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Table of Contents

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, DC 20549

 

 

FORM 10-Q

 

 

(Mark One)

x QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the Quarterly Period Ended March 31, 2011

or

¨ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 For the Transition Period from              to            

Commission file number: 333-138009

 

 

HUGHES NETWORK SYSTEMS, LLC

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

Delaware   11-3735091

(State or Other Jurisdiction of

Incorporation or Organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

11717 Exploration Lane, Germantown, Maryland 20876

(Address of Principal Executive Offices and Zip Code)

(301) 428-5500

(Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code)

 

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. ¨ Yes x No

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

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

Large accelerated filer  ¨                                                                 Accelerated filer  ¨

Non-accelerated filer  x    (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)    Smaller reporting company  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the company is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). ¨ Yes x No

The number of the registrant’s membership interests outstanding as of April 29, 2011 was as follows:

 

Class A Membership Interests:    95,000      Class B Membership Interests:    3,280   

 


Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

          Page  
PART I—FINANCIAL INFORMATION      1   
Item 1.   

Financial Statements

     1   
Item 2.   

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

     28   
Item 3.   

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

     42   
Item 4   

Controls and Procedures

     43   
PART II—OTHER INFORMATION      44   
Item 1.   

Legal Proceedings

     44   
Item 1A.   

Risk Factors

     44   
Item 2.   

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

     44   
Item 3.   

Defaults Upon Senior Securities

     45   
Item 4.   

(Removed and Reserved)

     45   
Item 5.   

Other Information

     45   
Item 6.   

Exhibits

     45   
SIGNATURES      46   

 

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PART I—FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

Item 1. Financial Statements

HUGHES NETWORK SYSTEMS, LLC

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In thousands)

(Unaudited)

 

          March 31,      
2011
      December 31,  
2010
 

ASSETS

   

Current assets:

   

Cash and cash equivalents

  $ 44,136      $ 80,800   

Marketable securities

    2,679        6,675   

Receivables, net

    181,415        184,869   

Inventories

    59,627        57,819   

Prepaid expenses and other

    25,303        24,600   
               

Total current assets

    313,160        354,763   

Property, net

    837,255        773,652   

Capitalized software costs, net

    45,326        46,092   

Intangible assets, net

    10,056        10,738   

Goodwill

    2,661        2,661   

Other assets

    68,285        67,459   
               

Total assets

  $ 1,276,743      $ 1,255,365   
               

LIABILITIES AND EQUITY

   

Current liabilities:

   

Accounts payable

  $ 93,049      $ 117,763   

Short-term debt

    4,609        6,196   

Accrued liabilities and other

    157,375        133,383   
               

Total current liabilities

    255,033        257,342   

Long-term debt

    756,380        740,487   

Other long-term liabilities

    26,764        27,308   
               

Total liabilities

    1,038,177        1,025,137   
               

Commitments and contingencies

   

Equity:

   

Hughes Network Systems, LLC (“HNS”) equity:

   

Class A membership interests

    176,248        176,099   

Class B membership interests

    -        -   

Retained earnings

    66,651        61,487   

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

    (12,783     (15,682
               

Total HNS’ equity

    230,116        221,904   
               

Noncontrolling interest

    8,450        8,324   
               

Total equity

    238,566        230,228   
               

Total liabilities and equity

  $ 1,276,743      $ 1,255,365   
               

See accompanying Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

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HUGHES NETWORK SYSTEMS, LLC

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(In thousands)

(Unaudited)

 

     Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
           2011                 2010        

Revenues:

    

Services revenues

   $ 214,250      $ 186,890   

Hardware sales

     48,422        55,253   
                

Total revenues

     262,672        242,143   
                

Operating costs and expenses:

    

Cost of services

     132,006        115,650   

Cost of hardware

     49,574        60,886   

Selling, general and administrative

     55,869        48,680   

Research and development

     5,154        4,915   

Amortization of intangible assets

     682        702   
                

Total operating costs and expenses

     243,285        230,833   
                

Operating income (loss)

     19,387        11,310   

Other income (expense):

    

Interest expense

     (12,500     (16,105

Interest income

     359        553   

Other loss, net

     (248     -   
                

Income (loss) before income tax expense

     6,998        (4,242

Income tax expense

     (1,770     (1,217
                

Net income (loss)

     5,228        (5,459

Net income attributable to the noncontrolling interest

     (64     (103
                

Net income (loss) attributable to HNS

   $ 5,164      $ (5,562
                

See accompanying Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

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HUGHES NETWORK SYSTEMS, LLC

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN EQUITY

(In thousands)

(Unaudited)

 

0000 0000 0000 0000 0000
     HNS’ Equity               
     Class A and B
Membership
Interests
     Retained
Earnings
    Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Loss
    Noncontrolling
Interest
     Total  

Balance at January 1, 2010

   $ 177,933       $ 36,094      $ (13,987   $ 5,921       $ 205,961   

Share-based compensation

     224                224   

Comprehensive income (loss):

            

Net income (loss)

        (5,562       103         (5,459

Foreign currency translation adjustments

          (1,011     204         (807

Unrealized loss on hedging instruments

          (2,323     -         (2,323

Reclassification of realized loss on hedging instruments

          1,368        -         1,368   

Unrealized gain on available-for-sale securities

          2        -         2   
                                          

Balance at March 31, 2010

   $ 178,157       $ 30,532      $ (15,951   $ 6,228       $ 198,966   
                                          

Balance at January 1, 2011

   $ 176,099       $ 61,487      $ (15,682   $ 8,324       $ 230,228   

Share-based compensation

     149                149   

Comprehensive income (loss):

            

Net income

        5,164          64         5,228   

Foreign currency translation adjustments

          1,627        62         1,689   

Unrealized loss on hedging instruments

          (189     -         (189

Reclassification of realized loss on hedging instruments

          1,404        -         1,404   

Unrealized gain on available-for-sale securities

          57        -         57   
                                          

Balance at March 31, 2011

   $ 176,248       $ 66,651      $ (12,783   $ 8,450       $ 238,566   
                                          

See accompanying Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

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HUGHES NETWORK SYSTEMS, LLC

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(In thousands)

(Unaudited)

 

    Three Months Ended March 31,  
          2011                 2010        

Cash flows from operating activities:

   

Net income (loss)

  $ 5,228      $ (5,459

Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash flows from operating activities:

   

Depreciation and amortization

    37,362        29,969   

Amortization of debt issuance costs

    861        616   

Share-based compensation expense

    149        224   

Other

    235        37   

Change in other operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisition:

   

Receivables, net

    4,524        3,077   

Inventories

    (1,581     (2,078

Prepaid expenses and other

    (1,505     828   

Accounts payable

    (37,629     (19,909

Accrued liabilities and other

    42,466        7,660   
               

Net cash provided by operating activities

    50,110        14,965   
               

Cash flows from investing activities:

   

Change in restricted cash

    423        88   

Purchases of marketable securities

    -        (22,615

Proceeds from sales of marketable securities

    3,999        10,000   

Expenditures for property

    (101,259     (63,668

Expenditures for capitalized software

    (2,752     (3,166

Proceeds from sale of property

    80        -   
               

Net cash used in investing activities

    (99,509     (79,361
               

Cash flows from financing activities:

   

Short-term revolver borrowings

    898        1,999   

Repayments of revolver borrowings

    (945     (2,430

Long-term debt borrowings

    16,822        1,220   

Repayments of long-term debt

    (2,740     (1,721

Debt issuance costs

    (1,015     (1,742
               

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

    13,020        (2,674
               

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

    (285     1,673   
               

Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents

    (36,664     (65,397

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the period

    80,800        183,733   
               

Cash and cash equivalents at end of the period

  $ 44,136      $ 118,336   
               

Supplemental cash flow information:

   

Cash paid for interest

  $ 2,485      $ 2,407   

Cash paid for income taxes

  $ 3,426      $ 2,341   

Supplemental non-cash disclosures related to:

   

Capitalized software and property acquired, not paid

  $ 21,829      $ 25,303   

See accompanying Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

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HUGHES NETWORK SYSTEMS, LLC

NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 1:     Organization and Description of Business

Hughes Network Systems, LLC (“HNS” and, together with its consolidated subsidiaries, the “Company” or “we,” “us,” and “our”) was formed as a Delaware limited liability company on November 12, 2004. The Limited Liability Company Agreement of Hughes Network Systems, LLC, as amended (the “LLC Agreement”) provides for two classes of membership interests. The Class A membership interests, which have voting rights, are purchased by investors in the Company. The Class B membership interests, which do not have voting rights, are available for grant to employees, officers, directors, and consultants of the Company in exchange for the performance of services. Hughes Communications, Inc. (“HCI” or “Parent”) is the sole owner of our Class A membership interests and serves as our managing member, as defined in the LLC Agreement. As of March 31, 2011, there were 95,000 Class A membership interests outstanding and 3,280 Class B membership interests outstanding.

We are a telecommunications company that provides equipment and services to the broadband communications marketplace. We have extensive technical expertise in satellite, wireline and wireless communications which we utilize in a number of product and service offerings. In particular, we offer a spectrum of broadband equipment and services to the managed services market, which is comprised of enterprises with a requirement to connect a large number of geographically dispersed locations with reliable, scalable, and cost-effective applications, such as credit card verification, inventory tracking and control, and broadcast video. We provide broadband network services and systems to the international and domestic enterprise markets and satellite broadband Internet access to North American consumers, which we refer to as the Consumer market. In addition, we provide networking systems solutions to customers for mobile satellite and wireless backhaul systems. These services are generally provided on a contract or project basis and may involve the use of proprietary products engineered by us.

We have five reportable segments, which we operate and manage as strategic business units and organize by products and services. We measure and evaluate our reportable segments based on the operating earnings of the respective segments. Our business segments include: (i) the North America Broadband segment; (ii) the International Broadband segment; (iii) the Telecom Systems segment; (iv) the HTS Satellite segment; and (v) the Corporate segment. The North America Broadband segment consists of the Consumer group, which delivers broadband Internet service to consumer customers, and the Enterprise group, which provides satellite, wireline and wireless communication network products and services to enterprises. The International Broadband segment consists of our international service companies and provides managed network services and equipment to enterprise customers and broadband service providers worldwide. The Telecom Systems segment consists of the Mobile Satellite Systems group and the Terrestrial Microwave group. The Mobile Satellite Systems group provides turnkey satellite ground segment systems to mobile system operators. The Terrestrial Microwave group provides point-to-multipoint microwave radio network systems that are used for both cellular backhaul and broadband wireless access. The HTS Satellite segment consists of activities related to the development, construction and launch of high throughput satellites (“HTS”) and currently represents construction activities of our new satellite named Jupiter and the development of related network equipment. The Corporate segment includes our corporate offices and assets not specifically related to another business segment.

Note 2:     Basis of Presentation and New Accounting Pronouncements

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with: (i) generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“GAAP”) for interim financial information; (ii) the instructions to Form 10-Q; and (iii) the guidance of Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, for financial statements required to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). They include the assets, liabilities, results of operations and cash flows of the Company, including its domestic and foreign subsidiaries that are more than 50% owned or for which the Company is deemed to be the primary beneficiary as defined by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (the “ASC”) 810 “Consolidation.” Entities in which the Company holds at least 20% ownership or in which there are other indicators of significant influence are

 

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Table of Contents

HUGHES NETWORK SYSTEMS, LLC

NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

 

generally accounted for by the equity method, whereby the Company records its proportionate share of the entities’ results of operations. Entities in which the Company holds less than 20% ownership and does not have the ability to exercise significant influence are generally carried at cost. As permitted under Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X, certain notes and other financial information normally required by GAAP have been condensed or omitted. Management believes the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements reflect all normal and recurring adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of the Company’s financial position, results of operations, and cash flows as of and for the periods presented herein. Our results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2011 may not be indicative of our future results. These condensed consolidated financial statements are unaudited and should be read in conjunction with our audited consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010.

All intercompany balances and transactions with subsidiaries and other consolidated entities have been eliminated.

Use of Estimates in the Preparation of the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

The preparation of our condensed consolidated financial statements in accordance with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses. Management bases its estimates and assumptions on historical experience and on various other factors that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. Due to the inherent uncertainty involved in making estimates, actual results reported in future periods may be affected by changes in those estimates.

New Accounting Pronouncements

Recently Adopted Accounting Guidance

In October 2009, the FASB issued ASU 2009-13 amending ASC 605 “Revenue Recognition” related to revenue arrangements with multiple deliverables. Among other things, ASU 2009-13 provides guidance for entities in determining the accounting for multiple deliverable arrangements and establishes a hierarchy for determining the amount of revenue to allocate to the various deliverables. The adoption of ASU 2009-13 on January 1, 2011 did not have a material impact on our financial statements.

In October 2009, the FASB issued ASU 2009-14 to amend ASC 605 to change the accounting model for revenue arrangements that include both tangible products and software elements. The adoption of ASU 2009-14 on January 1, 2011 did not have a material impact on our financial statements.

Note 3:    Recent Developments

On February 13, 2011, HCI entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”) with EchoStar Corporation, a Nevada corporation (“EchoStar”), EchoStar Satellite Services L.L.C., a Colorado limited liability company (“Satellite Services”), and Broadband Acquisition Corporation, a Delaware corporation (“Merger Sub”), pursuant to which, subject to the terms and conditions set forth therein, Merger Sub will merge with and into the Company (the “Merger”), with HCI continuing as the surviving entity and becoming a wholly owned subsidiary of EchoStar.

Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, upon the closing of the Merger, each of HCI’s issued and outstanding shares of common stock (other than any of our common stock with respect to which appraisal rights have been duly exercised under Delaware law) will automatically be converted into the right to receive $60.70 in cash (without interest) and cancelled. Vested restricted stock awards and restricted stock units will become HCI’s common stock upon the closing of the Merger and are therefore entitled to the right to receive $60.70 in cash (without interest) and will be cancelled. Unvested restricted stock awards and restricted stock units at the closing of the Merger have the right to receive $60.70 in cash (without interest) payable at the time such restricted stocks vest, and will likewise be cancelled.

Vested options to acquire HCI’s common stock will continue to be outstanding until the closing of the Merger. Upon the closing of the Merger, vested options will be cancelled, and within 10 days after the closing of the Merger, each vested stock option will receive $60.70 in cash (without interest) minus the exercise price of the stock option per share. Unvested stock options at closing of the Merger will be converted into the right to receive $60.70 in cash (without interest) minus the exercise price of the stock option per share, payable at the time such options vest.

The Merger Agreement also contemplates refinancing certain of our existing debt, including the 2009 and 2006 Senior Notes. The COFACE Guaranteed Facility will continue to remain outstanding following the Merger if the requisite lender consents thereunder are obtained. See Note 10—Debt for details of the 2006 and 2009 Senior Notes and the COFACE Guaranteed Facility.

        Each of the boards of directors of HCI and Merger Sub approved the Merger Agreement and deemed it advisable and fair to, and in the best interests of, their respective companies and stockholders to enter into the Merger Agreement and to consummate the Merger and the transactions and agreements contemplated thereby. The board of directors of EchoStar approved the Merger Agreement and deemed it advisable and fair to, and in the best interests of, its stockholders to enter into the Merger Agreement and to consummate the transactions and agreements contemplated thereby.

The Merger is expected to close later this year, subject to certain closing conditions, including among others, receipt of approval by the Federal Communications Commission, as detailed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010.

The foregoing description of the Merger Agreement and the transactions and agreements contemplated thereby does not purport to be complete and is subject to and qualified in its entirety by reference to the Merger Agreement.

 

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HUGHES NETWORK SYSTEMS, LLC

NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

 

Note 4:    Marketable Securities

The amortized cost basis and estimated fair value of available-for-sale marketable securities are summarized as follows (in thousands):

 

     Cost
         Basis           
     Gross
      Unrealized      
Loss
         Estimated     
Fair Value
 

March 31, 2011:

       

Money market instruments

   $ 2,679       $ -      $ 2,679   
                         

Total available-for-sale securities

   $ 2,679       $ -      $ 2,679   
                         

December 31, 2010:

       

Money market instruments

   $ 3,677       $ (2   $ 3,675   

Municipal commercial paper

     3,000         -        3,000   
                         

Total available-for-sale securities

   $ 6,677       $ (2   $ 6,675   
                         

As of March 31, 2011, our investments in money market instruments have A-1+ and P-1 ratings from Standard & Poor’s (“S&P”) and Moody’s, respectively. We also hold marketable equity securities as a long-term investment in Other Assets.

   

Note 5:    Receivables, Net   

Receivables, net consisted of the following (in thousands):

  

                   March 31,      
2011
     December 31, 
2010
 

Trade receivables

      $ 173,264      $ 170,851   

Contracts in process

        21,891        25,208   

Other receivables

        3,983        3,963   
                   

Total receivables

            199,138        200,022   

Allowance for doubtful accounts

        (17,723     (15,153
                   

Total receivables, net

      $ 181,415      $ 184,869   
                   

Trade receivables included $5.6 million and $5.8 million of amounts due from related parties as of March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively. Advances and progress billings offset against contracts in process amounted to $11.3 million and $2.8 million as of March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively.

    

Note 6:    Inventories   

Inventories consisted of the following (in thousands):

  

                  March 31,      
2011
     December 31, 
2010
 

Production materials and supplies

      $ 7,399      $ 7,270   

Work in process

        11,537        12,828   

Finished goods

        40,691            37,721   
                   

Total inventories

      $         59,627      $ 57,819   
                   

 

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HUGHES NETWORK SYSTEMS, LLC

NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

 

Inventories are carried at the lower of cost or market, principally using standard costs adjusted to reflect actual cost, based on variance analyses performed throughout the year. Inventories are adjusted to net realizable value using management’s best estimates of future use. In making its assessment of future use or recovery, management considers the aging and composition of inventory balances, the effects of technological and/or design changes, forecasted future product demand based on firm or near-firm customer orders and alternative means of disposition of excess or obsolete items.

Note 7:    Property, Net

Property, net consisted of the following (dollars in thousands):

 

         Estimated
    Useful Lives    
(years)
           March 31,      
2011
      December 31,  
2010
 

Land and improvements

     10       $ 5,907      $ 5,888   

Buildings and leasehold improvements

     2 - 30         36,563        35,509   

Satellite related assets

     15         380,394        380,394   

Machinery and equipment

     1 - 7         216,096        211,820   

Consumer rental equipment

     2 - 4         172,438        140,616   

VSAT operating lease hardware

     2 - 5         10,910        13,137   

Furniture and fixtures

     7         1,742        1,714   

Construction in progress

 

- Jupiter

        294,494        238,358   
 

- Other

        19,609        15,924   
                     

Total property

          1,138,153        1,043,360   

Accumulated depreciation

        (300,898     (269,708
                     

Total property, net

      $ 837,255      $ 773,652   
                     

Property and equipment are carried at cost and depreciated or amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives. A significant component of our property and equipment is associated with our SPACEWAYTM 3 (“SPACEWAY 3”) satellite, capitalized costs associated with our Jupiter satellite and related assets, and the consumer rental equipment, related to our consumer rental program.

In June 2009, we entered into an agreement with Space Systems/Loral, Inc. (“SS/L”), under which SS/L will manufacture Jupiter, our next-generation and geostationary high throughput satellite. Jupiter will employ a multi-spot beam, bent pipe Ka-band architecture and will provide additional capacity for the HughesNet service in North America. The construction of Jupiter began in July 2009 and we began to capitalize all direct costs associated with the construction and the launch of the satellite, including interest incurred during the construction of the satellite. Jupiter is scheduled to be launched in the first half of 2012.

Capitalized satellite costs are depreciated on a straight-line basis over the estimated satellite useful life of 15 years. For the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010, we recorded $6.4 million and $2.0 million, respectively, of capitalized interest related to Jupiter.

 

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HUGHES NETWORK SYSTEMS, LLC

NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

 

Note 8:    Intangible Assets, Net

Intangible assets, net consisted of the following (dollars in thousands):

 

    Estimated
   Useful Lives   
(years)
       Cost Basis          Accumulated  
Amortization
         Net Basis       

March 31, 2011:

       

Customer relationships

    8      $ 9,785      $ (5,590   $ 4,195   

Patented technology and trademarks

    8 -10        15,275      $ (9,414     5,861   
                         

Total intangible assets, net

    $ 25,060      $ (15,004   $ 10,056   
                         

December 31, 2010:

       

Backlog and customer relationships

    8      $ 9,785      $ (5,310   $ 4,475   

Patented technology and trademarks

    8 -10        15,275        (9,012     6,263   
                         

Total intangible assets, net

    $ 25,060      $ (14,322   $ 10,738   
                         

 

We amortize the recorded values of our intangible assets over their estimated useful lives. For each of the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010, we recorded $0.7 million of amortization expense. Estimated future amortization expense as of March 31, 2011 is as follows (in thousands):

 

    

                             Amount         

Remaining nine months ending December 31, 2011

        $ 2,048   

Year ending December 31,

       

2012

          2,730   

2013

          2,730   

2014

          1,237   

2015

          1,237   

2016

          74   
             

Total estimated future amortization expense

        $         10,056   
             

 

Note 9:     Other Assets

 

Other assets consisted of the following (in thousands):

 

  

  

                      March 31,     
2011
      December 31,  
2010
 

Subscriber acquisition costs

      $ 25,755      $ 25,695   

Debt issuance costs

        17,304        17,150   

Other

        25,226        24,614   
                   

Total other assets

      $ 68,285      $ 67,459   
                   

 

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Note 10:    Debt

Short-term and current portion of long-term debt consisted of the following (dollars in thousands):

 

     Interest Rates at
March 31, 2011
      March 31,  
2011
       December 31,  
2010
 

Revolving bank borrowings

     8.75%        898         967   

VSAT hardware financing

     7.27% - 15.00%        2,036         3,109   

Capital lease and others

     5.50% - 39.60%        1,675         2,120   
                   

Total short-term and the current portion of long-term debt

     $ 4,609       $ 6,196   
                   

As of March 31, 2011, we had an outstanding revolving bank borrowing of $0.9 million, which had a variable interest rate of 8.75%. The borrowing was obtained by our Indian subsidiary under its revolving line of credit with a local bank. There is no requirement for compensating balances for the borrowing. The total amount available for borrowing by our foreign subsidiaries under various revolving lines of credit was $5.1 million and $4.1 million as of March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively.

      

Long-term debt consisted of the following (dollars in thousands):

  

     Interest Rates at
March 31, 2011
    March 31,
2011
     December 31,
2010
 

Senior Notes(1)

     9.50%      $ 590,792       $ 590,173   

Term Loan Facility

     7.62%        115,000         115,000   

COFACE Guaranteed Facility

     5.13%        43,523         27,403   

VSAT hardware financing

     7.27% - 15.00%        2,139         3,214   

Capital lease and others

     5.50% - 6.00%        4,926         4,697   
                   

Total long-term debt

     $ 756,380       $ 740,487   
                   

 

(1) Includes 2006 Senior Notes and 2009 Senior Notes.

On October 29, 2010, we entered into a $115 million loan agreement with BNP Paribas and Societe Generale (the “COFACE Guaranteed Facility”), which is guaranteed by COFACE, the French Export Credit Agency, to finance the launch related costs for our Jupiter satellite. Pursuant to the COFACE Guaranteed Facility, loan draw-downs, which began in the fourth quarter of 2010, will occur over the construction period for the Jupiter launch vehicle up to the time of the launch, which is estimated to be in the first half of 2012. The COFACE Guaranteed Facility has a fixed interest rate of 5.13%, payable semi-annually in arrears starting six months after each borrowing, and requires that principal repayments be paid in 17 consecutive equal semi-annual installments starting the earlier of (i) six months after the in-orbit delivery of Jupiter, or (ii) December 1, 2012. The agreement also contains covenants and conditions which are customary for financings of this type. As of March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, the COFACE Guaranteed Facility had an available borrowing capacity of $71.5 million and $87.6 million, respectively.

On March 16, 2010, we entered into a credit agreement with JP Morgan Chase Bank, N.A. and Barclays Capital to amend and restate our senior secured $50 million revolving credit facility (the “Revolving Credit Facility”). Pursuant to the terms of the agreement, among other changes, the maturity date of the Revolving Credit Facility was extended to March 16, 2014, subject to an early maturity date of 91 days prior to March 16, 2014 in the event our 2009 and 2006 Senior Notes and our Term Loan Facility (as defined below) are not (i) repaid in full or (ii) refinanced with new debt (or amended) with maturities of no earlier than 91 days after March 16, 2014. The terms of the Revolving Credit Facility were amended to be: (i) in respect of the interest rate, at our option, the Alternative Borrowing Rate (as defined in the Revolving Credit Facility) plus 2.00% or the Adjusted London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) (as defined in the Revolving Credit Facility) plus 3.00% and (ii) in respect of the participation fee for outstanding letters of credit, 3.00% per annum, in each case subject to downward adjustment based on our leverage ratio. As of March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, the Revolving Credit Facility had no outstanding borrowing, $4.6 million and $4.4 million, respectively, of outstanding letters and an available borrowing capacity of $45.4 million and $45.6 million, respectively.

 

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In May 2009, we, along with our subsidiary, HNS Finance Corp., as co-issuer, completed a private debt offering of $150.0 million of 9.50% senior notes maturing on April 15, 2014 (the “2009 Senior Notes”). The terms and covenants with respect to the 2009 Senior Notes are substantially identical to those of the 2006 Senior Notes (as defined below). Interest on the 2009 Senior Notes is accrued from April 15, 2009 and is paid semi-annually in arrears on April 15 and October 15 of each year, beginning on October 15, 2009. As of March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, we recorded $6.5 million and $3.0 million, respectively, of accrued interest payable related to the 2009 Senior Notes.

In February 2007, we borrowed $115 million from a syndicate of banks (the “Term Loan Facility”), which matures on April 15, 2014. The interest on the Term Loan Facility is paid quarterly at Adjusted LIBOR (as defined in the Term Loan Facility) plus 2.50% per annum. To mitigate the variable interest rate risk associated with the Term Loan Facility, we entered into a swap agreement to swap the Adjusted LIBOR for a fixed interest rate of 5.12% per annum (the “Swap Agreement”). As a result, the Term Loan Facility has a fixed interest rate of 7.62% per annum. As of March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, interest accrued based on the Swap Agreement and the Term Loan Facility was $0.7 million.

In April 2006, we issued $450 million of 9.50% senior notes maturing on April 15, 2014 (the “2006 Senior Notes”). Interest on the 2006 Senior Notes is paid semi-annually in arrears on April 15 and October 15. As of March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, we recorded $19.6 million and $8.9 million, respectively, of accrued interest payable related to the 2006 Senior Notes.

Although the terms and covenants with respect to the 2009 Senior Notes are substantially identical to the 2006 Senior Notes, the 2009 Senior Notes were issued under a separate indenture and do not vote together with the 2006 Senior Notes. Each of the indentures governing the 2006 Senior Notes and the 2009 Senior Notes (collectively, the “Senior Notes”), the agreement governing the amended Revolving Credit Facility, the agreement governing the COFACE Guaranteed Facility and the agreement governing the Term Loan Facility require us to comply with certain affirmative and negative covenants: (i) in the case of the indentures, for so long as any Senior Notes are outstanding; (ii) in the case of the amended Revolving Credit Facility, so long as the amended Revolving Credit Facility is in effect; (iii) in the case of the COFACE Guaranteed Facility, for so long as the COFACE Guaranteed Facility remains outstanding; and (iv) in the case of the Term Loan Facility, for so long as the Term Loan Facility remains outstanding. Negative covenants contained in these agreements include limitations on our ability and/or certain of our subsidiaries’ ability to incur additional indebtedness; issue redeemable stock and subsidiary preferred stock; incur liens; pay dividends or distributions or redeem or repurchase capital stock; prepay, redeem or repurchase debt; make loans and investments; enter into agreements that restrict distributions from our subsidiaries; sell assets and capital stock of our subsidiaries; enter into certain transactions with affiliates; consolidate or merge with or into, or sell substantially all of our assets to, another person; and enter into new lines of business. In addition to these negative covenants, the amended Revolving Credit Facility, the indentures governing the Senior Notes, the COFACE Guaranteed Facility and/or the agreement governing the Term Loan Facility contain affirmative covenants that require us to: (i) preserve our businesses and properties; (ii) maintain insurance over our assets; (iii) pay and discharge all material taxes when due; and (iv) furnish the lenders’ administrative agent our financial statements for each fiscal quarter and fiscal year, certificates from a financial officer certifying that no Event of Default or Default (as defined in the respective agreements) occurred during the fiscal period being reported, litigation and other notices, compliance with laws, maintenance of records and other such customary covenants. Management believes that we were in compliance with all of our debt covenants as of March 31, 2011.

Prior to September 2005, we leased certain VSAT hardware under an operating lease with customers which were funded by two financial institutions at the inception of the operating lease for the future operating lease revenues. As part of the agreement, the financial institution received title to the equipment and obtained the residual rights to the equipment after the operating lease with the customer expires and assumed the credit risk associated with non-payment by the customers. However, we retained a continuing obligation to the financing institution to indemnify it from losses it may incur (up to the original value of the hardware) from non-performance of our system (a “Non-Performance Event”). Accordingly, we recognized a liability to the financial institution for the funded amount. We have not provided a reserve for a Non-Performance Event because we believe that the possibility of an occurrence of a Non-Performance Event due to a service outage is remote, given the ability to quickly re-establish customer service at relatively nominal costs.

In July 2006, we entered into a capital lease with 95 West Co., Inc. (“95 West Co.”) and its parent, Miraxis License Holdings, LLC (“MLH”), which are our related parties as discussed in Note 15—Transactions with Related Parties. Pursuant

 

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to the capital lease agreement, 95 West Co. and MLH agreed to provide a series of coordination agreements allowing us to operate SPACEWAY 3 at the 95° west longitude orbital slot where 95 West Co. and MLH have higher priority rights. As of March 31, 2011, the remaining debt balance under the capital lease was $4.9 million, which was included in “Capital lease and other” in the short-term and long-term debt tables above. The remaining payments under the capital lease are subject to conditions in the agreement including our ability to operate SPACEWAY 3 and are $1.0 million for each of the years ending December 31, 2011 through 2016.

Note 11:    Financial Instruments

Interest Rate Swap

The interest on the Term Loan Facility was at Adjusted LIBOR plus 2.50% per annum. To mitigate the variable interest rate risk associated with the Term Loan Facility, we entered into the Swap Agreement to swap the Adjusted LIBOR for a fixed interest rate of 5.12% per annum. As a result, the Term Loan Facility has a fixed interest rate of 7.62% per annum. We account for the Swap Agreement as a cash flow hedge in accordance with ASC 815-30 “Derivatives and Hedging —Cash Flow Hedges.” Accordingly, we recorded a net unrealized gain of $1.2 million and a net unrealized loss of $1.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively, in AOCL associated with the fair market valuation of the interest rate swap. The net interest payments based on the Swap Agreement and the Term Loan Facility are paid quarterly and estimated to be approximately $8.8 million for each of the years ending December 31, 2011 through 2013 and $3.3 million for the year ending December 31, 2014. For each of the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010, we recorded $2.2 million of interest expense on the Term Loan Facility.

Note 12: Fair Value

Under ASC 820 “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures,” fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability (exit price) in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date, and the principal market is defined as the market in which the reporting entity would sell the asset or transfer the liability with the greatest volume and level of activity for the asset or liability. If there is no principal market, the most advantageous market is used. This is the market in which the reporting entity would sell the asset or transfer the liability with the price that maximizes the amount that would be received for the asset or minimizes the amount that would be paid to transfer the liability. ASC 820 clarifies that fair value should be based on assumptions market participants would make in pricing the asset or liability. Where available, fair value is based on observable quoted market prices or derived from observable market data. Where observable prices or inputs are not available, valuation models are used (i.e. Black-Scholes, a barrier option model or a binomial model). ASC 820 established the following three levels used to classify the inputs used in measuring fair value measurements:

Level 1-Inputs are unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities available at the measurement date.

Level 2-Inputs are unadjusted quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets and liabilities in markets that are not active, inputs other than quoted prices that are observable, and inputs derived from or corroborated by observable market data.

Level 3-Inputs are unobservable inputs which reflect the reporting entity’s own assumptions on the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability based on the best available information.

In determining fair value, we use various valuation approaches, including market, income and/or cost approaches. Other valuation techniques involve significant management judgment. As of March 31, 2011, the carrying values of cash and cash equivalents, receivables, net, accounts payable, and short-term debt approximated their respective fair values because of their short-term maturities.

Our Senior Notes were categorized as Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy as we utilized pricing for recent market transactions for identical notes.

 

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Our Term Loan Facility originally had a variable interest rate based on observable interest rates plus 2.50% per annum. To mitigate the variable interest rate risk, we entered into the Swap Agreement to swap the Adjusted LIBOR for a fixed interest rate of 5.12% per annum. As a result, the Term Loan Facility has a fixed interest rate of 7.62% per annum. We adjust the value of the interest rate swap on a quarterly basis. The fair value of the interest rate swap was categorized as Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.

Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis are summarized below (dollars in thousands):

 

             March 31, 2011  
        Level       

Included

In

    Carrying  
Value
    Fair
   Value    
 

Marketable securities

  2    Marketable securities   $ 2,679      $ 2,679   

2006 Senior Notes

  1    Long-term debt   $       450,000      $       465,750   

2009 Senior Notes

  1    Long-term debt   $ 140,792 (1)    $ 157,500   

Term Loan Facility

  2    Long-term debt   $ 115,000      $ 114,425   

COFACE Guaranteed Facility

  2    Long-term debt   $ 43,523      $ 44,379   

Interest rate swap on the Term Loan Facility

  2    Other long-term liabilities   $ 11,686      $ 11,686   

Capital lease and others

  2    Long-term debt   $ 4,926      $ 4,987   

VSAT hardware financing

  2    Long-term debt   $ 2,139      $ 2,029   

 

(1) Amount represents the face value of $150.0 million, net the remaining original issue discount of $9.2 million.

Note 13: Income Taxes

We are a limited liability company and are treated as a partnership for income tax purposes. As such, U.S. federal and state income taxes (in the states which tax limited liability companies as partnerships) are the direct responsibility of our members. Our Parent holds 100% of our Class A membership interests; and therefore, our activity is reported on our Parent’s income tax returns. Under the terms of the Contribution and Membership Interest Purchase Agreement dated December 3, 2004, as amended, among the Company, SkyTerra Communications, Inc., the DIRECTV Group, Inc. (“DIRECTV”) and DTV Network Systems, Inc. (“DTV Networks”), DIRECTV retained the domestic tax benefits of the Company occurring prior to April 23, 2005 and has responsibility for all of the pre-closing domestic and foreign income tax liabilities of DTV Networks. We have recorded a liability in the balance sheet for the estimated amount we may be required to pay to DIRECTV resulting from prepaid taxes exceeding tax liabilities as of April 22, 2005.

For the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010, we recorded a net income tax expense of $1.8 million and $1.2 million, respectively. Our income tax expense represents taxes associated with our foreign subsidiaries and with states that impose income taxes on limited liability companies.

As of March 31, 2011, our German and United Kingdom (“U.K.”) subsidiaries have approximately $38.5 million and $56.2 million of net operating loss (“NOL”) carryforwards, respectively. As the U.K. subsidiary is treated as a disregarded entity for U.S. income tax purposes, its net income or loss is reported on our partnership income tax return and subsequently allocated to the members. The NOL carryforwards are available to reduce future U.K. taxable income and do not expire. The NOL carryforwards of the German subsidiary are available to reduce future German taxable income and do not expire.

Certain of our subsidiaries have not met the more-likely-than-not criteria of ASC 740 “Income Taxes” and therefore maintain a full valuation allowance on their deferred tax assets as of March 31, 2011. Any benefit realized from the reversal of valuation allowance will be recorded as a reduction to income tax expense.

For the three months ended March 31, 2011, we did not identify any significant uncertain tax positions. We do not believe that the unrecognized tax benefits will significantly fluctuate within the next twelve months. Following is a description of the tax years that remain subject to examination by major tax jurisdictions:

 

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United States - Federal

  2007 and forward

United States - Various States

  2006 and forward

United Kingdom

  2005 and forward

Germany

  2004 and forward

Italy

  2006 and forward

India

  1995 and forward

Mexico

  2000 and forward

Brazil

  2004 and forward

Note 14:    Employee Share-Based Payments

HCI 2006 Equity and Incentive Plan

In January 2006, HCI’s Board of Directors approved the HCI 2006 Equity and Incentive Plan (the “Plan”). The Plan provides for the grant of equity-based awards, including restricted common stock, restricted stock units, stock options, stock appreciation rights and other equity-based awards, as well as cash bonuses and long-term cash awards to directors, officers, employees, advisors and consultants of HCI and its subsidiaries who are selected by HCI’s Compensation Committee for participation in the Plan. We recorded compensation expense related to the restricted stock awards, issued to our employees, and restricted stock units, issued only to our international employees, after adjustment for forfeitures, of $0.3 million and $0.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively. As of March 31, 2011, we had $0.9 million of unrecognized compensation expense related to the restricted stock awards and restricted stock units, which will be recognized over a weighted average life of 2.12 years.

Summaries of non-vested restricted stock awards and restricted stock units are as follows:

Restricted Stock Awards

 

             Shares             Weighted-Average
Grant-Date

Fair Value
 

Non-vested at December 31, 2010

     18,326      $ 49.85   

Vested

     (2,175   $ 49.27   
          

Non-vested at March 31, 2011

     16,151      $         49.93   
          

Restricted Stock Units

 

             Shares             Weighted-Average
Grant-Date

Fair Value
 

Non-vested at December 31, 2010

     23,500      $ 26.68   

Vested

     (2,000   $ 8.82   
          

Non-vested at March 31, 2011

     21,500      $         28.34   
          

Stock Option Program

Our Compensation Committee makes stock option awards under the Plan (the “Stock Option Program”), which consists of the issuance of non-qualified stock options to employees of the Company and its subsidiaries. The grant and exercise price of the stock options is the closing price of the Company’s common stock on the date of the grant. Any options forfeited or cancelled before exercise will be deposited back into the option pool and will become available for award under

 

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the Stock Option Program. Each grant has a 10 year life and vests 50% on the second anniversary of the grant date and 25% on each of the third and fourth anniversaries of the grant date. The fair value of each option award was estimated on the date of grant using a Black-Scholes option valuation model.

The key assumptions for the option awards for the three months ended March 31, 2011 are as follows:

 

     Three Months Ended
March 31, 2011

Volatility

         45.4%

Weighted-average volatility

         45.4%

Expected term

         5 years

Risk-free interest rate

         2.02%

Dividend yield

         -

Discount for post-vesting restrictions

         -

A summary of option activity under the Stock Option Program is presented below:

    Option
        Shares         
    Weighted-
Average
     Exercise Price    
    Weighted
Average
Remaining
Contractual Life
       Aggregate  
Intrinsic
Value

(In thousands)
 

Outstanding at December 31, 2010

    1,196,950      $ 22.56        9.04       $ 21,412   

Granted

    5,000      $ 61.59        9.85         -   

Forfeited or expired

    (3,250   $ 20.17        
              

Outstanding at March 31, 2011

    1,198,700      $ 22.73        8.80       $ 44,289   
              

Vested and expected to vest at March 31, 2011

    1,137,578      $ 22.74        8.80       $ 42,024   
              

Exercisable at March 31, 2011

    1,250      $ 17.03        7.71       $ 53   
              

The compensation expense related to stock option awards is recognized on a straight-line basis over the four-year vesting period beginning on the date of grant. We recorded $1.4 million and $1.0 million of compensation expense for the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively. As of March 31, 2011, we had $11.3 million of unrecognized compensation expense for non-vested stock options, which will be recognized over a weighted average period of 2.88 years.

Bonus Unit Plan

In July 2005, we adopted an incentive bonus unit plan (the “Bonus Unit Plan”), pursuant to which bonus units were granted to certain employees of the Company. The bonus units provide for time vesting over five years and are subject to a participant’s continued employment with the Company. Pursuant to the Bonus Unit Plan, if participants in the Bonus Unit Plan are employed by the Company at the time of the predetermined exchange dates, they are entitled to exchange their vested bonus units for shares of HCI’s common stock. The number of HCI’s common stock shares to be issued upon each exchange is calculated based upon the fair market value of the vested bonus unit divided by the average closing trading price of HCI’s common stock for the 20 business days immediately preceding the date of the exchange. We recognized compensation expense of $0.1 million and $0.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively, related to the Bonus Unit Plan. As of March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, we had 290,000 and 300,000, respectively, of outstanding bonus units, which will vest on July 15, 2011. If the total outstanding bonus units were to convert into HCI’s common stock as of March 31, 2011, they could be exchanged for approximately 33,900 shares of HCI’s common stock, net of applicable tax withholding. For the three months ended March 31, 2011, 10,000 bonus units were forfeited.

Class B Membership Interests

Class B membership interests in the Company were issued to certain members of our senior management, two of our former senior management and a member of our Board of Managers and HCI’s Board of Directors. The Class B membership

 

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interests are subject to certain vesting requirements, with 50% of the Class B membership interests subject to time vesting over five years and the other 50% vesting based upon certain performance criteria. At the holders’ election, vested Class B membership interests may be exchanged for HCI’s common stock. The number of shares of HCI’s common stock to be issued upon such exchange is based upon the fair market value of such vested Class B membership interest tendered for exchange divided by the average closing trading price of HCI’s common stock for the 20 business days immediately preceding the date of such exchange. On September 25, 2009, HCI registered 75,000 shares of its common stock with the SEC on a Registration Statement on Form S-8 to be issued, from time to time, upon the exchange of the Class B membership interests.

Pursuant to ASC 718 “Compensation—Stock Compensation,” the Company determined that the Class B membership interests had nominal value at the date of grant, and, accordingly, minimal compensation expense was recorded for each of the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010. As of March 31, 2011, we had 3,280 outstanding Class B membership interests, which were fully vested. If the total outstanding Class B membership interests were to convert into HCI’s common stock as of March 31, 2011, they could be exchanged for approximately 693,100 shares of HCI’s common stock.

Note 15: Transactions with Related Parties

In the ordinary course of our operations, we enter into transactions with related parties to purchase and/or sell telecommunications services, equipment, and inventory. Related parties include all entities that are controlled by Apollo Management, L.P. and its affiliates (collectively “Apollo”), our Parent’s controlling stockholder.

Hughes Telematics, Inc.

HTI is controlled by an affiliate of Apollo. Jeffrey A. Leddy, a member of our Board of Managers and HCI’s Board of Directors, is the Chief Executive Officer and a director of HTI and owns less than 1.5% of HTI’s equity as of March 31, 2011. In addition, Andrew Africk and Aaron Stone, members of our Board of Managers and HCI’s Board of Directors, are directors of HTI and partners of Apollo.

In July 2006, we granted a limited license to HTI allowing HTI to use the HUGHES trademark. The license is limited in that HTI may use the HUGHES trademark only in connection with its business of automotive telematics and only in combination with the TELEMATICS name. As partial consideration for the license, the agreement provides that we will be HTI’s preferred engineering services provider. The license is royalty-free, except that HTI has agreed to pay a royalty to us in the event HTI no longer has a commercial or affiliated relationship with us.

In October 2007, we entered into an agreement with HTI and a customer of HTI, whereby we agreed to assume the rights and performance obligations of HTI in the event that HTI fails to perform its obligations due to a fundamental cause such as bankruptcy or the cessation of its telematics business. In connection with that agreement, the Company and HTI have entered into a letter agreement pursuant to which HTI has agreed to take certain actions to enable us to assume HTI’s obligations in the event that such action is required. However, as a result of the merger between HTI and Polaris Acquisition Corp in 2009, our obligations to HTI and its customer expired. In January 2008, we entered into an agreement with HTI for the development of an automotive telematics system for HTI, comprising the telematics system hub and the Telematics Control Unit (“TCU”), which will serve as the user appliance in the telematics system.

In March 2009, HCI made an equity investment in HTI, which represented approximately 3.8% of HTI’s outstanding common stock as of March 31, 2011 before giving effect to the “earn-out” of the Escrowed shares. If the full earn-out targets are achieved, HCI’s investment could represent approximately 3.5% of HTI’s outstanding common stock. In addition to the risk and valuation fluctuations associated with the “earn-out” targets, the carrying value of the investment in HTI may be subject to fair value adjustments in future reporting periods.

In August 2009, HTI terminated substantially all of the development engineering and manufacturing services with us as a result of the bankruptcy filing of one of HTI’s customers.

On December 18, 2009, the Company entered into a promissory note with HTI (the “Promissory Note”) for $8.3 million of account receivables that HTI owed to the Company. The Promissory Note has an amended maturity date of December 31, 2011 and

 

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an interest rate of 12% per annum. As of March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, the remaining Promissory Note had a balance of $5.5 million and $5.6 million, respectively.

Hughes Systique Corporation (“Hughes Systique”)

We have contracted with Hughes Systique, an entity consolidated with our Parent, for software development services. The founders of Hughes Systique include Pradman Kaul, our and HCI’s Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and President, and certain former employees of the Company, including Pradeep Kaul, who is the CEO and President of Hughes Systique, our former Executive Vice President and the brother of our CEO and President. HCI acquired an equity investment in Hughes Systique Series A Preferred shares of $3.0 million and $1.5 million in October 2005 and January 2008, respectively. As of March 31, 2011, on an undiluted basis, HCI owned approximately 45.23% of Hughes Systique’s outstanding shares, and our CEO and President and his brother, in the aggregate, owned approximately 25.61% of Hughes Systique’s outstanding shares. In addition, our CEO and President and Jeffrey A. Leddy, a member of our Board of Managers and HCI’s Board of Directors, serve on the board of directors of Hughes Systique.

Hughes Communications, Inc.

We have a management and advisory services agreement with HCI, our Parent, pursuant to which HCI agrees to provide us, through its officers and employees, general support, advisory, and consulting services in relation to our business. Pursuant to the agreement, we reimburse HCI for its out of pocket costs and expenses incurred in connection with the services, including an amount equal to 98% of the compensation of certain HCI executives plus a 2% service fee.

95 West Co., Inc.

In July 2006, we entered into an agreement with 95 West Co. and its parent, MLH, pursuant to which 95 West Co. and MLH agreed to provide a series of coordination agreements which allow us to operate SPACEWAY 3 at an orbital position where such parties have higher-priority rights. Jeffrey A. Leddy, a member of our Board of Managers and HCI’s Board of Directors, is the managing director of 95 West Co. and MLH and also owns a small interest in each. Andrew Africk, another member of our Board of Managers and HCI’s Board of Directors, is also a director of MLH. As part of the agreement, we agreed to pay $9.3 million, in annual installments of $0.3 million in 2006, $0.75 million in each year between 2007 and 2010 and $1.0 million in each year between 2011 and 2016 for the use of the orbital position, subject to conditions in the agreement including our ability to operate SPACEWAY 3. As of March 31, 2011, the remaining debt balance under the capital lease was $4.9 million, which was included in “Capital lease and other” in the short-term and long-term debt tables included in Note 10—Debt.

Smart & Final, Inc.

As of March 31, 2011, Apollo has controlled of Smart & Final, Inc. (“Smart & Final”). Therefore, Smart & Final is indirectly our related party.We provide broadband products and services to Smart & Final.

CKE Restaurants, Inc.

On July 12, 2010, an affiliate of Apollo acquired CKE Restaurants, Inc. (“CKE”). As a result, CKE indirectly became our related party as of that date. We provide broadband products and services to CKE.

Other

Certain members of our Board of Managers and officers serve on the boards of directors of some of our affiliates. In some cases, such members and officers have received stock-based compensation from such affiliates for their service. In those cases, the amount of stock-based compensation received by the directors and officers is comparable to stock-based compensation awarded to other non-executive members of the affiliates’ boards of directors.

 

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Related Party Transactions

Sales and purchase transactions with related parties are as follows (in thousands):

 

    Three Months Ended
March  31,
 
    2011     2010  

Sales:

   

HTI

  $ -      $ 301   

Others

    244        123   
               

Total sales

  $           244      $ 424   
               

Purchases:

   

Hughes Systique

  $ 2,400      $ 2,455   

HCI

    2,454        2,483   
               

Total purchases

  $ 4,854      $ 4,938   
               

Assets and liabilities resulting from transactions with related parties are as follows (in thousands):

  

    March 31,
2011
    December 31,
2010
 

Due from related parties:

   

HTI

  $ 5,527      $ 5,632   

Others

    89        159   
               

Total due from related parties

  $           5,616      $ 5,791   
               

Due to related parties:

   

Hughes Systique

  $ 1,145      $ 4,141   

HCI

    6,551        2,005   
               

Total due to related parties

  $ 7,696      $ 6,146   
               

 

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Note 16:     Segment Data

Set forth below is selected financial information for our operating segments (in thousands). There were no intersegment transactions.

 

    North
America
Broadband
    International
Broadband
    Telecom
Systems
    HTS
Satellite
    Corporate     Consolidated  

As of or For the Three Months

Ended March 31, 2011

           

Revenues

  $ 193,706      $ 51,672      $           16,692      $ 602      $ -      $ 262,672   

Operating income (loss)

  $ 21,745      $ (738   $ (316   $ (1,304   $ -      $ 19,387   

Depreciation and amortization

  $ 32,792      $ 3,750      $ 820        -        -      $ 37,362   

Assets

  $         635,871      $  187,843      $ 45,790      $             308,731      $           98,508      $ 1,276,743   

Capital expenditures(1)

  $ 39,200      $ 1,556      $ 10      $ 60,405      $ 2,840      $ 104,011   

As of or For the Three Months

Ended March 31, 2010

           

Revenues

  $ 173,995      $ 43,456      $ 24,692      $ -      $ -      $         242,143   

Operating income (loss)

  $ 9,616      $ (1,156   $ 3,708      $ (858   $ -      $ 11,310   

Depreciation and amortization

  $ 25,519      $ 3,426      $ 1,024      $ -      $ -      $ 29,969   

Assets

  $ 636,622      $ 168,771      $ 45,877      $ 99,515      $ 224,430      $ 1,175,215   

Capital expenditures(1)

  $ 26,138      $ 4,187      $ 153      $ 32,767      $ 3,589      $ 66,834   

 

(1)    Capital expenditures on an accrual basis were: (i) $98.9 million and $65.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

Note 17:     Comprehensive Income (Loss)

Comprehensive income (loss) is as follows (in thousands)(1):

    Three Months Ended
March  31,
 
          2011                 2010        

Net income (loss)

  $ 5,228      $ (5,459
                       

Other comprehensive income (loss):

   

Foreign currency translation adjustments

                  1,689        (807

Unrealized loss on hedging instruments

    (189     (2,323

Reclassification of realized loss on hedging instruments

    1,404                1,368   

Unrealized gain on available-for-sale securities

    57        2   
                       

Total other comprehensive income (loss)

    2,961        (1,760
                       

Comprehensive income (loss)

    8,189        (7,219

Comprehensive income attributable to the noncontrolling interest

    (126     (307
                       

Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to HNS

  $ 8,063      $ (7,526
                       

 

(1) There is no tax impact for items included in the table since the Company has a full valuation allowance against its net deferred income taxes for all reporting periods.

Note 18:     Commitments and Contingencies

Litigation

We are periodically involved in litigation in the ordinary course of our business involving claims regarding intellectual property infringement, product liability, property damage, personal injury, contracts, employment and worker’s

 

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compensation. We do not believe that there are any such pending or threatened legal proceedings, including ordinary litigation incidental to the conduct of our business and the ownership of our properties that, if adversely determined, would have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations or liquidity.

In October 2008, Hughes Telecommunicaçoes do Brasil Ltda. (“HTB”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of ours, received a tax assessment of approximately $8.0 million from the State of São Paulo Treasury Department. The tax assessment alleges that HTB failed to pay certain import taxes to the State of São Paulo. We do not believe the assessment is valid and plan to dispute the State of São Paulo’s claims and to defend vigorously against these allegations. Recent decrees and legislative actions by the State of São Paulo will alleviate approximately $5.1 million of the tax assessment over time with no impact to the Company. Therefore, we have not recorded a liability. It is the opinion of management that such litigation is not expected to have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

On May 18, 2009, the Company and HCI received notice of a complaint filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California by two California subscribers to the HughesNet service. The plaintiffs complain about the speed of the HughesNet service, the Fair Access Policy, early termination fees and certain terms and conditions of the HughesNet subscriber agreement. The plaintiffs seek to pursue their claims as a class action on behalf of other California subscribers. On June 4, 2009, the Company and HCI received notice of a similar complaint filed by another HughesNet subscriber in the Superior Court of San Diego County, California. The plaintiff in this case also seeks to pursue his claims as a class action on behalf of other California subscribers. Both cases have been consolidated into a single case in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California. In January 2011, the Company agreed to settle this consolidated case on a nationwide basis, subject to court approval. As a result, the Company accrued $1.9 million for estimated settlement costs, plaintiffs’ attorney fees and other related expenses as of December 31, 2010. In the event that the settlement is not effectuated, the Company would revert to its previous position of vigorously defending these matters as it believes that the allegations in these complaints are not meritorious.

On December 18, 2009, the Company and HCI received notice of a complaint filed in the Cook County, Illinois, Circuit Court by a former subscriber to the HughesNet service. The complaint seeks a declaration allowing the former subscriber to file a class arbitration challenging early termination fees under the subscriber agreement. While the Company remains a defendant, HCI was dismissed from this case in September 2010. The Company’s motion to dismiss, filed in September 2010, is pending, and the Company will continue to vigorously defend the case.

Some or all of HCI, its directors, EchoStar, EchoStar Satellite Services, L.L.C. (“EchoStar LLC”), Broadband Acquisition Corporation (“Merger Sub”), and Apollo Global Management, LLC (“AGM”) have been named as defendants in five shareholder class action lawsuits in connection with the proposed transaction in which EchoStar will acquire all of the outstanding equity of HCI. On February 18, 2011, the Gottlieb Family Foundation filed its class action complaint in the Circuit Court for Montgomery County, Maryland. On February 23, 2011, Plymouth County Retirement System filed its shareholder class action complaint, which has since been voluntarily dismissed by the plaintiffs, in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware. On February 24, 2011, Edward Ostensoe filed his shareholder class action complaint in the Circuit Court for Montgomery County, Maryland. On February 28, 2011, Nina J. Shah Rohrbasser Irr. Trust filed its shareholder class action complaint in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware. On March 8, 2011, entities affiliated with ALJ Capital Management, LLC filed their shareholder class action complaint in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware. Each complaint alleges, among other things, that the directors of HCI breached their fiduciary duties in agreeing to the transaction and that some or all of HCI, EchoStar, EchoStar LLC, Merger Sub and AGM aided and abetted such breaches by the directors of HCI. In each case, the plaintiffs seek to enjoin the proposed transaction and/or damages, costs, and attorney fees. On April 28, 2011, HCI, its directors, and AGM entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with the plaintiffs in the Maryland actions that contains the essential terms of a settlement agreed to in principle between the parties (the “Settlement”). The Settlement remains subject to the approval of the court or courts, and contemplates the dismissal with prejudice of all four actions. HCI believes that the allegations in all of these complaints are not meritorious and if necessary, will vigorously contest these actions.

No other material legal proceedings have commenced or been terminated during the period covered by this report.

Commitments

In June 2009, we entered into an agreement with SS/L, under which we are obligated to pay an aggregate of

 

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approximately $252.0 million for the construction of our Jupiter satellite and have agreed to make installment payments to SS/L upon the completion of each milestone set forth in the agreement. As of March 31, 2011, the remaining obligation for the construction and the launch of Jupiter was $164.9 million. We anticipate launching Jupiter in the first half of 2012. In connection with the construction of Jupiter, we have entered into a contract with Barrett Xplore Inc. (“Barrett”), whereby Barrett has agreed to lease user beams and purchase gateways and terminals for the Jupiter satellite that are designed to operate in Canada.

We are contingently liable under standby letters of credit and bonds in the aggregate amount of $18.9 million that were undrawn as of March 31, 2011. Of this amount, $4.6 million was issued under the Revolving Credit Facility; $0.6 million was secured by restricted cash; $1.1 million related to insurance bonds; and $12.6 million was issued under credit arrangements available to our foreign subsidiaries. Certain letters of credit issued by our foreign subsidiaries are secured by their assets. As of March 31, 2011, these obligations were scheduled to expire as follows: $7.7 million in 2011; $8.3 million in 2012; $0.5 million in 2013; $0.3 million in 2014; and $2.1 million thereafter.

Note 19:    Supplemental Guarantor and Non-Guarantor Financial Information

Certain of the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiaries (HNS Real Estate LLC, Hughes Network Systems International Service Company, HNS India VSAT, Inc., HNS Shanghai, Inc. and Helius (together, the “Guarantor Subsidiaries”)) have fully and unconditionally guaranteed, on a joint and several basis, payment of the Senior Notes. In lieu of providing separate unaudited financial statements of the Co-Issuer and the Guarantor Subsidiaries, condensed financial statements prepared in accordance with Rule 3-10 of Regulation S-X are presented below. The column marked “Parent” represents our results of operations, with the subsidiaries accounted for using the equity method. The column marked “Guarantor Subsidiaries” includes the results of the guarantor subsidiaries along with the results of the Co-Issuer, a finance subsidiary which is 100% owned by the Company and which had no assets, operations, revenues or cash flows for the periods presented. The column marked “Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries” includes the results of non-guarantor subsidiaries of the Company. Eliminations necessary to arrive at the information for the Company on a consolidated basis for the periods presented are included in the column so labeled. Separate financial statements and other disclosures concerning the Co-Issuer and the Guarantor Subsidiaries are not presented because management has determined that they are not material to investors.

The following represents the supplemental condensed financial statements of the Company, the Guarantor Subsidiaries and the Non-guarantor Subsidiaries. These condensed financial statements should be read in conjunction with our condensed consolidated financial statements and notes thereto.

 

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Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as of March 31, 2011

(In thousands)

(Unaudited)

 

     Parent      Guarantor
Subsidiaries
     Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries
     Eliminations     Total  

Assets

             

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 33,091       $ 144       $ 10,901       $ -      $ 44,136   

Marketable securities

     2,679         -         -         -        2,679   

Receivables, net

     138,217         72         58,899         (15,773     181,415   

Inventories

     47,337         -         12,290         -        59,627   

Prepaid expenses and other

     8,862         71         16,407         (37     25,303   
                                           

Total current assets

     230,186         287         98,497         (15,810     313,160   

Property, net

     776,370         33,497         27,388         -        837,255   

Investment in subsidiaries

     118,600         -         -         (118,600     -   

Other assets

     99,729         135         27,424         (960     126,328   
                                           

Total assets

   $         1,224,885       $         33,919       $ 153,309       $ (135,370   $       1,276,743   
                                           

Liabilities and equity

             

Accounts payable

   $ 77,347       $ 123       $ 31,352       $ (15,773   $ 93,049   

Short-term debt

     1,304         -         3,305         -        4,609   

Accrued liabilities and other

     135,690         -         21,685         -        157,375   
                                           

Total current liabilities

     214,341         123         56,342         (15,773     255,033   

Long-term debt

     753,664         -         2,716         -        756,380   

Other long-term liabilities

     26,764         -         997         (997     26,764   

Total HNS’ equity

     230,116         25,346         93,254         (118,600     230,116   

Noncontrolling interest

     -         8,450         -         -        8,450   
                                           

Total liabilities and equity

   $ 1,224,885       $ 33,919       $ 153,309       $ (135,370   $ 1,276,743   
                                           

 

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Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2010

(In thousands)

(Unaudited)

 

     Parent      Guarantor
Subsidiaries
     Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries
     Eliminations     Total  

Assets

             

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 67,707       $ 256       $ 12,837       $ -      $ 80,800   

Marketable securities

     6,675         -         -         -        6,675   

Receivables, net

     141,422         38         57,367         (13,958     184,869   

Inventories

     45,388         -         12,431         -        57,819   

Prepaid expenses and other

     9,172         70         15,358         -        24,600   
                                           

Total current assets

     270,364         364         97,993         (13,958     354,763   

Property, net

     713,007         32,948         27,697         -        773,652   

Investment in subsidiaries

     118,080         -         -         (118,080     -   

Other assets

     98,967         1,405         26,578         -        126,950   
                                           

Total assets

   $         1,200,418       $         34,717       $ 152,268       $ (132,038   $       1,255,365   
                                           

Liabilities and equity

             

Accounts payable

   $ 101,684       $ 199       $ 29,838       $ (13,958   $ 117,763   

Short-term debt

     2,284         -         3,912         -        6,196   

Accrued liabilities and other

     109,561         -         23,822         -        133,383   
                                           

Total current liabilities

     213,529         199         57,572         (13,958     257,342   

Long-term debt

     737,677         -         2,810         -        740,487   

Other long-term liabilities

     27,308         -         -         -        27,308   

Total HNS’ equity

     221,904         26,194         91,886         (118,080     221,904   

Noncontrolling interest

     -         8,324         -         -        8,324   
                                           

Total liabilities and equity

   $ 1,200,418       $ 34,717       $ 152,268       $ (132,038   $ 1,255,365   
                                           

 

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Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2011

(In thousands)

(Unaudited)

 

    Parent     Guarantor
Subsidiaries
    Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries
    Eliminations     Total  

Revenues

  $               229,340      $ 362      $                 38,534      $ (5,564   $               262,672   
                                       

Operating costs and expenses:

         

Costs of revenues

    156,842        -        29,536        (4,798     181,580   

Selling, general and administrative

    47,753        835        8,047        (766     55,869   

Research and development

    5,154        -        -        -        5,154   

Amortization of intangible assets

    682        -        -                        -        682   
                                       

Total operating costs and expenses

    210,431        835        37,583        (5,564     243,285   
                                       

Operating income (loss)

    18,909        (473     951        -        19,387   

Other income (expense):

         

Interest expense

    (12,324     -        (196     20        (12,500

Interest and other income, net

    (28     -        159        (20     111   

Equity in losses of subsidiaries

    (1,111     -        -        1,111        -   
                                       

Income (loss) before income tax expense

    5,446        (473     914        1,111        6,998   

Income tax expense

    (282     -        (1,488     -        (1,770
                                       

Net income (loss)

    5,164        (473     (574     1,111        5,228   

Net (income) loss attributable to the noncontrolling interest

    -        (375     311        -        (64
                                       

Net income (loss) attributable to HNS

  $ 5,164      $ (848   $ (263   $ 1,111      $ 5,164   
                                       

 

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Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2010

(In thousands)

(Unaudited)

 

    Parent     Guarantor
Subsidiaries
    Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries
    Eliminations     Total  

Revenues

  $         212,471      $ 988      $             32,635      $ (3,951   $         242,143   
                                       

Operating costs and expenses:

         

Costs of revenues

    155,328        306        24,492        (3,590     176,536   

Selling, general and administrative

    41,086        1,372        6,583        (361     48,680   

Research and development

    4,460        455        -        -        4,915   

Amortization of intangible assets

    534                168        -                    -        702   
                                       

Total operating costs and expenses

    201,408        2,301        31,075        (3,951     230,833   
                                       

Operating income (loss)

    11,063        (1,313     1,560        -        11,310   

Other income (expense):

         

Interest expense

    (15,793     -        (320     8        (16,105

Interest and other income (loss), net

    (359     870        50        (8     553   

Equity in losses of subsidiaries

    (246     -        -        246        -   
                                       

Income (loss) before income tax expense

    (5,335     (443     1,290        246        (4,242

Income tax expense

    (227     (3     (987     -        (1,217
                                       

Net income (loss)

    (5,562     (446     303        246        (5,459

Net (income) loss attributable to the noncontrolling interest

    -        (141     38        -        (103
                                       

Net income (loss) attributable to HNS

  $ (5,562   $ (587   $ 341      $ 246      $ (5,562
                                       

 

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NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

 

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2011

(In thousands)

(Unaudited)

 

     Parent     Guarantor
Subsidiaries
    Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries
    Eliminations     Total  

Cash flows from operating activities:

          

Net income (loss)

   $       5,164      $ (473   $ (574   $ 1,111      $       5,228   

Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash flows from operating activities

     44,127        1,384                482        (1,111     44,882   
                                        

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities

     49,291                911        (92                    -        50,110   
                                        

Cash flows from investing activities:

          

Change in restricted cash

     -        -        423        -        423   

Proceeds from sales of marketable securities

     3,999        -        -        -        3,999   

Expenditures for property

     (98,898     (1,023     (1,338     -        (101,259

Expenditures for capitalized software

     (2,752     -        -        -        (2,752

Proceeds from sale of property

     -        -        80        -        80   
                                        

Net cash used in investing activities

     (97,651     (1,023     (835     -        (99,509
                                        

Cash flows from financing activities:

          

Short-term revolver borrowings

     -        -        898        -        898   

Repayments of revolver borrowings

     -        -        (945     -        (945

Long-term debt borrowings

     16,490        -        332        -        16,822   

Repayments of long-term debt

     (1,731     -        (1,009     -        (2,740

Debt issuance costs

     (1,015       -        -        (1,015
                                        

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

     13,744        -        (724     -        13,020   
                                        

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

     -        -        (285     -        (285
                                        

Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents

     (34,616     (112     (1,936     -        (36,664

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the period

     67,707        256        12,837        -        80,800   
                                        

Cash and cash equivalents at end of the period

   $ 33,091      $ 144      $ 10,901      $ -      $ 44,136   
                                        

 

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HUGHES NETWORK SYSTEMS, LLC

NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

 

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2010

(In thousands)

(Unaudited)

 

     Parent     Guarantor
Subsidiaries
    Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries
    Eliminations     Total  

Cash flows from operating activities:

          

Net income (loss)

   $ (5,562   $ (446   $ 303      $ 246      $ (5,459

Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash flows from operating activities

     18,845        218        1,607        (246     20,424   
                                        

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities

     13,283        (228     1,910        -        14,965   
                                        

Cash flows from investing activities:

          

Change in restricted cash

     (1     -        89                       -        88   

Purchases of marketable securities

     (22,615     -        -        -        (22,615

Proceeds from sales of marketable securities

     10,000        -        -        -        10,000   

Expenditures for property

     (59,409     (642     (3,617     -        (63,668

Expenditures for capitalized software

     (3,166     -        -        -        (3,166
                                        

Net cash used in investing activities

     (75,191     (642     (3,528     -        (79,361
                                        

Cash flows from financing activities:

          

Short-term revolver borrowings

     -        -        1,999        -        1,999   

Repayments of revolver borrowings

     -        -        (2,430     -        (2,430

Long-term debt borrowings

     550        -        670        -        1,220   

Repayments of long-term debt

     (443     -        (1,278     -        (1,721

Debt issuance costs

     (1,742     -        -        -        (1,742
                                        

Net cash used in financing activities

     (1,635     -        (1,039     -        (2,674
                                        

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

     -        -        1,673        -        1,673   
                                        

Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents

     (63,543     (870     (984     -        (65,397

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the period

     173,991        1,091        8,651        -        183,733   
                                        

Cash and cash equivalents at end of the period

   $   110,448      $         221      $     7,667      $ -      $   118,336   
                                        

 

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

The following discussion and analysis of the Company’s financial condition and results of operations are based upon financial statements which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and should each be read together with our condensed consolidated financial statements and the notes to those condensed consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this report. This report contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, including statements regarding our capital needs, business strategy, expectations and intentions within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which represent our expectations or beliefs concerning future events. We urge you to consider statements that use the terms “believe,” “do not believe,” “anticipate,” “expect,” “plan,” “may,” “estimate,” “strive,” “intend,” “will,” “should,” and variations of these words or similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These statements reflect our current views with respect to future events and because our business is subject to numerous risks, and uncertainties, our actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements, including those set forth below under this “Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” “Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” and contained elsewhere in this report. All forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this report. Actual results will most likely differ from those reflected in these forward-looking statements and the differences could be substantial. We disclaim any obligation to update these forward-looking statements or disclose any difference, except as may be required by securities laws, between our actual results and those reflected in these statements. Although we believe that our plans, intentions and expectations reflected in or suggested by the forward-looking statements in this report are reasonable, we can give no assurance that such plans, intentions or expectations will be achieved.

Overview

Hughes Network Systems, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, (“HNS” and, together with its consolidated subsidiaries, the “Company” or “we,” “us,” and “our”) is a telecommunications company. The Company is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Hughes Communications, Inc. (“HCI” or “Parent”). We provide equipment and services to the broadband communications marketplace. We have extensive technical expertise in satellite, wireline and wireless communications which we utilize in a number of product and service offerings. In particular, we offer a spectrum of broadband equipment and services to the managed services market, which is comprised of enterprises with a requirement to connect a large number of geographically dispersed locations with reliable, scalable, and cost-effective applications, such as credit card verification, inventory tracking and control, and broadcast video. We provide broadband network services and systems to the international and domestic enterprise markets and satellite broadband Internet access to North American consumers, which we refer to as the Consumer market. In addition, we provide networking systems to customers for mobile satellite and wireless backhaul systems. These services are generally provided on a contract or project basis and may involve the use of proprietary products engineered by us.

Strategic Initiatives and Their Impact on Our Results of Operations

For the three months ended March 31, 2011, we generated a net income attributable to our equity holders of $5.2 million compared to a net loss attributable to our equity holders of $5.6 million for the same period in 2010. The increase during the current quarter was mainly due to higher gross margin of $15.5 million, or 23.6%, as a result of growth in our services businesses, primarily in our North American businesses, and the reduction of costs associated with leased satellite capacity. The increase in our gross margin for the three months ended March 31, 2011 was partially offset by higher selling, general and administrative expenses. See “Selling, General and Administrative Expense” for a more detailed explanation of the fluctuation.

Technology—We incorporate advances in technology to reduce costs and to increase the functionality and reliability of our products and services. Through the usage of advanced spectrally efficient modulation and coding methodologies, such as DVB-S2, and proprietary software web acceleration and compression techniques, we continue to improve the efficiency of our networks. In addition, we invest in technologies to enhance our system and network management capabilities, specifically our managed services for enterprises. We also continue to invest in next generation technologies that can be applied to our future products and services.

Acquisitions, Strategic Alliances and Divestitures—We continue to focus on expanding the identified markets for our products, services and network solutions in our North America Broadband, International Broadband and Telecom Systems

 

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segments. Consistent with our strategy to grow and improve our financial position, we also review our competitive position on an ongoing basis and, from time to time, consider various acquisitions, strategic alliances and divestitures which we believe would be beneficial to our business. We, from time to time, consider various alternatives related to the development, construction and ownership structure of satellite assets and related ground infrastructure, capacity features and other factors that would promote long-term growth on a global basis, while meeting the needs of our customers.

On February 13, 2011, our Parent, HCI, entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”) with EchoStar Corporation, a Nevada corporation (“EchoStar”), EchoStar Satellite Services L.L.C., a Colorado limited liability company, and Broadband Acquisition Corporation, a Delaware corporation (“Merger Sub”), pursuant to which, subject to the terms and conditions set forth therein, Merger Sub will merge with and into HCI (the “Merger”), with HCI continuing as the surviving entity and becoming a wholly owned subsidiary of EchoStar. The Merger is expected to close later this year, subject to certain closing conditions, including among others, receipt of approval by the Federal Communications Commission.

Sales and Distribution—In June 2009, we entered into an agreement with Space Systems/Loral, Inc. (“SS/L”), under which SS/L will manufacture our next-generation, geostationary high throughput satellite (“HTS”) named Jupiter. Jupiter will employ a multi-spot beam, bent pipe Ka-band architecture and will provide additional capacity for the HughesNet service in North America. The Company anticipates launching Jupiter in the first half of 2012. We entered into a contract with Barrett Xplore Inc. (“Barrett”), whereby Barrett agreed to lease user beams and purchase gateways and Ka-band terminals for the Jupiter satellite that are designed to operate in Canada (the “Barrett Agreement”).

In August 2010, we were awarded $58.7 million from the U.S. Government as the only national provider of high-speed satellite broadband service under the broadband stimulus program, established pursuant to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. This award is part of the U.S. Government’s investments in broadband projects to expand access to broadband service and create jobs and economic opportunity in rural, underserved communities nationwide. We began to offer services to customers under this program in October 2010.

Key Business Metrics

Business Segments—We divide our operations into five distinct segments—(i) the North America Broadband segment; (ii) the International Broadband segment; (iii) the Telecom Systems segment; (iv) the HTS Satellite segment; and (v) the Corporate segment. Within the North America Broadband segment, sales are attributed to the Consumer group, which delivers broadband Internet service to consumer customers, and the Enterprise group, which provides satellite, wireline and wireless communication network products and services to enterprises. The International Broadband segment consists of our international service companies and provides managed network services and equipment to enterprise customers and broadband service providers worldwide. The Telecom Systems segment consists of the Mobile Satellite Systems group and the Terrestrial Microwave group. The Mobile Satellite Systems group provides turnkey satellite ground segment systems to mobile system operators. The Terrestrial Microwave group provides point-to-multipoint microwave radio network systems that are used for both cellular backhaul and broadband wireless access. The HTS Satellite segment consists of activities related to the development, construction and launch of high throughput satellites and currently represents construction activities of Jupiter and the development of related network equipment. The Corporate segment includes our corporate offices and assets not specifically related to another business segment. Due to the complementary nature and common architecture of our services and products across our business segments, we are able to leverage our expertise and resources within our various operating units to yield significant cost efficiencies.

Revenues—We generate revenues from the sale and financing of hardware and the provision of services. In our North America and International Broadband segments, we generate revenues from services and hardware. In our Telecom Systems segment, we generate revenues primarily from the development and sale of hardware. Some of our enterprise customers purchase equipment separately and operate their own networks. These customers include large enterprises, incumbent local exchange carriers, governmental agencies and resellers. Contracts for our services vary in length depending on the customers’ requirements.

 

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Average revenue per unit (“ARPU”)—ARPU is calculated by dividing the total service revenues from the Consumer group for the reporting period by the sum of the total number of subscribers in our Consumer group at the end of each month in the reporting period. Our ARPU calculation may not be consistent with other companies’ calculation in the same or similar businesses as we are not aware of any uniform standards for calculating ARPU.

Churn rate—Churn rate represents the average of the monthly churn rates for the months included in the reporting period. Monthly churn rate is calculated by dividing the number of subscribers that churn in the month by the number of those subscribers at the end of the month in our Consumer group and our small/medium enterprise and wholesale business customers. Our churn rate calculations may not be consistent with other companies’ calculation in the same or similar businesses as we are not aware of any uniform standards for calculating churn rate.

Services— Our services revenue is varied in nature and includes equipment rental from our consumer rental program, total turnkey communications services, terminal relocation, maintenance and changes, transponder capacity and multicast or broadcast services. Our services are offered on a contractual basis, which vary in length based on the particular end market. Typically, our large enterprise customers enter into a three- to five-year contract, and our consumer customers enter into a 24-month contract. We bill and recognize service revenues on a monthly per site basis. Our services include the following:

 

Service Type   

Description

Broadband
connectivity
  

 •

 

 •

  

Provides basic transport, intranet connectivity services and internet service provider services

 

Applications include high-speed internet access, IP VPN, multicast file delivery and streaming, point-of-sale credit transactions, enterprise back-office communications, and satellite backup for frame relay service and other terrestrial networks

     
Managed network
services
  

 •

 

 •

  

Provides one-stop turnkey suite of bundled services that include wireline and wireless satellite networks

 

Includes network design program management, installation management, network and application engineering services, proactive network management, network operations, field maintenance and customer care

     
ISP services and
hosted application
  

 •

   Provides internet connectivity and hosted customer-owned and managed applications on our network facilities
    •    Provides the customer application services developed by us or in conjunction with our service partners
    •    Includes internet access, e-mail services, web hosting and online payments
Digital media
services
    •    Digital content management and delivery including video, online learning and digital signage applications
Customized business
solutions
    •    Provides customized, industry-specific enterprise solutions that can be applied to multiple businesses in a given industry

Our services to enterprise customers are negotiated on a contract-by-contract basis with price varying based on numerous factors, including number of sites, complexity of system and scope of services provided. We have the ability to integrate these service offerings to provide comprehensive solutions for our customers. We also provide managed services to our customers who operate their own dedicated network facilities and charge them a management fee for the operation and support of their networks.

Hardware— We offer our enterprise customers the option to purchase their equipment up-front or to finance the sale through a third-party leasing company as part of their service agreement under which payments are made over a fixed term. Our consumer customers also have the option to purchase the equipment up-front with a 24-month service contract. Hardware revenues of the North American Enterprise group and International Broadband segment are derived from: (i) network operating centers; (ii) radio frequency terminals (earth stations); (iii) VSAT components including indoor units, outdoor units, and antennas; (iv) voice, video and data appliances; (v) routers and DSL modems; and (vi) system integration services to integrate all of the above into a system.

We also provide specialized equipment to our Mobile Satellite Systems and Terrestrial Microwave customers. Through large multi-year contracts, we develop and supply turnkey networking and terminal systems for various operators

 

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who offer mobile satellite-based services. We also supply microwave-based networking equipment to mobile operators for back-hauling their data from cellular telephone sites to their switching centers. In addition, local exchange carriers use our equipment for broadband access traffic from corporations bypassing local phone companies. The size and scope of these projects vary from year to year by customer and do not follow a pattern that can be reasonably predicted.

Revenue Backlog—We benefit from strong visibility of our future revenues. At March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, our total revenue backlog, which we define as our expected future revenue under customer contracts that are non-cancelable and excluding agreements with our consumer customers, was approximately $1,071.7 million and $1,062.2 million, respectively. Included in our revenue backlog as of March 31, 2011 are future revenues of $253.7 million associated with our Jupiter satellite. Of the $253.7 million, $245.0 million is associated with the Barrett Agreement for satellite capacity, which revenue is expected to be realized ratably over 15 years once the satellite is launched and placed into service and $8.7 million is related to gateway developments for Barrett. Associated with the Barrett Agreement for satellite capacity, we have collected $5.0 million of non-refundable reservation fee.

The amounts included in backlog represent the full contract value for the duration of the contract and does not include termination fees. We do not assume that a contract will be renewed beyond its stated expiration date. In certain cases of breach for non-payment or customer bankruptcy, we may not be able to recover the full value of certain contracts or termination fees.

Generally, following the successful launch of a satellite, if the satellite is operating nominally, our customers may only terminate their service agreements for satellite capacity by paying us all, or substantially all, of the payments that would have otherwise become due over the term of the service agreement. In the case of our satellite under construction, Jupiter, we would not be obligated to return the customer prepayments made under service agreements for the satellite if the launch was to fail. Also, if the launch of Jupiter was significantly delayed, our customers could exercise their right of termination under their service agreements. See Part II — Item 1A. Risk Factors and Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements for a discussion of the potential risks to our revenue and backlog. Although we have signed contracts with our consumer customers for 24 months, we do not include these contractual commitments in our backlog.

Cost of Services— Our cost of services primarily consists of transponder capacity leases, hub infrastructure, customer care, wireline and wireless capacity, depreciation expense related to network infrastructure and capitalized hardware and software, and the salaries and related employment costs for those employees who manage our network operations and other project areas. These costs are dependent on the number of customers served and have increased relative to our growth. We continue to execute a number of cost containment and efficiency initiatives that were implemented in previous years. In addition, the migration to a single upgraded platform for ongoing consumer customers from our North America Broadband segment has enabled us to leverage our satellite bandwidth and network operation facilities to achieve further cost efficiencies. The costs associated with transponder capacity leases for the Consumer group are expected to decline as more customers are added to the SPACEWAY network.

Cost of Hardware— We outsource a significant portion of the manufacturing of our hardware for our North America and International Broadband and Telecom Systems segments to third-party contract manufacturers. Our cost of hardware relates primarily to direct materials and subsystems (e.g., antennas), salaries and related employment costs for those employees who are directly associated with the procurement and manufacture of our products and other items of indirect overhead incurred in the procurement and production process. Cost of hardware also includes certain engineering and hardware costs related to the design of a particular product for specific customer programs. As we have developed new product offerings, we have reduced product costs due to higher levels of component integration, design improvements and volume increases.

Subscriber acquisition costs (“SAC”) are associated with our Consumer group and are comprised of three elements: (i) the subsidy for the cost of hardware and related installation; (ii) certain sales and marketing expense; and (iii) dealer and customer service representative commissions on new installations/activations. The subsidy for cost of hardware and related cost of installation is deferred and amortized over the shorter of the initial contract period or the useful life of the hardware as a component of cost of hardware for hardware related sales or cost of services for activities related to the consumer rental program. The portion of SAC related to sales and marketing is expensed as incurred. Dealer and customer service representative commissions are deferred and amortized over the initial contract period as a component of sales and marketing expense.

 

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Selling, General and Administrative (“SG&A”)—Selling expenses primarily consist of the salaries, commissions, related benefit costs of our direct sales force and marketing staff, advertising, channel compensations on new activations which are deferred and amortized over the initial consumer contract period, travel, allocation of facilities, and other directly related overhead costs for our domestic and international businesses. General and administrative expenses include bad debt expense and salaries and related employee benefits for employees associated with common supporting functions, such as accounting and finance, risk management, legal, information technology, administration, human resources, and senior management. Selling, general, and administrative costs also include facilities costs, third-party service providers’ costs (such as outside tax and legal counsel, and insurance providers), bank fees related to credit card processing charges and depreciation of fixed assets.

Research and Development (“R&D”)—The Company’s R&D programs are important to support future growth by reducing costs and providing new technology and innovations to its customers. R&D expenses primarily consist of the salaries of certain members of our engineering staff plus an applied overhead charge. R&D expenses also include engineering support for existing platforms and development efforts to build new products and software applications, subcontractors, material purchases and other direct costs in support of product development.

Market Trends Impacting Our Revenues

The following table presents our revenues by end market for the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010 (dollars in thousands):

 

Variancexxx Variancexxx Variancexxx Variancexxx
     Three Months Ended
March  31,
    Variance  
     2011      2010     Amount     %  

Revenues:

         

Services revenues

   $ 214,250       $ 186,890      $ 27,360        14.6%    

Hardware revenues

     48,422         55,253        (6,831     (12.4)%   
                           

Total revenues

   $ 262,672       $ 242,143      $ 20,529        8.5%    
                           

Revenues by end market:

         

North America Broadband segment:

         

Consumer

   $ 130,814       $ 113,354      $ 17,460        15.4%    

Enterprise

     62,892         60,641        2,251        3.7%    
                           

Total North America Broadband segment

     193,706         173,995        19,711        11.3%    
                           

International Broadband segment

     51,672         43,456        8,216        18.9%    
                           

Telecom Systems segment:

         

Mobile Satellite Systems

     15,610         19,706        (4,096     (20.8)%   

Terrestrial Microwave

     1,082         4,986        (3,904     (78.3)%   
                           

Total Telecom Systems segment

     16,692         24,692        (8,000     (32.4)%   
                           

HTS Satellite segment

     602         -        602        *        
                           

Total revenues

   $ 262,672       $ 242,143      $ 20,529        8.5%    
                           

 

* Percentage not meaningful.

 

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The following table presents our churn rate, average revenue per unit (“ARPU”), average monthly gross subscriber additions, and subscribers:

 

Variancexxx Variancexxx Variancexxx Variancexxx
     As of or For the
Three Months Ended
March 31,
     Variance  
     
     2011      2010      Amount      %  

Churn rate(1)

     2.30%         1.98%         0.32%         16.2%   

ARPU(2)

   $ 75       $ 72       $ 3         4.2%   

Average monthly gross subscriber additions(1)

     25,600         19,200         6,400         33.3%   

Subscribers(1)

     613,400         530,800         82,600         15.6%   

 

(1) Relates to our Consumer group and our small/medium enterprise and wholesale business customers who receive subscription services. The small/medium enterprise and wholesale business customers are part of our Enterprise group. The Consumer and Enterprise groups are part of our North America Broadband segment. The trend of this metric has been substantially similar for the Consumer group and the small/medium enterprise and wholesale business customers.
(2) Relates only to our Consumer group, which is part of our North America Broadband segment.

North America Broadband Segment

Revenue from our North American Enterprise group for the three months ended March 31, 2011 increased by 3.7% to $62.9 million compared to the same period in 2010. The increase was a result of growth in our managed services business. Enterprise service revenue is generally characterized by long-term service contracts.

Revenue from our Consumer group for the three months ended March 31, 2011 increased by 15.4% to $130.8 million compared to the same period in 2010. The growth in our Consumer group has been driven primarily by three factors: (i) the growth in the number of subscribers arising from increased consumer awareness of our products and services as a result of the expansion of our use of direct mail campaigns and television commercials targeting geographic areas that have historically been underserved by DSL and cable services; (ii) value-added services, such as express repair and web premium content services, and the election by our customers to utilize the consumer rental program and to subscribe to higher level service plans resulting in an increase in ARPU; and (iii) the Recovery Act service offerings largely funded by the U.S. Government’s broadband stimulus grant.

As of March 31, 2011 and 2010, we achieved a total subscriber base of 613,400 and 530,800 respectively, which included 37,100 and 30,100, respectively, subscribers in our small/medium enterprise and wholesale businesses. Our ARPU, which is used to measure average monthly consumer subscription service revenues on a per subscriber basis, was $75 and $72 for the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

International Broadband Segment

Revenue from our International Enterprise group for the three months ended March 31, 2011 increased by 18.9% to $51.7 million compared to the same period in 2010, primarily due an increase in product shipments to enterprise customers globally and the continued growth of our expanding array of solutions and global services to enterprises and government organizations in Brazil, India and the Africa/Middle East region. Also contributing to the increase was the favorable impact of currency exchange of $1.8 million as a result of the depreciation of the U.S. dollar.

Telecom Systems Segment

Revenue from our Telecom Systems segment for the three months ended March 31, 2011 decreased by 32.4% to $16.7 million compared to the same period in 2010, primarily as a result of (i) several contracts progressing from their design and development phases and into the final acceptance and warranty support phases and (ii) completion of a one-time contract during the first quarter of 2010. These decreases were partially offset by revenue increases on existing contracts.

 

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HTS Satellite Segment

Pursuant to the Barrett Agreement, we develop and deliver gateways for Barrett’s service business in Canada which will utilize Jupiter capacity. For the three months ended March 31, 2011, we recognized $0.6 million of hardware revenues for the HTS Satellite segment.

Results of Operations

Three Months Ended March 31, 2011 Compared to Three Months Ended March 31, 2010

Revenues

 

     Three Months Ended
March  31,
     Variance  

(Dollars in thousands)

             2011                           2010                           Amount                          %             

Services revenues

   $ 214,250       $ 186,890       $ 27,360        14.6%   

Hardware revenues

     48,422         55,253         (6,831     (12.4)%   
                            

Total revenues

   $ 262,672       $ 242,143       $ 20,529        8.5%   
                            

% of revenue to total revenues:

          

Services revenues

     81.6%         77.2%        

Hardware revenues

     18.4%         22.8%        

Services Revenues

The increase in services revenues was attributable to our North America Broadband segment. Revenues from our Consumer group increased by $21.9 million to $127.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011 compared to $106.0 million for the same period in 2010, resulting primarily from the increase in our consumer subscriber base. The increase in the Consumer group was partly due to the enrollment of customers under the Recovery Act program largely funded by the U.S. Government’s broadband stimulus grant, for which we recognized $7.0 million of services revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2011.

In addition, revenue from our North America Enterprise group increased by $1.8 million to $49.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011 compared to $47.6 million for the same period in 2010. The increase reflected the growth in our managed services business, new contracts awarded in prior periods that provided incremental service revenue in 2011 and the growth in our small/medium and wholesale subscriber base.

Services revenue from our International Broadband segment increased by $4.0 million to $35.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011 compared to $31.9 million for the same period in 2010, primarily due to the continued growth of our expanding array of solutions and global services to enterprises and government organizations in Brazil, India, and the Africa/Middle East region. Also, contributing to the increase in international service revenue was $1.6 million as a result of the favorable impact of currency exchange due to the depreciation of the U.S. dollar.

The increase in services revenue was partially offset by a reduction of $0.3 million in revenues from our Telecom Systems segment to $1.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011 compared to $1.4 million for the same period in 2010.

Hardware Revenues

Hardware revenues from our North America Broadband segment decreased by $3.9 million to $16.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011 compared to $20.4 million for the same period in 2010. Despite the growth in the subscriber base, hardware revenues in the Consumer group decreased by $4.4 million to $3.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011 compared to $7.4 million for the same period in 2010. The decrease was due to an increase in customers utilizing (i) the consumer rental program, which accounts for rental revenues as services revenues, instead of the

 

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previously offered financed purchase plan, which revenues were accounted for as hardware revenues and (ii) the Recovery Act program which is largely funded by the U.S. Government stimulus grant and is accounted for as service revenue. Partially offsetting the decrease in hardware revenues was an increase of $0.5 million in hardware sales from our North America Enterprise group to $13.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011 compared to $13.0 million for the same period in 2010.

Hardware revenues from our International Broadband segment increased by $4.2 million to $15.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011 compared to $11.6 million for the same period in 2010. The increase was primarily due to an increase in shipments to enterprise customers globally and the commencement of activities on a large developmental contract for a high-throughput satellite system for a customer in the United Arab Emirates. Also contributing to the increase was a $0.2 million favorable impact of currency exchange due to the depreciation of the U.S. dollar.

Hardware revenues from our Telecom Systems segment decreased by $7.8 million to $15.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011 compared to $23.3 million for the same period in 2010, as a result of (i) several contracts progressing from their design and development phases and into the final acceptance and warranty support phases and (ii) completion of a one-time contract existing during the first quarter of 2010. These decreases were partially offset by revenue increases on existing contracts.

Cost of Revenues

 

     Three Months Ended
March  31,
     Variance  

(Dollars in thousands)

             2011                           2010                       Amount                       %               

Cost of services

   $ 132,006       $ 115,650       $ 16,356        14.1%   

Cost of hardware

     49,574         60,886         (11,312     (18.6)%   
                            

Total cost of revenues

   $ 181,580       $ 176,536       $ 5,044        2.9%   
                            

Cost of Services

Cost of services increased in conjunction with the increase in services revenues, mainly due to the growth in our consumer subscriber base and our managed services businesses in the North America Broadband segment. Support costs for the growth included customer service, wireline and wireless costs, field services, network operations and depreciation expense, which increased by $11.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011 compared to the same period in 2010. The increases were partially offset by lower transponder capacity lease expense. We expect transponder capacity lease expense for the Consumer group to continue to decrease as more customers are placed on the SPACEWAY network.

In addition, cost of services from our International Broadband segment increased by $2.2 million, primarily due to an increase in the number of enterprise and global service sites in service across Brazil, India, and the Africa/Middle East region.

Cost of Hardware

Cost of hardware decreased in conjunction with the reduction in hardware revenues. Cost of hardware from our North America Broadband segment decreased by $10.6 million to $24.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011 compared to $35.1 million for the same period in 2010. Of the $10.6 million reduction, $8.8 million was attributable to the Consumer group despite the growth in the consumer subscriber base. Cost of hardware from the Consumer group decreased as a result of: (i) more customers utilizing the consumer rental program, for which hardware costs are accounted for as a component of services cost, instead of the previously offered deferred purchase plan, which cost was accounted for as hardware costs and (ii) lower hardware unit cost as a result of improved manufacturing efficiency.

Cost of hardware from our International Broadband segment increased by $4.2 million to $12.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011 compared to $8.2 million for the same period in 2010, primarily due to the increase in hardware revenues.

Cost of hardware from our Telecom Systems segment decreased by $5.5 million to $12.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011 compared to $17.6 million for the same period in 2010, primarily related to the reduction in hardware revenues from the Mobile Satellite Systems and the Terrestrial Microwave groups.

 

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Selling, General and Administrative Expense

 

     Three Months Ended
March  31,
     Variance  

(Dollars in thousands)

          2011                    2010                    Amount                    %         

Selling, general and administrative expense

   $ 55,869         48,680       $ 7,189         14.8%   

% of revenue

     21.3%         20.1%         

SG&A expense increased mainly due to higher costs of: (i) $2.4 million associated with our efforts in promoting our consumer and enterprise businesses for our North American operations; (ii) $2.9 million of bad debt provisions associated with our domestic businesses; and (iii) $1.1 million at our international subsidiaries.

Research and Development

 

     Three Months Ended
March  31,
     Variance  

(Dollars in thousands)

          2011                    2010                    Amount                    %         

Research and development

   $ 5,154         4,915       $ 239         4.9%   

% of revenue

     2.0%         2.0%         

R&D increased mainly due to the increase in research and development activities of $0.6 million and $0.3 million related to the construction of Jupiter and our Mobile Satellite Systems group, respectively. The increase was partially offset by a reduction in development activities mainly from our North America and International Broadband segments.

Amortization of Intangible Assets

 

     Three Months Ended
March  31,
     Variance  

(Dollars in thousands)

          2011                    2010                    Amount                    %         

Amortization of intangible assets

   $ 682         702       $ (20)         (2.8)%   

% of revenue

     0.3%         0.3%         

Amortization of intangible assets decreased primarily due to the impact of intangible assets reaching the end of their estimated life.

Operating Income

 

     Three Months Ended
March  31,
     Variance  

(Dollars in thousands)

          2011                    2010                    Amount                    %         

Operating income

   $ 19,387         11,310       $ 8,077         71.4%   

% of revenue

     7.4%         4.7%         

The increase in operating income during the current quarter was mainly impacted by higher gross margin of $15.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011 compared to the same period in 2010, as a result of growth in our services businesses, primarily in our North American businesses, and the reduction of costs associated with leased satellite capacity.

 

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The increase in our gross margin was partially offset by higher SG&A expenses. See “Selling, General and Administrative Expense” for a more detailed explanation of the fluctuation.

Interest Expense

 

     Three Months Ended
March  31,
     Variance  

(Dollars in thousands)

          2011                    2010                     Amount                    %         

Interest expense

   $ 12,500       $ 16,105       $ (3,605)         (22.4)%   

Interest expense primarily relates to interest on the $450 million of 9.50% senior notes maturing on April 15, 2014 (the “2006 Senior Notes”), $150.0 million of 9.50% senior notes maturing on April 15, 2014 (the “2009 Senior Notes”), the $115 million term loan maturing on April 15, 2014 (the “Term Loan Facility”) and the $115 million COFACE Guaranteed Facility less capitalized interest associated with the construction of our satellite. The decrease in interest expense was due to $4.4 million of increased capitalized interest associated with the construction of Jupiter for the three months ended March 31, 2011, partially offset by $0.7 million of interest and fees associated with the COFACE Guaranteed Facility.

Interest and Other Income, Net

 

     Three Months Ended
March  31,
     Variance  

(Dollars in thousands)

          2011                   2010                    Amount                   %         

Interest income

   $      359      $      553       $ (194     (35.1)%   

Other loss, net

     (248     -         (248     *   
                           

Total interest and other income, net

   $ 111      $ 553       $ (442     (79.9)%   
                           

 

* Percentage not meaningful.

The decrease in interest and other income, net was primarily due to lower interest earned on third-party receivables and extinguishment of certain lease financing arrangement for the three months ended March 31, 2011. There was no extinguishment of a lease financing arrangement in the comparable period in 2010.

Income Tax Expense

 

     Three Months Ended
March  31,
     Variance  

(Dollars in thousands)

          2011                    2010                    Amount                    %         

Income tax expense

   $ 1,770       $ 1,217       $ 553         45.4%   

The increase in our income tax expense was primarily attributable to higher profitability in our foreign subsidiaries.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

     Three Months Ended
March  31,
    Variance  

(Dollars in thousands)

          2011                   2010                   Amount                    %         

Net cash provided by (used in):

         

Operating activities

   $ 50,110      $ 14,965      $ 35,145         234.8%   

Investing activities

   $ (99,509   $ (79,361   $ 20,148         25.4%   

Financing activities

   $ 13,020      $ (2,674   $ 15,694         *   

 

* Percentage not meaningful.

 

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Net Cash Flows from Operating Activities

Net cash provided by operating activities was approximately $50.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011. This was due to approximately $43.8 million of cash generated by earnings after adjustments of non-cash expenses and a net increase in working capital of approximately $6.3 million. Net cash provided by operations was approximately $15.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2010. This was due to approximately $25.4 million of cash generated by earnings after adjustment for non-cash expenses plus a net decrease in working capital of $10.4 million.

Net Cash Flows from Investing Activities

The increase in net cash used in investing activities was mainly due to an increase in capital expenditures on a cash basis of $37.2 million, primarily related to the construction of our Jupiter satellite, which was partially offset by a net decrease in marketable securities activities of $16.6 million. There were no purchases of marketable securities during the three months ended March 31, 2011 compared to $22.6 million in the three months ended March 31, 2010. In addition, proceeds from the sale of marketable securities decreased by $6.0 million in the three months ended March 31, 2011 as compared to March 31, 2010.

Capital expenditures on a cash basis for the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010 are shown as follows (in thousands):

 

     Three Months Ended
March 31,
        
               2011                           2010                         Variance          

Capital expenditures:

        

Jupiter program

   $ 58,256       $ 31,638       $ 26,618   

Capital expenditures—VSAT

     39,744         27,768         11,976   

Capital expenditures—other

     2,841         3,589         (748

Capitalized software

     2,752         3,166         (414

SPACEWAY program

     418         673         (255
                          

Total capital expenditures(1)

   $ 104,011       $ 66,834       $ 37,177   
                          

 

(1) Capital expenditures on an accrual basis were $98.9 million and $65.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

Net Cash Flows from Financing Activities

For the three months ended March 31, 2011, the net cash provided by our financing activities of $13.0 million was mainly driven by the financing activity in connection with the launch related costs of our Jupiter satellite. The increase in cash provided by our financing activities was partially offset by the repayment of our long-term debt and debt issuance costs associated with our financing facility. For the three months ended March 31, 2010, our net cash provided by financing activities was mainly related to the additional debt issuance costs associated with the refinancing of our revolving credit facility in March 2010, which was partially offset by the reduction in repayments of long-term debt.

Future Liquidity Requirements

As of March 31, 2011, our Cash and cash equivalents and Marketable securities were $46.8 million and our total debt was $761.0 million. We are leveraged as a result of our indebtedness. The Merger Agreement contemplates the repayment of our outstanding debt (including the 9 1/2% Senior Notes due 2014), except that the $115 million loan facility guaranteed by COFACE, the French Export Credit Agency, will continue to remain outstanding following the Merger if the requisite lender consents thereunder are obtained.

 

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Revolving Credit Facility and Term Loan

On March 16, 2010, we entered into a credit agreement with JP Morgan Chase Bank, N.A. and Barclays Capital to amend and restate our senior secured $50 million revolving credit facility (the “Revolving Credit Facility”). Pursuant to the terms of the agreement, among other changes, the maturity date of the Revolving Credit Facility was extended to March 16, 2014, subject to an early maturity date of 91 days prior to March 16, 2014 in the event our 2009 and 2006 Senior Notes and our Term Loan Facility (as defined below) are not (i) repaid in full or (ii) refinanced with new debt (or amended) with maturities of no earlier than 91 days after March 16, 2014. The terms of the Revolving Credit Facility were amended to be: (i) in respect of the interest rate, at our option, the Alternative Borrowing Rate (as defined in the Revolving Credit Facility) plus 2.00% or the Adjusted London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) (as defined in the Revolving Credit Facility) plus 3.00% and (ii) in respect of the participation fee for outstanding letters of credit, 3.00% per annum, in each case subject to downward adjustment based on our leverage ratio. As of March 31, 2011, the total outstanding letters of credit and the available borrowing capacity under the Revolving Credit Facility was $4.6 million and $45.4 million, respectively. As of March 31, 2011, the Revolving Credit Facility was rated Baa3 and BB- by Moody’s and Standard & Poor (“S&P”), respectively.

In February 2007, we borrowed $115 million from a syndicate of banks pursuant to a senior unsecured credit agreement (the “Term Loan Facility”), which matures on April 15, 2014. The Term Loan Facility is guaranteed, on a senior unsecured basis, by all of our existing and future subsidiaries that guarantee our existing 2006 Senior Notes and the Revolving Credit Facility. The interest on the Term Loan Facility is paid quarterly at Adjusted LIBOR (as defined in the Term Loan Facility) plus 2.50%. To mitigate the variable interest rate risk associated with the Term Loan Facility, we entered into an agreement to swap the Adjusted LIBOR for a fixed rate of 5.12% per annum (the “Swap Agreement”). As a result, the Term Loan Facility has a fixed interest rate of 7.62% per annum and is subject to certain mandatory and optional prepayment provisions and contains negative covenants and events of default, in each case, substantially similar to those provisions contained in the indentures governing the Senior Notes. The remaining net interest payments on the Term Loan Facility are estimated to be approximately $8.8 million for each of the years ending December 31, 2011 through 2013 and $3.3 million for the year ending December 31, 2014. As of March 31, 2011, the Term Loan was rated B1 and B by Moody’s and S&P, respectively. As of March 31, 2011, interest accrued based on the Swap Agreement and the Term Loan Facility was $0.7 million.

Our subsidiaries primarily meet their working capital requirements through their respective operations or the utilization of local credit facilities. Occasionally, the subsidiaries utilize temporary advances to/from us to meet temporary cash requirements. Certain of our foreign subsidiaries maintain various revolving lines of credit and term loans funded by their respective local banks in local currency. As of March 31, 2011, the aggregate balance outstanding under these loans was $2.6 million. Our subsidiaries may be restricted from paying dividends to us under the terms of these loans.

The Company and its subsidiaries are separate and distinct legal entities and, except for its existing and future subsidiaries that are or will be guarantors of the Senior Notes, the Term Loan Facility, COFACE Guaranteed Facility and the Revolving Credit Facility, they will have no obligation, contingent or otherwise, to pay amounts due under the Senior Notes, Term Loan Facility, COFACE Guaranteed Facility and the Revolving Credit Facility, or to make any funds available to pay those amounts, whether by dividend, distribution, loan or other payment.

Senior Notes

In May 2009, we, along with our subsidiary, HNS Finance Corp., as co-issuer, completed a private debt offering of $150.0 million of 9.50% senior notes maturing on April 15, 2014 (the “2009 Senior Notes”). The 2009 Senior Notes are guaranteed on a senior unsecured basis by each of our current and future domestic subsidiaries that guarantee any of our indebtedness or indebtedness of our other subsidiary guarantors. Interest on the 2009 Senior Notes is accrued from April 15, 2009 and is paid semi-annually in arrears on April 15 and October 15 of each year, beginning on October 15, 2009. We received net proceeds of approximately $133.6 million from the offering. We have used and intend to continue to use these net proceeds for general corporate purposes, which could include working capital needs, corporate development opportunities (which may include acquisitions), capital expenditures and opportunistic satellite fleet expansion. As of March 31, 2011, the 2009 Senior Notes were rated B1 and B by Moody’s and S&P, respectively. As of March 31, 2011, we had recorded $6.5 million of accrued interest payable related to the 2009 Senior Notes.

 

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In April 2006, we issued $450 million of 9.50% senior notes maturing on April 15, 2014 (the “2006 Senior Notes”), which are guaranteed on a senior unsecured basis by us and each of our current and future domestic subsidiaries that guarantee any of our indebtedness or indebtedness of our other subsidiary guarantors. Interest on the 2006 Senior Notes is paid semi-annually in arrears on April 15 and October 15. As of March 31, 2011, the 2006 Senior Notes had $19.6 million of accrued interest payable and ratings of were rated B1 and B by Moody’s and S&P, respectively.

COFACE Guaranteed Facility

On October 29, 2010, we entered into a $115 million loan agreement with BNP Paribas and Societe Generale (“COFACE Guaranteed Facility”), which is guaranteed by COFACE, the French Export Credit Agency, to finance the launch related costs for our Jupiter satellite. Pursuant to the COFACE Guaranteed Facility, loan draw-downs, which began in the fourth quarter of 2010, will occur over the construction period for the Jupiter launch vehicle up to the time of the launch, which is estimated to be in the first half of 2012. The COFACE Guaranteed Facility has a fixed interest rate of 5.13%, payable semi-annually in arrears starting six months after each borrowing, and requires that principal repayments be paid in 17 consecutive equal semi-annual installments starting the earlier of (i) six months after the in-orbit delivery, or (ii) December 1, 2012. The agreement also contains covenants and conditions which are customary for financings of this type. As of March 31, 2011, we had $43.5 million of borrowings under the loan and an available borrowing capacity of $71.5 million.

Although the terms and covenants with respect to the 2009 Senior Notes are substantially identical to the 2006 Senior Notes, the 2009 Senior Notes were issued under a separate indenture and do not vote together with the 2006 Senior Notes. Each of the indentures governing the 2006 Senior Notes and 2009 Senior Notes (collectively, the “Senior Notes”), the agreement governing the amended Revolving Credit Facility, the agreement governing the COFACE Guaranteed Facility and the agreement governing the Term Loan Facility require us to comply with certain affirmative and negative covenants: (i) in the case of the indentures, for so long as any Senior Notes are outstanding; (ii) in the case of the amended Revolving Credit Facility, for so long as the amended Revolving Credit Facility is in effect; (iii) in the case of the COFACE Guaranteed Facility, for so long as the COFACE Guaranteed Facility remains outstanding; and (iv) in the case of the Term Loan Facility, for so long as the Term Loan Facility remains outstanding. Negative covenants contained in these agreements include limitations on our ability and/or certain of our subsidiaries’ ability to incur additional indebtedness; issue redeemable stock and subsidiary preferred stock; incur liens; pay dividends or distributions or redeem or repurchase capital stock; prepay, redeem or repurchase debt; make loans and investments; enter into agreements that restrict distributions from our subsidiaries; sell assets and capital stock of our subsidiaries; enter into certain transactions with affiliates; consolidate or merge with or into, or sell substantially all of our assets to, another person; and enter into new lines of business. In addition to these negative covenants, the amended Revolving Credit Facility, the indentures governing the Senior Notes, the COFACE Guaranteed Facility and/or the agreement governing the Term Loan Facility contain affirmative covenants that require us to: (i) preserve our businesses and properties; (ii) maintain insurance over our assets; (iii) pay and discharge all material taxes when due; and (iv) furnish the lenders’ administrative agent our financial statements for each fiscal quarter and fiscal year, certificates from a financial officer certifying that no Event of Default or Default (as define in the respective agreements) has occurred during the fiscal period being reported, litigation and other notices, compliance with laws, maintenance of records and other such customary covenants. Management believes that the Company was in compliance with all of its debt covenants as of March 31, 2011.

Other

In June 2009, we entered into an agreement with Space Systems/Loral, Inc. (“SS/L”) for the construction of Jupiter and agreed to make installment payments to SS/L upon the completion of each milestone as set forth in the agreement. In connection with the construction of Jupiter, we entered into a contract with Barrett, whereby Barrett agreed to lease user beams and purchase gateways and Ka-band terminals for the Jupiter satellite that are designed to operate in Canada. In April 2010, we entered into an agreement with Arianespace for the launch of Jupiter in the first half of 2012. Pursuant to the agreement, the Ariane 5 will launch Jupiter into geosynchronous transfer orbit from Guiana Space Centre in Kourou, French Guiana. As of March 31, 2011, our remaining obligation for the construction and launch of Jupiter was approximately $164.9 million.

Based on our current and anticipated levels of operations and conditions in our markets and industry, we expect to meet our short-term cash requirements through the use of cash on hand and cash from operations that we expect to generate. We expect to meet our long-term cash requirements through a combination of (i) cash on hand and cash from operations that we expect to generate and (ii) a possible refinancing of the Senior Notes and/or the Term Loan Facility that mature in 2014. If the Merger is not

 

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consummated, we believe that our current resources are sufficient to meet our short-term cash requirements. However, our ability to fund these needs and to comply with the financial covenants under our debt agreements depends on our future operating performance and cash flow, which is subject to prevailing economic conditions, the level of spending by our customers and other factors, many of which are beyond our control. We do not currently anticipate making borrowings under the $50 million Revolving Credit Facility for the next twelve months. Any future acquisitions, joint ventures, acquisition of a satellite, or other similar transactions will likely require additional capital and there can be no assurance that any such capital will be available to us on acceptable terms, if at all.

Contractual Obligations

There have been no material changes to our contractual obligations since December 31, 2010, as previously disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010.

Commitments and Contingencies

For a discussion of commitments and contingencies, see Note 18—Commitments and Contingencies to our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements included in Part I-Item 1 of this report.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

We are required to issue standby letters of credit and bonds primarily to support certain sales of our equipment to international government customers. These letters of credit are either bid bonds to support contract bids, or to support advance payments made by customers upon contract execution and prior to equipment being shipped, or guarantees of performance issued in support of its warranty obligations. Bid bonds typically expire upon the issue of the award by the customer. Advance payment bonds expire upon receipt by the customer of equipment, and performance bonds typically expire when the warranty expires, generally one year after the installation of the equipment.

As of March 31, 2011, we had $18.9 million of contractual obligations to customers and other statutory/governmental agencies, which were secured by letters of credit issued through us and our subsidiaries’ credit facilities. Of this amount, $4.6 million was issued under the Revolving Credit Facility; $0.6 million was secured by restricted cash; $1.1 million related to insurance bonds; and $12.6 million was issued under credit arrangements available to our foreign subsidiaries. Certain letters of credit issued by our foreign subsidiaries are secured by their assets.

Seasonality

Like many communications infrastructure equipment vendors, a significant amount of our hardware sales occur in the second half of the year due to our customers’ annual procurement and budget cycles. Large enterprises and operators usually allocate their capital expenditure budgets at the beginning of their fiscal year (which often coincides with the calendar year). The typical sales cycle for large complex system procurements is 6 to 12 months, which often results in the customer expenditure occurring towards the end of the year. Customers often seek to expend the budgeted funds prior to the end of the year and the next budget cycle. As a result, interim results are not indicative of the results to be expected for the full year.

Inflation

Historically, inflation has not had a material effect on our results of operations.

Certain Relationships and Related Transactions

For a discussion of related-party transactions, see Note 15—Transactions with Related Parties to our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements included in Part I—Item 1. Financial Statements of this report.

Critical Accounting Policies

Our discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations are based upon our condensed consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States. The preparation of these financial statements requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingencies at the date of the financial statements as well as the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. We evaluate these estimates and assumptions on an ongoing basis. The results of these estimates form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results could differ from these estimates under different assumptions and conditions. For a description of our critical accounting policies, refer to “Management’s Discussion and

 

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Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” as included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 3, 2010 (File number 333-138009).

New Accounting Pronouncements

For a discussion of new accounting pronouncements, see Note 2—Basis of Presentation and New Accounting Pronouncements to the Company’s unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements included in Part I-Item 1 of this report.

 

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

The following discussion and the estimated amounts generated from the sensitivity analyses referred to below include forward-looking statements of market risk which assume for analytical purposes that certain adverse market conditions may occur. Actual future market conditions may differ materially from such assumptions because the amounts shown below are the result of analyses used for the purpose of assessing possible risks and the mitigation thereof. Accordingly, you should not consider the forward-looking statements as projections by us of future events or losses.

General

Our cash flows and earnings are subject to fluctuations resulting from changes in foreign currency exchange rates, interest rates and changes in the market value of our equity investments. We manage our exposure to those market risks through internally established policies and procedures and, when deemed appropriate, through the use of derivative financial instruments. We enter into derivative instruments only to the extent considered necessary to meet our risk management objectives and do not enter into derivative contracts for speculative purposes.

Foreign Currency Risk

We generally conduct our business in United States dollars. Our international business is conducted in a variety of currencies, including U.S. dollars, and it is therefore exposed to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates. Our objective in managing our exposure to foreign currency changes is to reduce earnings and cash flow volatility associated with foreign exchange rate fluctuations. Accordingly, we may enter into foreign exchange contracts to mitigate risks associated with foreign currency denominated assets, liabilities, commitments and anticipated foreign currency transactions. As of March 31, 2011, we had an estimated $11.7 million of foreign currency denominated receivables and payables outstanding, and $0.9 million of hedge contracts in place to partially mitigate foreign currency risk. The differences between the face amount of the foreign exchange contracts and their estimated fair values were not material as of March 31, 2011.

The impact of a hypothetical 10% adverse change in exchange rates on the fair value of foreign currency denominated net assets and liabilities of our foreign subsidiaries would be an estimated loss of $8.2 million as of March 31, 2011.

Marketable Securities Risk

We have a significant amount of cash that is invested in marketable securities which is subject to market risk due to interest rate fluctuations. We have established an investment policy which governs our investment strategy and stipulates that we diversify investments among United States Treasury securities and other high credit quality debt instruments that we believe to be low risk. We are averse to principal loss and seek to preserve our invested funds by limiting default risk and market risk.

Interest Rate Risk

Our Senior Notes, the COFACE Guaranteed Facility and outstanding borrowings related to VSAT hardware financing arrangements are not subject to interest rate fluctuations because the interest rate is fixed for the term of the instrument. We are subject to variable interest rates on certain other debt including the Revolving Credit Facility and the Term Loan Facility. To the extent we draw against the Revolving Credit Facility, increases in interest rates would have an adverse impact on our results of operations.

To mitigate the variable interest rate risk associated with the Term Loan Facility, we entered into the Swap Agreement to swap the Adjusted LIBOR based interest on the Term Loan Facility for a fixed interest rate of 5.12% per annum. The

 

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remaining net interest payments based on the Swap Agreement and the Term Loan Facility are paid quarterly and estimated to be approximately $8.8 million for each of the years ending December 31, 2011 through 2013 and $3.3 million for the year ending December 31, 2014. The security for our interest obligation under the Swap Agreement is the same as the security for the Revolving Credit Facility described in Note 10—Debt to our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements included in Part I-Item 1 in this report.

Market Concentration and Credit Risk

We provide services and extend credit to a number of equipment customers, service providers, and a large number of consumers, both in the United States and around the world. We monitor our exposure to credit losses and maintain, as necessary, allowances for anticipated losses. Financial instruments which potentially subject us to a concentration of credit risk consist of cash, cash equivalents and marketable investments. Although we maintain cash balances at financial institutions that exceed federally insured limits, these balances are placed with high credit quality financial institutions.

Commodity Price Risk

All of our products contain components whose base raw materials have undergone dramatic cost fluctuations in the last 24 months. Fluctuations in pricing of raw materials have the ability to affect our product costs. Although we have been successful in offsetting or mitigating our exposure to these fluctuations, such changes could have an adverse impact on our product costs. We are unable to predict the possible impact of changes in commodity prices.

 

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

Disclosure Controls and Procedures

As required by Rules 13a-15 and 15d-15 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Company has evaluated, with the participation of management, including the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer, the effectiveness of its disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in such rules) as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on such evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in reports prepared in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified by the SEC’s rules and forms.

Our management, including the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, does not expect that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures will prevent all errors and all frauds. A control system, no matter how well conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the control system are met. Further, the design of a control system must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints, and the benefits of controls must be considered relative to their costs. Because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within the Company have been detected. These inherent limitations include the realities that judgments in decision-making can be faulty, and that breakdowns can occur because of simple error or mistake.

Additionally, controls can be circumvented by the individual acts of some persons, by collusion of two or more people, or by management override of the control. The design of any system of controls also is based in part upon certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events, and there can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals under all potential future conditions; over time, controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate. Because of the inherent limitations in a cost-effective control system, misstatements due to error or fraud may occur and not be detected.

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

There have been no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the first quarter of 2011 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. The Company continues to review its disclosure controls and procedures, including its internal controls over financial reporting, and may from time to time make changes aimed at enhancing their effectiveness and to ensure that the Company’s systems evolve with its business.

 

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PART II—OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

We are periodically involved in litigation in the ordinary course of our business involving claims regarding intellectual property infringement, product liability, property damage, personal injury, contracts, employment and worker’s compensation. We do not believe that there are any such pending or threatened legal proceedings, including ordinary litigation incidental to the conduct of our business and the ownership of our properties that, if adversely determined, would have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations or liquidity.

On May 18, 2009, the Company and HCI received notice of a complaint filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California by two California subscribers to the HughesNet service. The plaintiffs complain about the speed of the HughesNet service, the Fair Access Policy, early termination fees and certain terms and conditions of the HughesNet subscriber agreement. The plaintiffs seek to pursue their claims as a class action on behalf of other California subscribers. On June 4, 2009, the Company and HCI received notice of a similar complaint filed by another HughesNet subscriber in the Superior Court of San Diego County, California. The plaintiff in this case also seeks to pursue his claims as a class action on behalf of other California subscribers. Both cases have been consolidated into a single case in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California. In January 2011, the Company agreed to settle this consolidated case on a nationwide basis, subject to court approval. As a result, the Company accrued $1.9 million for estimated settlement costs, plaintiffs’ attorney fees and other related expenses as of December 31, 2010. In the event that the settlement is not effectuated, the Company would revert to its previous position of vigorously defending these matters as it believes that the allegations in these complaints are not meritorious.

On December 18, 2009, the Company and HCI received notice of a complaint filed in the Cook County, Illinois, Circuit Court by a former subscriber to the HughesNet service. The complaint seeks a declaration allowing the former subscriber to file a class arbitration challenging early termination fees under the subscriber agreement. While the Company remains a defendant, HCI was dismissed from this case in September 2010. The Company’s motion to dismiss, filed in September 2010, is pending, and the Company will continue to vigorously defend the case.

Some or all of HCI, its directors, EchoStar Corporation (“EchoStar”), EchoStar Satellite Services, L.L.C. (“EchoStar LLC”), Broadband Acquisition Corporation (“Merger Sub”), and Apollo Global Management, LLC (“AGM”) have been named as defendants in five shareholder class action lawsuits in connection with the proposed transaction in which EchoStar will acquire all of the outstanding equity of HCI. On February 18, 2011, the Gottlieb Family Foundation filed its class action complaint in the Circuit Court for Montgomery County, Maryland. On February 23, 2011, Plymouth County Retirement System filed its shareholder class action complaint, which has since been voluntarily dismissed by the plaintiffs, in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware. On February 24, 2011, Edward Ostensoe filed his shareholder class action complaint in the Circuit Court for Montgomery County, Maryland. On February 28, 2011, Nina J. Shah Rohrbasser Irr. Trust filed its shareholder class action complaint in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware. On March 8, 2011, entities affiliated with ALJ Capital Management, LLC filed their shareholder class action complaint in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware. Each complaint alleges, among other things, that the directors of HCI breached their fiduciary duties in agreeing to the transaction and that some or all of HCI, EchoStar, EchoStar LLC, Merger Sub and AGM aided and abetted such breaches by the directors of HCI. In each case, the plaintiffs seek to enjoin the proposed transaction and/or damages, costs, and attorney fees. On April 28, 2011, HCI, its directors, and AGM entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with the plaintiffs in the Maryland actions that contains the essential terms of a settlement agreed to in principle between the parties (the “Settlement”). The Settlement remains subject to the approval of the court or courts, and contemplates the dismissal with prejudice of all four actions. HCI believes that the allegations in all of these complaints are not meritorious and if necessary, will vigorously contest these actions.

No other material legal proceedings have commenced or been terminated during the period covered by this report.

 

Item 1A. Risk Factors

For a discussion of the risk factors affecting the Company, see “Risk Factors” in Part I, Item 1A of the Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with respect to the Company’s fiscal year ended December 31, 2010. There have been no material changes in the risk factors previously disclosed in such Annual Report on Form 10-K.

 

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

Not applicable.

 

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Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities

None.

 

Item 4. (Removed and Reserved)

 

Item 5. Other Information

None.

 

Item 6. Exhibits

 

    Exhibit    
    Number    

  

Description

  

31.1*

   Certification of Chief Executive Officer of Hughes Network Systems, LLC pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

31.2* 

   Certification of Chief Financial Officer of Hughes Network Systems, LLC pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

32*    

   Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of Hughes Network Systems, LLC pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

* Filed herewith.

 

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SIGNATURES

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

 

Date: May 4, 2011   HUGHES NETWORK SYSTEMS, LLC
  (Registrant)
 

   /s/ PRADMAN P. KAUL

  Name:   Pradman P. Kaul
  Title:  

Chief Executive Officer and

President

(Principal Executive Officer)

 

   /s/ GRANT A. BARBER

  Name:   Grant A. Barber
  Title:  

Executive Vice President and

Chief Financial Officer

    (Principal Financial Officer)

 

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