UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-Q

 

(Mark One)

 

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

 

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2012

 

OR

 

  £ 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 001-33117

 

GLOBALSTAR, INC.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

 

Delaware   41-2116508
(State or Other Jurisdiction of   (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
Incorporation or Organization)    

 

300 Holiday Square Blvd.

Covington, Louisiana 70433

(Address of principal executive offices and zip code)

 

(985) 335-1500

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code

 

Indicate by check mark if the Registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes ¨ No x

 

Indicate by check mark if the Registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes ¨No x

 

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

 

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 ¨

 

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 ¨   Accelerated filer x
     
Non-accelerated filer ¨   Smaller reporting company  ¨
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)    

 

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

 

As of October 26, 2012, 305,985,723 shares of voting common stock and 127,105,723 shares of nonvoting common stock were outstanding. Unless the context otherwise requires, references to common stock in this Report mean Registrant’s voting common stock. 

 

 
 

 

 

GLOBALSTAR, INC.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

  Page
   
PART I -  Financial Information  
     
Item 1. Financial Statements 3
     
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations 33
     
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk 44
     
Item 4. Controls and Procedures 44
     
PART II -  Other Information  
     
Item 1A. Risk Factors 45
     
Item 6. Exhibits 46
     
Signatures 47

 

2
 

 

GLOBALSTAR, INC.

 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(In thousands, except per share data)

(Unaudited)

 

   Three Months Ended   Nine Months Ended 
   September 30,   September 30,   September 30,   September 30, 
   2012   2011   2012   2011 
                 
Revenue:                    
Service revenues  $15,368   $14,198   $42,146   $41,774 
Subscriber equipment sales   5,169    3,989    15,110    13,666 
Total revenue   20,537    18,187    57,256    55,440 
Operating expenses:                    
Cost of services (exclusive of depreciation, amortization, and accretion shown separately below)   5,558    8,332    16,715    22,684 
Cost of subscriber equipment sales   4,040    2,871    10,465    9,321 
Cost of subscriber equipment sales – reduction in the value of inventory   660    979    957    1,401 
Marketing, general, and administrative   9,280    12,249    26,565    34,004 
Reduction in the value of long-lived assets       3,038    7,218    3,484 
Contract termination charge           22,048     
Depreciation, amortization, and accretion   18,654    12,106    49,277    35,512 
Total operating expenses   38,192    39,575    133,245    106,406 
Loss from operations   (17,655)   (21,388)   (75,989)   (50,966)
Other income (expense):                    
Interest income and expense, net of amounts capitalized   (6,565)   (1,232)   (13,396)   (3,599)
Derivative gain (loss)   (16,473)   23,793    (2,562)   34,090 
Other   (439)   (1,876)   (938)   (573)
Total other income (expense)   (23,477)   20,685    (16,896)   29,918 
Loss before income taxes   (41,132)   (703)   (92,885)   (21,048)
Income tax benefit (expense)   56    (22)   361    167 
Net loss  $(41,188)  $(681)  $(93,246)  $(21,215)
Loss per common share:                    
Basic  $(0.10)  $(0.00)  $(0.25)  $(0.07)
Diluted   (0.10)   (0.00)   (0.25)   (0.07)
Weighted-average shares outstanding:                    
Basic   392,344    295,513    376,518    294,519 
Diluted   392,344    295,513    376,518    294,519 
                     
Comprehensive loss  $(40,069)  $(815)  $(91,578)  $(21,356)

 

See accompanying notes to unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements.

  

3
 

 

GLOBALSTAR, INC.

 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In thousands, except par value and share data)

 

   (Unaudited)   (Audited) 
   September 30,
 2012
   December 31,
2011
 
ASSETS          
Current assets:          
Cash and cash equivalents  $1,219   $9,951 
Restricted cash   50,426     
Accounts receivable, net of allowance of $7,328 and $7,296, respectively   13,601    12,393 
Inventory   43,045    41,848 
Deferred financing costs, current   36,911     
Prepaid expenses and other current assets   5,785    5,281 
Total current assets   150,987    69,473 
Property and equipment, net   1,226,314    1,217,718 
Restricted cash       46,776 
Deferred financing costs   10,528    53,482 
Advances for inventory   9,158    9,158 
Intangible and other assets, net   7,122    23,798 
Total assets  $1,404,109   $1,420,405 
           
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY          
Current liabilities:          
Current portion of long-term debt  $651,909   $ 
Accounts payable, including contractor payables of $33,455 and $32,275, respectively   42,755    47,808 
Accrued contract termination charge   22,048     
Accrued expenses   29,513    28,806 
Payables to affiliates   231    378 
Deferred revenue   16,417    14,588 
Total current liabilities   762,873    91,580 
Long-term debt, less current portion   90,204    723,888 
Employee benefit obligations   7,152    7,407 
Derivative liabilities   34,720    38,996 
Deferred revenue   7,730    7,295 
Other non-current liabilities   17,357    17,444 
Total non-current liabilities   157,163    795,030 
           
Commitments and contingences (Notes 8 and 9)          
           
Stockholders’ equity:          
Preferred Stock of $0.0001 par value; 100,000,000 shares authorized and none issued and outstanding at September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011:          
Series A Preferred Convertible Stock of $0.0001 par value, one share authorized and  none issued and outstanding at September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011        
Voting Common Stock of $0.0001 par value; 865,000,000 shares authorized; 305,968,821 and 297,175,777 shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively   30    30 
Nonvoting Common Stock of $0.0001 par value. 135,000,000 shares authorized; 106,767,684 and 55,881,512 shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively   11    5 
Additional paid-in capital   834,434    792,584 
Accumulated other comprehensive loss   (1,432)   (3,100)
Retained deficit   (348,970)   (255,724)
Total stockholders’ equity   484,073    533,795 
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity  $1,404,109   $1,420,405 

 

 See accompanying notes to unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

4
 

 

GLOBALSTAR, INC.

 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(In thousands)

(Unaudited)

 

   Nine Months Ended 
   September 30,
 2012
   September 30,
 2011
 
         
Cash flows provided by (used in) operating activities:          
Net loss  $(93,246)  $(21,215)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash from operating activities:          
Depreciation, amortization, and accretion   49,277    35,512 
Change in fair value of derivative assets and liabilities   2,562    (34,090)
Stock-based compensation expense   585    1,908 
Amortization of deferred financing costs   2,498    2,734 
Provisions for bad debt   695    2,245 
Contingent reimbursements   106    1,853 
Noncash interest expense   9,415     
Reduction in the value of long-lived assets and equipment   8,176    4,885 
Contract termination charge   22,048     
Foreign currency and other, net   1,843    1,569 
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:          
Accounts receivable   (1,919)   (1,955)
Inventory   (240)   3,240 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets   1,459    (1,395)
Other assets   6,253    (831)
Accounts payable and accrued expenses   360    (2,202)
Payables to affiliates   (147)   (500)
Other non-current liabilities   (1,093)   (2,546)
Deferred revenue   2,246    (62)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities   10,878    (10,850)
Cash flows used in investing activities:          
Second-generation satellites, ground and related launch costs   (43,305)   (71,212)
Property and equipment additions   (382)   (2,385)
Investment in businesses   (450)   (500)
Restricted cash   (3,650)   (10,436)
Net cash used in investing activities   (47,787)   (84,533)
Cash flows from financing activities:          
Borrowings from Facility Agreement   5,008    18,659 
Proceeds from contingent equity agreement   23,000     
Proceeds from issuance of common stock and exercise of warrants   100    526 
Proceeds from the issuance of 5.0% convertible notes       38,000 
Borrowings from subordinated loan agreement       12,500 
Payment of deferred financing costs   (250)   (925)
Net cash from financing activities   27,858    68,760 
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash   319    (314)
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents   (8,732)   (26,937)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period   9,951    33,017 
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period  $1,219   $6,080 
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:          
Cash paid for:          
Interest  $18,958   $19,097 
Income taxes   216    82 
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash financing and investing activities:          
Reduction in accrued second-generation satellites and ground costs   4,646    3,992 
Increase in capitalized accrued interest for second-generation satellites and ground costs   4,309    1,117 
Capitalization of the accretion of debt discount and amortization of prepaid finance costs   6,786    17,962 
Capitalized interest paid in common stock on the 5% and 8% Notes   2,874    1,799 
Conversion of convertible notes into common stock   2,000    1,000 
Payments made in Common Stock   1,755    1,740 
Reduction in assets and liabilities due to note conversions and warrant exercises   1,812    1,538 
Conversion of contingent equity account derivative liability to equity   5,853    5,955 
Value of warrants issued in connection with the contingent equity account loan fee   2,226    8,318 
Recognition of a beneficial conversion feature on long-term debt       17,100 
Value of warrants issued in connection with raising capital and debt       8,081 
Recognition of contingent reimbursement       1,852 

 

See accompanying notes to unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements.  

 

5
 

 

GLOBALSTAR, INC.

 

NOTES TO UNAUDITED INTERIM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

1. BASIS OF PRESENTATION

 

The Company has prepared the accompanying unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“GAAP”) for interim financial information. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally in financial statements have been condensed or omitted pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission; however, management believes the disclosures made are adequate to make the information presented not misleading. These financial statements and notes should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in Globalstar, Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011 and Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations herein.

 

The preparation of condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. The Company evaluates estimates on an ongoing basis. Significant estimates include the value of derivative instruments, the allowance for doubtful accounts, the net realizable value of inventory, the useful life and value of property and equipment, the value of stock-based compensation, the reserve for product warranties, and income taxes. Actual results could differ from these estimates.

 

All significant intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in the consolidation. In the opinion of management, such information includes all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring adjustments, that are necessary for a fair presentation of the Company’s condensed consolidated statements of operations, condensed consolidated balance sheets, and condensed consolidated statements of cash flows for the periods presented. These unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Globalstar and its majority owned or otherwise controlled subsidiaries. The results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the full year or any future period.

 

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

 

In December 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2011-12, “Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Deferral of the Effective Date for Amendments to the Presentation of Reclassifications of Items Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income in Accounting Standards Update No. 2011-05.” This ASU defers the changes in ASU 2011-05 that relate to the presentation of reclassification adjustments and supersedes certain pending paragraphs. ASU 2011-12 will be applied retrospectively. ASU 2011-12 is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2011. This adoption has been reflected in the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

In June 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-05, “Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Presentation of Comprehensive Income.” This ASU amends the FASB Accounting Standards Codification (“Codification”) to allow an entity the option to present the total of comprehensive income, the components of net income, and the components of other comprehensive income either in a single continuous statement of comprehensive income or in two separate but consecutive statements. In both choices, an entity is required to present each component of net income along with total net income, each component of other comprehensive income along with a total for other comprehensive income, and a total amount for comprehensive income. ASU 2011-05 eliminates the option to present the components of other comprehensive income as part of the statement of changes in stockholders’ equity. The amendments to the Codification in the ASU do not change the items that must be reported in other comprehensive income or when an item of other comprehensive income must be reclassified to net income. ASU 2011-05 will be applied retrospectively. ASU 2011-05 is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2011. This adoption has been reflected in the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

In May 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-04, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Amendments to Achieve Common Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure Requirements in U.S. GAAP and IFRSs. The amendments in this ASU generally represent clarification of Topic 820, but also include instances where a particular principle or requirement for measuring fair value or disclosing information about fair value measurements has changed. This update results in common principles and requirements for measuring fair value and for disclosing information about fair value measurements in accordance with GAAP and IFRS. The amendments are effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2011 and are to be applied prospectively. This adoption did not have an impact on the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

6
 

 

2. MANAGEMENT'S PLANS REGARDING FUTURE OPERATIONS

 

In each of the last three years and the nine months ended September 30, 2012, the Company has generated operating losses, which has adversely affected the Company’s liquidity. These operating losses were caused primarily by the deterioration of the Company’s first-generation satellite constellation and delays in the launch and deployment of its second-generation satellites, which in turn reduced its ability to provide reliable Duplex service to its customers. In response to these circumstances, the Company developed a plan to improve operations; complete the launches of the remaining second-generation satellites; complete the construction, deployment and activation of additional second-generation satellites and next-generation ground upgrades; and obtain additional financing.

 

As further described below, the Company has taken the following steps pursuant to its plan.

 

  Reduced operating expenses by, among other things, streamlining its supply chain and other operations, consolidating its world-wide operations, including the completion of the relocation of its corporate headquarters to Covington, Louisiana, and simplifying its product offerings.

 

  Increased revenues by transitioning legacy Duplex customers to more profitable plans and by streamlining its Simplex and SPOT product offerings and targeting them to the consumer and enterprise markets.

 

  Successfully launched 18 second-generation satellites.

 

  Issued $38.0 million in 5.0% Notes and drew $37.2 million from its contingent equity account.

 

  Obtained lender agreement to defer principal payments previously due to begin in June 2012 to June 2013 on its senior secured facility agreement (the “Facility Agreement”).

 

  Obtained the required licensing to activate its ground stations in North America, permitting call traffic with its second-generation satellites.

 

  Settled disputes with Thales Alenia Space (“Thales”) regarding prior contractual issues and entered into an agreement with Thales for the manufacture and delivery of six additional second-generation satellites.

  

  Completed negotiations with Arianespace regarding additional expenses associated with previous launch delays, thus permitting continued preparation for the Company’s fourth launch scheduled for the first quarter of 2013.

 

  Received an extension of its NASDAQ listing on the Capital Market of the NASDAQ Stock Market through the end of 2012.

 

  Entered into initial agreements with third parties to restart operations at existing Globalstar gateways around the world to increase commercial coverage.

 

  Successfully uploaded the AOCS software solution to the final previously launched satellite, which the Company intends to place into service in the near future. This will permit any satellite, if affected by a momentum wheel issue, to continue to operate.

 

The Company believes that these actions, combined with additional actions included in its operating plan, will result in improved cash flows from operations, provided the significant uncertainties further described in the last two paragraphs of this footnote are successfully resolved. These additional actions include, among other things, the following:

 

  Completing the deployment of its second-generation constellation by launching six more second-generation satellites in the first quarter of 2013.

 

  Engaging in a proceeding before the FCC to receive authority to utilize the Company’s spectrum to offer terrestrial communications services separate and apart from, but coordinated with, its satellite-based communications services.

 

  Continuing to identify and pursue opportunities to construct new gateways in areas of the world where the Company has not previously operated.

 

  Continuing to pursue numerous opportunities in the field of aviation; including next-generation “space-based” air traffic management services, in association with our technology partner, ADS-B Technologies, LLC.

 

  Completing the second-generation ground infrastructure upgrades that will permit the Company to offer a new suite of consumer and enterprise products that leverage our new, inexpensive chip architecture.

 

  Completing the financing and purchase of the additional six second-generation satellites beyond the first 24 from Thales.

 

7
 

 

  Continuing to control operating expenses while redirecting available resources to the marketing and sales of product offerings.

 

  Improving its key business processes and leveraging its information technology platform.

 

  Implementing sales and marketing programs designed to take advantage of the continued expansion of the Company’s Duplex coverage.

 

  Introducing new and innovative Simplex and Duplex products to the market that will further drive sales volume and revenue.

 

Despite continued improvements in the Company’s operations, it does not have sufficient cash on hand, cash flows from operations, and available funds in its contingent equity account to meet its existing contractual obligations over the next 12 months. The Company is currently seeking additional external financing and amendments to its existing debt obligations, including the Facility and the 5.75% Convertible Senior Unsecured Notes (the “5.75% Notes”) and certain other contractual obligations. In addition, substantial uncertainties remain related to the outcome of the fourth launch of six second-generation satellites, the Company’s noncompliance with certain of the Facility’s covenants (see Note 4 for further discussion), the remaining useful life of the first-generation satellites still in service and the impact and timing of the Company’s plans to improve operating cash flows and to restructure its contractual obligations. If the resolution of these uncertainties materially and negatively impacts cash and liquidity, the Company’s ability to continue to execute its business plans will be adversely affected.

 

Further, the Company’s longer-term business plan includes launching additional second-generation satellites in addition to the first 24, making improvements to its ground infrastructure, and releasing new products. To execute these longer-term plans successfully, the Company will need to obtain additional external financing to fund these expenditures. Although the Company is seeking such financing and is continuing to address requirements with contractors, there is no guarantee that these efforts will be successful given the scope, complexity, cost and risk of completing the construction of the space and ground components of its second-generation constellation and the development of marketable new products. Accordingly, the Company is not in a position to provide an estimate when, or if, these longer-term plans will be completed and the effect this will have on the Company’s performance and liquidity.

 

8
 

 

3.  PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT

 

Property and equipment consist of the following (in thousands):

 

   September 30,   December 31, 
   2012   2011 
Globalstar System:          
Space component  $931,936   $532,487 
Ground component   49,040    49,109 
Construction in progress:          
Space component   294,093    650,920 
Ground component   84,240    80,071 
Prepaid long-lead items and other   18,135    18,028 
Total Globalstar System   1,377,444    1,330,615 
Internally developed and purchased software   14,140    14,052 
Equipment   12,625    12,333 
Land and buildings   4,021    4,152 
Leasehold improvements   1,481    1,402 
    1,409,711    1,362,554 
Accumulated depreciation and amortization   (183,397)   (144,836)
   $1,226,314   $1,217,718 

 

 Contracts

 

The following table presents the core contract prices for the construction of the first 24 satellites of the Company’s second-generation constellation, related launch services and ground upgrades (in thousands):

  

   Contract 
   Price 
Thales second-generation satellites  $622,690 
Arianespace launch services   216,000 
Launch insurance   39,903 
Hughes next-generation ground component   104,597 
Ericsson next-generation ground network   29,036 
Total  $1,012,226 

 

As of September 30, 2012, the Company had incurred $945.6 million of costs under these contracts, including contracts payable and accrued expenses of $23.8 million, excluding interest.  Of the amounts incurred, the Company had capitalized $940.1 million and expensed $5.5 million of research and development costs. The table above does not include any amounts for the manufacture and launch of six additional second-generation satellites, as discussed further below.

 

Second-Generation Satellites

 

The Company has a contract with Thales for the construction of the Company’s second-generation low-earth orbit satellites and related services. The Company has launched 18 of the 24 second-generation satellites and plans to launch the remaining six satellites in the first quarter of 2013; however, this plan is subject to numerous factors that are outside of the Company’s control.

 

In June 2012, the Company and Thales agreed to settle their prior commercial disputes including those disputes which were the subject of a May 2012 arbitration award.

 

In September 2012, the Company entered into an agreement with Thales for the manufacture and delivery of six additional satellites for the Globalstar second-generation constellation. The purchase price for the six satellites, certain software upgrades and related services is €149.9 million, with an initial payment due upon the close of financing and subsequent payments due over a 34-month period subject to Thales’ reaching construction milestones. Neither party is obligated to perform under the contract until Globalstar obtains financing for at least 85% of the total contract price, among other conditions. See Note 9 for further discussion.

 

In accordance with its plans, during October 2012, the Company successfully uploaded the AOCS software solution to the second-generation satellite that was previously taken out of service due to anomalous behavior with its momentum wheels. The Company intends to place this satellite into service in the near future. Although the Company does not expect this problem to arise in other satellites, this software solution can be uploaded to any satellite that may experience similar anomalous behaviors with its momentum wheels.

 

9
 

 

For assets that are no longer providing service, the Company removes the estimated cost and accumulated depreciation from property and equipment. During the second quarter of 2012, the Company reduced the carrying value of its first-generation constellation by approximately $7.1 million. This loss is recorded in operating expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2012.

 

The Company has a contract with Arianespace for the launch of the Company’s second-generation satellites and certain pre and post-launch services under which Arianespace agreed to make four launches of six satellites each. As previously disclosed, the Company was negotiating with Arianespace regarding certain additional costs related to prior launches. In September 2012, the Company completed these negotiations. All amounts owed to Arianespace for these prior launch costs are included in accounts payable as of September 30, 2012.

 

Next-Generation Gateways and Other Ground Facilities

 

In May 2008, the Company and Hughes entered into an agreement under which Hughes agreed to design, supply and implement (a) the Radio Access Network (RAN) ground network equipment and software upgrades for installation at a number of the Company’s satellite gateway ground stations and (b) satellite interface chips to be a part of the User Terminal Subsystem (UTS) in various next-generation Globalstar devices. The Company and Hughes have amended this agreement extending the performance, revising certain payment milestones and adding new features. The Company has the option to purchase additional RANs and other software and hardware improvements at pre-negotiated prices. The Company and Hughes have also amended their agreement to extend the deadline to make certain scheduled payments previously due under the contract. See Note 8 for further discussion.

 

In October 2008, the Company entered into an agreement with Ericsson, a leading global provider of technology and services to telecom operators. The Company and Ericsson have amended this contract to increase the Company’s obligations for additional deliverables and features. According to the contract, Ericsson will work with the Company to develop, implement and maintain a ground interface, or core network, system that will be installed at the Company’s satellite gateway ground stations. The Company has the option to purchase additional core networks at pre-negotiated prices. The Company and Ericsson have amended their agreement to extend the deadline to make certain scheduled payments previously due under the contract. See Note 8 for further discussion.

 

Capitalized Interest and Depreciation Expense

 

The following tables summarize capitalized interest for the periods indicated below (in thousands):

 

   As of 
   September 30, 
2012
   December 31, 
2011
 
           
Total Interest Capitalized  $209,533   $176,361 

 

   Three Months Ended   Nine Months Ended 
    

September 30, 

2012

    

September 30, 

2011

    September 30,
2012
    September 30,
2011
 
                     
Current Period Interest Capitalized  $8,234   $14,221   $33,172   $39,823 

 

The following table summarizes depreciation expense for the periods indicated below (in thousands):

 

   Three Months Ended   Nine Months Ended 
   September 30, 
2012
   September 30, 
2011
   September 30,
2012
   September 30,
2011
 
                     
Depreciation Expense  $17,964   $12,078   $47,542   $33,550 

 

10
 

 

 4. BORROWINGS

 

Long-term debt consists of the following (in thousands):

 

   September 30, 2012   December 31, 2011 
   Principal   Carrying   Principal   Carrying 
   Amount   Value   Amount   Value 
                 
Facility Agreement  $583,303   $583,303   $578,295   $578,295 
Subordinated Loan   51,891    48,099    47,384    43,255 
5.0% Convertible Senior Unsecured Notes   39,922    15,268    38,949    13,077 
8.00% Convertible Senior Unsecured Notes   46,846    26,837    47,516    25,203 
5.75% Convertible Senior Unsecured Notes   71,804    68,606    71,804    64,058 
Total debt   793,766    742,113    783,948    723,888 
Less: current portion   655,107    651,909         
Long-term debt  $138,659   $90,204   $783,948   $723,888 

 

Facility Agreement

 

The Company has a $586.3 million Facility Agreement, as amended, that is scheduled to mature 84 months after the first repayment date. Scheduled semi-annual principal repayments will begin on June 30, 2013. The facility bears interest at a floating LIBOR rate, plus a margin of 2.07% through December 2012, increasing to 2.25% through December 2017 and 2.40% thereafter. Ninety-five percent of the Company’s obligations under the Facility Agreement are guaranteed by COFACE, the French export credit agency. The Company’s obligations under the facility are guaranteed on a senior secured basis by all of its domestic subsidiaries and are secured by a first priority lien on substantially all of the assets of the Company and its domestic subsidiaries (other than their FCC licenses), including patents and trademarks, 100% of the equity of the Company’s domestic subsidiaries and 65% of the equity of certain foreign subsidiaries.  The Facility Agreement contains customary events of default and requires that the Company satisfy various financial and nonfinancial covenants. As a result of satellite delivery delays, the Company has entered into various amendments and waivers to the Facility Agreement, including amendments to covenant levels specified in the Facility Agreement and other administrative items.

 

During the second quarter of 2012, the Company received two reservation of rights letters from the COFACE Agent identifying potential existing defaults of certain non-financial provisions of the Facility Agreement that may have occurred as a result of the Thales arbitration ruling and the subsequent settlement agreements reached with Thales related to the arbitration. The letters indicated that the lenders were evaluating their position with respect to the potential defaults. During the evaluation process, the lenders did not permit funding of the remaining $3.0 million available under the Facility Agreement for the remaining milestone payments to Thales or allow the Company to draw from its Contingent Equity Account.

 

On October 12, 2012, the Company entered into Waiver Letter No. 11, which permitted the Company to make a draw from the Contingent Equity Account. The waiver letter acknowledged the conclusion by the lenders that events of default did occur as a result of the Company entering into settlement agreements with Thales related to the arbitration ruling. As of the date these financial statements were issued, the COFACE Agent had not notified the Company of its intention to accelerate the debt; however, the borrowings have been shown as current on the September 30, 2012 balance sheet in accordance with applicable accounting rules. Globalstar is currently working with the lenders to obtain all necessary waivers or amendments associated with any default issues. On October 24, 2012, the lenders permitted funding of $2.4 million of the amounts available under the Facility Agreement to make a milestone payment to Thales.

 

Due to the launch delays, the Company expects that it may not be in compliance with certain financial and nonfinancial covenants specified in the Facility Agreement during the next 12 months.  If the Company cannot obtain either a waiver or an amendment, the failure to comply would represent an event of default. An event of default under the Facility Agreement would permit acceleration of indebtedness under the Facility. That acceleration would permit acceleration of the Company’s obligations under other agreements that contain cross-acceleration provisions.

  

Contingent Equity Agreement

 

The Company has a Contingent Equity Agreement with Thermo whereby Thermo agreed to deposit $60 million into a contingent equity account to fulfill a condition precedent for borrowing under the Facility Agreement. Under the terms of the Facility Agreement, the Company has the right to make draws from this account if and to the extent it has an actual or projected deficiency in its ability to meet obligations due within a forward-looking 90-day period. Thermo has pledged the contingent equity account to secure the Company’s obligations under the Facility Agreement.

 

The Contingent Equity Agreement provides that the Company will pay Thermo an availability fee of 10% per year for maintaining funds in the contingent equity account. This annual fee is payable solely in warrants entitling the holder to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock at $0.01 per share during a five-year exercise period from issuance. The number of shares issuable under the warrants is calculated by taking the outstanding funds available in the contingent equity account multiplied by 10% divided by the lower of the Company’s common stock price on the issuance date or $1.37, but not to be lower than $0.20. Prior to June 19, 2012, the common stock price was subject to a reset provision on certain valuation dates subsequent to issuance whereby the warrant price used in the calculation was the lower of the warrant price on the issuance date or the Company’s common stock price on the valuation date. The Company determined that the warrants issued in conjunction with the availability fee were derivatives and recorded the value of the derivatives as a component of other non-current liabilities at issuance. The offset was recorded in other assets and was amortized over the one-year availability period. The warrants issued on June 19, 2012 are not subject to a reset provision subsequent to issuance. The value of the warrants issued was recorded as equity and the offset was recorded in other assets and is being amortized over the one-year availability period.

 

11
 

 

When the Company draws on the contingent equity account, it issues Thermo a number of shares of common stock calculated using a price per share equal to 80% of the average closing price of the common stock for the 15 trading days immediately preceding the draw. The 20% discount on the value of the shares issued to Thermo is recognized as a deferred financing cost and is amortized over the remaining term of the Facility Agreement. Amounts can only be withdrawn from the account provided that no default has occurred and is continuing under the Facility Agreement. Thermo may withdraw undrawn amounts in the account after December 31, 2014.

 

The following table summarizes the balance of and the draws on the contingent equity account (dollars in thousands) and the related warrants and shares issued to Thermo since origination of the agreement as of September 30, 2012:

 

    Available      Warrants   Shares 
    Amount   Draws   Issued   Issued 
June 19, 2009 (1)   $60,000   $    4,379,562     
December 31, 2009 (2)    60,000        2,516,990     
June 19, 2010 (1)    60,000        4,379,562     
June 19, 2011 (2)    60,000        620,438     
June 19, 2011 (1)    60,000        5,000,000     
November 4, 2011(3)    54,600    5,400        11,376,404 
November 30, 2011 (3)    45,800    8,800        25,229,358 
January 11, 2012 (3)    36,000    9,800        22,546,012 
March 23, 2012 (3)    27,300    8,700        14,135,615 
May 30, 2012 (3)    22,800    4,500        14,204,545 
June 19, 2012 (2)    22,800        16,428,571     
June 19, 2012 (1), (4)    22,800        8,142,857     
September 30, 2012    22,800   $37,200    41,467,980    87,491,934 
                       

  (1) Warrants to purchase common stock were issued to Thermo for the annual availability fee pursuant to the terms of the Contingent Equity Agreement.
  (2) Additional warrants were issued to Thermo due to the reset provisions in the Contingent Equity Agreement.
  (3) Nonvoting shares of common stock were issued to Thermo with respect to the Company’s draws on the contingent equity account pursuant to the terms of the Contingent Equity Agreement.
  (4) Warrants issued on June 19, 2012 are not subject to the reset provisions in the Contingent Equity Agreement.

 

On June 19, 2010, the warrants issued on June 19, 2009 and on December 31, 2009 were no longer variable and the related $11.9 million liability was reclassified to equity. On June 19, 2011, the warrants issued on June 19, 2010 were no longer variable and the related $6.0 million liability was reclassified to equity. On June 19, 2012, the warrants issued on June 19, 2011 were no longer variable and the related $5.9 million liability was reclassified to equity.

 

 As of September 30, 2012, no warrants issued in connection with the Contingent Equity Agreement had been exercised.

 

 No voting common stock is issuable if it would cause Thermo and its affiliates to own more than 70% of the Company’s outstanding voting stock. The Company may issue nonvoting common stock in lieu of common stock to the extent issuing common stock would cause Thermo and its affiliates to exceed this 70% ownership level. The Company issued nonvoting shares to Thermo as a result of the draws made during 2011 and the first three quarters of 2012.

 

Subordinated Loan Agreement

 

The Company has a Loan Agreement with Thermo whereby Thermo loaned the Company $25 million for the purpose of funding the debt service reserve account required under the Facility Agreement. This loan is subordinated to, and the debt service reserve account is pledged to secure, all of the Company’s obligations under the Facility Agreement. Amounts deposited in the debt service reserve account are restricted to making payments due under the Facility Agreement.

 

The loan accrues interest at 12% per annum, which is capitalized and added to the outstanding principal in lieu of cash payments. The Company will make payments to Thermo only when permitted under the Facility Agreement. The loan becomes due and payable six months after the obligations under the Facility Agreement have been paid in full, the Company has a change in control or any acceleration of the maturity of the loans under the Facility Agreement occurs. As additional consideration for the loan, the Company issued Thermo a warrant to purchase 4,205,608 shares of common stock at $0.01 per share with a five-year exercise period. No voting common stock is issuable upon such exercise if the issuance would cause Thermo and its affiliates to own more than 70% of the Company’s outstanding voting stock. The Company may issue nonvoting common stock in lieu of common stock to the extent issuing common stock would cause Thermo and its affiliates to exceed this 70% ownership level.

 

12
 

  

The Company determined that the warrant was an equity instrument and recorded it as a part of stockholders’ equity with a corresponding debt discount of $5.2 million, which is netted against the principal amount of the loan. The Company is accreting the debt discount associated with the warrant to interest expense over the term of the loan agreement using an effective interest method. As of September 30, 2012, the remaining debt discount was $3.8 million and $14.4 million of interest was outstanding; these are included in long-term debt on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet.

 

In 2009, Thermo borrowed $20 million of the $25 million it loaned to the Company under the Loan Agreement from two Company vendors and also agreed to reimburse another Company vendor if its guarantee of a portion of the debt service reserve account were called. During 2011, this Company vendor funded the debt service reserve account in the amount of $12.5 million, for a total of $37.5 million under the subordinated loan.

 

Pursuant to the terms of the Facility Agreement, the Company was required to fund a total of $46.8 million in the debt service reserve account. The funds in this account are restricted to making principal and interest payments on the Facility Agreement. The minimum required balance, not to exceed $46.8 million, fluctuates over time based on the timing of principal and interest payment dates. As of September 30, 2012, the entire amount of $46.8 million is recorded in restricted cash.  

 

5.00% Convertible Senior Notes

 

In 2011, the Company issued $38 million in aggregate principal amount of the 5.0% Convertible Senior Unsecured Notes (the “5.0% Notes”) and warrants (the “5.0% Warrants”) to purchase 15,200,000 shares of voting common stock of the Company at an exercise price of $1.25 per share. The 5.0% Notes are convertible into shares of common stock at an initial conversion price of $1.25 per share of common stock, or 800 shares of the Company’s common stock per $1,000 principal amount of the 5.0% Notes, subject to adjustment in the manner set forth in the Indenture. The 5.0% Notes are guaranteed on a subordinated basis by substantially all of the Company’s domestic subsidiaries (the “Guarantors”), on an unconditional joint and several basis, pursuant to a Guaranty Agreement (the “Guaranty”). The 5.0% Warrants are exercisable until five years after their issuance. The 5.0% Notes and 5.0% Warrants have anti-dilution protection in the event of certain stock splits or extraordinary share distributions, and a reset of the conversion and exercise price on April 15, 2013 if the Company’s common stock is below the initial conversion and exercise price at that time. The 5.0% Notes are senior unsecured debt obligations of the Company and rank pari passu with the Company’s existing 5.75% and 8.00% Convertible Senior Notes and are subordinated to the Company’s obligations pursuant to its Facility Agreement. There is no sinking fund for the 5.0% Notes. The 5.0% Notes will mature at the earlier to occur of (i) December 14, 2021, or (ii) six months following the maturity date of the Facility Agreement and bear interest at a rate of 5.0% per annum. Interest on the 5.0% Notes will be payable in-kind semi-annually in arrears on June 15 and December 15 of each year. Under certain circumstances, interest on the 5.0% Notes will be payable in cash at the election of the holder if such payments are permitted under the Facility Agreement. The indenture governing the 5.0% Notes contains customary events of default. No event of default existed as of September 30, 2012.

 

No 5.0% Notes were converted and no 5.0% Warrants were exercised since their initial issuance in 2011.

 

8.00% Convertible Senior Notes

 

In 2009, the Company issued $55 million in aggregate principal amount of 8.00% Convertible Senior Unsecured Notes (the “8.00% Notes”) and warrants (the “8.00% Warrants”) to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock. The 8.00% Notes mature at the later of the tenth anniversary of closing (June 19, 2019) or six months following the maturity date of the Facility Agreement and bear interest at a rate of 8.00% per annum. Interest on the 8.00% Notes is payable in the form of additional 8.00% Notes or, subject to certain restrictions, in common stock at the option of the holder. Interest is payable semi-annually in arrears on June 15 and December 15 of each year. The 8.00% Notes are subordinated to all of the Company’s obligations under the Facility Agreement. The 8.00% Notes are the Company’s senior unsecured debt obligations and rank pari passu with the Company’s existing 5.0% and 5.75% Notes. The indenture governing the 8.00% Notes contains customary events of default. No event of default existed as of September 30, 2012.

 

The current exercise price of the 8.00% Warrants is $0.32 and the base conversion price of the 8.00% Notes is $1.59.

 

During the third quarter of 2012, approximately $2.0 million of the 8.00% Notes were converted resulting in the issuance of 1.9 million common shares. 8.00% Warrants were exercised during the first three quarters of 2012 to purchase approximately 0.6 million common shares with a fair value of approximately $0.4 million.

 

13
 

 

5.75% Convertible Senior Notes

 

In 2008, the Company issued $150 million aggregate principal amount of 5.75% Notes, which, subject to certain exceptions set forth in the related indenture, are subject to repurchase by the Company for cash at the option of the holders in whole or part (i) on each of April 1, 2013, April 1, 2018 and April 1, 2023 or (ii) upon a fundamental change, both at a purchase price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the 5.75% Notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any. A fundamental change will occur upon certain changes in the ownership of the Company, or certain events relating to the trading of the Company’s common stock. Holders may convert their 5.75% Notes into shares of common stock at their option at any time prior to maturity, subject to the Company’s option to deliver cash in lieu of all or a portion of the shares. The indenture governing the 5.75% Notes contains customary events of default. No event of default existed as of September 30, 2012. The 5.75% Notes are subordinated to all of the Company’s obligations under the Facility Agreement. The 5.75% Notes are the Company’s senior unsecured debt obligations and rank pari passu with the Company’s existing 8.00% and 5.0% Notes. The 5.75% Notes mature on April 1, 2028 and bear interest at a rate of 5.75% per annum. Interest on the 5.75% Notes is payable semi-annually in arrears on April 1 and October 1 of each year. The base conversion price of the 5.75% Notes is $6.02. As of September 30, 2012, the carrying value of the 5.75% Notes is classified as a current debt obligation on the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheet because the first put option will occur within the next 12 months.

 

No 5.75% Notes were converted during the first three quarters of 2012.

 

Share Lending Agreement

 

Concurrently with the offering of the 5.75% Notes, the Company entered into a share lending agreement (the “Share Lending Agreement”) with Merrill Lynch International (the “Borrower”), pursuant to which the Company agreed to lend up to 36,144,570 shares of common stock (the “Borrowed Shares”) to the Borrower, subject to certain adjustments, for a period ending on the earliest of (i) at the Company’s option, at any time after the entire principal amount of the 5.75% Notes ceases to be outstanding, (ii) the written agreement of the Company and the Borrower to terminate, (iii) the occurrence of a Borrower default, at the option of Lender, and (iv) the occurrence of a Lender default, at the option of the Borrower. Pursuant to the Share Lending Agreement, upon the termination of the share loan, the Borrower must return the Borrowed Shares to the Company. Upon the conversion of 5.75% Notes (in whole or in part), a number of Borrowed Shares proportional to the conversion rate for such notes must be returned to the Company. At the Company’s election, the Borrower may deliver cash equal to the market value of the corresponding Borrowed Shares instead of returning to the Company the Borrowed Shares otherwise required by conversions of 5.75% Notes.

 

Pursuant to and upon the terms of the Share Lending Agreement, the Company will issue and lend the Borrowed Shares to the Borrower as a share loan. The Borrowing Agent also is acting as an underwriter with respect to the Borrowed Shares, which are being offered to the public. The Borrowed Shares included approximately 32.0 million shares of common stock initially loaned by the Company to the Borrower on separate occasions, delivered pursuant to the Share Lending Agreement and the Underwriting Agreement, and an additional 4.1 million shares of common stock that, from time to time, may be borrowed from the Company by the Borrower pursuant to the Share Lending Agreement and the Underwriting Agreement and subsequently offered and sold at prevailing market prices at the time of sale or negotiated prices. The Borrowed Shares are free trading shares. At each of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, approximately 17.3 million Borrowed Shares remained outstanding.  As of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, the unamortized amount of issuance costs associated with the Share Lending Agreement was $1.0 million and $2.3 million, respectively. As of September 30, 2012, the unamortized issuance costs are classified as a current asset on the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheet, which is consistent with the classification of the related 5.75% Notes as a current debt obligation, as further discussed above.

 

Warrants Outstanding

 

As of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, warrants were outstanding to purchase 122.5 million shares and 76.8 million shares, respectively, of the Company’s common stock as shown in the table below:

 

   Outstanding Warrants   Strike Price 
   September 30, 2012   December 31, 2011   September 30, 2012   December 31, 2011 
Contingent Equity Agreement (1)   41,467,980    16,896,552   $0.01   $0.01 
Subordinated Loan   4,205,608    4,205,608    0.01    0.01 
5.0% Notes (2)   15,200,000    15,200,000    1.25    1.25 
8.00% Notes (3)   61,606,706    40,486,794    0.32    0.49 
5.75% Notes                
    122,480,294    76,788,954           

 

  (1) On certain valuation dates, additional warrants were issued due to reset provisions in the agreement.
  (2) According to the terms of the 5.0% Notes, the 5.0% Warrants are subject to reset on April 15, 2013, if the price of the Company’s common stock is below the initial conversion and exercise price at that date.
  (3) According to the terms of the 8.00% Notes, additional 8.00% Warrants may be issued to holders if shares of common stock are issued below the then current warrant reset price ($0.32 as of September 30, 2012). No additional warrants were issued during the first quarter of 2012. During the second quarter, the Company issued stock at $0.32 per share, which was below the previous strike price of $0.49, in connection with the contingent consideration paid as part of the acquisition of Axonn. Given this transaction and the related provisions in the warrant agreements, the holders of the 8.00% Warrants received additional 8.00% Warrants to purchase 21.7 million more shares of common stock. No additional warrants were issued during the third quarter of 2012.

 

14
 

 

5. DERIVATIVES

 

The following tables disclose the fair value and locations of the derivative instruments on the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheets and condensed consolidated statements of operations (in thousands):

 

   September 30, 2012   December 31, 2011 
Intangible and other assets:          
Interest rate cap  $94   $255 
Total intangible and other assets  $94   $255 
           
Derivative liabilities:          
Compound embedded conversion option with 8.00% Notes  $(5,421)  $(7,111)
Warrants issued with 8.00% Notes   (26,284)   (22,673)
Warrants issued in conjunction with contingent equity agreement       (6,155)
Contingent put feature embedded in the 5.0% Notes   (3,015)   (3,057)
Total derivative liabilities  $(34,720)  $(38,996)

 

   Three Months Ended 
   September 30, 2012   September 30, 2011 
Interest rate cap  $(39)  $(437)
Compound embedded conversion option with 8.00% Notes   (2,417)   13,330 
Warrants issued with 8.00% Notes   (13,963)   10,336 
Warrants issued in conjunction with contingent equity agreement       2,259 
Contingent put feature embedded in the 5.0% Notes   (54)   (1,695)
Total derivative gain (loss)  $(16,473)  $23,793 

 

   Nine Months Ended 
   September 30, 2012   September 30, 2011 
Interest rate cap  $(161)  $(697)
Compound embedded conversion option with 8.00% Notes   1,287    17,370 
Warrants issued with 8.00% Notes   (4,031)   14,987 
Warrants issued in conjunction with contingent equity agreement   301    4,125 
Contingent put feature embedded in the 5.0% Notes   42    (1,695)
Total derivative gain (loss)  $(2,562)  $34,090 

 

None of the derivative instruments is designated as a hedge.

 

Interest Rate Cap

 

In June 2009, in connection with entering into the Facility Agreement, which provides for interest at a variable rate, the Company entered into five ten-year interest rate cap agreements. The interest rate cap agreements reflect a variable notional amount ranging from $586.3 million to $14.8 million at interest rates that provide coverage to the Company for exposure resulting from escalating interest rates over the term of the Facility Agreement. The interest rate cap provides limits on the six-month Libor rate (“Base Rate”) used to calculate the coupon interest on outstanding amounts on the Facility Agreement of 4.00% from the date of issuance through December 2012. Thereafter, the Base Rate is capped at 5.50% should the Base Rate not exceed 6.5%. Should the Base Rate exceed 6.5%, the Company’s Base Rate will be 1% less than the then six-month Libor rate. The Company paid an approximately $12.4 million upfront fee for the interest rate cap agreements. The interest rate cap did not qualify for hedge accounting treatment, and changes in the fair value of the agreements are included in the condensed consolidated statement of operations.

 

Compound Embedded Conversion Option with 8.00% Notes

 

The Company recorded the conversion rights and features embedded within the 8.00% Notes as a compound embedded derivative liability on its condensed consolidated balance sheet with a corresponding debt discount which is netted against the principal amount of the 8.00% Notes. The Company is accreting the debt discount associated with the compound embedded derivative liability to interest expense over the term of the 8.00% Notes using the effective interest rate method. The fair value of the compound embedded derivative liability is marked-to-market at the end of each reporting period, with any changes in value reported in the condensed consolidated statements of operations. The Company determined the fair value of the compound embedded derivative using a Monte Carlo simulation model.

 

 

15
 

 

Warrants Issued with 8.00% Notes

 

Due to the cash settlement provisions and reset features in the 8.00% Warrants issued with the 8.00% Notes, the Company recorded the 8.00% Warrants as an embedded derivative liability on its condensed consolidated balance sheet with a corresponding debt discount which is netted against the principal amount of the 8.00% Notes. The Company is accreting the debt discount associated with the warrant liability to interest expense over the term of the 8.00% Warrants using the effective interest rate method. The fair value of the warrant liability is marked-to-market at the end of each reporting period, with any changes in value reported in the condensed consolidated statements of operations. The Company determined the fair value of the warrant derivative using a Monte Carlo simulation model.

 

 Warrants Issued in Conjunction with Contingent Equity Agreement

 

Prior to June 19, 2012, the Company determined that the warrants issued in conjunction with the availability fee for the Contingent Equity Agreement were a liability at issuance. The offset was recorded in other non-current assets and was amortized over the one-year availability period. The fair value of the warrant liability was marked-to-market at the end of each reporting period, with any changes in value reported in the condensed consolidated statements of operations. The Company determined the principal amount of the warrant derivative using a Monte Carlo simulation model.

 

On June 19, 2012, the Company issued additional warrants in conjunction with the availability fee for the Contingent Equity Agreement. This tranche of warrants is not subject to a reset provision and therefore is not marked-to-market at the end of each reporting period. The Company determined that the warrant was an equity instrument and recorded it as equity. The offset is recorded in other non-current assets and is being amortized over the one-year availability period.

 

Contingent Put Feature Embedded in the 5.0% Notes

 

The Company evaluated the embedded derivative resulting from the contingent put feature within the Indenture for bifurcation from the 5.0% Notes. The contingent put feature was not deemed clearly and closely related to the 5.0% Notes and was bifurcated as a standalone derivative. The Company recorded this embedded derivative liability as a non-current liability on its condensed consolidated balance sheets with a corresponding debt discount which is netted against the principal amount of the 5.0% Notes. The fair value of the contingent put feature liability is marked-to-market at the end of each reporting period. The Company determined the fair value of the contingent put feature derivative using a Monte Carlo simulation model based upon a risk-neutral stock price model. 

  

6. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

 

 The Company follows the authoritative guidance for fair value measurements relating to financial and non-financial assets and liabilities, including presentation of required disclosures herein. This guidance establishes a fair value framework requiring the categorization of assets and liabilities into three levels based upon the assumptions (inputs) used to price the assets and liabilities. Level 1 provides the most reliable measure of fair value, whereas Level 3 generally requires significant management judgment.  The three levels are defined as follows:

 

Level 1: Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets that are accessible at the measurement date for identical assets or liabilities.

 

Level 2: Quoted prices in markets that are not active or inputs which are observable, either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the asset or liability.

 

Level 3: Prices or valuation techniques that require inputs that are both significant to the fair value measurement and unobservable (i.e., supported by little or no market activity).

 

 

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Recurring Fair Value Measurements

 

The following table provides a summary of the financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011 (in thousands):  

 

   Fair Value Measurements at September 30, 2012: 
   (Level 1)   (Level 2)   (Level 3)  

Total  

Balance

 
Other assets:                    
Interest rate cap  $   $94   $   $94 
Total other assets measured at fair value  $   $94   $   $94 
                     
Other liabilities:                    
Liability for contingent consideration  $   $   $(4,052)  $(4,052)
Compound embedded conversion option with 8.00% Notes           (5,421)   (5,421)
Warrants issued with 8.00% Notes           (26,284)   (26,284)
Contingent put feature embedded in 5.0% Notes           (3,015)   (3,015)
Total other liabilities measured at fair value  $   $   $(38,772)  $(38,772)

  

   Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2011: 
   (Level 1)   (Level 2)   (Level 3)  

Total 

Balance

 
Other assets:                    
Interest rate cap  $   $255   $   $255 
Total other assets measured at fair value  $   $255   $   $255 
                     
Other liabilities:                    
Liability for contingent consideration  $   $   $(4,963)  $(4,963)
Compound embedded conversion option with 8.00% Notes           (7,111)   (7,111)
Warrants issued with 8.00% Notes           (22,673)   (22,673)
Warrants issued with contingent equity agreement           (6,155)   (6,155)
Contingent put feature embedded in 5.0% Notes           (3,057)   (3,057)
Total other liabilities measured at fair value  $   $   $(43,959)  $(43,959)

 

 Interest Rate Cap

 

The fair value of the interest rate cap is determined using observable pricing inputs including benchmark yields, reported trades, and broker/dealer quotes at the reporting date. See Note 5 for further discussion.

 

Liability for Contingent Consideration

 

In connection with the acquisition of Axonn in December 2009, the Company is obligated to pay up to an additional $10.8 million in contingent consideration for earnouts based on sales of existing and new products over a five-year earnout period beginning January 1, 2010. The Company will make earnout payments in stock (not to exceed 10% of the Company’s pre-transaction outstanding common stock), but at its option may make payments in cash after 13 million shares have been issued. The Company’s initial estimate of the total earnout expected to be paid was $10.8 million. Since the earnout period started, the Company has made revisions to this estimate, which is currently $10.2 million. Through September 30, 2012, the Company had made $4.6 million in earnout payments by issuing 12,697,593 shares of voting common stock.

 

The fair value of the accrued contingent consideration was determined using a probability-weighted discounted cash flow approach at the acquisition date and reporting date. The approach is based on significant inputs that are not observable in the market, which are referred to as Level 3 inputs. The fair value is based on the Company reaching specific performance metrics through the remaining earnout period. The change in fair value of the contingent consideration is recorded through accretion expense in the Company’s statements of operations.

 

The significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurement of the Company’s liability for contingent consideration are projected future sales of existing and new products as well as earnout payments made each quarter determined by actual product sales. Decreases in forecasted sales would result in a lower fair value measurement.

 

Compound Embedded Conversion Options with 8.00% Notes

 

The derivative liabilities in Level 3 include the compound embedded conversion option in the 8.00% Notes. See Note 5 for further discussion. The Company marks-to-market this liability at each reporting date with the changes in fair value recognized in the Company’s statements of operations.

 

As of September 30, 2012, the Company utilized valuation models that rely exclusively on Level 3 inputs including, among other things: (i) the underlying features of the compound embedded conversion option, including payment in kind interest payments, make whole premiums, automatic conversions, and future equity issuances; (ii) stock price volatility ranges from 32% - 111%; (iii) risk-free interest rates ranges from 0.06% - 1.65%; (iv) base conversion price of $1.59; and (v) market price of common stock at the valuation date of $0.46.

 

17
 

 

As of December 31, 2011, the Company utilized valuation models that rely exclusively on Level 3 inputs including, among other things: (i) the underlying features of the compound embedded conversion option, including payment in kind interest payments, make whole premiums, automatic conversions, and future equity issuances; (ii) stock price volatility ranges from 35% - 103%; (iii) risk-free interest rates ranges from 0.01% - 1.89%; (iv) base conversion price of $1.61; and (v) market price of common stock at the valuation date of $0.54.

 

The significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurement of the Company’s compound embedded conversion option within the Company’s 8.00% Notes are future equity issuances and expected volatility. In connection with the acquisition of Axonn in December 2009, the Company will make future earnout payments in stock. Certain issuances of common stock may cause the base conversion rate of the 8.00% Notes to be adjusted, which will increase the fair value of the conversion option liability. The simulated fair value of this liability is also sensitive to changes in the Company’s expected volatility. Decreases in expected volatility would result in a lower fair value measurement.

 

Warrants Issued with 8.00% Notes

 

The derivative liabilities in Level 3 include the 8.00% Warrants issued with the 8.00% Notes. See Note 5 for further discussion. The Company marks-to-market this liability at each reporting date with the changes in fair value recognized in the Company’s statements of operations.

 

As of September 30, 2012, the Company utilized valuation models that rely exclusively on Level 3 inputs including, among other things: (i) the underlying features of the warrants issued, including reset features and future equity issuances; (ii) stock price volatility ranges from 32% - 111%; (iii) risk-free interest rates ranges from 0.06% - 1.65%; (iv) warrant exercise price of $0.32; and (v) market price of common stock at the valuation date of $0.46.

 

As of December 31, 2011, the Company utilized valuation models that rely exclusively on Level 3 inputs including, among other things: (i) the underlying features of the warrants issued, including reset features and future equity issuances; (ii) stock price volatility ranges from 35% - 103%; (iii) risk-free interest rates ranges from 0.01% - 1.89%; (iv) warrant exercise price of $0.49; and (v) market price of common stock at the valuation date of $0.54.

 

The significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurement of the Company’s 8.00% Warrants are future equity issuances and expected volatility. In connection with the acquisition of Axonn in December 2009, the Company will make future earnout payments in stock. If the stock price on the issuance date is less than the current exercise price of the outstanding 8.00 % Warrants, additional warrants may be issued, which will increase the fair value of the warrant liability. The simulated fair value of this liability is also sensitive to changes in the Company’s expected volatility. Decreases in expected volatility would result in a lower fair value measurement.

 

Warrants Issued with Contingent Equity Agreement

 

Prior to June 19, 2012, the derivative liabilities in Level 3 included the warrants issued with the contingent equity account. See Note 5 for further discussion. The Company marked-to-market this liability at each reporting date with the changes in fair value recognized in the Company’s statements of operations.

 

On June 19, 2012, the Company issued warrants in conjunction with the availability fee for the Contingent Equity Agreement. This tranche of warrants is not subject to a reset provision and is not marked-to-market at the end of each reporting period.

 

As of December 31, 2011, the Company utilized valuation models that rely exclusively on Level 3 inputs including, among other things: (i) the underlying features of the warrants issued; (ii) stock price volatility of 108%; (iii) risk-free interest rates ranges from 0.01% - 0.83%; (iv) warrant price of $1.20; and (v) market price of common stock at the valuation date of $0.54.

 

The significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurement of the Company’s warrants issued with the contingent equity agreement were the intrinsic value of the warrants and the Company’s expected volatility. The intrinsic value of the warrants was sensitive to the Company’s stock price on the issuance date and subsequent valuation dates. The closing stock price on June 19, 2012 was $0.28, which was lower than $1.20 per share, the price of the warrants issued on June 19, 2011. The lower price resulted in the Company issuing additional warrants on June 19, 2012. The simulated fair value of this liability was also sensitive to changes in the Company’s expected volatility. Decreases in expected volatility resulted in a lower fair value measurement.

 

Contingent Put Feature Embedded in 5.0% Notes

 

The derivative liabilities in Level 3 include the contingent put feature embedded in the 5.0% Notes. See Note 5 for further discussion. The Company marks-to-market this liability at each reporting date with the changes in fair value recognized in the Company’s statements of operations.

 

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As of September 30, 2012, the Company utilized valuation models that rely exclusively on Level 3 inputs including, among other things: (i) the underlying features of the warrants issued including the probability of change of control of the Company, payment in kind interest and reset features; (ii) stock price volatility ranges from 32% - 111%; (iii) risk-free interest rates ranges from 0.06% - 1.65%; (iv) base conversion price of $1.25; and (v) market price of common stock at the valuation date of $0.46.

 

As of December 31, 2011, the Company utilized valuation models that rely exclusively on Level 3 inputs including, among other things: (i) the underlying features of the warrants issued including the probability of change of control of the Company, payment in kind interest and reset features; (ii) stock price volatility ranges from 35% - 103%; (iii) risk-free interest rates ranges from 0.01% - 1.89%; (iv) base conversion price of $1.25; and (v) market price of common stock at the valuation date of $0.54.

 

The significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurement of the Company’s contingent put feature embedded in the Company’s 5.0% Notes are the assumed probability of a change of control occurring within each year through maturity of the 5.0% Notes and the Company’s expected volatility. Significant increases or decreases in assumed probability of a change in control would result in a significant change in the fair value measurement. As the probability of change of control increases, the value of the liability also increases. The simulated fair value of this liability is also sensitive to changes in the Company’s expected volatility. Decreases in expected volatility would result in a lower fair value measurement.

 

Level 3 Reconciliation

 

The following tables present a rollforward for all assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011 as follows (in thousands):

 

Balance at June 30, 2012  $(23,169)
Derivative adjustment related to conversions and exercises   404 
Earnout payments made related to liability for contingent consideration   779 
Change in fair value of contingent consideration   (351)
Unrealized gain, included in derivative gain (loss)   (16,435)
Balance at September 30, 2012  $(38,772)
      
Balance at December 31, 2011  $(43,959)
Derivative adjustment related to conversions and exercises   824 
Earnout payments made related to liability for contingent consideration   1,632 
Change in fair value of contingent consideration   (721)
Contingent equity warrant liability reclassed to equity   5,853 
Unrealized gain, included in derivative gain (loss)   (2,401)
Balance at September 30, 2012  $(38,772)
      
Balance at June 30, 2011  $(59,296)
Earnout payments made related to liability for contingent consideration   967 
Change in fair value of contingent consideration   1,090 
Unrealized gain, included in derivative gain (loss)   24,230 
Balance at September 30, 2011  $(33,009)
      
Balance at December 31, 2010  $(66,838)
Issuance of contingent equity warrant liability   (8,313)
Issuance of contingent put feature embedded in 5.0% Notes   (1,503)
Derivative adjustment related to conversions and exercises   1,100 
Earnout payments made related to liability for contingent consideration   1,455 
Change in fair value of contingent consideration   348 
Contingent equity warrant liability reclassed to equity   5,955 
Unrealized gain, included in derivative gain (loss)   34,787 
Balance at September, 2011  $(33,009)

 

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7. ACCRUED EXPENSES AND NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES

 

Accrued expenses consist of the following (in thousands): 

 

   September 30, 2012   December 31, 2011 
Accrued interest  $8,322   $2,774 
Accrued compensation and benefits   3,499    3,567 
Accrued property and other taxes   5,719    5,369 
Accrued customer liabilities and deposits   2,946    3,176 
Accrued professional and other service provider fees   969    1,826 
Accrued liability for contingent consideration   2,221    2,020 
Accrued commissions   638    513 
Accrued telecommunications expenses   831    1,580 
Accrued satellite and ground construction costs   773    5,776 
Other accrued expenses   3,595    2,205 
   $29,513   $28,806 

    

Other accrued expenses primarily include outsourced logistics services, storage, inventory in transit, warranty reserve and maintenance.

 

Non-current liabilities consist of the following (in thousands):

 

   September 30,
2012
   December 31,
2011
 
Long-term accrued interest  $1,733   $242 
Asset retirement obligation   980    926 
Deferred rent   621    717 
Long-term liabilities related to the Cooperative Endeavor Agreement with the State of Louisiana   2,244    2,445 
Long-term portion of liability for contingent consideration   1,832    2,944 
Uncertain income tax positions   5,728    5,408 
Foreign tax contingencies   4,219    4,762 
   $17,357   $17,444 

 

8. COMMITMENTS

 

Contractual Obligations

 

The Company has purchase commitments with Thales, Arianespace, Ericsson, Hughes and other vendors related to the procurement and deployment of its second-generation constellation and ground infrastructure.

  

In September 2012, the Company and Hughes entered into an agreement to extend to December 21, 2012 the deadline for the Company to make payments previously due under the contract, provided the Company made payments of $0.5 million in October 2012 and $0.5 million in November 2012. The Company has made the October 2012 payment. The deferred payments continue to incur interest at the rate of 10% per annum. As of September 30, 2012, the Company had recorded $18.8 million in accounts payable related to these required payments and had incurred and capitalized $73.2 million, excluding interest, of costs related to this contract. The costs are recorded as an asset in property and equipment. If the Company is unable to modify successfully the contract payment terms, the contract may be terminated, and the Company may be required to record an impairment charge. If the contract is terminated for convenience, the Company must make a final payment of $20.0 million in either cash or Company common stock at the Company’s election.  If the Company elects to make payment in common stock, Hughes will have the option either to accept the common stock or instruct the Company to complete a block sale of the common stock and deliver the proceeds to Hughes. If Hughes chooses to accept common stock, the number of shares it will receive will be calculated based on the final payment amount plus 5%.

 

In July 2012, the Company entered into an agreement with Ericsson which deferred to February 1, 2013 approximately $4.2 million in milestone payments scheduled under the contract, provided the Company made payments of $0.7 million in July 2012 and $0.9 million in September 2012. The Company has made both payments. The remaining milestones previously due under the contract in 2012 were deferred to 2013 and beyond. The deferred payments will continue to incur interest at a rate of 6.5% per annum. As of September 30, 2012, the Company had recorded $2.6 million in accounts payable related to these required payments and has incurred and capitalized $6.8 million of costs related to this contract. The costs are recorded as an asset in property and equipment. If the Company is unable to modify successfully the contract payment terms, the contract may be terminated, and the Company may be required to record an impairment charge. If the contract is terminated for convenience, the Company must make a final payment of $10.0 million in either cash or Company common stock at the Company’s election.  If the Company elects to make payment in common stock, Ericsson will have the option either to accept the common stock or instruct the Company to complete a block sale of the common stock and deliver the proceeds to Ericsson. If Ericsson chooses to accept common stock, the number of shares it will receive will be calculated based on the final payment amount plus 5%.

 

The Company issued separate purchase orders for additional phone equipment and accessories under the terms of executed commercial agreements with Qualcomm. Within the terms of the commercial agreements, the Company paid Qualcomm approximately 7.5% to 25% of the total order price as advances for inventory. As of September 30, 2012 total advances to Qualcomm for inventory were $9.2 million, and the Company had outstanding commitment balances of $8.8 million for inventory held by Qualcomm.

 

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 9. CONTINGENCIES

 

Arbitration

 

On June 24, 2012, the Company and Thales agreed to settle their prior commercial disputes, including those disputes that were the subject of the arbitration award. In order to effectuate this settlement, the Company and Thales entered into a Release Agreement, Settlement Agreement and Submission Agreement. Under the terms of the Release Agreement, Thales agreed unconditionally and irrevocably to release and forever discharge the Company of any obligation to pay €35,623,770 of the termination charges awarded in the arbitration together with all interest on the award amount effective upon the earlier of December 31, 2012 and the effective date of the financing for the purchase of the additional six second-generation satellites. Under the terms of the Release Agreement, Globalstar agreed unconditionally and irrevocably to release and forever discharge Thales from any and all claims related to Thales’ work under Phase 2 of the 2009 satellite construction contract, including any obligation to pay liquidated damages, effective upon the earlier of December 31, 2012 and the effective date of the financing for the purchase of the additional six second-generation satellites. In connection with the Release Agreement, the Company recorded a contract termination charge of approximately $22.0 million which is recorded in operating expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2012.

 

Under the terms of the Settlement Agreement, Globalstar agreed to pay €17,530,000 to Thales, representing one-third of the termination charges awarded to Thales in the arbitration, on the later of the effective date of the new contract for the purchase of the six additional second-generation satellites and the effective date of the financing for the purchase of these satellites. The Company represented to Thales that it would obtain the consent of its lenders under the Facility, which the Company expects to receive in the near future and to the payment by the Thermo Companies of $12.5 million to Thales on the earlier of December 31, 2012 and the effective date of the new contract to reimburse Thales for funds it deposited in the Company’s debt service reserve account under the Facility. Either Thales or the Company may terminate the Settlement Agreement if the effective date of the new contract for the purchase of the six additional second-generation satellites does not occur on or prior to February 28, 2013. Termination of the Settlement Agreement by either the Company or Thales would not terminate the Release Agreement.

 

Under the terms of the Submission Agreement, the Company and Thales have agreed to participate in an ad hoc arbitration proceeding to seek clarification of the award with respect to a €3,864,000 claim by Thales related to the Phase 2 satellites. If the arbitrator determines the Company must pay that amount, payment may be deferred or subject to escrow, based on the timing of delivery of the last Phase 2 satellite. If the arbitral decision is not received by the commercial contract effective date, the Company will place that amount in escrow until the decision is received.

 

On September 13, 2012, the Company entered into an agreement with Thales for the manufacture and delivery of six additional satellites for the Globalstar second-generation constellation. The purchase price for the six satellites, certain software upgrades and related services is €149.9 million, with an initial payment due upon the close of financing for the purchase and subsequent payments due over a 34-month period subject to Thales’ reaching construction milestones. Neither party is obligated to perform under the contract until Globalstar obtains financing for at least 85% of the total contract price, among other conditions.

 

The Company has recorded the agreed termination charge, approximately €17.5 million, in accrued expenses. The outcome of the €3,864,000 claim by Thales related to the Phase 2 satellites is unknown, and therefore no adjustments have been made to the financial statements with respect to that claim.

 

Litigation

 

Due to the nature of the Company's business, the Company is involved, from time to time, in various litigation matters or subject to disputes or routine claims regarding its business activities. Legal costs related to these matters are expensed as incurred. In management's opinion, none of the pending litigation, disputes or claims are expected to have a material adverse effect on the Company's financial condition, results of operations or liquidity.

 

10. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

 

Payables to Thermo and other affiliates relate to normal purchase transactions and were $0.2 million and $0.4 million at September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively.

 

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Transactions with Thermo

 

Thermo incurs certain expenses on behalf of the Company. The table below summarizes the total expense for the periods indicated below (in thousands):

 

   Three Months Ended 
September 30,
   Nine Months Ended 
September 30,
 
   2012   2011   2012   2011 
                 
General and administrative expense  $30   $10   $230   $119 
Non-cash expenses   132    102    396    186 
   Total  $162   $112   $626   $305 

 

 General and administrative expenses are related to expenses incurred by Thermo on the Company’s behalf which are charged to the Company.  Non-cash expenses are related to services provided by executive officers of Thermo (who are also directors of the Company) who receive no cash compensation from the Company which are accounted for as a contribution to capital. The Thermo expense charges are based on actual amounts (with no mark-up) incurred or upon allocated employee time.

 

 Since June 2009, Thermo and its affiliates have also deposited $60.0 million into a contingent equity account to fulfill a condition precedent for the initial borrowing under the Facility Agreement, purchased $20.0 million of the Company’s 5.0% Notes, purchased $11.4 million of the Company's 8.00% Notes, provided a $2.3 million short-term loan to the Company (which was subsequently converted into nonvoting common stock), and loaned $37.5 million to the Company to fund the debt service reserve account required by the Facility Agreement.

 

11. INCOME TAXES

 

The Company follows authoritative guidance surrounding accounting for uncertainty in income taxes. It is the Company's policy to recognize interest and applicable penalties, if any, related to uncertain tax positions in income tax expense. For the periods ending September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, the net deferred tax assets were fully reserved.

 

A tax authority has previously notified the Company that the Company (formerly known as Globalstar LLC), one of its subsidiaries, and its predecessor, Globalstar L.P., were under audit for the taxable periods ending December 31, 2005, December 31, 2004, and June 29, 2004, respectively. During the taxable years at issue, the Company, its predecessor, and its subsidiary were treated as partnerships for U.S. income tax purposes. In December 2009, the Internal Revenue Service ("IRS") issued Notices of Final Partnership Administrative Adjustments related to each of the taxable years at issue. The Company disagreed with the proposed adjustments, and pursued the matter through applicable IRS and judicial procedures as appropriate.

 

In February 2012, a Closing Agreement was reached with respect to this matter. The position reached in the Closing Agreement had no impact on the cost basis of the assets of the Company or the Company’s net operating loss position. In addition, there is no impact for the Company on deductions in future years. In previous years, the potential outcome of this audit was considered and the gross deferred tax asset before valuation allowance adjusted to a tax position that was thought to be more likely than not to be sustained. The impact of this Closing Agreement was considered in the Company’s analysis at December 31, 2011, and the adjustment to the tax position in previous years was reversed.

 

In January 2012, the Company’s Canadian subsidiary was notified that its income tax returns for the years ended October 31, 2008 and 2009 had been selected for audit. The Company’s Canadian subsidiary is in the process of collecting the information required by the Canada Revenue Agency.

 

Except for the audits noted above, neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries is currently under audit by the IRS or by any state jurisdiction in the United States. The Company's corporate U.S. tax returns for 2008 and subsequent years remain subject to examination by tax authorities. State income tax returns are generally subject to examination for a period of three to five years after filing of the respective return. The state impact of any federal changes remains subject to examination by various states for a period of up to one year after formal notification to the states.

 

Through a prior foreign acquisition the Company acquired a tax liability for which the Company has been indemnified by the previous owners. As of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, the Company had recorded a tax liability of $1.9 million to the foreign tax authorities with an offsetting tax receivable from the previous owners.

 

12. ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS

 

Accumulated other comprehensive loss includes all changes in equity during a period from non-owner sources. The change in accumulated other comprehensive income for all periods presented resulted from foreign currency translation adjustments.

 

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The components of accumulated other comprehensive loss were as follows (in thousands):

 

   Three months ended   Nine months ended 
   September 30,   September 30, 
   2012   2011   2012   2011 
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, June 30, 2012 and 2011 and December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively  $(2,551)  $(275)  $(3,100)  $(268)
Other comprehensive income (loss):                    
Foreign currency translation adjustments   1,119    (134)   1,668    (141)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, September 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively  $(1,432)  $(409)  $(1,432)  $(409)

 

13. STOCK COMPENSATION

 

The Company’s 2006 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Equity Plan”) provides long-term incentives to the Company’s key employees, including officers, directors, consultants and advisers (“Eligible Participants”) and to align stockholder and employee interests.  Under the Equity Plan, the Company may grant incentive stock options, restricted stock awards, restricted stock units, and other stock based awards or any combination thereof to Eligible Participants.  The Compensation Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors establishes the terms and conditions of any awards granted under the plans.  In January 2012, 5,943,516 shares of the Company’s common stock were added to the shares available for issuance under the Equity Plan.

 

Grants to Eligible Participants of incentive stock options, restricted stock awards, and restricted stock units during the period are indicated in the table below (in thousands):

  

   Three months ended   Nine months ended 
   September 30,   September 30, 
   2012   2011   2012   2011 
Grants of restricted stock awards and restricted stock units   342    426    721    426 
Grants of options to purchase common stock   31    56    414    1,421 
Total   373    482    1,135    1,847 

 

Employee Stock Purchase Plan

 

The Company’s Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the “Plan”) provides eligible employees of the Company and its subsidiaries with an opportunity to acquire shares of its common stock at a discount. The Plan permits eligible employees to purchase shares of common stock during two semi-annual offering periods beginning on June 15 and December 15, unless adjusted by the Board or one of its designated committees (the “Offering Periods”). Eligible employees may purchase shares in an amount of up to 15% of their total compensation per pay period, but may purchase no more than the lesser of $25,000 of the fair market value of common stock or 500,000 shares of common stock in any calendar year, as measured as of the first day of each applicable Offering Period. The price an employee pays is 85% of the fair market value of the common stock.  Fair market value is equal to the lesser of the closing price of a share of common stock on either the first or last day of the Offering Period.

 

For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012, the Company recorded expense for the fair value of the grant of approximately $0 and $0.1 million, respectively, which is reflected in marketing, general and administrative expenses. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 the Company recorded expense for the fair value of the grant of approximately $0.1 million and $0.2 million, respectively. Through September 30, 2012 the Company issued 805,690 shares pursuant to this stock purchase plan.

 

 14. HEADQUARTERS RELOCATION

 

During 2010 the Company announced the relocation of its corporate headquarters to Covington, Louisiana. In addition, the Company relocated its product development center, international customer care operations, call center and other global business functions including finance, accounting, sales, marketing and corporate communications. The Company completed the relocation in 2011.

 

In connection with its relocation, the Company entered into a Cooperative Endeavor Agreement with the Louisiana Department of Economic Development (“LED”) whereby the Company would be reimbursed for certain qualified relocation costs and lease expenses. In accordance with the terms of the agreement, these reimbursement costs, not to exceed $8.1 million, will be reimbursed to the Company as incurred provided the Company maintains required annual payroll levels in Louisiana through 2019.

 

Since announcing its relocation, the Company has incurred qualifying relocation expenses. Under the terms of the agreement, the Company was reimbursed a total of $3.9 million through December 31, 2011 by LED. The Company has not been reimbursed for any expenses in 2012. The Company accounted for these reimbursements as reductions to the relocation expenses incurred. Through December 31, 2011, the Company also incurred $1.3 million for facility improvements and replacement equipment in connection with the relocation. These costs were also reimbursed by LED. Reimbursements related to facility improvements and replacement equipment were recorded as deferred costs and are offset by depreciation expense as the related assets are used in service. LED will also reimburse the Company approximately $352,000 per year through 2019 for certain qualifying lease expenses, provided the Company meets the required payroll levels set forth in the agreement.

 

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If the Company fails to meet the required payroll in any project year, the Company will reimburse LED for a portion of the shortfall not to exceed the total reimbursement received from LED. Due to a plan to improve its cost structure by reducing headcount, the Company projected that it would not meet the required payroll levels set forth in the agreement and recorded a liability of $1.7 million at September 30, 2012 for the estimated impact of the payroll shortfall in future years. This liability is included in current and non-current liabilities in the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheet.

  

 15.  GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION

 

The Company attributes equipment revenue to various countries based on the location equipment is sold.  Service revenue is attributed to the various countries based on where the service is processed.  Long-lived assets consist primarily of property and equipment and are attributed to various countries based on the physical location of the asset at a given fiscal year-end, except for the satellites which are included in the long-lived assets of the United States.  The Company’s information by geographic area is as follows (in thousands):

  

   Three months ended 
September 30,
   Nine months ended 
September 30,
 
   2012   2011   2012   2011 
Revenues:                    
Service:                    
United States  $11,051   $9,291   $29,926   $27,282 
Canada   2,836    2,813    7,827    8,217 
Europe   732    1,186    2,223    3,238 
Central and South America   640    828    1,897    2,780 
Others   109    80    273    257 
Total service revenue  $15,368   $14,198   $42,146   $41,774 
Subscriber equipment:                    
United States   3,633    2,633    10,724    8,695 
Canada   887    924    2,555    2,657 
Europe   287    220    939    1,137 
Central and South America   220    200    701    937 
Others   142    12    191    240 
Total subscriber equipment revenue  $5,169   $3,989   $15,110   $13,666 
Total revenue  $20,537   $18,187   $57,256   $55,440 

 

   September 30,   December 31, 
   2012   2011 
Long-lived assets:          
United States  $1,220,600   $1,211,795 
Canada   292    324 
Europe   315    155 
Central and South America   3,461    3,638 
Others   1,646    1,806 
Total long-lived assets  $1,226,314   $1,217,718 

 

 16. LOSS PER SHARE

 

The Company is required to present basic and diluted earnings per share. Basic earnings per share is computed based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Common stock equivalents are included in the calculation of diluted earnings per share only when the effect of their inclusion would be dilutive.

 

For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, diluted net loss per share of common stock were the same as basic net loss per share of common stock, because the effects of potentially dilutive securities are anti-dilutive.

 

As of September 30, 2012 and 2011, 17.3 million Borrowed Shares related to the Company’s Share Lending Agreement remained outstanding. The Company does not consider the Borrowed Shares to be outstanding for the purposes of computing and reporting its earnings per share.

 

24
 

 

17. SUPPLEMENTAL CONSOLIDATING FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

In connection with the Company’s issuance of the 5.0% Notes and 5.0% Warrants, certain of the Company’s domestic subsidiaries (the “Guarantor Subsidiaries”), fully, unconditionally, jointly, and severally guaranteed the payment obligations under the 5.0% Notes.  The following supplemental financial information sets forth, on a consolidating basis, the balance sheets, statements of operations and statements of cash flows for Globalstar, Inc. (“Parent Company”), for the Guarantor Subsidiaries and for the Parent Company’s other subsidiaries (the “Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries”).  

 

The supplemental condensed consolidating financial information has been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations for condensed financial information and does not include disclosures included in annual financial statements.  The principal eliminating entries eliminate investments in subsidiaries, intercompany balances and intercompany revenues and expenses.

 

 Globalstar, Inc.

 Supplemental Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations

 Three Months Ended September 30, 2012

(Unaudited)

 

           Non-         
   Parent   Guarantor   Guarantor         
   Company   Subsidiaries   Subsidiaries   Eliminations   Consolidated 
   (In thousands) 
Revenue:                         
Service revenues  $14,296   $10,832   $4,002   $(13,762)  $15,368 
Subscriber equipment sales   255    4,138    2,941    (2,165)   5,169 
Total revenue   14,551    14,970    6,943    (15,927)   20,537 
Operating expenses:                         
Cost of services (exclusive of depreciation, amortization, and accretion shown separately below)   1,784    3,585    1,983    (1,794)   5,558 
Cost of subscriber equipment sales   134    4,742    3,780    (4,616)   4,040 
Cost of subscriber equipment sales – reduction in the value of inventory       658    2        660 
Marketing, general and administrative   5,236    1,944    3,379    (1,279)   9,280 
Reduction in the value of long-lived assets                    
Contract termination charge                    
Depreciation, amortization, and accretion   13,313    13,782    4,338    (12,779)   18,654 
 Total operating expenses   20,467    24,711    13,482    (20,468)   38,192 
Loss from operations   (5,916)   (9,741)   (6,539)   4,541    (17,655)
Other income (expense):                         
Interest income and expense, net of amounts capitalized   (6,172)   (1)   (394)   2    (6,565)
Derivative loss   (16,473)               (16,473)
Equity in subsidiary earnings   (12,120)   2,205        9,915     
 Other   (456)   (117)   218    (84)   (439)
Total other income (expense)   (35,221)   2,087    (176)   9,833    (23,477)
Loss before income taxes   (41,137)   (7,654)   (6,715)   14,374    (41,132)
Income tax (benefit) expense   51    (18)   23        56 
Net loss  $(41,188)  $(7,636)  $(6,738)  $14,374   $(41,188)
                          
Comprehensive loss  $(41,188)  $(7,636)  $(5,619)  $14,374   $(40,069)

 

 

25
 

 

Globalstar, Inc.

 Supplemental Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations

 Three Months Ended September 30, 2011

(Unaudited)

 

           Non-         
   Parent   Guarantor   Guarantor         
   Company   Subsidiaries   Subsidiaries   Eliminations   Consolidated 
   (In thousands) 
Revenue:                         
Service revenues  $8,120   $9,992   $5,049   $(8,963)  $14,198 
Subscriber equipment sales   301    2,905    229    554    3,989 
Total revenue   8,421    12,897    5,278    (8,409)   18,187 
Operating expenses:                         
Cost of services (exclusive of depreciation, amortization, and accretion shown separately below)   4,595    1,421    3,498    (1,182)   8,332 
Cost of subscriber equipment sales       2,661    2,187    (1,977)   2,871 
Cost of subscriber equipment sales – reduction in the value of inventory       312    667        979 
Marketing, general and administrative   3,839    5,980    2,430        12,249 
Reduction in the value of long-lived assets   788    2,195    55        3,038 
Contract termination charge                    
Depreciation, amortization, and accretion   6,187    9,171    3,836    (7,088)   12,106 
Total operating expenses   15,409    21,740    12,673    (10,247)   39,575 
(Loss) gain from operations   (6,988)   (8,843)   (7,395)   1,838    (21,388)
Other income (expense):                         
Interest income and expense, net of amounts capitalized   (641)        (582)   (9)   (1,232)
Derivative gain   23,793                23,793 
Equity in subsidiary earnings   (16,544)   (3,349)       19,893     
Other   (302)   247    (1,924)   103    (1,876)
Total other income (expense)   6,306    (3,102)   (2,506)   19,987    20,685 
Loss before income taxes   (682)   (11,945)   (9,901)   21,825    (703)
Income tax expense   (1)   (23)   2        (22)
Net (loss) gain  $(681)  $(11,922)  $(9,903)  $21,825   $(681)
                          
Comprehensive loss  $(681)  $(11,922)  $(10,034)  $21,822   $(815)

 

26
 

 

Globalstar, Inc.

Supplemental Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012

(Unaudited)

 

           Non-         
   Parent   Guarantor   Guarantor         
   Company   Subsidiaries   Subsidiaries   Eliminations   Consolidated 
   (In thousands) 
Revenue:                         
Service revenues  $35,609   $30,528   $11,609   $(35,600)  $42,146 
Subscriber equipment sales   809    12,328    5,676    (3,703)   15,110 
Total revenue   36,418    42,856    17,285    (39,303)   57,256 
Operating expenses:                         
Cost of services (exclusive of depreciation, amortization, and accretion shown separately below)   5,678    6,231    5,888    (1,082)   16,715 
Cost of subscriber equipment sales   284    9,420    5,377    (4,616)   10,465 
Cost of subscriber equipment sales – reduction in the value of inventory   2    904    51        957 
Marketing, general and administrative   15,493    4,997    9,426    (3,351)   26,565 
Reduction in the value of long-lived assets   79    7,139            7,218 
Contract termination charge   22,048                22,048 
Depreciation, amortization, and accretion   32,789    36,817    12,343    (32,672)   49,277 
Total operating expenses   76,373    65,508    33,085    (41,721)   133,245 
Loss from operations   (39,955)   (22,652)   (15,800)   2,418    (75,989)
Other income (expense):                         
Interest income and expense, net of amounts capitalized   (12,126)   (7)   (1,261)   (2)   (13,396)
Derivative loss   (2,562)               (2,562)
Equity in subsidiary earnings   (37,737)   6,703        31,034     
Other   (687)   (12)   (163)   (76)   (938)
Total other income (expense)   (53,112)   6,684    (1,424)   30,956    (16,896)
Loss before income taxes   (93,067)   (15,968)   (17,224)   33,374    (92,885)
Income tax expense   179    30    152        361 
Net loss  $(93,246)  $(15,998)  $(17,376)  $33,374   $(93,246)
                          
Comprehensive loss  $(93,246)  $(15,998)  $(15,708)  $33,374   $(91,578)

 

27
 

 

Globalstar, Inc.

Supplemental Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2011

(Unaudited)

 

           Non-         
   Parent   Guarantor   Guarantor         
   Company   Subsidiaries   Subsidiaries   Eliminations   Consolidated 
    (In thousands) 
Revenue:                         
Service revenues  $21,693   $29,624   $13,179   $(22,722)  $41,774 
Subscriber equipment sales   710    10,567    3,871    (1,482)   13,666 
Total revenue   22,403    40,191    17,050    (24,204)   55,440 
Operating expenses:                         
Cost of services (exclusive of depreciation, amortization, and accretion shown separately below)   9,602    6,262    9,996    (3,176)   22,684 
Cost of subscriber equipment sales   529    7,998    3,472    (2,678)   9,321 
Cost of subscriber equipment sales – reduction in the value of inventory       735    666        1,401 
Marketing, general and administrative   8,702    17,470    7,832        34,004 
Reduction in the value of long-lived assets   1,073    2,356    55        3,484 
Contract termination charge                    
Depreciation, amortization, and accretion   16,208    27,396    10,901    (18,993)   35,512 
Total operating expenses   36,114    62,217    32,922    (24,847)   106,406 
(Loss) gain from operations   (13,711)   (22,026)   (15,872)   643    (50,966)
 Other income (expense):                         
Interest income and expense, net of amounts capitalized   (2,046)       (1,552)   (1)   (3,599)
Derivative gain   34,090                34,090 
Equity in subsidiary earnings   (39,816)   (7,193)       47,009     
Other   295    (117)   (695)   (56)   (573)
Total other income (expense)   (7,477)   (7,310)   (2,247)   46,952    29,918 
Loss before income taxes   (21,188)   (29,336)   (18,119)   47,595    (21,048)
Income tax expense   27        140        167 
Net (loss) gain  $(21,215)  $(29,336)  $(18,259)  $47,595   $(21,215)
                          
Comprehensive loss  $(21,215)  $(29,336)  $(18,397)  $47,592   $(21,356)

 

28
 

 

Globalstar, Inc.

Supplemental Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet

As of September 30, 2012

(Unaudited)

  

   Parent
Company
   Guarantor
Subsidiaries
   Non-
 Guarantor
 Subsidiaries
   Eliminations   Consolidated 
   (In thousands) 
ASSETS                         
Current assets:                         
Cash and cash equivalents  $451   $225   $543   $   $1,219 
Restricted cash   50,426                50,426 
Accounts receivable   3,725    4,936    4,940        13,601 
Intercompany receivables   593,317    398,411    23,788    (1,015,516)    
Inventory   545    6,598    35,902        43,045 
Deferred financing costs, current   36,911                36,911 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets   3,019    441    2,325        5,785 
Total current assets   688,394    410,611    67,498    (1,015,516)   150,987 
                          
Property and equipment, net   1,101,982    36,521    87,366    445    1,226,314 
Restricted cash                    
Intercompany notes receivable   47,662    14,413    26,364    (88,439)    
Investment in subsidiaries   (148,557)   (8,426)       156,983     
Deferred financing costs   10,528                10,528 
Advances for inventory   9,158                9,158 
Intangible and other assets, net   3,222    2,083    1,832    (15)   7,122 
Total assets  $1,712,389   $455,202   $183,060   $(946,542)  $1,404,109 
                          
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY                         
Current liabilities:                         
Current portion of long-term debt  $651,909   $   $   $   $651,909 
Accounts payable   17,221    3,238    22,296        42,755 
Accrued contract termination charge   22,048                22,048 
Accrued expenses   9,549    9,205    10,759        29,513 
Intercompany payables   382,374    479,640    151,705    (1,013,719)    
Payables to affiliates   200    31            231 
Deferred revenue   1,494    14,095    828        16,417 
Total current liabilities   1,084,795    506,209    185,588    (1,013,719)   762,873 
                          
Long-term debt, less current portion   90,204                90,204 
Employee benefit obligations   7,152                7,152 
Intercompany notes payable           32,665    (32,665)    
Derivative liabilities   34,720                34,720 
Deferred revenue   7,391    339            7,730 
Other non-current liabilities   4,054    2,731    10,572        17,357 
 Total non-current liabilities   143,521    3,070    43,237    (32,665)   157,163 
Stockholders’ equity   484,073    (54,077)   (45,765)   99,842    484,073 
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity  $1,712,389   $455,202   $183,060   $(946,542)  $1,404,109 

 

29
 

 

Globalstar, Inc.

Supplemental Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet

As of December 31, 2011

(Audited)

 

   Parent
Company
   Guarantor
 Subsidiaries
   Non-
Guarantor
Subsidiaries
   Eliminations   Consolidated 
   (In thousands) 
ASSETS                         
Current assets:                         
Cash and cash equivalents  $7,343   $587   $2,021   $   $9,951 
Restricted cash                    
Accounts receivable   3,363    4,322    4,708        12,393 
Intercompany receivables   538,876    351,510    13,923    (904,309)    
Inventory   1    4,564    37,283        41,848 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets   2,846    303    2,132        5,281 
Total current assets   552,429    361,286    60,067    (904,309)   69,473 
                          
Property and equipment, net   1,070,543    60,872    87,624    (1,321)   1,217,718 
Restricted cash   46,776                46,776 
Intercompany notes receivable   40,456        1,800    (42,256)    
Investment in subsidiaries   (106,377)   (18,629)       125,006     
Deferred financing costs   53,409        73        53,482 
Advances for inventory   9,158                9,158 
Intangible and other assets, net   12,773    2,988    8,052    (15)   23,798 
Total assets  $1,679,167   $406,517   $157,616   $(822,895)  $1,420,405 
                          
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY                         
Current liabilities:                         
Current maturities of long-term debt  $   $   $   $   $ 
Accounts payable   19,346    1,953    26,509        47,808 
Accrued contract termination charge                    
Accrued expenses   11,558    8,459    8,789        28,806 
Intercompany payables   333,201    427,852    142,966    (904,019)    
Payables to affiliates   378                378 
Deferred revenue   1,043    12,740    805        14,588 
Total current liabilities   365,526    451,004    179,069    (904,019)   91,580 
                          
Long-term debt, less current maturities   723,888                723,888 
Employee benefit obligations   7,407                7,407 
Intercompany notes payable           41,356    (41,356)    
Derivative liabilities   38,996                38,996 
Deferred revenue   6,695    600            7,295 
Other non-current liabilities   2,860    3,837    10,747        17,444 
 Total non-current liabilities   779,846    4,437    52,103    (41,356)   795,030 
Stockholders’ equity   533,795    (48,924)   (73,556)   122,480    533,795 
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity  $1,679,167   $406,517   $157,616   $(822,895)  $1,420,405 

 

30
 

 

Globalstar, Inc.

Supplemental Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012

(Unaudited)

 

           Non-         
   Parent   Guarantor   Guarantor         
   Company   Subsidiaries   Subsidiaries   Eliminations   Consolidated 
   (In thousands) 
                     
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities  $12,655   $(165)  $(1,612)  $   $10,878 
                          
Cash flows from investing activities:                         
Second-generation satellites, ground and related launch costs   (43,305)                  (43,305)
Property and equipment additions       (197)   (185)       (382)
Investment in businesses   (450)               (450)
Restricted cash   (3,650)               (3,650)
                          
Net cash used in investing activities   (47,405)   (197)   (185)       (47,787)
                          
Cash flows from financing activities:                         
Proceeds from issuance of common stock and stock options   100                100 
Borrowings from Facility Agreement   5,008                5,008 
Proceeds from contingent equity account   23,000                23,000 
Payment of deferred financing costs   (250)               (250)
Net cash from by financing activities   27,858                27,858 
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents           319        319 
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents   (6,892)   (362)   (1,478)        (8,732)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period   7,343    587    2,021        9,951 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period  $451   $225   $543   $   $1,219 

 

31
 

 

Globalstar, Inc.

Supplemental Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2011

(Unaudited)

 

           Non-         
   Parent   Guarantor   Guarantor         
   Company   Subsidiaries   Subsidiaries   Eliminations   Consolidated 
   (In thousands) 
                     
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities  $(14,793)  $3,052   $891   $   $(10,850)
                          
Cash flows used in investing activities:                         
Second-generation satellites, ground and related launch costs   (71,212)               (71,212)
Property and equipment additions   (501)   (1,692)   (192)       (2,385)
Investment in businesses   (500)               (500)
Restricted cash   (10,436)               (10,436)
                          
Net cash used in investing activities   (82,649)   (1,692)   (192)       (84,533)
                          
Cash flows from financing activities:                         
Proceeds from issuance of common stock and stock options   526                526 
Borrowings from Facility Agreement   18,659                18,659 
Proceeds from the issuance of 5.0% convertible notes   38,000                38,000 
Proceeds from the contribution to the debt service reserve account   12,500                12,500 
Payment of deferred financing costs   (925)               (925)
Net cash from by financing activities   68,760                68,760 
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents           (314)       (314)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents   (28,682)   1,360    385        (26,937)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period   32,288    (766)   1,495        33,017 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period  $3,606   $594   $1,880   $   $6,080 

 

32
 

 

Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 

Certain statements contained in or incorporated by reference into this Report, other than purely historical information, including, but not limited to, estimates, projections, statements relating to our business plans, objectives and expected operating results, and the assumptions upon which those statements are based, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements generally are identified by the words "believe," "project," "expect," "anticipate," "estimate," "intend," "strategy," "plan," "may," "should," "will," "would," "will be," "will continue," "will likely result," and similar expressions, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. These forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and assumptions that are subject to risks and uncertainties which may cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements, such as the statements regarding our ability to develop and expand our business, our anticipated capital spending (including for future satellite procurements and launches), our ability to manage costs, our ability to exploit and respond to technological innovation, the effects of laws and regulations (including tax laws and regulations) and legal and regulatory changes, the opportunities for strategic business combinations and the effects of consolidation in our industry on us and our competitors, our anticipated future revenues, our anticipated financial resources, our expectations about the future operational performance of our satellites (including their projected operational lives), the expected strength of and growth prospects for our existing customers and the markets that we serve, commercial acceptance of new products, problems relating to the ground-based facilities operated by us or by independent gateway operators, worldwide economic, geopolitical and business conditions and risks associated with doing business on a global basis and other statements contained in this Report regarding matters that are not historical facts, involve predictions. Risks and uncertainties that could cause or contribute to such differences include, without limitation, those described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011.

 

Although we believe that the forward-looking statements contained or incorporated by reference in this Report are based upon reasonable assumptions, the forward-looking events and circumstances discussed in this Report may not occur, and actual results could differ materially from those anticipated or implied in the forward-looking statements.

 

New risk factors emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for us to predict all risk factors, nor can we assess the impact of all factors on our business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements. We undertake no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements. You should not rely upon forward-looking statements as predictions of future events or performance. We cannot assure you that the events and circumstances reflected in the forward-looking statements will be achieved or occur. These cautionary statements qualify all forward-looking statements attributable to us or persons acting on our behalf.

 

This "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition" should be read in conjunction with the "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition" and information included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011.

 

 Overview

 

We are a leading provider of mobile voice and data communications services globally via satellite. By providing wireless services in areas not served or underserved by terrestrial wireless and wireline networks, we seek to address our customers' increasing desire for connectivity. We offer voice and data communication services over our network of in-orbit satellites and our active ground stations (or “gateways), which we refer to as the Globalstar System.

 

Beginning in 2006 we started the process of designing, manufacturing and deploying a second-generation satellite constellation. This constellation is designed to last twice as long in space, have 40% greater capacity and be built at a significantly lower cost compared to our first-generation constellation. This effort resulted in the launch of our first six second-generation satellites in late 2010 followed by two additional launches of six satellites each in 2011. We plan to launch the remaining six satellites in the first quarter of 2013; however, this plan is subject to numerous circumstances that are outside our control. We are integrating the new second-generation satellites with the first-generation satellites that were launched in 2007 to form our second-generation constellation. Our new satellites operate seamlessly with our existing constellation, therefore, with each new satellite that we place into service, our service level increases for our voice and Duplex data customers. During 2012, we placed several additional satellites into service which continues to improve service levels. This increase in service level should result in our products and services becoming more desirable to existing and potential customers. In 2011 and the first nine months of 2012, existing subscribers began to utilize our services more, measured by minutes of use on the Globalstar System, a trend that we expect to continue. For our existing customers, increases in usage on the Globalstar System may not directly correlate with increased revenue due to the number of subscribers on unlimited usage rate plans. As our coverage level improves, we expect to gain new customers, which will result in increased Duplex revenue in the future. We continue to offer a range of new price competitive products to the industrial, governmental and consumer markets. Due to the unique design of the Globalstar System (and based on customer input), we believe that we offer the best voice quality among our peer group.

 

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We define a successful level of service for our customers as measured by their ability to make uninterrupted calls of average duration for a system-wide average number of minutes per month. Our goal is to provide service levels and call success rates equal to or better than our Mobile Satellite Service (“MSS”) competitors so our products and services are attractive to potential customers. We define voice quality as the ability easily to hear, recognize and understand callers with limited recognizable delay in the transmission. Due to the unique design of the Globalstar System, we outperform on this measure versus geostationary satellite (“GEO”) competitors due to the difference in signal travel distance, approximately 44,000 additional miles for GEO satellites, which introduces considerable delay and signal degradation to GEO calls. For our competitors using cross-linked satellite architectures, which require multiple inter-satellite connections to complete a call, signal degradation and delay can result in compromised call quality as compared to that experienced over the Globalstar System.

 

We also compete aggressively on price. In 2004 we were the first in the MSS industry to offer bundled pricing plans that we adapted from the terrestrial wireless industry. We expect to continue to innovate and retain our position as a low cost, high quality leader in the MSS industry.

 

We designed our second-generation constellation to support our current lineup of Duplex, SPOT family (SPOT Satellite GPS Messenger and SPOT Connect) and Simplex data products. With the improvement in both coverage and service quality for our Duplex product offerings resulting from the deployment of our second-generation constellation, we anticipate an expansion of our subscriber base and increases in our average revenue per user, or “ARPU.”

 

Our satellite communications business, by providing critical mobile communications to our subscribers, serves principally the following markets: recreation and personal; government; public safety and disaster relief; oil and gas; maritime and fishing; natural resources, mining and forestry; construction; utilities; and transportation.

 

At September 30, 2012, we served approximately 554,000 subscribers. We increased our net subscribers by 16% from September 30, 2011 to September 30, 2012. We count "subscribers" based on the number of devices that are subject to agreements which entitle them to use our voice or data communications services rather than the number of persons or entities who own or lease those devices.

  

 We currently provide the following communications services:

  two-way voice communication and data transmissions, which we call “Duplex,” between mobile or fixed devices; and
  one-way data transmissions between a mobile or fixed device that transmits its location and other information to a central monitoring station, which includes the SPOT family of consumer market products (“SPOT”) and commercial Simplex products.

 

Our services are available only with equipment designed to work on our network. The equipment we offer to our customers consists principally of:

  Duplex two-way transmission products;
  Consumer retail SPOT products; and
  Commercial Simplex one-way transmission products.

 

Performance Indicators

 

Our management reviews and analyzes several key performance indicators in order to manage our business and assess the quality of and potential variability of our earnings and cash flows. These key performance indicators include:

 

  total revenue, which is an indicator of our overall business growth;
  subscriber growth and churn rate, which are both indicators of the satisfaction of our customers;
  average monthly revenue per user, or ARPU, which is an indicator of our pricing and ability to obtain effectively long-term, high-value customers. We calculate ARPU separately for each of our Duplex, Simplex, SPOT, and independent gateway operator (“IGO”) revenue;
  operating income and adjusted EBITDA, which is an indication of our financial performance; and
  capital expenditures, which are an indicator of future revenue growth potential and cash requirements.

 

Results of Operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011

 

Revenue

 

Three Months:

 

Total revenue increased by $2.3 million, or approximately 13%, to $20.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2012 from total revenue of $18.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2011. We experienced an increase in subscriber equipment sales driven primarily by sales of Simplex equipment and slight growth in sales of our Duplex equipment. These increases were offset by decreases in our SPOT subscriber equipment sales due to higher demand during the three months ended September 30, 2011 as compared to the same period in 2012. We also experienced increased service revenue from our SPOT and Simplex lines of business as a result of growth in these subscriber bases.

 

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Nine Months:

 

Total revenue increased by $1.8 million, or approximately 3%, to $57.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 from $55.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2011. Upon termination of our Open Range contract in the first quarter of 2011, we recognized a nonrecurring increase to revenue of approximately $2.0 million, which represented the December 31, 2010 balance of deferred revenue related to the contract.  Excluding the revenue recorded from Open Range, revenue increased $3.8 million, or approximately 7%, which is due primarily to higher sales of Simplex equipment and increased service revenue as a result of growth in our SPOT and Simplex subscriber base. These increases were offset by decreases in service revenue in our Duplex business, which continues to be affected by our two-way communication issues, resulting in a decrease in the number of subscribers using our network.

  

The following table sets forth amounts and percentages of our revenue by type of service for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011 (in thousands):

 

   Three months ended
September 30, 2012
   Three months ended
September 30, 2011
   Nine months ended
September 30, 2012
   Nine months ended
September 30, 2011
 
   Revenue   % of Total
Revenue
   Revenue   % of Total
Revenue
   Revenue   % of Total
Revenue
   Revenue   % of Total
Revenue
 
                                 
Service Revenues:                                        
Duplex  $4,993    24%  $5,154    28%  $13,683    24%  $15,614    28%
SPOT   6,552    32    4,941    27    18,359    32    14,010    25 
Simplex   1,690    8    1,555    9    4,354    8    3,979    7 
IGO   199    1    434    2    581    1    1,295    2 
Other   1,934    10    2,114    12    5,169    9    6,876    13 
Total Service Revenues  $15,368    75%  $14,198    78%  $42,146    74%  $41,774    75%

 

The following table sets forth amounts and percentages of our revenue for equipment sales for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011 (in thousands):

 

   Three months ended
September 30, 2012
   Three months ended
September 30, 2011
   Nine months ended
September 30, 2012
   Nine months ended
September 30, 2011
 
   Revenue   % of Total
Revenue
   Revenue   % of Total
Revenue
   Revenue   % of Total
Revenue
   Revenue   % of Total
Revenue
 
                                 
Equipment  Revenues:                                        
Duplex  $899    4%  $341    2%  $1,942    3%  $1,466    3%
SPOT   1,300    6    2,040    11    3,887    7    6,175    11 
Simplex   2,429    12    1,312    7    7,451    13    4,970    9 
IGO   355    2    338    2    871    2    898    2 
Other   186    1    (42)       959    1    157     
Total Equipment Revenues  $5,169    25%  $3,989    22%  $15,110    26%  $13,666    25%

 

The following table sets forth our average number of subscribers, ARPU, and ending number of subscribers by type of revenue for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011. The following numbers are subject to immaterial rounding inherent to calculating averages.

 

   Three months ended   Nine months ended 
   September 30,   September 30, 
   2012   2011   2012   2011 
Average number of subscribers for the period (three and nine months ended):                    
Duplex   87,819    93,516    89,593    94,483 
SPOT   231,310    185,903    219,317    172,395 
Simplex   173,781    130,259    161,438    133,552 
IGO   41,567    48,106    42,223    50,153 
                     
ARPU (monthly):                    
Duplex  $18.95   $18.37   $16.97   $18.36 
SPOT   9.44    8.86    9.30    9.03 
Simplex   3.24    3.98    3.00    3.31 
IGO   1.60    3.01    1.53    2.87 
                     
Number of subscribers (end of period):                    
Duplex   87,138    93,087    87,138    93,087 
SPOT   235,893    193,038    235,893    193,038 
Simplex   182,116    135,790    182,116    135,790 
IGO   41,109    47,822    41,109    47,822 
Other   7,398    7,770    7,398    7,770 
Total   553,654    477,507    553,654    477,507 

 

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Other service revenue includes revenue generated from engineering services and our former Open Range partnership, which is not subscriber driven. Accordingly, we do not present average subscribers or ARPU for other revenue in the above charts.

 

Service Revenue

 

Three Months:

 

Duplex revenue decreased approximately 3% for the three months ended September 30, 2012 compared to the third quarter of 2011. Our two-way communication issues continue to affect our Duplex revenue. Despite our efforts to maintain our Duplex subscriber base by lowering prices for our Duplex products, our subscriber base decreased by approximately 6% from September 30, 2011 to September 30, 2012. As we launch and place into service our remaining second-generation satellites, our two-way communication reliability will improve, and we expect Duplex service revenue to increase.

 

SPOT revenue increased approximately 33% for the three months ended September 30, 2012 compared to the third quarter of 2011.  We generated increased service revenue from SPOT and added additional service revenue from the release of other SPOT consumer retail products. Our SPOT subscriber base increased by approximately 22% from September 30, 2011 to September 30, 2012.  Our subscriber count includes suspended subscribers, who are subscribers who have activated their devices, have access, but no service revenue is being recognized for their fees while we are in the process of collecting payment.  These suspended accounts represented 29% and 23% of our total SPOT subscribers as of September 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

 

Simplex revenue increased approximately 9% for the three months ended September 30, 2012 compared to the third quarter of 2011.  We generated increased service revenue due to a 34% increase in our Simplex subscribers from September 30, 2011 to September 30, 2012. Revenue growth for our Simplex customers is not necessarily commensurate with subscriber growth due to the various competitive pricing plans we offer and product mix.

 

Other revenue decreased approximately 9% for the three months ended September 30, 2012 compared to the third quarter of 2011 due to higher engineering services revenue recognized in the third quarter of 2011 compared to the same period in 2012.

 

Nine Months:

 

Duplex revenue decreased approximately 12% for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 compared to the first nine months of 2011. Our two-way communication issues continue to affect our Duplex revenue. Despite our efforts to maintain our Duplex subscriber base by lowering prices for our Duplex products, our subscriber base decreased by approximately 6% from September 30, 2011 to September 30, 2012. As we launch and place into service our remaining second-generation satellites, our two-way communication reliability will improve, and we expect Duplex service revenue to increase.

 

SPOT revenue increased approximately 31% for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 compared to the first nine months of 2011.  We generated increased service revenue from SPOT and added additional service revenue from the release of other SPOT consumer retail products, which led to a 22% increase in our SPOT subscriber base from September 30, 2011 to September 30, 2012.

 

Simplex revenue increased approximately 9% for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 compared to the first nine months of 2011.  We generated increased service revenue due to a 34% increase in our Simplex subscribers from September 30, 2011 to September 30, 2012. Revenue growth for our Simplex customers is not necessarily commensurate with subscriber growth due to the various competitive pricing plans we offer and product mix.

 

Other revenue decreased approximately 25% for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 compared to the first nine months of 2011.  The decrease was related to revenue recognized as a result of the termination of our Open Range contract in the first quarter of 2011. Excluding the recognition of Open Range revenue of approximately $2.0 million, other revenue increased approximately 5%, which was due primarily to higher engineering services revenue recognized during the first nine months of 2012 compared to the same period in 2011.

 

Equipment Revenue

 

Three Months:

 

Duplex equipment sales increased by approximately 164% for the three months ended September 30, 2012 from the third quarter of 2011.  As a result of launching and placing into service our second-generation satellites, we are experiencing increases in demand for our Duplex two-way transmission products. As these units are activated, we expect to see increases in the related Duplex service. As we launch and place into service the remaining six second-generation satellites, our two-way communication reliability will continue to improve, and we expect Duplex equipment revenue to increase.

 

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Our inventory and advances for inventory balances were $43.0 million and $9.2 million, respectively, as of September 30, 2012, compared with total subscriber equipment sales of $5.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2012. A significant portion of our inventory consists of Duplex products which are able to operate with both our first-generation constellation and our second-generation constellation. Our advances for inventory relate to our commitment with Qualcomm to purchase additional Duplex products. We have not entered into any other purchase commitments to produce or purchase the next generation of Duplex products.

 

We sold a limited number of Duplex products in 2011 and the first nine months of 2012, compared to the high level of inventory on hand. However, we have several initiatives underway to increase our future sales of subscriber equipment for Duplex products, which depend upon our successfully completing the deployment of our second-generation constellation. We anticipate launching six more satellites in the first quarter of 2013. With the improvement of both coverage and quality for our Duplex services resulting from the deployment of our second-generation constellation, we expect an increase in the sale of Duplex products which would result in a reduction in the inventory currently on hand.

 

SPOT equipment sales decreased approximately 35% for the three months ended September 30, 2012 from the third quarter of 2011. The decrease is related primarily to higher sales during 2011 related to the release of certain new SPOT consumer retail products which were released in early 2011.

 

Simplex equipment sales increased approximately 85% for the three months ended September 30, 2012 from the third quarter of 2011. The increase is due to continued success of our commercial applications for M2M asset monitoring and tracking.

  

Nine Months:

 

Duplex equipment sales increased by approximately 33% for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 from the first nine months of 2011. As a result of launching and placing into service our second-generation satellites, we are experiencing increases in demand for our Duplex two-way transmission products. As these units are activated, we expect to see increases in the related Duplex service in the future. As we launch and place into service the remaining six second-generation satellites, our two-way communication reliability will continue to improve, and we expect Duplex equipment revenue to increase.

 

Our inventory and advances for inventory balances were $43.0 million and $9.2 million, respectively, as of September 30, 2012, compared with total subscriber equipment sales of $15.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012. A significant portion of our inventory consists of Duplex products which are able to operate with both our first-generation constellation and our second-generation constellation. Our advances for inventory relate to our commitment with Qualcomm to purchase additional Duplex products. We have not entered into any other purchase commitments to produce or purchase the next generation of Duplex products.

 

We sold a limited number of Duplex products in 2011 and the first nine months of 2012, compared to the high level of inventory on hand. However, we have several initiatives underway to increase our future sales of subscriber equipment for Duplex products, which depend upon our successfully completing the deployment of our second-generation constellation. We anticipate launching six more satellites in the first quarter of 2013. With the improvement of both coverage and quality for our Duplex services resulting from the deployment of our second-generation constellation, we expect an increase in the sale of Duplex products which would result in a reduction in the inventory currently on hand.

 

SPOT equipment sales decreased approximately 37% for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 from the first nine months of 2011. The decrease is related primarily to higher sales of certain new SPOT consumer retail products which were released in early 2011.

 

Simplex equipment sales increased approximately 50% for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 from the first nine months of 2011. The increase is due to continued success of our commercial applications for M2M asset monitoring and tracking.

 

Operating Expenses:

 

Three Months:

 

Total operating expenses decreased $1.4 million, or approximately 3%, to $38.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2012 from $39.6 million for the third quarter of 2011. This decrease was due primarily to decreases in various components of operating expenses in 2012 and a reduction in the value of long-lived assets in the third quarter of 2011 that did not recur in the same period in 2012. These decreases were offset by higher depreciation expense as a result of additional second-generation satellites coming into service throughout 2011 and the first nine months of 2012.

 

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Nine Months:

 

Total operating expenses increased $26.8 million, or approximately 25%, to $133.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 from $106.4 million for the first nine months of 2011. This increase is due to the $22.0 million agreed termination charge related to the settlement with Thales regarding the construction of Phase 3 satellites, as well as the recognition of a loss of approximately $7.1 million related to an adjustment made to the carrying value of our first-generation constellation. Excluding these one-time items, total operating expenses decreased $2.4 million, or 2%, for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 from the first nine months of 2011 due to decreases in various components of operating expenses, partially offset by higher depreciation expense as a result of additional second-generation satellites coming into service throughout 2011 and the first nine months of 2012.

 

 Cost of Services

 

Three and Nine Months:

 

Cost of services decreased $2.7 million, or approximately 33%, to $5.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2012 from $8.3 million during the third quarter of 2011 and decreased $6.0 million, or approximately 26%, to $16.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 from $22.7 million during the first nine months of 2011. Cost of services is comprised primarily of network operating costs, which are generally fixed in nature. The decreases were due primarily to implementation of our plan to lower costs by monitoring operating expenses and streamlining operations.

  

Cost of Subscriber Equipment Sales

 

Three and Nine Months:

 

Cost of subscriber equipment sales increased $1.1 million, or approximately 41%, to $4.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2012 from $2.9 million during the third quarter of 2011 and increased $1.1 million, or approximately 12%, to $10.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 from $9.3 million during the first nine months of 2011.

 

These increases were due primarily to increases in equipment revenue of 30% and 11% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 as compared to the same periods in 2011, respectively. These increases were offset slightly by lower manufacturing costs for our SPOT and Simplex products.

 

Marketing, General and Administrative

 

Three and Nine Months:

 

Marketing, general and administrative expenses decreased $3.0 million, or approximately 24%, to $9.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2012 from $12.3 million for the third quarter of 2011 and decreased $7.4 million, or approximately 22%, to $26.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 from $34.0 million for the first nine months of 2011.  This decrease was due primarily to improvements in our cost structure from monitoring operating costs and streamlining operations.

 

Contract Termination Charge

 

Nine Months:

 

During the second quarter of 2012, we recorded a contract termination charge of $22.0 million. This charge resulted from the agreement between us and Thales regarding the termination charge related to the construction of Phase 3 second-generation satellites. See Note 9 for further discussion.

 

Reduction in the Value of Equipment

 

Three and Nine Months:

 

Reduction in the value of equipment was $0.7 million and $1.0 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012, respectively. We recorded an inventory reserve for component parts that will not be utilized in the manufacturing and production of current or future products.

 

Reduction in the Value of Long-Lived Assets

 

Nine Months:

 

During the second quarter of 2012, we recorded a loss of approximately $7.1 million. This loss was related to an adjustment made to the carrying value of our first-generation constellation. See Note 3 for further discussion.

 

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Depreciation, Amortization and Accretion

 

Three and Nine Months:

 

Depreciation, amortization, and accretion expense increased $6.5 million, or approximately 54%, to $18.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2012 from $12.1 million for the third quarter of 2011 and increased $13.8 million, or approximately 39%, to $49.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 from $35.5 million for the first nine months of 2011. The increase relates primarily to additional depreciation expense for the second-generation satellites placed into service throughout 2011 and the first nine months of 2012.   

 

Other Income (Expense):

 

Interest Income and Expense

 

Three and Nine Months:

 

Interest income and expense, net increased $5.3 million to $6.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2012 from $1.2 million for the third quarter of 2011 and increased $9.8 million to $13.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 from $3.6 million for the first nine months of 2011. This increase was due primarily to a reduction in our capitalized interest due to the status of our construction in progress. As we place satellites into service, our construction in progress balance related to our second-generation satellites decreases. As a result of this decrease in our construction in progress balance, we recorded approximately $5.5 million and $10.2 million in interest expense during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012, respectively.

 

Derivative Gain (Loss)

 

Three and Nine Months:

 

Derivative gain (loss) fluctuated by $40.3 million to a loss of $16.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2012 compared to a derivative gain in the third quarter of 2011 and fluctuated by $36.6 million to a loss of $2.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 compared to a derivative gain for the first nine months of 2011. The changes were due primarily to changes in our stock price during the respective periods. 

 

Other

 

Three and Nine Months:

 

Other income (expense) fluctuated by $1.5 million to expense of $0.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2012 compared to expense of $1.9 million for the third quarter of 2011 and fluctuated by $0.4 million to expense of $0.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 compared to expense of $0.5 million for the first nine months of 2011.  These fluctuations are due primarily to foreign currency gains and losses during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012.

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

Our principal liquidity requirements are to meet capital expenditure needs, including procuring and deploying our second-generation constellation, next-generation ground upgrades, repayment of our current and long-term debt, operating costs, and working capital. Our principal sources of liquidity are the remaining funds in our contingent equity account ($22.8 million at September 30, 2012), cash on hand ($1.2 million at September 30, 2012), cash flows from operations, if any, the remaining funds available under our Facility Agreement ($3.0 million at September 30, 2012), and funds from financing not yet arranged. 

  

Cash Flows for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012 Compared with the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2011

 

The following table shows our cash flows from operating, investing, and financing activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011 (in thousands):

 

   Nine Months Ended 
September 30, 2012
   Nine Months Ended 
September 30, 2011
 
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities  $10,878   $(10,850)
Net cash used in investing activities   (47,787)   (84,533)
Net cash provided by financing activities   27,858    68,760 
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash   319    (314)
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents  $(8,732)  $(26,937)

 

Cash Flows Provided by Operating Activities

 

Net cash provided by operating activities during the nine months ended September 30, 2012 was $10.9 million compared to net cash used of $10.9 million for the first nine months of 2011. During the third quarter of 2012, we received a $6.0 million refund related to the termination of a contingent agreement with a potential vendor for services related to our second-generation constellation. This agreement was contingent upon us obtaining certain financing commitments in the first two quarters of 2012, which did not occur. We also experienced favorable changes in operating assets and liabilities during the nine months ended September 30, 2012, which resulted in positive cash flows from operations for the first nine months of 2012.

 

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Cash Flows Used in Investing Activities

 

Cash used in investing activities was $47.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 compared to $84.5 million for the first nine months of 2011. The decrease in cash used during the nine months ended September 30, 2012 when compared to the first nine months of 2011 resulted primarily from decreased payments related to the construction of our second-generation constellation as the second-generation satellites neared completion and the deferral of payments to contactors working on the construction of our next-generation ground upgrades.

 

We will continue to incur capital expenditures to complete the construction and launch of our second-generation satellite constellation and upgrade our gateways and other ground facilities. We have entered into various agreements to design, construct, and launch our satellites in the normal course of business. These capital expenditures will support our growth and the resiliency of our operations and will also support the delivery of new revenue streams.

 

Cash Flows Provided by Financing Activities

 

Net cash provided by financing activities decreased by $40.9 million to $27.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 from $68.8 million for the first nine months of 2011. The decrease was due primarily to lower funding needs for operations and for the construction of our second-generation satellites as we complete the construction and launch of our second-generation satellite constellation. The decrease from the first nine months of 2011 to the first nine months of 2012 was also attributable to the issuance of $38.0 million of our 5% Notes during June 2011. These decreases were partially offset by draws on our contingent equity account during the first nine months of 2012. We funded the current year activities by borrowing under our Facility Agreement and drawing from our contingent equity account.

  

Cash Position and Indebtedness

 

As of September 30, 2012, cash and cash equivalents were $1.2 million; cash available under our Facility Agreement was $3.0 million; and cash in our contingent equity account was $22.8 million; compared to cash and cash equivalents, cash available under our Facility Agreement, and cash in our contingent equity account at December 31, 2011 of $9.9 million, $8.0 million, and $45.8 million, respectively.

 

Facility Agreement

 

On June 5, 2009, we entered into a $586.3 million senior secured facility agreement with a syndicate of bank lenders, including BNP Paribas, Natixis, Société Générale, Caylon, Crédit Industriel et Commercial as arrangers and BNP Paribas as the security agent and COFACE agent. COFACE, the French export credit agency, has provided a 95% guarantee to the lending syndicate of our obligations under the Facility Agreement.  At the time of closing, the facility was comprised of:

 

  a $563.3 million tranche for future payments to Thales and to reimburse us for amounts we previously paid to Thales for construction of our second-generation satellites. Such reimbursed amounts were used by us (a) to make payments to Arianespace for launch services, Hughes Networks Systems LLC for ground network equipment, software and satellite interface chips and Ericsson, Inc. for ground system upgrades, (b) to provide up to $150 million for our working capital and general corporate purposes and (c) to pay a portion of the insurance premium to COFACE; and

 

  a $23 million tranche that was used to make payments to Arianespace for launch services and to pay a portion of the insurance premium to COFACE.

 

The facility is scheduled to mature 84 months after the first repayment date. Scheduled semi-annual principal repayments will begin on June 30, 2013. The facility bears interest at a floating LIBOR rate, plus a margin of 2.07% through December 2012, increasing to 2.25% through December 2017 and 2.40% thereafter. Interest payments are due on a semi-annual basis.

 

The Facility Agreement, as amended, requires that:

 

  following December 31, 2014, we maintain a minimum liquidity of $5.0 million;

  

  we achieve for each period the following minimum adjusted consolidated EBITDA (as defined in the Facility Agreement):

  

Period       Minimum Amount
         
7/1/11-6/30/12   $   (5.0) million
1/1/12-12/31/12   $   7.0 million
7/1/12-6/30/13   $   65.0 million
1/1/13-12/31/13   $   78.0 million

 

  beginning in 2013, we maintain a minimum debt service coverage ratio of 1.00:1:00, gradually increasing to a ratio of 1.50:1:00 through 2019; and

 

  beginning in June 2013, we maintain a maximum net debt to adjusted consolidated EBITDA ratio of 7.25:1:00 on a last 12-months basis, gradually decreasing to 2.50:1:00 through 2019.

  

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Our obligations under the Facility Agreement are guaranteed on a senior secured basis by all of our domestic subsidiaries and are secured by a first priority lien on substantially all of our assets and those of our domestic subsidiaries (other than FCC licenses), including patents and trademarks, 100% of the equity of our domestic subsidiaries and 65% of the equity of certain foreign subsidiaries.

 

We may not re-borrow amounts repaid. We must repay the loans (a) in full upon a change in control or (b) partially (i) if there are excess cash flows on certain dates, (ii) upon certain insurance and condemnation events and (iii) upon certain asset dispositions. In addition to the financial covenants described above, the Facility Agreement places limitations on our ability and the ability of our subsidiaries to incur debt, create liens, dispose of assets, carry out mergers and acquisitions, make loans, investments, distributions or other transfers and capital expenditures or enter into certain transactions with affiliates.

 

Pursuant to the terms of the Facility Agreement, we were required to fund a total of $46.8 million to the debt service reserve account. The use of funds in this account is restricted to making principal and interest payments under certain circumstances. The minimum required balance, not to exceed $46.8 million, fluctuates over time based on the timing of principal and interest payment dates.

 

 During the second quarter of 2012, we received two reservation of rights letters from the COFACE Agent identifying potential existing defaults of certain non-financial provisions of the Facility Agreement that may have occurred as a result of the Thales arbitration ruling and the subsequent settlement agreements reached with Thales related to the arbitration. The letters indicated that the lenders were evaluating their position with respect to the potential defaults. During the evaluation process, the lenders did not permit funding of the remaining $3.0 million available under the Facility Agreement for Thales for the remaining milestone payments or to or allow the Company to draw from its Contingent Equity Account.

 

On October 12, 2012, we entered into Waiver Letter No. 11, which permitted us to make a draw from the Contingent Equity Account. The waiver letter acknowledged the conclusion by the lenders that events of default did occur as a result of our entering into settlement agreements with Thales related to the arbitration ruling. As of the date these financial statements were issued, the COFACE Agent had not notified us of its intention to accelerate the debt; however, we have shown the borrowings as current on the September 30, 2012 balance sheet in accordance with applicable accounting rules. We are currently working with the lenders to obtain all necessary waivers or amendments associated with any default issues. Additionally, on October 24, 2012, the lenders permitted funding of $2.4 million of the amounts available under the Facility Agreement to make a milestone payment to Thales.

 

Due to the launch delays, we expect that we may not be in compliance with certain financial and nonfinancial covenants specified in the Facility Agreement during the next 12 months.  If we cannot obtain either a waiver or an amendment, the failure to comply would represent an event of default. An event of default under the Facility Agreement would permit acceleration of indebtedness under the Facility. That acceleration would permit acceleration of our obligations under other agreements that contain cross-acceleration provisions.

 

See Note 4 for further discussion of the Facility Agreement and other borrowings.

   

Capital Expenditures

 

We have entered into various contractual agreements related to the procurement and deployment of our second-generation constellation and next-generation ground upgrades, as summarized below. We are currently in negotiations with certain contractors to defer some scheduled payments to 2013 and beyond. The discussion below is based on our current contractual obligations to these contractors.

 

Second-Generation Satellites

 

We have a contract with Thales for the construction of our second-generation low-earth orbit satellites and related services. We successfully completed three launches of six second-generation satellites each in October 2010, July 2011, and December 2011. We plan to launch the remaining six satellites in the first quarter of 2013; however, this plan is subject to numerous circumstances that are outside of our control.

 

We have a contract with Arianespace for the launch of our second-generation satellites and certain pre and post-launch services under which Arianespace agreed to make four launches of six satellites each. Notwithstanding the one optional launch, we may contract separately with Arianespace or another provider of launch services after Arianespace’s firm launch commitments are fulfilled.

  

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The amount of capital expenditures incurred as of September 30, 2012 and estimated future capital expenditures (excluding capitalized interest) related to the construction and deployment of the first 24 satellites of our second-generation constellation and the launch services contract is presented in the table below (in thousands):

 

   Payments 
through
   Estimated Future Payments 
Capital Expenditures  September 30,
2012
   Remaining 
2012
   2013   Thereafter   Total 
Thales Second-Generation Satellites  $619,651   $3,039   $   $   $622,690 
Arianespace Launch Services   207,375        8,625        216,000 
Launch Insurance   30,693        9,210        39,903 
Other Capital Expenditures and Capitalized Labor   45,678    4,322    8,986        58,986 
Total  $903,397   $7,361   $26,821   $   $937,579 

 

As of September 30, 2012, we recorded $12.8 million of these capital expenditures in accounts payable and accrued expenses.

 

 Additional Second-Generation Satellites

  

In June 2012, we and Thales agreed to settle our prior commercial disputes which were the subject of a May 2012 arbitration award. In September 2012, we entered into an agreement with Thales for the manufacture and delivery of six additional satellites for our second-generation constellation. The purchase price for the six satellites, certain software upgrades and related services is €149.9 million, with an initial payment due upon the close of financing and subsequent payments due over a 34-month period subject to Thales’ reaching construction milestones. Neither party is obligated to perform under the contract until we obtain financing for at least 85% of the total contract price, among other conditions. See Note 9 for further discussion. Expected future payments for the six additional second-generation satellites are not included in the table above. We are seeking additional financing to fund the purchase of these satellites.

 

Next-Generation Gateways and Other Ground Facilities

 

In May 2008, we entered into an agreement with Hughes to design, supply and implement (a) the Radio Access Network (“RAN”) ground network equipment and software upgrades for installation at a number of our satellite gateway ground stations and (b) satellite interface chips to be a part of the User Terminal Subsystem (“UTS”) in various next-generation Globalstar devices. In August 2009, we amended this agreement extending the performance schedule and revising certain payment milestones. In March 2010, we amended the contract adding new features, including our option to purchase additional RANs and other software and hardware improvements at pre-negotiated prices.

 

In October 2008, we signed an agreement with Ericsson, a leading global provider of technology and services to telecom operators. According to the contract, including subsequent additions, Ericsson will work with us to develop, implement and maintain a ground interface, or core network, system that will be installed at our satellite gateway ground stations.

 

The amount of actual and contractual capital expenditures (excluding capitalized interest) related to the construction of the ground component and related costs are presented in the table below (in thousands):

 

   Payments
 through
   Estimated Future Payments 
Capital Expenditures  September 30,
 2012
   Remaining 
2012
   2013   Thereafter   Total 
Hughes second-generation ground component (including research and development expense)  $59,884   $33,532   $11,181   $   $104,597 
Ericsson ground network   4,184        10,651    14,201    29,036 
Total  $64,068   $33,532   $21,832   $14,201   $133,633 

 

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In September 2012, we entered into an agreement with Hughes to extend to December 21, 2012 our deadline to make payments previously due under the contract, provided we made payments of $0.5 million in October 2012 and $0.5 million in November 2012. We made the October 2012 payment. The deferred payments continue to incur interest at the rate of 10% per annum. As of September 30, 2012 we had incurred and capitalized $73.2 million of costs related to this contract, of which we recorded $18.8 million in accounts payable. If we terminate the contract for convenience, we must make a final payment of $20.0 million in either cash or our common stock at our election.  If we elect to pay in our common stock, Hughes will have the option either to accept the common stock or instruct us to complete a block sale of the stock and deliver the proceeds to Hughes. If Hughes chooses to accept common stock, the number of shares it will receive will be calculated based on the final payment amount plus 5%.

 

In July 2012, we entered into an agreement with Ericsson which deferred to February 1, 2013 approximately $4.2 million in milestone payments due under the contract, provided we made payments of $0.7 million in July 2012 and $0.9 million in September 2012. We made both of these payments. The remaining milestones previously scheduled under the contract in 2012 were deferred to 2013 and beyond. The deferred payments will continue to incur interest at a rate of 6.5% per annum. As of September 30, 2012 we had incurred and capitalized $6.8 million of costs related to this contract, of which we recorded $2.6 million in accounts payable. If we terminate the contract for convenience, we must make a final payment of $10.0 million in either cash or our common stock at our election.  If we elect to make payment in common stock, Ericsson will have the option either to accept the common stock or instruct us to complete a block sale of the common stock and deliver the proceeds to Ericsson. If Ericsson chooses to accept common stock, the number of shares it will receive will be calculated based on the final payment amount plus 5%.

 

As of September 30, 2012, we recorded $21.4 million of these capital expenditures in accounts payable. In accordance with the French Ministry’s authorization to operate our second-generation satellite constellation, we are currently on schedule to enhance the existing gateway operations in Aussaguel, France to include satellite operations and control functions by March 2013. The above table does not include any costs for this facility or any other capital expenditures not yet contracted for or capitalized labor.

 

Liquidity

 

As discussed in Note 2 to our condensed consolidated financial statements, we have developed a plan to improve operations; complete the launch of 24 second-generation satellites and to complete the development, construction, and activation of additional second-generation satellites and next-generation ground upgrades.

  

We plan to fund our short-term liquidity needs from cash on hand ($1.2 million at September 30, 2012), cash from the Facility ($3.0 million was available at September 30, 2012), cash available in our contingent equity account ($22.8 million was available at September 30, 2012) and operating cash flows, if any. However, additional external financing and amendments to our existing debt obligations, including the Facility and the 5.75% Notes, will be required to satisfy the obligations to pay delay costs to our launch provider for prior launches, to complete the funding for our six additional second-generation satellites and to pay the contract termination fee to Thales. The holders of the 5.75% Notes can require us to pay the notional purchase price of the 5.75% Notes of $71.8 million in cash on April 1, 2013. If the resolution of these uncertainties materially and negatively impacts cash and liquidity, our ability to execute our business plans will be adversely affected.

 

Our principal long-term liquidity needs include acquiring and launching additional second-generation satellites, making major improvements to our gateways and other ground facilities, funding our working capital and cash operating needs, including any growth in our business, and to fund repayment of our indebtedness, both principal and interest, when due. We expect sources of long-term liquidity to include the exercise of warrants and other additional debt and equity financings which have not yet been arranged. We cannot assure you that we can obtain sufficient additional financing on acceptable terms, if at all.  We also expect cash flows from operations to be a source of long-term liquidity once we have fully deployed our second-generation satellite constellation. We are not in a position to estimate when, or if, these longer-term plans will be completed and the effect this will have on our performance and liquidity.

 

Contractual Obligations and Commitments

 

There have been no other significant changes to our contractual obligations and commitments since December 31, 2011 except those discussed above.

 

Off-Balance Sheet Transactions

 

We have no material off-balance sheet transactions.

 

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Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

 

Our services and products are sold, distributed or available in over 120 countries. Our international sales are made primarily in U.S. dollars, Canadian dollars, Brazilian Reais and Euros. In some cases, insufficient supplies of U.S. currency may require us to accept payment in other foreign currencies. We reduce our currency exchange risk from revenues in currencies other than the U.S. dollar by requiring payment in U.S. dollars whenever possible and purchasing foreign currencies on the spot market when rates are favorable. We currently do not purchase hedging instruments to hedge foreign currencies. We are obligated to enter into currency hedges with the original lenders no later than 90 days after any fiscal quarter during which more than 25% of revenues is denominated in a single currency other than U.S. or Canadian dollars. Otherwise, we cannot enter into hedging agreements other than interest rate cap agreements or other hedges described above without the consent of the COFACE agent, and with that consent the counterparties may only be the original lenders.

 

We have entered into two separate contracts with Thales to construct low earth orbit satellites for our second-generation satellite constellation and to provide launch-related and operations support services, and to construct the Satellite Operations Control Centers, Telemetry Command Units and In-Orbit Test Equipment for our second-generation satellite constellation. A substantial majority of the payments under the Thales Alenia Space agreements are denominated in Euros.

 

Our interest rate risk arises from our variable rate debt under our Facility Agreement, under which loans bear interest at a floating rate based on the LIBOR. In order to minimize the interest rate risk, we completed an arrangement with the lenders under the Facility Agreement to limit the interest to which we are exposed. The interest rate cap provides limits on the 6-month Libor rate (Base Rate) used to calculate the coupon interest on outstanding amounts on the Facility Agreement of 4.00% from the date of issuance through December 2012. Thereafter, the Base Rate is capped at 5.50% should the Base Rate not exceed 6.5%. Should the Base Rate exceed 6.5%, our base rate will be 1% less than the then 6-month Libor rate. The applicable margin from the Base Rate ranges from 2.07% to 2.4% through the termination date of the facility. Assuming that we borrowed the entire $586.3 million under the Facility Agreement, a 1.0% change in interest rates would result in a change to interest expense of approximately $5.9 million annually.

 

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

 

  (a) Evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures.

 

Our management, with the participation of our Principal Executive and Financial Officer, evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Rule 13a-15(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as of September 30, 2012, the end of the period covered by this Report. The evaluation included certain internal control areas in which we have made and are continuing to make changes to improve and enhance controls. This evaluation was based on the guidelines established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). In designing and evaluating the disclosure controls and procedures, management recognized that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives.

 

Based on this evaluation, our Principal Executive and Financial Officer concluded that as of September 30, 2012 our disclosure controls and procedures were effective to provide reasonable assurance that information we are required to disclose in reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in Securities and Exchange Commission rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Principal Executive and Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

 

We believe that the condensed consolidated financial statements included in this Report fairly present, in all material respects, our condensed consolidated financial position and results of operations as of and for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012.

 

  (b) Changes in internal control over financial reporting.

 

As of September 30, 2012, our management, with the participation of our Principal Executive and Financial Officer, evaluated our internal control over financial reporting. Based on that evaluation, our Principal Executive and Financial Officer concluded that no changes in our internal control over financial reporting occurred during the quarter ended September 30, 2012 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

 

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PART II: OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1A. Risk Factors

 

You should carefully consider the risks described in this Report and all of the other reports that we file from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), in evaluating and understanding us and our business. Additional risks not presently known or that we currently deem immaterial may also impact our business operations and the risks identified in this Report may adversely affect our business in ways we do not currently anticipate. Our financial condition or results of operations also could be materially adversely affected by any of these risks. There have been no material changes to the risk factors disclosed in Part I. Item 1A."Risk Factors" of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011, as filed with the SEC on March 13, 2012.

 

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Item 6. Exhibits

 

Exhibit

Number

  Description
10.1   Waiver Letter No. 10 to the Facility Agreement dated August 9, 2012
     
10.2†   Letter Agreement by and between Globalstar, Inc. and Hughes Network Systems, LLC dated September 27, 2012
     
10.3†   2012 Key Employee Cash Bonus Plan
     
10.4†   Letter Agreement with Frank Bell dated as of September 25, 2012
     
31.1   Section 302 Certification
     
32.1   Section 906 Certification
     
101.INS*   XBRL Instance Document
     
101.SCH*   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
     
101.CAL*   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
     
101.DEF*   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
     
101.PRE*   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document
     
101.LAB*   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document

 

Portions of the exhibits have been omitted pursuant to a request for confidential treatment filed with the Commission. The omitted portions have been filed with the Commission.
   
* Pursuant to Rule 406T of Regulation S-T, the Interactive Data Files on Exhibit 101 hereto are deemed not filed or part of a registration statement or prospectus for purposes of Sections 11 or 12 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, are deemed not filed for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and otherwise are not subject to liability under those sections.

 

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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.

 

    GLOBALSTAR, INC.
     
    By:
Date: November 14, 2012   /s/ James Monroe III
     
    James Monroe III
    Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive and Financial Officer)

 

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