10-Q 1 t74291_10q.htm FORM 10-Q t74291_10q.htm


UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, DC 20549
 
FORM 10-Q
 
(Mark One)
   
x
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
   
 
For the quarterly period ended June 30, 2012
   
 
OR
   
o
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
   
 
For the transition period from  to
 
Commission File Number: 1-32362
 
OTELCO INC.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
 
Delaware
 
52-2126395
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or
 
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
Organization)
   
     
505 Third Avenue East, Oneonta, Alabama
 
35121
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
 
(Zip Code)
 
(205) 625-3574
(Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code)
 
N/A
(Former Name, Former Address and Former Fiscal Year, if Changed Since Last Report)
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
 
Yes x
No o
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).
 
Yes x
No o
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
 
Large accelerated filer o
Accelerated filer x
Non-accelerated filer o
Smaller reporting company o
 
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
 
Yes o
No x
 
APPLICABLE ONLY TO CORPORATE ISSUERS:
 
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.
 
Class
 
Outstanding at August 8, 2012
Class A Common Stock ($0.01 par value per share)
 
13,221,404
Class B Common Stock ($0.01 par value per share)
 
0
 
 
 

 

OTELCO INC.
FORM 10-Q
For the three month period ended June 30, 2012
TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
 
i

 

Unless the context otherwise requires, the words “we,” “us,” “our,” “the Company” and “Otelco” refer to Otelco Inc., a Delaware corporation, and its consolidated subsidiaries as of June 30, 2012.
 
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
 
This report contains forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements give our current expectations relating to our financial condition, results of operations, plans, objectives, future performance and business. These statements may include words such as “anticipate,” “estimate,” “expect,” “project,” “plan,” “intend,” “believe” and other words and terms of similar meaning in connection with any discussion of the timing or nature of future operating or financial performance or other events. These forward-looking statements are based on assumptions that we have made in light of our experience in the industry in which we operate, as well as our perceptions of historical trends, current conditions, expected future developments and other factors we believe are appropriate under the circumstances. Although we believe that these forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, you should be aware that many factors could affect our actual financial condition or results of operations and cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements.
 
 
1

 

 
Item 1.  
 
OTELCO INC.
 
   
December 31,
2011
 
June 30,
2012
Assets
           
Current assets
           
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 12,393,792     $ 22,982,962  
Accounts receivable:
               
Due from subscribers, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $260,568 and $230,872, respectively
    4,355,632       4,085,651  
Unbilled receivables
    2,183,465       2,163,482  
Other
    5,449,074       5,450,758  
Materials and supplies
    1,780,820       1,939,586  
Prepaid expenses
    1,328,475       1,223,321  
Deferred income taxes
    726,310       816,933  
Total current assets
    28,217,568       38,662,693  
                 
Property and equipment, net
    65,881,975       59,630,728  
Goodwill
    188,954,840       44,956,840  
Intangible assets, net
    20,545,691       10,328,865  
Investments
    1,943,805       1,931,049  
Deferred financing costs
    4,485,324       3,831,358  
Deferred income taxes
    7,454,443       7,575,073  
Other assets
    240,667       497,002  
Total assets
  $ 317,724,313     $ 167,413,608  
                 
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Deficit
               
Current liabilities
               
Accounts payable
  $ 1,490,717     $ 968,450  
Accrued expenses
    6,034,104       10,918,327  
Advance billings and payments
    1,590,689       1,599,186  
Deferred income taxes
    353,285       387,720  
Customer deposits
    143,657       137,342  
Total current liabilities
    9,612,452       14,011,025  
                 
Deferred income taxes
    48,112,384       22,951,513  
Interest rate swaps
    241,438       -  
Advance billings and payments
    615,584       815,205  
Other liabilities
    403,823       476,380  
Long-term notes payable
    271,106,387       271,049,888  
Total liabilities
    330,092,068       309,304,011  
Stockholders’ deficit
               
Class A  Common Stock, $.01 par value-authorized 20,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding 13,221,404 shares
    132,214       132,214  
Retained deficit
    (12,499,969 )     (142,022,617 )
Total stockholders’ deficit
    (12,367,755 )     (141,890,403 )
Total liabilities and stockholders’ deficit
  $ 317,724,313     $ 167,413,608  

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

 
 
OTELCO INC.
 
   
Three Months Ended
June 30,
 
Six Months Ended
June 30,
   
2011
 
2012
 
2011
 
2012
Revenues
  $ 25,501,062     $ 24,713,773     $ 50,893,060     $ 50,088,014  
                                 
Operating expenses
                               
Cost of services
    10,756,512       10,648,458       21,776,724       21,677,291  
Selling, general and administrative expenses
    2,909,960       3,623,941       6,237,017       6,830,018  
Depreciation and amortization
    4,507,979       5,882,402       10,231,997       10,404,995  
Long-lived assets impairment - PP&E
    -       2,874,000       -       2,874,000  
Long-lived assets impairment - intangibles
    -       5,748,000       -       5,748,000  
Goodwill impairment
    -       143,998,000       -       143,998,000  
Total operating expenses
    18,174,451       172,774,801       38,245,738       191,532,304  
                                 
Income (loss) from operations
    7,326,611       (148,061,028 )     12,647,322       (141,444,290 )
                                 
Other income (expense)
                               
Interest expense
    (6,199,172 )     (5,654,655 )     (12,369,303 )     (11,488,305 )
Change in fair value of derivatives
    480,086       -       986,241       241,438  
Other income (expense)
    33,148       (7,957 )     382,497       310,212  
Total other expenses
    (5,685,938 )     (5,662,612 )     (11,000,565 )     (10,936,655 )
                                 
Income (loss) before income tax
    1,640,673       (153,723,640 )     1,646,757       (152,380,945 )
Income tax benefit (expense)
    (357,396 )     25,713,027       (358,828 )     25,188,570  
                                 
Net income (loss) available to common stockholders
  $ 1,283,277     $ (128,010,613 )   $ 1,287,929     $ (127,192,375 )
                                 
Common shares outstanding
    13,221,404       13,221,404       13,221,404       13,221,404  
                                 
Net income (loss) per common share
  $ 0.10     $ (9.68 )   $ 0.10     $ (9.62 )
                                 
Dividends declared per common share
  $ 0.18     $ -     $ 0.35     $ 0.18  

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
 
 
3

 

OTELCO INC.
 
   
Six Months Ended
June 30,
   
2011
 
2012
Cash flows from operating activities:
           
Net income (loss)
  $ 1,287,929     $ (127,192,375 )
Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash flows from operating activities:
               
Depreciation
    5,829,266       5,475,268  
Amortization
    4,402,731       4,929,727  
Long lived assets impairment - PP&E
    -       2,874,000  
Long lived assets impairment - intangibles
    -       5,748,000  
Goodwill Impairment
    -       143,998,000  
Amortization of debt premium
    (50,319 )     (56,499 )
Amortization of loan costs
    684,048       684,048  
Change in fair value of derivatives
    (986,241 )     (241,438 )
Provision for deferred income tax benefit
    -       (25,337,689 )
Provision for uncollectible revenue
    322,029       201,950  
Changes in operating assets and liabilities; net of operating assets and liabilities acquired:
               
Accounts receivables
    (778,135 )     86,329  
Material and supplies
    (88,264 )     (158,766 )
Prepaid expenses and other assets
    345,828       (152,533 )
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
    (1,267,317 )     4,167,246  
Advance billings and payments
    (90,624 )     208,118  
Other liabilities
    (6,935 )     260,949  
Net cash from operating activities
    9,603,996       15,494,335  
                 
Cash flows used in investing activities:
               
Acquisition and construction of property and equipment
    (6,350,827 )     (2,544,811 )
Net cash used in investing activities
    (6,350,827 )     (2,544,811 )
                 
Cash flows used in financing activities:
               
Cash dividends paid
    (4,660,544 )     (2,330,272 )
Principal repayment of long-term debt
    (385,828 )     -  
Loan origination costs
    -       (30,082 )
Net cash used in financing activities
    (5,046,372 )     (2,360,354 )
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents
    (1,793,203 )     10,589,170  
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period
    18,226,374       12,393,792  
                 
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
  $ 16,433,171     $ 22,982,962  
                 
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
               
Interest paid
  $ 11,735,574     $ 10,860,755  
                 
Income taxes paid
  $ 158,003     $ 65,749  

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

 
4

 

JUNE 30, 2012
(unaudited)
 
1.             Organization and Basis of Financial Reporting
 
 Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation
 
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Otelco Inc. (the “Company”) and its subsidiaries, all of which are either directly or indirectly wholly owned. These include: Otelco Telecommunications LLC (“OTC”); Otelco Telephone LLC (“OTP”); Hopper Telecommunications LLC (“HTC”); Brindlee Mountain Telephone LLC (“BMTC”); Blountsville Telephone LLC (“BTC”); Otelco Mid-Missouri LLC (“MMT”) and its wholly owned subsidiary I-Land Internet Services LLC; Mid-Maine Telecom LLC (“MMTI”); Mid-Maine TelPlus LLC (“MMTP”); Granby Telephone LLC (“GTT”); War Telephone LLC (“WT”); Pine Tree Telephone LLC (“PTT”); Saco River Telephone LLC (“SRT”); Shoreham Telephone LLC (“ST”); CRC Communications LLC (“PTN”); and Communications Design Acquisition LLC (“CDAC”).
 
The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and all of the aforesaid subsidiaries after elimination of all material intercompany balances and transactions. The unaudited operating results for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2012 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2012 or any other period.
 
The consolidated financial statements and notes included in this Form 10-Q should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011. The interim consolidated financial information herein is unaudited. The information reflects all adjustments which are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair presentation of the financial position and results of operations for the periods included in the report.
 
 Recent Accounting Pronouncements
 
During 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2011-01 through 2011-12. Except for ASU 2011-04, ASU 2011-05, ASU 2011-08 and ASU 2011-09, which are discussed below, these ASUs provide technical corrections to existing guidance related to specialized industries or entities and therefore, have minimal, if any, impact on the Company.

In May 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-04, Amendments to Achieve Common Fair Value Measurements and Disclosure Requirements in U.S. GAAP and IFRSs (“ASU 2011-04”), an update to Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures (“ASC 820”). ASU 2011-04 provides guidance to change the wording used to describe many of the requirements in U.S. generally accepted accounting principles for measuring fair value and for disclosing information about fair value measurements. For public entities, ASU 2011-04 is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2011 and is to be applied prospectively. As ASU 2011-04 impacts presentation only, the adoption of this update did not impact our consolidated financial statements.

In June 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-05, Presentation of Comprehensive Income (“ASU 2011-05”) an update to ASC 220, Comprehensive Income. This ASU requires the components of net income and the components of other comprehensive income to be presented either in a single continuous statement of comprehensive income or in two separate but continuous statements. ASU 2011-05 eliminates the option to present components of other comprehensive income as part of the statement of changes in stockholders’ equity. This guidance does not change the items that must be reported in other comprehensive income, when an item of other comprehensive income must be reclassified to net income or how earnings per share is calculated or presented. ASU 2011-05 is effective for public entities for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2011. As ASU 2011-05 impacts presentation only, the adoption of this update did not impact our consolidated financial statements.

In September 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-08, Testing Goodwill for Impairment (“ASU 2011-08”), an update to ASC 350, Intangibles – Goodwill and Other (“ASC 350”). This ASU provides an entity with the option to first perform a qualitative assessment to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. If, after assessing the totality of events or circumstances, an entity determines it is not more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, then performing the two-step impairment test is unnecessary. However, if an entity concludes otherwise, then it is required to perform the first step of the two-step impairment test in accordance with ASC 350. ASU 2011-08 is effective for annual and interim goodwill impairment tests for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2011. As ASU 2011-08 impacts testing procedures only, the adoption of this update did not impact our consolidated financial statements.
 
 
5

 
 
In September 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-09, Disclosures about an Employer’s Participation in a Multiemployer Plan (“ASU 2011-09”), an update to ASC 715, Compensation – Retirement Benefits, subtopic 80, Multiemployer Plans. ASU 2011-09 requires additional disclosures for multiemployer pension plans and multiemployer other postretirement benefit plans. ASU 2011-09 is intended to create greater transparency in financial reporting by disclosing the commitments an employer has made to a multiemployer pension plan and the potential future cash flow implications of an employer’s participation in the plan. ASU 2011-09 is effective for public entities for annual periods with fiscal years ending after December 15, 2011. As ASU 2011-09 impacts disclosure only, the adoption of this update did not impact our consolidated financial statements.
 
2.             Impairments
 
ASC 350 requires that goodwill be tested for impairment annually, unless potential interim indicators exist that could result in impairment. During the second quarter of 2012, an interim goodwill impairment test was performed in response to changes in conditions since 2011 as revealed in the annual forecasting process. The forecast included the non-renewal of the Time Warner Cable (“TW”) contract beyond the expected expiration date of December 31, 2012, formal notification of which was received in June 2012, and the impact of the recent Federal Communications Commission reform. Forecasted operating profits were reduced below the levels projected during the fourth quarter of 2011 and first quarter of 2012. In addition, the market price of the Companys Income Deposit Securities (“IDSs”) dropped materially after the announcement of the non-renewal of the TW contract. 
 
The FCC’s Intercarrier Compensation order, issued in November 2011, will significantly change the way telecommunication carriers receive compensation for exchanging traffic. The size and complexity of this order and the lack of available guidance from the FCC regarding its implementation made evaluation of impact unclear. As the FCC has made clarifications available, the Company and  its consultant have been able to estimate the projected impact over the coming years. Over the next three years, all intrastate rates that exceed the interstate rate will be reduced to the interstate rate. Beginning in 2014, the interstate rate will be reduced over three years to “bill and keep” in which carriers bill their customers for services and keep those charges but neither pay for or receive compensation from traffic sent to or received from other carriers. In addition, subsidies to carriers serving high cost areas will be phased out over an extended period. These changes are expected to reduce access revenue beginning in July 2012.
 
Although the Company has only one reportable segment, it considers its three territories (Alabama, Missouri and New England) to be reporting units for purposes of testing for impairment of goodwill. The Company tests each reporting unit for possible goodwill impairment using the two step approach prescribed in ASC 350. Step one compares the fair value of each reporting unit to its carrying value. Fair value was calculated using a blended analysis of the income approach and the market approach of valuation. The Company believes the blended approach is the best method for determining fair value because this approach compensates for inherent risk associated with either model on a stand-alone basis. The process of evaluating the potential impairment of goodwill is subjective because it requires the use of estimates and assumptions. The impact of the non-renewal of the TW contract impacts the New England reporting unit. The impact of the FCC’s Intercarrier Compensation order impacts all three reporting units with the largest impact being in New England in 2012, Alabama in 2013 and all reporting units in 2014. In addition, the FCC’s Intercarrier Compensation order is likely to have an impact on the market valuation of all wireline telecommunications businesses, including the Company, as future revenue streams are reduced. The Companys IDSs have materially declined from their historical levels.
 
The income approach method utilized was the discounted cash flow method. This method requires the use of estimates and judgments about the future cash flows of the reporting units. Although cash flow forecasts are based on assumptions that are consistent with plans and estimates used to manage the underlying reporting units, there is significant judgment in determining the cash flows attributable to these reporting units, including markets and market share, sales volumes, tax rates, capital spending, discount rate and working capital changes. The market approach method employed in the analysis was the public company method. This method is based on a comparison of the Company to comparable publicly traded firms in similar lines of business. The estimates and judgments used to determine comparable companies include such factors as size, growth, profitability, risk and return on investment.
 
The Company determined that the fair value of the three reporting units was below its carrying value, which necessitated a step two review to determine whether or not to record a charge to goodwill impairment. The step two review involved determining the fair value of the identifiable net assets of each reporting unit, excluding goodwill, and comparing this to the fair value from step one. The Company performed its interim goodwill impairment testing as of April 30, 2012 and recorded impairment charges of $62,404,000, $12,071,000 and $69,523,000 to reduce the carrying value of goodwill to its implied fair value for its three reporting units Alabama, Missouri and New England, respectively. As of June 30, 2012, the Company determined that that no events or circumstances from April 30, 2012 through June 30, 2012 indicated that a further assessment was necessary.
 
 
6

 
 
The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill for the six months ended June 30, 2012, are as follows:
 
   
Alabama
Reporting Unit
 
Missouri
Reporting Unit
 
New England
Reporting Unit
 
Total
Balance as of December 31, 2011
                       
Goodwill
  $ 101,602,718     $ 17,829,122     $ 69,523,000     $ 188,954,840  
Accumulated impairment losses
    -       -       -       -  
      101,602,718       17,829,122       69,523,000       188,954,840  
                                 
Impairment losses quarter ended June 30, 2012
    62,404,000       12,071,000       69,523,000       143,998,000  
                                 
Balance as of June, 30 2012
                               
Goodwill
    101,602,718       17,829,122       69,523,000       188,954,840  
Accumulated impairment losses
    62,404,000       12,071,000       69,523,000       143,998,000  
Goodwill adjusted cost basis   $ 39,198,718     $ 5,758,122     $ -     $ 44,956,840  

During the impairment review noted above, the Company determined that the fair value of the New England reporting unit’s intangible assets was below its carrying value. Fair value of intangible assets was calculated using the income approach of valuation. The Company recorded an impairment charge of $5,748,000 to reduce the carrying value of intangible assets to its implied fair value for its New England reporting unit.
 
The changes in the carrying amount of intangible assets for the six months ended June 30, 2012, are as follows:
 
   
Alabama
Reporting Unit
 
Missouri
Reporting Unit
 
New England
Reporting Unit
 
Total
Balance as of December 31, 2011
                       
Intangible assets
  $ 128,441     $ 356,384     $ 20,060,866     $ 20,545,691  
Accumulated impairment losses
    -       -       -       -  
      128,441       356,384       20,060,866       20,545,691  
                                 
Amortization
    26,004       60,000       4,382,822       4,468,826  
Impairment losses quarter ended June 30, 2012
    -       -       5,748,000       5,748,000  
                                 
Balance as of June, 30 2012
                               
Intangible assets
    102,437       296,384       15,678,044       16,076,865  
Accumulated impairment losses
    -       -       5,748,000       5,748,000  
Intangible asset adjusted cost basis   $ 102,437     $ 296,384     $ 9,930,044     $ 10,328,865  

Intangible assets consist primarily of the value of customer related intangibles, non-competition agreements and long-term customer contracts. The Company’s intangible assets have a range of 1 to 15 years of useful lives and utilize both the sum-of-the-years’ digits and straight-line methods of amortization, as appropriate.
 
Expected amortization expense for the years ending December 31,

2012
  $ 8,127,299  
2013
    2,596,453  
2014
    1,203,289  
2015
    761,030  
2016
    523,611  
Thereafter
    1,586,009  
Total
  $ 14,797,691  

Prior to completing the ASC 350 testing, the Company determined the fair value of property and equipment in the New England reporting unit was below its carrying value in accordance with ASC 360, Property, Plant and Equipment. Fair value of property and equipment was calculated primarily by using the indirect cost approach. This method requires estimates and judgments about asset replacement cost, including physical deterioration, functional obsolescence and economic obsolescence. The Company recorded an impairment charge of $2,874,000 to reduce the carrying value of property and equipment to its implied fair value for its New England reporting unit.
 
3.             Acquisitions
 
On October 14, 2011, ST acquired 100% of the issued and outstanding common stock of Shoreham Telephone Company, Inc. (“STC”) and, immediately thereafter, merged STC with and into ST. ST provides telecommunications solutions, including voice, data and internet services, to residential and business customers in western Vermont.
 
 
7

 
 
The stock purchase agreement related to the acquisition of STC provided for cash consideration of $5,248,134, including the extinguishment of notes payable of $410,904 and accrued interest of $3,081, which were paid at closing. The excess of the purchase price over the fair value of identifiable assets and liabilities is reflected as goodwill of $764,761. As part of the goodwill impairment testing conducted during second quarter 2012, all goodwill in our New England reporting unit was determined to be impaired, including the goodwill associated with the STC acquisition.
 
The allocation of the net purchase price for the STC acquisition was as follows:

   
October 14, 2011
Cash
  $ 237,850  
Other current assets
    552,331  
Property and equipment
    4,529,760  
Intangible assets
    1,729,600  
Goodwill
    764,761  
Current liabilities
    (332,710 )
Deferred income tax liabilities
    (2,233,458 )
Purchase price
  $ 5,248,134  

The acquisition was recorded at fair value in accordance with ASC 805, Business Combinations, resulting in a plant acquisition adjustment in 2011. Property and equipment have depreciable lives consistent with those shown in note 7, Property and Equipment, below. The intangible assets at time of acquisition included regulated customer based assets at fair value of $1,672,200 which had remaining lives of 10 years; trade name fair valued at $16,200 which had a remaining life of 5 years; and a non-competition agreement fair valued at $41,200 which had a remaining life of 2 years. The acquisition was accounted for using the acquisition method of accounting and, accordingly, the accompanying consolidated financial statements include the financial position and results of operations from the date of acquisition.
 
The following unaudited pro forma information presents the combined results of operations of the Company as though the acquisition of STC had occurred at the beginning of 2011. The results include certain adjustments, including increased amortization expense related to intangible assets. The pro forma financial information does not necessarily reflect the results of operations had the acquisition been completed at the beginning of 2011 or those which may be obtained in the future.
 
   
Three Months
Ended
June 30,
2011
 
Six Months
Ended
June 30,
2011
Revenues
  $ 26,096,627     $ 52,103,882  
Income from operations
  $ 7,342,059     $ 12,668,711  
Net income
  $ 1,258,652     $ 1,273,893  
Basic net income per common share
  $ 0.10     $ 0.10  
 
4.             Derivative Activities
 
The Company utilized two interest rate swaps which matured on February 8, 2012. The first swap had a notional amount of $90 million with the Company paying a fixed rate of 1.85% and the counterparty paying a variable rate based upon the three month LIBOR interest rate. It was effective from February 9, 2009 through February 8, 2012. The second swap had a notional amount of $60 million with the Company paying a fixed rate of 2.0475% and the counterparty paying a variable rate based upon the three month LIBOR interest rate. It was effective from February 9, 2010 through February 8, 2012. From an accounting perspective, the documentation for both swaps did not meet the technical requirements of ASC 815, Derivatives and Hedging, to allow the swaps to be considered highly effective hedging instruments and therefore the swaps did not qualify for hedge accounting. The change in fair value of the swaps was charged or credited to income as a change in fair value of derivatives. Over the life of the swaps, the cumulative change in fair value was zero.
 
5.             Insurance
 
The Company adopted a high-deductible insurance program for health care benefits beginning in 2012. In addition, the Company changed from a premium based plan to self-insuring claims up to $125,000 per participant. With this change, an accrual for the estimated amount of self-insured healthcare claims incurred but not reported (“IBNR”) is required. The estimated accrual is based on information provided by the Company’s insurance broker, a third party actuary, and insurer, combined with management’s judgments regarding a number of assumptions and factors, including frequency and severity of claims, claims development history, case jurisdiction, related legislation and claims settlement practice. Significant judgment is required to estimate IBNR claims as parties have yet to assert such claims.
 
 
8

 
 
6.             Income (Loss) per Common Share
 
Income (loss) per common share is computed by dividing net income (loss) by the number of shares outstanding for the period. The Company does not have any outstanding stock arrangements that might be potentially dilutive.

A reconciliation of the Company’s income (loss) per common share calculation is as follows:
 
   
Three Months
Ended June 30,
 
Six Months
Ended June 30,
   
2011
 
2012
 
2011
 
2012
Common shares outstanding
    13,221,404       13,221,404       13,221,404       13,221,404  
                                 
Net income (loss) available to common stockholders
  $ 1,283,277     $ (128,010,613 )   $ 1,287,929     $ (127,192,375 )
                                 
Net income (loss) per common share
  $ 0.10     $ (9.68 )   $ 0.10     $ (9.62 )

7.             Property and Equipment
 
Other than those assets that have been written down to their fair values due to impairment, property and equipment purchased is reported at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation of regulated property and equipment is computed principally using the straight-line method over useful lives determined by the Alabama Public Service Commission (the “APSC”), the Maine Public Utilities Commission (the “MPUC”), the Massachusetts Department of Telecommunications and Cable (the “MDTC”), the Missouri Public Service Commission (the “MPSC”), the New Hampshire Public Utilities Commission (the “NHPUC”), the Vermont Public Service Board (the “VPSB”) and the West Virginia Public Service Commission (the “WVPSC”). Depreciation of unregulated property and equipment primarily employs the straight-line method over industry standard useful lives.
 
Property and equipment are composed of the following:

   
 
             
   
Estimated
Life
 
December 31, 2011
 
June 30, 2012
                   
Land
        $ 1,156,843     $ 1,156,843  
Building and improvements
    20-40       12,246,942       12,254,667  
Telephone equipment
    6-20       227,825,837       220,807,755  
Cable television equipment
    7       10,918,212       11,001,522  
Furniture and equipment
    8-14       2,967,336       2,971,952  
Vehicles
    7-9       6,089,631       6,075,952  
Computer software equipment
    5-7       15,590,698       15,602,392  
Internet equipment
    5       3,923,314       3,911,180  
Total property, plant and equipment
            280,718,813       273,782,263  
Accumulated depreciation
            (214,836,838 )     (214,151,535 )
Net property, plant and equipment
          $ 65,881,975     $ 59,630,728  

8.             Fair Value Measurement
 
The Company adopted ASC 820, which defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value and requires additional disclosures about fair value measurements. The framework that is set forth in this standard is applicable to the fair value measurements where it is permitted or required under other accounting pronouncements.
 
 
9

 
 
ASC 820 defines fair value as the exit price, which is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in a transaction between market participants at the measurement date. ASC 820 establishes a three-tier fair value hierarchy that prioritizes inputs to valuation techniques used for fair value measurement.
 
Level 1 consists of observable market data in an active market for identical assets or liabilities.
 
Level 2 consists of observable market data, other than that included in Level 1, that is either directly or indirectly observable.
 
Level 3 consists of unobservable market data. The input may reflect the assumptions of the Company, not a market participant, if there is little available market data and the Company’s own assumptions are considered by management to be the best available information.
 
In accordance with ASC 820, the following tables represent the Company’s fair value hierarchy for its financial assets and liabilities:
 
   
December 31, 2011
   
Fair Value
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
                         
Liabilities
                       
Interest rate swaps
  $ 241,438     $ -     $ 241,438     $ -  
Total liabilities
  $ 241,438     $ -     $ 241,438     $ -  

   
June 30, 2012
   
Fair Value
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
                         
Liabilities
                       
Interest rate swaps
  $ -     $ -     $ -     $ -  
Long-term notes payable
    261,915,995       -       103,497,657       158,418,338  
Total liabilities
  $ 261,915,995     $ -     $ 103,497,657     $ 158,418,338  

The interest rate swaps were valued at the end of 2011 based on available market information. The Company’s two interest rate swaps matured on February 8, 2012. See note 4, Derivative Activities, above. The Company’s long-term notes payable consist of a term credit facility, senior subordinated notes as a component of the Company’s IDSs and senior subordinated notes held separately. The Company assessed the fair value of the senior subordinated notes, both held as a component of the Company’s IDSs and held separately, using quoted market prices for notes with similar terms and maturities. Fair value of the term credit facility was calculated using the Company’s assumptions on interest rate risk related to expected future cash flows. The terms and agreements of long-term debt are consistent with those contained in the notes to the Company’s consolidated financial statements included in the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011.
 
Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Nonrecurring Basis

The Company recorded fair value adjustments totaling approximately $153 million during the second quarter of 2012. Fair value adjustments, based on hierarchy input Level 3, reduced the carrying value of property and equipment, goodwill and intangible assets. Fair value was determined using the income, market and replacement cost approaches to valuation.

The following table presents the Company’s fair value hierarchy for its financial assets and liabilities on a nonrecurring basis:
 
         
Fair Value Measurements Using
   
June 30, 2012
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Total Impairments
Description
                             
Property and equipment, net
  $ 59,630,728     $ -     $ -     $ 59,630,728     $ (2,874,000 )
Goodwill
    44,956,840       -       -       44,956,840       (143,998,000 )
Intangible assets, net
    10,328,865       -       -       10,328,865       (5,748,000 )
                                    $ (152,620,000 )
 
 
10

 
 
The change in fair value from April 30, 2012 to June 30, 2012 is not material, as additions during that period are at fair value.

9.             Subsidiary Guarantees
 
On October 1, 2011, MMT became a guarantor of the Company’s senior subordinated notes and on October 14, 2011, ST became a guarantor of the Company’s senior subordinated notes.

The Company has no independent assets or operations separate from its operating subsidiaries. The guarantees of its senior subordinated notes by 14 of its 15 operating subsidiaries are full and unconditional, joint and several. The operating subsidiaries have no independent long-term notes payable. There are no significant restrictions on the ability of the Company to obtain funds from its operating subsidiaries by dividend or loan. The condensed consolidated financial information is provided for the guarantor entities.

The following tables present condensed consolidating balance sheets as of December 31, 2011 and June 30, 2012; condensed consolidating statements of operations for the three months ended June 30, 2011 and 2012; condensed consolidating statements of operations for the six months ended June 30, 2011 and 2012; and condensed consolidating statements of cash flows for the six months ended June 30, 2011 and 2012.
 
 
11

 
 
Otelco Inc.
Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet
December 31, 2011
 
 
   
Parent
 
Guarantor
Subsidiaries
 
Non-
Guarantor
Subsidiaries
 
Eliminations
 
Consolidated
ASSETS
                             
                               
Current assets
                             
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ -     $ 12,393,441     $ 351     $ -     $ 12,393,792  
Accounts receivable, net
    -       11,445,049       543,122       -       11,988,171  
Materials and supplies
    -       827,194       953,626       -       1,780,820  
Prepaid expenses
    194,244       1,115,339       18,892       -       1,328,475  
Income tax receivables
    -       -       -       -       -  
Deferred income taxes
    726,310       -       -       -       726,310  
Investment in subsidiaries
    147,614,140       -       -       (147,614,140 )     -  
Intercompany receivable
    (154,849,721 )     (688,391 )     688,391       154,849,721       -  
Total current assets
    (6,315,027 )     25,092,632       2,204,382       7,235,581       28,217,568  
                                         
Property and equipment, net
    -       64,524,981       1,356,994       -       65,881,975  
Goodwill
    239,970,317       (47,435,761 )     (3,579,716 )     -       188,954,840  
Intangible assets, net
    -       18,186,227       2,359,464       -       20,545,691  
Investments
    1,203,605       432,186       308,014       -       1,943,805  
Deferred income taxes
    7,454,443       -       -       -       7,454,443  
Other long-term assets
    4,485,324       240,667       -       -       4,725,991  
                                         
Total assets
  $ 246,798,662     $ 61,040,932     $ 2,649,138     $ 7,235,581     $ 317,724,313  
                                         
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (DEFICIT)
 
                                         
Current liabilities
                                       
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
  $ 1,306,872     $ 4,793,854     $ 1,424,095     $ -     $ 7,524,821  
Intercompany payables
    -       (154,849,721 )     -       154,849,721       -  
Other current liabilities
    353,285       1,668,933       65,413       -       2,087,631  
Total current liabilities
    1,660,157       (148,386,934 )     1,489,508       154,849,721       9,612,452  
                                         
Deferred income taxes
    26,421,911       20,354,646       1,335,827       -       48,112,384  
Other liabilities
    241,438       1,019,407       -       -       1,260,845  
Long-term notes payable
    230,842,911       40,263,476       -       -       271,106,387  
Derivative liability
    -       -       -       -       -  
Class B common convertible to senior subordinated notes
    -       -       -       -       -  
Stockholders’ equity (deficit)
    (12,367,755 )     147,790,337       (176,197 )     (147,614,140 )     (12,367,755 )
                                         
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity (deficit)
  $ 246,798,662     $ 61,040,932     $ 2,649,138     $ 7,235,581     $ 317,724,313  

 
12

 

Otelco Inc.
Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet
June 30, 2012
 
   
Parent
 
Guarantor
Subsidiaries
 
Non-
Guarantor
Subsidiaries
 
Eliminations
 
Consolidated
ASSETS
                             
                               
Current assets
                             
                               
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ -     $ 22,982,612     $ 350     $ -     $ 22,982,962  
Accounts receivable, net
    -       11,124,179       575,712       -       11,699,891  
Materials and supplies
    -       976,965       962,621       -       1,939,586  
Prepaid expenses
    159,215       1,047,955       16,151       -       1,223,321  
Income tax receivables
    -       -       -       -       -  
Deferred income taxes
    816,933       -       -       -       816,933  
Investment in subsidiaries
    29,831,815       -       -       (29,831,815 )     -  
Intercompany receivable
    (188,162,039 )     (13,673,215 )     13,673,215       188,162,039       -  
Total current assets
    (157,354,076 )     22,458,496       15,228,049       158,330,224       38,662,693  
                                         
Property and equipment, net
    -       58,331,683       1,299,045       -       59,630,728  
Goodwill
    239,970,317       (121,910,761 )     (73,102,716 )     -       44,956,840  
Intangible assets, net
    -       9,174,518       1,154,347       -       10,328,865  
Investments
    1,203,605       419,430       308,014       -       1,931,049  
Deferred income taxes
    7,575,073       -       -       -       7,575,073  
Other long-term assets
    3,831,358       497,002       -       -       4,328,360  
                                         
Total assets
  $ 95,226,277     $ (31,029,632 )   $ (55,113,261 )   $ 158,330,224     $ 167,413,608  
                                         
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (DEFICIT)
 
                                         
Current liabilities
                                       
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
  $ 4,681,508     $ 5,743,654     $ 1,461,615     $ -     $ 11,886,777  
Intercompany payables
    -       (188,162,039 )     -       188,162,039       -  
Other current liabilities
    387,720       1,670,213       66,315       -       2,124,248  
Total current liabilities
    5,069,228       (180,748,172 )     1,527,930       188,162,039       14,011,025  
                                         
Deferred income taxes
    1,261,040       20,354,646       1,335,827       -       22,951,513  
Other liabilities
    -       1,291,585       -       -       1,291,585  
Long-term notes payable
    230,786,412       40,263,476       -       -       271,049,888  
Derivative liability
    -       -       -       -       -  
Class B common convertible to senior subordinated notes
    -       -       -       -       -  
Stockholders’ equity (deficit)
    (141,890,403 )     87,808,833       (57,977,018 )     (29,831,815 )     (141,890,403 )
                                         
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity (deficit)
  $ 95,226,277     $ (31,029,632 )   $ (55,113,261 )   $ 158,330,224     $ 167,413,608  

 
13

 

Otelco Inc.
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations
For the Three Months Ended June 30, 2011
 
 
   
Parent
 
Guarantor
Subsidiaries
 
Non-
Guarantor
Subsidiaries
 
Eliminations
 
Consolidated
                                         
Revenues
  $ 683,089     $ 24,865,811     $ 2,548,932     $ (2,596,770 )   $ 25,501,062  
Operating expenses
    (683,090 )     (18,233,881 )     (1,854,250 )     2,596,770       (18,174,451 )
Income from operations
    (1 )     6,631,930       694,682       -       7,326,611  
Other income (expense)
    (5,619,690 )     (69,270 )     3,022       -       (5,685,938 )
Earnings from subsidiaries
    7,260,364       (389,568 )     -       (6,870,796 )     -  
Income before income tax
    1,640,673       6,173,092       697,704       (6,870,796 )     1,640,673  
Income tax expense
    (357,396 )     -       -       -       (357,396 )
                                         
Net income to common stockholders
  $ 1,283,277     $ 6,173,092     $ 697,704     $ (6,870,796 )   $ 1,283,277  
 
Otelco Inc.
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations
For the Three Months Ended June 30, 2012
 
 
   
Parent
 
Guarantor
Subsidiaries
 
Non-
Guarantor
Subsidiaries
 
Eliminations
 
Consolidated
                                         
Revenues
  $ 877,393     $ 22,839,200     $ 997,180     $ -     $ 24,713,773  
Operating expenses
    (1,238,577 )     (100,061,115 )     (71,475,109 )     -       (172,774,801 )
Loss from operations
    (361,184 )     (77,221,915 )     (70,477,929 )     -       (148,061,028 )
Other expense
    (5,645,580 )     (16,999 )     (33 )     -       (5,662,612 )
Loss from subsidiaries
    (123,867,371 )     -       -       123,867,371       -  
Loss before income tax
    (129,874,135 )     (77,238,914 )     (70,477,962 )     123,867,371       (153,723,640 )
Income tax benefit
    1,863,522       11,328,061       12,521,444       -       25,713,027  
                                         
Net loss to common stockholders
  $ (128,010,613 )   $ (65,910,853 )   $ (57,956,518 )   $ 123,867,371     $ (128,010,613 )
 
Otelco Inc.
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations
For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2011
 
 
   
Parent
 
Guarantor
Subsidiaries
 
Non-
Guarantor
Subsidiaries
 
Eliminations
 
Consolidated
                                         
Revenues
  $ 1,567,352     $ 49,653,245     $ 5,123,906     $ (5,451,443 )   $ 50,893,060  
Operating expenses
    (1,567,353 )     (37,892,644 )     (4,237,184 )     5,451,443       (38,245,738 )
Income (loss) from operations
    (1 )     11,760,601       886,722       -       12,647,322  
Other income (expense)
    (10,853,003 )     (150,555 )     2,993       -       (11,000,565 )
Earnings from subsidiaries
    12,499,761       -       -       (12,499,761 )     -  
Income before income tax
    1,646,757       11,610,046       889,715       (12,499,761 )     1,646,757  
Income tax expense
    (358,828 )     -       -       -       (358,828 )
                                         
Net income to common stockholders
  $ 1,287,929     $ 11,610,046     $ 889,715     $ (12,499,761 )   $ 1,287,929  

 
14

 

Otelco Inc.
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations
For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2012
 
 
   
Parent
 
Guarantor
Subsidiaries
 
Non-
Guarantor
Subsidiaries
 
Eliminations
 
Consolidated
Revenues
  $ 1,758,180     $ 46,299,560     $ 2,030,274     $ -     $ 50,088,014  
Operating expenses
    (2,119,364 )     (117,060,439 )     (72,352,501 )     -       (191,532,304 )
Loss from operations
    (361,184 )     (70,760,879 )     (70,322,227 )     -       (141,444,290 )
Other expense
    (10,912,387 )     (24,228 )     (40 )     -       (10,936,655 )
Loss from subsidiaries
    (117,782,326 )     -       -       117,782,326       -  
Loss before income tax
    (129,055,897 )     (70,785,107 )     (70,322,267 )     117,782,326       (152,380,945 )
Income tax benefit
    1,863,522       10,803,604       12,521,444       -       25,188,570  
                                         
Net loss to common stockholders
  $ (127,192,375 )   $ (59,981,503 )   $ (57,800,823 )   $ 117,782,326     $ (127,192,375 )
 
Otelco Inc.
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows
For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2011
 
 
   
Parent
 
Guarantor
Subsidiaries
 
Non-
Guarantor
Subsidiaries
 
Eliminations
 
Consolidated
                               
Cash flows from operating activities:
                             
Net income
  $ 1,287,929     $ 11,610,044     $ 889,715     $ (12,499,759 )   $ 1,287,929  
Adjustment to reconcile net income to cash flows from operating activities
    (352,512 )     9,096,406       1,457,621       -       10,201,515  
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of assets and liabilities acquired
    16,916,630       (17,252,429 )     (1,549,649 )     -       (1,885,448 )
Net cash provided by operating activities
    17,852,047       3,454,021       797,687       (12,499,759 )     9,603,996  
Cash flows used in investing activities
    (305,914 )     (5,603,515 )     (441,398 )     -       (6,350,827 )
Cash flows provided by (used in) financing activities
    (17,546,133 )     2       -       12,499,759       (5,046,372 )
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
    -       (2,149,492 )     356,289       -       (1,793,203 )
                                         
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period
    -       18,064,970       161,404       -       18,226,374  
                                         
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
  $ -     $ 15,915,478     $ 517,693     $ -     $ 16,433,171  

 
15

 

Otelco Inc.
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows
For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2012
 
 
   
Parent
 
Guarantor
Subsidiaries
 
Non-
Guarantor
Subsidiaries
 
Eliminations
 
Consolidated
                               
Cash flows from operating activities:
                             
Net loss
  $ (127,192,375 )   $ (110,656,881 )   $ (57,800,824 )   $ 168,457,705     $ (127,192,375 )
Adjustment to reconcile net loss to cash flows from operating activities
    386,111       66,889,287       70,999,969       -       138,275,367  
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of assets and liabilities acquired
    36,721,983       (19,302,133 )     (13,008,507 )     -       4,411,343  
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
    (90,084,281 )     (63,069,727 )     190,638       168,457,705       15,494,335  
Cash flows used in investing activities
    -       (2,354,173 )     (190,638 )     -       (2,544,811 )
Cash flows used in financing activities
    90,084,281       76,013,070       -       (168,457,705 )     (2,360,354 )
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents
    -       10,589,170       -       -       10,589,170  
                                         
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period
    -       12,393,442       350       -       12,393,792  
                                         
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
  $ -     $ 22,982,612     $ 350     $ -     $ 22,982,962  

10.          Revenue Concentrations
 
Revenues for interstate access services are based on reimbursement of costs and an allowed rate of return. Revenues of this nature are received from the National Exchange Carrier Association in the form of monthly settlements. Such revenues amounted to 9.5% and 9.3% of the Company’s total revenues for the six months ended June 30, 2011 and 2012, respectively.

The Company has a contract through 2012 with TW for the provision of wholesale network connections to TW’s customers in Maine and New Hampshire. Revenue received directly from TW represented approximately 11.6% and 12.1% of the Company’s consolidated revenue for the six months ended June 30, 2011 and 2012, respectively. Additionally, other unrelated telecommunications providers pay the Company access revenue for terminating calls through the Company to TW’s customers, representing approximately 3% to 4% of the Company’s consolidated revenue for the six months ended June 30, 2011 and 2012.
 
On April 20, 2012, the Company announced that TW had indicated that it will not renew its existing contract for wholesale network connections provided by the Company. Formal notification of non-renewal was received in June 2012. Accordingly, this contract will expire on December 31, 2012; we are currently negotiating an expected six month transition period into 2013 during which customers will be moved to TW’s facilities.
 
11.          Commitments and Contingencies
 
From time to time, we may be involved in various claims, legal actions and regulatory proceedings incidental to and in the ordinary course of business, including administrative hearings of the APSC, the MPUC, the MDTC, the MPSC, the NHPUC, the VPSB and the WVPSC relating primarily to rate making. Currently, none of the legal proceedings are expected to have a material adverse effect on our business.
 
12.          Subsequent Events
 
On August 7, 2012, the Company announced that its board of directors had exercised its contractual right under the indenture governing the Company’s senior subordinated notes to defer interest on the senior subordinated notes for the third quarter 2012. Under the indenture, the Company’s board of directors is permitted to defer interest on up to four occasions with respect to up to two quarters per occasion before resuming interest payments, including paying interest on the deferred interest. The deferral of the interest for third quarter 2012 will conserve $3.5 million in cash.
 
 
16

 

 
Overview
 
General
 
We operate eleven rural local exchange carriers (“RLECs”) serving subscribers in north central Alabama, central Maine, western Massachusetts, central Missouri, western Vermont and southern West Virginia. We are the sole wireline telephone services provider for many of the rural communities we serve. We also operate a competitive local exchange carrier (“CLEC”) serving subscribers throughout the states of Maine and New Hampshire. Our services include local and long distance telephone services, network access, other telephone related services, cable and satellite television (in some markets) and internet access. We view, manage and evaluate the results of operations from the various telecommunications services as one company and therefore have identified one reporting segment as it relates to providing segment information.
 
As of June 30, 2012, we operated approximately 101,184 access line equivalents and supplied an additional 161,997 wholesale network connections, primarily to Time Warner Cable (“TW”). On April 20, 2012, we announced that TW had indicated that it will not renew its existing contract for wholesale network connections provided by us. Formal notification of non-renewal was received in June 2012. Accordingly, this contract will expire on December 31, 2012; we are currently negotiating an expected six month transition period into 2013 during which customers will be moved to TW’s facilities. Revenue received directly from TW represented approximately 11.6% and 12.1% of our consolidated revenue for the six months ended June 30, 2011 and 2012, respectively. Additionally, other unrelated telecommunications providers pay us access revenue for terminating calls through us to TW’s customers representing another 3% to 4% of our revenue.
 
The Federal Communications Commission (the “FCC”) issued its Universal Service Fund and Intercarrier Compensation (“ICC”) order in November 2011. This order makes substantial changes in the way telecommunications carriers are compensated for serving high cost areas and for completing traffic with other carriers. As the FCC has interpreted the implementation process for this order since its issuance, it has become clear that there will be significant impacts on our business, beginning in July 2012. The initial impact is expected to reduce access revenue from intrastate calling in Maine (and other states where intrastate rates are higher than interstate rates) in our CLEC. The impact of this order in conjunction with the non-renewal of the TW contract is expected to reduce our revenue and net income in the coming years.

On April 20, 2012, the board of directors announced the suspension of dividends on our common stock, as well as the non-renewal of the TW contract and the impact of the FCCs ICC order. Since that announcement, the Company’s Income Deposit Securities (“IDSs”) have traded significantly below their historical trading range. On August 7, 2012, the Company announced that its board of directors had exercised its contractual right under the indenture governing the Company’s senior subordinated notes to defer interest on the senior subordinated notes for the third quarter 2012. Under the indenture, the Company’s board of directors is permitted to defer interest on up to four occasions with respect to up to two quarters per occasion before resuming interest payments, including interest on the deferred interest. Both actions will conserve cash. The Company has engaged Evercore Partners, an investment banking firm, to assist us in exploring our strategic alternatives to address our existing levels of debt and to strengthen our balance sheet. Evercore Partners’ areas of expertise include debt and capital market transactions, restructuring of balance sheet obligations and mergers and acquisitions advice.
 
Our acquisition of all of the issued and outstanding capital stock of Shoreham Telephone Company, Inc. (“STC”), a privately-held integrated telecommunications services provider serving customers in western Vermont, on October 14, 2011 added approximately 5,100 access line equivalents on that date.
 
Our core businesses are local and long distance telecommunications services, wholesale access to the local and long distance network and network access to other wireline, long distance and wireless carriers for calls originated or terminated on our network. Our core businesses generated approximately 76.5% of our total revenues in the second quarter of 2012. We also provide cable and satellite television service in some markets and digital high-speed data lines and residual dial-up internet access in all of our markets.
 
The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with our financial statements and the related notes included in Item 1 of Part I and the other financial information appearing elsewhere in this report. The following discussion and analysis addresses our financial condition and results of operations on a consolidated basis.
 
Revenue Sources
 
We offer a wide range of telecommunications and entertainment services to our subscribers. More than half of our residential customers receive packages of services that are delivered and billed together. Our CLEC subscribers contract with us for selected services that meet their specific telecommunications requirements. Our revenues are derived from five sources:
 
 
17

 
 
Local services. We receive revenues from providing local exchange telecommunications services in our eleven rural territories, from the wholesale network services in New England and on a competitive basis throughout Maine and New Hampshire. These revenues include monthly subscription charges for basic service, calling beyond the local territory on a fixed price and on a per minute basis, local private line services and enhanced calling features, such as voicemail, caller identification, call waiting and call forwarding. We also provide billing and collections services for other carriers under contract and receive revenues from directory advertising. A growing portion of our rural subscribers take bundled service plans which include multiple services, including unlimited domestic calling, for a flat monthly fee.
 
Network access. We receive revenues from charges established to compensate us for the origination, transport and termination of calls of long distance and other interexchange carriers. These include subscriber line charges imposed on end users and switched and special access charges paid by carriers. Switched access charges for long distance services within Alabama, Maine, Massachusetts, Missouri, New Hampshire, Vermont and West Virginia are based on rates approved by the Alabama Public Service Commission, the Maine Public Utilities Commission (the “MPUC”), the Massachusetts Department of Telecommunications and Cable, the Missouri Public Service Commission, the New Hampshire Public Utilities Commission (the “NHPUC”), the Vermont Public Service Board and the West Virginia Public Service Commission, respectively, where appropriate. Switched and special access charges for interstate and international services are based on rates approved by the FCC. The FCC’s ICC order will significantly change the way telecommunication carriers receive compensation for exchanging traffic. Over the next three years, all intrastate rates that exceed the interstate rate will be reduced to the interstate rate. Beginning in 2014, the interstate rate will be reduced over three years to “bill and keep” in which carriers bill their customers for services and keep those charges but neither pay for or receive compensation from traffic sent to or received from other carriers. In addition, subsidies to carriers serving high cost areas will be phased out over an extended period. These changes will reduce access revenue beginning in July 2012.
 
Cable television. We offer basic, digital, high-definition, digital video recording and pay per view cable television services to the majority of our telephone service territory in Alabama, including Internet Protocol television (“IPTV”) and Video on Demand (“VOD”). We are a reseller of satellite services for DirecTV in Missouri.
 
Internet. We receive revenues from monthly recurring charges for digital high-speed data lines, dial-up internet access and ancillary services such as web hosting and computer virus protection.
 
Transport. We receive monthly recurring revenues for the rental of fiber to transport data and other telecommunications services in New England.
 
Voice and Data Access Line Trends
 
The number of access lines served is a fundamental factor in determining revenue stability for a telecommunications provider. Reflecting a general trend in the RLEC industry, the number of rural voice access lines we serve has been decreasing gradually when normalized for territory acquisitions. We expect that this trend will continue, and may be potentially impacted by the effect of the economy on our customers. These trends will be partially offset by the growth of data access lines, also called digital high-speed internet access service. Our competitive carrier voice and data access lines have grown as we continue to further penetrate our chosen markets. Our ability to continue this growth and our response to the rural trends will have an important impact on our future revenues. Our primary strategy consists of leveraging our strong incumbent market position, selling additional services to our rural customer base and providing better service and support levels than the incumbent carrier to our competitive customer base.
 
 
18

 
 
Key Operating Statistics(1)
                             
(Unaudited)
                         
Quarterly %
Change from
   
December 31,
 
March 31,
 
June 30,
   
2010
 
2011
 
2012
 
2012
 
March 31, 2012
Otelco access line equivalents(2)
    99,639       102,378       101,885       101,184       (0.7 )%
                                         
RLEC and other services:
                                       
Voice access lines
    45,461       46,202       45,200       44,546       (1.4 )%
Data access lines
    20,852       22,904       23,105       23,156       0.2 %
Access line equivalents(2)
    66,313       69,106       68,305       67,702       (0.9 )%
Cable television customers
    4,227       4,201       4,216       4,163       (1.3 )%
Satellite television customers
    125       226       229       231       0.9 %
Additional internet customers
    6,975       5,414       5,159       4,896       (5.1 )%
RLEC dial-up
    393       301       273       248       (9.2 )%
Other dial-up
    4,300       2,797       2,501       2,266       (9.4 )%
Other data lines
    2,282       2,316       2,385       2,382       (0.1 )%
                                         
CLEC:
                                       
Voice access lines
    29,944       30,189       30,476       30,355       (0.4 )%
Data access lines
    3,382       3,082       3,104       3,127       0.7 %
Access line equivalents(2)
    33,326       33,271       33,580       33,482       (0.3 )%
Wholesale network connections(3)
    149,043       157,144       159,560       161,766       1.4 %
                                           

(1)
We acquired STC on October 14, 2011. At December 31, 2011, STC’s successor, Shoreham Telephone LLC, had 3,309 voice access lines and 1,672 data access lines, or 4,981 access line equivalents, and 55 dial-up internet customers which are included in the Key Operating Statistics.
(2)
We define access line equivalents as voice access lines and data access lines (including cable modems, digital subscriber lines and dedicated data access trunks).
(3)
TW is the source for approximately 98% of wholesale network connections.

In our RLEC territories, access line equivalents decreased by 603 during second quarter 2012, or 0.9%, compared to March 31, 2012. Voice access lines declined 1.4% while data access lines increased by 0.2% during the period. We offer location specific bundled service packages, many including unlimited domestic calling, tailored to the telecommunications requirements of our customers and priced competitively.
 
In our Maine and New Hampshire CLEC operations, access line equivalents decreased by 98 during second quarter 2012, or 0.3%, compared to March 31, 2012. Voice access lines decreased 0.4% and data access lines increased 0.7% during the period. Our hosted private branch exchange (“PBX”) product continues to grow with positive market acceptance, adding approximately 535 seats at 63 locations during second quarter 2012. Virtually all of our competitive customers are businesses, with service bundles tailored to their specific business requirements.
 
Competitive pricing and bundling of services have led Otelco’s long distance service to be the choice of the majority of the customers in the rural markets we serve. In addition, almost all of our Maine and New Hampshire CLEC customers have selected us as their long distance carrier. Our cable television customers decreased 1.3% from March 31, 2012 to 4,163 as of June 30, 2012. The decrease was in basic cable customers. Our other internet customers decreased 5.1% to 4,896 as of June 30, 2012 compared to March 31, 2012. This also includes the subscribers we service outside of our RLEC telephone service area throughout Missouri and Maine, reflecting the shift to digital high-speed internet services. In Missouri, we are continuing the expansion of our data access lines for digital high-speed internet in selected areas outside of our telephone service territory. Approximately 48% of the other internet customers are served by high-speed data capability from Otelco.
 
Our Rate and Pricing Structure
 
Our CLEC pricing is based on market requirements. We combine varying services to meet individual customer requirements, including technical support, and provide multi-year contracts which are both market sensitive for the customer and profitable for us. The MPUC and the NHPUC impose certain requirements on all CLECs operating in their markets for reporting and for interactions with the various incumbent local exchange and interexchange carriers. These requirements provide wide latitude in pricing services.
 
 
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Our RLECs operate in six states and are regulated in varying degrees by the respective state regulatory authorities. The impact on pricing flexibility varies by state. In Maine, two of our wholly owned subsidiaries, Saco River Telephone LLC and Pine Tree Telephone LLC, have obtained authority to implement pricing flexibility while remaining under rate-of-return regulation. Our rates for other services we provide, including cable, long distance, data lines and dial-up and high-speed internet access, are not price regulated. The market for competitive services, such as wireless, also impacts our ability to adjust prices. With the increase of bundled services offerings, including unlimited long distance, pricing for individual services takes on reduced importance to revenue stability. We expect this trend to continue into the immediate future.
 
Categories of Operating Expenses
 
Our operating expenses are categorized as cost of services; selling, general and administrative expenses; and depreciation and amortization.
 
Cost of services. This includes expenses for salaries, wages and benefits relating to plant operation, maintenance, sales and customer service; other plant operations, maintenance and administrative costs; network access costs; and costs of services for long distance, cable television, internet and directory services.
 
Selling, general and administrative expenses. This includes expenses for salaries, wages and benefits and contract service payments relating to engineering, financial, human resources and corporate operations; information management expenses, including billing; allowance for uncollectible revenue; expenses for travel, lodging and meals; internal and external communications costs; insurance premiums; stock exchange and banking fees; and postage.
 
Depreciation and amortization. This includes depreciation of our telecommunications, cable and internet networks and equipment, and amortization of intangible assets. Certain of these amortization expenses continue to be deductible for tax purposes.
 
Impairment. During second quarter 2012, we evaluated goodwill and other long-lived assets for impairment. On April 20, 2012, we announced that TW had indicated that it will not renew its wholesale network contract when it expires at the end of 2012. Formal notification of non-renewal was received in June 2012. We currently expect that the transition of services to TW will take until June 2013. In addition, the implementation of industry changes required by the FCC’s ICC order will reduce our CLEC revenue beginning in July 2012 and our RLEC revenue beginning in 2013. Also, during second quarter 2012, the market price of our IDSs on the NASDAQ Global Market dropped materially and has remained below historical levels. The impact of these changes was considered as a triggering event for the Company to review all of its long-lived assets, including goodwill, to determine if any of the assets were impaired. The results of that review are reflected in three separate operating expenses categories included in our consolidated statements of operations in Item 1 of Part I: Long-lived assets impairment – PP&E; Long-lived assets impairment – intangibles; and Goodwill impairment. See Liquidity and Capital Resources below for additional information.
 
Our Ability to Control Operating Expenses
 
We strive to control expenses in order to maintain our strong operating margins. As our revenue shifts to non-regulated services and CLEC customers, operating margins decrease reflecting the lower margins associated with these services. The non-renewal of the TW contract is expected to lower margins in 2013. We reduced employee costs at the end of second quarter 2012 and expect to further reduce these costs once the TW conversion is completed during 2013.
 
Results of Operations
 
The following table sets forth our results of operations as a percentage of total revenues for the periods indicated:
 
 
20

 
 
   
Three Months Ended June 30,
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
   
2011
 
2012
 
2011
 
2012
Revenues
                       
Local services
    46.8 %     46.2 %     47.1 %     46.0 %
Network access
    31.7       30.3       31.3       30.6  
Cable television
    2.8       3.2       2.9       3.2  
Internet
    13.6       14.8       13.6       14.8  
Transport services
    5.2       5.3       5.2       5.4  
Total revenues
    100.0 %     100.0 %     100.0 %     100.0 %
Operating expenses
                               
Cost of services
    42.3 %     43.1 %     42.8 %     43.3 %
Selling, general and administrative expenses
    11.4       14.7       12.3       13.6  
Depreciation and amortization
    17.7       23.8       20.1       20.8  
Long-lived assets impairment - PP&E
    -       11.6       -       5.7  
Long-lived assets impairment – intangibles
    -       23.3       -       11.5  
Goodwill impairment
    -       582.7       -       287.5  
Total operating expenses
    71.3       699.1       75.1       382.4  
                                 
Income (loss) from operations
    28.7       (599.1 )     24.9       (282.4 )
                                 
Other income (expense)
                               
Interest expense
    (24.2 )     (22.9 )     (24.3 )     (22.9 )
Change in fair value of derivatives
    1.9       -       1.9       0.5  
Other income
    0.1       (0.0 )     0.9       0.6  
Total other expenses
    (22.2 )     (22.9 )     (21.5 )     (21.8 )
                                 
Income (loss) before income taxes
    6.4       (622.0 )     3.2       (304.2 )
                                 
Income tax (benefit) expense
    (1.4 )     100.0       (0.7 )     50.3  
                                 
Net income (loss) available to common stockholders
    5.0 %     (522.0 )%     2.5 %     (253.9 )%
 
Three Months and Six Months Ended June 30, 2012 Compared to Three Months and Six Months Ended June 30, 2011
 
Total revenues. Total revenues decreased 3.1% in the three months ended June 30, 2012 to $24.7 million from $25.5 million in the three months ended June 30, 2011. Total revenues decreased 1.6% in the six months ended June 30, 2012 to $50.1 million from $50.9 million in the six months ended June 30, 2011. The tables below provide the components of our revenues for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2012 compared to the same periods of 2011.
 
 
21

 
 
For the three months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011

   
Three Months Ended June 30,
 
Change
   
2011
 
2012
 
Amount
 
Percent
   
(dollars in thousands)
 
Local services
  $ 11,940     $ 11,419     $ (521 )     (4.4 )%
Network access
    8,076       7,498       (578 )     (7.2 )
Cable television
    707       794       87       12.3  
Internet
    3,458       3,687       229       6.6  
Transport services
    1,320       1,316       (4 )     (0.3 )
Total
  $ 25,501     $ 24,714     $ (787 )     (3.1 )

Local services. Local services revenue decreased 4.4% in the three months ended June 30, 2012 to $11.4 million from $11.9 million in the three months ended June 30, 2011. The acquisition of STC added $0.2 million and hosted PBX and wholesale revenue increased $0.2 million. The increases were offset by an RLEC revenue decrease of $0.4 million reflecting the decline in RLEC voice access lines and one-time fiber installation revenue of $0.1 million and one-time CLEC revenue of $0.4 million in second quarter 2011.
 
Network access. Network access revenue decreased 7.2% in the three months ended June 30, 2012 to $7.5 million from $8.1 million in the three months ended June 30, 2011. The acquisition of STC added $0.4 million and special access grew by $0.2 million. These gains were offset by declines in end user access fees of $0.1 million and state and federal switched access of $1.1 million.
 
Cable television. Cable television revenue in the three months ended June 30, 2012 increased 12.3% to $0.8 million compared to $0.7 million in the same period in 2011. Growth in IPTV subscribers, VOD and the shift to high-definition packages in Alabama was offset by the decline in basic cable subscribers.
 
Internet. Internet revenue for the three months ended June 30, 2012 increased 6.6% to $3.7 million from $3.5 million in the three months ended June 30, 2011. The acquisition of STC accounted for $0.3 million. The loss of dial-up subscribers was partially offset by growth in fiber backhaul circuits and other RLEC data lines.
 
Transport services. Transport services revenue decreased 0.3% and was $1.3 million in the three months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011.
 
For the six months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011

   
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
Change
   
2011
 
2012
 
Amount
 
Percent
   
(dollars in thousands)
 
Local services
  $ 23,944     $ 23,071     $ (873 )     (3.6 )%
Network access
    15,938       15,313       (625 )     (3.9 )
Cable television
    1,460       1,599       139       9.5  
Internet
    6,913       7,412       499       7.2  
Transport services
    2,638       2,693       55       2.1  
Total
  $ 50,893     $ 50,088     $ (805 )     (1.6 )

Local services. Local services revenue decreased 3.6% to $23.1 million in the six months ended June 30, 2012 from $23.9 million in the six months ended June 30, 2011. The acquisition of STC accounted for growth of $0.4 million and our hosted PBX product accounted for an increase of $0.3 million. These gains were more than offset by reduced subscribers to our traditional services, including long distance revenue, accounting for a reduction of $1.6 million.
 
Network access. Network access revenue decreased 3.9% to $15.3 million in the six months ended June 30, 2012 from $15.9 million in the six months ended June 30, 2011. The acquisition of STC added $0.8 million and special access grew $0.6 million. These gains were offset by declines in end user access fees of $0.1 million and state and federal switched access of $1.9 million.
 
Cable television. Cable television revenue increased 9.5% to $1.6 million in the six months ended June 30, 2012 from $1.5 million in the six months ended June 30, 2011. Growth in IPTV subscribers, the shift to high-definition packages and growth in pay-per-view increased revenue $0.2 million, which was partially offset by a $0.1 million decline associated with the conversion of our Missouri cable customers to satellite services during first quarter 2011 and fewer basic cable customers.
 
 
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Internet. Internet revenue increased 7.2% to $7.4 million in the six months ended June 30, 2012 from $6.9 million in the six months ended June 30, 2011. The acquisition of STC accounted for growth of $0.5 million. The growth in new digital data access lines, including related equipment rental, and Missouri fiber leases accounted for an increase of $0.2 million. The decline of dial-up internet customers associated with the conversion to digital data access lines, including those customers in Maine and Missouri that are outside of our local service areas, accounted for a decrease of $0.2 million.
 
Transport services. Transport services revenue increased 2.1% to $2.7 million in the six months ended June 30, 2012 from $2.6 million in the six months ended June 30, 2011 from growth in wide area network revenue.
 
Operating expenses. Operating expenses in the three months ended June 30, 2012 increased to $172.8 million from $18.2 million in the three months ended June 30, 2011. Operating expenses in the six months ended June 30, 2012 increased to $191.5 million from $38.2 million in the six months ended June 30, 2011. The tables below provide the components of our operating expenses for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2012 compared to the same periods of 2011.
 
For the three months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011
 
     Three Months Ended June 30,     Change
    2011   2012     Amount     Percent
     (dollars in thousands)  
Cost of services
  $ 10,757     $ 10,649     $ (108 )     (1.0 )%
Selling, general and administrative expenses
    2,910       3,624       714       24.5  
Depreciation and amortization
    4,508       5,882       1,374       30.5  
Long-lived assets impairment - PP&E
    -       2,874       2,874    
NM
 
Long-lived assets impairment - intangibles
    -       5,748       5,748    
NM
 
Goodwill impairment
    -       143,998       143,998    
NM
 
Total
  $ 18,175     $ 172,775     $ 154,600    
NM
 

Cost of services. Cost of services decreased 1.0% to $10.7 million for the three months ended June 30, 2012 from $10.8 million in the three months ended June 30, 2011. Costs related to the acquisition of STC added $0.4 million and our hosted PBX product costs increased $0.1 million, reflecting our success with that product in the last year. These increases were offset by lower toll and access costs of $0.5 million and other efficiencies of $0.1 million.
 
Selling, general and administrative expenses. Selling, general and administrative expenses increased 24.5% to $3.6 million in the three months ended June 30, 2012 from $2.9 million in the three months ended June 30, 2011. Expenses associated with the acquisition of STC added $0.1 million, restructuring and legal costs added $0.5 million, shelf offering expenses added $0.1 million and uncollectible reserves added $0.1 million. These increases were partially offset by reduction in property and operating taxes of $0.1 million.
 
Depreciation and amortization. Depreciation and amortization for the three months ended June 30, 2012 increased 30.5% to $5.9 million from $4.5 million in the three months ended June 30, 2011. The acquisition of STC accounted for an increase of $0.2 million. The shortened life associated with the TW contract increased amortization by $1.2 million. Increases in CLEC depreciation in 2012 were offset by a telephone plant adjustment that was fully amortized in 2011.
 
Impairment. During second quarter 2012, three separate impairment charges were recorded, totaling $152.6 million, to reflect impairment of long-lived assets, including goodwill. There were no similar charges in the same period of 2011. These charges recognize an impairment of property, plant and equipment of $2.9 million, an impairment of intangible assets of $5.7 million and an impairment of goodwill of $144.0 million. Based on a decline in the projected revenue of the Company due to the non-renewal of the TW contract and the impacts of the FCC’s ICC order, the fair value of the related assets was below the book value. See Liquidity and Capital Resources below for additional information.
 
 
23

 
 
For the six months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011
 
      Six Months Ended June 30,     Change
      2011     2012     Amount     Percent
      (dollars in thousands)    
Cost of services
  $ 21,777     $ 21,677     $ (100 )     (0.5 )%
Selling, general and administrative expenses
    6,237       6,830       593       9.5  
Depreciation and amortization
    10,232       10,405       173       1.7  
Long-lived assets impairment - PP&E
    -       2,874       2,874    
NM
 
Long-lived assets impairment - intangibles
    -       5,748       5,748    
NM
 
Goodwill impairment
    -       143,998       143,998    
NM
 
Total
  $ 38,246     $ 191,532     $ 150,412    
NM
 

Cost of services. Cost of services decreased 0.5% to $21.7 million in the six months ended June 30, 2012 from $21.6 million in the six months ended June 30, 2011. Costs related to the acquisition of STC added $0.8 million and our hosted PBX product costs increased $0.1 million, reflecting our success with that product this year. These increases were offset by lower toll and access costs of $0.5 million, sales and customer service costs of $0.2 million, Universal Service Fund and federally mandated program costs of $0.2 million and other efficiencies of $0.1 million.
 
Selling, general and administrative expenses. Selling, general and administrative expenses increased 9.5% to $6.8 million in the six months ended June 30, 2012 from $6.2 million in the six months ended June 30, 2011. Expenses related to the acquisition of STC added $0.2 million, restructuring and legal costs added $0.4 million and shelf offering expenses added $0.1million. These increases were partially offset by reduction in property and operating taxes of $0.1 million.

Depreciation and amortization. Depreciation and amortization increased 1.7% to $10.4 million in the six months ended June 30, 2012 from $10.2 million in the six months ended June 30, 2011. The acquisition of STC accounted for an increase of $0.5 million. The shortened life associated with the TW contract increased amortization by $1.0 million in 2012. Increased CLEC depreciation of $0.4 million in 2012 was offset by a telephone plant adjustment that was fully amortized in 2011. Lower RLEC depreciation in 2012 accounted for the balance of the change.

Impairment. During the six months ended June 30, 2012, three separate impairment charges were recorded, totaling $152.6 million, to reflect impairment of long-lived assets, including goodwill. There were no similar charges in the same period of 2011. These charges recognize an impairment of property, plant and equipment of $2.9 million, an impairment of intangible assets of $5.7 million and an impairment of goodwill of $144.0 million. Based on a decline in the projected revenue of the Company due to the non-renewal of the TW wholesale network contract and the impacts of the FCC’s ICC order, the fair value of the related assets was below the book value. See Liquidity and Capital Resources below for additional information.
 
For the three months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011
 
   
Three Months Ended June 30,
 
Change
   
2011
 
2012
 
Amount
 
Percent
   
(dollars in thousands)
 
Interest expense
  $ (6,199 )   $ (5,655 )   $ (544 )     (8.8 )%
Change in fair value of derivatives
    480       -       (480 )  
NM
 
Other income (expense)
    33       (8 )     (41 )     (124.2 )
Income tax (benefit) expense
    (357 )     25,713       26,070    
NM
 

Interest expense. Interest expense decreased 8.8% to $5.7 million in the three months ended June 30, 2012 from $6.2 million in the three months ended June 30, 2011. The decrease in interest expense was primarily driven by the lower effective interest rate on the outstanding balance of our senior long-term notes payable upon expiration of our interest rate swaps on February 8, 2012.
 
Change in fair value of derivatives. As was required by our senior credit facility, we had two interest rate swap agreements intended to hedge our exposure to changes in interest rate costs associated with that facility. The swap agreements did not qualify for hedge accounting under the technical requirements of Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 815, Derivatives and Hedging (“ASC 815”). Changes in value for the two swaps are reflected in change in fair value of derivatives on the statements of operations and have no impact on cash. The swaps expired on February 8, 2012, effectively lowering our interest rate beginning February 9, 2012 from approximately 2.0% to the current LIBOR rate, plus, in either case, a bank margin, which was 4.00% in second quarter 2011 and 4.25% in second quarter 2012.
 
 
24

 
 
Other income (expense). Other income, primarily interest income and gain on the sale of equipment, was less than $0.1 million in the three months ended June 30, 2011 and was an expense, primarily loss on the sale of equipment, of less than $0.1 million in the three months ended June 30, 2012.
 
Income tax (benefit) expense. Provision for income taxes was a benefit of $25.7 million in the three months ended June 30, 2012, reflecting the impact of the long-lived asset and goodwill impairment, compared to an expense of $0.4 million in the three months ended June 30, 2011.
 
For the six months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011

   
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
Change
   
2011
 
2012
 
Amount
 
Percent
   
(dollars in thousands)
 
Interest expense
  $ (12,369 )   $ (11,488 )   $ (881 )     (7.1 )%
Change in fair value of derivatives
    986       241       (745 )  
NM
 
Other income
    382       310       (72 )     (18.8 )
Income tax (benefit) expense
    (359 )     25,189       25,548    
NM
 

Interest expense. Interest expense decreased 7.1% to $11.5 million in the six months ended June 30, 2012 from $12.4 million in the six months ended June 30, 2011. The decrease in interest expense was primarily driven by the lower effective interest rate on the outstanding balance of our senior long-term notes payable upon expiration of our interest rate swaps on February 8, 2012.

Change in fair value of derivatives. As was required by our senior credit facility, we had two interest rate swap agreements intended to hedge our exposure to changes in interest rate costs associated with that facility. The swap agreements did not qualify for hedge accounting under the technical requirements of ASC 815. Changes in value for the two swaps are reflected in change in fair value of derivatives on the statements of operations and have no impact on cash. The swaps expired on February 8, 2012, effectively lowering our interest rate beginning February 9, 2012 from approximately 2.0% to the current LIBOR rate, plus, in either case, a bank margin, which was 4.00% in second quarter 2011 and 4.25% in second quarter 2012.

Other income. Other income decreased 18.8% to $0.3 million in the six months ended June 30, 2012 from $0.4 million in the six months ended June 30, 2011, reflecting the annual CoBank dividends of $0.3 million that we receive in the first quarter of each year. The difference was associated with lower interest income in 2012 and a loss on the sale of equipment in 2012, as opposed to a gain on the sale of equipment in 2011.

Income tax expense. Provision for income taxes was a benefit of $25.2 million in the six months ended June 30, 2012, reflecting the impact of the long-lived asset and goodwill impairment, compared to an expense of $0.4 million in the six months ended June 30, 2011.

Net income. As a result of the foregoing, there was a net loss of $127.2 million in the three months ended June 30, 2012 and net income of $1.3 million in the three months ended June 30, 2011. There was a net loss of $127.2 million in the six months ended June 30, 2012 and net income of $1.3 million in the six months ended June 30, 2011. The differences are primarily attributable to the impact of long-lived asset and goodwill impairment recognized in second quarter 2012.

Liquidity and Capital Resources
 
Our liquidity needs arise primarily from: (i) interest payments related to our senior credit facility and our senior subordinated notes; (ii) capital expenditures; (iii) working capital requirements; and (iv) potential acquisitions. We suspended dividends on our common stock on April 20, 2012 in order to free up cash for other purposes. In addition, on August 7, 2012, we announced that our board of directors had exercised its right under the indenture governing our senior subordinated notes to defer interest on the senior subordinated notes for the third quarter 2012.
 
Historically, we satisfy our operating cash requirements from the cash generated by our business and utilize borrowings under our senior credit facility to facilitate acquisitions; however, we financed our acquisition of STC using cash on hand. For the six months ended June 30, 2012, we generated cash from our business to invest in additional property and equipment, pay interest on our senior debt and pay interest associated with the senior subordinated debt inherent in our IDSs. After meeting all of these needs of our business, cash increased from $12.4 million at December 31, 2011 to $23.0 million at June 30, 2012. The most recent interest payment on our senior subordinated debt of $3.5 million was made on July 2, 2012, as the normal distribution date of June 30, 2012 fell on a non-banking day.
 
 
25

 
 
Cash flows from operating activities for the first six months of 2012 amounted to $15.5 million compared to $9.6 million for the first six months of 2011. Net income, when adjusted for its non-cash components, declined by $0.4 million. The changes in operating assets and liabilities of $6.3 million primarily reflect the interest payment on our senior subordinated debt that was made on July 2, 2012 versus June 30, 2012, a reduction of one month’s accrued liability for interest on our senior debt associated with electing one month LIBOR contracts in 2012 versus three month LIBOR contracts in 2011, the recognition of prepaid expenses associated with our shelf offering that is now unlikely to occur and an additional month’s receivable on the TW contract in 2011.
 
Cash flows used in investing activities for the first six months of 2012 were $2.5 million compared to $6.4 million in the first six months of 2011, reflecting a lower rate of capital expenditures for property and equipment in the first six months of 2012.
 
Cash flows used in financing activities for the first six months of 2012 were $2.4 million compared to $5.0 million in the first six months of 2011, reflecting payments of dividends to stockholders in two quarters of 2011 and first quarter 2012. The dividends paid were $0.17625 per common share per quarter. We suspended dividends on our common stock on April 20, 2012.
 
We do not invest in financial instruments as part of our business strategy. The Company had two interest rate swaps that expired on February 8, 2012. From an accounting perspective, the documentation for the swaps did not meet the technical requirements of ASC 815 to allow the swaps to be considered highly effective as hedging instruments and therefore the swaps did not qualify for hedge accounting.
 
We also have received patronage shares, primarily from one of our lenders, over a period of years for which there is a limited market to determine value until the shares are redeemed by the issuing institution. Historically, these shares have been redeemed at a value similar to their issued value. Due to the uncertainty of this future value, these shares are carried at $1.5 million, or approximately 55% of their issued value.
 
ASC 350, Intangibles – Goodwill and Other (“ASC 350”), requires that goodwill be tested for impairment annually, unless potential interim indicators exist that could result in impairment. During the second quarter of 2012, an interim goodwill impairment test was performed in response to indicators revealed in the annual forecasting process. Due to the expected expiration of the TW wholesale network contract, and recent FCC reform, forecasted operating profits were reduced below the levels projected during the fourth quarter of 2011 and first quarter of 2012. In addition, the market price of the Company’s IDSs dropped materially after the announcement of the non-renewal of the TW contract. The FCCs ICC order will impact the New England CLEC beginning in July 2013, the Alabama RLEC beginning in 2013 and all reporting units in 2014 and beyond.
 
Although we have only one reportable segment, we consider our three territories (Alabama, Missouri and New England) to be reporting units for purposes of testing for impairment of goodwill. We test each reporting unit for possible goodwill impairment using the two step approach prescribed in ASC 350. Step one compares the fair value of each reporting unit to its carrying value. Fair value was calculated using a blended analysis of the income approach and the market approach of valuation. We believe the blended approach is the best method for determining fair value because this approach compensates for inherent risk associated with either model on a stand-alone basis. The process of evaluating the potential impairment of goodwill is subjective because it requires the use of estimates and assumptions.
 
The income approach method utilized was the discounted cash flow method. This method requires the use of estimates and judgments about the future cash flows of the reporting units. Although cash flow forecasts are based on assumptions that are consistent with plans and estimates used to manage the underlying reporting units, there is significant judgment in determining the cash flows attributable to these reporting units, including markets and market share, sales volumes, tax rates, capital spending, discount rate and working capital changes. The market approach method employed in the analysis was the public company method. This method is based on a comparison of us to comparable publicly traded firms in similar lines of business. The estimates and judgments used to determine comparable companies include such factors as size, growth, profitability, risk and return on investment.
 
We determined that the fair value of the three reporting units was below its carrying value, which necessitated a step two review to determine whether or not to record a charge to goodwill impairment. The step two review involved determining the fair value of the identifiable net assets of each reporting unit, excluding goodwill, and comparing this to the fair value from step one. We performed our interim goodwill impairment testing as of April 30, 2012 and recorded impairment charges of $62,404,000, $12,071,000, and $69,523,000 to reduce the carrying value of goodwill to its implied fair value for our three reporting units Alabama, Missouri, and New England, respectively. As of June 30, 2012, we determined that that no events or circumstances from April 30, 2012 through June 30, 2012 indicated that a further assessment was necessary.
 
 
26

 
 
The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill for the six months ended June 30, 2012, are as follows:
 
   
Alabama
Reporting Unit
 
Missouri
Reporting Unit
 
New England
Reporting Unit
 
Total
Balance as of December 31, 2011
                       
Goodwill
  $ 101,602,718     $ 17,829,122     $ 69,523,000     $ 188,954,840  
Accumulated impairment losses
    -       -       -       -  
      101,602,718       17,829,122       69,523,000       188,954,840  
                                 
Impairment losses
    62,404,000       12,071,000       69,523,000       143,998,000  
                                 
Balance as of June, 30 2012
                               
Goodwill
    101,602,718       17,829,122       69,523,000       188,954,840  
Accumulated impairment losses
    62,404,000       12,071,000       69,523,000       143,998,000  
    $ 39,198,718     $ 5,758,122     $ -     $ 44,956,840  

During the impairment review noted above, we determined that the fair value of the New England reporting unit’s intangible assets was below its carrying value. Fair value of intangible assets was calculated using the income approach of valuation. We recorded an impairment charge of $5,748,000 to reduce the carrying value of intangible assets to its implied fair value for our New England reporting unit.
 
The changes in the carrying amount of intangible assets for the six months ended June 30, 2012, are as follows:
 
   
Alabama
Reporting Unit
 
Missouri
Reporting Unit
 
New England
Reporting Unit
 
Total
Balance as of December 31, 2011
                       
Intangible assets
  $ 128,441     $ 356,384     $ 20,060,866     $ 20,545,691  
Accumulated impairment losses
    -       -       -       -  
      128,441       356,384       20,060,866       20,545,691  
                                 
Amortization
    26,004       60,000       4,382,822       4,468,826  
Impairment losses
    -       -       5,748,000       5,748,000  
                                 
Balance as of June, 30 2012
                               
Intangible assets
    102,437       296,384       15,678,044       16,076,865  
Accumulated impairment losses
    -       -       5,748,000       5,748,000  
    $ 102,437     $ 296,384     $ 9,930,044     $ 10,328,865  

The impairment charges reflect our expectation that future cash flows will decline from current levels as a consequence of the FCC’s ICC order and the non-renewal of the TW contract, in addition to the attrition of voice access lines inherent in our business and the reduction in the market price of our IDSs. The impairment of goodwill and other long-lived assets has no cash impact.

We anticipate that operating cash flow will be adequate to meet our currently anticipated operating and capital expenditure requirements for at least the next 12 months. The announced non-renewal of the TW contract and the expected impacts of the FCC’s ICC order will impact future cash flows of the business, beginning in third quarter 2012 for the FCC’s ICC order and during 2013 for the TW contract. The Company has taken steps to conserve cash, including the suspension of dividends on our common stock beginning second quarter 2012, the exercise of our contractual right to defer interest on our senior subordinated debt for third quarter 2012, reductions in employees in second quarter 2012, with additional reductions planned for 2013 upon completion of the TW customer transfers, reductions in senior management and board of directors compensation and reduced capital spending.  Because of the negative impact of the FCC’s ICC order and the expiration of the TW contract, we are exploring our strategic alternatives to address our existing levels of debt and strengthen our balance sheet. The Company has engaged Evercore Partners, an investment banking firm, to assist us in this process. Evercore Partners’ areas of expertise include debt and capital market transactions, restructuring of balance sheet obligations and mergers and acquisitions advice.
 
The following table provides a summary of the extent to which cash generated from operations is reinvested in our operations, used to pay interest on our senior debt and senior subordinated notes or distributed as dividends to our stockholders for the periods indicated.
 
 
27

 
 
   
Six Months Ended June 30,
   
2011
 
2012
   
(dollars in thousands)
 
Cash generation
           
Revenues
  $ 50,893     $ 50,088  
Other income
    382       310  
Cash received from operations
    51,275       50,398  
Cost of services
    21,777       21,677  
Selling, general and administrative expenses
    6,237       6,830  
Cash consumed by operations
    28,014       28,507  
Cash generated from operations
  $ 23,261     $ 21,891  
                 
Cash utilization
               
Capital investment in operations
  $ 6,351     $ 2,545  
Senior debt interest and fees
    4,767       3,894  
Interest on senior subordinated notes
    6,998       6,998  
Dividends
    4,661       2,330  
Cash utilized by the Company
  $ 22,777     $ 15,767  
                 
Percentage of cash utilized of cash generated
    97.9 %     72.0 %

We use adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“Adjusted EBITDA”) as an operational performance measurement. Adjusted EBITDA, as presented in this Form 10-Q, corresponds to the definition of Adjusted EBITDA in the indenture governing our senior subordinated notes and our senior credit facility. Adjusted EBITDA, as presented in this Form 10-Q, is a supplemental measure of our performance that is not required by, or presented in accordance with, accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“U.S. GAAP”). Our senior credit facility requires that we report performance in this format each quarter and involved lending institutions utilize this measure to determine compliance with credit facility requirements. We report Adjusted EBITDA in our quarterly earnings press release to allow current and potential investors to understand this performance metric and because we believe that it provides current and potential investors with helpful information with respect to our operating performance and cash flows. However, Adjusted EBITDA should not be considered as an alternative to net income or any other performance measures derived in accordance with U.S. GAAP or as an alternative to net cash provided by operating activities as a measure of our liquidity. Our presentation of Adjusted EBITDA may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies. Adjusted EBITDA for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2011 and 2012, and its reconciliation to net income, is reflected in the table below:
 
   
Three Months Ended June 30,
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
   
2011
 
2012
 
2011
 
2012
   
(dollars in thousands)
 
Net income (loss)
  $ 1,283     $ (128,011 )   $ 1,288     $ (127,192 )
Add:  Depreciation
    2,307       2,747       5,829       5,475  
Interest expense - net of premium
    5,857       5,313       11,685       10,804  
Interest expense - amortize loan cost
    342       342       684       684  
Income tax benefit
    357       (25,713 )     359       (25,189 )
Change in fair value of derivatives
    (480 )     -       (986 )     (241 )
Loan fees
    19       19       38       38  
Amortization - intangibles
    2,202       3,136       4,403       4,930  
Goodwill impairment
    -       143,998       -       143,998  
Impairment of long-lived assets
    -       8,622       -       8,622  
Restructuring expense
    -       361       -       361  
Adjusted EBITDA
  $ 11,887     $ 10,814     $ 23,300     $ 22,290  

 
28

 
 
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
 
During 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2011-01 through 2011-12. Except for ASU 2011-04, ASU 2011-05, ASU 2011-08 and ASU 2011-09, which are discussed below, these ASUs provide technical corrections to existing guidance related to specialized industries or entities and therefore, have minimal, if any, impact on the Company.

In May 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-04, Amendments to Achieve Common Fair Value Measurements and Disclosure Requirements in U.S. GAAP and IFRSs (“ASU 2011-04”), an update to ASC 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures. ASU 2011-04 provides guidance to change the wording used to describe many of the requirements in U.S. GAAP for measuring fair value and for disclosing information about fair value measurements. For public entities, ASU 2011-04 is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2011 and is to be applied prospectively. As ASU 2011-04 impacts presentation only, the adoption of this update did not impact our consolidated financial statements.

In June 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-05, Presentation of Comprehensive Income (“ASU 2011-05”) an update to ASC 220, Comprehensive Income. This ASU requires the components of net income and the components of other comprehensive income to be presented either in a single continuous statement of comprehensive income or in two separate but continuous statements. ASU 2011-05 eliminates the option to present components of other comprehensive income as part of the statement of changes in stockholders’ equity. This guidance does not change the items that must be reported in other comprehensive income, when an item of other comprehensive income must be reclassified to net income or how earnings per share is calculated or presented. ASU 2011-05 is effective for public entities for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2011. As ASU 2011-05 impacts presentation only, the adoption of this update did not impact our consolidated financial statements.

In September 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-08, Testing Goodwill for Impairment (“ASU 2011-08”), an update to ASC 350. This ASU provides an entity with the option to first perform a qualitative assessment to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. If, after assessing the totality of events or circumstances, an entity determines it is not more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, then performing the two-step impairment test is unnecessary. However, if an entity concludes otherwise, then it is required to perform the first step of the two-step impairment test in accordance with ASC 350. ASU 2011-08 is effective for annual and interim goodwill impairment tests for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2011. As ASU 2011-08 impacts testing procedures only, the adoption of this update did not impact our consolidated financial statements.
 
In September 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-09, Disclosures about an Employer’s Participation in a Multiemployer Plan (“ASU 2011-09”), an update to ASC 715, Compensation – Retirement Benefits, subtopic 80, Multiemployer Plans. ASU 2011-09 requires additional disclosures for multiemployer pension plans and multiemployer other postretirement benefit plans. ASU 2011-09 is intended to create greater transparency in financial reporting by disclosing the commitments an employer has made to a multiemployer pension plan and the potential future cash flow implications of an employer’s participation in the plan. ASU 2011-09 is effective for public entities for annual periods with fiscal years ending after December 15, 2011. As ASU 2011-09 impacts disclosure only, the adoption of this update did not impact our consolidated financial statements.
 
Subsequent Events
 
On August 7, 2012, the Company announced that its board of directors had exercised its contractual right under the indenture governing the Company’s senior subordinated notes to defer interest on the senior subordinated notes for the third quarter 2012. Under the indenture, the Company’s board of directors is permitted to defer interest on up to four occasions with respect to up to two quarters per occasion before resuming interest payments, including paying interest on the deferred interest. The deferral of the interest for third quarter 2012 will conserve $3.5 million in cash.
 
Item 3.  
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
 
Our short-term excess cash balance is invested in short-term commercial paper. We do not invest in any derivative or commodity type instruments. Accordingly, we are subject to minimal market risk on our investments.
 
We have the ability to borrow up to $15.0 million under a revolving loan facility that expires on October 31, 2013. The interest rate is variable and, accordingly, we are exposed to interest rate risk, primarily from a change in LIBOR or a base rate. Currently, we have no loans drawn under this facility.
 
 
29

 
 
 
With the participation of the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer, management has evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934). Based on that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of June 30, 2012.
 
There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) during the three months ended June 30, 2012 that materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
 
 
30

 
 

 
Item 6.                 Exhibits
 
Exhibits
 
See Exhibit Index.
 
 
31

 
 
SIGNATURES
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
 
Date: August 8, 2012
OTELCO INC.
     
 
By:
/s/ Curtis L. Garner, Jr.
   
Curtis L. Garner, Jr.
   
Chief Financial Officer

 
 

 

EXHIBIT INDEX
 
Exhibit No.
 
Description
     
31.1
 
Certificate pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 of the Chief Executive Officer
     
31.2
 
Certificate pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 of the Chief Financial Officer
     
32.1
 
Certificate pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, of the Chief Executive Officer
     
32.2
 
Certificate pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, of the Chief Financial Officer
     
101
 
The following information from the Company’s quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2012 formatted in Extensible Business Reporting Language (XBRL): (i) Consolidated Balance Sheets; (ii) Consolidated Statements of Operations; (iii) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows; and (iv) Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements