UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 


 

FORM 10-Q

 


 

(Mark One)

 

x

QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

 

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2008

 

OR

 

 

o

TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the transition period from ____________ to ____________

 

Commission File Number: 000-13865

 


 

SKYTERRA COMMUNICATIONS, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 



 

 

 

Delaware

 

23-2368845

(State or other jurisdiction of

 

(I.R.S. Employer

incorporation or organization)

 

Identification No.)

 

 

 

10802 Parkridge Boulevard, Reston, VA 20191

 

20191

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

(Zip Code)

 

 

 

(703) 390-1899

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

 

 


Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes x No o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer”, “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

 

 

 

 

Large accelerated filer x

Accelerated filer o

Non-accelerated filer o

Smaller reporting company o

 

 

(Do not check if a smaller

 

 

 

reporting company)

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). Yes   o    No   x

As of April 16, 2008 there were 34,302,663 shares of the Company’s voting common stock and 72,612,414 shares of the Company’s non-voting common stock outstanding.




SKYTERRA COMMUNICATIONS, INC.

INDEX

 

 

 

 

 

PART I – Financial Information

 

1

 

 

 

 

Item 1.

Financial Statements

 

1

 

 

Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2008 and 2007

 

1

 

 

Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007

 

2

 

 

Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2008

 

3

 

 

Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2008 and 2007

 

4

 

 

Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

 

5

 

 

 

 

Item 2.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 

19

Item 3.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

 

35

Item 4.

Controls and Procedures

 

36

 

 

 

 

PART II – Other Information

 

37

 

 

 

 

Item 1.

Legal Proceedings

 

37

Item 1A.

Risk Factors

 

37

Item 2.

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

 

38

Item 3.

Defaults Upon Senior Securities

 

38

Item 4.

Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

 

38

Item 5.

Other Information

 

38

Item 6.

Exhibits

 

43

 

Signatures

 

44




 

 

PART I FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

 

Item 1.

Financial Statements

SkyTerra Communications, Inc.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
(in thousands, except share and per share data)
(unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three months ended
March 31,

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2008

 

2007

 

 

 


 


 

Revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Services and related revenues

 

$

7,115

 

$

6,694

 

Equipment sales

 

 

1,222

 

 

1,186

 

Other revenues

 

 

256

 

 

222

 

 

 



 



 

Total revenues

 

 

8,593

 

 

8,102

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of equipment sold

 

 

974

 

 

981

 

Operations and cost of services (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)

 

 

6,663

 

 

5,453

 

Sales and marketing

 

 

2,643

 

 

1,017

 

Research and development (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)

 

 

4,107

 

 

2,075

 

General and administrative

 

 

7,577

 

 

7,689

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

8,081

 

 

6,347

 

 

 



 



 

Total operating expenses

 

 

30,045

 

 

23,562

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating loss

 

 

(21,452

)

 

(15,460

)

Other income (expense):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest income

 

 

3,221

 

 

5,848

 

Interest expense

 

 

(11,716

)

 

(12,129

)

Impairment of investment in TerreStar Networks

 

 

(8,353

)

 

 

Other income, net

 

 

664

 

 

132

 

 

 



 



 

Loss before income taxes 

 

 

(37,636

)

 

(21,609

)

Income tax benefit (provision)

 

 

275

 

 

(8

)

Minority interest

 

 

151

 

 

1,800

 

 

 



 



 

Net loss

 

$

(37,210

)

$

(19,817

)

 

 



 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic and diluted loss per common share

 

$

(0.35

)

$

(0.21

)

Basic and diluted weighted average common shares outstanding

 

 

106,030,078

 

 

93,756,135

 

See accompanying notes.

1



SkyTerra Communications, Inc.

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(in thousands, except share and per share data)
(unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

March 31,
2008

 

December 31,
2007

 

 

 


 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

93,050

 

$

127,905

 

Investments

 

 

167,586

 

 

97,764

 

Accounts receivable, net of allowance of $77 and $78, respectively

 

 

6,544

 

 

4,840

 

Inventory

 

 

1,830

 

 

2,531

 

Other current assets

 

 

4,929

 

 

3,928

 

 

 



 



 

Total current assets

 

 

273,939

 

 

236,968

 

Property and equipment, net

 

 

508,113

 

 

417,052

 

Intangible assets, net

 

 

531,631

 

 

539,057

 

Goodwill

 

 

12,015

 

 

12,435

 

Investment in TerreStar Networks

 

 

69,747

 

 

78,100

 

Other assets

 

 

11,035

 

 

11,423

 

 

 



 



 

Total assets

 

$

1,406,480

 

$

1,295,035

 

 

 



 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities and stockholders’ equity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Notes payable, current portion

 

$

16,069

 

$

15,745

 

Accured interest on senior unsecured notes

 

 

5,775

 

 

 

Accounts payable

 

 

3,068

 

 

4,189

 

Accrued expenses

 

 

20,194

 

 

48,185

 

Deferred revenue, current portion

 

 

3,565

 

 

3,319

 

Taxes payable

 

 

 

 

1,070

 

Other current liabilities

 

 

193

 

 

190

 

 

 



 



 

Total current liabilities

 

 

48,864

 

 

72,698

 

Senior secured discount notes, net

 

 

571,882

 

 

552,719

 

Senior unsecured notes, net

 

 

123,105

 

 

 

Notes payable, net of current portion

 

 

35,748

 

 

36,302

 

Deferred revenue, net of current portion

 

 

15,632

 

 

16,333

 

Other long term liabilities

 

 

510

 

 

257

 

 

 



 



 

Total liabilities

 

 

795,741

 

 

678,309

 

               

Commitments and contingencies

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

               

Minority interest

 

 

357

 

 

508

 

Stockholders’ equity:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock, $0.01 par value. Authorized 200,000,000 shares; 34,167,663 and 34,265,663 share issued and outstanding at March 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007, respectively.

 

 

342

 

 

343

 

Non-voting common stock, $0.01 par value. Authorized 100,000,000 shares; 72,612,414 and 72,614,414 shares issued and outstanding at March 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007, respectively.

 

 

726

 

 

726

 

Additional paid-in capital

 

 

983,848

 

 

952,520

 

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

 

 

(1,808

)

 

(1,855

)

Accumulated deficit

 

 

(372,726

)

 

(335,516

)

 

 



 



 

Total stockholders’ equity

 

 

610,382

 

 

616,218

 

 

 



 



 

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

 

$

1,406,480

 

$

1,295,035

 

 

 



 



 

See accompanying notes.

2



SkyTerra Communications, Inc.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity
(in thousands, except share and per share data)
(unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Voting

 

Non-Voting

 

 

 

Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
(Loss) Income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common Stock

 

Common Stock

 

Additional
Paid-in
Capital

 

 

 

 

Total
Stockholders’

 

 

 


 


 

 

 

Accumulated

 

 

 

 

Shares

 

Amount

 

Shares

 

Amount

 

 

 

Deficit

 

Equity

 

 

 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 

Balance, December 31, 2007

 

 

34,265,663

 

$

343

 

 

72,614,414

 

$

726

 

$

952,520

 

$

(1,855

)

$

(335,516

)

$

616,218

 

Issuance of warrants

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

27,216

 

 

 

 

 

 

27,216

 

Equity-based compensation

 

 

(100,000

)

 

(1

)

 

 

 

 

 

4,047

 

 

 

 

 

 

4,046

 

Exercise of MSV unit options

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

65

 

 

 

 

 

 

65

 

Conversion of non-voting to voting common stock

 

 

2,000

 

 

 

 

(2,000

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(37,210

)

 

(37,210

)

Foreign currency       translation adjustment

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

47

 

 

 

 

47

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 

Balance, March 31, 2008

 

 

34,167,663

 

$

342

 

 

72,612,414

 

$

726

 

$

983,848

 

$

(1,808

)

$

(372,726

)

$

610,382

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 


See accompanying notes.

3



SkyTerra Communications, Inc.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(in thousands)
(unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
March 31,

 

 

 


 

 

 

2008

 

2007

 

 

 


 


 

Operating activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss

 

$

(37,210

)

$

(19,817

)

Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Non-cash and working capital items

 

 

23,402

 

 

13,705

 

 

 







Net cash used in operating activities

 

 

(13,808

)

 

(6,112

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investing activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Purchase of property and equipment

 

 

(76,347

)

 

(62,142

)

Change in restricted cash

 

 

(12

)

 

18

 

Purchase of investments

 

 

(134,239

)

 

(92,584

)

Maturity of investments

 

 

65,065

 

 

78,998

 

Cash acquired and used related to BCE Exchange Transaction

 

 

(25,269

)

 

37,000

 

 

 







Net cash used in investing activities

 

 

(170,802

)

 

(38,710

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Financing activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Proceeds from issuance of senior unsecured notes and warrants

 

 

150,000

 

 

 

Principal payments on notes payable

 

 

(230

)

 

(60

)

Proceeds from exercise of stock options

 

 

 

 

562

 

Proceeds from exercise of MSV unit options

 

 

65

 

 

564

 

 

 







Net cash provided by financing activities

 

 

149,835

 

 

1,066

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Effect of exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents

 

 

(80

)

 

65

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net change in cash and cash equivalents

 

 

(34,855

)

 

(43,691

)

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period

 

 

127,905

 

 

195,017

 

 

 







Cash and cash equivalents, end of period

 

$

93,050

 

$

151,326

 

 

 







See accompanying notes.

4



SkyTerra Communications, Inc.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)

1. Organization and Basis of Presentation

          All SkyTerra Communications, Inc. (SkyTerra or the Company) operating and development activity is performed through its 99.3% owned consolidated subsidiary Mobile Satellite Ventures LP (MSV). The Company currently offers a range of mobile satellite services using two geostationary satellites that support the delivery of data, voice, fax and dispatch radio services. The Company is developing an integrated satellite and terrestrial communications network to provide ubiquitous wireless broadband services, including Internet access and voice services, in the United States and Canada. The Company plans to launch two new satellites that will serve as the core of this next generation network. These new satellites, MSV-1 and MSV-2, are planned for launch in September 2009 and July 2010, respectively. MSV is licensed by the United States and Canadian governments to operate its current and next generation systems in the L-band spectrum which MSV, along with Mobile Satellite Ventures (Canada) Inc. (MSV Canada), a consolidated variable interest entity, have coordinated for their use. MSV also holds an ancillary terrestrial component (ATC) authorization. The Company filed applications to modify its ATC authorization in November 2005, which are still pending. MSV Canada has also received authorization from Industry Canada to construct, launch, and operate another North American satellite. Pursuant to these satellite authorizations, MSV and MSV Canada must meet certain satellite milestone requirements.

          The Company’s operations are subject to significant risks and uncertainties, including technological, competitive, financial, operational, and regulatory risks associated with the wireless communications business. The Company will also require substantial additional capital resources to construct its next generation integrated network.

          The Company believes that its existing cash resources will not be sufficient to satisfy anticipated cash requirements for the next twelve months. The Company has significant operating and contractual obligations. The Company’s current operating assumptions and projections, which reflect management’s best estimate of future revenue, operating expenses, and capital commitments, indicate that the Company’s current sources of liquidity will be sufficient to fund operations through December 31, 2008, however, additional funding will be required in early 2009. The Company’s ability to meet its projections, however, is subject to uncertainties, and there can be no assurance that the Company’s current projections will be accurate.

          The Company is actively pursuing means to extend its liquidity and raise capital. These alternatives include the sale of the Company’s investment in TerreStar Networks Inc. (TerreStar Networks), a capital infusion through an equity or debt investment with a strategic partner, a capital infusion through the sale of additional debt or equity, renegotiation of vendor cash payment schedules to delay payment into the future, or some combination of these actions. While the Company is actively exploring these alternatives, there can be no assurances that the Company will be able to complete a transaction, or do so on terms that are favorable. Any deferrals or restructurings could delay the Company’s satellite program or otherwise negatively affect the Company’s ability to continue the development of the next generation network. If the Company is not able to obtain additional funding, defer or otherwise restructure significant contractual obligations, the Company may not be able to continue as a going concern, and may be required to consider alternatives such as selling assets, ceasing work on the next generation network, or restructuring debt obligations.

          The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company, MSV, all wholly owned subsidiaries of the Company and MSV, and all variable interest entities for which the Company or MSV is the primary beneficiary. All intercompany accounts are eliminated upon consolidation. These unaudited condensed financial statements have been prepared by the Company in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (GAAP) for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X. In the opinion of management, the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements contain adjustments consisting only of those of a normal recurring nature, necessary for a fair presentation of the Company’s financial position, results of operations and cash flows at the dates and for the periods indicated. While the Company believes that the disclosures presented are adequate to make the information not misleading, these condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s financial statements and related notes for the year ended December 31, 2007.

          On January 5, 2007, the Company acquired additional equity interests in MSV from BCE Inc. (BCE) (the BCE Exchange Transaction). On February 12, 2007 and November 30, 2007 the Company acquired additional equity interests in MSV from TerreStar Corporation. These transactions were accounted for under the purchase method of accounting and are described more fully in the Company’s audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2007. The following unaudited pro forma information is presented as if the Company had completed all the above transactions as of January 1, 2007. The pro forma information is not necessarily indicative of what the results of operations would have been had the transactions taken place at such date or of the future results of operations (in thousands except per share information):

5



results of operations would have been had the transactions taken place at such date or of the future results of operations (in thousands except per share information):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three months
ended March 31,

 

 

 


 

 

 

2007

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pro forma revenues, unaudited

 

$

8,102

 

 

Pro forma depreciation, unaudited

 

 

7,823

 

 

Pro forma operating loss, unaudited

 

 

(16,936

)

 

Pro forma net loss, unaudited

 

 

(23,031

)

 

Pro forma net loss per share – basic and diluted, unaudited

 

$

(0.22

)

 

2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Use of Estimates

          The preparation of consolidated financial statements requires the use of estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, equity, and disclosure of contingencies and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. These estimates, particularly estimates relating to the valuation of the investment in TerreStar Networks, valuation of intangible assets, valuation of MSV limited partnership units, the useful lives of long-lived assets, and the valuation of senior unsecured notes and warrants, among others, have a material impact on the financial statements. Actual results and outcomes could differ from these estimates and assumptions.

Investments

          Investments include commercial paper, certificates of deposit, municipal bonds and securities issued by government agencies. All of the Company’s investments are considered held-to-maturity with original maturities of less than one year and are reported at amortized cost. The classification of investments is determined at the time of purchase and re-evaluated at each balance sheet date. Interest income is recognized when earned. Realized gains and losses for marketable securities are derived using the specific identification method.

          In the event that the amortized cost of an investment exceeds its fair value, the Company evaluates, among other factors, the duration and extent to which the fair value is less than cost, the financial health and business outlook for the investee, and the Company’s intent and ability to hold the investment. If a decline in fair value is considered to be other-than-temporary, the cost basis of the individual security is written down to fair value and the amount of the write-down is included in results of operations.

Fair Value Measurements

          In September 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 157, Fair Value Measurements (SFAS No. 157). SFAS No. 157 defines fair value, establishes a framework and gives guidance regarding the methods used for measuring fair value, and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. The Company adopted SFAS No. 157 effective January 1, 2008. In February 2008, the FASB released FASB Staff Position, (FSP) SFAS 157-2—Effective Date of FASB Statement No. 157, which delays the effective date of SFAS No. 157 for all non-financial assets and non-financial liabilities, except those that are recognized or disclosed at fair value in the financial statements on a recurring basis (at least annually) to fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2008.

           SFAS No. 157 clarifies that fair value is an exit price, representing the amount that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. As such, fair value is a market-based measurement that should be determined based on assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability. As a basis for considering such assumptions, SFAS No. 157 establishes a three-tier value hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs used in measuring fair value as follows: Level 1 are observable inputs such as quoted prices in active markets; Level 2 are inputs other than the quoted prices in active markets that are observable either directly or indirectly; and Level 3 are unobservable inputs in which there is little or no market data, which require the Company to develop its own assumptions. This hierarchy requires the Company to use observable market data, when available, and to minimize the use of unobservable inputs when determining fair value. On a recurring basis, the Company measures certain assets and liabilities at fair value, including certain of the Company’s money market funds and foreign currency contracts. On a non-recurring basis, the Company measures other assets and liabilities at fair value, including the investment in TerreStar Networks, the senior unsecured notes, and the warrants associated with the senior unsecured notes.

6



           The Company’s fair value measurements in connection with the Company’s adoption of SFAS No. 157 were as follows (in thousands):

Fair Value Measurements at Reporting
Date using

      Balance as of
March 31, 2008

  Quoted Prices
in Active
Markets for
Identical
Assets (Level 1)

  Significant
other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)

  Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)

  Gains (losses)
 
Assets:                                  
   Cash equivalents     $ 92,927   $ 92,927   $   $   $  
   Investment in TerreStar Networks       69,747         69,747         (8,353 )
 
 
 
 
 
 
        $ 162,674   $ 92,927   $ 69,747   $   $ (8,353 )
                                     
Liabilities:                                  
   Foreign currency contracts     $ 24   $ 24   $   $   $ (24 )
 
    Fair Value Measurements Recorded during the three months ended March 31, 2008
     
Balance as of
March 31, 2008

  Quoted Prices
in Active
Markets for
Identical
Assets (Level 1)

  Significant other
Observable Inputs
(Level 2)

  Significant
Unobservable Inputs
(Level 3)

  Gains (losses)
Liabilities:                                
   Senior unsecured notes     $ 127,500   $   $ 127,500   $   $
   Warrants       28,261         28,261        





        $ 155,761   $   $ 155,761   $   $

          The Company accounted for the issuance of the warrants, which were associated with the senior unsecured notes, in accordance with Accounting Principles Board Opinion (APB) No. 14, Accounting for Convertible Debt and Debt Issued with Stock Purchase Warrants, whereby the Company separately measured the fair value of the senior unsecured notes and the warrants and allocated the total proceeds of $150 million on a pro-rata basis to each. Based on these fair value determinations the allocation of the proceeds to the senior unsecured notes and warrants was $122.8 million and $27.2 million, respectively, on the date of close of January 7, 2008 (see Note 3).

Investment in TerreStar Networks

          The Company owns 11.1% of TerreStar Networks (a consolidated subsidiary of TerreStar Corporation) that it accounts for under the cost method. The Company evaluates impairment of such investments in accordance with Emerging Issues Task Force 03-01, The Meaning of Other-Than-Temporary Impairment and its Application to Certain Investments. Accordingly, the Company considers both triggering events and tangible evidence that investments are recoverable within a reasonable period of time, as well as its intent and ability to hold investments that may have become temporarily or otherwise impaired.

          During the three months ended March 31, 2008, the observable quoted market price of TerreStar Corporation common stock continued to decrease. TerreStar Corporation owns two principal assets: an ownership interest in TerreStar Networks, and shares of the Company’s common stock. The estimated value of TerreStar Corporation’s ownership interest in TerreStar Networks (and the value for 100% of TerreStar Networks) can be derived by subtracting the public trading value of TerreStar Corporation’s investment in the Company from the public trading value of TerreStar Corporation. The decline in TerreStar Corporation’s stock price indicated that there may have been a decline in the fair value of the Company’s investment in TerreStar Networks.

          Upon the adoption of SFAS No. 157, the Company evaluated the various methods under which it had previously estimated the fair value of its investment in TerreStar Networks. Based on this assessment, the Company determined that its market based valuation approach (TerreStar Corporation Market Method) that utilizes observable quoted market inputs (Level 1 inputs under SFAS No. 157) and observable other than quoted market inputs (Level 2 inputs under SFAS No. 157), was at a higher level of the fair value hierarchy than the other methods it had previously utilized. Accordingly, the Company used the TerreStar Corporation Market Method to perform its assessment of impairment of the investment in TerreStar Networks as of March 31, 2008.

          At March 31, 2008, the investment in TerreStar Networks valued under the TerreStar Corporation Market Method was $69.7 million. Based on this valuation, the Company determined that the TerreStar Networks investment had become other than temporarily impaired. The investment was written down to the $69.7 million value determined under the TerreStar Corporation Market Method, resulting in a charge of $8.4 million during the three months ended March 31, 2008. There is no assurance that the proceeds from the ultimate disposition of this asset, if any, will be equal to or greater than the $69.7 million carrying amount recorded as of March 31, 2008.

          The trading value of TerreStar Corporation common stock continued to decline subsequent to March 31, 2008. The Company will evaluate the effect of the decline on the value of its investment in TerreStar Networks to determine if such decline is other-than-temporary in the second quarter of 2008.

7



Revenue Recognition

          The Company generates revenue through the sale of the following satellite based services: capacity, telephony, data, and dispatch. The Company also sells equipment for use by end users. The Company recognizes revenue when services are performed or delivery has occurred, evidence of an arrangement exists, the fee is fixed or determinable, and collection is probable.

          Capacity is the supply of bandwidth and power to customers who implement and operate their own networks. Capacity revenue is recognized as the service is provided.

          Telephony is the supply of voice service to end users. Telephony customers are acquired through retail dealers or resellers. Retail dealers receive activation fees and earn commissions on monthly end user access and usage revenues. Resellers are under contractual arrangements with the Company for their purchase of monthly access and usage, and they manage the arrangements with the end user. Telephony customers are charged activation fees, fixed monthly access fees and variable usage charges, generally charged by minute of usage, depending on voice plan chosen. Monthly network access revenue is recognized in the month of service to the end-user. Variable usage revenue is recognized during the period of end-user usage. Activation fees are deferred and recognized ratably over the customer’s contractual service term, generally one year.

          Data service provides transmission in an “always-on” fashion. Common applications for data customers include fleet and load management, credit card verification, e-mail, vehicle position reporting, mobile computing, and data message broadcasting. Customers are acquired through resellers. Resellers are under contractual arrangements for their purchase of monthly access and usage from the Company, and manage the arrangements with the end-user. Data service revenue is recognized in the month of service.

          Dispatch service provides the wide-area equivalent of “push-to-talk” two-way radio service among users in customer defined groups. Dispatch service facilitates team-based group operations and is highly suited for emergency communications. Customers are acquired through dealers and resellers. Resellers are under contractual arrangements for their purchase of monthly access from the Company, and manage the arrangements with the end-user. Dispatch users pay a fixed monthly access fee for virtually unlimited monthly usage; however, the fee varies with the coverage available. Dispatch service revenue is recognized in the month of service.

          New and existing subscribers to the Company’s network can purchase from the Company a range of satellite handset configurations. Hardware generally includes handsets, antennas, and cables, and can be purchased in “kits” that include the hardware a customer would typically need to utilize the satellite services. Resellers may purchase equipment in advance for purposes of resale to their end-users. Equipment generally does not carry a right of return, and revenue is recognized upon transfer of title, which occurs at the time of shipment to the customer.

Capitalized Interest

           Interest associated with the construction of the Company’s next generation satellites, launch rockets, and ground stations has been capitalized. Total and capitalized interest are as follows (in thousands):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three months ended
March 31,

 

 

 

2008

 

2007

 

 

 


 


 

Capitalized interest

 

$

14,070

 

$

4,192

 

Interest expense

 

 

11,716

 

 

12,129

 

 

 



 



 

Total interest

 

$

25,786

 

$

16,321

 

 

 



 



 

Income Taxes

          Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases and for operating loss and tax credit carry forwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the year in which those 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 income in the period that includes the enactment date. Valuation allowances are recorded against deferred tax assets when it is more likely than not that some portion or all of a deferred tax asset will not be realized. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income during the period in which those temporary differences become deductible. Management considers the scheduled reversal of deferred tax liabilities, projected future taxable income and tax planning in evaluating whether it is more likely than not that deferred tax assets will be realized. A valuation allowance has been recorded against substantially all of the Company’s deferred tax assets. The Company has recorded a deferred tax asset for MSV Canada, which is expected to carryback losses incurred in the current year to get a refund of taxes paid in prior years.

          The Company adopted the provisions of FASB Interpretation No. 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes (FIN 48) on January 1, 2007. The adoption of FIN 48 did not impact the Company’s financial position or results of operations. The Company has concluded that there are no uncertain tax positions requiring recognition in its consolidated financial statements for any period through March 31, 2008. The Company’s policy is to recognize interest and penalties on income tax matters in the income tax provision.

          The Company or one of its subsidiaries files income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction and in various states and in foreign jurisdictions, primarily Canada and its provinces. Because the Company’s 2006 U.S. federal income tax return used net operating loss carryforwards dating, in part, back to 1993, some elements of income tax returns back to 1993 are subject to examination. The Company is currently under audit for income taxes by the U.S. federal government and by one U.S. state.

8



The Company does not expect the results of those audits to have a material impact on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.

Other Comprehensive Loss

          Comprehensive loss is the change in equity of a business enterprise during a period from transactions and other events and circumstances from non-owner sources. For the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007, comprehensive loss was $37.2 million and $19.3 million, respectively. The difference between net loss and comprehensive loss is foreign currency translation adjustments.

Loss Per Common Share

          Basic loss per common share is computed by dividing net loss attributable to the common shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period, excluding unvested restricted stock. Diluted loss per common share reflects the potential dilution for the exercise or conversion of securities into common stock. For the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007, options, warrants, and unvested restricted stock were excluded from the computation of diluted net loss per common shares as the effect would have been anti-dilutive.

Recent Pronouncements

          In December 2007, the FASB issued Statement No. 141 (revised 2007), Business Combinations (SFAS No. 141R). SFAS No. 141R establishes principles and requirements for how an acquirer in a business combination (i) recognizes and measures in its financial statements the identifiable assets acquired, the liabilities assumed, and any non-controlling interest in the acquiree, (ii) recognizes and measures the goodwill acquired in a business combination or a gain from a bargain purchase, and (iii) determines what information to disclose to enable users of financial statements to evaluate the nature and financial effects of the business combination. SFAS No. 141R will be applied prospectively to business combinations that have an acquisition date on or after January 1, 2009. The impact of SFAS No. 141R on the Company’s consolidated financial statements will depend on the nature and size of acquisitions, if any, subsequent to the effective date.

          In March 2008, the FASB issued SFAS No. 161, Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities (SFAS No. 161). SFAS No. 161 amends SFAS No. 133 by improving financial reporting about derivative instruments and hedging activities by requiring enhanced disclosures to enable investors to better understand their effects on an entity’s financial position, financial performance, and cash flows. The provisions of SFAS No. 161 are effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2008, and interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company is in the process of evaluating the impact, if any, that SFAS No. 161 will have on its consolidated financial statements.

Reclassifications

          Certain prior-year amounts related to next generation expenditures have been reclassified within operating expenses to conform to the current-year presentation.

3. Debt

          Debt consisted of the following (in thousands):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

March 31, 2008

 

December 31, 2007

 

 


 


 

Senior secured discount notes, net

 

$

571,882

 

$

552,719

 

Senior unsecured notes, net

 

 

123,105

 

 

Notes payable - vendor

 

 

50,765

 

 

50,765

 

Note payable

 

 

894

 

 

1,058

Note payable due to Telesat Canada

 

 

158

 

 

224

 

 

 



 



 

 

 

 

746,804

 

 

604,766

Less: Current portion

 

 

(16,069

)

 

(15,745

)

 

 



 



 

Total debt

 

$

730,735

 

$

589,021

 

 



 



 

9



     Senior Secured Discount Notes

          In March 2006, MSV issued Senior Secured Discount Notes in an aggregate principal amount of $750.0 million at maturity, generating gross proceeds of $436.2 million. Interest on the notes will accrete from the issue date at a rate of 14% per annum, until they reach full principal amount at April 1, 2010. Following April 1, 2010, interest will be payable semi-annually in arrears in cash at a rate of 14% per annum, with the first such payment being due on October 1, 2010. The Senior Secured Discount Notes will mature on April 1, 2013.

          The Senior Secured Discount Notes are secured by substantially all of MSV’s assets. Upon the occurrence of certain change of control events, each holder of Senior Secured Discount Notes may require the Issuers to repurchase all or a portion of its Senior Secured Discount Notes at a price of 101% of the accreted value, plus, after April 1, 2010, accrued interest. In April 2008, the beneficial owners of a majority in aggregate principal amount at maturity of the Senior Secured Discount Notes irrevocably waived compliance with any and all provisions of the Senior Secured Discount Notes that would, but for such waivers, require the Issuers to offer to repurchase or to repurchase any of the Senior Secured Discount Notes as the result of a change of control caused by the acquisition of beneficial ownership of the voting or nonvoting common stock of SkyTerra by Harbinger Capital Partners Master Fund I, Ltd., Harbinger Capital Partners Special Situations Fund L.P. (together Harbinger), Harbinger Capital Partners Fund I, L.P., or any of their affiliates (see Note 9). Such waivers by their terms do not apply to any change of control other than a change of control involving Harbinger or its affiliates.

          The terms of the Senior Secured Discount Notes require MSV to comply with certain covenants that restrict some of the Company’s corporate activities, including MSV’s ability to incur additional debt, pay dividends, create liens, make investments, sell assets, make capital expenditures, repurchase equity or subordinated debt, and engage in specified transactions with affiliates. MSV may incur indebtedness beyond the specific baskets allowed under the Senior Secured Discount Notes, provided it maintains a leverage ratio of 6.0 to 1.0. Noncompliance with any of the covenants without cure or waiver would constitute an event of default under the Senior Secured Discount Notes. An event of default resulting from a breach of a covenant may result, at the option of the note holders, in an acceleration of the principal and interest outstanding. The Senior Secured Discount Notes also contain other customary events of default (subject to specified grace periods), including defaults based on events of bankruptcy and insolvency, and nonpayment of principal, interest or fees when due. MSV was in compliance with the covenants of the Senior Secured Discount Notes as of March 31, 2008.

     Senior Unsecured Notes

          On December 15, 2007, the Company and MSV entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement with Harbinger, pursuant to which Harbinger agreed to purchase $150 million of MSV’s Senior Unsecured Notes due 2013 (the Senior Unsecured Notes) and ten year warrants to purchase 9.1 million shares of the Company’s common stock, with an exercise price of $10 per share. The transaction closed on January 7, 2008. The Senior Unsecured Notes bear interest at a rate of 16.5%, payable in cash or in-kind, at MSV’s option until December 15, 2011, and thereafter payable in cash. The Senior Unsecured Notes mature on May 1, 2013.

          The Company has accounted for the issuance of the warrants in accordance with Accounting Principles Board Opinion (APB) No. 14, Accounting for Convertible Debt and Debt Issued with Stock Purchase Warrants, whereby the Company separately measured the fair value of the Senior Unsecured Notes and the warrants and allocated the total proceeds of $150 million on a pro-rata basis to each. The proceeds allocated to the warrants are credited to paid-in capital and the resulting discount from the face value of the Senior Unsecured Notes is amortized using the effective interest rate method over the term of the Senior Unsecured Notes. The fair value of the Senior Unsecured Notes of $127.5 million was estimated based on then-current yields of comparable securities (Level 2 inputs under SFAS No. 157). The fair value of the warrants of $28.3 million was estimated using the Black-Scholes option pricing model and the following assumptions: expected volatility of 58.4%, term of 10 years, risk free interest rate of 4.2%, and no dividend yield. Based on these fair value determinations, the allocation of the proceeds to the Senior Unsecured Notes and the warrants was $122.8 million and $27.2 million, respectively.

          The Securities Purchase Agreement grants to Harbinger the right of first negotiation to discuss the issuance of additional equity securities by the Company in private placement financing transactions. Should the Company and Harbinger not agree on the terms for such a transaction, Harbinger has the right to maintain their percentage ownership interest through pro rata

10



purchases of shares of common stock in issuances to third parties, subject to a number of exceptions. The Senior Unsecured Notes have subsidiary guarantees and covenants similar to those contained in the Senior Secured Discount Notes, with such modifications as appropriate to reflect the financial terms of the Senior Unsecured Notes. The Securities Purchase Agreement also contains more restrictive covenants regarding mergers, consolidation and transfer of assets and restricted payments. The more restrictive covenants, the right of first negotiation and the pre-emptive rights expire once Harbinger and their affiliates beneficially own less than 5% of the outstanding common stock of the Company or, if earlier, on December 31, 2011. The terms of the Senior Unsecured Notes require MSV to comply with certain covenants that restrict some of MSV’s corporate activities, including MSV’s ability to incur additional debt, pay dividends, create liens, make investments, sell assets, make capital expenditures, repurchase equity or subordinated debt, and engage in specified transactions with affiliates. Noncompliance with any of the covenants without cure or waiver would constitute an event of default under the Senior Unsecured Notes. An event of default resulting from a breach of a covenant may result, at the option of the note holders, in an acceleration of the principal and interest outstanding. The Senior Unsecured Notes also contain other customary events of default (subject to specified grace periods), including defaults based on events of bankruptcy and insolvency, and nonpayment of principal, interest or fees when due. MSV was in compliance with the covenants of the Senior Unsecured Notes as of March 31, 2008.

     Notes Payable – Vendor

          MSV has financed $50.8 million of satellite vendor payments with secured vendor notes payable (Notes Payable – Vendor) that bear interest of LIBOR plus 400 basis points combined with a 2% administrative fee. The Notes Payable – Vendor are secured by the satellites. MSV is required to pay interest monthly on the amount outstanding beginning the month subsequent to the utilization of the available credit. All outstanding Notes Payable – Vendor must be repaid prior to satellite delivery. MSV anticipates making payments of principal beginning in the fourth quarter of 2008. MSV may prepay some or all of the Notes Payable – Vendor at anytime with no penalties.

     Note Payable

          In June 2007, MSV entered into an agreement with a third party to finance the purchase of software. Total payments under the agreement are $1.6 million, including all principal and interest. The quarterly payments are fixed and are paid quarterly over the two year term, ending in April, 2009. The imputed interest rate is 11%. The note is secured by an interest in the related software license.

     Note Payable due to Telesat Canada

          In February 2003, MSV entered into an agreement with Telesat Canada (Telesat), a satellite communications provider that is a related party (see Note 9) for the construction and procurement of a ground station. Telesat Canada provided financing for this project totaling $1.0 million at an interest rate of 9.5%.

          Remaining future minimum principal payments as of March 31, 2008 related to the Company’s debt agreements, described above, are as follows for the years ended December 31 (in thousands):

 

 

 

 

 

2008

 

$

32,600

 

2009

 

 

79,495

 

2010

 

 

87,813

 

2011

 

 

146,380

 

2012

 

 

151,251

 

Thereafter

 

 

968,045

 

 

 



 

Total future principal payments

 

 

1,465,584

 

Less: interest

 

 

(513,767

)

 

 



 

Principal portion

 

 

951,817

 

Less: current portion

 

 

(16,069

)

Less: accretion of interest on Senior Secured Discount Notes

 

 

(178,607

)

Less: accretion of discount on Senior Unsecured Notes

 

 

(26,406

)

 

 



 

Total future principal payments

 

 

730,735

 

 

 



 

11



4. Equity Based Compensation Plans

MSV Unit Option Incentive Plan

          MSV maintains a unit option incentive plan (MSV Unit Option Incentive Plan), which allows for the granting of options and other unit based awards to employees and directors upon approval by MSV’s Board of Directors. The fair value of each option is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option valuation model. The expected term of option awards has been calculated as the midpoint between the vesting date and the end of the contractual term of the option as historical data for MSV is not sufficient for purposes of estimating the expected term of new grants. The risk-free rate was based on U.S. Treasury yields for securities with similar terms. Volatility is calculated based on the trading prices of SkyTerra common stock.

          The fair value of Limited Investor Units underlying the equity-based awards is an input to the determination of the fair value of equity-based awards. The Company utilized a market approach to estimate the fair value of Limited Investor Units at each date on which equity-based awards were granted, based on the observable trading stock price of SkyTerra common stock, adjusted to account for differences in volatility and liquidity. Beginning in 2008, MSV used a 2.82 exchange ratio between the observable market trading price of SkyTerra and MSV, as further described below, to value a Limited Investor Unit.

          Assumptions used in determining the fair value of MSV unit options:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three months ended March 31,

 

 

 


 

 

 

2008

 

2007

 

 

 


 


 

Expected volatility

 

 

60%

 

 

58%

 

Expected term (years)

 

 

6

 

 

6

 

Expected dividends

 

 

0%

 

 

0%

 

Risk free rate

 

 

2.1%-3.3%

 

 

5.2%-5.2%

 

          The Company recognizes compensation expense on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period. The total equity-based compensation expense related to the MSV Unit Option Incentive Plan recorded during the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007 was $2.8 million and $0.8 million, respectively. The total equity-based compensation capitalized as system under construction related to the MSV Unit Option Incentive Plan during the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007 was $0.4 million and $0.1 million, respectively. As of March 31, 2008, the total unrecognized compensation related to MSV equity-based compensation was $6.6 million, which will be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.3 years.

SkyTerra Equity-Based Compensation Plans

          SkyTerra maintains a long-term incentive plan, a nonqualified stock option plan, and an equity incentive plan, which allows for the granting of options and other equity-based awards. As of March 31, 2008, the Company has outstanding awards of 750,000 restricted shares of common stock to four executives. One-third of these awards will vest after three years; another one-third will vest on the first day following the 20th consecutive trading day on which the SkyTerra stock price exceeds $20 per share and the last third will vest on the first day following the 20th consecutive trading day on which the SkyTerra stock price exceeds $25 per share. The fair value of the restricted stock grants containing market conditions and deemed service periods were estimated using a Monte Carlo simulation model. The total equity-based compensation expense related to the SkyTerra equity awards recognized during the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007 was $1.0 million and $1.2 million, respectively. As of March 31, 2008, the total unrecognized compensation related to SkyTerra equity-based compensation is $3.8 million, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.1 years.

          On February 22, 2008 the Boards of Directors of the Company and MSV GP approved a modification of certain outstanding options to purchase the Company’s common stock and MSV’s Limited Investor Units, respectively, that decreased the exercise prices of certain options to an exercise price equal to the current fair market value of the underlying common stock and Limited Investor Units, respectively. As a result of this modification the Company recorded $2.0 million of additional compensation expense in the three months ended March 31, 2008, of which $1.9 million related to the modification of options to purchase Limited Investor Units. This modification will result in the recognition of additional compensation expense in future periods totaling $1.3 million related to unvested options, of which $1.2 million relates to the modification of options to purchase Limited Investor Units, and $0.1 million relates to SkyTerra options.

12



          On March 14, 2008, the Company commenced an exchange offer (the Exchange Offer) to all current MSV option holders to grant them new options under the Company’s Stock Option Plan in exchange for surrender and termination of their MSV options. In accordance with the terms of the Exchange Offer, all participating option holders would receive options in the Company’s plan at a ratio of 2.82 SkyTerra options for each MSV option terminated, with an exercise price equal to the exercise price of the MSV options terminated divided by 2.82. Sale of all shares subject to the options received upon exchange is subject to restrictions until May 1, 2010, subject to certain exceptions described in the Exchange Offer which could result in earlier termination of the restrictions. The Exchange Offer is scheduled to expire on May 16, 2008. While the Company intends to complete the Exchange Offer, there is no guarantee that it will be completed, and it is uncertain what percentage of the MSV option holders will elect to participate and on what final terms the Exchange Offer will be completed.

5. Commitments and Contingencies

Leases

          Office facility leases may provide for escalations of rent or rent abatements and payment of pro rata portions of building operating expenses. The Company records rent expense using the straight-line method over the term of the lease agreement. MSV has non-cancelable operating leases that expire starting in December 2008.

Boeing Contract

          MSV has a fixed price contract with Boeing Satellite Systems, Inc. (Boeing) for the comprehensive design, development, construction, manufacturing, testing, and installation of a space-based network, providing satellite launch support and other services related to mission operations and system training. Under the terms of the contract, the Company will purchase up to three satellites with an option for one additional satellite that must be exercised no later than July 1, 2008. Each satellite is contracted to have a mission life of 15 years with performance incentives to be paid, if earned, during the expected 15-year operating life. Boeing has a first lien on each satellite and related work until title and risk of loss transfers to the Company upon launch. In September 2006, MSV deferred construction of a South American satellite (MSV-SA). The MSV option to restart construction expires November 8, 2008. MSV currently does not have plans to construct MSV-SA, and as such, no amounts for this satellite are included in the Company’s future commitments table. If the Company’s plans were to change and the Company elected to proceed with MSV-SA construction, the Company would likely incur additional expenditures in excess of $500 million to construct, launch, and insure the satellite.

          If MSV were to elect to terminate the Boeing contract in whole, the Company will be subject to termination liability charges that would range from $185 million to $215 million, declining in mid 2008, which would be expensed when incurred. Similarly, partial termination would range from $93 million to $117 million. Future minimum contractual payments exclude all potential performance incentives (which could total a maximum of $96.7 million), interest payments on performance incentives and deferred construction payments, options, and construction for MSV-SA.

HNS Contract

          MSV entered into an agreement with Hughes Network Systems, LLC (HNS), a related party of the Apollo stockholders, which at the time owned a substantial percentage of the Company’s outstanding voting common stock, to purchase four base transceiver subsystems and air interface technology for a fixed price of $43.0 million. The transceiver subsystems integrate the satellites into the next generation network.

Launch Contracts

          In May 2007, MSV entered into fixed price contracts with ILS International Launch Services, Inc. and Sea Launch Company, LLC to launch the next generation satellites. MSV plans to launch its new satellite, MSV-1 in September 2009 and the identical Canadian satellite, MSV-2 in July 2010. The aggregate base cost for these agreements is $174.8 million. MSV may incur liquidated damages if the respective contracts are terminated by the Company. If MSV were to terminate the contracts prior to September 2008, the maximum liquidated damages would be $8.9 million, in addition to amounts already paid. If MSV were to terminate the contracts after September 2008 it would not incur any liquidated damages. Through March 31, 2008, the Company has made payments totaling $13.2 million related to these contracts.

Inmarsat Cooperation Agreement

          To further organize large blocks of contiguous spectrum for the use of MSV and its potential future partners, in December 2007, SkyTerra, MSV and MSV Canada (together the MSV Parties) and Inmarsat Global Limited (Inmarsat) entered into a Cooperation Agreement relating to the use of L-band spectrum for both mobile satellite services and ATC services in

13



North America. The Cooperation Agreement addresses a number of regulatory, technology and spectrum coordination matters involving L-band spectrum.

          Upon receipt of an investment of $100 million in MSV by a third party for general corporate purposes and election by the MSV Parties to trigger certain provisions, the MSV Parties will be able to expand its trials and deployments to a broadband ATC trial using wider spectrum bandwidths, on a specific designation of combined Inmarsat and MSV spectrum in a pre-agreed market. Simultaneously upon the election by the MSV Parties regarding such an investment, the Company is required to issue to Inmarsat $31.3 million of the Company’s common stock, valued in accordance with terms of the agreement.

          Upon the occurrence of certain events, including regulatory approvals and coordination among other L-band operators, MSV and MSV Canada, would, over time, have the potential for coordinated access for up to 2 x 23 MHz (including large blocks of contiguous channels) through the following phases.

          Upon the occurrence of certain events, until September 1, 2011, the MSV Parties have the option (the Phase 1 Option), subject to certain conditions, to effect a transition to a modified band plan within an 18 to 30 month period. Such transition will include modification of certain of Inmarsat’s network and end user devises and a shift in frequencies between the MSV Parties and Inmarsat which would lead to additional spectrum contiguity and more relaxed operating rules for the Company. Over the transition period, the MSV Parties will be required to make payments to Inmarsat of $250 million in cash. Upon the commencement of Phase 1, the Company will issue to Inmarsat a number of shares of the Company’s common stock having a value of $31.3 million, valued in accordance with terms of the agreement. Upon the completion of the transition of the spectrum in Phase 1, the Company will issue to Inmarsat a number of shares of the Company’s common stock having a value of $56.3 million based on the average closing price of the Company’s common stock for the prior forty five (45)-trading day period. In addition, the MSV Parties have the option to accelerate the transition time by accelerating payment to Inmarsat of $50 million that would be credited towards the $250 million in cash payments.

          Subsequent to the exercise of the Phase 1 Option, between January 1, 2010 and January 1, 2013, the MSV Parties have the option (the Phase 2 Option) for Inmarsat to modify its North American operations in a manner that will make additional spectrum available for ATC at a cost to the Company of $115 million per year, resulting in substantially more spectrum to the MSV Parties available for MSS/ATC. If the MSV Parties do not exercise the Phase 2 Option, then between January 1, 2013 and January 1, 2015, Inmarsat would have the option to require the MSV Parties to exercise the equivalent of the Phase 2 Option upon the same terms.

          In consideration for the operational transition of spectrum to one or more of the band plans described above, the MSV Parties have agreed to allow Inmarsat continued use of loaned spectrum under dispute (subject to a potential dispute resolution process) and an additional loan of a lesser amount of spectrum.

          A substantial number of provisions in the Cooperation Agreement are subject to receipt of applicable regulatory approvals. On March 26, 2008, the Administrations of Canada, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America exchanged letters accepting in part the Cooperation Agreement and effectively coordinating the current and next-generation satellite networks of the MSV Parties and Inmarsat, as among those parties, and have notified the ITU accordingly. Additional approvals are required, however, before coordination of the satellite networks, under all phases specified in the Cooperation Agreement, will be complete. There can be no assurance that such approvals or other necessary approvals will be received, or that the conditions necessary for the operation of certain other provisions of the Cooperation Agreement will be met.

          During the three months ended March 31, 2008, no spectrum arrangements were altered between the MSV Parties and Inmarsat and no cash or consideration has been exchanged.

Other Agreements

          In September 2006, a minority stakeholder in SkyTerra’s MSV Investors, LLC subsidiary distributed to its shareholders all of its assets other than its interest in MSV Investors. Such shareholders indemnified the Company for any taxes imposed on the minority stakeholder for any taxable period or portion thereof ending on or prior to September 26, 2006, including all liabilities for taxes relating to the distribution of its assets as described above. On September 26, 2006, such shareholders paid the Company $7.5 million of cash to pay such taxes. To the extent that the tax liability is less than $7.5 million, the Company will refund the difference. If the former shareholders are unable to pay taxes that exceed the $7.5 million, the Company will be required to make such payments. As of March 31, 2008 the remaining cash and liability related to this arrangement was $1.5 million and is included in accrued expenses in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet.

          Prior to the closing of the BCE Exchange Transaction, TMI Delaware distributed to BCE and its affiliates all of the assets of TMI Delaware other than its limited partnership interests in MSV and its common stock of MSV GP. Under the terms of the exchange agreement between

14



the Company and BCE, BCE has indemnified the Company for any taxes imposed on TMI Delaware for any taxable period or portion thereof ending on or prior to the closing of the BCE Exchange Transaction, including all liabilities for taxes relating to the distribution of its assets. At closing, BCE transferred $37.0 million of cash to TMI Delaware that the Company will use to pay such taxes. To the extent that the tax liability is less than $37.0 million, the Company will refund to BCE the difference. During the three months ended March 31, 2008, the Company made payments of $25.3 million related to this liability. As of March 31, 2008 the remaining cash and liability related to this arrangement was $11.7 million and is included in accrued expenses in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet.

          In March 2008, MSV entered into an agreement with Telesat Canada for joint operational services for the MSV-1 and MSV-2 satellites including the development of software for operation and control of the satellites, and the provision of telemetry, tracking and control services for the new MSV spacecrafts once they are in their designated orbital positions.  Telesat Canada will provide these operational services through 2025 assuming the satellites reach their full mission life. MSV is entitled to delay the start of services under the agreement for up to one year due to launch delays without any impact to pricing. The Company also has a contract with Telesat Canada for the provision of telemetry, tracking and control services to the Company for its existing satellites. Future minimum payments related to these agreements, reflected in the table below as satellite operational services, assume MSV-1 and MSV-2 will reach their full mission life.

          Future minimum payments related to the Company’s commitments are as follows as of March 31, 2008 for the years ending December 31 (in thousands):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Leases

 

Boeing (a)

 

HNS

 

Launch
Services

 

Satellite
Operational
Services

 

Other

 

Total

 

 

 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 

2008

 

$

1,933

 

$

108,029

 

$

13,227

 

$

24,660

 

$

2,276

 

$

5,257

 

$

155,382

 

2009

 

 

2,008

 

 

103,759

 

 

10,946

 

 

98,316

 

 

2,884

 

 

3,924

 

 

221,837

 

2010

 

 

1,882

 

 

4,550

 

 

 

 

38,589

 

 

1,884

 

 

300

 

 

47,205

 

2011

 

 

298

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,434

 

 

158

 

 

1,890

 

2012

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,434

 

 

158

 

 

1,592

 

Thereafter

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

17,447

 

 

1,895

 

 

19,342

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 

 

 

$

6,121

 

$

216,338

 

$

24,173

 

$

161,565

 

$

27,359

 

$

11,692

 

$

447,248

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 


 

 


(a)

Amounts exclude in-orbit incentives, associated interest and construction of MSV-SA. Also excludes payments to Boeing under vendor notes payable, as such amounts are included in the future payments related to debt.

Litigation and Claims

          The Company is periodically a party to lawsuits and claims in the normal course of business. While the outcome of the lawsuits and claims against the Company cannot be predicted with certainty, management believes that the ultimate resolution of the matters will not have a material adverse effect on the financial position or results of operations of the Company.

Contingencies

          From time to time, contingencies may arise in the ordinary course of business activities. The Company recognizes a liability for contingencies when it is probable that future expenditures will be made and expenditures can be reasonably estimated.

6. Income Taxes

          SkyTerra and its eligible subsidiaries file a consolidated United States federal income tax return. As a limited partnership, MSV is not subject to income tax. SkyTerra is subject to income tax based on its portion of MSV’s income or loss (99.3%). MSV’s Canadian subsidiary and MSV Canada are taxed as corporations in Canada. The Company’s income tax benefit or provision relates to MSV Canada.

          The Company’s effective tax rate of (0.7)% and 0.0% for the three months ended March 31, 2008 and March 31, 2007, respectively, differs from the Federal statutory rate of 34.0%, due primarily to operating losses for which a full valuation allowance has been recognized.

          As of December 31, 2007, SkyTerra and the consolidated subsidiaries had unused net operating loss (NOL) carryforwards of $112.7 million expiring from 2020 through 2027. Utilization of U.S. NOL carryforwards may be subject to an annual limitation if the Company experiences an ownership change as defined by Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code. On or about April 9, 2008, the Company is likely to have had such an ownership change. The Company is in the process of evaluating whether or not a change occurred. Due to the Company’s full valuation allowance on its U.S. NOL carryforwards and other deferred tax assets, a limitation would not materially change the Company’s net deferred tax assets. Despite NOL carryforwards, the Company may have a future income tax liability due to alternative minimum tax or state or foreign tax requirements.

15



7. Related Party Transactions

          Prior to their spin-off in October 2007 by BCE (which holds a significant interest in the Company), Telesat and Infosat Communications were related parties through common ownership by BCE. Through common ownership by the Apollo Stockholders, the Company’s related parties also included HNS and Hughes Telematics, Inc. In April 2008, Harbinger acquired substantially all of Apollo’s interests in the Company.

          Through common ownership by Harbinger, the Company’s related parties will include Inmarsat, TerreStar Corporation and TerreStar Networks. The Company’s related parties also include LCC International Inc., which is controlled by a former limited partner and former member of MSV GP’s Board of Directors. Certain of MSV’s intellectual property was acquired by assignment from entities controlled by such limited partner. In certain circumstances where the Company may generate royalties from licensing its ATC intellectual property to third parties, the Company may be required to share a portion of such royalty payments with such limited partner and related entities. The following table summarizes related party transactions (in thousands):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three months ended
March 31,

 

 

 


 

 

 

2008

 

2007

 

 

 


 


 

Income, including management fees

 

$

174

 

$

695

 

Expenses

 

 

1,010

 

 

530

 

Costs related to system under construction

 

 

6,515

 

 

 

Due from related parties, as of

 

 

217

 

 

391

 

Due to related parties, as of

 

 

31

 

 

330

 

8. Segment Information

          Operating segments are defined as components of an enterprise for which separate financial information is available and is evaluated on a regular basis by the chief operating decision makers in deciding how to allocate resources to an individual segment and in assessing performance of the segment.

           The Company has three reporting segments: MSV next generation, MSV MSS, and SkyTerra corporate. The MSV next generation segment relates to activities to deploy a next generation satellite system complemented by ATC. The MSV MSS segment relates to MSV’s provision of mobile satellite services that support the delivery of data, voice, fax and dispatch radio services using its existing in-orbit satellites. The SkyTerra Corporate segment relates to activities related to the publicly traded holding company. Substantially all of the Company’s recent capital expenditures relate to MSV next generation. Management reviews the assets and financial position of MSV next generation and MSV MSS on a combined basis as a significant portion of the Company’s assets are shared between these segments. Assets are not segregated between these segments, and management does not use asset information by these segments to evaluate segment performance.

16



          The following tables present certain financial information on the Company’s reportable segments for the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007 (in thousands):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three months ended March 31, 2008
In Thousands

 

 

 

 

 

 

MSV Next
Generation

 

MSV
MSS

 

Total
MSV

 

 

SkyTerra
Corporate

 

Eliminations

 

SkyTerra
Consolidated

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Services and related revenues

 

$

 

$

7,115

 

$

7,115

 

 

$

 

$

 

$

7,115

 

Equipment sales

 

 

 

 

1,222

 

 

1,222

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,222

 

Other revenues

 

 

 

 

256

 

 

256

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

256

 

 

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

Total revenues

 

 

 

 

8,593

 

 

8,593

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

8,593

 

Operating expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of equipment sold

 

 

 

 

974

 

 

974

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

974

 

Operations and cost of services (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)

 

 

2,600

 

 

4,063

 

 

6,663

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6,663

 

Sales and marketing

 

 

1,555

 

 

1,088

 

 

2,643

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,643

 

Research and development (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)

 

 

4,107

 

 

 

 

4,107

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4,107

 

General and administrative

 

 

3,952

 

 

2,207

 

 

6,159

 

 

 

1,418

 

 

 

 

7,577

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

7,439

 

 

642

 

 

8,081

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

8,081

 

 

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

Total operating expenses

 

 

19,653

 

 

8,974

 

 

28,627

 

 

 

1,418

 

 

 

 

30,045

 

 

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

Operating loss

 

$

(19,653

)

$

(381

)

$

(20,034

)

 

$

(1,418

)

$

 

$

(21,452

)

 

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three months ended March 31, 2007
In Thousands

 

 

 

 

 

 

MSV Next
Generation

 

MSV
MSS

 

Total
MSV

 

 

SkyTerra
Corporate

 

Eliminations

 

SkyTerra
Consolidated

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Services and related revenues

 

$

 

$

6,694

 

$

6,694

 

 

$

 

$

 

$

6,694

 

Equipment sales

 

 

 

 

1,186

 

 

1,186

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,186

 

Other revenues

 

 

 

 

222

 

 

222

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

222

 

 

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

Total revenues

 

 

 

 

8,102

 

 

8,102

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

8,102

 

Operating expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of equipment sold

 

 

 

 

981

 

 

981

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

981

 

Operations and cost of services (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)

 

 

1,641

 

 

3,812

 

 

5,453

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5,453

 

Sales and marketing

 

 

346

 

 

671

 

 

1,017

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,017

 

Research and development (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)

 

 

2,075

 

 

 

 

2,075

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,075

 

General and administrative

 

 

3,690

 

 

1,955

 

 

5,645

 

 

 

2,044

 

 

 

 

7,689

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

5,769

 

 

578

 

 

6,347

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6,347

 

 

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

Total operating expenses

 

 

13,521

 

 

7,997

 

 

21,518

 

 

 

2,044

 

 

 

 

23,562

 

 

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

Operating loss

 

$

(13,521

)

$

105

 

$

(13,416

)

 

$

(2,044

)

$

 

$

(15,460

)

 

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

17



          The following tables present balance sheet information for the Company’s reportable segments as of March 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007 (in thousands):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As of March 31, 2008

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total
MSV

 

SkyTerra

 

Eliminations

 

SkyTerra
Consolidated

 

 

 


 


 


 


 

Total assets

 

$

1,326,343

 

$

112,590

 

$

(32,453

)

$

1,406,480

 

Senior secured discount notes, net

 

 

571,882

 

 

 

 

 

 

571,882

 

Senior unsecured notes, net

 

 

123,105

 

 

 

 

 

 

123,105

 

Notes payable

 

 

51,817

 

 

5,125

 

 

(5,125

)

 

51,817

 

Total liabilities

 

 

781,425

 

 

19,554

 

 

(5,238

)

 

795,741

 

Total equity

 

 

544,919

 

 

93,035

 

 

(27,572

)

 

610,382

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As of December 31, 2007

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total
MSV

 

SkyTerra

 

Eliminations

 

SkyTerra
Consolidated

 

 

 


 


 


 


 

Total assets

 

$

1,180,248

 

$

119,960

 

$

(5,173

)

$

1,295,035

 

Senior secured discount notes, net

 

 

552,719

 

 

 

 

 

 

552,719

 

Notes payable

 

 

52,047

 

 

5,125

 

 

(5,125

)

 

52,047

 

Total liabilities

 

 

637,602

 

 

45,880

 

 

(5,173

)

 

678,309

 

Total equity

 

 

542,646

 

 

74,080

 

 

(508

)

 

616,218

 

9. Subsequent events

          On April 7, 2008, Harbinger and Apollo Investment Fund IV, L.P., Apollo Overseas Partners IV, L.P., AIF IV/RRRR LLC, AP/RM Acquisition LLC and ST/RRRR LLC (collectively, the Apollo Stockholders), entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement pursuant to which Harbinger agreed to purchase from the Apollo Stockholders, for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $164 million:

 

 

 

 

10,224,532 shares of voting common stock of the Company,

 

 

 

 

6,173,597 shares of non-voting common stock of the Company,

 

 

 

 

234,633 Series 1-A Warrants of the Company (the Series 1-A Warrants) entitling the holders to purchase a maximum aggregate of 652,711 shares of Voting Common Stock of the Company at an exercise price of $20.39 per share, subject to adjustment, and,

 

 

 

 

9,810,033 Series 2-A Warrants of the Company entitling the holders thereof to purchase a maximum aggregate of 2,560,182 shares of voting common stock of the Company at an exercise price of $25.85 per share, subject to adjustment (the Series 2-A Warrants and, together with the Series 1-A Warrants, the Warrants).

          The Purchase Price paid by Harbinger represents a price of $10.00 per share for each share of voting common stock and non-voting common stock and $100,000 in the aggregate for the Warrants. The transaction closed on April 9, 2008. Following the transaction, Harbinger Capital Partners Master Fund I, Ltd. reported that it beneficially owned 47.5% of the outstanding shares of the Company’s voting common stock, and that certain of its affiliates owned additional shares of the Company’s voting and non-voting common stock.

18



 

 

Item 2.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

          The following discussion contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that involve risks and uncertainties, including statements regarding the Company’s capital needs, business strategy, expectations and intentions. The Company urges you to consider that statements that use the terms “believe,” “do not believe,” “anticipate,” “expect,” “plan,” “estimate,” “intend” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These statements reflect the Company’s current views with respect to future events. Because the Company’s business is subject to numerous risks, uncertainties and risk factors, the Company’s actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements, including those set forth below under this “Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and elsewhere in this report. Actual results will most likely differ from those reflected in these statements, and the differences could be substantial. The Company disclaims any obligation to publicly update these statements, or disclose any difference between the Company’s actual results and those reflected in these statements. The information constitutes forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.

Overview

           The Company’s operating and development activity is performed through its 99.3% owned consolidated subsidiary Mobile Satellite Ventures LP (MSV). The Company currently offers a range of mobile satellite services (MSS) using two geostationary satellites that support the delivery of data, voice, fax and dispatch radio services. MSV is licensed by the United States and Canadian governments to operate its current and next generation systems in the L-band spectrum which MSV, along with Mobile Satellite Ventures (Canada) Inc. (MSV Canada), a consolidated variable interest entity, have coordinated for their use. MSV also holds an ancillary terrestrial component (ATC) authorization. The Company filed applications to modify its ATC authorization in November 2005, which are still pending. MSV Canada has also received authorization from Industry Canada to construct, launch, and operate its North American satellite. Pursuant to these satellite authorizations, MSV and MSV Canada must meet certain satellite milestone requirements. The Company’s spectrum footprint covers a total population of nearly 330 million.

          The Company is developing an integrated satellite and terrestrial communications network to provide ubiquitous wireless broadband services, including Internet access and voice services, in the United States and Canada. In operating its next generation integrated satellite-terrestrial network, the Company plans to allocate the use of spectrum between satellite and terrestrial service. Using an all-IP, open architecture, the Company believes its network will provide significant advantages over existing wireless networks. Such potential advantages include higher data speeds, lower costs per bit and flexibility to support a range of custom IP applications and services. The Company was the first MSS provider to receive a license to operate an ATC network from the FCC. The ATC licenses permit the use of the Company’s L-band satellite frequencies, in a complimentary tower based network, in the operation of an advanced, integrated network capable of providing wireless broadband on a fixed, portable and fully mobile basis. The Company plans to launch two new satellites that will serve as the core of its new network. The launch of MSV-1 is planned for September 2009, and the launch of MSV-2 is planned for July 2010.

           The Company’s satellite development efforts are at a stage where delays against construction plans can reasonably be expected to occur, generally as a result of delays in the construction of satellite components and integration of those components into the spacecrafts. In particular, delays experienced in the construction, integration, and testing of the reflector component of the satellites could result in a delay of the delivery of the satellites to the launch site, as compared to the Company’s current expectations. Presently, such a delay is not anticipated to effect the launch date of the satellites as some amount of flexibility is provided for in the Company’s construction and launch plans. There are no assurances that additional delays will not occur in this and other component construction, integration, and testing. If additional delays were to occur, such delays could effect the planned launch date of the first satellite. In the event of delays, certain liquidated damages may become due from Boeing. However, such amounts may not be adequate to compensate the Company for losses sustained by delays of satellite launch.

          There are no assurances that additional delays will not occur in this and other component construction, integration, and testing. If additional delays were to occur, such delays could effect the planned launch date of the first satellite. In the event of delays, certain liquidated damages may become due from Boeing. However, such amounts may not be adequate to compensate the Company for losses sustained by delays of satellite launch.

           The Company currently expects to offer a range of three broad services on its next generation network.  First, the Company will facilitate the transition of its current customers to the next generation services platform and will continue to support current generation communications ground segments and mobile data system network terminals, which it expects will generate revenue through at least the end of 2011.  Second, the Company plans to provide bandwidth and power to customers of the next generation system who will implement and operate their own networks, which it expects will begin to generate revenue after the launch of the next generation satellites, continuing until end of next generation system life.  Finally, the Company plans to provide next generation wireless coverage that will be accessible on conventional handsets that enable interoperable, feature-rich voice and high-speed data services.  Based on the terrestrial chipset development and production schedule required for such services, the Company does not currently expect to generate next generation wireless coverage revenues until some time after the next generation satellites have been launched and placed into service.

19



          The Company’s current business plan for the next generation network is a wholesale model whereby the Company’s strategic partners and other wholesale customers can use the network to provide differentiated broadband services to their subscribers. The Company believes its planned open network, in contrast to legacy networks currently operated by incumbent providers, will allow distribution and other strategic partners to have open network access and create a wide variety of custom applications and services for consumers. To address the opportunities and challenges inherent in the development of the Company’s next generation network, the Company continues to focus on certain initiatives related to:

 

 

 

 

 

Development and evaluation of funding alternatives, including:

 

 

 

 

 

o

Strategic partnerships

 

 

 

 

 

 

o

Additional vendor financing

 

 

 

 

 

 

o

Sale of the Company’s interest in TerreStar Networks

 

 

 

 

 

 

o

Debt or equity financing

 

 

 

 

 

Continued coordination with third party licensees of L-band spectrum to organize large blocks of contiguous spectrum for the use of MSV and its potential future partners.

 

 

 

 

Arrangement of technology and distribution partnerships for both the MSS and ATC components of the next generation network, perhaps resulting in decisions on air-interface technologies, satellite-interface technologies and terrestrial deployment plans.

 

 

 

 

Development of the infrastructure and technologies required to operate MSS services upon launch.

 

 

 

 

Monitoring of satellite construction by the Company’s satellite manufacturer.

Corporate Activity

     MSV Option Exchange Offer

          On March 14, 2008, the Company commenced an exchange offer (the Exchange Offer) to all current MSV option holders to grant them new options under the Company’s Stock Option Plan in exchange for surrender and termination of their MSV options. In accordance with the terms of the Exchange Offer, all participating option holders would receive options in the Company’s plan at a ratio of 2.82 SkyTerra options for each MSV option terminated, with an exercise price equal to the exercise price of the MSV options terminated divided by 2.82. Sale of all shares subject to the options received upon exchange is subject to restrictions until May 1, 2010, subject to certain exceptions described in the Exchange Offer which could result in earlier termination of the restrictions. The Exchange Offer is scheduled to expire on May 16, 2008. While the Company intends to complete the Exchange Offer, there is no guarantee that it will be completed, and it is uncertain what the percentage of the MSV option holders that will elect to participate and on what final terms the Exchange Offer will be completed.

     Option Modification

          On February 22, 2008 the Boards of Directors of the Company and MSV approved a modification of certain outstanding options to purchase the Company’s common stock and MSV’s Limited Investor Units, respectively, to lower the exercise prices of out-of-the-money unexercised options to an exercise price equal to the current fair market value of the underlying common stock and Limited Investor Units, respectively. As a result of this modification the Company recorded $1.9 million of additional compensation expense in the three months ended March 31, 2008. This modification will result in the recognition of additional compensation expense in future periods totaling $1.3 million, related to unvested options.

     Change in Control of SkyTerra

          On April 7, 2008, Harbinger and Apollo Investment Fund IV, L.P., Apollo Overseas Partners IV, L.P., AIF IV/RRRR LLC, AP/RM Acquisition LLC and ST/RRRR LLC (collectively, the Apollo Stockholders), entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement pursuant to which Harbinger agreed to purchase from the Apollo Stockholders, for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $164 million:

 

 

 

 

10,224,532 shares of voting common stock of the Company,

 

 

 

 

6,173,597 shares of non-voting common stock of the Company,

 

 

 

 

234,633 Series 1-A Warrants of the Company (the Series 1-A Warrants) entitling the holders to purchase a maximum

20



 

 

 

 

 

aggregate of 652,711 shares of Voting Common Stock of the Company at an exercise price of $20.39 per share, subject to adjustment, and,

 

 

 

 

9,810,033 Series 2-A Warrants of the Company entitling the holders thereof to purchase a maximum aggregate of 2,560,182 shares of voting common stock of the Company at an exercise price of $25.85 per share, subject to adjustment (the Series 2-A Warrants and, together with the Series 1-A Warrants, the Warrants).

          The Purchase Price paid by Harbinger represents a price of $10.00 per share for each share of voting common Stock and non-voting common stock and $100,000 in the aggregate for the Warrants. The transaction closed on April 9, 2008. Following the transaction, Harbinger Capital Partners Master Fund I, Ltd. reported that it beneficially owned 47.5% of the outstanding shares of the Company’s voting common stock, and that certain of its affiliates owned additional shares of the Company’s voting and non-voting common stock.

Critical Accounting Policies

          The Company’s discussion and analysis of its financial condition and results of operations are based upon the Company’s consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. The preparation of the Company’s consolidated financial statements requires the Company to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities and equity and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. These estimates, particularly estimates relating to the valuation of the Company’s investment in TerreStar Networks, valuation of intangible assets, valuation of MSV limited partnership units, the useful lives of long-lived assets, the valuation of the Senior Unsecured Notes and warrants, and judgments involved in evaluating impairment, among others, have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements. Actual results and outcomes could differ from these estimates and assumptions.

           For a more detailed explanation of the judgments made in these areas and a discussion of the Company’s accounting estimates and policies, refer to “Critical Accounting Policies” included in Item 7 and “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” (Note 2) to the Company’s consolidated financial statements beginning on page F-26 of the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007.

Fair Value Inputs

          The Company adopted SFAS No. 157, Fair Value Measurements, as of January 1, 2008. See Note 2 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. Fair value is a market-based measurement that should be determined based on assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability.

Investment in TerreStar Networks

          The Company owns 11.1% of TerreStar Networks (a consolidated subsidiary of TerreStar Corporation) that it accounts for under the cost method. The Company evaluates impairment of such investments in accordance with Emerging Issues Task Force 03-01, The Meaning of Other-Than-Temporary Impairment and its Application to Certain Investments. Accordingly, the Company considers both triggering events and tangible evidence that investments are recoverable within a reasonable period of time, as well as its intent and ability to hold investments that may have become temporarily or otherwise impaired.

          During the three months ended March 31, 2008, the observable quoted price of TerreStar Corporation common stock continued to decrease. TerreStar Corporation owns two principal assets: an ownership interest in TerreStar Networks, and shares of the Company’s

21



common stock. The estimated value of TerreStar Corporation’s ownership interest in TerreStar Networks (and the value for 100% of TerreStar Networks) can be derived by subtracting the public trading value of TerreStar Corporation’s investment in the Company from the public trading value of TerreStar Corporation. The decline in TerreStar Corporation’s stock price indicated that there may have been a decline in the fair value of the Company’s investment in TerreStar Networks.

          Upon the adoption of SFAS No. 157, the Company evaluated the various methods under which it had previously estimated the fair value of its investment in TerreStar Networks. Based on this assessment, the Company determined that its market based valuation approach (TerreStar Corporation Market Method) that utilizes observable quoted market inputs (Level 1 inputs under SFAS No. 157) and observable other than quoted market inputs (Level 2 inputs under SFAS No. 157), was at a higher level of the fair value hierarchy than the other methods it had previously utilized. Accordingly, the Company used the TerreStar Corporation Market Method to perform its assessment of impairment of the investment in TerreStar Networks as of March 31, 2008.

          At March 31, 2008, the investment in TerreStar Networks valued under the TerreStar Corporation Market Method was $69.7 million. Based on this valuation, the Company determined that the TerreStar Networks investment had become other than temporarily impaired. The investment was written down to the $69.7 million value determined under the TerreStar Corporation Market Method, resulting in a charge of $8.4 million during the three months ended March 31, 2008. There is no assurance that the proceeds from the ultimate disposition of this asset, if any, will be equal to or greater than the $69.7 million carrying amount recorded as of March 31, 2008.

          The trading value of TerreStar Corporation common stock continued to decline subsequent to March 31, 2008. The Company will evaluate the effect of the decline on the value of its investment in TerreStar Networks to determine if such decline is other-than-temporary in the second quarter of 2008.

Current Business

          The Company’s significant operating activity, providing mobile satellite communication services, is performed through its consolidated subsidiary MSV. The Company provides service in the United States and Canada using two nearly identical satellites. End users of the Company’s mobile satellite services operate at sea, on land and in the air, and customers use various services including satellite bandwidth and power capacity, telephony, data, and dispatch services. The Company sells equipment for use on the network.

22



Comparison of the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007

The following tables detail the consolidated Company’s financial results for the three months ended March 31, 2008 and March 31, 2007 in the following segments: MSV Next Generation (research, development, and implementation of a next generation network), MSV MSS (current satellite services), and SkyTerra corporate activities.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three months ended March 31, 2008
In Thousands

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 MSV Next
 Generation

 

MSV
MSS

 

Total
MSV

 

 

SkyTerra
Corporate

 

Elimination

 

 SkyTerra
 Consolidated

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

Revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Services and related revenues

 

  $

 

$

7,115

 

  $

7,115

 

 

$

 

$

 

  $

7,115

 

 

Equipment sales

 

 

 

 

1,222

 

 

1,222

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,222

 

 

Other revenues

 

 

 

 

256

 

 

256

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

256

 

 

 

 

   

 

   

 

     

 

   

 

   

 

     

 

Total revenues

 

 

 

 

8,593

 

 

8,593

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

8,593

 

 

Operating expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of equipment sold

 

 

 

 

974

 

 

974

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

974

 

 

Operations and cost of services (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)

 

 

2,600

 

 

4,063

 

 

6,663

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6,663

 

 

Sales and marketing

 

 

1,555

 

 

1,088

 

 

2,643

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,643

 

 

Research and development (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)

 

 

4,107

 

 

 

 

4,107

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4,107

 

 

General and administrative

 

 

3,952

 

 

2,207

 

 

6,159

 

 

 

1,418

 

 

 

 

7,577

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

7,439

 

 

642

 

 

8,081

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

8,081

 

 

 

 

   

 

   

 

     

 

   

 

   

 

     

 

Total operating expenses

 

 

19,653

 

 

8,974

 

 

28,627

 

 

 

1,418

 

 

 

 

30,045

 

 

 

 

   

 

   

 

     

 

   

 

   

 

     

 

Operating loss

 

 

(19,653

)

 

(381

)

 

(20,034

)

 

 

(1,418

)

 

 

 

(21,452

)

 

Other income (expense):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest income

 

 

2,925

 

 

 

 

2,925

 

 

 

359

 

 

(63

)

 

3,221

 

 

Interest expense

 

 

(11,716

)

 

 

 

(11,716

)

 

 

(63

)

 

63

 

 

(11,716

)

 

Impairment of investment in TerreStar Networks

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(8,353

)

 

 

 

(8,353

)

 

Other (expense) income, net

 

 

174

 

 

(14

)

 

160

 

 

 

504

 

 

 

 

664

 

 

 

 

   

 

   

 

     

 

   

 

   

 

     

 

Loss before provision for income taxes and minority interest

 

 

(28,270

)

 

(395

)

 

(28,665

)

 

 

(8,971

)

 

 

 

(37,636

)

 

Benefit (provision) for income taxes

 

 

 

 

275

 

 

275

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

275

 

 

Minority interest

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

151

 

 

151

 

 

 

 

   

 

   

 

     

 

   

 

   

 

     

 

Net loss

 

  $

(28,270

)

$

(120

)

  $

(28,390

)

 

$

(8,971

)

$

151

 

  $

(37,210

)

 

 

 

   

 

   

 

     

 

   

 

   

 

     

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three months ended March 31, 2007
In Thousands

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 MSV Next
 Generation

 

MSV
MSS

 

Total
MSV

 

 

SkyTerra
Corporate

 

Elimination

 

 SkyTerra
 Consolidated

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

Revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Services and related revenues

 

  $

 

$

6,694

 

  $

6,694

 

 

$

 

$

 

  $

6,694

 

 

Equipment sales

 

 

 

 

1,186

 

 

1,186

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,186

 

 

Other revenues

 

 

 

 

222

 

 

222

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

222

 

 

 

 

   

 

   

 

     

 

   

 

   

 

     

 

Total revenues

 

 

 

 

8,102

 

 

8,102

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

8,102

 

 

Operating expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of equipment sold

 

 

 

 

981

 

 

981

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

981

 

 

Operations and cost of services (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)

 

 

1,641

 

 

3,812

 

 

5,453

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5,453

 

 

Sales and marketing

 

 

346

 

 

671

 

 

1,017

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,017

 

 

Research and development (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)

 

 

2,075

 

 

 

 

2,075

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,075

 

 

General and administrative

 

 

3,690

 

 

1,955

 

 

5,645

 

 

 

2,044

 

 

 

 

7,689

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

5,769

 

 

578

 

 

6,347

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6,347

 

 

 

 

   

 

   

 

     

 

   

 

   

 

     

 

Total operating expenses

 

 

13,521

 

 

7,997

 

 

21,518

 

 

 

2,044

 

 

 

 

23,562

 

 

 

 

   

 

   

 

     

 

   

 

   

 

     

 

Operating loss

 

 

(13,521

)

 

105

 

 

(13,416

)

 

 

(2,044

)

 

 

 

(15,460

)

 

Other income (expense):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest income

 

 

5,397

 

 

 

 

5,397

 

 

 

482

 

 

(31

)

 

5,848

 

 

Interest expense

 

 

(12,117

)

 

 

 

(12,117

)

 

 

(43

)

 

31

 

 

(12,129

)

 

Impairment of investment in TerreStar Networks

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other (expense) income, net

 

 

160

 

 

(30

)

 

130

 

 

 

2

 

 

 

 

132

 

 

 

 

   

 

   

 

     

 

   

 

   

 

     

 

Loss before provision for income taxes and minority interest

 

 

(20,081

)

 

75

 

 

(20,006

)

 

 

(1,603

)

 

 

 

(21,609

)

 

Benefit (provision) for income taxes

 

 

 

 

(8

)

 

(8

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

(8

)

 

Minority interest

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,800

 

 

1,800

 

 

 

 

   

 

   

 

     

 

   

 

   

 

     

 

Net loss

 

  $

(20,081

)

$

67

 

  $

(20,014

)

 

$

(1,603

)

$

1,800

 

  $

(19,817

)

 

 

 

   

 

   

 

     

 

   

 

   

 

     

 

23


Consolidated Results - Comparison of the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007

     Revenues and Cost of Equipment Sold

          All revenues and cost of equipment sold are generated by the Company’s MSV MSS segment. See “MSV MSS - Comparison of the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007”.

Operating Expenses

          The table below sets forth the Company’s operating expenses and percentage changes for the periods indicated (in thousands).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three months ended March 31,

 

 

 

 

 


 

% Change in
2008

 

 

 

2008

 

2007

 

 

 

 


 


 


 

Cost of equipment sold

 

$

974

 

$

981

 

 

(0.7

)%

Operations and cost of services (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)

 

 

6,663

 

 

5,453

 

 

22.2

%

Sales and marketing

 

 

2,643

 

 

1,017

 

 

159.9

%

Research and development (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)

 

 

4,107

 

 

2,075

 

 

97.9

%

General and administrative

 

 

7,577

 

 

7,689

 

 

(1.5

)%

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

8,081

 

 

6,347

 

 

27.3

%

 

 



 



 



 

Total operating expenses

 

$

30,045

 

$

23,562

 

 

27.5

%

 

 



 



 



 

     Operations and Cost of Services

          Operations and cost of services expenses include compensation costs of MSS operations employees and expenses related to the operation of the Company’s satellite network, new product development relating to next generation services, costs of telemetry, tracking, and control, and facility costs. Operations and cost of services expenses increased during the three months ended March 31, 2008, as compared to the same period in 2007 due primarily to increases in compensation costs, and increases in equity-based compensation related to the February 2008 modifications to outstanding options.

     Sales and Marketing

          Sales and marketing expenses include the compensation of sales and marketing employees, and the cost of advertising, marketing and promotion. Sales and marketing expenses increased during the three months ended March 31, 2008, as compared to the same period in 2007, due to increases in compensation costs and staffing levels, increases in equity-based compensation related to the February 2008 modifications to outstanding options, and costs related to the development of a prototype device (shell for purposes of look and feel design) for the next generation network.

     Research and Development

          Research and development expenses include the compensation costs of employees working on next generation products and services, and other development costs of the next generation network. Research and development expenses increased during the three months ended March 31, 2008, as compared to the same period in 2007, due primarily to increased third-party consulting expenses, compensation costs and staffing levels.

     General and Administrative

          General and administrative expenses include the compensation costs of finance, legal, human resources employees and other corporate costs. General and administrative expenses decreased during the three months ended March 31, 2008, as compared to the same period in 2007, due to taxes associated with the exercise of employees options in the three months ended March 31, 2007, and a reduction in professional fees. Offsetting these declines were increases in legal fees and equity-based compensation expenses related to the February 2008 modifications to outstanding options.

     Depreciation and Amortization

          Depreciation and amortization expenses consist of the depreciation of property and equipment and the amortization of intangible assets. Depreciation and amortization expenses increased during the three months ended March 31, 2008, as

24



compared to the same period in 2007, due to an increase in intangible assets resulting from the TerreStar Corporation Exchange Transactions, that occurred in February and November 2007.

Other Income and Expenses

The following table sets forth other income and expenses for the periods indicated (in thousands):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three months ended March 31,

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

2008

 

2007

 

% Change

 

 

 


 


 


 

Interest income

 

$

3,221

 

$

5,848

 

 

(44.9

)%

Interest expense

 

 

(11,716

)

 

(12,129

)

 

(3.4

)%

Impairment of investment in TerreStar Networks

 

 

(8,353

)

 

 

 

(100.0

)%

Other income

 

 

664

 

 

132

 

 

403.0

%

Benefit (provision) for income taxes

 

 

275

 

 

(8

)

 

100.0

%

Minority interest

 

 

151

 

 

1,800

 

 

(91.6

)%

 

 



 



 



 

Total other expenses

 

$

(15,758

)

$

(4,357

)

 

261.7

%

 

 



 



 



 

     Interest Income

          Interest income is interest earned on cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and short-term investments. Interest income decreased during the three months ended March 31, 2008, as compared to the same period in 2007 due to the decrease of cash, cash equivalents, and short-term investments.

     Interest Expense

          Interest expense is comprised of the amortization of the discount and debt issuance costs on Senior Secured Discount Notes, the Senior Unsecured Notes, and interest incurred on Notes Payable, Vendor offset by capitalized interest on the system under construction. Interest expense was consistent during the three months ended March 31, 2008, as compared to the same period in 2007. Increased interest expense related to the Senior Unsecured Notes was offset by increase in capitalized interest on the system under construction (interest of $14.1 million and $4.5 million was capitalized during the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively).

          Impairment of investment in TerreStar Networks

          During the three months ended March 31, 2008, the Company recorded a write-down of its investment in TerreStar Networks in the amount of $8.4 million as the Company determined the TerreStar Networks investment had become other-than-temporarily impaired.

     Benefit (Provision) for Income Taxes

          The Company’s effective tax rate differs from the Federal statutory rate of 34%, due primarily to a full valuation allowance recorded on net operating losses.

     Minority Interest

          Minority interest represents the portion of MSV net losses attributable to minority interest holders. Minority interest decreased during the three months ended March 31, 2008, as compared to the same period in 2007 due to the Company’s acquisition of MSV interests resulting from the TerreStar Exchange Transactions that occurred in February and November 2007.

25



Segment Results

MSV Next Generation - Comparison of the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007

Operating Expenses

          MSV Next Generation operations relate to the planning, development, and building of a next generation satellite system complemented by ATC. The table below sets forth MSV Next Generation operating expenses and percentage change for the following periods indicated (in thousands).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three months ended March 31,

 

 

 

 

 

 

2008

 

2007

 

% Change

 

 

 


 


 


 

Operations and cost of services (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)

 

$

2,600

 

$

1,641

 

 

58.4

%

Sales and marketing

 

 

1,555

 

 

346

 

 

349.4

%

Research and development (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)

 

 

4,107

 

 

2,075

 

 

97.9

%

General and administrative

 

 

3,952

 

 

3,690

 

 

7.1

%

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

7,439

 

 

5,769

 

 

28.9

%

 

 



 



 



 

Total operating expenses

 

$

19,653

 

$

13,521

 

 

45.4

%

 

 



 



 



 

          MSV Next Generation expenses relate to activities to deploy a next generation satellite system complemented by ATC. Although many of the costs incurred are fixed in the short-term, other costs fluctuate based on underlying business or development activity. Operations expenses are dependent upon employee-related costs. Sales and marketing expenses are dependent on employee-related costs and the nature and extent of marketing and promotional activities. General and administrative expenses consist of employee-related and other costs related to corporate services, including finance, legal, and human resources.

     Operations and Cost of Services

          Operations and cost of services expenses include compensation costs of satellite operations employees related to activities to deploy a next generation satellite system, facility costs, and costs of new product and service development relating to next generation product offerings. Operations expenses increased during the three months ended March 31, 2008, as compared to the same period in 2007, with 54% of the increase due to compensation costs and staffing levels, and 46% of the increase attributable to equity-based compensation primarily related to the February 2008 modifications to outstanding options.

     Sales and Marketing

          Sales and marketing expenses include the compensation of sales and marketing employees, and the cost of advertising, marketing and promotion. Sales and marketing expenses increased during the three months ended March 31, 2008, as compared to the same period in 2007, with 36% of the increase due to an increase in compensation costs and staffing levels and 51% of the increase attributable to equity-based compensation primarily related to the February 2008 modifications to outstanding options, and 14% of the increase related to the development of a prototype next generation device (shell for purposes of look and feel design).

     Research and Development

          Research and development expenses include the compensation costs of employees working on next generation products, services and other development and deployment costs of the Company’s next generation network. Research and development expenses increased during the three months ended March 31, 2008, as compared to the same period in 2007, primarily related to third-party consulting expenses in the development of next generation operating systems. Other increases related to compensation costs and increased staffing levels. These increases were offset by decreases in legal expenses.

     General and Administrative

          General and administrative expenses include the compensation costs of finance, legal, and human resources employees allocable to MSV Next Generation development. Increases related to legal fees and equity-based compensation expenses in connection with the February 2008 modifications to outstanding options, and were offset by reductions in employee-related costs and professional fees.

26



     Depreciation and Amortization

          Depreciation and amortization expenses consist of the depreciation of property and equipment and the amortization of intangible assets. Depreciation and amortization expenses increased during the three months ended March 31, 2008, as compared to the same period in 2007 due to an increase in intangible assets resulting from the TerreStar Corporation Exchange Transactions that occurred in February and November 2007.

MSV MSS - Comparison of the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007

          MSV MSS relate to the provision of mobile satellite services that support the delivery of data, voice, fax and dispatch radio services using its existing in-orbit satellites.

Revenues

The following table sets forth MSV MSS revenues and percentage changes for the periods indicated (in thousands):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three months ended March 31,

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

2008

 

2007

 

% Change

 

 

 


 


 


 

Revenues

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Capacity

 

$

3,121

 

$

3,047

 

 

2.4

%

Telephony

 

 

2,464

 

 

2,332

 

 

5.7

%

Data

 

 

837

 

 

671

 

 

24.7

%

Dispatch

 

 

693

 

 

644

 

 

7.6

%

Equipment

 

 

1,222

 

 

1,186

 

 

3.0

%

Other

 

 

256

 

 

222

 

 

15.3

%

 

 



 



 



 

Total revenues

 

$

8,593

 

$

8,102

 

 

6.1

%

 

 



 



 



 

     Capacity

          The Company provides bandwidth and power to certain customers who implement and operate their own networks. The specified bandwidth and power is generally customer dedicated once purchased and is not subject to other sale or preemption by MSV except for emergency purposes. Capacity customers generally operate under contractual arrangements ranging from short-term (month-to-month) to end of current satellite life in length. These contracts do not generally provide for annual increases or variable revenues. As such, capacity revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2008, as compared to the same period in 2007 have not fluctuated significantly.

     Telephony

          The Company provides voice service to end-users. Telephony customers are acquired through retail dealers or resellers. Retail dealers receive activation fees and earn commissions on monthly end user fixed access revenues and variable usage revenues. Resellers are under contractual arrangements for their purchase of monthly access and usage, and they manage the arrangements with the end user. Telephony customers are charged fixed monthly access fees and variable usage charges, generally charged by minute of usage, depending on voice plan chosen. A typical customer telephony plan requires monthly access fees that range from $25 to $175 that includes from zero to 2000 free airtime minutes. Each additional minute used is charged at a rate of $0.89 to $1.19. Monthly network access revenue is recognized in the month of service to the end-user. Variable usage revenue is recognized during the period of end-user usage. Activation fees are deferred and recognized ratably over the customer’s contractual service term, generally one year.

27



          The following table sets forth telephony subscribers, quarterly subscriber changes, and average monthly revenue per subscriber unit (“ARPU”):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three months ended March 31,

 

 


 

 

2008

 

ARPU

 

2007

 

ARPU

 

Change
Subscribers

 

Change
ARPU

 

 

 


 


 

Total subscribers, January 1

 

 

19,866

 

 

 

 

 

19,133

 

 

 

 

 

 

3.8

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

Additions

 

 

548

 

 

 

 

 

760

 

 

 

 

 

 

(27.9

%)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deletions

 

 

(443

)

 

 

 

 

(444

)

 

 

 

 

 

(0.2

%)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 






 






 











Total subscribers, March 31

 

 

19,971

 

$

41.03

 

 

19,449

 

$

41.12

 

 

 

2.7

%

 

 

 

(0.2

%)

 

 

 






 






 











Telephony revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2008, as compared to the same period in 2007, increased due to an increase in subscribers.

     Data

          Data service provides transmission in an “always-on” fashion. Common applications for data customers include fleet and load management, credit card verification, e-mail, vehicle position reporting, mobile computing, and data message broadcasting. Customers are acquired through resellers. Resellers are under contractual arrangements for their purchase of monthly access and usage and manage the arrangements with the end user.

          Data revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2008, as compared to the same period in 2007 increased due to an increase of 12.5% in the average number of subscribers and an increase of 11.4% in average monthly revenue per subscriber unit.

     Dispatch

          Dispatch service provides the wide-area equivalent of “push-to-talk” two-way radio service among users in customer defined groups. Dispatch service facilitates team-based group operations and is highly suited for emergency communications. Customers are acquired through dealers and resellers. Resellers are under contractual arrangements for their purchase of monthly access from the Company, and manage the arrangements with the end user. Dispatch users pay a fixed monthly access fee for virtually unlimited monthly usage; however, the fee varies with the coverage available.

          Dispatch revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2008, as compared to the same period in 2007 increased primarily due to an increase of in the average number of subscribers.

     Equipment

          New and existing subscribers to the network can purchase a range of satellite handset configurations. Hardware generally includes handsets, antennas, and cables and can be purchased in “kits” that include all the hardware a customer would typically need to utilize the network. Resellers may purchase equipment in advance for purposes of resale to their end users. User equipment can be portable or be installed on trucks, ships, and airplanes or at a fixed location. Handsets are capable of standard voice and dispatch communication, and services such as call forwarding, call waiting, and conference calling. Other equipment is capable of file transfers, faxes and e-mail. Users must acquire equipment from the Company or its resellers to access its network. Capacity customers provide their own equipment to the end users of their networks.

          The Company’s ability to generate equipment revenues is a function of the number of new and existing subscribers who purchase handsets and other accessories and the prices at which equipment is sold. Historically, equipment promotion and pricing has not been used to increase customer activations or improve retention. Equipment sales during the three months ended March 31, 2008, as compared to the same period in 2007 did not fluctuate significantly.

Operating Expenses

          The table below sets forth MSV MSS operating expenses and percentage changes for the periods indicated (in thousands).

28



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three months ended March 31,

 

 

 

 

 

 

2008

 

2007

 

% Change

 

 

 


 


 


 

Cost of equipment sold

 

$

974

 

$

984

 

 

(1.0

)%

Operations and cost of services (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)

 

 

4,063

 

$

3,810

 

 

6.6

%

Sales and marketing

 

 

1,088

 

 

671

 

 

62.1

%

General and administrative

 

 

2,207

 

 

1,955

 

 

12.9

%

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

642

 

 

577

 

 

11.3

%

 

 


 


 


 

Total operating expenses

 

$

8,974

 

$

7,997

 

 

12.2

%

 

 


 


 


 

          Although many of the costs incurred in the operation of the current network are fixed in the short-term, other costs will fluctuate based on underlying business activity. Operations expenses are dependent upon employee costs and the costs of monitoring the satellite, including telemetry, tracking, and control. Sales and marketing expenses are dependent on employee costs and the nature and extent of any marketing and promotional activities. General and administrative expenses consist of employee and other costs related to finance, legal, and human resources.

     Cost of Equipment Sold

          The cost of equipment sold is comprised of the cost of equipment purchased for resale. The Company does not manufacture any of its own equipment. Also included in cost of equipment sold are the costs of warehousing and warehousing services. Cost of equipment sold during the three months ended March 31, 2008, as compared to the same period in 2007 did not fluctuate significantly.

     Operations and Cost of Service

          Operations and costs of service expenses include compensation costs of satellite operations employees, and other expenses related to the operation of the satellite wireless network, costs of telemetry, tracking, and control and facility costs. Operations and costs of service expenses increased during the three months ended March 31, 2008, as compared to the same period in 2007 due to increases in facilities cost and an increase in equity-based compensation expense related to the February 2008 modifications to outstanding options. Offsetting these increases were declines in network operations and employee related costs.

     Sales and Marketing

          Sales and marketing costs include the compensation costs of sales and marketing employees, and the cost of advertising, marketing and promotion. Sales and marketing expenses increased during the three months ended March 31, 2008, as compared to the same period in 2007, with most of the increase due to an increase in compensation costs and staffing levels and the remainder due to an increase in equity-based compensation expense related to the February 2008 modifications to outstanding options.

     General and Administrative Expense

          General and administrative expense includes the compensation costs of finance, legal, human resources and other corporate costs allocable to MSV MSS. General and administrative expenses increased during the three months ended March 31, 2008, as compared to the same period in 2007 due to increases in legal and regulatory expenses and an increase in equity-based compensation expense related to the February 2008 modifications to outstanding options. Offsetting these increases was a decline in consulting fees.

     Depreciation and Amortization Expense

          Depreciation and amortization expense consists of the depreciation of property and equipment and the amortization of intangible assets. Depreciation and amortization expenses increased during the three months ended March 31, 2008, as compared to the same period in 2007, due to the increase in intangible assets resulting from the TerreStar Corporation Exchange Transactions, that occurred in February and November 2007.

29



SkyTerra Corporate - Comparison of the three months ended March 31, 2008, and 2007

Operating Expenses

The table below sets forth SkyTerra Corporate operating expenses and percentage change for the periods indicated (in thousands).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three months ended March 31,

 

 

 

 

 

2008

 

2007

 

% Change