable under the terms of the Credit Agreement. The fees were paid from the
F-21
HUNGARIAN TELEPHONE AND CABLE CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004
proceeds of Facilities A and B. The Company must pay a commitment fee in the amount of 0.65% per annum on the undrawn amount of the Credit Agreement. Only Facility C has not been drawn down.
The Company has entered into a series of agreements to secure the Companys obligations under the Credit Agreement pursuant to which the Company has pledged all of its intangible and tangible assets, including HTCCs ownership interests in its subsidiaries. The Company is subject to covenants, including maintenance of certain financial statement ratios, limitations on paying dividends, borrowing funds, acquiring assets or businesses and merging and disposing of its assets. The Credit Agreement contains customary representations and warranties and events of default, which would trigger early repayment of the balance under the Credit Agreement.
The Company may prepay the loans under the Credit Agreement prior to their scheduled maturity dates. The Company has certain obligations to make a prepayment on the Credit Agreement under certain conditions including the issuance by the Company of additional debt or equity capital in certain circumstances. The Company is also required to make a prepayment on the Credit Agreement if it has any Excess Cash Flow as defined in the Credit Agreement. The Company must make Excess Cash Flow prepayments until such time as its Consolidated Total Net Borrowings to Consolidated EBITDA ratio, as defined in the Credit Agreement, is less than 1.5:1. The Company has determined that it has, for the December 31, 2006 testing date, reached a level of cash flow that, in accordance with one of the mandatory prepayment clauses included in its Credit Agreement, requires a prepayment of a portion of its loan obligations. Excess cash flow has been determined based on the Companys ratio of Consolidated Total Net Borrowings to Consolidated EBITDA. This information is required to be delivered to the lenders under the Credit Agreement by March 31, 2007. As a result of this excess cash flow, the Company is obliged to prepay a portion of its loans in inverse order of their maturity. At December 31, 2006, EUR 4,372,000 ($5,746,000 at December 31, 2006 exchange rates) is included in current installments of long-term debt for this prepayment obligation.
The Company has, however, requested a waiver from the lenders under the Credit Agreement in order not to have to prepay the amount of excess cash flow. A waiver requires the unanimous consent of lenders under the Credit Agreement. While the Company cannot provide assurances that the waiver will be obtained, based upon comments received to date, the Company has no reason to believe that the waiver will not be forthcoming.
The Company is also required to repay the entire amount borrowed under the Credit Agreement if TDC, without the consent of the banks holding two-thirds of the Credit Agreement loans, either (i) disposes of any of its shares of the Company or (ii) no longer has the right to appoint the Chairman of the Companys Board of Directors, Chief Executive Officer or Chief Financial Officer (the Appointment Rights). However, such mandatory prepayment provision shall not apply if (a) the Companys Consolidated Total Net Borrowings to EBITDA ratio is less than 2:1 at the end of each of the two fiscal quarters prior to such event, (b) TDC sells all of its shares of the Company to an internationally recognized telecommunications operator with a certain credit rating, or (c) TDC transfers the Appointment Rights to an internationally recognized telecommunications operator with a certain credit rating which telecommunications operator also buys all of TDC's shares of the Company. TDC, as of December 31, 2006, owns approximately 63% of the outstanding common stock of the Company.
F-22
HUNGARIAN TELEPHONE AND CABLE CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004
(7) | Short-term Debt |
Short-term debt at December 31, 2006 and 2005 consists of the following:
2006 | 2005 | |||||
(in thousands) | ||||||
Notes payable, interest at USD LIBOR + 3.5% (8.88% at December 31, 2006), due March 31, 2007 (less unamortized discount based on imputed interest rate of 5%$343,000) |
$ | 24,657 | $ | | ||
Total short-term debt |
$ | 24,657 | $ | | ||
In May 1999, the Company issued notes (the Notes), in an aggregate amount of $25 million with detachable warrants (the Warrants). The Notes accrue interest, which is payable semi-annually, at the USD LIBOR rate applicable for the six month interest period plus 3.5% (8.88% at December 31, 2006). The Notes are transferable. The Warrants enable the warrant holder to purchase 2,500,000 shares of the Companys common stock at an exercise price of $10 per share. The exercise period commenced on January 1, 2004 and terminates on March 31, 2007. The fair value of the Warrants amounted to $8.8 million and was credited to additional paid-in capital, with the offsetting charge being accounted for as a discount on the Notes. The fair value of the Warrants was determined using the Black-Scholes Option valuation model. The unamortized discount on the notes at December 31, 2006 was approximately $0.3 million, and is reflected as a reduction of the carrying amount of the Notes. The Notes and Warrants are currently owned by TDC.
As part of the financing arrangements relating to the Invitel acquisition, TDC intends to exercise its Warrants in exchange for the Notes on or before the earlier of: (i) the completion of the acquisition or (ii) March 31, 2007, provided that the Company delivers to TDC a certificate stating that no event or circumstance has come to the Companys attention that would prevent HTCC from completing the acquisition.
(8) | Fair Value of Derivative Instruments |
Under the terms of its Credit Agreement, the Company is required to enter into interest-rate hedges to manage its interest rate exposure on its debt. The Company does not enter into derivative instruments for any purpose other than hedging related to its debt obligations and Company policy prohibits holding or issuing derivative instruments for trading purposes.
By using derivative financial instruments to hedge exposures to changes in interest rates, the Company exposes itself to the credit risk of the counterparty. Credit risk is the failure of the counterparty to perform its obligations under the terms of the derivative contract. When the fair value of a derivative contract is positive, the counterparty owes the Company, which creates a credit risk for the Company. When the fair value of a derivative contract is negative, the Company owes the counterparty and, therefore, it does not have any credit risk. Company policy requires that counterparties to the Companys hedging activities be substantial and creditworthy commercial banks. The risk of counterparty non-performance associated with the hedge contract is not considered by the Company to be significant.
F-23
HUNGARIAN TELEPHONE AND CABLE CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004
The Company assesses interest rate cash flow risk by continually identifying and monitoring changes in interest rate exposures that may adversely impact the Companys future interest payments and by evaluating hedging opportunities. The Companys existing bank credit agreement exposes the Company to variability in interest payments due to changes in interest rates. To limit this variability, the Company has entered into interest rate swap agreements to manage fluctuations in cash flows resulting from interest rate risk. These interest rate swaps have changed 100% of the variable-rate cash flow exposure on the Companys credit agreement into fixed cash flows. Under the terms of the interest rate swaps, the Company receives variable interest rate payments from the hedging counterparty and makes fixed interest rate payments, thereby creating the equivalent of fixed-rate debt.
The Companys interest rate swaps were revalued at fair value on December 31, 2006 and resulted in a $2,956,000 interest rate swap asset as of December 31, 2006, of which $1,138,000 is current and $1,818,000 is non-current. Since the Companys interest rate swaps have not been designated as a hedge under the provisions of SFAS 133 and SFAS 138, the fair value change has been recorded in earnings.
The estimated fair values of the Companys interest rate swaps are based on quoted market prices provided by the counterparty to the interest rate swaps and represent the estimated amounts that the Company would pay or receive to terminate the contracts.
(9) | Deferred Credits and Other Liabilities |
Included in deferred credits and other liabilities at December 31, 2006 and 2005, is $897,000 and $1,237,000, respectively, of connection fee revenues, from current and prior years, which have been deferred. Similar amounts, representing the associated deferred costs, are included in deferred costs at December 31, 2006 and 2005 and are amortized into income over the expected life of the customer relationship of seven years.
(10) | Income Taxes |
The income before income taxes by tax jurisdiction for the years ended December 31 was as follows:
(in thousands) | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | |||||||||
(As Restated- see Note 1(c)) |
(As Restated- see Note 1(c)) |
|||||||||||
(Loss) Income before income taxes: |
||||||||||||
United States |
$ | (1,580 | ) | $ | (3,513 | ) | $ | (7,076 | ) | |||
Hungary |
25,492 | 12,853 | 27,722 | |||||||||
Total income before income taxes |
$ | 23,912 | $ | 9,340 | $ | 20,646 | ||||||
F-24
HUNGARIAN TELEPHONE AND CABLE CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004
The income tax expense (benefit) is attributable to income/loss from continuing operations and consists of the following for the years ended December 31:
(in thousands) | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | ||||||||
(As Restated see Note 1 (c)) |
(As Restated see Note 1 (c)) |
||||||||||
Current tax expense: |
|||||||||||
United States |
$ | | $ | | $ | | |||||
Hungary |
|||||||||||
Corporate |
1,882 | 1,592 | 1,367 | ||||||||
Local business tax |
3,867 | 3,365 | 1,268 | ||||||||
Total Current tax expense |
$ | 5,749 | $ | 4,957 | $ | 2,635 | |||||
Deferred tax expense (benefit): |
|||||||||||
United States |
$ | 0 | $ | 2,030 | $ | (1,330 | ) | ||||
Hungary |
339 | (539 | ) | 3,099 | |||||||
Total Deferred tax expense |
$ | 339 | $ | 1,491 | $ | 1,769 | |||||
Total income tax expense |
$ | 6,088 | $ | 6,448 | $ | 4,404 | |||||
The statutory U.S. Federal tax rate for the years ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004 was 35% and the Hungarian corporate income tax rate for the years ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004 was 16%. In addition to the corporate income tax rate in Hungary of 16%, a solidarity tax of 4%, introduced from September 1, 2006, has been levied on companies on top of the current corporate rate. A reconciliation of income tax expense at the Hungarian statutory income tax rate to actual income tax expense (benefit) for the years ended December 31 is as follows:
(in thousands) | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | |||||||||
(As Restated see Note 1 (c)) |
(As Restated see Note 1 (c)) |
|||||||||||
Income tax expense expected at the Hungarian statutory rate (16 & 20% in 2006, 16% in 2005 and 2005) |
$ | 3,982 | $ | 956 | $ | 3,100 | ||||||
Permanent book versus tax differences |
(642 | ) | (368 | ) | | |||||||
Foreign tax differential |
(237 | ) | (667 | ) | (1,344 | ) | ||||||
Non-deductible expenses |
389 | 82 | 348 | |||||||||
Expired stock options |
| | 1,118 | |||||||||
Local business tax as corporate tax base decreasing item |
(572 | ) | | | ||||||||
Unrealized FX gain on long term debt |
| | 331 | |||||||||
Effect of change in tax rate |
(709 | ) | | | ||||||||
Change in valuation allowance |
161 | 3,010 | (156 | ) | ||||||||
Other |
(151 | ) | 70 | (261 | ) | |||||||
Local business tax |
3,867 | 3,365 | 1,268 | |||||||||
Income tax expense |
$ | 6,088 | $ | 6,448 | $ | 4,404 | ||||||
F-25
HUNGARIAN TELEPHONE AND CABLE CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004
For U.S. Federal income tax purposes, the Company has unused net operating loss carryforwards at December 31, 2006 of approximately $34,565,000 which expire as follows: 2010, $4,603,000; 2011, $6,438,000; 2012, $3,645,000; 2018, $2,113,000; 2019, $12,385,000; 2024, $724,000; 2025, $3,302,000; and 2026, $1,355,000. As a result of certain equity transactions, management believes that the Company experienced an ownership change in 1999, as defined by Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code, which limits the annual utilization of net operating loss carryforwards. As calculated, the Section 382 limitation will not necessarily prevent the ultimate utilization of the U.S. net operating loss carryforwards, although it may defer the realization of tax benefits associated with loss carryforwards originating prior to the ownership change.
For Hungarian corporate income tax purposes, there were no unused net operating loss carryforwards at December 31, 2006 attributable to any of the Hungarian entities.
The tax effect of temporary differences that give rise to significant portions of deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities are as follows:
December 31 | |||||||
2006 | 2005 | ||||||
(in thousands) | |||||||
Deferred tax assets: |
|||||||
Net operating loss carryforwards |
$ | 12,098 | 12,443 | ||||
Accrued interest expense |
543 | 467 | |||||
Fixed asset revaluation for tax |
5,608 | 4,339 | |||||
Property, plant and equipment |
2,066 | 1,883 | |||||
Other |
4,998 | 4,227 | |||||
Total gross deferred tax assets |
25,313 | 23,359 | |||||
Less: valuation allowance |
(15,074 | ) | (14,913 | ) | |||
Net deferred tax assets |
10,239 | 8,446 | |||||
Deferred tax liabilities: |
|||||||
Other intangible assets |
(3,135 | ) | (2,375 | ) | |||
Other |
(509 | ) | (342 | ) | |||
Development reserve for tax purposes |
(1,748 | ) | (961 | ) | |||
Accrued foreign exchange rate gain |
(579 | ) | (625 | ) | |||
Total gross deferred tax liabilities |
(5,971 | ) | (4,303 | ) | |||
Net deferred tax assets |
$ | 4,268 | 4,143 | ||||
In assessing the realizability of deferred tax assets, management considers whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income during the periods in which those temporary differences are deductible and loss carryforwards are utilizable. Based on the level of historical taxable income and projections of future taxable income over the periods in which the deferred tax assets are deductible, management believes it is more likely than not that the Company will realize the benefits of those deferred tax assets, net of the valuation allowance. The amount of the deferred tax asset considered realizable, however, could be reduced if estimates of future taxable income during the future periods are reduced. Management considers the reversal of deferred tax liabilities, projected future taxable income and tax planning in making these assessments. The valuation allowance for deferred tax assets as of January 1, 2004 was $12,059,000. The net change in the total valuation allowance for the years ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004 was an increase of $161,000, an increase of $3,010,000 and a decrease of $156,000, respectively.
F-26
HUNGARIAN TELEPHONE AND CABLE CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004
(11) | Commitments and Contingencies |
(a) | Concession Agreements |
The Company has concession agreements with the Hungarian Ministry of Economics and Transport (the Ministry) to own and operate local public telephone networks in five concession areas in Hungary. Each of the concession agreements is for a term of 25 years, ending in 2019, and provided for an eight-year exclusivity period up to November 2002. Pending negotiations with the Ministry, the Company expects to terminate or amend the concession agreements as these are not compatible with the liberalized telecommunications market created by the Communications Act of 2001 and the Electronic Communications Act of 2003.
The Companys concession agreements provide for the payment by the Company of annual concession fees of between 0.1% and 2.3% of net telephone service revenues depending on the concession area. The Company accrued the annual concession fees for 2001 of HUF 157 million (approximately $0.8 million at December 31, 2006 exchange rates), but as of December 31, 2006 has not paid this amount. It has neither accrued for, nor paid, the annual concession fees for 2002, which would total approximately HUF 142 million (approximately $0.7 million at December 31, 2006 exchange rates). The Communications Act of 2001 replaced the concession system with a notification system under which new operators may offer telecommunications services in competition with the Company in the Companys operating areas merely upon notification to the Communications Authority and the payment of a nominal fee of HUF 10,000 (approximately $52 at December 31, 2006 exchange rates). A new operator would require a license if it intended to use radio frequencies, build its own network or request an allocation of a number range to subscribers, but the granting of such licenses is by-and-large an administrative matter. The Company paid one-time concession fees to the Hungarian government when the concessions were originally granted and expected that if, after the expiration of the eight-year exclusivity periods, the state were to grant new operators rights to compete against the Company in its operating areas, such rights would have been granted following a tender, with the new operators having to pay more than a nominal fee for the rights in the same manner that the Company originally paid for its concessions.
The concession agreements contain an equal treatment clause that explicitly states that the Ministry should not treat the concession company in an unequal or prejudicial manner compared to other telecommunications companies. The Company believes that the move from the concession system to the notification system, a system in which there are effectively no barriers to entry, breached the Companys legitimate expectation that the Company would continue to benefit from the one-off concession fees it paid even after the end of its exclusivity periods because any competitor would also have to make a real investment in the form of a license fee in order to compete.
Pending the outcome of the current negotiations on the mutual termination or amendment of the concession agreements, the Company has thus far withheld the payment of the concession fees for 2001.
F-27
HUNGARIAN TELEPHONE AND CABLE CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004
For 2002 and subsequent years, the Company believes that it is not required to pay concession fees at all. In addition to the local loop unbundling obligations, the Communications Act imposed universal service obligations on the Company. These obligations were substantially restated in the Electronic Communications Act and are incorporated in a Universal Service Agreement between the Company and the Ministry.
The link between the end of the concession agreements and the coming into force of the universal service obligations is recognised by Section 106(5) of the Communications Act, which states In connection with the amendment of concession agreements to ensure the provision of the universal service, the Minister may, in justified cases, reduce the concession fee payment liability or release service providers therefrom, and, in parallel with the conclusion of the universal service agreement, may initiate the termination of the concession contract by mutual agreement.
Negotiations regarding the amendment or cancellation of the concession contracts are currently in progress. The Company believes that the request from the Ministry to pay the annual concession fees for (a) 2001 is subject to a counterclaim by the Company arising as a result of the State replacing the concession system with the notification system and (b) 2002 is based on groundless arguments and is a breach of the equal treatment clause (referred to above) in the concession agreements.
Accordingly, the Company believes that it is unlikely that the Ministry will be able to successfully enforce the claim in respect of the annual concession fees for 2002.
(b) | Legal Proceedings |
The Company and its subsidiaries are involved in various other claims and legal actions arising in the ordinary course of business. In the opinion of management, the ultimate disposition of these matters and the issue described above will not have a material effect on the Companys consolidated financial position, results of operations or liquidity.
(c) | Guarantees |
Guarantees and claims arise during the ordinary course of business from relationships with suppliers and customers when the Company undertakes an obligation to guarantee its performance if specified triggering events occur. Nonperformance under a contract could trigger an obligation of the Company. These potential claims can arise from late or non-payment to suppliers (payment guarantees) and/or late or incomplete delivery of services to customers (performance guarantees). The Company also provides bid guarantees to new or existing customers in connection with bids on commercial projects.
The Companys potential future payments under these guarantees are summarized as follows:
(in thousands) | 2006 | ||
Payment guarantees |
$ | 3,166 | |
Performance guarantees |
$ | 683 | |
Bid guarantees |
$ | 31 | |
$ | 3,880 | ||
F-28
HUNGARIAN TELEPHONE AND CABLE CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004
There are no recourse provisions specifically stipulated in the guarantee contracts. The Companys recourse would be to investigate executed guarantees with the supplier or customer and determine at that time whether the Company should be reimbursed for the guarantee. None of the guarantees are secured by assets of the Company apart from one performance guarantee to a customer for EUR 0.4 million that is recorded in other assets as restricted cash. The Company is not currently aware of any exposure associated with these guarantees and thus has not recorded any liability related to these guarantees.
(d) | Lease Commitments to Telecommunication Service Providers |
The Company has entered into separate agreements with various telecommunications service providers to lease lines which have non-cancelable contract provisions in excess of one year. The future minimum commitments under these contracts, at December 31, 2006 exchange rates, are: $4,422,000 in 2007, $3,026,000 in 2008, $796,000 in 2009 and $28,000 in 2010.
(e) | Other Lease Commitments |
The Company and its subsidiaries lease office and other facilities in Hungary, which require minimum annual rentals.
The Company has entered into vehicle leases that are capital in nature. The book value of vehicles held under capital leases is as follows:
December 31 | |||||||
2006 | 2005 | ||||||
(in thousands) | |||||||
Vehicles |
$ | 1,513 | 1,357 | ||||
Less: accumulated amortization |
(713 | ) | (213 | ) | |||
Net book value included in property, plant and equipment |
$ | 800 | 1,144 | ||||
F-29
HUNGARIAN TELEPHONE AND CABLE CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004
Rent expense under operating lease agreements for the years ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004, was $2,717,000, $2,581,000 and $844,000, respectively, and is included in selling, general and administrative expenses. Future minimum lease payments under noncancelable operating leases (with initial or remaining lease terms in excess of one year) and future minimum capital lease payments as of December 31, 2006 (at December 31, 2006 exchange rates) are:
Capital leases |
Operating leases | |||||
(in thousands) | ||||||
Year ending December 31: |
||||||
2007 |
554 | 1,940 | ||||
2008 |
413 | 1,816 | ||||
2009 |
13 | 750 | ||||
2010 |
| 439 | ||||
2011 |
| 228 | ||||
Later years, through 2020 |
| 301 | ||||
Total minimum lease payments |
$ | 980 | 5,474 | |||
Less: amount representing interest (at a rate of 13%) |
(112 | ) | ||||
Present value of minimum capital lease payments |
868 | |||||
Less: current obligations under capital leases |
(469 | ) | ||||
Long-term obligations under capital leases, excluding current installments |
$ | 399 | ||||
The Company has various purchase commitments for materials, supplies and other items incidental to the ordinary course of business. There are no material contractual commitments extending beyond 2007 and such commitments are not at prices in excess of current market value.
(12) | Common Stock and Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock |
As of December 31, 2006 and 2005, the Company had 30,000 shares of its cumulative convertible preferred stock, with a $70 liquidation value per share, outstanding. Any holder of the cumulative convertible preferred stock is entitled to receive cumulative cash dividends payable in arrears, at an annual rate of 5%, compounded annually on the liquidation value of $70 per share. The Company may, at its option, redeem the Preferred Stock at any time. The Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock is convertible into shares of the Companys common stock on a one for ten basis. As of December 31, 2006 and 2005, the total arrearage on the cumulative convertible preferred stock was $756,000 and $651,000, respectively, and is included in Due to Related Parties.
During 2004, a former officer exercised options to purchase 172,247 shares of common stock at $4.00 per share. Proceeds from the exercise of these options totaled $689,000.
The Company has reserved 3,601,284 shares as of December 31, 2006 for issuance under stock option plans, compensation agreements, warrants and under the conversion terms applicable to its outstanding cumulative convertible preferred stock.
F-30
HUNGARIAN TELEPHONE AND CABLE CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004
(13) | Stock Based Compensation |
Stock Option Plans
The Company adopted a stock option plan (the Plan) in April 1992 which provided for the issuance of an aggregate of 90,000 stock options, which has since been increased following stockholders approvals, to 1,250,000. Under the Plan, incentive and non-qualified options may be granted to officers, directors and consultants to the Company. Options granted under the Plan are exercisable for up to 10 years from the date of grant. As of December 31, 2006, 545,590 shares were issued upon option exercises and options to purchase 280,000 shares were still outstanding from the Plan. As a result of the approval of the 2004 Plan (see below), no additional options will be granted from the Plan and 424,410 reserved shares from the Plan have been transferred to the 2004 Plan.
In 1997, the Company adopted a director stock option plan (the Directors Plan) which provided for the issuance of options to purchase up to 250,000 shares of common stock in the aggregate. Options granted under the Directors Plan are exercisable for up to 10 years from the date of grant. As of December 31, 2006, 10,000 shares were issued upon option exercises and options to purchase 151,284 shares were still outstanding from the Directors Plan. As a result of the approval of the 2004 Plan (see below), no additional options will be granted from the Directors Plan and 88,716 reserved shares from the Directors Plan have been transferred to the 2004 Plan.
During 2004, an officer of the Company exercised options to purchase 15,000 shares of common stock at $5.93 per share. The officer exercised the options using the net share settlement feature (see below) of the Plan. As a result, the officer remitted 9,770 shares to the Company to settle the option exercise price and related taxes and the officer received 5,230 shares of common stock.
During January 2005, officers of the Company exercised options to purchase 105,000 shares of common stock at $5.93 per share. The officers exercised the options using the net share settlement feature (see below) of the Plan. As a result, the officers remitted 66,709 shares to the Company to settle the option exercise prices and related taxes and the officers received 38,291 shares of common stock. In December 2005, a former officer of the Company exercised options to purchase 100,000 shares of common stock at $4.86 per share. The former officer exercised the options using the net share settlement feature of the plan. As a result, the former officer remitted 31,477 shares to the Company to settle the option exercise price and the former officer received 68,523 shares of common stock.
During January 2006, officers of the Company exercised options to purchase 25,000 shares of common stock at $4.86 per share. The officers exercised the options using the net share settlement feature (see below) of the Plan. As a result, the officers remitted 14,796 shares to the Company to settle the option exercise prices and related taxes and the officers received 10,204 shares of common stock
In May 2004 the Companys stockholders approved the Companys 2004 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the 2004 Plan) which provided for the issuance of an aggregate 1,000,000 shares. Upon adoption of the 2004 Plan, the Company agreed not to issue any more options from either the Plan or the Directors Plan. The remaining 513,126 shares of the Company's common stock which were reserved for issuance pursuant to the Plan and the Directors Plan were rolled over to the 2004 Plan.
F-31
HUNGARIAN TELEPHONE AND CABLE CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004
The Directors of the Company were issued a total of 15,000 shares of common stock for services for the 2004/2005 Board term under the terms of the 2004 Plan. 2,000 of those shares were subsequently canceled due to a resignation in 2004 and a further 3,000 were canceled in 2005. The Company issued a total of 6,000 shares of common stock to the independent directors of the Board of Directors for their service for the 2005/2006 Board term under the terms of the 2004 Plan. The Company issued a total of 6,000 shares of common stock to the independent directors of the Board of Directors for their service for the 2006/2007 Board term under the terms of the 2004 Plan. 1,500 of those shares were subsequently canceled due to a resignation in 2006 and an additional 1,500 were granted due to an appointment in 2006. Shares issued to the Directors for their annual services vest over the 12 month period. For the years ended December 31, 2006, 2005, and 2004, expenses of $95,000, $92,000, and $84,000, respectively, resulted from certain stock grants from its 2004 Plan to members of the Board of Directors.
Effective October 1, 2004, the Companys Board of Directors amended the Plan and the Directors Plan to allow the remaining options outstanding under such plans to be governed by terms similar to those contained in the 2004 Plan with respect to the exercise of options, tax withholding and the period in which option holders no longer associated with the Company could exercise their options. Holders of options under the 2004 Plan may exercise their outstanding options and pay the exercise price, in whole or in part, pursuant to a net share settlement feature. This feature allows the option holder to elect to have shares of stock withheld upon exercise to pay the option exercise price. Option holders may also elect to have a portion of such shares issuable upon exercise withheld for the payment of taxes attributable to the option exercise. As a result of such amendments, effective October 1, 2004, the Company accounted for all of its outstanding options under the variable method of accounting. The variable method of accounting required the Company to accrue an expense or benefit as the market price of the Company's common stock changed. For the years ended December 31, 2005 and 2004, the Company recognized $1,203,000 and $6,361,000 of compensation expense respectively, related to the variable method of accounting.
The following is a summary of stock options under the Plans, referred to above, which were granted, were exercised and have expired for the three years ended December 31, 2006:
Outstanding Options |
Weighted Average Price | |||||
December 31, 2003 |
863,531 | $ | 5.70 | |||
Granted |
160,000 | $ | 9.39 | |||
Exercised |
(187,247 | ) | $ | 4.15 | ||
Expired |
(15,000 | ) | $ | 4.63 | ||
December 31, 2004 |
821,284 | $ | 6.79 | |||
Granted |
155,000 | $ | 13.01 | |||
Exercised |
(205,000 | ) | $ | 5.41 | ||
December 31, 2005 |
771,284 | $ | 8.41 | |||
Granted |
55,000 | $ | 15.62 | |||
Exercised |
(25,000 | ) | $ | 4.86 | ||
December 31, 2006 |
801,284 | $ | 9.01 | |||
F-32
HUNGARIAN TELEPHONE AND CABLE CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004
The following table summarizes information about shares subject to outstanding options as of December 31, 2006 which were issued to current or former employees, or directors pursuant to the Plan, Directors Plan or the 2004 Plan.
Options Outstanding |
Options Exercisable | |||||||||
Number Outstanding |
Range of Exercise Prices |
Weighted- |
Weighted- Average Remaining Life in Years |
Number Exercisable |
Weighted- Average Exercise Price | |||||
141,284 |
$4.56-$4.72 | $4.72 | 4.96 | 141,284 | $4.72 | |||||
100,000 |
$5.78-$6.78 | $6.19 | 3.29 | 100,000 | $6.19 | |||||
320,000 |
$7.46-$9.44 | $8.55 | 6.15 | 320,000 | $8.55 | |||||
240,000 |
$10.89-$15.62 | $13.34 | 7.81 | 240,000 | $13.34 | |||||
801,284 |
$4.56-$15.62 | $9.01 | 6.08 | 801,284 | $9.01 | |||||
The aggregate intrinsic value, which represents the amount by which the fair value of the Companys common stock exceeds the option exercise prices, was $4,905,000 and $5,508,000 as of December 31, 2006 and 2005, respectively.
The weighted-average estimated fair value of stock options granted during the year ended December 31, 2006 was $8.93. The weighted-average estimated fair value of stock options granted during the year ended December 31, 2005 was $7.93, for pro-forma disclosure purposes under SFAS 123. The total intrinsic value of stock options exercised during the year ended December 31, 2006 was $267,000. The total intrinsic value of stock options exercised during the year ended December 31, 2005 was $1,947,000. Compensation expense related to granted stock options has been recorded in selling, general and administrative expenses.
Stock Grants
In January 2002, the Board of Directors granted the Companys former Chief Executive Officer a stock award of 25,000 common shares as compensation for his services, which shares vested on December 31, 2003, if he was still employed by the Company. As this condition was fulfilled on December 31, 2003, the Company recognized approximately $116,000 of compensation expense in 2003. In February 2004, the Company issued 15,500 net shares to the Chief Executive Officer and 9,500 shares were remitted by the Chief Executive Officer to the Company to settle related taxes.
(14) | Foreign Exchange Rate (Losses) Gains |
The Companys foreign exchange gains for the year ended December 31, 2006 resulted primarily from (i) the strengthening of the Hungarian forint against the U.S. dollar on Hungarotels average EUR 65.6 million denominated debt outstanding between December 31, 2005 and December 31, 2006, (ii) the strengthening of the Hungarian forint against the U.S. dollar on PanTels average EUR 57.7 million denominated debt outstanding between December 31, 2005 and December 31, 2006. At December 31, 2006, the Hungarian forint had strengthened by approximately (i) an 11% against the U.S. dollar as compared to the December 31, 2005 level, (ii) a 0.1% against the euro as compared to the December 31, 2005 level.
F-33
HUNGARIAN TELEPHONE AND CABLE CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004
The Companys foreign exchange losses for the year ended December 31, 2005 resulted primarily from (i) the weakening of the Hungarian forint against the euro on Hungarotels average EUR 80 million denominated debt outstanding between February 21, 2005 (refinancing date) and December 31, 2005, (ii) the weakening of the Hungarian forint against the euro on PanTels average EUR 64 million denominated debt outstanding between February 28, 2005 (refinancing date) and December 31, 2005 and by the strengthening of the U.S. dollar against the Hungarian forint on the Companys EUR 9.5 million denominated intercompany loan between February 28, 2005 and December 31, 2005. At December 31, 2005, the Hungarian forint had weakened by approximately (i) 3.6% against the euro as compared to the February 21, 2005 level, (ii) 4.2% against the euro as compared to the February 28, 2005 level and (iii) the U.S. dollar had strengthened by approximately 17% against the Hungarian forint as compared to the February 28, 2005 level.
(15) | Related Parties |
The amount due to related parties totalling $2,881,000 at December 31, 2006, represents cumulative preferred stock dividends in arrears in the amount of $756,000, an accrual of $2,033,000 for the costs for various individuals employed by TDC who have performed work for the Company, including the Companys President and Chief Executive Officer and head of Corporate Business Development (see below), for 2005 and for 2006, and an accrual related to uninvoiced directors and officers liability insurance costs amounting to $92,000.
As of December 31, 2006, TDC owned 62% of the Companys outstanding Common Stock, 30,000 shares of preferred stock convertible into 300,000 shares of Common Stock and Warrants enabling it to purchase 2,500,000 shares of Common Stock at $10 per share with a warrant expiration date of March 31, 2007. At December 31, 2006, the Company owes TDC $756,000 for the accumulated dividends on the preferred stock. As further discussed in Note 7, TDC also owns $25 million of notes issued by the Company which mature in March 2007. Interest is payable semi-annually at the applicable U.S. Dollar LIBOR rate for the interest period plus 3.5% (8.9% at December 31, 2006). During 2006, the Company paid TDC $1,961,000 in interest on the notes.
Messrs. Dogonowski, Eriksen, Revsbech and Scheinemann, current directors, are officers of TDC. Mr. Holm is an employee of TDC and serves as the Companys President and Chief Executive Officer and is also the head of managements executive committee. Alex Wurtz, also an employee of TDC, serves as the Companys head of Corporate Business Development and is a member of the Companys management executive committee. The Company has reached an agreement with TDC to reimburse TDC for the services of Messrs. Holm and Wurtz; however, no payment has been made.
For Mr. Holm, the Company has agreed to pay TDC EUR 778,157 (approximately $1,024,000) for Mr. Holms services for the period from May 2005 through December 2006. The Company is also responsible for paying other costs pertaining to Mr. Holm, including lodging in Budapest and for certain of Mr. Holm's travel costs back to his home in Denmark.
For Mr. Wurtz, the Company has agreed to pay TDC EUR 387,224 (approximately $510,000) for Mr. Wurtzs services for the period from June 2005 through December 2006. The Company is also responsible for paying Mr. Wurtzs lodging in Budapest.
In addition to the services of Messrs. Holm and Wurtz, three employees of TDC have performed financial controlling services for the Company. The Company has reached an agreement with TDC to pay approximately $139,000 for such services. TDC has also provided services for the Company
F-34
HUNGARIAN TELEPHONE AND CABLE CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004
in connection with certain strategic projects, including services in connection with the Company's acquisition of Invitel. For such services, the Company has agreed to reimburse TDC approximately $360,000.
All of the directors of the Company are covered by a directors and officers liability policy taken out by TDC. In 2006, the Company had approximately $308,000 in expenses for the Companys portion of the overall premium paid by TDC.
The Company has agreements in place with TDC and its subsidiaries, pursuant to which TDC and the Company transport international voice, data and Internet traffic for each other over their respective telecommunications networks. For 2006 and 2005, TDC paid the Company a net amount of approximately $1,332,000 and $100,000, respectively, pursuant to such agreements.
(16) | Reconciliation of Net Income to Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities |
The reconciliation of net income to net cash provided by operating activities for the years ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004 follows:
2006 | 2005 | 2004 | ||||||||
(As Restated see Note 1 (c)) |
(As Restated see Note 1 (c)) |
|||||||||
(in thousands) | ||||||||||
Net income |
$ | 17,824 | 2,892 | 16,242 | ||||||
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: |
||||||||||
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment |
23,186 | 21,302 | 12,089 | |||||||
Amortization of intangibles |
2,951 | 2,666 | 287 | |||||||
Asset write-offs |
| | 1 | |||||||
Foreign currency (gain) loss |
(773 | ) | 8,427 | (6,632 | ) | |||||
Gain on sale of fixed assets |
(3,553 | ) | | | ||||||
Fair value changes on Interest Rate Swaps |
(3,210 | ) | 255 | | ||||||
Other (income) expenses |
870 | (410 | ) | 7 | ||||||
Non-cash interest |
3,202 | 3,705 | 1,851 | |||||||
Deferred taxes |
331 | 1,461 | 1,574 | |||||||
Stock based compensation |
586 | 1,295 | 6,361 | |||||||
Equity in earnings of affiliate |
| (934 | ) | (444 | ) | |||||
Changes in operating assets and liabilities: |
||||||||||
Accounts receivable |
(407 | ) | (9,694 | ) | 1,292 | |||||
Restricted cash |
(527 | ) | 499 | (481 | ) | |||||
Other assets |
(273 | ) | 4,349 | (3,428 | ) | |||||
Accounts payable and accruals |
(131 | ) | 6,540 | (886 | ) | |||||
Other liabilities |
4,522 | 1,260 | (133 | ) | ||||||
Net cash provided by operating activities |
$ | 44,598 | 43,613 | 27,700 | ||||||
Summary of non-cash transactions:
| During 2004 the Company: |
| Issued 250,000 shares of Common Stock valued at $10.80 per share ($2.7 million) in addition to cash consideration in connection with its acquisition of the PanTel business. |
| Issued 15,500 net shares of Common Stock as compensation to the Chief Executive Officer for which compensation expense of $116,000 was recognized in 2003. |
F-35
HUNGARIAN TELEPHONE AND CABLE CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004
| In May, issued 15,000 shares of Common Stock, which vest over a one year period, as compensation to members of the Board of Directors, of which 5,000 shares were subsequently canceled. The recognized compensation expense of these stock grants in 2004 amounted to $84,000. |
| Issued 5,230 net shares of Common Stock under the terms of an employee stock option exercise. |
| During 2005 the Company: |
| Assumed debt, on February 28, 2005, of EUR 66M ($80.5 million at historical exchange rates) on acquisition of subsidiaries. |
| Issued 106,814 net shares of Common Stock under the terms of employee stock option exercises. |
| Entered into capital lease arrangements concerning vehicles, the value of which at the date of lease inception was $1.4 million. |
| Issued 6,000 shares of Common Stock in May, which vest over a one year period, as compensation to members of the Board of Directors. The recognized compensation expense of these stock grants in 2005 amounted to $92,000. |
| During 2006 the Company: |
| Issued 10,204 shares of Common Stock under the terms of employee stock option exercises. |
| Issued 6,000 shares of Common Stock in May, cancelled 1,500 shares in September and issued an additional 1,500 shares in December, which vest in May 2007, as compensation to members of the Board of Directors. The recognized compensation expense of these stock grants in 2006 amounted to $56,000. |
(17) | Employee Benefit Plan |
Effective December 1996, the Company established a 401(k) salary deferral plan (the 401(k) Plan) on behalf of its U.S. employees. The 401(k) Plan is a qualified defined contribution plan, and allows participating employees to defer up to 15% of their compensation, subject to certain limitations. Under the 401(k) Plan, the Company has the discretion to match contributions made by the employee. No matching contributions were made by the Company in 2006, 2005 or 2004.
(18) | Segment Disclosures |
The Company operates in a single segment, telecommunications. The acquisition of PanTel in 2005 enables the Company to now offer telecommunications services to a wider range of customers. The Company manages its business based on three markets: Corporate Market; Wholesale Market; and Mass Market. The Companys chief operating decision maker monitors the revenue streams of these categories and operations are managed and financial performance is evaluated based on the delivery of services to customers over an integrated network. Substantially all of the Companys assets are located in Hungary and over 70% of all of its operating revenues are generated in Hungary. Therefore, although the Company has various revenue streams, it is managed as a single entity. The Company now reports its financial results by these three market categories due to the change in how management manages the business from an operational perspective.
F-36
HUNGARIAN TELEPHONE AND CABLE CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004
Corporate Market
Corporate Market telephone services, marketed to larger businesses, are similar to those provided to the Mass Market customers but also include leased line and other infrastructure rental services such as dark fiber, Internet and data transmission services which is comprised of fixed monthly rental fees based on the capacity/bandwidth of the service and the distance between the endpoints of the customers.
Wholesale Market
The Wholesale Market comprises the transportation of voice, data and Internet traffic, as well as the provision of leased lines, for other telecommunications service providers, cable television operators and Internet service providers. The Company provides these services both domestically and internationally, using a combination of owned and leased line capacity.
Mass Market
Mass Market telephone services are offered to residential and small office/home office customers and comprise local dial tone and switched products and services that provide incoming and outgoing calls both domestically and internationally. Internet services such as DSL Internet access and dial-up Internet access are also provided.
The revenues generated by these three markets for the periods ended December 31 were as follows (in thousands):
2006 | 2005 | 2004 | ||||||||||
Revenues |
|
(As Restated see Note 1 (c)) |
|
|
(As Restated see Note 1 (c)) |
| ||||||
Corporate Market |
$ | 71,644 | $ | 65,167 | $ | 19,931 | ||||||
Wholesale Market |
92,283 | 75,378 | 6,184 | |||||||||
Mass Market |
29,805 | 39,098 | 42,892 | |||||||||
Total revenues |
193,732 | 179,643 | 69,007 | |||||||||
Cost of Sales |
||||||||||||
Corporate Market |
(20,956 | ) | (15,716 | ) | (2,886 | ) | ||||||
Wholesale Market |
(53,566 | ) | (47,038 | ) | (265 | ) | ||||||
Mass Market |
(5,945 | ) | (6,649 | ) | (5,516 | ) | ||||||
Total cost of sales |
(80,467 | ) | (69,403 | ) | (8,667 | ) | ||||||
Gross Margin |
||||||||||||
Corporate Market |
50,688 | 49,451 | 17,045 | |||||||||
Wholesale Market |
38,717 | 28,340 | 5,919 | |||||||||
Mass Market |
23,860 | 32,449 | 37,376 | |||||||||
Total gross margin |
113,265 | 110,240 | 60,340 |
F-37
HUNGARIAN TELEPHONE AND CABLE CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004
Products and Services
Telephone Services local dial tone and switched products and services that provide incoming and outgoing calls both domestically and internationally for residential and business customers. Wholesale voice revenues are earned through carrying other operators traffic on the Companys network. This category includes reciprocal compensation revenues and expenses (i.e. interconnect).
Network Services point-to-point dedicated services that provide a private transmission channel for the Companys customers exclusive use between two or more locations, both in local and long distance applications. Point to point dedicated services include data transmission, virtual private networks (VPN), hosting and managed leased lines.
Other Service and Product Revenues Internet services such as ADSL Internet access and dial-up Internet access. PBX hardware sales and service revenues, as well as miscellaneous other telephone service revenues are included here.
The revenues generated by these products and services for the periods ended December 31 were as follows:
(in thousands) | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | ||||||
(As Restated see Note 1 (c)) |
(As Restated see Note 1 (c)) | ||||||||
Telephone services |
$ | 106,292 | $ | 109,302 | $ | 59,283 | |||
Network services |
68,502 | 56,768 | 7,279 | ||||||
Other service and product Revenues |
18,938 | 13,573 | 2,445 | ||||||
$ | 193,732 | $ | 179,643 | $ | 69,007 | ||||
Major Customers
For the years ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004, none of the Companys customers accounted for more than 10% of the Companys total gross revenue.
(19) | Severance Costs |
In 2005, the Company adopted a workforce reduction plan in order to reduce operating expenses. The plan involved approximately 200 employees, primarily within the network and sales and marketing departments of Hungarotel. The cost of the plan amounted to $2.5 million and is included in Severance Costs on the Statement of Operations. The costs incurred by the Company under this workforce reduction plan were based upon Hungarian statutory and union requirements.
Our severance and benefit expenses for year ended December 31, 2006, of $0.7 million, are due primarily to the termination costs related to an officer of the Company, as well as other individually insignificant severance costs related to the workforce of the Hungarian entities.
F-38
HUNGARIAN TELEPHONE AND CABLE CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004
(20) | PanTel Acquisition and Final Purchase Allocation |
On June 30, 2005, the Company completed its final purchase allocation of the PanTel business that was acquired in a two-step transaction, 24.9% on November 10, 2004 and the remaining 75.1% on February 28, 2005. The Company engaged a professional valuation firm to determine the estimated fair values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed as of February 28, 2005. In accordance with SFAS No. 141 Business Combinations, the Company is required to allocate the cost of an acquired business based on the estimated fair values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed.
The purchase price for the PanTel business was arrived at by arms length negotiations between the Company and the sellers. The total purchase price of $120.1 million included: (i) the payment of cash of EUR 26.9 million ($35.4 million at historical exchange rates), (ii) 250,000 shares at a fair value of $2.7 million, (iii) transaction costs of $1.5 million and (iv) debt assumed of EUR 66 million ($80.5 million at historical exchange rates). Under the purchase method of accounting, the purchase price is allocated to the net tangible and intangible assets based upon their estimated fair values as of the date of the acquisition. $30.2 million has been calculated as negative goodwill that represents the excess of the fair value of the net tangible and intangible assets acquired over the purchase price. Negative goodwill is due to the decision of the majority shareholder of the PanTel business to divest its investments in Central and Eastern Europe. In accordance with SFAS No. 142, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets, negative goodwill has been proportionally allocated to reduce long-lived assets.
The closing of the transaction occurred on February 28, 2005 and the results of the PanTel business for the ten months ended December 31, 2005 (and the Balance Sheet as at December 31, 2005) have been consolidated into the financial statements of the Company.
The following represents the final allocation of the purchase price paid for the PanTel business based on the fair values of the acquired assets and assumed liabilities as of February 28, 2005:
(in thousands) |
February 28, 2005 | |||
Current assets |
$ | 48,232 | ||
Fixed assets, net |
62,425 | |||
Intangible assets |
49,488 | |||
Other non-current assets |
1,940 | |||
Current and non-current liabilities |
(42,004 | ) | ||
Net assets acquired |
$ | 120,081 | ||
Purchase Price: |
||||
Long-term debt assumed |
80,514 | |||
Cash |
35,367 | |||
Shares issued |
2,700 | |||
Transaction costs |
1,500 | |||
Total purchase price |
$ | 120,081 | ||
F-39
HUNGARIAN TELEPHONE AND CABLE CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004
The following table presents unaudited summarized combined results of operations of the Company and PanTel, on a pro forma basis, as though the companies had been combined as of January 1, 2004:
(in thousands, except share data) | Year
ended |
Year ended December 31, 2004 | |||||
(As Restated see Note 1 (c)) |
(As Restated see Note 1 (c)) | ||||||
Revenues |
$ | 197,357 | $ | 190,294 | |||
Cost of sales |
76,141 | 67,517 | |||||
Gross margin |
121,216 | 122,777 | |||||
Income from operations |
34,134 | 28,481 | |||||
Foreign exchange (losses) gains, net |
(4,118 | ) | 11,862 | ||||
Interest expense |
14,712 | 12,065 | |||||
Net income |
12,473 | 26,787 | |||||
Net income per share |
$ | 0.98 | $ | 2.16 |
The above unaudited pro forma summarized results of operations are intended for informational purposes only and, in the opinion of management, are not indicative of the results of operations the Company could have had if the acquisition had actually taken place as of January 1, 2004. The unaudited pro forma summarized results of operations do not include potential cost savings from operating efficiencies or synergies that may result from the acquisition.
(21) | Subsequent Events |
(a) | Sale and Purchase Agreement |
On January 8, 2007, the Company entered into a Sale and Purchase Agreement (Purchase Agreement) with Invitel Holdings N.V. (Invitel Holdings) to acquire 100% of the issued ordinary shares of Matel Holdings N.V. (the Acquisition) which owns 99.98% of the outstanding shares of Invitel. The total consideration for the Acquisition, including the assumption of net indebtedness on closing, is EUR 470 million and will be comprised of new borrowings and the issuance of up to 1.1 million shares of the Companys common stock (representing approximately 6.2% of the Companys fully diluted share capital) to certain members of Invitels current executive management team. The Company and Invitel Holdings have made customary representations, warranties, covenants and indemnities in the Purchase Agreement. The closing of the Acquisition is subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions, including receipt of Hungarian and Romania regulatory approvals, and is expected to close in the first half of 2007.
In connection with the Acquisition, the Company has received financing commitments from Merrill Lynch International, BNP Paribas and Calyon to support the Acquisitions cash purchase price, any mandatory prepayments of Invitel Holdings and/or its subsidiaries notes or credit facilities, refinance certain of the Companys and Invitel Holdings respective existing indebtedness and provide for the Companys working capital needs. However, subject to the change of control provisions of the existing Magyar Telecom B.V. 10.75% Senior Notes as well as the Invitel Holding N.V. Floating Rate Senior PIK Notes (collectively, the Notes), it is the Companys intention to assume the obligations under the Notes and leave them in place following completion of the Acquisition.
F-40
HUNGARIAN TELEPHONE AND CABLE CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004
(b) | Hedging Agreements |
HTCCs potential acquisition of Invitel faces significant exposure to the value of the Hungarian currency and the level of interest rates as most of the financing will be in EUR with floating rate exposure combined with Hungarian assets primarily generating a HUF cash flow. Therefore, HTCC has entered into contingent cross currency swaps resulting in approximately 80% of the principal loan amounts being denominated in HUF and approximately 80% of the loan amounts being at fixed rates. The contingent nature implies that the hedges are contingent on the transaction closing. If the transaction does not close, the hedges will be terminated with no obligations and no loss of premium for HTCC.
F-41
Schedule of Quarterly Financial Data (unaudited)
(in thousands, except per share data)
December 31 | September 30 | June 30 | March 31 | |||||||||||||
Fiscal 2006 quarters ended: |
||||||||||||||||
Revenues |
$ | 53,796 | (1) | $ | 47,242 | $ | 47,236 | $ | 45,458 | ** | ||||||
Cost of sales |
21,495 | 20,498 | 20,387 | 18,087 | ** | |||||||||||
Gross margin |
32,301 | 26,744 | 26,849 | 27,371 | ** | |||||||||||
Income from operations |
10,387 | (2) | 7,092 | 6,794 | 8,297 | *** | ||||||||||
Net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders |
16,756 | 5,803 | (3,934 | ) | (906 | ) | ||||||||||
Earnings (loss) per share: |
||||||||||||||||
Basic |
$ | 1.31 | $ | 0.45 | $ | (0.31 | ) | $ | (0.07 | )* | ||||||
Diluted |
$ | 1.17 | $ | 0.41 | $ | (0.31 | ) | $ | (0.07 | )* | ||||||
Fiscal 2005 quarters ended: |
||||||||||||||||
Revenues |
$ | 50,437 | $ | 50,814 | $ | 51,361 | $ | 27,031 | ** | |||||||
Cost of sales |
22,430 | (3) | 19,681 | (3) | 20,636 | 6,656 | ** | |||||||||
Gross margin |
28,007 | 31,133 | 30,725 | 20,375 | ** | |||||||||||
Income from operations |
2,201 | (4) | 12,347 | 9,375 | 6,055 | *** | ||||||||||
Net (loss) income attributable to common stockholders |
(3,842 | ) | 6,512 | 855 | (738 | ) | ||||||||||
Earnings per share: |
||||||||||||||||
Basic |
$ | (0.30 | ) | $ | 0.51 | $ | 0.07 | $ | (0.06 | )* | ||||||
Diluted |
$ | (0.30 | ) | $ | 0.46 | $ | 0.06 | $ | (0.06 | )* | ||||||
* | The sum of the quarterly earnings per share amounts may not equal the annual amounts because of the changes in the weighted average number of shares outstanding during the year. |
** | During the Companys year-end closing procedures for 2006, it was determined that revenues would be restated and presented gross, less cost of sales. Gross Margin, previously reported as Telephone services revenues, net, is unchanged. |
*** | During the Companys year-end closing procedures for 2006, it was determined that local business tax would be restated and included in income tax instead of selling, general and administrative expenses. This restatement affects prior quarters in 2006 and 2005. The impact of restating these items in 2006 is (a) a $975,000 increase in income from operations and current tax expense for the three months ended March 31, 2006, (b) a $1,088,000 increase in income from operations and current tax expense for the three months ended June 30, 2006, and (c) a $914,000 increase in income from operations and current tax expense for the three months ended September 30, 2006. |
The impact of restating these items in 2005 is (a) a $579,000 increase in income from operations and current tax expense for the three months ended March 31, 2005, (b) a $916,000 increase in income from operations and current tax expense for the three months ended June 30, 2005, (c) a $955,000 increase in income from operations and current tax expense for the three months ended September 30, 2005, and (d) a $915,000 increase in income from operations and current tax expense for the three months ended December 31, 2005.
Amendments to the Companys Annual Reports on Form 10-K for the years ended December 31, 2005 and 2004 and the Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarterly periods ended March 31, June 30, and September 30, 2006 and 2005, respectively, would in large part repeat the disclosure contained in this report. Accordingly, the Company does not plan to amend any prior filings.
(1) | Increase in revenues in the fourth quarter 2006 is due to the inclusion of revenues from a one-time sale of optical fiber to a local telecommunications operator for which revenues of $4,500,000 were recognized during the fourth quarter. In addition, the Hungarian forint appreciated against the U.S. dollar by approximately 7% between the third and fourth quarter of 2006 resulting in a positive foreign exchange effect of $3,165,000. |
(2) | Significant increase in income from operations is due primarily to the one-time sale, described above, which had a contribution margin of approximately 92%. |
(3) | Increase in cost of sales in the fourth quarter 2005 is due primarily to the reversal of an under-accrual during the third quarter 2005 in the amount of $1.7 million, and the effects of translating Hungarian forint revenues into U.S. dollars between the two quarters due to movements in exchange rates. |
(4) | Significant decrease in income from operations in the fourth quarter 2005 is primarily due to the increase in cost of sales during the quarter as described above, the recording of a $1.9 million bad debt provision related to 2003 and 2004 uncollected Universal Services receivables during the quarter, a $3.4 million negative movement between the quarters related to the variable method of accounting which is a non-cash expense, and significant additional costs incurred by the Company during the fourth quarter 2005 related to the Companys Sarbanes-Oxley 404 internal control project for 2005. |
S-1
Schedule II - Valuation Accounts
DESCRIPTION |
Balance at the Beginning of Year |
Allowance Acquired on Acquisition |
Allowance Debt |
Translation Adjustment |
Balance at the End of Year | |||||||||||
Allowance for doubtful accounts receivable |
||||||||||||||||
Year ended December 31, 2004 |
$ | 2,705,000 | $ | 161,000 | $ | 439,000 | $ | 3,305,000 | ||||||||
Year ended December 31, 2005 |
$ | 3,305,000 | $ | 180,000 | $ | 899,000 | $ | (586,000 | ) | $ | 3,798,000 | |||||
Year ended December 31, 2006 |
$ | 3,798,000 | $ | 1,480,000 | $ | 330,000 | $ | 5,608,000 |
DESCRIPTION |
Balance at the Beginning of Year |
Movement During Period |
Translation Adjustment |
Balance at the End of Year | ||||||||
Allowance for deferred tax assets |
||||||||||||
Year ended December 31, 2004 |
$ | 12,059,000 | ($ | 156,000 | ) | | $ | 11,903,000 | ||||
Year ended December 31, 2005 |
$ | 11,903,000 | $ | 3,010,000 | | $ | 14,913,000 | |||||
Year ended December 31, 2006 |
$ | 14,913,000 | $ | 161,000 | | $ | 15,074,000 |
S-2
HUNGARIAN TELEPHONE AND CABLE CORP.
Index to Exhibits*
Exhibit No. |
Description | |
10.20 | Employment Agreement entered into on December 14, 2006 between the Registrant and Steven Fast | |
10.22 | Secondment Agreement dated as of March 6, 2007 between the Registrant and TDC A/S regarding the services of Torben V. Holm | |
10.23 | Secondment Agreement dated as of March 6, 2007 between the Registrant and TDC A/S regarding the services of Alex Wurtz | |
21 | Subsidiaries of the Registrant | |
23 | Consent of KPMG Hungaria Kft. | |
24 | Powers of Attorney | |
31.1 | Certification of Torben V. Holm, President and Chief Executive Officer, required by Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 | |
31.2 | Certification of Steven Fast, Chief Financial Officer, required by Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 | |
32.1 | Certification of Torben V. Holm, President and Chief Executive Officer, required by Rule 13a-14(b) or Rule 15d-14(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, 18 U.S.C. 1350 | |
32.2 | Certification of Steven Fast, Chief Financial Officer, required by Rule 13a-14(b) or Rule 15d-14(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, 18 U.S.C. 1350 |
* | The other exhibits listed in the List of Exhibits in the Report on Form 10-K have been incorporated by reference into such Report. |