e10vq
UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
(Mark One)
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þ |
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QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the quarterly period ended June 30, 2006
OR
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o |
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TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTIONS 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the transition period from to
Commission file number: 0-27423
Golden Telecom, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
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DELAWARE
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51-0391303 |
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
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(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.) |
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Representative Office Golden TeleServices, Inc.
1 Kozhevnichesky Proezd
Moscow, Russia 115114
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115114 |
(Address of principal executive office)
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(Zip Code) |
(011-7-501) 797-9300
(Registrants telephone number, including area code)
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 þ No o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated
filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of accelerated filer and large accelerated
filer in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act:
Large Accelerated Filer o Accelerated Filer þ Non-accelerated Filer o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of
the Exchange Act). Yes o No þ
At August 7, 2006, there were 36,628,413 outstanding shares of common stock of the registrant.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
* Please refer to the special note regarding forward-looking statements in this section.
2
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Financial Statements
GOLDEN TELECOM, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In Thousands, Except Share Data)
(Unaudited)
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December 31, |
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June 30, |
|
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2005 |
|
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2006 |
|
ASSETS |
|
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|
|
|
|
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CURRENT ASSETS |
|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents |
|
$ |
67,176 |
|
|
$ |
36,411 |
|
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of
$27,327 and $29,980 at December 31, 2005 and June 30, 2006, respectively |
|
|
91,709 |
|
|
|
117,993 |
|
VAT receivable |
|
|
21,986 |
|
|
|
18,290 |
|
Prepaid expenses |
|
|
8,083 |
|
|
|
8,277 |
|
Taxes receivable, excluding VAT |
|
|
181 |
|
|
|
2,634 |
|
Notes receivable |
|
|
1,494 |
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|
|
3,380 |
|
Deferred tax asset |
|
|
8,994 |
|
|
|
10,620 |
|
Other current assets |
|
|
11,334 |
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|
|
13,426 |
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS |
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|
210,957 |
|
|
|
211,031 |
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $247,096
and $281,786 at December 31, 2005 and June 30, 2006, respectively |
|
|
407,907 |
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|
449,660 |
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|
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|
|
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Goodwill and intangible assets: |
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|
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|
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Goodwill |
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149,249 |
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|
156,164 |
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Intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization of $60,648 and $69,788 at
December 31, 2005 and June 30, 2006, respectively |
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|
93,880 |
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|
96,756 |
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|
|
|
|
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Net goodwill and intangible assets |
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243,129 |
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|
|
252,920 |
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Restricted cash |
|
|
566 |
|
|
|
229 |
|
Other non-current assets |
|
|
19,652 |
|
|
|
22,084 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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TOTAL ASSETS |
|
$ |
882,211 |
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|
$ |
935,924 |
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|
|
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|
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|
See notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
3
GOLDEN TELECOM, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In Thousands, Except Share Data)
(Unaudited)
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December 31, |
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June 30, |
|
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2005 |
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2006 |
|
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS EQUITY |
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CURRENT LIABILITIES |
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|
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|
|
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Accounts payable and accrued expenses |
|
$ |
89,404 |
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$ |
109,453 |
|
VAT payable |
|
|
17,190 |
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|
6,812 |
|
Debt maturing within one year |
|
|
|
|
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|
957 |
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Current capital lease obligation |
|
|
1,941 |
|
|
|
1,290 |
|
Deferred revenue |
|
|
16,799 |
|
|
|
18,971 |
|
Due to affiliates and related parties |
|
|
2,470 |
|
|
|
3,167 |
|
Other current liabilities |
|
|
4,079 |
|
|
|
5,482 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES |
|
|
131,883 |
|
|
|
146,132 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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|
Long-term debt, less current portion |
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27 |
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|
183 |
|
Long-term deferred tax liability |
|
|
22,287 |
|
|
|
23,353 |
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Long-term deferred revenue |
|
|
30,878 |
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|
33,531 |
|
Long-term capital lease obligations |
|
|
2,340 |
|
|
|
1,944 |
|
Other non-current liabilities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,460 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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TOTAL LIABILITIES |
|
|
187,415 |
|
|
|
206,603 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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Minority interest |
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|
19,693 |
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|
24,975 |
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SHAREHOLDERS EQUITY |
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Preferred stock, $0.01 par value (10,000,000 shares
authorized; none issued and outstanding at December 31, 2005
and June 30, 2006) |
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Common stock, $0.01 par value (100,000,000 shares authorized;
36,458,490 and 36,628,413 shares issued and outstanding at December 31,
2005 and June 30, 2006, respectively) |
|
|
365 |
|
|
|
366 |
|
Additional paid-in capital |
|
|
671,998 |
|
|
|
673,977 |
|
Deferred equity compensation |
|
|
(455 |
) |
|
|
|
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Retained earnings |
|
|
3,195 |
|
|
|
30,003 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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|
TOTAL SHAREHOLDERS EQUITY |
|
|
675,103 |
|
|
|
704,346 |
|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS EQUITY |
|
$ |
882,211 |
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|
$ |
935,924 |
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|
|
|
|
|
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|
See notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
4
GOLDEN TELECOM, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(In Thousands, Except Per Share Data)
(Unaudited)
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Three Months Ended |
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Six Months Ended |
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June 30, |
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June 30, |
|
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|
2005 |
|
|
2006 |
|
|
2005 |
|
|
2006 |
|
REVENUE: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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|
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|
|
|
|
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Telecommunication services |
|
$ |
164,392 |
|
|
$ |
195,242 |
|
|
$ |
319,990 |
|
|
$ |
371,889 |
|
Revenue from affiliates and related parties |
|
|
1,117 |
|
|
|
1,726 |
|
|
|
1,984 |
|
|
|
3,219 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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|
TOTAL REVENUE |
|
|
165,509 |
|
|
|
196,968 |
|
|
|
321,974 |
|
|
|
375,108 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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|
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OPERATING COSTS AND EXPENSES: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Access and network services (excluding depreciation
and amortization) |
|
|
86,191 |
|
|
|
105,608 |
|
|
|
166,188 |
|
|
|
199,001 |
|
Selling, general and administrative (excluding
depreciation and amortization) |
|
|
28,828 |
|
|
|
33,569 |
|
|
|
56,414 |
|
|
|
67,450 |
|
Depreciation and amortization |
|
|
20,150 |
|
|
|
23,923 |
|
|
|
39,871 |
|
|
|
46,572 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
TOTAL OPERATING COSTS AND EXPENSES |
|
|
135,169 |
|
|
|
163,100 |
|
|
|
262,473 |
|
|
|
313,023 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
INCOME FROM OPERATIONS |
|
|
30,340 |
|
|
|
33,868 |
|
|
|
59,501 |
|
|
|
62,085 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE): |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Equity in earnings (losses) of ventures |
|
|
(70 |
) |
|
|
347 |
|
|
|
(168 |
) |
|
|
671 |
|
Interest income |
|
|
524 |
|
|
|
156 |
|
|
|
900 |
|
|
|
803 |
|
Interest expense |
|
|
(350 |
) |
|
|
(74 |
) |
|
|
(437 |
) |
|
|
(150 |
) |
Foreign currency gains (losses) |
|
|
(603 |
) |
|
|
669 |
|
|
|
(239 |
) |
|
|
1,575 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
TOTAL OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE) |
|
|
(499 |
) |
|
|
1,098 |
|
|
|
56 |
|
|
|
2,899 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income before income taxes and minority interest |
|
|
29,841 |
|
|
|
34,966 |
|
|
|
59,557 |
|
|
|
64,984 |
|
Income taxes |
|
|
9,355 |
|
|
|
11,356 |
|
|
|
18,498 |
|
|
|
20,770 |
|
Minority interest |
|
|
719 |
|
|
|
965 |
|
|
|
1,265 |
|
|
|
2,103 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income before cumulative effect of a change in
accounting principle |
|
|
19,767 |
|
|
|
22,645 |
|
|
|
39,794 |
|
|
|
42,111 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle,
net of tax of $52 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
681 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
NET INCOME |
|
$ |
19,767 |
|
|
$ |
22,645 |
|
|
$ |
39,794 |
|
|
$ |
41,430 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic earnings per share of common stock: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income before cumulative effect of a change in
accounting principle |
|
$ |
0.54 |
|
|
|
0.62 |
|
|
$ |
1.10 |
|
|
|
1.15 |
|
Cumulative effect of a change in
accounting principle |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.02 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income per share basic |
|
$ |
0.54 |
|
|
$ |
0.62 |
|
|
$ |
1.10 |
|
|
$ |
1.13 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted average common shares basic |
|
|
36,334 |
|
|
|
36,600 |
|
|
|
36,329 |
|
|
|
36,537 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Diluted earnings per share of common stock: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income before cumulative effect of a change in
accounting principle |
|
$ |
0.54 |
|
|
$ |
0.62 |
|
|
$ |
1.09 |
|
|
|
1.15 |
|
Cumulative effect of a change in
accounting principle |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.02 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income per share diluted |
|
$ |
0.54 |
|
|
$ |
0.62 |
|
|
$ |
1.09 |
|
|
$ |
1.13 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted average common shares diluted |
|
|
36,571 |
|
|
|
36,716 |
|
|
|
36,573 |
|
|
|
36,687 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash dividends per common share |
|
$ |
0.20 |
|
|
$ |
0.20 |
|
|
$ |
0.40 |
|
|
$ |
0.40 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
See notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
5
GOLDEN TELECOM, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(In Thousands)
(Unaudited)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Six Months Ended June 30, |
|
|
|
2005 |
|
|
2006 |
|
OPERATING ACTIVITIES: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income |
|
$ |
39,794 |
|
|
$ |
41,430 |
|
Adjustments to Reconcile Net Income to Net Cash Provided by
Operating Activities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Depreciation |
|
|
30,908 |
|
|
|
36,545 |
|
Amortization |
|
|
8,963 |
|
|
|
10,027 |
|
Equity in (earnings) losses of ventures |
|
|
168 |
|
|
|
(671 |
) |
Foreign currency (gain) losses |
|
|
239 |
|
|
|
(1,575 |
) |
Bad debt expense |
|
|
4,681 |
|
|
|
4,555 |
|
Stock appreciation rights compensation expense |
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,273 |
|
Cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle, net of tax of $52 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
681 |
|
Other |
|
|
(1,445 |
) |
|
|
452 |
|
Changes in assets and liabilities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accounts receivable |
|
|
(11,126 |
) |
|
|
(27,855 |
) |
Accounts payable and accrued expenses |
|
|
4,887 |
|
|
|
22,916 |
|
VAT, net |
|
|
2,796 |
|
|
|
(6,552 |
) |
Other changes in assets and liabilities |
|
|
6,367 |
|
|
|
(1,055 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
NET CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES |
|
|
86,232 |
|
|
|
81,171 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
INVESTING ACTIVITIES: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Purchases of property and equipment and intangible assets |
|
|
(44,362 |
) |
|
|
(81,206 |
) |
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired |
|
|
(946 |
) |
|
|
(16,486 |
) |
Restricted cash |
|
|
452 |
|
|
|
337 |
|
Other investing |
|
|
1,300 |
|
|
|
(1,794 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
NET CASH USED IN INVESTING ACTIVITIES |
|
|
(43,556 |
) |
|
|
(99,149 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
FINANCING ACTIVITIES: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net proceeds from exercise of employee stock options |
|
|
565 |
|
|
|
2,306 |
|
Cash dividends paid |
|
|
(14,543 |
) |
|
|
(14,622 |
) |
Other financing |
|
|
(1,085 |
) |
|
|
(1,062 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
NET CASH USED IN FINANCING ACTIVITIES |
|
|
(15,063 |
) |
|
|
(13,378 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents |
|
|
(90 |
) |
|
|
591 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents |
|
|
27,523 |
|
|
|
(30,765 |
) |
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period |
|
|
53,699 |
|
|
|
67,176 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD |
|
$ |
81,222 |
|
|
$ |
36,411 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
See notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
6
GOLDEN TELECOM, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
Note 1: Basis of Presentation
Golden Telecom, Inc. (the Company) is a provider of a broad range of telecommunications
services to businesses, other telecommunications service providers and consumers. The Company
provides these services through its operation of voice, Internet and data networks, international
gateways, local access and various value-added services in the Commonwealth of Independent States
(CIS), primarily in Russia, and through its fixed line and mobile operations in Ukraine.
The financial statements included herein are unaudited and have been prepared in accordance
with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (US GAAP) for
interim financial reporting and United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)
regulations. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in complete financial
statements prepared in accordance with US GAAP and SEC rules and regulations have been condensed or
omitted pursuant to such US GAAP and SEC rules and regulations. In the opinion of management, the
financial statements reflect all adjustments of a normal and recurring nature necessary to present
fairly the Companys financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the interim
periods. These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Companys 2005 audited
consolidated financial statements and the notes related thereto. The results of operations for the
three and six months ended June 30, 2006, may not be indicative of the operating results for the
full year.
Note 2: Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Recent Accounting Pronouncements
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Intangible Assets
The total gross carrying value and accumulated amortization of the Companys intangible assets
by major asset class is as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As of December 31, 2005 |
|
|
As of June 30, 2006 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(in thousands) |
|
|
|
Weighted Average |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accumulated |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accumulated |
|
|
|
Amortization Lives |
|
|
Cost |
|
|
Amortization |
|
|
Cost |
|
|
Amortization |
|
Amortized intangible assets: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Telecommunications service contracts |
|
10 years |
|
$ |
99,366 |
|
|
$ |
(32,009 |
) |
|
$ |
103,668 |
|
|
$ |
(37,712 |
) |
Contract-based customer relationships |
|
5 years |
|
|
36,849 |
|
|
|
(18,241 |
) |
|
|
37,091 |
|
|
|
(21,847 |
) |
Licenses |
|
11 years |
|
|
7,176 |
|
|
|
(3,182 |
) |
|
|
12,744 |
|
|
|
(3,565 |
) |
Other intangible assets |
|
5 years |
|
|
11,137 |
|
|
|
(7,216 |
) |
|
|
13,041 |
|
|
|
(6,664 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
154,528 |
|
|
$ |
(60,648 |
) |
|
$ |
166,544 |
|
|
$ |
(69,788 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other intangible assets include software, Internet software and related content, as well
as other intangible assets.
Comprehensive Income
Comprehensive income is defined as the change in equity of a business enterprise during a
period from non-owner sources. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2005, and 2006,
respectively, comprehensive income for the Company is equal to net income.
Stock-Based Compensation
Until January 1, 2006, the Company followed the provisions of Statement on Financial
Accounting Standard (SFAS) No. 123, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation, for its Equity
Participation Plan and Stock Appreciation Rights (SARs) Plans. SFAS No. 123 generally allowed
companies to either account for stock-based compensation under the fair value method of SFAS No.
123 or under the intrinsic value method of Accounting Principles Board (APB) No. 25, Accounting
for Stock Issued to Employees. The fair value method required compensation cost to be measured at
the grant date based on the value of the award and to be recognized over the service period. The
Company had elected to account for its stock-based compensation in accordance with the provisions
of APB No. 25 and present pro forma disclosures of results of operations as if the fair value
method had been adopted.
7
GOLDEN TELECOM, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Unaudited)
The effect of applying SFAS No. 123 on the reported net income and net income per share for
the three and six months ended June 30, 2005 is as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three Months Ended |
|
|
Six Months Ended |
|
|
|
June 30, 2005 |
|
|
June 30, 2005 |
|
|
|
(in thousands, except per share data) |
|
Net income, as reported |
|
$ |
19,767 |
|
|
$ |
39,794 |
|
Deduct: total stock-based employee compensation
expense determined under fair value based method
for all awards, net of related tax effects |
|
|
149 |
|
|
|
330 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Pro forma net income |
|
$ |
19,618 |
|
|
$ |
39,464 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income per share: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic as reported |
|
$ |
0.54 |
|
|
$ |
1.10 |
|
Basic pro forma |
|
|
0.54 |
|
|
|
1.09 |
|
Diluted as reported |
|
|
0.54 |
|
|
|
1.09 |
|
Diluted pro forma |
|
|
0.54 |
|
|
|
1.08 |
|
In December 2004, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued SFAS No.
123R (revised 2004), Share Based Payment, which is a revision of SFAS No. 123. SFAS No. 123R
supersedes APB No. 25, and amends SFAS No. 95, Statement of Cash Flows. Under SFAS No. 123R,
companies must calculate and record the cost of equity instruments, such as stock options or
restricted stock, awarded to employees for services received in the income statement; pro forma
disclosure is no longer permitted. The cost of the equity instruments is to be measured based on
the fair value of the instruments on the date they are granted or, if the number of shares to be
issued or the exercise price is unknown, remeasured at each reporting date and is required to be
recognized over the period during which the employees are required to provide services in exchange
for the equity instruments. In April 2005, the Securities and Exchange Commission delayed the
effective date of SFAS No. 123R until January 1, 2006 for calendar year companies.
The Company adopted SFAS No. 123R as of January 1, 2006 using the modified prospective method
which requires the application of SFAS No. 123R in its
accounting for SARs and stock options. Prior to the adoption of SFAS No. 123R, the Company accounted for SARs
by remeasuring the intrinsic value of the SARs at each reporting period and adjusted compensation
expense and the related liability for the change in the intrinsic value. From January 1, 2006, the
Company accounts for SARs at fair value. In accordance with the modified prospective method, the
consolidated financial statements for prior periods have not been restated to reflect, and do not
include, the impact of SFAS No. 123R.
The impact of the adoption of SFAS No. 123R was an increase in cost of revenue of
approximately $0.2 million, an increase in selling, general and administrative expense of
approximately $2.1 million, including the associated payroll taxes, and a deferred tax benefit of
approximately $0.4 million for the six months ended June 30, 2006. In addition, the Company
recorded a cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle of $0.7 million, net of tax,
representing the difference between the fair value and the intrinsic value of SARs at January 1,
2006. The total impact of the adoption of SFAS No. 123R was a reduction in net income of
approximately $2.6 million, net of tax, for the six months ended June 30, 2006, equivalent to $0.07
per common share basic and $0.07 per common share diluted, representing compensation expense
in connection with SARs (see note 6). Compensation expense recorded in connection with outstanding
stock options was negligible for the six months ended June 30, 2006.
The
impact of the adoption of SFAS No. 123R was an increase in
selling, general and administrative expense of approximately
$0.5 million, including the associated payroll taxes, and a
deferred tax benefit of approximately $0.1 million for the three
months ended June 30, 2006. The total impact of the adoption of
SFAS No. 123R was a reduction in net income of approximately
$0.4 million, net of tax, for the three months ended
June 30, 2006, equivalent to $0.01 per common share basic
and $0.01 per common share diluted, representing compensation
expense in connection with SARs (see note 6). Compensation
expense recorded in connection with outstanding stock options was
negligible for the three months ended June 30, 2006.
Income Taxes
The Company accounts for income taxes using the liability method required by SFAS No. 109,
Accounting for Income Taxes. For interim reporting purposes, the Company also follows the
provisions of APB No. 28, Interim Financial Reporting, which requires the Company to account for
income taxes based on the Companys best estimate of the effective tax rate expected to be
applicable for the full fiscal year on a current year-to-date basis. The rate so determined is
based on the tax rates currently applicable to the Company in the United States and to the
Companys subsidiaries in Russia and other CIS countries and includes the Companys best estimate
of the annual tax effect of non-deductible expenses, primarily related to amortization of
intangible assets, foreign exchange and other permanent differences as well as estimates as to the
realization of certain deferred tax assets. Deferred income taxes result from temporary
differences between the tax basis of assets and liabilities and the basis as reported in the
consolidated financial statements. The Company does not provide for deferred taxes on the
undistributed earnings of its foreign subsidiaries, as such earnings are generally intended to be
reinvested in those operations permanently. In the case of non-consolidated entities, where the
Companys partner requests that a dividend be paid, the amounts are not expected to have a material
impact on the Companys income tax liability. It is not practical to determine the amount of
unrecognized deferred tax liability for such reinvested earnings.
8
GOLDEN TELECOM, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Unaudited)
Functional Currency
The functional currency of the Companys foreign subsidiaries is the United States dollar
(USD) because the majority of their revenues, expenses, property and equipment purchased and debt
and trade liabilities are either priced, incurred, payable or otherwise measured in USD.
Accordingly, transactions and balances not already measured in USD, primarily transactions in local
currencies of the Companys CIS subsidiaries, have been re-measured into USD in accordance with the
relevant provisions of SFAS No. 52, Foreign Currency Translation. The objective of this
re-measurement process is to produce largely the same results that would have been reported if the
accounting records had been maintained in USD.
In the second quarter of 2006, EDN Sovintel LLC (Sovintel), the Companys wholly-owned
Russian subsidiary, introduced fixed USD ruble exchange rate for settlements with some of its
customers. Sovintel plans to introduce this fixed rate for the majority of its customers in the
third quarter of 2006. However, this fixed rate is applicable only if the official USD exchange
rate set by the Central Bank of Russia (CBR) is below the fixed level. If the ruble depreciates
against the USD so that the CBR exchange rate exceeds the fixed level, Sovintel will resume
applying the CBR exchange rate, or floating rate, for settlements with its customers. The Company
is currently evaluating the effect of the introduction of the fixed exchange rate in conjunction
with various functional currency indicators established by SFAS No. 52 in order to determine if the
change in functional currency for the Companys Russian operations may be required in subsequent
periods.
Use of Estimates in Preparation of Financial Statements
The preparation of these consolidated financial statements, in conformity with US GAAP,
requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect amounts in the financial
statements and accompanying notes and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the
reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Comparative Figures
Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the presentation adopted in
the current year. Such reclassifications did not affect the consolidated statements of operations.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
Exchanges of Nonmonetary Assets
In December 2004, the FASB issued SFAS No. 153, Exchanges of Nonmonetary Assets. SFAS No.
153 addresses the measurement of exchanges of nonmonetary assets. SFAS No. 153 amends APB No. 29
to eliminate the exception for nonmonetary exchanges of similar productive assets and replaces it
with a general exception for exchanges of nonmonetary assets that do not have commercial substance.
A nonmonetary exchange has commercial substance if the future cash flows of the entity are
expected to change significantly as a result of the exchange. The provisions of SFAS No. 153 are
effective for financial statements for fiscal years beginning after June 15, 2005. The adoption of
the provisions of SFAS No. 153 did not have a material impact on the Companys results of
operations, financial position or cash flow.
Accounting Changes and Error Corrections
In May 2005, the FASB issued SFAS No. 154, Accounting Changes and Error Corrections, which
is a replacement of APB No. 20, Accounting Changes and SFAS No. 3, Reporting Changes in Interim
Financial Statements. SFAS No. 154 applies to all voluntary changes in accounting principle and
changes the accounting for and reporting of a change in accounting principle. SFAS No. 154
requires retrospective application to prior periods financial statements of a voluntary change in
accounting principle unless it is impracticable. In addition, SFAS No. 154 requires that a change
in method of depreciation, amortization, or depletion for long-lived, nonfinancial assets be
accounted for as a change in accounting estimate that is effected by a change in accounting
principle. SFAS No. 154 is effective for accounting changes and corrections of errors made in
fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2005. The adoption of the provisions of SFAS No. 154 did
not have a material impact on the Companys results of operations, financial position or cash flow.
9
GOLDEN TELECOM, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Unaudited)
In
June 2006, the FASB issued FASB Interpretation No. 48 (FIN No. 48), Accounting for
Uncertainty in Income Taxes an interpretation of SFAS Statement 109, which clarifies the
accounting for uncertainty in tax positions. FIN No. 48 creates a single model to address
uncertainty in tax positions and clarifies the accounting for income taxes by prescribing the
minimum recognition threshold a tax position is required to meet before being recognized in the
financial statements. FIN No. 48 also provides guidance on derecognition, measurement,
classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure and transition.
In addition, FIN No. 48 scopes out income taxes from SFAS No. 5, Accounting for Contingencies.
The provisions of FIN 48 are effective for financial statements for fiscal years beginning after
December 15, 2006. The Company is currently examining FIN No. 48 to determine whether it will have
a material impact on the Companys financial position, results of operations, or cash flow.
Note 3: Net Income Per Share
Basic earnings per share at June 30, 2005 and 2006 are computed on the basis of the weighted
average number of common shares outstanding. Diluted earnings per share at June 30, 2005 and 2006
are computed on the basis of the weighted average number of common shares outstanding plus the
effect of outstanding employee stock options using the treasury stock method. The number of stock
options excluded from the diluted earnings per share computation, because their effect was
antidilutive for the three and six months ended June 30, 2005 and 2006 was 10,000 stock options.
The components of basic and diluted earnings per share were as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three Months Ended June 30, |
|
|
Six Months Ended June 30, |
|
|
|
2005 |
|
|
2006 |
|
|
2005 |
|
|
2006 |
|
|
|
(in thousands, except per share data) |
|
Income before cumulative effect of a change in
accounting principle |
|
$ |
19,767 |
|
|
$ |
22,645 |
|
|
$ |
39,794 |
|
|
$ |
42,111 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted average outstanding of: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common stock shares |
|
|
36,334 |
|
|
|
36,600 |
|
|
|
36,329 |
|
|
|
36,537 |
|
Dilutive effect of: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Employee stock options |
|
|
237 |
|
|
|
116 |
|
|
|
244 |
|
|
|
150 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common stock and common stock equivalents |
|
|
36,571 |
|
|
|
36,716 |
|
|
|
36,573 |
|
|
|
36,687 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income per share before cumulative effect of a change
in accounting principle: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic |
|
$ |
0.54 |
|
|
$ |
0.62 |
|
|
$ |
1.10 |
|
|
$ |
1.15 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Diluted |
|
$ |
0.54 |
|
|
$ |
0.62 |
|
|
$ |
1.09 |
|
|
$ |
1.15 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Note 4: Business Combinations
In March 2006, the Company completed the acquisition of 70% ownership interest in ZAO Tatar
Intellectual Communications (Tatintelcom), an Internet service provider in the Russian Republic
of Tatarstan, for approximately $4.0 million of cash consideration. The Company has consolidated
the financial position of Tatintelcom as of March 31, 2006 and the results of operations of
Tatintelcom from April 1, 2006.
The Companys consolidated financial statements reflect the preliminary allocation of the
purchase price based on a preliminary fair value assessment of the assets acquired and liabilities
assumed, and as such, the Company has assigned approximately $1.8 million to telecommunications
services contracts intangible assets which will be amortized over a weighted average period of
approximately 10 years and $1.9 million to other intangible assets which will be amortized over a
weighted average period of approximately 10 years. The excess of the purchase price over the fair
value of the net assets acquired of approximately $0.9 million has been assigned to goodwill and is
not deductible for tax purposes. The purchase price allocation will be finalized upon completion
of the valuation of the acquired fixed and intangible assets. Approximately $0.3 million of this
goodwill has been assigned to Business and Corporate Services reportable segment and approximately
$0.6 million has been assigned to Carrier and Operator reportable segment. In accordance with SFAS
No. 141, Business Combinations, and SFAS No. 142, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets, the
Company will not amortize the goodwill recorded in connection with the above acquisitions. The
goodwill will be tested for impairment at least annually.
10
GOLDEN TELECOM, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Unaudited)
In April 2006, the Company completed the acquisition of 100% ownership interest in TTK LLC
(TTK), a fixed line alternative operator in the Ivano-Frankovsk region of Ukraine, for
approximately $3.8 million consisting of cash consideration of $3.4 million and $0.4 recorded as a
liability. The Company has consolidated the financial position of TTK from April 30, 2006 and the
results of operations of TTK from May 1, 2006.
The Companys consolidated financial statements reflect the preliminary allocation of the
purchase price based on a preliminary fair value assessment of the assets acquired and liabilities
assumed, and as such, the Company has assigned approximately $0.4 million to telecommunications
services contracts intangible assets which will be amortized over a weighted average period of
approximately 10 years. The excess of the purchase price over the fair value of the net assets
acquired of approximately $2.0 million has been assigned to goodwill and is not deductible for tax
purposes. The purchase price allocation will be finalized upon completion of the valuation of the
acquired fixed and intangible assets. This goodwill has been assigned to Business and Corporate
Services reportable segment. In accordance with SFAS No. 141, Business Combinations, and SFAS
No. 142, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets, the Company will not amortize the goodwill
recorded in connection with the above acquisitions. The goodwill will be tested for impairment at
least annually.
In June 2006, the Company completed the acquisition of 74% ownership interest in Kubtelecom
LLC (Kubtelecom), a fixed line alternative operator in the Krasnodar region of Russia, for
approximately $10.1 million consisting of cash consideration of $9.0 million and $1.1 million
recorded as a liability, plus the assumption of $1.0 million of debt. The Company has consolidated the
financial position of Kubtelecom from June 30, 2006. However, given the proximity of the
acquisition to the Companys quarter end, consolidation of the results of operations will commence
from July 1, 2006.
The Companys consolidated financial statements reflect the preliminary allocation of the
purchase price based on a preliminary fair value assessment of the assets acquired and liabilities
assumed, and as such, the Company has assigned approximately $0.2 million to contract based
customer relationship intangible assets which will be amortized over a weighted average period of
approximately 10 years and $0.4 to other intangible assets which will be amortized over a weighted
average period of approximately 10 years. The excess of the purchase price over the fair value of
the net assets acquired of approximately $4.1 million has been assigned to goodwill and is not
deductible for tax purposes. The purchase price allocation will be finalized upon completion of
the valuation of the acquired fixed and intangible assets. Approximately $3.3 million of this
goodwill has been assigned to Business and Corporate Services reportable segment, approximately
$0.5 million has been assigned to Carrier and Operator reportable segment, and approximately $0.3
million has been assigned to Consumer Internet reportable segment. In accordance with SFAS No.
141, Business Combinations, and SFAS No. 142, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets, the Company
will not amortize the goodwill recorded in connection with the above acquisitions. The goodwill
will be tested for impairment at least annually.
Note 5: Shareholders Equity
Common Stock
The Companys outstanding shares of common stock increased by 54,500 shares and 167,358 shares
in the six months ended June 30, 2005 and 2006, respectively, which were issued in connection with
the exercise of employee stock options. In March 2006, the Company cancelled 5,814 restricted
shares of the Companys common stock.
At June 30, 2006, there were 15,386 unvested restricted shares of the Companys common stock
outstanding with a value of $0.4 million. Unvested restricted shares of 7,007 relate to restricted
shares issued to senior management of the Company in August 2005 and vest gradually over
approximately two years. The remaining 8,379 unvested restricted shares relate to restricted
shares issued to certain members of the Board of Directors of the Company in May 2006 and vest
after one year.
Dividends
In February 2006, the Board of Directors of the Company declared a cash dividend of $0.20 per
common share to shareholders of record as of March 17, 2006. The Company paid the total amount of
approximately $7.3 million to shareholders on March 31, 2006.
In June 2006, the Board of Directors of the Company declared a cash dividend of $0.20 per
common share to shareholders of record as of June 16, 2006. The Company paid the total amount of
approximately $7.3 million to shareholders on June 30, 2006.
11
GOLDEN TELECOM, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Unaudited)
Note 6: Stock Option and Stock Appreciation Rights Plans
The Company has established the 1999 Equity Participation Plan of Golden Telecom, Inc. (the
Option Plan) and granted stock options to key employees and members of the Board of Directors of
the Company. Under the Option Plan not more than 4,320,000 shares of common stock (subject to
anti-dilution and other adjustment provisions) are authorized for issuance upon exercise of options
or upon vesting of restricted or deferred stock awards. Options granted to key employees of the
Company under the Option Plan vest over a three-year term from the date of grant with one-third
vesting after one year and one thirty-sixth vesting each month thereafter and expire ten years from
the date of grant. Options granted to members of the Board of Directors of the Company under the
Option Plan vest over a one-year term from the date of grant and expire five years from the date of
grant. At June 30, 2006, there were 205,654 stock options outstanding under the Option Plan. No
stock options were granted during the six months ended June 30, 2006.
In September 2005, the Company granted SARs to the Companys Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
with respect to 200,000 shares of the Companys common stock, at a share price which was the
closing price of the Companys common stock on the NASDAQ National Market on July 19, 2005 (CEO
Granting Share Price), which was $29.83, one-third of which shall be and become vested and
nonforfeitable on each of the first three anniversary dates from September 1, 2005, provided the
CEO remains continuously employed by the Company until each such relevant date. The SARs shall be
fully vested if there is a change in control. If, prior to August 31, 2008 and during the CEOs
period of employment with the Company, the average closing stock price of one share of the
Companys common stock on the NASDAQ National Market, or any such other exchange on which the
Companys common stock may then be traded, exceeds $50.00 during any thirty day consecutive period,
the CEO will be granted SARs for an additional 200,000 shares of the Companys common stock at the
CEO Granting Share Price, which SARs shall be fully vested upon issuance. The SARs granted do not
have a contractual term. However, all SARs shall be cancelled, and the Company shall make a payment
to the CEO upon the termination of employment for any reason with respect of the SARs vested. The
SARs provide for a cash only settlement and the related obligation is recorded as a liability in
the consolidated financial statements.
The Golden Telecom, Inc. 2005 Stock Appreciation Rights Plan (2005 SAR Plan) and the EDN
Sovintel 2005 Stock Appreciation Rights Bonus Plan (Sovintel SAR Plan), which are approved by the
Companys Board of Directors, permit the grant of SARs to the Companys senior management and
employees. SAR awards are granted at a share price which is the lower of: (i) the average between
the high and low sales price per share of the Companys common stock on the grant date, or in case
no such sale takes place on the grant date, the last date on which a sale occurred or (ii) the
average closing sales price per share of the Company common stock for the fourteen trading days
immediately preceding such date (Granting Share Price). Seventy-five percent of the SAR grant
shall be subject to time vesting, one-third of which shall be and become vested and nonforfeitable
on each of the first three anniversary dates from the grant date, provided that the employee
remains continuously employed by the Company until each such relevant date. The Granting Share
Price shall increase by five percent on each anniversary date after the grant date in association
with the SARs that shall be and become vested and nonforfeitable on each such anniversary date.
Twenty-five percent of the SARs granted are subject to performance vesting upon the Companys
common stock achieving a closing trading price of at least $50.00 per share for thirty consecutive
days as determined in the sole discretion of the Company. If the Companys Common Stock does not
achieve a closing trading price of at least $50.00 per share for thirty consecutive days within
three years of the date of grant, such portion of the SARs shall expire by its terms and shall not
be exercisable. The SARs have a contractual term of 5 years. The aggregate number of shares of
common stock which may be issued pursuant to the 2005 SAR Plan at the discretion of the grantees,
shall be 200,000 shares. The SARs issued pursuant to the Sovintel SAR Plan provide for a cash only
settlement. The related obligation is recorded as a liability in the consolidated financial
statements.
The fair value of each SAR award is estimated at the end of each reporting period using the
Monte Carlo simulation-based valuation model that uses the assumptions described in the table
below. Estimated volatilities are based on historical volatility of the Companys stock for the
period matching the awards expected term. The Company uses historical data to estimate SAR
exercise and employee termination within the valuation model; separate groups of employees that
have similar historical exercise behavior are considered together for valuation purposes. The
expected term of SARs granted is derived from the output of the SAR valuation model and represents
the period of time that SARs granted are expected to be outstanding. The risk-free rate for periods
within the expected term of the SAR is based on the US Treasury yield curve in effect at the end of
the reporting period.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Six Months Ended |
|
|
|
June 30, 2006 |
|
Weighted-average volatility |
|
|
51.0 |
% |
Expected dividend yield |
|
|
3.2 |
% |
Expected term |
|
1.59 5 years |
Risk-free rate |
|
|
5.1 |
% |
12
GOLDEN TELECOM, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Unaudited)
A summary of activity under the SAR Plans, including the CEO SARs, as of June 30, 2006, and changes
during the six months then ended is presented below:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Average |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Exercise |
|
|
Aggregate |
|
|
|
SARs |
|
|
Price |
|
|
Intrinsic Value |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(in thousands) |
|
Outstanding at January 1,
2006 |
|
|
1,251,800 |
|
|
$ |
29.19 |
|
|
|
|
|
SARs granted |
|
|
60,000 |
|
|
|
31.46 |
|
|
|
|
|
SARs exercised |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
SARs expired |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
SARs forfeited |
|
|
(42,400 |
) |
|
|
28.95 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Outstanding at June 30,
2006 |
|
|
1,269,400 |
|
|
|
29.30 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Exercisable at June 30, 2006 |
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
The weighted-average fair value of SARs outstanding as of June 30, 2006 was $7.26
per SAR. As of June 30, 2006, there was $5.3 million of total unrecognized compensation cost
related to non-vested SARs awards. That cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average
requisite service period of 1.59 years.
Note 7: Commitments and Contingencies
Tax Matters
The Companys policy is to accrue for contingencies in the accounting period in which a
liability is deemed probable and the amount is reasonably determinable. In this regard, because of
the uncertainties associated with the Commonwealth of Independent States Taxes (CIS Taxes), the
Companys final CIS Taxes may be in excess of the estimated amount expensed to date and accrued at
June 30, 2006. It is the opinion of management that the ultimate resolution of the Companys CIS
Tax liability, to the extent not previously provided for, will not have a material effect on the
financial condition of the Company. However, depending on the amount and timing of an unfavorable
resolution of any contingencies associated with CIS Taxes, it is possible that the Companys future
results of operations or cash flows could be materially affected in a particular period.
The Companys wholly-owned Russian subsidiary, Sovintel, was engaged in litigation with the
Russian tax inspectorate in regard to a claim issued by the tax inspectorate on July 8, 2004
against OAO Comincom (Comincom), which merged into Sovintel on December 1, 2004. The Russian tax
inspectorate claimed that Sovintel owes taxes, fines and penalties in connection with Comincom in
the amount of $0.8 million for the years ended December 31, 2001 and 2002. Comincom filed a
lawsuit against the tax inspectorate disputing the claims, and the court ruled in favor of the
Company by dismissing the tax inspectorates claim on January 21, 2005. On July 20, 2005, the
third instance court decided that the case against Comincom shall be reverted to the first instance
court for new consideration. The first instance court ruled in favor of the Company by dismissing
the tax inspectorates claim on December 22, 2005. The tax inspectorate did not appeal this
decision in the second instance court. The third instance court ruled in favor of the Company by
dismissing the tax inspectorates claim on March 31, 2006. The tax inspectorate did not appeal
this decision in the third instance court, therefore the case is closed.
Sovintel is engaged in litigation with the Russian tax inspectorate in regard to claims issued
by the tax inspectorate on February 1, 2006. The Russian tax inspectorate claimed that Sovintel
owes taxes, fines and penalties in the amount of $1.9 million for the years ended December 31, 2002
and 2003. On February 16, 2006, Sovintel filed a lawsuit against the tax inspectorate disputing the
claims. On April 3, 2006, the first instance court ruled in favor of the Company by dismissing the
tax inspectorates claim. On June 23, 2006, the second instance court ruled in favor of the
Company by dismissing the tax inspectorates claim. The Company expects that the tax inspectorate
will appeal this decision in the third instance court. The term for appeal will expire on August
23, 2006. The Company considers a favorable outcome probable for this claim.
13
GOLDEN TELECOM, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Unaudited)
Russian Environment and Current Economic Situation
While there have been improvements in the Russian economy, such as an increase in gross
domestic product and a reduced rate of inflation, Russia continues economic reform and development
of its legal, tax and regulatory frameworks as required by a market economy. The future stability
of the Russian economy is largely dependent on these reforms and developments and the effectiveness
of economic, financial and monetary measures undertaken by the Russian government.
On January 1, 2004, a new Law on Communications (the Telecommunications Law) came into
effect in Russia. While some of the supporting regulations to implement the Telecommunications Law
have not been enacted, the Russian government approved in March 2005 new rules for interconnection
(the Interconnection Rules) that became effective on January 1, 2006. These Interconnection
Rules contemplate a new three-layer interconnection system consisting of domestic long distance /
international long distance (DLD/ILD), zonal, and local operators. Under this new structure,
end-users will have the right to choose a long-distance operator and DLD/ILD operators will be
required to have interconnection points in each of the 88 constituent territories of the Russian
Federation. In addition, the Telecommunications Law created a universal service fund (USF)
charge, which became effective May 3, 2005, calculated as 1.2% of revenue from services provided to
customers, excluding interconnection and other operators traffic routing revenue. The Company has
incurred approximately $2.0 million in USF charges for the six months ended June 30, 2006, which is
recorded as part of cost of revenue. On February 28, 2006, the Constitutional Court of the Russian
Federation ruled that the provisions of the Telecommunications Law relating to the USF charge do
not comply with the Constitution of the Russian Federation and shall become null and void as of
January 1, 2007, unless the Telecommunications Law is amended prior to that date. The
Constitutional Court established that essential criteria of the charge, including the maximum rate
and basis of calculation, must be established by law and not by the Government.
On May 31, 2005, the Company received a DLD/ILD license in Russia valid until May 31, 2012.
The Company is required under the license to begin providing services and fulfil the network
requirements specified in the Interconnection Rules not later than May 31, 2007. The Company has
constructed a Federal Transit Network (FTN) in compliance with the Telecommunications Law and the
DLD/ILD license. The FTN consists of four international communications transit nodes, seven
intercity communications transit nodes deployed in each federal district of Russia, and 88
connection points or FTN access nodes located in each constituent territory of Russia. The Company
has obtained the required governmental permissions for operation of all the international and
intercity communications transit nodes that are part of the FTN. On April 28, 2006, all of the 88
connection points were formally commissioned by Rossvyaznadzor, a governmental body that reports to
the Ministry of Information Technologies and Communications of the Russian Federation (the Russian
Ministry of Telecommunications) and is responsible for the control and the supervision of
information technology and communications as well as for commissioning the long-distance networks.
On March 27, 2006, the Russian Ministry of Telecommunications announced the introduction of the new
technical requirements for the formal grant of the access codes. The new rules, effective from
March 3, 2006, require the long distance networks to be interconnected with all zonal networks.
The Company has concluded interconnection agreements with all Russian zonal incumbent fixed line
telecommunications operators and the Company is currently in the process of implementing physical
interconnections with such operators. By entering into such agreements, the Company has fulfilled
all requirements of the Russian Ministry of Telecommunications for implementation of the DLD/ILD
license. The Company has submitted all documentation necessary for operation of the FTN and for
receipt of the access codes.
14
GOLDEN TELECOM, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Unaudited)
On October 19, 2005, the Russian government enacted the Rules on Price Establishment for
Interconnection and Traffic Routing. These rules list interconnection services and traffic routing
services provided by the incumbent operators that are subject to pricing regulation by the
government. The effective utilization and implementation of the Russian long distance license is
subject to and dependent upon pending establishment of tariffs for interconnection and traffic
routing services to be provided by incumbent OAO Svyazinvest (Svyazinvest) state-owned companies
and other incumbent operators. The tariffs are paid by long distance operators to the incumbent
local and zonal operators for each minute of long distance traffic that is carried such that all
long distance operators are cross-subsidizing the local and zonal network of the incumbent
operators. Such cross-subsidy will continue until January 1, 2008. By that date, the new pricing
setting mechanisms and tariff re-balancing should be fully implemented. During the first half of
2006, in the absence of the regulated tariffs most of the incumbent operators, including all of
Svyazinvest companies, imposed their independently established tariffs on alternative long
distance, zonal and local operators. On June 19, 2006, Rossvyaznadzor established the maximum
limits for such tariffs. The incumbent are permitted to impose tariffs on alternative long
distance, zonal and local operators within established limits. As a result, effective July 1,
2006, tariffs for interconnection with the incumbent zonal operators decreased. To minimize the
impact of such payments to the incumbent operators, the Company has received licenses to provide
zonal services in all the regions of the Russian Federation. In the first half of 2006, the
Company began construction of the zonal networks in 12 regions of the Russian Federation. The
Company has completed construction of zonal networks in St. Petersburg and in the Kaliningrad
region of Russia. In total, the Company is planning to construct zonal networks in 28-30 regions
by the end of 2008. However, in those regions where the Company has not completed construction of
zonal networks the Company will be required to act as agents for zonal carriers, billing clients
for intra-zonal calls and collecting payments on behalf of the zonal operators. The Company is
still analyzing these changes in settlements with zonal operators to determine the impact on its
business.
Other Commitments and Contingencies
In the ordinary course of business, the Company has issued financial guarantees of debt for
the benefit of certain of the Companys equity investees, which are all collateralized by cash.
The Company expects that all the collateralized debt will be repaid by the equity investees.
The Company has future purchase commitments of $95.3 million as of June 30, 2006. These
purchase commitments primarily include the Companys contractual legal obligations for the future
purchase of equipment, interconnect, and satellite transponder capacity.
Other Matters
In the ordinary course of business, the Company may be party to various legal and tax
proceedings, and subject to claims, certain of which relate to the developing markets and evolving
fiscal and regulatory environments in which the Company operates. In the opinion of management, the
Companys liability, if any, in all pending litigation, other legal proceeding or other matters,
will not have a material effect upon the financial condition, results of operations or liquidity of
the Company.
In April 2006, the National Commission for Communications Regulation in Ukraine issued a
license for GSM-1800 radio frequency to Golden Telecom (Ukraine) (GTU), the Companys subsidiary
in Ukraine, for the provision of mobile services in 22 regions of Ukraine. Currently, GTU provides
services in Kiev and Odessa. The new license enables GTU to offer mobile services in 22 out of the
remaining 25 regions of Ukraine. Payment of the $5.5 million license fee was made on May 10, 2006.
The Company is required under the license to begin using the assigned radio frequency not later
than October 31, 2006.
Note 8: Investments in and Advances to Ventures
The Company has various investments in ventures that are accounted for by the equity method.
The Companys ownership percentages in its equity method investments range from approximately 50%
to 54%.
15
GOLDEN TELECOM, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Unaudited)
The components of the Companys investments in and advances to ventures are as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As of December 31, 2005 |
|
|
As of June 30, 2006 |
|
|
|
(in thousands) |
|
Equity in net assets acquired |
|
$ |
11,565 |
|
|
$ |
12,366 |
|
Goodwill as part of investment |
|
|
1,313 |
|
|
|
1,313 |
|
Difference between fair value and historical value of
assets acquired |
|
|
(1,095 |
) |
|
|
(1,225 |
) |
Cash advances and other |
|
|
(894 |
) |
|
|
(713 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total investments in and advances to ventures |
|
$ |
10,889 |
|
|
$ |
11,741 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Company has financed the operating and investing cash flow requirements of several of
the Companys ventures in the form of cash advances and loans. The Company aggregates all of the
receivable and payable balances with the ventures in the Companys investments in and cash advances
to the ventures.
Note 9: Segment Information
Line of Business Data
The Company operates in four segments within the telecommunications industry. The four
segments are: (1) Business and Corporate Services; (2) Carrier and Operator Services; (3) Consumer
Internet Services; and (4) Mobile Services. The following tables present financial information for
both consolidated subsidiaries and equity investee ventures, segmented by the Companys lines of
businesses for the three and six months ended June 30, 2005 and 2006, respectively. Transfers
between lines of businesses are included in the adjustments to reconcile segment to consolidated
results. The Company evaluates performance based on the operating income (loss) of each strategic
business unit, among other performance measures. In accordance with SFAS No. 131, Disclosures
about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information, the Company has presented the following
four segments consistent with the information used by the chief operating decision maker to manage
the operations for purposes of making operating decisions and allocating resources.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Adjustments to Reconcile |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Business Segment to |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Consolidated Results |
|
|
|
Business |
|
|
Carrier |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Business |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Equity |
|
|
|
|
|
|
and |
|
|
and |
|
|
Consumer |
|
|
Mobile |
|
|
Corporate & |
|
|
Segment |
|
|
Consolidated |
|
|
Method |
|
|
Affiliate |
|
|
|
Corporate |
|
|
Operator |
|
|
Internet |
|
|
Services |
|
|
Eliminations |
|
|
Total |
|
|
Results |
|
|
Ventures |
|
|
Adjustments |
|
|
|
(in thousands) |
|
Three Months Ended |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
June 30, 2005 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revenue from external
customers |
|
$ |
96,432 |
|
|
$ |
54,455 |
|
|
$ |
10,728 |
|
|
$ |
3,905 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
165,520 |
|
|
$ |
165,509 |
|
|
$ |
(615 |
) |
|
$ |
604 |
|
Intersegment revenue |
|
|
|
|
|
|
14 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(14 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating income (loss) |
|
|
26,148 |
|
|
|
7,116 |
|
|
|
(553 |
) |
|
|
1,019 |
|
|
|
(3,340 |
) |
|
|
30,390 |
|
|
|
30,340 |
|
|
|
(50 |
) |
|
|
|
|
Identifiable assets |
|
|
459,911 |
|
|
|
288,345 |
|
|
|
58,375 |
|
|
|
4,048 |
|
|
|
35,050 |
|
|
|
845,729 |
|
|
|
842,393 |
|
|
|
(3,336 |
) |
|
|
|
|
Capital expenditures |
|
|
14,992 |
|
|
|
5,983 |
|
|
|
1,355 |
|
|
|
83 |
|
|
|
18 |
|
|
|
22,431 |
|
|
|
22,338 |
|
|
|
(93 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Adjustments to Reconcile |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Business Segment to |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Consolidated Results |
|
|
|
Business |
|
|
Carrier |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Business |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Equity |
|
|
|
|
|
|
and |
|
|
and |
|
|
Consumer |
|
|
Mobile |
|
|
Corporate & |
|
|
Segment |
|
|
Consolidated |
|
|
Method |
|
|
Affiliate |
|
|
|
Corporate |
|
|
Operator |
|
|
Internet |
|
|
Services |
|
|
Eliminations |
|
|
Total |
|
|
Results |
|
|
Ventures |
|
|
Adjustments |
|
|
|
(in thousands) |
|
Three Months Ended |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
June 30, 2006 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revenue from external
customers |
|
$ |
113,073 |
|
|
$ |
71,398 |
|
|
$ |
12,243 |
|
|
$ |
2,621 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
199,335 |
|
|
$ |
196,968 |
|
|
$ |
(4,210 |
) |
|
$ |
1,843 |
|
Intersegment revenue |
|
|
|
|
|
|
9 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(9 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating income (loss) |
|
|
30,787 |
|
|
|
7,399 |
|
|
|
667 |
|
|
|
501 |
|
|
|
(4,468 |
) |
|
|
34,886 |
|
|
|
33,868 |
|
|
|
(1,018 |
) |
|
|
|
|
Identifiable assets |
|
|
520,706 |
|
|
|
364,875 |
|
|
|
73,136 |
|
|
|
9,145 |
|
|
|
(2,968 |
) |
|
|
964,894 |
|
|
|
935,924 |
|
|
|
(28,970 |
) |
|
|
|
|
Capital expenditures |
|
|
22,318 |
|
|
|
9,365 |
|
|
|
5,067 |
|
|
|
5,614 |
|
|
|
24 |
|
|
|
42,388 |
|
|
|
41,873 |
|
|
|
(515 |
) |
|
|
|
|
16
GOLDEN TELECOM, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Unaudited)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Adjustments to Reconcile |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Business Segment to |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Consolidated Results |
|
|
|
Business |
|
|
Carrier |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Business |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Equity |
|
|
|
|
|
|
and |
|
|
and |
|
|
Consumer |
|
|
Mobile |
|
|
Corporate & |
|
|
Segment |
|
|
Consolidated |
|
|
Method |
|
|
Affiliate |
|
|
|
Corporate |
|
|
Operator |
|
|
Internet |
|
|
Services |
|
|
Eliminations |
|
|
Total |
|
|
Results |
|
|
Ventures |
|
|
Adjustments |
|
|
|
(in thousands) |
|
Six Months Ended |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
June 30, 2005 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revenue from external
customers |
|
$ |
184,519 |
|
|
$ |
107,434 |
|
|
$ |
22,512 |
|
|
$ |
7,528 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
321,993 |
|
|
$ |
321,974 |
|
|
$ |
(1,166 |
) |
|
$ |
1,147 |
|
Intersegment revenue |
|
|
|
|
|
|
22 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(22 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating income (loss) |
|
|
49,342 |
|
|
|
14,861 |
|
|
|
1,163 |
|
|
|
2,110 |
|
|
|
(7,972 |
) |
|
|
59,504 |
|
|
|
59,501 |
|
|
|
(3 |
) |
|
|
|
|
Identifiable assets |
|
|
459,911 |
|
|
|
288,345 |
|
|
|
58,375 |
|
|
|
4,048 |
|
|
|
35,050 |
|
|
|
845,729 |
|
|
|
842,393 |
|
|
|
(3,336 |
) |
|
|
|
|
Capital expenditures |
|
|
29,103 |
|
|
|
11,370 |
|
|
|
2,301 |
|
|
|
180 |
|
|
|
107 |
|
|
|
43,061 |
|
|
|
42,963 |
|
|
|
(98 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Adjustments to Reconcile |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Business Segment to |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Consolidated Results |
|
|
|
Business |
|
|
Carrier |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Business |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Equity |
|
|
|
|
|
|
and |
|
|
and |
|
|
Consumer |
|
|
Mobile |
|
|
Corporate & |
|
|
Segment |
|
|
Consolidated |
|
|
Method |
|
|
Affiliate |
|
|
|
Corporate |
|
|
Operator |
|
|
Internet |
|
|
Services |
|
|
Eliminations |
|
|
Total |
|
|
Results |
|
|
Ventures |
|
|
Adjustments |
|
|
|
(in thousands) |
|
Six Months Ended |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
June 30, 2006 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revenue from external
customers |
|
$ |
216,432 |
|
|
$ |
133,821 |
|
|
$ |
24,502 |
|
|
$ |
5,211 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
379,966 |
|
|
$ |
375,108 |
|
|
$ |
(8,089 |
) |
|
$ |
3,231 |
|
Intersegment revenue |
|
|
|
|
|
|
21 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(21 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating income (loss) |
|
|
57,016 |
|
|
|
14,432 |
|
|
|
304 |
|
|
|
1,035 |
|
|
|
(8,922 |
) |
|
|
63,865 |
|
|
|
62,085 |
|
|
|
(1,780 |
) |
|
|
|
|
Identifiable assets |
|
|
520,706 |
|
|
|
364,875 |
|
|
|
73,136 |
|
|
|
9,145 |
|
|
|
(2,968 |
) |
|
|
964,894 |
|
|
|
935,924 |
|
|
|
(28,970 |
) |
|
|
|
|
Capital expenditures |
|
|
43,123 |
|
|
|
17,400 |
|
|
|
7,962 |
|
|
|
5,661 |
|
|
|
29 |
|
|
|
74,175 |
|
|
|
73,460 |
|
|
|
(715 |
) |
|
|
|
|
Geographic Data
Revenues from external customers are based on the location of the operating company providing
the service.
The Company operated within two main geographic regions of the CIS: Russia and Ukraine.
Geographic information as of three and six months ended June 30, 2005 and 2006 is as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Corporate, |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Countries & |
|
|
Consolidated |
|
|
|
Russia |
|
|
Ukraine |
|
|
Eliminations |
|
|
Results |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(in thousands) |
|
|
|
|
|
Three months ended |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
June 30, 2005 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revenue |
|
$ |
146,921 |
|
|
$ |
19,033 |
|
|
$ |
(445 |
) |
|
$ |
165,509 |
|
Long-lived assets |
|
|
566,945 |
|
|
|
28,992 |
|
|
|
11,403 |
|
|
|
607,340 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Corporate, |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Countries & |
|
|
Consolidated |
|
|
|
Russia |
|
|
Ukraine |
|
|
Eliminations |
|
|
Results |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(in thousands) |
|
|
|
|
|
Three months ended |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
June 30, 2006 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revenue |
|
$ |
175,430 |
|
|
$ |
19,359 |
|
|
$ |
2,179 |
|
|
$ |
196,968 |
|
Long-lived assets |
|
|
654,249 |
|
|
|
57,659 |
|
|
|
12,736 |
|
|
|
724,644 |
|
17
GOLDEN TELECOM, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Unaudited)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Corporate, |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Countries & |
|
|
Consolidated |
|
|
|
Russia |
|
|
Ukraine |
|
|
Eliminations |
|
|
Results |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(in thousands) |
|
|
|
|
|
Six months ended June 30, 2005 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revenue |
|
$ |
286,414 |
|
|
$ |
36,586 |
|
|
$ |
(1,026 |
) |
|
$ |
321,974 |
|
Long-lived assets |
|
|
566,945 |
|
|
|
28,992 |
|
|
|
11,403 |
|
|
|
607,340 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Corporate, |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Countries & |
|
|
Consolidated |
|
|
|
Russia |
|
|
Ukraine |
|
|
Eliminations |
|
|
Results |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(in thousands) |
|
|
|
|
|
Six months ended June 30, 2006 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revenue |
|
$ |
334,480 |
|
|
$ |
37,054 |
|
|
$ |
3,574 |
|
|
$ |
375,108 |
|
Long-lived assets |
|
|
654,249 |
|
|
|
57,659 |
|
|
|
12,736 |
|
|
|
724,644 |
|
Note 10: Subsequent Events
In July 2006, the Company paid $7.5 million in cash for the acquisition of 75% ownership
interest in S-Line LLC (S-Line), an early-stage wireless broadband enterprise in Kiev, Ukraine.
The closing of this acquisition is subject to the Ukrainian Anti-Monopoly Committee approval. In
conjunction with this transaction, the Company also entered into an agreement whereby the Company
agreed to provide a secured loan of $2.5 million to the seller. The loan is secured by the pledge
of the remaining 25% interest in S-Line and matures in November 2010.
18
Item 2. Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
The following discussion and analysis relates to our financial condition and results of
operations for each of the three and six months ended June 30, 2006 and 2005. This discussion
should be read in conjunction with our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and the notes
related thereto appearing elsewhere in this Report.
Overview
We are a leading facilities-based provider of integrated telecommunication and Internet
services in major population centers throughout Russia and other countries of the Commonwealth of
Independent States (CIS). We offer voice, data and Internet services to corporations, operators
and consumers using our metropolitan overlay network in major cities throughout Russia, Ukraine,
Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan, and via leased channels and inter-city fiber optic and satellite-based
networks, including approximately 287 access points in Russia and other countries of the CIS as of
June 30, 2006, a 23% increase from 233 access points as of June 30, 2005. In addition, we offer
mobile services in the Ukrainian cities of Kiev and Odessa.
We organize our operations into four business segments, as follows:
|
|
|
Business and Corporate Services (BCS). Using our fiber optic and satellite-based
networks in and between major metropolitan areas of Russia, Ukraine and other countries of
the CIS, we provide business and corporate services including voice and data services to
corporate clients across all geographical markets and all industry segments, other than
telecommunications operators; |
|
|
|
|
Carrier and Operator Services. Using our fiber optic and satellite-based networks in and
between major metropolitan areas of Russia, Ukraine and other countries of the CIS, we
provide a range of carrier and operator services including voice and data services to
foreign and Russian telecommunications and mobile operators; |
|
|
|
|
Consumer Internet Services. Using our fiber optic and satellite-based networks, we
provide Internet access to the consumer market and web content offered through a family of
Internet portals throughout Russia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan; and |
|
|
|
|
Mobile Services. Using our mobile networks in Kiev and Odessa, Ukraine, we provide mobile
services with value-added features, such as voicemail, roaming and messaging services on a
subscription and prepaid basis. |
We intend, wherever possible, to offer all of our integrated telecommunication services under
the Golden Telecom brand, although, some services still carry local brands because of recent
acquisitions. Our dial-up Internet services are distributed under the ROL brand in Russia,
Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan and under the Svit-On-Line brand in Ukraine.
Most of our revenue is derived from high-volume business customers and carriers. Our business
customers include large multi-national companies, local enterprises, financial institutions, hotels
and government agencies. We also believe that carriers derive a portion of their business from
high-volume business customers. Thus, we believe that the majority of our ultimate end-users are
businesses that require access to highly reliable and advanced telecommunications facilities to
sustain their operations.
Traditionally, we have competed for customers on the basis of network quality, customer
service and range of services offered. During the past several years, other telecommunications
operators have also introduced high-quality services to the segments of the business market in
which we operate. Competition with these operators is intense, and frequently results in declining
prices for some of our services, which adversely affect our revenues.
In the first half of 2006, we continued to experience growth in our main lines of business and
benefited from strong macro-economic growth in the markets where we operate. Despite being faced
with challenges of continued changes in the regulatory and telecommunications environment in Russia
and Ukraine, we remained focused on developing our business through organic growth, acquisitions,
and the expansion of our services.
Recent Acquisitions
We continue to pursue consolidation opportunities through selective acquisitions that will
allow us to expand our geographical reach, add to our service offerings, and improve our market
share while maintaining operational control.
In March 2006, we completed the acquisition of 70% ownership interest in ZAO Tatar
Intellectual Communications (Tatintelcom), an Internet service provider in the Russian Republic
of Tatarstan, for approximately $4.0 million of cash
19
consideration. We have consolidated the financial position of Tatintelcom from March 31, 2006, and
the results of operations of Tatintelcom from April 1, 2006.
In April 2006, we completed the acquisition of 100% ownership interest in TTK LLC (TTK), a
fixed line alternative operator in the Ivano-Frankovsk region of Ukraine, for approximately $3.8
million consisting of cash consideration of $3.4 million and $0.4 million to be settled in cash
upon satisfactory achievement of certain conditions. We have consolidated the financial position
of TTK from April 30, 2006, and the results of operations of TTK from May 1, 2006.
In June 2006, we completed the acquisition of 74% ownership interest in Kubtelecom LLC
(Kubtelecom), a fixed line alternative operator in the Krasnodar region of Russia, for
approximately $10.1 million consisting of cash consideration of $9.0 million and $1.1 million to be
settled in cash upon satisfactory achievement of certain conditions,
plus the assumption of $1.0 million of
debt. We have consolidated the financial position of Kubtelecom as of June 30, 2006. However,
given the proximity of the acquisition to our quarter end, consolidation of the results of
operations will commence from July 1, 2006.
In July 2006, we paid $7.5 million in cash for the acquisition of 75% ownership interest in
S-Line LLC (S-Line), an early-stage wireless broadband enterprise in Kiev, Ukraine. The closing
of this acquisition is subject to the Ukrainian Anti-Monopoly Committee approval. In conjunction
with this transaction, we also entered into agreement whereby we agreed to provide a secured loan
of $2.5 million to the seller. The loan is secured by the pledge of the remaining 25% interest in
S-Line and matures in November 2010.
These acquisitions have enabled us to realize new opportunities in Russia and Ukraine by
increasing our customer base, increasing our access to critical infrastructure including last mile
infrastructure, and furthering our consumer broadband strategy.
Regulatory Developments
On January 1, 2004, a new Law on Communications (the Telecommunications Law) came into
effect in Russia. While some of the supporting regulations to implement the Telecommunications Law
have not been enacted, the Russian government approved in March 2005 new rules for interconnection
(the Interconnection Rules) that became effective on January 1, 2006. These Interconnection Rules
contemplate a new three-layer interconnection system consisting of domestic long distance /
international long distance (DLD/ILD), zonal, and local operators. Under this new structure,
end-users will have the right to choose a long distance operator, and DLD/ILD operators will be
required to have interconnection points in each of the 88 constituent territories of the Russian
Federation. In addition, the Telecommunications Law created a universal service fund (USF)
charge, which became effective on May 3, 2005, calculated as 1.2% of revenue from services provided
to customers, excluding interconnection and other operators traffic routing revenue. We have
incurred approximately $2.0 million in USF charges for the six months ended June 30, 2006, which is
recorded as part of cost of revenue. However, on February 28, 2006, the Constitutional Court of the
Russian Federation ruled that the provisions of the Telecommunications Law relating to the USF
charge do not comply with the Constitution of the Russian Federation and shall become null and void
as of January 1, 2007, unless the Telecommunications Law is amended prior to that date. The
Constitutional Court established that essential criteria of the charge, including the maximum rate
and basis of calculation, must be established by law and not by the Government. We continue to
have regular dialogue about these current regulatory issues with the Ministry of Information
Technologies and Communications of the Russian Federation (the Russian Ministry of
Telecommunications).
On May 31, 2005, we received a DLD/ILD license in Russia which is valid until May 31, 2012.
We are required under the license to begin providing services and fulfil the network requirements
specified in the Interconnection Rules not later than May 31, 2007. On January 16, 2006, we
announced that the construction of our Federal Transit Network (FTN) was complete in compliance
with the Telecommunications Law and our DLD/ILD license. To date, we are one of two alternative
operators who have complied with these requirements. The FTN consists of four international
communications transit nodes, seven intercity communications transit nodes deployed in each federal
district of Russia, and 88 connection points or FTN access nodes located in each constituent
territory of Russia. We have obtained the required governmental permissions for operation of all
the international and intercity communications transit nodes that are part of the FTN. On April
28, 2006, all of the 88 connection points were formally commissioned by Rossvyaznadzor, a
governmental body that reports to the Russian Ministry of Telecommunications, and is responsible
for the control and the supervision of information technology and communications as well as for
commissioning the long distance networks. On March 27, 2006, the Russian Ministry of
Telecommunications announced the introduction of new technical requirements for the formal grant of
the access codes. The new rules, effective from March 3, 2006, require the long distance networks
to be interconnected with all zonal networks. On June 29, 2006, we announced that we have entered
into interconnection agreements with all Russian zonal incumbent fixed line telecommunications
operators and we are currently in the process of implementing physical interconnections with such
operators. By entering into such agreements we have fulfilled all requirements of the Russian
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Ministry of Telecommunications for implementation of our DLD/ILD license. We have submitted to
Rossvyaznadzor all documentation necessary for operation of our FTN and for receipt of the access
codes.
We believe that our DLD/ILD license will enable us to protect our relationship with our
corporate clients and, in the long term, expand our business into the residential long distance
market. Under the previous regulation, the local operators collected full tariffs for DLD/ILD calls
and passed only a portion of the revenue to the DLD/ILD operator. The timing of such revenue
increase is subject to and dependent upon formal commissioning of our FTN. However, in the near
term, we do not expect significant growth in our DLD/ILD gross margins since we will incur
additional costs payable to the incumbent Svyazinvest companies in the form of compensatory fees
and other surcharges. DLD/ILD carriers will continue to pay this compensatory fee until local
tariffs are raised to an economically viable level. This increase in local tariffs is expected to
be completed by 2008. Under the new system, the local operators may also act as agents for DLD/ILD
carriers, billing clients for long distance calls and collecting payments on behalf of the DLD/ILD
operators. We will incur additional costs payable to the local operators acting as our agents in
the form of commission fees. We currently anticipate that our new license will result in an
increase of DLD/ILD revenues since we will begin to earn long distance revenue directly from
end-users. However, the impact on our DLD/ILD revenues is dependent on the contractual arrangements
with the local operators. Historically, local operators established the end-user tariffs for our
DLD/ILD services within the limits we set for local operators. However, in the future we may change
this tariff setting policy and fix end-user tariffs. We are still analyzing these future DLD/ILD
revenues to determine the impact on our business and how these will be classified for segment
reporting purposes. However, at present we continue to report DLD/ILD revenues from local
operators net of payments to these operators for interconnection and agency fees, since the
economic substance of our settlements with local operators has not changed following the
introduction of the new Interconnection Rules, and other conditions
that might otherwise require us to present those same revenues and
costs on a gross basis have not yet been fulfilled.
On October 19, 2005, the Russian government enacted the Rules on Price Establishment for
Interconnection and Traffic Routing. These rules list interconnection services and traffic routing
services provided by the incumbent operators that are subject to pricing regulation by the
government. The effective utilization and implementation of the Russian long distance license is
subject to and dependent upon establishment of tariffs for interconnection and traffic routing
services to be provided by incumbent OAO Svyazinvest (Svyazinvest) state-owned companies and
other incumbent operators. The tariffs are paid by long distance operators to the incumbent local
and zonal operators for each minute of long distance traffic that is carried such that all long
distance operators are cross-subsidizing the local and zonal network of the incumbent operators.
Such cross-subsidy will continue until January 1, 2008. By that date, the new pricing setting
mechanisms and tariff re-balancing should be fully implemented. During the first half of 2006, in
the absence of the regulated tariffs most of the incumbent operators, including all of Svyazinvest
companies, imposed their independently established tariffs on alternative long distance, zonal and
local operators. However, on June 19, 2006, Rossvyaznadzor established the maximum limits for such
tariffs. The incumbent operators are permitted to impose tariffs on alternative long distance,
zonal and local operators within established limits. As a result, effective July 1, 2006, tariffs
for interconnection with the incumbent zonal operators decreased. To minimize the impact of
payments to the incumbent operators, we have received licenses to provide zonal services in all the
regions of the Russian Federation. In the first half of 2006, we started construction of zonal
networks in 12 regions of the Russian Federation. To date, we have completed construction of zonal
networks in St. Petersburg and in the Kaliningrad region of Russia. In total, we are planning to
construct zonal networks in 28-30 regions by the end of 2008. However, in those regions where we
have not completed construction of zonal networks, we will be required to act as agents for zonal
carriers, billing clients for intra-zonal calls and collecting payments on behalf of the zonal
operators. We are still analyzing these changes in settlements with zonal operators to determine
the impact on our business.
In February 2005, we received notice from OAO Vimpel Communications (Vimpelcom),
our largest customer, that it was diverting a volume of traffic away from our network due to their
preliminary interpretation of traffic routing regulations issued by the Russian Ministry of
Telecommunications. However, in the third quarter of 2005, Vimpelcom traffic volumes were restored
to their previous 2004 levels as a result of our discussions with Vimpelcom and clarification from
the regulatory agencies. In April 2006, Vimpelcom received a DLD/ILD license. Vimpelcom is required
under the license to begin providing services and fulfil the network requirements specified in the
Interconnection Rules not later than December 12, 2007. However, until Vimpelcom completes all
technical requirements and obtains formal commissioning by Rossvyaznadzor, we do not expect this
carrier to reduce its traffic volumes.
The new Interconnection Rules prohibit the use of geographical numbering capacity by mobile
network operators effective January 1, 2006. On April 17, 2006, we entered into agreement with
Vimpelcom which would allow Vimpelcom to offer geographical numbering capacity to its subscribers
in Moscow. For the six months ended June 30, 2006, we have recorded approximately $1.2 million in
additional revenue from this agreement. However, this increase in revenue was partially offset by
the introduction of termination rates to Vimpelcoms network.
On March 4, 2006, the Russian President approved amendments to the Telecommunications Law that
introduced calling party pays rules (CPP Rules). Effective July 1, 2006, under the CPP Rules,
generally all incoming calls, on fixed and mobile lines, in Russia are free of charge, and only the
fixed line or mobile operators originating the call may charge the customer for the call.
Subscribers of fixed line telephones do not pay for incoming calls and, therefore, the CPP Rules
will not have an impact on fixed-to-fixed line calls, but the CPP Rules will impact the
fixed-to-mobile calls as mobile companies traditionally charged for incoming calls in Russia. The
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potential increase in revenues due to the introduction of the CPP Rules will be partially
offset by the introduction of the termination rates to mobile networks.
In March 2006, the Ukrainian government submitted to the Ukrainian Parliament
(Verkhovna Rada) a draft law introducing a USF charge in Ukraine, calculated as 2% of revenue.
Under the Ukrainian tax regime, if the draft law is approved by Verkhovna Rada and the Ukrainian
President by the end of 2006, the draft law can only become effective from the new fiscal year
starting on January 1, 2007. However, due to the political crisis in Ukraine following the
Ukrainian Parliament elections in March 2006, it is not clear whether Verkhovna Rada will approve
the draft law by the end of 2006.
In April 2006, the National Commission for Communications Regulation in Ukraine (NCCR)
issued a license for GSM-1800 radio frequency to Golden Telecom (Ukraine) (GTU), our subsidiary
in Ukraine, for provision of mobile services in 22 regions of Ukraine. Currently, GTU provides
services in Kiev and Odessa. The new license will enable GTU to offer mobile services in 22 out of
the remaining 25 regions of Ukraine. Payment of the $5.5 million license fee was made on May 10,
2006. We are required under the license to begin using the assigned radio frequency not later than
October 31, 2006.
Effective July 15, 2006, NCCR introduced new tariffs for provision of voice services to fixed
line subscribers. As a result of the tariff re-balancing policy, the tariffs for local calls and
monthly fees increased and tariffs for DLD/ILD calls decreased.
Other Developments
Historically, our tariffs have been linked to the United States dollar (USD). Since early
2000 the Russian ruble exchange rate against the USD has become relatively stable and has
appreciated in 2005 and during the first half of 2006. Some of our competitors do not link their
prices to the USD ruble exchange rate, so when the ruble appreciates, their prices effectively
become higher in relation to our prices.
The functional currency of our foreign subsidiaries is the USD because the majority of their
revenues, expenses, property and equipment purchased and debt and trade liabilities are either
priced, incurred, payable or otherwise measured in USD. Accordingly, transactions and balances not
already measured in USD, primarily transactions in local currencies of our CIS subsidiaries, have
been re-measured into USD in accordance with the relevant provisions of Statement on Financial
Accounting Standard (SFAS) No. 52, Foreign Currency Translation. The objective of this
re-measurement process is to produce largely the same results that would have been reported if the
accounting records had been maintained in USD.
In the second quarter of 2006, EDN Sovintel LLC (Sovintel), the Companys wholly-owned
Russian subsidiary, introduced fixed USD ruble exchange rate for settlements with some of its
customers. Sovintel plans to introduce this fixed rate for the majority of its customers in the
third quarter of 2006. However, this fixed rate is applicable only if the official USD exchange
rate set by the Central Bank of Russia (CBR) is below the fixed level. If the ruble depreciates
against the USD so that the CBR exchange rate exceeds the fixed level, Sovintel will resume
applying the CBR exchange rate, or floating rate, for settlements with its customers. We are
currently evaluating the effect of the introduction of the fixed exchange rate in conjunction with
various functional currency indicators established by SFAS No. 52 in order to determine if the
change in functional currency for our Russian operations may be required in subsequent periods.
In September 2005, we granted stock appreciation rights (SARs) to our Chief Executive
Officer (CEO) with respect to 200,000 shares of our common stock, at a share price which was the
closing price of our common stock on the NASDAQ National Market on July 19, 2005 (CEO Granting
Share Price), which was $29.83, one-third of which shall be and become vested and nonforfeitable
on each of the first three anniversary dates from September 1, 2005, provided the CEO remains
continuously employed by us until each such relevant date. The SARs shall be fully vested if there
is a change in control. If, prior to August 31, 2008 and during the CEOs period of employment
with us, the average closing stock price of one share of our common stock on the NASDAQ National
Market, or any such other exchange on which our common stock may then be traded, exceeds $50.00
during any thirty day consecutive period, the CEO will be granted SARs for an additional 200,000
shares of our common stock at the CEO Granting Share Price, which SARs shall be fully vested upon
issuance. The SARs granted do not have a contractual term. However, all SARs shall be cancelled,
and we shall make a payment to the CEO upon the termination of employment for any reason with
respect of the SARs vested. The SARs provide for a cash only settlement and the related obligation
is recorded as a liability in the consolidated financial statements.
In December 2005, we granted SARs with respect to 851,800 shares of our common stock to senior
management and other employees, of which 32,400 were forfeited by employees who left us in the
first half of 2006. The SARs were granted pursuant to the Golden Telecom, Inc. 2005 Stock
Appreciation Rights Plan (2005 SAR Plan) and the EDN Sovintel Stock Appreciation Rights Bonus
Plan (Sovintel SAR Plan) at a share price which is the lower of: (i) the average between the high
and low sales price per share of the of common stock on the grant date, or in case no such sale
takes place on the grant date, the last date on which a sale occurred or (ii) the average closing
sales price per share of our common stock for the fourteen trading days immediately preceding such
date, which was $26.808 (Granting Share Price). Seventy-five percent of the SAR grant shall be
subject to time vesting, one-
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third of which shall be and become vested and nonforfeitable on each of the first three anniversary
dates from December 12, 2005, provided that the employee remains continuously employed by us until
each such relevant date. The Granting Share Price shall increase by five percent on each
anniversary date after December 12, 2005, in association with the SARs that shall be and become
vested and nonforfeitable on each such anniversary date. Twenty-five percent of the SARs granted
are subject to performance vesting upon the our common stock achieving a closing trading price of
at least $50.00 per share for thirty consecutive days as determined in our sole discretion. If our
common stock does not achieve a closing trading price of at least $50.00 per share for thirty
consecutive days within three years of the date of grant, such portion of the SARs shall expire by
its terms and shall not be exercisable. The SARs have a contractual term of 5 years. The
aggregate number of shares of common stock which may be issued pursuant to the 2005 SAR Plan at the
discretion of the grantees shall be 200,000 shares. The SARs issued pursuant to the Sovintel SAR
Plan provide for a cash only settlement. The related obligation is recorded as a liability in the
consolidated financial statements.
During
the first half of 2006, we granted SARs with respect to 60,000 shares of our common
stock to senior management, of which 10,000 were forfeited by a senior manager who left us in the
first half of 2006. The SARs were granted pursuant to the 2005 SAR Plan at the weighted-average
exercise price of $31.46.
In July 2004, our Board of Directors adopted a Long Term Incentive Bonus Program (LTIBP) for
senior management of the Company, effective as of January 1, 2004. During the six months ended June
30, 2005, we recorded $0.6 million of expenses associated with the LTIBP. In February 2006, our
Board of Directors discontinued the LTIBP effective January 1, 2005. We reversed these accrued
expenses in the fourth quarter of 2005.
Highlights and Outlook
Since early 2000 we have witnessed a recovery in the Russian market, but downward pricing
pressures persist from increased competition and the global trend toward lower telecommunications
tariffs. In 2005 and during the first half of 2006, our traffic volume increases exceeded the
reduction in tariffs on certain types of voice traffic. This is a contributing factor to the
increases in our revenue in 2005 and during the first half of 2006. We expect that this trend of
year over year increases in traffic volume will continue as long as the Russian economy continues
to develop at its current pace. Although our revenue growth is strong, our overall margins
continue to be impacted by price increases for services received from monopolistic incumbent
operators and competition from other carriers.
In order to handle additional traffic volumes, we have expanded and will continue to expand
our fiber optic capacity along our heavy traffic and high cost routes to mitigate declines in
traffic margins, reduce our unit transmission costs and ensure sufficient capacity to meet the
growing demand for data and Internet services. We expect to continue to add additional transmission
capacity, which due to its fixed cost nature can initially depress margins, but will over time
allow us to improve or maintain our margins.
We continue to follow our strategy of regional expansion. The project for the construction of
the Russian inter-city fiber optic link that we launched in the middle of 2004 has continued
throughout 2005 and into 2006. At present, we are constructing an inter-city fiber optic link from
Moscow to Ufa through Nizhny Novgorod and Kazan under a commercial agreement with Vimpelcom. To
date, we have completed construction of the cable line from Moscow to Ufa. At present, we are
installing equipment on the link between Kazan and Ufa. On March 14, 2006, the fiber optic link
from Moscow to Nizhny Novgorod was formally commissioned by Rossvyaznadzor. On June 5, 2006, we
completed construction of a fiber optic link from Nizhny Novgorod to Kazan. Once the Nizhny
Novgorod Kazan link is formally commissioned by Rossvyaznadzor, we will launch commercial
operations. We expect that this inter-city fiber optic link will be operational in the third
quarter of 2006. In addition, we started construction of the Oktyabrsky to Samara inter-city fiber
optic link. At present, we have laid approximately 365 kilometers of cable for this project; we
anticipate that the entire Oktyabrsky to Samara inter-city fiber optic link will require us to lay
approximately 440 kilometers of cable. We expect that this fiber optic link will be completed in
the fourth quarter of 2006. This Oktyabrsky to Samara link is part of a larger fiber optic cable
line that will run from Ufa to Saratov. We plan on completing this project in the second quarter of
2007. To date, we have invested approximately $21.9 million in these projects. In addition, in 2007
we plan to start construction of the fiber optic link from Kazan to Ekaterinburg through
Naberezhnye Chelny and Perm, and from Moscow to Krasnodar through Voronezh and Rostov-on-Don. We
intend to connect our operations in the European part of Russia to this backbone network and plan
to invest a total of approximately $55.0 million to $60.0 million in this and related backbone
projects by the end of 2007. In Ukraine, we have started the construction of a national fiber optic
network connecting 16 regional centers. In February 2006, we completed construction of the fiber
optic link between Uzhgorod and Lvov with connection to the Hungarian border. In June 2006, we
completed construction of the fiber optic link from Lvov to Kiev through Lutsk, Rovno and Zhitomir.
In addition, we started construction of the link between Kiev and Kharkov through Chernigov and
Sumy. We expect that this link will be completed in the third quarter of 2006. The fiber optic
communication lines consist of new generation networks that will enable us to provide high quality
Internet access, data and voice services. Development of our fiber optic network is part of our
broadband access rollout strategy. In addition, it allows us to enter the long distance
communication market and take advantage of our DLD/ILD license. By launching our own fiber optic
communication lines, we will be able to optimize and significantly reduce our expenditures
associated with the lease of trunk channels from other operators, offer competitive rates on
Internet and voice services to the end users in the regions, while maintaining traditionally high
quality of the services offered.
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The rapid growth of the telecommunications market in Russia, Ukraine, and the CIS is fueled by
macroeconomic growth and the inflow of direct foreign investment. We anticipate that the economic
growth in these markets will create additional demand for telecommunications services.
Additionally, in line with worldwide trends, we are starting to observe new customer demands for
more sophisticated telecommunications and Internet services as well as other new technologies. We
are responding to these customer demands by testing and implementing new technologies such as WiFi,
voice over Internet protocol (VoIP), wireless local loop and high-speed consumer Internet. Such
new technologies will remove some of the barriers to access that some of our customers currently
face. For example, with wireless local loop, we can connect remote customers to our network by
bypassing the incumbents wire network in order to provide higher quality access.
We continue to see growth opportunities organically, through selective acquisitions, and
through the development of new product lines. While our research indicates the telecommunications
services sector in business segments in the Moscow and St. Petersburg markets of fixed
telecommunications services will continue to grow, we believe that the bulk of our growth will come
from key regional cities.
We will continue to align the strategy of each of our business segments with market forces in
the countries where we operate. In BCS, our strategy is to defend and grow our market share
through attractive service offerings supported by excellent customer care. We are focused on
expanding into the regions as well as the fast growing small and medium-sized businesses (SMB)
and the small office / home office (SOHO) markets. In those cases where the potential SMB and
SOHO customer is not on our network, our ability to fully benefit from growth in these market
segments largely depends on the regulatory situation and our ability to get access to the copper
and other infrastructure of the incumbent operators under reasonable terms and conditions.
In Carrier and Operator Services, our strategy focuses on partnering with more operators in
the regions to enhance our termination capabilities. We have also launched additional value-added
products for our carrier partners that strengthen our leading position in the Russian and CIS
markets. These new products are designed to offer best quality voice and data transport to ensure
greater customer loyalty while protecting margins.
In Consumer Internet Services, we recognize that new technologies are making their way into
Russia, Ukraine, and the CIS. We expect that broadband competition and substitution will increase
in the future, and that dial-up margins will continue to decline over time as the average revenue
per subscriber continues to decline. In response to a decline in our dial-up subscriber base in
Moscow, we are currently exploring opportunities to enter the broadband market in Moscow and
elsewhere in Russia, Ukraine, and the CIS. However, our expansion in this area is currently limited
by restrictions on our access to unbundled local loop. So far, we have access to unbundled local
loop in Kazan and Tashkent. Therefore, we are currently looking at alternatives to deliver quality
broadband Internet services at competitive pricing in our major markets. We plan to provide
broadband services through our broadband networks based on such approaches as WiFi/WiMAX, Digital
Subscriber Line (DSL), fiber-to-the-building (FTTB), and by selective acquisitions of local
loop. The broadband development will enable us to offer high quality services
such as broadband Internet access, voice over broadband packaged with our Aport Internet search
engine to offer location-based search services. The broadband services will be competitively priced
and will offer higher speed services than many other Internet access services currently available
in Moscow. As part of our broadband access strategy, we recently entered into a framework agreement
with Nortel to develop up to 5,000 WiFi access nodes in Moscow, with the possibility to increase
the number of access nodes as needed. We have installed over 3,000 WiFi access nodes and cover
approximately 250,000 households in Moscow. We expect to conclude testing of our WiFi access nodes
in selected areas during the fourth quarter of 2006. After the WiFi testing is completed, we will
phase-in our customer access plans throughout Moscow. We expect to launch wireless broadband
services network in Moscow in January 2007. We plan to offer universal indoor and outdoor access
to approximately one-third of the 3.9 million households in Moscow. Upon completion of the S-Line
acquisition, we intend to roll out wireless broadband network in Kiev and other regions of Ukraine.
In addition, we plan to cover the biggest cities and areas such as St. Petersburg, Nizhny Novgorod,
Ekaterinburg, Krasnoyarsk, Sochi, Kazan, Krasnodar, and Tashkent. As part of this broadband
access rollout strategy, we have deployed 268 DSL nodes in Moscow and 1,830 DSL nodes outside of
Moscow with a combined capacity of approximately 8,756 ports and 50,230 ports, respectively. We
plan to continue the deployment of broadband and DSL in other selected regions. We intend to expand
our broadband strategy to be able to provide broadband Internet access, VoIP, digital television
and mobile over broadband services to a wider consumer market. In April 2006, we began to provide
broadband services based on FTTB technology in Kiev with the coverage of approximately 240,000
households.
Our Mobile Services line of business allows us to provide additional services to our Ukrainian
wireline customers. In the future, we expect to follow a marketing strategy aimed on attracting
high revenue customers and maintaining our corporate market share in Kiev and Odessa. Our recently
acquired GSM-1800 radio frequency license for additional 22 regions of Ukraine will also present
new opportunities. This license provides us with a potential customer base of 38.1 million people,
or approximately 81% of the Ukrainian population, compared with our previous coverage of 5.1
million people. On July 13, 2006, we entered into agreement with ZAO Ukrainian Radio Systems
(URS), a subsidiary of Vimpelcom, for the provision of roaming services. This agreement will
enable our mobile customers to use national roaming services of URS nationwide network. At the
moment, URS network provides coverage of approximately 50% of the Ukrainian population with a
planned expansion to cover approximately 80% of the population by the end of
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2006. In addition, we plan to provide mobile over broadband services in Ukraine. By the end
of 2006, we will rollout the fixed-mobile convergent (FMC) network in Kiev, Odessa and three
other regions of Ukraine. In 2007, we plan to deploy FMC network in an additional 19 regions of
Ukraine. However, we do not expect significant growth in mobile revenue from the roaming agreement
with URS until our FMC network is fully deployed.
Our recently constructed FTN will also present new opportunities for growth. Our FTN provides
us with a potential customer base across all geographic zones in the Russian Federation of up to
1.3 million businesses, 143 million people, of which there are 32 million residential customers, in
the 88 Russian regions. This is an increase from our previous breadth of coverage which only
allowed us to reach 25 regions in Russia with up to 0.3 million businesses and a population of 77.1
million people. With the FTN, we will be able to offer our wide range of telecommunications
services, including DLD/ILD telecommunications services, to every person and all businesses across
Russias eleven time zones.
Critical Accounting Policies
The fundamental objective of financial reporting is to provide useful information that allows
a reader to comprehend our business activities. To assist that understanding, management has
identified our critical accounting policies. These policies have the potential to have a
significant impact on our financial statements, either because of the significance of the financial
statement item to which they relate, or because they require judgment and estimation due to the
uncertainty involved in measuring, at a specific point in time, events which are continuous in
nature.
Revenue recognition policies; we recognize operating revenues as services are rendered or as
products are delivered to customers and installed. Under multiple-delivery contracts, involving a
combination of product delivery, installation and maintenance, connection and service fees,
revenues are recognized based on the relative fair value of the respective amounts. Elements are
grouped if they are inseparable or objective evidence of fair value does not exist. Certain
revenues, such as connection and installation fees, are deferred. We also defer direct incremental
costs related to connection fees, not exceeding the revenue deferred. Deferred revenues are
subsequently recognized over the estimated average customer lives, which are periodically
reassessed by us, and such reassessment may impact our future operating results. In determining
the recording of revenue, estimates and assumptions are required in assessing the expected
conversion of the revenue streams to cash collected.
Allowance for doubtful accounts policies; the allowance estimation process requires management
to make assumptions based on historical results, future expectations, the economic and competitive
environment, changes in the creditworthiness of our customers, and other relevant factors. Changes
in the underlying assumptions may have a significant impact on the results of our operations. In
particular, we have certain amounts due to and from subsidiaries of a European telecommunications
operator who is currently subject to bankruptcy proceedings. The ultimate resolution of this matter
will be affected by a number of factors including the determination of legal obligations of each
party, the course of the bankruptcy proceedings, and the enforceability of any determinations. We
have recognized provisions based on our preliminary estimate of net exposure on the resolution of
these receivables and payables. If our assessment proves to be incorrect we may have to recognize
an additional provision of up to $1.9 million, net of tax, although management believes that the
possibility of such an adverse outcome is remote.
Long-lived asset recovery policies; this policy is in relation to long-lived assets,
consisting primarily of property and equipment and intangibles, which comprise a significant
portion of our total assets. Changes in technology or changes in our intended use of these assets
may cause the estimated period of use or the value of these assets to change. We perform periodic
internal studies to confirm the appropriateness of estimated economic useful lives for each
category of current property and equipment. Additionally, long-lived assets, including intangibles,
are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances have indicated that their
carrying amounts may not be recoverable. Estimates and assumptions used in both setting useful
lives and testing for recoverability of our long-lived assets require the exercise of managements
judgment and estimation based on certain assumptions concerning the expected life of any asset and
expected future cash flows from the use of an asset.
Goodwill and assessment of impairment; commencing from the adoption of SFAS No. 142, Goodwill
and Other Intangible Assets, on January 1, 2002, we perform goodwill impairment testing annually
as of October 1 or whenever impairment indicators exist. This test requires a significant degree
of judgment about the future events and it includes determination of the reporting units,
allocation of goodwill to the reporting units and comparison of the fair value with the carrying
amount of each reporting unit. Based on the discounted cash flow valuations performed in 2005, we
concluded that for all reporting units the fair value is in excess of the respective carrying
amounts.
Valuation allowance for deferred tax asset; we record valuation allowances related to tax
effects of deductible temporary differences and loss carry forwards when, in the opinion of
management, it is more likely than not that the respective tax assets will not be realized.
Changes in our assessment of probability of realization of deferred tax assets may impact our
effective income tax rate.
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Business segment information; we report four segments within the telecommunications industry:
Business and Corporate Services, Carrier and Operator Services, Consumer Internet Services and
Mobile Services. A significant portion of our cost structure, including our investment in
infrastructure, benefits multiple segments. As a result, we perform allocations of certain costs in
order to report business segment information for management and
financial reporting
purposes. Applying different allocation techniques and parameters could impact the reported results
of individual business segments.
Functional currency; effective January 1, 2003, Russia is no longer considered a
hyperinflationary economy, therefore the determination of functional currency for United States
generally accepted accounting principles (US GAAP) reporting purposes should be based on the
analysis of the underlying business transactions for each foreign subsidiary. The functional
currency of our foreign subsidiaries is the USD because the majority of their revenues, expenses,
property and equipment purchased and debt and trade liabilities are either priced, incurred,
payable or otherwise measured in USD. Accordingly, transactions and balances not already measured
in USD, primarily transactions in local currencies of our CIS subsidiaries, have been re-measured
into USD in accordance with the relevant provisions of SFAS No. 52, Foreign Currency Translation.
The objective of this re-measurement process is to produce largely the same results that would have
been reported if the accounting records had been maintained in USD.
In the second quarter of 2006, Sovintel, the Companys wholly-owned Russian subsidiary,
introduced fixed USD ruble exchange rate for settlements with some of its customers. Sovintel
plans to introduce this fixed rate for the majority of its customers in the third quarter of 2006.
However, this fixed rate is applicable only if the official USD exchange rate set by the CBR is below the fixed level. If the ruble depreciates against the USD so that
the CBR exchange rate exceeds the fixed level, Sovintel will resume applying the CBR exchange rate,
or floating rate, for settlements with its customers. We are currently evaluating the effect of the
introduction of the fixed exchange rate in conjunction with various functional currency indicators
established by SFAS No. 52 in order to determine if the change in functional currency for our
Russian operations may be required in subsequent periods.
Stock-based compensation; effective January 1, 2006, we adopted SFAS No. 123R to account for
Share Based Payments. Under SFAS No. 123R, we are required to calculate and record the cost of
equity instruments, such as stock options or restricted stock, awarded to employees for services
received in the income statement. The cost of the equity instruments is to be measured based on
the fair value of the instruments on the date they are granted or, if the number of shares to be
issued or the exercise price in unknown, remeasured at each reporting date and is required to be
recognized over the period during which the employees are required to provide services in exchange
for the equity instruments. The fair value of a SAR is estimated using the Monte Carlo
simulation-based valuation model that incorporates the assumptions of the stock volatility,
risk-free interest rates, dividend yield, employee exercise patterns and forfeiture rates.
Critical Accounting Estimates
Accounting estimates are an integral part of the financial statements prepared by management
and are based upon managements current judgments. Certain accounting estimates are particularly
sensitive because of their significance to the financial statements and because of the possibility
that future events affecting them may differ markedly from managements current judgment. We
believe the following items represent such particularly sensitive accounting estimates:
Allowance for doubtful accounts; any changes in the underlying assumptions of recoverability
of accounts receivable by respective aging group or certain specific accounts that are excluded
from the specific and general allowances could have a material effect on our current and future
results of operations. We believe that the allowance for doubtful accounts is adequate to cover
estimated losses in our accounts receivable balances under current conditions.
Tax provisions; in the course of preparing financial statements in accordance with US GAAP, we
record potential tax loss provisions under the guidelines of SFAS No. 5, Accounting for
Contingencies. In general SFAS No. 5 requires loss contingencies to be recorded when they are
both probable and reasonably estimable. In addition, we record other deferred tax provisions under
the guidelines of SFAS No. 109, Accounting for Income Taxes. Significant judgment is required to
determine when such provisions should be recorded, and when facts and circumstances change, when
such provisions should be released.
Useful lives of property and equipment and certain intangible assets; our network assets and
amortizable intangible assets are depreciated and amortized over periods generally ranging from
five to ten years. Any reduction or increase in the estimated useful lives for a particular
category of fixed assets or intangible assets could have a material effect on our future results of
operations.
Business combinations; SFAS No. 141, Business Combinations, requires us to recognize the
share in the assets of businesses acquired and respective liabilities assumed based on their fair
values. Our estimates of the fair value of the identified intangible assets of businesses acquired
are based on our expectations of future results of operations of such businesses.
26
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
Until January 1, 2006, we followed the provisions of SFAS No. 123, Accounting for Stock-Based
Compensation, for our Equity Participation Plan and SARs Plans. SFAS No. 123 generally allowed
companies to either account for stock-based compensation under the fair value method of SFAS No.
123 or under the intrinsic value method of Accounting Principles Board (APB) No. 25, Accounting
for Stock Issued to Employees. The fair value method required compensation cost to be measured at
the grant date based on the value of the award and to be recognized over the service period. We had
elected to account for our stock-based compensation in accordance with the provisions of APB No. 25
and present pro forma disclosures of results of operations as if the fair value method had been
adopted.
In December 2004, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued SFAS No. 123R
(revised 2004), Share Based Payment, which is a revision of SFAS No. 123. SFAS No. 123R
supersedes APB No. 25, Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees and amends SFAS No. 95, Statement
of Cash Flows. Under SFAS No. 123R, companies must calculate and record the cost of equity
instruments, such as stock options or restricted stock, awarded to employees for services received
in the income statement; pro forma disclosure is no longer permitted. The cost of the equity
instruments is to be measured based on the fair value of the instruments on the date they are
granted or, if the number of shares to be issued or the exercise price in unknown, remeasured at
each reporting date and is required to be recognized over the period during which the employees are
required to provide services in exchange for the equity instruments. In April 2005, the Securities
and Exchange Commission delayed the effective date of SFAS No. 123R until January 1, 2006 for
calendar year companies.
We adopted SFAS No. 123R as of January 1, 2006 using the modified prospective method which
requires the application of the SFAS No. 123R in our accounting for SARs and stock options. Prior
to the adoption of SFAS No. 123R, we accounted for SARs by remeasuring the intrinsic value of the
SARs at each reporting period and adjusted compensation expense and the related liability for the
change in the intrinsic value. From January 1, 2006, we account for SARs at fair value. In
accordance with the modified prospective method, the consolidated financial statements for prior
periods have not been restated to reflect, and do not include, the impact of SFAS No. 123R.
The impact of the adoption of SFAS No. 123R was an increase in cost of revenue of
approximately $0.2 million, an increase in selling, general and administrative expense of
approximately $2.1 million, including the associated payroll taxes, and a deferred tax benefit of
approximately $0.4 million for the six months ended June 30, 2006. In addition, we recorded a
cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle of $0.7 million, net of tax, representing the
difference between the fair value and the intrinsic value of SARs at January 1, 2006. The total
impact of the adoption of SFAS No. 123R was a reduction in net income of approximately $2.6
million, net of tax, for the six months ended June 30, 2006, equivalent to $0.07 per common share
basic and $0.07 per common share diluted, representing compensation expense in connection with
SARs. Compensation expense recorded in connection with outstanding stock options was negligible for
the six months ended June 30, 2006.
The
impact of the adoption of SFAS No. 123R was an increase in
selling, general and administrative expense of approximately
$0.5 million, including the associated payroll taxes, and a
deferred tax benefit of approximately $0.1 million for the three
months ended June 30, 2006. The total impact of the adoption of
SFAS No. 123R was a reduction in net income of approximately
$0.4 million, net of tax, for the three months ended
June 30, 2006, equivalent to $0.01 per common share basic
and $0.01 per common share diluted, representing compensation
expense in connection with SARs. Compensation
expense recorded in connection with outstanding stock options was
negligible for the three months ended June 30, 2006.
The weighted-average fair value of SARs outstanding as of June 30, 2006 was $7.26 per SAR. As
of June 30, 2006, there was $5.3 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to
non-vested SARs awards. That cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average requisite
service period of 1.59 years.
The impact of the adoption of SFAS No. 123R depends on, among other things, the price of our
stock, as well as the assumptions used to value SARs granted, such as the volatility of our stock,
risk-free interest rates, employee exercise patterns and forfeiture rates. The impact of additional
SARs grant, if any, cannot be estimated at this time.
In December 2004, the FASB issued SFAS No. 153, Exchanges of Nonmonetary Assets. SFAS No.
153 addresses the measurement of exchanges of nonmonetary assets. SFAS No. 153 amends APB No. 29,
Accounting for Nonmonetary Transactions, to eliminate the exception for nonmonetary exchanges of
similar productive assets and replaces it with a general exception for exchanges of nonmonetary
assets that do not have commercial substance. A nonmonetary exchange has commercial substance if
the future cash flows of the entity are expected to change significantly as a result of the
exchange. These provisions of SFAS No. 153 are effective for financial statements for fiscal years
beginning after June 15, 2005. The adoption of the provisions of SFAS No. 153 did not have a
material impact on the Companys results of operations, financial position or cash flow.
In May 2005, the FASB issued SFAS No. 154, Accounting Changes and Error Corrections, which
is a replacement of APB No. 20, Accounting Changes and SFAS No. 3, Reporting Changes in Interim
Financial Statements. SFAS No. 154 applies to all voluntary changes in accounting principle and
changes the accounting for and reporting of a change in accounting principle. SFAS No. 154
requires retrospective application to prior periods financial statements of a voluntary change in
accounting principle unless it is impracticable. In addition, SFAS No. 154 requires that a change
in method of depreciation, amortization, or depletion for long-lived, nonfinancial assets be
accounted for as a change in accounting estimate that is effected by a change in accounting
principle. SFAS No. 154 is effective for accounting changes and corrections of errors made in
fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2005. The adoption of the provisions of SFAS No. 154 did
not have a material impact on our results of operations, financial position or cash flow.
27
In
June 2006, the FASB issued FASB Interpretation No. 48 (FIN No. 48), Accounting for
Uncertainty in Income Taxes an interpretation of SFAS Statement 109, which clarifies the
accounting for uncertainty in tax positions. FIN No. 48 creates a single model to address
uncertainty in tax positions and clarifies the accounting for income taxes by prescribing the
minimum recognition threshold a tax position is required to meet before being recognized in the
financial statements. FIN No. 48 also provides guidance on derecognition, measurement,
classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure and transition.
In addition, FIN No. 48 scopes out income taxes from SFAS No. 5, Accounting for Contingencies.
The provisions of FIN No. 48 are effective for financial statements for fiscal years beginning
after December 15, 2006. We are currently examining FIN No. 48 to determine whether it will have a
material impact on our financial position, results of operations, or cash flow.
Results of Operations
The results of our four business segments from the operations of our consolidated entities
combined with the non-consolidated entities where we are actively involved in the day-to-day
management, are shown in note 9 Segment Information Line of Business Data to our consolidated
financial statements.
According to Russian government estimates, inflation in Russia was 12% in 2004, 11% in 2005
and 6% for the six months ended June 30, 2006. The Russian government expects inflation to be
approximately 10% to 11% in 2006. Although the rate of inflation has been declining, any return to
heavy and sustained inflation could lead to market instability, new financial crises, reduction in
consumer buying power and erosion of consumer confidence.
The discussion of our results of operations is organized as follows:
|
|
Consolidated Results. Consolidated Results of Operations for the Three
Months Ended June 30, 2006, compared to the Consolidated Results of
Operations for the Three Months Ended June 30, 2005 |
|
|
Consolidated Results. Consolidated Results of Operations for the Six
Months Ended June 30, 2006, compared to the Consolidated Results of
Operations for the Six Months Ended June 30, 2005 |
|
|
Consolidated Financial Position. Consolidated Financial Position at
June 30, 2006, compared to Consolidated Financial Position at December
31, 2005 |
Consolidated Results Consolidated Results of Operations for the Three Months Ended June 30, 2006,
compared to the Consolidated Results of Operations for the Three Months Ended June 30, 2005
Revenue
Our revenue increased by 19% to $197.0 million for the three months ended June 30, 2006 from
$165.5 million for the three months ended June 30, 2005. The breakdown of revenue by business group
was as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Consolidated Revenue |
|
|
Consolidated Revenue |
|
|
|
For the Three Months |
|
|
For the Three Months |
|
|
|
Ended June 30, 2005 |
|
|
Ended June 30, 2006 |
|
|
|
(in millions) |
|
REVENUE |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Business and Corporate Services |
|
$ |
96.4 |
|
|
$ |
113.0 |
|
Carrier and Operator Services |
|
|
54.5 |
|
|
|
69.2 |
|
Consumer Internet Services |
|
|
10.7 |
|
|
|
12.2 |
|
Mobile Services |
|
|
3.9 |
|
|
|
2.6 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
TOTAL REVENUE |
|
$ |
165.5 |
|
|
$ |
197.0 |
|
The breakdown of revenue by geographic regions was as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Consolidated Revenue |
|
|
Consolidated Revenue |
|
|
|
For the Three Months |
|
|
For the Three Months |
|
|
|
Ended June 30, 2005 |
|
|
Ended June 30, 2006 |
|
|
|
(in millions) |
|
REVENUE |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Moscow |
|
$ |
109.2 |
|
|
$ |
121.7 |
|
Northwest region of Russia |
|
|
14.2 |
|
|
|
18.0 |
|
Other regions of Russia and CIS |
|
|
28.3 |
|
|
|
42.3 |
|
Ukraine |
|
|
19.0 |
|
|
|
19.4 |
|
Eliminations |
|
|
(5.2 |
) |
|
|
(4.4 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
TOTAL REVENUE |
|
$ |
165.5 |
|
|
$ |
197.0 |
|
28
Business and Corporate Services. Revenue from BCS increased by 17% to $113.0 million for
the three months ended June 30, 2006, from $96.4 million for the three months ended June 30, 2005.
Macro-economic growth in Russia, Ukraine, and the CIS and continuing demand for our
telecommunications solutions have continued to help us increase revenue in this line of business.
Our total number of contracts in this line of business increased from 173,490 on June 30, 2005, to
192,689 on June 30, 2006, an increase of 11%.
Revenue from the BCS division of Sovintel, our largest subsidiary, increased by 15% to $90.9
million for the three months ended June 30, 2006, from $78.9 million for the three months ended
June 30, 2005. BCS revenue in Moscow, our largest market, increased by 7% to $67.9 million in the
second quarter of 2006 from $63.3 million in the second quarter of 2005. However, as a percentage
of total Sovintel BCS revenue, Moscow decreased from approximately 80% in the second quarter 2005
to approximately 75% of Sovintels total BCS revenue in the second quarter of 2006. This decrease
is the result of the expansion of Sovintels BCS business in the Russian regions. Our BCS Moscow
voice revenue continues to grow as we expand our client base.
Additionally, we experienced a decrease in the competitive pressures
affecting rates. In the second quarter of 2006, BCS Moscow revenue from data and Internet
services grew significantly not only due to an increase in our customer base, but also due to
increased business from existing customers. We expect our revenue from BCS Moscow to continue to
grow as we continue to experience significant investment in the Moscow commercial real-estate
market. Our ongoing relationships with Moscow real-estate developers should enable us to continue
to grow the number of trade and business centers where we provide services to end users.
Furthermore, we have implemented a key account program in Moscow to protect our relationships with
our largest clients and to foster cross selling. Additionally, we expect demand for call center
services to continue to demonstrate strong growth in Moscow. Our revenue from call centers
increased by approximately $0.6 million, or 60%, to $1.6 million for the three months ended June
30, 2006, from $1.0 million for the three months ended June 30, 2005. Refer to the table below for
key operating statistics for BCS Moscow.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(in whole numbers) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
BCS Moscow customer statistics on June 30: |
|
2005 |
|
|
2006 |
|
|
% Change |
|
Total clients |
|
|
23,100 |
|
|
|
23,559 |
|
|
|
2 |
% |
Business centers |
|
|
735 |
|
|
|
855 |
|
|
|
16 |
% |
Trade centers |
|
|
60 |
|
|
|
78 |
|
|
|
30 |
% |
Hotels |
|
|
47 |
|
|
|
51 |
|
|
|
9 |
% |
Direct inward dialing lines |
|
|
122,350 |
|
|
|
131,250 |
|
|
|
7 |
% |
Ethernet / Metropolitan Ethernet Network connections |
|
|
1,350 |
|
|
|
2,172 |
|
|
|
61 |
% |
High speed Internet active contracts |
|
|
345 |
|
|
|
694 |
|
|
|
101 |
% |
Sovintel regional BCS revenue increased by 48% to $23.0 million in the second quarter of
2006 from $15.5 million in the second quarter of 2005. As a percentage of total Sovintel BCS
revenue, regional BCS revenue increased from approximately 20% in the second quarter 2005 to
approximately 25% of Sovintels total BCS revenue in the second quarter of 2006. Sovintel regional
BCS business continues to grow as we assist our customers in developing their businesses in Russian
regions outside of Moscow.
Revenue from the BCS division of GTU increased by 27% to $12.1 million for the three months
ended June 30, 2006, from $9.5 million for the three months ended June 30, 2005. This increase in
revenue was due to a 20% increase in the minutes of use resulting from a 62% increase in the number
of serviced voice lines and a 2% increase in the average rate per minute of use for DLD calls
resulting from a change in traffic mix in favor of higher-rated traffic to mobile networks. Partly
offsetting these increasing factors was a 28% decrease in average minutes of use per line per month
due to more residential, SMB, and regional customers in the client base, and traffic migration to
mobile networks. In 2005, GTU began providing voice services to residential customers and had
approximately 6,837 residential customers as of June 30, 2006, and 926 as of June 30, 2005. GTU
expects revenue from residential customers to increase in the future as it expands its network to
reach more residential buildings in Ukraine. Additionally, data and Internet revenue increased by
approximately $1.1 million due to an increase in the number of ports in service.
Our acquisition strategy also contributed to the overall BCS growth in the second quarter of
2006. Our revenue increased by approximately $2.2 million due to the acquisitions of OOO Joint
Venture Sakhalin Telecom Limited (Sakhalin Telecom) and ZAO Sochitelecom (Sochitelecom) in
2005, and Tatintelcom and TTK in 2006. We began consolidating Sakhalin Telecom in October 2005,
Sochitelecom in November 2005, Tatintelcom in April 2006, and TTK in May 2006. Our regional
acquisition strategy has enabled us to increase our access to last mile infrastructure, thus
enabling us to expand our corporate client base.
Carrier and Operator Services. Revenue from Carrier and Operator Services increased by 27% to
$69.2 million for the three months ended June 30, 2006, from $54.5 million for the three months
ended June 30, 2005. Our total number of contracts in this line of business grew by 27% to 2,101
as of June 30, 2006, from 1,650 as of June 30, 2005.
Carrier and Operator Services revenue from Sovintel increased by 28% to $62.5 million for the
three months ended June 30, 2006, from $48.9 million for the three months ended June 30, 2005. In
Sovintel, we have expanded our operations with existing partners and added a number of new carriers
in the regions with increased volumes of traffic. Additionally, our revenue from international
traffic increased as we carried larger volumes of lower margin traffic destined to CIS countries.
We also observe significant increase
29
in Internet traffic. On April 17, 2006, we entered into agreement with Vimpelcom which would
allow Vimpelcom to offer geographical numbering capacity to its subscribers in Moscow. For the
three months ended June 30, 2006, we have recorded approximately $1.2 million in additional revenue
from this agreement. We expect that our revenues in this line of business will continue to increase
in future periods as we expand our termination capabilities as we continue to develop our network.
Following the introduction of the new Interconnection Rules, we observe less competitive pressure
on revenues.
Revenue for the Carrier and Operator Services division of GTU decreased by 21% to $4.4 million
for the three months ended June 30, 2006, from $5.6 million for the three months ended June 30,
2005. Incoming international revenue decreased by $2.4 million resulting from an 82% decrease in
the incoming international minutes of use. Incoming international minutes of use decreased due to
a decrease in transit traffic from various international operators due to increase in termination
rates as a result of changes in VAT regulations. The decrease in incoming international revenue was
partially offset by a $0.9 million increase in carriers carrier revenue due to a 40% increase in
transit traffic from local operators following a reduction of termination rates to mobile networks
and increase in traffic volume from URS. Additionally, data revenues increased by $0.2 million due
to an increase in ports in service as we added capacity between Kiev and Frankfurt via two STM-4
channels. In the future, we expect a further decline in GTU voice wholesale revenues as major
operators in the Ukrainian market establish direct interconnection between their networks.
Carrier and Operator Services revenue increased by approximately $0.9 million due to the
acquisitions of Sakhalin Telecom and Sochitelecom in 2005, and Tatintelcom in 2006.
Consumer Internet Services. Revenue from Consumer Internet Services increased by 14% to $12.2
million for the three months ended June 30, 2006, from $10.7 million for the three months ended
June 30, 2005. Consumer Internet Services revenue increased by approximately $0.7 million due to
the acquisitions of Sakhalin Telecom and Sochitelecom in 2005. In addition, the revenue from
consumer broadband Internet services from customers outside of Moscow and other consumer Internet
related services increased from the three months ended June 30, 2005. The number of dial-up
Internet subscribers increased from 394,250 at June 30, 2005, to 400,721 at June 30, 2006, and the
average revenue per dial-up Internet subscriber increased from $6.84 per month for the three months
ended June 30, 2005, to approximately $6.87 per month for the three months ended June 30, 2006. The
demographics of our dial-up subscriber base continue to change as we add regional subscribers and
lose subscribers in Moscow. The consumer Internet market in Moscow has become more competitive due
to the increasing availability of other Internet access technologies. We anticipate that our
revenue from consumer broadband will increase as we embark on our broadband access rollout. Our
current and past base of dial-up Internet subscribers in Moscow and throughout Russia will allow us
to specifically target subscribers that currently use or have previously used our Internet
services.
Mobile Services. Revenue from Mobile Services decreased by 33% to $2.6 million for the three
months ended June 30, 2006, from $3.9 million for the three months ended June 30, 2005. The
decline in revenue was primarily due to increased competition on the Ukrainian mobile market, lack
of network coverage and the restrictions on national roaming services, which has led to
significant churn of subscribers. Active subscribers decreased from 55,074 at June 30, 2005, to
50,602 at June 30, 2006. The average revenue per active subscriber has decreased by 26% from
approximately $23.82 per month to approximately $17.66 per month primarily due to a 33% decrease in
the number of high usage contract subscribers.
Expenses
The following table shows our principal expenses for the three months ended June 30, 2006 and
June 30, 2005:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Consolidated Expenses |
|
|
Consolidated Expenses |
|
|
|
For the Three Months |
|
|
For the Three Months |
|
|
|
Ended June 30, 2005 |
|
|
Ended June 30, 2006 |
|
|
|
(in millions) |
|
COST OF REVENUE
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Business and Corporate Services |
|
$ |
41.3 |
|
|
$ |
48.0 |
|
Carrier and Operator Services |
|
|
35.8 |
|
|
|
48.4 |
|
Consumer Internet Services |
|
|
7.3 |
|
|
|
7.9 |
|
Mobile Services |
|
|
1.8 |
|
|
|
1.3 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
TOTAL COST OF REVENUE |
|
|
86.2 |
|
|
|
105.6 |
|
Selling, general and administrative |
|
|
28.8 |
|
|
|
33.5 |
|
Depreciation and amortization |
|
|
20.2 |
|
|
|
24.0 |
|
Equity in (earnings)/ losses
of ventures |
|
|
0.1 |
|
|
|
(0.4 |
) |
Interest income |
|
|
(0.5 |
) |
|
|
(0.1 |
) |
Interest expense |
|
|
0.3 |
|
|
|
0.1 |
|
Foreign currency (gain)/ loss |
|
|
0.5 |
|
|
|
(0.7 |
) |
Minority interest |
|
|
0.7 |
|
|
|
1.0 |
|
Provision for income taxes |
|
|
9.4 |
|
|
|
11.4 |
|
30
Cost of Revenue
Our cost of revenue increased by 23% to $105.6 million for the three months ended June 30,
2006, from $86.2 million for the three months ended June 30, 2005.
Business and Corporate Services. Cost of revenue from BCS increased by 16% to $48.0 million,
or 42% of revenue, for the three months ended June 30, 2006 from $41.3 million, or 43% of revenue,
for the three months ended June 30, 2005. We continue to maintain robust gross margins in this line
of business due to the continued demand for high-margin services from our customers.
Cost of revenue for the BCS division of Sovintel increased by 18% to $38.7 million, or 43% of
revenue, for the three months ended June, 2006, from $32.9 million, or 42% of revenue, for the
three months ended June 30, 2005. The increase in cost of revenue as a percentage of revenue is
primarily due to increased volume of lower margin products and continuing pressure on our margins
in this line of business from our existing customers.
Cost of revenue for the BCS division of GTU increased by 4% to $5.2 million, or 43% of
revenue, for the three months ended June 30, 2006, from $5.0 million, or 53% of revenue, for the
three months ended June 30, 2005. Cost of revenue decreased as a percentage of revenue primarily
due to a 15% decrease in the settlement rates for traffic termination to mobile networks according
to the agreements with Ukrainian Mobile Communications (UMC) and Kyivstar GSM effective from the
first quarter of 2006. Additionally, in October 2005, we started routing Internet traffic via our
STM-4 channel to Frankfurt bypassing local incumbent operators and reducing Internet transmission
costs.
BCS cost of revenue increased by approximately $1.5 million due to the acquisitions of
Sakhalin Telecom and Sochitelecom in 2005, and Tatintelcom and TTK in 2006.
Carrier and Operator Services. Cost of revenue from Carrier and Operator Services increased by
35% to $48.4 million, or 70% of revenue, for the three months ended June 30, 2006, from $35.8
million, or 66% of revenue, for the three months ended June 30, 2005. We continue to observe
pressure on our operating margins in this line of business, attributable to a change in our traffic
mix.
Cost of revenue for the Carrier and Operator Services division of Sovintel increased by 33% to
$45.2 million, or 72% of revenue, for the three months ended June 30, 2006, from $34.0 million, or
70% of revenue, for the three months ended June 30, 2005. The increase in cost of revenue as a
percentage of revenue is primarily due to a change in our traffic mix in favor of traffic
terminated in CIS countries, which have higher settlement rates, and due to an increase in traffic
terminated to mobile networks, which typically have higher settlement rates than fixed networks.
Additionally, we incurred approximately $0.9 million costs under the new agreement with Vimpelcom
related to traffic termination on Vimpelcoms network.
Cost of revenue for the Carrier and Operator Services division of GTU decreased by 32% to $3.0
million, or 68% of revenue for the three months ended June 30, 2006, from $4.4 million, or 79% of
revenue for the three months ended June 30, 2005. Cost of revenue decreased as a percentage of
revenue primarily due to lower margin incoming international traffic accounting for a smaller
portion of our total wholesale traffic in the second quarter of 2006.
Carrier
and Operator Services cost of revenue increased by approximately $0.7 million due to
the acquisitions of Sakhalin Telecom and Sochitelecom in 2005, and Tatintelcom in 2006.
Consumer Internet Services. Cost of revenue from Consumer Internet Services increased by 8% to
$7.9 million, or 70% of revenue, for the three months ended June 30, 2006, from $7.3 million, or
68% of revenue, for the three months ended June 30, 2005. The increase in cost of revenue as a
percentage of revenue was mainly the result of network costs not decreasing in line with revenue
declines from dial-up Internet offset by cost reductions resulting from the cancellation of surplus
interconnect capacity. As regional subscribers account for a larger portion of our total subscriber
base, margins in this line of business have decreased due to incremental network costs incurred to
provide access to regional customers. Furthermore, the impact of a decline in subscribers in Moscow
has not resulted in an immediate decline of network costs, which are more fixed in nature.
Consumer Internet Services cost of revenue increased by approximately $0.5 million due to the
acquisitions of Sakhalin Telecom and Sochitelecom in 2005.
Mobile Services. Cost of revenue from Mobile Services decreased by 28% to $1.3 million, or 50%
of revenue for the three months ended June 30, 2006, from $1.8 million, or 46% of revenue for the
three months ended June 30, 2005. The increase in cost of revenue as a percentage of revenue is
mainly due to an increase in hryvna based settlement rates due to a decline in the value of the
USD, to an increase in traffic to other mobile networks with higher settlement rates and additional
payments for the frequencies received under the new GSM-1800 license.
31
Selling, General and Administrative
Our selling, general and administrative expenses increased by 16% to $33.5 million, or 17% of
revenue, for the three months ended June 30, 2006, from $28.8 million, or 17% of revenue, for the
three months ended June 30, 2005. Ongoing employee related costs such as salaries, bonuses,
insurance and other benefits increased by approximately $1.0 million, or 7%, primarily due to an
11% increase in consolidated headcount, increased executive officer costs, and ongoing salary and
other compensation increases. Included in the increase in employee related costs is a $0.3 million
charge recorded in the second quarter of 2006 related to our SARs plans. Additionally, in the
second quarter of 2005 we recorded a $1.1 million charge for the revision of our estimate for
unused vacation. Furthermore, severance costs increased by approximately $0.4 million since we
recorded approximately $0.4 million of charges in the second quarter of 2006 related to separation
payments paid to our former senior employees. Taxes, other than income taxes, increased by $0.8
million compared to the second quarter of 2005, due to an increase in property taxes and provision
for non-recoverable VAT receivables. Our advertising costs increased by $0.6 million due to
intensified marketing campaign of our new products. The remaining $1.9 million net increase is the
result of other selling, general and administrative expenses increasing in line with the growth in
our business.
Depreciation and Amortization
Our depreciation and amortization expenses increased by 19% to $24.0 million for the three
months ended June 30, 2006, from $20.2 million for the three months ended June 30, 2005.
Depreciation expense increased by $3.1 million, or 20%, primarily due to depreciation on capital
expenditures to further develop our network. Amortization expense also increased by $0.7 million,
or 16%, due to amortization on intangible assets arising from acquisitions consummated in 2005 and
2006.
Equity in Earnings (Losses) of Ventures
The earnings after interest and tax charges from our investments in non-consolidated ventures
increased to $0.4 million for the three months ended June 30, 2006 from losses of $0.1 million for
the three months ended June 30, 2005. The increase is mainly due to the acquisition of 54% of ZAO
Rascom (Rascom) in the fourth quarter of 2005. We account for our investments in Rascom under the
equity method because the rights of the minority shareholder represent substantive participating
rights, and as result, such rights overcome the presumption that we control Rascom.
Interest Income
Our interest income for the three months ended June 30, 2006, decreased to $0.1 million, from
$0.5 million for the three months ended June 30, 2005. The decrease in interest income is due to
decreased cash balances held in interest bearing accounts.
Interest Expense
Our interest expense for the three months ended June 30, 2006, decreased to $0.1 million, from
$0.3 million for the three months ended June 30, 2005.
Foreign Currency Gain (Loss)
Our foreign currency gain for the three months ended June 30, 2006, increased to $0.7 million,
from a loss of $0.5 million for the three months ended June 30, 2005. The increase in foreign
currency gain is due to the combination of movements in exchange rates and changes in the amount of
net monetary assets that we have denominated in foreign currencies.
Minority Interest
Our minority interest was $1.0 million for the three months ended June 30, 2006, compared to
$0.7 million for the three months ended June 30, 2005. Minority interest in our earnings increased
due to an increase in earnings and consolidation of recently acquired entities where our ownership
interest is less than 100%. In 2005, we acquired less than a 100% ownership in Sakhalin Telecom. In
2006, we acquired less than 100% of Tatintelcom.
Provision for Income Taxes
Our charge for income taxes was $11.4 million for the three months ended June 30, 2006,
compared to $9.4 million for the three months ended June 30, 2005. Our effective tax rate
increased to 33% for the three months ended June 30, 2006 from 31% for the three months ended June
30, 2005 due to increases in non-deductible expenses and changes in the valuation allowance for
deferred tax assets.
32
Net Income and Net Income per Share
Our net income for the three months ended June, 2006, was $22.6 million, compared to a net
income of $19.8 million for the three months ended June 30, 2005.
Our net income per share of common stock increased to $0.62 for the three months ended June
30, 2006, compared to a net income per share of $0.54 for the three months ended June 30, 2005. The
increase in net income per share of common stock was due to the increase in net income, offset by
an increase in the number of weighted average shares to 36,599,704 in the three months ended June
30, 2006, compared to 36,333,521 in the three months ended June, 2005. The increase in outstanding
shares was a direct result of employee stock option exercises and the issuance of restricted
stock to certain members of management and our Board of Directors.
Our net income per share of common stock on a fully diluted basis increased to $0.62 for the
three months ended June 30, 2006, compared to a net income per common share of $0.54 for the three
months ended June 30, 2005. The increase in net income per share of common stock on a fully diluted
basis was due to the increase in net income, offset by an increase in the number of weighted
average shares assuming dilution to 36,716,196 in the three months ended June 30, 2006, compared to
36,571,294 in the three months ended June 30, 2005.
Consolidated Results Consolidated Results of Operations for the Six Months Ended June 30, 2006,
compared to the Consolidated Results of Operations for the Six Months Ended June 30, 2005
Revenue
Our revenue increased by 16% to $375.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2006 from
$322.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2005. The breakdown of revenue by business group
was as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Consolidated Revenue |
|
|
Consolidated Revenue |
|
|
|
For the Six Months |
|
|
For the Six Months |
|
|
|
Ended June 30, 2005 |
|
|
Ended June 30, 2006 |
|
|
|
(in millions) |
|
REVENUE |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Business and Corporate Services |
|
$ |
184.5 |
|
|
$ |
216.2 |
|
Carrier and Operator Services |
|
|
107.5 |
|
|
|
129.3 |
|
Consumer Internet Services |
|
|
22.5 |
|
|
|
24.4 |
|
Mobile Services |
|
|
7.5 |
|
|
|
5.2 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
TOTAL REVENUE |
|
$ |
322.0 |
|
|
$ |
375.1 |
|
The breakdown of revenue by geographic regions was as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Consolidated Revenue |
|
|
Consolidated Revenue |
|
|
|
For the Six Months |
|
|
For the Six Months |
|
|
|
Ended June 30, 2005 |
|
|
Ended June 30, 2006 |
|
|
|
(in millions) |
|
REVENUE |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Moscow |
|
$ |
213.2 |
|
|
$ |
233.8 |
|
Northwest region of Russia |
|
|
27.5 |
|
|
|
34.5 |
|
Other regions of Russia and CIS |
|
|
55.6 |
|
|
|
80.6 |
|
Ukraine |
|
|
36.6 |
|
|
|
37.1 |
|
Eliminations |
|
|
(10.9 |
) |
|
|
(10.9 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
TOTAL REVENUE |
|
$ |
322.0 |
|
|
$ |
375.1 |
|
Business and Corporate Services. Revenue from BCS increased by 17% to $216.2 million for
the six months ended June 30, 2006, from $184.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2005.
Macro-economic growth in Russia, Ukraine, and the CIS and continuing demand for our
telecommunications solutions have continued to help us increase revenue in this line of business.
Revenue from the BCS division of Sovintel increased by 16% to $175.4 million for the six
months ended June 30, 2006, from $151.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2005. BCS revenue
in Moscow, our largest market, increased by 7% to $130.7 million in the first half of 2006 from
$121.8 million in the first half of 2005. However, as a percentage of total Sovintel BCS revenue,
Moscow decreased from approximately 81% in the first half 2005 to approximately 75% of Sovintels
total BCS revenue in the first half of 2006. This decrease is the result of the expansion of
Sovintels BCS business in the Russian regions. Our BCS Moscow voice revenue continues to grow as
we expand our client base. In the first half of 2006, BCS Moscow revenue from data and Internet
services grew significantly not only due to an increase in our customer base, but also due to
increased business from existing customers. In the first half of 2006, we experienced significant
growth in our data and Internet service offerings.
33
Sovintel regional BCS revenue increased by 52% to $44.7 million in the first half of 2006 from
$29.4 million in the first half of 2005. As a percentage of total Sovintel BCS revenue, regional
BCS revenue increased from approximately 19% in the first half 2005 to approximately 25% of
Sovintels total BCS revenue in the first half of 2006. Sovintel regional BCS business continues to
grow as we assist our customers in developing their businesses in Russian regions outside of
Moscow.
Revenue from the BCS division of GTU increased by 32% to $23.7 million for the six months
ended June 30, 2006, from $18.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2005. This increase in
revenue was due to a 23% increase in the minutes of use resulting from a 62% increase in the number
of serviced voice lines and a 4% increase in the average rate per minute of use for DLD calls
resulting from a change in traffic mix in favor of higher-rated traffic to mobile networks. Partly
offsetting these increasing factors was a 26% decrease in the average minutes of use per line per month
due to more residential, SMB, and regional customers in the client base. Additionally, data and
Internet revenue increased by approximately $2.4 million due to an increase in the number of ports
in service and higher customers activity.
BCS revenue increased by approximately $3.6 million due to the acquisitions of Sakhalin
Telecom and Sochitelecom in 2005, and Tatintelcom and TTK in 2006.
Carrier and Operator Services. Revenue from Carrier and Operator Services increased by 20% to
$129.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2006, from $107.5 million for the six months ended
June 30, 2005.
Carrier and Operator Services revenue from Sovintel increased by 23% to $118.5 million for the
six months ended June 30, 2006, from $96.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2005. At
Sovintel, we have expanded our operations with existing partners and added a number of new carriers
in the regions with increased volumes of traffic. Additionally, our revenue from international
traffic increased as we carried larger volumes of lower margin traffic destined to CIS countries.
Revenue for the Carrier and Operator Services division of GTU decreased by 30% to $7.8 million
for the six months ended June 30, 2006, from $11.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2005.
Incoming international revenue decreased by $4.7 million resulting from a 77% decrease in the
incoming international minutes of use. Incoming international minutes of use decreased due to a
decrease in transit traffic from various international operators due to increase in termination
rates as a result of changes in VAT regulations. The decrease in incoming international revenue was
partially offset by a $1.1 million increase in carriers
carrier revenue due to a 24% increase in
carriers carrier minutes of use resulting from a rise in low margin transit traffic on mobile
networks. Additionally, data revenues increased by $0.3 million due to an increase in ports in
service as we added capacity between Kiev and Frankfurt via two STM-4 channels.
Carrier and Operator Services revenue increased by approximately $1.0 million due to the
acquisitions of Sakhalin Telecom and Sochitelecom in 2005, and Tatintelcom in 2006.
Consumer Internet Services. Revenue from Consumer Internet Services increased by 8% to $24.4
million for the six months ended June 30, 2006, from $22.5 million for the six months ended June
30, 2005. Consumer Internet Services revenue increased by approximately $1.3 million due to the
acquisitions of Sakhalin Telecom and Sochitelecom in 2005. Offsetting this increase was a decrease
in revenue from dial-up Internet.
Mobile Services. Revenue from Mobile Services decreased by 31% to $5.2 million for the six
months ended June 30, 2006, from $7.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2005. The decline
in revenue was primarily due to increased competition on the Ukrainian mobile market, lack of
network coverage and the restrictions on national roaming services, which has led to significant
churn of subscribers.
34
Expenses
The following table shows our principal expenses for the six months ended June 30, 2006 and
June 30, 2005:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Consolidated Expenses |
|
|
Consolidated Expenses |
|
|
|
For the Six Months |
|
|
For the Six Months |
|
|
|
Ended June 30, 2005 |
|
|
Ended June 30, 2006 |
|
|
|
(in millions) |
|
COST OF REVENUE |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Business and Corporate Services |
|
$ |
78.9 |
|
|
$ |
92.0 |
|
Carrier and Operator Services |
|
|
69.4 |
|
|
|
88.5 |
|
Consumer Internet Services |
|
|
14.6 |
|
|
|
16.0 |
|
Mobile Services |
|
|
3.3 |
|
|
|
2.5 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
TOTAL COST OF REVENUE |
|
|
166.2 |
|
|
|
199.0 |
|
Selling, general and administrative |
|
|
56.4 |
|
|
|
67.4 |
|
Depreciation and amortization |
|
|
39.9 |
|
|
|
46.6 |
|
Equity in (earnings)/ losses
of ventures |
|
|
0.2 |
|
|
|
(0.7 |
) |
Interest income |
|
|
(0.9 |
) |
|
|
(0.8 |
) |
Interest expense |
|
|
0.4 |
|
|
|
0.2 |
|
Foreign currency (gain)/ loss |
|
|
0.2 |
|
|
|
(1.6 |
) |
Minority interest |
|
|
1.3 |
|
|
|
2.1 |
|
Provision for income taxes |
|
|
18.5 |
|
|
|
20.8 |
|
Cumulative effect of a change in
accounting principle, net of tax |
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
0.7 |
|
Cost of Revenue
Our cost of revenue increased by 20% to $199.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2006
from $166.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2005.
Business and Corporate Services. Cost of revenue from BCS increased by 17% to $92.0 million,
or 43% of revenue, for the six months ended June 30, 2006 from $78.9 million, or 43% of revenue,
for the six months ended June 30, 2005. We continue to maintain robust gross margins in this line
of business due to the continued demand for high-margin services from our customers.
Cost of revenue for the BCS division of Sovintel increased by 19% to $75.3 million, or 43% of
revenue, for the six months ended June 30, 2006, from $63.3 million, or 42% of revenue, for the six
months ended June 30, 2005. The increase in cost of revenue as a percentage of revenue is primarily
due to increased volume of lower margin products and continuing pressure on our margins in this
line of business from our existing customers.
Cost of revenue for the BCS division of GTU increased by 9% to $10.4 million, or 44% of
revenue, for the six months ended June 30, 2006, from $9.5 million, or 53% of revenue, for the six
months ended June 30, 2005. Cost of revenue decreased as a percentage of revenue primarily due to a
12% decrease in the settlement rates for traffic termination to mobile networks according to the
agreements with UMC and Kyivstar GSM effective from the first quarter of 2006.
BCS cost of revenue increased by approximately $2.0 million due to the acquisitions of
Sakhalin Telecom and Sochitelecom in 2005, and Tatintelcom and TTK in 2006.
Carrier and Operator Services. Cost of revenue from Carrier and Operator Services increased by
28% to $88.5 million, or 68% of revenue, for the six months ended June 30, 2006, from $69.4
million, or 65% of revenue, for the six months ended June 30, 2005. We continue to observe pressure
on our operating margins in this line of business, attributable to competition and to a change in
our traffic mix.
Cost of revenue for the Carrier and Operator Services division of Sovintel increased by 29% to
$85.0 million, or 72% of revenue, for the six months ended June 30, 2006, from $65.8 million, or
68% of revenue, for the six months ended June 30, 2005. The increase in cost of revenue as a
percentage of revenue is primarily due to a change in our traffic mix in favor of traffic
terminated in CIS countries, which have higher settlement rates, due to an increase in traffic
terminated to mobile networks, which typically have higher settlement rates than fixed networks,
and due to an increase in costs under the new agreement with Vimpelcom.
Cost of revenue for the Carrier and Operator Services division of GTU decreased by 40% to $5.3
million, or 68% of revenue for the six months ended June 30, 2006, from $8.9 million, or 80% of
revenue for the six months ended June 30, 2005. Cost of revenue decreased as a percentage of
revenue primarily due to lower margin incoming international traffic accounting for a smaller
portion of our total wholesale traffic in the first quarter of 2006.
35
Carrier and Operator Services cost of revenue increased by approximately $0.7 million due to
the acquisitions of Sakhalin Telecom and Sochitelecom in 2005, and Tatintelcom in 2006.
Consumer Internet Services. Cost of revenue from Consumer Internet Services increased by 10%
to $16.0 million, or 68% of revenue, for the six months ended June 30, 2006, from $14.6 million, or
65% of revenue, for the six months ended June 30, 2005. The increase in cost of revenue as a
percentage of revenue was mainly the result of network costs not decreasing in line with revenue
declines from dial-up Internet. As regional subscribers account for a larger portion of our total
subscriber base, margins in this line of business have decreased due to incremental network costs
incurred to provide access to regional customers. Furthermore, the impact of a decline in
subscribers in Moscow has not resulted in an immediate decline of network costs, which are more
fixed in nature.
Consumer Internet Services cost of revenue increased by approximately $0.9 million due to the
acquisitions of Sakhalin Telecom and Sochitelecom in 2005.
Mobile Services. Cost of revenue from Mobile Services decreased by 24% to $2.5 million, or 48%
of revenue for the six months ended June 30, 2006, from $3.3 million, or 44% of revenue for the six
months ended June 30, 2005. The increase in cost of revenue as a percentage of revenue is mainly
due to an increase in hryvna based settlement rates due to a decline in the value of the USD and to
an increase in traffic to other mobile networks with higher settlement rates.
Selling, General and Administrative
Our selling, general and administrative expenses increased by 20% to $67.4 million, or 18% of
revenue, for the six months ended June 30, 2006, from $56.4 million, or 18% of revenue, for the six
months ended June 30, 2005. Ongoing employee related costs such as salaries, bonuses, insurance and
other benefits increased by approximately $6.0 million, or 23%, primarily due to an 11% increase in
consolidated headcount, increased executive officer costs, and ongoing salary and other
compensation increases. Included in the increase in employee related costs is a $2.1 million charge
recorded in the first half of 2006 related to our SARs plans. Additionally, in the first half of
2005 we reversed a $1.4 million accrued liability related to estimated payroll taxes recorded upon
the acquisition of one of our Russian subsidiaries. Furthermore, in the second half of 2005 we
recorded a $1.1 million charge for the revision of our estimate for unused vacation. Our severance
costs increased by approximately $0.5 million since we recorded approximately $0.5 million of
charges in the second half of 2006 related to separation payments paid to our former senior
employees. Taxes, other than income taxes, increased by $1.8 million compared to the first half of
2005, due to an increase in property taxes and provision for non-recoverable VAT receivables. Our
advertising costs increased by $0.9 million due to intensified marketing campaign of our new
products. The remaining $1.8 million net increase is the result of other selling, general and
administrative expenses increasing in line with the growth in our business.
Depreciation and Amortization
Our depreciation and amortization expenses increased by 17% to $46.6 million for the six
months ended June 30, 2006, from $39.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2005.
Depreciation expense increased by $5.6 million, or 18%, primarily due to depreciation on capital
expenditures to further develop our network. Amortization expense also increased by $1.1 million,
or 11%, due to amortization on intangible assets arising from acquisitions consummated in 2005.
Equity in Earnings (Losses) of Ventures
The earnings after interest and tax charges from our investments in non-consolidated ventures
increased to $0.7 million for the six months ended June, 2006 from losses of $0.2 million for the
six months ended June 30, 2005. The increase is mainly due to the acquisition of 54% of Rascom in the fourth quarter of 2005. We account for our investments in Rascom under the equity
method because the rights of the minority shareholder represent substantive participating rights,
and as result, such rights overcome the presumption that we control Rascom.
Interest Income
Our interest income for the six months ended June 30, 2006, decreased to $0.8 million, from
$0.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2005. The decrease in interest income is due to
decreased cash balances held in interest bearing accounts.
Interest Expense
Our interest expense for the six months ended June 30, 2006, decreased to $0.2 million, from
$0.4 million for the six months ended June 30, 2005.
36
Foreign Currency Gain (Loss)
Our foreign currency gain for the six months ended June 30, 2006, increased to $1.6 million,
from a loss of $0.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2005. The increase in foreign
currency gain is due to the combination of movements in exchange rates and changes in the amount of
net monetary assets that we have denominated in foreign currencies.
Minority Interest
Our minority interest was $2.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2006, compared to
$1.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2005. Minority interest in our earnings increased
due to an increase in earnings and consolidation of recently acquired entities where our ownership
interest is less than 100%. In 2005, we acquired less than a 100% ownership in Sakhalin Telecom. In
2006, we acquired less than 100% ownership in Tatintelcom.
Provision for Income Taxes
Our charge for income taxes was $20.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2006, compared
to $18.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2005. Our effective tax rate increased to 32%
for the six months ended June 30, 2006 from 31% for the six months ended June 30, 2005 due to
increases in non-deductible expenses and changes in the valuation allowance for deferred tax
assets.
Cumulative Effect of a Change in Accounting Principle
In the first half of 2006, we recognized $0.7 million, net of tax, cumulative effect of a
change in accounting principle related to accounting for share-based payments upon adoption of SFAS
No. 123R on January 1, 2006.
Net Income and Net Income per Share
Our net income for the six months ended June 30, 2006, was $41.4 million, compared to a net
income of $39.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2005.
Our net income per share of common stock increased to $1.13 for the six months ended June 30,
2006, compared to a net income per share of $1.10 for the six months ended June 30, 2005. The
increase in net income per share of common stock was due to the increase in net income, offset by
the cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle related to accounting for share-based
payments of $0.02 per share of common stock, and an increase in the number of weighted average
shares to 36,537,163 in the six months ended June 30, 2006, compared to 36,328,676 in the six
months ended June 30, 2005. The increase in outstanding shares was a direct result of employee
stock option exercises and the issuance of restricted stock to certain members of management and
our Board of Directors.
Our net income per share of common stock on a fully diluted basis increased to $1.13 for the
six months ended June 30, 2006, compared to a net income per common share of $1.09 for the six
months ended June 30, 2005. The increase in net income per share of common stock on a fully diluted
basis was due to the increase in net income, offset by the cumulative effect of a change in
accounting principle of $0.02 per share of common stock, and an increase in the number of weighted
average shares assuming dilution to 36,687,101 in the six months ended June 30, 2006, compared to
36,572,961 in the six months ended June 30, 2005.
Consolidated Financial Position Significant Changes in Consolidated Financial Position at June
30, 2006, compared to Consolidated Financial Position at December 31, 2005
Accounts Receivable
Accounts receivable increased by $26.3 million from $91.7 million at December 31, 2005, to
$118.0 million at June 30, 2006, as a result of increased revenue when comparing the month of June
2006 with the month of December 2005, and due to the changes in the settlements with local
operators following the introduction of the new Interconnection Rules.
Intangible Assets
Our intangible assets increased by $2.9 million from $93.9 million at December 31, 2005, to
$96.8 million at June 30, 2006, as a result of additional intangible assets recorded upon the
acquisitions of Tatintelcom, TTK and Kubtelecom, and the purchase of additional numbering capacity,
offset by amortization on continuing intangible assets of the consolidated subsidiaries.
37
Other Non-Current Liabilities
Our other non-current liabilities increased by $1.5 million from negligible amount at December
31, 2005, to $1.5 million at June 30, 2006, as a result of the change in accounting principle
related to accounting for share-based payments due to adoption of SFAS No. 123R.
Minority Interest
Our minority interest increased by $5.3 million from $19.7 million at December 31, 2005, to
$25.0 million at June 30, 2006, due to $2.1 million minority interest in our earnings for the six
months ended June 30, 2006, and consolidation of recently acquired Tatintelcom and Kubtelecom where
our ownership interest is less than 100%.
Shareholders Equity
Shareholders equity increased by $29.2 million from $675.1 million at December 31, 2005, to
$704.3 million at June 30, 2006, as a result of our net income of $41.4 million offset by declaring
and paying $14.6 million in dividends in the six months ended June 30, 2006. Also, shareholders
equity increased by $2.3 million due to stock option exercises and by $0.1 million due to vesting
of restricted shares.
Income Taxes
Our effective rate of income tax differs from the US statutory rate due to the impact of the
following factors: (1) different income tax rates and regulations apply in the countries where we
operate; (2) expenses that are non-deductible on the income tax return; (3) write-offs of certain
assets that are not deductible for tax purposes; and (4) changes in the valuation allowance for
deferred tax assets. We currently have deferred tax assets arising from deductible temporary
differences in our non-US subsidiaries. Due to the continued profitability of these subsidiaries,
we anticipate that these deferred tax assets will be realized through deduction against future
taxable income. We also have deferred tax assets related to net operating loss carry-forwards and
deductible temporary differences for US federal income tax purposes. We have recorded a full
valuation allowance against these deferred tax assets due to our assessment of sources of future
taxable income in the United States. We have also recorded a deferred tax asset related to net
operating loss carry-forwards for Cyprus tax purposes. However, we have recorded a full valuation
allowance since we do not anticipate recognizing taxable income in our Cyprus entity in the
foreseeable future.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
The following table shows our cash flows for the six months ended June 30, 2006, and June 30,
2005:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Consolidated Cash Flows |
|
|
Consolidated Cash Flows |
|
|
|
For the Six Months |
|
|
For the Six Months |
|
|
|
Ended June 30, 2005 |
|
|
Ended June 30, 2006 |
|
|
|
(in millions) |
|
CASH FLOWS |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Provided by operating activities |
|
$ |
86.2 |
|
|
$ |
81.2 |
|
Used in investing activities |
|
|
(43.5 |
) |
|
|
(99.2 |
) |
Used in financing activities |
|
|
(15.1 |
) |
|
|
(13.4 |
) |
Effect of exchange rate changes |
|
|
(0.1 |
) |
|
|
0.6 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net increase (decrease) in cash
and cash equivalents |
|
$ |
27.5 |
|
|
$ |
(30.8 |
) |
Our cash and cash equivalents was $36.4 million and $67.2 million as of June 30,
2006, and December 31, 2005, respectively. Our total restricted cash was $0.2 million and $0.6
million as of June 30, 2006, and December 31, 2005, respectively. The restricted cash is maintained
in connection with certain of our equity investees debt obligations as described below.
Net cash provided by our operating activities decreased by $5.0 million to $81.2 million for
the six months ended June 30, 2006, from $86.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2005. This
decrease in net cash inflows from operating activities at June 30, 2006, is mainly due to the
changes in Russian legislation related to VAT. Under the change, effective January 1, 2006, VAT is
accounted for on an accrual basis rather than on a cash basis such that we must pay VAT prior to
such time as we receive corresponding VAT payments from our customers. As a result of this change,
VAT payable balances decreased from December 31, 2005 to June 30, 2006.
38
During the six months ended June 30, 2006, we received approximately $354.7 million in cash
from our customers for services and we paid approximately $251.5 million to suppliers and
employees. During the six months ended June 30, 2005, we received approximately $316.3 million in
cash from our customers for services and we paid approximately $209.6 million to suppliers and
employees.
We used cash of $99.2 million and $43.5 million for investing activities for the six months
ended June 30, 2006, and 2005, respectively, which were principally attributable to building our
telecommunications networks and acquisitions. Network investing activities totaled $81.2 million
for the six months ended June 30, 2006, of which $7.7 million was related to purchases in 2005, and
included cash paid for capital expenditures principally attributable to building out our
telecommunications network. The majority of network investing activities related to the construction of
last mile access, the inter-city fiber optic network and network upgrades as a result of increased
customer connections. Network investing activities totaled $44.4 million for the six months ended
June 30, 2005.
We used cash of $16.5 million, net of cash acquired, for the six months ended June 30, 2006,
for the acquisition of Tatintelcom, TTK and Kubtelecom. We used cash of $0.9 million for the six
months ended June 30, 2005, for the acquisition of Dicom and payment of a holdback amount related
to the 2004 SP Buzton acquisition.
For the six months ended June 30, 2006, we received $2.3 million net proceeds from the
exercise of employee stock options and for the six months ended June 30, 2005, we received $0.6 net
proceeds from the exercise of employee stock options.
In February 2006, our Board of Directors declared a cash dividend of $0.20 per common share to
shareholders of record as of March 17, 2006. We paid the total amount payable of approximately $7.3
million to shareholders on March 31, 2006.
In June 2006, our Board of Directors declared a cash dividend of $0.20 per common share to
shareholders of record of June 16, 2006. We paid the total amount payable of approximately $7.3
million to shareholders on June 30, 2006.
We had working capital of $64.9 million as of June 30, 2006, and $79.1 million as of December
31, 2005. Our working capital ratio (current assets divided by current liabilities) was 1.44 as of
June 30, 2006, and 1.60 as of December 31, 2005. At June 30, 2006, we had $0.2 million of long-term
debt, excluding capital lease obligations, compared with a negligible amount at December 31, 2005.
As part of our drive to increase our network capacity, reduce costs and improve the quality of
our service, we have leased fiber optic and satellite-based network capacity; the terms of these
leases are generally five years or more and can involve significant advance payments. As demand for
our telecommunication services increases we expect to enter into additional capacity agreements and
may make significant financial commitments, in addition to our existing commitments.
In order to comply with the known long distance license requirements, we incurred
approximately $0.4 million in capital expenditures in the first half of 2006. In total, we estimate
that we will need to make capital expenditures of approximately $5.0 million in 2006 in order to
fulfill the network requirements, specified in the Interconnection Rules and to successfully
implement our long distance license. To date, we have invested approximately $13.0 million in the
construction of our FTN. However, there are still unknown and yet to be clarified portions of the
laws and regulations that will affect the cost of the long distance license implementation.
Some of our operating companies have received debt financing through direct loans from
affiliated companies. In addition, certain operating companies have borrowed funds under a
back-to-back, seven-year credit facility for up to $22.7 million from a Russian subsidiary of
Citibank. Under this facility, we provide full cash collateral, held in London, and recorded on our
balance sheet as restricted cash, for onshore loans made by the bank to our Russian registered
joint ventures. In a second, similar facility, we provide full cash collateral for a short term
back-to-back, revolving, credit facility for up to $10.0 million from the same bank for Sovintel.
The funding level as of June 30, 2006, for all these facilities, totaled $0.2 million was funded to
our non-consolidated entities.
In addition, as of June 30, 2006, Kubtelecom had borrowed 12,000,000 Russian rubles,
equivalent to $0.4 million, under a loan agreement with a minority shareholder of Kubtelecom. The
loan will mature on June 1, 2007 and bears interest at an annual rate of 12.0%. As of June 30,
2006, Kubtelecom had borrowed 15,000,000 Russian rubles, equivalent to $0.6 million, under a loan
agreement with OAO Yug-Investbank (Yug-Investbank). Kubtelecom is required to make 18 monthly
payments beginning July 31, 2006. The loan will mature on December 8, 2007. The loan bears
interest at annual rate of 12.0% 14.0% depending on the volume of Kubtelecoms transactions
through Yug-Investbank. Amounts outstanding under the agreement are covered by a pledge of
Kubtelecoms telecommunications equipment.
In the future, we may execute large or numerous acquisitions, which may require external
financing, most likely to be raised through secured or unsecured borrowings. However, we may also
raise the required funding through a dilutive equity issuance, through the divestment of non-core
assets, or combinations of the above. In case large or numerous acquisitions do not materialize, we
expect our current sources of funding to finance our capital requirements. The actual amount and
timing of our future capital requirements may differ materially from our current estimates because
of changes or fluctuations in our anticipated acquisitions,
39
investments, revenue, operating costs, technology and network expansion plans and access to
alternative sources of financing on favorable terms. Further, in order for us to compete
successfully, we may require substantial capital to continue to develop our networks and meet the
funding requirements of our operations. We will also require capital for other acquisition and
business development initiatives. We expect to fund these requirements through cash on hand, cash
flow from operations, proceeds from additional equity and debt offerings, and debt financing
facilities.
As of June 30, 2006, our credit ratings were as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
Credit Rating Agency |
|
Rating |
|
Outlook |
|
Standard & Poors
|
|
BB-
|
|
Stable |
Moodys
|
|
B2
|
|
Stable |
The cost of our borrowings is affected by our
credit ratings. If our credit ratings were downgraded, we could be required to pay higher interest
rates on secured or unsecured borrowings and could be subject to more restrictive financial
covenants. We may not be able to obtain additional financing on favorable terms. As a result, we may
become subject to additional or more restrictive financial covenants, our interest obligations may
increase significantly and our shareholders may be adversely diluted. Our failure to generate
sufficient funds in the future, whether from operations or by raising additional debt or equity
capital, may require us to delay or abandon some or all of our anticipated expenditures, to sell
assets, or both, which could have a material adverse effect on our operations.
In late 2006 and subsequent years, we may incur significant cash outlays to settle SARs issued
in 2005 and first quarter of 2006 to our CEO, senior management, and other employees. These cash
outlays could be especially significant if our stock price exceeds $50.00 per share prior to
certain deadlines specified in the SAR plans occurring in the second half of 2008. The terms of
these SARs are described in detail in the Other developments section in this Managements
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
Contractual Obligations
The amounts disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31,
2005, include our contractual cash obligations. Contractual cash obligations include capital lease
obligations, commitments for future payments under non-cancelable lease arrangements and purchase
obligations. During the six months ended June 30, 2006, no material changes occurred in our
contractual cash obligations.
40
Special Note Regarding Forward Looking Statements
Certain statements contained in Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
and Results of Operations and other parts of this document, including, without limitation, those
concerning (i) future acquisitions and capital expenditures for such acquisitions, including our
expectation to fund such requirements through cash on hand, cash from operations, proceeds from
additional equity and debt offerings, and debt financing activities; (ii) existing and potential
tax claims, (iii) the effects of existing and potential litigation, (iv) projected traffic volumes,
revenues and other growth indicators; (v) anticipated revenues and expenses, including capital
expenditures to implement our long distance licenses and federal transit network; (vi) Sovintels
plans to introduce a fixed USD-ruble exchange rate for the majority of its customers, (vii) our
plans to construct zonal networks, establish physical connections with zonal incumbent fixed line
telecommunications operators or, where applicable, to act as agents for zonal carriers, (viii) the
expected cross-subsidization of local and zonal networks of incumbent operators by long distance
operators, (ix) our competitive environment; (x) the future performance of consolidated and equity
method investments, including repayment of debt by equity investees; (xi) our intention to offer
our services under the Golden Telecom brand; (xii) the roll-out of our fixed-mobile convergent
network in Ukraine; (xiii) our intentions to expand our fiber optic capacity and add transmission
capacity; (xiv) our intention to continue to use the assets of recently acquired companies in the
manner such assets were previously used; (xv) the impact of critical accounting policies and
estimates; (xvi) the growth and development of our operations in key regions of Russia; (xvii) our
growth strategy in our business segments; (xviii) the political, regulatory and economic situation
in the markets in which we operate, including the effect of the new law On Telecommunications and
the interconnection rules; (xix) the effect, cost and expected benefits of utilizing our intercity
and international licenses, including the implementation of our federal transit network; and (xx)
the development and deployment of our broadband and related WiFi technology strategies are
forward-looking and concern the our projected operations, economic performance and financial
condition. These forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the
Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. It is important to note that such statements involve
risks and uncertainties and that actual results may differ materially from those expressed or
implied by such forward-looking statements. Among the key factors that have a direct bearing on the
Companys results of operations, economic performance and financial condition are the commercial
and execution risks associated with implementing the Companys business plan, use of debt for
possible future acquisitions, the potential effect of the new law On Telecommunications and the
related interconnection rules, the utilization of our intercity and international licenses, including development of our federal transit network and the cost of such development, our ability
to construct zonal networks or interconnect with zonal operators, our ability to introduce a fixed
USD-ruble exchange rate for Sovintel, our ability to integrate recently acquired companies into our
operations, the development of our broadband and related WiFi technology strategies, our ability
to roll out our fixed-mobile convergent network in Ukraine, the political, economic and legal
environment in the markets in which the Company operates, increasing competitiveness in the
telecommunications and Internet-related businesses that may limit growth opportunities, and
increased and intense downward price pressures on some of the services that we offer. These and
other factors are discussed herein under Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations and elsewhere in this Report.
Additional information concerning factors that could cause results to differ materially from
those in the forward-looking statements are contained in the Companys filings with the United
States Securities and Exchange Commission and especially in the Risks Factor Sections therein,
including, but not limited to, the Companys report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31,
2005.
In addition, any statements that express, or involve discussions as to, expectations, beliefs,
plans, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance (often, but not always, through the
use of words or phrases such as will likely result, are expected to, estimated, intends,
plans, projection and outlook) are not historical facts and may be forward-looking and,
accordingly, such statements involve estimates, assumptions and uncertainties which could cause
actual results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements.
Accordingly, any such statements are qualified in their entirety by reference to, and are
accompanied by, the factors discussed throughout this Report and investors, therefore, should not
place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements.
Further, any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which such statement is
made, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement or
statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date on which such statement is made or to
reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. New factors may emerge from time to time, and it is
not possible for management to predict all of such factors. Further, management cannot assess the
impact of each such factor on the Companys business or the extent to which any factor, or
combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any
forward-looking statements.
41
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
There have been no material changes in the information provided in Item 7A of Part II of the
Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2005.
Item 4. Controls and Procedures
Under the supervision and with the participation of the Companys management, including the
Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, the Company has evaluated the effectiveness of
the Companys disclosure controls and procedures as required by Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(b) as of
the end of the period covered by this report. Based on that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer
and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that these disclosure controls and procedures are
effective to provide reasonable assurance that material information relating to Golden Telecom,
Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries is made known to them, particularly during the period in
which this report is being prepared. There were no changes in the Companys internal control over
financial reporting during the quarter ended June 30, 2006, that have materially affected, or are
reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
42
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. Legal Proceedings
From time to time, the Company may be involved in litigation relating to claims arising out of
our operations in the normal course of business. As of the date of this report, the Company is not
currently involved in any legal proceeding that the Company believes would have a material adverse
effect on the Companys business, financial condition or operating results.
Item 1A. Risk Factors
There have been no material changes in the information provided in Item 1A to Part I of the
Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2005.
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities
Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
On May 18, 2006, the Company held its annual meeting of shareholders. In connection with the
meeting, the Company solicited proxies pursuant to Regulation 14 under the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934 from holders of record of its common stock as of April 11, 2006. Each of the Companys ten
nominees for election to its Board of Directors was elected to a term ending at the Companys
annual meeting of shareholders to be held in 2007. A shareholder of the Company, OAO Rostelecom,
submitted a proposal under Rule 14(a)-8 of the SEC proxy rules and introduced Mr. Dmitry Korol to
serve as a director of the Company. Mr. Korol was not elected to the Companys Board of Directors.
Two additional proposals were submitted to shareholders for approval and were approved.
|
(1) |
|
The votes cast for each of the Companys ten nominees for election to the Companys Board
of Directors and the shareholder nominee were as follows: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Nominee |
|
For |
|
Withheld |
Petr Aven |
|
|
27,492,980 |
|
|
|
4,371,615 |
|
Vladimir Bulgak |
|
|
27,542,445 |
|
|
|
4,322,150 |
|
Patrick Gallagher |
|
|
27,572,847 |
|
|
|
4,291,748 |
|
David Herman |
|
|
27,497,937 |
|
|
|
4,366,658 |
|
Kjell Johnsen |
|
|
27,542,445 |
|
|
|
4,322,150 |
|
Alexey Khudyakov |
|
|
27,492,980 |
|
|
|
4,371,615 |
|
Oleg Malis |
|
|
26,407,259 |
|
|
|
5,457,336 |
|
Ronny Naevdal |
|
|
27,542,445 |
|
|
|
4,322,150 |
|
David Smyth |
|
|
27,572,847 |
|
|
|
4,291,748 |
|
Jean-Pierre Vandromme |
|
|
27,550,626 |
|
|
|
4,313,969 |
|
Dmitry Korol |
|
|
6,074,683 |
|
|
|
18,040,350 |
|
|
(2) |
|
To approve the Golden Telecom, Inc. 2005 Stock Appreciation Rights Plan FOR 31,545,205
shares; AGAINST 96,934 shares; ABSTAIN 222,456 shares. |
|
|
(3) |
|
Ratification of selection of Ernst & Young LLC as the Companys independent auditors for
2006 FOR 31,835,504 shares; AGAINST 28,491 shares; ABSTAIN 600 shares. |
43
Item 5. Other Information
Item 6. Exhibits
|
|
|
Designation |
|
Description |
10.1*
|
|
Employment Agreement and Amendment to Employment Agreement between EDN Sovintel LLC and Ilya Smirnov,
Vice-President, Acting General Counsel and Corporate Secretary. |
|
|
|
10.2
|
|
Restricted Stock Agreement between GTI and David Herman. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to
the Companys current report on Form 8-K dated May 25, 2006). |
|
|
|
10.3
|
|
Restricted Stock Agreement between GTI and Patrick Gallagher. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit
10.2 to the Companys current report on Form 8-K dated May 25, 2006). |
|
|
|
10.4
|
|
Restricted Stock Agreement between GTI and David Smyth. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to
the Companys current report on Form 8-K dated May 25, 2006). |
|
|
|
10.5
|
|
Restricted Stock Agreement between GTI and Vladimir Bulgak. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4
to the Companys current report on Form 8-K dated May 25, 2006). |
|
|
|
10.6
|
|
Restricted Stock Agreement between GTI and Kjell Johnsen. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5
to the Companys current report on Form 8-K dated May 25, 2006). |
|
|
|
10.7
|
|
Restricted Stock Agreement between GTI and Ronny Naevdal. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6
to the Companys current report on Form 8-K dated May 25, 2006). |
|
|
|
10.8
|
|
Restricted Stock Agreement between GTI and Alexey Khudyakov. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit
10.7 to the Companys current report on Form 8-K dated May 25, 2006). |
|
|
|
10.9
|
|
Restricted Stock Agreement between GTI and Oleg Malis. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.8 to
the Companys current report on Form 8-K dated May 25, 2006). |
|
|
|
10.10
|
|
Form of Restricted Stock Agreement for awards of Restricted Stock under the 1999 Equity Participation
Plan, as amended. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.9 to the Companys current report on Form
8-K dated May 25, 2006). |
|
|
|
10.11
|
|
Separation Agreement by and between the Company and Derek A. Bloom. (Incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 10.1 to the Companys current report on Form 8-K dated July 14, 2006). |
|
|
|
31.1*
|
|
Certification of the Principal Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of
2002. |
|
|
|
31.2*
|
|
Certification of the Principal Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of
2002. |
|
|
|
32.1*
|
|
Certification of the Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
|
|
|
32.2*
|
|
Certification of the Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
44
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act 1934, the registrant has duly
caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
GOLDEN TELECOM, INC.
(Registrant) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
By:
|
|
/s/ BORIS SVETLICHNY |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Name:
|
|
Boris Svetlichny |
|
|
|
|
Title:
|
|
Senior Vice-President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(Principal Financial Officer) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
By:
|
|
/s/ MICHAEL D. WILSON |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Name:
|
|
Michael D. Wilson |
|
|
|
|
Title:
|
|
Vice-President and Corporate Controller |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(Principal Accounting Officer) |
|
|
Date: August 9, 2006
45
EXHIBIT
INDEX
|
|
|
Designation |
|
Description |
10.1*
|
|
Employment Agreement and Amendment to Employment Agreement between EDN Sovintel LLC and Ilya Smirnov,
Vice-President, Acting General Counsel and Corporate Secretary. |
|
|
|
10.2
|
|
Restricted Stock Agreement between GTI and David Herman. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to
the Companys current report on Form 8-K dated May 25, 2006). |
|
|
|
10.3
|
|
Restricted Stock Agreement between GTI and Patrick Gallagher. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit
10.2 to the Companys current report on Form 8-K dated May 25, 2006). |
|
|
|
10.4
|
|
Restricted Stock Agreement between GTI and David Smyth. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to
the Companys current report on Form 8-K dated May 25, 2006). |
|
|
|
10.5
|
|
Restricted Stock Agreement between GTI and Vladimir Bulgak. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4
to the Companys current report on Form 8-K dated May 25, 2006). |
|
|
|
10.6
|
|
Restricted Stock Agreement between GTI and Kjell Johnsen. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5
to the Companys current report on Form 8-K dated May 25, 2006). |
|
|
|
10.7
|
|
Restricted Stock Agreement between GTI and Ronny Naevdal. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6
to the Companys current report on Form 8-K dated May 25, 2006). |
|
|
|
10.8
|
|
Restricted Stock Agreement between GTI and Alexey Khudyakov. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit
10.7 to the Companys current report on Form 8-K dated May 25, 2006). |
|
|
|
10.9
|
|
Restricted Stock Agreement between GTI and Oleg Malis. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.8 to
the Companys current report on Form 8-K dated May 25, 2006). |
|
|
|
10.10
|
|
Form of Restricted Stock Agreement for awards of Restricted Stock under the 1999 Equity Participation
Plan, as amended. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.9 to the Companys current report on Form
8-K dated May 25, 2006). |
|
|
|
10.11
|
|
Separation Agreement by and between the Company and Derek A. Bloom. (Incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 10.1 to the Companys current report on Form 8-K dated July 14, 2006). |
|
|
|
31.1*
|
|
Certification of the Principal Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of
2002. |
|
|
|
31.2*
|
|
Certification of the Principal Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of
2002. |
|
|
|
32.1*
|
|
Certification of the Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
|
|
|
32.2*
|
|
Certification of the Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |