EX-99.1 2 v156516_ex99-1.htm PRESS RELEASE, DATED AUGUST 5, 2009
Towerstream Second Quarter 2009 Revenues
Increased 47% over Second Quarter 2008

Adjusted EBITDA improves 39% compared to First Quarter 2009

Middletown, RI, August 5, 2009 – Towerstream (NASDAQ: TWER), a leading fixed WiMAX provider currently operating in nine major metropolitan areas, announced results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2009.

Operating Highlights:

 
·
Second quarter 2009 revenues increased 47% from the second quarter 2008 and increased 8% from the first quarter 2009
 
·
Adjusted EBITDA improved 39% compared to the first quarter 2009, decreasing from a loss of almost $1.1 million to a loss of less than $0.7 million
 
·
Record number of contracts signed in June 2009, exceeding the previous monthly record by 28%
 
·
Gross margin remained strong at 75% during the second quarter 2009 which represented a 1% decrease from the first quarter 2009 and a 25% increase from the second quarter 2008
 
·
Six markets are now generating positive quarterly adjusted EBITDA and all nine markets collectively are generating positive quarterly adjusted EBITDA
 
·
“Cash burn” totaled $1.6 million in the second quarter 2009, representing a 40% decrease from the first quarter
 
·
Customer churn for the second quarter 2009 was 1.90%, compared to 1.68% for the first quarter 2009 and 1.17% for the second quarter 2008
 
·
Cash and cash equivalents totaled $20.2 million at June 30, 2009

Management Comments:

“This was a pivotal quarter for Towerstream to demonstrate the evolution of our sales strategy," said Jeff Thompson, President and Chief Executive Officer.  “Already, we have seen positive results from this strategy as we reported a record number of contracts in June. New contracts executed in July were the second highest in our history, and we believe these sustained results reflect an accelerating interest in our wireless products.”

“The core strength of our monthly recurring revenue model and tight cost controls resulted in a 39% improvement in adjusted EBITDA compared to the first quarter,” stated Joseph Hernon, Chief Financial Officer.  “Cash burn improved 40% sequentially, and our cash resources of approximately $20 million at June 30, 2009 provide solid coverage relative to current quarterly cash requirements.  Gross margin remained strong at 75% and continued operational improvements resulted in a 5% sequential decrease in core operating expenses.”

 
 
 

Selected Financial Data and Key Operating Metrics:
(All dollars are in thousands except ARPU)
 
   
(Unaudited)
  
   
Three months ended
  
   
6/30/2009
    
3/31/2009*
    
6/30/2008*
  
Selected Financial Data
                  
Revenues
   $ 3,673     $ 3,417     $ 2,494  
Gross margin
     75 %     76 %     60 %
Operating expenses (1)
     5,562       5,622       6,266  
Operating loss (1)
     (1,889 )     (2,205 )     (3,772 )
Net loss (1)
     (2,100 )     (2,416 )     (3,730 )
Adjusted EBITDA (2)
     (660 )     (1,084 )     (2,679 )
Capital expenditures
   $ 1,071     $ 955     $ 1,841  
Key Operating Metrics
                        
Churn rate (2)
     1.90 %     1.68 %     1.17 %
ARPU (2)
   $ 769     $ 799     $ 819  
ARPU of new customers (2)
   $ 547     $ 540     $ 898  

* Certain reclassifications of prior period amounts have been made to conform to current year presentation.
(1) Includes stock-based compensation of $229, $157 and $336, respectively.
(2) See Non-GAAP Measures below for a definition and reconciliation of adjusted EBITDA, and definitions of Churn, ARPU and ARPU of new customers.


Analysis of Results of Operations and Financial Condition

Second Quarter 2009 Results of Operations
 
Revenues for the second quarter 2009 increased 8% from the first quarter 2009, and increased 47% compared to the second quarter 2008.  These increases were driven by growth in our customer base from approximately 1,100 customers at the end of the second quarter 2008 to approximately 1,600 at the end of second quarter 2009.
 
ARPU of new customers in the second quarter 2009 increased 1% compared to the first quarter 2009, and decreased 39% compared to the second quarter 2008.  ARPU of all customers in the second quarter 2009 decreased 4% compared to the first quarter 2009, and decreased 6% compared to the second quarter 2008.  Customer churn for the second quarter 2009 of 1.90% increased compared to 1.68% for the first quarter 2009 and 1.17% for the second quarter 2008.  New customers continued to be cautious in their purchasing decisions which resulted in ARPU values below historical levels.  The higher churn in the 2009 period reflects the effect of the ongoing economic recession on the Company’s commercial customer base.

 
 
 
 
Gross margin decreased 1% in the second quarter 2009 compared to the first quarter 2009, and increased by 25% compared to the second quarter 2008.  The year-over-year improvement in gross margin primarily related to a 47% increase in the number of customers, and the Company’s ability to add these customers onto its network at relatively low marginal cost.
 
Customer support expenses in the second quarter 2009 decreased 12% compared to the first quarter 2009, and decreased less than 1% compared to the second quarter 2008. The quarter-over-quarter decrease relates to lower payroll expenses as the Company continues to focus on cost control.
 
Sales and marketing expenses in the second quarter 2009 decreased 12% compared to the first quarter 2009, and decreased 31% compared to the second quarter 2008.  The decreases are primarily related to lower department headcount which averaged 100, 102, and 130 in the second quarter 2009, first quarter 2009, and second quarter 2008, respectively.  The Company continues to optimize its sales and marketing strategy, including the enhanced use of Internet-based marketing programs which has both increased qualified leads and enabled the Company to reduce headcount.  Sales and marketing headcount includes marketing, direct sales which includes account executives and sales managers, and indirect sales which includes sales operations, support and administration.
 
General and administrative expenses increased 4% in the second quarter 2009 compared to the first quarter 2009, and decreased 11% compared to the second quarter 2008.  The year-over-year decrease of 11% is attributable to lower professional fees of approximately $100,000 and stock-based compensation of approximately $110,000.

Net loss decreased 13% in the second quarter 2009 compared to the first quarter 2009, and decreased 44% compared to the second quarter 2008.  The 13% sequential improvement reflects the positive effect of an 8% increase in revenues and a 1% decrease in operating expenses.  The year-over-year improvement of 44% is attributable to a 47% increase in revenues and an 11% decrease in operating expenses.


Operating Outlook and Guidance:

 
·
Revenues for the third quarter 2009 are expected to range between $3.85 million to $3.95 million

 
·
Adjusted EBITDA loss for the third quarter 2009 is expected to range between $0.5 million to $0.6 million, excluding $0.1 million that the Company expects to spend related to efforts to secure grants under the U.S. Government’s Broadband Stimulus program
 
 
 
 

Non-GAAP Measures

The terms “Adjusted EBITDA,” “Churn,” “Churn rate,” ”ARPU,” and “Market Cash Flow” are measurements used by Towerstream to monitor business performance and are not recognized measures under generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”).  Accordingly, investors are cautioned in using or relying upon these measures as alternatives to recognized GAAP measures.  Our methods of calculating these measures may differ from other issuers and, accordingly, may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other issuers.

We focus on adjusted EBITDA as a principle indicator of the operating performance of our business.  EBITDA represents net income (loss) before interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization.  We define adjusted EBITDA as net income (loss) before interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization expenses, excluding, when applicable, stock-based compensation, gain or loss on disposal of property and equipment, gain or loss on derivative instruments, and other non-operating income or expenses.  Adjusted EBITDA for a market also excludes corporate overhead expenses and other centralized operating costs. We believe that adjusted EBITDA trends are valuable indicators of our markets' relative performance, and of whether our markets are able to produce sufficient market cash flow to fund working capital and capital expenditure needs.

The terms “Churn” and “Churn rate” refer to the percent of revenue lost on a monthly basis from customers disconnecting from our network or reducing the amount of their bandwidth.  The term “ARPU” refers to the monthly average revenue per user, or customer, being generated from those customers under contract at the end of each indicated period.  We calculate ARPU by dividing our monthly recurring revenue (“MRR”) at the end of a period by the number of customers generating that MRR.  ARPU of new customers is calculated in the same manner but only includes new customers who entered into contracts during the indicated period.  Market Cash Flow represents the amount of cash generated in a market after deducting a market’s direct operating expenses from that market’s revenues.  Market Cash Flow does not include (i) centralized operating costs which support all markets collectively or (ii) any network related capital expenditures incurred in a market.

The Non-GAAP measure, adjusted EBITDA, has been reconciled to Net loss as follows:

All amounts are in thousands except per share amounts

   
Three months ended
  
   
6/30/2009
    
3/31/2009*
    
6/30/2008*
  
Reconciliation of Non-GAAP to GAAP:
                  
Adjusted EBITDA
   $ (660 )   $ (1,084 )   $ (2,679 )
Interest expense
     (186 )     (184 )     (106 )
Interest income
     9       13       148  
Loss on derivative financial instruments
     (34 )     (41 )     -  
Loss on property and equipment
     (18 )     (16 )     (4 )
Depreciation
     (982 )     (947 )     (753 )
Stock-based compensation
     (229 )     (157 )     (336 )
Net loss
   $ (2,100 )   $ (2,416 )   $ (3,730 )

* Certain reclassifications of prior period amounts have been made to conform to current year presentation.

 
 
 

Summary Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
   
(Unaudited)
    
(Audited)
  
   
June 30,
2009
    
December 31, 2008
  
Assets
            
Current Assets
            
  Cash and cash equivalents
   $ 20,188     $ 24,740  
  Accounts receivable, net
     340       280  
  Other
     305       319  
     Total Current Assets
     20,833       25,339  
                 
Property and equipment, net
     12,953       12,891  
                 
Other assets
     1,162       1,058  
                 
     Total Assets
     34,948       39,288  
                 
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
                
Current Liabilities
                
  Accounts payable
     882       1,395  
  Accrued expenses
     820       861  
  Deferred revenues
     979       986  
  Short-term debt, net of discount
     2,613       2,607  
  Derivative liabilities
     12       -  
  Other
     69       78  
    Total Current Liabilities
     5,375       5,927  
                 
Long-Term Liabilities
                
  Derivative liabilities
     152       -  
  Other
     317       354  
    Total Long-Term Liabilities
     469       354  
    Total Liabilities
     5,844       6,281  
                 
Stockholders’ Equity
                
  Common stock
     35       34  
  Additional paid-in-capital
     54,711       54,852  
  Accumulated deficit
     (25,642 )     (21,879 )
    Total Stockholders’ Equity
     29,104       33,007  
    Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
   $ 34,948     $ 39,288  

 
 
 

   
(Unaudited)
    
(Unaudited)
  
   
Three months ended
June 30,
    
Six months ended
 June 30,
  
   
2009
    
2008
    
2009
    
2008
  
                         
Revenues
   $ 3,673     $ 2,494     $ 7,090     $ 4,576  
                                 
Operating Expenses
                                
  Cost of revenues (exclusive of depreciation)
     915       993       1,741       1,927  
  Depreciation
     982       753       1,930       1,429  
  Customer support services
     484       485       1,034       938  
  Sales and marketing
     1,385       2,020       2,961       3,794  
  General and administrative
     1,796       2,015       3,518       3,975  
    Total Operating Expenses
     5,562       6,266       11,184       12,063  
    Operating Loss
     (1,889 )     (3,772 )     (4,094 )     (7,487 )
Other Income (Expense)
                                
  Interest income
     9       148       22       437  
  Interest expense
     (186 )     (106 )     (369 )     (289 )
  Loss on derivative financial instruments
     (34 )     -       (75 )     -  
     Total Other Income (Expense)
     (211 )     42       (422 )     148  
     Net Loss
   $ (2,100 )   $ (3,730 )   $ (4,516 )   $ (7,339 )
                                 
    Net loss per common share
   $ (0.06 )   $ (0.11 )   $ (0.13 )   $ (0.21 )
    Net loss per common share excluding
     stock-based compensation
   $ (0.05 )   $ (0.10 )   $ (0.12 )   $ (0.20 )
    Weighted average common shares
      outstanding – basic and diluted
     34,595       34,556       34,591       34,526  

   
(Unaudited)
  
   
Six months ended June 30,
  
   
2009
    
2008
  
             
Cash Flows From Operating Activities
            
    Net loss
   $ (4,516 )   $ (7,339 )
    Non-cash adjustments:
                
      Depreciation
     1,930       1,429  
      Stock-based compensation
     386       510  
      Other
     366       340  
    Changes in operating assets and liabilities
     (662 )     (64 )
Net Cash Used In Operating Activities
     (2,496 )     (5,124 )
                 
Cash Flows From Investing Activities
                
    Acquisitions of property and equipment
     (2,026 )     (3,888 )
    Other
     (3 )     (13 )
Net Cash Used In Investing Activities
     (2,029 )     (3,901 )
                 
Cash Flows From Financing Activities
                
    Repayment of capital leases
     (19 )     (25 )
    Repayment of short-term debt
     (8 )     -  
Net Cash Used In Financing Activities
     (27 )     (25 )
                 
Net Decrease In Cash and Cash Equivalents
     (4,552 )     (9,050 )
                 
Cash and Cash Equivalents – Beginning
     24,740       40,757  
Cash and Cash Equivalents – Ending
   $ 20,188     $ 31,707  

 
 
 

Market data for the three months ended June 30, 2009
(in thousands)
Market
  
Revenues
    
Cost of Revenues
    
Gross Margin
    
Operating Costs
    
Adjusted Market EBITDA
  
New York
   $ 1,322     $ 228     $ 1,094       83 %   $ 279     $ 815  
Boston
     1,008       166       842       84 %     238       604  
Los Angeles
     442       82       360       81 %     238       122  
San Francisco
     235       56       179       76 %     99       80  
Providence/Newport
     126       37       89       71 %     19       70  
Chicago
     220       87       133       60 %     116       17  
Miami
     150       66       84       56 %     110       (26 )
Seattle
     107       59       48       45 %     87       (39 )
Dallas-Fort Worth
     63       60       3       5 %     118       (115 )
Total
   $ 3,673     $ 841     $ 2,832       77 %   $ 1,304     $ 1,528  

Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measure to GAAP Financial Measure
      
       
Adjusted market EBITDA
   $ 1,528  
Centralized operating costs
     (639 )
Corporate expenses
     (1,567 )
Depreciation
     (982 )
Stock-based compensation
     (229 )
Other income (expense)
     (211 )
Net loss
   $ (2,100 )

Market data for six months ended June 30, 2009
(in thousands)
Market
  
Revenues
    
Cost of Revenues
    
Gross Margin
    
Operating Costs
    
Adjusted Market EBITDA
  
New York
   $ 2,559     $ 426     $ 2,133       83 %   $ 626     $ 1,507  
Boston
     1,969       335       1,634       83 %     441       1,193  
Los Angeles
     848       149       699       82 %     510       189  
San Francisco
     459       100       359       78 %     228       131  
Providence/Newport
     267       74       193       72 %     71       122  
Chicago
     422       168       254       60 %     243       11  
Miami
     260       126       134       52 %     217       (83 )
Seattle
     204       126       78       38 %     187       (109 )
Dallas-Fort Worth
     102       114       (12 )     (12 %)     243       (255 )
Total
   $ 7,090     $ 1,618     $ 5,472       77 %   $ 2,766     $ 2,706  

Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measure to GAAP Financial Measure
      
       
Adjusted market EBITDA
   $ 2,706  
Centralized operating costs
     (1,352 )
Corporate expenses
     (3,132 )
Depreciation
     (1,930 )
Stock-based compensation
     (386 )
Other income (expense)
     (422 )
Net loss
   $ (4,516 )
 
 
 
 
 
Conference Call and Webcast

A conference call led by President and Chief Executive Officer, Jeff Thompson, and Chief Financial Officer, Joseph Hernon, will be held on August 5, 2009 at 5:00 p.m. EDT to review results and provide an update on business developments.

Interested parties may participate in the conference by dialing 888-679-8033 or 617-213-4846 (for international callers) using pass code 70974945. A telephonic replay of the conference may be accessed approximately three hours after the call through August 12, 2009 at 11:59 p.m. EDT by dialing 888-286-8010 or 617-801-6888 (for international callers) using pass code 78771672.

The call will also be webcast and can be accessed in a listen-only mode on the Company’s website at http://ir.towerstream.com/events.cfm.

Towerstream’s wireless broadband solution network delivers high-speed Internet access supporting VoIP, bandwidth on demand, wireless redundancy, VPNs, disaster recovery, bundled data, and video services, and can be delivered in days.  Unlike cable Internet and DSL, Towerstream connections are symmetrical, which means that the upload and download speeds are identical.  This creates a more stable connection, suitable for VoIP and web hosting, as well as many other business applications. Companies utilizing multiple appliances simultaneously, such as streaming video and VoIP, can prioritize their bandwidth to secure mission-critical activities.  All of Towerstream’s products are backed by its Service Level Agreement (SLA) and the ability to be up and running within a week.  Towerstream currently serves businesses of all sizes in New York, Boston, Los Angeles, Chicago, the San Francisco Bay Area, Miami, Seattle, Dallas-Fort Worth and Providence/Newport, RI.

For more information, visit www.towerstream.com.

About Towerstream Corporation
Towerstream is a leading fixed WiMAX service provider in the U.S., delivering high-speed Internet access to businesses.  Founded in 2000, the Company has established networks in nine markets including New York City, Boston, Los Angeles, Chicago, the San Francisco Bay Area, Miami, Seattle, Dallas-Fort Worth, and the greater Providence area where the Company is based.  The Company was the first carrier selected to join the WiMAX Forum to assist leading vendors in establishing industry compliance with international broadband wireless access standards and cross-vendor interoperability.  Towerstream was awarded two 2008 Telephony Innovation  Awards for Most Innovative Broadband Wireless Service and Most Innovative Small Business Service and the Best of WiMAX World 2008 Service Provider Deployment Award for its New York City network.

Safe Harbor
Certain statements contained in this press release are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of applicable federal securities laws, including, without limitation, anything relating or referring to future financial results and plans for future business development activities, and are thus prospective.  Forward-looking statements are inherently subject to risks and uncertainties some of which cannot be predicted or quantified based on current expectations.  Such risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, the risks and uncertainties set forth from time to time in reports filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission.  Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct.  Consequently, future events and actual results could differ materially from those set forth in, contemplated by, or underlying the forward-looking statements contained herein.  The Company undertakes no obligation to correct or update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
 
 
 
 

INVESTOR CONTACT:
Terry McGovern
Vision Advisors
415-902-3001
mcgovern@visionadvisors.net

MEDIA CONTACT:
Amanda Lordy
Dukas Public Relations
212-704-7385
amanda@dukaspr.com