UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q
 
(Mark One)
 
   
 x
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
   
 
For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2008
   
 
or 
   
o
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
   
 
For the transition period from to
 
Commission File Number: 1-32362
 
OTELCO INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware
 
52-2126395
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or
 
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
organization)
   
     
505 Third Avenue East, Oneonta, Alabama
 
35121
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
 
(Zip Code)
 
(205) 625-3574
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

N/A
(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
 
Yes x  No o
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
 
Large accelerated filer o    Accelerated filer x    Non-accelerated filer o   Smaller reporting company o
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
 
Yes o  No x
 
APPLICABLE ONLY TO CORPORATE USERS:
 
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.
 
Class
 
Outstanding at May 7, 2008
 
Class A Common Stock ($0.01 par value per share)
   
12,676,733
 
Class B Common Stock ($0.01 par value per share)
   
544,671
 
 



 
OTELCO INC.
FORM 10-Q
For the three month period ended March 31, 2008
TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
     
Page
PART I FINANCIAL INFORMATION
   
Item 1.
Financial Statements
 
2
 
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2007 and March 31, 2008
 
2
 
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2007 and 2008
 
3
 
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2007 and 2008
 
4
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
 
5
Item 2.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
 
11
Item 3.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
 
17
Item 4.
Controls and Procedures
 
18
       
PART II OTHER INFORMATION
   
Item 6.
Exhibits
 
18
 
i

 
Unless the context otherwise requires, the words “we”, “us”, “our”, “the Company” and “Otelco” refer to Otelco Inc., a Delaware corporation, and its consolidated subsidiaries.
 
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
 
This report contains forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements give our current expectations relating to our financial condition, results of operations, plans, objectives, future performance and business. These statements may include words such as “anticipate,” “estimate,” “expect,” “project,” “plan,” “intend,” “believe” and other words and terms of similar meaning in connection with any discussion of the timing or nature of future operating or financial performance or other events. These forward-looking statements are based on assumptions that we have made in light of our experience in the industry in which we operate, as well as our perceptions of historical trends, current conditions, expected future developments and other factors we believe are appropriate under the circumstances. Although we believe that these forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, you should be aware that many factors could affect our actual financial condition or results of operations and cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements.
 
1

 
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
Item 1. Financial Statements
 
OTELCO INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS


   
December 31,
2007
 
March 31,
2008
 
 
     
(unaudited)
 
Assets
         
Current assets
         
Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
12,810,497
 
$
13,060,349
 
Accounts receivable:
             
Due from subscribers, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $257,862 and $154,533, respectively
   
2,753,451
   
2,582,996
 
Unbilled receivables
   
2,616,867
   
2,613,341
 
Other
   
1,760,207
   
1,895,040
 
Materials and supplies
   
1,991,724
   
2,220,045
 
Prepaid expenses
   
1,149,180
   
929,204
 
Income tax receivable
   
469,546
   
214,440
 
Deferred income taxes
   
1,486,439
   
1,486,439
 
Total current assets
   
25,037,911
   
25,001,854
 
               
Property and equipment, net
   
54,610,355
   
54,094,244
 
Goodwill
   
134,570,435
   
134,570,435
 
Intangible assets, net
   
9,514,772
   
9,087,441
 
Investments
   
1,207,183
   
1,200,805
 
Deferred financing costs
   
5,878,943
   
5,506,116
 
Interest rate cap
   
1,510,951
   
175,154
 
Deferred charges
   
155,573
   
210,824
 
Total assets
 
$
232,486,123
 
$
229,846,873
 
               
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
             
Current liabilities
             
Accounts payable
 
$
2,058,989
 
$
1,949,632
 
Accrued expenses
   
3,716,880
   
3,906,316
 
Advance billings and payments
   
2,077,713
   
2,094,662
 
Customer deposits
   
185,147
   
194,412
 
Total current liabilities
   
8,038,729
   
8,145,022
 
               
Deferred income taxes
   
25,223,656
   
25,223,656
 
Advance billings and payments
   
797,498
   
767,325
 
Other liabilities
   
183,756
   
176,801
 
Long-term notes payable
   
170,019,705
   
170,002,185
 
Total liabilities
   
204,263,344
   
204,314,989
 
               
Derivative liability
   
814,005
   
798,437
 
Class B common convertible to senior subordinated notes
   
4,085,033
   
4,085,033
 
               
Stockholders’ equity
             
Class A Common Stock, $.01 par value-authorized 20,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding 12,676,733 shares
   
126,767
   
126,767
 
Class B Common Stock, $.01 par value-authorized 800,000 shares; issued and outstanding 544,671 shares
   
5,447
   
5,447
 
Additional paid in capital
   
28,215,056
   
25,980,782
 
Retained deficit
   
(4,084,797
)
 
(3,676,758
)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
   
(938,732
)
 
(1,787,824
)
Total stockholders’ equity
   
23,323,741
   
20,648,414
 
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
 
$
232,486,123
 
$
229,846,873
 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
 
2

 
OTELCO INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(unaudited)

   
Three months ended
March 31,
 
   
2007
 
2008
 
Revenues
         
Local services
 
$
6,348,496
 
$
6,726,190
 
Network access services
   
6,437,589
   
6,437,654
 
Cable television services
   
547,527
   
546,162
 
Internet services
   
2,820,298
   
3,001,466
 
Transport services
   
1,018,483
   
1,147,948
 
Total revenues
   
17,172,393
   
17,859,420
 
Operating expenses
             
Cost of services and products
   
6,271,057
   
6,652,111
 
Selling, general and administrative expenses
   
2,501,800
   
2,693,983
 
Depreciation and amortization
   
3,629,091
   
3,373,248
 
Total operating expenses
   
12,401,948
   
12,719,342
 
 
             
Income from operations
   
4,770,445
   
5,140,078
 
 
             
Other income (expense)
             
Interest expense
   
(5,376,264
)
 
(4,682,840
)
Change in fair value of derivative
   
217,868
   
(240,905
)
Other income
   
281,449
   
366,580
 
Total other expenses
   
(4,876,947
)
 
(4,557,165
)
 
             
Income (loss) before income tax
   
(106,502
)
 
582,913
 
               
Income tax expense
   
(11,705
)
 
(174,874
)
               
Net income (loss) available to common stockholders
 
$
(118,207
)
$
408,039
 
               
Weighted average shares outstanding:
             
Basic
   
9,676,733
   
12,676,733
 
Diluted
   
10,221,404
   
13,221,404
 
               
Net income (loss) per share
             
Basic
 
$
(0.01
)
$
0.03
 
Diluted
 
$
(0.03
)
$
0.03
 
               
Dividends declared per share
 
$
0.18
 
$
0.18
 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
 
3

 
OTELCO INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(unaudited)

   
Three months ended
March 31,
 
   
2007
 
2008
 
Cash flows from operating activities:
         
Net income (loss)
 
$
(118,207
)
$
408,039
 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash flows from operating activities:
             
Depreciation
   
2,980,190
   
2,756,265
 
Amortization
   
648,901
   
616,983
 
Interest rate caplet
   
227,478
   
230,232
 
Amortization of debt premium
   
-
   
(17,520
)
Amortization of loan costs
   
398,121
   
372,828
 
Change in fair value of derivative liability
   
(217,868
)
 
240,905
 
Provision for uncollectible revenue
   
17,242
   
54,756
 
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of assets and liabilities acquired:
             
Accounts receivables
   
(113,935
)
 
(15,608
)
Material and supplies
   
(57,661
)
 
(228,321
)
Prepaid expenses and other assets
   
258,500
   
219,976
 
Income tax receivable
   
-
   
255,106
 
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
   
(3,031,369
)
 
80,081
 
Advance billings and payments
   
23,892
   
(13,224
)
Other liabilities
   
8,810
   
2,310
 
               
Net cash from operating activities
   
1,024,094
   
4,962,808
 
 
             
Cash flows from investing activities:
             
Acquisition and construction of property and equipment
   
(1,374,914
)
 
(2,413,008
)
Proceeds from retirement of investment
   
7,871
   
-
 
Deferred charges
   
(6,428
)
 
(65,674
)
               
Net cash from investing activities
   
(1,373,471
)
 
(2,478,682
)
               
Cash flows from financing activities:
             
Cash dividends paid
   
(3,411,048
)
 
(2,234,274
)
               
Net cash from financing activities
   
(3,411,048
)
 
(2,234,274
)
               
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
   
(3,760,425
)
 
249,852
 
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period
   
14,401,849
   
12,810,497
 
               
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
 
$
10,641,424
 
$
13,060,349
 
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
             
Interest paid
 
$
7,401,647
 
$
4,222,443
 
               
Income taxes received
 
$
(173,718
)
$
(229,106
)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
 
4

 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(unaudited)

1. Organization and Basis of Financial Reporting

Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Otelco Inc. (the “Company”), its wholly owned subsidiaries Otelco Telecommunications LLC, Otelco Telephone LLC, Hopper Holding Company, Inc. (“HHC”), Brindlee Holdings LLC (“BH”), Page & Kiser Communications, Inc. (“PKC”), Mid-Missouri Holding Corporation (“MMH”), and Mid-Maine Communications, Inc. (“Mid-Maine”). HHC’s wholly owned subsidiary is Hopper Telecommunications Company, Inc. BH’s wholly owned subsidiary is Brindlee Mountain Telephone Company, Inc. PKC’s wholly owned subsidiary is Blountsville Telephone Company, Inc. MMH’s wholly owned subsidiary is Mid-Missouri Telephone Company (“MMT”). MMT is the sole stockholder of Imagination, Inc. Mid-Maine’s wholly owned subsidiaries are Mid-Maine Telecom, Inc. (“MMTI”) and Mid-Maine TelPlus (“MMTP”). The Company and its subsidiaries are located and conduct business in Alabama, Maine and Missouri. The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and all of the aforesaid subsidiaries after elimination of all material intercompany balances and transactions. Operating results for the three months ended March 31, 2008 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2008.
 
The consolidated financial statements and notes included in this Form 10-Q should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007. The interim consolidated financial information herein is unaudited. The information reflects all adjustments (which include only normal recurring adjustments), which are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair presentation of the financial position and results of operations for the periods included in the report.

Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform with the current year presentation.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Effective January 1, 2008, the Company adopted SFAS No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements” (“SFAS 157”). In February 2008, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued a staff position (FSP 157-2) that delays the effective date of SFAS 157 for all non-financial assets and liabilities except those recognized or disclosed at least annually. Therefore, the Company has adopted the provisions of SFAS 157 with respect to its financial assets and liabilities only. SFAS 157 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value and expands disclosure about fair value measurements. Valuation techniques used to measure fair value under SFAS 157 must maximize the use of observable inputs. The standard describes a fair value hierarchy utilizing three levels of input. The first two levels are considered observable and the third, unobservable:

Level 1 – Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
Level 2 – Inputs other than Level 1 that are directly or indirectly observable, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities or quoted prices in markets which are not active. The inputs are generally observable or can be corroborated in observable markets.
Level 3 – Unobservable inputs where there is little or no market activity to support valuation.

The adoption of SFAS 157 did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159, “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities – Including an Amendment of FASB Statement No. 115” (“SFAS 159”). Under SFAS 159, a company may elect to measure many eligible financial instruments and certain other items at fair value that are not currently required to be measured at fair value. The Company did not elect to adopt the fair value option under SFAS 159.
 
5

 
2. Commitment and Contingencies
 
From time to time, we may be involved in various claims, legal actions and regulatory proceedings incidental to and in the ordinary course of business, including administrative hearings of the Alabama, Maine and Missouri Public Service Commissions related primarily to rate making. Currently, none of the legal proceedings are expected to have a material adverse effect on our business.

3. Derivative and Hedge Activities

An interest rate cap was purchased on December 21, 2004, coincident with the closing of our initial public offering and the recapitalization of our senior notes payable. The interest rate cap was purchased to mitigate the risk of rising interest rates to limit or cap the rate at 3% plus the applicable margin on $80 million in senior debt for five years. On July 5, 2007, the Company repaid $55,353,032 in debt, reducing its senior debt below the level of the rate cap. The cap is considered an effective hedge for the remaining senior debt as all critical terms of the interest rate cap are identical to the underlying debt it hedges. The balance of the cap is no longer considered an effective hedge but is considered an investment.

Changes in the fair value of the effective portion of the interest rate cap are not included in earnings but are reported as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). For the three months ended March 31, 2007 and 2008 the change in the fair value of the effective portion of the interest rate cap was $(392,097) and $(849,092), respectively.

The cost of the effective portion of the interest rate cap is expensed as interest over the effective life of the hedge in accordance with the quarterly value of the caplets as determined at the date of inception. The expense related to the ineffective portion of the interest rate cap is reflected in the change in fair value of derivative. For the three months ended March 31, 2007 and 2008 the cost of the effective portion of the interest rate cap was $227,478 and $230,232, respectively.

4. Income (Loss) per Common Share and Potential Common Share
 
Basic income (loss) per common share is computed by dividing net income (loss) by the weighted-average number of shares outstanding for the period. Diluted income (loss) per common share reflects the potential dilution that could occur if the Class B common stock were exercised into Income Deposit Securities (“IDS”) units. Class B common stock is convertible on a one-for-one basis into IDS units, each of which includes a Class A common share.
 
A reconciliation of the common shares and net income (loss) for the Company’s basic and diluted income (loss) per common share calculation is as follows:
 
6

 
   
Three months ended
March 31,
 
   
2007
 
2008
 
Weighted average common shares-basic
   
9,676,733
   
12,676,733
 
               
Effect of dilutive securities
   
544,671
   
544,671
 
               
Weighted-average common shares and potential common shares-diluted
   
10,221,404
   
13,221,404
 
               
Net income (loss) available to common stockholders
   
(118,207
)
 
408,039
 
               
Net Income (loss) per basic share
 
$
(0.01
)
$
0.03
 
               
Net income (loss) available to common stockholders
 
$
(118,207
)
$
408,039
 
Less: Change in fair value of B share derivative
   
(217,868
)
 
(15,568
)
               
Net income (loss) available for diluted shares
 
$
(336,075
)
$
392,471
 
               
Net income (loss) per diluted share
 
$
(0.03
)
$
0.03
 

5. Fair Value Measurements
 
In accordance with SFAS 157, the following table represents the Company’s fair value hierarchy for its financial assets and liabilities as of March 31, 2008:

   
March 31, 2008
 
   
Fair Value
             
   
Measurements
 
Level 1 
 
Level 2 
 
Level 3
 
Assets
                 
Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
13,060,349
 
$
13,060,349
 
$
-
 
$
-
 
Interest rate cap
   
175,154
   
-
   
175,154
   
-
 
Co-operative patronage shares
   
707,501
   
-
   
-
   
707,501
 
Total assets
   
13,943,004
   
13,060,349
   
175,154
   
707,501
 
                           
Liabilities
                         
Class B derivative
   
798,437
   
-
   
-
   
798,437
 
Total liabilities
 
$
798,437
 
$
-
 
$
-
  $
798,437
 
 
The Company retains its cash and cash equivalents in short-term interest bearing instruments whose value is observable on a daily basis. Its interest rate cap is valued at the end of each quarter by market experts in that business, based on similar transactions in the same financial market on the day of valuation. Patronage shares have been issued primarily by one of our lenders operating as a co-operative. The Company does not pay for these shares but receives them as a non-cash dividend. The market for these shares is limited to the issuing organization and subject to uncertainty of future redemption for cash. These shares are valued at approximately 55% of their originally issued value. While the issuer and the Company expect these shares to be worth their issued value, the current valuation recognizes some uncertainty of their future redemption value.
 
The Class B derivative is valued at the end of each quarter utilizing current observable factors and a market based model developed by a company whose business includes the provision of valuation expertise. This liability is extinguished once the Class B shares can be converted into IDS units. Annually, the Company evaluates the probability of its Class B shares converting to IDS units in advance of their unrestricted December 2009 conversion date. This estimate, as well as current market conditions, impacts the quarterly valuation of the Class B share derivative liability.
 
7

 
6. Subsidiary Guarantees
 
The Company has no independent assets or operations separate from its operating subsidiaries. The guarantees of its senior subordinated notes by five of its seven operating subsidiaries are full and unconditional, joint and several. The operating subsidiaries have no independent long-term notes payable. There are no significant restrictions on the ability of the Company to obtain funds from its operating subsidiaries by dividend or loan. The condensed consolidated financial information is provided for the guarantor entities.
 
The following tables present condensed consolidating balance sheets as of December 31, 2007 and March 31, 2008; condensed consolidating statements of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2007 and 2008; and condensed consolidating statements of cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 2007 and 2008.

Otelco Inc.
Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet
December 31, 2007

       
Guarantor
 
Non-Guarantor
         
   
Parent
 
Subsidiaries
 
        Subsidiaries        
 
Eliminations
 
Consolidated
 
                       
ASSETS
                     
                       
Current assets
                     
Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
-
 
$
12,707,674
 
$
102,823
 
$
-
 
$
12,810,497
 
Accounts receivable, net
   
29,305
   
5,976,939
   
1,124,281
   
-
   
7,130,525
 
Materials and supplies
   
-
   
860,363
   
1,131,361
   
-
   
1,991,724
 
Prepaid and other current assets
   
3,192
   
965,322
   
180,666
   
-
   
1,149,180
 
Income tax receivables
   
469,546
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
469,546
 
Deferred income taxes
   
1,486,439
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
1,486,439
 
Investment in subsidiaries
   
84,166,351
   
-
   
-
   
(84,166,351
)
 
-
 
Intercompany receivables
   
70,984,187
   
-
   
-
   
(70,984,187
)
 
-
 
Total current assets
   
157,139,020
   
20,510,298
   
2,539,131
   
(155,150,538
)
 
25,037,911
 
                                 
Property and equipment, net
   
-
   
39,117,969
   
15,492,386
   
-
   
54,610,355
 
Goodwill
   
-
   
136,507,075
   
(1,936,640
)
 
-
   
134,570,435
 
Intangibles assets, net
   
-
   
6,161,852
   
3,352,920
   
-
   
9,514,772
 
Investments
   
1,000
   
880,823
   
325,360
   
-
   
1,207,183
 
Other long-term assets
   
8,052,863
   
(507,396
)
 
-
   
-
   
7,545,467
 
                                 
Total assets
 
$
165,192,883
 
$
202,670,621
 
$
19,773,157
 
$
(155,150,538
)
$
232,486,123
 
                                 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
                               
                                 
Current liabilities
                               
Accounts payables and accrued expenses
 
$
1,816,546
 
$
2,611,265
 
$
1,348,058
 
$
-
 
$
5,775,869
 
Intercompany payables
   
-
   
58,381,147
   
12,603,040
   
(70,984,187
)
 
-
 
Other current liabilities
   
-
   
2,183,424
   
79,436
   
-
   
2,262,860
 
Total current liabilities
   
1,816,546
   
63,175,836
   
14,030,534
   
(70,984,187
)
 
8,038,729
 
                                 
Deferred income taxes
   
5,397,329
   
15,241,738
   
4,584,589
   
-
   
25,223,656
 
Other liabilities
   
-
   
981,254
   
-
   
-
   
981,254
 
Long-term notes payables
   
129,756,229
   
40,263,476
   
-
   
-
   
170,019,705
 
Derivative liability
   
814,005
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
814,005
 
Class B common convertible to senior subordinated notes
   
4,085,033
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
4,085,033
 
Stockholders' equity
   
23,323,741
   
83,008,317
   
1,158,034
   
(84,166,351
)
 
23,323,741
 
                                 
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity
 
165,192,883
  
202,670,621
  
19,773,157
  
(155,150,538
232,486,123
 
 
8

 
Otelco Inc.
Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet
March 31, 2008

   
 
 
Guarantor
 
Non-Guarantor
 
 
 
 
 
   
Parent
 
Subsidiaries
 
        Subsidiaries        
 
Eliminations
   Consolidated   
                       
ASSETS
                     
                       
Current assets
                     
Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
-
 
$
13,048,577
 
$
11,772
 
$
-
 
$
13,060,349
 
Accounts receivable, net
   
-
   
5,970,167
   
1,121,210
   
-
   
7,091,377
 
Materials and supplies
   
-
   
1,026,573
   
1,193,472
   
-
   
2,220,045
 
Prepaid and other current assets
   
88,225
   
687,867
   
153,112
   
-
   
929,204
 
Income tax receivables
   
214,440
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
214,440
 
Deferred income taxes
   
1,486,439
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
1,486,439
 
Investment in subsidiaries
   
89,196,747
   
-
   
-
   
(89,196,747
)
 
-
 
Intercompany receivables
   
65,134,881
   
-
   
-
   
(65,134,881
)
 
-
 
Total current assets
   
156,120,732
   
20,733,184
   
2,479,566
   
(154,331,628
)
 
25,001,854
 
                                 
Property and equipment, net
   
-
   
39,450,571
   
14,643,673
   
-
   
54,094,244
 
Goodwill
   
-
   
136,507,075
   
(1,936,640
)
 
-
   
134,570,435
 
Intangibles assets, net
   
-
   
5,796,612
   
3,290,829
   
-
   
9,087,441
 
Investments
   
1,000
   
874,445
   
325,360
   
-
   
1,200,805
 
Other long-term assets
   
6,391,465
   
(499,371
)
 
-
   
-
   
5,892,094
 
                                 
Total assets
 
$
162,513,197
 
$
202,862,516
 
$
18,802,788
 
$
(154,331,628
)
$
229,846,873
 
                                 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
                               
                                 
Current liabilities
                               
Accounts payables and accrued expenses
 
$
1,845,275
 
$
2,590,320
 
$
1,420,353
 
$
-
 
$
5,855,948
 
Intercompany payables
   
-
   
54,301,788
   
10,833,093
   
(65,134,881
)
 
-
 
Other current liabilities
   
-
   
2,203,731
   
85,343
   
-
   
2,289,074
 
Total current liabilities
   
1,845,275
   
59,095,839
   
12,338,789
   
(65,134,881
)
 
8,145,022
 
                                 
Deferred income taxes
   
5,397,329
   
15,241,738
   
4,584,589
   
-
   
25,223,656
 
Other liabilities
   
-
   
944,126
   
-
   
-
   
944,126
 
Long-term notes payables
   
129,738,709
   
40,263,476
   
-
   
-
   
170,002,185
 
Derivative liability
   
798,437
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
798,437
 
Class B common convertible to senior subordinated notes
   
4,085,033
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
4,085,033
 
Stockholders' equity
   
20,648,414
   
87,317,337
   
1,879,410
   
(89,196,747
)
 
20,648,414
 
                                 
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity
 
162,513,197
  
202,862,516
  
18,802,788
  
(154,331,628 )   $ 229,846,873  
 
Otelco Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations
For the 3 Months Ended March 31, 2007

       
Guarantor
 
Non-Guarantor
         
   
Parent
 
Subsidiaries
 
        Subsidiaries        
 
Eliminations
 
Consolidated
 
                       
Revenue
 
$
727,815
 
$
15,287,319
 
$
3,245,673
 
$
(2,088,414
$
17,172,393
 
Operating expenses
   
(823,899
)
 
(11,236,178
 
(2,430,285
 
2,088,414
   
(12,401,948
)
Income from operations
   
(96,084
)
 
4,051,141
   
815,388
   
-
   
4,770,445
 
Other income (expense)
   
(3,711,167
)
 
(1,165,780
)
 
-
   
-
   
(4,876,947
)
Earnings from subsidiaries
   
3,700,749
   
-
   
-
   
(3,700,749
)
 
-
 
Income before income tax and accretion expense
   
(106,502
)
 
2,885,361
   
815,388
   
(3,700,749
)
 
(106,502
)
Income tax expense
   
(11,705
)
 
-
   
-
   
-
   
(11,705
)
                                 
Net income (loss) to common stockholders
 
$
(118,207
$
2,885,361
 
$
815,388
 
$
(3,700,749
)
$
(118,207
)
 
9

 
Otelco Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2008

       
Guarantor
 
Non-Guarantor
         
   
Parent
 
Subsidiaries
 
     Subsidiaries     
 
Eliminations
 
Consolidated
 
                       
Revenue
 
$
809,189
 
$
16,187,931
 
$
3,158,204
 
$
(2,295,904
)
$
17,859,420
 
Operating expenses
   
(809,189
 
(11,769,304
)
 
(2,436,753
)
 
2,295,904
   
(12,719,342
)
Income from operations
   
-
   
4,418,627
   
721,451
   
-
   
5,140,078
 
Other income (expense)
   
(4,447,486
 
(109,603
 
(76
 
-
   
(4,557,165
)
Earnings from subsidiaries
   
5,030,399
   
-
   
-
   
(5,030,399
 
-
 
Income before income tax
   
582,913
   
4,309,024
   
721,375
   
(5,030,399
)
 
582,913
 
Income tax expense
   
(174,874
)
 
-
   
-
   
-
   
(174,874
)
                                 
Net income (loss) to common stockholders
 
$
408,039
 
$
4,309,024
 
$
721,375
 
$
(5,030,399
$
408,039
 

Otelco Inc.
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2007

       
Guarantor
 
Non-Guarantor
         
   
Parent
 
Subsidiaries
 
     Subsidiaries     
 
Eliminations
 
Consolidated
 
                       
Cash flows from operating activities:
                     
Net income (loss)
 
$
(118,207
$
2,885,361
 
$
815,388
 
$
(3,700,749
)
$
(118,207
)
Adjustment to reconcile net income (loss) to cash flows from operating activities
   
341,197
   
2,584,933
   
1,127,934
   
-
   
4,054,064
 
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of assets and liabilities acquired
   
3,477,759
   
(4,624,899
)
 
(1,764,623
)
 
-
   
(2,911,763
)
Net cash provided by operating activities
   
3,700,749
   
845,395
   
178,699
   
(3,700,749
 
1,024,094
 
Cash flows from investing activities
   
(289,701
)
 
(4,591,609
 
(192,910
 
3,700,749
   
(1,373,471
)
Cash flows from financing activities
   
(3,411,048
)
 
-
   
-
   
-
   
(3,411,048
)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
   
-
   
(3,746,214
)
 
(14,211
)
 
-
   
(3,760,425
)
                                 
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period
   
-
   
14,376,843
   
25,006
   
-
   
14,401,849
 
                                 
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
 
$
-
 
$
10,630,629
 
$
10,795
 
$
-
 
$
10,641,424
 

Otelco Inc.
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2008

       
Guarantor
 
Non-Guarantor
         
   
Parent
 
Subsidiaries
 
     Subsidiaries     
 
Eliminations
 
Consolidated
 
                       
Cash flows from operating activities:
                     
Net income (loss)
 
$
408,039
 
$
4,309,024
 
$
721,375
 
$
(5,030,399
)
$
408,039
 
Adjustment to reconcile net income (loss) to cash flows from operating activities
   
826,444
   
2,377,692
   
1,050,313
   
-
   
4,254,449
 
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of assets and liabilities acquired
   
6,077,419
   
(4,034,364
)
 
(1,742,735
 
-
   
300,320
 
Net cash provided by operating activities
   
7,311,902
   
2,652,352
   
28,953
   
(5,030,399
 
4,962,808
 
Cash flows from investing activities
   
(47,229
 
(2,311,449
)
 
(120,004
)
 
-
   
(2,478,682
)
Cash flows from financing activities
   
(7,264,673
)
 
-
   
-
   
5,030,399
   
(2,234,274
)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
   
-
   
340,903
   
(91,051
)
 
-
   
249,852
 
                                 
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period
   
-
   
12,707,674
   
102,823
   
-
   
12,810,497
 
                                 
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
 
$
-
 
$
13,048,577
 
$
11,772
 
$
-
 
$
13,060,349
 
 
10

 
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
 
Overview
 
General
 
Since 1999, we have acquired and operate six rural local exchange carriers (“RLEC”) providing service in eleven counties in approximately 2,390 square miles of north central Alabama, central Maine and central Missouri. We are the sole wireline telephone services provider in the rural communities we serve. We also provide competitive telecommunications services through several subsidiaries, including a competitive local exchange carrier (“CLEC”) in Maine. Our services include local and long distance telephone, network access, transport, digital high-speed and dial-up Internet access, cable television and other telephone related services. We view, manage and evaluate the results of operations from the various telephony products and services as one company and therefore have one reporting segment. As of March 31, 2008, we operated approximately 69,027 voice and data access lines or total access line equivalents.
 
Our core businesses are local and long distance telephone services and the provision of network access services to other wireline and wireless carriers for calls originated or terminated on our network. Our core businesses generated approximately 73.7% of our total revenues in the first quarter of 2008. We also provide dial-up and digital high-speed Internet access services in all of our markets, as well as data transport and cable television services in some markets.
 
The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with our financial statements and the related notes included in Item 1 of Part 1 and other financial information appearing elsewhere in this report. The following discussion and analysis addresses our financial condition and results of operations on a consolidated basis.
 
Revenue Sources
 
We derive our revenues from five sources:
 
·
Local services. We receive revenues from providing local exchange telephone services in both our six rural territories and on a competitive basis throughout Maine. These revenues include monthly subscription charges for basic service, calling to adjacent communities on a per minute basis, local private line services and enhanced calling features, such as voicemail, caller identification, call waiting and call forwarding. We receive revenues for providing long distance services to our customer. We also provide billing and collections services for other carriers under contract and receive revenues from directory advertising in our local communities. A growing portion of our subscribers take bundled service plans which contain multiple services, including unlimited domestic long distance calling, for a flat rate.
 
·
Network access services. We receive revenues from charges established to compensate us for the origination, transport and termination of calls of long distance and other interexchange carriers. These include subscriber line charges imposed on end users and switched and special access charges paid by carriers. Switched access charges for long distance services within Alabama, Maine and Missouri are based on rates approved by the Alabama Public Service Commission (“APSC”), Maine Public Utilities Commission (“MPUC”) and Missouri Public Service Commission (“MPSC”), respectively. Switched and special access charges for interstate and international services are based on rates approved by the Federal Communications Commission.
 
·
Cable television services. We offer a variety of digital cable television services to a portion of our telephone service territory in Alabama and Missouri where we are the incumbent cable provider. Our offering includes high definition, digital video recording and pay-per-view services in Alabama.
 
·
Internet services. We receive revenues from monthly recurring charges for digital high-speed Internet data lines, as well as dial-up Internet services, including dial-up customers throughout Maine and Missouri.
 
11

 
·
Transport services. We receive monthly recurring revenues for the rental of fiber to transport data and other telecommunications services in Maine.
 
Voice and Data Access Line Trends
 
The number of voice and data access lines served is one of the fundamental factors in determining revenue stability for a telecommunications provider. Reflecting a general trend in the RLEC industry, the number of rural voice access lines we serve has been decreasing gradually when normalized for territory acquisitions. We expect this trend to continue for the industry and our territory. Our competitive carrier voice access lines continue to grow as we further penetrate our chosen markets. The introduction of unlimited calling bundles may positively impact rural customer churn over time. Our digital high-speed Internet data lines continue to grow as more customers utilize these services to meet both business requirements and personal needs. This growth will continue to reduce demand for second voice access lines for residential and small business customers. Our continued ability to stimulate data access line growth will have an important impact on our future revenues. Our primary strategy consists of leveraging our strong incumbent position in rural markets, bundling services to meet customer communications needs, and providing better service and support level than the incumbent carrier to our competitive customer base.
 
   
Year Ended December 31,
 
March 31,
 
   
2006
 
2007
 
2008
 
RLEC access lines:
             
Voice lines
   
37,736
   
36,687
   
36,239
 
Data lines
   
10,016
   
12,160
   
12,729
 
Total RLEC access line equivalents (1)
   
47,752
   
48,847
   
48,968
 
CLEC access lines:
                   
Voice lines
   
14,267
   
16,973
   
17,457
 
Data lines
   
2,016
   
2,571
   
2,602
 
Total CLEC access line equivalents (1)
   
16,283
   
19,544
   
20,059
 
                     
Total Otelco access line equivalents (1)
   
64,035
   
68,391
   
69,027
 
                     
Cable television customers
   
4,188
   
4,169
   
4,175
 
Dial-up Internet customers
   
19,587
   
15,249
   
14,290
 

(1) We define total access line equivalents as voice access lines and data access lines (including cable modems, digital subscriber lines, and dedicated data access trunks).
 
In our RLEC territories, total access line equivalents increased by 121 during first quarter 2008, or 0.2%, compared to December 31, 2007. Voice access lines declined 1.2% while data access lines increased 4.7% during the period. Our rural customer base is approximately 74%, 80% and 88% residential in Alabama, Missouri, and Maine, respectively. We offer bundled service packages including unlimited domestic calling to our Alabama residential and all Missouri customers. As of March 31, 2008, over 8,900 customers participate in one of these packages or approximately 38% of those eligible to participate.
 
In our Maine CLEC operations, total access line equivalents increased by 515 during first quarter 2008, or 2.6%, compared to December 31, 2007. Voice access lines increased 2.9% while data access lines increased 1.2% during the period. Virtually all of our competitive customers are businesses, with service bundles tailored to their specific business requirements.
 
The penetration of our RLEC long distance customers increased from 52.8% on December 31, 2007 to 53.2% on March 31, 2008. Over 90% of our Maine CLEC customers have selected us as their long distance carrier. Our cable television customers increased slightly from the end of 2007 to 4,175 as of March 31, 2008. Included in this number are 136 customers who have upgraded to our digital high definition offer. Dial-up Internet customers decreased 6.3% to 14,290 on March 31, 2008 compared to December 31, 2007. This also includes the subscribers we service outside of our telephone service area throughout Missouri and Maine, reflecting the shift to digital high-speed Internet services.
 
12

 
Our Rate and Pricing Structure
 
Our Alabama rural companies are regulated under the Alabama Communications Reform Act of 2005 (“ACRA”). Regulation under ACRA eliminates the APSC’s jurisdiction over retail telephone rates and service terms, with the exception of limited authority to enforce a statutory cap on certain non-bundled basic residential and business service and optional calling features. Our Missouri rural company operates as a traditional rate of return company. Its rates, set in 1999 by the MPSC, were reviewed in 2002 and remain in effect for local and exchange access services. In Maine, the Company’s rural entity is regulated by the MPUC as a traditional rate-of-return company. The competitive entities have market pricing flexibility.
 
Categories of Operating Expenses
 
Our operating expenses are categorized as cost of services and products; selling, general and administrative expenses; and depreciation and amortization.
 
Cost of services and products. This includes expenses for salaries, wages and benefits relating to plant operation, maintenance and customer service; other plant operations, maintenance and administrative costs; network access costs; and costs of sales for long distance, cable television, Internet and directory services.
 
Selling, general and administrative expenses. This includes expenses for salaries, wages and benefits and contract service payments (e.g., legal fees) relating to engineering, financial, human resources and corporate operations; public company expenses; information management expenses, including billing; allowance for uncollectibles; expenses for travel, lodging and meals; internal and external communications costs; insurance premiums; stock exchange and banking fees; and postage.
 
Depreciation and amortization. This includes depreciation of our telecommunications, cable and Internet networks and equipment, and amortization of intangible assets.
 
Our Ability to Control Operating Expenses
 
We strive to control expenses in order to maintain our strong operating margins. As the percentage of our revenue from non-regulated and competitive services grows, operating margins decrease reflecting the lower margins associated with these services. We expect to control expenses while we continue to grow our business.
 
13

 
Results of Operations
 
The following table sets forth our results of operations as a percentage of total revenues for the periods indicated.
 
   
Three months ended
March 31,
 
   
2007
 
2008
 
Revenues
         
Local services
   
37.0
%
 
37.7
%
Network access services
   
37.5
   
36.0
 
Cable television services
   
3.2
   
3.1
 
Internet services
   
16.4
   
16.8
 
Transport services
   
5.9
   
6.4
 
Total revenues
   
100.0
   
100.0
 
Operating expenses
             
Cost of services and products
   
36.5
   
37.2
 
Selling, general and administrative expenses
   
14.6
   
15.1
 
Depreciation and amortization
   
21.1
   
18.9
 
Total operating expenses
   
72.2
   
71.2
 
               
Income from operations
   
27.8
   
28.8
 
               
Other income (expense)
             
Interest expense
   
(31.3
)
 
(26.2
)
Change in fair value of derivative
   
1.3
   
(1.4
)
Other income
   
1.6
   
2.1
 
Total other expense
   
(28.4
)
 
(25.5
)
               
Income (loss) before income taxes
   
(0.6
)
 
3.3
 
               
Income tax expense
   
(0.1
)
 
(1.0
)
               
Net income (loss) available to common stockholders
   
(0.7
)%
 
2.3
%
 
Three Months Ended March 31, 2008 Compared to Three Months Ended March 31, 2007
 
Total revenues. Total revenues increased 4.0% in the three months ended March 31, 2008 to $17.9 million from $17.2 million in the three months ended March 31, 2007. The primary reason for the increase is the growth of competitive customers in Maine and digital Internet lines throughout the Company. The tables below provide the components of our revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2008 compared to the same period of 2007.
 
For the three months ended March 31, 2007 and 2008
 
   
Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
Change
 
   
2007
 
2008
 
Amount
 
Percent
 
   
(dollars in thousands)
 
Local services
 
$
6,348
 
$
6,726
 
$
378
   
6.0
%
Network access services
   
6,438
   
6,438
   
-
   
-
 
Cable television services
   
548
   
546
   
(2
)
 
(0.4
)
Internet services
   
2,820
   
3,001
   
181
   
6.4
 
Transport services
   
1,018
   
1,148
   
130
   
12.8
 
Total
 
$
17,172
 
$
17,859
 
$
687
   
4.0
 
 
14

 
Local services. Local services revenue increased 6.0% to $6.7 million in the three months ended March 31, 2008 from $6.3 million in the three months ended March 31, 2007. CLEC revenue in Maine increased $0.2 million, RLEC long distance revenue including services in bundles increased $0.2 million primarily in Missouri and higher local cellular services revenue increased by $0.1 million, partially offset by a decline in RLEC local service of $0.1 million.
 
Network access services. Network access revenue remained constant at $6.4 million in the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007. RLEC switched access revenue increased $0.1 million in Alabama and Missouri and declined $0.1 million in Maine.
 
Cable television services. Cable television revenue remained constant at $0.5 million in the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007.
 
Internet services. Internet revenue increased 6.4% to $3.0 million in the three months ended March 31, 2008 from $2.8 million in the three months ended March 31, 2007. The increase reflects growth of $0.4 million from more than 2,300 new digital high-speed access connections, including related equipment, which more than offset the decline of $0.2 million in dial-up Internet customers associated with the conversion to digital high-speed Internet, including those customers in Maine and Missouri that are outside of our local service areas.
 
Transport services. Transport revenue increased 12.8% to $1.1 million in the three months ended March 31, 2008 from $1.0 million in the three months ended March 31, 2007. The growth in Wide Area Network revenue from CLEC customers drove this increase.
 
Operating expenses. Operating expenses in the three months ended March 31, 2008 increased 2.6% to $12.7 million from $12.4 million in the three months ended March 31, 2007.
 
For the three months ended March 31, 2007 and 2008
 
   
Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
Change
 
   
2007
 
2008
 
Amount
 
Percent
 
   
(dollars in thousands)
 
Cost of services
 
$
6,271
 
$
6,652
 
$
381
   
6.1
%
Selling, general and administrative expenses
   
2,502
   
2,694
   
192
   
7.7
 
Depreciation and amortization
   
3,629
   
3,373
   
(256
)
 
(7.1
)
Total
 
$
12,402
 
$
12,719
 
$
317
   
2.6
 
 
Cost of services and products. Cost of services and products increased 6.1% to $6.7 million in the three months ended March 31, 2008 from $6.3 million in the three months ended March 31, 2007. The growth in competitive local exchange and transport services in Maine increased costs $0.2 million, cost of living wage adjustments for our employees increased costs by $0.2 million and increased long distance minutes and higher bandwidth required to support more long distance and digital high-speed Internet customers increased costs $0.1 million. These increases were partially offset by savings of $0.1 million from network and organizational efficiencies.
 
Selling, general and administrative expenses. Selling, general and administrative expenses increased 7.7% to $2.7 million in the three months ended March 31, 2008 from $2.5 million in the three months ended March 31, 2007. Costs associated with investigating an acquisition, cost of living increases for our employees and Sarbanes-Oxley expenses increased by $0.3 million. These increases were partially offset by lower operating taxes and organizational efficiencies of $0.1 million.
 
Depreciation and amortization. Depreciation and amortization decreased 7.1% to $3.4 million in the three months ended March 31, 2008 from $3.6 million in the three months ended March 31, 2007. The decrease reflects lower depreciation expense in Alabama and Maine.
 
15

 
Interest, change in fair value of derivative, other income and taxes.
 
For the three months ended March 31, 2007 and 2008
 
   
Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
Change
 
   
2007
 
2008
 
Amount
 
Percent
 
   
(dollars in thousands)
 
Interest expense
 
$
(5,376
)
$
(4,683
)
$
(693
)
 
(12.9
)%
Change in fair value of derivative
   
218
   
(241
)
 
(459
)
 
(210.5
)
Other income
   
282
   
367
   
85
   
30.1
 
Income tax expense
   
(12
)
 
(175
)
 
163
   
1358.3
 
 
Interest expense. Interest expense decreased 12.9% to $4.7 million in the three months ended March 31, 2008 from $5.4 million in the three months ended March 31, 2007. Our senior credit facility was reduced by $55.4 million in July 2007 to $64.6 million using the proceeds of our offering of an additional 3,000,000 Income Deposit Securities (“IDS”) units. An amendment to our senior credit facility also lowered the margin from 3.25% to 2.00%. The combination of these two factors reduced interest expense by $1.4 million. The debt associated with the additional IDS units increased interest expense for the period by $0.7 million.
 
Change in fair value of derivative associated with Class B common convertible to Class A common. The derivative value associated with the conversion option for our Class B common stock must be fair valued each quarter until conversion occurs, not later than December 21, 2009. The reduction in maximum time to conversion, the change in price of IDS units and the underlying Class A common stock and the expected time for conversion impact the fair value of the derivative. The combination of these factors changed the value of the derivative $0.2 million in the three months ended March 31, 2008 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2007.
 
The repayment of senior indebtedness in July 2007 reduced senior debt below the $80 million level of our 3% three month LIBOR rate cap through 2009. The $15.4 million balance of the rate cap is no longer an effective hedge to interest costs and is considered an investment. The change in fair value of the ineffective portion of the rate cap decreased in value by $0.3 million during first quarter 2008, reflecting the reduction in the current and future projected LIBOR rates.
 
Other income. Other income was $0.4 million in the three months ended March 31, 2008, up from $0.3 million in the three months ended March 31, 2007. The increase was related to the income from the ineffective portion of the rate cap, higher CoBank dividends, and an additional distribution associated with the Rural Telephone Bank dissolution, partially offset by lower interest rates associated with short term investing of our higher cash balances.
 
Income taxes. Provision for income taxes was $0.2 million in the three months ended March 31, 2008 compared to less than $0.1 million in the three months ended March 31, 2007.
 
Net income. As a result of the foregoing, there was net income of $0.4 million available to common stockholders in the three months ended March 31, 2008 compared to a net loss of $0.1 million in the three months ended March 31, 2007.
 
Liquidity and Capital Resources
 
Our liquidity needs arise primarily from: (i) interest payments related to our credit facility and our senior subordinated notes; (ii) capital expenditures; (iii) working capital requirements; (iv) dividend payments on our Class A common stock; and (v) potential acquisitions.
 
16

 
Historically, we satisfy our operating cash requirements from the cash generated by our business and utilize borrowings under our credit facility to facilitate acquisitions. For the three months ended March 31, 2008, we generated cash from our business to invest in additional property and equipment, pay interest on our senior debt, pay interest associated with the subordinated debt inherent in our IDS units, and fund dividends on our Class A common stock (as declared by our board of directors) that are inherent in our IDS units. After meeting all of these needs of our business, cash grew from $12.8 million at December 31, 2007 to $13.1 million at March 31, 2008. The Company has as its current policy to return a high percentage of its available cash to its IDS unit holders.
 
Cash flows from operating activities for the first three months of 2008 amounted to $5.0 million compared to $1.0 million for the first three months of 2007. The primary differences relate to higher net income and income tax receivable in first quarter 2008 plus the impact of the payment of the fourth quarter of 2006 distribution to our IDS unit holders occurring on January 2, 2007 rather than December 30, 2006 (which was a Saturday).
 
Cash flows from investing activities in the first three months of 2008 were $2.5 million compared to $1.4 million in the first three months of 2007. The acquisition and construction of property and equipment utilized $1.0 million more in the first three months of 2008 than in the same period of 2007, reflecting expanded investment in our business for the future.
 
Cash flows from financing activities for the first three months of 2008 were $2.2 million compared to $3.4 million for the same period of 2007, reflecting payment of dividends to stockholders in both periods. The dividend was $0.17625 per share in both periods. The 2007 period included the payment of two dividends as the final dividend for 2006 was actually paid on January 2, 2007 because of bank holidays. The 2008 dividend reflects the additional shares that are an inherent part of the 3,000,000 IDS units sold in July 2007. This payment represents the thirteenth consecutive dividend we have paid since the Company went public in December 2004.
 
We do not invest in financial instruments as part of our business strategy. At March 31, 2008, the Company had an $80 million interest rate cap at 3% LIBOR through December 2009 which was valued at market price. It also has received patronage shares, primarily from one of its lenders, over a period of years for which there is a limited market to determine value until the shares are redeemed by the issuing institution. Historically, these shares have been redeemed at a value similar to their issued value. Due to the uncertainty of this future value, these shares are carried at approximately 55% of their issued value. The Class B derivative is valued based on an expert model developed specifically for the valuation of this derivative which uses current market factors to assess the B share derivative value and the end of each quarter. This liability will be extinguished upon the conversion of the Class B shares into IDS units. The specific value of each instrument is included in the notes to the March 31, 2008 financial statements.
 
We anticipate that operating cash flow, together with borrowings under our credit facility, will be adequate to meet our currently anticipated operating and capital expenditure requirements for at least the next 12 months.
 
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
 
Effective January 1, 2008, the Company adopted SFAS No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements” (“SFAS 157”). In February 2008, the FASB issued a staff position (FSP 157-2) that delays the effective date of SFAS 157 for all non-financial assets and liabilities except those recognized or disclosed at least annually. Therefore, the Company has adopted the provisions of SFAS 157 with respect to its financial assets and liabilities only. SFAS 157 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value and expands disclosure about fair value measurements. Valuation techniques used to measure fair value under SFAS 157 must maximize the use of observable inputs. The standard describes a fair value hierarchy utilizing three levels of input. The first two levels are considered observable and the third, unobservable.

The adoption of this statement did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated results of operations and financial condition.

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
 
Our short-term excess cash balance is invested in short-term commercial paper. We do not invest in any speculative derivative or commodity type instruments. Accordingly, we are subject to minimal market risk on our investments.
 
17

 
We have the ability to borrow up to $15.0 million under a revolving loan facility. The interest rate is variable and, accordingly, we are exposed to interest rate risk, primarily from a change in LIBOR or a base rate. Currently, we have no loans drawn under this facility.
 
Item 4. Controls and Procedures
 
With the participation of the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer, management has evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934). Based on that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of March 31, 2008.
 
There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) during the three months ended March 31, 2008 that materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
 
PART II OTHER INFORMATION
 
Item. 6. Exhibits
 
Exhibits
 
See Exhibit Index.
 
18

 
Signatures
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
 
Date: May 9, 2008
OTELCO INC.
   
 
By: 
/s/ Curtis L. Garner, Jr.
   
Curtis L. Garner, Jr.
   
Chief Financial Officer
 

 
EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit No.
 
Description
31.1
 
Certificate pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 of the Chief Executive Officer
     
31.2
 
Certificate pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 of the Chief Financial Officer
     
32.1
 
Certificate pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, of the Chief Executive Officer
     
32.2
 
Certificate pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, of the Chief Financial Officer