t76450_10q.htm


UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, DC 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, 2013
   
 
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 has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).

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 ISSUERS INVOLVED IN BANKRUPTCY
PROCEEDINGS DURING THE PRECEDING FIVE YEARS:

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed all documents and reports required to be filed by Sections 12, 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 subsequent to the distribution of securities under a plan confirmed by a court.

Yes o
No o

APPLICABLE ONLY TO CORPORATE ISSUERS:

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 9, 2013
Class A Common Stock ($0.01 par value per share)
 
                          13,221,404
Class B Common Stock ($0.01 par value per share)
 
                                          0

 
 

 

OTELCO INC.
FORM 10-Q
For the three month period ended March 31, 2013
TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
   
Page
     
2
2
 
2
 
3
 
4
 
5
15
23
23
     
24
24
24
 
 
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 as of March 31, 2013.
 
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, impact our restructuring plans, including our ability to consummate those plans, or cause our actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements.
 
 
1

 

PART I  FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
Item 1.   Financial Statements
 
OTELCO INC.
(DEBTOR-IN-POSSESSION)
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(unaudited)
   
December 31,
   
March 31,
 
   
2012
   
2013
 
Assets
           
  Current assets
           
  Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
32,516,283
   
$
34,293,319
 
  Accounts receivable:
               
  Due from subscribers, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $239,274 and $457,068, respectively
   
4,205,944
     
4,083,418
 
  Unbilled receivables
   
2,003,634
     
2,008,675
 
  Other
   
5,336,162
     
3,520,880
 
  Materials and supplies
   
1,845,246
     
1,924,191
 
  Prepaid expenses
   
1,981,631
     
2,827,045
 
  Deferred income taxes
   
1,843,160
     
1,843,160
 
Total current assets
   
49,732,060
     
50,500,688
 
                 
  Property and equipment, net
   
58,242,903
     
56,571,853
 
  Goodwill
   
44,956,840
     
44,956,840
 
  Intangible assets, net
   
6,670,392
     
5,580,929
 
  Investments
   
1,919,327
     
1,912,950
 
  Deferred financing costs
   
4,037,311
     
2,130,553
 
  Deferred income taxes
   
6,275,997
     
6,275,997
 
  Other assets
   
490,131
     
529,965
 
  Total assets
 
$
172,324,961
   
$
168,459,775
 
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Deficit
               
Liabilities not subject to compromise
               
  Current liabilities
               
  Accounts payable
 
$
2,007,405
   
$
1,075,570
 
  Accrued expenses
   
14,900,378
     
6,291,205
 
  Advance billings and payments
   
1,560,190
     
1,507,137
 
  Deferred income taxes
   
430,896
     
430,896
 
  Customer deposits
   
90,837
     
93,492
 
  Current maturity of long-term debt
   
270,990,023
     
 
  Total current liabilities
   
289,979,729
     
9,398,300
 
                 
Liabilities subject to compromise
   
     
278,827,862
 
                 
  Deferred income taxes
   
22,670,168
     
22,670,168
 
  Advance billings and payments
   
788,638
     
775,354
 
  Other liabilities
   
484,019
     
159,704
 
  Total liabilities
   
313,922,554
     
311,831,388
 
                 
Stockholders’ deficit
               
Class A Common Stock, $.01 par value-authorized 20,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding 13,221,404 shares
   
132,214
     
132,214
 
Retained deficit
   
(141,729,807
)
   
(143,503,827
)
  Total stockholders’ deficit
   
(141,597,593
)
   
(143,371,613
)
  Total liabilities and stockholders’ deficit
 
$
172,324,961
   
$
168,459,775
 

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

 

OTELCO INC.
(DEBTOR-IN-POSSESSION)
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(unaudited)
             
   
Three Months Ended
 
   
March 31,
 
   
2012
   
2013
 
Revenues
 
$
25,374,241
   
$
20,987,909
 
                 
Operating expenses
               
Cost of services
   
11,028,833
     
9,477,567
 
Selling, general and administrative expenses
   
3,206,077
     
3,055,790
 
Depreciation and amortization
   
4,522,593
     
3,565,896
 
Total operating expenses
   
18,757,503
     
16,099,253
 
                 
Income from operations
   
6,616,738
     
4,888,656
 
                 
Other income (expense)
               
Interest expense
   
(5,833,650
)
   
(5,554,169
)
Reorganization items
   
     
(1,423,607
)
Change in fair value of derivatives
   
241,438
     
 
Other income
   
318,169
     
243,488
 
Total other expenses
   
(5,274,043
)
   
(6,734,288
)
                 
Income (loss) before income tax
   
1,342,695
     
(1,845,632
Income tax (expense) benefit
   
(524,457
)
   
71,611
 
                 
Net income (loss)
 
$
818,238
   
$
(1,774,021
                 
Common shares outstanding
   
13,221,404
     
13,221,404
 
                 
Net income (loss) per common share
 
$
0.06
   
$
(0.13
                 
Dividends declared per common share
 
$
0.18
   
$
 
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
 
 
3

 

 
OTELCO INC.
(DEBTOR-IN-POSSESSION)
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(unaudited)
             
   
Three Months Ended
 
   
March 31,
 
   
2012
   
2013
 
Cash flows from operating activities:
           
Net income (loss)
 
$
818,238
   
$
(1,774,021
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to cash flows from operating activities:
               
Depreciation
   
2,728,557
     
2,379,971
 
Amortization
   
1,794,036
     
1,185,925
 
Amortization of debt premium
   
(27,840
)
   
(31,260
)
Amortization of loan costs
   
342,024
     
342,024
 
Change in fair value of derivatives
   
(241,438
)
   
 
Provision for uncollectible revenue
   
122,402
     
37,253
 
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
               
Accounts receivable
   
864,192
     
1,895,515
 
Material and supplies
   
(245,676
)
   
(78,945
)
Prepaid expenses and other assets
   
(200,130
   
(885,402
)
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
   
1,046,924
     
1,007,701
 
Advance billings and payments
   
222,279
     
(66,337
Other liabilities
   
67,487
     
(321,660
                 
Net cash from operating activities
   
7,291,055
     
3,690,764
 
                 
Cash flows used in investing activities:
               
Acquisition and construction of property and equipment
   
(1,303,197
)
   
(798,853
)
                 
Net cash used in investing activities
   
(1,303,197
)
   
(798,853
)
                 
Cash flows used in financing activities:
               
Cash dividends paid
   
(2,330,272
)
   
 
Loan origination costs
   
(9,499
   
(1,114,875
)
                 
Net cash used in financing activities
   
(2,339,771
)
   
(1,114,875
)
                 
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents
   
3,648,087
     
1,777,036
 
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period
   
12,393,792
     
32,516,283
 
                 
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
 
$
16,041,879
   
$
34,293,319
 
                 
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
               
Interest paid
 
$
5,820,846
   
$
1,825,337
 
                 
Income taxes paid
 
$
25,250
   
$
35,500
 

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

 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(DEBTOR-IN-POSSESSION)
MARCH 31, 2013
(unaudited)

1.
Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation
 
The unaudited consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Otelco Inc. (the “Company”) and its subsidiaries, all of which are either directly or indirectly wholly owned. These include: Otelco Telecommunications LLC (“OTC”); Otelco Telephone LLC (“OTP”); Hopper Telecommunications LLC (“HTC”); Brindlee Mountain Telephone LLC (“BMTC”); Blountsville Telephone LLC (“BTC”); Otelco Mid-Missouri LLC (“MMT”) and its wholly owned subsidiary I-Land Internet Services LLC; Mid-Maine Telecom LLC (“MMTI”); Mid-Maine TelPlus LLC (“MMTP”); Granby Telephone LLC (“GTT”); War Telephone LLC (“WT”); Pine Tree Telephone LLC (“PTT”); Saco River Telephone LLC (“SRT”); Shoreham Telephone LLC (“ST”); CRC Communications LLC (“PTN”); and Communications Design Acquisition LLC (“CDAC”).
 
The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and all of the aforesaid subsidiaries after elimination of all material intercompany balances and transactions. The unaudited operating results for the three months ended March 31, 2013 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2013 or any other period.
 
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 in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012. 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.
 
2.
Reorganization
 
Reorganization Cases
 
On March 24, 2013 (the Petition Date”), the Company and each of its direct and indirect subsidiaries filed voluntary petitions for reorganization (the “Reorganization Cases”) under chapter 11 of title 11 of the United States Code (the “Bankruptcy Code”) in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware (the “Bankruptcy Court”) in order to effectuate their prepackaged Chapter 11 plan of reorganization (the “Plan”). The Reorganization Cases are being jointly administered under the caption “In re Otelco Inc., et al.,” Case No. 13-10593. Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code is the principal business reorganization chapter of the Bankruptcy Code. Chapter 11 allows the Company to remain in possession of its assets, and to continue to manage and operate its business while restructuring its debt, without the need to liquidate and go out of business.
 
For information regarding the factors that led to the filing of the Reorganization Cases, see “Part II.—Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data—Note 1 Nature of Business” contained in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012.
 
Recent Developments
 
On March 26, 2013, the Bankruptcy Court approved payment of prepetition claims for certain critical vendors of the Company. This approval allowed the Company to maintain relationships with its vendors, and continue to operate its business during the bankruptcy proceedings.
 
Reporting Requirements
 
As a result of the filing of the Reorganization Cases, the Company is now required to file various documents with, and provide certain information to, the Bankruptcy Court, including statements of financial affairs, schedules of assets and liabilities and monthly operating reports in forms prescribed by federal bankruptcy law. Such materials have been and will be prepared according to requirements of the Bankruptcy Code. While these materials accurately provide then-current information required under the Bankruptcy Code, they are nonetheless unaudited, are prepared in a format different from that used in the Company’s consolidated financial statements filed under the securities laws and certain of this financial information may be prepared on an unconsolidated basis. Accordingly, the Company believes that the substance and format of these materials do not allow meaningful comparison with its regular publicly-disclosed consolidated financial statements. Moreover, the materials filed with the Bankruptcy Court are not prepared for the purpose of providing a basis for an investment decision relating to the Company’s securities, or for comparison with other financial information filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”).
 
 
5

 
 
Notifications
 
Shortly after the Petition Date, the Company began notifying current or potential creditors of the Reorganization Cases. Subject to certain exceptions under the Bankruptcy Code, the Reorganization Cases automatically enjoined, or stayed, the continuation of any judicial or administrative proceedings or other actions against the Company or its property to recover on, collect or secure a claim arising prior to the Petition Date. Thus, for example, most creditor actions to obtain possession of property from the Company, or to create, perfect or enforce any lien against the property of the Company, or to collect on monies owed or otherwise exercise rights or remedies with respect to a claim arising prior to the Petition Date, are enjoined unless and until the Bankruptcy Court lifts the automatic stay. Vendors are being paid for goods furnished and services provided after the Petition Date in the ordinary course of business.
 
Defaults under Outstanding Debt Instruments
 
The filing of the Reorganization Cases constituted an event of default and triggered an immediate acceleration of debt outstanding under the terms of the Company’s senior credit facility and the indenture governing the Company’s senior subordinated notes. In addition, the filing of the Reorganization Cases terminated the revolving loan commitments under the Company’s senior credit facility. As stated above, any efforts to enforce the Company’s payment obligations under its senior credit facility and the indenture governing its senior subordinated notes are stayed while the Company remains in the bankruptcy process.
 
NASDAQ
 
On March 26, 2013, the Company received a deficiency letter (the “Notification Letter”) from The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC (“Nasdaq”) notifying the Company that the Nasdaq Listing Qualifications Staff (the “Staff”) had determined that the Company’s Income Deposit Securities (“IDSs”) would be delisted from Nasdaq. The Staff reached its determination under Nasdaq Listing Rules 5101, 5110(b) and IM-5101-1 following the Company’s announcement on March 25, 2013 that the Company and each of its direct and indirect subsidiaries filed the Reorganization Cases in the Bankruptcy Court. The Notification Letter stated that, absent an appeal, trading of the Company’s IDSs on Nasdaq would be suspended at the opening of business on April 4, 2013, and a Form 25-NSE would be filed with the SEC, which would remove the Company’s IDSs from listing and registration on Nasdaq. The Company has appealed the Staff’s determination to delist the Company’s IDSs and an oral hearing with respect to the appeal was held on May 2, 2013. The suspension of trading of the Company’s IDSs on Nasdaq and the filing of the Form 25-NSE with the SEC will be stayed pending a decision on the appeal.
 
Financial Reporting in Reorganization
 
Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification 852, Reorganizations (“ASC 852”), which is applicable to companies in Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code, generally does not change the manner in which financial statements are prepared. However, it does require that the financial statements for periods subsequent to the filing of the Reorganization Cases distinguish transactions and events that are directly associated with the reorganization from the ongoing operations of the business. Amounts that can be directly associated with the reorganization and restructuring of the business must be reported separately as reorganization items in the statements of operations. The balance sheet must distinguish pre-petition liabilities subject to compromise from both those pre-petition liabilities that are not subject to compromise and from post-petition liabilities. Liabilities that may be affected by a plan of reorganization must be reported at the amounts expected to be allowed, even if they may be settled for lesser amounts. In addition, cash provided by and used for reorganization items must be disclosed separately. The Company has applied ASC 852 effective as of the Petition Date, and has segregated those items as outlined above for all reporting periods subsequent to such date.
 
 
6

 
 
Reorganization Items
 
The Company has incurred and will continue to incur significant costs associated with the Reorganization Cases. The amount of these costs, which are being expensed as incurred, are expected to significantly affect the Company's results of operations.
 
Reorganization items represent income or expense amounts that have been recognized as a direct result of the Reorganization Cases and are presented separately in the consolidated statements of operations pursuant to ASC 852. Such items consist of the following:
 
   
Three Months
 
   
Ended March 31,
 
   
2013
 
       
Professional fees(a)
 
1,423,607
 
 Total reorganization items
 
$
1,423,607
 
         
(a) Professional fees relate to legal and other professional costs directly associated with the
reorganization process.
       
 
The Company has classified expenses directly related to the Reorganization Cases as reorganization items in other income (expense), including amounts incurred prior to the Petition Date.
 
 
Liabilities Subject to Compromise
 
Liabilities subject to compromise refer to liabilities incurred prior to the Petition Date for which the Company has not received approval from the Bankruptcy Court to pay or otherwise honor. These amounts represent management’s estimate of known or potential pre-Petition Date claims that are likely to be resolved in connection with the Reorganization Cases. Such claims remain subject to future adjustments. Adjustments may result from negotiations, actions of the Bankruptcy Court, rejection of the executory contracts and unexpired leases, the determination of the value securing claims, proofs of claim or other events.
 
Liabilities subject to compromise at March 31, 2013 consisted of the following:
 
   
Three Months
 
   
Ended March 31,
 
   
2013
 
       
Senior secured credit facility(a)
 
$
161,380,368
 
Senior subordinated notes – held in IDS(b)
   
98,513,017
 
Senior subordinated notes – held separately(c)
   
8,385,769
 
         
Accrued interest
       
  Senior subordinated notes – held in IDS
   
9,715,868
 
  Senior subordinated notes – held separately
   
832,840
 
         
 Total liabilities subject to compromise
 
$
278,827,862
 
         
(a) Net of $619,632 loan cost.
       
(b) Net of $1,945,745 loan cost and premium of $1,298,231.
       
(c) Net of $114,231 loan cost.
       
 
Liabilities not subject to compromise include: (1) liabilities incurred after the Petition Date; (2) pre-Petition Date liabilities that the Company expects to pay in full, such as medical or retirement benefits; and (3) pre-Petition Date liabilities that have been approved for payment by the Bankruptcy Court and that the Company expects to pay (in advance of a plan of reorganization) in the ordinary course of business, including certain employee-related items such as salaries and vacation pay.
 
The classification of liabilities not subject to compromise versus liabilities subject to compromise is based on currently available information and management’s estimate of the amounts expected to be allowed. As the Reorganization Cases proceed and additional information and analysis is completed, or as the Bankruptcy Court rules on relevant matters, the classification and amounts within these two categories may change.
 
Interest
 
The Bankruptcy Court limits post-Petition Date interest on unsecured debt. Interest that would have accrued on unsecured debt from the Petition Date to March 31, 2013 was $272,142.
 
 
7

 
 
Going Concern
 
The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared assuming that the Company will continue as a going concern; however, if the Plan does not become effective, there may be substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to do so. The financial statements do not include any adjustments to reflect the possible future effects on the recoverability and classification of assets or the amounts and classifications of liabilities that may result should the Company be unable to continue as a going concern.
 
3.
Revenue Concentrations
 
The Company fulfilled a contract with Time Warner Cable (“TW”) for the provision of wholesale network connections to TW customers in Maine and New Hampshire. Revenue received directly from TW represented approximately 11.8% and 5.3% of the Company’s consolidated revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2013, respectively. Additionally, other unrelated telecommunications providers also pay the Company access revenue for terminating calls through the Company to TW customers representing 4.4% and less than 1.0% of the Company’s consolidated revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2013, respectively. This contract expired as of December 31, 2012 and all connections were moved to TW’s facilities by January 31, 2013.
 
Revenues for interstate access services are based on reimbursement of costs and an allowed rate of return. Revenues of this nature are received from the National Exchange Carrier Association in the form of monthly settlements. Such revenues amounted to 9.4% and 11.4% of the Company’s total revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2013, respectively.
 
4.
Derivative Activities
 
The Company utilized two interest rate swaps which matured on February 8, 2012. The first swap had a notional amount of $90 million with the Company paying a fixed rate of 1.85% and the counterparty paying a variable rate based upon the three month LIBOR interest rate. It was effective from February 9, 2009 through February 8, 2012. The second swap had a notional amount of $60 million with the Company paying a fixed rate of 2.0475% and the counterparty paying a variable rate based upon the three month LIBOR interest rate. It was effective from February 9, 2010 through February 8, 2012. From an accounting perspective, the documentation for both swaps does not meet the technical requirements of ASC 815, Derivatives and Hedging, to allow the swaps to be considered highly effective hedging instruments and therefore the swaps do not qualify for hedge accounting. The change in fair value of the swaps was charged or credited to income as a change in fair value of derivatives. Over the life of the swaps, the cumulative change in fair value was zero.
 
5.
Income (Loss) per Common Share
 
Income (loss) per common share is computed by dividing net income (loss) by the number of shares outstanding for the period. The Company does not have any outstanding stock arrangements that are dilutive.
 
A reconciliation of the Company’s income (loss) per common share calculation is as follows:
 
   
Three Months
 
   
Ended March 31,
 
   
2012
   
2013
 
             
Common shares outstanding
   
13,221,404
     
13,221,404
 
                 
Net income (loss)
 
$
818,238
   
$
(1,774,021
                 
Net income (loss) per common share
 
$
0.06
   
$
(0.13

6.
Fair Value Measurement
 
The Company adopted ASC 820, Fair Value Measurement (“ASC 820”), which defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value and requires additional disclosures about fair value measurements. The framework that is set forth in this standard is applicable to the fair value measurements where it is permitted or required under other accounting pronouncements.
 
 
8

 
 
ASC 820 defines fair value as the exit price, which is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in a transaction between market participants at the measurement date. ASC 820 establishes a three-tier fair value hierarchy that prioritizes inputs to valuation techniques used for fair value measurement.
 
 
·
Level 1 consists of observable market data in an active market for identical assets or liabilities.
 
 
·
Level 2 consists of observable market data, other than that included in Level 1, that is either directly or indirectly observable.
 
 
·
Level 3 consists of unobservable market data. The input may reflect the assumptions of the Company, not a market participant, if there is little available market data and the Company’s own assumptions are considered by management to be the best available information.
 
The fair value of the Company’s notes payable is determined using various methods, including quoted market prices for notes with similar terms of maturity, which is a Level 2 measurement, and discounted cash flows, which is a Level 3 measurement. The estimated fair values of notes payable at December 31, 2012 and March 31, 2013, respectively, are as follows:
 
   
December 31,
   
March 31,
 
   
2012
   
2013
 
Notes payable
 
$
171,841,824
   
$
160,328,713
 
 
7.
Subsidiary Guarantees
 
The Company has no independent assets or operations separate from its operating subsidiaries. The guarantees of its senior subordinated notes by 14 of its 15 operating subsidiaries are full and unconditional, joint and several. The operating subsidiaries have no independent long-term notes payable. Prior to the Petition Date, there were 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, 2012 and March 31, 2013; condensed consolidating statements of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2013; and condensed consolidating statements of cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2013.
 
 
9

 
 
Otelco Inc.
Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet
December 31, 2012

         
Guarantor
 
Non-Guarantor
           
   
Parent
 
Subsidiaries
 
Subsidiaries
 
Eliminations
 
Consolidated
ASSETS
                             
                               
Current assets
                             
   Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
   
$
32,515,933
   
$
350
   
$
   
$
32,516,283
 
   Accounts receivable, net
   
     
11,160,581
     
385,159
     
     
11,545,740
 
   Materials and supplies
   
     
1,165,042
     
680,204
     
     
1,845,246
 
   Prepaid expenses
   
459,021
     
1,555,192
     
(32,582
)
   
     
1,981,631
 
   Deferred income taxes
   
1,843,160
     
     
     
     
1,843,160
 
   Investment in subsidiaries
   
72,218,114
     
     
     
(72,218,114
)
   
 
   Intercompany receivable
   
(219,453,880
)
   
(29,764,405
)
   
29,764,405
     
219,453,880
     
 
      Total current assets
   
(144,933,585
)
   
16,632,343
     
30,797,536
     
147,235,766
     
49,732,060
 
                                         
Property and equipment, net
   
     
56,819,459
     
1,423,444
     
     
58,242,903
 
Goodwill
   
239,970,317
     
(121,910,761
)
   
(73,102,716
)
   
     
44,956,840
 
Intangible assets, net
   
     
5,580,175
     
1,090,217
     
     
6,670,392
 
Investments
   
1,203,605
     
407,708
     
308,014
     
     
1,919,327
 
Deferred income taxes
   
6,275,997
     
     
     
     
6,275,997
 
Other long-term assets
   
4,037,311
     
490,131
     
     
     
4,527,442
 
                                         
      Total assets
 
$
106,553,645
   
$
(41,980,945
)
 
$
(39,483,505
)
 
$
147,235,766
   
$
172,324,961
 
                                         
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (DEFICIT)
                                         
Current liabilities
                                       
   Accounts payable and accrued expenses
 
$
8,585,915
   
$
6,980,505
   
$
1,341,363
   
$
   
$
16,907,783
 
   Intercompany payables
   
     
(219,453,880
)
   
     
219,453,880
     
 
   Other current liabilities
   
430,896
     
1,581,987
     
69,040
     
     
2,081,923
 
   Current notes payable
   
230,726,547
     
40,263,476
     
     
     
270,990,023
 
      Total current liabilities
   
239,743,358
     
(170,627,912
)
   
1,410,403
     
219,453,880
     
289,979,729
 
                                         
Deferred income taxes
   
8,407,880
     
12,970,082
     
1,292,206
     
     
22,670,168
 
Other liabilities
   
     
1,272,657
     
     
     
1,272,657
 
Stockholders’ equity (deficit)
   
(141,597,593
)
   
114,404,228
     
(42,186,114
)
   
(72,218,114
)
   
(141,597,593
)
                                         
      Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity (deficit)
 
$
106,553,645
   
$
(41,980,945
)
 
$
(39,483,505
)
 
$
147,235,766
   
$
172,324,961
 

 
10

 
 
Otelco Inc.
Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet
March 31, 2013

         
Guarantor
   
Non-Guarantor
             
   
Parent
   
Subsidiaries
   
Subsidiaries
   
Eliminations
   
Consolidated
 
ASSETS
                             
                               
Current assets
                             
   Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
230,856
   
$
34,061,963
   
$
500
   
$
   
$
34,293,319
 
   Accounts receivable, net
   
     
9,195,452
     
417,521
     
     
9,612,973
 
   Materials and supplies
   
     
1,140,587
     
783,604
     
     
1,924,191
 
   Prepaid expenses
   
562,855
     
2,244,771
     
19,419
     
     
2,827,045
 
   Deferred income taxes
   
1,843,160
     
     
     
     
1,843,160
 
   Investment in subsidiaries
   
76,911,315
     
     
     
(76,911,315
)
   
 
   Intercompany receivable
   
(224,623,263
)
   
(30,017,903
)
   
30,017,903
     
224,623,263
     
 
      Total current assets
   
(145,075,077
)
   
16,624,870
     
31,238,947
     
147,711,948
     
50,500,688
 
                                         
Property and equipment, net
   
     
55,136,554
     
1,435,299
     
     
56,571,853
 
Goodwill
   
239,970,317
     
(121,910,761
)
   
(73,102,716
)
   
     
44,956,840
 
Intangible assets, net
   
     
4,522,777
     
1,058,152
     
     
5,580,929
 
Investments
   
1,203,605
     
401,331
     
308,014
     
     
1,912,950
 
Deferred income taxes
   
6,275,997
     
     
     
     
6,275,997
 
Other long-term assets
   
2,130,553
     
529,965
     
     
     
2,660,518
 
                                         
      Total assets
 
$
104,505,395
   
$
(44,695,264
)
 
$
(39,062,304
)
 
$
147,711,948
   
$
168,459,775
 
                                         
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (DEFICIT)
                                         
Liabilities not subject to compromise
                                       
  Current liabilities
                                       
     Accounts payable and accrued expenses
 
$
473,846
   
$
5,445,001
   
$
1,447,928
   
$
   
$
7,366,775
 
     Intercompany payables
   
     
(224,623,263
)
   
     
224,623,263
     
 
     Other current liabilities
   
430,896
     
1,522,789
     
77,840
     
     
2,031,525
 
        Total current liabilities
   
904,742
     
(217,655,473
)
   
1,525,768
     
224,623,263
     
9,398,300
 
                                         
Liabilities subject to compromise
   
238,564,386
     
40,263,476
     
     
     
278,827,862
 
                                         
  Deferred income taxes
   
8,407,880
     
12,970,082
     
1,292,206
     
     
22,670,168
 
  Other liabilities
   
     
935,058
     
     
     
935,058
 
  Stockholders’ equity   (deficit)
   
(143,371,613
)
   
118,791,593
     
(41,880,278
)
   
(76,911,315
)
   
(143,371,613
)
                                         
        Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity (deficit)
 
$
104,505,395
   
$
(44,695,264
)
 
$
(39,062,304
)
 
$
147,711,948
   
$
168,459,775
 
 
 
11

 
 
Otelco Inc.
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2012

         
Guarantor
   
Non-Guarantor
             
   
Parent
   
Subsidiaries
   
Subsidiaries
   
Eliminations
   
Consolidated
 
                               
                               
Revenues
 
$
880,787
   
$
23,460,360
   
$
1,033,094
   
$
   
$
25,374,241
 
Operating expenses
   
(880,787
)
   
(16,999,324
)
   
(877,392
)
   
     
(18,757,503
)
Income from operations
   
     
6,461,036
     
155,702
     
     
6,616,738
 
Other expense
   
(5,266,807
)
   
(7,229
)
   
(7
)
   
     
(5,274,043
)
Earnings from subsidiaries
   
6,609,502
     
     
     
(6,609,502
)
   
 
Income before income tax
   
1,342,695
     
6,453,807
     
155,695
     
(6,609,502
)
   
1,342,695
 
Income tax expense
   
(524,457
)
   
     
     
     
(524,457
)
                                         
Net income to common stockholders
 
$
818,238
   
$
6,453,807
   
$
155,695
   
$
(6,609,502
)
 
$
818,238
 

Otelco Inc.
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2013

         
Guarantor
   
Non-Guarantor
             
   
Parent
   
Subsidiaries
   
Subsidiaries
   
Eliminations
   
Consolidated
 
                               
                               
Revenues
 
$
884,619
   
$
19,031,627
   
$
1,071,663
   
$
   
$
20,987,909
 
Operating expenses
   
(884,620
)
   
(14,480,499
)
   
(734,134
)
   
     
(16,099,253
)
Income from operations
   
(1
)
   
4,551,128
     
337,529
     
     
4,888,656
 
Other expense
   
(6,728,279
)
   
(6,007
)
   
(2
)
   
     
(6,734,288
)
Earnings from subsidiaries
   
4,882,648
     
     
     
(4,882,648
)
   
 
Income (loss) before income tax
   
(1,845,632
)
   
4,545,121
     
337,527
     
(4,882,648
)
   
(1,845,632
)
Income tax benefit (expense)
   
71,611
     
(157,755
)
   
(31,691
)
   
189,446
     
71,611
 
                                         
Net income (loss) to common stockholders
 
$
(1,774,021
)
 
$
4,387,366
   
$
305,836
   
$
(4,693,202
)
 
$
(1,774,021
)
 
 
12

 
 
Otelco Inc.
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2012

         
Guarantor
   
Non-Guarantor
             
   
Parent
   
Subsidiaries
   
Subsidiaries
   
Eliminations
   
Consolidated
 
                               
Cash flows from operating activities:
                             
  Net income
 
$
818,238
   
$
13,063,309
   
$
155,695
   
$
(13,219,004
)
 
$
818,238
 
  Adjustment to reconcile net income to cash flows from operating activities
   
72,746
     
4,508,387
     
136,608
     
     
4,717,741
 
  Changes in assets and liabilities
   
8,058,290
     
(6,093,315
)
   
(209,899
)
   
     
1,755,076
 
Net cash provided by operating activities
   
8,949,274
     
11,478,381
     
82,404
     
(13,219,004
)
   
7,291,055
 
Cash flows used in investing activities
   
     
(1,220,793
)
   
(82,404
)
   
-
     
(1,303,197
)
Cash flows used in financing activities
   
(8,949,274
)
   
(6,609,501
)
   
     
13,219,004
     
(2,339,771
)
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents
   
     
3,648,087
     
     
     
3,648,087
 
                                         
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period
   
     
12,393,442
     
350
     
     
12,393,792
 
                                         
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
 
$
   
$
16,041,529
   
$
350
   
$
   
$
16,041,879
 
 
 
13

 
 
Otelco Inc.
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2013

         
Guarantor
   
Non-Guarantor
             
   
Parent
   
Subsidiaries
   
Subsidiaries
   
Eliminations
   
Consolidated
 
                               
Cash flows from operating activities:
                             
  Net income (loss)
 
$
(1,774,021
)
 
$
4,387,367
   
$
305,835
   
$
(4,693,202
)
 
$
(1,774,021
)
  Adjustment to reconcile net income to cash flows from operating activities
   
310,764
     
3,521,595
     
81,554
     
     
3,913,913
 
  Changes in assets and liabilities
   
7,502,190
     
(5,623,054
)
   
(328,264
)
   
     
1,550,872
 
Net cash provided by operating activities
   
6,038,933
     
2,285,908
     
59,125
     
(4,693,202
)
   
3,690,764
 
Cash flows used in investing activities
   
     
(739,878
)
   
(58,975
)
   
     
(798,853
)
Cash flows used in financing activities
   
(6,038,933
)
   
     
     
4,924,058
     
(1,114,875
)
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents
   
     
1,546,030
     
150
     
230,856
     
1,777,036
 
                                         
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period
   
     
32,515,933
     
350
     
     
32,516,283
 
                                         
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
 
$
   
$
34,061,963
   
$
500
   
$
230,856
   
$
34,293,319
 
 
8.
Commitments 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 Public Service Commission, the Maine Public Utilities Commission, the Massachusetts Department of Telecommunications and Cable, the Missouri Public Service Commission, the New Hampshire Public Utilities Commission, the Vermont Public Service Board and the West Virginia Public Service Commission, relating primarily to rate making. Currently, except as set forth in note 2 above, none of the legal proceedings are expected to have a material adverse effect on our business.
 
9.
Subsequent Events
 
On May 6, 2013, the Bankruptcy Court entered an order (the “Confirmation Order”) confirming the Plan. Although the Bankruptcy Court has entered the Confirmation Order, the Plan is not yet effective. The Plan and the Confirmation Order contain certain conditions precedent to the effectiveness of the Plan. Although we currently expect the Plan to become effective by the end of May 2013, there can be no assurance that the conditions precedent to the Plan will be satisfied by that time, or at all.
 
 
14

 
 
Item 2.   Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
 
Overview
 
General
 
We operate eleven rural local exchange carriers (“RLECs”) serving subscribers in north central Alabama, central Maine, western Massachusetts, central Missouri, western Vermont and southern West Virginia. We are the sole wireline telephone services provider for many of the rural communities we serve. We also operate a competitive local exchange carrier (“CLEC”) serving subscribers throughout the states of Maine and New Hampshire. Our services include local and long distance telephone services, network access, other telephone related services, cable and satellite television (in some markets) and internet access. We view, manage and evaluate the results of operations from the various telecommunications services as one company and therefore have identified one reporting segment as it relates to providing segment information. As of March 31, 2013, we operated approximately 98,839 access line equivalents.
 
The Federal Communications Commission (the “FCC”) released its Universal Service Fund and Intercarrier Compensation order (the “FCC Order”) in November 2011. This order makes substantial changes in the way telecommunications carriers are compensated for serving high cost areas and for completing traffic with other carriers. We began seeing the significant impact of the FCC Order to our business in July 2012. The expected initial consequences to our business will be to reduce access revenue from intrastate calling in Maine and other states where intrastate rates are higher than interstate rates. A portion of this revenue loss is returned to us through the Connect America Fund for our RLEC properties. There is no recovery mechanism for the lost revenue in our CLEC. The impact of the FCC Order is expected to reduce our revenue and net income in the coming years.
 
Our core businesses are local and long distance telecommunications services, wholesale access to the local and long distance network and network access to other wireline, long distance and wireless carriers for calls originated or terminated on our network. Our core businesses generated approximately 71.6% of our total revenues in the first quarter of 2013. The impacts associated with the implementation of the FCC Order will be reflected in our core business revenue. We also provide cable and satellite television service in some markets and digital high-speed data lines and dial-up internet access in all of our 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 I and the 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.
 
The Reorganization Cases
 
On March 24, 2013 (the “Petition Date”), the Company and each of its direct and indirect subsidiaries filed voluntary petitions for reorganization (the “Reorganization Cases”) under chapter 11 of title 11 of the United States Code (the “Bankruptcy Code”) in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware (the “Bankruptcy Court”) in order to effectuate their prepackaged Chapter 11 plan of reorganization (the “Plan”). The Reorganization Cases are being jointly administered under the caption “In re Otelco Inc., et al.,” Case No. 13-10593. Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code is the principal business reorganization chapter of the Bankruptcy Code. Chapter 11 allows us to remain in possession of our assets, and to continue to manage and operate our business while restructuring our debt, without the need to liquidate and go out of business.
 
On March 26, 2013, the Bankruptcy Court approved payment of prepetition claims for certain of our critical vendors. This approval allowed us to maintain relationships with our vendors, and continue to operate our business during the bankruptcy proceedings.
 
On May 6, 2013, the Bankruptcy Court entered an order (the “Confirmation Order”) confirming the Plan. Although the Bankruptcy Court has entered the Confirmation Order, the Plan is not yet effective. The Plan and the Confirmation Order contain certain conditions precedent to the effectiveness of the Plan. If and when the Plan becomes effective, the following transactions will occur:
 
 
the $162 million of outstanding principal term loan obligations under our senior credit facility will be reduced to a maximum of $142 million (or such higher amount that is agreed to in writing by the agent under our senior credit facility and the holders of more than 50% in number and 66 2/3% in amount of the outstanding principal term loan obligations under our senior credit facility) through a cash payment;
 
 
the maturity of the outstanding principal term loan obligations under our senior credit facility will be extended to April 30, 2016;
 
 
15

 
 
 
the holders of the outstanding principal term loan obligations under our senior credit facility will receive their pro rata share of our new Class B common stock, which new Class B common stock will represent 7.5% of our total economic and voting interests immediately following the effectiveness of the Plan, subject to dilution of up to 10% on account of the issuance of equity interests in the Company pursuant to a management equity plan which is expected to be adopted by us following our emergence from bankruptcy (the “Management Equity Plan”);
 
 
certain revolving loan commitments under our senior credit facility will be reinstated, with availability of up to $5 million;
 
 
our outstanding senior subordinated notes, including the outstanding senior subordinated notes constituting part of our Income Deposit Securities (“IDSs”), will be cancelled and the holders of outstanding senior subordinated notes, including senior subordinated notes held through IDSs, will receive their pro rata share of our new Class A common stock, which new Class A common stock will represent 92.5% of our total economic and voting interests immediately following the effectiveness of the Plan, subject to dilution of up to 10% on account of the issuance of equity interests in the Company pursuant to the Management Equity Plan; and
 
 
the outstanding shares of our existing common stock, all of which currently constitute part of the IDSs, will be cancelled.
 
              Although we currently expect the Plan to become effective by the end of May 2013, there can be no assurance that the conditions precedent to the Plan and the Confirmation Order will be satisfied by that time, or at all.
 
Revenue Sources
 
We offer a wide range of telecommunications and entertainment services to our subscribers. More than half of our residential customers receive packages of services that are delivered and billed together. Our CLEC subscribers contract with us for selected services that meet their specific telecommunications requirements. Our revenues are derived from five sources:
 
 
Local services. We receive revenues from providing local exchange telecommunications services in our eleven rural territories, from the wholesale network services in Maine and, on a competitive basis, in Maine, Massachusetts and New Hampshire. These revenues include monthly subscription charges for basic service, calling beyond the local territory on a fixed price and on a per minute basis, local private line services and enhanced calling features, such as voicemail, caller identification, call waiting and call forwarding. We also provide billing and collections services for other carriers under contract and receive revenues from directory advertising. A growing portion of our rural subscribers take bundled service plans which include multiple services, including unlimited domestic calling, for a flat monthly fee. Our contract with Time Warner Cable (“TWC”) to provide wholesale network connections to TWC customers in Maine and New Hampshire expired on December 31, 2012 and service for TWC’s subscriber base was transitioned to the TWC network during first quarter 2013.
 
 
Network access. 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, Massachusetts, Missouri, New Hampshire, Vermont and West Virginia are based on rates approved by the Alabama Public Service Commission, the Maine Public Utilities Commission (“MPUC”), the Massachusetts Department of Telecommunications and Cable, the Missouri Public Service Commission, the New Hampshire Public Utilities Commission (“NHPUC”), the Vermont Public Service Board and the West Virginia Public Service Commission, respectively, where appropriate. Switched and special access charges for interstate and international services are based on rates approved by the FCC.
 
 
Cable television. We offer basic, digital, high-definition, digital video recording and pay per view cable television services to the majority of our telephone service territory in Alabama, including Internet Protocol television (“IPTV”) and Video on Demand (“VOD”). We are a reseller of satellite services for DirecTV and Dish in Missouri.
 
 
Internet. We receive revenues from monthly recurring charges for digital high-speed data lines, dial-up internet access and ancillary services such as web hosting and computer virus protection.
 
 
Transport. We receive monthly recurring revenues for the rental of fiber to transport data and other telecommunications services in Maine and New Hampshire.
 
 
16

 
 
Voice and Data Access Line Trends
 
The number of access lines served is a fundamental factor 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 when normalized for territory acquisitions. We expect that this trend will continue, and may be impacted by the effect of the economy on our customers as well as the availability of alternative telecommunications products, such as cellular and Internet Protocol-based services. These trends will be partially offset by the growth of data access lines, also called digital high-speed internet access service. Our competitive carrier voice and data access lines have grown as we continue to further penetrate our chosen markets. Our ability to continue this growth and our response to the rural trends will have an important impact on our future revenues. Our primary strategy consists of leveraging our strong incumbent market position, selling additional services to our rural customer base such as alarm services and providing better service and support levels than the incumbent carrier to our competitive customer base.
 
Key Operating Statistics
                       
 
(Unaudited)
                   
Quarterly
 
                       
% Change
 
     
December 31,
   
March 31,
   
from
 
     
2011
   
2012
   
2013
   
Dec. 31, 2012
 
Otelco access line equivalents(1)
    102,378       99,395       98,839       (0.6 )%
                                   
RLEC and other services:
                               
  Voice access lines     46,202       43,021       42,274       (1.7 )%
  Data access lines     22,904       22,742       22,718       (0.1 )%
  Access line equivalents(1)     69,106       65,763       64,992       (1.2 )%
  Cable television customers     4,201       4,155       4,102       (1.3 )%
  Satellite television customers     226       233       235       0.9  %
  Additional internet customers     5,414       4,506       4,312       (4.3 )%
  RLEC dial-up     301       198       169       (14.6 )%
  Other dial-up     2,797       1,895       1,726       (8.9 )%
  Other data lines     2,316       2,413       2,417       0.2 %
                                   
CLEC:
                                 
  Voice access lines     30,189       30,470       30,589       0.4 %
  Data access lines     3,083       3,162       3,258       3.0 %
  Access line equivalents(1)     33,272       33,632       33,847       0.6 %
  Wholesale network connections(2)     157,144       162,117       2,372       (98.5 )%
                                   
     
For the Three Months
                 
     
Ended March 31,
                 
        2012       2013                  
Total Revenues (in millions):
  $ 25.4     $ 21.0                  
 
RLEC
  $ 14.2     $ 13.2                  
 
CLEC
  $ 11.2     $ 7.8                  
     
(1)
We define access line equivalents as voice access lines and data access lines (including cable modems, digital subscriber lines and dedicated data access trunks).
 
(2)
Prior to December 31, 2012, TWC was the source for approximately 98% of the wholesale network connections. The TWC contract was not renewed when it expired on December 31, 2012. Substantially all of the TWC connections were ported to the TWC network during the first quarter of 2013.
 
 
In our RLEC territories, access line equivalents decreased by 771 during first quarter 2013, or 1.2%, compared to December 31, 2012. Voice access lines declined 1.7% while data access lines decreased by 0.1% during the period. We offer location specific bundled service packages, many including unlimited domestic calling, tailored to the telecommunications requirements of our customers and priced competitively.
 
In our Maine and New Hampshire CLEC operations, access line equivalents increased by 215 during first quarter 2013, or 0.6%, compared to December 31, 2012. Voice access lines increased 0.4% and data access lines increased 3.0% during the period. This increase is primarily driven by installations of our new hosted private branch exchange (“PBX”) product. Virtually all of our competitive customers are businesses, with service bundles tailored to their specific business requirements.
 
 
17

 
 
Competitive pricing and bundling of services have led our long distance service to be the choice of the majority of the customers in the rural markets we serve. In addition, almost all of our Maine and New Hampshire CLEC customers have selected us as their long distance carrier. Our cable television customers decreased 1.3% from December 31, 2012 to 4,102 as of March 31, 2013. Our other internet customers decreased 4.3% to 4,312 as of March 31, 2013 compared to December 31, 2012. 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. In Missouri, we are expanding our data access lines for digital high-speed internet in selected areas outside of our telephone service territory. Approximately 56% of the other internet customers are served by high-speed data capability from Otelco.
 
Our Rate and Pricing Structure
 
Our CLEC pricing is based on market requirements. We combine varying services to meet individual customer requirements, including technical support, and provide multi-year contracts which are both market sensitive for the customer and profitable for us. The MPUC and the NHPUC impose certain requirements on all CLECs operating in their markets for reporting and for interactions with the various incumbent local exchange and interexchange carriers. These requirements provide wide latitude in pricing services.
 
Our RLECs operate in six states and are regulated in varying degrees by the respective state regulatory authorities. The impact on pricing flexibility varies by state. In Maine, two of our wholly owned subsidiaries, Saco River Telephone LLC and Pine Tree Telephone LLC, have obtained authority to implement pricing flexibility while remaining under rate-of-return regulation. Our rates for other services we provide, including cable, long distance, data lines and dial-up and high-speed internet access, are not price regulated. The market for competitive services, such as wireless, also impacts our ability to adjust prices. With the increase of bundled services offerings, including unlimited long distance, pricing for individual services takes on reduced importance to revenue stability. We expect this trend to continue into the immediate future.
 
Categories of Operating Expenses
 
Our operating expenses are categorized as cost of services; selling, general and administrative expenses; and depreciation and amortization.
 
Cost of services. This includes expenses for salaries, wages and benefits relating to plant operation, maintenance, sales and customer service; other plant operations, maintenance and administrative costs; network access costs; and costs of services 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 relating to engineering, financial, human resources and corporate operations; information management expenses, including billing; allowance for uncollectible revenue; 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. Certain of these amortization expenses continue to be deductible for tax purposes.
 
Our Ability to Control Operating Expenses
 
We strive to control expenses in order to maintain our strong operating margins. As our revenue shifts to non-regulated services and CLEC customers, operating margins decrease reflecting the lower margins associated with these services. Reductions over time in Universal Service Fund and Intercarrier Compensation payments based on the FCC Order may not be fully offset by expense control.
 
 
18

 
 
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,
     
2012
     
2013
 
Revenues
               
Local services
   
45.9
%  
40.7
%
Network access
   
30.8
     
31.0
 
Cable television
   
3.2
     
3.7
 
Internet
   
14.7
     
17.5
 
Transport services
   
5.4
     
7.1
 
Total revenues
   
100.0
%    
100.0
%
Operating expenses
               
Cost of services
   
43.5
%  
45.2
%
Selling, general and administrative expenses
   
12.6
     
14.6
 
Depreciation and amortization
   
17.8
     
17.0
 
Total operating expenses
   
73.9
     
76.8
 
                 
Income from operations
   
26.1
     
23.2
 
                 
Other income (expense)
               
Interest expense
   
(23.0
)
   
(26.5
)
Change in fair value of derivatives
   
0.9
     
 
Reorganization items
   
     
(6.8
)
Other income
   
1.3
     
1.2
 
Total other expenses
   
(20.8
)
 
 
(32.1
)
                 
Income (loss) before income taxes
   
5.3
     
(8.9
)
                 
Income tax (expense) benefit
   
(2.1
)
 
 
0.3
 
                 
Net income (loss)
   
3.2
%    
(8.5
)%
 
Total revenues. Total revenues of $21.0 million decreased 17.3% in the three months ended March 31, 2013 from $25.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2012. The expiration of the TWC contract on December 31, 2012 was the primary reason for the decrease in revenue. The table below provides the components of our revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2013 compared to the same period of 2012.
 
   
Three Months Ended March 31,
   
Change
 
   
2012
   
2013
   
Amount
   
Percent
 
         
(dollars in thousands)
             
Local services
  $ 11,653     $ 8,542     $ (3,111 )     (26.7 )%
Network access
    7,814       6,497       (1,317 )     (16.9 )
Cable television
    805       775       (30 )     (3.7 )
Internet
    3,726       3,676       (50 )     (1.3 )
Transport services
    1,376       1,498       122       8.9  
Total
  $ 25,374     $ 20,988     $ (4,386 )     (17.3 )
 
Local services. Local services revenue decreased 26.7% in the three months ended March 31, 2013 to $8.5 million from $11.7 million in the three months ended March 31, 2012. Revenue from TWC decreased $2.0 million, reductions in intrastate calling revenue associated with the FCC Order decreased $0.3 million and one-time fiber installation revenue decreased $0.1 million. The remaining decrease is primarily related to the decline in RLEC voice access lines.
 
Network access. Network access revenue decreased 16.9% in the three months ended March 31, 2013 to $6.5 million from $7.8 million in the three months ended March 31, 2012. TWC-related access revenue declined $0.7 million. End user-related access revenue, net of payments from the new Connect America Fund, decreased $0.6 million, reflecting reduced subscriber usage and lower intrastate calling revenue associated with the FCC Order.
 
 
19

 
 
Cable television. Cable television revenue in the three months ended March 31, 2013 decreased 3.7% to just under $0.8 million compared to just over $0.8 million in the same period in 2012. Loss of basic cable subscribers was only partially offset by growth in our new security offerings.
 
Internet. Internet revenue decreased 1.3%, but remained at $3.7 million for both the three month periods ended March 31, 2013 and 2012. Growth of digital subscriber line revenues were partially offset by declines of basic internet services.
 
Transport services. Transport services revenue increased 8.9% to $1.5 million in the three months ended March 31, 2013 from $1.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2012. Growth in wide area network transport revenues were partially offset by the decline of wholesale transport services.
 
Operating expenses. Operating expenses in the three months ended March 31, 2013 decreased 14.2% to $16.1 million from $18.8 million in the three months ended March 31, 2012. The table below provides the components of our operating expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2013 compared to the same period of 2012.
 
   
Three Months Ended March 31,
   
Change
 
   
2012
   
2013
   
Amount
   
Percent
 
   
(dollars in thousands)
       
Cost of services
  $ 11,029     $ 9,477     $ (1,552 )     (14.1 )%
Selling, general and administrative expenses
    3,206       3,056       (150 )     (4.7 )
Depreciation and amortization
    4,523       3,566       (957 )     (21.2 )
Total
  $ 18,758     $ 16,099     $ (2,659 )     (14.2 )
 
Cost of services. Cost of services decreased 14.1% to $9.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2013 compared to $11.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2012. Costs associated with TWC decreased $0.4 million and network efficiencies, including lower toll and employee expenses, contributed to an additional reduction of $1.3 million. These reductions were partially offset by an increase of $0.2 million in our hosted PBX expense reflecting our continued success with this product. 
 
Selling, general and administrative expenses. Selling, general and administrative expenses decreased 4.7% to $3.1 million in the three months ended March 31, 2013 from $3.2 million in the three months ended March 31, 2012. Cost savings initiatives including workforce reductions decreased selling, general and administrative expense by $0.5 million. Bad debt expense increased $0.2 million and insurance expense increased $0.1 million compared to the three months ended March 31, 2012.
 
Depreciation and amortization. Depreciation and amortization for the three months ended March 31, 2013 decreased 21.2% to $3.6 million from $4.5 million in the three months ended March 31, 2012. Depreciation and amortization of property and equipment decreased to $2.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2013 from $3.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2012. Amortization of intangible assets decreased to $1.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2013 from $1.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2012.
 
Other income (expense). Changes in other operating statement lines are explained below.
 
   
Three Months Ended March 31,
   
Change
   
2012
   
2013
   
Amount
   
Percent
   
(dollars in thousands)
         
Interest expense
  $ (5,834 )   $ (5,554 )   $ (280 )     (4.8
)%
 
Change in fair value of derivatives
    241             (241 )  
NM
   
Reorganization items
          (1,424 )     (1,424 )  
NM
   
Other income
    318       243       (75 )     23.6    
Income tax (expense) benefit
    (524 )     72       596    
NM
   
 
Interest expense. Interest expense decreased 4.8% to $5.6 million in the three months ended March 31, 2013 from $5.8 million in the three months ended March 31, 2012. The decrease in interest expense was primarily driven by the lower effective interest rate on the outstanding balance on our senior long-term notes payable upon expiration of our interest rate swaps on February 8, 2012. Increased interest expense relating to the deferral of interest on our subordinated debt was more than offset by the interest expense that was not accrued on our subordinated debt subsequent to the petition date.
 
Change in fair value of derivatives. As was required by our senior credit facility, we had two interest rate swap agreements intended to hedge our exposure to changes in interest rate costs associated with that facility. The swap agreements did not qualify for hedge accounting under the technical requirements of Accounting Standards Codification 815, Derivatives and Hedging. Changes in value for the two swaps are reflected in change in the fair value of derivatives on the statements of operations and have no impact on cash. Over the life of the swaps, the change in value was zero, with no cumulative impact on net income or operations. The value of the swaps increased $0.2 million in first quarter 2012. The swaps expired on February 8, 2012, effectively lowering our interest rate beginning February 9, 2012 from approximately 2% to the current LIBOR rate.
 
 
20

 
 
Reorganization items. During first quarter 2013, we incurred reorganization items of $1.4 million. All $1.4 million of reorganization items are associated with legal and advisory fees directly related to the Reorganization Cases. There were no reorganization items incurred for the three months ended March 31, 2012.
 
Other income. Other income of $0.2 million in the three months ended March 31, 2013 was nominally lower than other income for the three months ended March 31, 2012, reflecting slightly lower CoBank dividends and interest income on invested cash.
 
Income tax (expense) benefit. Provision for income taxes for the three months ended March 31, 2013 was a benefit of $0.1 million compared to an expense of $0.5 in the three months ended March 31, 2012.
 
Net income. As a result of the foregoing, there was net loss of $1.8 million in the three months ended March 31, 2013 and net income of $0.8 in the three months ended March 31, 2012.
 
Liquidity and Capital Resources
 
Our liquidity needs arise primarily from: (i) interest payments related to our senior credit facility; (ii) capital expenditures; and (iii) working capital requirements. Upon the effectiveness of the Plan, our liquidity needs will also arise from principal payments related to our senior credit facility. In addition, upon the effectiveness of the Plan, we will be prohibited from paying cash dividends on our common stock. Although we currently expect the Plan to become effective by the end of May 2013, there can be no assurance that the conditions precedent to the Plan and the Confirmation Order will be satisfied by that time, or at all.
 
For the three months ended March 31, 2013, we generated cash from our business to invest in additional property and equipment and pay interest on our senior debt. After meeting these needs of our business, cash increased from $32.5 million at December 31, 2012 to $34.3 million at March 31, 2013. Upon the effectiveness of the Plan, we will be required to pay the greater of (i) $20 million and (ii) all of our available cash above $5 million to the lenders under our senior credit facility. Although we currently expect the Plan to become effective by the end of May 2013, there can be no assurance that the conditions precedent to the Plan and the Confirmation Order will be satisfied by that time, or at all.
 
Cash flows from operating activities for the first three months of 2013 amounted to $3.7 million compared to $7.3 million for the first three months of 2012. See the table below regarding cash generation and cash utilization.
 
Cash flows used in investing activities for the first three months of 2013 were $0.8 million compared to $1.3 million in the first three months of 2012. The lower rate of capital expenditures for property and equipment in the first three months of 2013 accounted for the difference.
 
Cash flows used in financing activities for the first three months of 2013 were $1.1 million compared to $2.4 million for the first three months of 2012. In first quarter 2012, the Company declared and paid dividends to holders of its common stock amounting to $2.4 million. The dividends were paid at a rate of $0.17625 per common share. We ceased paying dividends on our common stock in April 2012. In the first three months of 2013, we paid $1.1 million in expenses relating to the amendment to our senior credit facility that we expect to enter into upon the effectiveness of the Plan, as compared to nominal amounts paid in the first three months of 2012.
 
We do not invest in financial instruments as part of our business strategy. The Company had two interest rate swaps that expired on February 8, 2012. From an accounting perspective, the documentation for the swaps did not meet the technical requirements of ASC 815 to allow the swaps to be considered highly effective as hedging instruments and therefore the swaps did not qualify for hedge accounting.
 
We also have received patronage shares, primarily from one of our 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 $1.5 million, or approximately 34% of their issued value.
 
Assuming that the Plan becomes effective, we anticipate that our operating cash flow will be adequate to meet our currently anticipated operating and capital expenditure requirements for at least the next 12 months. Although we currently expect the Plan to become effective by the end of May 2013, there can be no assurance that the conditions precedent to the Plan and the Confirmation Order will be satisfied by that time, or at all.
 
 
21

 
 
The following table provides a summary of the extent to which cash generated from operations was reinvested in our operations, used to pay interest on our senior debt and senior subordinated notes or distributed as dividends to our stockholders for the periods indicated:
 
   
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
   
2012
   
2013
 
   
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Cash generation
           
Revenues
  $ 25,374     $ 20,988  
Other income
    318       243  
Cash received from operations
  $ 25,692     $ 21,231  
Cost of services
  $ 11,029     $ 9,477  
Selling, general and administrative expenses
    3,206       3,056  
Cash consumed by operations
  $ 14,235     $ 12,533  
Cash generated from operations
  $ 11,457     $ 8,698  
Cash utilization
               
Capital investment in operations
  $ 1,303     $ 799  
Senior debt interest and fees
    1,993       1,823  
Interest on senior subordinated notes
    3,499        
Dividends
    2,330        
Cash utilized by the Company
  $ 9,125     $ 2,622  
                 
Percentage cash utilized of cash generated
    79.6 %     30.1 %
 
We use adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“Adjusted EBITDA”) as an operational performance measurement. Adjusted EBITDA, as presented in this Form 10-Q, corresponds to the definition of Adjusted EBITDA in our senior credit facility. Adjusted EBITDA, as presented in this Form 10-Q, is a supplemental measure of our performance that is not required by, or presented in accordance with, accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“U.S. GAAP”). Our senior credit facility requires that we report performance in this format each quarter and involved lending institutions utilize this measure to determine compliance with credit facility requirements. We report Adjusted EBITDA in our quarterly earnings press release to allow current and potential investors to understand this performance metric and because we believe that it provides current and potential investors with helpful information with respect to our operating performance and cash flows. However, Adjusted EBITDA should not be considered as an alternative to net income or any other performance measures derived in accordance with U.S. GAAP or as an alternative to net cash provided by operating activities as a measure of our liquidity. Our presentation of Adjusted EBITDA may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies. Adjusted EBITDA for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2013, and its reconciliation to net income (loss), is reflected in the table below:
 
   
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
   
2012
   
2013
 
Net income (loss)
  $ 818     $ (1,774 )
Add:  Depreciation
    2,729       2,380  
          Interest expense - net of premium
    5,491       5,212  
          Interest expense - amortize loan cost
    342       342  
          Income tax (expense) benefit
    524       (72 )
          Change in fair value of derivatives
    (241 )      
          Loan fees
    19       19  
          Amortization - intangibles
    1,794       1,186  
          IXC tariff dispute settlement
          69  
          Reorganization items
          1,424  
Adjusted EBITDA(1)
  $ 11,476     $ 8,786  
 
(1)
Adjusted EBITDA represents adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization and corresponds to the definition of Adjusted EBITDA in our senior credit facility.
 
 
 
22

 

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 derivative or commodity type instruments. Accordingly, we are subject to minimal market risk on our investments.
 
The filing of the Reorganization Cases terminated the revolving loan commitments under our senior credit facility. Upon the effectiveness of the Plan, among other things, revolving loan commitments of up to $5.0 million will be reinstated under our senior credit facility and those commitments will be extended to April 30, 2016. Although we currently expect the Plan to become effective by the end of May 2013, there can be no assurance that the conditions precedent to the Plan and the Confirmation Order will be satisfied by that time, or at all.
 
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 the Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of March 31, 2013.
 
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, 2013 that materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
 
 
23

 
PART II  OTHER INFORMATION
 
Item 1.   Legal Proceedings
 
As previously reported in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012, on the Petition Date, the Company and each of its direct and indirect subsidiaries filed the Reorganization Cases in the Bankruptcy Court in order to effectuate the Plan. As previously reported in our Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 6, 2013, on May 6, 2013, the Bankruptcy Court entered the Confirmation Order confirming the Plan. The Reorganization Cases are being jointly administered under the caption “In re Otelco Inc., et al.,” Case No. 13-10593. During the pendency of the Reorganization Cases, we will continue to operate our business as a “debtor-in-possession” under the jurisdiction of the Bankruptcy Court and in accordance with the applicable provisions of the Bankruptcy Code and the orders of the Bankruptcy Court. Although the Bankruptcy Court entered the Confirmation Order on May 6, 2013, the Plan is not yet effective. The Plan and the Confirmation Order contain certain conditions precedent to the effectiveness of the Plan. Although we currently expect the Plan to become effective by the end of May 2013, there can be no assurance that the conditions precedent to the Plan and the Confirmation Order will be satisfied by that time, or at all.
 
Item 6.   Exhibits
 
Exhibits
 
See Exhibit Index.
 
 
24

 
 
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, 2013
OTELCO INC.
 
       
 
By:
/s/ Curtis L. Garner, Jr.  
   
Curtis L. Garner, Jr.
 
   
Chief Financial Officer
 
 
 
25

 
 
EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit No.
 
Description
     
31.1
 
Certificate pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a) under 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) under 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
     
101
 
The following information from the Company’s quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2013 formatted in Extensible Business Reporting Language (XBRL): (i) Consolidated Balance Sheets; (ii) Consolidated Statements of Operations; (iii) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows; and (iv) Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 
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