SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K/A
(MARK ONE)
[X] ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2004
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 000-21783
8X8, INC.
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2445 Mission College Blvd.
Santa Clara, CA 95054
(408) 727-1885
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: None
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: COMMON STOCK, PAR
VALUE $.001 PER SHARE
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 if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of Registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K, or any amendment to this Form 10-K. [ X ]
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 121(b)2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934). YES [ ] NO [ X ]
Based on the closing sale price of the Registrant's common stock on the NASDAQ SmallCap Market System on September 30, 2002, the aggregate market value of the voting stock held by non-affiliates of the Registrant was $35,246,240.
The number of shares of the Registrant's common stock outstanding as of May 13, 2004 was 38,316,519.
EXPLANATORY NOTE
This Annual Report on Form 10-K/A ("Form 10-K/A") is being filed as Amendment No. 1 to the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 28, 2004 ("Form 10-K"), for the purpose of amending and restating Item 1 of Part I (Business) and Item 7 of Part II (Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations).
PART I
Forward-Looking Statements and Risk Factors
Statements contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K regarding our expectations, beliefs, estimates, intentions or strategies are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Exchange Act and include statements regarding our research and development plans for our various product groups; our expectation concerning the adequacy of our facilities; our estimates of litigation exposure and our beliefs about the sufficiency of our supplier arrangements. All forward-looking statements included in this Report are based on information available to us on the date hereof, and we assume no obligation to update any such forward-looking statements. You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of a number of factors, including a shifting of internal research and development focus based on changes in the market or adequacy of funding; a failure of customers to adopt voice and video over internet protocol technology or advances in competing systems and services; our business may grow in an unanticipated manner causing us to require different types of facilities; ordinary course litigation may cause a greater than anticipated impact due to factual matters or issues beyond our control; and our ability to source our products may be interrupted if our manufacturers cease operations or no longer desire to do business with us. Please also see the section entitled "Factors That May Affect Future Results" for additional risks that may impact our business.
Our fiscal year ends on March 31 of each calendar year. Each reference to a fiscal year in this report on Form 10-K, or Annual report, refers to the fiscal year ending March 31 of the calendar year indicated (for example, fiscal 2004 refers to the fiscal year ended March 31, 2004). Unless the context requires otherwise, references to "we," "us," "our," "8x8" and the "Company" refer to 8x8, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries.
Overview
We develop and market telecommunication services and technology for Internet protocol, or IP, telephony and video applications. We offer the Packet8 broadband voice over Internet protocol, or VoIP, and video communications service, Packet8 Virtual Office service and videophone equipment and services. We shipped our first VoIP product in 1998, launched our Packet8 service in November 2002, and launched the Packet8 Virtual Office business service offering in March 2004. As of March 31, 2004, we had approximately 11,000 activated Packet8 subscribers. In fiscal 2004 substantially all of the Company's revenues were generated from the sale, license and provisioning of VoIP products (including semiconductors), services and technology. Prior to fiscal 2004, our focus was on our VoIP semiconductor business and hosted iPBX businesses.
In late fiscal 2003, we began to devote more of our resources to the promotion, distribution and development of the Packet8 voice and video communications service than to our existing semiconductor business or hosted iPBX solutions business. We completed several transactions during fiscal 2004 to license and sell technology and assets of these businesses, including the sale of our IP PBX research and development center in France, the sale of our next generation video semiconductor development effort, and several non-exclusive licenses of technology and manufacturing rights for our VoIP semiconductor products to other semiconductor companies. In addition, during January 2004, we announced the end of life of our VoIP semiconductor products, and began accepting last time buy orders from customers. This change in our business has resulted in a reduction of revenues, but has enabled us to reduce costs and generate cash from the related license and sale transactions related to the semiconductor and IP PBX businesses. We continue to own the voice and video technology related to the semiconductor and IP PBX businesses, utilize this technology in the Packet8 service offering and continue to sell or license this technology when the opportunity is in our best interest.
During fiscal 2004, we completed equity financings for gross proceeds of approximately $8.5 million. As of March 31, 2004, we had cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash of $14 million as compared to $3.4 million at March 31, 2003.
Recent Developments
On April 1, 2004, we filed a universal shelf registration statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. Under this registration statement, we may, from time to time, offer our common stock, preferred stock, depository shares, warrants and debt securities, which together have an aggregate initial public offering price of up to $50 million. The securities may be offered, separately or together, in separate series, in amounts, at prices and on terms to be set forth in the prospectus contained in the registration statement. The universal shelf registration statement is intended to provide us the flexibility to raise funds from the offering of the securities, subject to market conditions and our capital needs. Any offer to sell or solicitation of an offer to buy such securities, if and when such offer is made, shall be pursuant to the prospectus.
Available Information
We maintain a corporate Internet website with the address www.8x8.com. The contents of this website are not incorporated in or otherwise to be regarded as part of this report. We file reports with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, which are available on our website free of charge. These reports include annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and amendments to such reports, each of which is provided on our website as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file such materials with or furnish them to the SEC. You can also read and copy any materials we file with the SEC at the SEC's Public Reference Room at 450 Fifth Street, NW, Washington, DC 20549. You can obtain additional information about the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at 1.800.SEC.0330. In addition, the SEC maintains a website (www.sec.gov) that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC, including us.
Industry Background
VoIP is a technology that enables voice communications over the Internet through the compression of voice into data packets that can be efficiently transmitted over data networks and then converted back into voice at the other end. Data networks, such as the Internet or local area networks (LANs), have always utilized packet-switched technology to transmit information between two communicating terminals (for example, a PC downloading a page from a web server, or one computer sending an e-mail message to another computer). The most common protocol used for communicating on these packet switched networks is Internet protocol, or IP. VoIP allows for the transmission of voice along with other data over these same packet switched networks, and provides an alternative to traditional telephone networks, which use a fixed electrical path to carry voice signals through a series of switches to a destination.
As a result of the potential cost savings and added features of VoIP, consumers, enterprises, traditional telecommunication service providers and cable television providers are viewing VoIP as the future of telecommunications. VoIP has experienced significant growth in recent years due to:
The traditional telephone networks maintained by many local and long distance telephone companies were designed solely to carry low-fidelity audio signals with a high level of reliability. Although these traditional telephone networks are very reliable for voice communications, these networks are not well suited to service the explosive growth of digital communication applications for the following reasons:
Until recently, traditional telephone companies have avoided the use of packet switched networks for transmitting voice calls due to the potential for poor sound quality attributable to latency issues (delays) and lost packets which can prevent real-time transmission. Recent improvements in packet switch technology, compression and broadband access technologies, as well as improved hardware and provisioning techniques, have significantly improved the quality and usability of packet-switched voice calls.
Packet-switched networks have been built mainly for carrying non real-time data. The advantages of such networks are their efficiency, flexibility and scalability. Bandwidth is only consumed when needed. Networks can be built in a variety of configurations to suit the number of users, client/server application requirements and desired availability of bandwidth, and many terminals can share the same connection to the network. As a result, significantly more traffic can be transmitted over a packet switched network, such as a home network or the Internet, than a circuit-switched telephony network. Packet switching technology allows service providers to converge their traditionally separate voice and data networks and more efficiently utilize their networks by carrying voice, video, fax and data traffic over the same network. The improved efficiency of packet switching technology creates network cost savings that can be passed on to the consumer in the form of lower telephony rates.
The exponential growth of the Internet in recent years has proven the scalability of these underlying packet switched networks. As broadband connectivity, including cable modem and digital subscriber line, or DSL, has become more available and less expensive, it is now possible for service providers like us to offer voice and video services that run over these IP networks to businesses and consumers. Providing such services has the potential to both substantially lower the cost of telephone service and equipment costs to these customers and to increase the breadth of features available to the end- user. Services like full-motion, two-way video are now supported by the bandwidth spectrum commonly available to broadband customers, whether business or residential.
Our Strategy
Our objective is to build a profitable, worldwide telephone company that provides rich media IP services with minimum infrastructure costs. We intend to bring the best possible voice and video products and services, at an affordable price, to consumers and businesses and enhance the ways in which these customers communicate.
Our strategy to accomplish this objective is to:
Our Packet8 Solution
Packet8 is an Internet-based communication service that works on the Internet or virtually any Ethernet network in the world, and allows calls to or from any phone in the world, whether that phone is an IP phone or a regular public switched telephone network, or PSTN, phone on the PSTN network. Packet8 utilizes IP communication endpoints (i.e., a desktop adapter) which, when used in conjunction with the Packet8 network software and any standard telephone, enable plug and play installation and a familiar dialtone user interface. The Packet8 service also uses web-based technologies to enable account setup, account management, billing and customer support. We have developed substantially all of the underlying technologies of our Packet8 service, which works with third party carriers to terminate VoIP calls on the PSTN network. As part of the Packet8 service, we currently resell private- branded telephone IP terminal adapters, which allow a regular analog telephone to be connected to an IP network, and IP videophones. These devices, which are manufactured by certain of our semiconductor customers, utilize our semiconductor technology and certain unique software modifications to the protocol and application code that enable them to take advantage of 8x8's Packet8 IP services platform. The designs of these devices are based on our semiconductor reference designs. We continue to enhance and develop new functionality in the software code that is embedded in these devices.
Products and Services
PACKET8 VoIP & VIDEO TELEPHONE SERVICE
Our Packet8 VoIP telephone service was introduced in November 2002. Customers enter into a service agreement with us, and select a calling plan based on their anticipated use of the service. Service plans provide various minutes of usage, up to unlimited, for calls in North America and Canada that are made to non-Packet8 customers. Subscribers are charged at a per-minute rate for international calls to non-Packet8 customers, and, depending on the level of plan selected, may be charged for calls to the PSTN if they exceed the minutes allowed under their plan. Depending on the service plan selected, 8x8 will either sell or provide at no cost to the user an 8x8 Desktop Terminal Adapter model DTA310 or Desktop Videophone model DV326 to use with the Packet8 service. Each subscriber is assigned a telephone number in any of the area codes and underlying rate centers currently offered by the service. We currently offer area codes in forty-five U.S. states. All Packet8 customers receive access to a variety of telephone features, including voice mail, caller ID, call forwarding, call waiting, 3-way calling, online account management and billing, international call blocking and caller ID blocking. We are also offering video over IP service using our DV325 and DV326 videophone products. We expect to launch new video service plans in the second half of calendar 2004.
PACKET8 VIRTUAL OFFICE BUSINESS TELEPHONE SERVICE
Our Packet8 Virtual Office business class telephone service was launched in March 2004 and is targeted at the small office, home office (SOHO) business market. Packet8 Virtual Office is an easy-to-use alternative to traditional PBX systems or Centrex class services from legacy telecommunications providers, and provides features and services that neither can provide. Packet8 Virtual Office allows users anywhere in the world to be part of a virtual PBX that includes automated attendants to assist callers, conference bridges, extension-to- extension dialing and ring groups, in addition to a rich variety of other business class PBX features normally found on dedicated PBX equipment.
Packet8 Virtual Office subscribers have the ability to choose any phone number available to Packet8 subscribers (including number portability from other service providers) regardless of a user's geographic location. Each extension in the virtual PBX can be located anywhere in the world where there is access to the Internet. Packet8 Virtual Office extension-to-extension calls and transfers are accomplished over the Internet, anywhere in the world, free of extra charges. Packet8 Virtual Office offers the services small businesses need most, including:
Packet8 Virtual Office extensions can be provisioned without requiring dedicated communications infrastructure to be installed in an office or remote location. The service is installed and run over an office's existing Internet connection, so no dedicated phone lines or digital subscriber lines (like a T1) need to be installed, as is the case with traditional Centrex or PBX products.
WHOLESALE VOICE AND VIDEO SERVICES
Our wholesale voice and video services include a complete suite of VoIP platforms with a Session Initiation Protocol, or SIP, softswitch infrastructure at its core, and voice, video and wireless endpoint devices to form a complete, end-to-end solution. Our technology delivers differentiating features for residential, business and video value-added services with private branding options available to enable a provider to offer a private labeled service similar to Packet8. Our network address traversal (NAT), firewall traversal technologies, and quality of service (QOS) techniques are integrated into the wholesale solution. A wholesale billing interface is also included, enabling service providers to deploy a private-branded offering that integrates into existing broadband billing platforms.
DTA310 DESKTOP TERMINAL ADAPTER
Our DTA310 product is a telephone handset-to-Ethernet adapter that interfaces regular analog phones with IP-based telephony networks. The DTA-310 is installed by the subscriber at their premises and supports a single voice port with its own direct dial phone number. This adapter runs a variety of communication and network protocols, including SIP.
DV326 DESKTOP SIP IP VIDEOPHONE
Our DV326 product is an IP videophone that contains all of the voice features of a regular Packet8 service. In addition, when a Packet8 subscriber with a DV326 calls another Packet8 subscriber with a DV326, the videophones connect with instant-on high-speed video sent over the Internet. The videophones can be configured by the user to use a maximum total data bandwidth between 84 kilobits per second and 640 kilobits per second. The video quality of the call varies with the data bandwidth selected and other network conditions. The DV326 videophone is designed to be compatible with other SIP protocol devices. We expect to begin shipping the DV326 videophone in the second half of 2004.
Sales, Marketing and Promotional Activities
We currently sell and market our Packet8 and Packet8 Virtual Office services to end users through our direct sales force, web site and third party resellers. In addition, we are marketing the wholesale voice and video service offering to Internet service providers, cable television companies and digital subscriber line, or DSL, providers. Packet8 is offered to these third parties through reseller agreements, hosted and prepaid service agreements or OEM technology license agreements. To date, we have not incurred significant advertising and promotional expenses as we have not had the working capital to fund significant mass media advertising expenditures.
We offer individuals and businesses the opportunity to become resellers of our Packet8 services through our affiliate and reseller programs. Resellers are able to purchase bulk Packet8 accounts and hardware at reseller specific rates that they are then able to resell these accounts to private individuals under the Packet8 brand.
Competition
Competitors for the Packet8 service include AT&T, iConnectHere, Net2Phone, Voicepulse and Vonage, as well as incumbent telephone carriers, and other providers of traditional and legacy telephone service. Our videophone competes with other providers of videophones and videoconferencing systems, including Vialta, Innomedia, Ojo, Viseon and various software offerings that implement videophone functionality on a personal computer.
Operations
We have a centrally managed platform consisting of data management, monitoring, control and billing systems, which support all of our products and services. We have invested substantial resources to develop and implement our real-time call management information system. Key elements of this system include: customer provisioning, customer access, fraud control, network security, call routing, call monitoring, media processing and normalization, call reliability and detailed call records. Our platform monitors our process of digitizing and compressing voice into packets and transmitting these packets over data networks around the world. We maintain a softswitch, which is a software-based product that manages call admission, call control, call rating and routes calls to an appropriate endpoint. Unless the recipient is using an Internet telephony device, the packets (representing a voice and/or video call initiated by a Packet8 subscriber) are sent to a gateway belonging to one of our partner telecommunications carriers where the packets are reassembled and the call is transferred to the PSTN and directed to a regular telephone anywhere in the world. Our billing and back office systems manage and enroll customers and bill calls as they originate and terminate on the service.
Network Operations Center |
We maintain a Network Operations Center at our headquarters in Santa Clara, California and employ a staff of individuals with experience in both voice and data operations to provide twenty-four hour support to our subscribers. Additional network operations support is provided by our engineers in Sophia Antipolis, France. We use various tools to monitor and manage all elements of telephone calls in real-time. Additionally, our Network Operations Center provides technical support to troubleshoot equipment and network problems.
Customer and Technical Support |
We maintain a call center at our headquarters in Santa Clara, California and have a staff of employees and contractors that provide customer service and technical support to customers. We also provide customer service and technical support directly to our resellers, and certain resellers provide their own support directly to their sub-resellers and end users. Customers who access our services directly through the web site receive customer service and technical support through multilingual telephone communication, web-based customer service, and e-mail support.
Interconnection Agreements
We are party to telecommunications interconnect and service agreements with VoIP providers and PSTN telecommunications carriers. Pursuant to these agreements, VoIP calls originating on our network can be terminated on other VoIP networks or the PSTN. Correspondingly, calls originating on other VoIP networks and the PSTN can be terminated on our network.
Suppliers
We outsource the manufacturing of our videophones and DTA 310 terminal adapters to third-party manufacturers. We do not have long-term purchase agreements with our contract manufacturers. We rely on one telecommunications provider to originate and terminate substantially all of our PSTN telephone calls. While we believe that relations with our suppliers are good, there can be no assurance that our suppliers will be able or willing to supply products and services to us in the future. While we believe that we could replace our suppliers if necessary, our ability to provide service to our subscribers would be impacted during this timeframe, and this could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Research and Development
The VoIP market is characterized by rapid technological changes and advances. Accordingly, we make substantial investments in the design and development of new products and services and enhancements and features to existing products and services. Our current and future research and development efforts relate to our Packet8 and Packet8 Virtual Office service offerings and the development of new endpoints for subscribers of our service. Future development will also focus on emerging audio and video telephony standards and protocols, quality and performance enhancements to multimedia compression algorithms, and 802.11b standard and other wireless applications. The development of new products and the enhancement of existing products are essential to our success.
We currently employ sixteen individuals in research and development activities in our facilities in Santa Clara, California and Sophia Antipolis, France. Research and development expenses in each of the fiscal years ended March 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002 were $2.7 million, $7.8 million and $12.6 million, respectively.
Regulatory
The use of the Internet and private IP networks to provide voice, video and other forms of real-time, two-way communications services is a relatively recent development. Although the provisioning of such services is currently permitted by United States law and largely unregulated within the United States, several foreign governments have adopted laws and/or regulations that could restrict or prohibit the provisioning of voice communications services over the Internet or private IP networks. More aggressive domestic or international regulation of the Internet in general, and internet telephony providers and services specifically, may materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, operating results and future prospects, particularly if increased numbers of governments impose regulations restricting the use and sale of IP telephony services.
On April 10, 1998, the Federal Communications Commission, or FCC, issued a Universal Service Report to Congress, commonly known as the Stevens Report. At that time, there was a petition pending before the FCC asking the FCC to impose common telecommunications carrier regulation on every entity enabling the transmission of real-time voice communication over the Internet. While the petition was being evaluated, Congress instructed the FCC to study the impact of unregulated internet access and related services on the federal universal service fund, which is a program designed to provide subsidies to providers of telephone service in rural and high cost areas. The FCC issued the Stevens Report in response to Congress
' request, and in that report declined to assert regulatory authority over IP telephony. The FCC did not conclude that IP telephony services constitute telecommunications services, and indicated that it would undertake a subsequent examination of the question whether certain forms of Internet telephony constitute information services or telecommunications services.The FCC indicated that, in the future, it would consider the extent to which telephony providers could be considered "telecommunications carriers" such that they could be subject to the regulations governing traditional telephone companies such as the imposition of access charges. The FCC stated that, although it did not have a sufficient record upon which to make a definitive ruling, the record suggested that, to the extent that certain forms of IP telephony appear to possess the same characteristics as traditional telecommunications services and to the extent the providers of those services obtain the same circuit-switched access as obtained by interexchange carriers, the FCC may find it reasonable that they pay similar access charges. The FCC also recognized, however, that it would consider whether it should forbear from imposing any of the rules that would apply to Internet telephony providers as "telecommunications carriers." To date, the FCC has not imposed regulatory surcharges or traditional common carrier regulation upon providers of Internet communications services such as ours. Although the FCC treats providers of Internet telephony services no differently from providers of other information and enhanced services that are exempt from payment of interstate access charges, this decision may be reconsidered in the future. On February 12, 2004 the FCC began a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) process to institute a new examination of regulatory policy and how VoIP services should be classified. The FCC has indicated that this rulemaking may address, among other things, 911 requirements, disability access requirements, access charges, and universal service requirements. The FCC has further indicated that it will begin a separate rulemaking proceeding to consider the obligations of IP-based voice services providers and network providers under the Communications Assistance to Law Enforcement Act, which establishes federal requirements for wiretapping and other electronic surveillance capabilities. This NPRM process is currently underway (the latest information on this process is available from the FCC's VoIP website at http://www.fcc.gov/voip). We are unable to predict the outcome of this process at this time.
In addition to the NPRM process, several recent decisions by, and the outcome of the various proceedings pending before, the FCC may affect the regulatory status of Internet telephony. On October 18, 2002, AT&T filed a petition with the FCC seeking a declaratory ruling that would prevent incumbent local exchange carriers, or ILECs, from imposing traditional circuit-switched access charges on phone-to-phone IP services. This petition was denied on April 14, 2004. On February 5, 2003, pulver.com filed a petition with the FCC seeking a declaratory ruling that its "Free World Dialup," which facilitates point-to-point broadband Internet protocol voice communications, is neither telecommunications nor a telecommunications service as these terms are defined in the Telecommunications Act of 1996. This petition was granted on February 12, 2004. In September 2003, Vonage filed a petition for declaratory ruling requesting that the FCC find an Order of the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission, MPUC, requiring Vonage to comply with state laws governing providers of traditional telephone service to be pre-empted because Vonage's broadband Internet telephony service is an information service. This petition is still pending. On February 5, 2004, SBC Communications Inc. filed two petitions with the FCC relating to IP communications. The first requests a declaratory ruling that all services offered on an IP platform are interstate information services, not telecommunications services, and that they are immune from state regulation as a result. The second requests that the FCC forbear from applying certain common carrier regulation to services offered on IP platforms. The FCC has sought public comment with respect to SBC's forbearance petition, and, under the Communications Act, the FCC must make a decision on the petition within one year of the petition's filing (with the possibility of a single 90-day extension available at the FCC's discretion). If the FCC does not act with respect to SBC's forbearance petition, the petition is deemed granted as a matter of law. The FCC has not yet requested comment with respect to SBC's petition for declaratory ruling, and it is not clear when the FCC will rule.
Several states have also demonstrated an interest in regulating VoIP services at a state public utility level, as they do for providers of traditional telephone service from regulated carriers. In certain cases, these state governments and their regulatory authorities have moved to assert jurisdiction over the provision of intrastate IP communications services (calls that begin in that state and end in that state) where they believe that their telecommunications regulations are broad enough to cover regulation of IP services. If this trend continues, and if state regulation is not preempted by action by the FCC we may become subject to a "patchwork quilt" of state regulations and taxes, which would increase our costs of doing business, and adversely affect our operating results and future prospects.
We have been contacted by several state regulatory authorities regarding our Packet8 service. By letter dated August 13, 2003, the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (the WPSC) notified us that the WPSC believes that we, via our Packet8 voice and video communications service, are offering intrastate telecommunications services in the state of Wisconsin without certification from the WPSC. According to the WPSC's letter, it believes that we cannot legally provide Packet8-based resold intrastate services in Wisconsin without certification from the WPSC. In addition, the WPSC believes that Packet8 bills for intrastate services to Wisconsin customers are void and not collectible. The letter also states that if we do not obtain certification to offer intrastate telecommunications services, the matter will be referred to the State of Wisconsin Attorney General for enforcement action. The letter also states that even if we were certified by the WPSC, the previous operation without certification may still subject us to referral to the State of Wisconsin Attorney General for enforcement action and possible forfeitures. On October 15, 2003, we responded to the WPSC and disputed its assertions by asserting that we are an information services provider and not a telecommunications provider. While we do not believe that the potential amounts of any forfeitures would be material to us, if we are subject to an enforcement action, we may become subject to liabilities and may incur expenses that adversely affect our results of operations.
On September 17, 2003, we were contacted by the Ohio Public Utilities Commission (OPUC) and asked to respond to a questionnaire on Voice over IP technologies that the OPUC is conducting. The OPUC inquired as to the nature of our service, how it is provided, and to what Ohio residents the service is made available. The questionnaire did not contain any assertions regarding the legality of the Packet8 service under Ohio law or any statements as to whether the OPUC believes we are subject to regulation by the state of Ohio. We responded to this questionnaire on October 20, 2003.
On September 22, 2003, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) sent us a letter that alleged that we are offering intrastate telecommunications services for profit in California without having received formal certification from the CPUC to provide such service. The CPUC also requested that we file an application with the CPUC for authority to conduct business as a telecommunications utility no later than October 22, 2003. After consultation with regulatory counsel, we responded to the CPUC, disputed its assertions and did not file the requested application. In our October 22, 2003 response to the CPUC, we disagreed with the CPUC's classification of us as a telephone corporation under the California Public Utilities Code. We asserted that we are an information services provider and not a telecommunications provider. The letter from the CPUC did not indicate, and we cannot predict, what any potential penalties or consequences in failing to obtain certification might be. If we are subjected to penalties, or if we are required to comply with CPUC regulations affecting telecommunications service providers, our business may be adversely affected. On November 13, 2003, the CPUC held a hearing in San Francisco to hear testimony from CPUC staff and industry representatives regarding what course of action the CPUC should take with respect to Internet telephony. A representative from 8x8 testified at the hearing. On February 11, 2004, the CPUC stated that, as a tentative conclusion of law, they believe that VoIP providers are telecommunications providers and should be treated as such from a regulatory standpoint. The CPUC initiated an investigation into appropriate regulation of VoIP providers under state law, and acknowledged that it has not enforced the same regulatory regime over VoIP as applies to telecommunications services. The CPUC is considering a number of potential regulatory requirements, including contribution to state universal service programs, provision of 911 services, payment of access charges to interconnect with the PSTN and compliance with NANP protocols and basic consumer protection laws. The CPUC is also considering whether exempting VoIP providers from requirements applicable to traditional providers of voice telephony creates unfair competitive advantages, if the regulatory framework governing the provision of VoIP should vary based on the market served and whether VoIP providers should be subject to the current system of intercompany compensation arrangements. The CPUC has indicated that this process could last up to 18 months, but there is no way for us to predict the timetable or outcome of this process.
In addition to California, various other state regulatory authorities have initiated proceedings to examine the regulatory status of Internet telephony services.
Most recently, on May 19, 2004, in response to a 2003 complaint brought by Frontier Telephone of Rochester against Vonage, the New York State Public Service Commission, or NYPSC concluded that Vonage is a telephone corporation as defined by New York law and must obtain a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity, which constitutes the authorization of the PSC to provide telephone service in New York. The NYPSC will allow a forty-five day period in which Vonage can identify and seek waivers of any rules that it believes should not apply. Vonage will be required to provide 911 service in some form, and will be required to file a schedule of its rates. Currently, this decision applies only to Vonage. While this ruling applies only to Vonage and not to us, if we are subject to regulation by the NYPSC, we may become subject to liabilities and may incur expenses that adversely affect our results of operations. While a majority of state commissions have not imposed traditional telecommunications regulatory requirements on IP telephony at this time, some states have issued rulings that may be interpreted differently. We believe that most state commissions are aware of VoIP regulatory issues and either have proceedings underway, or will institute them in the future. As state governments, courts, and regulatory authorities continue to examine the regulatory status of Internet telephony services, they could render decisions or adopt regulations affecting providers of Internet telephony services or requiring such providers to pay intrastate access charges or to make contributions to universal service funding. Should the FCC determine to regulate IP services, states may, if not pre-empted by federal regulation, decide to follow the FCC's lead and impose additional obligations as well. We cannot predict the actions that federal, state, and local regulators may take or what impact such actions would have on our business.Regulation of the Internet
In addition to regulations addressing Internet telephony and broadband services, other regulatory issues relating to the Internet in general could affect our ability to provide our services. Congress has adopted legislation that regulates certain aspects of the Internet, including online content, user privacy, taxation, liability for third-party activities and jurisdiction. In addition, a number of initiatives pending in Congress and state legislatures would prohibit or restrict advertising or sale of certain products and services on the Internet, which may have the effect of raising the cost of doing business on the Internet generally.
Federal, state, local and foreign governmental organizations are considering other legislative and regulatory proposals that would regulate the Internet. We cannot predict whether new taxes will be imposed on our services, and depending on the type of taxes imposed, whether and how our services would be affected thereafter. Increased regulation of the Internet may decrease its growth and hinder technological development, which may negatively impact the cost of doing business via the Internet or otherwise materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Intellectual Property and Proprietary Rights
Our ability to compete depends, in part, on our ability to obtain and enforce intellectual property protection for our technology in the United States and internationally. We currently rely primarily on a combination of trade secrets, patents, copyrights, trademarks and licenses to protect our intellectually property. As of March 31, 2004, we had fifty-eight United States patents that have issued, and a number of United States and foreign patent applications pending, none of which we consider critical to our business. Our patents expire on dates ranging from 2009 to 2018. We cannot predict whether our pending patent applications will result in issued patents. Due to rapid technological change, we believe that factors such as the technological and creative skills of our personnel, new product developments and enhancements to existing products are more important than the various legal protections of our technology to establishing and maintaining technology leadership.
To protect our trade secrets and other proprietary information, we require our employees to sign agreements providing for the maintenance of confidentiality and also the assignment of rights to inventions made by them while in our employ. There can be no assurance that our means of protecting our proprietary rights in the United States or abroad will be adequate or that competition will not independently develop technologies that are similar or superior to our technology, duplicate our technology or design around any of our patents. We are also subject to the risks of adverse claims and litigation alleging infringement of the intellectual property rights of others. The semiconductor and software industries are subject to frequent litigation regarding patent and other intellectual property rights. In addition, the laws of foreign countries in which our products are or may be sold do not protect our intellectual property rights to the same extent as do the laws of the United States. Our failure to protect our proprietary information could cause our business and operating results to suffer.
We rely upon certain technology, including hardware and software, licensed from third parties. There can be no assurance that the technology licensed by us will continue to provide competitive features and functionality or that licenses for technology currently utilized by us or other technology which we may seek to license in the future will be available to us on commercially reasonable terms or at all. The loss of, or inability to maintain existing licenses could result in shipment delays or reductions until equivalent technology or suitable alternative products could be developed, identified, licensed and integrated, and could harm our business. These licenses are on standard commercial terms made generally available by the companies providing the licenses. The cost and terms of these licenses individually are not material to our business.
Licensing and Development Arrangements
Historically, we have entered into licensing and development arrangements with our semiconductor and IP PBX customers to promote the design, development, manufacture and sale of our products. We have licensed portions of our systems technology and software object code for our semiconductors to virtually all of our semiconductor customers. Such arrangements may enable these companies to use our technology to produce products that compete with our VoIP telephony and video products. We have also licensed the right to manufacture certain of our video and VoIP telephony semiconductor products to several original equipment manufacturers, or OEMs. These licenses generally provide for the payment of royalties. Only certain of these OEM licensees may sell semiconductors based on the licensed technology to third parties, while other licensees are limited to sales of such semiconductors as part of multimedia communication systems or sub-systems. The Company expects to continue licensing its technology to others, many of whom may be located outside of the United States. In addition to licensing its technology to others, the Company from time to time may take a license to technology owned by third parties and currently relies upon certain technology, including hardware and software, licensed from third parties.
Information about Segments and Geographic Areas
During the third quarter of fiscal 2004, we changed our internal reporting processes and determined that we had only one reportable segment. Accordingly, we ceased preparing operational data on the former segment basis. The change in internal reporting processes was consistent with the change in business focus as we are primarily focusing our efforts on the Packet8 voice and video communication service. We reported our new segment structure in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 31, 2003. As required by Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 131, "Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information," consolidated financial statements issued by us in the future will reflect modifications to our reportable segments resulting from these organizational changes, including reclassification of all comparative prior period segment information.
Financial information relating to our businesses and information on revenues generated in different geographic areas are set forth in Note 13 to our consolidated financial statements contained in Part II, Item 8 of this Report.
Employees
As of March 31, 2004, the Company employed forty-four full time individuals and nineteen individuals on a temporary basis. These employees and contractors include twenty-three in operations, sixteen in research and development, eleven in sales and marketing, and thirteen in general and administrative capacities. None of our employees are represented by a labor union or are subject to a collective bargaining arrangement.
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Exchange Act, including our statements regarding anticipated cost savings arising from the restructuring activities implemented during fiscal 2003; our assumptions underlying our critical accounting determinations concerning revenue, allowances for doubtful accounts, valuation of goodwill, allowances for deferred tax assets and reserves for legal contingencies; our expectations regarding future revenue mix; our expectations regarding customer concentrations; factors that could impact our gross margins; efforts to raise additional financing; commitment of resources, and reduction in operating costs including the possible sale or cessation of certain business segments and the possible further reduction of personnel and suspension of salary increases and capital expenditures. You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of a number of factors, including our good faith assumptions being incorrect, our business expenses being greater than anticipated due to competitive factors or unanticipated development or sales costs; revenues not resulting in the manner anticipated due to a continued slow down in technology spending, particularly in the telecommunications market; our failure to generate investor interest or to sell certain of our assets or business segments. The forward-looking statements may also be impacted by the additional risks faced by us as described in this report, including those set forth under the section entitled "Factors that May Affect Future Results." All forward-looking statements included in this report are based on information available to us on the date hereof, and we assume no obligation to update any such forward-looking statements.
OVERVIEW
We were founded in 1987 and completed an initial public offering of common stock in 1997. We develop and market telecommunication technology for Internet protocol, or IP, telephony and video applications. We offer the Packet8 broadband voice over Internet protocol, or VoIP, and video communications service, Packet8 Virtual Office service and videophone equipment and services. We shipped our first VoIP product in 1998, launched our Packet8 service in November 2002, and launched the Packet8 Virtual Office business service offering in March 2004. As of March 31, 2004, we had approximately 11,000 activated Packet8 subscribers. In fiscal 2004 substantially all of the Company's revenues were generated from the sale, license and provision of VoIP products, services and technology. Prior to fiscal 2003, our focus was on our VoIP semiconductor business.
In late fiscal 2003, we began to devote more of our resources to the promotion, distribution and development of the Packet8 voice and video communications service than to our existing semiconductor business or hosted iPBX solutions business. We completed several transactions during fiscal 2004 to license and sell technology and assets of these businesses, including the sale of our IP PBX research and development center in France, the sale of our next generation video semiconductor development effort, and the license of technology and manufacturing rights for our VoIP semiconductor products to other semiconductor companies. In addition, during January 2004, we announced the end of life of our VoIP semiconductor products, and began accepting last time buy orders from customers. This change in our business has resulted in a reduction of revenues, but has enabled us to reduce costs and generate cash from the related license and sale transactions related to the semiconductor and IP PBX businesses. We continue to own the voice and video technology related to the semiconductor and IP PBX businesses, and utilize this technology in the Packet8 service offering and continue to sell or license this technology when the opportunity is in our best interest.
During fiscal 2004, we completed equity financings for gross proceeds of approximately $8.5 million. As of March 31, 2004, we had cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash of $14 million as compared to $3.4 million at March 31, 2003. On April 1, 2004, we filed a universal shelf registration statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. Under this registration statement, we may, from time to time, offer our common stock, preferred stock, depository shares, warrants and debt securities, which together have an aggregate initial public offering price of up to $50 million. The securities may be offered, separately or together, in separate series, in amounts, at prices and on terms to be set forth in the prospectus contained in the registration statement. The universal shelf registration statement is intended to provide us the flexibility to raise funds from the offering of the securities, subject to market conditions and our capital needs. Any offer to sell or solicitation of an offer to buy such securities, if and when such offer is made, shall be pursuant to the prospectus
.CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES & ESTIMATES
Our consolidated financial statements are prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements in Part II, Item 8 of this Report describes the significant accounting policies and methods used in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements.
We have identified the policies below as some of the more critical to our business and the understanding of our results of operations. These policies may involve a higher degree of judgment and complexity in their application and represent the critical accounting policies used in the preparation of our financial statements. Although we believe our judgments and estimates are appropriate and correct, actual future results may differ from our estimates. If different assumptions or conditions were to prevail, the results could be materially different from our reported results. The impact and any associated risks related to these policies on our business operations is discussed throughout Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations where such policies affect our reported and expected financial results.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of our consolidated financial statements, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities and equity and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. These estimates, particularly estimates relating to litigation and other contingencies, have a material impact on our financial statements, and are discussed in detail throughout our analysis of the results of operations.
In addition to evaluating estimates relating to the items discussed above, we also consider other estimates, including, but not limited to, those related to bad debts, the valuation of inventories, goodwill, income taxes, and financing operations. We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying value of assets, liabilities and equity that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results could differ from those estimates under different assumptions or conditions. Additional information regarding risk factors that may impact our estimates is included below under "Factors that May Affect Future Results."
Revenue Recognition
Our revenue recognition policies are described in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements in Part II, Item 8 of this Report. As described below, significant management judgments and estimates must be made and used in connection with the revenue recognized in any accounting period. Material differences may result in the amount and timing of our revenue for any period if our management made different judgments or utilized different estimates.
We defer revenue recognition of new subscriber revenue from Packet8 until we deem that the customer has accepted the service. New customers may terminate their service within thirty days of activation and receive a full refund of fees previously paid. As we have been providing our Packet8 service for a limited period of time, we have not developed sufficient history to apply a return rate and reserve against new order revenue. Accordingly, we may defer new subscriber revenue for up to sixty days to ensure that the thirty day activation period has expired.
EITF No. 00-21, "Accounting for Revenue Arrangements with Multiple Deliverables," requires that revenue arrangements with multiple deliverables be divided into separate units of accounting if the deliverables in the arrangement meet specific criteria. In addition, arrangement consideration must be allocated among the separate units of accounting based on their relative fair values, with certain limitations. The provision of our Packet8 service with the accompanying desktop terminal adapter constitutes a revenue arrangement with multiple deliverables. In accordance with the guidance of EITF No. 00-21 we allocate Packet8 revenues, including activation fees, among the desktop terminal adapter, and subscriber services. Revenues allocated to the desktop terminal adapter are recognized at the end of thirty days after activation, providing the customer does not cancel their Packet8 service. Service revenue is recognized when the related services are provided.
At the time of each revenue transaction we assess whether the revenue amount is fixed and determinable and whether or not collection is reasonably assured. We assess whether the fee is fixed and determinable based on the payment terms associated with the transaction. If a significant portion of a fee is due after our normal payment terms, which are thirty to ninety days from invoice date, we account for the fee as not being fixed and determinable. In these cases, we recognize revenue as the fees become due. We assess collection based on a number of factors, including past transaction history with the customer and the credit-worthiness of the customer. We generally do not request collateral from our customers. If we determine that collection of a fee is not reasonably assured, we defer the fee and recognize revenue at the time collection becomes reasonably assured, which is generally upon receipt of payment.
For arrangements with multiple obligations (for example, undelivered maintenance and support), we allocate revenue to each component of the arrangement using the residual value method based on the fair value of the undelivered elements, which is specific to us. This means that we defer revenue from the arranged fee that is equivalent to the fair value of the undelivered elements. Fair values for the ongoing maintenance and support obligations for our technology licenses are based upon separate sales of renewals to other customers or upon renewal rates quoted in the contracts. We base the fair value of services, such as training or consulting, on separate sales of these services to other customers. We recognize revenue for maintenance services ratably over the contract term. Our training and consulting services are billed based on hourly rates and we generally recognize revenue as these services are performed.
If an arrangement includes acceptance criteria, revenue is not recognized until we can objectively demonstrate that the software or service can meet the acceptance criteria or when the customer has signed formal acceptance documentation. If a software license arrangement obligates us to deliver unspecified future products, revenue is recognized on a subscription basis, ratably over the term of the contract.
For all sales, except those completed via the Internet, we use either a binding purchase order or other signed agreement as evidence of an arrangement. For sales over the Internet, we use a credit card authorization as evidence of an arrangement, and recognize revenue upon settlement of the transaction.
Our ability to enter into revenue generating transactions and recognize revenue in the future is subject to a number of business and economic risks discussed below under "Factors that May Affect Future Results."
Collectibility of Accounts Receivable
We must make estimates of the collectibility of our accounts receivable. Management specifically analyzes accounts receivable, including historical bad debts, customer concentrations, customer creditworthiness, current economic trends and changes in our customer payment terms when evaluating the adequacy of the allowance for doubtful accounts. The accounts receivable balance was $608,000, net of an allowance for doubtful accounts of $135,000 as of March 31, 2004, and two customers represented 46% of our gross accounts receivable. Based upon this customer's past payment history, discussions with the customer and our review of their financial condition, the outstanding balance was considered collectible and therefore no portion of this balance was specifically reserved for at March 31, 2004. If the financial condition of our customers were to deteriorate, our actual losses may exceed our estimates, and additional allowances would be required.
Valuation of Inventories
We write down our inventory for estimated obsolescence or unmarketable inventory equal to the difference between the cost of inventory and the estimated market value based upon assumptions about future demand and market conditions. If actual future demand or market conditions are less favorable than those projected by us, additional inventory write-downs may be required.
Income Taxes
As part of the process of preparing our consolidated financial statements we are required to estimate our income taxes in each of the jurisdictions in which we operate. This process involves us estimating our actual current tax expense together with assessing temporary differences resulting from differing treatment of items, such as deferred revenue, for tax and accounting purposes. These differences result in deferred tax assets and liabilities, which are included within our consolidated balance sheet. We must then assess the likelihood that our deferred tax assets will be recovered from future taxable income and to the extent we believe that recovery is not likely, we must establish a valuation allowance. In the event that we determine that we would be able to realize deferred tax assets in the future in excess of the net recorded amount, an adjustment to the deferred tax asset would increase income in the period such determination was made.
Significant management judgment is required in determining the valuation allowance recorded against our net deferred tax assets, which primarily consist of net operating loss and tax credit carry forwards. We have recorded a valuation allowance of $54 million as of March 31, 2004, due to uncertainties related to our ability to utilize most of our deferred tax assets before they expire. The valuation allowance is based on our estimates of taxable income by jurisdiction in which we operate and the period over which our deferred tax assets will be recoverable.
Litigation
From time to time, we receive notices that our products or manufacturing processes may be infringing the patent or intellectual property rights of others. Management's current estimated range of liability related to pending intellectual property and other litigation involving the Company is based on claims for which our management can estimate the amount and range of loss. We have recorded the minimum estimated liability related to those claims, where there is a range of loss. At March 31, 2004, liabilities related to litigation matters were not significant. Because of the uncertainties related to both the amount and range of loss on pending litigation, management is unable to make a reasonable estimate of the liability that could result from an unfavorable outcome. As additional information becomes available, we will assess the potential liability, if any, related to our pending litigation and revise our estimates. Such revisions in our estimates of the potential liability could materially impact our results of operation, financial position or cash flows.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following table sets forth consolidated statement of operations data for each of the years ended March 31, 2004, 2003, and 2002, expressed as the percentage of our total revenues represented by each item. Cost of product revenues is presented as a percentage of product revenues and cost of license and other revenues is presented as a percentage of license and other revenues. You should read this information in conjunction with our Consolidated Financial Statements and related notes included elsewhere in this report.
Year Ended March 31, ------------------------- 2004 2003 2002 ------- -------- -------- Product revenues..................................... 29 % 52 % 41 % License and service revenues......................... 71 % 48 % 59 % ------ ------- ------- Total revenues............................. 100 % 100 % 100 % ------ ------- ------- Cost of product revenues............................. 66 % 48 % 43 % Cost of license and service revenues................. 39 % 29 % 2 % ------ ------- ------- Total cost of revenues..................... 47 % 39 % 19 % ------ ------- ------- Gross profit............................... 53 % 61 % 81 % ------ ------- ------- Operating expenses: Research and development........................... 30 % 71 % 85 % Selling, general and administrative................ 65 % 68 % 59 % Amortization of intangibles........................ -- % -- % 5 % Restructuring and other charges.................... -- % 31 % -- % ------ ------- ------- Total operating expenses................... 95 % 170 % 149 % ------ ------- ------- Loss from operations................................. (42)% (109)% (68)% Other income, net.................................... 9 % 5 % 7 % Interest expense..................................... -- % -- % (6)% ------ ------- ------- Loss before provision for income taxes............... (33)% (104)% (67)% Provision for income taxes........................... -- % -- % -- % ------ ------- ------- Net loss before extraordinary gain................... (33)% (104)% (67)% Extraordinary gain on extinguishment of debt, net.... -- % -- % 5 % ------ ------- ------- Net loss............................................. (33)% (104)% (62)% ====== ======= =======
REVENUES
Product revenues consist of revenues from the sales of semiconductors, sales of our system products such as hosted iPBX media hub systems, VoIP terminal adapters and videophone systems, and product revenues attributable to our Packet 8 service. Semiconductor sales consist of both videoconferencing semiconductor sales and VoIP semiconductor sales. Product revenues were $2.7 million in fiscal 2004, a decrease of approximately $3.1 million from the $5.7 million recorded in fiscal 2003. The decrease in fiscal 2004 was due primarily to a $2.8 million decline in sales of our semiconductor products, consisting of a $2.5 million decrease in videoconferencing semiconductor sales combined with a $300,000 decrease in VoIP semiconductor sales. The decrease in videoconferencing semiconductor sales was attributable to a decrease in unit shipments due to the end of life of those products and completion of final shipments of such products in the first quarter of fiscal 2004. Total videoconferencing semiconductor product revenues were $530,000 and $3.1 million for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively. The decrease in VoIP semiconductor revenue was attributable to a decrease in unit shipments combined with a decrease in average selling prices (ASPs). Revenues from system products decreased approximately $264,000 in fiscal 2004 as compared to fiscal 2003 due to decreases in sales of media hubs used with our hosted iPBX product and videophone sales offset by an increase in product revenues attributable to the Packet8 service.
Product revenues were $5.7 million in fiscal 2003, a decrease of $300,000 from the $6 million reported in fiscal 2002. The decrease in fiscal 2003 was due to a $1.1 million decrease in videoconferencing semiconductor sales, offset by a $300,000 increase in VoIP semiconductor sales and a $500,000 increase in sales of videophones and media hub systems. The significant decrease in videoconferencing semiconductor revenues was due primarily to a slight decrease in unit shipments, combined with decreases in ASPs. The decrease in unit shipments of our videoconferencing semiconductors as compared to the prior year is primarily attributable to our announcement during fiscal 2003 that we were ceasing future production of our videoconferencing semiconductors. Our remaining videoconferencing semiconductor customers have been designing out our products in anticipation of our ceasing production. The increase in VoIP semiconductor sales was attributable to a significant increase in unit shipments, offset by decreases in ASPs. The increase in videophone system sales was attributable to our commencement of sales of these products in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2002, and as a result, fiscal 2003 includes four quarters of sales versus only one quarter of sales in fiscal 2002. The increase in media hub system revenues was attributable to the increase in licenses of our hosted iPBX product.
License and service revenues, the majority of which are nonrecurring in nature, consist primarily of technology licenses and related maintenance revenues, as well as the royalties earned under such licenses. License and services revenues were $6.6 million for the year ended March 31, 2004, an increase of approximately $1.3 million from the $5.3 million reported for fiscal 2003. During the past three fiscal years, our license and service revenues have been primarily generated by nonrecurring transactions. In the future, with the growth of our Packet8 service and the decline of our other non-recurring licensing activities, we anticipate that these revenues will become more predictable in nature.
The increase in license and service revenues of approximately $1.3 million for fiscal 2004 as compared to fiscal 2003 was primarily due to the following:
These increases in license and service revenues were offset by:
License and service revenues were $5.3 million in fiscal 2003, a decrease of $3.3 million from the $8.6 million recorded in fiscal 2002. License and service revenues for both fiscal 2003 and 2002 included approximately $1.6 million of non-cash revenue recognition associated with the license of our video monitoring technology to Interlogix in fiscal 2001. The decrease in fiscal 2003 was primarily attributable to:
These decreases in license and service revenues were partially offset by:
Revenues from our ten largest customers in the fiscal years ended March 31, 2004, 2003, and 2002 accounted for approximately 73%, 63%, and 73%, respectively, of our total revenues. Two customers represented more than 10% of our total revenues in each of fiscal 2004 and 2003. These customers represented 26% and 16% of our total revenues in fiscal 2004 and 17% and 11% of our total revenues in fiscal 2003. During the fiscal year ended March 31, 2002, three customers represented more than 10% of our total revenues. These customers represented 13%, 13%, and 12% of our total revenues. We expect customer concentration to decrease in the future as revenues from our Packet8 service increase as a percentage of overall revenues.
Sales to customers outside the United States represented 71%, 62%, and 61%, and of total revenues in the fiscal years ended March 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002, respectively. The following table illustrates our net revenues by geographic area. Revenues are attributed to countries based on the destination of shipment (in thousands):
Year Ended March 31, ------------------------------------- 2004 2003 2002 ----------- ----------- ----------- United States.............................. $ 2,728 $ 4,218 $ 5,777 Europe..................................... 1,309 2,657 4,126 Taiwan..................................... 4,163 1,569 2,026 Japan...................................... 568 919 1,119 Other...................................... 540 1,640 1,643 ----------- ----------- ----------- $ 9,308 $ 11,003 $ 14,691 =========== =========== ===========
COST OF REVENUES AND GROSS PROFIT
Product Gross Profit
The cost of product revenues consists of costs associated with system manufacturing, components, semiconductor wafer fabrication, system and semiconductor assembly and testing performed by third-party vendors, and direct and indirect costs associated with purchasing, scheduling, and quality assurance. Gross profit from product revenues was $0.9 million, $3 million, and $3.4 million for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2004, 2003, and 2002, respectively. Product gross margin was 34%, 52% and 57% for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2004, 2003, and 2002, respectively.
The $2.1 million decrease in product gross profit and 18% decrease in product margin in fiscal 2004 as compared to fiscal 2003 was primarily due to the costs of desktop terminal adapters (DTA 310) provided to Packet8 subscribers upon activation. We generally do not charge Packet8 subscribers for the DTA 310s when they subscribe for the service. In accordance with EITF 00-21, a portion of Packet8 revenues is allocated to product revenues, but these revenues are less than the cost of the DTA 310s. Gross profit from semiconductor sales decreased due to a decrease in total units shipped and product mix, as fiscal 2004 includes significantly less high margin videoconferencing semiconductor sales than fiscal 2003. For the year ended March 31, 2004, we reversed $116,000 of reserves related to semiconductor product inventory that had been previously written down or for which we had recorded purchase commitment reserves, and recorded $70,000 of reserves against our non- IP videophone product inventory. We also reversed approximately $220,000 of warranty reserves to cost of product revenues related to our video monitoring business as a result of a change in estimate of our warranty exposure.
The $400,000 decrease in gross profit from product revenues in fiscal 2003 as compared to fiscal 2002 was primarily due to a decrease in product revenues primarily attributable to lower ASPs, and a charge of approximately $270,000 for non-cancelable purchase orders for VoIP semiconductors recorded in the quarter ended March 31, 2003. The decreases in gross profit were partially mitigated by lower costs for our VoIP semiconductors resulting from a change in suppliers during fiscal 2003.
License and Service Gross Profit
Gross profit from license and service revenues, which were largely nonrecurring, was $4 million, $3.8 million, and $8.4 million in fiscal 2004, 2003, and 2002, respectively. Associated gross margins were 61%, 71%, and 98% in fiscal 2004, 2003, and 2002. The increase in gross profit and decrease in gross margin from license and services revenues in fiscal 2004 as compared to fiscal 2003 was primarily attributable to the large license and sale transaction with Leadtek that closed during the third quarter of fiscal 2004 combined with lower margins experienced on Packet8 service revenues as compared to historical licensing transactions. The decrease in gross margin was also attributable to a decrease in royalty revenues that was related to the final $750,000 payment received from a single customer of our MPEG video compression technology in the first quarter of fiscal 2003.
The decrease in gross margin from fiscal 2002 to fiscal 2003 was due primarily to the reduction in license and service revenues, and costs incurred to perform development services under revenue generating contracts in fiscal 2003, which included a loss approximating $300,000 in the quarter ended March 31, 2003.
We expect our gross profit from license and service revenues to decrease in future periods as a result of our Packet8 service revenues increasing as a percentage of license and service revenues.
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT EXPENSES
Research and development expenses have historically consisted primarily of personnel, system prototype design and fabrication, mask, prototype wafer, and equipment costs necessary for us to conduct our development efforts. Research and development costs, including software development costs, are expensed as incurred. Research and development expenses were $2.7 million, $7.8 million, and $12.6 million for fiscal 2004, 2003, and 2002, respectively. The $5.1 million decrease in research and development expenses in fiscal 2004 as compared to fiscal 2003 was primarily due to the following:
The $4.8 million decrease in research and development expenses in fiscal 2003 as compared to fiscal 2002 was due to the following:
SELLING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES
Selling, general and administrative expenses consist primarily of personnel and related overhead costs for sales, marketing, finance, human resources, and general management. Such costs also include advertising, sales commissions, trade show, and other marketing and promotional expenses. Selling, general, and administrative expenses were $6.1 million, $7.4 million, and $8.6 million in fiscal 2004, 2003, and 2002, respectively. The $1.3 million decrease in selling, general, and administrative expenses in fiscal 2004 as compared to fiscal 2003 was due primarily to the following:
The decreases above were partially offset by a $0.7 million increase in various other sales, general and administrative expenses including: advertising, promotion and trade show expenses, legal expenditures, primarily related to intellectual property, regulatory and financing matters, and reseller commissions and credit card processing fees related to Packet8.
The $1.2 million decrease in selling, general, and administrative expenses in fiscal 2003 as compared to fiscal 2002 was due to the following:
AMORTIZATION OF INTANGIBLES
Amortization of goodwill and intangible assets charged to operations was $763,000 for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2002. Amortization expense included amounts related to the amortization of goodwill and intangible assets arising from the acquisitions of U|Force in fiscal 2001 and Odisei S.A. in fiscal 2000. Beginning our fiscal year 2003, Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 142, "Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets," was adopted, and we ceased to amortize approximately $1.5 million of goodwill including intangibles related to the acquisition of Odisei S.A. that were classified as goodwill upon the adoption of SFAS No. 142.
RESTRUCTURING AND OTHER CHARGES
2003 Restructuring Actions
During the third and fourth quarters of fiscal 2003, we continued our cost reduction activities to better align expense levels with current revenue levels and ensure conservative spending during the current economic downturn. As a result of these activities, we recorded restructuring and other asset impairment charges of approximately $3.4 million. These charges included severance and benefits of approximately $1.2 million, as we reduced our workforce, under voluntary and involuntary separation plans, by thirty-two employees or thirty percent. The majority of the affected employees were Netergy employees based in Santa Clara, California and Marlow, United Kingdom and included employees from sales and marketing and research and development, as well as four executives of Netergy. Severance of approximately $325,000 attributable to involuntary terminations was paid during the year ended March 31, 2003.
We closed our facility in Marlow, United Kingdom, and recorded $434,000 of charges related to the termination of the operating leases for the facility and related services. In addition, we recorded asset impairment charges of $212,000 related to assets in the United Kingdom that were abandoned or disposed of.
We also recorded a charge of approximately $74,000 for our remaining lease liability for office space in Tempe, Arizona that was vacated as a result of the restructuring actions during the fourth quarter.
In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2003, we also implemented a plan to reduce the workforce at our Sophia Antipolis, France office by ten employees or seventy percent. This downsizing and its potential impact on our iPBX business prompted an assessment of the key assumptions underlying our goodwill valuation judgments. As a result of the analysis, we determined that an impairment charge of $1.5 million was required because the estimated fair value of the goodwill was less than the book value of the goodwill that arose from the acquisition of Odisei S.A. in fiscal 2000.
The following table illustrates the charges, credits and balances of the restructuring reserves for the years ended March 31, 2004 and 2003, and summarizes asset impairment charges (in thousands):
Total Cash Non-Cash Liability at Cash Liability at Charges Payments Charges March 31, 2003 Payments March 31, 2004 ---------- --------- ---------- -------------- -------- ------------- Restructuring Charges: Severance.................... $ 1,177 $ (1,002) $ -- $ 175 $ (175) $ -- Facility related............. 508 (161) (273) 74 (33) 41 ---------- --------- ---------- -------------- -------- ------------- Total restructuring charges 1,685 (1,163) (273) 249 (208) 41 ---------- --------- ---------- -------------- -------- ------------- Asset Impairments: Fixed Assets................. 212 -- (212) -- -- -- Goodwill..................... 1,539 -- (1,539) -- -- -- ---------- --------- ---------- -------------- -------- ------------- Total impairment charges... 1,751 -- (1,751) -- -- -- ---------- --------- ---------- -------------- -------- ------------- Total restructuring and impairment charges....... $ 3,436 $ (1,163) $ (2,024) $ 249 $ (208) $ 41 ========== ========= ========== ============== ======== =============
OTHER INCOME, NET
In fiscal 2004, 2003, and 2002, other income, net, was approximately $822,000, $600,000, and $1.0 million, respectively. The $222,000 increase in other income, net, in fiscal 2004 was primarily attributable to a $790,000 gain recorded in the second quarter of fiscal 2004 in connection with the sale of Centile Europe SA, which was offset by a decrease of $560,000 related to the Canadian tax credits that we collected in fiscal 2003 and recorded as other income.
The decrease in other income, net, in fiscal 2003 compared to fiscal 2002 was due primarily to an approximately $440,000 decrease in interest income resulting from lower average cash and cash equivalent balances and lower interest rates, a $131,000 non-recurring gain realized on the sale of an investment in fiscal 2002, and a $100,000 increase in foreign exchange losses. These decreases were offset by an increase in other income from our former Canadian operations of approximately $175,000. The increase in Canadian other income was primarily attributable to the collection of Canadian research and development and other tax credits in fiscal 2003, which was partially offset by a write off of $92,000, which represented the balance of the cumulative translation adjustment generated from the translation of the financial statements of our Canadian subsidiary. Our Canadian subsidiary has been substantially liquidated. We collected $560,000 of Canadian tax credits in fiscal 2003, but no further refundable tax credits are expected from Canada. Apart from the tax credit receipt in fiscal 2003 and investment gain in 2002 described above, other income, net, consists primarily of interest income earned on our cash and cash equivalents and foreign exchange gains and losses. See "Item 3. Quantitative And Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk" elsewhere in this Report for further discussion of our exposure to currency risk.
INTEREST EXPENSE
Interest expense for the year ended March 31, 2002 consisted mainly of charges associated with the 4% convertible subordinated debentures, or the Debentures, that we issued in December 1999, including the amortization of the related debt discount and debt issuance costs. We redeemed the Debentures in December 2001.
PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES
We had no provisions for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2004 and 2003. The provision of $15,000 for the year ended March 31, 2002 was comprised primarily of certain foreign taxes and also reflected a $10,000 refund of U.S. federal income taxes received in fiscal 2002.
At March 31, 2004, we had net operating loss carryforwards for federal and state income tax purposes of approximately $88 million and $32 million, respectively, which expire at various dates beginning in 2005 and continuing through 2024. In addition, at March 31, 2004, we had research and development credit carryforwards for federal and state tax reporting purposes of approximately $3.1 million and $2.4 million, respectively. The federal credit carryforwards will begin expiring in 2010 continuing through 2017, while the California credit will carryforward indefinitely. Under the ownership change limitations of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, the amount and benefit from the net operating losses and credit carryforwards may be impaired or limited in certain circumstances.
At March 31, 2004, and 2003, we had gross deferred tax assets of approximately $54 million and $51 million. We believe that, based on a number of factors, the weight of objective available evidence indicates that it is more likely than not that we will not be able to realize our deferred tax assets, and a full valuation allowance was recorded at March 31, 2004 and 2003.
EXTRAORDINARY GAIN
We realized an extraordinary gain of $779,000 in the third quarter of fiscal 2002 resulting from the early extinguishment of our convertible subordinated debentures. See Note 6 to the consolidated financial statements in Part II, Item 8 of this Report for further discussion of this transaction.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
As of March 31, 2004, we had cash and cash equivalents approximating $13.2 million, compared to $3.4 million at March 31, 2003. Excluded from the cash balance at March 31, 2004, was $800,000 in restricted cash securing stand- by letters of credit with certain vendors. We currently have no borrowing arrangements. Cash used in operations of $1.6 million in fiscal 2004 was primarily attributable to the net loss of $3 million, adjusted for $1.3 million of stock compensation expense, the $790,000 gain on the sale of Centile Europe and $565,000 of depreciation and amortization, a decrease in accrued compensation of $258,000, a decrease in warranty liability of $234,000, a $239,000 decrease in other accrued liabilities, and a $91,000 decrease in other assets. Cash used in operations was partially offset by a $682,000 decrease in accounts receivable, a $325,000 decrease in inventory, and a $263,000 increase in accounts payable. Cash used in investing activities in fiscal 2004 was primarily attributable to $800,000 of cash classified as restricted cash to support standby letters of credit with certain vendors and proceeds from the sale of fixed assets of $79,000, partially offset by the receipt of $398,000 of net proceeds from the sale of Centile Europe SA, and net sales of marketable equity securities and mutual funds of $208,000. Cash provided by financing activities in fiscal 2004 consisted primarily of $11.7 million of proceeds resulting from the sale of common stock: i) to investors in private placement transactions in July and November 2003 (the "Private Placements"), ii) through exercise of warrants issued in the Private Placements, and iii) to employees through our employee stock option plans.
At March 31, 2004, we had open purchase orders related to our contract manufacturers and other contractual obligations of approximately $2.6 million primarily related to inventory purchases. These purchase commitments are reflected in our consolidated financial statements once goods or services have been received or at such time when we are obligated to make payments related to these goods or services. At March 31, 2004, future minimum annual lease payments under noncancelable operating leases, net of sublease income, were as follows (in thousands):
YEAR ENDING MARCH 31, --------------------- 2005.......................................................... 216 2006.......................................................... 2 --------- Total minimum payments.............................. $ 218 =========
We have sustained net losses and negative cash flows from operations since fiscal 1999 that have been funded primarily through the issuance of equity securities and borrowings. Management believes that current cash and cash equivalents will be sufficient to finance our operations for the next twelve months. However, continually evaluate our cash needs and may pursue additional equity or debt financing in order to achieve our overall business objectives. There can be no assurance that such financing will be available, or, if available, at a price that is acceptable to us. Failure to generate sufficient revenues, raise additional capital or reduce certain discretionary spending could have an adverse impact on our ability to achieve our longer term business objectives.
RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2000, we sold 3.7 million shares of its common stock to STMicroelectronics NV (STM) at a purchase price of $7.50 per share and received net proceeds of $27.7 million. In December 2003, STM's representative on our board of directors resigned and STM subsequently began to sell on the open market shares of our common stock that it was holding. As a result, STM ceased to be a related party of the Company as of December 31, 2003. During the first nine months of fiscal 2004, we purchased approximately $150,000 of semiconductors from a subsidiary of STM and we paid a subsidiary of STM $237,500 for non-recurring engineering services. During fiscal 2003, such purchases approximated $550,000. As of March 31, 2003, we had recorded liabilities to STM of $392,000 for semiconductor purchases and purchase commitments and engineering services.
In March 2002, our board of directors authorized us to open securities trading accounts with two brokerage firms and make investments of up to $1.0 million on behalf of 8x8, Inc. as directed by its then Chairman, Joe Parkinson, Chief Executive Officer, or Chief Financial Officer. Since the formation of these accounts in 2002, neither the Company's Chief Executive Officer nor Chief Financial Officers made any trades in the investment accounts as these officers had not agreed to reimburse us for any losses incurred as a result of their trading activity. Mr. Parkinson did not have use of any of the investment account funds for his personal benefit. The funds were always held in investment accounts in our name and all benefits belonged to us. We invested in mutual funds, money market funds, and equity and debt securities and options of publicly traded corporations. The investment accounts were not used to trade in our own stock. Under the arrangement, we were required to return to Mr. Parkinson the amount representing the increase in value of the investment account over $1.0 million to the extent required to restore replenishment payments made by Mr. Parkinson in prior quarters. Through March 31, 2003, Mr. Parkinson made cumulative replenishment payments of approximately $137,000 to offset losses incurred. As of December 31, 2003, we had repaid all the replenishment payments received from Mr. Parkinson during fiscal 2003.
In January 2004, the arrangement with Mr. Parkinson was terminated and our securities trading accounts were closed.
RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
In March 2004, the EITF issued EITF Issue No. 03-06, Participating Securities and the Two-class Method Under FASB Statement No. 128, Earnings Per Share. EITF Issue No. 03-06 addresses a number of questions regarding the computation of earnings per share (EPS) by companies that have issued securities other than common stock that contractually entitle the holder to participate in dividends and earnings of the company when, and if, it declares dividends on its common stock. The issue also provides further guidance in applying the two-class method of calculating EPS. It clarifies what constitutes a participating security and how to apply the two-class method of computing EPS once it is determined that a security is participating, including how to allocate undistributed earnings to such a security. This pronouncement is effective for fiscal periods beginning after March 31, 2004. We do not believe that the adoption of this standard will have an impact on our computation of EPS.
In March 2004, the EITF reached a consensus on Issue No. 03-01, "The Meaning of Other-Than-Temporary Impairment and Its Application to Certain Investments." EITF No. 03-01 provides guidance on recording other-than-temporary impairments of cost method investments and requires additional disclosures for those investments. The recognition and measurement guidance in EITF No. 03-01 should be applied to other-than-temporary impairment evaluations in reporting periods beginning after June 15, 2004. The disclosure requirements are effective for fiscal years ending after June 15, 2004 and are required only for annual periods. We do not believe that the adoption of this standard will have a material impact on our financial position or results of operations.
FACTORS THAT MAY AFFECT FUTURE RESULTS
Before you invest in our common stock, you should become aware of various risks, including those described below. You should carefully consider these risk factors, together with all of the other information included in this prospectus, including the documents incorporated in this prospectus by reference, before you decide whether to purchase the securities. The risks set out below may not be exhaustive.
We have a history of losses and we are uncertain as to our future profitability.
We recorded an operating loss of approximately $3.9 million for the year ended March 31, 2004, and we ended the period with an accumulated deficit of $152 million. In addition, we recorded operating losses of $12 million and $10 million for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2003 and 2002, respectively. We expect that we will continue to incur operating losses for the foreseeable future, and such losses may be substantial. We will need to generate significant revenue growth to achieve an operating profit. Given our history of fluctuating revenues and operating losses, we cannot be certain that we will be able to achieve profitability on either a quarterly or annual basis in the future.
Our stock price has been highly volatile.
The market price of the shares of our common stock has been and is likely to be highly volatile. It may be significantly affected by factors such as:
The stock market has from time to time experienced significant price and volume fluctuations that have particularly affected the market prices for the common stocks of technology companies and that have often been unrelated to the operating performance of particular companies. These broad market fluctuations may adversely affect the market price of our common stock. In the past, following periods of volatility in the market price of a company's securities, securities class action litigation has often been initiated against the issuing company. If our stock price is volatile, we may also be subject to such litigation. Such litigation could result in substantial costs and a diversion of management's attention and resources, which would disrupt business and could cause a decline in our operating results. Any settlement or adverse determination in such litigation would also subject us to significant liability.
The growth of our business and our future profitability depends on future Packet8 revenue.
We continue to devote substantially all of our resources to the promotion, distribution and development of our Packet8 service rather than to our semiconductor business. As such, our future growth and profitability will be dependent on revenue from our Packet8 service, as opposed to revenue from the semiconductor business, which has historically accounted for a substantial portion of the Company's consolidated revenues.
Semiconductor and related software revenues represented approximately 83% and 88%, respectively, of the Company's consolidated revenues for fiscal 2004 and 2003. However, these revenues have not been sufficient to profitably operate the semiconductor business. Therefore, we have reduced the scope of these operations. During the quarter ended June 30, 2003, we completed the end-of of- life of our legacy videoconferencing semiconductor products. In November 2003, we sold the VIP1 video semiconductor development effort to Leadtek Research, Inc. (Leadtek). Under the terms of the transaction, Leadtek acquired the VIP1 development activities, key engineers, software tools and equipment. Revenues attributable to this development effort, prior to the aforementioned transaction, were $0 and $1.1 million during the fiscal years ended March 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively, representing approximately 0% and 12% of revenues of the semiconductor business and 0% and 10.5% of 8x8's consolidated revenues for such periods. As a result of the transfer of this development effort to Leadtek, this development revenue ceased. In January 2004, we initiated an end- of-life program for our VoIP telephony semiconductor products, including the Audacity T2 and T2U products. The semiconductor business remains a continuing operation and will continue to generate revenue in the future, although we expect the amounts to decrease, both on an absolute basis and as percentage of our consolidated revenues.
Revenues from the hosted iPBX solutions business represented approximately 3% and 8% of the Company's consolidated revenues for fiscal 2004 and 2003, respectively. In July 2003, we sold our European subsidiary, Centile Europe S.A., and licensed, on a non-exclusive basis, our iPBX technology to the purchaser. In March 2004, we announced the Packet8 Virtual Office service, which includes technologies previously offered as part of the hosted iPBX solutions business.
We have only been selling our Packet8 service for a limited period and there is no guarantee that Packet8 will gain broad market acceptance.
We have only been selling our Packet8 service since November 2002. Given our limited history with offering this service, there are many difficulties that we may encounter, including regulatory hurdles, discussed below, and other problems that we may not anticipate. To date, we have not generated significant revenue from the sale of our VoIP telephony products and services, including our Packet8 service, and there is no guarantee that we will be successful in generating significant revenues or achieving profitability. If we are not able to generate significant revenues selling into the VoIP telephony market, our business and operating results would be seriously harmed.
The success of our Packet8 service is dependent on the growth and public acceptance of VoIP telephony.
The success of our Packet8 voice and video communications service is dependent upon future demand for VoIP telephony systems and services. In order for the IP telephony market to continue to grow, several things need to occur. Telephone and cable service providers must continue to invest in the deployment of high speed broadband networks to residential and commercial customers. VoIP networks must improve quality of service for real-time communications, managing effects such as packet jitter, packet loss, and unreliable bandwidth, so that toll-quality service can be provided. VoIP telephony equipment and services must achieve a similar level of reliability that users of the public switched telephone network have come to expect from their telephone service. VoIP telephony service providers must offer cost and feature benefits to their customers that are sufficient to cause the customers to switch away from traditional telephony service providers. Furthermore, end users in markets serviced by recently deregulated telecommunications providers are not familiar with obtaining services from competitors of these providers and may be reluctant to use new providers, such as us. We will need to devote substantial resources to educate customers and end users about the benefits of VoIP telephony solutions in general and our services in particular. If any or all of these factors fail to occur, our business may not grow.
Our future operating results may not follow past or expected trends due to many factors and any of these could cause our stock price to fall.
Our historical operating results have fluctuated significantly and will likely continue to fluctuate in the future, and a decline in our operating results could cause our stock price to fall. On an annual and a quarterly basis, there are a number of factors that may affect our operating results, many of which are outside our control. These include, but are not limited to:
Our gross margin is affected by a number of factors including product mix, the recognition of license and royalty revenues for which there may be little or no corresponding cost of revenues, product pricing, the allocation between international and domestic sales, the percentages of direct sales and sales to resellers, and manufacturing and component costs. In the likely event that we encounter significant price competition in the markets for our products, we could be at a significant disadvantage compared to our competitors, many of whom have substantially greater resources, and therefore may be better able to withstand an extended period of downward pricing pressure.
Variations in timing of sales may cause significant fluctuations in future operating results. Delivery schedules may be deferred or canceled for a number of reasons, including changes in specific customer requirements or economic conditions. The adverse impact of a shortfall in our revenues may be magnified by our inability to adjust spending to compensate for such shortfall. Announcements by our competitors or us of new products and technologies could cause customers to defer purchases of our existing products, which would also have a material adverse effect on our business and operating results. As a result of these and other factors, it is likely that in some or all future periods our operating results will be below the expectations of investors, which would likely result in a significant reduction in the market price of our common stock.
The VoIP telephony market is subject to rapid technological change and we depend on new product introduction in order to maintain and grow our business.
VoIP telephony is an emerging market that is characterized by rapid changes in customer requirements, frequent introductions of new and enhanced products, and continuing and rapid technological advancement. To compete successfully in this emerging market, we must continue to design, develop, manufacture, and sell new and enhanced VoIP telephony software products and services that provide increasingly higher levels of performance and reliability at lower cost. These new and enhanced products must take advantage of technological advancements and changes, and respond to new customer requirements. Our success in designing, developing, manufacturing, and selling such products and services will depend on a variety of factors, including:
Additionally, we may also be required to collaborate with third parties to develop our products and may not be able to do so on a timely and cost-effective basis, if at all. We have in the past experienced delays in the development of new products and the enhancement of existing products, and such delays will likely occur in the future. If we are unable, due to resource constraints or technological or other reasons, to develop and introduce new or enhanced products in a timely manner, if such new or enhanced products do not achieve sufficient market acceptance, or if such new product introductions decrease demand for existing products, our operating results would decline and our business would not grow.
The long and variable sales and deployment cycles for our VoIP telephony products may cause our revenue and operating results to vary.
Our Packet8 service has lengthy sales cycles, and we may incur substantial sales and marketing expenses and expend significant management effort without making a sale. A customer's decision to purchase our products often involves a significant commitment of its resources and a lengthy product evaluation and qualification process. We do not possess the capital required to invest in extensive marketing or advertising campaigns that may be required in order to sell these products. In addition, the length of our sales cycles will vary depending on the type of customer to whom we are selling and the product being sold. Even after making the decision to purchase our products, our customers may deploy our products slowly. Timing of deployment can vary widely and will depend on various factors, including:
As a result, it is difficult for us to predict the quarter in which our customers may purchase our VoIP telephony products, and our revenue and operating results may vary significantly from quarter to quarter.
Decreasing telecommunications rates may diminish or eliminate our competitive pricing advantage.
Decreasing telecommunications rates may diminish or eliminate the competitive pricing advantage of our services. International and domestic telecommunications rates have decreased significantly over the last few years in most of the markets in which we operate, and we anticipate that rates will continue to be reduced in all of the markets in which we do business or expect to do business. Users who select our services to take advantage of the current pricing differential between traditional telecommunications rates and our rates may switch to traditional telecommunications carriers as such pricing differentials diminish or disappear, and we will be unable to use such pricing differentials to attract new customers in the future. In addition, our ability to market our services to other service providers depends upon the existence of spreads between the rates offered by us and the rates offered by traditional telecommunications carriers, as well as a spread between the retail and wholesale rates charged by the carriers from which we obtain wholesale services. Continued rate decreases will require us to lower our rates to remain competitive and will reduce or possibly eliminate our gross profit from our services. If telecommunications rates continue to decline, we may lose users for our services.
Our success depends on third parties in our distribution channels. |
We currently sell our products direct to consumers and through resellers, and are focusing efforts on increasing our distribution channels. Our future revenue growth will depend in large part on sales of our products through reseller and other distribution relationships. We may not be successful in developing additional distribution relationships. Agreements with distribution partners generally provide for one-time and recurring commissions based on our list prices, and do not require minimum purchases or restrict development or distribution of competitive products. Therefore, entities that distribute our products may compete with us. In addition, distributors and resellers may not dedicate sufficient resources or give sufficient priority to selling our products. Our failure to develop new distribution channels, the loss of a distribution relationship or a decline in the efforts of a material reseller or distributor could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
We need to retain key personnel to support our products and ongoing operations.
The development and marketing of our VoIP products will continue to place a significant strain on our limited personnel, management, and other resources. Our future success depends upon the continued services of our executive officers and other key employees who have critical industry experience and relationships that we rely on to implement our business plan. None of our officers or key employees are bound by employment agreements for any specific term. The loss of the services of any of our officers or key employees could delay the development and introduction of, and negatively impact our ability to sell our products which could adversely affect our financial results and impair our growth. We currently do not maintain key person life insurance policies on any of our employees.
We depend on contract manufacturers to manufacture substantially all of our products, and any delay or interruption in manufacturing by these contract manufacturers would result in delayed or reduced shipments to our customers and may harm our business.
We do not have long-term purchase agreements with our contract manufacturers or our component suppliers. There can be no assurance that our subcontract manufacturers will be able or willing to reliably manufacture our products, in volumes, on a cost-effective basis or in a timely manner. For our videophones and VoIP terminal adaptors and that are used with our Packet8 service, we rely on the availability of our semiconductor products. These devices are also sourced solely from certain overseas contract manufacturers and partners, and are currently not available from any other manufacturer.
We rely on third party network service providers to originate and terminate substantially all of our public switched telephone network calls.
Our Packet8 service depends on the availability of third party network service providers that provide telephone numbers and public switched telephone network (PSTN) call termination and origination services for our customers. Many of these network service providers have been affected by the downturn in the telecommunications industry and may be forced to terminate the services that we depend on. The time to interface our technology to another network service provider, if available, and qualify this new service could have a material adverse effect on our business, operating results, and financial condition.
While we believe that relations with our current service provider are good and we have a contract in place, there can be no assurance that this service provider will be able or willing to supply services to us in the future or that we will be successful in signing up alternative or additional providers. While we believe that we could replace our current provider, if necessary, our ability to provide service to our subscribers would be impacted during this timeframe, and this could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
We may not be able to manage our inventory levels effectively, which may lead to inventory obsolescence that would force us to lower our prices.
Our products have lead times of up to several months, and are built to forecasts that are necessarily imprecise. Because of our practice of building our products to necessarily imprecise forecasts, it is likely that, from time to time, we will have either excess or insufficient product inventory. Excess inventory levels would subject us to the risk of inventory obsolescence and the risk that our selling prices may drop below our inventory costs, while insufficient levels of inventory may negatively affect relations with customers. For instance, our customers rely upon our ability to meet committed delivery dates, and any disruption in the supply of our products could result in legal action from our customers, loss of customers or harm to our ability to attract new customers. Any of these factors could have a material adverse effect on our business, operating results, and financial condition.
If our products do not interoperate with our customers' networks, orders for our products will be delayed or canceled and substantial product returns could occur, which could harm our business.
Many of the potential customers for our Packet8 service have requested that our products and services be designed to interoperate with their existing networks, each of which may have different specifications and use multiple standards. Our customers' networks may contain multiple generations of products from different vendors that have been added over time as their networks have grown and evolved. Our products must interoperate with these products as well as with future products in order to meet our customers' requirements. In some cases, we may be required to modify our product designs to achieve a sale, which may result in a longer sales cycle, increased research and development expense, and reduced operating margins. If our products do not interoperate with existing equipment or software in our customers' networks, installations could be delayed, orders for our products could be canceled or our products could be returned. This could harm our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
We may have difficulty identifying the source of the problem when there is a problem in a network.
Our Packet8 service must successfully integrate with products from other vendors, such as gateways to traditional telephone systems. As a result, when problems occur in a network, it may be difficult to identify the source of the problem. The occurrence of hardware and software errors, whether caused by our Packet8 service or another vendor's products, may result in the delay or loss of market acceptance of our products and any necessary revisions may force us to incur significant expenses. The occurrence of some of these types of problems may seriously harm our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Intense competition in the markets in which we compete could prevent us from increasing or sustaining our revenue and prevent us from achieving profitability
We expect our competitors to continue to improve the performance of their current products and introduce new products or new technologies. If our competitors successfully introduce new products or enhance their existing products, this could reduce the sales or market acceptance of our products and services, increase price competition or make our products obsolete. For instance, our competitors, such as local exchange carriers and cable television providers, may be able to bundle services and products that we do not offer together with long distance or VoIP telephony services. These services could include wireless communications, voice and data services, Internet access and cable television. This form of bundling would put us at a competitive disadvantage if these providers can combine a variety of services offerings at a single attractive price. To be competitive, we must continue to invest significant resources in research and development, sales and marketing, and customer support. We may not have sufficient resources to make these investments or to make the technological advances necessary to be competitive, which in turn will cause our business to suffer.
Many of our current and potential competitors have longer operating histories, are substantially larger, and have greater financial, manufacturing, marketing, technical, and other resources. Many also have greater name recognition and a larger installed base of customers than we have. Competition in our markets may result in significant price reductions. As a result of their greater resources, many current and potential competitors may be better able than us to initiate and withstand significant price competition or downturns in the economy. There can be no assurance that we will be able to continue to compete effectively, and any failure to do so would harm our business, operating results, and financial condition.
If we do not develop and maintain successful partnerships for VoIP telephony products, we may not be able to successfully market our solutions.
We are entering into new market areas and our success is partly dependent on our ability to forge new marketing and engineering partnerships. VoIP telephony communication systems are extremely complex and few, if any, companies possess all the required technology components needed to build a complete end to end solution. We will likely need to enter into partnerships to augment our development programs and to assist us in marketing complete solutions to our targeted customers. We may not be able to develop such partnerships in the course of our product development. Even if we do establish the necessary partnerships, we may not be able to adequately capitalize on these partnerships to aid in the success of our business.
Inability to protect our proprietary technology or our infringement of a third party's proprietary technology would disrupt our business.
We rely in part on trademark, copyright, and trade secret law to protect our intellectual property in the United States and abroad. We seek to protect our software, documentation, and other written materials under trade secret and copyright law, which afford only limited protection. We also rely in part on patent law to protect our intellectual property in the United States and internationally. We hold fifty-four United States patents and have a number of United States and foreign patent applications pending. We cannot predict whether such pending patent applications will result in issued patents. We may not be able to protect our proprietary rights in the United States or internationally (where effective intellectual property protection may be unavailable or limited), and competitors may independently develop technologies that are similar or superior to our technology, duplicate our technology or design around any patent of ours. We have in the past licensed and in the future expect to continue licensing our technology to others; many of who are located or may be located abroad. There are no assurances that such licensees will protect our technology from misappropriation. Moreover, litigation may be necessary in the future to enforce our intellectual property rights, to determine the validity and scope of the proprietary rights of others, or to defend against claims of infringement or invalidity. Such litigation could result in substantial costs and diversion of management time and resources and could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and operating results. Any settlement or adverse determination in such litigation would also subject us to significant liability.
There has been substantial litigation in the semiconductor, electronics, and related industries regarding intellectual property rights, and from time to time third parties may claim infringement by us of their intellectual property rights. Our broad range of technology, including systems, digital and analog circuits, software, and semiconductors, increases the likelihood that third parties may claim infringement by us of their intellectual property rights. If we were found to be infringing on the intellectual property rights of any third party, we could be subject to liabilities for such infringement, which could be material. We could also be required to refrain from using, manufacturing or selling certain products or using certain processes, either of which could have a material adverse effect on our business and operating results. From time to time, we have received, and may continue to receive in the future, notices of claims of infringement, misappropriation or misuse of other parties' proprietary rights. There can be no assurance that we will prevail in these discussions and actions or that other actions alleging infringement by us of third party patents will not be asserted or prosecuted against us.
We rely upon certain technology, including hardware and software, licensed from third parties. There can be no assurance that the technology licensed by us will continue to provide competitive features and functionality or that licenses for technology currently utilized by us or other technology which we may seek to license in the future will be available to us on commercially reasonable terms or at all. The loss of, or inability to maintain existing licenses could result in shipment delays or reductions until equivalent technology or suitable alternative products could be developed, identified, licensed and integrated, and could harm our business. These licenses are on standard commercial terms made generally available by the companies providing the licenses. The cost and terms of these licenses individually are not material to our business.
The failure of IP networks to meet the reliability and quality standards required for voice and video communications could render our products obsolete.
Circuit-switched telephony networks feature very high reliability, with a guaranteed quality of service. In addition, such networks have imperceptible delay and consistently satisfactory audio quality. Emerging broadband IP networks, such as LANs, WANs, and the internet, or emerging last mile technologies such as cable, digital subscriber lines, and wireless local loop, may not be suitable for telephony unless such networks and technologies can provide reliability and quality consistent with these standards.
Our products must comply with industry standards, FCC regulations, state, country-specific and international regulations, and changes may require us to modify existing products.
In addition to reliability and quality standards, the market acceptance of telephony over broadband IP networks is dependent upon the adoption of industry standards so that products from multiple manufacturers are able to communicate with each other. Our VoIP telephony products rely heavily on standards such as SIP, H.323, MGCP and Megaco to interoperate with other vendors' equipment. There is currently a lack of agreement among industry leaders about which standard should be used for a particular application, and about the definition of the standards themselves. These standards, as well as audio and video compression standards, continue to evolve. We also must comply with certain rules and regulations of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regarding electromagnetic radiation and safety standards established by Underwriters Laboratories, as well as similar regulations and standards applicable in other countries. Standards are continuously being modified and replaced. As standards evolve, we may be required to modify our existing products or develop and support new versions of our products. The failure of our products to comply, or delays in compliance, with various existing and evolving industry standards could delay or interrupt volume production of our VoIP telephony products, which would have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and operating results.
Our ability to offer services outside the U.S. is subject to the local regulatory environment, which may be complicated and often uncertain.
Regulatory treatment of VoIP telephony outside the United States varies from country to country. We currently distribute our products and services directly to consumers and through resellers that may be subject to telecommunications regulations in their home countries. The failure of these resellers to comply with these laws and regulations could reduce our revenue and profitability. Because of our relationship with the resellers, some countries may assert that we are required to register as a telecommunications carrier in that country. In such case, our failure to do so could subject us to fines or penalties. In addition, some countries are considering subjecting VoIP services to the regulations applied to traditional telephone companies. Regulatory developments such as these could have a material adverse effect on our international operation.
In many countries in which we operate or our services are sold, the status of the laws that may relate to our services is unclear. We cannot be certain that our customers, resellers, or other affiliates are currently in compliance with regulatory or other legal requirements in their respective countries, that they or we will be able to comply with existing or future requirements, and/or that they or we will continue to be in compliance with any requirements. Our failure or the failure of those with whom we transact business to comply with these requirements could have a material adverse effect on our business, operating results and financial condition.
Future legislation or regulation of the internet and/or voice and video over IP services could restrict our business, prevent us from offering service or increase our cost of doing business.
At present there are few laws, regulations or rulings that specifically address access to or commerce on the Internet, including IP telephony. We are unable to predict the impact, if any, that future legislation, legal decisions or regulations concerning the Internet may have on our business, financial condition, and results of operations. Regulation may be targeted towards, among other things, assessing access or settlement charges, imposing taxes related to internet communications, imposing tariffs or regulations based on encryption concerns or the characteristics and quality of products and services, imposing regulations and requirements related to the handling of emergency 911 services, any of which could restrict our business or increase our cost of doing business. The increasing growth of the broadband IP telephony market and popularity of broadband IP telephony products and services heighten the risk that governments or other legislative bodies will seek to regulate broadband IP telephony and the Internet. In addition, large, established telecommunication companies may devote substantial lobbying efforts to influence the regulation of the broadband IP telephony market, which may be contrary to our interests.
Many regulatory actions are underway or are being contemplated by federal and state authorities, including the FCC and other state regulatory agencies. On February 12, 2004, the FCC initiated a notice of public rule-making to update FCC policy and consider the appropriate regulatory classification for VoIP and other IP enabled services. On February 11, 2004, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) initiated an investigation into voice over IP providers. As a tentative conclusion of law, the CPUC stated that they believe that VoIP providers are telecommunications providers and should be treated as such from a regulatory standpoint. There is risk that a regulatory agency requires us to conform to rules that are unsuitable for IP communications technologies or rules that cannot be complied with due to the nature and efficiencies of IP routing, or are unnecessary or unreasonable in light of the manner in which Packet8 offers service to its customers. It is not possible to separate the Internet, or any service offered over it, into intrastate and interstate components. While suitable alternatives may be developed in the future, the current IP network does not enable us to identify the geographic nature of the traffic traversing the Internet. There is also risk that specific E911 requirements imposed by a regulatory agency may impede our ability to offer service in a manner that conforms to these requirements. While we are developing technologies that seek to provide access to emergency services in conjunction with our IP communications offerings, the existing requirements, which are tethered to and dependent upon the legacy PSTN network, neither work in an IP environment nor take advantage of the significantly enhanced capabilities of the IP network.
The effects of federal or state regulatory actions could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and operating results.
Increasing interest by U.S. states in the regulation of voice over IP services could result in laws or regulatory actions that harm our business.
Several states have recently shown an interest in regulating voice over IP, or VoIP, services, as they do for providers of traditional telephone service. If this trend continues, and if state regulation is not preempted by action by the U.S. federal government, we may become subject to a "patchwork quilt" of state regulations and taxes, which would increase our costs of doing business, and adversely affect our operating results and future prospects.
We have already been contacted by several state regulatory authorities regarding our Packet8 service. On September 11, 2003, we received a letter from the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (the WPSC) notifying us that the WPSC believes that we, via our Packet8 voice and video communications service, are offering intrastate telecommunications services in the state of Wisconsin without certification of the WPSC. According to the WPSC's letter, it believes that we cannot legally provide Packet8-based resold intrastate services in Wisconsin without certification of the WPSC. In addition, the Commission believes that Packet8 bills for intrastate services to Wisconsin customers are void and not collectible. The letter also states that if we do not obtain certification to offer intrastate telecommunications services, the matter will be referred to the State of Wisconsin Attorney General for enforcement action. The letter also states that even if the Company were certified by the WPSC, the previous operation without certification may still subject the Company to referral to the State of Wisconsin Attorney General for enforcement action and possible forfeitures. We consulted with counsel and have responded to the WPSC and disputed their assertions. While we do not believe that the potential amounts of any forfeitures would be material to us, if we are subject to an enforcement action, we may become subject to liabilities and may incur expenses that adversely affect our results of operations.
On September 17, 2003, we were contacted by the Ohio Public Utilities Commission (OPUC) and asked to respond to a questionnaire on Voice over IP technologies that the OPUC is conducting. The OPUC inquired as to the nature of our service, how it is provided, and to what Ohio residents the service is made available. The questionnaire did not contain any assertions regarding the legality of the Packet8 service under Ohio law or any statements as to whether the OPUC believes we are subject to regulation by the state of Ohio. We responded to this questionnaire on October 20, 2003.
On September 22, 2003, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) sent us a letter that alleged that we are offering intrastate telecommunications services for profit in California without having received formal certification from the CPUC to provide such service. The CPUC also requested that we file an application with the CPUC for authority to conduct business as a telecommunications utility no later than October 22, 2003. After consultation with regulatory counsel, we responded to the CPUC, disputed its assertions and did not file the requested application. In our October 22, 2003 response to the CPUC, we disagreed with the CPUC's classification of us as a telephone corporation under the California Public Utilities Code. We asserted that we are an information services provider and not a telecommunications provider. The letter from the CPUC did not indicate, and we cannot predict, what any potential penalties or consequences in failing to obtain certification might be. If we are subjected to penalties, or if we are required to comply with CPUC regulations affecting telecommunications service providers, our business may be adversely affected. On November 13, 2003, the CPUC held a hearing in San Francisco to hear testimony from CPUC staff and industry representatives regarding what course of action the CPUC should take with respect to Internet telephony. A representative from 8x8 testified at the hearing. On February 11, 2004, the CPUC stated that, as a tentative conclusion of law, they believe that VoIP providers are telecommunications providers and should be treated as such from a regulatory standpoint. The CPUC initiated an investigation into appropriate regulation of VoIP providers under state law, and acknowledged that it has not enforced the same regulatory regime over VoIP as applies to telecommunications services. The CPUC is considering a number of potential regulatory requirements, including contribution to state universal service programs, provision of 911 services, payment of access charges to interconnect with the PSTN and compliance with NANP protocols and basic consumer protection laws. The CPUC is also considering whether exempting VoIP providers from requirements applicable to traditional providers of voice telephony creates unfair competitive advantages, if the regulatory framework governing the provision of VoIP should vary based on the market served and whether VoIP providers should be subject to the current system of intercompany compensation arrangements. The CPUC has indicated that this process could last up to 18 months, but there is no way for us to predict the timetable or outcome of this process.
Most recently, on May 19, 2004, in response to a 2003 complaint case brought by Frontier Telephone of Rochester against Vonage, the New York State Public Service Commission, or NYPSC concluded that Vonage is a telephone corporation as defined by New York law and must obtain a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity, which represents the authorization of the NYPSC to provide telephone service in New York. The NYPSC will allow a forty-five day period in which Vonage can identify and seek waivers of any rules that it believes should not apply. Vonage will be required to provide 911 service in some form, and will be required to file a schedule of its rates. Currently, this decision applies only to Vonage. While this ruling applies only to Vonage and not to us, if we are subject to regulation by the NYPSC, we may become subject to liabilities and may incur expenses that adversely affect our results of operations.
We may be subject to liabilities for past sales and our future sales may decrease.
In accordance with current industry practice, we do not collect state and federal telecommunications taxes, other than federal excise tax, or other telecommunications surcharges with respect to our Packet8 service. We do not collect Value Added Tax, or VAT, for services that we provide to customers in European Union, or EU, member countries. Future expansion of our Packet8 service, along with other aspects of our evolving business, may result in additional sales and other tax obligations. One or more states or foreign countries may seek to impose sales or other tax collection obligations on out- of-jurisdiction companies that provide telephone service. A successful assertion by one or more states or foreign countries that we should collect sales or other taxes on the sale of merchandise or services could result in substantial tax liabilities for past sales, decrease our ability to compete with traditional telephone companies, and could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and operating results.
Potential regulation of Internet service providers could adversely affect our operations.
To date, the FCC has treated Internet service providers as information service providers. Information service providers are currently exempt from federal and state regulations governing common carriers, including the obligation to pay access charges and contribute to the universal service fund. The FCC is currently examining the status of Internet service providers and the services they provide. If the FCC were to determine that internet service providers, or the services they provide, are subject to FCC regulation, including the payment of access charges and contribution to the universal service funds, it could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and operating results.
There may be risks associated with the lack of 911 emergency dialing with the Packet8 service.
We market the Packet8 service to our residential customers as a secondary line service, not a primary line service. We do not encourage our residential customers to use Packet8 as their only telephone service, due to the fact that the IP dialtone service is only as reliable as a customer's underlying data service (which is not provided by us). We play a recorded message to any of our customers who dial 911 from phones connected to the Packet8 service instructing them to hang up and either dial their local police/fire department directly from the phone on the Packet8 service, or to dial 911 from a phone connected to the traditional telephone network. However, there may be a risk of liability or future regulatory action with respect to the inability of customers to access local 911 emergency services from a telephone connected to Packet8 service.
To date, the FCC has not classified any interstate VoIP telephony service provider as a "telecommunications carrier," preferring instead to permit the nascent industry to grow. Under current federal law, providers of "information services" do not incur obligations to participate in 911 and E911 emergency calling systems. However, there is no guarantee that the FCC's interpretations and the relevant federal law will not change in a manner that may increase our cost of doing business or otherwise adversely affect our ability to deliver the Packet8 service.
We are currently working on ways to deliver E911 services to our subscribers. However, many of the technical issues related to the mobility of IP endpoints may hamper the effectiveness of such a solution. Also, the rollout of E911 services to our subscribers will occur over time, and we cannot guarantee that 911 service will be available to all of our subscribers, or to subscribers outside of the United States. We are also developing ways to directly connect IP calls to emergency services, but there is no guarantee that these new technologies will work or that regulatory authorities will find these new methods acceptable for the handling of emergency call traffic.
We may lose customers if we experience system failures that significantly disrupt the availability and quality of the services that we provide.
The operation of our Packet8 service depends on our ability to avoid and mitigate any interruptions in service or reduced capacity for customers. Interruptions in service or performance problems, for whatever reason, could undermine confidence in our services and cause us to lose customers or make it more difficult to attract new ones. In addition, because our services may be critical to the businesses of our customers, any significant interruption in service could result in lost profits or other loss to our customers. Although we attempt to disclaim liability in our service agreements, a court might not enforce a limitation on liability, which could expose us to financial loss. In addition, we may provide our customers with guaranteed service level commitments. If we are unable to meet these guaranteed service level commitments as a result of service interruptions, we may be obligated to provide credits, generally in the form of free service for a short period of time, to our customers, which could negatively affect our operating results.
Consumer access to our websites directly affects our ability to sign new subscribers and the account management services we offer and thus affects our service revenues. We experience occasional system interruptions that make our websites unavailable or prevent us from efficiently fulfilling orders or providing services to consumers, which may reduce our service revenues and the attractiveness of our products and services. If we are unable to continually add additional software and hardware and upgrade our systems and network infrastructure in an effective manner, it could cause service interruption and adversely affect our ability to deliver the Packet8 service.
The failure of any equipment or facility on our network, or those of our partners or customers, could result in the interruption of customer service until necessary repairs are made or replacement equipment is installed. Network failures, delays and errors could also result from natural disasters, terrorist acts, power losses, security breaches and computer viruses. These failures, faults or errors could cause delays, service interruptions, expose us to customer liability or require expensive modifications that could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and operating results.
Our success depends on our ability to handle a large number of simultaneous calls, which our network may not be able to accommodate.
We expect the volume of simultaneous calls to increase significantly as the Packet8 subscriber base grows. Our network hardware and software may not be able to accommodate this additional volume. If we fail to maintain an appropriate level of operating performance, or if our service is disrupted, our reputation could be hurt, we could lose customers and this could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
We could be liable for breaches of security on our web site, fraudulent activities of our users, or the failure of third-party vendors to deliver credit card transaction processing services.
A fundamental requirement for operating an internet-based, worldwide voice and video communications service and electronically billing our Packet8 customers is the secure transmission of confidential information over public networks. Although we have developed systems and processes that are designed to protect consumer information and prevent fraudulent credit card transactions and other security breaches, failure to mitigate such fraud or breaches may adversely affect our operating results. The law relating to the liability of providers of online payment services is currently unsettled. We rely on third party providers to process and guarantee payments made by Packet8 subscribers up to certain limits, and we may be unable to prevent our users from fraudulently receiving goods and services. Our liability risk will increase if a larger fraction of our Packet8 transactions involve fraudulent or disputed credit card transactions. Any costs we incur as a result of fraudulent transactions could harm our business. In addition, the functionality of our current billing system relies on certain third-party vendors delivering services. If these vendors are unable or unwilling to provide services, we will not be able to charge for our Packet8 services in a timely or scalable fashion.
We have experienced losses due to subscriber fraud and theft of service.
Subscribers have obtained access to the Packet8 service without paying for monthly service and international toll calls by unlawfully using our authorization codes and submitting fraudulent credit card information. To date, such losses from unauthorized credit card transactions and theft of service have not been significant. We have implemented anti-fraud procedures in order to control losses relating to these practices, but these procedures may not be adequate to effectively limit all of our exposure in the future from fraud. If our procedures are not effective, consumer fraud and theft of service could significantly decrease our revenue and have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and operating results.
Intellectual property and proprietary rights of others could prevent us from using necessary technology to provide IP voice and video services.
While we do not know of any technologies that are patented by others that we believe are necessary for us to provide our services, certain necessary technology may in fact be patented by other parties either now or in the future. If such technology were held under patent by another person, we would have to negotiate a license for the use of that certain technology. We may not be able to negotiate such a license at a price that is acceptable. The existence of such a patent, or our inability to negotiate a license for any such technology on acceptable terms, could force us to cease using such technology and offering products and services incorporating such technology.
If we discover product defects, we may have product-related liabilities which may cause us to lose revenues or delay market acceptance of our products.
Products as complex as those we offer frequently contain errors, defects, and functional limitations when first introduced or as new versions are released. We have in the past experienced such errors, defects or functional limitations. We sell products into markets that are extremely demanding of robust, reliable, fully functional products. Therefore, delivery of products with production defects or reliability, quality or compatibility problems could significantly delay or hinder market acceptance of such products, which could damage our credibility with our customers and adversely affect our ability to retain our existing customers and to attract new customers. Moreover, such errors, defects or functional limitations could cause problems, interruptions, delays or a cessation of sales to our customers. Alleviating such problems may require significant expenditures of capital and resources by us. Despite our testing, our suppliers or our customers may find errors, defects or functional limitations in new products after commencement of commercial production. This could result in additional development costs, loss of, or delays in, market acceptance, diversion of technical and other resources from our other development efforts, product repair or replacement costs, claims by our customers or others against us, or the loss of credibility with our current and prospective customers.
We have significant international operations, which subject us to risks that could cause our operating results to decline.
Sales to customers outside of the United States during the years ended March 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002 were 71%, 62%, and 61%, respectively, of total revenues. The following table illustrates our net revenues by geographic area. Revenues are attributed to countries based on the destination of shipment (in thousands):
Year Ended March 31, ------------------------------------- 2004 2003 2002 ----------- ----------- ----------- United States.............................. $ 2,728 $ 4,218 $ 5,777 Europe..................................... 1,309 2,657 4,126 Taiwan..................................... 4,163 1,569 2,026 Japan...................................... 568 919 1,119 Other...................................... 540 1,640 1,643 ----------- ----------- ----------- $ 9,308 $ 11,003 $ 14,691 =========== =========== ===========
Substantially all of our products are, and substantially all of our future products will be, manufactured, assembled, and tested by independent third parties in foreign countries. International sales and manufacturing are subject to a number of risks, including general economic conditions in regions such as Asia, changes in foreign government regulations and telecommunication standards, potentially weaker protection of intellectual property rights, export license requirements, tariffs and other trade barriers, potentially adverse tax consequences, fluctuations in currency exchange rates, greater difficulty in collecting accounts receivable and longer collection periods, the impact of recessions in economies outside of the United States, and difficulty in staffing and managing foreign operations. In addition, language and cultural differences may result in uncertain market acceptance and difficulties in marketing efforts. We are also subject to geopolitical risks, such as political, social, and economic instability, potential hostilities, and changes in diplomatic and trade relationships, in connection with our international operations. Taiwan in particular is subject to a high rate of natural disasters, such as earthquakes or typhoons, which could have significant impact on our suppliers and customers due to a delay in operations within that country. In addition, Taiwan's tenuous relationship with mainland China is a source of continuing concern due to potential hostilities. A significant decline in demand from foreign markets could have a material adverse effect on our business, operating results, and financial condition.
We may need to raise additional capital to support our operations.
As of March 31, 2004, we had cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash of approximately $14 million. Unless we achieve and maintain profitability, we will need to raise additional capital in fiscal 2006. We may not be able to obtain such additional financing as needed on acceptable terms, or at all, which may require us to reduce our operating costs and other expenditures, including reductions of personnel and capital expenditures. If we issue additional equity or convertible debt securities to raise funds, the ownership percentage of our existing stockholders would be reduced and they may experience significant dilution. New investors may demand rights, preferences or privileges senior to those of existing holders of our common stock. If we are not successful in these actions, we may be forced to cease operations.
We may not be able to maintain our listing on the Nasdaq SmallCap Market.
Our common stock trades on the Nasdaq SmallCap Market, which has certain compliance requirements for continued listing of common stock.
If our minimum closing bid price per share falls below $1.00 for a period of 30 consecutive business days in the future, we may again be subject to delisting procedures. As of the close of business on May 13, 2004, our common stock had a closing bid price of $2.40 per share. We must also meet additional continued listing requirements contained in Nasdaq Marketplace Rule 4310(c)(2)(b), which requires that we have a minimum of $2,500,000 in stockholders' equity or $50,000,000 market value of listed securities or $500,000 of net income from continuing operations for the most recently completed fiscal year (or two of the three most recently completed fiscal years). As of May 13, 2004, based on our closing price as of that day, the market value of our securities approximated $92 million and we were in compliance with Nasdaq Marketplace Rule 4310(c)(2)(b). There can be no assurance that we will continue to meet the continued listing requirements.
Delisting could reduce the ability of our shareholders to purchase or sell shares as quickly and as inexpensively as they have done historically. For instance, failure to obtain listing on another market or exchange may make it more difficult for traders to sell our securities. Broker-dealers may be less willing or able to sell or make a market in our common stock. Not maintaining a listing on a major stock market may:
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant, 8x8, Inc., a Delaware corporation, has duly caused this Amendment No. 1 to Annual Report on Form 10-K/A to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Santa Clara, State of California, on May 28, 2004.
|
8X8, INC. |
|
By: /s/ BRYAN R. MARTIN Bryan R. Martin, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer |
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, this Amendment No. 1 to Annual Report on Form 10-K/A has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the date indicated:
Signature |
Title |
Date |
/s/ BRYAN R. MARTIN Bryan R. Martin |
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer) |
May 28, 2004 |
/s/ JAMES SULLIVAN James Sullivan |
Chief Financial Officer, Vice President, Finance and
Secretary |
May 28, 2004 |
* Barry Andrews |
President and Director |
May 28, 2004 |
* Guy L. Hecker, Jr. |
Director |
May 28, 2004 |
* Christopher McNiffe |
Director |
May 28, 2004 |
* Donn Wilson |
Director |
May 28, 2004 |
*By: /s/ BRYAN R. MARTIN
Bryan R. Martin
Attorney in Fact
EXHIBIT INDEX