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EX-31.1 - EXHIBIT 31.1 - OTELCO INC.ex31-1.htm
EX-32.2 - EXHIBIT 32.2 - OTELCO INC.ex32-2.htm


UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 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
   
o
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
   
 
For the transition period from  to
 
Commission File Number: 1-32362
 
OTELCO INC.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
 
Delaware
 
52-2126395
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or
 
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
Organization)
   
     
505 Third Avenue East, Oneonta, Alabama
 
35121
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
 
(Zip Code)
 
(205) 625-3574
(Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code)
 
N/A
(Former Name, Former Address and Former Fiscal Year, if Changed Since Last Report)
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
 
Yes  x
No  o
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).
 
Yes  o
No o
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
 
Large accelerated filer o
Accelerated filer x
Non-accelerated filer o
Smaller reporting company o
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
 
Yes  o
No  x
 
APPLICABLE ONLY TO CORPORATE ISSUERS:
 
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.
 
Class
 
Outstanding at May 6, 2011
Class A Common Stock ($0.01 par value per share)
 
    13,221,404
Class B Common Stock ($0.01 par value per share)
 
    0
 
 
 

 
 
OTELCO INC.
FORM 10-Q
For the three month period ended March 31, 2011
TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
 
i

 
 
Unless the context otherwise requires, the words “we,” “us,” “our,” “the Company” and “Otelco” refer to Otelco Inc., a Delaware corporation, and its consolidated subsidiaries as of March 31, 2011.
 
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
 
This report contains forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties.  Forward-looking statements give our current expectations relating to our financial condition, results of operations, plans, objectives, future performance and business.  These statements may include words such as “anticipate,” “estimate,” “expect,” “project,” “plan,” “intend,” “believe” and other words and terms of similar meaning in connection with any discussion of the timing or nature of future operating or financial performance or other events.  These forward-looking statements are based on assumptions that we have made in light of our experience in the industry in which we operate, as well as our perceptions of historical trends, current conditions, expected future developments and other factors we believe are appropriate under the circumstances.  Although we believe that these forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, you should be aware that many factors could affect our actual financial condition or results of operations and cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements.
 
 
1

 
 
 
Item 1.  Financial Statements
 
 
   
December 31,
2010
   
March 31,
2011
 
         
(unaudited)
 
Assets
           
Current assets
           
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 18,226,374     $ 18,473,509  
Accounts receivable:
               
Due from subscribers, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $230,752 and $238,321, respectively
    4,406,257       4,206,972  
Unbilled receivables
    2,161,277       2,156,605  
Other
    3,257,882       3,639,031  
Materials and supplies
    1,817,311       1,879,897  
Prepaid expenses
    1,305,028       1,072,212  
Deferred income taxes
    626,267       626,267  
Total current assets
    31,800,396       32,054,493  
                 
Property and equipment, net
    63,887,213       62,824,961  
Goodwill
    188,190,078       188,190,078  
Intangible assets, net
    25,934,042       24,123,076  
Investments
    1,967,095       1,960,718  
Deferred financing costs
    5,757,825       5,415,801  
Deferred income taxes
    4,415,097       4,415,097  
Other assets
    183,946       169,760  
Total assets
  $ 322,135,692     $ 319,153,984  
                 
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Deficit
               
                 
Current liabilities
               
Accounts payable
  $ 768,055     $ 445,386  
Accrued expenses
    6,885,748        7,106,276  
Advance billings and payments
    1,595,133       1,579,693  
Deferred income taxes
    353,285       353,285  
Customer deposits
    172,479       184,069  
Total current liabilities
    9,774,700       9,668,709  
Deferred income taxes
    42,512,576       42,512,575  
Interest rate swaps
    2,471,331       1,965,176  
Advance billings and payments
    656,968       646,622  
Other liabilities
    368,349       359,547  
Long-term notes payable
    271,595,855       271,571,060  
Total liabilities
    327,379,779       326,723,689  
                 
Stockholders’ Deficit
               
Class A Common Stock, $.01 par value-authorized 20,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding 13,221,404 shares
    132,214       132,214  
Additional paid in capital
    921,718       -  
Retained deficit
    (6,298,019 )     ( 7,701,919 )
Total stockholders’ deficit
    (5,244,087 )     ( 7,569,705 )
Total liabilities and stockholders’ deficit
  $ 322,135,692     $ 319,153,984  
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
 
 
2

 
 
OTELCO INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
 (unaudited)
 
   
Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
   
2010
   
2011
 
Revenues
  $ 25,794,209     $ 25,392,000  
                 
Operating expenses
               
Cost of services and products
    10,610,193       11,020,212  
Selling, general and administrative expenses
    3,230,996       3,327,057  
Depreciation and amortization
    6,084,291       5,724,018  
Total operating expenses
    19,925,480       20,071,287  
                 
Income from operations
    5,868,729       5,320,713  
                 
Other income (expense)
               
Interest expense
    (5,988,642 )     (6,170,131 )
Change in fair value of derivatives
    (886,170 )     506,155  
Other income
    358,832       349,349  
Total other expenses
    (6,515,980 )     (5,314,627 )
                 
Income (loss) before income tax
    (647,251 )     6,086  
Income tax (expense) benefit
    261,595       (1,432 )
                 
Net income (loss) available to common stockholders
  $ (385,656 )   $ 4,654  
                 
Weighted average shares outstanding:
               
Basic
    12,676,733       13,221,404  
Diluted
    13,221,404       13,221,404  
Basic net income (loss) per share
  $ (0.03 )   $ -  
Diluted net income (loss) per share
  $ (0.03 )   $ -  
                 
Dividends declared per share
  $ 0.18     $ 0.18  
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
 
 
3

 
 
OTELCO INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
 (unaudited)
 
   
Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
   
2010
   
2011
 
Cash flows from operating activities:
           
Net income (loss)
  $ (385,656 )   $ $ 4,654  
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to cash flows from operating activities:
               
Depreciation
    3,572,918       3,522,652  
Amortization
    2,511,373       2,201,365  
Amortization of debt premium
    (22,086 )     (24,795 )
Amortization of loan costs
    337,976       342,024  
Change in fair value of derivatives
    886,170       (506,155 )
Provision for uncollectible revenue
    77,045       62,747  
Changes in assets and liabilities; net of assets and liabilities acquired:
               
Accounts receivables
    365,460       (215,112 )
Material and supplies
    (86,159 )     (62,586 )
Prepaid expenses and other assets
    (26,503 )     220,510  
Income tax receivable
    389,486       -  
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
    (187,900 )     (102,141 )
Advance billings and payments
    18,706       (25,786 )
Other liabilities
    10,351       2,788  
                 
Net cash from operating activities
    7,461,181       5,420,165  
                 
Cash flows used in investing activities:
               
Acquisition and construction of property and equipment
    (1,753,170 )     (2,842,757 )
                 
Net cash used in investing activities
    (1,753,170 )     (2,842,757 )
                 
Cash flows used in financing activities:
               
Cash dividends paid
    (2,234,274 )     (2,330,273 )
                 
Net cash used in financing activities
    (2,234,274 )     (2,330,273 )
                 
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents
    3,473,737       247,135  
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period
    17,731,044       18,226,374  
                 
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
  $ 21,204,781     $ 18,473,509  
                 
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
               
Interest paid
  $ 5,569,134     $ 5,908,353  
                 
Income taxes paid (received)
  $ (326,486 )   $ 122,895  
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
 
 
4

 
 
MARCH 31, 2011
(unaudited)
1.
Organization and Basis of Financial Reporting
 
Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation
 
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Otelco Inc. (the “Company”) and its subsidiaries, all of which are either directly or indirectly wholly owned. These include:  Otelco Telecommunications LLC (“OTC”); Otelco Telephone LLC (“OTP”); Hopper Telecommunications Company, Inc. (“HTC”); Brindlee Mountain Telephone Company, Inc. (“BMTC”); Blountsville Telephone Company, Inc. (“BTC”); Mid-Missouri Holding Corporation (“MMH”) and its wholly owned subsidiary Mid-Missouri Telephone Company (“MMT”) and its wholly owned subsidiary Imagination, Inc.; Mid-Maine Telecom, Inc. (“MMTI”); Mid-Maine TelPlus (“MMTP”); The Granby Telephone & Telegraph Co. of Massachusetts (“GTT”); War Acquisition Corporation (“WT”); The Pine Tree Telephone and Telegraph Company (“PTT”); Saco River Telegraph and Telephone Company (“SRT”); CRC Communications of Maine, Inc. (“PTN”); and Communications Design Acquisition Corporation (“CDAC”).
 
The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and all of the aforesaid subsidiaries after elimination of all material intercompany balances and transactions.  The unaudited operating results for the three months ended March 31, 2011 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2011.
 
The consolidated financial statements and notes included in this Form 10-Q should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010.  The interim consolidated financial information herein is unaudited.  The information reflects all adjustments (which include only normal recurring adjustments), which are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair presentation of the financial position and results of operations for the periods included in the report.
 
Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform with the current year’s presentation.
 
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
 
During 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2011-01 and ASU 2011-02.  These ASUs provide technical corrections to existing guidance related to specialized industries or entities and, therefore, have minimal, if any, impact on the Company.
 
2.
Commitments and Contingencies
 
From time to time, we may be involved in various claims, legal actions and regulatory proceedings incidental to and in the ordinary course of business, including administrative hearings of the Alabama, Maine, Massachusetts, Missouri, New Hampshire and West Virginia Public Service Commissions relating primarily to rate making.  Currently, none of the legal proceedings are expected to have a material adverse effect on our business.
 
3.
Derivative Activities
 
The Company has two interest rate swaps with approved counterparties.  The first swap has a notional amount of $90 million with the Company paying a fixed rate of 1.85% and the counterparty paying a variable rate based upon the three month LIBOR interest rate. It is effective from February 9, 2009 through February 8, 2012. The second swap has a notional amount of $60 million with the Company paying a fixed rate of 2.0475% and the counterparty paying a variable rate based upon the three month LIBOR interest rate. It is effective from February 9, 2010 through February 8, 2012. From an accounting perspective, the documentation for both swaps do not meet the technical requirements of Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 815, Derivatives and Hedging, to allow the swaps to be considered highly effective hedging instruments and therefore the swaps do not qualify for hedge accounting.  The change in fair value of the swaps is charged or credited to income as a change in fair value of derivatives.  Over the life of the swaps, the cumulative change in value will be zero.
 
4.
Income (Loss) per Common Share and Potential Common Share
 
Basic income (loss) per common share is computed by dividing net income (loss) by the weighted average number of shares outstanding for the period.  Diluted income (loss) per common share reflects the potential dilution that would occur had all of the issued and outstanding shares of Class B common stock been exchanged for Income Deposit Securities (“IDSs”) at the beginning of the period.  On June 8, 2010, all of the Company’s issued and outstanding shares of Class B common stock were exchanged for IDSs on a one-for-one basis.  Each of the IDSs issued in the exchange includes a common share.  Diluted amounts are not included in the computation of diluted loss per common share when the inclusion of such amounts would be anti-dilutive. The Company does not have any outstanding stock arrangements that might by potentially dilutive.
 
 
5

 
 

A reconciliation of the common shares for the Company’s basic and diluted income (loss) per common share calculation is as follows:
 
   
For the Three Months
Ended March 31,
 
   
2010
   
2011
 
             
Weighted average of common shares-basic
    12,676,733       13,221,404  
                 
Effect of dilutive securities
    544,671       -  
                 
Weighted average common shares and potential common shares diluted
    13,221,404       13,221,404  
                 
Net income (loss) available to common stockholders
  $ (385,656 )   $ 4,654  
                 
Net income (loss) per basic share
  $ (0.03 )   $ -  
                 
Net income (loss) available to common stockholders
  $ (385,656 )   $ 4,654  
Less: Change in fair value of Class B derivative
    -       -  
                 
Net income (loss) available for diluted shares
  $ (385,656 )   $ 4,654  
                 
Net income (loss) per diluted share
  $ (0.03 )   $ -  
 
5.
Fair Value Measurement
 
The Company adopted ASC 820, Fair Value Measurement and Disclosures (“ASC 820”), which defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value and requires additional disclosures about fair value measurements.  The framework that is set forth in this standard is applicable to the fair value measurements where it is permitted or required under other accounting pronouncements.
 
ASC 820 defines fair value as the exit price, which is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in a transaction between market participants at the measurement date.  ASC 820 establishes a three-tier fair value hierarchy that prioritizes inputs to valuation techniques used for fair value measurement.
 
 
Level 1 consists of observable market data in an active market for identical assets or liabilities.
 
 
Level 2 consists of observable market data, other than that included in Level 1, that is either directly or indirectly observable.
 
 
Level 3 consists of unobservable market data.  The input may reflect the assumptions of the Company, not a market participant, if there is little available market data and the Company’s own assumptions are considered by management to be the best available information.
 
In accordance with ASC 820, the following tables represent the Company’s fair value hierarchy for its financial assets and liabilities as of December 31, 2010 and March 31, 2011:
 
   
December 31, 2010
 
   
Fair Value
   
Level 1 (1)
   
Level 2 (2)
   
Level 3 (3)
 
Liabilities
                       
Interest rate swaps
  $ 2,471,331     $ -     $ 2,471,331     $ -  
Total liabilities
  $ 2,471,331     $ -     $ 2,471,331     $ -  
 
 
6

 
 
   
March 31, 2011
 
   
Fair Value
   
Level 1 (1)
   
Level 2 (2)
   
Level 3 (3)
 
Liabilities
                       
Interest rate swaps
  $ 1,965,176     $ -     $ 1,965,176     $ -  
Total liabilities
  $ 1,965,176     $ -     $ 1,965,176     $ -  
 
(1) Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets.
(2) Significant other observable inputs.
(3) Significant unobservable inputs.
 
The interest rate swaps are valued at the end of the quarter based on available market information.
 
6.
Subsidiary Guarantees
 
The Company has no independent assets or operations separate from its operating subsidiaries.  The guarantees of its senior subordinated notes by 12 of its 14 operating subsidiaries are full and unconditional, joint and several.  The operating subsidiaries have no independent long-term notes payable.  There are no significant restrictions on the ability of the Company to obtain funds from its operating subsidiaries by dividend or loan.  The condensed consolidated financial information is provided for the guarantor entities.
 
The following tables present condensed consolidating balance sheets as of December 31, 2010 and March 31, 2011; condensed consolidating statements of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2011; and condensed consolidating statements of cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2011.
 
Otelco Inc.
Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet
December 31, 2010
 
   
Parent
   
Guarantor Subsidiaries
   
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries
   
Eliminations
   
Consolidated
 
ASSETS
                             
                               
Current assets
                             
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ -     $ 18,064,970     $ 161,404     $ -     $ 18,226,374  
Accounts receivable, net
    -       9,031,641       793,775       -       9,825,416  
Materials and supplies
    -       893,186       924,125       -       1,817,311  
Prepaid expenses
    184,055       1,022,697       98,276       -       1,305,028  
Deferred income taxes
    626,267       -       -       -       626,267  
Investment in subsidiaries
    131,010,180       -       -       (131,010,180 )     -  
Intercompany receivable
    (129,599,481 )     -       -       129,599,481       -  
Total current assets
    2,221,021       29,012,494       1,977,580       (1,410,699 )     31,800,396  
                                         
Property and equipment, net
    218,301       54,043,819       9,625,093       -       63,887,213  
Goodwill
    239,970,317       (49,843,599 )     (1,936,640 )     -       188,190,078  
Intangible assets, net
    -       23,326,214       2,607,828       -       25,934,042  
Investments
    1,203,605       433,059       330,431       -       1,967,095  
Deferred income taxes
    4,415,097       -       -       -       4,415,097  
Other long-term assets
    5,757,825       183,946       -       -       5,941,771  
                                         
Total assets
  $ 253,786,166     $ 57,155,933     $ 12,604,292     $ (1,410,699 )   $ 322,135,692  
                                         
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (DEFICIT)
 
                                         
Current liabilities
                                       
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
  $ 2,280,661     $ 3,950,043     $ 1,423,099     $ -     $ 7,653,803  
Intercompany payables
    -       (131,769,870 )     2,170,389       129,599,481       -  
Other current liabilities
    353,285       1,678,145       89,467       -       2,120,897  
Total current liabilities
    2,633,946       (126,141,682 )     3,682,955       129,599,481       9,774,700  
                                         
Deferred income taxes
    22,592,597       16,666,501       3,253,478       -       42,512,576  
Other liabilities
    2,471,331       1,025,317       -       -       3,496,648  
Long-term notes payable
    231,332,379       40,263,476       -       -       271,595,855  
Stockholders’ equity (deficit)
    (5,244,087 )     125,342,321       5,667,859       (131,010,180 )     (5,244,087 )
                                         
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity (deficit)
  $ 253,786,166     $ 57,155,933     $ 12,604,292     $ (1,410,699 )   $ 322,135,692  
 
 
7

 
 
Otelco Inc.
Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet
March 31, 2011
 
   
Parent
   
Guarantor Subsidiaries
   
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries
   
Eliminations
   
Consolidated
 
ASSETS
                             
                               
Current assets
                             
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ -     $ 18,381,993     $ 91,516     $ -     $ 18,473,509  
Accounts receivable, net
    -       8,978,742       1,023,866       -       10,002,608  
Materials and supplies
    -       985,257       894,640       -       1,879,897  
Prepaid expenses
    243,710       762,528       65,974       -       1,072,212  
Deferred income taxes
    626,267       -       -       -       626,267  
Investment in subsidiaries
    136,249,579       -       -       (136,249,579 )     -  
Intercompany receivable
    (137,862,114 )     -       -       137,862,114       -  
Total current assets
    (742,558 )     29,108,520       2,075,996       1,612,535       32,054,493  
                                         
Property and equipment, net
    312,752       53,661,931       8,850,278       -       62,824,961  
Goodwill
    239,970,317       (49,843,599 )     (1,936,640 )     -       188,190,078  
Intangible assets, net
    -       21,577,339       2,545,737       -       24,123,076  
Investments
    1,203,605       426,682       330,431       -       1,960,718  
Deferred income taxes
    4,415,097       -       -       -       4,415,097  
Other long-term assets
    5,415,801       169,760       -       -       5,585,561  
                                         
Total assets
  $ 250,575,014     $ 55,100,633     $ 11,865,802     $ 1,612,535     $ 319,153,984  
                                         
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (DEFICIT)
 
                                         
Current liabilities
                                       
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
  $ 1,926,077     $ 4,161,624     $ 1,463,961     $ -     $ 7,551,662  
Intercompany payables
    -       (139,073,380 )     1,211,266       137,862,114       -  
Other current liabilities
    353,286       1,686,535       77,226       -       2,117,047  
Total current liabilities
    2,279,363       (133,225,221 )     2,752,453       137,862,114       9,668,709  
                                         
Deferred income taxes
    22,592,596       16,666,501       3,253,478       -       42,512,575  
Other liabilities
    1,965,176       1,006,169       -       -       2,971,345  
Long-term notes payable
    231,307,584       40,263,476       -       -       271,571,060  
Stockholders’ equity (deficit)
    (7,569,705 )     130,389,708       5,859,871       (136,249,579 )     (7,569,705 )
                                         
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity (deficit)
  $ 250,575,014     $ 55,100,633     $ 11,865,802     $ 1,612,535     $ 319,153,984  
 
Otelco Inc.
Condensed Consolidating  Statement of Operations
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2010
 
   
Parent
   
Guarantor Subsidiaries
   
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries
   
Eliminations
   
Consolidated
 
                               
Revenues
  $ 819,513     $ 25,003,395     $ 2,796,336     $ (2,825,035 )   $ 25,794,209  
Operating expenses
    (819,513 )     (19,636,002 )     (2,295,000 )     2,825,035       (19,925,480 )
Income from operations
    -       5,367,393       501,336       -       5,868,729  
Other  expense
    (6,437,032 )     (78,932 )     (16 )     -       (6,515,980 )
Earnings from subsidiaries
    5,789,781       -       -       (5,789,781 )     -  
Income (loss) before income tax
    (647,251 )     5,288,461       501,320       (5,789,781 )     (647,251 )
Income tax benefit
    261,595       -       -       -       261,595  
                                         
Net income (loss) to common stockholders
  $ (385,656 )   $ 5,288,461     $ 501,320     $ (5,789,781 )   $ (385,656 )
 
 
8

 
 
Otelco Inc.
Condensed Consolidating  Statement of Operations
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2011
 
   
Parent
   
Guarantor Subsidiaries
   
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries
   
Eliminations
   
Consolidated
 
                               
Revenues
  $ 884,263     $ 24,787,436     $ 2,574,974     $ (2,854,673 )   $ 25,392,000  
Operating expenses
    (884,263 )     (19,658,763 )     (2,382,934 )     2,854,673       (20,071,287 )
Income from operations
    -       5,128,673       192,040       -       5,320,713  
Other  expense
    (5,233,313 )     (81,285 )     (29 )     -       (5,314,627 )
Earnings from subsidiaries
    5,239,399       -       -       (5,239,399 )     -  
Income before income tax
    6,086       5,047,388       192,011       (5,239,399 )     6,086  
Income tax benefit
    (1,432 )     -       -       -       (1,432 )
                                         
Net income to common stockholders
  $ 4,654     $ 5,047,388     $ 192,011     $ (5,239,399 )   $ 4,654  
 
Otelco Inc.
Condensed Consolidating  Statement of Cash Flows
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2010
 
   
Parent
   
Guarantor Subsidiaries
   
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries
   
Eliminations
   
Consolidated
 
                               
Cash flows from operating activities:
                             
Net income (loss)
  $ (385,656 )   $ 5,288,461     $ 501,320     $ (5,789,781 )   $ (385,656 )
Adjustment to reconcile net income (loss) to cash flows from operating activities
    1,202,061       5,218,268       943,067       -       7,363,396  
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of assets and liabilities acquired
    7,207,650       (5,422,314 )     (1,301,895 )     -       483,441  
Net cash provided by operating activities
    8,024,055       5,084,415       142,492       (5,789,781 )     7,461,181  
Cash flows used in investing activities
    -       (1,619,055 )     (134,115 )     -       (1,753,170 )
Cash flows used in financing activities
    (8,024,055 )     -       -       5,789,781       (2,234,274 )
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents
    -       3,465,360       8,377       -       3,473,737  
                                         
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period
    -       17,617,266       113,778       -       17,731,044  
                                         
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
  $ -     $ 21,082,626     $ 122,155     $ -     $ 21,204,781  
 
Otelco Inc.
Condensed Consolidating  Statement of Cash Flows
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2011
 
   
Parent
   
Guarantor Subsidiaries
   
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries
   
Eliminations
   
Consolidated
 
                               
Cash flows from operating activities:
                             
Net income (loss)
  $ 4,654     $ 5,047,388     $ 192,011     $ (5,239,399 )   $ 4,654  
Adjustment to reconcile net income (loss) to cash flows from operating activities
    (188,926 )     4,877,600       909,164       -       5,597,838  
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of assets and liabilities acquired
    7,848,395       (6,920,897 )     (1,109,825 )     -       (182,327 )
Net cash provided by operating activities
    7,664,123       3,004,091       (8,650 )     (5,239,399 )     5,420,165  
Cash flows used in investing activities
    (94,451 )     (2,687,068 )     (61,238 )     -       (2,842,757 )
Cash flows used in financing activities
    (7,569,672 )     -       -       5,239,399       (2,330,273 )
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents
    -       317,023       (69,888 )     -       247,135  
                                         
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period
    -       18,064,970       161,404       -       18,226,374  
                                         
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
  $ -     $ 18,381,993     $ 91,516     $ -     $ 18,473,509  
 
 
9

 
 
7.
Revenue Concentrations
 
Revenues for interstate access services are based on reimbursement of costs and an allowed rate of return.  Revenues of this nature are received from the National Exchange Carrier Association in the form of monthly settlements.  Such revenues amounted to 10.4% and 9.7% of the Company’s total revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2011, respectively.
 
The Company has a contract through 2012 with Time Warner Cable (“TW”) for the provision of wholesale network connections to TW’s customers in Maine and New Hampshire. TW represented approximately 10.3% and 11.4% of the Company’s consolidated revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2011, respectively.  Other unrelated telecommunications providers also pay the Company access revenue for terminating calls through us to TW’s customers.
 
8.
Subsequent Events
 
On April 1, 2011, the Company’s newly formed wholly owned subsidiary, Shoreham Telephone LLC, executed a definitive agreement to acquire all of the capital stock of Shoreham Telephone Company, Inc. (“Shoreham”) for $4.5 million, subject to certain purchase price adjustments.  Shoreham is a telecommunications company serving approximately 4,975 access lines that is headquartered in Shoreham, Vermont.  The acquisition is expected to close in 2011, but is subject to regulatory approval and other customary conditions.  The Company anticipates financing this acquisition from cash on hand.
 
 
10

 
 
Item 2.  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
 
Overview
 
General
 
We operate ten rural local exchange carriers (“RLECs”) serving subscribers in north central Alabama, central Maine, western Massachusetts, central Missouri and southern West Virginia. We are the sole wireline telephone services provider for many of the rural communities we serve. We also operate competitive local exchange carriers (“CLECs”) serving subscribers throughout the states of Maine and New Hampshire. Our services include local and long distance telephone services, network access, other telephone related services, cable television (in some markets) and internet access. We view, manage and evaluate the results of operations from the various telecommunications services as one company and therefore have identified one reporting segment as it relates to providing segment information. As of March 31, 2011, we operated approximately 99,271 access line equivalents and supplied an additional 152,101 wholesale network connections.
 
Our core businesses are local and long distance telecommunications services, wholesale access to the local and long distance network, and the provision of network access to other wireline, long distance and wireless carriers for calls originated or terminated on our network. Our core businesses generated approximately 78.2% of our total revenues in the first quarter of 2011. We also provide cable and satellite television service in some markets and digital high-speed data lines and dial-up internet access in all of our markets.
 
The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with our financial statements and the related notes included in Item 1 of Part I and the other financial information appearing elsewhere in this report.  The following discussion and analysis addresses our financial condition and results of operations on a consolidated basis.
 
Revenue Sources
 
We offer a wide range of telecommunications and entertainment services to our subscribers. More than half of our residential customers receive packages of services that are delivered and billed together. Our CLEC subscribers contract with us for selected services that meet their specific telecommunications requirements. Our revenues come from five sources:
 
 
Local services.  We receive revenues from providing local exchange telecommunications services in our ten rural territories, from the wholesale network services in New England, and on a competitive basis throughout Maine and New Hampshire. These revenues include monthly subscription charges for basic service, calling beyond the local territory on a fixed price and on a per minute basis, local private line services and enhanced calling features, such as voicemail, caller identification, call waiting and call forwarding. We also provide billing and collections services for other carriers under contract and receive revenues from directory advertising. A growing portion of our rural subscribers take bundled service plans which include multiple services, including unlimited domestic calling, for a flat monthly fee.
 
 
Network access.  We receive revenues from charges established to compensate us for the origination, transport and termination of calls of long distance and other interexchange carriers. These include subscriber line charges imposed on end users and switched and special access charges paid by carriers. Switched access charges for long distance services within Alabama, Maine, Massachusetts, Missouri, New Hampshire and West Virginia are based on rates approved by the Alabama Public Service Commission, the Maine Public Utilities Commission (“MPUC”), the Massachusetts Department of Telecommunications and Cable, the Missouri Public Service Commission, the New Hampshire Public Utilities Commission (“NHPUC”) and the West Virginia Public Service Commission, respectively, where appropriate. Switched and special access charges for interstate and international services are based on rates approved by the Federal Communications Commission.
 
 
Cable television.  We offer basic, digital, high-definition, digital video recording and pay per view cable television services to a portion of our telephone service territory in both Alabama and Missouri, including Internet Protocol television (“IPTV”) and Video on Demand in Alabama. We are a reseller of satellite services for DirecTV.
 
 
Internet.  We receive revenues from monthly recurring charges for digital high-speed data lines, dial-up internet access and ancillary services such as web hosting and computer virus protection.
 
 
Transport.  We receive monthly recurring revenues for the rental of fiber to transport data and other telecommunications services in Maine.
 
 
11

 
 
Voice and Data Access Line Trends
 
The number of access lines served is a fundamental factor in determining revenue stability for a telecommunications provider. Reflecting a general trend in the RLEC industry, the number of rural voice access lines we serve has been decreasing gradually when normalized for territory acquisitions. We expect that this trend will continue, and may be potentially impacted by the effect of the economy on our customers. These trends will be partially offset by the growth of data access lines, also called digital high-speed internet access service. Our competitive carrier voice and data access lines have grown as we continue to further penetrate our chosen markets. Our ability to continue this growth and our response to the rural trends will have an important impact on our future revenues. Our primary strategy consists of leveraging our strong incumbent market position, selling additional services to our rural customer base and providing better service and support levels than the incumbent carrier to our competitive customer base.
 
Key Operating Statistics
 
                       
                     
Quarterly % Change
 
   
December 31,
   
March 31,
   
from
 
   
2009
   
2010
   
2010
   
December 31, 2010
 
Otelco access line equivalents(1)
    100,356       99,639       99,271       (0.4 )%
                                 
RLEC and other services:
                               
Voice access lines
    48,215       45,461       44,770       (1.5 )%
Data access lines
    20,066       20,852       21,158       1.5 %
Access line equivalents(1)
    68,281       66,313       65,928       (0.6 )%
Cable television customers
    4,195       4,227       4,029       (4.7 )%
Satellite television customers
    100       125       217       73.6 %
Additional internet customers
    9,116       6,975       6,435       (7.7 )%
RLEC dial-up
    786       393       341       (13.2 )%
Other dial-up
    6,439       4,300       3,786       (12.0 )%
Other data lines
    1,891       2,282       2,308       1.1 %
                                 
CLEC:
                               
Voice access lines
    28,647       29,944       30,084       0.5 %
Data access lines
    3,428       3,382       3,259       (3.6 )%
Access line equivalents(1)
    32,075       33,326       33,343       0.1 %
Wholesale network connections
    132,324       149,043       152,101       2.1 %
                                 
   
For the Three Months
                 
   
Ended March 31,
                 
      2010       2011                  
Total revenues (in millions):
  $ 25.8     $ 25.4                  
RLEC
  $ 14.7     $ 14.2                  
CLEC
  $ 11.1     $ 11.2                  
 
(1)
We define access line equivalents as voice access lines and data access lines (including cable modems, digital subscriber lines and dedicated data access trunks).
 
In our RLEC territories, access line equivalents decreased by 385 during first quarter 2011, or 0.6%, compared to December 31, 2010. Voice access lines declined 1.5% while data access lines increased 1.5% during the period. We offer location specific bundled service packages, many including unlimited domestic calling, tailored to the telecommunications requirements of our customers.
 
In our Maine and New Hampshire CLEC operations, access line equivalents increased by 17 during first quarter 2011, or 0.1%, compared to December 31, 2010. Voice access lines increased 0.5% while data access lines decreased 3.6% during the period. Virtually all of our competitive customers are businesses, with service bundles tailored to their specific business requirements. We continue to be impacted by economic factors in our markets.
 
 
12

 
 
Competitive pricing and bundling of services have led Otelco’s long distance service to be the choice of the majority of the customers in the rural markets we serve. In addition, almost all of our Maine and New Hampshire CLEC customers have selected us as their long distance carrier. Our cable television customers decreased 4.7% from December 31, 2010 to 4,029 as of March 31, 2011. We completed the conversion of our Missouri cable customers to satellite based services for a reduction of 269 customer during first quarter 2011. In Alabama, we upgraded 57 customers to our digital high-definition offer and added 57 new IPTV customers during the same period. Other internet customers decreased 7.7% to 6,435 as of March 31, 2011 compared to December 31, 2010. This also includes the subscribers we service outside of our telephone service area throughout Missouri and Maine, reflecting the shift to digital high-speed internet services. In Missouri, we are expanding our data access lines for digital high-speed internet in selected areas outside of our telephone service territory.  Approximately 36% of the other internet customers are served by high-speed data capability from Otelco.
 
Our Rate and Pricing Structure
 
Our CLEC pricing is based on market requirements. We combine varying services to meet individual customer requirements, including technical support, and provide multi-year contracts which are both market sensitive for the customer and profitable for us. The MPUC and the NHPUC impose certain requirements on all CLECs operating in their markets for reporting and for interactions with the various incumbent local exchange and interexchange carriers. These requirements provide wide latitude in pricing services.
 
Our RLECs operate in five states and are regulated in varying degrees by the respective state regulatory authorities. The impact on pricing flexibility varies by state. In Maine, two of our wholly owned subsidiaries, Saco River Telegraph and Telephone Company and The Pine Tree Telephone and Telegraph Company, have obtained authority to implement pricing flexibility while remaining under rate-of-return regulation. Our rates for other services we provide, including cable, long distance, data lines and dial-up and high-speed internet access, are not price regulated. The market for competitive services, such as wireless, also impacts our ability to adjust prices. With the increase of bundled services offerings, including unlimited long distance, pricing for individual services takes on reduced importance to revenue stability. We expect this trend to continue into the immediate future.
 
Categories of Operating Expenses
 
Our operating expenses are categorized as cost of services and products; selling, general and administrative expenses; and depreciation and amortization.
 
Cost of services and products.  This includes expenses for salaries, wages and benefits relating to plant operation, maintenance, sales and customer service; other plant operations, maintenance and administrative costs; network access costs; and costs of services for long distance, cable television, internet and directory services.
 
Selling, general and administrative expenses.  This includes expenses for salaries, wages and benefits and contract service payments relating to engineering, financial, human resources and corporate operations; information management expenses, including billing; allowance for uncollectible revenue; expenses for travel, lodging and meals; internal and external communications costs; insurance premiums; stock exchange and banking fees; and postage.
 
Depreciation and amortization.  This includes depreciation of our telecommunications, cable and internet networks and equipment, and amortization of intangible assets. Certain of these amortization expenses continue to be deductible for tax purposes.
 
Our Ability to Control Operating Expenses
 
We strive to control expenses in order to maintain our strong operating margins. As our revenue shifts to non-regulated services and CLEC customers, operating margins decrease reflecting the lower margins associated with these services. We expect to control expenses while we continue to grow our business.
 
Results of Operations
 
The following table sets forth our results of operations as a percentage of total revenues for the periods indicated.
 
 
13

 
 
   
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
   
2010
   
2011
 
Revenues
           
Local services
    47.5 %     47.2 %
Network access
    30.9       31.0  
Cable television
    2.6       3.0  
Internet
    13.6       13.6  
Transport services
    5.4       5.2  
Total revenues
    100.0 %     100.0 %
Operating expenses
               
Cost of services and products
    41.1 %     43.4 %
Selling, general and administrative expenses
    12.5       13.1  
Depreciation and amortization
    23.6       22.5  
Total operating expenses
    77.2       79.0  
                 
Income from operations
    22.8       21.0  
                 
Other income (expense)
               
Interest expense
    (23.2 )     (24.3 )
Change in fair value of derivatives
    3.4       2.0  
Other income
    1.3       1.3  
Total other expenses
    (25.3 )     (21.0 )
                 
Income (loss) before income tax
    (2.5 )     0.0  
                 
Income tax (expense) benefit
    1.0       (0.0 )
                 
Net income (loss) available to common stockholders
    (1.5 )%     0.0 %
 
Three Months Ended March 31, 2011 Compared to Three Months Ended March 31, 2010
 
Total revenues.  Total revenues decreased 1.6% in the three months ended March 31, 2011 to $25.4 million from $25.8 million in the three months ended March 31, 2010. The table below provides the components of our revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2011 compared to the same period of 2010.
 
   
Three Months Ended March 31,
   
Change
 
   
2010
   
2011
   
Amount
   
Percent
 
   
(dollars in thousands)
 
Local services
  $ 12,239     $ 12,006     $ (233 )     (1.9 ) %
Network access
    7,985       7,861       (124 )     (1.6 )
Cable television
    666       753       87       13.1  
Internet
    3,511       3,455       (56 )     (1.6 )
Transport services
    1,393       1,317       (76 )     (5.5 )
Total
  $ 25,794     $ 25,392     $ (402 )     (1.6 )
 
 
14

 
 
Local services.  Local services revenue decreased 1.9% to $12.0 million in the three months ended March 31, 2011 from $12.2 million in the three months ended March 31, 2010.  The growth in CLEC revenue accounted for an increase of $0.1 million. RLEC revenue, including bundled services such as long distance, decreased $0.2 million reflecting the decline in RLEC voice access lines.
 
Network access.  Network access revenue decreased 1.6% to $7.9 million in the three months ended March 31, 2011 from $8.0 million in the three months ended March 31, 2010. RLEC interstate and intrastate switched access declined $0.3 million which was partially offset by an increase of $0.2 million in CLEC interstate and intrastate access.
 
Cable television.  Cable television revenue increased 13.1% to $0.8 million in the three months ended March 31, 2011 from $0.7 million in the three months ended March 31, 2010. Growth in IPTV subscribers and the shift to high-definition packages in Alabama and one-time revenue associated with the conversion of our Missouri cable customers to satellite services accounted for the increase.
 
Internet.  Internet revenue remained constant at $3.5 million in the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010. The growth in new digital data access lines, including related equipment rental, and Missouri fiber leases offset the decline of dial-up internet customers associated with the conversion to digital data access lines, including those customers in Maine and Missouri that are outside of our local service areas.
 
Transport services.  Transport services revenue decreased 5.5% to $1.3 million in the three months ended March 31, 2011 from $1.4 million in the three months ended March 31, 2010. Market price changes for new and existing customers caused the decline.
 
Operating expenses.  Operating expenses in the three months ended March 31, 2011 increased 0.7% to $20.0 million from $19.9 million in the three months ended March 31, 2010.
 
   
Three Months Ended
March 31,
   
Change
 
   
2010
   
2011
   
Amount
   
Percent
 
   
(dollars in thousands)
 
Cost of services and products
  $ 10,610     $ 11,020     $ 410       (3.9 ) %
Selling, general and administrative expenses
    3,231       3,327       96       3.0  
Depreciation and amortization
    6,084       5,724       (360 )     (5.9 )
Total
  $ 19,925     $ 20,071     $ 146       0.7  
 
Cost of services and products.  Cost of services and products increased 3.9% to $11.0 million in the three months ended March 31, 2011 from $10.6 million in the three months ended March 31, 2010. The increase is primarily associated with growth in access and sales agent expense associated with increased CLEC revenue, increased internet capacity and a one-time universal service fund expense. Toll costs in Missouri were offset by operational and network synergies in Maine and lower directory costs in Alabama.
 
Selling, general and administrative expenses.  Selling, general and administrative expenses increased 3.0% to $3.3 million in the three months ended March 31, 2011 from $3.2 million in the three months ended March 31, 2010. Increases in employee costs and acquisition related expenses of $0.2 million were partially offset by operational synergies and lower insurance costs of $0.1 million.
 
Depreciation and amortization.  Depreciation and amortization decreased 5.9% to $5.7 million in the three months ended March 31, 2011 from $6.1 million in the three months ended March 31, 2010. Amortization of intangible assets associated with the acquisition of three entities from Country Road Communications LLC decreased $0.3 million, including a covenant not to compete and contract and customer base assets. The remaining decrease of $0.1 million reflected lower depreciation of RLEC plant assets.
 
   
Three Months Ended March 31,
   
Change
 
   
2010
   
2011
   
Amount
   
Percent
 
   
(dollars in thousands)
 
Interest expense
  $ (5,989 )   $ (6,170 )   $ 181       3.0 %
Change in fair value of derivatives
    (886 )     506       1,392    
NM
 
Other income
    359       349       (10 )     (2.8 )
Income tax (expense) benefit
    262       (1 )     (263 )  
NM
 
 
 
15

 
 
Interest expense.  Interest expense increased 3.0% to $6.2 million in the three months ended March 31, 2011 from $6.0 million in the three months ended March 31, 2010. Interest associated with the exchange of our Class B shares for Income Deposit Securities (“IDSs”) in June 2010 and the effective date of our $60 million interest rate swap on February 8, 2010 accounted for the increase.
 
Change in fair value of derivatives.  We have two interest rate swap agreements to hedge our exposure to changes in interest rate costs associated with our senior credit facility. From an accounting perspective, the swaps do not meet the technical requirements to allow the swaps to be considered highly effective hedging instruments and therefore the swaps do not qualify for hedge accounting. These swap agreements must be considered investments and the change in value is reflected as a change in fair value of derivatives. The liability associated with the swaps declined $0.5 million in the three months ended March 31, 2011 reflecting the changes in the anticipated interest rate market and the shorter time to maturity, compared to an increase in liability in the three months ended March 31, 2010. Over the life of the swaps, the cumulative change in value will be zero. See —Liquidity and Capital Resources below for additional explanation.
  
Other income.  Other income decreased slightly to $0.3 million in the three months ended March 31, 2011 from $0.4 million in the three months ended March 31, 2010, primarily from a small decline in our CoBank dividend.
 
Income tax (expense) benefit.  Provision for income taxes was an expense of less than $0.1 million in the three months ended March 31, 2011 compared to a benefit of $0.3 million in the three months ended March 31, 2010.
 
Net income.  As a result of the foregoing, there was net income of less than $0.1 million in the three months ended March 31, 2011 and net loss of $0.4 million in the three months ended March 31, 2010.
 
Liquidity and Capital Resources
 
Our liquidity needs arise primarily from: (i) interest payments related to our credit facility and our senior subordinated notes; (ii) capital expenditures; (iii) working capital requirements; (iv) dividend payments on our Class A common stock (“common stock”); and (v) potential acquisitions.
 
Historically, we satisfy our operating cash requirements from the cash generated by our business and utilize borrowings under our credit facility to facilitate acquisitions; however, as set forth below, we expect to finance our acquisition of Shoreham Telephone Company, Inc. (“Shoreham”) using cash on hand. For the three months ended March 31, 2011, we generated cash from our business to invest in additional property and equipment, pay interest on our senior debt, pay interest associated with the senior subordinated debt inherent in our IDSs, and fund dividends (as declared by our board of directors) on the shares of common stock that are inherent in our IDSs. After meeting all of these needs of our business, cash grew from $18.2 million at December 31, 2010 to $18.5 million at March 31, 2011. The Company has as its current policy to return a high percentage of its available cash to its IDS holders.
 
Cash flows from operating activities for the first three months of 2011 amounted to $5.4 million compared to $7.5 million for the first three months of 2010. Net income, when adjusted for its non-cash components, declined by $1.4 million reflecting lower revenues and somewhat higher costs and expenses. The changes in operating assets and liabilities of $0.6 million reflect a $0.4 million income tax receivable only in 2010, a reduction in the change in accounts receivable of $0.6 million reflecting improved payments from carriers in Maine and a change of $0.4 million in all other asset and liability accounts.
 
Cash flows used in investing activities for the first three months of 2011 were $2.8 million compared to $1.8 million in the first three months of 2010. The higher rate of capital expenditures for property and equipment in the first three months of 2011 accounted for the difference.
 
Cash flows used in financing activities for the first three months of 2011 were $2.3 million compared to $2.2 million for the first three months of 2010, reflecting payments of dividends to stockholders in both periods. The dividend was $0.17625 per share for the quarter in both periods. The number of shares of common stock outstanding increased in June 2010 in connection with the exchange of our Class B shares for IDSs. We have paid twenty-five consecutive dividends at this rate since the Company went public in December 2004.
 
We do not invest in financial instruments as part of our business strategy. The Company had a $90 million notional amount interest rate swap with the Company paying 1.85% and the counterparty paying a variable rate based upon the three month LIBOR for three years beginning February 9, 2009 and a $60 million notional amount interest rate swap with the Company paying 2.0475% and the counterparty paying a variable rate based upon the three month LIBOR for two years beginning February 9, 2010. From an accounting perspective, the documentation for both swaps does not meet the technical requirements of Accounting Standards Codification 815, Derivatives and Hedging, to allow the swaps to be considered highly effective as hedging instruments and therefore the swaps do not qualify for hedge accounting.
 
 
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We also have received patronage shares, primarily from one of our lenders, over a period of years for which there is a limited market to determine value until the shares are redeemed by the issuing institution. Historically, these shares have been redeemed at a value similar to their issued value. Due to the uncertainty of this future value, these shares are carried at approximately 55% of their issued value.
 
We anticipate that operating cash flow, together with borrowings under our credit facility, will be adequate to meet our currently anticipated operating and capital expenditure requirements for at least the next 12 months.
 
The following table provides a summary of the extent to which cash generated from operations is reinvested in our operations, used to pay interest on our senior debt and senior subordinated notes or distributed as dividends to our stockholders for the periods indicated.
 
     
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
     
2010
   
2011
 
     
(Dollars in thousands)
 
               
 
Cash generation
           
 
Revenues
  $ 25,794     $ 25,392  
 
Other income
    359       349  
 
Cash received from operations
    26,153       25,741  
 
Cost of services and products
    10,610       11,020  
 
Selling, general and administrative expenses
    3,231       3,327  
 
Cash consumed by operations
    13,841       14,347  
 
Cash generated from operations
  $ 12,312     $ 11,394  
 
Cash utilization
               
 
Capital investment in operations
    1,753       2,843  
 
Senior debt interest and fees
    2,324       2,369  
 
Interest on senior subordinated notes
    3,366       3,499  
 
Dividends
    2,234       2,330  
 
Cash utilized by the Company
  $ 9,677     $ 11,041  
                   
 
Percentage of cash utilized of cash generated
    78.6 %     96.9 %
 
 
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We use adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“Adjusted EBITDA”) as an operational performance measurement. Adjusted EBITDA, as presented in this Form 10-Q, corresponds to the definition of Adjusted EBITDA in the indenture governing our senior subordinated notes and our senior credit facility and certain of the covenants contained therein. Adjusted EBITDA, as presented in this Form 10-Q, is a supplemental measure of our performance that is not required by, or presented in accordance with, accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”). Our senior credit facility requires that we report performance in this format each quarter and involved lending institutions utilize this measure to determine compliance with credit facility requirements. We report Adjusted EBITDA in our quarterly earnings press release to allow current and potential investors to understand this performance metric and because we believe that it provides current and potential investors with helpful information with respect to our operating performance and cash flows. However, Adjusted EBITDA should not be considered as an alternative to net income (loss) or any other performance measures derived in accordance with GAAP or as an alternative to net cash provided by operating activities as a measure of our liquidity. Our presentation of Adjusted EBITDA may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies. Adjusted EBITDA for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2011, and its reconciliation to net income (loss), is reflected in the table below:
 
     
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
     
2010
   
2011
 
     
(Dollars in thousands)
 
               
 
Net income (loss)
  $ (386 )   $ 5  
 
Add:  Depreciation
    3,573       3,523  
 
Interest expense – net of premium
    5,651       5,828  
 
Interest expense – amortize loan cost
    338       342  
 
Income tax expense (benefit)
    (262 )     1  
 
Change in fair value of derivatives
    886       (506 )
 
Loan fees
    19       19  
 
   Amortization - intangibles
    2,512       2,201  
 
Adjusted EBITDA
  $ 12,331     $ 11,413  
 
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
 
           During 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2011-01 and ASU 2011-02.  These ASUs provide technical corrections to existing guidance related to specialized industries or entities and therefore, have minimal, if any, impact on the Company.
 
Subsequent Events
 
On April 1, 2011, the Company’s newly formed wholly owned subsidiary, Shoreham Telephone LLC, executed a definitive agreement to acquire all of the capital stock of Shoreham for $4.5 million, subject to certain purchase price adjustments.  Shoreham is a telecommunications company serving approximately 4,975 access lines that is headquartered in Shoreham, Vermont.  The acquisition is expected to close in 2011, but is subject to regulatory approval and other customary conditions. The Company anticipates financing this acquisition from cash on hand.
 
Item 3.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
 
Our short-term excess cash balance is invested in short-term commercial paper. We do not invest in any derivative or commodity type instruments. Our two interest rate swap agreements are technically not effective hedges and therefore do not qualify for hedge accounting. The change in the fair value of the swaps is charged or credited to income as a change in fair value of derivatives. Over the life of the swaps, the cumulative change in value will be zero.  Accordingly, we are subject to minimal market risk on our investments.
 
We have the ability to borrow up to $15.0 million under a revolving loan facility.  The interest rate is variable and, accordingly, we would be exposed to interest rate risk, primarily from a change in LIBOR or a base rate, should the facility be used.  Currently, we have no loans drawn under this facility.
 
Item 4.  Controls and Procedures
 
With the participation of the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer, management has evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934).  Based on that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of March 31, 2011.
 
There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) during the three months ended March 31, 2011 that materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting. 
 
 
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Item 6.  Exhibits
 
Exhibits
 
See Exhibit Index.
 
 
19

 
 
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 6, 2011
OTELCO INC.
 
       
 
By:
/s/ Curtis L. Garner, Jr.
 
   
Curtis L. Garner, Jr.
 
   
Chief Financial Officer
 
 
 
 

 
 
EXHIBIT INDEX
 
Exhibit
No.
 
Description
     
31.1
 
Certificate pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 of the Chief Executive Officer
     
31.2
 
Certificate pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 of the Chief Financial Officer
     
32.1
 
Certificate pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, of the Chief Executive Officer
     
32.2
 
Certificate pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, of the Chief Financial Officer
     
101
 
The following information from the Company’s quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2011 formatted in Extensible Business Reporting Language (XBRL): (i) Consolidated Balance Sheets; (ii) Consolidated Statements of Operations; (iii) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows; and (iv) Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, tagged as blocks of text