UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 14A
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Filed by the Registrant x Filed by a Party other than the Registrant ¨
Check the appropriate box:
x | Preliminary Proxy Statement |
¨ | Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a(e)(2)) |
¨ | Definitive Proxy Statement |
¨ | Definitive Additional Materials |
¨ | Soliciting Material Pursuant to §240.14a2 |
SKYTERRA COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
¨ | No fee required. |
¨ | Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a(i)(1) and 01. |
(1) | Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies: |
SkyTerra Communications, Inc. Voting Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share
SkyTerra Communications, Inc. NonVoting Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share
(2) | Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies: |
(a) 44,962,370 shares of common stock outstanding as of November 18, 2009 proposed to be acquired in the merger for the per share merger consideration of $5.00, (b) 11,527,870 shares of common stock issuable pursuant to outstanding options as of November 18, 2009 with exercise prices below the per share merger consideration of $5.00 and (c) 1,198,068 shares of common stock representing phantom units and restricted stock awards entitled to receive the merger consideration of $5.00.
(3) | Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 01 (set forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined): |
Calculated solely for purposes of determining the filing fee. The transaction value was determined by adding (a) the product of 44,962,370 shares of common stock that are proposed to be acquired in the merger multiplied by the merger consideration of $5.00 per share, plus (b) $30,674,053.20, the amount expected to be paid to holders of outstanding stock options to purchase shares of common stock with an exercise price of less than the merger consideration of $5.00 per share, plus (c) $5,990,340.00, the amount expected to be paid to holders of phantom units and restricted stock awards entitled to receive the merger consideration of $5.00 per share.
(4) | Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction: $261,476,243.20 |
(5) | Total fee paid: $52,295.25 |
x | Fee paid previously with preliminary materials. |
¨ | Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 01(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing. |
(1) | Amount Previously Paid: |
(2) | Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.: |
(3) | Filing Party: |
(4) | Date Filed: |
Persons who are to respond to the collection of information contained in this form are not required to respond unless the form displays a currently valid OMB control number.
PRELIMINARY COPYSUBJECT TO COMPLETIONDATED JANUARY , 2010
SkyTerra Communications, Inc.
10802 Parkridge Boulevard
Reston, VA 20191
[ ], 2010
Dear Stockholder:
You are cordially invited to attend the 2009 Annual Meeting (the annual meeting) of holders of shares of voting common stock, par value $0.01 per share (the Common Stock), and nonvoting common stock, par value $0.01 per share (the NonVoting Common Stock, and together with the Common Stock, the Capital Stock) of SkyTerra Communications, Inc. (SkyTerra) to be held at 10802 Parkridge Boulevard, Reston, VA 20191, on [ ], at 10:00 a.m., local time.
At the annual meeting, holders of Common Stock will be asked to consider and vote upon a proposal to adopt the Agreement and Plan of Merger (as amended, from time to time, the merger agreement), dated as of September 23, 2009, by and among Harbinger Capital Partners Master Fund I, Ltd. (Master Fund), Harbinger Capital Partners Special Situations Fund, L.P. (Special Fund and together with Master Fund, Harbinger), Sol Private Corp. (Acquisition Corp. and together with Harbinger, the Harbinger Parties) and SkyTerra, a copy of which is attached as Appendix A to the accompanying proxy statement as amended on November 18, 2009 (the First Amendment), a copy of which is attached as Appendix B to the accompanying proxy statement. At the annual meeting, you will also be asked to elect directors to the board of directors of SkyTerra, ratify the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as the independent registered public accounting firm of SkyTerra for the year ending December 31, 2009, and to consider and vote upon a proposal to adjourn the annual meeting, if necessary, to permit further solicitation of proxies in the event there are not sufficient votes at the time of the annual meeting to adopt the merger agreement.
If the merger is completed, each share of Capital Stock outstanding at the effective time of the merger (other than shares owned by Harbinger or its affiliates, any subsidiary of SkyTerra, and holders who have perfected and not withdrawn a demand for appraisal rights, which are collectively referred to in this proxy statement as excluded shares) will be canceled and converted into the right to receive $5.00, in cash, without interest, and the directors on SkyTerras board of directors will be replaced by the directors of Acquisition Corp.
To assist in evaluating the fairness to SkyTerra stockholders of the proposed merger, the SkyTerra board of directors formed a special committee of independent directors to consider and negotiate the terms and conditions of the proposed merger and to make a recommendation to the board of directors, consisting of Jose A. Cecin, Jr., Jeffrey M. Killeen, and William F. Stasior (the special committee). Messrs. Cecin, Killeen and Stasior are not employees of or affiliated with SkyTerra (other than in their respective capacity as a director) or Harbinger and have no economic interest in Harbinger or its affiliates.
The board of directors, after receiving the recommendation of the special committee, (1) has approved, declared advisable and authorized the merger agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby, including the proposed merger; (2) has determined that the proposed merger and the transactions contemplated thereby are substantively and procedurally fair to and in the best interests of SkyTerras unaffiliated stockholders (by which we mean, for purposes of this proxy statement, the holders of shares of Capital Stock, other than Harbinger, its affiliates and any subsidiary of SkyTerra); and (3) recommends that SkyTerras stockholders vote FOR the adoption of the merger agreement. The board of directors also recommend that you vote FOR each of the nominees for election to the board of directors of SkyTerra, and the approval of any proposal to adjourn the annual meeting, if necessary, to permit further solicitation of proxies in the event there are not sufficient votes at the time of the annual meeting to adopt the merger agreement.
The enclosed proxy statement describes the merger agreement, the proposed merger and related agreements and provides specific information concerning the annual meeting. In addition, you may obtain information about SkyTerra from documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We urge you to, and you should, read the entire proxy statement carefully, including the appendices, as it sets forth the details of the merger agreement and other important information related to the merger.
The merger cannot occur unless the merger agreement is adopted by the affirmative vote of (i) the holders of a majority of the shares of SkyTerras outstanding Common Stock entitled to vote at the annual meeting and (ii) the holders of a majority of the shares of SkyTerras outstanding Common Stock voted at the annual meeting (excluding shares held by the Harbinger Parties, any director or officer of SkyTerra, or any of their respective affiliates and shares considered to be held in escrow). Harbinger and its affiliates are entitled to vote approximately 46% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock.
Whether or not you plan to attend the annual meeting, please submit your proxy by promptly completing, signing, dating and returning the enclosed proxy card in the postage pre paid envelope. This solicitation is being made by SkyTerra on behalf of its board of directors. If you sign, date and return your proxy card without indicating how you want to vote, and do not revoke the proxy, your proxy will be counted as a vote FOR adoption of the merger agreement and any adjournment of the annual meeting if there are not sufficient votes to adopt the merger agreement at the annual meeting. You may revoke your proxy at any time before it is voted by submitting a written revocation of your proxy or a laterdated proxy to the Secretary of SkyTerra or by attending the annual meeting and voting in person. The failure to vote will have the same effect as a vote against adoption of the merger agreement. If you have any questions or require assistance voting your shares, please call Investor Relations at SkyTerra at (703) 3902700.
On behalf of the board of directors, I thank you for your continued support.
Sincerely,
/s/ Alexander H. Good |
||
Alexander H. Good | ||
Chairman, CEO and President For the Board of Directors of SkyTerra Communications, Inc. Reston, Virginia |
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities regulatory agency has approved or disapproved the merger, passed upon the merits or fairness of the merger or passed upon the adequacy or accuracy of the disclosure in the proxy statement. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
The attached proxy statement is dated [], 2010, and is first being mailed to stockholders on or about [ ], 2010.
SKYTERRA COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
TO BE HELD ON [ ], 2010
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT the annual meeting of the holders of Capital Stock of SkyTerra Communications, Inc., a Delaware corporation, will be held at [ ] on [ ], 2010, at 10:00 a.m., local time, to consider and vote on the following matters described in this notice and the accompanying proxy statement:
1) | To adopt the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of September 23, 2009, by and among Harbinger Capital Partners Master Fund I, Ltd., Harbinger Capital Partners Special Situations Fund, L.P., Sol Private Corp. and SkyTerra Communications, Inc., a copy of which is attached as Appendix A to the accompanying proxy statement, as amended on November 18, 2009, a copy of which is attached as Appendix B to the accompanying proxy statement, and as it may be further amended from time to time; |
2) | To elect six (6) directors to serve on SkyTerras board of directors, each to hold office until the earliest of SkyTerras 2010 annual meeting of stockholders, his earlier death, resignation or removal or, if the merger is completed, the effective time of the merger; |
3) | To adjourn the annual meeting, if necessary, to permit further solicitation of proxies in the event there are not sufficient votes at the time of the annual meeting to adopt the merger agreement proposal; |
4) | To ratify the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as the independent registered public accounting firm of SkyTerra for the year ending December 31, 2009; and |
5) | To transact any other business that may properly come before the annual meeting or any adjournment or postponement of the annual meeting. |
Only stockholders of record on the close of business on [ ], 2010, which we refer to as the record date, are entitled to notice of the annual meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof. Only holders of Common Stock as of the close of business on the record date are entitled to vote at the annual meeting to adopt the merger agreement. A list of stockholders will be available for inspection by stockholders of record during business hours at SkyTerra Communications, Inc., 10802 Parkridge Boulevard, Reston, VA 20191, for ten days prior to the date of the annual meeting and will also be available at the annual meeting. A majority of the shares of Common Stock outstanding on the record date must be voted in favor of the adoption of the merger agreement in order for the merger to be completed. In addition, the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of SkyTerras outstanding Common Stock (excluding shares held by the Harbinger Parties, any director or officer of SkyTerra or any of their respective affiliates, and shares considered to be held in escrow) must be present, in person or by proxy, and be voted at the annual meeting and a majority of such shares so present and voted must vote in favor of the adoption of the merger agreement in order for the merger to be completed. For the election of directors, the six nominees receiving the highest number of votes of the shares of Common Stock present in person or represented by proxy at the annual meeting and entitled to vote on the election of directors will be elected as directors. A majority of the shares of Common Stock represented at the meeting in person or by proxy must be voted in favor of any adjournment of the annual meeting, if necessary, for any purpose, including to solicit additional proxies in favor of the adoption of the merger agreement. Ratification of the appointment of the independent registered public accounting firm requires the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the total number of votes of our Common Stock, present in person or represented by proxy. With respect to the ratification of the appointment of the independent registered public accounting firm, under SkyTerras bylaws and the laws of the State of Delaware, abstentions from voting will have the same effect as voting against such matter and broker non-votes, if any, will be disregarded and have no effect on the outcome of the vote.
The board of directors of SkyTerra, acting upon the recommendation of a special committee of the board of directors, has approved, declared advisable and authorized the merger agreement and the related merger and recommends that you vote FOR adoption of the merger agreement. The board of directors believes that the terms and provisions of the merger agreement and the related merger are substantively and procedurally fair to and in the best interests of SkyTerras unaffiliated stockholders. The board of directors also recommends that you vote FOR each of the nominees for election to the board of directors of SkyTerra, and the approval of any proposal to adjourn the annual meeting to a later date to solicit additional proxies in favor of the adoption of the merger agreement if there are not sufficient votes to adopt the merger agreement at the annual meeting.
SkyTerra stockholders who do not vote in favor of adoption of the merger agreement will have the right to seek appraisal of the fair value of their shares if the merger is completed, but only if they perfect their appraisal rights by complying with all of the required procedures under Delaware law. See Proposal OneThe MergerRights of Appraisal beginning on page 63 of the accompanying proxy statement and Appendix D to the accompanying proxy statement.
We urge you to, and you should, read the entire proxy statement carefully. Whether or not you plan to attend the annual meeting, please submit your proxy by promptly completing, signing, dating and returning the enclosed proxy card in the postage prepaid envelope so that your shares may be represented at the annual meeting. Prior to the vote, you may revoke your proxy in the manner described in the proxy statement.
By Order of the Board of Directors
/s/ Gary M. Epstein | ||
Executive Vice PresidentLaw and Regulation Reston, Virginia |
[ ], 2010
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Position of the Harbinger Filing Persons as to the Fairness of the Merger |
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QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THE MERGER AND THE ANNUAL MEETING |
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Position of the Harbinger Parties as to the Fairness of the Merger |
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PROPOSAL FOURRATIFY THE APPOINTMENT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP AS THE INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM OF SKYTERRA FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009 |
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SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF MANAGEMENT AND CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS |
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DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF HARBINGER AND ACQUISITION CORP. |
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Appendix AAgreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of September 23, 2009, by and among Harbinger Capital Partners Master Fund I, Ltd., Harbinger Capital Partners Special Situations Fund, L.P., Sol Private Corp. and SkyTerra Communications, Inc. |
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Appendix BFirst Amendment to Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of November 18, 2009 |
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Appendix COpinion of Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated |
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Appendix DSection 262 of the Delaware General Corporation Law |
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Appendix EAnnual Report on Form 10K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008 |
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Appendix FAmendment to Form 10K, filed on Form 10K/A on May 11, 2009 |
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Appendix GQuarterly Report on Form 10Q for the fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2009 |
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Appendix HForm of Proxy Card |
H-1 |
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This summary highlights the material information contained elsewhere in this proxy statement and the appendices. Because this is a summary, it may not contain all of the information that is important to you. We urge you to, and you should, read the entire proxy statement carefully, including the information included in the appendices.
SkyTerra Communications, Inc.
SkyTerra Communications, Inc.
10802 Parkridge Boulevard
Reston, VA 20191
(703) 3902700
SkyTerra Communications, Inc., a Delaware corporation, which we refer to as SkyTerra or the Company, delivers mobile wireless voice and data services primarily for public safety, security, fleet management and asset tracking in the U.S. and Canada. The companys nextgeneration integrated satelliteterrestrial communications network is expected to provide seamless, transparent and ubiquitous wireless coverage of the United States and Canada to conventional sized cellular handsets. When completed, the network will support communications in a variety of market segments, including public safety, homeland security, aviation, transportation, entertainment, as well as consumers, by providing a platform for interoperable, userfriendly and featurerich voice and highspeed data services.
Harbinger Capital Partners Master Fund I, Ltd.
Harbinger Capital Partners Master Fund I, Ltd., an exempted company organized under the laws of the Cayman Islands, which we refer to as Master Fund, is a global hedge fund managed by Harbinger Capital Partners LLC.
Harbinger Capital Partners was founded in 2001 and is led by its CoFounder and Chief Investment Officer, Philip A. Falcone, who has over 20 years of investment experience across an array of market cycles. The Harbinger team is disciplined and value oriented, focusing on alpha generating ideas that are uncorrelated to investment cycles. The firm combines a flexible, innovative approach to uncovering opportunity with a thorough investment process. Each investment undergoes rigorous fundamental research, extensive vetting, and seeks an identifiable catalyst for value realization. Harbinger regards risk management as a critical component of the investment process and actively manages risk at three levels: portfolio, position and operations. The firm offers several strategies which emphasize different opportunities, each based on the same timetested fundamental investment and risk management processes.
The executive offices of Master Fund are located at c/o International Fund Services Limited, Third Floor, Bishops Square, Redmonds Hill, Dublin 2, Ireland and its telephone number is (212) 5216972.
Harbinger Capital Partners Special Situations Fund, L.P.
Harbinger Capital Partners Special Situations Fund, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership, which we refer to as Special Fund and in connection with Master Fund is referred to as Harbinger in this proxy statement, is a global hedge fund managed by its general partner, Harbinger Capital Partners Special Situations GP, LLC, an affiliate of Harbinger Capital Partners LLC.
The executive offices of Special Fund are located at c/o Harbinger Capital Partners, 450 Park Avenue, 30th Floor, New York, New York 10022 and its telephone number is (212) 3395100.
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Sol Private Corp.
Sol Private Corp., a Delaware corporation and a wholly owned indirect subsidiary of Harbinger, which we refer to as Acquisition Corp., was formed solely for the purpose of entering into the merger agreement and consummating the merger and has not engaged in any business except in furtherance of the merger.
The executive offices of Acquisition Corp. are located at c/o Harbinger Capital Partners, 450 Park Avenue, 30th Floor, New York, New York 10022 and its telephone number is (212) 3395100.
Acquisition Corp. will merge with SkyTerra, with SkyTerra continuing as the surviving corporation in the merger. After the merger the surviving corporation will be a privately held company indirectly wholly owned by Harbinger, and SkyTerra stockholders (other than Harbinger and its affiliates) will no longer have any interest in, and will not participate in, any future earnings or growth of SkyTerra.
The proposed merger, assuming it is completed, will result in:
| Your right to receive $5.00 per share in cash for each share of Capital Stock that you own, unless you seek and perfect your appraisal rights, and the cancellation and retirement of each such share (other than the excluded shares); |
| Cancellation of any Capital Stock owned by Harbinger and its affiliates; |
| Conversion of each share of common stock of Acquisition Corp. into one share of common stock of the surviving corporation; |
| Each share of Capital Stock that is owned by any subsidiary of SkyTerra immediately prior to the effective time of the merger will remain outstanding thereafter, with appropriate adjustment to the number thereof to preserve such subsidiarys percentage ownership of SkyTerra; and |
| Harbinger indirectly owning all of the outstanding common stock of the surviving corporation. |
Position of SkyTerra as to the Fairness of the Merger; Recommendation by SkyTerras Special Committee and Board of Directors (p. 32)
On September 22, 2009, the special committee determined that the proposed merger and the terms and provisions of the merger agreement were substantively and procedurally fair to and in the best interests of SkyTerras unaffiliated stockholders and that the merger was advisable. Based on such determinations, the special committee recommended to the board of directors that the board of directors approve and authorize the merger agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby (including the merger).
At a special meeting of the board of directors held immediately following the special committees determination, at which all but one of the directors of SkyTerra were present, the board of directors considered the recommendation of the special committee. The board of directors concluded that the terms and provisions of the merger agreement and the proposed merger were substantively and procedurally fair to and in the best interests of SkyTerras unaffiliated stockholders and that the merger was advisable, approved and authorized the merger agreement and recommended that SkyTerras stockholders adopt the merger agreement. The absent member of the board of directors subsequently indicated his approval of the resolutions adopted at the board meeting.
In evaluating the fairness and advisability of the merger agreement and the related merger, the special committee and the board of directors considered, among other factors, the following, each of which the special committee and the board of directors believe supports their determination as to fairness:
| Morgan Stanley Opinion. The special committee considered the financial presentation of Morgan Stanley and Morgan Stanleys oral opinion delivered to the special committee (which opinion was subsequently confirmed in writing) to the effect that, as of September 22, 2009 and based upon and |
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subject to the various assumptions, qualifications and limitations set forth in its opinion, the $5.00 per share price was fair to SkyTerras stockholders (other than Harbinger and its affiliates) from a financial point of view, as more fully described under Opinion of the Special Committees Financial Advisor beginning on page 41. The full text of the written opinion, which we refer to as the Morgan Stanley Opinion, which sets forth, among other things, the assumptions made, procedures followed, matters considered and qualifications and limitations of the reviews undertaken by Morgan Stanley in rendering its opinion, is attached as Appendix C to this proxy statement and is incorporated herein by reference. You are urged to, and should, read the Morgan Stanley Opinion carefully and in its entirety. The opinion was directed to the special committee and addresses only the fairness, from a financial point of view, of the merger consideration to be received by SkyTerras stockholders (other than Harbinger and its affiliates). The opinion does not address any other aspect of the proposed merger nor does it constitute a recommendation to any stockholder as to how such stockholder should vote or act with respect to any matters relating to the merger agreement. |
| The additional factors described in detail under Proposal OneThe MergerPosition of SkyTerra as to the Fairness of the Merger; Recommendation by SkyTerras Special Committee and Board of Directors beginning on page 32. |
The board of directors, after receiving the recommendation of the special committee, (1) has approved, declared advisable and authorized the merger agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby, including the proposed merger; (2) has determined that the proposed merger and the transactions contemplated thereby are substantively and procedurally fair to and in the best interests of SkyTerras unaffiliated stockholders; and (3) recommends that SkyTerras stockholders vote FOR the adoption of the merger agreement. The board of directors also recommend that you vote FOR each of the nominees for election to the board of directors of SkyTerra, and the approval of any proposal to adjourn or postpone the annual meeting, if necessary, to permit further solicitation of proxies in the event there are not sufficient votes at the time of the annual meeting to adopt the merger agreement.
Position of the Harbinger Filing Persons as to the Fairness of the Merger (p. 37)
Under the SEC rules, the Harbinger Parties and each of Harbinger Capital Partners Special Situations GP, LLC, Harbinger Capital Partners LLC, Harbinger Holdings LLC and Mr. Falcone (collectively, the Harbinger Filing Persons) are required to provide certain information regarding their position as to the substantive and procedural fairness of the proposed merger to the unaffiliated stockholders of SkyTerra. The Harbinger Filing Persons did not undertake a formal evaluation of the fairness of the proposed merger and are making the statements included in this section solely for purposes of complying with such requirements. The views of the Harbinger Filing Persons with respect to the fairness of the merger are not, and should not be construed as, a recommendation to any stockholder as to how that stockholder should vote on the proposal to adopt the merger agreement.
No Harbinger Filing Persons participated in the deliberations of SkyTerras directors regarding, and no Harbinger Filing Persons received advice from the special committees legal or financial advisors as to, the fairness of the merger. The Harbinger Parties engaged UBS Securities LLC, which we refer to as UBS, as financial advisor to provide certain financial advisory services with respect to the merger. UBS did not provide an opinion with respect to the fairness of the merger or the merger consideration. The Harbinger Filing Persons believe that the merger is substantively and procedurally fair to SkyTerras unaffiliated stockholders based on, among other things, the following factors:
| Notwithstanding Harbingers significant ownership of voting securities of SkyTerra, the board of directors of SkyTerra does not include any person who is employed by or affiliated with Harbinger or who has a financial interest in Harbinger; |
| The special committee of SkyTerras board of directors, which is comprised of three directors who are not affiliated with Harbinger and are not officers or employees of SkyTerra, unanimously concluded that the merger is fair to and in the best interests of the unaffiliated stockholders of SkyTerra, approved |
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the merger agreement and the merger and recommended to the board of directors of SkyTerra that the board of directors of SkyTerra approve the merger agreement and that the merger agreement be submitted to the stockholders of SkyTerra for adoption; and |
| The additional factors described in detail under Proposal OneThe MergerPosition of the Harbinger Filing Persons as to the Fairness of the Merger beginning on page 37. |
Opinion of the Special Committees Financial Advisor (p. 41)
The special committee received a financial presentation from Morgan Stanley and Morgan Stanleys oral opinion delivered to the special committee (which opinion was subsequently confirmed in writing) to the effect that, as of September 22, 2009 and based upon and subject to the various assumptions, qualifications and limitations set forth in its opinion, the $5.00 per share price was fair to SkyTerras stockholders (other than Harbinger and its affiliates) from a financial point of view, as more fully described under Opinion of the Special Committees Financial Advisor beginning on page 41. The full text of the written opinion, which we refer to as the Morgan Stanley Opinion, which sets forth, among other things, the assumptions made, procedures followed, matters considered and qualifications and limitations of the reviews undertaken by Morgan Stanley in rendering its opinion, is attached as Appendix C to this proxy statement and is incorporated herein by reference. You are urged to, and should, read the Morgan Stanley Opinion carefully and in its entirety. The opinion was directed to the special committee and addresses only the fairness, from a financial point of view, of the merger consideration to be received by SkyTerras stockholders (other than Harbinger and its affiliates). The opinion does not address any other aspect of the proposed merger nor does it constitute a recommendation to any stockholder as to how such stockholder should vote or act with respect to any matters relating to the merger agreement.
Purposes and Effects of the Merger (p. 39)
SkyTerras Purpose
SkyTerras choice to engage in the transaction at this time was driven by the amount of SkyTerras existing cash in light of the upcoming significant capital requirements in the fourth quarter of 2010 and the limitations on the Companys ability to raise additional equity or debt based on contract covenant restrictions and market conditions, as well as the companys inability to conclude any agreement with strategic investors over a period of in excess of five years. SkyTerra determined that the market premium offered by Harbinger provided the most attractive transaction to the company, and that it was reasonable to conclude that delaying a transaction with Harbinger would be very unlikely to result in any favorable alternatives and would most likely result in a loss of the Harbinger opportunity in whole or an opportunity on less favorable terms as the companys financial resources declined.
Purpose of the Harbinger Filing Persons
The Harbinger Filing Persons purpose for engaging in the merger is to increase Harbingers ownership of SkyTerra Capital Stock from its current position of approximately 46% of the outstanding voting shares of Common Stock and 48% of the outstanding Capital Stock to 100%, respectively. Upon completion of the merger, SkyTerra will become an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Harbinger. See The Harbinger Filing Persons Purpose of the Merger beginning on page 40 for a discussion as to why Harbinger is pursuing the merger at this time.
Effects of the Merger
As a result of the proposed merger, all shares of Capital Stock, other than excluded shares, will be converted into the right to receive $5.00 per share, without interest, will be automatically canceled and retired and will cease to exist.
In addition, the merger agreement provides that each outstanding option (including certain options granted under the Mobile Satellite Ventures LP 2001 Unit Incentive Plan that are outstanding as of immediately prior to the effective time but were not previously exchanged pursuant to the option exchange offer made by SkyTerra pursuant to that Registration Statement on Form S4, Registration No. 333144093) to purchase Common Stock (whether or not vested or exercisable) will be canceled in exchange for a per share amount in cash equal to the
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excess, if any, of $5.00 over the per share exercise price of the option (other than any option, the vesting of which is contingent on the achievement of performance goals, which will be canceled immediately prior to the effective time and replaced with cashbased awards to be determined by SkyTerras Compensation Committee, subject to the approval (which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld) of Harbinger).
Each outstanding share of restricted stock (that was not performance based) previously issued by SkyTerra which is outstanding as of the effective time will be canceled in exchange for the right to receive, from the surviving corporation, a per share amount in cash equal to the merger consideration. Each outstanding MSV phantom unit which is outstanding as of the effective time will be canceled and be deemed to have been exchanged for 2.82 shares of Common Stock immediately prior to the effective time. Each holder, including SkyTerras directors and officers, receiving shares of Common Stock in connection with the exchange and cancellation of the phantom units will be entitled to receive $5.00 per share of such Common Stock.
At the time the merger becomes effective, each share of common stock of Acquisition Corp. that is issued and outstanding immediately prior to the effective time will be converted into one share of common stock of the surviving corporation.
Harbinger, as the owner of SkyTerra, as the surviving corporation, and its business following the effective time, will be the only beneficiary of any earnings and growth of SkyTerra following the proposed merger.
Upon completion of the proposed merger, Common Stock will no longer be traded on the Over the Counter Bulletin Board and will be deregistered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Following the merger, Common Stock will no longer be publicly traded.
The total amount of funds required to complete the merger (excluding related fees and expenses) is estimated to be approximately $262 million. Acquisition Corp. will obtain such funds from Harbinger, which expects to obtain such funds from its resources existing at the time the merger is completed. The merger is not conditioned on any financing arrangements.
Interests of SkyTerra Directors and Officers in the Merger (p. 50)
In considering the recommendation of the special committee and the board of directors with respect to the merger agreement, you should be aware that some of SkyTerras directors and executive officers have interests in the merger that may be different from, or in addition to, the interests of SkyTerras stockholders generally. Such interests include the treatment of stock options, restricted stock and phantom units held by such directors and officers, as well as indemnification and insurance arrangements with officers and directors and change in control severance benefits that may become payable to certain officers. The special committee and the board of directors were aware of the different or additional interests set forth herein and considered such interests along with other matters in approving the proposed merger agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby (including the merger).
Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences (p. 61)
The exchange of your Capital Stock for cash pursuant to the merger will be a taxable event for U.S. federal income tax purposes. You will generally recognize gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes equal to the difference, if any, between the amount of cash you receive and your adjusted tax basis in Capital Stock you surrender pursuant to the merger. The U.S. federal income tax summary set forth above is for general information only. See Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences. You should consult your tax advisor with respect to the particular tax consequences to you of the receipt of cash in exchange for Capital Stock pursuant to the merger, including the applicability and effect of any state, local or foreign tax laws, and of changes in applicable tax laws.
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The presence at the annual meeting, in person or by proxy, of the holders of a majority of all of the shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding as of the close of business on the record date and entitled to vote will constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at the annual meeting. In addition, a majority of the outstanding Eligible Shares must be present, in person or by proxy, and be voted at the annual meeting in order to satisfy a condition to the consummation of the merger. For purposes of this proxy statement, (1) Eligible Shares means all shares of Common Stock excluding Escrowed Shares and any shares of Common Stock held by the Harbinger Parties, any director or officer of SkyTerra or any of their respective affiliates and (2) Escrowed Shares means any securities of SkyTerra which are Pledged Property (as defined in Item 4 of Schedule 13D/A filed on September 17, 2008 by the Harbinger Parties and certain affiliates) or Wells Fargo Escrowed Shares (as defined in Item 4 of the Schedule 13D/A filed on April 9, 2008 by the Harbinger Parties and certain affiliates). As of January 7, 2010, there were 22,524,171 Eligible Shares issued and outstanding, which means that 11,284,610 Eligible Shares must be present, in person or by proxy, and be voted at the annual meeting in order for a quorum to be established for these purposes. The holders of shares represented by proxies reflecting abstentions or broker non votes are considered present at the meeting and count toward a quorum. However, abstentions and broker non votes will have the effect of a vote against adoption of the merger agreement.
Under Delaware law, the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Common Stock entitled to vote is necessary to adopt the merger agreement. As of the record date, there were [ ] outstanding shares of Common Stock (and [ ] outstanding shares of NonVoting Common Stock). Each outstanding share of Common Stock is entitled to one vote. As of the record date, Harbinger and its affiliates are entitled to vote approximately 46% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock. Harbinger has agreed to vote its shares of Common Stock in favor of the merger. In addition to the required vote under Delaware law, the merger agreement requires (1) that a majority of the outstanding Eligible Shares must be present, in person or by proxy, and be voted at the annual meeting and (2) a majority of the Eligible Shares so present and voted shall have voted in favor of the adoption of the merger agreement.
SkyTerra stockholders who do not vote in favor of the merger agreement and who perfect their appraisal rights under Delaware law will have the right to a judicial appraisal of the fair value of their shares of Capital Stock. In addition to not voting in favor of the merger, the stockholder must deliver to SkyTerra a written demand for appraisal of his shares prior to the vote on the merger agreement and continue to hold such shares until the consummation of the merger.
Conditions to Consummation of the Merger (p. 75)
The obligations of SkyTerra, Harbinger and Acquisition Corp. to complete the merger are subject to various conditions, including:
| adoption of the merger agreement by the requisite vote of the SkyTerra stockholders in accordance with applicable law; |
| the absence of any provision of applicable law, judgment, order or injunction prohibiting the merger; |
| the receipt of all material consents, approvals and authorizations of and filings with governmental entities required for the consummation of the merger (including a consent from the Federal Communications Commission); |
| a majority of the outstanding Eligible Shares must be present, in person or by proxy, and be voted at the annual meeting and a majority of the Eligible Shares so present and voted shall have voted in favor of the adoption of the merger agreement (which vote, we refer to as the Required Minority Vote); |
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| the material accuracy of the representations and warranties of the parties to the merger agreement; |
| the material performance by the parties to the merger agreement of their respective obligations contained in the merger agreement; |
| the absence of a material adverse effect with respect to any of the SkyTerra entities; |
| no more than seven and onehalf percent (7.5%) of the outstanding shares of Capital Stock, determined on a fully diluted basis, shall have exercised, and provided notice of the intention to exercise, appraisal rights; and |
| the consent of the Federal Communications Commission shall not be subject to any conditions that are materially adverse to the Harbinger Parties. |
Termination of the Merger Agreement (p. 76)
The merger agreement may be terminated for any reason prior to the adoption of the merger agreement by stockholders by the mutual written consent of Harbinger and SkyTerra. Either Harbinger or SkyTerra may terminate the merger agreement at any time:
| if the merger is not consummated on or prior to March 31, 2010; provided, however, that if Harbinger determines that additional time is necessary to forestall any action to restrain, enjoin or prohibit the merger by any governmental entity, then the termination date may be extended by Harbinger to a date not beyond June 30, 2010; |
| prior to the effective time of the merger, if an administrative agency or commission or other governmental authority or institution issues a final nonappealable injunction, order, decree, judgment or ruling permanently enjoining or otherwise prohibiting the merger; or |
| if, at the annual meeting or any adjournment thereof at which the merger agreement has been voted upon, the SkyTerra stockholders fail to approve the merger agreement by the requisite vote of stockholders of SkyTerra in accordance with applicable law or the Eligible Shares fail to approve this Agreement by the Required Minority Vote; except that a right to terminate pursuant this section may not be exercised by either Harbinger or SkyTerra if the reason for failing to obtain either such vote is the failure of the applicable quorum to be present at the annual meeting or any adjournment thereof and may not be exercised by Harbinger if the reason for failing to obtain the requisite vote of stockholders of SkyTerra in accordance with applicable law is due to a breach by the Harbinger Parties of its agreement to vote all of its shares of Common Stock in favor of the adoption of the merger agreement. |
In addition, Harbinger may terminate the merger agreement prior to the adoption of the merger agreement by stockholders:
| if the special committee withdraws or otherwise modifies its recommendation to SkyTerra stockholders; |
| under specific circumstances relating to a breach of any representation, warranty, covenant or agreement made by SkyTerra in the merger agreement which renders certain conditions to the consummation of the merger incapable of being satisfied; or |
| if appraisal rights are exercised and notice of intention to exercise such rights have been given in accordance with the provisions of Section 262(d) of the Delaware General Corporation Law by SkyTerra stockholders with respect to, in the aggregate, more than seven and onehalf percent (7.5%) of the outstanding shares of SkyTerra Capital Stock, determined on a fullydiluted basis. |
In addition, SkyTerra (at the direction of the special committee) may terminate the merger agreement prior to the adoption of the merger agreement by stockholders:
| if the special committee has made a termination recommendation, after following the procedures set forth in the merger agreement with respect thereto; or |
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| under specific circumstances relating to a breach of any representation, warranty, covenant or agreement made by Harbinger in the merger agreement which renders certain conditions to the consummation of the merger incapable of being satisfied. |
| and may not be exercised by Harbinger if the reason for failing to obtain the requisite vote of stockholders of SkyTerra in accordance with applicable law is due to a breach by the Harbinger Parties of its agreement to vote all of its shares of Common Stock in favor of the adoption of the merger agreement. |
No Vote Termination Fee (p. 77)
In the event that the merger agreement is terminated (i) by Harbinger in the situation where the merger agreement has not been voted upon because the applicable quorum for the Required Minority Vote was not present at the annual meeting or any adjournment thereof and the merger has not been consummated prior to March 31, 2010 (or an extension thereof) or (ii) by either Harbinger or SkyTerra under circumstances in which the stockholders of the Company fail to adopt the Merger Agreement by the Required Minority Vote, then, in either case, the Company shall pay to the Harbinger Parties, as promptly as practicable (but in any event within three business days), an amount equal to the $2,000,000; provided that the no vote termination fee shall not be due and payable pursuant to clause (i) of this paragraph if the reason for failing to obtain the requisite vote of stockholders of SkyTerra in accordance with applicable law is due to a breach by the Harbinger Parties of its agreement to vote all of its shares of Common Stock in favor of the adoption of the merger agreement.
Change in Recommendation (p. 72)
The merger agreement also provides that the special committee shall not withdraw, qualify or modify, in a manner adverse to Harbinger, its recommendation with respect to the merger or approve and adopt any acquisition proposal other than the merger, except that before the stockholders adopt the merger agreement, the special committee may withhold, qualify or modify its recommendation if, in response to an intervening event (as defined in the merger agreement) or a superior proposal, the special committee determines in good faith, after consultation with its legal and financial advisors, the change in recommendation is necessary for the special committee to comply with the directors fiduciary duties under applicable law, provided that the special committee may only alter, qualify or modify its recommendation upon an intervening event or in response to a superior proposal if the special committee has previously provided Harbinger written notice of its intention to change its recommendation at least five business days prior to making a change of recommendation. During the five business day period prior to making a change of recommendation on the basis of a superior proposal, Harbinger will be permitted to propose to the special committee revisions to the terms of the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement, and the special committee will, if requested by Harbinger, negotiate in good faith regarding any such revisions, and the special committee may withhold or withdraw its recommendation on the basis of the superior proposal only in the event that it continues to be a superior proposal in light of any revisions to the terms of the transaction contemplated by the merger agreement to which Harbinger and the special committee have agreed prior to the expiration of five business day period. However, nothing in the merger agreement obligates Harbinger in any way to vote in favor of a superior proposal.
Regulatory Requirements (p. 56)
Under the Communications Act of 1934, as amended (the Communications Act), SkyTerra and Harbinger may not complete the merger unless they have first obtained the FCC Consent (as defined in the merger agreement) authorizing a transfer of control of SkyTerras FCC licenses to Harbinger. On August 22, 2008, Harbinger and SkyTerra filed applications with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) requesting the FCC Consent. The applications have been amended from time to time, including a minor amendment filed on October 5, 2009, that among other things informed the FCC that the proposed transfer of control will be implemented pursuant to the merger agreement.
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Although the applications are subject to public comment and objections from third parties, the formal comment period closed on June 18, 2009. No comments or objections were filed other than a request, which is routine in such matters, from the U.S. Department of Justice, with the concurrence of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (the Executive Branch Agencies), asking that the FCC defer action on the applications until the Executive Branch Agencies have completed their review of the applications for any national security, law enforcement, and public safety issues. There can be no assurance that the applications will be granted and it is uncertain when the FCC will complete its processing of the applications.
On August 24, 2009, the waiting period under the HSR Act expired regarding Harbingers acquisition of shares of SkyTerra.
On July 15, 2009 Harbinger and SkyTerra filed a joint voluntary notice (the Notice) under Section 721 of the Defense Production Act of 1950, as amended (Section 721) with the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS). The Notice asked CFIUS to find that transactions (collectively, the Transaction) that would result in Harbinger and its affiliates (together with Harbinger Capital Partners Fund I, L.P.) holding a majority of the voting shares in SkyTerra are not covered transactions as that term is defined in CFIUS regulations and that, accordingly, they are not subject to review for determination of their impact on national security under Section 721. On August 21, 2009, the Department of Treasury (as chair of CFIUS) informed Harbinger and SkyTerra that CFIUS had determined that the Transaction was not a covered transaction under Section 721. As a result of this determination, the Transaction is not, and will not be, subject to review by CFIUS.
Litigation Challenging the Merger (p. 57)
Putative class action lawsuits were filed in Delaware against Harbinger, SkyTerra and SkyTerras board of directors, including the special committee. These lawsuits allege, among other things, a breach of fiduciary duty in connection with the proposed merger. The lawsuits have been consolidated, and on November 18, 2009, a memorandum of understanding was executed contemplating a settlement of the litigation.
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QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THE MERGER AND THE ANNUAL MEETING
We intend the following questions and answers to provide brief answers to frequently asked questions concerning the proposed merger. These questions and answers do not, and are not intended to, address all the questions that may be important to you as a SkyTerra stockholder. You should read the remainder of this proxy statement carefully, including the information incorporated by reference and all of the appendices.
Q: | Why am I receiving these materials? |
A: | The board of directors is providing these proxy materials to give you information for use in determining how to vote on the merger agreement in connection with the annual meeting. |
Q: | What is the date, time and place of the annual meeting? |
A: | The annual meeting of stockholders will be held at 10802 Parkridge Boulevard, Reston, VA 20191 on [ ], 2010, at [10:00 a.m.], local time. |
Q: | What am I being asked to vote on? |
A: | You are being asked to vote to approve the adoption of the merger agreement pursuant to which Acquisition Corp., a subsidiary of Harbinger, will merge with and into SkyTerra, with SkyTerra continuing as the surviving corporation in the merger. At the annual meeting, you will also be asked to elect directors to the board of directors of SkyTerra and to consider and vote upon a proposal to adjourn or postpone the annual meeting, if necessary, to permit further solicitation of proxies in the event there are not sufficient votes at the time of the annual meeting to adopt the merger agreement. |
Q: | Who is entitled to vote at the annual meeting? |
A: | All holders of Common Stock as of the close of business on [ ], 2010, which we refer to as the record date, will be entitled to notice of the annual meeting. Only holders of Common Stock as of the close of business on the record date are entitled to vote at the annual meeting. The holders of NonVoting Common Stock are not entitled to vote at the annual meeting. |
Q: | How many votes are required to adopt the merger agreement? |
A: | Each outstanding share of Common Stock is entitled to one vote. Under Delaware law, the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Common Stock entitled to vote is necessary to adopt the merger agreement. As of [ ], the record date, there were [ ] shares of Common Stock outstanding. As of the record date, our directors and executive officers had the right to vote [ ] shares of our Common Stock. Harbinger has agreed to vote shares of Common Stock held by the Harbinger Parties in favor of the merger. As of the record date, Harbinger and its affiliates held an aggregate of [ ] shares of our Common Stock. As of [ ], Harbinger and its affiliates are entitled to vote approximately 46% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock. In addition to the required vote under Delaware law, the merger agreement requires that (1) a majority of the outstanding Eligible Shares must be present, in person or by proxy, and be voted at the annual meeting and (2) a majority of the Eligible Shares so present and voted shall have voted in favor of the adoption of the merger agreement. |
Q: | What will I receive in the merger? |
A: | You will be entitled to receive $5.00 per share in cash, without interest, for each share of Capital Stock that you own, unless you seek and perfect appraisal rights. If you seek appraisal and properly perfect your rights under the DGCL, the fair value of your Capital Stock that you will receive in cash as a result of the appraisal proceeding may be less than, more than or equal to the value of the merger consideration to be issued in the merger. |
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Q: | What is the role of the special committee? |
A: | The board of directors appointed a special committee of independent directors to negotiate and evaluate a potential transaction with Harbinger and recommend to the board of directors only a transaction with Harbinger that the special committee determined was fair to and in the best interests of SkyTerras unaffiliated stockholders, with the discretion to reject any transaction proposed by Harbinger. |
Q: | What was the recommendation of the special committee to the SkyTerra board of directors? |
A: | The special committee has unanimously determined that the merger and the merger agreement are substantively and procedurally fair to, advisable to and in the best interests of SkyTerra and its unaffiliated stockholders and that the merger is advisable and has recommended to SkyTerras board of directors that the merger and merger agreement be approved and adopted. In arriving at its conclusion, the special committee considered, among other factors, the opinion of Morgan Stanley, its independent financial advisor that, subject to the various assumptions, qualifications and limitations set forth in its opinion, as of September 22, 2009, the per share merger consideration to be paid to SkyTerras stockholders (other than Harbinger and its affiliates) in the merger was fair to such holders from a financial point of view. The full text of the written opinion, which sets forth, among other things, the assumptions made, procedures followed, matters considered and qualifications and limitations of the reviews undertaken by Morgan Stanley in rendering its opinion, is attached as Appendix C to this proxy statement and is incorporated herein by reference. You are urged to, and should, read the Morgan Stanley Opinion carefully and in its entirety. The opinion was directed to the special committee and addresses only the fairness, from a financial point of view, of the merger consideration to be received by SkyTerras stockholders (other than Harbinger and its affiliates). The opinion does not address any other aspect of the proposed merger nor does it constitute a recommendation to any stockholder as to how such stockholder should vote or act with respect to any matters relating to the merger agreement. See Proposal OneThe MergerOpinion of the Special Committees Financial Advisor beginning on page 41. |
Q: | What is the recommendation of the board of directors to the holders of Common Stock? |
A: | Based in part upon the recommendation of the special committee, the board of directors recommends that SkyTerra stockholders vote FOR the adoption of the merger agreement. The board of directors, after careful consideration of numerous factors, has determined that the terms and provisions of the merger agreement are substantively and procedurally fair to and in the best interests of SkyTerras unaffiliated stockholders and that the merger is advisable. To review the background and reasons for the merger in greater detail, see Proposal OneThe MergerBackground of the Merger beginning on page 21 and Proposal OneThe MergerPosition of SkyTerra as to the Fairness of the Merger; Recommendation by SkyTerras Special Committee and Board of Directors beginning on page 32. |
Q: | When do you expect the merger to be completed? |
A: | We are working toward completing the merger as quickly as possible. If the merger agreement is adopted and the other conditions to the merger are satisfied, we expect to complete the merger shortly after the annual meeting. |
Q: | Can you still sell your shares of Common Stock? |
A: | Yes. The Common Stock is currently quoted on the Over the Counter Bulletin Board under the symbol SKYT.OB. |
Q: | What happens if I sell my shares of Common Stock before the annual meeting? |
A: | The record date for the annual meeting is earlier than the expected date of the merger. If you transfer your shares of Common Stock after the record date but before the annual meeting, you will retain your right to vote at the annual meeting but will transfer the right to receive $5.00 in cash per share to the person to whom you transfer your shares. |
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Q: | What do I need to do now? |
A: | You should read this proxy statement carefully, including the information incorporated by reference and all of the appendices, and consider how the merger would affect you. Please complete, sign, date and mail your proxy card in the enclosed postage prepaid envelope as soon as possible so that your shares may be represented at the annual meeting. |
Q: | Should I send in my stock certificate now? |
A: | No. After the merger is completed, we will send you a transmittal form and written instructions for exchanging your stock certificates. |
Q: | How do I submit a proxy? |
A: | You can submit a proxy by completing, signing, dating and mailing your proxy card in the enclosed postage prepaid envelope. See the enclosed proxy card for specific instructions. You may also vote in person if you attend the annual meeting. Street name stockholders who wish to vote at the meeting will need to obtain a proxy from the institution that holds their shares. If you sign, date and return your proxy card without indicating how you want to vote, and do not revoke the proxy, your proxy will be counted as a vote FOR adoption of the merger agreement and any adjournment or postponement of the annual meeting if there are not sufficient votes to adopt the merger agreement at the annual meeting, and you will lose your appraisal rights. |
Q: | Can I attend the annual meeting? |
A: | If you owned shares of Capital Stock on the record date, [ ], you are permitted to attend the annual meeting. You should be prepared to present photo identification for admittance. In addition, if your shares of Capital Stock are held in the name of your broker, bank or other nominee, you must bring an account statement or letter from the nominee indicating that you were the beneficial owner of such shares on the record date. |
Q: | If my shares are held in street name, will my bank, broker or other nominee vote my shares for me? |
A: | Brokers and, in many cases, nominees will not have discretionary power to vote on the merger. Your broker or nominee will vote your shares only if you provide instructions on how to vote. You should follow the directions provided by your broker or nominee regarding how to instruct your broker or nominee to vote your shares. |
Q: | May I change my vote after I have mailed my signed proxy card? |
A: | Yes. You may change your vote by submitting to the Secretary of SkyTerra a written revocation or a later dated, signed proxy card before the annual meeting or by attending the annual meeting and voting in person. |
Q: | What happens if I do not send in my proxy or if I abstain from voting? |
A: | If you do not send in a proxy or if you abstain from voting, such action will have the effect of a vote AGAINST adopting the merger agreement and ratifying the appointment of Ernst & Young. For the election of directors and the adjournment proposal, the failure to execute and return your proxy card or to submit a proxy by telephone or over the Internet will not affect the outcome of either proposal, but, with respect to the adjournment proposal, will reduce the number of votes required to approve such proposal. |
Q: | Who are the director nominees? |
A: | SkyTerras board of directors has nominated each of Alexander H. Good, Jose A. Cecin, Jr., Paul S. Latchford, Jr., Jeffrey M. Killeen, William F. Stasior and Michael D. Weiner (each of whom is currently a director of SkyTerra) for election to the board of directors of SkyTerra. See Proposal TwoElection of Directors. |
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Q: | What vote is needed to elect directors? |
A: | Directors are elected by a plurality vote. The six nominees for director who receive the most votes cast in their favor will be elected to serve as directors. Any SkyTerra shares not voted will have no impact on the election of directors, except to the extent that the withholding of authority to vote for an individual director results in another individual receiving a larger number of votes. |
Q: | What vote is needed to ratify the appointment of Ernst & Young? |
A: | Ratification of the appointment of the independent registered public accounting firm requires the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the total number of votes of our capital stock, present in person or represented by proxy. With respect to the ratification of the appointment of the independent registered public accounting firm, under SkyTerras bylaws and the laws of the State of Delaware, abstentions from voting will have the same effect as voting against such matter and broker non-votes, if any, will be disregarded and have no effect on the outcome of the vote. |
Q: | As a SkyTerra stockholder, why am I electing SkyTerras directors when I am being asked to adopt the merger agreement? |
A: | Delaware law requires SkyTerra to hold a meeting of its stockholders each year. SkyTerra will observe this requirement and hold the meeting to elect directors to the SkyTerra board of directors. The SkyTerra directors elected at the Annual Meeting will serve as directors of SkyTerra following the meeting through the earliest of the completion of the merger, SkyTerras 2010 annual meeting of stockholders, or the directors earlier death, resignation or removal. Upon completion of the merger, the individuals serving as SkyTerra directors immediately prior to the completion of the merger will be replaced by the directors of Acquisition Corp. |
Q: | What are the consequences of the merger to present officers and the board of directors? |
A: | Immediately following the merger, it is expected that SkyTerras existing officers will continue as officers of the surviving corporation. The directors of Acquisition Corp. at the effective time of the merger will be the initial directors of SkyTerra, as the surviving corporation. Like other stockholders, officers and the board of directors will be entitled to receive $5.00 in cash for each of their shares of Capital Stock. |
For more information, including information regarding officers and directors receipt of certain payments, see Proposal OneThe MergerInterests of SkyTerra Directors and Officers in the Merger beginning on page 50. |
Q: | What rights do I have to seek appraisal of my shares? |
A: | SkyTerras stockholders (other than Harbinger and its affiliates) are entitled to exercise appraisal rights in connection with the merger. Both holders of Common Stock and NonVoting Common Stock are entitled to exercise appraisal rights in connection with the merger. If you do not vote in favor of the merger and it is completed, you may seek payment of the fair value of your shares under Delaware law. To do so, you must strictly comply with all of the required procedures under Delaware law. See Proposal OneThe MergerRights of Appraisal beginning on page 63. |
Q: | Will a proxy solicitor be used? |
A: | Yes. SkyTerra has retained D.F. King to assist in the solicitation of proxies for the annual meeting for a fee of approximately $17,000 plus expenses and fees for additional services provided, if any. SkyTerra will be responsible for the costs incurred to retain D.F. King. |
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Q: | Who can help answer my questions? |
A: | The information provided above in the question and answer format is for your convenience only and is merely a summary of some of the information contained in this proxy statement. You should carefully read the entire proxy statement, including the information incorporated by reference and all of the appendices. If you have any questions about the merger, need assistance in voting your shares or if you need additional copies of this proxy statement or the enclosed proxy card, you should contact SkyTerra at: |
SkyTerra Communications, Inc.
10802 Parkridge Boulevard
Reston, VA 20191
(703) 3902700
Attn: Investor Relations
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CAUTIONARY STATEMENT CONCERNING FORWARD LOOKING INFORMATION
This proxy statement contains or incorporates by reference certain forwardlooking statements and information relating to SkyTerra that are based on the beliefs of management as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to SkyTerra. When used in this document, the words anticipate, believe, estimate, project, expect, plan intend should or will and similar expressions, as they relate to SkyTerra or its management are intended to identify forwardlooking statements. Such statements reflect the current view of SkyTerra with respect to future events and are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Many factors could cause the actual results, performance or achievements of SkyTerra to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements that may be expressed or implied by such forwardlooking statements, including, the matters discussed under Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in SkyTerras most recent quarterly or annual report filed with the SEC, as well as factors relating to the proposed merger, including (i) diversion of management attention away from the operations of the business as a result of preparations for the proposed merger and the defense of litigation in connection with the proposed merger and (ii) the cost of litigation and other transaction related expenses that are expected to be incurred regardless of whether the proposed merger is consummated.
Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described herein as anticipated, believed, estimated, projected, expected, planned or intended. We caution you not to place undue reliance on these forwardlooking statements, which speak only as of the date of this proxy statement, or in the case of documents incorporated by reference, as of the date of those documents. SkyTerra does not intend, or assume any obligation, to update these forwardlooking statements.
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Time and Place of the Annual Meeting
This proxy statement is furnished, and the accompanying proxy is solicited, on behalf of the board of directors of SkyTerra, for use at the annual meeting of SkyTerra stockholders to be held at 10802 Parkridge Boulevard, Reston, VA 20191 on [ ], 2010, at [10:00 a.m.], local time, and at any adjournment or postponement thereof. The proxy statement and the accompanying proxy will be mailed on or about [ ], 2010 to all SkyTerra stockholders as of the record date.
At the annual meeting, holders of Common Stock will be asked to:
1) | Consider and vote upon a proposal to adopt the merger agreement, which, if the merger is completed, would result in each share of Capital Stock converting into the right to receive $5.00 in cash, without interest, except for: |
| shares of Capital Stock owned by Harbinger or its affiliates, all of which will be canceled without any payment; |
| shares of Capital Stock owned by subsidiaries of SkyTerra immediately prior to the effective time of the merger, which will remain outstanding thereafter, with appropriate adjustment to the number thereof to preserve such subsidiarys percentage ownership of SkyTerra; and |
| shares of Capital Stock held by stockholders who validly exercise and perfect appraisal rights in accordance with Delaware law; |
2) | To elect six (6) directors to serve on SkyTerras board of directors, each to hold office until the earliest of SkyTerras 2010 annual meeting of stockholders, his earlier death, resignation or removal or, if the merger is completed, the effective time of the merger; |
3) | Consider and vote upon a proposal to adjourn the annual meeting, if necessary, to permit further solicitation of proxies in the event there are not sufficient votes at the time of the annual meeting to adopt the merger agreement; |
4) | To ratify the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as the independent registered public accounting firm of SkyTerra for the year ending December 31, 2009; and |
5) | Transact any other business that may properly come before the annual meeting or any adjournment or postponement of the annual meeting. |
The board of directors, after receiving the recommendation of the special committee, (1) has approved, declared advisable and authorized the merger agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby, including the proposed merger; (2) has determined that the proposed merger and the transactions contemplated thereby are substantively and procedurally fair to and in the best interests of SkyTerras unaffiliated stockholders; and (3) recommends that SkyTerras stockholders vote FOR the adoption of the merger agreement. The board of directors also recommend that you vote FOR each of the nominees for election to the board of directors of SkyTerra, and the approval of any proposal to adjourn the annual meeting, if necessary, to permit further solicitation of proxies in the event there are not sufficient votes at the time of the annual meeting to adopt the merger agreement.
We have fixed [ ], 2010 as the record date. Only stockholders of record as of the close of business on the record date are entitled to notice of the annual meeting. Only holders of Common Stock as of the close of business on the record date are entitled to vote at the annual meeting. Holders of NonVoting Common Stock are
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not entitled to vote at the annual meeting. As of the close of business on the record date, there were [ ] issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock. Each share of Common Stock is entitled to one vote on all matters to be considered at the annual meeting. The Common Stock is currently quoted on the Over the Counter Bulletin Board under the symbol SKYT.OB.
The presence at the annual meeting, in person or by proxy, of the holders of a majority of all of the shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding as of the close of business on the record date and entitled to vote will constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at the annual meeting. In addition, a majority of the outstanding Eligible Shares must be present, in person or by proxy, and be voted at the stockholder meeting in order to satisfy a condition to the consummation of the merger. As of January 7, 2010, there were 22,524,171 Eligible Shares issued and outstanding, which means that 11,284,610 Eligible Shares must be present, in person or by proxy, and be voted at the stockholder meeting in order for a quorum to be established for these purposes. The holders of shares represented by proxies reflecting abstentions or broker non votes are considered present at the meeting and count toward a quorum. However, abstentions and broker non votes will have the effect of a vote against adoption of the merger agreement.
If less than a majority of outstanding shares entitled to vote are represented at the annual meeting, a majority of the shares present at the meeting, either in person or by proxy, may adjourn the meeting to another date, time and/or place, and notice need not be given of the new date, time and/or place if the new date, time or place is announced at the meeting before an adjournment is taken.
Under Delaware law, adoption of the merger agreement requires the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Common Stock. In addition to the required vote under Delaware law, the merger agreement requires that (1) a majority of the outstanding Eligible Shares must be present, in person or by proxy, and be voted at the annual meeting and (2) a majority of the Eligible Shares so present and voted shall have voted in favor of the adoption of the merger agreement. Ratification of the appointment of Ernst & Young as the independent registered public accounting firm of SkyTerra requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares of Common Stock represented and entitled to vote at the annual meeting. A properly executed proxy marked ABSTAIN with respect to any such matter will not be voted, although it will be counted for purposes of determining whether there is a quorum. Accordingly, an abstention will have the effect of a vote against the adoption of the merger agreement and the ratification of the appointment of Ernst & Young as the independent registered public accounting firm of SkyTerra.
For the election of directors, the six nominees receiving the highest numbers of votes of the shares of Common Stock present in person or represented by proxy at the annual meeting and entitled to vote on the election of directors will be elected as directors. Approval of a proposal to adjourn the meeting, if necessary, for any purpose, including to solicit additional proxies, would require the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the shares of Common Stock represented and entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting.
For shares held in street name through a broker or other nominee, the broker or nominee may not be permitted to exercise voting discretion with respect to some of the matters to be acted upon, including the adoption of the merger agreement. If the broker or nominee is not given specific instructions, the shares may not be voted. Shares represented by such broker nonvotes will, however, be counted in determining whether there is a quorum.
All votes will be tabulated by the inspector of election appointed for the annual meeting, who will separately tabulate affirmative and negative votes, abstentions and broker nonvotes.
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As of the record date, Harbinger and its affiliates are entitled to vote approximately 46% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock. Harbinger has agreed to vote its shares of Common Stock in favor of the merger.
Even after SkyTerra stockholders have submitted their proxy cards, they may change their vote at any time before the proxy is exercised by filing with the SkyTerra Secretary at SkyTerras executive offices located at 10802 Parkridge Boulevard, Reston, VA 20191, either a notice of revocation or a duly executed proxy bearing a later date. The powers of the proxy holders will be suspended if the stockholder attends the meeting in person and so requests, although attendance at the meeting will not by itself revoke a previously granted proxy.
SkyTerra will pay the cost of preparing, assembling and mailing the proxy statement, notice of meeting and enclosed proxy card. In addition to the use of mail, SkyTerra employees may solicit proxies personally and by telephone. SkyTerra employees will receive no compensation for soliciting proxies other than their regular salaries. SkyTerra may request banks, brokers and other custodians, nominees and fiduciaries to forward copies of the proxy material to the beneficial owners of Capital Stock and to request authority for the execution of proxies, and SkyTerra may reimburse such persons for their expenses incurred in connection with these activities. SkyTerra has retained D.F. King to assist in the solicitation of proxies for the annual meeting for a fee of approximately $17,000 plus expenses and fees for additional services provided, if any. The fees payable to D.F. King are being paid by SkyTerra.
Stockholders who do not vote in favor of approval of the merger agreement and who comply with the procedures for perfecting appraisal rights under the applicable statutory provisions of Delaware law summarized elsewhere in this proxy statement may demand payment of the fair value of their shares in cash in connection with the consummation of the merger. See Proposal OneThe MergerRights of Appraisal beginning on page 63.
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SkyTerra Communications, Inc.
10802 Parkridge Boulevard
Reston, VA 20191
(703) 390700
SkyTerra Communications, Inc., a Delaware corporation, which we refer to as SkyTerra, delivers mobile wireless voice and data services primarily for public safety, security, fleet management and asset tracking in the U.S. and Canada. The companys nextgeneration integrated satelliteterrestrial communications network is expected to provide seamless, transparent and ubiquitous wireless coverage of the United States and Canada to conventional sized cellular handsets. When completed, the network will support communications in a variety of market segments, including public safety, homeland security, aviation, transportation, entertainment, as well as consumers, by providing a platform for interoperable, userfriendly and featurerich voice and highspeed data services.
If the merger agreement and the merger are adopted by the SkyTerra stockholders at the annual meeting and the merger is completed as contemplated, SkyTerra will survive the merger and will continue its operations as a private company and a wholly owned indirect subsidiary of Harbinger.
Additional information about SkyTerra is contained in its Annual Report on Form 10K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008, as amended, which is attached hereto as Appendix E and is incorporated herein by reference. See Where You Can Find More Information beginning on page 94.
Harbinger Capital Partners Master Fund I, Ltd.
Harbinger Capital Partners Master Fund I, Ltd., an exempted company organized under the laws of the Cayman Islands, which we refer to as Master Fund, is a global hedge fund managed by Harbinger Capital Partners LLC.
Harbinger Capital Partners was founded in 2001 and is led by its CoFounder and Chief Investment Officer, Philip A. Falcone, who has over 20 years of investment experience across an array of market cycles. The Harbinger team is disciplined and value oriented, focusing on alpha generating ideas that are uncorrelated to investment cycles. The firm combines a flexible, innovative approach to uncovering opportunity with a thorough investment process. Each investment undergoes rigorous fundamental research, extensive vetting, and seeks an identifiable catalyst for value realization. Harbinger regards risk management as a critical component of the investment process and actively manages risk at three levels: portfolio, position and operations. The firm offers several strategies which emphasize different opportunities, each based on the same timetested fundamental investment and risk management processes.
The executive offices of Master Fund are located at c/o International Fund Services Limited, Third Floor, Bishops Square, Redmonds Hill, Dublin 2, Ireland and its telephone number is (212) 5216972.
Harbinger Capital Partners Special Situations Fund, L.P.
Harbinger Capital Partners Special Situations Fund, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership, which we refer to as Special Fund and in connection with Master Fund is referred to as Harbinger in this proxy statement, is a global hedge fund managed by Harbinger Capital Partners Special Situations GP, LLC.
The executive offices of Special Fund are located at c/o Harbinger Capital Partners, 450 Park Avenue, 30th Floor, New York, New York 10022 and its telephone number is (212) 3395100.
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Sol Private Corp., a Delaware corporation and a wholly owned indirect subsidiary of Harbinger, which we refer to as Acquisition Corp., was formed solely for the purpose of entering into the merger agreement and consummating the merger and has not engaged in any business except in furtherance of the merger.
The executive offices of Acquisition Corp. are located at c/o Harbinger Capital Partners, 450 Park Avenue, 30th Floor, New York, New York 10022 and its telephone number is (212) 3395100.
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The merger agreement provides that, subject to certain conditions, Acquisition Corp. will merge with SkyTerra, with SkyTerra continuing as the surviving corporation in the merger. We have attached a copy of the merger agreement as Appendix A to this proxy statement and a copy of the First Amendment as Appendix B to this proxy statement. We urge you to, and you should, read the merger agreement in its entirety because it is the legal document governing the merger.
Historical Relationship Between Harbinger and SkyTerra
As of March 28, 2006, the Master Fund was a minority stockholder in SkyTerra, owning approximately 2,117,800 shares of Capital Stock. At such time, SkyTerras two primary assets, following its distribution in February 2006 of its interest in Hughes Network Systems, were minority stakes in Mobile Satellite Ventures LP (MSV, and subsequently renamed SkyTerra LP and now a wholly owned subsidiary of SkyTerra, SkyTerra LP) and TerreStar Networks Inc. (TerreStar Networks). In March 2006, the Master Fund also acquired from the underwriters $60 million aggregate principal amount of bonds in a $750 million offering of SkyTerra LP Senior Secured Notes (Senior Secured Notes). Subsequently, on July 28, 2006, Harbinger increased its equity ownership in SkyTerra to 3,230,048 shares of Capital Stock through the purchase of 891,363 shares of Capital Stock at $18 per share as part of a stockholder rights offering made to all SkyTerra stockholders. As of October 13, 2006, the Master Fund, together with the Special Fund had acquired another 2,703,214 shares of Capital Stock at prices ranging from $12.9513.15 per share. Following these purchases Harbinger beneficially owned (within the meaning of the SECs rules) approximately 22.3% of SkyTerras Capital Stock, as reported by Harbinger, in a report filed with the SEC on Schedule 13D on October 13, 2006. Except with respect to the agreements entered into by SkyTerra LP with each holder of Senior Secured Notes, Harbinger and SkyTerra had not entered into any agreements or transactions in connection with the purchases described above.
Subsequent to its initial investments in SkyTerra and SkyTerra LP, Harbinger further increased its investments in SkyTerra and SkyTerra LP through a series of transactions occurring between December 2007 through July 2009. During such time period, the following significant transactions involving SkyTerra and Harbinger (or investments of Harbinger) occurred:
| Purchase of $150 Million of SkyTerra LP Senior Unsecured Notes. On December 15, 2007, Harbinger entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement (the 2007 SPA) with SkyTerra LP and Mobile Satellite Ventures Finance Co., which was subsequently renamed SkyTerra Finance Co. and is now a wholly owned subsidiary of SkyTerra, pursuant to which Harbinger agreed to purchase $150 million of SkyTerra LPs 16.5% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2013 and ten year warrants to purchase 9,144,038 shares of SkyTerras Capital Stock, with an exercise price of $10.00 per share. The terms of the warrants permit Harbinger to elect to receive shares of Common Stock, NonVoting Common Stock or any combination thereof. Harbinger was also granted the right of first negotiation to discuss the purchase of additional equity securities from SkyTerra prior to SkyTerras negotiation with a third party. If SkyTerra and Harbinger did not agree on the terms for such a transaction, Harbinger had the right to maintain its percentage ownership interest through pro rata purchases of shares in issuances to third parties. Such right expires once Harbinger and their affiliates beneficially own less than five percent (5%) of the outstanding Capital Stock of SkyTerra or, if earlier, on December 31, 2011. The transactions contemplated by the 2007 SPA closed on January 7, 2008. |
| SkyTerra Enters into Cooperation Agreement with Inmarsat. On December 20, 2007, SkyTerra entered into a Cooperation Agreement, which we refer to as the Cooperation Agreement, with Inmarsat Global Limited, a subsidiary of Inmarsat plc, which we refer to as Inmarsat. Inmarsat is a UK satellite company in which Harbinger owns approximately 28% of the outstanding capital stock. |
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Inmarsat, SkyTerra and SkyTerra (Canada) represented three of the five Lband mobile satellite system operators in North America included in the 1996 Mexico City Memorandum of Understanding entered into by the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Mexico and Russia governing Lband satellite network coordination in North America. The Cooperation Agreement provided for cooperation between SkyTerra and Inmarsat concerning coordination of nextgeneration satellite systems in North America, rebanding of Lband spectrum in North America to provide each with increased contiguous spectrum bandwidth and other matters. Harbinger was not a party to the transaction. |
| Purchase of 14.4 Million Shares of SkyTerra NonVoting Common Stock from Motient Corporation. On February 4, 2008, Harbinger Capital Partners Fund I, L.P., an affiliate of Harbinger, purchased 14,407,343 shares of NonVoting Common Stock of SkyTerra from Motient Corporation, which was subsequently renamed TerreStar Corporation (TerreStar). The shares held by TerreStar were issued to TerreStar as part of a September 2006 transaction (the 2006 Rollup). In the 2006 Rollup, the equity owners of SkyTerra LP (other than SkyTerra), including TerreStar, exchanged their equity in SkyTerra LP for shares of SkyTerra. As a result thereof, ownership and control of SkyTerra LP was consolidated under SkyTerra and ownership of TerreStar Networks was consolidated under the control of TerreStar. The purchase by Harbinger Capital Partners Fund I, L.P., of the 14.4 million shares of NonVoting Common Stock was a third party transaction with TerreStar. SkyTerra was not a party to the transaction. |
| Indenture Waiver. The indenture governing the Senior Secured Notes of SkyTerra LP and SkyTerra Finance Co., the note issuers, required the note issuers to offer to repurchase the Senior Secured Notes following a change of control (as defined in the indenture for such notes). Effective April 2, 2008, the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount at maturity of the Senior Secured Notes then outstanding signed letters to waive compliance by the issuers and guarantors of such notes with any provisions of the indenture that would, but for such waivers, require the note issuers to offer to repurchase or to repurchase any of the Senior Secured Notes due to a change of control caused by the acquisition of beneficial ownership of Common Stock or NonVoting Common Stock by Harbinger or any of its affiliates. |
| Purchase of 16.4 Million Shares of Common Stock and NonVoting Common Stock from Apollo. On April 7, 2008, Harbinger entered into an agreement with Apollo Investment Fund IV, L.P., Apollo Overseas Partners IV, L.P., AIF IV/RRRR LLC, AP/RM Acquisition LLC and ST/RRRR LLC (which we refer to, collectively, as Apollo) pursuant to which Harbinger, on April 9, 2008, purchased from Apollo 10,224,532 shares of Common Stock (of which 442,825 shares were placed in escrow pending receipt of the FCC Consent relating to Harbingers application to acquire control of SkyTerra) and 6,173,597 shares of NonVoting Common Stock for, in the aggregate, approximately $164 million ($10 per share). Additionally, Harbinger purchased all Series 1A warrants of SkyTerra held by Apollo representing the right to purchase up to 679,922 shares with an exercise price of $20.39 per share and all Series 2A warrants of SkyTerra held by Apollo representing the right to purchase up to 2,689,734 shares with an exercise price of $25.85 per share. The Series 1A warrants and Series 2A warrants expired unexercised on June 4, 2009 and August 19, 2009, respectively. The purchase by Harbinger of the approximately 16.4 million shares of Capital Stock was a third party transaction between Harbinger and Apollo. SkyTerra was not a party to the transaction. |
It was a condition to the consummation of the April 7, 2008 HarbingerApollo agreement that (i) the authorized size of the board of directors be increased from six members to seven members, (ii) each of Andrew D. Africk and Jeffrey Leddy resign from the board of directors and from the board of directors of each subsidiary of SkyTerra and be replaced by Paul S. Latchford, Jr. and Jose A. Cecin, Jr., and (iii) Alexander H. Good be elected to the board of directors. In considering those changes at the time, the board of directors of SkyTerra noted that the changes in the board composition, including the election of two independent directors proposed by Harbinger, Messrs. Cecin and Latchford, should help facilitate a NASDAQ listing, which was a goal of the board of directors at such time. Mr. Cecin was identified to Harbinger by a Harbinger consultant, based on such consultants view of Mr. Cecins
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business experience and knowledge in the telecommunications industry. Among other candidates, Mr. Latchford was identified to Harbinger by Mr. Good based on similar criteria. Neither Mr. Cecin nor Mr. Latchford had any prior relationship of any nature with Harbinger or any of its affiliates.
| Executed Master Contribution and Support Agreement (MCSA) for Inmarsat Possible Offer and Commitment to Purchase $500 Million of SkyTerra LP Senior Unsecured Notes. On April 10, 2008, Harbinger approached SkyTerra management with a proposal for a business combination of SkyTerra and Inmarsat. After receipt of such proposal, the board of directors considered a process, with the advice of one of SkyTerras outside corporate counsel, Skadden, Arps, Slate Meagher & Flom LLP, which we refer to as Skadden, on establishing a special committee of the board of directors and designating which members of the SkyTerra board of directors to appoint to such special committee. The SkyTerra board of directors determined to establish a special committee to evaluate transaction proposals from Harbinger and to negotiate directly with Harbinger on the behalf of the SkyTerra board of directors. It was determined as a result of that review and process for SkyTerra to designate three members to the special committee, all of which qualified as independent under NASDAQ rules. Specifically, on April 24, 2008, two long-standing members of the SkyTerra board of directors, Jeff Killeen and Jeff Stasior, as well as Mr. Latchford, were appointed to the special committee. Messrs. Killeen and Stasior had no prior relationship with Mr. Good before their service on the board of directors and their current relationship with Mr. Good is primarily as a result of their board service and was not deemed to create any appearance of conflict. On May 1, 2008, following Mr. Latchfords resignation from the special committee in order to avoid an appearance of conflict due to his strong professional and personal relationship with Mr. Good, Mr. Cecin was appointed to the special committee. Such appointment was made given his significant knowledge of the communications industry and related markets and experience as a Managing Director of Corporate Development at Bell Atlantic and Managing Director, Investment Banking at BB&T. All members of the special committee confirmed that they had no financial and/or other relationship with Harbinger. The special committee, composed of entirely independent directors, unanimously appointed Skadden as its legal advisor and Morgan Stanley as its financial advisor. Between April and July 2008, a series of meetings and negotiations took place between the special committee, its legal and financial advisors, and SkyTerra management, and Harbingers representatives, including Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP, which we refer to as Weil, as legal advisor, Merrill Lynch, as financial advisor, and other special advisors. |
As a result of these negotiations, on July 24, 2008, after consultation with its outside legal counsel and the receipt of a financial opinion from Morgan Stanley, the special committee unanimously determined that the Master Contribution and Support Agreement, which we refer to as the MCSA, and the related Securities Purchase Agreement, which we refer to as the SPA, were in the best interests of the stockholders of SkyTerra (other than Harbinger and its affiliates) and recommended that SkyTerras board of directors adopt and approve the transactions contemplated by the MCSA and the related SPA. Following receipt of the recommendation of the special committee, the board of directors of SkyTerra unanimously approved and adopted the MCSA and the related SPA and representatives of SkyTerra executed the MCSA. Pursuant to the MCSA, which related to the possible combination of SkyTerra and Inmarsat, the proposed business combination would be structured as an offer by SkyTerra to acquire all issued and to be issued shares of Inmarsat not owned by Harbinger, on terms to be determined by Harbinger following the receipt of required regulatory approvals and subject to the availability of equity and debt financing on terms acceptable to Harbinger. The MCSA contemplated that Harbinger would fund the offer by SkyTerra for Inmarsat by subscribing for new shares in SkyTerra valued at $10 per share (subject to an adjustment mechanism depending upon the offer price per Inmarsat share). Concurrently with the consummation of the offer, Harbinger would contribute its shares in Inmarsat and its equity interests in TVCC Holding Company, LLC to SkyTerra in exchange for additional SkyTerra shares valued at the same adjusted $10 per share. Under certain circumstances set forth in the MCSA, SkyTerra agreed to reimburse the incurred and documented fees and expenses of Harbinger. The MCSA contains various restrictions on SkyTerras actions through September 2010 pending consummation of the Inmarsat acquisition.
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In connection with the MCSA, Harbinger also agreed to provide $500 million of debt financing to fund SkyTerras business plan through the third quarter of 2010 pursuant to the SPA. 16.0% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2013 (the 2009 Notes) were to be issued by SkyTerra LP in four tranches of $150 million, $175 million, $75 million and $100 million on January 7, 2009, April 1, 2009, July 1, 2009, and January 4, 2010, respectively. The terms of the 2009 Notes require SkyTerra and SkyTerra LP to comply with certain covenants that restrict some of its corporate activities, including its 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. In conjunction with the issuance of the 2009 Notes, SkyTerra agreed to issue to Harbinger warrants to purchase up to 25 million shares of either, at Harbingers election, Common Stock or Non-Voting Common Stock of SkyTerra at an exercise price of $0.01 per share. Harbingers obligation to purchase the 2009 Notes was not conditioned upon the offer for Inmarsat being made or consummated. SkyTerra was not required under the SPA to issue the 2009 Notes and, with assistance from its financial advisor, Morgan Stanley, sought alternative financing sources in the debt and equity markets prior to consummation of the January 7, 2009, funding of the first tranche of the 2009 Notes and did not find any alternative financing sources.
On August 22, 2008, the SkyTerra board of directors, acting on the unanimous recommendation of the special committee, unanimously approved a proposed amendment to the MCSA. On the same day, SkyTerra and Harbinger entered into an amendment to the MCSA to eliminate Harbingers contribution to SkyTerra of any equity interests in TVCC Holding Company, LLC and to eliminate SkyTerras obligation to issue to Harbinger shares of SkyTerra Capital Stock in exchange for such contribution. In consideration of the amendment, SkyTerra agreed to issue 10.3 million additional shares of Common Stock to Harbinger if the business combination with Inmarsat contemplated by the MCSA is consummated.
Under the Communications Act, SkyTerra and Harbinger may not complete the merger unless they have first obtained the FCC Consent (as defined in the merger agreement) authorizing a transfer of control of SkyTerras FCC licenses to Harbinger and authorizing, under Section 310(b)(4) of the Communications Act, up to 100% ownership of SkyTerra by Harbinger. On August 22, 2008, Harbinger and SkyTerra filed applications with the FCC requesting the FCC Consent. The applications seeking the FCC Consent have been amended from time to time, including a minor amendment filed on October 5, 2009, that among other things informed the FCC that the proposed transfer of control will be implemented pursuant to the merger agreement. Applications also have been filed seeking FCC approval for the transfer of control of Inmarsat Hawaii Inc. and Inmarsat, Inc. from the shareholders of Inmarsat to Harbinger.
On December 8, 2008, approximately one month prior to Harbingers scheduled purchase of the first tranche of $150 million of the 2009 Notes, Harbinger requested, pursuant to the terms of the SPA, SkyTerras assistance to confirm that all of the conditions to Harbingers funding obligation were satisfied. Over the course of the next month, Harbinger conducted an extensive due diligence review of SkyTerra LP. In connection with its investigation, Harbinger retained legal and financial experts, including, among others, Weil, Navigant Consulting, Inc., and Phil Rubin, to confirm, among other matters, the accuracy of representations and warranties with respect to SkyTerra LPs financial condition and operations, the compliance with certain covenants and requested assurances from SkyTerra LP as to its funding requirements through 2010. During such month, the parties engaged in extensive arms length discussions as to whether all of Harbingers funding obligations were satisfied. On January 7, 2009, after extensive negotiations and in order to provide SkyTerra with greater certainty that Harbinger would purchase the 2009 Notes and in light of the significant deterioration in market conditions, SkyTerra, SkyTerra LP and Harbinger agreed to amend the SPA related to the 2009 Notes to (i) increase the interest rate on the 2009 Notes from 16.0% to 18.0% and (ii) increase the number of warrants to be issued in connection with the issuance of the 2009 Notes from 25 million to 32.5 million. Additionally, SkyTerra, SkyTerra LP and Harbinger agreed to amend the MCSA to provide
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SkyTerra LP greater latitude in its discussions with potential strategic partners. Such amendment provided SkyTerra with the ability to have discussions and negotiations with potential strategic partners so long as no binding agreement was reached without Harbingers prior written consent.
The first tranche of $150 million of 2009 Notes was issued to Harbinger on January 7, 2009 accompanied by the issuance of 7.5 million warrants with an exercise price of $0.01; the second tranche of $175 million of 2009 Notes was issued to Harbinger on April 1, 2009 accompanied by the issuance of 21.25 million warrants with an exercise price of $0.01; and the third tranche of $75 million of 2009 Notes was issued to Harbinger on July 1, 2009. In the merger agreement, SkyTerra and Harbinger agreed to postpone the issuance of the fourth, and final, tranche, in the amount of $100 million of 2009 Notes that was scheduled to close on January 4, 2010 accompanied by the issuance of 3.75 million warrants, with an exercise price of $0.01. See The Merger AgreementAmendment to Existing SPA beginning on page 74.
| Purchase of 23.6 Million Shares of SkyTerra Common Stock and NonVoting Common Stock from TerreStar. On September 12, 2008, SkyTerra entered into several agreements with TerreStar, one of which related to TerreStars desired sale of certain of its holdings in SkyTerra to Harbinger. In exchange for TerreStars agreement to provide SkyTerra rights to exchange its interest in TerreStars nonpublic subsidiary for shares in TerreStar, SkyTerra waived TerreStars obligation incurred in the 2006 Rollup to use its commercially reasonable efforts to distribute 29,926,074 shares of NonVoting Common Stock of SkyTerra to TerreStars stockholders. This waiver enabled TerreStar to be in a position to sell its interests in SkyTerra. TerreStar thereafter sold 23,626,074 shares of NonVoting Common Stock to Harbinger (of which 7,906,737 shares were placed in escrow pending the receipt of the FCC Consent for $4.15 per share). Following such sale, SkyTerra agreed, subject to certain conditions, to exchange such shares of NonVoting Common Stock for shares of Common Stock, at any time and from time to time, upon the request of Harbinger. 6,353,915 shares of NonVoting Common Stock have been exchanged for shares of Common Stock. |
| Purchase of 1.6 Million Shares of Common Stock in Open Market Purchases. During January and February 2009, Harbinger purchased an aggregate 1,634,708 shares of Common Stock in open market transactions at purchase prices ranging from $1.43 to $4.69 per share. |
The Master Fund held Common Stock in an account at Lehman Brothers International (Europe) (LBIE). On September 15, 2008, LBIE was placed into administration under United Kingdom law and four partners of PriceWaterhouseCoopers LLP were appointed as joint administrators. The joint administrators have advised that 1,113,197 shares of Common Stock were rehypothecated. The Master Fund believes at this time that such shares of Common Stock will not be recoverable.
As a result of the above transactions, as of April 1, 2009, Harbingers ownership of SkyTerra consisted of 22.3 million shares of Common Stock, 58.7 million shares of NonVoting Common Stock (including warrants to acquire shares of Capital Stock at an exercise price of $0.01 per share) and 10.0 million shares of Capital Stock (consisting of a mix of Common Stock and NonVoting Common Stock) held in escrow agreements which will be transferred to Harbinger upon receipt of the FCC Consent. As reported by Harbinger, in a report filed with the SEC on Schedule 13D on October 16, 2009, Mr. Falcone beneficially owned (within the meaning of the SECs rules) 69.4% of SkyTerras Common Stock as of October 16, 2009.
SkyTerra Strategic Review
Concurrent with Harbingers investment activities in SkyTerra, the SkyTerra board of directors, consisting of a majority of independent and disinterested directors, along with the special committee and its outside legal and financial advisors, were actively evaluating potential strategic alternatives available to SkyTerra. In SkyTerras view, the $500 million funding commitment obtained from Harbinger in July 2008 provided the capital necessary to fund SkyTerras business operations through the third quarter of 2010. As such, SkyTerra was focused on executing one or more strategic alternatives prior to the end of this funded period. The primary
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strategic alternatives included (i) the closing of a potential SkyTerra/Inmarsat combination, (ii) attracting a strategic partner to pursue an integrated satelliteterrestrial (mobile satellite servicesancillary terrestrial component services or MSSATC) opportunity in the North American market, (iii) development of an MSSonly business plan anchored by a core satellite roaming partner, and/or (iv) a sale of SkyTerra. In considering its alternatives, SkyTerra, consistent with its obligations under the MCSA, continued to support Harbingers activities in connection with the potential SkyTerra/Inmarsat combination.
In the next approximately nine months following the signing of the MCSA in July 2008, SkyTerra continued to support implementation of the MCSA while simultaneously pursuing strategic investments and business opportunities consistent with the commitments made in the MCSA and SkyTerras view that an acquisition of Inmarsat pursuant to the MCSA would be more beneficial to the interests of SkyTerra and its stockholders than the transactions contemplated by the Cooperation Agreement. This had been discussed by Mr. Good on quarterly earnings calls with investors subsequent to the execution of the MCSA. In the view of SkyTerra management and the board of directors, the process for regulatory approvals and financing for the possible offer for Inmarsat was extended, in part, as a result of the change in political administration in the United States as well as challenging and illiquid capital markets and the impact of the credit crisis. In a March 4, 2009 letter, Harbinger and SkyTerra requested that the FCC process the applications proposing a transfer of control of SkyTerra LPs FCC licensed subsidiary to Harbinger separately from the applications for transfer of control of Inmarsat. The SkyTerra management and board of directors were made aware of the increasing uncertainty that the acquisition of Inmarsat could be financed and closed prior to the depletion of SkyTerras available funding. In April 2009, the board of directors authorized the special committee to work with SkyTerra management, Morgan Stanley and Skadden to analyze funding and restructuring alternatives in light of the foregoing uncertainties.
On June 9, 2009, with Morgan Stanleys encouragement, SkyTerra held a meeting of the board of directors to discuss the recent bankruptcy filing of DBSD North America (a mobile satellite services provider), which we refer to as ICO, and the implications of such bankruptcy filing for SkyTerra. At the meeting, Morgan Stanley observed that the capital markets for new issue debt financings for spectrumbacked entities remained illiquid and unavailable to ICO. Morgan Stanley noted that strategic interest from thirdparties for ICOs assets was limited prior to the bankruptcy filing and that, as a result, the value of the equity interests in ICO was likely to be severely impaired in the bankruptcy proceeding based on indicative value ranges implied by the contemplated restructuring.
Morgan Stanley further noted that while SkyTerra did possess sufficient financial resources to fund its business operations through the third quarter of 2010, securing funding from financial and/or strategic investors in the current economic environment would prove challenging. Morgan Stanley noted that third parties identified by management as most likely to be interested in providing funding or proposing an acquisition of SkyTerra had chosen not to provide funding to or propose an acquisition of ICO to date, nor to commit the capital necessary to support a new 4G network deployment. In Morgan Stanleys judgment, the board would be warranted in exploring ways to restructure SkyTerras debt obligations and other liabilities, including payments to Boeing and other vendors, to extend SkyTerras ability to fund its business operations beyond the third quarter of 2010.
In July 2009, Morgan Stanley met with the SkyTerra board of directors and provided the board of directors with a preliminary overview of SkyTerras strategic and financing alternatives.
The alternatives discussed included a cash preservation scenario, a sale of the company, and a restructuring of SkyTerras capital structure as described below:
| The cash preservation scenario included reduced discretionary spending and postponement of SkyTerras next generation MSS development program. SkyTerras next generation MSS development program includes costs associated with the development of next generation operating support and business support systems (OSS/BSS), systems integration, core network and development of next |
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generation MSS devices. While the cash preservation scenario would generate near-term cash savings, such efforts would present significant incremental costs to SkyTerra to complete its development efforts, present regulatory and licensing risks, and would have little to no impact on extending the Companys funding runway from the end of the third quarter of 2010 given the magnitude of debt repayments and cash interest due in the fourth quarter of 2010. |
| The Company had been actively pursuing a major strategic partner for a considerable period of time. In addition, during early to mid 2009 the Company had pursued and encouraged such parties to submit indications of interest to make an investment in and/or acquire the Company. No such partnering efforts were successful and no bona fide offers were received. Moreover, the Companys limited existing cash availability, limited funding options, debt covenant restrictions and highly leveraged balance sheet were all factors that were negatively affecting the Companys ability to receive attractive investment proposals and/or offers to purchase the Company. |
| A restructuring of SkyTerras capital structure included a review of a potential debt for equity exchange, a recapitalization and/or modifications to existing vendor and/other contracts. Given SkyTerras significant debt leverage and modest equity capital base a significant debt for equity exchange or recapitalization would have resulted in substantial dilution to SkyTerras existing shareholders and modifications to existing vendor contracts would not have materially changed the Companys funding runway or financial position. |
Morgan Stanley stated that it believed it unlikely that the debt or equity markets would be able to provide financing based on the underlying value of SkyTerras spectrum prior to the depletion of the Companys cash resources.
Morgan Stanley did not address a potential acquisition by Harbinger but noted, as a comment to the three alternatives it was considering, that a take-private discussion may also become an element of any restructuring discussion with Harbinger. From the perspective of the SkyTerra minority, potential take-private transactions will need to be evaluated in the context of value realization/recovery in a restructuring, a combination with Inmarsat and a potential strategic sale in the future. Morgan Stanleys July 30, 2009 presentation also contained information related to the potential cost to Harbinger of a take-private transaction. This sensitivity analysis used a range of SkyTerra stock prices from $3.00 to $10.00 and an assumption that a range of the top eight non-Harbinger shareholders from between 0% and 100% were permitted to roll their existing equity in SkyTerra for equity in the surviving corporation (which was not a feature of the merger as proposed). Such illustration showed minority buy-out costs to Harbinger varying from $50 million to $558 million.
At that meeting, Morgan Stanley also pointed out that while SkyTerra owned and controlled potentially valuable longterm assets, realizing the value of those assets (and financing and completing a transaction to acquire Inmarsat) had become more difficult due to a number of factors, including the credit crisis, significant downturn in the economy, bankruptcy filing by ICO, and reluctance by other strategic parties in the nearterm to commit to a new fourth generation broadband network opportunity.
During the July 2009 meeting of the board of directors, SkyTerra management was directed to develop recommendations to reduce cash burn (and thereby extend the funding availability period) and to work with Morgan Stanley to further explore potential strategic and financial alternatives available to SkyTerra.
On July 24, 2009, SkyTerra selected a new launch window for its SkyTerra1 satellite of August through October 2010 (as compared to the previous March through May 2010 window) based on a potential delay in delivery of SkyTerra1 after receiving the most recent estimated delivery information from Boeing Satellite Systems (the manufacturer of the SkyTerra1 satellite).
During an August 12, 2009 meeting of the board of directors, SkyTerra management provided the board of directors and Morgan Stanley with a summary of strategic and financing alternatives available to SkyTerra.
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Because SkyTerra lacked assurance that the Inmarsat transaction could be financed and completed prior to the third quarter of 2010, coupled with the lack of any apparent imminent strategic partnering transaction available to SkyTerra, the SkyTerra management provided additional perspectives on the other primary strategic alternatives. Such potential alternatives included doing nothing, modifying the MCSA, pursuing a debt-for-equity exchange, extending the funding run-way, a sale of SkyTerra to Harbinger and a strategic investment in or sale of SkyTerra to a third party. Given Harbingers anticipated position following receipt of the FCC Consent with respect to the pending change of control application, if and when received, and the belief of the board of directors that Harbinger held a majority position in SkyTerras debt securities and Harbingers potential interest in a SkyTerra/Inmarsat combination, it was concluded that a potential sale of SkyTerra would likely be most attractive to Harbinger. A review and assessment of other potential strategic partners was also discussed. The board of directors was informed that potential partnerships had been explored at length with the assistance of several investment bankers, members of management and the board of directors as well as other stockholders, without any indications of interest in any transaction having been received within the necessary timeframe for funding requirements.
Since SkyTerra received its ATC authorization and license from the FCC in 2005, its business plan has been to finance and build out a multi-billion dollar MSS/ATC network which is predicated on attracting an anchor strategic partner. During 2005 and 2006, SkyTerra worked with an investment bank as its financial advisor in search of strategic partners. After much effort, that process was unsuccessful in attracting a strategic partner for SkyTerra. Throughout 2007 and early 2008, at least five investment banks had met with and or encouraged strategic partners to invest in SkyTerra. None of those discussions were successful. During the period July 2008 to January 2009, due to covenant restrictions under the MCSA with Harbinger, SkyTerras dialogues with potential strategic partners was limited. In January 2009, amendments to the MCSA were negotiated which provided SkyTerra greater flexibility in conducting strategic dialogues. Thereafter, SkyTerra reinitiated strategic discussions with a number of potential partners, seeking offers from them to invest in or acquire a significant position in SkyTerra, yet no offers were received or serious ongoing interest displayed.
Further, the experience of another satellite provider who had entered bankruptcy (ICO) was presented by Morgan Stanley as indicating that SkyTerras experience to date in strategic discussions was what should have been expected in light of the inability of ICO to obtain financing given market conditions. Morgan Stanley indicated to the SkyTerra Board of Directors that given market uncertainties, it would be highly unlikely SkyTerra would be able to attract a strategic investment under current market circumstances.
Expanded Mandate of Special Committee and Events Leading to Execution of Merger Agreement
At the August 12 meeting of the board of directors of SkyTerra, after considering the alternatives available to SkyTerra, the board of directors agreed to expand the role of the special committee to include discussions with Harbinger regarding SkyTerras strategic position and Harbingers position with respect thereto, which might include negotiation of a potential sale of SkyTerra to Harbinger. In addition, Alex Good, Chief Executive Officer of SkyTerra, and Scott Macleod, Chief Financial Officer of SkyTerra, were authorized by the board of directors to gauge Harbingers interest in engaging in discussions with the special committee regarding such position, including the potential sale of SkyTerra to Harbinger.
In the summer of 2009, as Harbinger continued to consider its investments in the wireless industry and its ability to rationalize and maximize the value of these investments, potential options for its investment in SkyTerra were reviewed with the assistance of UBS. At a meeting held on August 13, 2009, Mr. Falcone discussed with UBS possible alternatives for Harbingers wireless assets, including a potential acquisition of SkyTerra by Harbinger as well as potential post-acquisition strategies involving SkyTerra. Among other things, structuring and timing considerations for a potential transaction, SkyTerras capitalization, ownership interests of certain SkyTerra stockholders and SkyTerras historical stock price performance, liquidity and outstanding debt were discussed. A copy of the discussion materials, prepared as of July 13, 2009 with the assistance of Harbingers legal counsel, that were reviewed with Mr. Falcone on August 13, 2009 by UBS, is attached as an exhibit to the Schedule 13E-3. See Where You Can Find More Information beginning on page 94.
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After further considering potential options with respect to SkyTerra, Mr. Falcone directed representatives of Harbinger to analyze Harbingers options, including a potential going-private transaction. Thereafter, on August 21, 2009, the Harbinger Filing Parties amended their Schedule 13D to include the following statement:
taking into account all other Shares owned by the [Harbinger], [Harbinger] would own a majority of the issued and outstanding Shares and would be entitled to elect the Board of Directors of the Issuer and implement other corporate governance changes.
In addition, [Harbinger] [is] analyzing and considering, among other options, (i) the purchase or other acquisition of additional shares of stock of [SkyTerra] or securities exercisable or exchangeable for such shares (collectively, [SkyTerra] Securities) in the open market, in privately negotiated transactions, or otherwise, including the possibility of acquiring, through a merger or otherwise, some or all of the issued and outstanding shares of [SkyTerra]s stock not owned by [Harbinger], or assets of [SkyTerra] (in each case, subject to any applicable requirements under law) or (ii) a restructuring of [SkyTerra]s capital structure. However, it should not be assumed that any definitive plan or proposal to acquire such additional [SkyTerra] Securities, or for a merger, restructuring or other transaction, will be pursued or effected, and [Harbinger] make[s] no commitment (a) as to whether any of the foregoing will be pursued or effected, and (b) if any of the foregoing are pursued or effected, as to the timing, prices, terms and conditions that would be applicable.
On September 1, 2009, the special committee met, and Mr. Good provided the special committee with an update regarding FCC regulatory actions with respect to Harbingers change of control application. Mr. Good also noted that Harbinger had received clearance under HSR and CFIUS from the relevant governmental agencies. Mr. Good further discussed that he and Mr. Macleod had a meeting set for the next day with Harbinger. Mr. Macleod described the presentation which he and Mr. Good planned to make to Harbinger and the special committee approved the use of such presentation. Mr. Cecin summarized his review, which had followed the August 12 meeting of the board of directors, with Skadden and management with respect to meeting with Harbinger and potential strategic and financial alternatives which might be considered, as well as the legal and contractual parameters applicable to such alternatives. The special committee authorized Messrs. Cecin, to be accompanied by Messrs. Good and Macleod, to meet with Mr. Falcone and seek to understand his perspectives on other possible alternatives, but not to engage in the negotiation of any transaction without further guidance and authorization from the special committee.
On September 2, 2009, Messrs. Good and Macleod met with Mr. Falcone. Mr. Falcone indicated that he would be interested in engaging in discussions with Mr. Cecin, as Chairman of the special committee, with respect to potential transactions, and that he would be available to meet on Tuesday, September 8, 2009.
The special committee met again on September 3, 2009, and thereupon authorized Mr. Cecin to engage in negotiations with Mr. Falcone with respect to the terms of a potential acquisition of SkyTerra by Harbinger, to seek the assistance of management and the special committees legal and financial advisors to assist in the preparation for discussions, and to return to the special committee with recommendations as to a potential transaction.
On September 8, 2009, Messrs. Cecin, Good and Macleod met with Mr. Falcone. Mr. Falcone confirmed Harbingers interest in exploring a potential transaction to acquire SkyTerra. At such meeting, Mr. Falcone stated a view that while the spectrum holdings of SkyTerra were a valuable asset of SkyTerra, there continued to be a need both for additional financing and a broader business solution for SkyTerra. Mr. Falcone stated he could envision a transaction at the $4 per share level or perhaps as high as $4.50 per share but in no event would Harbinger consider a transaction that is conditioned upon a majority of the minority stockholders approving the transaction in the stockholder vote. Mr. Cecin indicated the special committee was seeking a price greater than $5 per share but that he would report his discussion with Mr. Falcone to the special committee for consideration.
After Mr. Falcones meeting with Messrs. Cecin, Good and Macleod, Mr. Falcone met with Harbingers legal and financial advisors to review alternative potential acquisition structures, including a tender offer
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(conditioned upon the tender of a majority of the shares held by unaffiliated stockholders), a merger to be negotiated with a special committee of SkyTerras board of directors or privately negotiated purchases of shares directly from SkyTerras stockholders, as well as timing of these alternative acquisition structures, the potential impact of transaction structures on transaction certainty, required regulatory approvals and the roles of SkyTerras management and directors. A copy of the discussion materials, prepared with the assistance of Harbingers legal counsel, that were reviewed with Mr. Falcone by UBS on September 8, 2009, as well as certain information subsequently prepared by UBS for Harbinger regarding the estimated cash required to effect the proposed acquisition, are attached as exhibits to the Schedule 13E-3. See Where You Can Find More Information beginning on page 94. At this meeting, Mr. Falcone updated those in attendance of his earlier conversations with the chairman of the special committee and management, and outlined the terms which he deemed necessary for any deal with the special committee.
Later that same day, the special committee met and heard a report of the meeting with Mr. Falcone and the price discussion. The special committee considered such price discussion with reference to recent reported trading prices for the Common Stock, which had ranged from $2.78 to $3.45 per share since August 1, 2009. The special committee authorized Mr. Cecin to go back to Mr. Falcone to negotiate a higher price and obtain the majority of the minority condition to the transaction. The special committee also noted that it would be appropriate for Harbinger to engage counsel to proceed towards a draft potential merger agreement which could be negotiated and presented to the board of directors for review.
On September 9, 2009, Mr. Cecin had a telephone call with Mr. Falcone to follow up on their discussion of the previous day with respect to terms for a potential transaction to acquire the minority equity interest in SkyTerra. Mr. Falcone confirmed that a SkyTerra request for a majority of the minority vote condition in a transaction would be a deal breaker. He also confirmed his view that any price above $5 per share would not be of interest to Harbinger at such time, and stated that if a price in excess of that was required in order to effectuate a transaction that Harbinger would then elect to postpone consideration of a transaction. Mr. Cecin told Mr. Falcone that the special committee was not willing to agree to a transaction which did not provide at least $5 per share. Mr. Falcone responded that Harbinger would be willing to look at a $5 per share offer conditioned upon a waiver of the condition that there be a majority of the minority vote in the transaction. Mr. Cecin informed Mr. Falcone that if other terms and conditions were acceptable to the special committee, the special committee would proceed with a transaction without a majority of the minority condition. After a brief process discussion, Mr. Falcone advised Mr. Cecin that SkyTerras counsel, Skadden, should contact Harbingers counsel, Weil, to discuss moving forward to have further discussions concerning a potential transaction. Later that day, the special committee met again to discuss in detail the discussions with Harbinger.
Skadden was instructed to prepare a draft merger agreement, and on September 11, it delivered such a draft to Weil.
On September 16, 2009, the board of directors held a special meeting. At such meeting, Mr. Good discussed SkyTerras financial position, including the Companys existing cash and funding availability, upcoming significant capital requirements in the fourth quarter of 2010, limitations on the ability to raise additional equity or debt based on contract covenant restrictions and market conditions, as well as the companys inability to conclude any agreement with strategic investors over the past five years. Mr. Good also stated that while SkyTerra held strategic discussions with a number of potential partners seeking offers from them to invest in or acquire a significant position in SkyTerra, no such offers were received or serious ongoing interest displayed. Finally, Mr. Good concluded that none of the Companys strategic and/or financing alternatives were meeting with genuine counterparty interest or were subject to probable execution in the foreseeable future given the Companys lack of liquidity and limited funding runway.
After Mr. Good described the discussions with Harbinger at length on September 8 and 9, Mr. Cecin affirmed Mr. Goods report on such discussions and tone of the meetings held with Mr. Falcone and further expressed his view that Harbinger would not agree to a deal above $5 per share. He also reiterated that
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Mr. Falcone had made it clear that if SkyTerra insisted on a majority of the minority condition in the agreement it would be a deal breaker from Harbingers perspective.
Mr. Good concluded the September 16 meeting with a general update of SkyTerras business operations and outlook. He gave a brief overview of the industry in general and the status of MSSATC players within the industry and the specific positives SkyTerra was experiencing. He highlighted also the imminent challenges to be overcome with respect to funding SkyTerra including timing and other negative indicators in the market, such as the ICO bankruptcy and the exhausted financial reserves of certain of the major terrestrial players due to recent spectrum transactions and general economic conditions. He summarized that generally SkyTerra has had positive development and growth but could not sustain this without a near and longer term solution for funding.
On September 17, 2009, a confidentiality agreement between Harbinger and SkyTerra was executed and Harbinger, its legal and financial representatives and other consultants commenced an extensive due diligence review of SkyTerra over the next five days, including physical visits to SkyTerras offices, meetings with SkyTerra management and receipt of financial and operating information.
On September 18, 2009, Weil provided a revised draft of the merger agreement to Skadden, to which Skadden responded on September 20. Skaddens comments with respect to Weils draft of September 18 related principally to various conditions requested by Harbinger (including as to percentage of dissenting shares, nature of FCC order and absence of stockholder litigation). The parties also discussed the treatment of BCE in the transactions and a request by SkyTerra that Harbinger take no action to remove the current members of the SkyTerra board of directors or change the Bylaws to increase the number of board members while the merger agreement remains in effect.
On September 22, 2009, a Harbinger representative informed Mr. Cecin that Harbinger had concluded their analysis and consideration of options related to their investment in SkyTerra (including the possibility of acquiring all of the outstanding shares of Capital Stock not currently owned by Harbinger and its affiliates) and their due diligence review of SkyTerra. At that time, the Harbinger representative informed Mr. Cecin that Harbinger would agree to a transaction to acquire all of such outstanding shares of Capital Stock at $5 per share.
On the morning of September 22, Weil sent Skadden a revised draft of the merger agreement. In a series of discussions and written communications on September 22, the parties engaged in arms length negotiations over a number of issues, including:
| The condition related to the percentage of dissenting shares. SkyTerra proposed a condition of no less than 10% of the outstanding shares, while Harbinger continued to require a 5% of outstanding level. |
| The timing and scope of the SkyTerra 2009 bonus pool. |
| The timing of the termination date (socalled drop dead date) at which time a party could terminate the merger agreement if the transaction had not then been consummated. In the September 22 merger agreement draft, Harbinger proposed a bilateral date of February 28, 2010 with a unilateral Harbinger right to extend to May 31, 2010 in order to satisfy the FCC regulatory condition. SkyTerra requested a March 30, 2010 date with either an automatic or bilateral extension for additional time to satisfy the FCC regulatory condition. |
| Various provisions related to the conduct of SkyTerra business during the executory period, including their relationship to a covenant on cash utilization which Harbinger requested in its September 22 draft. |
| The nature of further actions that could be taken by SkyTerra under the Inmarsat Cooperation Agreement. |
| Whether the nature of the required efforts to obtain governmental consents, including FCC approval, would be reasonable efforts, as requested by Harbinger, or reasonable best efforts, as requested by SkyTerra. |
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At a board meeting on September 22, the board of directors reviewed the background of the transaction, the proposed terms of the merger agreement and a financial presentation by Morgan Stanley. The board of directors and its advisors concluded none of the various possible alternatives provided a present or reasonably foreseeable path to obtain comparable value. The board meeting then adjourned, at which time the special committee met with Morgan Stanley and received its oral financial opinion. Subsequently, the board of directors reconvened the board meeting and, following its receipt of the recommendations of the special committee and the Morgan Stanley Opinion, approved and authorized the merger agreement. During the break from such board meeting and following the special committee meeting, Mr. Cecin and Ms. Corrine Glass from Harbinger agreed on certain final provisions, including setting the condition related to the percentage of dissenting shares at 7.5% of the fullydiluted outstanding shares and agreeing to a March 31, 2010 termination date (with Harbinger having the right to extend to June 30, 2010), the addition of representations, warranties and covenants related to SkyTerras Canadian joint ventures, and a reasonable best efforts provision with respect to governmental consents.
After additional negotiation, the special committee met and unanimously approved and authorized the merger agreement and determined that the proposed merger and the terms and provisions of the merger agreement were substantively and procedurally fair to and in the best interests of SkyTerras unaffiliated stockholders and that the merger was advisable. Based on such determinations, the special committee recommended to the SkyTerra board of directors approve and authorize the merger agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby. On the evening of September 22, the board of directors concluded that the transaction was in the best interests of SkyTerra and its stockholders, and unanimously voted to approve and authorize the merger agreement (one director was absent from the meeting and, on September 30, 2009, expressed his concurrence with the actions of the board of directors). On September 23, 2009, the merger agreement was executed and announced.
Following announcement of the execution of the merger agreement, certain putative shareholder class actions (the Actions) challenging the merger were filed in the Delaware Court of Chancery. In late October and early November 2009, following consolidation of the various putative shareholder class actions by the Delaware Court of Chancery on October 28, 2009, SkyTerra and Harbinger began engaging in arms length negotiations with the CoLead Counsel for plaintiffs in an effort to reach a global settlement of all of the Actions. The parties held extensive discussions at various times in an effort to fully resolve the claims and CoLead Counsels demands with respect to the merger. On November 18, 2009, as a result of, among other things, discussions between and among such parties, SkyTerra, Harbinger and the appointed plaintiffs entered into a Memorandum of Understanding pursuant to which the parties agreed that in consideration for the full settlement and release of all settled claims: (i) the preliminary proxy would include certain disclosures requested by CoLead Counsel; (ii) the merger agreement would be amended to include a nonwaivable majority of the minority stockholder vote requirement and (iii) SkyTerra will convene a meeting of stockholders for the purpose of electing directors in the event that the merger is not consummated on or before March 31, 2010. SkyTerra, Harbinger and the plaintiffs have further agreed that SkyTerra will consider additional supplemental disclosures to be provided to SkyTerra stockholders in connection with the merger based on reasonable request by and discussions with CoLead Counsel. On the evening of November 6, 2009, the special committee recommended and the board of directors concluded that the Memorandum of Understanding and the proposed amendments to the merger agreement were in the best interests of SkyTerra and its stockholders, and unanimously voted to approve and authorize the Memorandum of Understanding and the First Amendment. On November 18, 2009, the SkyTerra and the Harbinger Parties executed the First Amendment to the merger agreement, in order to effect the terms contemplated by the Memorandum of Understanding.
Position of SkyTerra as to the Fairness of the Merger; Recommendation by SkyTerras Special Committee and Board of Directors
On September 22, 2009, the special committee determined that the proposed merger and the terms and provisions of the merger agreement were substantively and procedurally fair to and in the best interests of SkyTerras unaffiliated stockholders and that the merger was advisable. Based on such determinations, the
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special committee recommended to the board of directors that the board of directors approve and authorize the merger agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby.
At a special meeting of the board of directors held immediately following the special committees determination, at which all but one of the directors of SkyTerra were present, the board of directors considered the recommendation of the special committee. The board of directors concluded that the terms and provisions of the merger agreement and the proposed merger were substantively and procedurally fair to and in the best interests of SkyTerras unaffiliated stockholders and that the merger was advisable, approved and authorized the merger agreement and recommended that SkyTerras stockholders adopt the merger agreement. The absent member of the board of directors subsequently indicated his approval of the resolutions adopted at the board meeting.
In evaluating the fairness and advisability of the merger agreement and the related merger, the special committee and the board of directors considered the following factors, each of which the special committee and the board of directors believe supports their determination as to fairness:
| Morgan Stanley Opinion. The special committee considered the financial presentation of Morgan Stanley and Morgan Stanleys oral opinion delivered to the special committee (which opinion was subsequently confirmed in writing) to the effect that, as of September 22, 2009 and based upon and subject to the various assumptions, qualifications and limitations set forth in its opinion, the $5.00 per share price was fair to SkyTerras stockholders (other than Harbinger and its affiliates) from a financial point of view, as more fully described under Opinion of the Special Committees Financial Advisor beginning on page 41. The full text of the Morgan Stanley Opinion, which sets forth, among other things, the assumptions made, procedures followed, matters considered and qualifications and limitations of the reviews undertaken by Morgan Stanley in rendering its opinion, is attached as Appendix C to this proxy statement and is incorporated herein by reference. You are urged to, and should, read the Morgan Stanley Opinion carefully and in its entirety. The opinion was directed to the special committee and addresses only the fairness, from a financial point of view, of the merger consideration to be received by SkyTerras stockholders (other than Harbinger and its affiliates). The opinion does not address any other aspect of the proposed merger nor does it constitute a recommendation to any stockholder as to how such stockholder should vote or act with respect to any matters relating to the merger agreement. |
| Market Price and Premium. The special committee and the board of directors considered the historical market prices of Common Stock and noted that the proposed consideration of $5.00 per share represented a premium of approximately 47% over the $3.40 closing price on September 22, 2009, the last trading day prior to the execution of the merger agreement, and a premium of approximately 63% over the $3.07 ninetyday average closing price. |
| Lack of Alternative Acquisition Proposals. Based on the discussions between SkyTerra and various industry participants, and the views of management and Morgan Stanley with respect thereto, the special committee and the board of directors concluded that it was unlikely that a credible competing offer for SkyTerra could be obtained at a price higher than $5.00 per share. This conclusion was also supported by the fact that Harbinger and its affiliates own a significant portion of SkyTerras outstanding Capital Stock, and therefore any sale of SkyTerra to a third party would effectively require the approval of Harbinger, which the special committee and board of directors did not believe that Harbinger would be willing to provide under the circumstances. See Background of the Merger beginning on page 21. |
| Terms of the Merger Agreement. The special committee and the board of directors also considered the other terms of the proposed merger agreement, including the fact that completion of the proposed merger is not subject to a financing condition, that there are relatively few closing conditions to the merger and that there is no regulatory approval necessary to consummate the merger other than the approval of the FCC. Accordingly, the special committee and the board of directors believed that there is a high likelihood that the merger will be consummated. |
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| Negotiations Conducted by Special Committee. The special committee and the board of directors considered the fact that the merger agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby were the product of negotiations between Harbinger and the special committee and that no member of the special committee was employed by or affiliated with SkyTerra (except in his capacity as a director) or had any economic interest in Harbinger or its affiliates. |
| Nature of Challenges and Strategic Alternatives. The special committee and the board of directors considered the challenges facing SkyTerra, including: |
| the projected cash needs and debt service obligations facing SkyTerra and the apparent lack of available capital sources within the necessary timeframe; |
| the strategic challenges to SkyTerra and the conditions facing the ATC, satellite and related industries, including the ICO bankruptcy, developments in the wireless industry and the impact of recent spectrum auctions in the 700 MHz and AWS bands; and |
| the constraints on flexibility facing SkyTerra as a result of the dominance of Harbinger in its capital structure and the financial and operating covenants contained in the MCSA. |
| Ability to Change Recommendation and to Terminate the Merger Agreement. The special committee and the board of directors considered the terms of the proposed merger agreement, including the merger agreement provisions permitting SkyTerra to: |
| after compliance with certain procedural requirements, change its recommendation in response to a superior proposal or intervening event; and |
| terminate the merger agreement if (a) the board of directors authorizes SkyTerra to enter into any acquisition agreement with respect to a superior proposal, after SkyTerra gives Harbinger five business days notice of, among other things, SkyTerras intent to terminate the merger agreement and (b) Harbinger does not make, within the five business days notice period, an offer that SkyTerras board of directors determines is at least as favorable as the superior proposal. See Merger AgreementChange in Recommendation beginning on page 72. |
| Absence of a Termination or Break up Fee. The special committee and the board of directors considered that the merger agreement does not require SkyTerra to pay a termination or break up fee if the board of directors terminates the merger agreement to enter into an acquisition agreement with respect to a superior proposal. |
| Merger Consideration. The special committee and the board of directors concluded that the merger consideration was likely the highest price reasonably attainable for SkyTerras stockholders in a merger or other acquisition transaction. |
| Availability of Appraisal Rights. The special committee and the board of directors also considered the fact that rights of appraisal would be available to SkyTerras stockholders under Delaware law. See Rights of Appraisal beginning on page 63. |
| Required Minority Vote. The merger is conditioned upon a majority of the outstanding Eligible Shares being present in person or by proxy, and being voted at the annual meeting, and a majority of such Eligible Shares shall have voted in favor of the adoption of the merger agreement. |
| Limited NearTerm Requirements for Spectrum Assets and Significant Cost of 4G Network Deployment. While the demand for SkyTerras spectrum assets is potentially significant in the longterm, several factors have made a nearterm realization of value challenging, including but not limited to (i) a number of potential strategic partners had satisfied their nearterm spectrum requirements in the FCCs AWS and 700 MHz spectrum auctions and/or committed themselves to alternative broadband platforms, and (ii) the significant costs associated with a nationwide 4G network deployment greatly limited the number of potential buyers and/or potential partners, particularly given the current economic environment. |
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The special committee and the board of directors considered the position of BCE Inc., which we refer to as BCE, with respect to the proposed merger, concluding that it was likely BCE would assent to the transaction and thus assumed BCEs potential reaction was a neutral factor.
The special committee and the board of directors also considered the following potentially negative factors:
| Risk of NonCompletion. The special committee and the board of directors considered the risk that the proposed merger might not be completed due to the failure of a condition, such as the condition with respect to a limitation on dissenting shares, and the effect of the resulting public announcement of termination of the merger agreement on: |
| the ability to otherwise obtain necessary capital; |
| the market prices of Common Stock; |
| SkyTerras operating results, particularly in light of the costs incurred in connection with the transaction; and |
| SkyTerras ability to attract and retain key personnel. |
| Certain Changes in Strategic Direction and Contractual Relationships. The special committee and the board of directors considered Harbingers requirements that SkyTerra: |
| not take certain actions under its Cooperation Agreement with Inmarsat (see Merger AgreementConduct of Business Pending the Merger beginning on page 70); and |
| extend the closing date under the SPA from January 4, 2010 to a date that is ten business days following the termination of the merger agreement (see Merger AgreementAmendment to Existing SPA beginning on page 74). |
| Possible Disruption of Business. The special committee and the board of directors considered the possible disruption to SkyTerras business that may result from the announcement of the transaction and the resulting distraction of the attention of SkyTerras management. The special committee and the board of directors also considered the fact that the merger agreement contains certain limitations regarding the operation of SkyTerras business (including significant restraints on overall cash expenditures) during the period between the signing of the merger agreement and the completion of the proposed merger. |
| Merger is a Taxable Transaction. The special committee and the board of directors also considered that the receipt of the cash consideration by SkyTerras stockholders pursuant to the merger would be a taxable transaction to the stockholders (see Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences beginning on page 61). |
| Future Growth. The special committee and the board of directors considered the fact that if the proposed merger is adopted, SkyTerras stockholders would not participate in any future growth of SkyTerra or potential increase in the value of its spectrum holdings. |
In considering the fairness of the merger to SkyTerras stockholders (other than Harbinger and its affiliates), the special committee and the board of directors considered whether the $5.00 price per share represented fair value in relation to:
| current and historical market prices for SkyTerras Capital Stock; |
| implied equity value of SkyTerras Capital Stock based on the trading of selected comparable companies with the addition of a control premium; |
| implied equity value of SkyTerras Capital Stock relative to multiples paid in selected precedent transactions; |
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| implied equity value of SkyTerras Capital Stock relative to premiums paid in selected precedent transactions; |
| implied equity value of SkyTerras Capital Stock based on a discounted cash flow analysis derived by Morgan Stanley; |
| values attributable to the equity in a bankruptcy scenario; and |
| discounted cash flow analysis of SkyTerras financial projections. |
In each of these analyses, the cash consideration offered to SkyTerras stockholders was within or exceeded the range indicated in the analysis. The special committee and the board of directors did not separately consider net book value, premerger going concern value or nonbankruptcy liquidation value in determining the fairness of the merger to SkyTerras stockholders. The special committee and the board of directors note that SkyTerra continues to be viable as a going concern and that liquidation was not considered a viable alternative to SkyTerra remaining an independent business, or the sale of the company as a going concern. SkyTerra notes that $5.00 per share for SkyTerras common stock exceeds the net book value of SkyTerras common stock of $3.31 as of September 30, 2009.
Although the foregoing discussion sets forth all of the material factors considered by the special committee and the board of directors in reaching their recommendations, it may not include all of the factors considered by the special committee and the board of directors. Each director may have weighed these factors differently and considered additional factors. In view of the variety of factors and the amount of information considered, the special committee and the board of directors did not find it practicable to, and did not, make specific assessments of, quantify or otherwise assign relative weights to the specific factors considered in reaching their recommendations. The recommendations were made after consideration of all of the factors as a whole.
The special committee and the board of directors believe that the proposed merger is procedurally fair to SkyTerras unaffiliated stockholders because, among other things: (1) the special committee consisted of independent directors of SkyTerra with no economic interest or expectation of an economic interest in Harbinger or its affiliates and was appointed by the board of directors to represent solely the interests of SkyTerras unaffiliated stockholders and (2) the terms and conditions of the merger agreement resulted from arms length bargaining between the special committee (and its counsel) and Harbinger (and its counsel), with each party benefiting from the support and advice of their respective financial advisors. The special committee and the board of directors believe that there were sufficient procedural safeguards to ensure fairness of the transaction and to permit the special committee to represent effectively the interests of SkyTerras stockholders. An independent special committee is a mechanism well recognized under Delaware law to ensure fairness in transactions of this type. Accordingly, in view of the existence of the special committee and the special committees retention of Morgan Stanley, there was no need for the board of directors to retain an unaffiliated representative to act on behalf of SkyTerras stockholders in negotiating the terms of the transaction or in preparing a report on the fairness of the transaction.
The board of directors, after receiving the recommendation of the special committee, (1) has approved, declared advisable and authorized the merger agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby, including the proposed merger; (2) has determined that the proposed merger and the transactions contemplated thereby are substantively and procedurally fair to and in the best interests of SkyTerras unaffiliated stockholders; and (3) recommends that SkyTerras stockholders vote FOR the adoption of the merger agreement.
In considering the recommendation of the special committee and the board of directors with respect to the merger agreement, you should be aware that certain directors and officers of SkyTerra have arrangements that cause them to have interests in the transaction that are different from, or are in addition to, the interests of SkyTerra stockholders generally. See Interests of SkyTerra Directors and Officers in the Merger beginning on page 50.
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Position of the Harbinger Filing Persons as to the Fairness of the Merger
Under the SEC rules, the Harbinger Filing Persons are required to provide certain information regarding their position as to the substantive and procedural fairness of the proposed merger to the unaffiliated stockholders of SkyTerra. The Harbinger Filing Persons did not undertake a formal evaluation of the fairness of the proposed merger and are making the statements included in this section solely for purposes of complying with such requirements. The views of the Harbinger Filing Persons with respect to the fairness of the merger are not, and should not be construed as, a recommendation to any stockholder as to how that stockholder should vote on the proposal to adopt the merger agreement.
No Harbinger Filing Persons participated in the deliberations of SkyTerras directors regarding, and no Harbinger Filing Persons received advice from the special committees legal or financial advisors as to, the fairness of the merger. The Harbinger Parties engaged UBS as financial advisor to provide certain financial advisory services with respect to the merger. UBS did not provide an opinion with respect to the fairness of the merger or the merger consideration.
The Harbinger Filing Persons believe that the merger is substantively fair to SkyTerras unaffiliated stockholders based on, among other things, the following factors:
| Notwithstanding Harbingers significant ownership of voting securities of SkyTerra, the board of directors of SkyTerra does not include any person who is employed by or affiliated with Harbinger or who has a financial interest in Harbinger; |
| The special committee invited Harbinger to consider making a proposal to acquire all of the outstanding shares of SkyTerra that Harbinger did not own; |
| The special committee of SkyTerras board of directors, which is comprised of three directors who are not affiliated with Harbinger and are not officers or employees of SkyTerra, unanimously concluded that the merger is fair to and in the best interests of the unaffiliated stockholders of SkyTerra, approved the merger agreement and the merger and recommended to the board of directors of SkyTerra that the board of directors of SkyTerra approve the merger agreement and that the merger agreement be submitted to the stockholders of SkyTerra for adoption; |
| The special committee was advised by its independent legal counsel and financial advisor in relation to the merger; |
| The special committee and the board of directors of SkyTerra received an opinion from the special committees independent financial advisor, Morgan Stanley, to the effect that, as of the date of the opinion and subject to the various assumptions, qualifications and limitations set forth in its opinion, the merger consideration is fair to SkyTerras stockholders (other than Harbinger and its affiliates) from a financial point of view. The full text of the written opinion, which we refer to as the Morgan Stanley Opinion, which sets forth, among other things, the assumptions made, procedures followed, matters considered and qualifications and limitations of the reviews undertaken by Morgan Stanley in rendering its opinion, is attached as Appendix C to this proxy statement and is incorporated herein by reference. You are urged to, and should, read the Morgan Stanley Opinion carefully and in its entirety. The opinion was directed to the special committee and addresses only the fairness, from a financial point of view, of the merger consideration to be received by SkyTerras stockholders (other than Harbinger and its affiliates). The opinion does not address any other aspect of the proposed merger nor does it constitute a recommendation to any stockholder as to how such stockholder should vote or act with respect to any matters relating to the merger agreement; |
| The consideration to be paid in the merger represents a 47% premium over the closing price of the SkyTerra common stock on the Over the Counter Bulletin Board for September 22, 2009, the last trading day prior to the date on which the merger was announced, and a 56% premium to the average closing price of the SkyTerra common stock on the Over the Counter Bulletin Board for the 30 trading days ended on September 22, 2009; |
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| The consideration to be paid in the merger represents a 9.9% premium to the highest closing price of the SkyTerra common stock on the Over the Counter Bulletin Board during that 52week period ended on September 22, 2009 ($4.55 on February 6, 2009), and a 395% premium to the lowest closing price of the SkyTerra common stock on the Over the Counter Bulletin Board during that 52week period ($1.01 on January 27, 2009); |
| The merger is conditioned upon a majority of the outstanding Eligible Shares being present, in person or proxy, and being voted at the annual meeting, and a majority of such Eligible Shares shall have voted in favor of the adoption of the merger agreement; |
| The special committee had the authority to reject any transaction proposed by Harbinger; |
| Other than Harbingers proposal, SkyTerra did not receive any recent acquisition proposals for SkyTerra; |
| SkyTerra has never recorded a profit or generated cash flow from operations; |
| SkyTerras remaining cost of carrying out its business plan is significantly more than SkyTerras currently available and committed financial resources, and since January 2008, except for $40 million of additional vendor financing provided by Boeing Satellite Systems Inc., Harbinger has been the sole source of financing for SkyTerra; |
| The consideration to be paid in the merger is all cash and is not subject to any financing condition, which provides certainty of value for SkyTerra stockholders; |
| Stockholders who do not vote in favor of the merger agreement and who comply with certain procedural requirements will be entitled, upon completion of the merger, to exercise statutory appraisal rights under Delaware law, which allows stockholders to have the fair value of their shares determined by the Delaware Court of Chancery and paid to them in cash; and |
| The merger will provide liquidity, without the brokerage and other costs typically associated with market sales, for SkyTerras public stockholders whose ability to sell their shares of SkyTerra common stock is adversely affected by the limited trading volume and low public float of the shares. |
The Harbinger Parties also believe that the proposed merger is procedurally fair to SkyTerras unaffiliated stockholders based on, among other things, the following factors:
| The special committee and its counsel negotiated all financial and other terms and conditions of the merger agreement on an armslength basis with Harbinger and its counsel, with each party benefiting from the support and advice of their respective financial advisors. Harbinger and Acquisition Corp. did not participate in the deliberations of the special committee or the board of directors; |
| The special committee unanimously concluded that the merger is fair to and in the best interests of the unaffiliated stockholders of SkyTerra, approved the merger agreement and the merger and recommended to the board of directors of SkyTerra that the board of directors of SkyTerra approve the merger agreement and that the merger agreement be submitted to the stockholders of SkyTerra for adoption; |
| The merger consideration and other terms and conditions of the merger agreement were the result of armslength negotiations between Harbinger and the special committee and their respective financial and legal advisors; |
| The special committee had the authority to reject the transaction proposed by Harbinger; |
| There are no limitations on SkyTerras ability to furnish information to and participate in discussions or negotiations with persons who might be interested in making an alternative acquisition proposal for SkyTerra; |
| Under the terms of the merger agreement, in certain circumstances prior to obtaining stockholder adoption of the merger agreement, the board of directors of SkyTerra is permitted to withdraw or modify its recommendation of the merger agreement; and |
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| Holders of SkyTerra Capital Stock who do not vote in favor of the merger agreement and who comply with certain procedural requirements would be entitled, upon completion of the merger, to exercise statutory appraisal rights under Delaware law, which allows stockholders to have the fair value of their shares determined by the Delaware Court of Chancery and paid to them in cash. |
Although Harbinger did not calculate a specific per share going concern value for SkyTerra, the Harbinger Filing Persons believe that the merger consideration is fair in relation to SkyTerras going concern value per share based on their knowledge of SkyTerras business and prospects, including the current challenges of SkyTerras operating environment, the additional funding required by SkyTerra, the projections contained in this proxy statement, including the assumptions contained therein, SkyTerras historical results of operations, and the Harbinger Filing Persons knowledge of SkyTerras industry.
The Harbinger Filing Persons considered the $5.00 value of the merger consideration in comparison to the average price paid by Harbinger for additional shares of common stock of SkyTerra from unaffiliated third parties in January 2008, February 2008, April 2008, July 2008 and September 2008, and the price to be paid by Harbinger for exercise of its warrants and the common stock to be issued by SkyTerra in connection with an Inmarsat offer, but did not place significant weight on such comparison because such purchases were made (or are to be made) at a negotiated premium to the prevailing market prices and because of the diminution in the value of SkyTerra since those times, including as a result of the negative developments with respect to SkyTerras ability to obtain additional financing related to the volatility in the capital markets since such transactions.
The Harbinger Filing Persons did not consider SkyTerras net book value or liquidation value in their evaluation of the fairness of the merger to the unaffiliated stockholders of SkyTerra because they did not believe that SkyTerras net book value or liquidation value were material or relevant to a determination of the substantive fairness of the merger. The Harbinger Filing Persons did not believe that SkyTerras net book value was material to their conclusion regarding the substantive fairness of the merger because, in their view, net book value is not indicative of SkyTerras market value since it is a purely historical measurement of financial position in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) and is not forwardlooking or wholly based on fair value. In addition, net book value as of September 30, 2009 is substantially less than the value of the proposed merger consideration. The Harbinger Filing Persons did not consider the potential for alternative transactions involving SkyTerra (including a liquidation of SkyTerra) because the Harbinger Filing Persons did not intend to consider or participate in any alternative transaction involving a sale of or reduction of its investment in SkyTerra. As a result, the Harbinger Filing Persons did not evaluate the prices potentially attainable in an alternative transaction. The Harbinger Filing Persons are not aware of any offer during the last two years for SkyTerra and accordingly no comparison to any such offer was made.
The foregoing discussion of the information and factors considered and given weight by the Harbinger Filing Persons in connection with the fairness of the merger agreement and the merger is not intended to be exhaustive but is believed to include all material factors considered by the Harbinger Filing Persons. The Harbinger Filing Persons did not find it practicable to assign, and did not assign, relative weights to the individual factors considered in reaching their conclusion as to the fairness of the proposed merger. Rather, the determination of the Harbinger Filing Persons as to fairness was made after consideration of all of the foregoing factors as a whole. None of the material factors considered by the Harbinger Filing Persons failed to support their belief in the fairness of the merger.
Purposes and Effects of the Merger
SkyTerras Purpose
SkyTerras choice to engage in the transaction at this time was driven by the amount of SkyTerras existing cash in light of the upcoming significant capital requirements in the fourth quarter of 2010 and the limitations on
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the Companys ability to raise additional equity or debt based on contract covenant restrictions and market conditions, as well as the companys inability to conclude any agreement with strategic investors over a period of in excess of five years. SkyTerra determined that the market premium offered by Harbinger provided the most attractive transaction to the company, and that it was reasonable to conclude that delaying a transaction with Harbinger would be very unlikely to result in any favorable alternatives and would most likely result in a loss of the Harbinger opportunity in whole or an opportunity on less favorable terms as the companys financial resources declined.
The Harbinger Filing Persons Purpose of the Merger
The Harbinger Filing Persons purpose for engaging in the merger is to increase Harbingers ownership of SkyTerra common stock from its current position of approximately 46% of the outstanding voting shares and 48% of the outstanding Capital Stock to 100%, respectively. Upon completion of the merger, SkyTerra will become an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Harbinger.
The purchase of all of the publiclyheld shares in SkyTerra will enable Harbinger to implement a business plan using SkyTerras assets to develop, build and operate an integrated next generation mobile satellite system and terrestrial network in North America and Canada. This planned integration will give Harbinger access to SkyTerras spectrum that is conducive for mobile and fixed broadband services, thereby increasing the ability of Harbinger to pursue opportunities for possible strategic partnerships, distribution partnerships, joint ventures and other transactions relating to the development and pursuit of a broadband network business strategy. The Harbinger Filing Persons believe that such a network may create the opportunity for Harbinger, using SkyTerras United States and Canadian nationwide spectrum, to establish a strong position within the wireless telecommunications industry because of the potential advantages over existing wireless networks, including higher data speeds, lower costs per bit and flexibility to support a range of custom applications and services. The Harbinger Filing Persons believe that upon completion and deployment of such a network, potential distribution and other strategic partners will create custom applications and services for consumers at attractive prices, as compared to prices on incumbents legacy networks, which will lead to Harbingers increased penetration in the wireless industry.
Due to the challenging operating environment in the telecommunications sector and the additional funding necessary to develop and construct the satellite-terrestrial network, the Harbinger Filing Persons also believe that a stronger focus on obtaining financing will be required, which the Harbinger Filing Persons believe will be easier to achieve with 100% ownership by Harbinger, particularly given the potential benefits of the integration described above. The Harbinger Filing Persons also believe that a 100% ownership structure will provide greater operating flexibility and eliminate some burdens, costs and constraints imposed on public companies.
The Harbinger Filing Persons determined to consider a transaction with SkyTerra at the time that they did because of their desire to proceed with the development of the satellite-terrestrial network, a strategy which the Harbinger Filing Persons believe is advantageous to pursue at the present time. SkyTerras cash position (including its projected cash needs and difficulties in obtaining alternative financing) also was a factor in the Harbinger Filing Persons consideration of alternatives involving SkyTerra in the fall of 2009.
Following the Harbinger Filing Persons filing of an amended report on Schedule 13D on August 21, 2009, which described that Harbinger was analyzing and considering their options related to their investment in SkyTerra (including the possibility of acquiring all of the outstanding shares of capital stock of SkyTerra not owned by the Harbinger Filing Persons), a representative of the special committee inquired about Harbingers interest in a goingprivate transaction at a price which would be acceptable to the special committee. Based on past experiences with the special committee, the Harbinger Filing Parties had believed the special committee would have unrealistic price expectations which, among other things, had prevented Harbinger from determining to make a take-private proposal to SkyTerra. The Harbinger Filing Persons viewed the inquiry by the special committee as an opportunity for the Harbinger Filing Persons to reevaluate their options and determined that the
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merger in September 2009 rather than at another time with the support of the SkyTerra directors would result in a price that was fair and maximized the value of SkyTerra for the benefit of the public stockholders.
Effects of the Merger
As a result of the proposed merger, all shares of Capital Stock, other than excluded shares, will be converted into the right to receive $5.00 per share, without interest, will be automatically canceled and retired and will cease to exist.
In addition, the merger agreement provides that each outstanding option (including certain options granted under the Mobile Satellite Ventures LP 2001 Unit Incentive Plan that are outstanding as of immediately prior to the effective time but were not previously exchanged pursuant to the option exchange offer made by SkyTerra pursuant to that Registration Statement on Form S4, Registration No. 333144093) to purchase Common Stock (whether or not vested or exercisable) will be canceled in exchange for a per share amount in cash equal to the excess, if any, of $5.00 over the per share exercise price of the option (other than any option, the vesting of which is contingent on the achievement of performance goals, which will be canceled immediately prior to the effective time and replaced with cashbased awards to be determined by SkyTerras Compensation Committee, subject to the approval (which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld) of Harbinger).
Each outstanding share of restricted stock (that was not performance based) previously issued by SkyTerra which is outstanding as of the effective time will be canceled in exchange for the right to receive, from the surviving corporation, a per share amount in cash equal to the merger consideration. Each outstanding MSV phantom unit which is outstanding as of the effective time will be canceled and be deemed to have been exchanged for 2.82 shares of Common Stock immediately prior to the effective time. Each holder, including SkyTerras directors and officers, receiving shares of Common Stock in connection with the exchange and cancellation of the phantom units will be entitled to receive $5.00 per share of such Common Stock.
At the time the merger becomes effective, each share of common stock of Acquisition Corp. that is issued and outstanding immediately prior to the effective time will be converted into one share of common stock of the surviving corporation.
Harbinger, as the owner of SkyTerra, as the surviving corporation, and its business following the effective time, will be the only beneficiary of any earnings and growth of SkyTerra following the proposed merger.
Upon completion of the proposed merger, Common Stock will no longer be traded on the Over the Counter Bulletin Board and will be deregistered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Following the merger, Common Stock will no longer be publicly traded.
Opinion of the Special Committees Financial Advisor
The special committee retained Morgan Stanley to act as its independent financial advisor and to provide a financial opinion to the special committee of the board of directors of SkyTerra in connection with the merger. Morgan Stanley is an internationally recognized investment banking firm that is regularly engaged in the valuation of businesses and securities in connection with mergers and acquisitions, negotiated underwritings, and private placements and for corporate and other purposes. SkyTerra selected Morgan Stanley on the basis of its substantial experience in comparable transactions, its expertise and reputation and its familiarity with SkyTerra. On September 22, 2009, Morgan Stanley rendered its oral opinion, subsequently confirmed in writing, to the special committee of the board of directors of SkyTerra to the effect that as of such date and based on and subject to the assumptions, qualifications and limitations set forth in the written opinion, the consideration to be received by holders of Capital Stock (other than Harbinger and its affiliates) pursuant to the merger agreement was fair, from a financial point of view, to such holders.
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THE FULL TEXT OF MORGAN STANLEYS WRITTEN OPINION, DATED SEPTEMBER 22, 2009, IS ATTACHED AS APPENDIX C TO THIS PROXY STATEMENT. YOU ARE ENCOURAGED TO, AND SHOULD, READ THE OPINION IN ITS ENTIRETY FOR A DISCUSSION OF THE ASSUMPTIONS MADE, PROCEDURES FOLLOWED, FACTORS CONSIDERED AND LIMITATIONS OF THE REVIEW UNDERTAKEN BY MORGAN STANLEY IN RENDERING SUCH OPINION. THIS SUMMARY IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO THE FULL TEXT OF SUCH OPINION. MORGAN STANLEYS OPINION IS DIRECTED TO THE SPECIAL COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF SKYTERRA AND ADDRESSES ONLY THE FAIRNESS FROM A FINANCIAL POINT OF VIEW OF THE CONSIDERATION TO BE RECEIVED BY THE HOLDERS OF CAPITAL STOCK (OTHER THAN HARBINGER AND ITS AFFILIATES) PURSUANT TO THE MERGER AGREEMENT, TO SUCH HOLDERS AS OF THE DATE OF THE OPINION. MORGAN STANLEYS OPINION DID NOT IN ANY MANNER ADDRESS ANY OTHER ASPECTS OF THE MERGER. MORGAN STANLEY EXPRESSED NO OPINION OR RECOMMENDATION TO THE STOCKHOLDERS OF SKYTERRA AS TO HOW TO VOTE AT THE ANNUAL MEETING TO BE HELD IN CONNECTION WITH THE MERGER.
In connection with rendering its opinion, Morgan Stanley, among other things:
| reviewed certain publicly available financial statements and other business and financial information of SkyTerra; |
| reviewed certain internal financial statements and other financial operating data concerning SkyTerra; |
| reviewed certain financial projections prepared by the management of SkyTerra, including cash and liquidity forecasts; |
| discussed the past and current operations and financial condition and the prospects of SkyTerra with senior executives of SkyTerra; |
| reviewed the reported prices and trading activity for the Capital Stock; |
| discussed with management of SkyTerra the history of strategic discussions held between the management of SkyTerra and third parties regarding potential equity investments in SkyTerra, and potential equity investments in SkyTerra in connection with a transaction involving Inmarsat pursuant to the MCSA; |
| compared the financial performance of SkyTerra and the prices and trading activity of the Capital Stock with that of certain other publiclytraded companies comparable with SkyTerra, and their securities; |
| reviewed the financial terms, to the extent publicly available, of certain comparable acquisition transactions; |
| reviewed the merger agreement, and certain related documents; and |
| reviewed such other information and considered such other factors as Morgan Stanley deemed appropriate. |
In arriving at its opinion, Morgan Stanley assumed and relied on, without independent verification, the accuracy and completeness of the information that was publicly available or supplied or otherwise made available to Morgan Stanley by SkyTerra, and formed a substantial basis for its opinion. With respect to the financial projections (including cash and liquidity forecasts) Morgan Stanley assumed that they had been reasonably prepared on bases reflecting the best currently available estimates and judgments of the management of SkyTerra of the future financial performance of SkyTerra. Morgan Stanley also relied upon, without independent verification, the assessment by the management of SkyTerra of: (i) the validity of, and risks associated with, SkyTerras existing and future technologies, intellectual property, products, services and business models; and (ii) the history of strategic discussions held between the management of SkyTerra and third parties regarding potential equity investments in SkyTerra, and potential equity investments in SkyTerra in
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connection with a transaction involving Inmarsat pursuant to the MCSA. In addition, Morgan Stanley assumed that the merger will be consummated in accordance with the terms set forth in the merger agreement without any waiver, amendment or delay of any terms or conditions. Morgan Stanley assumed that in connection with the receipt of all the necessary governmental, regulatory or other approvals and consents required for the proposed merger, no delays, limitations, conditions or restrictions will be imposed that would have a material adverse effect on the contemplated benefits expected to be derived in the proposed merger. Morgan Stanley is not a legal, tax or regulatory advisor. Morgan Stanley is a financial advisor only and has relied on, without independent verification, the assessment of SkyTerra and its legal, tax, and regulatory advisors with respect to legal, tax, and regulatory matters. Morgan Stanley expressed no opinion with respect to the fairness of the amount or nature of the compensation to any of SkyTerras officers, directors or employees, or any class of such persons, relative to the consideration to be received by the holders of shares of the Capital Stock in the transaction. Morgan Stanley did not make any independent valuation or appraisal of the assets or liabilities of SkyTerra, nor was Morgan Stanley furnished with any such appraisals. Morgan Stanleys opinion was necessarily based on financial, economic, market and other conditions as in effect on, and the information made available to Morgan Stanley as of, the date of the opinion. Events occurring after the date of the opinion may affect the opinion and the assumptions used in preparing it, and Morgan Stanley did not assume any obligation to update, revise or reaffirm the opinion.
Morgan Stanleys opinion does not address the relative merits of the merger as compared with any other alternative business transaction, or other alternatives, or whether or not such alternatives could be achieved. In arriving at its opinion, Morgan Stanley was not authorized to solicit, and did not solicit, interest from any party with respect to the acquisition, business combination or other extraordinary transaction, involving SkyTerra, nor did Morgan Stanley negotiate with any party with respect to the possible acquisition, business combination or other extraordinary transaction involving SkyTerra.
The following is a summary of the material financial analyses used by Morgan Stanley in connection with providing its opinion to the special committee of the board of directors of SkyTerra.
Historical Trading and Selected Price Analysis
Morgan Stanley reviewed the recent stock price performance of SkyTerra based on an analysis of public trading prices for the twelve months ended September 21, 2009 (the last trading day prior to the meeting of the special committee of the board of directors of SkyTerra at which the special committee voted to approve the merger). During this time period, the trading price of the Capital Stock ranged from $0.80 to $5.00 and the closing price of the Capital Stock ranged from $1.01 to $4.55. During the sixmonth period ending as of the same date, the trading price of the Capital Stock ranged from $2.00 to $4.00 and the closing price of the Capital Stock ranged from $2.25 to $3.68.
For the purpose of its Selected Price, Comparable Company, and Selected Relevant Transaction analyses, Morgan Stanley used aggregate value per MegahertzPOP (MHzPOP) as the basis for its valuation benchmarks. MHzPOP is a customary metric employed for valuing spectrum assets, and generally reflects valuation with consideration to (i) the depth of spectrum over which a carrier may provide service, and (ii) the population of potential customers in a geographic area over which a carrier is licensed to provide service. Based on information supplied by management, SkyTerra has coordinated for use over 25MHz of spectrum covering a population of approximately 300 million people, implying aggregate SkyTerra MHzPOPs of 7,500 million. To derive an equity value from aggregate MHzPOPs, SkyTerras total consolidated indebtedness was subtracted from, and certain unconsolidated investments added to, an implied enterprise value. Morgan Stanley estimated the value of SkyTerras debt using two methods. The first method assumed the book value of SkyTerras total indebtedness based on information supplied by management. The second method assumed the market value of SkyTerras total indebtedness, based on the most recently available public market price for SkyTerras debt securities. Morgan Stanley makes no claim as to the relevance of one metric over the other and considered both values equally in determining fairness.
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Based on SkyTerras market price of $3.40 per share of Capital Stock as of September 21, 2009, Morgan Stanley determined SkyTerra to be worth $0.26 per MHzPOP when valuing its debt at book value, and $0.19 per MHzPOP when valuing its debt at market value. By contrast, the $5.00 per share merger consideration implies a value per SkyTerra MHzPOP of $0.30 when valuing SkyTerras debt at book value and $0.23 when valuing SkyTerras debt at market value. This analysis assumes that at the current market price of $3.40, there are 141 million shares of Capital Stock outstanding and at the $5.00 per share merger consideration, there are 144 million shares of Capital Stock outstanding. The differences in shares of Capital Stock outstanding are attributable to applying the treasury stock method to the existing options outstanding to calculate SkyTerras fully diluted shares outstanding.
Comparable Company Analysis
SkyTerra is a provider of mobile satellite services (MSS) throughout North America and is authorized to provide ATC services in the U.S. and is currently seeking such authorization in Canada. Other entities which are authorized to provide ATC services in the U.S. and Canada and/or are currently seeking such authorization are TerreStar, DBSD North America (ICO), and Globalstar. For purposes of this analysis, TerreStar has been used as a comparable company. While TerreStar may not compete directly with SkyTerra with similar products and services, TerreStar is similar to SkyTerra in that it is authorized as an MSS operator, has filed for an ATC license, is constructing a next generation satellite system, has made substantial commitments to integrated chipset and handset development, and is in search of strategic partners and capital to support the construction of a nationwide MSS/ATC network.
As discussed above, TerreStar is not identical to SkyTerra. In evaluating comparable companies, Morgan Stanley made judgments and assumptions with regard to industry performance, general business, economic, market and financial conditions and other matters, many of which are beyond SkyTerras control, such as the impact of competition on SkyTerras businesses and the industry generally, industry growth and the absence of any adverse material change in SkyTerras financial condition and prospects or the industry or in the financial markets in general.
ICO was not used as a comparable company due to the fact that the company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on May 15, 2009 and remained in bankruptcy proceedings at the time that Morgan Stanley issued its financial opinion to the special committee of the board of directors of SkyTerra in connection with the merger. A comparable company valuation was not meaningful as the trading data for ICOs public parent, ICO Global, reflected the bankruptcy filing. In addition, Globalstar was not used as a comparable company given that it is primarily a global provider of mobile satellite services with only a portion of its business and assets oriented toward the North American market and ATC. Moreover, as a company that generates positive EBITDA, Globalstar is principally valued using different valuation metrics and methodologies than is SkyTerra. Such valuation methodologies include Enterprise Value/EBITDA and Sum-of-the-Parts valuation analysis which are not applicable to SkyTerra.
Morgan Stanley reviewed publicly available information of TerreStar, including its current and historical ratios of aggregate value per MHzPOP based on the book and market value of TerreStars debt. Based on this review of TerreStar, Morgan Stanley applied a range of MHzPOP multiples to SkyTerra to determine a fair market value range of Capital Stock.
Using TerreStars valuation based on its book value of debt, Morgan Stanley calculated a range of between $0.25 $0.26 per MHzPOP which implies a fair market value range of between $2.65 and $3.40 per share of Capital Stock. Using TerreStars valuation based on its market value of debt, Morgan Stanley calculated a range of between $0.15 $0.21 per MHzPOP which implies a fair market value range of between $0.00 $0.55 per share of Capital Stock. The fair market value ranges for the Capital Stock set forth above assume that all of SkyTerras debt is valued at book value.
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Precedent Premiums Paid Analysis
Morgan Stanley reviewed and compared the proposed premium payable in the merger to corresponding publicly available premiums of announced cash and stock squeezeout transactions with transaction values of greater than $100 million between 1990 and September 21, 2009. There were 182 such transactions. Morgan Stanley derived from these transactions the median premiums paid in various groupings of these transactions relative to the acquired companies trading share price four weeks prior to the announcement of the transactions.
In the 182 transactions Morgan Stanley reviewed in connection with its premiums paid analysis, the median premium paid relative to the trading share prices four weeks prior to the announcement of the selected transactions was 16%. 75 of these transactions involved the acquisition by a shareholder with an ownership stake of between 30% and 50% (Minority transactions). These transactions featured a median premium of 25%. 107 of these transactions involved the acquisition by a shareholder with an ownership stake of greater than 50% (Majority transactions). These transactions featured a median premium of 12%.
Of the 182 transactions Morgan Stanley reviewed in connection with its premiums paid analysis, 67 were investor transactions, or transactions which included a nonstrategic buyer (i.e., a private equity firm or hedge fund). These transactions featured a medium premium of 18%. 27 of these transactions involved the acquisition by a shareholder with an ownership stake of between 30% and 50%. These transactions featured a median premium of 31%. 40 of these transactions involved the acquisition by a shareholder with an ownership stake of greater than 50%. These transactions featured a median premium of 9%.
In consideration of the premiums associated with the above Minority transactions, Morgan Stanley determined an indicative premium range to be between 20% and 30%. Applying this premium range to the current value of the Common Stock of $3.40 as of September 21, 2009 implies a per share valuation of Capital Stock of between $4.10 and $4.40. In consideration of the premiums associated with the above Majority transactions, Morgan Stanley determined an indicative premium range to be between 10% and 20%. Applying this premium range to the current value of the Common Stock of $3.40 as of September 21, 2009 implies a per share valuation of Capital Stock of between $3.75 and $4.10.
Morgan Stanley noted that the $5.00 per share merger consideration represents a premium of 56% to the 30day average trading price of the Capital Stock prior to the announcement of the merger.
Selected Relevant Transactions Analysis
Morgan Stanley conducted a precedent premiums paid analysis by analyzing all announced transactions since 1990 involving a cash and/or stock squeeze out valued at greater than $100 million. A squeeze-out was defined as an existing shareholder that already owned at least 30% of a company that made a bid for the remainder of the company not already owned. There were 182 such deals that fit this definition and the median premium paid, based on the market price four weeks prior to the announcement, was 16%. Morgan Stanley further categorized these deals into situations where the existing shareholder owned greater than 50% of the company and between 30% and 50% of the company and found that the median premium paid in these cases were 12% and 25%, respectively.
Morgan Stanley also determined that of the 182 deals, 67 of the deals were investor related, i.e. they involved a financial investor, namely a hedge fund or a private equity owner. The same stratifications were applied to these 67 deals (i.e. cases where the financial investor already owned greater than 50% and between 30% and 50%) and the relevant premiums paid were determined to be 9% and 31%, respectively.
Based on these premiums, Morgan Stanley selected a range of premiums to apply to SkyTerras share price at the time of the opinion to arrive at a share price for the Capital Stock. A range of 20-30% was selected in the instance that a squeeze out would be completed by an owner who owned less than 50% of the company. This
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yielded a per share valuation of Capital Stock between $4.10 and $4.40. A range of 10-20% was selected in the instance that a squeeze out would be completed by an owner who owned greater than 50% of the company. This yielded a per share valuation of Capital Stock between $3.75 and $4.10.
Morgan Stanley also conducted an analysis of per MHzPOP valuations implied in two selected transaction situations occurring recently in the wireless communications and spectrum sectors, recognizing that comparisons were limited as a result of the macroeconomic circumstances arising from the credit crisis. The first such transaction, announced May 7, 2008, involved the combination of certain assets held by Sprint Nextel Corp. with and into Clearwire Corp., whose assets are primarily spectrum held in the 2.5 GHz band. The implied valuation of the Clearwire spectrum assets in this transaction was $0.24 per MHzPOP. This valuation implies a per share valuation of Capital Stock of $2.13.
The second recent situation involved DBSD North America (ICO), a wholly owned subsidiary of DBSD Global. ICO filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on May 15, 2009 in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York. The plan of reorganization, filed in connection with the Chapter 11 proceeding, implied a $0.13 per MHzPOP valuation for ICOs spectrum holdings, which are in the 2.0 GHz band. This valuation level implies a per share valuation of Capital Stock of $0.00. The plan of reorganization was rejected by ICOs creditors shortly before its bankruptcy filing and an auction process was commenced shortly thereafter. As of the date of the Morgan Stanley Opinion and the meeting of the special committee of the board of directors of SkyTerra, the auction process was still underway.
Discounted Cash Flows Analysis
Morgan Stanley reviewed SkyTerras management estimates of SkyTerras projected financial performance through the year 2019, which we refer to in this section as the management case. Morgan Stanley performed a discounted cash flow analysis of the management case financial projections. As part of this analysis, Morgan Stanley assumed that cash flows are fully taxed at 40% and net operating losses are valued separately and added to the discounted cash flow valuation, but did not assume any operational benefits from the merger. Morgan Stanley calculated unlevered free cash flows through 2019, and calculated terminal values by applying a range of EBITDA exit multiples from 8.0x to 10.0x to an estimated 2020 forward EBITDA. This range of multiples was derived from a review of normalized historical trading multiples for certain satellite communications companies. The cash flow streams and terminal values were discounted to December 31, 2009 using a range of weighted average cost of capital assumptions for SkyTerra of 20% to 30%. This analysis indicated an implied value of $0.00 to $1.67 per share of Capital Stock using the management case.
General
In connection with the review of the merger by the special committee of the board of directors of SkyTerra, Morgan Stanley performed a variety of financial and comparative analyses for purposes of rendering its opinion. The preparation of a financial opinion is a complex process and is not necessarily susceptible to a partial analysis or summary description. In arriving at its opinion, Morgan Stanley considered the results of all of its analyses as a whole and did not attribute any particular weight to any analysis or factor it considered. Morgan Stanley believes that selecting any portion of its analyses, without considering all analyses as a whole, would create an incomplete view of the process underlying its analyses and opinion. In addition, Morgan Stanley may have deemed various assumptions more or less probable than other assumptions. As a result, the ranges of valuations resulting from any particular analysis described above should not be taken to be Morgan Stanleys view of the actual value of SkyTerra. In performing its analyses, Morgan Stanley made numerous assumptions with respect to industry performance, general business and economic conditions and other matters. Many of these assumptions are beyond the control of SkyTerra. Any estimates contained in Morgan Stanleys analyses are not necessarily indicative of future results or actual values, which may be significantly more or less favorable than those suggested by such estimates.
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Morgan Stanley conducted the analyses described above solely as part of its analysis of the fairness of the consideration to be received by holders of shares of Capital Stock pursuant to the merger agreement from a financial point of view to such holders, other than Harbinger and its affiliates, and in connection with the delivery of its opinion to the special committee of the board of directors of SkyTerra. These analyses do not purport to be appraisals or to reflect the prices at which shares of Capital Stock might actually trade.
The merger consideration to be paid pursuant to the merger agreement was determined through armslength negotiations between the special committee of the board of directors of SkyTerra and Harbinger and was recommended by the special committee for approval by the board of directors of SkyTerra and was approved by SkyTerras board of directors and Harbinger. Morgan Stanley provided advice to the special committee of the board of directors of SkyTerra during these negotiations. Morgan Stanley did not, however, recommend any specific merger consideration to the special committee of the board of directors of SkyTerra or that any specific merger consideration constituted the only appropriate merger consideration for the merger.
Morgan Stanleys opinion and its presentation to the special committee of the board of directors of SkyTerra was one of many factors taken into consideration by the special committee of the board of directors of SkyTerra in deciding to approve, adopt and authorize the merger agreement. Consequently, the analyses as described above should not be viewed as determinative of the opinion of the special committee of the board of directors of SkyTerra with respect to the consideration to be received by SkyTerras stockholders pursuant to the merger agreement or of whether the special committee of the board of directors of SkyTerra would have been willing to agree to a different merger consideration. The foregoing summary describes the material analyses performed by Morgan Stanley but does not purport to be a complete description of the analyses performed by Morgan Stanley.
Morgan Stanleys opinion was approved by a committee of Morgan Stanley investment banking and other professionals in accordance with its customary practice.
Morgan Stanley is a global financial services firm engaged in the securities, investment management and individual wealth management business. Morgan Stanleys securities business is engaged in securities underwriting, trading and brokerage activities, foreign exchange, commodities and derivatives trading, prime brokerage, as well as providing investment banking, financing and financial advisory services. Morgan Stanley, its affiliates, directors and officers may at any time invest on a principal basis or manage funds that invest, hold long or short positions, finance positions, and may trade or otherwise structure and effect transactions, for their own account or the accounts of its customers, in debt or equity securities or loans of SkyTerra, Harbinger, or any other company, or any currency or commodity, that may be involved in the merger, or any related derivative instrument. In the two years before the date hereof, Morgan Stanley has provided financial advisory and financing services for SkyTerra and has received fees in connection with such services. Morgan Stanley may also seek to provide such services to SkyTerra or Harbinger in the future and expects to receive fees for the rendering of these services.
Under the terms of its engagement letter, Morgan Stanley provided the special committee with financial advisory services and a financial opinion in connection with the merger, and as compensation for its services in connection with the merger, SkyTerra has agreed to pay Morgan Stanley a fee of $4 million, $2 million of which was paid upon delivery of the Morgan Stanley Opinion and the remainder of which is payable to Morgan Stanley upon the earliest of (1) the consummation of the merger, (2) the second anniversary of the engagement letter and (3) the termination of Morgan Stanleys engagement in accordance with the terms of the engagement letter. SkyTerra has also agreed to reimburse Morgan Stanley for certain expenses incurred by Morgan Stanley, including fees of outside legal counsel, and to indemnify Morgan Stanley and related parties against certain liabilities and expenses arising out of Morgan Stanleys engagement.
Plans for SkyTerra after the Merger
In connection with the merger, Harbinger expects to review SkyTerra and its assets, business, operations and structure to consider and determine what changes, if any, would be appropriate or desirable following the merger.
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The purchase of all of the publiclyheld shares in SkyTerra may enable Harbinger to integrate SkyTerra with its other investments in the telecommunications sector and implement a business plan using certain of Harbingers other telecommunications assets in combination with SkyTerras assets. This integration will increase the ability of Harbinger to pursue opportunities for possible strategic partnerships, joint ventures and other transactions relating to its holdings in such sector. In addition, upon completion of the merger, SkyTerra will cease to have publiclytraded equity securities and will instead be an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Harbinger. Due to the challenging operating environment in the telecommunications sector and the additional funding necessary to develop and construct the next generation integrated network, Harbinger also believes that a stronger focus on obtaining alternative financing will be required, which Harbinger believes will be easier to achieve with 100% ownership. Harbinger believes that a 100% ownership structure will provide greater operating flexibility and eliminate some burdens, costs and constraints imposed on public companies.
Under the terms of the merger agreement, the directors of Acquisition Corp. will serve as directors following completion of the merger, and thereafter Harbinger expects that the directors of SkyTerra will be comprised of persons affiliated with Harbinger. Harbinger will continue to evaluate all aspects of SkyTerras business, operations, capitalization and management and personnel and will take such actions from and after the merger as it deems appropriate under the circumstances. Harbinger expressly reserves the right to make any changes that it deems necessary, appropriate or convenient in light of its review, future developments or changes in Harbingers investment objectives.
Important Information About the Projections. The projections set forth below were not prepared with a view toward public disclosure, and they are included in this proxy statement only because this information was provided to Harbinger and UBS, the financial advisor to Harbinger, in connection with Harbingers due diligence, and to Morgan Stanley in connection with its preparation of Morgan Stanleys opinion. The projections were prepared by our management in September 2009 based on managements expectations of operating and market conditions in existence at the time the projections were prepared. The projections have not been updated to reflect our actual results of operations after August 31, 2009, the effect of the merger, and other subsequent developments.
In connection with Harbingers due diligence, SkyTerra provided various financial information to Harbinger advisors, including a quarterly cash forecast through the end of 2010. This quarterly cash forecast set forth projected quarterly revenues ranging from approximately $7.7 million to approximately $9.1 million in the six fiscal quarters contained in such forecasts. In addition, the quarterly cash forecast indicated usage of cash for various items, including interest, capital expenditures, operating expenditures and selling, general and administrative expenses, in the noted amounts:
Cash Estimates ($K) |
Q3 2009 |
Q4 2009 |
Q1 2010 |
Q2 2010 |
Q3 2010 |
Q4 2010 |
||||||||||||
Uses |
(54,749.2 | ) | (79,001.5 | ) | (74,448.0 | ) | (62,838.5 | ) | (149,029.4 | ) | (243,590.0 | ) |
As discussed more fully in the section of this proxy statement Proposal OneThe MergerPosition of SkyTerra as to the Fairness of the Merger; Recommendation by SkyTerras Special Committee and Board of Directors, the quarterly cash forecast indicated that, based on the assumptions used in such forecast, SkyTerra would utilize all currently available cash resources and reserves during the fourth quarter of 2010, consistent with prior SkyTerra public filings.
In connection with Morgan Stanleys preparation of its opinion, SkyTerras management provided various financial information to Morgan Stanley, including annual financial projections for SkyTerras standalone mobile satellite services business through the end of 2019. As discussed more fully in the section of this proxy statement Proposal OneThe MergerOpinion of the Special Committees Financial Advisor, Morgan Stanley utilized
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these estimates of SkyTerras projected financial performance through the year 2019 in performing its discounted cash flow analysis.
2010E2019E Cash Flows per Management Plan
(amounts in millions of dollars)
2010E | 2011E | 2012E | 2013E | 2014E | 2015E | 2016E | 2017E | 2018E | 2019E | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Revenue |
$ | 129 | $ | 174 | $ | 213 | $ | 276 | $ | 346 | $ | 439 | $ | 612 | $ | 845 | $ | 1,063 | $ | 1,222 | ||||||||||||||||||||
EBITDA |
43 | 55 | 45 | 92 | 148 | 220 | 362 | 557 | 739 | 872 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Less: Cash Taxes(1) |
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | (20 | ) | (49 | ) | (105 | ) | (184 | ) | (256 | ) | (311 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Less: Changes in Working Capital |
(13 | ) | 86 | 5 | (4 | ) | (10 | ) | (10 | ) | (15 | ) | (20 | ) | (18 | ) | (15 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Less: Capex |
(214 | ) | (112 | ) | (8 | ) | (9 | ) | (15 | ) | (11 | ) | (11 | ) | (17 | ) | (13 | ) | (14 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Unlevered Free Cash Flow |
(184 | ) | 29 | 41 | 79 | 103 | 151 | 230 | 337 | 452 | 531 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Cumulative Unlevered Free Cash Flow |
(184 | ) | (155 | ) | (114 | ) | (35 | ) | 68 | 218 | 448 | 785 | 1,238 | 1,769 |
(1) | Assumes cash flows are fully taxed at 40%; Net Operating Losses valued separately by Morgan Stanley and added to discounted cash flow valuation. |
The projections were not prepared with a view toward compliance with published guidelines of the SEC, the guidelines established by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants for preparation and presentation of prospective financial information or United States generally accepted accounting principles. SkyTerras independent registered public accounting firm have not compiled, examined or performed any procedures with respect to the projections, and SkyTerras independent registered public accounting firm have not expressed any opinion or given any form of assurance on such information or its achievability. The projections are included in this proxy statement to give SkyTerras stockholders access to information that was not publicly available, but that SkyTerra provided to UBS, Harbinger and Morgan Stanley as discussed above.
In compiling the projections, management took into account historical performance, future minimum contractual commitments, combined with projections regarding development activities. The projections were developed in a manner consistent with managements historical development of budgets and long range operating projections. The projections are not guarantees of performance. The projections are forward looking statements that are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions and should be read with caution. See Cautionary Statement Concerning Forward Looking Information on page 15. The projections are subjective in many respects and thus are susceptible to interpretation and periodic revision based on actual experience and recent developments. While presented with numeric specificity, the projections reflect numerous assumptions made by our management with respect to industry and financial conditions and other matters, as well as general economic conditions, many of which are beyond our control. In addition, the projections do not include various charges and expenses that may be incurred as a result of the merger or any other potential transactions. Accordingly, results can vary materially from the projections. Except as required by applicable securities laws, neither SkyTerra nor Harbinger intends to make publicly available any update or other revisions to the projections to reflect circumstances existing after the date of the preparation of the projections or the occurrence of future events even in the event that any or all of the assumptions are shown to be in error.
In connection with the execution of the merger agreement, SkyTerra has agreed to operate within more restrictive spending levels than the management projections as set forth above. Such restrictive spending levels are described more fully in the section entitled Merger AgreementConduct of the Business Pending the Merger beginning on page 70.
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The total amount of funds required to complete the merger (excluding related fees and expenses) is estimated to be approximately $262 million. Acquisition Corp. will obtain such funds from Harbinger, which expects to obtain such funds from its resources existing at the time the merger is completed. The merger is not conditioned on any financing arrangements.
Risks that the Merger will not be Completed
Completion of the proposed merger is subject to various risks, including but not limited to the risks that:
| the proposed merger might not be completed due to the failure of a condition, such as the condition with respect to a limitation on dissenting shares or the failure to obtain required approvals, authorizations or consents from the FCC or other applicable governmental entities, and the effect of the resulting public announcement of termination of the merger agreement on: |
| the ability to otherwise obtain necessary capital; |
| the market prices of Common Stock; |
| SkyTerras operating results, particularly in light of the costs incurred in connection with the transaction; and |
| SkyTerras ability to attract and retain key personnel. |
| Harbingers requirements that SkyTerra: |
| not take certain actions under its Cooperation Agreement with Inmarsat; |
| extend the closing date under the SPA from January 4, 2010 to a date that is ten business days following the termination of the merger agreement. |
| a possible disruption of SkyTerras business that may result from the announcement of the transaction and the resulting distraction of the attention of SkyTerras management, including the fact that the merger agreement contains certain limitations regarding the operation of SkyTerras business (including significant restraints on overall cash expenditures) during the period between the signing of the merger agreement and the completion of the proposed merger; and |
| stockholder lawsuits filed or that may in the future be filed could result in an injunction or similar relief against consummation of the merger. |
As a result of the foregoing risks, among others, to the completion of the merger, there can be no assurance that the merger will be completed even if the requisite stockholder approval is obtained. If our stockholders do not adopt the merger agreement, or if the merger is not completed for any other reason, we expect that our current management team, under the direction of the board of directors, will continue to operate SkyTerra as an ongoing business.
Interests of SkyTerra Directors and Officers in the Merger
When considering the recommendation of the board of directors you should be aware that some of SkyTerras executives and directors may have interests in the merger that are different from the interests of SkyTerras other stockholders. The special committee and the board of directors were aware of and considered these interests in approving the proposed merger and adopting the merger agreement. All such additional interests are described below to the extent material, and except as described below, such persons have, to the knowledge of SkyTerra, no material interest in the merger apart from those of stockholders and optionholders generally.
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Directors of the Surviving Corporation Post Merger
The board of directors of Acquisition Corp. at the effective time of the merger shall, from and after the effective time of the merger, be the directors of the surviving corporation, until their successors are duly elected and qualified or until their earlier death, resignation or removal in accordance with the certificate of incorporation and by laws. As of the date of the merger agreement, and the date of this proxy statement, none of our directors have entered into any agreements, arrangements or understandings with any of the Harbinger Parties, or any of their respective affiliates, regarding such director remaining or becoming a director of the surviving corporation.
Compensation of the Special Committee and Other Members of the Board of Directors
In consideration of the expected time and effort that would be required of special committee members, the board of directors determined on January 23, 2009, that each member of the special committee would receive a special payment of $25,000 (with the exception of the Chairman who received a special payment of $50,000), as well as an upfront retainer of $25,000 (with the exception of the Chairman of the special committee who would receive $50,000). Each member of the committee also receives a $15,000 quarterly retainer (with the exception of the Chairman who receives $25,000 quarterly). Such fees are being paid in four one fourth increments, all of which have already been paid for 2009, and without regard to whether the special committee ultimately recommended approval of the merger agreement or whether the merger is completed. In addition, the members of the special committee will also be reimbursed for their reasonable out of pocket travel and other expenses in connection with their service on the special committee.
No director of SkyTerra receives any fees or compensation in addition to the fees and compensation paid to such director for service upon SkyTerras board of directors, in connection with such directors service upon the board of directors of any subsidiary or affiliate of SkyTerra.
Employment with the Surviving Corporation Post Merger
It is expected that, immediately following the effective time of the merger, the executive officers of SkyTerra immediately prior to the effective time of the merger will remain executive officers of the surviving corporation. As of the date of this proxy statement, none of our executive officers has entered into any amendments or modifications to existing employment agreements with us or our subsidiaries in anticipation of the merger, nor has any executive officer, who has plans or is expected to remain with the surviving corporation, entered into any agreement, arrangement or understanding with Harbinger or its affiliates regarding employment with, or the right to purchase or participate in the equity of, the surviving corporation. Although no such agreement, arrangement or understanding currently exists, it is generally expected that a number of our executive officers will remain after the merger is completed, which means that such executive officers may, prior to the closing of the merger, enter into new arrangements with Harbinger or its affiliates regarding employment with, or the right to purchase or participate in the equity of, the surviving corporation.
Indemnification; Insurance
Under the merger agreement, Harbinger has agreed to cause the surviving corporation in the merger to indemnify to the fullest extent permitted by law, SkyTerras existing Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws, or existing indemnification agreement with such directors and officers in effect on the date of the merger agreement, SkyTerras current and former directors and officers for acts or omissions in their capacity as an officer or director occurring on or before the effective time in each case, for a period of six years from and after the effective time and the expiration of the applicable statute of limitations, subject to certain conditions.
In addition, the surviving corporation will obtain insurance policies or tail insurance coverage with a claims period of at least six years from the effective time with respect to directors and officers liability
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insurance that provides coverage for events occurring on or before the effective time (including reimbursement of director and officer legal expenses). The terms of the policies will be no less favorable than the existing policy of SkyTerra, unless the cost of the policies would exceed an agreed to threshold, in which case the coverage will be the greatest amount available for an amount not exceeding such threshold.
Treatment of Equity Awards
The merger agreement provides that immediately prior to the effective time of the merger, each outstanding SkyTerra time vested restricted stock award, SkyTerra LP unit award, SkyTerra stock option and SkyTerra LP unit option will become fully vested. Each share of restricted stock generally will be converted into the right to receive the merger consideration; however, the merger agreement provides that certain restricted stock awards the vesting of which is contingent on attainment of performance goals, will be canceled without consideration being paid therefor. Each SkyTerra LP unit award that is outstanding immediately prior to the effective time of the merger will be deemed to have been exchanged for 2.82 shares of SkyTerra common stock before its conversion into the right to receive the merger consideration. Each stock option generally will be converted into the right to receive cash equal to the spread value of the option, that is, the excess, if any, of the merger consideration over the exercise price of the option; however, the merger agreement provides that certain stock options the vesting of which is contingent on the achievement of performance goals will be canceled immediately prior to the effective time of the merger and replaced with cash-based awards to be determined by SkyTerras compensation committee, subject to Harbingers approval (which approval will not be unreasonably withheld). Each SkyTerra unit option that is outstanding immediately prior to the effective time of the merger will be deemed to have been exchanged for an option to purchase SkyTerra common stock in accordance with the terms of the option exchange offer. Amounts paid to our employees will be paid net of any applicable withholding taxes.
The following table shows, as of January 7, 2010, (i) the number of shares of restricted stock (taking into account any applicable deemed exchange of SkyTerra LP restricted units) held by the individuals who have at any time since January 1, 2008, served as one of our executive officers or nonemployee directors that will be canceled for merger consideration, and the aggregate value of such shares, and (ii) the number of vested and unvested stock options (taking into account any applicable deemed exchange of SkyTerra LP unit options) held by the individuals who have at any time since January 1, 2008, served as one of our executive officers or non-employee directors, and the aggregate spread value of such stock options, in all cases, based on the merger consideration of $5.00 per share. A more detailed description of certain equity awards granted Messrs. Killeen and Stasior appears on page 23 of the Form 10-K/A, filed with the SEC on May 11, 2009, and attached to this proxy statement as Appendix F.
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Please see the table entitled Security Ownership of Management and Certain Beneficial Owners beginning on page 87 for additional information regarding the ownership of Capital Stock by SkyTerras officers and directors.
Name/Title |
Number of Restricted Shares (#) |
Value of Restricted Shares ($) |
Shares Subject to Vested Options (#) |
Spread Value of Vested Options ($) |
Shares Subject to Unvested Options (#) |
Spread Value of Unvested Options ($) | |||||||
Alexander Good |
533,334 | 2,666,670 | 1,692,000 | 4,590,396 | 0 | 0 | |||||||
Chief Executive Officer and President, |
|||||||||||||
Chairman |
|||||||||||||
Scott Macleod |
389,733 | 1,948,665 | 634,500 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |||||||
Executive Vice President, Chief |
|||||||||||||
Financial Officer and Treasurer |
|||||||||||||
Gary Epstein |
100,000 | 500,000 | 0 | 0 | 300,000 | 1 | 645,000 | ||||||
Executive Vice President, Law and |
|||||||||||||
Regulation |
|||||||||||||
Marc Montagner |
100,000 | 500,000 | 0 | 0 | 300,000 | 1 | 487,500 | ||||||
Executive Vice President of Strategy, |
|||||||||||||
Development & Distribution, SkyTerra LP |
|||||||||||||
Andrew Caplan |
75,000 | 375,000 | 200,000 | 0 | 100,000 | 0 | |||||||
Chief Network Officer, SkyTerra LP |
|||||||||||||
James A. Wiseman |
0 | 0 | 37,600 | 0 | 18,800 | 0 | |||||||
Vice President and Corporate |
|||||||||||||
Controller (Principal Accounting Officer) |
|||||||||||||
Randy Segal |
0 | 0 | 423,000 | 1,147,599 | 0 | 0 | |||||||
Former Senior Vice President & |
|||||||||||||
General Counsel |
|||||||||||||
Jose A. Cecin, Jr. |
0 | 0 | 6,667 | 0 | 13,333 | 0 | |||||||
Director |
|||||||||||||
Jeffrey M. Killeen |
0 | 0 | 49,167 | 155,400 | 13,333 | 0 | |||||||
Director |
|||||||||||||
Paul S. Latchford, Jr. |
0 | 0 | 6,667 | 0 | 13,333 | 0 | |||||||
Director |
|||||||||||||
William F. Stasior |
0 | 0 | 59,167 | 166,000 | 13,333 | 0 | |||||||
Director |
|||||||||||||
Michael D. Weiner |
0 | 0 | 31,667 | 0 | 13,333 | 0 | |||||||
Director |
|||||||||||||
Gary Parsons |
0 | 0 | 1,410,000 | 3,825,330 | 0 | 0 | |||||||
Director of SkyTerra GP |
|||||||||||||
Robert Lewis |
0 | 0 | 10,000 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |||||||
Former General Counsel |
|||||||||||||
Andrew Africk |
0 | 0 | 226,250 | 641,516 | 0 | 0 | |||||||
Former Director |
|||||||||||||
Aaron Stone |
0 | 0 | 31,667 | 0 | 13,333 | 0 | |||||||
Former Director |
|||||||||||||
Jeffrey Leddy |
0 | 0 | 305,750 | 964,573 | 0 | 0 | |||||||
Former Director |
1 | For each of Messrs. Epstein and Montagner, this figure does not include the executives stock option to purchase 300,000 shares of Capital Stock, at exercise prices of $3.375 and $2.85 per share, respectively, the vesting of which is subject to achievement of performance goals. As noted above, these performance based stock options will be cancelled immediately prior to the merger without immediate payment therefor. |
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Employment Agreements
Each of our executive officers and Mr. Parsons is party to an employment agreement, offer letter, or other contract with us that provides for payment of severance pay and benefits if the individuals employment is terminated under qualifying circumstances. Certain of these agreements also provide for benefits in the event of a change in control.
Mr. Good
Mr. Good has entered into an employment agreement with us, effective May 5, 2008. Pursuant to this agreement, immediately prior to a Change in Control (as defined in the agreement), all equity awards held by Mr. Good become fully vested, and stock options remain exercisable for their respective original terms. As more fully described above, the merger agreement provides that Mr. Goods stock options and restricted stock awards (other than his restricted stock awards the vesting of which is subject to achievement of performance goals) will be cancelled and converted into the right to receive compensation based on the merger consideration.
If Mr. Goods employment is terminated without Cause (as defined in the agreement) or upon Mr. Goods termination of his employment for Good Reason (as defined in the agreement), Mr. Good is entitled to the following:
| a lump sum payment equal to two times the sum of his annual base salary plus target bonus; |
| a pro rata bonus payment (at target) for the portion of the current year worked; |
| continued coverage, at the levels then in effect, under SkyTerras health care plans (or equivalent payments to cover Mr. Goods COBRA premiums) for two years after termination; |
| continued payment of life and accident/longterm disability insurance, at the levels then in effect, for two years after termination; and |
| accelerated vesting of all SkyTerra and SkyTerra LP options and restricted stock and continued ability to exercise options through the options original expiration date. |
Mr. Goods employment agreement provides for a grossup payment to Mr. Good in an amount necessary to cover any excise tax imposed under Section 4999 of the Internal Revenue Code on payments to Mr. Good in the event of a change in control or if any other payments or benefits payable to Mr. Good under his employment agreement or otherwise are subject to such excise tax. In addition, Mr. Good is entitled to interest on any payments that are required to be delayed in order to comply with Section 409A of the Code.
Mr. Macleod
Mr. Macleod has entered into an employment agreement with us, effective May 5, 2008. Pursuant to this agreement, immediately prior to a Change in Control (as defined in the agreement), all equity awards held by Mr. Macleod become fully vested, and stock options remain exercisable for their respective original terms. As more fully described above, the merger agreement provides that Mr. Macleods stock options and restricted stock awards, including his outstanding SkyTerra LP restricted units (other than his restricted stock awards the vesting of which is subject to achievement of performance goals), will be cancelled and converted into the right to receive compensation based on the merger consideration.
If Mr. Macleods employment is terminated without Cause (as defined in the agreement) or upon Mr. Macleods termination of his employment for Good Reason (as defined in the agreement), Mr. Macleod will be entitled to the following:
| a lump sum payment equal to the sum of his annual base salary plus target bonus; |
| a pro rata bonus payment (at target) for the portion of the current year worked; |
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| continued coverage, at the levels then in effect, under SkyTerras health care plans (or equivalent payments to cover Mr. Macleods COBRA premiums) for one year after termination; |
| continued payment of life and accident/longterm disability insurance, at the levels then in effect, for one year after termination; and |
| accelerated vesting of all SkyTerra and SkyTerra LP options and restricted stock and continued ability to exercise options through the options original expiration date. |
Mr. Macleods employment agreement provides for a grossup payment to Mr. Macleod in an amount necessary to cover any excise tax imposed under Section 4999 of the Internal Revenue Code on payments to Mr. Macleod in the event of a change in control or if any other payments or benefits payable to Mr. Macleod under his employment agreement or otherwise are subject to such excise tax. In addition, Mr. Macleod is entitled to interest on any payments that are required to be delayed in order to comply with Section 409A of the Code.
Messrs. Epstein and Montagner
Each of Messrs. Epstein and Montagner has entered into an offer letter with us, effective March 3, 2009 and February 23, 2009, respectively. Each of the offer letters provides that if the executives employment is terminated by us without Cause (as defined in each offer letter) or by the executive for Good Reason (as defined in each offer letter), the executive will be entitled to the following:
| a lump sum payment equal to the sum of his annual base salary plus target bonus; |
| continued coverage, at the levels then in effect, under SkyTerras health care plans (or equivalent payments to cover the executives COBRA premiums) for one year after termination; and |
| accelerated vesting of all options and restricted stock. |
Messrs. Caplan, Wiseman and Parsons
Each of Messrs. Caplan, Wiseman and Parsons has entered into an executive change of control agreement with us, effective January 29, 2007, August 20, 2007, and May 24, 2002, respectively. Each of these agreements provides for severance pay and benefits in the event that the individuals employment is terminated within two years following a Change of Control (as defined in the agreement) either (i) by us other than for Cause (as defined in the agreement) or because of the executives death or disability or (ii) by the executive for Good Reason (as defined in the agreement). Severance pay and benefits may also be paid under these agreements if the executives employment is terminated by us other than for Cause before a Change of Control and the termination arises in anticipation of a Change of Control or is at the request of a third party which has taken steps reasonably calculated to effect a Change of Control, or if the executive terminates his or her employment with us for Good Reason and the event constituting Good Reason occurred in anticipation of a Change of Control or at the request of such a third party. If their employment was terminated under qualifying circumstances, each of Messrs. Caplan, Wiseman and Parsons would be entitled to the following under his executive change of control agreement:
| a lump sum payment equal to the sum of (i) the executives annual base salary plus (ii) the greater of the average annual bonus for the last two fiscal years, either prior to the year in which the Change in Control occurs or the year in which such termination of employment occurs; |
| one year of continued coverage at SkyTerras expense under SkyTerras life, health, accident and longterm disability insurance programs; |
| accelerated vesting of all options; and |
| interest on any payments not made on the date of termination. |
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Each of the executive change of control agreements provides for a reduction in severance pay and benefits under the agreement to the extent necessary to avoid payment of excise tax under Section 4999 of the Internal Revenue Code.
Mr. Caplan also has entered into a letter agreement with us, effective August 4, 2008, pursuant to which Mr. Caplan was paid a retention bonus in an aggregate amount of $350,000 which is subject to repayment under certain circumstances, including Mr. Caplans termination of his employment with us for any reason or for no reason. In the event that prior to August 15, 2010, Mr. Caplans employment with us is terminated by us other than for Cause (as defined in the letter agreement), or in the event that Mr. Caplan terminates his employment for Good Reason such repayment provisions will expire.
The table below shows the estimated value of the severance benefits provided under the individual agreements described above, assuming for this purpose that the merger is completed on [ ] and that the individuals employment is terminated under qualifying circumstances on the same date. The estimated value of the equity awards held by each such individual is set forth above, in the table following Treatment of Equity Awards.
Name |
Terms |
Value of terms less pro-rated bonus ($) |
Benefits (medical, dental, vision grouplife & AD&D) ($) | ||||
Alexander Good (1) |
The sum of 2 times base salary and bonus plus 2 years company paid benefits equivalent to those currently received also entitled to receive prorata bonus for year to date | 2,605,833.36 | (3) | 58,300.00 | |||
Scott Macleod (2) |
The sum of 1 times base salary and bonus plus 1 year company paid benefits equivalent to those currently received also entitled to receive prorata bonus for year to date | 712,532.73 | (4) | 23,200.00 | |||
Gary Epstein |
1 year base salary plus bonus and 1 year benefits | 712,532.73 | 23,800 | ||||
Marc Montagner |
1 year base salary plus bonus and 1 year benefits | 712,532.73 | 23,200 | ||||
Andrew Caplan |
1 year base salary and bonus plus benefits equivalent to those currently received | 527,650.90 | 23,200 | ||||
James Wiseman |
1 year base salary and bonus plus benefits equivalent to those currently received | 305,905.00 | 22,500 |
Notes: |
(1) Alexander Good was also provided with life insurance at 2 times salary and LTD capped at $400k per year. | |
(2) Scott MacLeod was also provided with life insurance at 2 times salary and LTD capped at $250k per year. | ||
(3) Prorated bonus to be in an amount up to $651,458.32 | ||
(4) Prorated bonus to be in an amount up to $305,371.17 |
Under the Communications Act, SkyTerra and Harbinger may not complete the merger unless they have first obtained the FCC Consent (as defined in the merger agreement) authorizing a transfer control of SkyTerras FCC licenses to Harbinger. On August 22, 2008, Harbinger and SkyTerra filed applications with the FCC
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requesting the FCC Consent. The applications have been amended from time to time, including a minor amendment filed on October 5, 2009, that among other things informed the FCC that the proposed transfer of control will be implemented pursuant to the merger agreement.
Although the applications are subject to public comment and objections from third parties, the formal comment period closed on June 18, 2009. No comments or objections were filed other than a request, which is routine in such matters, from the Executive Branch Agencies, asking that the FCC defer action on the applications until the Executive Branch Agencies have completed their review of the applications for any national security, law enforcement, and public safety issues. There can be no assurance that the applications will be granted and it is uncertain when the FCC will complete its processing of the applications.
On August 24, 2009, the waiting period under the HSR Act expired regarding Harbingers acquisition of shares of SkyTerra.
On July 15, 2009 Harbinger and SkyTerra filed the Notice under Section 721 with CFIUS. The Notice asked CFIUS to find the Transaction that would result in Harbinger and its affiliates (together with Harbinger Capital Partners Fund I, L.P.) holding a majority of the voting shares in SkyTerra are not covered transactions as that term is defined in CFIUS regulations and that, accordingly, they are not subject to review for determination of their impact on national security under section 721. On August 21, 2009, the Department of Treasury (as chair of CFIUS) informed Harbinger and SkyTerra that CFIUS had determined that the Transaction was not a covered transaction under Section 721. As a result of this determination, the Transaction is not, and will not be, subject to review by CFIUS.
The estimated fees and expenses* to be paid by SkyTerra in connection with the proposed merger are as follows:
Financial Advisor Fees and Expenses |
$ | ||
Legal, Accounting and Other Professional Fees |
|||
Printing and Mailing Costs |
|||
Filing Fees |
52,295.25 | ||
Exchange Agent Fees |
|||
Proxy Solicitation and Information Agent |
|||
Miscellaneous |
|||
Total: |
$ | ||
* | All fees and expenses, other than filing fees, are estimates. |
The merger agreement provides that each of SkyTerra, Harbinger and Acquisition Corp. will pay all costs and expenses incurred by it in connection with the merger agreement and the related merger. The estimate for legal fees set forth in the table above does include any amounts attributable to any existing or future litigation challenging the proposed merger. See Proposal OneThe MergerLitigation Challenging the Merger beginning on page 57. None of these costs and expenses will reduce the $5.00 per share merger consideration to be received by holders of Capital Stock or the consideration to be received by holders of SkyTerra options, restricted stock or MSV phantom units.
Litigation Challenging the Merger
Four stockholder lawsuits, each styled as a class action, have been filed in the Delaware Court of Chancery naming as defendants Harbinger, SkyTerra and SkyTerras board of directors (collectively, the Defendants). These lawsuits challenge the merger, and generally allege that the merger is the result of an unfair process and that the terms of the merger are unfair and coercive to SkyTerra stockholders. As such, the complaints allege that the Defendants breached their fiduciary duties to SkyTerra stockholders.
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Esposito v. Good, et al.
On September 30, 2009, the first lawsuit was filed, and is captioned Esposito v. Good, et al. The Esposito complaint generally alleges that the Defendants breached their fiduciary duties to SkyTerra stockholders in connection with the merger. In particular, the Esposito complaint alleges, among other things, that:
(i) | Harbinger is a controlling stockholder and is exercising its power to enter into the merger on terms that are unfair to SkyTerras public stockholders and do not reflect the fair value of SkyTerras Capital Stock; |
(ii) | the merger is the product of a flawed sales process and is being consummated at an unfair price; and |
(iii) | the outcome of the merger is subject to Harbingers will because the merger agreement is not conditioned on a majority of the minority stockholder vote. |
The plaintiffs in this lawsuit seek, among other things, to enjoin the merger or, to the extent the merger is consummated, rescind it or grant the class rescissory damages. The plaintiffs also seek to direct Defendants to account for damages sustained by the plaintiffs as a result of the alleged breaches of fiduciary duties. Plaintiffs further seek the costs of the action, including reasonable attorneys fees and such other relief as the court deems just and proper.
Catalano v. SkyTerra Communications, Inc., et al.
The second suit filed in the Delaware Court of Chancery is entitled Catalano v. SkyTerra Communications, Inc., et al. and was filed on October 2, 2009. The Catalano complaint generally alleges that the Defendants breached their fiduciary duties by agreeing to the merger at a price that is unfair and inadequate.
In addition to the allegations in the Esposito complaint, the Catalano complaint alleges, among other things, that:
(i) | Harbinger has proprietary corporate information concerning SkyTerras future financial prospects and therefore the degree of knowledge and economic power between Harbinger and SkyTerras other stockholders is unequal; |
(ii) | Harbinger breached its fiduciary duties by placing its own interests above the interests of other SkyTerra stockholders including by offering grossly inadequate value for SkyTerras shares; |
(iii) | SkyTerras board of directors is materially conflicted and beholden to Harbinger and is placing their own interests above the other stockholders; |
(iv) | SkyTerras board of directors failed to properly value SkyTerra, failed to adequately solicit other potential acquirors or alternative transactions, and failed to protect against purported numerous conflicts of interest resulting from the directors own interrelationships or connection with the merger; |
(v) | the terms of the merger were not reached after an auction process or a market check and were arrived at without a full and thorough investigation by the SkyTerra board of directors of strategic alternatives; and |
(vi) | the merger is financially unfair because the intrinsic value of SkyTerras stock is materially in excess of $5.00 per share, giving due consideration to the prospects for growth and profitability of SkyTerra. |
The plaintiff in this lawsuit seeks, among other things, to enjoin the merger or, to the extent the merger is consummated, rescind the merger or grant the class rescissory damages. The plaintiff also seeks to direct Defendants to account for the damages sustained by the plaintiffs as a result of the alleged wrongs. Plaintiff further seeks the costs of the action, including reasonable attorneys fees and such other relief as the court deems just and proper.
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Grill v. SkyTerra Communications, Inc., et al.
The third suit filed in the Delaware Court of Chancery is entitled Grill v. SkyTerra Communications, Inc., et al. and was filed on October 7, 2009. The Grill complaint generally alleges that the merger is unfair to SkyTerras minority stockholders. As such, the Grill complaint alleges that the Defendants breached their fiduciary duties in connection with the merger. The complaint further generally alleges that Harbinger, SkyTerra and SkyTerras board of directors aided and abetted the alleged breaches of fiduciary duty.
In addition to the allegations raised in the Esposito and Catalano complaints, the Grill complaint alleges that:
(i) | SkyTerras board of directors took steps to avoid competitive bidding, to cap the value of SkyTerras Capital Stock, and to give the Defendants an unfair advantage by, among other things, failing to adequately solicit other potential acquirors or alternative transactions; and |
(ii) | the merger will deny SkyTerra stockholders their right to share proportionately and equitably in SkyTerras valuable assets and businesses. |
The plaintiff in this lawsuit seeks, among other things, to enjoin the merger or, to the extent the merger is consummated, rescind the merger or grant the class rescissory damages. The plaintiff also seeks to direct Defendants to account for damages sustained by the plaintiffs as a result of the alleged wrongs. Plaintiff further seeks the costs of the action, including reasonable attorneys fees and such other relief as the court deems just and proper.
Jauhar v. SkyTerra Communications, Inc., et al.
A fourth suit was filed in the Delaware Court of Chancery on October 13, 2009, and is captioned Jauhar v. SkyTerra Communications, Inc., et al. Like the other complaints discussed above, the Jauhar complaint generally alleges that the merger is the result of an unfair process and that the terms of the merger are unfair to SkyTerras stockholders. As such, the Jauhar complaint alleges that the Defendants breached their fiduciary duties to SkyTerra stockholders. The complaint further seeks to compel an annual meeting of stockholders to elect directors of SkyTerra.
In addition to the allegations raised in the Esposito, Catalano and Grill complaints, the Jauhar complaint alleges, among other things, that:
(i) | since April 2008, Harbinger has engaged in a series of selfinterested transactions to further its plan to combine its satellite-related investments in SkyTerra and Inmarsat; |
(ii) | the terms of the MCSA with Harbinger favor Harbinger; |
(iii) | pursuant to the MCSA, SkyTerra was obligated to pay Harbingers costs of trying to acquire Inmarsat; |
(iv) | SkyTerra agreed to let Harbinger use SkyTerra as its acquisition vehicle for Inmarsat at SkyTerras expense; |
(v) | Harbinger is seeking to extinguish the other SkyTerra stockholders ability to share in the value created by a potential combination between SkyTerra and Inmarsat; |
(vi) | Harbinger designated three of the six directors on the SkyTerra board, including the chair of the special committee, and used its control over those individuals to cause them to vote in favor of the merger; |
(vii) | the SkyTerra directors were conflicted because Harbinger caused SkyTerra to provide them significant compensation for serving on the board of directors; |
(viii) | the SPA and MCSA effectively precluded SkyTerra from pursuing alternatives that were not on Harbingers agenda; |
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(ix) | a fiduciary out provision in the merger agreement is illusory due to Harbingers ownership of shares, notes and warrants; |
(x) | Harbinger has timed the merger to take advantage of SkyTerras current stock price; |
(xi) | Harbinger took advantage of SkyTerras depressed stock price to purchase approximately 1,734,698 shares of Common Stock through open market purchases, even though SkyTerra had the resources to make such purchases; |
(xii) | despite changes in the financial and debt markets that made financing for Harbingers plan to combine SkyTerra and Inmarsat problematic, Harbinger forced SkyTerra to stick to the plan to consolidate its holdings in the two companies; |
(xiii) | when Harbinger and SkyTerra requested that the FCC process the applications proposing a transfer of control of SkyTerra Sub to Harbinger, Harbingers true but undisclosed purpose was to get FCC approval of the SkyTerra transfer of control so Harbinger could take SkyTerra private while its stock was depressed; |
(xiv) | given Harbingers domination of SkyTerra and desire to use SkyTerra to consolidate its investment in Inmarsat, SkyTerra had no meaningful strategic alternatives to the merger; |
(xv) | SkyTerra has not disclosed the compensation received by the nonemployee directors of SkyTerra for serving on the boards of directors of SkyTerra affiliates; |
(xvi) | the merger consideration is unfair because it does not reflect the value of SkyTerras Lband spectrum and other assets because the merger is timed to eliminate the minority stockholders before the value of those assets are realized; |
(xvii) | the merger consideration does not reflect the fair value of SkyTerras 100% ownership of SkyTerra L.P., 46.4% interest in SkyTerra (Canada) and 11% interest in TerreStar Networks; |
(xviii) | the merger consideration is unfair because Harbingers significant interest in SkyTerra adversely affects the trading price of SkyTerras stock; |
(xix) | given Harbingers relationship with SkyTerra, the special committee could not negotiate merger terms unfavorable to Harbinger without jeopardizing SkyTerras financial future; |
(xx) | the special committee contracted away SkyTerras ability to pursue alternatives to the merger when it approved the MCSA and amendments thereto; |
(xxi) | SkyTerras board of directors acquiesced to the inclusion of a forcethevote provision and other provisions that guarantee Harbinger can use its voting power to ensure stockholder approval of the merger; and |
(xxii) | Defendants have not disclosed which SkyTerra directors will continue to serve following the merger. |
The plaintiff in this lawsuit seeks, among other things, to enjoin the merger. The plaintiff also seeks the costs of the action, including reasonable attorneys fees and such other relief as the court deems just and proper. The Plaintiff also seeks an order compelling SkyTerra to schedule and hold an annual shareholders meeting to elect directors. As SkyTerra has scheduled and is holding its annual stockholders meeting, SkyTerra believes the Jauhar complaint is mooted as to the annual stockholders meeting.
The plaintiff in this lawsuit also stated that Mr. Cecin was apparently negotiating his future employment with RCN while he was supposedly negotiating the merger with Harbinger. During the period leading up to September 28, 2009, Mr. Cecin engaged in negotiations with respect to an employment agreement with RCN Corp. (on whose board of directors Mr. Cecin has served since April 1, 2009). On September 28, 2009, Mr. Cecin was appointed Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of RCN and entered into a threeyear 23page employment agreement with RCN. Pursuant to the Form 13F filed with the SEC on August 15, 2009, Harbinger does not own any equity interests in RCN.
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With respect to the allegations set forth in the foregoing clause (vii), you are referred to page 23 of the Form 10K/A, filed with the SEC on May 11, 2009, attached to this proxy statement as Appendix F and is incorporated herein by reference, which discusses the compensation received by SkyTerras directors.
General
On October 16, 2009, plaintiffs Esposito and Ostensoe, Catalano and Grill moved to consolidate the class actions and to have their counsel appointed CoLead Counsel. On October 16, 2009, plaintiff Jauhar also moved to consolidate the putative class actions and to have her counsel appointed CoLead Counsel. On October 22, 2009, plaintiffs Esposito and Ostensoe, Catalano and Grill opposed plaintiff Jauhars motion to consolidate the putative class actions and to be appointed CoLead Counsel. On October 23, 2009, plaintiff Jauhar filed a reply to plaintiffs Esposito and Ostensoe, Catalano and Grills opposition to her motion to consolidate the putative class actions and to appoint her counsel as CoLead Counsel. On October 28, 2009, the Delaware Court of Chancery entered an Order (i) consolidating all four putative class actions under the caption In re SkyTerra Communications, Inc. Shareholder Litigation, Consolidated C.A. No. 4987CC, (ii) designating plaintiff Jauhars complaint as the operative complaint in the consolidated action and (iii) appointing plaintiff Jauhars counsel as CoLead Counsel.
In order to resolve the litigation and avoid further cost and delay, SkyTerra, Harbinger and the individual defendants, without admitting any wrongdoing, entered into a Memorandum of Understanding, dated November 18, 2009 for the settlement of the litigation. The terms of the Memorandum of Understanding are that (i) the preliminary proxy would include certain disclosures requested by CoLead Counsel, (ii) the merger agreement would be amended to include a nonwaivable majority of the minority stockholder vote requirement and (iii) SkyTerra will convene a meeting of stockholders for the purpose of electing directors in the event that the merger is not consummated on or before March 31, 2010. SkyTerra, Harbinger and the plaintiffs have further agreed that SkyTerra will consider additional supplemental disclosures to be provided to SkyTerra stockholders in connection with the merger based on reasonable request by and discussions with CoLead Counsel. Based on the Memorandum of Understanding, the parties contemplate entering into a settlement agreement that will be presented to the Delaware Court of Chancery for approval after notice to the class. CoLead Counsel will make an application to the Delaware Court of Chancery for an award of attorneys fees in an amount not to exceed in the aggregate $1,350,000 and SkyTerra (or the surviving corporation) have agreed to pay such amount to the extent approved by the Delaware Court of Chancery. It is anticipated that after further discovery all parties will present the settlement to the Delaware Court of Chancery and cooperate in seeking dismissal of the litigation. Such dismissal, including the request by CoLead Counsel for attorneys fees, will be subject to notice to the class and court approval.
Anticipated Accounting Treatment of the Merger
SkyTerra, as surviving corporation, will account for the merger as a business combination using the purchase method of accounting for financial accounting purposes, whereby the estimated purchase price would be allocated to the assets and liabilities of SkyTerra based on their relative fair values following FASB Accounting Standards Codification Topic 805, Business Combinations.
Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences
General
The following is a discussion of the material U.S. federal income tax consequences of the merger to a holder of Capital Stock that exchanges its Capital Stock for cash pursuant to the merger. This summary is based on the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code, which we refer to as the Code, applicable current and proposed U.S. Treasury Regulations, judicial authority, and administrative rulings and practice, all of which are subject to change, possibly on a retroactive basis.
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This discussion assumes that you hold your shares of Capital Stock as a capital asset within the meaning of Section 1221 of the Code. This discussion does not address all aspects of U.S. federal income taxation that may be relevant to you in light of your particular circumstances, or that may apply to you if you are a holder that owns, or is treated as owning under constructive ownership rules of the Code, our stock after the merger, or is subject to special treatment under the U.S. federal income tax laws, including, for example, partnerships and other passthrough entities, insurance companies, dealers in securities or foreign currencies, traders in securities who elect to apply a marktomarket method of tax accounting, taxexempt organizations, financial institutions, mutual funds, U.S. expatriates and former longterm residents of the United States, stockholders who hold shares of Capital Stock as part of a hedge, straddle, constructive sale or conversion transaction, or stockholders who acquired their shares of Capital Stock through the exercise of employee stock options or other compensation arrangements. In addition, the discussion does not address any tax considerations under state, local or foreign laws or U.S. federal laws that may apply to you other than those pertaining to the U.S. federal income tax. You should consult your tax advisor to determine the particular tax consequences to you, including the application and effect of any state, local or foreign income and other tax laws, of the receipt of cash in exchange for Capital Stock pursuant to the merger.
For purposes of this discussion, we use the term U.S. holder to mean a beneficial owner of a share of Capital Stock that is, for U.S. federal income tax purposes,
| a citizen or resident alien individual of the United States, |
| a corporation (or an entity treated as a corporation) organized under the law of the United States, any State thereof or the District of Columbia, |
| a trust (1) if a court within the United States is able to exercise primary supervision over the administration of the trust and one or more U.S. persons have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust or (2) that has in effect a valid election under applicable Treasury regulations to be treated as a U.S. person, or |
| an estate the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income tax without regard to its source. |
For purposes of this discussion, a nonU.S. holder is a beneficial owner of a share of Capital Stock that is not a U.S. holder.
If a partnership (including any entity treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes) exchanges Capital Stock for cash pursuant to the merger, the U.S. federal income tax consequences to the partners of such partnership will depend on the activities of the partnership and the status of the partners. Persons owning Capital Stock through a partnership should consult their tax advisors about the consequences to them of the exchange of Capital Stock for cash pursuant to the merger.
U.S. holders. The exchange by a U.S. holder of Capital Stock for cash pursuant to the merger will be a taxable transaction for U.S. federal income tax purposes. A U.S. holder generally will recognize gain or loss in an amount equal to the difference between the cash received by the U.S. holder for the Capital Stock pursuant to the merger and the U.S. holders adjusted tax basis in the Capital Stock surrendered in exchange therefor. Such gain or loss will be capital gain or loss and will be longterm capital gain or loss if the U.S. holders holding period for its Capital Stock exceeds one year at the time of the merger.
U.S. Holders that acquired different blocks of Capital Stock at different times or different prices must determine their adjusted tax basis and holding period separately with respect to each block of Capital Stock .
NonU.S. holders. A NonU.S. holder generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax on any gain realized on the exchange of Capital Stock for cash pursuant to the merger unless:
| the gain is effectively connected with a trade or business conducted by the NonU.S. holder in the United States and, if certain income tax treaties apply, is attributable to a permanent establishment or fixed base of the NonU.S. holder in the United States; or |
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| the NonU.S. holder is an individual and is present in the United States for 183 or more days during the taxable year of the merger and certain other requirements are met. |
Information Reporting and Backup Withholding
Proceeds from the exchange of Capital Stock for cash pursuant to the merger that are paid to a U.S. holder (other than certain exempt recipients, such as corporations) generally are subject to information reporting and, if the U.S. holder fails to provide a valid taxpayer identification number and comply with certain certification procedures or otherwise establish an exemption, to backup withholding at the applicable rate (currently 28%). A nonU.S. holder may also be subject to information reporting and backup withholding at the applicable rate with respect to proceeds from the exchange of shares for cash pursuant to the merger if the nonU.S. holder fails to furnish the required certifications or otherwise establish an exemption.
Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules will be credited against the holders U.S. federal income tax liability, if any, and may entitle you to a refund from the U.S. Internal Revenue Service if certain required information is furnished to the U.S. Internal Revenue Service in a timely manner. Holders should consult their tax advisors regarding the application of backup withholding in their particular circumstances and the availability of and procedure for obtaining an exemption from backup withholding under current U.S. Treasury Regulations.
The following discussion is not a complete statement of the law pertaining to appraisal rights under the DGCL and is qualified in its entirety by the full text of Section 262, which is attached to this proxy statement as Appendix D. The following summary does not constitute legal or other advice, nor does it constitute a recommendation that stockholders exercise their appraisal rights under Section 262.
Under Section 262, holders of shares of Capital Stock who do not vote in favor of the adoption of the merger agreement and who otherwise follow the procedures set forth in Section 262 will be entitled to have their shares appraised by the Delaware Court of Chancery and to receive payment in cash of the fair value of the shares, exclusive of any element of value arising from the accomplishment or expectation of the merger, as determined by the Court, together with interest, if any, to be paid upon the amount determined to be the fair value.
Under Section 262, where a merger agreement is to be submitted for adoption at a meeting of stockholders, the corporation, not less than 20 days prior to the meeting, must notify each of its stockholders entitled to appraisal rights that appraisal rights are available and include in the notice a copy of Section 262. This proxy statement shall constitute such notice, and the full text of Section 262 is attached to this proxy statement as Appendix D.
ANY HOLDER OF CAPITAL STOCK WHO WISHES TO EXERCISE APPRAISAL RIGHTS, OR WHO WISHES TO PRESERVE SUCH HOLDERS RIGHT TO DO SO, SHOULD REVIEW THE FOLLOWING DISCUSSION AND APPENDIX D CAREFULLY BECAUSE FAILURE TO TIMELY AND PROPERLY COMPLY WITH THE PROCEDURES SPECIFIED WILL RESULT IN THE LOSS OF APPRAISAL RIGHTS. MOREOVER, BECAUSE OF THE COMPLEXITY OF THE PROCEDURES FOR EXERCISING THE RIGHT TO SEEK APPRAISAL OF SHARES OF CAPITAL STOCK, SKYTERRA BELIEVES THAT IF A STOCKHOLDER CONSIDERS EXERCISING SUCH RIGHTS, SUCH STOCKHOLDER SHOULD SEEK THE ADVICE OF LEGAL COUNSEL.
Filing Written Demand. Any holder of Capital Stock wishing to exercise appraisal rights must deliver to SkyTerra, before the vote on the adoption of the merger agreement at the annual meeting at which the proposal to adopt the merger agreement will be submitted to the stockholders, a written demand for the appraisal of the stockholders shares, and that stockholder must not vote in favor of the adoption of the merger agreement. A holder of Capital Stock wishing to exercise appraisal rights must hold of record the shares on the date the written
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demand for appraisal is made and must continue to hold the shares of record through the effective date of the merger, since appraisal rights will be lost if the shares are transferred prior to the effective date of the merger. The holder must not vote in favor of the adoption of the merger agreement. A proxy that is submitted and does not contain voting instructions will, unless revoked, be voted in favor of the adoption of the merger agreement, and it will constitute a waiver of the stockholders right of appraisal and will nullify any previously delivered written demand for appraisal. Therefore, a stockholder who submits a proxy and who wishes to exercise appraisal rights must submit a proxy containing instructions to vote against the adoption of the merger agreement or abstain from voting on the adoption of the merger agreement. Neither voting against the adoption of the merger agreement, nor abstaining from voting or failing to vote on the proposal to adopt the merger agreement, will in and of itself constitute a written demand for appraisal satisfying the requirements of Section 262. The written demand for appraisal must be in addition to and separate from any proxy or vote on the adoption of the merger agreement. The demand must reasonably inform SkyTerra of the identity of the holder as well as the intention of the holder to demand an appraisal of the fair value of the shares held by the holder. A stockholders failure to make the written demand prior to the taking of the vote on the adoption of the merger agreement at the annual meeting of stockholders will constitute a waiver of appraisal rights.
Only a holder of record of shares of Capital Stock is entitled to demand an appraisal of the shares registered in that holders name. A demand for appraisal in respect of shares of Capital Stock should be executed by or on behalf of the holder of record, fully and correctly, as the holders name appears on the holders stock certificates, should specify the holders name and mailing address and the number of shares registered in the holders name and must state that the person intends thereby to demand appraisal of the holders shares in connection with the merger. If the shares are owned of record in a fiduciary capacity, such as by a trustee, guardian or custodian, execution of the demand should be made in that capacity, and if the shares are owned of record by more than one person, as in a joint tenancy and tenancy in common, the demand should be executed by or on behalf of all joint owners. An authorized agent, including an agent for two or more joint owners, may execute a demand for appraisal on behalf of a holder of record; however, the agent must identify the record owner or owners and expressly disclose that, in executing the demand, the agent is acting as agent for the record owner or owners. If the shares are held in street name by a broker, bank or nominee, the broker, bank or nominee may exercise appraisal rights with respect to the shares held for one or more beneficial owners while not exercising the rights with respect to the shares held for other beneficial owners; in such case, however, the written demand should set forth the number of shares as to which appraisal is sought and where no number of shares is expressly mentioned the demand will be presumed to cover all shares of Capital Stock held in the name of the record owner. Stockholders who hold their shares in brokerage accounts or other nominee forms and who wish to exercise appraisal rights are urged to consult with their brokers to determine the appropriate procedures for the making of a demand for appraisal by such a nominee.
All written demands for appraisal pursuant to Section 262 should be sent or delivered to SkyTerra at:
SkyTerra Communications, Inc.
10802 Parkridge Boulevard
Reston, VA 20191
Attn: Secretary
At any time within 60 days after the effective date of the merger, any stockholder who has not commenced an appraisal proceeding or joined that proceeding as a named party may withdraw his, her or its demand for appraisal and accept the consideration offered pursuant to the merger agreement by delivering to SkyTerra, as the surviving corporation, a written withdrawal of the demand for appraisal. However, any such attempt to withdraw the demand made more than 60 days after the effective date of the merger will require written approval of SkyTerra, as the surviving corporation. No appraisal proceeding in the Delaware Court of Chancery will be dismissed as to any stockholder without the approval of the Delaware Court of Chancery, and such approval may be conditioned upon such terms as the Court deems just; provided, however, that any stockholder who has not commenced an appraisal proceeding or joined that proceeding as a named party may withdraw his, her or its demand for appraisal and accept the merger consideration offered pursuant to the merger agreement within 60
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days after the effective date of the merger. If SkyTerra, as the surviving corporation, does not approve a request to withdraw a demand for appraisal when that approval is required, or, except with respect to any stockholder who withdraws such stockholders right to appraisal in accordance with the proviso in the immediately preceding sentence, if the Delaware Court of Chancery does not approve the dismissal of an appraisal proceeding, the stockholder will be entitled to receive only the appraised value determined in any such appraisal proceeding, which value could be less than, equal to or more than the consideration being offered pursuant to the merger agreement.
Notice by the Surviving Corporation. Within ten days after the effective date of the merger, SkyTerra as the surviving corporation must notify each holder of Capital Stock who has made a written demand for appraisal pursuant to Section 262, and who has not voted in favor of the adoption of the merger agreement, that the merger has become effective.
Filing a Petition for Appraisal. Within 120 days after the effective date of the merger, but not thereafter, SkyTerra as the surviving corporation or any holder of Capital Stock who has complied with Section 262 and is entitled to appraisal rights under Section 262 may commence an appraisal proceeding by filing a petition in the Delaware Court of Chancery demanding a determination of the fair value of the shares held by all dissenting holders. SkyTerra as the surviving corporation is under no obligation to and has no present intention to file a petition and holders should not assume that SkyTerra as the surviving corporation will file a petition. Accordingly, it is the obligation of the holders of Capital Stock to initiate all necessary action to perfect their appraisal rights in respect of shares of Capital Stock within the time prescribed in Section 262. Within 120 days after the effective date of the merger, any holder of Capital Stock who has complied with the requirements for exercise of appraisal rights will be entitled, upon written request, to receive from SkyTerra as the surviving corporation a statement setting forth the aggregate number of shares not voted in favor of the adoption of the merger agreement and with respect to which demands for appraisal have been received and the aggregate number of holders of such shares. The statement must be mailed within ten days after a written request therefor has been received by SkyTerra as the surviving corporation or within ten days after the expiration of the period for delivery of demands for appraisal, whichever is later. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a person who is the beneficial owner of shares of Capital Stock held either in a voting trust or by a nominee on behalf of such person may, in such persons own name, file a petition or request from SkyTerra as the surviving corporation the statement described in this paragraph.
If a petition for an appraisal is timely filed by a holder of shares of Capital Stock and a copy thereof is served upon SkyTerra as the surviving corporation, SkyTerra as the surviving corporation will then be obligated within 20 days to file with the Delaware Register in Chancery a duly verified list containing the names and addresses of all stockholders who have demanded an appraisal of their shares and with whom agreements as to the value of their shares have not been reached. After notice to the stockholders as required by the court, the Delaware Court of Chancery is empowered to conduct a hearing on the petition to determine those stockholders who have complied with Section 262 and who have become entitled to appraisal rights thereunder. The Delaware Court of Chancery may require the stockholders who demanded payment for their shares to submit their stock certificates to the Register in Chancery for notation thereon of the pendency of the appraisal proceeding; and if any stockholder fails to comply with the direction, the Delaware Court of Chancery may dismiss the proceedings as to the stockholder.
Determination of Fair Value. After the Delaware Court of Chancery determines the holders of Capital Stock entitled to appraisal, the appraisal proceeding shall be conducted in accordance with the rules of the Delaware Court of Chancery, including any rules specifically governing appraisal proceedings. Through such proceeding, the Court shall determine the fair value of the shares, exclusive of any element of value arising from the accomplishment or expectation of the merger, together with interest, if any, to be paid upon the amount determined to be the fair value. Unless the Court in its discretion determines otherwise for good cause shown, interest from the effective date of the merger through the date of payment of the judgment shall be compounded quarterly and shall accrue at 5% over the Federal Reserve discount rate (including any surcharge) as established from time to time during the period between the effective date of the merger and the date of payment of the judgment.
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In determining fair value, the Delaware Court of Chancery will take into account all relevant factors. In Weinberger v. UOP, Inc., the Supreme Court of Delaware discussed the factors that could be considered in determining fair value in an appraisal proceeding, stating that proof of value by any techniques or methods that are generally considered acceptable in the financial community and otherwise admissible in court should be considered, and that fair price obviously requires consideration of all relevant factors involving the value of a company. The Delaware Supreme Court stated that, in making this determination of fair value, the court must consider market value, asset value, dividends, earnings prospects, the nature of the enterprise and any other facts that could be ascertained as of the date of the merger that throw any light on future prospects of the merged corporation. Section 262 provides that fair value is to be exclusive of any element of value arising from the accomplishment or expectation of the merger. In Cede & Co. v. Technicolor, Inc., the Delaware Supreme Court stated that such exclusion is a narrow exclusion [that] does not encompass known elements of value, but which rather applies only to the speculative elements of value arising from such accomplishment or expectation. In Weinberger, the Supreme Court of Delaware also stated that elements of future value, including the nature of the enterprise, which are known or susceptible of proof as of the date of the merger and not the product of speculation, may be considered.
Stockholders considering seeking appraisal should be aware that the fair value of their shares as so determined could be more than, the same as or less than the consideration they would receive pursuant to the merger if they did not seek appraisal of their shares and that an investment banking opinion as to fairness from a financial point of view is not necessarily an opinion as to fair value under Section 262. Although SkyTerra believes that the merger consideration is fair, no representation is made as to the outcome of the appraisal of fair value as determined by the Delaware Court of Chancery, and stockholders should recognize that such an appraisal could result in a determination of a value higher or lower than, or the same as, the merger consideration. Neither the Harbinger Parties nor SkyTerra anticipate offering more than the applicable merger consideration to any stockholder of SkyTerra exercising appraisal rights, and reserve the right to assert, in any appraisal proceeding, that for purposes of Section 262, the fair value of a share of Capital Stock is less than the applicable merger consideration. The Delaware courts have stated that the methods which are generally considered acceptable in the financial community and otherwise admissible in court may be considered in the appraisal proceedings. In addition, the Delaware courts have decided that the statutory appraisal remedy, depending on factual circumstances, may or may not be a dissenting stockholders exclusive remedy.
If a petition for appraisal is not timely filed, then the right to an appraisal will cease. The costs of the action (which do not include attorneys fees or the fees and expenses of experts) may be determined by the Court and taxed upon the parties as the Court deems equitable under the circumstances. Upon application of a stockholder, the Court may order all or a portion of the expenses incurred by a stockholder in connection with an appraisal proceeding, including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys fees and the fees and expenses of experts utilized in the appraisal proceeding, to be charged pro rata against the value of all the shares entitled to be appraised.
If any stockholder who demands appraisal of shares of Capital Stock under Section 262 fails to perfect, successfully withdraws or loses such holders right to appraisal, the stockholders shares of Capital Stock will be deemed to have been converted at the effective date of the merger into the right to receive the merger consideration pursuant to the merger agreement. A stockholder will fail to perfect, or effectively lose, the holders right to appraisal if no petition for appraisal is filed within 120 days after the effective date of the merger. In addition, as indicated above, a stockholder may withdraw his, her or its demand for appraisal in accordance with Section 262 and accept the merger consideration offered pursuant to the merger agreement.
Failure to comply strictly with all of the procedures set forth in Section 262 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware will result in the loss of a stockholders statutory appraisal rights. Consequently, any stockholder wishing to exercise appraisal rights is urged to consult legal counsel before attempting to exercise those rights.
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The following describes the material terms of the merger agreement. Complete copies of the merger agreement and the First Amendment are attached to this proxy statement as Appendix A and Appendix B, respectively, are incorporated herein by reference. This description of the merger agreement is qualified in its entirety by reference to the attached merger agreement and the First Amendment. We urge you to, and you should, read the entire merger agreement carefully.
Sol Private Corp., a Delaware corporation and a wholly owned indirect subsidiary of Harbinger, which we refer to as Acquisition Corp., will merge with and into SkyTerra. SkyTerra will survive the merger and the separate corporate existence of Acquisition Corp. will cease.
The merger will become effective upon the filing of a certificate of merger with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware or at a later time as specified in the certificate of merger. The effective time of the merger will take place on a date that is not later than the third business day after certain of the conditions contained in the merger agreement have been satisfied or at such other time as the Harbinger Parties and SkyTerra agree. For further discussion on the conditions to the merger, see The Merger AgreementConditions to Consummation of the Merger beginning on page 75.
Treatment of Stock and Equity Awards
SkyTerra Capital Stock
At the effective time of the merger, each share of Capital Stock that is issued and outstanding immediately prior to the effective time, other than excluded shares, will be converted into the right to receive $5.00 in cash, without interest, which amount we refer to as the merger consideration, and will then automatically be canceled and will cease to exist.
Shares of Capital Stock held by Harbinger or its affiliates will be automatically canceled at the time the merger becomes effective and will cease to exist. Shares of Capital Stock owned by subsidiaries of SkyTerra immediately prior to the effective time of the merger will remain outstanding thereafter, with appropriate adjustment to the number thereof to preserve such subsidiarys percentage ownership of SkyTerra.
SkyTerra Options
In accordance with the terms of the merger agreement, immediately prior to the effective time, each option to purchase Common Stock (whether or not vested or exercisable) will be canceled in exchange for a right to receive from the surviving corporation, promptly following the effective time, an amount in cash equal to the excess, if any, of $5.00 over the per share exercise price of the option; provided that with respect to those options granted under the Mobile Satellite Ventures LP 2001 Unit Incentive Plan that are outstanding as of immediately prior to the effective time but were not previously exchanged pursuant to the option exchange offer made by SkyTerra pursuant to that Registration Statement on Form S4, Registration No. 333144093, such options shall as of immediately prior to the effective time be deemed to have been exchanged for options to purchase shares of Common Stock in accordance with the terms of such option exchange offer; provided, further, that any option, the vesting of which is contingent on the achievement of performance goals, will be canceled immediately prior to the effective time and replaced with cashbased awards to be determined by SkyTerras Compensation Committee, subject to the approval (which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld) of Harbinger.
SkyTerra Restricted Stock / MSV Phantom Units
Each outstanding share of restricted stock (that was not performance based) previously issued by SkyTerra which is outstanding as of the effective time will be canceled in exchange for the right to receive, from the
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surviving corporation, a per share amount in cash equal to the merger consideration. Each outstanding MSV phantom unit which is outstanding as of the effective time will be canceled and be deemed to have been exchanged for 2.82 shares of Common Stock immediately prior to the effective time. Each holder, including SkyTerras directors and officers, receiving shares of Common Stock in connection with the exchange and cancellation of the phantom units will be entitled to receive $5.00 per share of such Common Stock.
Acquisition Corp. Stock
At the time the merger becomes effective, each share of common stock of Acquisition Corp. that is issued and outstanding immediately prior to the effective time will be converted into one share of common stock of the surviving corporation.
Shares of Common Stock and NonVoting Common Stock that are held by a stockholder who has perfected a demand for appraisal rights pursuant to Section 262 of the DGCL will not be converted into the right to receive the merger consideration, unless and until the dissenting holder effectively withdraws his or her request for or loses his or her right to appraisal under the DGCL. Each such dissenting stockholder will be entitled to receive only the payment provided by Section 262 of the DGCL with respect to shares owned by such dissenting stockholder. See Proposal OneThe MergerRights to Appraisal beginning on page 63 for a description of the procedures that you must follow if you desire to exercise your appraisal rights under Delaware law.
Prior to the effective time of the merger, Harbinger will appoint a bank or trust company to act as an exchange agent for the payment of the merger consideration. At or prior to the effective time, Harbinger will deposit or cause to be deposited with the exchange agent the funds sufficient to pay the aggregate merger consideration to the stockholders (other than Harbinger or its affiliates).
Promptly after the effective time of the merger, the exchange agent will mail to each holder of record of a certificate or certificates representing outstanding shares of Capital Stock immediately prior to the effective time of the merger, whose shares were converted into the right to receive merger consideration, a letter of transmittal and instructions on how to surrender the certificates representing such Capital Stock in exchange for the merger consideration.
Upon your surrender to the exchange agent, in accordance with the exchange agents instructions, of a certificate or certificates formerly representing shares of Capital Stock, you will be entitled to the corresponding merger consideration.
Please do not send in your stock certificates until you receive the letter of transmittal and instructions from the exchange agent. Do not return your stock certificates with the enclosed proxy card. If your shares of Capital Stock are held through a broker, your broker will surrender your shares for cancellation. After you mail the letter of transmittal, duly executed and completed in accordance with its instructions, and your stock certificates to the exchange agent, the exchange agent will mail your check to you. The stock certificates you surrender will be canceled.
After the completion of the merger, there will be no further transfers of Capital Stock, and stock certificates presented for transfer after the completion of the merger will be canceled and exchanged for the merger consideration. If merger consideration is to be paid to a name other than that in which the certificate for the Capital Stock surrendered for exchange is registered, the certificate surrendered must be properly endorsed or otherwise in proper form for transfer and any transfer or other taxes must be paid by the person requesting the payment or that person must establish to the exchange agents satisfaction that such tax has been paid or is not payable.
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Any portion of the merger consideration deposited with the exchange agent that remains undistributed to holders of Capital Stock six months after the effective time of the merger will be delivered to the surviving corporation. Former holders of Capital Stock who have not complied with the above described exchange and payment procedures will thereafter only look to the surviving corporation for payment of the merger consideration. None of the Harbinger Parties, the surviving corporation, the exchange agent or any other person will be liable to any former holder of Capital Stock for any cash delivered to a public official pursuant to any applicable abandoned property, escheat or similar laws.
If your certificate or certificates formerly representing shares of Capital Stock are lost, stolen or destroyed, the exchange agent will issue the merger consideration deliverable in exchange for such lost, stolen or destroyed certificate upon making an affidavit of that fact and, if required by the surviving corporation, posting a bond as indemnity against any claim with respect to the certificates and entering into an indemnity agreement to indemnify the surviving corporation against any claim with respect to the certificates.
Representations and Warranties
The merger agreement contains representations and warranties made by SkyTerra to the Harbinger Parties, and representations and warranties made by the Harbinger Parties to SkyTerra, and may be subject to important limitations and qualifications agreed to by the parties in connection with negotiating the terms of the merger agreement, including being qualified by confidential disclosures exchanged between the parties in connection with the execution of the merger agreement. In addition, certain representations and warranties were made as of a specified date, may be subject to contractual standards of materiality different from those generally applicable to public disclosures to stockholders, or may have been used for the purpose of allocating risk among the parties rather than establishing matters of fact. Investors are not third-party beneficiaries under the merger agreement and should not rely on the representations and warranties or any descriptions thereof as characterizations of the actual state of facts or condition of SkyTerra, Harbinger, Acquisition Corp. or any of their respective subsidiaries or affiliates.
SkyTerras representations and warranties relate to among other things:
| its organization and qualification; |
| its capitalization; |
| its subsidiaries; |
| its corporate power and authority; |
| the receipt by the special committee of a financial opinion from Morgan Stanley; |
| the special committees recommendation of the merger and adoption of the merger agreement to holders of Capital Stock; |
| the stockholder votes necessary to approve and adopt the merger; |
| the required consents and approvals of governmental entities in connection with the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement; |
| governmental filings required to be made by it in connection with the merger; |
| the absence of undisclosed brokers or finders fees or other material liabilities; |
| its SEC filings, financial statements, and compliance with the SarbanesOxley Act of 2002; |
| its compliance with laws and court orders; |
| accuracy of the information supplied by or on behalf of SkyTerra for inclusion in this proxy statement and Schedule 13E3; |
| litigation and claims; |
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| its employee benefit plans and arrangements; |
| its tax matters; and |
| its contracts. |
Many of the representations and warranties made by SkyTerra are qualified by a materiality standard or a standard of material adverse effect. As used in the merger agreement, an event, fact, violation, breach, inaccuracy, circumstance or other matter will be deemed to have a material adverse effect on a party if such event, fact, violation, breach, inaccuracy, circumstance or other matter had or would reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the business, financial condition or FCC licenses of the party (taken as a whole with its subsidiaries), other than any event or condition resulting from: (A) general economic, business or satellite telecommunications industry conditions that do not disproportionately affect a party compared to other industry participants; (B) the taking of any action required by the merger agreement or from the announcement or pendency of the merger (provided that this clause does not apply with respect to certain of SkyTerras representations and warranties); or (C) a decline in a partys stock price (it being agreed that the facts and circumstances giving rise to such decline may be taken into account in determining whether a material adverse effect has occurred).
The Harbinger Parties representations and warranties relate to, among other things:
| their organization and qualification; |
| their corporate power and authority; |
| the required consents and approvals of governmental entities in connection with the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement; |
| governmental filings required to be made by it in connection with the merger; |
| their ability to fund the aggregate merger consideration; |
| absence of undisclosed brokers or finders fees; and |
| accuracy of the information supplied by or on behalf of the Harbinger Parties for inclusion in this proxy statement and Schedule 13E3. |
Many of the representations and warranties made by the Harbinger Parties are qualified by a materiality standard or a standard of material adverse effect.
The representations and warranties in the merger agreement will expire upon the effective time of the merger.
Conduct of Business Pending the Merger
Prior to the effective time of the merger, (i) SkyTerra and certain of its subsidiaries have agreed to (and to cause their subsidiaries to and, to the extent within SkyTerras control, cause SkyTerras Canadian joint venture to) conduct their business in the ordinary and usual course of business, consistent with past practice and (ii) except as and to the extent prohibited by certain provisions of the indentures governing the 14% Senior Secured Notes due 2013, the 16.5% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2013, and the 18% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2013 issued, in each case, by SkyTerra LP, SkyTerra and certain of its subsidiaries have agreed not to (and to cause their subsidiaries not to and, to the extent within SkyTerras control, cause the Canadian joint venture not to) take any of the following actions, subject to limited exceptions:
| declare, set aside or pay any dividends on or make any other distribution in respect of any of its capital stock; |
| split, combine or reclassify any of its capital stock or other equity interests or issue or authorize any other securities in respect of shares of its capital stock or other equity interests or repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire any shares of its capital stock or other equity interests; |
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| issue, deliver, pledge, encumber, sell or authorize the issuance, delivery, pledge, encumbrance or sale of, or purchase any shares of its capital stock or other equity interests or securities convertible into, or rights, warrants or options to acquire, any such shares of capital stock or other equity interests or other convertible securities, authorize or propose any change in its equity capitalization, or amend any of the financial or other economic terms of such securities or the financial or other economic terms of any agreement to which SkyTerra or certain of its subsidiaries is a party relating to such securities; |
| amend its certificate of incorporation, bylaws or other organizational documents in any manner; |
| merge or consolidate with any other person, or acquire any assets or capital stock of any other person, other than acquisitions of assets in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice; |
| incur any indebtedness for money borrowed or guarantee any such indebtedness of another person; |
| make or authorize any capital, operating or cash expenditures, other than capital, operating and cash expenditures that are in the aggregate no greater than (i) $108 million in the aggregate for the period September 1, 2009 through December 31, 2009, (ii) $137 million in the aggregate for the period September 1, 2009 through January 31, 2010, (iii) $158 million in the aggregate for the period September 1, 2009 through February 28, 2010 and (iv) $170 million in the aggregate for the period September 1, 2009 through March 31, 2010; provided, that, if the merger is not consummated prior to April 1, 2010, these provisions will cease to apply; |
| except as may be required by changes in applicable law or GAAP, change any method, practice or principle of accounting; |
| enter into any new employment agreements with, or increase the compensation of, any officer (vice president or above) or director of SkyTerra and certain of its subsidiaries, or otherwise amend in any material respect any existing agreements with any such person or use its discretion to amend any employee benefit plan or accelerate the vesting or any payment under any employee benefit plan; |
| enter into any transaction with any officer (vice president or above) or director of SkyTerra and certain of its subsidiaries; |
| settle or otherwise compromise any material litigation, arbitration or other judicial or administrative dispute or proceeding relating to SkyTerra or certain of its subsidiaries or the merger; |
| sell, transfer, lease, mortgage, encumber or otherwise dispose of or subject to any lien any of its properties or assets to any person, except in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice or dispositions of obsolete or worthless assets; |
| make an investment in, or loan to, any person, except certain subsidiaries of SkyTerra; |
| enter into, terminate or amend any contract that is material to SkyTerra and its subsidiaries, other than in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice, enter into or extend the term or scope of any contract that restricts SkyTerra or certain of its subsidiaries and affiliates from engaging in any line of business or in any geographic area, enter into any contract that would be breached by, or require the consent of any third party in order to continue in full force following consummation of the merger, or release any person from, or modify or waive any provision of, any confidentiality, standstill or similar agreement; |
| issue any broadly distributed communication of a general nature to employees or customers without the prior approval of Harbinger, except for communications in the ordinary course of business that do not relate to the merger; |
| surrender, or permit a materially adverse modification of, revocation of, forfeiture of, or failure to renew under regular terms (or cause the FCC to institute any proceedings for the revocation, suspension, or materially adverse modification of) any of the licenses that are material to the business of SkyTerra and its subsidiaries and affiliates; or fail to comply in all material respects with all requirements and conditions of such licenses; |
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| make or change any material election concerning taxes or tax returns, file any material amended tax return, enter into any material closing agreement with respect to taxes, settle any material tax claim or assessment or surrender any right to claim a material refund of taxes or obtain any tax ruling; |
| file any registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933, other than a certain registration statement with the Harbinger Parties; |
| take any actions to (i) terminate, amend or otherwise modify the Cooperation Agreement, or (ii) declare a Triggering Investment (as defined in the Cooperation Agreement) under the Cooperation Agreement; |
| disclose any confidential or proprietary information, except pursuant to a customary confidentiality agreement or as required by applicable law; or |
| enter into any agreement to, or make any commitment to, take any of the foregoing actions. |
Stockholder Meeting; Proxy Statement
SkyTerra has agreed to call and hold a meeting of its stockholders for the purpose of voting upon the adoption of the merger agreement. SkyTerra has agreed to hold such meeting as promptly as practicable (but in no event later than 30 days) after the mailing of the proxy statement to the stockholders of SkyTerra and the clearance of this proxy statement by the SEC. SkyTerra has agreed to retain a proxy solicitor acceptable to Harbinger in connection with the solicitation of the vote of holders of Common Stock at any such meeting of its stockholders.
In the event that a majority of the outstanding Eligible Shares are not present, in person or by proxy, at such meeting, then SkyTerra shall adjourn the such meeting for a reasonable amount of time for SkyTerra to seek to cause such majority to be present, in person or by proxy, at any such adjournment.
SkyTerra has agreed to recommend to its unaffiliated stockholders the adoption of the merger agreement and that such recommendation and a copy of the opinion of its financial advisor be included in this proxy statement and the Schedule 13E3. Neither the SkyTerra board of directors nor any committee thereof (including the special committee) will, except as described in the first paragraph under Merger AgreementChange in Recommendation beginning on page 72 of this proxy statement, withdraw, qualify or modify its approval or recommendation of the adoption of the merger agreement in a manner adverse to Harbinger. For further discussion on the vote required to adopt the merger agreement, see The Annual MeetingRequired Vote beginning on page 17.
The Harbinger Parties have agreed to vote the Common Stock owned by the Harbinger Parties in favor of adoption of the merger agreement.
At any time prior to the adoption of the merger agreement by the SkyTerra stockholders, the SkyTerra board of directors or special committee may withdraw, qualify or modify its recommendation to SkyTerras stockholders to adopt the merger agreement in a manner adverse to Harbinger, but only in the following two cases:
| following receipt of a superior proposal; provided, that, neither the board of directors nor the special committee may withdraw, qualify or modify its recommendation to SkyTerras stockholders to adopt the merger agreement in a manner adverse to Harbinger unless (1) SkyTerra notifies Harbinger of SkyTerras intent to enter into a definitive agreement implementing such superior proposal, attaching the most current version of such agreement (including any amendments, supplements or modifications) to such notice and (2) during the five business day period commencing upon SkyTerras delivery to Harbinger of its notice of superior proposal, SkyTerra (a) offers to negotiate with (and, if accepted, |
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negotiate in good faith with) Harbinger in making adjustments to the terms and conditions of the merger agreement and (b) the special committee determines in good faith (after consultation with its financial advisors and legal counsel), after the end of such five business day period, and after considering the results of such negotiations and the revised proposal made by Harbinger, if any, that the superior proposal giving rise to such notice of superior proposal continues to be a superior proposal (which we refer to as a termination recommendation); or |
| following the occurrence of an intervening event; |
but in each case, only if the special committee determines in good faith that withdrawing, qualifying or modifying its approval or recommendation of the adoption of the merger agreement is necessary in order for the special committee to comply with its fiduciary obligations to the unaffiliated stockholders under applicable law. Nothing in the merger agreement obligates Harbinger or any of its affiliates in any way to vote in favor of a superior proposal.
An acquisition proposal means a bona fide, unsolicited, proposal from any person (whether or not in writing) which is not withdrawn relating to any (i) direct or indirect acquisition of all of the shares of capital stock owned by the stockholders (other than Harbinger and its affiliates), (ii) direct or indirect acquisition of all of the shares of outstanding capital stock or ownership interests of any of SkyTerra or certain of its subsidiaries, (iii) direct or indirect acquisition of all or substantially all of the assets of any of SkyTerra or certain of its subsidiaries, or (iv) merger, consolidation, share exchange, business combination or similar transaction involving any of SkyTerra or certain of its subsidiaries.
A superior proposal means a bona fide, written, unsolicited and unwithdrawn offer by a thirdparty to acquire, for consideration consisting entirely of cash and securities having a readily ascertainable value, (i) not less than all of the shares of capital stock of SkyTerra beneficially owned (within the meaning of the Exchange Act of 1934) by the unaffiliated stockholders (which acquisition may be pursuant to a merger or tender offer) or (ii) all or substantially all of the assets of SkyTerra and certain of its subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, which offer, in each case under clauses (i) and (ii), is not subject to contingencies relating to financing, due diligence or negotiation of transaction documentation and is otherwise on terms and conditions which the special committee determines in good faith to be more favorable to the unaffiliated stockholders from a financial point of view than the merger, taking into account at the time of determination (A) the ability of the person making such offer to reasonably promptly consummate the transactions contemplated by such offer (based upon, among other things, the expectation of obtaining required regulatory and other approvals and such persons ability to obtain financing) and (B) any changes to the terms of the merger agreement that as of that time had been proposed by Harbinger.
An intervening event means a material event, change, development, effect, occurrence or state of facts, other than an acquisition proposal, that was not known or reasonably foreseeable to the board of directors or the special committee on the date of the merger agreement, and becomes known to the board of directors or the special committee before the vote of the stockholders; provided, that, in no event will the receipt, existence or terms of an acquisition proposal or any inquiry related thereto constitute an intervening event.
Indemnification; Directors and Officers Insurance
Under the merger agreement, Harbinger has agreed to cause the surviving corporation in the merger to indemnify to the fullest extent permitted by law, SkyTerras existing Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation or its ByLaws, or existing indemnification agreement with such directors and officers in effect on the date of the merger agreement, SkyTerras current and former directors and officers for acts or omissions in their capacity as an officer or director occurring on or before the effective time in each case, for a period of six years from and after the effective time and the expiration of the applicable statute of limitations, subject to certain conditions.
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In addition, the surviving corporation will obtain insurance policies or tail insurance coverage with a claims period of at least six years from the effective time with respect to directors and officers liability insurance that provides coverage for events occurring on or before the effective time (including reimbursement of director and officer legal expenses). The terms of the policies will be no less favorable than the existing policy of SkyTerra, unless the cost of the policies would exceed an agreed to threshold, in which case the coverage will be the greatest amount available for an amount not exceeding such threshold.
The Harbinger Parties and SkyTerra agree to:
| use their reasonable best efforts to take, or cause to be taken, and to do, or cause to be done, all actions necessary, proper or advisable under applicable laws and regulations or required to be taken by any governmental entity or otherwise to make the merger and other transactions contemplated by the merger agreement effective as promptly as practicable; |
| obtain from any governmental entity any consents, licenses, permits, waivers, approvals, authorizations or orders required to be obtained or made by the Harbinger Parties or SkyTerra in connection with the authorization, execution or delivery of the merger agreement and the merger; and |
| as promptly as practicable, make all necessary filings, and thereafter make any other required submissions, with respect to the merger agreement and the merger required under the Exchange Act of 1934, and any other applicable federal or state securities laws, and any other applicable law; provided that the parties will cooperate with each other in connection with the making of all such filings. |
The parties will use reasonable best efforts to furnish to each other all information required for any application or other filing to be made pursuant to the rules and regulations of any applicable law (including all information required to be included in the proxy statement and the Schedule 13E3) in connection with the merger. In case at any time after the effective time, any further action is necessary or desirable to carry out the purposes of the merger agreement, the proper officers and directors of the parties will take all such necessary or desirable action.
Notwithstanding these or any other provisions of the merger agreement, SkyTerra will not, without Harbingers prior written consent, commit to any divestiture transaction or agree to any restriction on its business, and nothing in this provision will require Harbinger to offer, accept or agree to (A) dispose or hold separate any part of its or SkyTerras businesses, operations, assets or product lines (or a combination of Harbingers and SkyTerras respective businesses, operations, assets or product lines), (B) not compete in any geographic area or line of business, and/or (C) restrict the manner in which, or whether, Harbinger, SkyTerra or the surviving corporation may carry on business in any part of the world.
The parties agree (and shall cause its subsidiaries to agree) that, unless the merger agreement has been terminated in accordance with its terms or the merger has been consummated, in each case, on or prior to January 4, 2010, that the SPA is amended such that the Fourth Closing Date (as such term is defined in such SPA) is extended until the day that is ten (10) business days following the termination of the merger agreement in accordance with its terms.
Additional Covenants and Agreements
The merger agreement contains additional covenants and agreements among the parties relating to, among other things:
| Harbingers ability to inspect SkyTerras and certain of its subsidiaries records and financial data; |
| a requirement that each party notify the other of certain matters; |
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| a requirement that each party consult with the other prior to the issuance of any press release or making any other public disclosure regarding the merger agreement or the transactions contemplated thereby; |
| participating in the defense of any stockholder litigation relating to the merger agreement or the transactions contemplated thereby; |
| payment of 2009 annual bonuses to SkyTerra individuals; |
| a requirement that SkyTerra retain a proxy solicitor acceptable to the Harbinger Parties in connection with the vote of the holders of Common Stock at the annual meeting; |
| a requirement that SkyTerra, subject to certain restrictions, shall use its best efforts to have Inmarsat agree to (i) accept cash in lieu of issuances of Common Stock under the Cooperation Agreement and (ii) extend the date that a Triggering Investment (as defined in the Cooperation Agreement) is consummated and identified under the Cooperation Agreement to a date subsequent to the Closing Date; and |
| other obligations related to the effective time of the merger. |
Conditions to Consummation of the Merger
The obligations of the parties to the merger agreement are subject to the fulfillment or waiver of various conditions described in this section.
Conditions to the Obligations of the Harbinger Parties and SkyTerra
Each of the Harbinger Parties and SkyTerra are obligated to complete the merger only if each of the following conditions is satisfied or waived on or prior to the closing date of the merger:
| Absence of Actions or Claims. No temporary restraining order, preliminary or permanent injunction or other order issued by any court of competent jurisdiction or other legal restraint or prohibition preventing the consummation of the merger is in effect (each party agreeing to use its reasonable efforts to have any restraining order, injunction or other order or legal restraint or prohibition lifted) nor is any proceeding brought by an administrative agency or commission or other governmental authority or instrumentality seeking any of the foregoing be pending; and there is no action taken, or any statute, rule, regulation or order (whether temporary, preliminary or permanent) enacted, entered or enforced, which makes the consummation of the merger illegal or prevents or prohibits the merger; |
| Stockholder Approval. The merger agreement must be adopted by the requisite vote of stockholders of SkyTerra in accordance with applicable law; |
| Governmental Consents. Other than the filing of the certificate of merger, all material consents, approvals and authorizations of and filings with governmental entities required for the consummation of the merger (including all FCC approvals required to consummate the merger, which must be in full force and effect) have been obtained or effected; and |
| Required Minority Vote. A majority of the outstanding Eligible Shares must be present, in person or by proxy, and be voted at the annual meeting and a majority of the Eligible Shares so present and voted shall have voted in favor of the adoption of the merger agreement. |
Conditions to the Obligations of SkyTerra
SkyTerra is obligated to complete the merger only if each of the following conditions is satisfied or waived on or prior to the closing date of the merger:
| Representations and Warranties. The representations and warranties of the Harbinger Parties contained in the merger agreement are true and correct in all material respects (other than representations and warranties that are qualified as to materiality or material adverse effect, which representations and |
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warranties shall be true and correct in all respects except for de minimis inaccuracies) at and as of the closing date of the merger as though made at and as of the closing date of the merger (except to the extent that such representations and warranties speak as of a specific date, in which case such representations and warranties are true and correct as of such date). |
| Performance of Obligations of the Harbinger Parties. The performance or compliance, in all material respects, by the Harbinger Parties of their respective undertakings and agreements in the merger agreement at or prior to the closing date of the merger. |
| Closing Certificate. The delivery by the Harbinger Parties to SkyTerra of a certificate with respect to the satisfaction of the conditions relating to the Harbinger Parties representations, warranties, covenants and agreements. |
Conditions to the Obligations of the Harbinger Parties.
The Harbinger Parties will be obligated to complete the merger only if each of the following conditions is satisfied or waived on or prior to the closing date of the merger:
| Representations and Warranties. The representations and warranties of SkyTerra contained in the merger agreement are true and correct in all material respects (other than representations and warranties that are qualified as to materiality or material adverse effect or certain other specific representations and warranties, which representations and warranties are true and correct in all respects except for de minimis inaccuracies) at and as of the closing date of the merger as though made at and as of the closing date of the merger (except to the extent that such representations and warranties speak as of a specific date, in which case such representations and warranties are true and correct as of such date). |
| Performance of Obligations of SkyTerra. The performance or compliance, in all material respects, by SkyTerra of its undertakings and agreements in the merger agreement at or prior to the closing date of the merger. |
| Closing Certificate. The delivery by SkyTerra to the Harbinger Parties of a certificate with respect to the satisfaction of the conditions relating to SkyTerras representations, warranties, covenants and agreements. |
| No Material Adverse Effect. There will not have occurred, since September 23, 2009, a material adverse effect with respect to SkyTerra or certain of its subsidiaries. |
| Appraisal Rights. Appraisal rights have not been exercised and notice of the intention to exercise such rights has not been given in accordance with the provisions of Section 262(d) of the DGCL by SkyTerra stockholders with respect to, in the aggregate, more than seven and onehalf percent (7.5%) of the outstanding shares of Capital Stock as of immediately prior to the effective time, determined on a fullydiluted basis. |
| FCC Consent. The FCC approvals required to consummate the merger will not be subject to any conditions that are materially adverse to the Harbinger Parties. |
Termination of the Merger Agreement
The merger agreement may be terminated for any reason by the mutual written consent of Harbinger and SkyTerra. Either Harbinger or SkyTerra may terminate the merger agreement at any time:
| if the merger is not consummated by March 31, 2010; provided, however, that if Harbinger determines that additional time is necessary to forestall any action to restrain, enjoin or prohibit the merger by any governmental entity, or obtain any material consent, approval, authorizations or FCC Consent required for consummation of the merger, then Harbinger may extend the termination date to a date not beyond June 30, 2010; |
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| prior to the effective time of the merger, if an administrative agency or commission or other governmental entity issues a final nonappealable injunction, order, decree, judgment or ruling permanently enjoining or otherwise prohibiting the merger; or |
| if, at the annual meeting or any adjournment thereof at which the merger agreement has been voted upon, the SkyTerra stockholders fail to approve the merger agreement by the requisite vote of stockholders of SkyTerra in accordance with applicable law or the Eligible Shares fail to approve this Agreement by the Required Minority Vote; except that a right to terminate pursuant this section may not be exercised by either Harbinger or SkyTerra if the reason for failing to obtain either such vote is the failure of the applicable quorum to be present at the annual meeting or any adjournment thereof and may not be exercised by Harbinger if the reason for failing to obtain the requisite vote of stockholders of SkyTerra in accordance with applicable law is due to a breach by the Harbinger Parties of its agreement to vote all of its agreement to vote all of its shares of Common Stock in favor of the adoption of the merger agreement. |
In addition, Harbinger may terminate the merger agreement:
| if the special committee withdraws, qualifies or modifies its recommendation to SkyTerra stockholders; |
| under specific circumstances relating to a breach of any representation, warranty, covenant or agreement made by SkyTerra in the merger agreement which renders certain conditions to the consummation of the merger incapable of being satisfied; or |
| if appraisal rights are exercised and notice of intention to exercise such rights have been given in accordance with the provisions of Section 262(d) of the DGCL by SkyTerra stockholders with respect to, in the aggregate, more than seven and onehalf percent (7.5%) of the outstanding shares of SkyTerra capital stock, determined on a fullydiluted basis. |
In addition, SkyTerra (at the direction of the special committee) may terminate the merger agreement:
| if the special committee has made a termination recommendation, after acting in accordance with the procedures set forth in the merger agreement with respect thereto; or |
| under specific circumstances relating to a breach of any representation, warranty, covenant or agreement made by Harbinger in the merger agreement which renders certain conditions to the consummation of the merger incapable of being satisfied. |
In the event of termination of the merger agreement and the abandonment of the merger, the merger agreement will become null and void with no liability to any person on the part of any party (or of any of its affiliates or subsidiaries). However, (i) except as otherwise provided in the merger agreement, no such termination will relieve any party of any liability or obligation to the other party with respect to any breach of the merger agreement prior to such termination and (ii) the agreements of SkyTerra and the Harbinger Parties with respect to governing law, allocation of expenses, the novote termination fee and the effect of termination and abandonment sections of the merger agreement will survive the termination of the merger agreement. Subject to agreements contained in Section 4.11 of the merger agreement regarding the tolling of the Fourth Closing Date (as defined in the SPA), the termination of the merger agreement will have no effect on certain other agreements by and among Harbinger and SkyTerra.
In the event that the merger agreement is terminated (i) by Harbinger in the situation where the merger agreement has not been voted upon because the applicable quorum for the Required Minority Vote was not present at the annual meeting or any adjournment thereof and the merger has not been consummated prior to March 31, 2010 (or an extension thereof) or (ii) by either Harbinger or SkyTerra under circumstances in which the stockholders of the Company fail to adopt the Merger Agreement by the Required Minority Vote, then, in
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either case, the Company shall pay to the Harbinger Parties, as promptly as practicable (but in any event within three business days), an amount equal to the $2,000,000; provided that the no vote termination fee shall not be due and payable pursuant to clause (i) of this paragraph if the reason for failing to obtain the requisite vote of stockholders of SkyTerra in accordance with applicable law is due to a breach by the Harbinger Parties of its agreement to vote all of its shares of Common Stock in favor of the adoption of the merger agreement.
Any provision of the merger agreement may be amended or waived prior to the effective time, but only in a writing signed by each party to the merger agreement in the case of an amendment and signed by each party against whom the waiver is to be effective in the case of a waiver. However, after the adoption of the merger agreement by the stockholders, no provision of the merger agreement may be amended which under applicable law requires the approval of SkyTerras stockholders without first obtaining such approval. Pursuant to the Memorandum of Understanding, the Required Minority Vote provision may not be waived, amended or modified.
Each party has agreed to bear all costs and expenses incurred by it in connection with the merger agreement.
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PROPOSAL TWOELECTION OF DIRECTORS
SkyTerras Bylaws provide that SkyTerra shall have not less than one nor more than fifteen directors, with the exact number of directors to be determined by the SkyTerra board of directors. There are currently six members on SkyTerras board of directors. The SkyTerra board of directors proposes the election of six directors of SkyTerra. Each director elected will hold office until the earliest of (a) the closing of the merger, (b) the 2010 annual meeting of stockholders, or when his successor is duly elected and qualified, or (c) his earlier death, resignation or removal. Upon completion of the merger, the individuals serving as SkyTerra directors immediately prior to the completion of the merger will be replaced by the board of directors of Acquisition Corp.
Biographical information concerning each of the nominees, as of January 7, 2010, is set forth below.
Name |
Served as Director Since |
Age | Principal Business Experience for the Past Five Years | |||
Alexander H. Good |
2008 | 60 | Mr. Good has been the Companys Chief Executive Officer and President since December 2006. Mr. Good was elected to the Board of Directors of the Company on April 9, 2008 and became the Chairman of the Board of Directors on April 24, 2008. Mr. Good has served as SkyTerra LPs Chief Executive Officer, President and Vice Chairman of the Board since April 2004. In 2002 and 2003, prior to joining SkyTerra LP, Mr. Good served as the Executive Chairman of Affinity Internet and Executive Chairman of Nexverse Networks, Inc., now Veraz Networks, Inc., and also served as a director of NextLevel Communications, Inc. Mr. Good was Chairman and CEO of @Link Networks, Inc. from 1999 to 2001. Mr. Good was Executive Vice President of Bell Atlantic Corporation (now Verizon) from 1997 to 1999. He served as Senior Vice President of Corporate Development of Bell Atlantic Corporation from 1995 to 1997 and was Chairman and CEO of Bell Atlantic International from 1994 to 1997. Mr. Good served as Senior Vice President of Mobile Technologies Communications, Inc. and CEO of MTEL International from 1990 to 1994. | |||
Jose A. Cecin, Jr. |
2008 | 46 | Mr. Cecin has served as a director of SkyTerra since April 2008. Mr. Cecin is currently the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of RCN Corporation, a competitive broadband services provider. From 2003 to 2008, Mr. Cecin was a Managing Director of BB&T Capital Markets, the investment banking division of BB&T Corporation, where he was the Group Head of the firms Communications Investment Banking practice. In 1999, he cofounded Cambrian Communications, a facilitiesbased telecommunications service provider, where he served as Chief Operating Officer. Mr. Cecin was also a founder of Wave International, a financier and builder of telecommunications infrastructure in emerging markets, where from 1996 to 1999 he helped acquire, fund and build out competitive telecommunications infrastructure in Venezuelas 5 largest cities. Mr. Cecin also previously served as Managing Director of Corporate Development at Bell Atlantic Corporation (now Verizon). He also previously served as an officer in the United States Armys 25th Infantry Division. Mr. Cecin serves on the board of directors of RCN Corporation, and is chairman of the board of Arbinet Corporation. Mr. Cecin earned a B.S. degree in Electrical Engineering from the United States Military Academy at West Point and an M.B.A. from Stanford University. Mr. Cecin serves on our Audit Committee, Compensation Committee and Special Committee. |
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Name |
Served as Director Since |
Age | Principal Business Experience for the Past Five Years | |||
Jeffrey M. Killeen |
1998 | 56 | Mr. Killeen has been a member of the Board of Directors of the Company since October 1998. Since January 1, 2002, Mr. Killeen has been Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Globalspec, Inc., an information services company. Mr. Killeen was the Chief Executive Officer of Forbes.com from August 1999 to March 2001. Prior to that, from January 1998 to March 1999, Mr. Killeen was the Chief Operating Officer of barnesandnoble.com. Before joining barnesandnoble.com, Mr. Killeen served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Pacific Bell Interactive Media from August 1994 to January 1998. Mr. Killeen serves on the board of directors of drugstore.com, Inc. Mr. Killeen serves on our Audit Committee and Special Committee. | |||
Paul S. Latchford, Jr. |
2008 | 55 | Mr. Latchford has served as a director of the Company since April 2008. Mr. Latchford is CoFounder, President and Chief Executive Officer of Spencer Trask Media & Communications Group LLC. Prior to joining Spencer Trask in June 1999, Mr. Latchford served as Principal Vice President for Global Business Development in Bechtel Group, Inc. from February 1997 to June 1999. Beginning in the early 1990s Mr. Latchford held several regional business development positions in Bell Atlantic International, Inc. and was appointed Vice President of Business Development for the Asia Pacific Region in 1994. Mr. Latchford serves on our Compensation Committee. | |||
William F. Stasior |
2000 | 69 | Mr. Stasior has been a member of the Board of Directors of the Company since April 2000. Mr. Stasior was the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Booz Allen & Hamilton Inc., a management and technology consulting firm, from 1991 to 1999. Since October 1999, Mr. Stasior has been the Senior Chairman of Booz Allen. Mr. Stasior also serves on the boards of directors of OPNET Technologies, Inc., a software company that specializes in enhancing network performance for enterprises and service providers, and Vanu, Inc., a leading developer of softwaredefined radio technology. Mr. Stasior serves on our Audit Committee and Special Committee. | |||
Michael D. Weiner |
2005 | 57 | Mr. Weiner has been a member of the Board of Directors of the Company since June 2005. Mr. Weiner has been Chief Legal Officer and General Counsel of Ares Management since September 2006. Previously, Mr. Weiner was employed with Apollo Management, L.P., a leading private investment management firm and served as general counsel of the Apollo organization from 1992 to September 2006. Prior to joining Apollo, Mr. Weiner was a partner in the law firm of Morgan, Lewis & Bockius specializing in securities law, public and private financings, and corporate and commercial transactions. Mr. Weiner also serves on the board of directors of Hughes Communications, Inc. |
THE SKYTERRA BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR ELECTION AS DIRECTOR ALL OF THE NOMINEES SET FORTH ABOVE.
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PROPOSAL THREEADJOURNMENT OF THE ANNUAL MEETING
Adjournment of the Annual Meeting
Although it is not currently expected, the annual meeting may be adjourned to solicit additional proxies if there are not sufficient votes to adopt the merger agreement. In that event, SkyTerra may ask its stockholders to vote upon the proposals to elect directors to the SkyTerra board of directors and consider the adjournment of the annual meeting to solicit additional proxies, but not the proposal to adopt the merger agreement.
In this proposal, SkyTerra is asking you to authorize the holder of any proxy solicited by the SkyTerra board of directors to vote in favor of granting discretionary authority to the proxies to adjourn the annual meeting for any purpose, including soliciting additional proxies. If SkyTerra stockholders approve the adjournment proposal, SkyTerra could adjourn the annual meeting and any adjourned session of the annual meeting and use the additional time to solicit additional proxies, including the solicitation of proxies from stockholders that have previously returned properly executed proxies or authorized a proxy by telephone or via the Internet. Additionally, SkyTerra may seek to adjourn the annual meeting if a quorum is not present at the annual meeting.
Vote Required and Recommendation of the Board of Directors
Approval of the proposal to adjourn the annual meeting, if necessary, for any reason, including to solicit additional proxies requires the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the shares of Common Stock represented in person or by proxy at the Annual Meeting. No proxy that is specifically marked AGAINST adoption of the merger agreement will be voted in favor of the adjournment proposal, unless it is specifically marked FOR the proposal to adjourn the annual meeting.
THE SKYTERRA BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR THE PROPOSAL TO ADJOURN THE ANNUAL MEETING, IF NECESSARY, FOR ANY PURPOSE, INCLUDING TO SOLICIT ADDITIONAL PROXIES IF THERE ARE NOT SUFFICIENT VOTES TO ADOPT THE MERGER AGREEMENT.
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PROPOSAL FOURRATIFY THE APPOINTMENT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP AS THE INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM OF SKYTERRA FOR
THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009
SkyTerras board of directors unanimously appointed Ernst & Young LLP (Ernst & Young) to serve as its independent registered public accounting firm. The board of directors of SkyTerra recommends to the stockholders the ratification of the appointment of Ernst & Young as independent registered public accounting firm for SkyTerra for the year ended December 31, 2009. If the stockholders do not ratify the appointment, the board of directors may reconsider its recommendation.
A representative of Ernst & Young is expected to be available at the annual meeting to respond to appropriate questions and will be given the opportunity to make a statement if he or she so desires.
Vote Required
The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the total number of the votes of Common Stock represented and entitled to vote at the annual meeting is required to approve this proposal.
Audit Fees
Aggregate fees for professional services rendered to SkyTerra by Ernst & Young for work performed during the fiscal years ended December 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007 are summarized in the table below.
2008 | 2007 | |||||
Audit Fees (1) |
$ | 963,500 | $ | 973,000 | ||
Audit Related Fees (2) |
$ | 2,000 | $ | 2,000 | ||
Tax Fees (3) |
$ | 313,435 | $ | 418,000 | ||
All Other Fees (4) |
| $ | 15,000 | |||
$ | 1,278,935 | $ | 1,408,000 | |||
(1) | Audit fees consisted of fees billed or expected to be billed for professional services rendered for the audit of the Companys consolidated annual financial statements included in the Companys Form 10K, the reviews of the Companys consolidated financial statements included in the Companys Form 10Q, services related to SarbanesOxley Act compliance or any other services rendered to comply with generally accepted auditing standards and include consents in connection with SEC filings. |
(2) | Audit related fees consisted of fees for an online accounting research tool. |
(3) | Tax fees consisted of tax compliance, tax advice and tax consulting services. |
(4) | Other fees consisted of fees billed for agreed upon procedures performed in connection with Canadian regulatory requirements. |
Pursuant to a preapproval policy, the Audit Committee approved all of the audit and nonaudit services for the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007.
Recommendation Of The Board Of Directors
THE SKYTERRA BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR THE PROPOSAL THE PROPOSAL TO RATIFY THE APPOINTMENT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP AS INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM OF THE COMPANY.
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MARKET PRICE AND DIVIDEND INFORMATION
Market Prices for SkyTerra Common Stock and Related Stockholder Matters
SkyTerras Common Stock has been traded on the Over the Counter Bulletin Board under the symbol SKYT.OTB since January 30, 2003. The following table sets forth for the periods indicated the range of high and low closing prices per share of Common Stock, as reported by the Nasdaq website:
High ($) | Low ($) | |||
2010 |
||||
First Quarter (through 1/6/2010) |
4.88 | 4.88 | ||
2009 |
||||
First Quarter |
4.55 | 1.01 | ||
Second Quarter |
3.50 | 2.25 | ||
Third Quarter |
4.85 | 2.80 | ||
Fourth Quarter |
4.90 | 4.82 | ||
2008 |
||||
First Quarter |
7.80 | 6.00 | ||
Second Quarter |
8.75 | 6.50 | ||
Third Quarter |
6.25 | 3.67 | ||
Fourth Quarter |
3.35 | 1.37 | ||
2007 |
||||
First Quarter |
11.30 | 8.20 | ||
Second Quarter |
9.00 | 7.70 | ||
Third Quarter |
9.05 | 6.80 | ||
Fourth Quarter |
7.25 | 4.35 |
The closing sale price of our Common Stock on the Over the Counter Bulletin Board on September 22, 2009, which was the last trading day before we announced the Merger, was $3.40 per share, compared to which the merger consideration represents a premium of approximately 47%.
On [ ], 2010, the last trading day before the date of this proxy statement, the closing price for SkyTerras Common Stock on the Over the Counter Bulletin Board was $[ ] per share. You are encouraged to, and should, obtain current market quotations for SkyTerras Common Stock in connection with voting your shares.
As of the record date, SkyTerra had [ ] stockholders of record. This number was derived from SkyTerras stockholder records, and does not include beneficial owners of SkyTerras Capital Stock whose shares are held in the names of various dealers, clearing agencies, banks, brokers and other fiduciaries. Holders of SkyTerras Capital Stock are entitled to share ratably in dividends, if and when declared by SkyTerras board of directors.
SkyTerra has not paid a cash dividend on its Capital Stock for the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007, and it is unlikely that SkyTerra will pay any cash dividends on its Capital Stock for the foreseeable future. SkyTerra currently intends to retain future earnings, if any, to fund the development and growth of the business.
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SELECTED HISTORICAL FINANCIAL INFORMATION
The following table sets forth selected historical consolidated financial data for SkyTerra as of and for each of the last five fiscal years.
The selected historical data set forth below has been derived from and should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements, accompanying notes and other financial information included in SkyTerras annual report on Form 10 K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008, as amended, and SkyTerras quarterly report on Form 10 Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2009, which are attached hereto as Appendices E and G, respectively, and are incorporated herein by reference.
On September 26, 2006, SkyTerra completed the 2006 SkyTerra LP Exchange Transactions (as described more fully in the Form 10K for the period ended December 31, 2008, attached hereto as Appendix E) that resulted in SkyTerra owning the majority of SkyTerra LP. This transaction has been accounted for as a reverse acquisition with SkyTerra LP being treated as the accounting acquirer of SkyTerra. As such, SkyTerras historical financial statements prior to September 25, 2006 are the historical financial statements of SkyTerra LP. The consolidated financial statements of SkyTerra LP have been retroactively restated to reflect the recapitalization of SkyTerra LP with the 39.6 million shares of Capital Stock issued to SkyTerra LP equity holders in the 2006 SkyTerra LP Exchange Transactions.
Nine Months ended September 30, 2009 |
2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | |||||||||||||||||||
Consolidated statements of operations data: |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total revenues |
$ | 26,382 | $ | 34,485 | $ | 34,083 | $ | 34,854 | $ | 29,974 | $ | 29,597 | ||||||||||||
Total operating expense |
123,350 | 138,992 | 106,174 | 77,113 | 69,127 | 56,352 | ||||||||||||||||||
Operating loss |
(96,968 | ) | (104,507 | ) | (72,091 | ) | (42,259 | ) | (39,153 | ) | (26,755 | ) | ||||||||||||
Net loss attributable to SkyTerra |
(152,001 | ) | (204,935 | ) | (123,556 | ) | (57,100 | ) | (40,955 | ) | (33,455 | ) | ||||||||||||
Net loss attributable to SkyTerra per common share |
(1.42 | ) | (1.93 | ) | (1.24 | ) | (1.24 | ) | (1.03 | ) | (1.06 | ) | ||||||||||||
Consolidated balance sheet data: |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total assets |
1,783,221 | 1,360,702 | 1,295,035 | 767,047 | 216,784 | 246,223 | ||||||||||||||||||
Senior secured discount notes, net |
699,036 | 629,759 | 552,719 | 483,410 | | | ||||||||||||||||||
16.5% senior unsecured notes (related party), net |
163,066 | 147,119 | | | | | ||||||||||||||||||
18% senior unsecured notes (related party), net |
377,835 | | | | | | ||||||||||||||||||
Vendor notes payable |
114,649 | 60,940 | 50,765 | | | | ||||||||||||||||||
Notes payableother |
| 372 | 1,282 | 470 | 696 | 902 | ||||||||||||||||||
Longterm deferred revenue, net of current portion |
14,679 | 12,383 | 16,333 | 20,971 | 23,243 | 20,690 | ||||||||||||||||||
Stockholders equity (deficit) |
$ | 360,064 | $ | 471,353 | $ | 616,218 | ($ | 119,943 | ) | $ | 181,260 | $ | 212,964 |
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RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
(amounts in thousands)
Nine Months ended September 30, 2009 |
2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | |||||||||||||
Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges |
| | | | | | ||||||||||||
Amount by Which Earnings are Insufficient to Cover Fixed Charges |
$ | 180,915 | $ | 282,517 | $ | 160,393 | $ | 68,097 | $ | 32,126 | $ | 31,516 |
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At September 30, 2009, SkyTerra had a consolidated net book value of $360.1 million ($3.31 per share) and reported a net loss of $37.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2009. The $3.31 per share consolidated net book value is substantially below the $5.00 per share cash merger consideration. Based upon their respective aggregate share ownerships, Harbinger and its affiliates had an indirect 48% interest in that net book value and net loss and holders of SkyTerra Capital Stock other than Harbinger and its affiliates owned the remaining indirect 52% interest in the net book value and net loss. Following the consummation of the merger, Harbinger and its affiliates will have an indirect 100% ownership interest in the surviving corporations net book value and net income or loss and the other current stockholders of SkyTerra will have no direct or indirect interest in that net book value and net income or loss.
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SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF MANAGEMENT AND CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS
On the record date, [ ], 2010, there were [48,893,653] outstanding and issued shares of Common Stock (and [59,958,499] outstanding and issued shares of Non-Voting Common Stock). The following table shows the amount of Capital Stock beneficially owned as of January 7, 2010 by (i) each of the directors, (ii) each of the current executive officers, (iii) all of the directors and executive officers as a group and (iv) each person known by SkyTerra to beneficially own more than 5% of SkyTerra outstanding Capital Stock. Unless otherwise provided, the address of each holder named below is c/o SkyTerra Communications, Inc., 10802 Parkridge Boulevard, Reston VA 20191.
Name and Address |
Position |
Number of Shares of Voting Common Stock Beneficially Owned (1) |
Percentage of Class of Voting Common Stock |
Number of Shares of Non-Voting Common Stock Beneficially Owned |
Percentage of Class of Non-Voting Common Stock |
Percentage of Total Equity |
||||||||||
Alexander H. Good |
Chief Executive Officer and President, Director | 2,627,600 | (2) | 5.2 | % | | * | 2.4 | % | |||||||
Scott Macleod |
Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer | 1,191,566 | (3) | 2.4 | % | | * | 1.1 | % | |||||||
Randy S. Segal |
Former Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary | 423,000 | (4) | * | | * | * | |||||||||
Andrew Caplan |
Chief Network Officer, SkyTerra LP |
425,000 | (5) | * | | * | * | |||||||||
Gary Epstein |
Executive Vice President, Law and Regulation | 100,000 | (6) | * | | * | * | |||||||||
Marc Montagner |
Executive Vice President, Strategy Development and Distribution, SkyTerra LP | 200,000 | (7) | * | | * | * | |||||||||
James A. Wiseman |
Vice President and Corporate Controller | 37,600 | (8) | * | | * | * | |||||||||
Jose A. Cecin, Jr. |
Director | 6,667 | (9) | * | | * | * | |||||||||
Paul S. Latchford, Jr. |
Director | 6,667 | (10) | * | | * | * | |||||||||
Jeffrey M. Killeen |
Director | 129,167 | (11) | * | | | * | |||||||||
William F. Stasior |
Director | 114,167 | (12) | * | | | * | |||||||||
Michael D. Weiner |
Director | 31,667 | (13) | * | | | * | |||||||||
Harbinger Holdings, LLC and its affiliates (14) |
60,233,321 | 69.4 | % | 29,946,362 | 49.9 | % | 61.5 | % | ||||||||
450 Park Avenue, 30th Floor New York, NY 10022 |
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Name and Address |
Position |
Number of Shares of Voting Common Stock Beneficially Owned (1) |
Percentage of Class of Voting Common Stock |
Number of Shares of Non-Voting Common Stock Beneficially Owned |
Percentage of Class of Non-Voting Common Stock |
Percentage of Total Equity |
|||||||||
BCE Inc. 1000 rue de La Gauchetiere Ouest Bureau 3700 Montreal, Quebec H3B 4Y7 Canada |
| | 22,105,400 | 36.9 | % | 20.3 | % | ||||||||
Columbia Capital III, LLC 201 North Union Street Suite 300 Alexandria, VA 22314 |
5,623,165 | 11.5 | % | | | 5.2 | % | ||||||||
Wells Fargo Bank, National Association |
| | 7,906,737 | 13.2 | % | 7.3 | % | ||||||||
Solus Alternative Asset Management funds (15) |
4,750,000 | 9.7 | % | | | 4.4 | % | ||||||||
All executive officers and directors as a group (12 persons) |
5,293,101 | 10.1 | % | | | 4.7 | % |
* | Represents beneficial ownership of less than 1%. |
(1) | Beneficial ownership has been determined pursuant to Rule 13d3 under the Exchange Act. |
(2) | Consists of 935,600 shares of restricted stock subject to vesting and options to purchase an additional 1,692,000 shares of common stock that are currently exercisable. Mr. Good holds no unvested options to purchase shares of common stock. |
(3) | Consists of 557,066 shares of restricted stock subject to vesting and options to purchase an additional 634,500 shares of common stock that are currently exercisable. Mr. Macleod holds no unvested options to purchase shares of common stock. |
(4) | Consists of options to purchase 423,000 shares of common stock held by Ms. Segal. Ms. Segal holds no unvested options to purchase shares of common stock. |
(5) | Consists of 125,000 shares of restricted stock subject to vesting and options to purchase 300,000 shares of common stock that are currently exercisable. Mr. Caplan holds no unvested options to purchase shares of common stock. |
(6) | Consists of 100,000 shares of restricted stock subject to vesting and options to purchase an additional 600,000 shares of common stock held by Mr. Epstein, of which none are currently exercisable. |
(7) | Consists of 100,000 shares of restricted stock subject to vesting and options to purchase an additional 600,000 shares of common stock held by Mr. Montagner, of which 100,000 are currently exercisable. |
(8) | Consists of options to purchase 56,400 shares of common stock held by Mr. Wiseman, of which 37,600 are currently exercisable. |
(9) | Consists of options to purchase 20,000 shares of common stock held by Mr. Cecin, of which 6,667 are currently exercisable. |
(10) | Consists of options to purchase 20,000 shares of common stock held by Mr. Latchford, of which 6,667 are currently exercisable. |
(11) | Consists of 80,000 shares of stock and options to purchase 62,500 shares of common stock held by Mr. Killeen, of which 49,167 are currently exercisable. |
(12) | Consists of 55,000 shares of stock, and options to purchase 72,500 shares of common stock held by Mr. Stasior, of which 59,167 are currently exercisable. |
(13) | Consists of options to purchase 45,000 shares of common stock held by Mr. Weiner, of which 31,667 are currently exercisable. |
(14) | Represents beneficial ownership by (a) Philip A. Falcone of 60,233,321 shares of voting common stock and 29,946,362 shares of non-voting common stock, (b) Harbinger Capital Partners Master Fund I, Ltd. of 41,126,457 shares of voting common stock and 5,556,898 shares of non-voting common stock, (c) Harbinger Capital Partners LLC of 41,126,457 shares of voting common stock and 5,556,898 shares of non-voting common stock, (d) Harbinger Capital Partners Special Situations Fund, L.P. of 18,089,908 shares of voting common stock and 9,982,121 shares of non-voting common stock, (e) Harbinger Capital Partners Special Situations GP, LLC of 18,089,908 shares of voting common stock and 9,982,121 shares of non-voting common stock and (f) Harbinger Capital Partners Fund I, L.P. of 1,016,956 shares of voting common stock and 14,407,343 shares of non-voting common stock. |
The direct and indirect beneficial ownership of shares of Capital Stock has been previously disclosed in public filings made with the SEC by the Harbinger Filing Persons (other than Acquisition Corp.) and certain of their affiliates (the Harbinger Filers). For purposes of clarification, when the ownership and voting percentage of the Harbinger Filers are calculated using guidelines promulgated by the FCC, the ownership and voting percentages are calculated on a non-fully diluted basis (i.e., only those shares which have been issued and are outstanding are included) and include only those shares actually held by the Harbinger Filers in the calculation (i.e., the |
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calculation excludes those dilutive securities which are subject to the exercise of warrants, options or other equity awards, and those which are being held in escrow pending receipt of the FCC Consent). Using this basis of calculation, the Harbinger Filers hold 46% of the voting interest in SkyTerras Common Stock and 48% of the outstanding Capital Stock of SkyTerra. As discussed under Proposal OneThe MergerRegulatory Requirements beginning on page 56, the FCC Consent authorizing a transfer of control of SkyTerras FCC licenses to Harbinger pursuant to the merger agreement is required prior to the consummation of the merger. |
For purposes of presentation on the foregoing table entitled Security Ownership of Management and Certain Beneficial Owners, as well as on the Schedule 13D filed October 16, 2009 by the Harbinger Filers, the ownership and voting percentages of the Harbinger Filers are calculated using guidelines for determining beneficial ownership set forth by the SEC. Calculations made on this basis include all securities owned by the Harbinger Filers (both inthemoney and outofthemoney dilutive securities) and all securities acquirable by the Harbinger Filers within 60 days (of which there are none), but exclude all dilutive securities held by third parties other than the Harbinger Filers (i.e. any and all shares issuable upon the exercise of warrants, options or other equity awards held by third parties) and any shares which are being held in escrow pending receipt of the FCC Consent. This calculation further assumes that, in the event that the Harbinger Filers have the option to elect whether to have shares issued as Common Stock or NonVoting Common Stock upon the exercise of the dilutive securities it currently holds, all shares which could be issuable upon the Harbinger Filers proper exercise of such dilutive securities would be issued to the Harbinger Filers as shares of Common Stock. Using this basis of calculation, the Harbinger Filers own 69.4% of the voting interest in SkyTerras Common Stock. |
(15) | Includes SOLA LTD (address c/o Solus Alternative Asset Management LP, 430 Park Ave., 9th Floor, New York, New York 10022) and Solus Core Opportunities Fund Ltd (address c/o Solus Core Opportunities Fund Ltd). |
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DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF HARBINGER AND ACQUISITION CORP.
Set forth below are the names, the present principal occupations or employment and the name, principal business and address of any corporation or other organization in which such occupation or employment is conducted, and the fiveyear employment history of each of the current directors and executive officers of Master Fund, Special Fund, Acquisition Corp. and certain of their affiliates.
Master Fund
Martin J. Byrne, Director of Master Fund. Mr. Byrne is a Senior Trust and Company Manager for International Management Services, George Town, Grand Cayman KY11102, Cayman Islands, since 1999. Mr. Byrne is a resident of the Cayman Islands.
Ian Goodall, Director of Master Fund. Mr. Goodall is a Director and Company Secretary for International Management Services, George Town, Grand Cayman KY11102, Cayman Islands, since 1999. Mr. Goodall is a resident of the Cayman Islands.
Harbinger Capital Partners LLC (Harbinger LLC) is the investment manager of Master Fund. Harbinger Holdings, LLC (Harbinger Holdings) is the managing member of Harbinger LLC.
Special Fund
Harbinger Capital Partners Special Situations GP, LLC (Harbinger GP) is the general partner of Special Fund. Harbinger Holdings is the managing member of Harbinger GP.
Harbinger GP
Harbinger Holdings is the managing member of Harbinger GP, a Delaware limited liability company. The officers of Harbinger GP are set forth below.
Harbinger LLC
Harbinger Holdings is the managing member of Harbinger LLC, a Delaware limited liability company. The officers of Harbinger LLC are set forth below.
Harbinger Holdings
Philip A. Falcone is the managing member of Harbinger Holdings, a Delaware limited liability company.
Acquisition Corp.
Peter A. Jenson is the sole director of Acquisition Corp.
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Name |
Titles |
Employment History | ||
Philip A. Falcone |
President of Acquisition Corp. Senior Managing Director, Chief Executive Officer, Chief Investment Officer, President and Treasurer of Harbinger GP and Harbinger LLC. | Chief Investment Officer, Chief Executive Officer and Senior Managing Director of Harbinger Capital Partners, which he cofounded in 2001. | ||
Peter A. Jenson |
Director, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer of Acquisition Corp. Vice President of Harbinger GP Vice President and Secretary of Harbinger LLC. | Managing Director and Chief Operating Officer of Harbinger Capital Partners since 2009. Prior to joining Harbinger Capital Partners, Mr. Jenson was a Managing Director at Citadel Investment Group, 131 South Dearborn Street, Chicago, Illinois 60603 between 2005 and 2009, and Chief Financial Officer at Constellation Commodity Group, 111 Market Street, Suite 500, Baltimore, Maryland 21202 between 2002 and 2005. | ||
Lawrence M. Clark, Jr. |
Vice President of Acquisition Corp., Harbinger GP and Harbinger LLC. | Managing Director of Harbinger Capital Partners, where he has been employed since 2002. | ||
Ian Estus |
Vice President of Acquisition Corp., Harbinger GP and Harbinger LLC. | Managing Director of Harbinger Capital Partners, where he has been employed since 2002. |
During the past five years, none of the persons described above has been (i) convicted in a criminal proceeding (excluding traffic violations or similar misdemeanors) or (ii) party to any judicial or administrative proceeding (except for matters that were dismissed without sanction or settlement) that resulted in a judgment, decree or final order enjoining the person from future violations of, or prohibiting activities subject to, federal or state securities laws or a finding of any violation of federal or state securities laws. Each person identified above is a United States citizen, unless otherwise noted.
The business address and telephone number for each of Special Fund, Acquisition Corp., Harbinger GP, Harbinger LLC, Harbinger Holdings and Philip A. Falcone is 450 Park Avenue, 30th Floor, New York, New York 10022, (212) 339-5100.
The business address and telephone number for Master Fund is c/o International Fund Services Limited, Third Floor, Bishops Square, Redmonds Hill, Dublin 2, Ireland, (212) 521-6972.
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CERTAIN PURCHASES AND SALES OF SKYTERRA CAPITAL STOCK
There have been no transactions in SkyTerra Capital Stock during the past 60 days by SkyTerra or any Harbinger Filing Person or their directors or executive officers, or by any pension, profitsharing or similar plan of SkyTerra or any Harbinger Filing Person.
Shares of Common Stock were issued by SkyTerra on April 13, 2009, following the vesting of shares of restricted stock held by each of Mr. Good and Mr. Macleod through net exercise, which reduced the number of shares of Common Stock issuable to each holder by the equivalent of the withholding tax amount paid by SkyTerra. In the case of Mr. Good, 135,600 shares of Common Stock were issued and 64,400 shares were withheld by SkyTerra. In the case of Mr. Macleod, 90,400 shares of Common Stock were issued and 42,934 shares were withheld by SkyTerra.
The following table shows purchases of SkyTerra Capital Stock during the past two years effected by any Harbinger Filing Person, showing the number of shares of SkyTerra Capital Stock purchased by each, the range of prices paid for those shares and the average price paid per quarter for the past two years.
Name of Filer |
Quarter Ended 12/31/2007 Amount of Shares Purchased |
Range of Prices Paid |
Average Purchase Price | |||||
Harbinger Capital Partners Fund I, L.P. (1) |
83,996 | $ | 5.65 5.98 | $ | 5.66 | |||
Name of Filer |
Quarter Ended 3/31/2008 Amount of Shares Purchased |
Range of Prices Paid |
Average Purchase Price | |||||
Harbinger Capital Partners Fund I, L.P. |
15,340,303 | $ | 5.50 7.40 | $ | 5.61 | |||
Name of Filer |
Quarter Ended 6/30/2008 Amount of Shares Purchased |
Range of Prices Paid |
Average Purchase Price | |||||
Master Fund (2) |
8,511,817 | $10.00 | $10.00 | |||||
Special Fund (3) |
7,886,312 | $10.00 | $10.00 | |||||
Name of Filer |
Quarter Ended 9/30/2008 Amount of Shares Purchased |
Range of Prices Paid |
Average Purchase Price | |||||
Master Fund (4) |
12,573,854 | $4.15 | $4.15 | |||||
Special Fund (5) |
11,052,220 | $4.15 | $4.15 | |||||
Name of Filer |
Quarter Ended 12/31/2008 Amount of Shares Purchased |
Range of Prices Paid |
Average Purchase Price | |||||
| | | ||||||
Name of Filer |
Quarter Ended 3/31/2009 Amount of Shares Purchased |
Range of Prices Paid |
Average Purchase Price | |||||
Special Fund (6) |
425,519 | $ | 1.43 4.69 | $ | 2.57 | |||
Master Fund (7) |
1,209,189 | $ | 1.43 4.69 | $ | 2.57 |
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Name of Filer |
Quarter Ended 6/30/2009 Amount of Shares Purchased |
Range of Prices Paid |
Average Purchase Price | |||
| | | ||||
Name of Filer |
Quarter Ended 9/30/2009 Amount of Shares Purchased |
Range of Prices Paid |
Average Purchase Price | |||
| | |
(1) | Entity is a feeder fund for the Master Fund. |
(2) | 332,119 of the shares of Capital Stock purchased were placed in escrow pending FCC Consent. |
(3) | 110,706 of the shares of Capital Stock purchased were placed in escrow pending FCC Consent. |
(4) | 5,271,158 of the shares of Capital Stock purchased were placed in escrow pending FCC Consent. |
(5) | 2,635,573 of the shares of Capital Stock purchased were placed in escrow pending FCC Consent. |
(6) | 425,519 of the shares of Capital Stock purchased were placed in escrow pending FCC Consent. |
(7) | 1,209,189 of the shares of Capital Stock purchased were placed in escrow pending FCC Consent. |
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The board of directors does not know of any matters to be presented for action at the annual meeting other than as set forth in this proxy statement. If other matters that SkyTerra does not know about a reasonable time before the mailing of this proxy statement do properly come before the annual meeting, or any adjournments or postponements thereof, it is the intention of the persons named in the proxy to vote on such matters in their sole discretion. If SkyTerra becomes aware, a reasonable time before the mailing of this proxy statement, of any other business to be presented at the annual meeting, the persons named in the proxy will not exercise their discretionary authority to vote on such matters.
If the merger is completed, SkyTerra shares will no longer be publicly traded and SkyTerra will no longer hold annual meetings of its stockholders. If the merger is not completed, SkyTerras stockholders will continue to be entitled to attend and participate in SkyTerras stockholders meetings. If the merger is not completed, SkyTerra will inform its stockholders, by press release or other means determined reasonable by SkyTerra, of the date by which stockholder proposals must be received by SkyTerra for inclusion in the proxy materials relating to the annual meeting, which proposals must comply with the rules and regulations of the SEC then in effect.
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
SkyTerra files annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other documents with the SEC under the Exchange Act. SkyTerras SEC filings made electronically through the SECs EDGAR system are available to the public at the SECs website at http://www.sec.gov. You may also read and copy any document SkyTerra files with the SEC at the SECs public reference room located at 450 Fifth Street, NW, Washington, DC 20549, and at the following Regional Office of the SEC: The Woolworth Building, 233 Broadway, New York, New York 10279. Please call the SEC at (800) SEC0330 for further information on the operation of the public reference rooms. SkyTerra stockholders can also find this information in the Investor Relations section of SkyTerras website, http://www.skyterra.com.
Because the merger is a going-private transaction, SkyTerra, Harbinger and Acquisition Corp. have filed with the SEC a Transaction Statement on Schedule 13E3 with respect to the proposed merger. The Schedule 13E3, including any amendments and exhibits filed or incorporated by reference as a part of it, is available for inspection as set forth above. The Schedule 13E3 will be amended to report promptly any material changes in the information set forth in the most recent Schedule 13E3 filed with the SEC.
We also attach to this proxy statement, SkyTerras annual report on Form 10 K, as amended, for its year ended December 31, 2008, and SkyTerras quarterly report on Form 10 Q, for its period ended September 30, 2009 as Appendices E and G, respectively. Because the merger is a going-private transaction, disclosure made in connection with the merger is not entitled to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (PSLRA) and any reference to any claim of reliance on the PSLRA contained in this proxy statement, including in either of Appendix E or G, attached hereto, is excluded.
Harbinger and Acquisition Corp. have supplied all information in this proxy statement related to Harbinger and Acquisition Corp. SkyTerra has not independently verified any of the information relating to Harbinger and Acquisition Corp. You should rely only on the information contained in this proxy statement, or to which SkyTerra has referred you, to vote your shares at the annual meeting. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with information that is different. This proxy statement is dated [ ], 2010. You should not assume that the information contained in this proxy statement is accurate as of any date other than that date, and the mailing of this proxy statement to stockholders does not create a solicitation of a proxy in any jurisdiction where, or to or
94
from any person to whom, it is unlawful to make such a proxy solicitation in such jurisdiction. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event of any material change in any of the information previously disclosed, SkyTerra will, where relevant and if required by applicable law, (1) update such information through a supplement to this proxy statement and (2) amend the Transaction Statement on Schedule 13E3 filed in connection with the merger, in each case, to the extent necessary.
Documents incorporated by reference in this proxy statement are available from us without charge, excluding all exhibits (unless we have specifically incorporated by reference an exhibit in this proxy statement). You may obtain documents incorporated by reference by requesting them in writing or by telephone as follows:
SkyTerra Communications, Inc.
10802 Parkridge Boulevard
Reston, VA 20191
Attention: Secretary
Telephone: (703) 3902700
If you would like to request documents from us, please do so by [ ], 2010 in order to ensure timely receipt before the annual meeting. You should be sure to include your complete name and address in your request. If you request any incorporated documents, we will mail them to you by first class mail, or another equally prompt means, within one business day after we receive your request.
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Appendix A
EXECUTION COPY
AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER
by and among
HARBINGER CAPITAL PARTNERS MASTER FUND I, LTD,
HARBINGER CAPITAL PARTNERS SPECIAL SITUATIONS FUND, L.P.,
SOL PRIVATE CORP.,
and
SKYTERRA COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
Dated as of September 23, 2009
A-i
A-ii
AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER
THIS AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER, dated as of September 23, 2009 (this Agreement), by and among Harbinger Capital Partners Master Fund I. Ltd, an exempted company organized under the laws of the Cayman Islands (Master Fund), Harbinger Capital Partners Special Situations Fund, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (Special Fund, and together with Master Fund, H), Sol Private Corp., a Delaware corporation and an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of H (Acquisition Corp.), and SkyTerra Communications, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the Company). Certain capitalized terms used in this Agreement are defined in Section 7.1.
RECITALS:
A. H collectively owns the shares of Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Company (Common Stock), and the shares of Non-Voting Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Company (Non-Voting Common Stock, and, together with Common Stock, Capital Stock) as reported on the Schedule 13D/A filed by H on August 21, 2009.
B. H desires to acquire all of the shares of Capital Stock not owned by it, directly or indirectly, and to provide for the payment of $5.00 per share in cash for all such shares of Capital Stock, by means of a merger of Acquisition Corp. with and into the Company in accordance with Section 251 of the Delaware General Corporation Law (the DGCL), upon the terms and subject to the conditions of this Agreement (the Merger).
C. The respective Boards of Directors of the Company, H and Acquisition Corp. have (and in the case of the Company, upon the recommendation of a special committee of its Board of Directors (the Special Committee)) approved this Agreement and declared it advisable and in the best interests of their respective companies and stockholders to consummate the Merger on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein.
D. In consideration of the foregoing and the respective representations, warranties, covenants and agreements set forth in this Agreement, the Parties hereby agree as follows:
THE MERGER
Section 1.1. The Merger. At the Effective Time, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement and in accordance with the DGCL, Acquisition Corp. will be merged with and into the Company, the separate existence of Acquisition Corp. will cease, and the Company will continue as the surviving corporation (the Surviving Corporation). The Merger will have the effects as provided by the DGCL and other applicable law.
Section 1.2. Effective Time. As soon as practicable on the Closing Date, Acquisition Corp. and the Company will file with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware a certificate of merger (the Certificate of Merger) executed in accordance with the relevant provisions of the DGCL. The Merger will become effective at such time as the Certificate of Merger is duly filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware, or at such other time as is permissible in accordance with the DGCL and as the Parties may agree, as specified in the Certificate of Merger (the time the Merger becomes effective, the Effective Time).
Section 1.3. Closing. Unless this Agreement shall have been terminated in accordance with Section 6.1, the closing of the Merger (the Closing) will take place at the offices of Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP, 767 Fifth Avenue, New York, New York 10153 at 10:00 a.m. (eastern standard time) on a date to be mutually agreed to by
A-1
the Parties, which date shall be no later than the third business day after the satisfaction of the conditions (other than conditions that by their nature are to be satisfied at the Closing but subject to such conditions) provided in Article V, or at such other time and place as the Parties may agree to in writing (the Closing Date).
Section 1.4. Certificate of Incorporation; By-laws; Directors and Officers. At the Effective Time:
(a) | except as required by Section 4.8(a), the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Surviving Corporation shall be amended in the Merger to be the same as the certificate of incorporation of Acquisition Corp. as in effect immediately prior to the Effective Time (except that the name of the Surviving Corporation shall be SkyTerra Communications, Inc.) and, until thereafter amended in accordance with its terms and as provided by the DGCL, shall be the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Surviving Corporation; |
(b) | except as required by Section 4.8(a), the By-laws of Acquisition Corp. as in effect immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be the By-laws of the Surviving Corporation following the Merger (except that the name of the Surviving Corporation shall be SkyTerra Communications, Inc.), until thereafter amended as provided in the DGCL or in the Certificate of Incorporation or By-laws of the Surviving Corporation; |
(c) | the directors of Acquisition Corp. immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be the directors of the Surviving Corporation following the Merger until the earlier of (i) their death, resignation or removal or (ii) such time as their respective successors are duly elected or appointed as provided in the Certificate of Incorporation or By-laws of the Surviving Corporation; and |
(d) | the officers of the Company immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be the officers of the Surviving Corporation until the earlier of (i) their death, resignation or removal or (ii) such time as their respective successors are duly appointed as provided in the Certificate of Incorporation or By-laws of the Surviving Corporation. |
Section 1.5. Effect of Merger on Capital Stock. At the Effective Time, by virtue of the Merger and without any action on the part of Acquisition Corp., the Company or the holders of any shares of capital stock of the Company:
(a) | each share of common stock, par value $0.001 per share, of Acquisition Corp. that is issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be converted into and become one share of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Surviving Corporation; |
(b) | subject to Section 1.5(c) and Section 1.6: |
(i) | each share of Capital Stock that is issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time (other than shares of Capital Stock held by H and its Affiliates or by any Company Subsidiary (as defined below)) will be converted into the right to receive $5.00 in cash, without interest (the Merger Consideration), and, when so converted, will automatically be canceled and will cease to exist; |
(ii) | each share of Capital Stock that is issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time and held by H or its Affiliates will automatically be canceled and will cease to exist; and |
(iii) | each holder of a certificate representing any such shares of Capital Stock will cease to have any rights with respect to such shares of Capital Stock to the extent such certificate represents such shares of Capital Stock, except for the right to receive the Merger Consideration payable in respect of the shares of Capital Stock formerly represented by such certificate upon surrender of such certificate in accordance with Section 1.9; and |
(c) | each share of Capital Stock that is owned immediately prior to the Effective Time by any Company Subsidiary will remain outstanding thereafter, with appropriate adjustment to the number thereof to preserve the Company Subsidiarys percentage ownership of the Company. |
A-2
Section 1.6. Dissenting Shares.
(a) | Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, shares of Capital Stock outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time and held by a holder who has demanded and perfected such holders right to appraisal of such shares in accordance with Section 262 of the DGCL (the Dissenting Shares) will not be converted into or represent the right to receive the Merger Consideration, but their holder will instead be entitled to such rights as are afforded under the DGCL with respect to Dissenting Shares, unless such holder fails to perfect or withdraws or otherwise loses its right to appraisal. |
(b) | If any holder of shares of Capital Stock who demands appraisal of such holders shares pursuant to the DGCL fails to perfect or withdraws or otherwise loses such holders right to appraisal, at the later of the Effective Time or upon the occurrence of such event, such holders Dissenting Shares will be converted into and will represent the right to receive the Merger Consideration, without interest, in accordance with Section 1.5(b). |
(c) | The Company shall give H: |
(i) | prompt notice of any written demand for appraisal or payment of the fair value of any shares of Capital Stock, withdrawals or attempted withdrawals of such demands, and any other instruments served pursuant to the DGCL received by the Company; and |
(ii) | the opportunity to direct all negotiations and proceedings with respect to demands for appraisal under the DGCL. |
(d) | The Company shall not, except with the prior written consent of H, voluntarily make any payment with respect to any demands for appraisals of Capital Stock, offer to settle or settle any such demands or approve any withdrawal of any such demands. |
Section 1.7. Stock Options. Immediately prior to the Effective Time, each option to purchase shares of Common Stock granted under any stock option plan or purchase plan, program or similar arrangement or any individual employment agreement, including, without limitation, the Companys 1998 Long-Term Incentive Plan, 2006 Equity and Incentive Plan and the Mobile Satellite Ventures LP 2001 Unit Incentive Plan (the MSV Plan; which shall include for these purposes those options issued under the MSV Plan that were exchanged for Company stock options in the option exchange offer made by the Company pursuant to that Registration Statement on Form S-4, Registration No. 333-144093 (such offer, the Option Exchange Offer)) (such plans, agreements, programs or similar arrangements, collectively, the Stock Plans) that is outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time (each, an Option) shall, whether vested or not vested, be converted into and become the right to receive from the Surviving Corporation, promptly following the Effective Time, an amount in cash equal to the product obtained by multiplying (A) the excess, if any, of the Merger Consideration payable for each share of Common Stock over the per share exercise price of each such Option, by (B) the number of shares of Common Stock for which such Option was exercisable immediately prior to the Effective Time, and when so converted, will automatically be cancelled and retired and will cease to exist; provided that with respect to those options granted under the MSV Plan that are outstanding as of immediately prior to the Effective Time but were not exchanged pursuant to the Option Exchange Offer, such options shall as of immediately prior to the Effective Time be deemed to have been exchanged for options to purchase shares of Common Stock in accordance with the terms of the Option Exchange Offer; and provided further, that Options the vesting of which is contingent on the achievement of performance goals will be cancelled immediately prior to the Effective Time and replaced with cash-based awards to be determined by the Companys Compensation Committee, subject to Hs approval (which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld).
Section 1.8. Restricted Stock. Immediately prior to the Effective Time, each share of restricted Common Stock previously issued by the Company pursuant to any of the Stock Plans which is then outstanding, other than the grants of restricted Common Stock set forth on Schedule 1.8, shall be converted into the right to receive from the Surviving Corporation, promptly following the Effective Time, an amount in cash equal to the Merger
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Consideration as provided in Section 1.5(b) and, when so converted, will automatically be cancelled and will cease to exist; provided, that with respect to the MSV phantom units referred to in Section 2.2(a) hereof (the MSV Units) that are outstanding as of immediately prior to the Effective Time, each such MSV Unit shall be deemed to have been exchanged for 2.82 shares of Common Stock as of immediately prior to the Effective Time.
Section 1.9. Exchange of Certificates; Payment for Capital Stock.
(a) | Exchange Agent. Prior to the Effective Time, H will appoint a bank or trust company reasonably acceptable to the Company to act as exchange agent (the Exchange Agent) for the payment of the Merger Consideration. At or prior to the Effective Time, H will have deposited, or caused to be deposited, with the Exchange Agent, for the benefit of the holders of shares of Capital Stock (other than H and its subsidiaries), the aggregate amount of cash payable under Section 1.5(b) in exchange for outstanding shares of Capital Stock in accordance with this Section 1.9 (the Exchange Fund). |
(b) | Exchange Procedures. |
(i) | Promptly after the Effective Time (but no later than five (5) business days after the Effective Date), the Exchange Agent will mail to each holder of record of a certificate or certificates, which represented outstanding shares of Capital Stock immediately prior to the Effective Time, whose shares were converted into the right to receive cash pursuant to Section 1.5(b): |
(1) | a letter of transmittal (which will be in customary form and reviewed by the Company prior to delivery thereof) specifying that delivery will be effected, and risk of loss and title to the certificates representing such shares of Capital Stock will pass, only upon delivery of the certificates representing such shares of Capital Stock to the Exchange Agent; and |
(2) | instructions for use in effecting the surrender of the certificates representing such shares of Capital Stock, in exchange for the Merger Consideration. |
(ii) | Upon surrender to, and acceptance in accordance with Section 1.9(b)(iii) below by, the Exchange Agent of a certificate or certificates formerly representing shares of Capital Stock, the holder will be entitled to the amount of cash into which the number of shares of Capital Stock formerly represented by such certificate or certificates surrendered have been converted under this Agreement. |
(iii) | The Exchange Agent will accept certificates formerly representing shares of Capital Stock upon compliance with such reasonable terms and conditions as the Exchange Agent may impose to effect an orderly exchange of the certificates in accordance with normal exchange practices. |
(iv) | After the Effective Time, no further transfers may be made on the records of the Company or its transfer agent of certificates representing shares of Capital Stock and if such certificates are presented to the Company for transfer, they will be canceled against delivery of the Merger Consideration allocable to the shares of Capital Stock represented by such certificate or certificates. |
(v) | If any Merger Consideration is to be remitted to a name other than that in which the certificate for the Capital Stock surrendered for exchange is registered, no Merger Consideration may be paid in exchange for such certificate unless: |
(1) | the certificate so surrendered is properly endorsed, with signature guaranteed, or otherwise in proper form for transfer; and |
(2) | the Person requesting such payment shall pay any transfer or other taxes required by reason of the payment to a Person other than the registered holder of such certificate or establish to the satisfaction of the Exchange Agent that such tax has been paid or is not payable. |
(vi) | Until surrendered as contemplated by this Section 1.9 and at any time after the Effective Time, each certificate for shares of Capital Stock (other than Dissenting Shares and shares held by H and |
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its Affiliates) will be deemed to represent only the right to receive upon such surrender the Merger Consideration allocable to the shares represented by such certificate as contemplated by Section 1.5(b). No interest will be paid or will accrue on any amount payable as Merger Consideration. |
(c) | No Further Ownership Rights in Capital Stock. The Merger Consideration paid upon the surrender for exchange of certificates formerly representing shares of Capital Stock in accordance with this Section 1.9 will be deemed to have been paid in full satisfaction of all rights pertaining to the shares of Capital Stock formerly represented by such certificates. |
(d) | Termination of Exchange Fund. The Exchange Agent will deliver to the Surviving Corporation any portion of the Exchange Fund (including any interest and other income received by the Exchange Agent in respect of all such funds) which remains undistributed to the holders of the certificates formerly representing shares of Capital Stock upon expiry of the period of six (6) months following the Effective Time. Any holders of shares of Capital Stock prior to the Merger who have not complied with this Section 1.9 prior to such time, may look only to the Surviving Corporation for payment of their claim for Merger Consideration to which such holders may be entitled. |
(e) | No Liability. No Party will be liable to any Person in respect of any amount from the Exchange Fund delivered to a public official in accordance with any applicable abandoned property, escheat or similar law. |
(f) | Lost Certificates. If any certificate or certificates formerly representing shares of Capital Stock is lost, stolen or destroyed, the Exchange Agent will issue the Merger Consideration deliverable in respect of, and in exchange for, such lost, stolen or destroyed certificate, as determined in accordance with this Section 1.9, only upon: |
(i) | the making of an affidavit of such loss, theft or destruction by the Person claiming such certificate or certificates to be lost, stolen or destroyed; and |
(ii) | if required by the Surviving Corporation, the posting by such Person of a bond in such reasonable amount as the Surviving Corporation may reasonably require as indemnity against any claim that may be made against it with respect to such certificate; or |
(iii) | if required by the Surviving Corporation, the entering into an indemnity agreement by such Person reasonably satisfactory to the Surviving Corporation to indemnify the Surviving Corporation against any claim that may be made against it with respect to such certificate. |
(g) | Withholding Rights. Master Fund, Special Fund and the Surviving Corporation may deduct and withhold, or may instruct the Exchange Agent to deduct and withhold, from the consideration otherwise payable under this Agreement to any holder of shares of Capital Stock such amounts as Master Fund, Special Fund, the Surviving Corporation or the Exchange Agent is required to deduct and withhold under the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or any similar provision of state, local or foreign tax law with respect to the making of such payment. Any amounts so deducted and withheld by Master Fund, Special Fund, the Surviving Corporation or the Exchange Agent will be treated as having been paid to the holder of the shares of Capital Stock in respect of which such deduction and withholding was made for all purposes. |
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REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY
Except as set forth in the Companys disclosure letter delivered to the H Parties in connection with this Agreement (the Company Disclosure Letter) or the SEC Documents filed prior to the date of this Agreement (excluding risk factors and forward-looking disclosure), the Company hereby represents and warrants to the H Parties as follows:
Section 2.1. Organization and Qualification.
(a) | The Company is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of Delaware and has all the requisite corporate power and authority to carry on its business as now being conducted and to own, lease, use and operate the properties owned and used by it. SkyTerra LP (LP) is a limited partnership validly existing and in good standing under the laws of Delaware and has all the requisite partnership power and authority to carry on its business as now being conducted and to own, lease, use and operate the properties owned and used by it. SkyTerra Subsidiary LLC (Subsidiary) is a limited liability company validly existing and in good standing under the laws of Delaware and has all the requisite corporate power and authority to carry on its business as now being conducted and to own, lease, use and operate the properties owned and used by it. |
(b) | Each of the Companies and the Company Subsidiaries and, to the knowledge of the Company, the Canadian Joint Venture, is qualified and in good standing to do business in each jurisdiction in which the nature of its business requires it to be so qualified, except to the extent the failure to be so qualified would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on any of the Companies. |
(a) | As of the date of this Agreement, the authorized capital stock of the Company consists of (i) 200,000,000 shares of Common Stock; (ii) 125,000,000 shares of Non-Voting Common Stock, par value $.01 per share; and (iii) 10,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock, par value $.01 per share (the Preferred Stock). As of September 22, 2009, there were 48,865,453 shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding and 59,958,499 shares of Non-Voting Common Stock issued and outstanding and no shares of Preferred Stock issued or outstanding. As of September 22, 2009, there were 15,398,337 shares of Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of issued and outstanding Options, 37,853,099 shares of Common Stock reserved for issuance to H upon exchange of Non-Voting Common Stock (Exchange), 22,105,400 shares of Common Stock reserved for issuance upon transfers by BCE (Transfer), and 38,520,040 shares reserved for issuance to H and Boeing Satellite Systems Inc. pursuant to warrants (individually or collectively, Warrants) and 56,400 shares of Common Stock reserved for issuance upon the exchange of 20,000 MSV phantom units. All of the issued and outstanding shares of capital stock of the Company are duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable. No shares of capital stock of the Company are held in the treasury of the Company as of the date of this Agreement. |
(b) | Except for Common Stock issuable upon (i) the exercise of outstanding Options (Option Exercise), (ii) an Exchange, (iii) a Transfer or (iv) an exercise of Warrants (a Warrant Exercise), there are no outstanding options, warrants or other rights of any kind issued or granted by the Company to acquire (including preemptive rights) from the Company any additional shares of capital stock of the Company or securities convertible into or exchangeable for, or which otherwise confer on the holder thereof any right to acquire, any such additional shares from the Company, nor is the Company committed to issue any such option, warrant, right or security. |
(c) | Included in the Company Disclosure Schedule is a correct and complete list, as of September 22, 2009, of all outstanding Options or other rights to purchase or receive shares of capital stock of the Company |
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granted under the Stock Plans or otherwise, and, for each such Option or other right, the number of shares of capital stock subject thereto, the terms of vesting, the grant and expiration dates and exercise price thereof and the name of the holder thereof. |
Section 2.3. Subsidiaries. Except for the entities set forth in Section 2.3 of the Company Disclosure Schedule (the Company Subsidiaries, which term shall exclude the Canadian Joint Venture), the Company does not own, directly or indirectly, any capital stock, voting securities, partnership interests or equity securities of any Person. All the outstanding shares of capital stock of, or partnership interests or other equity interests in LP, Subsidiary, each other Company Subsidiary and the Canadian Joint Venture have been duly authorized and validly issued and are fully paid and nonassessable and are owned directly or indirectly by the Company free and clear of all Liens.
(a) | The Company has all requisite corporate power and authority to enter into this Agreement and, subject to any necessary approval of this Agreement by the stockholders of the Company as provided below in this Section 2.4(a), to carry out its obligations under this Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Common Stock in favor of the adoption of this Agreement is the only vote or approval of any class of capital stock of the Company necessary to adopt this Agreement and approve the Merger. |
(b) | The execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Company and the consummation by the Company of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement have been duly authorized by all requisite corporate action on the part of the Company (other than the approval of this Agreement by the stockholders of the Company and filing of the Certificate of Merger with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware as required by the DGCL). Upon the recommendation of the Special Committee, the Board of Directors of the Company has in accordance with the requirements of the DGCL unanimously approved and declared advisable this Agreement and has determined that the terms of the Merger are fair to, and in the best interests of, the Company and the Public Stockholders. |
(c) | This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by the Company and, assuming the due authorization, execution and delivery of this Agreement by each H Party, constitutes the valid and binding obligation of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms, except as such enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or similar laws affecting creditors rights generally or by general equitable principles. |
(a) | Assuming that the consents, approvals, qualifications, orders, authorizations and filings referred to in Section 2.5(b) have been made or obtained, the execution, delivery and performance by the Company of this Agreement will not (with or without notice or lapse of time) result in any violation of or be in conflict with, or result in a breach of, or constitute a default (or trigger or accelerate loss of rights or benefits or accelerate performance or obligations required) under: |
(i) | any provision of any of the Companies, any of the Company Subsidiaries or, to the knowledge of the Company, the Canadian Joint Ventures certificates of incorporation or bylaws (or comparable organizational documents); |
(ii) | any term or provision of any state or federal (domestic or foreign) law, ordinance, rule or regulation to which any of the Companies, the Company Subsidiaries or, to the knowledge of the Company, the Canadian Joint Venture, is subject, except for such violations, breaches or defaults that would not have, together with all such other violations, breaches and defaults, a Material Adverse Effect on any of the Companies or prevent or materially delay the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement; or |
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(iii) | any Contract or Judgment to which any of the Companies, the Company Subsidiaries or, to the knowledge of the Company, the Canadian Joint Venture, is a party or by which any of the Companies, the Company Subsidiaries or, to the knowledge of the Company, the Canadian Joint Venture, is bound, or result in the creation of any Lien upon any of the properties or assets of any of the Companies, the Company Subsidiaries or, to the knowledge of the Company, the Canadian Joint Venture, except for such violations, breaches, defaults or Liens that would not have, together with all such other violations, breaches, defaults and Liens, a Material Adverse Effect on any of the Companies or prevent or materially delay the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. |
(b) | No consent, approval, qualification, order or authorization of, or filing with, any Governmental Entity is required in connection with the Companys valid execution, delivery or performance of this Agreement, or the consummation of any other transaction contemplated on the part of the Companies under this Agreement, except (1) in connection, or in compliance, with the Securities Act and the Exchange Act, (2) the filing of the Certificate of Merger with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware and appropriate related documents with the relevant authorities of other states in which any of the Companies is qualified to do business, (3) the FCC Consent, (4) the filings required under, and compliance with other applicable requirements of, the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended (the HSR Act), and (5) approvals, qualifications, orders, authorizations, or filings, in each case, the failure to obtain which would not have a Material Adverse Effect on any of the Companies or prevent or materially delay the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. |
Section 2.6. Opinion of Financial Advisor and Approval by the Special Committee.
(a) | On or prior to the date of this Agreement, the Special Committee has (i) approved the terms of this Agreement and the Merger as they relate to the Public Stockholders, (ii) determined that the Merger is fair to and in the best interest of the Company and the Public Stockholders, (iii) recommended that the Board of Directors of the Company approve this Agreement and the Merger, and (iv) together with the rest of the Board of Directors of the Company, resolved to recommend to the Public Stockholders that they approve the adoption of this Agreement. |
(b) | The Special Committee and the Board of Directors of the Company have received an opinion of Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated to the effect that, as of the date of such opinion, the Merger Consideration is fair, from a financial point of view, to the Public Stockholders. A true, complete and signed copy of such opinion will promptly be delivered to H. |
Section 2.7. Brokers and Finders. Other than Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated, none of the Companies has employed any broker, finder, advisor or intermediary in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement that would be entitled to a brokers, finders or similar fee or commission in connection with or upon the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. The Company has disclosed to H all amounts payable to Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated.
Section 2.8. Proxy Statement; Schedule 13E-3.
(a) | None of the information to be supplied by any of the Companies for inclusion in the Proxy Statement or the Schedule 13E-3 will, in the case of the Schedule 13E-3, as of the date thereof and the date of any amendment thereto and, in the case of the Proxy Statement, as of the time the Proxy Statement (or any amendment thereof or supplement thereto) is filed with the SEC and at the time the Proxy Statement is mailed to the Companys stockholders, contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they are made, not misleading. |
(b) | Each of the Proxy Statement and the Schedule 13E-3 will, as of its first date of use, comply as to form in all material respects with the provisions of the Exchange Act. |
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Section 2.9. SEC Documents; Financial Statements; Sarbanes-Oxley.
(a) | The Company has filed with the SEC all reports, schedules, forms, statements, amendments, supplements and other documents required to be filed with the SEC since January 1, 2007, together with all certifications required pursuant to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (these documents, and together with all information incorporated by reference therein and exhibits thereto, the SEC Documents). |
(b) | As of the respective dates that they were filed, the SEC Documents complied in all material respects with all applicable requirements of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act, as the case may be. None of the SEC Documents, at the time filed, contained any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state any material fact required to be stated in or necessary in order to make the statements in the SEC Documents, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. As of the date of this Agreement, there are no outstanding or unresolved comments received from the SEC staff with respect to the SEC Documents. To the knowledge of the Company, none of the SEC Documents is the subject of ongoing SEC formal, informal or voluntary review or investigation. |
(c) | The financial statements of the Company included in the SEC Documents (i) comply in all material respects with applicable accounting requirements and the applicable published rules and regulations of the SEC, (ii) have been prepared in accordance with GAAP (except, in the case of unaudited statements, as permitted by applicable instructions or regulations of the SEC relating to the preparation of quarterly reports on Form 10-Q) applied on a consistent basis during the period involved (except as may be indicated in the notes to the financial statements), and (iii) fairly present in all material respects the consolidated financial position of the Company as of the respective dates and the Companys consolidated results of operations and cash flows for the periods then ended except as otherwise noted therein (subject, in the case of unaudited statements, to normal year-end audit adjustments). |
(d) | The Company maintains disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Exchange Act) required in order for the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of the Company to engage in the review and evaluation process mandated by Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. The Companys disclosure controls and procedures are reasonably designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the rules and forms of the SEC, and that all such information is accumulated and communicated to the Companys management as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. None of the Companies is a party to any off-balance sheet arrangements (as defined in Item 303(c) of Regulation S-K promulgated under the Exchange Act). |
Section 2.10. Absence of Certain Changes or Events.
(a) | Except as previously disclosed to H in accordance with the terms of the MCSA, since January 1, 2009, the Companies, the Company Subsidiaries and, to the knowledge of the Company, the Canadian Joint Venture, have conducted their respective businesses only in the ordinary course of such businesses. |
(b) | Since January 1, 2009, there has not been any event, fact, violation, circumstance or other matter that has or have had, or would reasonably be expected to, either individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect on any of the Companies. |
Section 2.11. No Undisclosed Material Liabilities. None of the Companies nor any of the Company Subsidiaries and, to the knowledge of the Company, nor the Canadian Joint Venture, has any liabilities of any kind whatsoever (whether accrued, contingent, absolute or otherwise, whether known or unknown) whether or not required, if known, to be reflected, reserved for or disclosed on the consolidated financial statements of the Company prepared in accordance with GAAP or the notes thereto, except liabilities:
(a) | reflected, reserved for or disclosed in the Companys audited consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2008 included in the SEC Documents filed by the Company and publicly available prior to the date of this Agreement; |
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(b) | incurred after December 31, 2008 in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice and that, individually in the aggregate, have not had and could not be reasonably be expected to be material to the Companies, taken as a whole; and |
(c) | incurred under this Agreement or in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. |
Section 2.12. Compliance with Laws and Court Orders. Each of the Companies, the Company Subsidiaries and, to the knowledge of the Company, the Canadian Joint Venture, is in compliance in all material respects with and, to the knowledge of each of the Companies, has not been given notice of any violation of, any applicable law, rule, regulation, judgment, injunction, order or decree of any Governmental Entity applicable to any of the Companies, the Company Subsidiaries or the Canadian Joint Venture, except for such violations as would not reasonably be expected to, either individually or in the aggregate, have a material adverse effect on any of Companies, the Company Subsidiaries or the Canadian Joint Venture. Each of the Companies and the Company Subsidiaries and, to the knowledge of the Company, the Canadian Joint Venture, has all franchises, permits, licenses and any similar authorities (the Permits) reasonably necessary for the conduct of their business as being conducted by them, the absence of which would, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on any of the Companies. No suspension or cancellation of any of the Permits is pending or, to the knowledge of the Companies, threatened. To the knowledge of the Companies, the Companies, the Company Subsidiaries and the Canadian Joint Venture are not in default in any material respect under any Permits.
Section 2.13. Litigation and Claims. None of the Companies nor the Company Subsidiaries and, to the knowledge of the Company, nor the Canadian Joint Venture, is subject to any continuing order of, or written agreement or memorandum of understanding with, any Governmental Entity or any judgment, order, writ, injunction, decree, or award of any Governmental Entity or any court or arbitrator, and there is no claim, action, suit, litigation, proceeding, or arbitration pending or, to the knowledge of any of the Companies, threatened, except for matters which would not reasonably be expected to, either individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect on any of the Companies.
Section 2.14. Employee Plans. For purposes of this Section 2.14, the term Benefit Plan means each deferred compensation and each bonus or other incentive compensation, stock purchase, stock option and other equity compensation plan, program, agreement or arrangement; each severance or termination pay, medical, surgical, hospitalization, life insurance and other welfare plan, fund or program (within the meaning of section 3(1) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (ERISA)); each profit-sharing, stock bonus or other pension plan, fund or program (within the meaning of section 3(2) of ERISA); each employment, termination or severance agreement; and each other employee benefit plan, fund, program, agreement or arrangement, in each case, that is sponsored, maintained or contributed to or required to be contributed to by any of the Companies or any of the Company Subsidiaries for the benefit of directors, employees or former employees of any of the Companies or any of the Company Subsidiaries.
(a) | Each Benefit Plan has been operated and administered in all material respects in accordance with its terms and applicable law, including but not limited to ERISA and the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. |
(b) | No liability under Title IV or section 302 of ERISA has been incurred by any of the Companies or any of the Company Subsidiaries or, to the knowledge of the Company, the Canadian Joint Venture, that has not been satisfied in full. |
(c) | The consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement will not, either alone or in combination with another event, (i) entitle any current or former employee or officer of any of the Companies or any of the Company Subsidiaries to severance pay, unemployment compensation or any other payment, except as expressly provided in this Agreement, or (ii) accelerate the time of payment or vesting, or increase the amount of compensation due any such employee or officer. |
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Section 2.15. Tax Matters. (a) Each of the Company and the Company Subsidiaries and, to the knowledge of the Company, the Canadian Joint Venture, has filed all material Tax Returns required to be filed by it, all such Tax Returns are true and correct in all material respects, and the Company, each of the Company Subsidiaries and, to the knowledge of the Company, the Canadian Joint Venture, has paid all material Taxes due and payable, whether or not shown on such Tax Returns, or has made adequate provision (in accordance with GAAP) for all material Taxes on the latest balance sheet included in the financial statements included in the filed SEC Documents; (b) there is no pending examination, investigation, audit, suit, action, claim or proceeding relating to material Taxes of the Company, any of the Company Subsidiaries or, to the knowledge of the Company, the Canadian Joint Venture, and no written notice thereof has been received by the Company, any of the Company Subsidiaries and, to the knowledge of the Company, the Canadian Joint Venture; (c) neither the Company nor any of the Company Subsidiaries and, to the knowledge of the Company, nor the Canadian Joint Venture, has received written notice of a determination by any Taxing Authority that any material Tax amounts are owed by the Company, any of the Company Subsidiaries or the Canadian Joint Venture, which determination has not been paid, compromised, or otherwise finally disposed of, and, to the knowledge of the Company, no such determination is proposed or threatened; (d) there are no material Liens arising from or related to Taxes on or pending against the Company, any Company Subsidiary or, to the knowledge of the Company, the Canadian Joint Venture or any of their properties, other than statutory liens for Taxes that are not yet due and payable; (e) neither the Company nor any Company Subsidiary and, to the knowledge of the Company, nor the Canadian Joint Venture has constituted either a distributing corporation or a controlled corporation (within the meaning of Section 355(a)(1)(A) of the Code) in a distribution of stock qualifying or intended to qualify for tax-free treatment under Section 355(a) of the Code within the two-year period prior to the date of this Agreement; (f) neither the Company nor any of the Company Subsidiaries and, to the knowledge of the Company, nor the Canadian Joint Venture, has participated in any listed transaction within the meaning of Treasury Regulation section 1.6011-4(b)(2); (g) neither the Company nor any of the Company Subsidiaries and, to the knowledge of the Company, nor the Canadian Joint Venture, is a party to or is bound by any Tax sharing, allocation or indemnification agreement or arrangement (other than such an agreement or arrangement exclusively between or among the Company and the Company Subsidiaries); and (h) neither the Company nor any of the Company Subsidiaries and, to the knowledge of the Company, nor the Canadian Joint Venture, has ever been a member of a consolidated, combined or unitary Tax group (other than such a group consisting exclusively of the Company and the Company Subsidiaries).
(a) | None of the Companies nor any of the Company Subsidiaries, and to the knowledge of the Company, nor the Canadian Joint Venture, is subject to any non-competition, non-solicitation or similar Contract or restriction. |
(b) | The Cooperation Agreement dated as of December 20, 2007 by and among LP, SkyTerra (Canada), the Company, and Inmarsat (the Cooperation Agreement), is in full force and effect. Neither the Company, nor any Company Subsidiary, nor SkyTerra (Canada) has declared a Triggering Investment (as defined in the Cooperation Agreement) under the Cooperation Agreement. The Company has provided to H a true, correct and complete copy of the Cooperation Agreement, together with all amendments, modifications or supplements thereto. |
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE H PARTIES
Master Fund, Special Fund and Acquisition Corp. (each, a H Party and together, the H Parties) hereby severally and not jointly warrant to the Company as follows:
Section 3.1. Organization and Qualification. Each of Master Fund and Special Fund has been duly organized, and is validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization.
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Acquisition Corp. is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware. Acquisition Corp. has been incorporated solely for the purpose of merging with and into the Company and taking action incident to the Merger. Except for obligations or liabilities and activities contemplated by this Agreement, Acquisition Corp. has not incurred any obligations or liabilities or engaged in any business activities of any kind prior to the Closing. Acquisition Corp. is and will remain an Affiliate of H prior to the Closing.
(a) | Each H Party has all exempted company or corporate power and authority to enter into this Agreement, to perform its obligations under this Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. |
(b) | The execution and delivery of this Agreement by each H Party and the consummation by each H Party of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement have been duly authorized by all exempted company or corporate action on the part of each H Party. |
(c) | This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by each H Party and, assuming the due authorization, execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Company, constitutes the valid and binding obligation of each H Party, enforceable against each H Party in accordance with its terms, except as such enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, or similar laws affecting creditors rights generally or by general equitable principles. |
(a) | Assuming that the consents, approvals, qualifications, orders, authorizations and filings referred to in Section 3.3(b) have been made or obtained, the execution, delivery and performance by each H Party of this Agreement will not result in any violation of or be in conflict with, or result in a breach of, or constitute a default under: |
(i) | any term or provision of any state or federal law, ordinance, rule or regulation to which any H Party is subject and which violation, breach or default would have, together with all such other violations, breaches and defaults, a Material Adverse Effect on the H Parties or prevent or materially delay the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement; or |
(ii) | the Certificate of Incorporation or By-Laws or other organizational documents of each H Party, as amended and in effect on the date of this Agreement or the Closing Date, or any Contract or Judgment to which any H Party is a party or by which any H Party is bound, or result in the creation of any Lien upon any of the properties or assets of any H Party, which breach or default would have, together with all such other breaches and defaults, a Material Adverse Effect on the H Parties or prevent or materially delay the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. |
(b) | No consent, approval, qualification, order or authorization of, or filing with, any Governmental Entity is required in connection with the valid execution, delivery or performance of this Agreement by any H Party, or the consummation of any other transaction contemplated on the part of any H Party under this Agreement, except (1) in connection, or in compliance, with the Securities Act and the Exchange Act, (2) the filing of the Certificate of Merger with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware, (3) the FCC Consent, (4) the filings required under, and compliance with other applicable requirements of, the HSR Act, and (5) approvals, qualifications, orders, authorizations, or filings, in each case the failure to obtain which would not have a Material Adverse Effect on the H Parties or prevent or materially delay the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. |
Section 3.4. Financing. H will cause Acquisition Corp. to have funds sufficient to pay the aggregate Merger Consideration at the Effective Time.
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Section 3.5. Brokers and Finders. Other than UBS Securities LLC, no H Party has employed any broker, finder, advisor or intermediary in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement that would be entitled to a brokers, finders, or similar fee or commission in connection with or upon the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
Section 3.6. Proxy Statement; Schedule 13E-3. None of the information to be supplied by a H Party for inclusion in the Proxy Statement or Schedule 13E-3 will, in the case of the Schedule 13E-3, as of the date thereof and the date of any amendment thereto and, in the case of the Proxy Statement, as of the time the Proxy Statement (or any amendment thereof or supplement thereto) is filed with the SEC and at the time the Proxy Statement is mailed to the Companys stockholders, contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein with respect to the information provided by a H Party, in light of the circumstances under which they are made, not misleading.
CERTAIN COVENANTS AND AGREEMENTS
Section 4.1. Certain Actions Pending Merger. Prior to the Effective Time, (i) the Companies shall (and shall cause the Company Subsidiaries to and, to the extent within the Companys Control, cause the Canadian Joint Venture to) conduct their respective businesses in the ordinary and usual course of business, consistent with past practice and (ii) except as and to the extent prohibited by the respective Sections 4.13 of the indentures governing the LPs outstanding 14% Senior Secured Notes due 2013, the 16.5% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2013, and the 18% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2013, none of the Companies shall (and shall cause the Company Subsidiaries not to and, to the extent within the Companys Control, cause the Canadian Joint Venture not to) take any of the following actions, except with the prior written consent of H (which in the case of clauses (f), (g), (h), (i), (j), (k)(A), (m), (n), (o), (q), (r), and (t), shall not be unreasonably withheld, such reasonableness to be determined from the perspective of H) or as expressly contemplated or permitted by this Agreement:
(a) | declare, set aside or pay any dividends on or make any other distribution in respect of any of its capital stock; provided, however, that this clause (a) shall not apply to (i) any wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company and (ii) the Canadian Joint Venture if such action is pursuant to the terms of any agreement in effect on the date of this Agreement and set forth on Section 4.1(a) of the Company Disclosure Schedule (true and complete copies of which have been delivered to H); |
(b) | split, combine or reclassify any of its capital stock or other equity interests or issue or authorize or propose the issuance or authorization of any other securities in respect of, in lieu of, or in substitution for shares of its capital stock or other equity interests or repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire any shares of its capital stock or other equity interests other than pursuant to the terms of any agreement in effect on the date of this Agreement and set forth on Section 4.1(b) of the Company Disclosure Schedule (true and complete copies of which have been delivered to H); |
(c) | issue, deliver, pledge, encumber or sell, or authorize the issuance, delivery, pledge, encumbrance or sale of, or purchase or propose the purchase of, any shares of its capital stock or other equity interests or securities convertible into, or rights, warrants or options to acquire, any such shares of capital stock or other equity interests or other convertible securities (other than the issuance on Option Exercise, an Exchange, a Transfer or a Warrant Exercise, in each case in accordance with their respective present terms), authorize or propose any change in its equity capitalization, or amend any of the financial or other economic terms of such securities or the financial or other economic terms of any agreement to which any of the Companies is a party relating to such securities, except as set forth on Section 4.1(c) of the Company Disclosure Schedule; |
(d) | amend its Certificate of Incorporation, By-laws or other organizational documents in any manner; |
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(e) | merge or consolidate with any other Person, or acquire any assets or capital stock of any other Person, other than acquisitions of assets in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice; |
(f) | incur any indebtedness for money borrowed or guarantee any such indebtedness of another Person, except as set forth on Section 4.1(f) of the Company Disclosure Schedule; |
(g) | make or authorize any capital, operating or cash expenditures, other than capital, operating and cash expenditures that are in the aggregate no greater than (i) $108 million in the aggregate for the period September 1, 2009 through December 31, 2009, (ii) $137 million in the aggregate for the period September 1, 2009 through January 31, 2010, (iii) $158 million in the aggregate for the period September 1, 2009 through February 28, 2010 and (iv) $170 million in the aggregate for the period September 1, 2009 through March 31, 2010; provided, that, if the transaction is not consummated prior to April 1, 2010, the provisions of this Section 4.1(g) shall cease to apply; provided, further, that the costs calculated pursuant to this Section 4.1(g) shall not include any employee severance expenses or D&O run-off insurance policy premiums; |
(h) | except as may be required by changes in applicable law or GAAP, change any method, practice or principle of accounting; |
(i) | enter into any new employment agreements with, or increase the compensation of, any officer (vice president or above) or director of any of the Companies (including entering into any bonus, severance, change of control, termination, reduction-in-force or consulting agreement or other employee benefits arrangement or agreement pursuant to which such person has the right to any form of compensation from any of the Companies), other than as required by law or by written agreements in effect on or prior to the date of this Agreement and set forth on Section 4.1(i) of the Company Disclosure Schedule (true and complete copies of which have been delivered to H) with such person, or otherwise amend in any material respect any existing agreements with any such person or use its discretion to amend any Company Plan or accelerate the vesting or any payment under any Company Plan; |
(j) | enter into any transaction with any officer (vice president or above) or director of any of the Companies, other than as provided for in the terms of any agreement in effect on or prior to the date of this Agreement and set forth on Section 4.1(j) of the Company Disclosure Schedule (true and complete copies of which have been delivered to H); |
(k) | settle or otherwise compromise any material litigation, arbitration or other judicial or administrative dispute or proceeding relating to (A) any of the Companies or (B) the Merger or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement; |
(l) | sell, transfer, lease, mortgage, encumber or otherwise dispose of or subject to any Lien (including pursuant to a sale-leaseback transaction) any of its properties or assets (including securities of the Company Subsidiaries and the Canadian Joint Venture) to any Person, except (i) in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice, (ii) pursuant to an agreement in effect on the date of this Agreement and set forth on Section 4.1(l) of the Company Disclosure Schedule (true and complete copies of which have been delivered to H), or (iii) dispositions of obsolete or worthless assets; |
(m) | make an investment in, or loan to, any Person, except (i) the Companies or wholly-owned subsidiaries |