10-Q 1 v342818_10q.htm 10-Q

 

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D. C. 20549

 

FORM 10-Q

 

x Quarterly report under Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2013

 

¨ Transition report under Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

For the transition period from ______ to ______

 

000-30061

( Commission file No.)

 

ELEPHANT TALK COMMUNICATIONS CORP.

(Exact name of small business issuer as specified in its charter)

 

DELAWARE   95-4557538
(State or other jurisdiction of   (I.R.S. employer identification no.)
incorporation or organization)    

  

9705 N. Broadway Ext. 

Ste 200, 2nd Floor

Oklahoma City, OK 73114

USA

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

405 301 6774

(Issuer's telephone number, including area code)

 

Check whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act during the past 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

Yes x No ¨

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Website, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T ( § 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes x No ¨

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

 

Large Accelerated filer  ¨       Accelerated filer  x       Non-Accelerated filer  ¨    Smaller reporting company  ¨

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

Yes ¨ No x

 

As of April 30, 2013, there were 118,220,964 shares of the Company’s common stock outstanding.

 

 
 

 

ELEPHANT TALK COMMUNICATIONS CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

TABLE OF CONTENTS

FORM 10-Q REPORT

March 31, 2013

 

PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION 3
   
Item 1. Financial Statements 3
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012 3
Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss for the three months periods ended March 31, 2013 and 2012 4
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the three months periods ended March 31, 2013 and 2012 5
   
Notes to  Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements 6
Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations 21
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk 27
Item 4. Controls and Procedures 27
   
PART II - OTHER INFORMATION 27
   
Item 1. Legal Proceedings 27
Item 1A. Risk Factors 28
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds 28
Item 3. Default upon Senior Securities 28
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosure 28
Item 5. Other Information 28
Item 6. Exhibits 28
   
SIGNATURES 29

 

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PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

Item 1. Consolidated Financial Statements

 

ELEPHANT TALK COMMUNICATIONS CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

 

   March 31,   December 31, 
   2013   2012 
         
ASSETS         
           
CURRENT ASSETS          
           
Cash and cash equivalents  $570,579   $1,233,268 
Restricted cash   664,679    1,230,918 
Accounts receivable, net of an allowance for doubtful accounts of $558,438 and $559,120 at March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012 respectively   4,502,499    5,123,803 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets   2,342,762    1,821,218 
Total current assets   8,080,519    9,409,207 
           
OTHER ASSETS   898,001    1,038,306 
           
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, NET   12,674,383    13,088,271 
           
INTANGIBLE ASSETS, NET   9,495,999    10,503,026 
           
GOODWILL   3,330,438    3,436,731 
           
TOTAL ASSETS  $34,479,340   $37,475,541 
           
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY         
           
CURRENT LIABILITIES          
Overdraft  $359,017   $350,114 
Accounts payable and customer deposits   5,738,518    5,139,292 
Deferred Revenue   281,536    252,551 
Accrued expenses and other payables   4,149,966    4,120,536 
8% Convertible Note   4,701,714    3,067,416 
Loans payable   961,525    963,051 
Total current liabilities   16,192,276    13,892,960 
           
LONG TERM LIABILITIES          
8% Convertible Note   1,083,932    2,565,202 
Conversion feature   451,779    311,986 
Loan from joint venture partner   567,100    555,907 
Total long term liabilities   2,102,811    3,433,095 
           
Total liabilities   18,295,087    17,326,055 
           
           
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY          
Common stock, no par value, 250,000,000 shares authorized, 113,369,656
issued and outstanding  as of March 31, 2013 compared to 111,918,386 shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2012
   225,902,751    223,965,907 
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)   (1,493,852)   (732,090)
Accumulated deficit   (208,398,230)   (203,260,307)
Elephant Talk Communications, Corp. stockholders' equity   16,010,669    19,973,510 
           
NON-CONTROLLING INTEREST   173,584    175,976 
Total stockholders' equity   16,184,253    20,149,486 
           
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY  $34,479,340   $37,475,541 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements

 

3
 

 

ELEPHANT TALK COMMUNICATIONS CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE LOSS

(UNAUDITED)

 

   March 31, 2013   March 31, 2012 
         
REVENUES  $6,596,500   $8,580,968 
           
COST AND OPERATING EXPENSES          
Cost of service   3,548,277    6,889,217 
Selling, general and administrative expenses   4,497,064    4,569,958 
Non-cash compensation to officers, directors and employees   1,410,910    1,691,746 
Depreciation and amortization of intangibles assets   1,319,988    1,278,469 
Total cost and operating expenses   10,776,239    14,429,390 
           
LOSS FROM OPERATIONS   (4,179,739)   (5,848,422)
           
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE)          
Interest income   33,720    105,162 
Interest expense   (223,752)   (90,607)
Other income & (expense)   -    (163,331)
Interest expense  related to debt discount and conversion feature   (558,028)   (7,683)
Change in fair value of conversion feature   (139,792)   3,669 
Amortization of deferred financing costs   (70,332)   (3,977)
Total other income (expense)   (958,184)   (156,767)
           
LOSS BEFORE PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES   (5,137,923)   (6,005,189)
Provision for income taxes   -    - 
NET LOSS   (5,137,923)   (6,005,189)
           
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS) INCOME          
Foreign currency translation gain (loss)   (761,762)   869,783 
    (761,762)   869,783 
           
COMPREHENSIVE LOSS  $(5,899,685)  $(5,135,406)
           
Net loss per common share and equivalents - basic and diluted  $(0.05)  $(0.05)
           
Weighted average shares outstanding during the period - basic and diluted   112,748,951    110,656,531 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements

 

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ELEPHANT TALK COMMUNICATIONS CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(UNAUDITED)

   March 31, 2013   March 31, 2012 
         
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:          
Net loss  $(5,137,923)  $(6,005,189)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:          
Depreciation and amortization   1,319,988    1,278,469 
Provision for doubtful accounts   5,620    143,849 
Stock based compensation   1,410,910    1,691,746 
Provision for holiday leave   -    25,059 
Fair value of conversion feature, interest expense  related to debt discount and amortization of deferred financing costs   768,152    - 
Financial Investments in Joint Venture   -    163,331 
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:          
Decrease (increase) in accounts receivable   479,823    (1,632,045)
Decrease (increase)  in prepaid expenses, deposits and other assets   (548,584)   (678,765)
Increase (decrease) in accounts payable, proceeds from related parties and customer deposits   758,072    2,558,360 
Increase (decrease) in deferred revenue   38,735    200,202 
Increase (decrease) in accrued expenses and other payables   602,395    368,189 
Net cash used in operating activities   (302,812)   (1,886,794)
           
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:          
Purchases of property and equipment   (604,029)   (889,775)
Restricted cash   -    (256,102)
Loans to related party   -    (449,476)
Loan to third party   -    (121,870)
Net cash used in investing activities   (604,029)   (1,717,223)
           
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:          
Deferred financing costs   -    (50,000)
Exercise of warrants & options   13,797    694,090 
Cash from Escrow account for principal and interest payments on 8% Convertible notes   556,757    - 
Cash used for principal repayments on 8% Convertible notes payment   (405,000)   - 
Net cash provided by financing activities   165,554    644,090 
           
EFFECT OF EXCHANGE RATES ON CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS   78,598    69,241 
NET DECREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS   (662,689)   (2,890,686)
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF THE PERIOD   1,233,268    6,009,576 
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF THE PERIOD  $570,579   $3,118,890 
           
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION AND NON-CASH FINANCING ACTIVITIES:          
Cash paid during the period for interest  $166,369   $- 
Shares issued for third party settlement  $468,000   $- 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements

   

5
 

 

ELEPHANT TALK COMMUNICATIONS CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Note 1. Description of Business, Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation

 

Description of Business

 

Elephant Talk Communications Corp. also referred to as “we”, “us”, “Elephant Talk” and “the Company” is an international provider of mobile networking software and services. Its mission is to provide a single service fully enabling and securing the mobile cloud. In addition, the Company has traditionally been providing landline-based services.

 

As a mobile Software Defined Network Architecture (Software DNA™) vendor Elephant Talk Communications Corp. and its subsidiaries (also referred to as “we”, “Elephant Talk”, “ET” and “the Company”) provide a one stop shop solution for a full suite of mobile, fixed and convergent telecommunications software services. We also provide layered security services for mission critical applications in the cloud, through our product line, ValidSoft.

 

Our Company has developed over the last decade, mainly ‘in-house’, a comprehensive Mobile Software DNA Platform, capable of hosting an integrated IT/BackOffice and Core Network for Mobile Network Operators (MNOs), Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs), Enablers (MVNEs) and Aggregators (MVNAs) on a fully outsourced basis. Our mobile enabling platform is either made available as an on premise solution or as a fully hosted service in ‘the cloud’, depending on the individual needs of our MNO and MVNO/MVNE/MVNA partners. Our mobile security services supply telecommunications-based multi-factor mutual authentication, identity and transaction verification solutions for all electronic transaction channels. This integrated suite of security services provides mission critical applications in the cloud to customers in industries such as financial services, government benefits, and insurance, as well as electronic medical record providers and mobile network operators. Our company provides customers the means to effectively combat a variety of electronic fraud while at the same time protecting consumer privacy.

 

Basis of presentation of Interim Periods

 

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements and related notes as included in our 2012 Form 10-K. These consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements in our Form 10-K. In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared on the same basis as the audited consolidated financial statements and contain all adjustments (which include only normal recurring adjustments) considered necessary for a fair presentation of our financial position, results of operations and cash flows as of and for the periods presented.

 

The results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2013 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the entire year.

 

Principles of Consolidation

 

The accompanying consolidated financial statements for March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012 include the accounts of Elephant Talk Communications Corp., including:

 

  · its wholly-owned subsidiary Elephant Talk Europe Holding B.V. and its wholly owned subsidiaries Elephant Talk Communications Luxembourg SA, Elephant Talk Communications France S.A.S., Elephant Talk Communications Italy S.R.L., ET-Stream GmbH, Elephant Talk Business Services W.L.L., Guangzhou Elephant Talk Information Technology Limited, Elephant Talk Deutschland GmbH, Morodo Group Ltd., Elephant Talk Belgium BVBA, Elephant Talk S.A. de CV, and the majority owned (51%) subsidiaries Elephant Talk Communications PRS U.K. Limited and (51%) ET-UTS NV;
  · Elephant Talk Europe Holding B.V.’s wholly-owned subsidiary Elephant Talk Communication Holding AG and its wholly-owned subsidiaries Elephant Talk Communications S.L.U., Elephant Talk Mobile Services B.V., Elephant Talk Telekom GmbH (Austria), Elephant Talk Communication Carrier Services GmbH, Elephant Talk Communication Schweiz GmbH, Elephant Talk Communication (Europe) GmbH and the majority owned (51%) subsidiary Elephant Talk Communications Premium Rate Services Netherlands B.V.;
  · Elephant Talk Telecomunicação do Brasil LTDA, owned 90% by Elephant Talk Europe Holding B.V. and 10% by Elephant Talk Communication Holding AG;
  · Elephant Talk Europe Holding B.V.’s majority (60%) owned subsidiary Elephant Talk Middle East & Africa (Holding) W.L.L., its wholly owned (100%) and its majority owned (99%) subsidiaries Elephant Talk Middle East & Africa (Holding) Jordan L.L.C. and Elephant Talk Middle East & Africa Bahrain W.L.L.;
  · its wholly-owned subsidiary Elephant Talk Limited and its majority owned (50.54%) subsidiary Elephant Talk Middle East & Africa FZ-LLC;
  ·

its wholly-owned subsidiary ValidSoft Ltd and its wholly-owned subsidiaries ValidSoft (UK) Ltd and ValidSoft (Australia) Pty Ltd.; and

 

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  · its wholly-owned subsidiaries Elephant Talk Group International B.V. and Elephant Talk North America Corp.

 

All intercompany balances are eliminated in consolidation.

 

Going Concern

 

The financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis which assumes the Company will be able to realize its assets and discharge its liabilities in the normal course of business for the foreseeable future. Historically, we have relied on a combination of debt and equity financings to fund our on-going cash requirements. The Company’s operations have not yet resulted in positive cash flow and accordingly, management has been considering additional financing alternatives. January and February 2013 showed comparable operational cash burn rates (estimated by us by using adjusted EBITDA) as fourth quarter 2012 whereby March 2013 was near break-even which resulted in a first quarter 2013 adjusted EBITDA of minus $1.4 million excluding working capital changes, capital expenditures. As of December 31, 2012 until March 31, 2013, we have used around $0.7 million of our cash the requirements of which were reduced through new contracted revenues as well as limiting working capital requirements through overall cash management and deferral of payables. The company intends to close additional financing in May 2013, though there can be no assurance that such financing will close in such period. 

 

7
 

 

We estimate our additional cash requirements for the upcoming twelve months, including working capital requirements, certain losses, capital expenditures and debt servicing to be around $11 to $12 million, excluding acquisitions or accelerated contract roll-outs, but including around $7.5 million in principal and interest payments on our Convertible Notes.

 

However, if the Company is unable to secure additional capital, it may not be able to continue operations. As of March 31, 2013, these conditions raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. The financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.

 

Note 2. Significant Accounting Policies

 

Currency Translation

 

The functional currency is the Euro for the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary Elephant Talk Europe Holding B.V. and its subsidiaries, for its wholly-owned subsidiary Elephant Talk Global Holding B.V., and the Hong Kong Dollar for its wholly-owned subsidiary Elephant Talk Limited and the British Pound Sterling for its wholly-owned subsidiary ValidSoft (UK) Ltd. The financial statements of the subsidiaries were translated to US Dollars using period-end exchange rates as to assets and liabilities and average exchange rates as to revenues and expenses, and capital accounts were translated at their historical exchange rates when the capital transaction occurred. In accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standard Codification (“ASC”) 830, Foreign Currency Matters” (“ASC 830”), net gains and losses resulting from translation of foreign currency financial statements are included in the statements of shareholder’s equity as other comprehensive income (loss). Foreign currency transaction gains and losses are included in consolidated income/(loss). The accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss) as of March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012 was ($1,493,852) and ($732,090), respectively. The foreign currency translation gain (/loss) for the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012 was ($761,762) and $869,783, respectively.

 

Use of Estimates

 

The preparation of the accompanying financial statements conforms with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. The Company bases its estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.

 

Cash and Cash Equivalents

 

For purposes of the cash flow statements, the Company considers all highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less at the time of purchase to be cash equivalents.

 

Restricted Cash

 

Restricted cash of $664,679 consists of $185,670 relating to the amount in an escrow account for an installment to be made on the $8,800,000 senior convertible note due April 1, 2013. The escrow account also includes some minor interest earned.

 

In addition, restricted cash includes $479,009 of cash deposited on blocked accounts as guarantees for national interconnection and wholesale agreements with telecom operators.

 

Accounts Receivables, net

 

The Company’s customer base consists of geographically diverse customers. The Company maintains an allowance for potential credit losses on accounts receivable. Management reviews the composition of accounts receivable on a customer by customer basis and analyzes historical bad debt, customer concentrations, customer credit worthiness, current economic trends and changes in customer payment patterns to evaluate the adequacy of these allowances. As of March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, the allowance for doubtful accounts was $558,438 and $559,120, respectively.

 

Revenue Recognition and Deferred Revenue

 

The Company’s revenue recognition policies are in compliance with ASC 605, Revenue Recognition (“ASC 605”). Revenue is recognized only when all of the following conditions have been met: (i) there is persuasive evidence of an arrangement; (ii) delivery has occurred; (iii) the fee is fixed or determinable; and (iv) collectability of the fee is reasonably assured. The Company derives revenue from activities as a fixed-line, security and mobile services provider with its network and its own switching technology. Revenue represents amounts earned for telecommunication and security services provided to customers (net of value added tax and inter-company revenue). Revenue is recorded as deferred revenue before all of the relevant criteria for revenue recognition are satisfied. Deferred revenue represents amounts received from the customers against future sales of services since the Company recognizes revenue upon performing the services.

 

In managed services contracts and in other long term contracts, revenue from the operation of a customer’s system is recognized either as services are performed based on time elapsed, output produced or volume of data processed, depending on the specific contract terms of the managed services arrangement. Typically, managed services contracts are long term in duration and are not subject to seasonality. Revenue from ongoing support services is recognized as work is performed.  

 

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Cost of Service

 

Cost of service includes origination, termination, network and billing charges from telecommunications operators, out payment costs to content and information providers, network costs, data center costs, facility costs of hosting network and equipment, and costs of providing resale arrangements with long distance service providers, costs of leasing transmission facilities and international gateway switches for voice and data transmission services.

 

Segments

 

ASC 820, “Segment Reporting” (“ASC 820”), defines operating segments as components of an enterprise about which separate financial information is available that is evaluated regularly by the chief operating decision maker in deciding how to allocate resources and in assessing performances. The Company operates in a single business segment because operating and strategic decisions are made by decision makers who monitor the Company as a whole.

 

Stock-based Compensation

 

We follow the provisions of ASC 718 “Compensation-Stock Compensation”, (“ASC 718”). Under ASC 718, stock-based awards are recorded at fair value as of the grant date and recognized as expense with an adjustment for forfeiture over the employee’s requisite service period (the vesting period, generally up to three years), which we have elected to amortize on a straight-line basis.

 

To determine the value of our stock options at grant date under our employee stock option plan, we currently use the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. The use of this model requires us to make a number of subjective assumptions. The following addresses each of these assumptions and describes our methodology for determining each assumption:

   

Expected Life

 

The expected life represents the period that the stock option awards are expected to be outstanding. We use the simplified method for estimating the expected life of the option, by taking the average between time to vesting and the contract life of the award.

 

Expected Volatility

 

We estimate expected cumulative volatility giving consideration to the expected life of the option of the respective award, and the calculated annual volatility by using the continuously compounded return calculated by using the share closing prices of an equal number of days prior to the grant-date (reference period). The annual volatility is used to determine the (cumulative) volatility of our common stock (= annual volatility x SQRT (expected life)).

 

Forfeiture rate

 

The Company is using the aggregate forfeiture rate. The aggregate forfeiture rate is the ratio of pre-vesting forfeitures over the awards granted (Pre-vesting forfeitures/grants). The forfeiture discount (additional loss) is released into the profit and loss in the same period as the option vesting-date. The forfeiture rate is actualized every reporting period.

 

Risk-Free Interest Rate

 

We estimate the risk-free interest rate using the “Daily Treasury Yield Curve Rates” from the U.S. Treasury Department with a term equal to the reported rate, or derived by using both spread in intermediate term and rates, to the expected life of the award.

 

Expected Dividend Yield

 

We estimate the expected dividend yield by giving consideration to our current dividend policies as well as those anticipated in the future considering our current plans and projections. We do not currently calculate a discount for any post-vesting restrictions to which our awards may be subject.

 

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Income Taxes

 

The Company accounts for income taxes under ASC 740, “Accounting for Income Taxes” (“ASC 740”) (formerly SFAS No. 109). This statement requires the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the future consequences of events that have been recognized in the Company’s financial statements or tax returns. The measurement of the deferred items is based on enacted tax laws. In the event the future consequences of differences between financial reporting bases and the tax bases of the Company’s assets and liabilities result in a deferred tax asset, ASC 740 requires an evaluation of the probability of being able to realize the future benefits indicated by such asset. A valuation allowance related to a deferred tax asset is recorded when it is more likely than not that some portion or the entire deferred tax asset will not be realized. As part of the process of preparing our consolidated financial statements, we are required to estimate our income tax expense in each of the jurisdictions in which we operate. In the ordinary course of a global business, there are many transactions and calculations where the ultimate tax outcome is uncertain. Some of these uncertainties arise as a consequence of revenue sharing and reimbursement arrangements among related entities, the process of identifying items of revenue and expenses that qualify for preferential tax treatment and segregation of foreign and domestic income and expense to avoid double taxation. We also assess temporary differences resulting from differing treatment of items, such as deferred revenue, for tax and accounting differences. These differences result in deferred tax assets and liabilities, which are included within our consolidated balance sheet. We may record a valuation allowance to reduce our deferred tax assets to the amount of future tax benefit that is more likely than not to be realized. Although we believe that our estimates are reasonable and that we have considered future taxable income and ongoing prudent and feasible tax strategies in estimating our tax outcome and in assessing the need for the valuation allowance, there is no assurance that the final tax outcome and the valuation allowance will not be different than those that are reflected in our historical income tax provisions and accruals.

 

ASC 740 prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement methodology to recognize and measure an income tax position taken, or expected to be taken, in a tax return. The evaluation of a tax position is based on a two-step approach. The first step requires an entity to evaluate whether the tax position would “more likely than not” be sustained upon examination by the appropriate taxing authority. The second step requires the tax position be measured at the largest amount of tax benefit that is greater than 50 percent likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement. In addition, previously recognized benefits from tax positions that no longer meet the new criteria would be derecognized.

 

The Company files income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction, various state jurisdictions and various foreign jurisdictions. The Company's income tax returns are open to examination by federal, state and foreign tax authorities, generally for the years ended December 31, 2008 and later, with certain state jurisdictions open for audit for earlier years. The Company has no amount recorded for any unrecognized tax benefits as of March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, nor did the Company record any amount for the implementation of ASC 740. The Company's policy is to record estimated interest and penalty related to the underpayment of income taxes or unrecognized tax benefits as a component of its income tax provision. During the first three months 2013 and 2012, the Company did not recognize any interest or penalties in its statements of operations and there are no accruals for interest or penalties at March 31, 2013 or December 31, 2012.

  

Comprehensive Income/(Loss)

 

Comprehensive income/(loss) includes all changes in equity during a period from non-owner sources. Other comprehensive income refers to gains and losses that under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States are recorded as an element of stockholders’ equity but are excluded from net income. In the first quarter of the years 2013 and 2012, the Company’s comprehensive income/(loss) consisted of its net loss and foreign currency translation adjustments.

 

Intangible Assets

  

In accordance with ASC 350, intangible assets are carried at cost less accumulated amortization and impairment charges. Intangible assets are amortized on a straight-line basis over the expected useful lives of the assets, between three and ten years. Other intangible assets are reviewed for impairment in accordance with ASC 350, on an annual basis, or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of such assets may not be recoverable. Measurement of any impairment loss for long-lived assets and identifiable intangible assets that management expects to hold and use is based on the amount of the carrying value that exceeds the fair value of the asset.

 

Property and Equipment, Internally Developed and Third Party Software

 

The Company has adopted the provisions of ASC 985, Software. Property and equipment are initially recorded at cost. Additions and improvements are capitalized, while expenditures that do not enhance the assets or extend the useful life are charged to operating expenses as incurred. Included in property and equipment are certain costs related to the development of the Company’s internally developed software technology platform. We capitalize all costs related to software developed or obtained for internal use when management commits to funding the project and the project completes the preliminary project stage. Capitalization of such costs ceases when the project is substantially complete and ready for its intended use.

  

The Company has capitalized certain computer software development costs upon the establishment of technological feasibility. Technological feasibility is considered to have occurred upon completion of a detailed program design that has been confirmed by documenting the product specifications, or to the extent that a detailed program design is not pursued, upon completion of a working model that has been confirmed by testing to be consistent with the product design. Depreciation applied using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets once the assets are placed in service. Once a new functionality or improvement is released for operational use, the asset is moved from the property and equipment category “projects under construction” to a property and equipment asset subject to depreciation in accordance with the principle described in the previous sentence.

 

10
 

 

Fair Value Measurements

 

In accordance with ASC 820 Fair Value Measurement, the Company defines fair value as the price that would be received from selling an asset or paid to transfer a liability (i.e., the exit price) in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. ASC 820 establishes a fair value hierarchy for inputs used in measuring fair value that maximizes the use of observable inputs and minimizes the use of unobservable inputs by requiring that the most observable inputs be used when available.

 

Observable inputs are those that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability based on market data obtained from sources independent of the Company. Unobservable inputs reflect the Company’s assumptions about the inputs that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability developed based on the best information available in the circumstances.

 

The fair value hierarchy is categorized into three levels based on the inputs as follows:

 

Level 1 – Quoted prices are available in active markets for identical assets or liabilities as of the reported date.

 

Level 2 – Pricing inputs are other than quoted prices in active markets, which are either directly or indirectly observable as of the reported date. The nature of these financial instruments include cash instruments for which quoted prices are available but are traded less frequently, derivative instruments whose fair values have been derived using a model where inputs to the model are directly observable in the market and instruments that are fair valued using other financial instruments, the parameters of which can be directly observed.

 

Level 3 – Instruments that have little to no pricing observability as of the reported date. These financial instruments are measured using management’s best estimate of fair value, where the inputs into the determination of fair value require significant management judgment or estimation.

 

The degree of judgment exercised by the Company in determining fair value is greatest for securities categorized in Level 3. In certain cases, the inputs used to measure fair value may fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In such cases, for disclosure purposes, the level in the fair value hierarchy within which the fair value measurement falls in its entirety is determined by the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement.

 

The following table summarizes fair value measurements by level at March 31, 2013 for financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis:

 

   Level 1   Level 2   Level 3   Total 
Conversion feature  $-   $-   $451,779   $451,779 
Total liabilities  $-   $-   $451,779   $451,779 

 

We have classified the outstanding conversion feature into level 3 due to the fact that some inputs are not published and not easily comparable to industry peers.

 

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

 

On March 4, 2013, the FASB issued ASU 2013-05, Foreign Currency Matters (Topic 830) Parent’s Accounting for the Cumulative Translation Adjustment upon Derecognition of Certain Subsidiaries or Groups of Assets within a Foreign Entity or of an Investment in a Foreign Entity (“ASU 2013-05”). ASU 2013-05 updates accounting guidance related to the application of consolidation guidance and foreign currency matters. This guidance resolves the diversity in practice about what guidance applies to the release of the cumulative translation adjustment into net income. This guidance is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2013. The Company is evaluating the potential impact of this adoption on its consolidated financial statements.

 

In February 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board, or FASB, issued Accounting Standards Update, or ASU, No. 2013-04, Liabilities (Topic 405): Obligations Resulting from Joint and Several Liability Arrangements for which the Total Amount of the Obligation Is Fixed at the Reporting Date (a consensus of the FASB Emerging Issues Task Force). This ASU addresses the recognition, measurement, and disclosure of certain obligations resulting from joint and several arrangements including debt arrangements, other contractual obligations, and settled litigation and judicial rulings. The ASU is effective for public entities for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2013. The Company is evaluating the potential impact of this adoption on its consolidated financial statements.

 

In July 2012, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2012-02, Intangibles-Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Testing Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets for Impairment. To be consistent with the guidance found under ASU 2011-08, Intangibles-Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Testing Goodwill for Impairment, ASU 2012-02 is intended to simplify impairment testing for indefinite-lived intangible assets other than goodwill by adding a qualitative review step to assess whether the required quantitative impairment analysis that exists today is necessary. Under the amended rule, a company will not be required to calculate the fair value of a business that contains recorded indefinite-lived intangible assets other than goodwill unless it concludes, based on the qualitative assessment, that it is more likely than not that the fair value of that business is less than its book value. If such a decline in fair value is deemed more likely than not to have occurred, then the quantitative impairment test that exists under current GAAP must be completed; otherwise, the indefinite lived assets other than goodwill are deemed to be not impaired and no further testing is required until the next annual test date (or sooner if conditions or events before that date raise concerns of potential impairment in the business). This new standard is effective for the Company beginning June 1, 2013.

 

In December 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued an accounting standard update that requires an entity to disclose information about offsetting and related arrangements of financial instruments and derivative instruments to enable users of its financial statements to understand the effect of these arrangements on its financial position. The amendments in this accounting standard update are effective for annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2013, and interim periods within those annual periods. We do not expect the adoption of this accounting standard update will have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements, but it may require certain additional disclosures.

 

11
 

 

Note 3. Prepaid expenses and other current assets

 

Prepaid expenses and other current assets recorded at $2,342,762 as of March 31, 2013, compared with $1,821,218 as of December 31, 2012. On March 31, 2013, $545,577 of the prepaid expenses was related to prepaid Value Added Tax (“VAT”). On December 31, 2012, prepaid VAT represented $534,327.

 

Note 4. Other assets

 

Other assets are long-term in nature and consist of deferred financing costs and long-term deposits.

 

Long-term Deposit

 

As of March 31, 2013, there were long-term earnest deposits to various telecom carriers during the course of its operations and a deposit towards the French Tax Authorities of the total amount of $587,006, compared with $657,192 as of December 31, 2012. The deposits are refundable at the termination of the business relationship with the carriers.

 

Deferred Financing Costs

 

In connection with the 8% Convertible Notes issued on March 29, 2012, the Company incurred costs related to perfecting the pledges on assets, contract review fees from lawyers, registration fees for registering underlying shares and some other smaller fees. These costs amortize during the life of the Senior Secured Convertible Loan using the effective-interest method calculation. As of March 31, 2013, the total amount still to be amortized was $310,995. As of December 31, 2012, the total amount still to be amortized was $381,114.

 

Note 5. Property and equipment

 

The Company’s Property & Equipment also include the capitalization of its systems engineering and software programming activities. Typically, these investments pertain to the Company’s:

 

  · Intelligent Network (IN) platform;
  · CRM provisioning Software;
  · Mediation, Rating & Pricing engine;
  · ValidSoft security software applications;
  · Operations and business support software;
  · Network management tools.

 

Property and equipment at March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012 consist of:

 

   Average Estimated  March 31,   December 31, 
   Useful Lives  2013   2012 
Furniture and fixtures  5   272,602    269,731 
Computer, communication and network equipment  3 - 10   16,725,229    17,056,396 
Software  5   5,928,188    6,123,371 
Automobiles  5   85,265    87,925 
Construction in progress      2,247,304    1,962,315 
Total property and equipment      25,258,588    25,499,738 
              
Less: accumulated depreciation      (12,584,205)   (12,411,467)
Total property and equipment, Net     $12,674,383   $13,088,271 

 

Construction in progress consists of software projects in development that have not yet been completed. Total depreciation expense for the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012 was $607,964 and $578,522, respectively.

 

Note 6. Intangible Assets

 

Intangible assets include customer contracts, telecommunication licenses and integrated, multi-country, centrally managed switch-based interconnects as well as ValidSoft Intellectual Property, including but not limited to software source codes, applications, customer list & pipeline, registration & licenses, patents and trademark/brands.

 

12
 

 

Intangible assets as of March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012 consisted of the following:

 

   Estimated  March 31,   December 31, 
   Useful Lives  2013   2012 
Customer Contracts, Licenses , Interconnect & Technology  5-10  $11,833,876   $12,096,592 
ValidSoft IP & Technology  1-10   15,126,001    15,597,814 
Total intangible assets      26,959,877    27,694,406 
              
Less: Accumulated Amortization and impairment charges      (10,471,483)   (10,569,693)
Less: Accumulated Amortization ValidSoft IP & Technology      (6,992,395)   (6,621,687)
Total intangible assets, Net     $9,495,999   $10,503,026 

 

Total amortization expense for the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012 was $712,024 and $699,947, respectively.

 

Estimated future amortization expense related to our intangible assets is:

 

   Rest of 2013   2014   2015   2016   2017   2018 and
thereafter
 
Interconnect licenses and contracts  $596,579   $526,777   $155,122   $20,545   $-   $- 
ValidSoft IP & Technology   1,471,779    1,962,372    1,823,763    1,897,071    947,833    230,710 
   $2,068,358   $2,489,149   $1,978,885   $1,917,616   $947,833   $230,710 

 

Note 7. Goodwill

 

Goodwill represents the excess of cost over the fair value of assets of acquired businesses. Goodwill is not amortized, but instead is evaluated for impairment using a discounted cash flow model and other measurements of fair value such as market comparable transactions. The authoritative guidance for the goodwill impairment model includes a two-step process. First, it requires a comparison of the book value of net assets to the fair value of the reporting unit that have goodwill assigned to them. If the fair value is determined to be less than the book value, a second step is performed to compute the amount of impairment. In the second step, a fair value for goodwill is estimated, based in part of the fair value of the reporting unit used in the first step, and is compared to its carrying value. The shortfall of the fair value below carrying value, if any, would represent the amount of goodwill impairment.

 

We assess goodwill for impairment in the fourth quarter of each fiscal year, or sooner should there be an indicator of impairment. The Company periodically analyzes whether any such indicators of impairment exists. Such indicators include a sustained, significant decline in the Company’s stock price and market capitalization, a decline in the Company’s expected future cash flows, a significant adverse change in legal factors or in the business climate, unanticipated competition, and/or slower growth rate, among others.

 

After considering qualitative factors including our market capitalization and the Company’s 2013 outlook announced in the Company, we concluded that, for the first quarter 2013, a goodwill impairment test was required. In performing the first step of the two-step goodwill impairment test, the Company determined that the fair value of the Company as a single reporting unit, measured by the Company’s market capitalization, exceeded the carrying value by a significant amount indicating no impairment was necessary.

 

The carrying value of the Company’s goodwill as of March 31, 2013 and as of December 31, 2012 was as follows:

 

Goodwill  March 31,   December 31, 
   2013   2012 
Goodwill at acquisition of ValidSoft Ltd  $3,433,833   $3,433,833 
Goodwill Morodo   214,689    214,689 
End of period exchange rate translation   (318,084)   (211,791)
Total  $3,330,438   $3,436,731 

 

13
 

 

On October 31, 2012, we issued 250,000 restricted shares as purchase price consideration following the completion of the acquisition of Morodo. The total value for the consideration is $275,000. Following the valuation of Morodo, we allocated the above purchase price to the identifiable assets and liabilities of Morodo.

 

Note 8. Overdraft

 

In 2004, Elephant Talk Ltd, a subsidiary of the Company, executed a credit facility with a bank in Hong Kong pursuant to which Elephant Talk Ltd. borrowed funds. As of March 31, 2013, the overdraft balance, including accrued interest totaled, $359,017 compared to $350,114 as of December 31, 2012. The interest rate and default payment interest rate were charged at 2% and 6% per annum above the Lender’s Hong Kong Dollar Prime Rate quoted by the Lender from time to time. The Company has not guaranteed the credit facility or is otherwise obligated to pay funds drawn upon it on behalf of Elephant Talk Ltd. Further detail can be found in Note 19, Litigation.

 

Note 9. Deferred Revenue

 

Deferred revenue represents amounts received from the customers against future sales of services since the Company recognizes revenue upon performing the services. They typically represent implementation fees. Deferred revenue was $281,536 and $252,551 as of March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively.

 

Note 10. Accrued expenses

 

As of March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, the accrued expenses comprised of the following:

 

   March 31,
2013
   December
31, 2012
 
Accrued Selling, General & Administrative expenses  $1,713,812   $2,175,845 
Accrued cost of service   679,283    648,958 
Accrued taxes (including VAT)   726,726    288,651 
Accrued interest payable   909,022    882,181 
Other accrued expenses   121,123    124,901 
Total accrued expenses  $4,149,966   $4,120,536 

 

Note 11. Loans Payable

 

Loans payable at March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012 are summarized as follows:

 

   March   December 
   31, 2013   31, 2012 
Installment loan payable due December 24, 2006, secured by personal guarantees of two shareholders, a former director, and a third party  $319,983   $320,491 
Installment loan payable, bank, monthly principal and interest payments of $2,798 including interest at bank’s prime rate plus 1.5% per annum, 8.25% at November 30, 2008, due December 24, 2011, secured by personal guarantees of three shareholders and a former director   254,397    254,800 
Installment loan payable, bank, monthly principal and interest payments of $1,729 including interest at bank’s prime rate plus 1.5% per annum, 8.25% at November 24, 2008, due June 28, 2009, secured by personal guarantees of three shareholders and a former director   103,775    103,940 
Term loan payable, bank, monthly payments of interest at bank’s prime rate, 7.0% at December 31, 2007   283,370    283,820 
Total  $961,525   $963,051 

 

In December 2009 Chong Hing Bank Limited, formerly known as Liu Chong Hing Bank Limited, a foreign banking services company based in Hong Kong (Bank), commenced a lawsuit in the California Orange County Superior Court called Chong Hing Bank Limited v. Elephant Talk Communications, Inc., Case No. 30-2009-00328467.

 

The Bank alleged that it entered into various installment and term loan agreements and an overdraft account with Elephant Talk Limited (ETL), a wholly-owned Hong Kong subsidiary of the Company. Various former officers and directors of ETL personally guaranteed the loans and overdraft account.

 

14
 

 

The Bank alleged that ETL was in default on the loans and overdraft account, and that approximately $1,933,308 including interest and default interest was due. The Bank alleged that the Company was directly liable to repay the loans and overdraft account as a successor in interest to ETL or because the Company expressly or impliedly assumed direct liability for the loans and overdraft account. The Company denied the Bank’s allegations and asserted several affirmative defenses. The Company contended that it had no direct liability to the Bank, and that the Bank must pursue its recourse against ETL and its personal guarantors.

 

The Bank and the Company tried the case in the court without a jury between October, 5 and 12, 2011. The court found, among other things, that

 

·The Company was not liable as a successor in interest or otherwise on the Bank loans and overdraft account to ETL;
·The Company was not liable on the Bank’s claims because the Bank filed its action after the applicable California 4-year statute of limitations had expired; and
·The Company was not liable to the Bank under the alternative theories of negligent or intentional misrepresentation.

 

The court entered judgment in favor of Elephant Talk Communications Corp. and against the Bank on December 14, 2011, and awarded the Company $5,925 in costs. The judgment became final on February 16, 2012. We continue to accrue for these loans since our subsidiary ETL in Hong Kong, alleged by the Bank as the contractual party, may be still held liable for these loans.

 

Note 12. 8% Senior Secured Convertible Note

 

On March 29, 2012, the Company issued certain senior secured convertible notes (“8% Convertible Note” or “Notes”) to a number of investors (“Holders”) in the principal amount of $8,800,000 with the Company whereby the Holders agreed to provide the Company with net proceeds of $7,925,000, after an $800,000 Original Issue Discount and after a deduction of $75,000 for contract preparation fees. Various parties invoiced the company for a total amount of $387,807 relating to advisory fees and contract preparation fees during the first six months of 2012, According to the terms, the Note bears an interest rate of 8%, compounded annually and matures May 1, 2014. The monthly installment payments (constituting principal and interest) total $2,273,718 for the first year and $7,520,365 for the second year through to maturity. During the three months ending September 30, 2012 the Company spent an additional $81,888 on financing costs, during the three months ending December 31, 2012 the Company spent an additional $45,425 on financing costs and during the three months ending March 31, 2013 the Company spent another $213 on financing costs, mainly incurred by share registration fees and legal consultants.

 

Of the $8 million in gross proceeds, the amount equal to the first year installments, being $2,273,718, was placed in escrow and was classified as restricted cash on the balance sheet and is applied on a monthly basis for the payment of the monthly installments. The amount deposited in escrow would cover all necessary installments up to and including April 2013. As of March 31, 2013 the remaining balance in the escrow account amounts to $185,670. At the election of the Company the Company can pay the full installment amount or parts thereof in common stock at an amount equal to 90% of the average of the five lowest volume weighted average price (“VWAP”) of the common stock during the twenty (20) Trading Days immediately prior to such installment on the trading day payment date. To date, the Company has not made use of the option to pay for the interest and repayment of principal in stock.

 

In the first year ending April 1, 2013, if the Company elects to pay a monthly installment in common stock, the equivalent cash installment amount is be released from the escrow and becomes available to the Company. The Notes are convertible at the option of the Holder into the Company’s common stock at a fixed conversion price of $2.61 (“fixed conversion price”).

 

8% Senior Secured Convertible Loan Agreement Payable as of March 31, 2013:

 

8% Convertible Note  Short Term   Long Term   Total 
8% Convertible Note  $6,210,399   $1,104,618   $7,315,017 
Less:               
Original Issue Discount (OID) (net of amortization)  $344,910   $4,729   $349,639 
Conversion Feature (net of amortization)  $1,163,775   $15,957   $1,179,732 
   $4,701,714   $1,083,932   $5,785,646 

 

The remaining unamortized life of the OID and conversion feature is approximately 13 months and total remaining amortizations until the end of the loan are $349,639 for the OID and $1,179,732 for the conversion feature. The current outstanding principal on the Note as of March 31, 2013 is $7,315,017.

 

15
 

 

The Company has identified the conversion feature in the above instruments as an embedded derivative that requires evaluation and accounting under the guidance applicable to financial derivatives.  The conversion feature is bifurcated from the host debt contract and accounted for as a liability. The conversion feature is recorded at fair value at the date of issuance and marked-to-market each reporting period with changes in fair value recorded to the Company’s statements of operations and classified into “Change fair value in conversion feature” which is part of Other income and expenses. As of March 29, 2012 (“Closing date”) the Company recognized a “Fair Market Value” using a lattice model of $2,699,312 and evaluated the value of the conversion feature as per March 31, 2013 at a fair market value of $451,779. During 2013, the conversion feature liability was neither reduced by any conversion and redemption transactions associated with the convertible notes nor any unscheduled repayments of the principal amount.

 

Conversion Feature valuation as per March 31, 2013:

 

      Conversion Feature
at fair market
value
   Conversion Feature
remaining value netted
in Convertible Note
Payables
   Number of
outstanding
conversion rights
 
At Closing March 29, 2012 (Initial Value)     $2,699,312   $2,699,312    3,371,648 
Repayment of Principal     $(455,508)  $-    (568,965)
YTD Revaluation as of March 31, 2013 (Movement only)  Gain  $(1,792,025)  $-    - 
YTD Amortization as of March 31, 2013 (Movement only)  Expense  $-   $(1,179,732)   - 
As of March 31, 2013 (remaining balances/number)     $451,779   $1,519,580    2,802,683 

 

The conversion feature associated with the Note is recorded at fair value using a lattice calculation model with variables such as quoted share price, volatility, remaining term and risk free interest rate which are observable market inputs including quoted market prices. We classify this instrument in Level 3 as quoted market prices can be corroborated utilizing observable current market prices on active exchanges.

 

Note 13. Loan from joint venture partner

 

As of March 31, 2013, the Company’s 51% owned subsidiary ET-UTS N.V. has received $567,100 in interest bearing (8% per annum) unsecured loans from the 49% shareholder in the joint venture, United Telecommunication Services N.V., the government owned incumbent telecom operator of Curaçao. The amount is inclusive of accumulated accrued interest. No maturity date has been fixed. The amount outstanding as of December 31, 2012 was $555,907.

 

Note 14. Stockholders’ equity

 

(A) Common Stock

 

The Company is presently authorized to issue 250,000,000 shares common stock. The Company had 113,369,656 shares of common shares issued and outstanding as of March 31, 2013, an increase of 1,451,288 shares since December 31, 2012, largely due to the shares issued in connection with the exercise of 601,343 warrants; 10,000 shares issued to employees as a result of exercised employee stock options; 189,945 shares issued as consideration for executive officers and directors compensation, 400,000 shares after a settlement agreement with a former landlord of one of our offices after termination of the rental contract and 250,000 shares were issued for full consideration for the shares of the acquisition of Morodo which was concluded in the three month ended December 31, 2012.

 

Reconciliation with stock transfer agent records:

 

The shares issued and outstanding as of March 31, 2013 according to the stock transfer agent’s records are 116,174,494. The difference in number of issued shares recognized by the Company of 113,369,656 shares is the result of the exclusion of the 233,900 unreturned shares from ‘cancelled’ acquisitions (pre-2006), 12,000 treasury shares issued under Employee benefits plan and the 2,558,938 contingent shares in connection with the ValidSoft acquisition which are kept in escrow.

 

(B) Preferred Stock

 

The Company’s Certificate of Incorporation (“Articles”) authorizes the issuance of 50,000,000 shares of 0.00001 par value Preferred Stock. No shares of Preferred Stock are currently issued and outstanding. Under the Company’s Articles, the Board of Directors has the power, without further action by the holders of the Common Stock, to designate the relative rights and preferences of the preferred stock, and issue the preferred stock in such one or more series as designated by the Board of Directors. The designation of rights and preferences could include preferences as to liquidation, redemption and conversion rights, voting rights, dividends or other preferences, any of which may be dilutive of the interest of the holders of the Common Stock or the Preferred Stock of any other series. The issuance of Preferred Stock may have the effect of delaying or preventing a change in control of the Company without further shareholder action and may adversely affect the rights and powers, including voting rights, of the holders of Common Stock. In certain circumstances, the issuance of preferred stock could depress the market price of the Common Stock.

 

During 2012 and 2013 the Company did not issue any shares of Preferred Stock.

 

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(C) Warrants

 

Throughout the years the company has issued warrants with varying terms and conditions related to multiple funding rounds acquisitions and other. The warrants have been recorded and classified as equity. The Weighted Average Exercise Price for the currently outstanding warrants in the above table is $1.30. The below table summarizes the warrants outstanding as per March 31, 2013 and closing December 2012:

 

Outstanding Warrants  Exercise/ Conversion price(s) (range)  Expiring  2013   2012 
Warrants - Acquisitions  $0.63 - $2.25  2013   1,007,372    3,437,953 
Warrants - Fundraising  $1.00 - $2.00  2013 - 2015   38,782,516    46,322,101 
Warrants - Other  $2.21  2016   18,659    18,659 
          39,808,547    49,778,713 

 

Note 15. Basic and diluted net loss per share

 

Net loss per share is calculated in accordance with ASC 260, Earnings per Share (“ASC 260”). Basic net loss per share is based upon the weighted average number of common shares outstanding. Dilution is computed by applying the treasury stock method. Under this method, options and warrants are assumed to be exercised at the beginning of the period (or at the time of issuance, if later), and as if funds obtained thereby were used to purchase common stock at the average market price during the period. Weighted average number of shares used to compute basic and diluted loss per share is the same since the effect of dilutive securities is anti-dilutive.

 

Note 16. Employee Benefit Plan and Non-Qualified Stock Option and Compensation Plan

 

2006 Non-Qualified Stock and Option Compensation Plan

 

Under this plan there are, as of December 31, 2012, 75,000 stock options outstanding. There are remaining 600,000 shares and 14,490 stock options available for grant.

 

Current outstanding options have all vested already and generally vested over a 3 year period. Options generally expire 2 years from the date of vesting.

 

No grants were made during the year 2013. Also no exercises and or cancellations/forfeitures have occurred.

 

The current 75,000 outstanding options, if not exercised, will expire in 2013 with various expiration dates.

 

Following is a summary of the status of options outstanding at March 31, 2013:

 

    Options outstanding  Options exercisable
Range of
exercise prices
   Total options
outstanding
  Weighted average
remaining contractual
life (years)
  Weighted
average exercise
price
   Options
exercisable
  Weighted
average exercise
price
 
 $ 2.25 - $ 2.65   75,000  0.48 years  $2.25   75,000  $2.25 

 

At March 31, 2013, the total compensation cost related to unvested stock-based awards granted to employees under the provisions of ASC 718 and the Company’s 2006 stock award plan, but not yet recognized was $0.

 

2008 Long-Term Incentive Plan

 

In 2008, the Company adopted an incentive plan. This incentive plan initially provided for an authorized total awards of up to 5,000,000 shares of common stock, in the form of incentive and non-qualified stock options, stock appreciation rights, performance units, restricted stock awards and performance bonuses. The amount of common stock underlying the awards to be granted remained the same after the 25 to one reverse stock-split that was effectuated on June 11, 2008.

 

In 2011, the Company filed, after approval of the shareholders, an “Amended and Restated 2008 Long-Term Incentive Compensation Plan” which increased the amount under the 2008 plan to 23,000,000 shares of common stock in order to cover future grants under this Plan.

 

17
 

 

Reconciliation of registered and available shares and/or options as of March 31, 2013:

 

   Q1-2013    Total 
         
Registered 2008        5,000,000 
Registered 2011        18,000,000 
Total Registered under this plan        23,000,000 
Shares (issued to):          
Consultants   -    325,000 
Directors and Officers   189,945    1,196,366 
Options exercised   10,000    952,067 
Options (movements):           
Issued and Outstanding   2,580,726    14,786,443 
Available for grant:        5,740,124 

 

During 2013, no shares were issued to consultants under the Plan although the Company issued a total number of 325,000 shares during the term of the plan. As of 2012 the Company decided, in order to avoid costly separate registrations for the quarterly recurring share issues and the obligatory registration of such shares, to issue the non-cash compensation to directors and officers under this plan. During the first quarter of 2013 the Company issued 189,945 shares to various directors and officers which were issued in conjunction with their willingness to receive their total or part of their compensation in shares of the Company. The shares issued related to the period Q4-2012. Shares belonging to Q1-2013 have been issued in April 2013. Such shares are issued with a 25% discount on the 10 day average share price preceding the quarter of their relating services as per the terms agreed by the compensation committee held October 25 and 28, 2011.

 

During the first quarter of 2013 the total of outstanding options has increased by 2,580,726 options due to the annual grant of options and currently a total of 14,786,443 stock options are outstanding under the Plan. Currently 325,000 shares of restricted common stock have been issued to consultants, 1,196,366 shares of common stock had been issued towards directors and officers and another 952,067 shares were issued as a result of exercised options during the existence of this plan.

 

Options granted generally vest immediately or up to a three-year period after grant date. Although options have been granted with a shorter term than two years, options generally expire between two and ten years from date of grant.

 

Common stock purchase options consisted of the following as of the quarter ended March 31, 2013 and the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011:

 

   Number of
Options
   Weighted
Average
Exercise Price
   Initial Fair
Market Value
(Outstanding
Options)
 
Options:               
Outstanding as of December 31, 2010   4,083,100   $1.35   $5,002,238 
Granted in 2011   4,644,883   $2.52   $6,312,781 
Exercised (with delivery of shares)   (510,095)  $1.14   $(626,179)
Forfeitures (Pre-vesting)   (391,618)  $1.64   $(458,144)
Expirations (Post-vesting)   (3,000)  $0.82   $(2,076)
Exchanged for Cashless exercise   (29,281)  $1.24   $(33,141)
Outstanding as of December 31, 2011   7,793,989   $2.03   $10,195,479 
Granted in 2012   6,211,354   $2.24   $7,382,599 
Exercised (with delivery of shares)   (431,972)  $1.00   $(403,382)
Forfeitures (Pre-vesting)   (1,042,071)  $2.29   $(1,404,105)
Expirations (Post-vesting)   (281,667)  $2.23   $(398,199)
Exchanged for Cashless exercise   (43,916)  $1.66   $(56,248)
Outstanding as of December 31, 2012   12,205,717   $2.15   $15,316,144 
Granted in 2013   2,707,336   $1.16   $1,555,431 
Exercised (with delivery of shares)   (10,000)  $0.56   $(5,596)
Forfeitures (Pre-vesting)   (65,553)  $1.00   $(65,734)
Expirations (Post-vesting)   (51,057)  $2.04   $(104,347)
Exchanged for Cashless exercise   -   $0.00   $- 
Outstanding as of March 31, 2013   14,786,443   $1.97   $16,695,898 

 

18
 

 

The options granted in 2013 were granted with a weighted average exercise price of $1.16. The grant date fair market value of the options is $1,555,431.

 

The weighted average assumptions used for the options granted in 2013 using the Black-Scholes options model are: expected cumulative volatility of 128% based on calculated annual volatility of 77%, contractual life of 4.00 years, expected option life of 2.98 years (using the simplified method) and a Risk Free Interest Rate of 0.375%. The expected dividend yield is zero.

 

Following is a summary of the status and used assumptions of options outstanding as of the period ended March 31, 2013:

 

Plan 2008   Options outstanding  Options exercisable
Range of
exercise prices
   Total options
outstanding
  Weighted average
remaining contractual
life (years)
   Weighted
average exercise
price
   Options
exercisable
  Weighted
average exercise
price
 
 $ 0.60 - $ 3.39   14,786,443   4.86   $1.97   7,753,936  $2.05 

 

Unvested Options  Options expected to vest
Number of
options non yet
vested
  Forfeiture used
in this
reporting
   Number of options
expected to vest
corrected by forfeiture
rate
  Unrecognized stock-
based compensation
expense
   Weighted average remaining
contract life of Total Options
expected to vest (in years)
 
7,123,700   9.472%  6,448,915  $3,716,607    4.10 

 

Weighted average assumptions for 2013 grants:    
Weighted Average Annual Volatility   77%
Weighted Average Cumulative Volatility   128%
Weighted Average Contractual Life (in years)   4.00 
Weighted Average Expected Option life (in years)   2.98 
Weighted Average Risk Free Interest Rate   0.375%
Dividend yield   0.000%

 

At March 31, 2013 the not yet recognized expense portion of stock-based awards granted to employees under the provisions of ASC 718 and the Company’s 2008 stock award plan, was approximately $3,716,607. The future expensing takes place proportionally to the vesting associated with each stock-award, adjusted for cancellations, forfeitures and returns. The forfeiture rate has been adjusted from 10.673% at closing December 2012 to 9.472% as per closing March 2013 and the corresponding profit and loss effect has been accounted for in the first quarter of 2013.

 

19
 

 

Stock-Based Compensation Expense

 

Under the provisions of ASC 718 and ASC 505-50, the Company recorded for the quarter ended March 31, 2013, $1,410,910 in stock-based compensation expense for both the 2006 Non-Qualified Stock and Option Compensation Plan and the 2008 Long-Term Incentive Plan, consisting of shares issued to directors and officers and employee option expensing. For the comparable period in 2012 such expensing was $1,723,663. The Company utilized the Black-Scholes valuation model for estimating the fair value of the stock-options at grant.

 

Stock-Based Compensation
Expense
  Three months
ended March
31, 2013
   Three months
ended March
31, 2012
 
Consultancy services  $-   $- 
Directors and Officers (shares and options)  $261,194   $289,222 
Employee (options)  $1,149,716   $1,402,524 
   $1,410,910   $1,691,746 

 

Note 17. Commitments

 

Commitments of the Company relating to co-location, network and office rents, regulatory, interconnection fees and interest payments are as follows:

 

Year   Office   Co-
location
   Interconnect   Network,
Service &
Support
   Capital
Expenditures
   Loan &
Interest
   Total  
 2013   $252,250   $621,659   $591,762   $285,838   $2,269,959   $4,888,367 $ 8,909,835  
 2014    182,962    364,999    112,717    81,564    160,055    2,817,390   3,719,686  
 2015    80,063    302,203    87,723    77,603    40,014    -   587,606  
 2016    -    75,878    12,742    39,157    -    -   127,777  
 2017   $-   $-   $4,247   $-   $-   $-   4,247  
                                 $ 13,349,152  

 

The loan and interest commitments relate to the 2008 Convertible agreements. At the Company’s discretion, the monthly principal and interest can be repaid in stock. This can be decided on a monthly basis.

 

Note 18. Non-controlling Interest

 

The Company had non-controlling interests in several of its subsidiaries. The subsidiaries with a positive balance of the non-controlling interests as of March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012 were as follows:

 

      Non-controlling interest Balance at 
Subsidiary  Non-controlling Interest %  March 31, 2013   December 31, 2012 
            
ETC PRS UK  49%  $9,119   $9,434 
ETC PRS Netherlands  49%   125,609    126,013 
ET Bahrain WLL  1%   1,765    3,438 
ET ME&A FZ LLC  49.46%   37,091    37,091 
              
Total     $173,584   $175,976 

 

Note 19. Litigations

 

Rescission of the Purchase Agreement of March 31, 2004 of New Times Navigation Limited.

 

As previously described in our 2004 Annual Report we and New Times Navigation Limited mutually agreed to terminate this purchase agreement. We returned the received shares of New Times Navigation Limited to the concerned shareholders and received back 90,100 of our common stock out of the 204,000 issued by us for the purchase. In addition we issued 37 unsecured convertible promissory notes for a total amount of $3,600,000. On our request 21 notes were returned with a total value of $2,040,000.

 

20
 

 

We are presently seeking relief from the High Court of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region against the holders of the unreturned shares to return a total of 113,900 common shares (valued at $381,565) and also to have them return the remaining 18 unsecured convertible promissory notes representing a total amount of $1,740,000 and rescind the purchase agreement. The case is currently pending.

 

Other.

 

The Company is involved in various claims incidental to our business. In the opinion of management, the ultimate resolution of such claims will not have a material effect on our financial position, liquidity, or results of operations.

 

Note 20. Geographic Information

 

Three months ended March 31, 2013            
             
   Europe   Other foreign countries   Total 
Revenues from unaffiliated customers  $6,572,130   $24,370   $6,596,500 
Identifiable assets  $29,637,388   $4,841,952   $34,479,340 

 

Three months ended March 31, 2012            
             
   Europe   Other foreign countries   Total 
Revenues from unaffiliated customers  $8,557,059   $23,909   $8,580,968 
Identifiable assets  $44,237,555   $9,999,806   $54,237,361 

 

Note 21. Related Party Transactions

 

None.

 

Note 22. Subsequent Events

 

The Company’s management evaluated subsequent events through the date the financial statements were available to be issued.

 

On April 1, 2013, the Company closed the transaction for the acquisition of 100% of the assets of Telnicity in exchange of 1,000,000 shares as purchase price consideration. Telnicity is an U.S. based MVNE/MVNO enabler headquartered in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

 

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

 

Forward-Looking Statements

 

Any forward looking statements made herein are based on current expectations of the Company, involve a number of risks and uncertainties and should not be considered as guarantees of future performance. The factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include: interruptions or cancellation of existing contracts, inability to integrate acquisitions, impact of competitive products and pricing, product demand and market acceptance risks, the presence of competitors with greater financial resources than the Company, product development and commercialization risks, changes in governmental regulations, and changing economic conditions in developing countries and an inability to arrange additional debt or equity financing.

 

Overview

 

The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with our financial statements and notes thereto and the other financial information included elsewhere in this document.

 

21
 

 

Our Business

 

Recent milestones for mobile product line

 

  · In 2011, the company closed a contract with Zain KSA in Saudi Arabia to provide its mobile platform which started hosting subscribers in the fourth quarter 2012.

 

  · In January 2013, the company announced a contract with a Mobile Network Operator in a major Latin American country. After an initial implementation and testing period, we expect to begin the migration of approximately 1.5 million SIMS of this customer’s existing mobile customers and adding MVNO subscribers to our Software-DNA™ platform during the third quarter of 2013. For this acquisition Elephant Talk issued 1 million shares of common stock.

 

  · In April 2013, the company acquired all of the assets of Telnicity, LLC, a U.S. MVNE/MVNO enabler company including the company’s existing customer contracts, carrier agreements, and access to telSPACE and mCASH, Telnicity’s propriety turnkey back office infrastructure and billing systems.

 

  · In November 2011, we executed a mass migration of SIMs on to our platform in Spain. This live migration – without having to replace the SIM cards – was a significant achievement and milestone for the Company.

 

    In early 2013, we had over 1.1 million customers via our Vodafone España Enabler platform in Spain.

 

Recent milestones for ValidSoft product line:

 

·In September 2011 ValidSoft and Adeptra, now part of the FICO Corporation, formed a partnership to provide financial organizations with best-in-class fraud detection and prevention functionality, as well as total control over their customer communications.

 

·Following a pilot project a long-standing Adeptra client, in 2012 Santander UK, one of the ten largest international financial institutions, implemented the SIM Swap solution. This solution has been in live production for several months processing in excess of 7.5 m records. The institution’s adoption of the application is another step toward securing all transaction channels, using leading edge technology and communications to benefit its customers.

 

·ValidSoft was recently the recipient of the prestigious Banking Technology award together with Santander and FICO/Adeptra for the Best Security Initiative for 2012. This award recognizes ValidSoft’s SIM Swap technology, the world’s first real-time detection and prevention application to tackle the growing problem of SIM Swapping in the banking industry.

 

·ValidSoft successfully concluded the live-trials for a Self-Certification project to an EU Government in the area of citizen benefit payments. The proposed solution is based on ValidSoft’s own IP and specialized technology and incorporates ValidSoft’s Speaker Verification Platform, VALid-SVP™ to provide automation in the processing of citizen benefits with a view to achieving cost reduction and efficiencies. We now await a decision to be taken by the EU Government in terms of next steps, including potential deployment and timing.

 

·In 2013, the Company launched VALid-SVP™ (Speaker Verification Platform), a voice biometric technology to improve secure authentication.

 

·In 2013, ValidSoft has filed applications for several new patents in the Card Not Present fraud prevention area and the high end security area.

 

·In 2012, ValidSoft successfully renewed the European Privacy Seal in regards to its anti-fraud technology software, VALid-POS®, which is designed to detect and prevent card related fraud, a global multibillion dollar problem for financial institutions.

 

·In 2012, ValidSoft was awarded its second European Privacy Seal for its VALid-4F™solution, an advanced security solution to provide multi-factor authentication, including voice biometrics.

 

·In 2012, ValidSoft was awarded its third European Privacy Seal for VALid-SIM, an advanced “context aware” solution to counter the growing problem of SIM Swap fraud. ValidSoft continues to be the only Security Software Company in the world to be certified to the EuroPriSe standards. The European Privacy Seal certifies IT products and IT-based services privacy compliance with European data protection regulations.

 

·ValidSoft’s Secure Mobile Architecture for Real-Time Transactions ( SMART™) was selected in February 2013 to be integral element in the comprehensive payment acceptance service solution by Spindle, Inc. (OTCBB:SPDL), a leading US-provider of mobile payments solutions.

 

·ValidSoft’s voice biometric technology was successfully measured and compared with the world’s leading commercial voice biometric providers and non-commercial voice biometrics research groups in early 2013. The successful evaluation was executed by the Nationale Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), a non-regulatory federal agency within the US Department of Commerce.

 

22
 

 

·Following the successful deployment with Santander, Adeptra has been pressing ahead with the integration of the ValidSoft solutions into its client base and has signed in 2013 agreements with a leading UK bank for the provision of the Validsoft Sim Swap technology and VALid-POS technology.

 

·In March 2013, ValidSoft was the winner of the Jury Vote of the prestigious “The Florin Transaction Services Innovation Awards”, which recognizes innovation in the transaction services industry. The Florins, established in 2010 by the EPCA Payment Summit (European Payments Consulting Association) and The Paypers.

 

Application of Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

 

Revenue Recognition and Deferred Revenue

 

The Company’s revenue recognition policies are in compliance with ASC 605, Revenue Recognition (“ASC 605”). Revenue is recognized only when all of the following conditions have been met: (i) there is persuasive evidence of an arrangement; (ii) delivery has occurred; (iii) the fee is fixed or determinable; and (iv) collectability of the fee is reasonably assured. The Company derives revenue from activities as a fixed-line, security and mobile services provider with its network and its own switching technology. Revenue represents amounts earned for telecommunication and security services provided to customers (net of value added tax and inter-company revenue). Revenue is recorded as deferred revenue before all of the relevant criteria for revenue recognition are satisfied. Deferred revenue represents amounts received from the customers against future sales of services since the Company recognizes revenue upon performing the services.

 

In managed services contracts and in other long term contracts, revenue from the operation of a customer’s system is recognized either as services are performed based on time elapsed, output produced or volume of data processed, depending on the specific contract terms of the managed services arrangement. Typically, managed services contracts are long term in duration and are not subject to seasonality. Revenue from ongoing support services is recognized as work is performed.  

 

Stock-based Compensation

 

Effective January 1, 2006, we adopted the provisions of ASC 718 “Compensation-Stock Compensation”, using the prospective approach. As a result, we recognize stock-based compensation expense for only those awards that are granted subsequent to December 31, 2005 and any previously existing awards that are subject to variable accounting, including certain stock options that were exercised with notes in 2003, until the awards are exercised, forfeited, or contractually expire in accordance with the prospective method and the transition rules of ASC 718. Under ASC 718, stock-based awards granted after December 31, 2005, are recorded at fair value as of the grant date and recognized as expense over the employee’s requisite service period (the vesting period, generally three years), which we have elected to amortize on a straight-line basis.

 

For both the long term contractors and advisory board members the company recognizes the guidance for stock-based compensation awards to non-employees in accordance with ASC 505-50 “Equity-Based Payments to Non-Employees” ("ASC 505-50"). Under ASC 505-50, the Company determines the fair value of the options or stock-based compensation awards granted as either the fair value of the consideration received or the fair value of the equity instruments issued, whichever is more reliably measurable. 

  

Intangible Assets and Impairment of long Lived Assets

  

In accordance with ASC 350, intangible assets are carried at cost less accumulated amortization and impairment charges. Intangible assets are amortized on a straight-line basis over the expected useful lives of the assets, between three and ten years. Other intangible assets are reviewed for impairment in accordance with ASC 350, on an annual basis, or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of such assets may not be recoverable. Measurement of any impairment loss for long-lived assets and identifiable intangible assets that management expects to hold and use is based on the amount of the carrying value that exceeds the fair value of the asset.

 

Goodwill Impairment

 

On September 15, 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-08, Intangibles – Goodwill and Other, which simplifies how an entity is required to test goodwill for impairment. This ASU would allow an entity to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is necessary to perform the two-step quantitative goodwill impairment test. Under the ASU, an entity would not be required to calculate the fair value of a reporting unit unless the entity determines, based on a qualitative assessment, that it is more likely than not that its fair value is less than its carrying amount. The ASU includes a number of factors to consider in conducting the qualitative assessment. The ASU is effective for annual and interim goodwill impairment tests performed for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2011. The adoption of this accounting standard in 2011 had no material impact on the Company’s financial statements.

 

23
 

 

Results of Operations

 

Our results of operations for the quarter ended March 31, 2013, consisted of the operations of Elephant Talk Communications Corp., its wholly-owned subsidiaries, Elephant Talk Limited and its subsidiaries, Elephant Talk Europe Holding B.V. and its subsidiaries, Elephant Talk Group International B.V., Elephant Talk North America, ValidSoft Ltd and its subsidiaries.

 

Although the vast majority of our business activities are carried out in Euros, we report our financial statements in US dollars (“USD”). The conversion of Euros and USD leads to period-to-period fluctuations in our reported USD results arising from changes in the exchange rate between the USD and the Euro. Generally, when the USD strengthens relative to the Euro, it has an unfavorable impact on our reported revenue and income and a favorable impact on our reported expenses. Conversely, when the USD weakens relative to the Euro, it produces a favorable impact on our reported revenue and income, and an unfavorable impact on our reported expenses. The above fluctuations in the USD/Euro exchange rate therefore result in currency translation effects (not to be confused with real currency exchange effects), which impact our reported USD results and may make it difficult to determine actual increases and decreases in our revenue and expenses which are attributable to our actual operating activities. In addition to reporting changes in our financial statements in USD as per the requirements of United States generally accepted accounting principles (“US GAAP”), we also highlight the impact of any material currency translation effect by providing a comparison between periods on a constant currency basis, where the most recent USD/Euro exchange rate is applied to previous periods. Management believes that this allows for greater insight into the trends and changes in our business for the reported periods. Also, since we carry out our business activities primarily in Euros we do not currently engage in hedging activities.

 

If the constant currency analysis is presented within the comparison of the year-to-year results, it is calculated by using the average exchange rates over the first quarter 2013. The same exchange rates are used in the income statement for the quarter ended March 31, 2013. The following table shows the USD equivalent of the major currencies:

 

   USD equivalent 
Euro  $1.3204 
British Pound  $1.5524 

 

Adjusted EBITDA 

 

In order to provide investors additional information regarding our financial results, we are disclosing Adjusted EBITDA, a non-GAAP financial measure. We employ Adjusted EBITDA, defined as earnings before derivative accounting, such as warrant liabilities and conversion feature expensing, depreciation and amortization, non-operating income and expenses and stock-based compensation, for several purposes, including as a measure of our operating performance. We use Adjusted EBITDA because it removes the impact of items not directly resulting from our core operations, thus allowing us to better assess whether the elements of our growth strategy are yielding the desired results. Accordingly, we believe that Adjusted EBITDA provides useful information for investors and others which allows them to better understand and evaluate our operating results.

  

A reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to net loss, the most directly comparable measure under U.S. GAAP, for each of the fiscal periods indicated, is as follows:

 

   Three months ended March 31, 
EBITDA Adjusted  2013   2012 
Net loss  $(5,137,923)   (6,005,189)
Depreciation and amortization   1,319,988    1,278,469 
Stock-based compensation   1,410,910    1,691,746 
Interest income and expenses   190,032    (14,555)
Other income & expenses   768,152    171,322 
Adjusted EBITDA  $(1,448,841)   (2,878,207)

 

Comparison of three months ended March 31, 2013 and March 31, 2012

 

Revenue

Revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2013 was $6,596,500, a decrease of $1,984,468 or 23.1%, compared to $8,580,968 for the three months ended March 31, 2012. The landline services revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012 was $2,736,704 and $6,153,261, respectively, a decrease of $3,416,557. The decrease was due to the overall global trend of communication moving away from landline towards mobile and wireless. The mobile and security solutions revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2013 was $3,859,796, an increase of $1,432,089 from $2,427,707 for the same period 2012. The increase was mainly due to an increase of the subscriber base hosted on our platforms and additional revenue related to finalized projects and a new MNO customer.

 

24
 

 

   Three months ended March 31, 
   2013   2012 
Revenues  $6,596,500   $8,580,968 
Cost of service   3,548,277    6,889,217 
    3,048,223    1,691,751 

 

Mobile and security revenue increased as a percentage of total Company revenue to 58.5% in the first quarter of 2013 from 28.3% in the prior year period.

 

   Three months ended March 31, 
Revenue  2013   2012   Variance 
Landline Services  $2,736,704   $6,153,261   $(3,416,557)
Mobile & Security Solutions   3,859,796    2,427,707    1,432,089 
Total Revenue  $6,596,500   $8,580,968   $(1,984,468)

 

Cost of service

Cost of service for the three months ended March 31, 2013 was $3,548,277 a decrease of $3,340,940 or 48.5%, compared to $6,889,217 for the three months ended March 31, 2012. This decrease is related to the decline in landline revenue. Cost of service as a percentage of the total revenue was 53.8% and 80.3% for the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

 

Cost of service includes origination, termination, network and billing charges from telecommunications operators, out payment costs to content and information providers, network costs, data center costs, facility cost of hosting network and equipment and cost in providing resale arrangements with long distance service providers, cost of leasing transmission facilities, international gateway switches for voice, and data transmission services.

 

Management expects cost of service to decline further as a percentage of revenue as a greater proportion of future revenue is comprised of our mobile services and security solutions, which have a substantially lower cost of service than our traditional landline business.

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses

Selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expense for the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012 were $4,497,064 and $4,569,958, respectively, a decrease of $72,894 (or 1.6%). In the first quarter 2013, we continued with our cost reduction efforts. Selling, general and administrative stayed relatively stable, with relatively stable costs related to management and personnel despite an increase in full time employees.

 

Non-cash compensation to officers, directors, consultants and employees

Non-cash compensation for the three months ended March 31, 2013 was $1,410,910, a decrease of $280,836 or 16.6%, compared to $1,691,746 for the three months ended March 31, 2012. The decrease is caused by a number of factors such as lower non-cash compensation for board and management, board and management composition and reduced contractual terms of options granted under the company incentive scheme resulting in a lower fair market value of the options granted.

 

Non-cash compensation is comprised of:

 

  the 2008 Long-Term Incentive Plan;
  the expensing of the shares issued to under the 2008 Long-Term Incentive Plan to the board members and management in lieu of cash compensation at their election.

 

Depreciation and amortization

Depreciation and amortization expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2013 was $1,319,988 compared to $1,278,469 for the three months ended March 31, 2012. Depreciation and amortization expenses decreased by $41,519 (or 3.2%) in the first three months of 2012 compared to the same period 2012.

 

25
 

  

Intangible assets impairment charge

 

The March 31, 2013 consolidated balance sheet includes: $9.5 million of intangible assets, net, and $3.3 million of goodwill. Management updated its analysis of intangible assets and long-lived assets as of March 31, 2013 and we determined that for the first three months 2012 no asset impairment charges are necessary.

 

We have acquired several companies in the last few years and our current business strategy includes continuing to make additional acquisitions in the future. These acquisitions may continue to give rise to goodwill and other intangible assets which will need to be assessed for impairment from time to time.

 

Other Income and Expenses

Interest income for the three months ended March 31, 2013 was $33,720, a decrease of $71,442 (or 67.9%), compared to $105,162 from the same period 2012. The higher interest income from 2012 was related to the loans provided to three parties.

 

Interest expense for the three months ended March 31, 2013 was $223,752, an increase of $133,145 (or 146.9%), compared to $90,607 from the same period 2012. Interest expense related to debt discount and conversion feature for the three months ended March 31, 2013 was $558,028, an increase of $550,345, compared to $7,683 from the same period 2012. The amortization of deferred financing costs was $70,332, an increase of $66,355, compared to $3,977 from the same period 2012. All these changes are related to the 8% senior secured convertible note.

 

Other income was $0 and $163,331 for the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively. The other income for 2012 represented the equity in earnings of unconsolidated joint venture.

 

Change in fair value conversion feature

The change in fair value in conversion feature was ($139,792), a decrease of 143,461 in comparison with $3,669 from the same period 2012. 

  

Net Loss

Net loss for the three months ended March 31, 2013 was $5,137,923, a decrease of $867,266 (or 14.4%), compared to $6,005,189 from the same period 2012. The decrease in loss was led by the decrease in the loss from operations by $1,668,683. Loss from operations reduced because of increased revenues from our higher margin mobile and security business as well as due to lower non-cash compensation expenses. On the other hand, the total other expense of $958,184 worsened net loss.

 

Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

We record foreign currency translation gains and losses as other comprehensive income or loss. Other comprehensive Income (Loss) for the nine months ended March 31, 2013 and 2011 was ($761,762) and $869,783, respectively. This change is primarily attributable to the translation effect resulting from the substantial fluctuations in the US Dollars/Euro exchange rates.

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

We have an accumulated deficit of $208,398,230 as of March 31, 2013. Historically, we have relied on a combination of debt and equity financings to fund our on-going cash requirements. The Company’s operations have not yet resulted in positive cash flow and accordingly, management has been considering additional financing alternatives. In the first quarter 2013 we had an operational cash burn rate (estimated by us by using adjusted EBITDA) of around $400,000 to $500,000 per month, excluding working capital changes, capital expenditures. As of December 31, 2012 until March 31, 2013, we have used around $0.7 million of our cash the requirements of which were reduced through new contracted revenues as well as limiting working capital requirements through overall cash management and deferral of payables. The company intends to close additional financing in May 2013, though there can be no assurance that such financing will close in such period.

 

We estimate our additional cash requirements for the upcoming twelve months, including working capital requirements, certain losses, capital expenditures and debt servicing to be around $11 to $12 million, excluding acquisitions or accelerated contract roll-outs, but including around $7.5 million in principal and interest payments on our Convertible Notes.

 

However, if the Company is unable to secure additional capital, it may not be able to continue operations. As of March 31, 2013, these conditions raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. The financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.

 

Operating activities

 

Net cash used in operating activities for the three months ended March 31, 2013 was $302,812 compared to $1,886,794 in the same period 2012, a decrease of $1,583,982 (or 84.0%). This decrease is primarily attributable to increased revenues from our higher margin mobile and security business which led to lower loss from operations and resulted in lower net cash used in operating activities as well as reduced use of working capital.

 

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Investment activities

 

Net cash used in investment activities for the three months ended March 31, 2013 was $604,029, a decrease of $1,113,194, (or 66.8%) compared to $1,717,223 in the same period 2012. The decrease was attributable to a lower level of purchases of property and equipment by $285,746, as well as to the fact that in 2012 we provided loans to three parties.

 

Financing activities  

 

Net cash received by financing activities for the three months ended March 31, 2013 was $165,554 compared to $644,090 for the three months ended March 31, 2012.

 

As a result of the above activities from the first three months 2013, the Company had the cash and cash equivalents balance of $570,579 as of March 31, 2013, a net decrease in cash and cash equivalents of $662,689 since December 31, 2012.

 

Off- Balance Sheet Arrangements

 

The Company did not have any off-balance sheet arrangements that have or are reasonably likely to have a current or future effect on our financial condition, changes in financial condition, revenues or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources that is material to investors.

 

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure about Market Risks

 

Foreign currency exchange rate

As the vast majority of our business activities are carried out in Euros and we report our financial statements in US dollars, fluctuations in foreign currencies impact the total amount of assets and liabilities that we report for our foreign subsidiaries upon the translation of those amounts in US dollars. Since we carry out our business activities primarily in Euros we do not currently engage in hedging activities.

 

We do not believe that we currently have material exposure to interest rate, foreign currency exchange rate or other relevant market risks.

  

Contractual obligations

The contractual obligations are presented in the footnote 17, Commitments to the financial statements. Changes in our business needs, cancellation provisions and other factors may result in actual payments differing from these estimates.

 

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

 

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

 

As of March 31, 2013 the Company carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s management, including the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures, as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Based on the evaluation, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports it files or submits under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in Securities and Exchange Commission rules and forms and is accumulated and communicated to our management as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

  

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

 

There have been no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the Company’s fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2013 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

 

Rescission of the Purchase Agreement of March 31, 2004 of New Times Navigation Limited.

 

As previously described in our 2004 Annual Report we and New Times Navigation Limited mutually agreed to terminate this purchase agreement. We returned the received shares of New Times Navigation Limited to the concerned shareholders and received back 90,100 of our common stock out of the 204,000 issued by us for the purchase. In addition we issued 37 unsecured convertible promissory notes for a total amount of $3,600,000. On our request 21 notes were returned with a total value of $2,040,000.

 

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We are presently seeking relief from the High Court of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region against the holders of the unreturned shares to return a total of 113,900 common shares (valued at $381,565) and also to have them return the remaining 18 unsecured convertible promissory notes representing a total amount of $1,740,000 and rescind the purchase agreement. The case is currently pending.

 

Other.

 

The Company is involved in various claims incidental to our business.  In the opinion of management, the ultimate resolution of such claims will not have a material effect on our financial position, liquidity, or results of operations.

  

Item 1A. Risk Factors

 

In addition to the other information set forth in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, you should carefully consider the Risk Factors included in Part I, “Item 1A. — “Risk Factors” of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012. These Risk Factors could materially impact our business, financial condition and/or operating results. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently deem to be immaterial also may materially adversely impact our business, financial condition and/or operating results.

 

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

 

None.

 

Item 3. Defaults upon Senior Securities.

 

None.

 

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures

 

Not applicable.

 

Item 5. Other Information

 

None.

 

Item 6. Exhibits

 

(a) Exhibits

 

31.1   Certification of the CEO pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15(d)-14(a) on page 32. *
     
31.2   Certification of the CFO pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15(d)-14(a) on page 33. *
     
32.1   Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. §1350 as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 on page 34. *
     
32.2   Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. §1350 as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 on page 35. *
 101.INS   **   XBRL Instance Document
     
101.SCH **   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
     
101.CAL **   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
     
101.DEF **   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
     
101.LAB **   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
     
101.PRE **   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document

 

* filed herein.

** XBRL (Extensible Business Reporting Language) information is furnished and not filed or a part of a registration statement or prospectus for purposes of Sections 11 or 12 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, is deemed not filed for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and otherwise is not subject to liability under these sections.

 

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SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

 

  ELEPHANT TALK COMMUNICATIONS CORP.
     
Date: May 10, 2013 By /s/ Steven van der Velden
    Steven van der Velden
    President and Chief Executive Officer
    (Principal Executive Officer)
     
Date: May 10, 2013 By /s/ Mark Nije
    Mark Nije
    Chief Financial Officer
    (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

 

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