10-Q/A 1 v010612_10qa.htm
 

 

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-Q/A#3

 

ý QUARTERLY REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2002

 

OR

 

o TRANSITION REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the transition period from          to          

 

Commission file number: 0-17973

 

I-LINK INCORPORATED

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

FLORIDA

 

59-2291344

(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer  Identification No.)

 

 

 

13751 S. Wadsworth Park Drive, Suite 200,  Draper, Utah 84020

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

 

 

(801) 576-5000

(Registrant’s telephone number)

 

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 and Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter time 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                    ý                                    No                                o

 


 

As of  November 15, the registrant had outstanding 116,549,547 shares of $0.007 par value common stock.

 

 


 

Explanatory Note

     Acceris Communications, Inc. is filing this Amendment No. 3 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-QSB for the period ended September 30, 2002 (the “Form 10-Q”), as previously amended by the Amended Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q/A (Amendment No. 2). This Amendment No. 3 is being filed to amend Part I, Item 4, “Controls and Procedures”. All other statements and provisions in the Form 10-Q Amendment No. 2 have not been updated and remain unchanged.


 

 

PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1 – FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

I-LINK INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

 

 

 

September 30,
2002

 

December 31,
2001

 

 

 

(Unaudited)
(As restated)

 

 

 

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

Current assets:

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

4,231,819

 

$

4,662,532

 

Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $786,912 and $1,862,988 as of September 30, 2002 and December 31, 2001, respectively

 

12,706,118

 

16,009,386

 

Other current assets

 

1,748,906

 

2,632,629

 

Total current assets

 

18,686,843

 

23,304,547

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Furniture, fixtures, equipment and software, net

 

12,232,869

 

21,023,696

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other assets:

 

 

 

 

 

Intangible assets, net

 

443,339

 

1,330,839

 

Assets held for sale

 

458,022

 

 

Other assets

 

1,567,175

 

1,121,067

 

Total assets

 

$

33,388,248

 

$

46,780,149

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ DEFICIT

 

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable

 

$

3,370,329

 

$

7,719,595

 

Accrued liabilities

 

12,111,407

 

12,270,231

 

Unearned revenue

 

46,419

 

1,986,675

 

Revolving credit facility and other current debt

 

9,980,525

 

10,004,862

 

Notes payable and accrued interest to related parties

 

27,644,999

 

17,540,140

 

Current portion of obligations under capital leases

 

3,293,228

 

3,034,293

 

Total current liabilities

 

56,446,907

 

52,555,796

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Notes payable

 

215,022

 

1,147,364

 

Notes payable to a related party, net of unamorized beneficial conversion features

 

25,172,259

 

23,088,535

 

Obligations under capital leases

 

4,790,116

 

6,986,308

 

Total liabilities

 

86,624,304

 

83,778,003

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Contingencies (Notes 8 & 9)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stockholders’ deficit:

 

 

 

 

 

Preferred stock, $10 par value, authorized 10,000,000 shares, issued and outstanding 769 at September 30, 2002 and December 31, 2001, liquidation preference of $761,310 at September 30, 2002

 

7,690

 

7,690

 

Common stock, $.007 par value, authorized 300,000,000 shares,  issued and outstanding 116,549,547 at September 30, 2002 and December 31, 2001

 

815,849

 

815,849

 

Additional paid-in capital

 

129,123,712

 

128,942,389

 

Accumulated deficit

 

(183,183,307

)

(166,763,782

)

Total stockholders’ deficit

 

(53,236,056

)

(36,997,854

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total liabilities and stockholders’ deficit

 

$

33,388,248

 

$

46,780,149

 

 

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

 

1


 

 

I-LINK INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

Three Months Ended September 30,

 

Nine Months Ended September 30,

 

 

 

2002

 

2001

 

2002

 

2001

 

 

 

(as restated)

 

 

 

(as restated)

 

 

 

Revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Telecommunication services

 

$

21,203,430

 

$

25,274,900

 

$

67,883,219

 

$

49,104,324

 

Technology licensing and development

 

321,429

 

1,419,998

 

2,790,237

 

4,276,895

 

Other

 

331,043

 

433,174

 

1,130,639

 

1,618,216

 

Total revenues

 

21,855,902

 

27,128,072

 

71,804,095

 

54,999,435

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating costs and expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Telecommunication network expense

 

12,657,560

 

22,988,640

 

42,519,810

 

43,014,152

 

Selling, general and administrative

 

8,188,464

 

9,894,235

 

26,466,606

 

19,335,976

 

Provision for doubtful accounts

 

1,137,329

 

1,276,740

 

3,833,505

 

2,654,496

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

1,603,750

 

3,204,871

 

6,275,902

 

7,186,662

 

Research and development

 

316,810

 

434,651

 

1,163,968

 

2,025,023

 

Loss on disposal of fixed assets

 

266,259

 

 

266,259

 

 

Impairment of long-lived assets

 

 

8,040,054

 

1,863,122

 

8,040,054

 

Total operating costs and expenses

 

24,170,172

 

45,839,191

 

82,389,172

 

82,256,363

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating loss

 

(2,314,270

)

(18,711,119

)

(10,585,077

)

(27,256,928

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other income (expense):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest expense

 

(1,776,907

)

(1,816,722

)

(6,010,504

)

(2,831,354

)

Interest and other income (expense)

 

152,369

 

25,212

 

176,056

 

76,872

 

Total other income (expense)

 

(1,624,538

)

(1,791,510

)

(5,834,448

)

(2,754,482

)

Net loss

 

$

(3,938,808

)

$

(20,502,629

)

$

(16,419,525

)

$

(30,011,410

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Calculation of net income (loss) per common share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Loss

 

$

(3,938,808

)

$

(20,502,629

)

$

(16,419,525

)

$

(30,011,410

)

Cumulative preferred stock dividends

 

 

 

(5,595

)

 

 

(27,610

)

Dividends accrued and paid on Class M redeemable preferred stock

 

 

 

 

(269,027

)

Net effect on retained earnings of redemption and reissuance of Class M and N preferred stock, including beneficial conversion features

 

 

 

 

15,512,473

 

Net loss applicable to common stock

 

$

(3,938,808

)

$

(20,508,224

)

$

(16,419,525

)

$

(14,795,574

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic and diluted weighted average shares outstanding

 

116,549,547

 

113,672,070

 

116,549,547

 

93,333,115

 

Net loss per common share – basic and diluted

 

$

(0.03

)

$

(0.18

)

$

(0.14

)

$

(0.16

)

 

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

 

2


 

 

I-LINK INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

For the Nine Months Ended
September 30,

 

 

 

2002

 

2001

 

 

 

(as restated)

 

 

 

Cash flows from operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss

 

$

(16,419,525

)

$

(30,011,410

)

Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

6,275,902

 

7,186,662

 

Provision for doubtful accounts

 

3,833,505

 

2,654,496

 

Impairment of long-lived assets

 

1,863,122

 

8,040,054

 

Amortization of discount on notes payable to related party

 

1,315,541

 

888,468

 

Loss on disposal of assets

 

266,259

 

 

Increase (decrease) from changes in operating assets and liabilities (net of effects of acquisitions of businesses):

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts receivable

 

(419,237

)

(3,376,429

)

Other assets

 

1,347,726

 

(4,733,639

)

Unearned revenue

 

(1,940,256

)

(11,427,632

)

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

 

(1,813,477

)

8,858,967

 

Net cash used in operating activities

 

(5,690,440

)

(21,920,463

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from investing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Purchases of furniture, fixtures, equipment and software

 

(1,263,242

)

(1,527,514

)

Acquisition of WorldxChange assets

 

 

(13,000,000

)

Cash received from sale of building

 

691,513

 

 

Cash received from purchase of WebToTel

 

 

233,787

 

Net cash used in investing activities

 

(571,729

)

(14,293,727

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from financing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Repayment on revolving credit facility, net

 

2,537

 

 

Proceeds from issuance of notes payable to related party

 

8,390,224

 

36,189,534

 

Payment of long-term debt

 

(805,371

)

(29,040

)

Payment of capital lease obligations

 

(1,937,257

)

(404,578

)

Contributed capital

 

181,323

 

 

Proceeds from stock purchase plan

 

 

15,580

 

Net cash provided by financing activities

 

5,831,456

 

35,771,496

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Decrease in cash and cash equivalents

 

(430,713

)

(442,694

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

 

4,662,532

 

2,155,628

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

 

$

4,231,819

 

$

1,712,934

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Supplemental schedule of non-cash investing and financing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Conversion of notes payable to related party and associated accrued interest to Class M redeemable preferred stock

 

 

$

10,305,072

 

Reclassification of Class M redeemable preferred stock from mezzanine

 

 

22,039,892

 

 

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

 

3


 

 

Note 1 – Description of Business and Principles of Consolidation

 

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of I-Link Incorporated and its subsidiaries (I-Link or the Company).  The Company operates two independent businesses.  First, for the past five years the Company has developed and marketed enhanced communications products and services utilizing its own private intranet and both owned and leased network switching and transmission facilities.  The communications solutions are delivered through the Company’s proprietary technologies.  Enhanced communications products and services are marketed through master agent and wholesale distributor arrangements with
I-Link Communications, Inc.  I-Link Communications is licensed by the FCC as well as state public utilities commissions.  The Company develops and licenses communications applications products and software that support multimedia communications (voice, fax and audio) over the public switched network, local area networks and the Internet.

 

The second principal operation began on June 4, 2001, when I-Link’s subsidiary, WorldxChange Corp. (WorldxChange) began operations.  WorldxChange is a facilities-based telecommunications carrier that provides international and domestic long-distance service to retail customers.  Telecommunication services provided by WorldxChange consist of (1) a dial-around product that allows a customer to make a call from any phone by dialing a 10-10-XXX prefix and (2) a traditional long distance service through a pre-subscribed customer base.  Historically, WorldxChange marketed these products through two marketing channels.  The first channel was through direct marketing (such as advertising and direct mail campaigns) and the second channel was through multi-level marketing consisting of independent marketing agents through out the United States that receive a commission on the sale of products and services.  During the third quarter of 2002, WorldxChange has determined that it will focus on the multi-level marketing channel and a new commercial agent for acquiring new independent marketing agents.  While the dial-around product will continue to be sold through the multi-level channel, no further expenditures for direct marketing of the dial-around product are anticipated except where an agent based co-op advertising program is supported.  WorldxChange’s subscriber base is comprised of residential and small commercial customers located throughout the United States.

 

All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

 

The interim financial data are unaudited; however, in the opinion of the management of the Company, the interim data includes all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, necessary for a fair presentation of (a) the results of operations for the three and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2002 and 2001, (b) the financial position at September 30, 2002, and (c) cash flows for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2002 and 2001.  The year-end balance sheet was derived from audited financial statements, but does not include all disclosures required by generally accepted accounting principles.  The financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2001 and quarterly reports on Form 10-Q for the three and six-months ended March 31 and June 30, 2002.

 

The results of operations for the three and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2002 are not necessarily indicative of those to be expected for the entire year.

 

Counsel Corporation and its subsidiary Counsel Springwell Communications LLC  (our single largest shareholder) (collectively “Counsel”) have committed to fund, through long-term inter-company advances or equity contributions, all capital investment, working capital or other operational cash requirements of I-Link (and its subsidiaries) in order for I-Link to continue as a going concern through April 15, 2003.  Should Counsel not be able to fund its commitment or not commit to fund I-Link beyond April 15, 2003, I-Link’s ability to continue as a going concern could be significantly at risk.  There can be no assurance that Counsel will continue to provide funding after April 15, 2003.

 

Should funds advanced from Counsel under their commitment be insufficient for whatever reason, additional funds would be necessary from public or private financing markets to successfully integrate and finance the continued operations of I-Link.  The availability of these capital sources will depend on prevailing market conditions, interest rates, and our financial position and results of operations. There can be no assurance that such financing will be available (or if available that they will be on terms and conditions favorable to I-Link), that we will receive any additional proceeds from the exercise of outstanding options and warrants or that we will not be required to arrange for additional debt, equity or other financing. Operations of WorldxChange have to date in conjunction with borrowings and funds available under its revolving credit facility generated sufficient cash to support its operations.

 

4


 

 

Note 2 – Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

 

Net income (loss) per share

 

Basic earnings per share is computed based on the weighted average number of I-Link common shares outstanding during the period. Options, warrants, convertible preferred stock and convertible debt are included in the calculation of diluted earnings per share, except when their effect would be anti-dilutive.  As the Company had either a net loss or no dilutive potential common shares outstanding for the three and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2002 and 2001, basic and diluted income (loss) per share are the same.

 

The net income per common share basic and diluted for the nine-months ended September 30, 2001 includes a net gain to retained earnings of $30,292,319 attributed to the redemption on March 1, 2001 of the Class M redeemable preferred stock and all Class N preferred stock owned by Winter Harbor, LLC including redemption of the beneficial conversion feature related to such preferred stock.  In addition, there was a charge to retained earnings of $9,779,846, representing a contingent beneficial conversion feature on the Class N preferred stock resulting from the reset of the conversion price.  The net income per common share basic and diluted also reflects a $5,000,000 charge to retained earnings for the beneficial conversion feature related to the reissuance on March 1, 2001 of the Class M and Class N preferred stock to Counsel Springwell Communications, LLC (formerly Counsel Communications, LLC).

 

Potential common shares that were not included in the computation of diluted EPS because they would have been anti-dilutive are as follows as of September 30, 2002:

 

Assumed conversion of Series N preferred stock

 

615,200

 

Assumed conversion  of convertible debt

 

24,613,244

 

Assumed exercise of options and warrants to purchase shares of common stock

 

25,484,839

 

 

 

50,713,283

 

 

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

 

In April 2002, Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 145, “Rescission of FASB Statements No. 4, 44, and 64, Amendment of FASB Statement No. 13, and Technical Corrections,” was issued.  In July 2002, SFAS No. 146, “Accounting for Costs Associated with Exit or Disposal Activities,” was issued.  SFAS No. 145 and 146 are required to be implemented in 2003.  The Company is currently assessing the potential impact, if any, the adoption of SFAS Nos. 145 and 146 will have on its financial position and results of operations.

 

Reclassifications

 

Certain balances in the September 30, 2001 and December 31, 2001 financial statements have been reclassified to conform to current year presentation.  These changes had no effect on previously reported net loss, total assets, liabilities or stockholders’ deficit.

 

Note 3 – Restatement

 

The accompanying consolidated financial statements as of September 30, 2002 and for the three and nine months then ended have been restated from those previously issued to (i) correct the reversal of certain liabilities and (ii) eliminate the Company’s recognition of other income from the establishment of long term deposit assets and the recognition of an impairment loss on certain long-lived assets, both related to the June 2001 purchase of certain assets of WorldxChange Communications, Inc (the “WorldxChange Acquisition”). The restatement had no effect on net loss per share for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2002 and 2001.  The restatement increased the net loss for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2002 by $576,944.

 

In the quarter ended September 30, 2002, as originally filed, the Company removed from its financial records certain obligations for which the Company has now determined it did not have sufficient evidence of legal discharge.  Accordingly, the Company is reinstating those obligations, totaling $473,000, of which $248,000 had been recorded as other income for recognition of long term deposits and $225,000 had been recorded as a reduction to telecommunications network expense.

 

5


 

 

                In the quarter ended September 30, 2002, the Company recognized other income from establishment of long term deposits and a loss related to impairment of certain long-lived assets. The Company believes that the establishment of the long term deposit assets should have been accomplished through the allocation of purchase price related to the WorldxChange Acquisition.  Additionally, the Company no longer believes that it was appropriate to establish certain long-lived assets initially recorded in the WorldxChange acquisition. To correct the above errors, the Company has determined it is appropriate to amend its original presentation to reflect the impact of these errors, the effect of which is a reduction in income from recognition of long term deposits of $1,174,459 and a reduction in impairment of long-lived assets of $1,070,515.  Additionally, certain minor balance sheet reclassifications were made and the Company reclassified $145,930 from income from recognition of long term deposits to other income.

 

The following sets forth the effect of these restatements on the net loss for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2002.

 

 

 

Three Months
Ended
September 30,
2002

 

Nine Months
Ended
September 30,
2002

 

Net loss as originally reported

 

$

(3,361,864

)

$

(15,842,581

)

Elimination of income from recognition of long term deposits

 

(1,568,389

)

(1,568,389

)

Elimination of impairment of long-lived assets

 

1,070,515

 

1,070,515

 

Adjustment to telecommunication network expense

 

(225,000

)

(225,000

)

Adjustment to other income

 

145,930

 

145,930

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss as restated

 

$

(3,938,808

)

$

(16,419,525

)

 

Note 4 – Note Payable to Related Party

 

On June 6, 2001, I-Link and Counsel Corporation (US) entered into a Loan and Security Agreement (Loan Agreement) pursuant to which Counsel Corporation (US) agreed to advance to I-Link up to $10,000,000.  In connection with the Loan Agreement, I-Link executed a note payable to Counsel Corporation (US), due June 6, 2002.  The loan is collateralized by all of the assets of
I-Link.  Outstanding balances (including any accrued and unpaid interest) under the loan bear interest at 10% per annum, which interest is payable quarterly in arrears following the last business day of each quarter.  However, Counsel Corporation (US) may (and has elected to do so through September 30, 2002) at its sole election allow interest to accrue and become payable at the end of the term.  Effective June 27, 2002, the Loan Agreement was amended to increase the loan amount to $24,306,866.

 

The full $24,306,866 available under the amended Loan Agreement has been advanced and together with accrued interest, was due and payable to Counsel Corporation (US) on June 6, 2002.  In addition to the amended Loan Agreement amount, Counsel Corporation (US) has advanced (“Additional Advances”) an additional $1,153,678 to I-Link as of September 30, 2002.

 

On July 25, 2002, I-Link, Counsel Corporation (US) and Counsel Springwell Communications LLC entered into a Debt Restructuring Agreement, which agreement was Amended and Restated (“Amended Agreement”) on October 15, 2002 (see Note 10 below).         The Amended Agreement is subject to shareholder approval and will close within three days after receiving such shareholder approval.  Under the Amended Agreement, the total amount of principal under the June 6, 2001 Loan Agreement ($24,306,866) and the Additional Advances until closing, together with accrued interest thereon, will be exchanged for common stock of I-Link at the closing which is anticipated in late 2002 or early 2003.

 

Note 5 – Income Taxes

 

The Company recognized no income tax benefit from the losses generated in 2002 and 2001 because of the uncertainty of the realization of the related deferred tax asset.

 

6


 

 

Note 6 – Intangible Assets

 

Intangible assets consisted of the following at September 30, 2002 and December 31, 2001:

 

 

 

September 30,
2002

 

December 31,
2001

 

Intangible assets subject to amortization:

 

 

 

 

 

Acquired technology

 

$

8,875,000

 

$

8,875,000

 

Accumulated amortization

 

(8,875,000

)

(7,987,500

)

Net intangible asset

 

 

887,500

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Intangible assets not subject to amortization:

 

 

 

 

 

Goodwill

 

173,339

 

173,339

 

Other intangible assets

 

270,000

 

270,000

 

 

 

443,339

 

443,339

 

Total intangible assets

 

$

443,339

 

$

1,330,839

 

 

Aggregate amortization expense of intangibles for the three and nine-months ended September 30, 2002 was $0 and $887,500, respectively.  The intangible assets subject to amortization were fully amortized in the quarter ending June 30, 2002.

 

The following represents what the net loss for the three and nine-months ended September 30, 2001 would have been exclusive of amortization expense recognized in that period related to goodwill and intangible assets that are no longer being amortized.

 

 

 

For the Three
Months Ended
September 30, 2001

 

For the Nine
Months Ended
September 30, 2001

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reported net loss

 

$

(20,502,629

)

$

(30,011,410

)

Add back: goodwill amortization

 

546,892

 

1,366,582

 

Add back: amortization of other intangible assets not subject to amortization

 

13,500

 

40,500

 

Adjusted net loss

 

$

(19,942,237

)

$

(28,604,328

)

 

The following represents what the net loss per share applicable to common stock for the three and nine-months ended September 30, 2001 would have been exclusive of amortization expense recognized in that period related to goodwill and intangible assets that are no longer being amortized.

 

 

 

For the Three
Months Ended
September 30, 2001

 

For the Nine
Months Ended
September 30, 2001

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss per share

 

$

(0.18

)

$

(0.16

)

Goodwill amortization

 

(0.00

)

0.02

 

Other intangibles amortization

 

0.00

 

0.00

 

Adjusted net loss per share

 

$

(0.18

)

$

(0.14

)

 

Note 7 – Potential Acquisitions

 

On March 25, 2002, Counsel Springwell Communications LLC (“Counsel Springwell”) entered into an Asset Purchase Agreement (“Purchase Agreement”) to purchase certain assets and liabilities of RSL COM U.S.A. Inc [“RSL”] used in connection with RSLs’ business data and long distance voice services, including frame relay, long distance and other voice services to small and medium size business and residences.  On May 22, 2002, Counsel Springwell assigned all its right, title and interest in the Purchase Agreement to WorldxChange.  WorldxChange expects to purchase certain assets and liabilities of RSL.  Counsel Springwell has made a deposit in the amount of $2,600,000 on the purchase price.  Additionally, as of September 30, 2002, WorldxChange had expended approximately $750,000 related to the acquisitions which in the event the transactions do not close Counsel Springwell has agreed to reimburse WorldxChange.  How WorldxChange is going to finance this

 

7


 

 

acquisition is yet to be determined. The purchase price is undetermined.  This transaction has not yet closed but is anticipated to close in the fourth quarter of 2002.

 

On July 22, 2002, WorldxChange entered into an Asset Purchase Agreement with Local Telecom Holdings, LLC to purchase certain assets and assume certain liabilities related to its small and residential business of long distance subscribers.  In connection with the acquisition WorldxChange receives a royalty-free transferable license to use the name “Transpoint Communications”.  The acquisition will close after receiving regulatory approvals.  The purchase price is $250,000 which amount may be advanced to Local Telecom Holdings LLC prior to closing in connection with the conduct of its business.  This transaction is anticipated to close in the first quarter of 2003.

 

Note 8 – Legal Proceedings

 

On January 18, 2001, I-Link filed an action against Red Cube International,  AG and Red Cube, Inc. (Red Cube) in federal court in Utah seeking damages against Red Cube, for an alleged default on an agreement to provide approximately $60,000,000 in equity funding to I-Link, and instituting a scheme to drive I-Link out of business and obtain control of I-Link’s proprietary technology, telecommunications network, key employees and customers.  I-Link obtained a temporary restraining order against Red Cube preventing Red Cube from interfering with I-Link’s employees, vendors and customers.  Red Cube subsequently filed a motion to dismiss the action and compel arbitration based upon a mandatory arbitration provision in the May 2000 Cooperation and Framework Agreement by and between Red Cube and I-Link.  The court found that I-Link’s claims were “related to” the Cooperation and Framework Agreement and granted Red Cube’s motion to dismiss for lack of subject matter jurisdiction.  The dismissal resulted in this issue being submitted for American Arbitration Association (AAA) arbitration pursuant to the Cooperation and Framework Agreement.

 

On January 24, 2001, Red Cube International AG delivered a written demand for arbitration and commenced an arbitration proceeding in New York alleging that I-Link breached the Cooperation and Framework Agreement by (i) threatening a shut-down of I-Link’s IP telecommunications network, (ii) the resignation of certain employees, and (iii) I-Link’s alleged failure to update the escrowed copy of its source code to the current version of the source code employed to maintain the IP telecommunications network.  I-Link denied these allegations.  I-Link filed a counterclaim against Red Cube International AG and filed a third-party claim against Red Cube Inc., seeking compensatory and/or punitive damages including damages for Red Cube International AG’s breach of the Cooperation and Framework Agreement and the June 2000 Revenue Sharing Agreement, Red Cube’s default under a subsequent agreement to provide approximately $60,000,000 in equity funding to I-Link, and engaging in a scheme to drive I-Link out of business and obtain control of I-Link’s proprietary technology, telecommunications network, key employees and customers.

 

On July 9, 2002 an evidentiary arbitration hearing was held in New York before a panel of arbitrators of the AAA and the AAA panel issued its award effective October 7, 2002.  The AAA panel dismissed all of Red Cube’s claims with prejudice and determined that Red Cube had breached the agreements between the parties.  The arbitration panel awarded I-Link $6,741,835 in damages against Red Cube International AG and Red Cube International, Inc., jointly and severally.  In addition the AAA panel ordered Red Cube to pay I-Link $18,210 as reimbursement for certain administrative fees and expenses and $64,033 as reimbursement for a portion of the arbitrators’ compensation.  As uncertainty exists at this time as to the ultimate collectability of the awarded amount, management has not recorded any benefit relating to this reward in the financial statements.

 

On November 9, 2000 D/Vit, Inc (Dvit) filed an action against I-Link in federal court in Texas alleging that I-Link’s use of the “V-Link” trademark infringed upon Dvit’s intellectual property rights in the mark “V Linc”.  Dvit’s complaint sought damages and an injunction enjoining I-Link’s use of the mark “V-Link”.  On August 22, 2001 the court issued a preliminary injunction enjoining
I-Link’s use of the “V-Link” mark.  I-Link had already elected to change the name of its product to “I-Link One Number”.  On February 14, 2002 I-Link filed a motion for summary judgment asking the court to rule as a matter of law that I-Link’s past use of the “V-Link” mark did not constitute an infringement upon Dvit’s intellectual property rights in the “V Linc” mark.  Also on February 14, 2002, Dvit filed a motion for partial summary judgment asking the court to determine as a matter of law that I-Link’s prior use of the
“V-Link” mark infringed upon Dvit’s rights in the “V Linc” mark.  On May 8, 2002 the court issued a Memorandum and Order (Order) denying I-Link’s motion for summary judgment and granting Dvit’s partial motion for summary judgment.  The court’s Order permanently enjoined I-Link from using the “V-Link” mark in association with the sale, marketing, description, development or service of its telecommunications products.  The court’s Order did not address possible damages.  A trial on the remaining issue of damages is scheduled for December 3, 2002.  While the Company cannot predict the ultimate outcome of any legal

 

8


 

 

proceeding, in the opinion of management, damages, if any, will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.

 

The Company is involved in litigation relating to other claims arising out of its operations in the normal course of business.  Such litigation and arbitration is not expected, individually or in the aggregate, to have a material adverse affect on the Company.

 

Note 9 – Subsequent Event

 

In the Fall of 2001, I-Link formed a special committee consisting of the two independent directors of its Board of Directors (the Special Committee) in order to negotiate, on the behalf of I-Link, the terms and conditions upon which Counsel Springwell Communications LLC (the owner of approximately 68% of the outstanding common stock of I-Link) and Counsel Corporation (US) (collectively “Counsel Entity”) would continue to fund the operations and cash requirements of I-Link, among other things.  On July 25, 2002, the Company and Counsel Entities entered into a Debt Restructuring Agreement (“Agreement”).  The Agreement was negotiated and approved by the Special Committee.  The Special Committee retained a financial advisor, which determined that the Agreement was fair, from a financial point of view, to the stockholders of I-Link, other than Counsel Entities and its affiliates. However, this Agreement was amended as explained below.

 

On October 15, 2002, the Special Committee and representatives of Counsel Entity agreed to an Amended and Restated Debt Restructuring Agreement (“Amended Agreement”) which was approved by the I-Link Board of Directors on October 29, 2002.  The closing under the Amended Agreement will take place within three days after the date on which the shareholders of I-Link approve proposals to (i) increase the authorized number of shares of common stock of I-Link and (ii) delete Article VI of I-Link’s Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation, which provides that any liquidation, reorganization, merger, consolidation, sale of substantially all of the corporation’s assets, or the reclassification of its securities shall be approved by (a) holders of at least a majority of the issued and outstanding common stock held by holders other than officers and directors of I-Link and those persons who hold 5% or more of the outstanding common stock, and (b) a vote of a majority of shares of issued and outstanding common stock held by the Company’s officers, directors, and those persons who hold 5% or more of the outstanding common stock.  Counsel Entity has indicated that it will vote in favor of approval of the Amended Agreement.

 

The Amended Agreement includes the following terms:

 

1.               Principal ($24,306,866) and associated accrued interest ($2,284,351), as of October 15, 2002, under the June 6, 2001 Loan Agreement  (as amended on June 27, 2002), will be exchanged for common stock of I-Link at $0.18864 (representing the average closing price of I-Link’s common stock during May 2002).  This will result in the issuance of 140,962,770 shares of I-Link Common stock upon closing.

 

2.               Counsel Entity currently has a written commitment to fund, through long-term inter-company advances or equity contributions, all capital investment working capital or other operational cash requirements (which amounts are currently unknown) of I-Link through April 15, 2003.  In addition to this commitment, Counsel Springwell shall fund the operations of I-Link through the date of adoption of an Operating Plan, which is yet to be adopted by the I-Link Board of Directors and Counsel Springwell. Counsel Springwell has also agreed to advance to I-Link:

 

                  any and all amounts paid or payable by I-Link to shareholders of I-Link that exercise their dissenters’ rights in connection with the transactions subject to this Agreement;

                  the amount for the annual premium to renew the existing Directors and Officers insurance coverage (which is and shall be separate and distinct from insurance policies maintained by Counsel Entity or their affiliated entities) for an additional one year from the current date of its expiration in November 2002, and Counsel and Counsel Springwell represent and covenant that they will do any and all things reasonably necessary to cause such insurance to be continued in effect until at least November 2003 in types and amounts that are, at a minimum, currently in force, so long as such insurance is available on commercially reasonable terms;

 

3.     Counsel Entity shall reimburse I-Link for all costs, fees and expenses, in connection with the Agreement and Amended Agreement and transactions contemplated thereby including all expenses incurred and yet to be incurred, including the Special Committee’s costs to negotiate the Agreement, Amended Agreement and costs related to obtaining shareholder approval.

 

9


 

 

4.               The issuance of common stock by I-Link pursuant to this Agreement will result in a weighted average conversion price adjustment pursuant to the provisions of the March 1, 2002 Loan Agreement.  Whereas the conversion price for the March 1, 2002 Loan Agreement had been $0.56, the new conversion price will be approximately $0.38.

 

5.               Counsel Springwell agrees that, if the Amended Agreement is approved by the I-Link shareholders, it shall not take any action under Section 607.1104 of the Florida Business Corporation Act prior to June 30, 2003.  Section 607.1104  allows a shareholder of 80% or more of the outstanding voting securities of a Florida corporation to cause that corporation to be merged with the shareholder or a corporation formed by that shareholder.  The net result of a “Short Form Merger” is that the minority shareholders are involuntarily removed as shareholders of the corporation and are paid an amount of money considered to be the fair market value of their shares in the corporation.  Upon the closing of the Amended Agreement, Counsel Springwell will own over 80% of I-Link’s outstanding common stock.

 

Any funding provided by Counsel Springwell pursuant to this Amended Agreement ($1,540,264 as of November 5, 2002) prior to the closing of this transaction and prior to December 31, 2002, shall, together with interest at 10% per annum, constitute a purchase of common stock for a purchase price per share of $0.18864.  Any funding provided by Counsel Springwell in each month during the 2003 calendar year shall constitute a purchase of additional shares of common stock for a purchase price per share equal to the average closing price of a share of I-Link common stock on the twenty (20) days preceding the funding.

 

The Company is currently evaluating how it will account for the Amended Agreement if approved.

 

Note 10 – Segment of Business Reporting

 

Segment of business reporting is based upon the “management” approach as defined in Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 131.  The management approach designates the internal organization that is used by management for making operating decisions and assessing performance as the source of the Company’s reportable segments.  Based on the management approach, the Company’s three reportable segments are as follows:

 

                  Telecommunications services – includes long-distance toll services and enhanced calling features such as One-Number.  The telecommunications services products are marketed primarily to residential and small business customers.

                  WorldxChange telecommunication services (formerly referred to as dial-around telecommunications services) – includes operations of WorldxChange that offers (1) a dial-around product that allows a customer to make a call from any phone by dialing a 10-10-XXX prefix and (2) a traditional long distance service through a pre-subscribed customer base.  This segment and business was entered into effective June 4, 2001 with the Company’s purchase of certain assets and liabilities of WorldxChange Communications, Inc.

                  Technology licensing and development – provides research and development to enhance the Company’s product and technology offerings.  Products developed by this segment include One-Number and other proprietary technology.  The Company licenses certain developed technology to third party users.

 

There are no significant intersegment revenues.  The Company’s business is conducted principally in the U.S.; foreign operations are not material.  The table below presents information about revenues from external customers and net loss for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2002 and 2001.  There has been no material change in segment assets (other than the impairment to long-lived assets in the telecommunication services segment as discussed in Note 5 above and certain deposits and discharge of liabilities as discussed in Note 4 above) from the amounts reported in the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2001.

 

10


 

 

 

 

For the Three-Month
Period Ended

 

For the Nine-Month
Period Ended

 

 

 

Sept. 30, 2002

 

Sept. 30, 2001

 

Sept. 30, 2002

 

Sept. 30, 2001

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenues from external customers:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Telecommunications services

 

$

1,893,000

 

$

4,221,000

 

$

6,055,000

 

$

23,303,000

 

WorldxChange telecommunication services

 

19,642,000

 

21,487,000

 

62,959,000

 

27,419,000

 

Technology licensing and development

 

321,000

 

1,420,000

 

2,790,000

 

4,277,000

 

Total revenues from external customers for reportable segments

 

$

21,856,000

 

$

27,128,000

 

$

71,804,000

 

$

54,999,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Segment income (loss):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Telecommunications services

 

$

(1,495,000

)

$

(13,274,000

)

$

(7,980,000

)

$

(15,416,000

)

WorldxChange telecommunication services

 

(312,000

)

(3,001,000

)

(2,378,000

)

(4,243,000

)

Technology licensing and development

 

(189,000

)

573,000

 

915 ,000

 

951,000

 

Total segment income (loss) for reportable segments

 

(1,996,000

)

(15,702,000

)

(9,443,000

)

(18,708,000

)

Unallocated non-cash amounts in consolidated net loss:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amortization of discount on notes payable

 

(139,000

)

(784,000

)

(411,000

)

(888,000

)

Amortization of intangible assets

 

 

(549,000

)

(888,000

)

(1,645,000

)

Other corporate expenses

 

(1,804,000

)

(3,468,000

)

(5,678,000

)

(8,770,000

)

 

 

$

(3,939,000

)

$

(20,503,000

)

$

(16,420,000

)

$

(30,011,000

)

 

11


 

 

Item 2- Management’s Discussion and Analysis and Results of Operations

 

The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the information contained in the financial statements of the Company and the notes thereto appearing elsewhere herein and in conjunction with the Management’s Discussion and Analysis set forth in the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2001 and Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31 and June 30, 2002.

 

The Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of I-Link have evaluated the disclosure controls and procedures of I-Link and determined that there were significant deficiencies and material weaknesses.  For more information regarding these findings and corrective actions taken, see the discussion in Item 4 - Controls and Procedures below.

 

Forward-Looking Information

 

This report contains certain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and information relating to I-Link that are based on management’s exercise of business judgment as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to management. When used in this document, the words “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” and “intend” and words of similar import, are intended to identify any forward-looking statements. You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements.  These statements reflect our current view of future events and are subject to certain risks and uncertainties as noted below. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, our actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements.

 

Although we believe that our expectations are based on reasonable assumptions, we can give no assurance that our expectations will materialize.  Many factors could cause actual results to differ materially from our forward-looking statements.  Several of these factors include, without limitation:

 

                  our ability to finance and manage growth;

                  Counsel Corporation (US) and Counsel Springwell Communications LLC’s continued interest in financing our operations, and their ability to finance our operations;

                  the impact of competitive services and pricing;

                  our ongoing relationship with our long distance carriers, vendors and customers;

                  our ability to meet our usage commitments with carriers;

                  our dependence upon key personnel;

                  subscriber attrition;

                  the adoption of new, or changes in, accounting principles;

                  legal proceedings;

                  federal and state governmental regulation of the long distance telecommunications and internet industries;

                  our ability to maintain, operate and upgrade our operating and information systems networks;

                  the demand for and acceptance of our products and services (including but not limited to dial-around service and One-Number service);

                  the ability of I-Link to refinance its existing debt and to fund its operating deficit;

                  our ability to integrate and finance the operations of potential acquisitions;

                  other risks referenced from time to time in our filings with the SEC.

 

We undertake no obligation and do not intend to update, revise or otherwise publicly release any revisions to these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of any unanticipated events.

 

12


 

 

Operations

 

Our principal operations are twofold.  First, for the past five years we have developed and marketed enhanced communications products and services utilizing our own private intranet and both owned and leased network switching and transmission facilities.  The communications solutions are delivered through our proprietary technologies.  Enhanced communications products and services are marketed through master agent and wholesale distributor arrangements with I-Link Communications Inc., our wholly owned subsidiary that is licensed with the FCC and state public utilities commissions as a long-distance carrier.  We develop and license communications applications products and software that support multimedia communications (voice, fax and audio) over the public switched network, local area networks and the Internet.

 

The second principal operation began on June 4, 2001, when I-Link’s subsidiary, WorldxChange Corp. (WorldxChange) began operations.  WorldxChange is a facilities-based telecommunications carrier that provides international and domestic long-distance service to retail customers.  Telecommunication services provided by WorldxChange consist of (1) a dial-around product that allows a customer to make a call from any phone by dialing a 10-10-XXX prefix and (2) a traditional long distance service through a pre-subscribed customer base.  Historically, WorldxChange marketed these products through two marketing channels.  The first channel was through direct marketing (such as advertising and direct mail campaigns) and the second channel was through multi-level marketing consisting of independent marketing agents through out the United States that receive a commission on the sale of products and services.  During the third quarter of 2002, WorldxChange has determined that it will focus on the multi-level marketing channel and a new commercial agent for acquiring new independent marketing agents.  While the dial–around product will continue to be sold through the multi-level channel, no further expenditures for direct marketing of the dial-around product are anticipated except where an agent based co-op advertising program is supported.  WorldxChange’s subscriber base is comprised of residential and small commercial customers located throughout the United States.

 

In the Fall of 2001, I-Link formed a special committee consisting of the two independent directors of its Board of Directors (the Special Committee) in order to negotiate, on the behalf of I-Link, the terms and conditions upon which Counsel Springwell Communications LLC (the owner of approximately 68% of the outstanding common stock of I-Link) and Counsel Corporation (US) (collectively “Counsel Entity”) would continue to fund the operations and cash requirements of I-Link, among other things.  On July 25, 2002, the Company and Counsel Entities entered into a Debt Restructuring Agreement (“Agreement”).  The Agreement was negotiated and approved by the Special Committee.  The Special Committee retained a financial advisor, which determined that the Agreement was fair, from a financial point of view, to the stockholders of I-Link, other than Counsel Entities and its affiliates. However, this Agreement was amended as explained below.

 

On October 15, 2002, the Special Committee and representatives of Counsel Entity agreed to an Amended and Restated Debt Restructuring Agreement (“Amended Agreement”) which was approved by the I-Link Board of Directors on October 29, 2002.  The closing under the Amended Agreement will take place within three days after the date on which the shareholders of I-Link approve proposals to (i) increase the authorized number of shares of common stock of I-Link and (ii) delete Article VI of I-Link’s Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation, which provides that any liquidation, reorganization, merger, consolidation, sale of substantially all of the corporation’s assets, or the reclassification of its securities shall be approved by (a) holders of at least a majority of the issued and outstanding common stock held by holders other than officers and directors of I-Link and those persons who hold 5% or more of the outstanding common stock, and (b) a vote of a majority of shares of issued and outstanding common stock held by the Company’s officers, directors, and those persons who hold 5% or more of the outstanding common stock.  Counsel Entity has indicated that it will vote in favor of approval of the Amended Agreement.

 

The Amended Agreement includes the following terms:

 

1.               Principal ($24,306,866) and associated accrued interest ($2,284,351), as of October 15, 2002, under the June 6, 2001 Loan Agreement  (as amended on June 27, 2002), will be exchanged for common stock of I-Link at $0.18864 (representing the average closing price of I-Link’s common stock during May 2002).  This will result in the issuance of 140,962,770 shares of I-Link Common stock upon closing.

 

2.               Counsel currently has a written commitment to fund, through long-term inter-company advances or equity contributions, all capital investment working capital or other operational cash requirements (which amounts are currently unknown) of I-Link through April 15, 2003.  In addition to this commitment, Counsel Springwell shall fund the operations of I-Link through the date of adoption of an Operating Plan, which is yet to be adopted by the I-Link Board of Directors and Counsel Springwell. Counsel Springwell has also agreed to advance to I-Link:

 

13


 

 

                  any and all amounts paid or payable by I-Link to shareholders of I-Link that exercise their dissenters’ rights in connection with the transactions subject to this Agreement;

                  the amount for the annual premium to renew the existing Directors and Officers insurance coverage (which is and shall be separate and distinct from insurance policies maintained by Counsel or their affiliated entities) for an additional one year from the current date of its expiration in November 2002, and Counsel and Counsel Springwell represent and covenant that they will do any and all things reasonably necessary to cause such insurance to be continued in effect until at least November 2003 in types and amounts that are, at a minimum, currently in force, so long as such insurance is available on commercially reasonable terms;

 

3.               Counsel shall reimburse I-Link for all costs, fees and expenses, in connection with the Agreement and Amended Agreement and transactions contemplated thereby including all expenses incurred and yet to be incurred, including the Special Committee’s costs to negotiate the Agreement and Amended Agreement and costs related to obtaining shareholder approval.

 

4.               The issuance of common stock by I-Link pursuant to this Agreement will result in a weighted average conversion price adjustment pursuant to the provisions of the March 1, 2002 Loan Agreement.  Whereas the conversion price for the March 1, 2002 Loan Agreement had been $0.56, the new conversion price will be approximately $0.38.

 

5.               Counsel Springwell agrees that, if the Amended Agreement is approved by the I-Link shareholders, it shall not take any action under Section 607.1104 of the Florida Business Corporation Act prior to June 30, 2003.  Section 607.1104  allows a shareholder of 80% or more of the outstanding voting securities of a Florida corporation to cause that corporation to be merged with the shareholder or a corporation formed by that shareholder.  The net result of a “Short Form Merger” is that the minority shareholders are involuntarily removed as shareholders of the corporation and are paid an amount of money considered to be the fair market value of their shares in the corporation.  Upon the closing of the Amended Agreement, Counsel Springwell will own over 80% of I-Link’s outstanding common stock.

 

Any funding provided by Counsel Springwell pursuant to this Amended Agreement ($1,540,264 as of November 5, 2002) prior to the closing of this transaction and prior to December 31, 2002, shall, together with interest at 10% per annum, constitute a purchase of common stock for a purchase price per share of $0.18864.  Any funding provided by Counsel Springwell in each month during the 2003 calendar year shall constitute a purchase of additional shares of common stock for a purchase price per share equal to the average closing price of a share of I-Link common stock on the twenty (20) days preceding the funding.

 

We have three issued patents and utilize the technology underlying those patents in providing our products and services.  We have also licensed certain portions of that technology to third parties. We have several patent applications that are currently pending before United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).  In August 2002, our “voice internet transmission system” patent (VoIP Patent) was issued.  While we are using the technology underlying the VoIP Patent in our business, we are also investigating whether and to what extent this VoIP Patent is licensable to third parties. The Company is currently reviewing the results of that review and considering its alternatives.

 

On March 25, 2002, Counsel Springwell Communications LLC (“Counsel Springwell”) entered into an Asset Purchase Agreement (“Purchase Agreement”) to purchase certain assets and liabilities of RSL COM U.S.A. Inc [“RSL”] used in connection with RSLs’ business data and long distance voice services, including frame relay, long distance and other voice services to small and medium size business and residences.  On May 22, 2002, Counsel Springwell assigned all its right, title and interest in the Purchase Agreement to WorldxChange.  WorldxChange expects to purchase certain assets and liabilities of RSL.  Counsel Springwell has made a deposit in the amount of $2,600,000 on the purchase price.  Additionally, as of September 30, 2002, WorldxChange had expended approximately $750,000 related to the acquisitions which in the event the transactions do not close Counsel Springwell has agreed to reimburse WorldxChange.  How WorldxChange is going to finance this acquisition is yet to be determined. The purchase price is yet undetermined.  This transaction has not yet closed but is anticipated to close in the fourth quarter of 2002.

 

On July 22, 2002, WorldxChange entered into an Asset Purchase Agreement with Local Telecom Holdings, LLC to purchase certain assets and assume certain liabilities related to its small and residential business of long distance subscribers.  In connection with the acquisition WorldxChange receives a royalty-free transferable license to use the name “Transpoint Communications”.  The acquisition will close after receiving regulatory approvals.  The purchase price is $250,000 which amount may be advanced to Local Telecom Holdings LLC prior to closing in connection with the conduct of its business.  This transaction is anticipated to close in the first quarter of 2003.

 

14


 

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

Cash and cash equivalents as of September 30, 2002 were $4,231,819 and the working capital (current assets less current liabilities) deficit was $37,760,064.  However, should the Amended Agreement discussed above be approved by the shareholders, the working capital deficit would be reduced by $27,644,999.  Cash used by operating activities during the nine-month period ended September 30, 2002 was $5,690,440 as compared to $21,920,463 during the same period ended September 30, 2001. The net decrease in cash used in 2002 was primarily due to: (1) a decrease of $8,376,534 in our net loss after allowance for non-cash expenses, in addition to (2) a decrease in cash used of $7,853,489 associated with timing of collections and payments related to accounts receivable, other assets, accounts payable and accrued liabilities.

 

Net cash used in investing activities in the nine-month period ended September 30, 2002 was $571,729 as compared to net cash used of $14,293,727 in the same period ended September 30, 2001.  In the first nine months of 2002, cash used in investing activities was attributable to the purchase of furniture, fixtures, equipment and software and was offset by cash received from the sale of the Broadway building in downtown Salt Lake City.  Cash used in investing activities in the first nine-months of 2001 was attributed to $13,000,000 used to purchase the net assets of WorldxChange and $1,527,514 used to purchase furniture, fixtures, equipment and software.  Cash of $233,787 received as part of the WebToTel acquisition offset these uses of cash.

 

Financing activities provided net cash of $5,831,456 in the first nine months of 2002 as compared to cash provided of $35,771,496 in the same period of 2001.  Cash provided in 2002 included proceeds of $8,390,224 from notes payable to a related party.  These proceeds were offset by net draw down of $2,537 on the WorldxChange revolving credit facility and repayments of $2,742,628 on long-term debt and capital lease obligations as well as contributed capital of $181,323 resulting from reimbursement of I-Link expenses by Counsel.  Cash provided in the first nine months of 2001 included $36,189,534 (of which $13,000,000 was used to purchase the net assets of WorldxChange) in proceeds from notes to a related party and $15,580 from the issuances of common stock.  Repayments of long-term debt and capital lease obligations of $433,618 offset these proceeds.

 

We incurred a net loss from operations of $16,419,525 for the nine-months ended September 30, 2002 and as of September 30, 2002 had an accumulated deficit of $183,183,307.  We anticipate that revenues generated from operations will not be sufficient during the remainder of 2002 and into 2003 to fund our operations or potential development of new products or markets for existing products.  Accordingly, we continue to rely on our agreement with Counsel wherein Counsel has committed to fund, through long-term inter-company advances or equity contributions, all capital investment working capital or other operational cash requirements of I-Link in order for I-Link to continue as a going concern through April 15, 2003.

 

Operations of our subsidiary, WorldxChange, currently generates sufficient cash in addition to its funds available under its revolving credit facility to fund current operations and anticipates this trend to continue.  WorldxChange has approximately $1,000,000 in borrowing available as of September 30, 2002 under its revolving credit facility.  Operations at I-Link continue to require cash infusion into the operations as operational cash requirements exceed operational cash receipts.  Accordingly, the operations of I-Link (exclusive of WorldxChange) continue to be dependant upon continuous funding from our majority stockholder, Counsel Springwell Communications LLC (formerly Counsel Communications LLC), and its parent Counsel Corporations (US) to fund our operational cash needs (see discussion in “Current Position/Future Requirements” below).

 

As discussed in Operations above, WorldxChange had entered into two potential acquisitions.  It is anticipated that the cash to fund the acquisitions will come from Counsel Springwell or Counsel Corporation, however, Counsel Springwell has not yet determined how it will fund (debt or equity) the WorldxChange acquisition.  Depending on that determination, the actual purchase price, the liquidity and capital resources of I-Link and its subsidiary WorldxChange may be significantly impacted.

 

Current Position/Future Requirements

 

I-Link (excluding WorldxChange) continues to generate negative cash flow from operations and anticipates having negative cash flow in the future until such a time as current or new products can generate sufficient revenues to cover costs or costs are cut to a level to match revenues.  I-Link is currently considering alternatives to reduce its negative cash flow including continued reductions of operations.  Until I-Link can become cash flow positive, I-Link continues to rely on Counsel for needed funding.  WorldxChange currently generates sufficient cash to fund current operations and anticipates this trend to continue.  To more appropriately size the operations of I-Link, we have:

 

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                  reduced a significant part of our fixed network, specifically, leased lines for origination and termination from our backbone network.  Instead of using these leased lines for origination and termination, we determined that given current revenue levels, it would be more economical to originate and terminate traffic on our subsidiary’s (WorldxChange) and other carriers’ networks, which we began to do in late 2001.  This transition (effectively completed in April 2002) has resulted in significant cost savings (see discussion of telecommunication expenses below).

                  made several strategic reductions in our employee base from approximately 114 at January 1, 2002 to approximately 72 as of September 30, 2002.

                  consolidated our employee workforce and operations in Draper, Utah which will result in overhead cost savings.

 

On July 25, 2002 I-Link and Counsel agreed to a Debt Restructuring Agreement (see discussion of Agreement under “Operations” above), which would have (if approved by the shareholders and certain Federal and state regulatory agencies) assisted us in meeting our near term financial needs.  On October 15, 2002 the Debt Restructuring Agreement was amended and restated.  The amended and restated agreement calls for Counsel to:

 

                  exchange principal ($24,306,866) and accrued interest ($2,284,351 as of October 15, 2002) which was due June 6, 2002 under the June 6, 2001 Loan Agreement, for common stock of I-Link.

                  exchange other advances to I-Link ($1,540,264 as of November 1, 2002)  and related accrued interest through the Amended Agreement closing date, into common stock of I-Link.

                  fund I-Link with an unspecified amount in 2002 and 2003 based upon an operating budget yet to be approved by the Board of Directors

 

While the above efforts have and will continue to reduce I-Link’s costs, they will not of themselves remove our overall reliance on increased revenues and/or outside funding to meet our operational cash needs.  We continue to review our products and related marketing efforts to increase our product revenues, but to date we have not been able to generate revenues in excess of our expenses and there is no guarantee that we will in the future.  We continue to rely on financial resources currently available to us and investigate other funding sources that may become available to us in the future.  Accordingly, we continue to rely on our agreement with Counsel wherein Counsel has committed to fund, through long-term inter-company advances or equity contributions, all capital investment working capital or other operational cash requirements of I-Link in order for I-Link to continue as a going concern through April 15, 2003.

 

The amount and timing of Counsel’s advances to I-Link will have a direct impact on the future operations of I-Link such as, but not limited to, research and development and continued offering of I-Link’s current or future products.  Should funds advanced from Counsel under their commitment be insufficient for whatever reason, additional funds would be necessary from public or private financing markets to successfully integrate and finance the continued operations of I-Link.  The availability of these capital sources will depend on prevailing market conditions, interest rates, and our financial position and results of operations.  There can be no assurance that such financing will be available, (or if available that they will be on terms and conditions favorable to I-Link) that we will receive any additional proceeds from the exercise of outstanding options and warrants or that we will not be required to arrange for additional debt, equity or other financing.

 

For the three months ended September 30, 2002, WorldxChange had negative cash flow of approximately $1,325,000 before borrowings of approximately $1,313,000 on its revolving credit facility.  Year to date WorldxChange has had negative cash flow of $424,000.  WorldxChange believes that it currently generates sufficient cash in addition to its funds available under its revolving credit facility to fund current operations and anticipates this trend to continue excluding the potential acquisitions discussed below.

 

As discussed in Liquidity and Capital Resources above, WorldxChange had entered into two potential acquisitions.  It is anticipated that the cash to fund the acquisitions will come from Counsel Springwell or Counsel Corporation, however, Counsel Springwell has not yet determined how it will fund (debt or equity) the WorldxChange acquisitions.  Depending on that determination, the current position and future requirements of I-Link and its subsidiary WorldxChange may be significantly impacted.

 

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Results of Operations

 

In order to more fully understand the comparison of the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2002 as compared to the same three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2001, two significant business transactions that occurred in 2001 must be understood.  Specifically:

 

1.               On June 4, 2001 our wholly owned subsidiary, WorldxChange, purchased certain assets and liabilities of WorldxChange Communications, Inc. and began operations.  WorldxChange offers a dial-around telecommunications product.  We did not offer a comparable product prior to June 4, 2001.  Accordingly, the three-month periods ended September 30, 2002 and 2001 are comparable in that WorldxChange was in existence for the full three-month periods.  However, the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2002 and 2001 are not comparable as the nine month period ended September 2001 includes the results of operations of WorldxChange from June 4 to September 30, 2001, whereas the nine-month period ended September 30, 2002 include the results of operations of WorldxChange for the entire nine-month period.

 

2.               We acquired WebToTel Inc and its subsidiary Nexbell Communications Inc in a stock for stock transaction on April 17, 2001.  However, as WebToTel and I-Link were under common control of Counsel as of March 1, 2001 (the date Counsel obtained its ownership in I-Link), we have accounted for the acquisition on an accounting method consistent with the pooling-of-interests method of accounting as of March 1, 2001.  Accordingly, the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2001 included the results of operations of WebToTel Inc and Nexbell Communications, Inc beginning March 1, 2001.  In the fourth quarter of 2001, we ceased to offer Nexbell Communications Inc’s only product and thus the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2002 do not have any significant revenue or expenses related to Nexbell.

 

Three-Month Period Ended September 30, 2002 Compared to Three-Month Period Ended September 30, 2001

 

Revenues

 

Telecommunications service revenue decreased $4,071,470 to $21,203,430 in the three months ended September 30, 2002 as compared to $25,274,900 in the three months ended September 30, 2001.  This decrease is related to declines in revenue related to the following:

 

                  revenues of WorldxChange decreased approximately $1,845,000;

                  revenues of approximately $652,000 from wholesale relationships with a few customers which we ceased to offer in the fourth quarter of 2001 when we reduced our leased lines used for origination and termination associated with our network backbone (see discussion of network costs below);

                  revenues of approximately $393,000 from I-Link’s unified messaging products primarily related to a continuing reduction in the number of subscribers; and

                  revenues of approximately $1,181,000 from Nexbell’s telecommunications products that did not recur in 2002 as we ceased offering this product in the fourth quarter of 2001.

 

Technology licensing and development revenue decreased $1,098,569 to $321,429 in the third quarter of 2002 as compared to $1,419,998 in the same quarter of 2001.  During the three months ended September 30, 2001, licensing revenues were primarily from a $10,000,000 licensing agreement executed in May 2000, between Red Cube and I-Link that was recorded over a two-year period which ended in May 2002.  Accordingly, $1,249,998 was recorded as revenue in the third quarter of 2001 and no revenue was recorded in the third quarter of 2002.  As the term of the Red Cube license agreement expired in April 2002, there will be no further Red Cube licensing revenues in the future.  Other than Red Cube as discussed above, technology licensing and development revenues increased $151,429.  As of September 30, 2002, we have future payments due to us of $4,500,000 under two licensing agreements.  However, both of the agreements are in default for non-payment and the collection of the future payments is doubtful.  As we have not recognized revenues in excess of cash payments received, there will not be a provision for doubtful accounts in the future in the event that the obligations under these two contracts are not received.  We anticipate revenues from this source will be reduced in the fourth quarter due to the defaults of these two agreements.  Revenue from this source will vary from quarter to quarter based on timing of future technology licensing and development projects.

 

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Other revenues in the third quarter of 2002 decreased $102,131 to $331,043 as compared to $433,174 in the same period of 2001.  The revenues relate primarily to customer care, billing and accounts receivable services performed primarily for our single largest customer.  The decrease from the third quarter of 2001 to the third quarter of 2002 was primarily related to a decrease in its subscriber base.  Revenues from these services are expected to decrease slightly in the fourth quarter of 2002.  Revenues from these types of services vary from period to period based upon services requested.

 

Operating costs and expenses

 

Telecommunication network expense decreased $10,331,080 in the third quarter of 2002 to $12,657,560 as compared to $22,988,640 for the same quarter of 2001. These expenses include the costs related to the continuing development and deployment of our communication network and expenses related to the generation of telecommunication service revenues.  This decrease was primarily due to reductions of approximately:

 

                  $4,734,000 related to a decrease in network expenses from WorldxChange.  The decrease was related to a reduction in fixed costs due to restructuring of the network; decrease in variable costs per minute due to renegotiation of carrier contract prices and reduction due to decrease in revenues.  We anticipate that future network costs should be similar to the current period as adjusted for changes in revenues.

                  $4,134,000 in I-Link’s network fixed costs as a result of our decision in late 2001 when we determined it was not economically justifiable to continue to maintain a significant part of our fixed network, specifically, leased lines for origination and termination from our backbone network.  Instead of using these leased lines for origination and termination, it was determined that given current revenue levels, it would be more economical to originate and terminate traffic on our subsidiary’s (WorldxChange) and other carriers’ networks which we began to do in late 2001, which transition was effectively completed in April 2002;

                  $1,459,000 related to I-Link’s variable network costs, various fees, commissions and other overhead costs primarily related to the decline in I-Link revenues.

 

Selling, general and administrative expense decreased $1,705,771 to $8,188,464 in the third quarter of 2002 as compared to $9,894,235 in the third quarter of 2001. The primary component of the net decrease was a reduction in salaries in the I-Link entity of approximately $1,495,000 from workforce reductions and an associated decrease of approximately $807,000 in other departmental expenses (which included reduction in facilities, materials, etc.), reductions in professional fees related to litigation and stock market delisting expenses and other cost cutting measures instigated by management.  Offsetting the decrease were approximately $596,000 of additional SG&A expenses from increased headcount at WorldxChange.

 

The provision for doubtful accounts decreased $139,411 to $1,137,329 in the third quarter of 2002 as compared to $1,276,740 in the same quarter of 2001.  The decrease is primarily related to a decrease in associated telecommunications services revenues.

 

Depreciation and amortization decreased $1,601,121 to $1,603,750 in the third quarter of 2002 as compared to $3,204,871 in the third quarter of 2001.  The decrease in depreciation expense was primarily related a decrease in assets subject to depreciation including the reduction in assets related to an impairment of assets recorded in the second quarter of 2002.

 

Research and development decreased $117,841 to $316,810 in the third quarter of 2002 as compared to $434,651 in the same period of 2001.  The decrease was primarily a result of our decision to consolidate our research operations at our headquarters in Draper, Utah and to slow research and development activities in order to concentrate our financial resources on sales and marketing of existing products.  We anticipate that research and development expense will continue at a comparable amount during the remainder of 2002.

 

A loss on disposal of fixed assets was recorded in the third quarter of 2002 in the amount of $266,259.  This is a result of the continuing contraction of the business activities of I-Link.

 

Other income (expense)

 

Interest expense decreased $39,815 to $1,776,907 in the third quarter of 2002 as compared to $1,816,722 in the same quarter of 2001. The decrease was primarily due to a decrease in the amortization of a beneficial conversion feature on

 

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convertible debt with Counsel and amortization of the discount related to the value of warrants issued to Counsel of approximately $619,000.  This decrease was offset by increases from:

 

                  $474,000 related to increased debt to our parent company (Counsel);

                  $105,000 on a revolving credit facility, capital leases and other debt;

 

Interest and other income increased $127,157 to $152,369 in the second quarter of 2002 as compared to $25,212 in the same quarter of 2001.  The increase was primarily due to various items of approximately $145,000 that will not recur in the future period.  This increase was offset by a decrease in interest income due to a decrease in the average balance of interest bearing cash on hand in the third quarter of 2002 as compared to the same quarter of 2001.

 

Nine-Month Period Ended September 30, 2002 Compared to the Nine-Month Period September 30, 2001

 

Revenues

 

Telecommunications service revenue increased $18,778,895 to $67,883,219 in the first nine months of 2002 as compared to $49,104,324 in the first nine months of 2001. The primary reason for the increase related to WorldxChange revenues increasing $35,539,611 to $62,959,091 in 2002 (representing nine months of revenue) compared to $27,419,480 in 2001 (representing approximately four months of revenue).  This increase was offset by revenue decreases primarily from:

 

                  revenues of $9,543,000 recognized in the first nine months of 2001 related to prepaid services to Red Cube which were not used by May 2001 as required per the agreement;

                  revenues of approximately $2,968,000 from wholesale relationships with a few customers which we ceased to offer in the fourth quarter of 2001 when we reduced our leased lines used for origination and termination associated with our network backbone (see discussion of network costs below);

                  revenues of approximately $1,895,000 from I-Link’s unified messaging products primarily related to a continuing reduction in the number of subscribers and;

                  revenues of approximately $2,342,000 from Nexbell’s telecommunications products for the nine months ended September 30, 2001 that did not recur in 2002 as we ceased offering this product in the fourth quarter of 2001.

 

Technology licensing and development revenue decreased $1,486,658 to $2,790,237 in the first nine months of 2002 as compared to $4,276,895 in the first nine months of 2001.  During the nine months ended September 30, 2002, licensing revenues were primarily from a $10,000,000 licensing agreement executed in May 2000, between Red Cube and I-Link that was recorded over a two-year period which ended in May 2002.  Accordingly, $1,666,664 was recorded as revenue in the first nine months of 2002 as compared to $3,749,994 in the first nine months of 2001.  As the term of the Red Cube license agreement expired in April 2002, there will be no further Red Cube licensing revenues in the future.  Other than Red Cube as discussed above, technology licensing and development revenues increased $596,671 to $1,123,572 in the first nine months of 2002 as compared to $526,901 in the same period of 2001.  Revenue from this source is anticipated to decline, but will vary from quarter to quarter based on timing of future technology licensing and development projects.

 

Other revenues in the first nine months of 2002 decreased $487,577 to $1,130,639 as compared to $1,618,216 in the first nine months of 2001. The revenues relate primarily to customer care, billing and accounts receivable services performed primarily for our single largest customer.  The decrease from the first nine months of 2001 to the first nine months of 2002 was primarily related to a decrease in its subscriber base.  Revenues from these types of services vary from period to period based upon services requested.

 

Operating costs and expenses

 

Telecommunication network expense decreased $494,342 in the nine months ended September 30, 2002 to $42,519,810 as compared to $43,014,152 for the same period in 2001. These expenses include the costs related to the continuing development and deployment of our communication network and expenses related to the generation of telecommunication service revenues.  Telecommunication network expense increased $15,025,867 to $36,068,493 in 2002 (representing nine months of expense) compared to $21,042,626 in 2001 (representing approximately four months of

 

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expense) related to the services rendered by WorldxChange.  This increase was offset primarily by reductions of approximately:

 

                  $6,380,000 in I-Link’s network fixed costs as a result of our decision in late 2001 when we determined it was not economically justifiable to continue to maintain a significant part of our fixed network, specifically, leased lines for origination and termination from our backbone network.  Instead of using these leased lines for origination and termination, it was determined that given current revenue levels, it would be more economical to originate and terminate traffic on our subsidiary’s (WorldxChange) and other carriers’ networks which we began to do in late 2001, which transition was effectively completed in April 2002;

                  $9,574,000 related to I-Link’s variable network costs, various fees, commissions and other overhead costs primarily related to the decline in I-Link revenues.

 

Selling, general and administrative expense increased $7,130,630 to $26,466,606 in the first nine months of 2002 as compared to $19,335,976 in the first nine months of 2001.  The primary component of the net increase was additional selling, general and administrative expenses of $20,292,332 in the first nine months of 2002 (representing nine months of expense) related to WorldxChange as compared to $6,904,689 in 2001 (representing approximately four months of expense).  Offsetting this increase were cost savings of approximately $7,298,000 related to the workforce reductions in December 2001 through May 2002 (which included reduction in facilities, materials, etc.), reductions in professional fees related to litigation and stock market delisting expenses and other cost cutting measures instigated by management.

 

The provision for doubtful accounts increased $1,179,009 to $3,833,505 in the nine months of 2002 as compared to $2,654,496 in the same period in 2001. The overall increase was primarily a result of two components:

 

                  an increase of $2,554,308 due to an increase in WorldxChange’s provision to $3,725,872 in the first nine months of 2002 (representing nine months of expense) as compared to $1,452,534 in 2001 (representing approximately four month of expense);

                  a provision for one major customer in the amount of $975,000 in the first six months of 2001 that did not recur in 2002; and

                  a decrease of approximately  $400,000 associated with the decline in revenues at I-Link.

 

Depreciation and amortization decreased $910,760 to $6,275,902 in the first nine months of 2002 as compared to $7,186,662 in the first nine months of 2001.  An increase in depreciation of $1,610,193 was related to depreciation of $2,922,943 in the first nine months of 2002 (representing nine months of expense) related to WorldxChange as compared to $1,312,750 in 2001 (representing approximately four months of expense as WorldxChange was acquired in June 2001).  The increase is offset by:

 

                  a decrease in depreciation expense of approximately $1,052,000 primarily to a decrease in assets subject to depreciation including the reduction in assets related to an impairment of assets recorded in the second quarter of 2002; and

                  a decrease in amortization expense of approximately $1,632,000 primarily due to the adoption of SFAS No. 142 effective January 1, 2002 which eliminated the periodic amortization of goodwill.

 

Research and development decreased $861,055 to $1,163,968 in the first nine months of 2002 as compared to $2,025,023 in the same period in 2001.  The decrease was primarily a result of our decision to consolidate our research operations at our headquarters in Draper, Utah and to slow research and development activities in order to concentrate our financial resources on sales and marketing of existing products.

 

A loss on disposal of fixed assets was recorded in the third quarter of 2002 in the amount of $266,259.  This is a result of the continuing contraction of the business activities of I-Link.

 

An impairment of long-lived assets in the amount of $1,863,122 was recorded in the first nine months of 2002.  The impairment was related to two groups of assets in our telecommunications segment.

 

                  The first related to our decision to sell a building we have used to house telecommunications equipment and employees.  The completion and deployment of our SS7 and enhanced routing software in the second quarter of 2002 eliminated the need for several telecommunication switches that had been housed in the building.  Accordingly, we no longer needed the building and during the second quarter sold the building in August

 

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2002.  As the selling price (net of selling costs) was less than the carrying value of the building, an impairment loss was recorded in the amount of $464,500.

                  The second group of assets included several telecommunication switches that we no longer required due to our SS7 and enhanced routing software of which development and deployment was completed in the second quarter of 2002.  This group of assets also included equipment purchased in anticipation of continued deployment of our communication engine’s (“CE’s”) which are a component of our telecommunication network.  During the second quarter of 2002, we concluded that an augmentation of CE’s to the existing network related to anticipated customers was not likely to occur and that the probable course of action is to sell the excess equipment.  We are actively marketing the equipment directly to customers as well as engaging broker’s to sell the equipment.  Estimates of proceeds are based upon actual sales and brokers’ estimates of liquidating values.  In the second quarter of 2002 we recorded an impairment of $1,398,622 related to this group of assets.

 

Other income (expense)

 

Interest expense increased $3,179,150 to $6,010,504 in the first nine months of 2002 as compared to $2,831,354 in the same period of 2001. The increase was primarily due to increased interest of approximately:

 

                  $2,332,000 related to increased debt to our parent company (Counsel);

                  $301,000 on WorldxChange’s revolving credit facility;

                  $323,000 on  capital leases (primarily related to equipment of WorldxChange); and

                  $301,000 (non-cash) related to the amortization of a beneficial conversion feature on convertible debt with Counsel and amortization of the discount related to the value of warrants issued to Counsel.

 

The above increases were offset by a reduction of approximately $91,000 related to changes in various other debt.

 

Interest and other income increased $99,184 to $176,056 in the first nine months of 2002 as compared to $76,872 in the same period of 2001. The increase was primarily due to various items of approximately $145,000 that will not recur in the future period.  The increase was offset by a decrease in interest income.  The decrease in interest income was primarily due to a decrease in the average balance of cash on hand in the first nine months of 2002.

 

Net income (loss) per share

 

The net income per common share basic and diluted for the nine-months ending September 30, 2001 includes a net gain to retained earnings for $15,512,473 attributed to the redemption and reissuance on March 1, 2001 of the Class M redeemable preferred stock and all Class N preferred stock owned by Winter Harbor as discussed in Note 2 to the financial statements for the quarter ended June 30, 2002.  This adjustment to retained earnings represents the net effect on retained earnings of the redemption of the Class M and N preferred stock including the associated beneficial conversion features related to the original issuance of the preferred stock.  The adjustment also reflects a charge to retained earnings for the beneficial conversion features related to the reissuance on March 1, 2001 of Class M and N preferred stock to Counsel Communications, LLC.

 

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

 

In April 2002, Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 145, “Rescission of FASB Statements No. 4, 44, and 64, Amendment of FASB Statement No. 13, and Technical Corrections,” was issued.  In July 2002, SFAS No. 146, “Accounting for Costs Associated with Exit or Disposal Activities,” was issued.  SFAS No. 145 and 146 are required to be implemented in 2003.  The Company is currently assessing the potential impact, if any, the adoption of SFAS Nos. 145 and 146 will have on its financial position and results of operations.

 

Item 3- Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

 

Our exposure to market risk is limited to interest income sensitivity, which is affected by changes in the general level of U.S. interest rates.  Our cash equivalents are invested with high quality issuers and limit the amount of credit

 

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exposure to any one issuer. Due to the short-term nature of the cash equivalents, we believe that we are not subject to any material interest rate risk.  We did not have any foreign currency hedges or other derivative financial instruments as of September 30, 2002.

 

We do not enter into financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes and do not currently utilize derivative financial instruments. Our operations are conducted primarily in the United States and as such are not subject to material foreign currency exchange rate risks.

 

Item 4- Controls and Procedures

 

As of the end of the period covered by this interim report on Form 10-Q , the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of the Company (the “Certifying Officers”) conducted evaluations of the Company's disclosure controls and procedures. As defined under Sections 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), the term “disclosure controls and procedures” means controls and other procedures of an issuer that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the issuer in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the Commission's rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by an issuer in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to the issuer's management, including its principal executive officer or officers and principal financial officer or officers, or persons performing similar functions, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

 

Helen Seltzer (the then chief executive officer) and James A. Giauque III (the then acting chief financial officer) conducted an evaluation of the disclosure controls and procedures as of November 15, 2002. Thereafter, on March 13, 2003, the Certifying Officers conducted a subsequent evaluation of the Company's disclosure controls and procedures. As a result of those evaluations, the Certifying Officers concluded that those disclosure controls and procedures were not effective as of the date of the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. In compliance with Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, (18 U.S.C. 1350), each of the Certifying Officers executed an Officer's Certification included in the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

 

In the originally filed Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2002, the Certifying Officers of the Company indicated that a deficiency existed in the flow of information to the senior management of the Company from one of its subsidiaries. Specifically, Counsel Corporation (the Company's majority shareholder), had obtained a right to acquire a certain asset for the benefit of the Company's subsidiary, and thereafter assigned that right to the subsidiary. The subsidiary did not inform senior executives of the Company of the assignment of that right to it by Counsel Corporation prior to the consummation of the assignment. The reason for this conclusion reached by the Company's Certifying Officers was that the flow of information to the senior management of the Company from its subsidiary, WorldxChange, did not provide for the timely distribution of information relating to potential acquisitions by WorldxChange, including a related party transaction, thereby creating a possibility that required material information would not be reported on a timely basis to the parties responsible for public disclosure. Although the information that was not communicated to senior management on a timely basis did not, in this instance, have financial reporting implications, and there were no resulting adjustments to the financial statements or related disclosures, management concluded that this deficiency could have prevented the timely communication of information that did have implications for the Company's financial statements, and therefore constituted a deficiency in the Company's disclosure controls. The combined corrective efforts of the Audit Committee and the respective management teams of the Company and the subsidiary resulted in modifications in the disclosure controls and procedures of the Company and its subsidiaries. Under the modified procedures, no material transaction not in the ordinary course of business or a related party transaction may be effected without the prior approval of the Board of Directors of the Company. Further, all communications with the Company's majority shareholder must be conducted by the CEO or CFO of the Company.

 

The Company's response timeline to the foregoing deficiency was as follows: the material weakness was detected on or about November 1, 2002; the Company commenced its efforts to address the matter on or about November 1, 2002, and completed its remedial steps by November 15, 2002. Upon completion of the foregoing modifications in controls and procedures by November 15, 2002, the Certifying Officers determined that the Company's disclosure controls and procedures had regained their effectiveness and that the underlying material weakness has been remedied. PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP did not (nor did they customarily) complete specific audit procedures on the Company's internal controls except those considered necessary to render an opinion on the financial statements of the Company as of and for the year ended December 31, 2002, taken as a whole. PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP did not complete any specific audit procedures aimed specifically at affirming management's assertions contained herein.

 

In connection with the filing of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002, the Certifying Officers evaluated the Company's internal controls and disclosure controls and procedures as of March 13, 2003 and concluded that those disclosure controls and procedures were not effective. An explanation of the deficiencies and remedies is set forth below.

 

As a result of the March 13, 2003 evaluation of the Company's internal controls and disclosure controls and procedures, the Certifying Officers determined that the following matters involving internal controls constituted material weaknesses. The deficiencies related to the process of calculating allowance for doubtful accounts, the timeliness of general ledger account reconciliations and analysis, and financial reporting expertise. A material weakness is a condition in which the design or operation of one or more of the internal control components does not reduce to a relatively low level the risk that misstatements caused by error or fraud in amounts that would be material in relation to the financial statements may occur and not be detected within a timely period by employees in the normal course of performing their assigned functions. More specific discussion is set forth below.

 

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Allowance For Doubtful Accounts. The Company's information systems necessary to analyze its reserves for uncollectible accounts receivable were not effective. The affected information systems became ineffective during the year 2002 due to the rapid growth of the revenue base and related accounts receivable during the year. The fundamental problem creating the ineffectiveness was the lack of a reliable aging analysis. The systems used to track the receivables became inadequate as a result of increasing volume of business and what was ultimately determined to be the inadequacy of the personnel that had responsibility to manage the aging process. As a result, the aging reports were prepared manually. To correct this situation, management implemented a system to generate reports addressing the aging and collectibility of accounts receivable to assist management in the timely and accurate analysis of accounts receivable, and management increased the monitoring of that information. These improvements to the Company's disclosure controls were completed on or about March 31, 2003. Since that time, the Company has also commenced the implementation of a new billing system, and during 2004 it expects to move many of its customers onto that system.

 

General Ledger Account Reconciliation and Analysis. Certain of the Company's general ledger accounts were not reconciled on a timely basis. The Company has implemented corrective procedures, including (i) reconciliation of general ledger accounts on a monthly basis, (ii) review of all reconciliations by the controller, (iii) retention of a new Company controller, (iv) the merger of multiple general ledgers into a single ledger, and (v) periodic review of the account reconciliations by the Company's CFO to ensure that the newly retained controller had a thorough understanding of the Company's business. The foregoing procedures were put in place on or about March 31, 2003.

 

Financial Reporting Expertise. Following the acquisition of certain assets of RSL.COM USA Inc. from bankruptcy on December 10, 2002, the Company's management concluded that it did not have adequate financial reporting and accounting expertise. This conclusion was based upon the Company's growth, as well as the accounting and financial reporting complexities that arose by virtue of the integration, consolidation and reorganization of the Company. In order to address this deficiency, the Company commenced a search for a qualified CFO and a qualified Corporate Controller. A new CFO was appointed in February 2003 and a new Corporate Controller was hired in March 2003.

 

The Company's response timeline to the foregoing deficiency was as follows: the material weakness was detected on or about January 31, 2003; the Company commenced its efforts to address the matter on or about January 31, 2003, and completed its remedial steps by March 2003. Upon completion of the foregoing modifications in controls and procedures in March 2003, the Certifying Officers determined that the Company's disclosure controls and procedures had regained their effectiveness and that the underlying material weakness has been remedied. The changes necessary to address the material weakness relating to the Company's ability to produce accurate financial information on a timely basis have been completed and the weakness remedied. PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP did not (nor did they customarily) complete specific audit procedures on the Company's internal controls except those considered necessary to render an opinion on the financial statements of the Company as of and for the year ended December 31, 2002, taken as a whole. PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP did not complete any specific audit procedures aimed specifically at affirming management's assertions contained herein.

 

In connection with the filing of the Company's Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2004, the Company carried out, under the supervision of and with the participation of the Company's management, including the Company's Certifying Officers, an evaluation of the effectiveness of its “disclosure controls and procedures” (as the term is defined under Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)) as those controls existed as of June 30, 2004, the end of the period covered by the subject quarterly report. Based on this evaluation, the Certifying Officers concluded that the Company's disclosure controls and procedures were not effective to ensure that material information is recorded, processed, summarized and reported by management of the Company on a timely basis in order to comply with the Company's disclosure obligations under the Exchange Act, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. This deficiency constitutes a material weakness, and detailed below are the facts surrounding this matter.

 

On September 20, 2004, management of the Company concluded that the requirements of Emerging Issues Task Force Issue No. 00-27 (“EITF 00-27”), regarding the accounting for Beneficial Conversion Features (“BCF”) present on convertible debt and preferred stock instruments had not been properly applied in current and prior years to its convertible debentures issued in March 2001. While the initial accounting for the BCF at the time of the issuance of the debentures was correct, the Company failed to remeasure the BCF as required by EITF 00-27 when at subsequent dates the number of shares and effective conversion prices changes as the result of the debentures' anti-dilution provisions. These anti-dilution events and their respective impacts on the number of shares and the conversion price were disclosed in the Company's previous public filings. However, under EITF 00-27 the BCF should also have been remeasured at the date of each anti-dilution event. Additionally, the debentures called for the addition of accruing interest to the debentures, as a result of which such accruing interest is deemed to have been paid in kind (“PIK”) and the Company failed, as required by EITF 00-27, to measure the BCF upon the deemed issuance of the PIK convertible debentures.

 

This matter was raised by the Company's recently appointed independent auditors, BDO Seidman, LLP (“BDO”), in the course of their review of the Company's prior public filings. After discussions among the Company's management, BDO, and the Company's prior auditors, PricewaterhouseCoopers, LLP (“PwC”), the Company's management concluded that a correction of the prior accounting on this matter was required. The Company's management brought the matter for consideration before the Audit Committee and the full Board of Directors of the Company. Having considered the circumstances underlying the accounting errors and their effects upon the Company's prior filings, and having discussed the matter with the BDO and PwC representatives as well as the Company's management, the Audit Committee concluded that the previously issued financial statements should not be relied upon and approved and authorized the Company's management to amend certain previously filed public reports.

 

Additionally, management and the Audit Committee considered what changes, if any, were necessary to the Company's disclosure controls and procedures to ensure that the errors described above would not reoccur and to provide that material information is recorded, processed, summarized and reported by management of the Company on a timely basis in order to comply with the Company's disclosure obligations under the Exchange Act, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. In its review the Audit Committee noted that the errors described above (i) related principally to periods that preceded changes the Company has already made to consolidate and upgrade its accounting staff and function, and (ii) that the errors described above did not result from the failure of the Company's disclosure controls and procedures to make known to the appropriate officials and auditors the facts concerning the Company's convertible debentures or the occurrence of the anti-dilution events. As a result management and the Audit Committee determined that education and professional development of accounting staff on the complications of EITF 00-27 and its application would be sufficient to prevent a reoccurrence. These educational steps and development have been completed as of September 2004. No additional changes to the Company's disclosure controls and procedures were needed in response to the discovery of the errors described above.

 

There were no further changes in the Company's internal control over financial reporting during the fiscal period in question that has materially affected or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company's internal control over financial reporting.

 

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PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1 - Legal Proceedings

 

On January 18, 2001, I-Link filed an action against Red Cube, International AG and Red Cube, Inc. (Red Cube) in federal court in Utah seeking damages against Red Cube, for an alleged default on an agreement to provide approximately $60,000,000 in equity funding to I-Link, and instituting a scheme to drive I-Link out of business and obtain control of I-Link’s proprietary technology, telecommunications network, key employees and customers.  I-Link obtained a temporary restraining order against Red Cube preventing Red Cube from interfering with I-Link’s employees, vendors and customers.  Red Cube subsequently filed a motion to dismiss the action and compel arbitration based upon a mandatory arbitration provision in the May 2000 Cooperation and Framework Agreement by and between Red Cube and I-Link.  The court found that I-Link’s claims were “related to” the Cooperation and Framework Agreement and granted Red Cube’s motion to dismiss for lack of subject matter jurisdiction.  The dismissal resulted in this issue being submitted for American Arbitration Association (AAA) arbitration pursuant to the Cooperation and Framework Agreement.

 

On January 24, 2001, Red Cube International AG delivered a written demand for arbitration and commenced an arbitration proceeding in New York alleging that I-Link breached the Cooperation and Framework Agreement by (i) threatening a shut-down of I-Link’s IP telecommunications network, (ii) the resignation of certain employees, and (iii) I-Link’s alleged failure to update the escrowed copy of its source code to the current version of the source code employed to maintain the IP telecommunications network.  I-Link denied these allegations.  I-Link filed a counterclaim against Red Cube International AG and filed a third-party claim against Red Cube Inc., seeking compensatory and/or punitive damages including damages for Red Cube International AG’s breach of the Cooperation and Framework Agreement and the June 2000 Revenue Sharing Agreement, Red Cube’s default under a subsequent agreement to provide approximately $60,000,000 in equity funding to I-Link, and engaging in a scheme to drive I-Link out of business and obtain control of I-Link’s proprietary technology, telecommunications network, key employees and customers.

 

On July 9, 2002 an evidentiary arbitration hearing was held in New York before a panel of arbitrators of the AAA and the AAA panel issued its award effective October 7, 2002.  The AAA panel dismissed all of Red Cube’s claims with prejudice and determined that Red Cube had breached the agreements between the parties.  The arbitration panel awarded I-Link $6,741,835 in damages against Red Cube International AG and Red Cube International, Inc., jointly and severally.  In addition the AAA panel ordered Red Cube to pay I-Link $18,210 as reimbursement for certain administrative fees and expenses and $64,033 as reimbursement for a portion of the arbitrators’ compensation.  As uncertainty exists at this time as to the ultimate collectability of the awarded amount, management has not recorded any benefit relating to this reward in the financial statements.

 

On November 9, 2000 D/Vit, Inc (Dvit) filed an action against I-Link in federal court in Texas alleging that I-Link’s use of the “V-Link” trademark infringed upon Dvit’s intellectual property rights in the mark “V Linc”.  Dvit’s complaint sought damages and an injunction enjoining I-Link’s use of the mark “V-Link”.  On August 22, 2001 the court issued a preliminary injunction enjoining I-Link’s use of the “V-Link” mark.  I-Link had already elected to change the name of its product to “I-Link One Number”.  On February 14, 2002 I-Link filed a motion for summary judgment asking the court to rule as a matter of law that I-Link’s past use of the “V-Link” mark did not constitute an infringement upon Dvit’s intellectual property rights in the “V Linc” mark.  Also on February 14, 2002, Dvit filed a motion for partial summary judgment asking the court to determine as a matter of law that I-Link’s prior use of the “V-Link” mark infringed upon Dvit’s rights in the “V Linc” mark.  On May 8, 2002 the court issued a Memorandum and Order (Order) denying I-Link’s motion for summary judgment and granting Dvit’s partial motion for summary judgment.  The court’s Order permanently enjoined I-Link from using the “V-Link” mark in association with the sale, marketing, description, development or service of its telecommunications products.  The court’s Order did not address possible damages.  A trial on the remaining issue of damages is scheduled for December 3, 2002.  While the Company cannot predict the ultimate outcome of any legal proceeding, in the opinion of the Company, damages, if any, will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.

 

The Company is involved in litigation relating to other claims arising out of its operations in the normal course of business.  Such litigation and arbitration is not expected, individually or in the aggregate, to have a material adverse affect on the Company.

 

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Item 3 - Defaults Upon Senior Securities

 

As of September 30, 2002, I-Link was in default under a June 6, 2001 Loan Agreement (and amended June 27, 2002) between I-Link and Counsel.  The loan amount of $24,306,866 with accrued interest of $2,174,014 as of September 30, 2002 was due June 6, 2002.  On July 25, 2002, Counsel and I-Link entered into a Debt Restructuring Agreement, which agreement was amended on October 15, 2002 when I-Link and Counsel entered into an Amended and Restated Debt Restructuring Agreement (see discussion in “Current Position/Future Requirements” in Part I above of this Form 10-Q).  The Agreement requires approval by shareholders.  The Amended Agreement includes a provision wherein the principal and accrued interest of the June 6, 2001 loan will be exchanged into common stock of I-Link at $0.18864 per share upon closing of the Amended and Restated Debt Restructuring Agreement.

 

Item 6(a) - Exhibits

 

31.1                           Certification pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a)

 

31.2                           Certification pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a)

 

32.1                           Certification pursuant to Section 1350 of Chapter 63 of title 18 of the United States Code

 

32.2                           Certification pursuant to Section 1350 of Chapter 63 of title 18 of the United States Code

 

Item 6(b) - Reports on Form 8-K

 

A Current Report on Form 8-K was filed on August 9, 2002 to announce a Debt Restructuring Agreement by and among I-Link Incorporated, Counsel Corporation (US) and Counsel Springwell Communications, LLC dated July 25, 2002, which Agreement was filed therein.

 

 

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 thereunder duly authorized.

 

 

 

I-Link Incorporated

 

 

(Registrant)

 

 

 

 

Date:  December 30, 2004

By:

/s/  Allan Silber

 

 

 

Allan Silber

 

 

Chief Executive Officer

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/  Gary M. Clifford

 

 

 

Gary M. Clifford

 

 

Chief Financial Officer

 

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