ATN International, Inc.
For the period ended Dec 31, 2024. Filed Mar 17, 2025.
View on SEC.govAbout this filing
A company's yearly report to the SEC, with audited financial statements. It is the fullest account a company gives of its business, its finances and the risks it sees.
FY2024 · Filed Mar 17, 2025
Extracted filing text, with the paragraph anchors used by the comparison.
See the whole filing, with its images and exhibitsContents
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Historically, we have met our operational liquidity needs and have funded our capital expenditures and acquisitions through a combination of cash-on-hand, internally generated funds, borrowings under our credit facilities, proceeds from dispositions, and seller financings. We believe our current cash, cash equivalents, short term investments
and availability under our current credit facilities will be sufficient to meet our cash needs for at least the next twelve months for working capital and capital expenditure requirements.
*Total liquidity.*As of December 31, 2024, we had approximately $89.2 million in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash. Of this amount, $32.2 million was held by our foreign subsidiaries and is indefinitely invested outside the United States. In addition, we had approximately $557.4 million of debt, net of unamortized deferred financing costs, as of December 31, 2024. How and when we deploy our balance sheet capacity, including the availability under our various credit facilities (as further described below), will figure prominently in our longer-term growth prospects and stockholder returns.
Uses of Cash
*Acquisitions and investments.*We have historically funded our acquisitions with a combination of cash-on-hand, borrowings under our credit facilities as well as equity investor and seller financings.
We continue to explore opportunities to expand our telecommunications business or acquire new businesses in the United States, the Caribbean and elsewhere. Such acquisitions may require external financing. While there can be no assurance as to whether, when or on what terms we will be able to acquire any such businesses or make such investments, such acquisitions may be completed through the issuance of shares of our capital stock, payment of cash or incurrence of additional debt. From time to time, we may raise capital ahead of any definitive use of proceeds to allow us to move more quickly and opportunistically if an attractive investment materializes.
*Cash used in investing activities.*Cash used in investing activities decreased by $61.3 million to $103.8 million from $165.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. This year-over-year decrease in cash used in investing activities was primarily the result of a $63.9 million increase in cash inflows related to the reimbursement of capital expenditures under certain government programs, a decrease in cash used for non- reimbursable capital expenditures of $52.9 million and the 2024 sale of certain assets, primarily real estate within our International Telecom segment, which generated $18.6 million in cash proceeds. These amounts were partially offset by the increase in cash outflows for reimbursable capital expenditures of $75.6 million.
*Working Capital.*We have funded our working capital needs through a combination of internally generated funds and borrowings under our credit facilities. Pursuant to the FirstNet Agreement, AT&T has the option to repay construction costs, with interest, over an eight-year period. To fund the working capital needs created by AT&T’s option to extend its payment terms, we completed the Receivables Credit Facility, as discussed below, on March 26, 2020.
For the year ended December 31, 2024, we spent approximately $110.4 million for capital expenditures and $108.5 million for capital expenditures that are reimbursable under certain government programs. For the year ended December 31, 2023, we spent approximately $163.3 million for capital expenditures and $32.9 million for capital expenditures that are reimbursable under certain government programs. The following notes our capital expenditures, by operating segment, for these periods (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| · · Capital Expenditures | ||||||||||||
| · · · · · · · · | ||||||||||||
| | | | International | | | US | | | Corporate and | | | |
| Year ended December 31, | | | Telecom | | | Telecom | | | Other (1) | | | Consolidated |
| 2024 | | $56,693 | | $53,652 | | $29 | | $110,374 | ||||
| 2023 | | | 76,379 | | | 86,918 | | | — | | | 163,297 |
| (1) | Corporate and other items refer to corporate overhead costs and consolidating adjustments. |
We are continuing to invest in our telecommunication networks along with our operating and business support systems in many of our markets. For the year ending December 31, 2025, such investments are expected to total approximately $90 million to $100 million of non-reimbursable capital expenditures and will primarily relate to network expansion and upgrades which are expected to further drive subscriber and revenue growth in future periods.
Income taxes. We have historically used cash-on-hand to make payments for income taxes. Our policy is to allocate capital where we believe we will get the best returns and to date has been to indefinitely reinvest the undistributed earnings of our foreign subsidiaries. As we continue to reinvest our remaining foreign earnings, no additional provision for income taxes has been made on the accumulated earnings of foreign subsidiaries.
Dividends. For the year ended December 31, 2024, our Board of Directors declared $14.7 million of dividends to our stockholders which includes a $0.24 per share dividend declared on December 18, 2024 and paid on January 8, 2025. We have declared quarterly dividends since the fourth quarter of 1998.
Stock Repurchase Plan. On December 14, 2023, our Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to $25.0 million of our common stock, from time to time, on the open market or in privately negotiated transactions (the “2023 Repurchase Plan”). The 2023 Repurchase Plan replaced the previously approved 2016 Repurchase Plan and, as of December 31, 2024, had $15.0 million available to repurchase shares of our common stock. During the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 (and prior to the effectiveness of the 2023 Repurchase Plan), we repurchased $10.0 million and $15.0 million of our common stock, respectively.
Sources of Cash
*Cash provided by operations.*Cash provided by operating activities was $127.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2024 as compared to $111.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. The increase of $16.3 million was primarily related to improvements in working capital.
*Cash provided by financing activities.*Cash provided by financing activities was $2.9 million and $55.9 million during the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The decrease in cash provided by financing activities of $52.9 million was primarily the result of an increase in cash used for debt repayments, net of borrowings, of $55.9 million, an increase in cash used to pay debt issuance costs of $2.7 million and an increase in cash used for the payment of dividends to our common stockholders of $1.5 million. These increases in cash used forfinancing activities was partially offset by a decrease in cash used to repurchase our common stock (including shares repurchased from employees and directors to satisfy certain tax withholding obligations) of $4.5 million.
2023 CoBank Credit Facility
On July 13, 2023, we, along with certain of our subsidiaries as guarantors, entered into a new Credit Agreement with CoBank, ACB and a syndicate of other lenders (as may be amended from time to time, the “2023 CoBank Credit Facility”). On July 10, 2024, we amended the 2023 CoBank Credit Facility credit facility to add certain subsidiaries as guarantors and to provide further flexibility in order to accept certain grant and government program obligations.
The 2023 CoBank Credit Facility provides for a five-year $170 million revolving credit facility (the “2023 CoBank Revolving Loan”) and a six-year $130 million term loan facility (the “2023 CoBank Term Loan”). We may use (i) up to $25 million under the 2023 CoBank Revolving Loan for letters of credit, and (ii) up to $20 million under a swingline sub-facility. Upon the closing of the 2023 CoBank Credit Facility, we drew all of the 2023 CoBank Term Loan and approximately $13.6 million of the 2023 CoBank Revolving Loan. These borrowings were used to repay all of the $139.5 million of debt outstanding under the 2019 CoBank Credit Facility, as defined below, at close.
The 2023 CoBank Term Loan must be repaid in quarterly principal payments in the amounts set forth below, with the outstanding principal balance maturing on July 13, 2029. The 2023 CoBank Revolving Loan may be repaid at any time on or prior to its maturity on July 13, 2028. All amounts outstanding under the 2023 CoBank Credit Facility will be due and payable upon the earlier of the maturity date or the acceleration of the loans and commitments upon an event of default.
| | |
|---|---|
| 2023 CoBank Term Loan Quarterly Payment Dates | 2023 CoBank Term Loan Quarterly Repayments |
| December 31, 2023 – June 30, 2025 | $812,500 (2.5% per annum) |
| September 30, 2025 – June 30, 2026 | $1,625,000 (5% per annum) |
| September 30, 2026 – June 30, 2029 | $2,437,500 (7.5% per annum) |
Amounts borrowed under the 2023 CoBank Credit Facility bear interest at a rate equal to, at our option, either (i) the secured overnight financing rate as administered by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York (SOFR) plus an applicable margin ranging between 2.00% to 3.75% for the 2023 CoBank Term Loan and 1.75% to 3.50% for Revolving Loans or (ii) a base rate plus an applicable margin ranging from 1.00% to 2.75% for the Term Loan and 0.75% to 2.50% for the 2023 CoBank Revolving Loans. Swingline loans will bear interest at the base rate plus the applicable margin for base rate loans. The base rate is equal to the higher of (i) 1.00% plus the one-month SOFR rate (ii) the federal funds effective rate (as defined in the 2023 CoBank Credit Agreement) plus 0.50% per annum; or (iii) the prime rate (as defined in the 2023 CoBank Credit Agreement). The applicable margin is determined based on the ratio (as further defined in the 2023 CoBank Credit Agreement) of our maximum Total Net Leverage Ratio. Under the terms of the 2023 CoBank Credit Agreement, we must also pay a fee ranging from 0.25% to 0.50% on the average daily unused portion of the 2023 CoBank Credit Facility over each calendar quarter.
The 2023 CoBank Credit Agreement contains a financial covenant (as further defined in the 2023 CoBank Credit Agreement) that imposes a maximum Total Net Leverage Ratio, as well as customary representations, warranties and covenants, including covenants limiting additional indebtedness, liens, guaranties, mergers and consolidations, substantial asset sales, investments and loans, sale and leasebacks, transactions with affiliates and fundamental changes. The maximum Total Net Leverage Ratio is measured each fiscal quarter and is required to be less than or equal to 3.25 to 1.0. The 2023 CoBank Credit Agreement provides for events of default customary for credit facilities of this type, including but not limited to non-payment, defaults on other debt, misrepresentation, breach of covenants, representations and warranties, insolvency and bankruptcy.
We capitalized $4.5 million of fees associated with the 2023 CoBank Credit Facility which are being amortized over the life of the debt and $3.3 million were unamortized as of December 31, 2024.
We had $125.9 million outstanding under the 2023 CoBank Term Loan as of December 31, 2024. Under the 2023 CoBank Revolving Loan, we had $58.6 million outstanding and $111.4 million of availability as of December 31, 2024. We were in compliance with all financial covenants as of December 31, 2024.
In October 2023, we entered into a two year, forward starting 1-month floating to fixed SOFR interest rate swap agreement. The swap was effective November 13, 2023 in a non-amortizing notional amount of $50.0 million, has a fixed SOFR rate of 4.896% and matures on November 13, 2025. The swap agreement had a fair value of $(0.3) million and $(0.5) million as of December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
2019 CoBank Credit Facility
On April 10, 2019, we entered into a credit facility, with CoBank, ACB and a syndicate of other lenders (as amended, the “2019 CoBank Credit Facility”). The 2019 CoBank Credit Facility provided for a $200 million revolving credit facility that included (i) up to $75 million for standby or trade letters of credit and (ii) up to $10 million under a swingline sub-facility. In connection with the execution of the 2023 CoBank Credit Facility, as defined above, all outstanding borrowings under the 2019 CoBank Credit Facility were repaid in full.
Amounts borrowed under the 2019 CoBank Credit Facility bore interest at a rate equal to, at our option, either (i) the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) plus an applicable margin ranging between 1.25% to 2.25% or (ii) a base rate plus an applicable margin ranging from 0.25% to 1.25%. Swingline loans bore interest at the base rate plus the applicable margin for base rate loans. The base rate was equal to the higher of (i) 1.00% plus the higher of (x) LIBOR for an interest period of one month and (y) LIBOR for an interest period of one week; (ii) the Federal Funds Effective Rate (as defined in the 2019 CoBank Credit Facility) plus 0.50% per annum; and (iii) the Prime Rate (as defined in the 2019 CoBank Credit Facility). The applicable margin was determined based on the Total Net Leverage Ratio (as defined in the 2019 CoBank Credit Facility). Under the terms of the 2019 CoBank Credit Facility, we also paid a commitment fee ranging from 0.150% to 0.375% of the average daily unused portion of the 2019 CoBank Credit Facility over each calendar quarter.
Letter of Credit Facility
On November 14, 2022, we entered into a General Agreement of Indemnity to issue performance Standby Letters of Credit on behalf of us and our subsidiaries. As of December 31, 2024, $30.9 million of Standby Letters of Credit had been issued under this agreement.
2024 Alaska Credit Facility
On August 29, 2024, Alaska Communications (the “Borrower”) entered into a Credit Agreement (the “2024 Alaska Credit Agreement”) with Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent, and a syndicate of lenders (the “2024 Alaska Credit Facility”), to provide debt financing in the form of a $300 million, five-year secured term loan facility (the “2024 Alaska Term Facility”) and a $90 million revolving facility (the “2024 Alaska Revolving Facility”).
The 2024 Alaska Term Facility proceeds were used (a) to refinance Alaska Communications’ outstanding indebtedness under the 2022 Alaska Credit Facility, as defined below, in the amount of approximately $279 million plus accrued and unpaid interest, (b) to pay fees and expenses associated with the completion of this transaction, and (c)for general corporate purposes. As of December 31, 2024, $300.0 million was outstanding under the 2024 Alaska Term Facility.
Proceeds from the 2024 Alaska Revolving Facility are to be used, subject to certain limitations, (a) to issue letters of credit to replace or backstop existing letters of credit of Alaska Communications and its direct and indirect subsidiaries, and (b) for working capital purposes, capital expenditures and other general corporate purposes. As of December 31, 2024, there were no outstanding borrowings under the 2024 Alaska Revolving Facility and $1.0 million of
letters of credit were issued. As a result, $89.0 million was available under the 2024 Alaska Revolving Facility as of December 31, 2024.
The 2024 Alaska Credit Facility also provides for incremental term loans (“Incremental Term Loans”) up to an aggregate principal amount of the greater of $91 million and Alaska Communications’ trailing consolidated twelve-month EBITDA (as defined in the 2024 Alaska Credit Agreement), subject to the Borrower meeting certain conditions.
In connection with the 2024 Alaska Credit Facility, we incurred $6.9 million of fees and rolled over $2.1 million of fees for the 2022 Alaska Credit Facility to be amortized over the life of the debt. Additionally, we expensed $3.8 million of costs as transaction-related charges and $0.7 million of as a loss on extinguishment of debt, included in other expense, within our statement of operations during the year ended December 31, 2024. As of December 31, 2024, we had $8.4 million of unamortized fees, which are being amortized over the life of the debt, associated with the 2024 Alaska Credit Facility.
The maturity date for the 2024 Alaska Credit Facility is August 29, 2029.
Amounts outstanding under the 2024 Alaska Credit Facility bear an interest rate of the following:
| | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tier / Level | Alaska Communications Total Net Leverage Ratio | Applicable Margin for Term SOFR Loans and L/C Participation Fees | Applicable Margin for Base Rate Loans and Reimbursement Obligations | Applicable Margin for Commitment Fees |
| I | Greater than 4.00:1.00 | 4.50% | 3.50% | 0.40% |
| II | Less than or equal to 4.00:1.00 but greater than 3.25:1.00 | 4.00% | 3.00% | 0.35% |
| III | Less than or equal to 3.25:1.00 but greater than 2.50:1.00 | 3.50% | 2.50% | 0.30% |
| IV | Less than or equal to 2.50:1.00 | 3.00% | 2.00% | 0.25% |
Principal payments on the 2024 Alaska Term Facility are due quarterly commencing in the fourth quarter of 2026 in quarterly amounts as follows: from the fourth quarter of 2026 through the third quarter of 2027, $1,875,000; and from the fourth quarter of 2027 through the second quarter of 2029, $3,750,000. The remaining unpaid balance is due on the final maturity date. Payments on any principal amount outstanding under the Incremental Term Loans will be made in installments, on the dates and in the amounts set forth in the applicable amendment for such Incremental Term Loans. The Borrower may prepay all revolving loans under the 2024 Alaska Revolving Facility at any time without premium or penalty (other than any customary SOFR breakage costs), subject to certain notice requirements and balance restrictions.
The Borrower is required to maintain financial ratios, based on a calculation of EBITDA defined in the 2024 Alaska Credit Agreement, including (a) a maximum Consolidated Net Total Leverage Ratio of 4.75:1.00, stepping down to 4.50:1.00 beginning with the third quarter of 2027, and stepping down to 4.25:1.00 beginning with the third quarter of 2028; and (b) a minimum Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio of not less than 1.25:1.00. Customary covenants restricting the incurrence or assumption of debt, granting or assuming liens, declaring dividends and making other restricted payments, making investments, dispositions, engaging in transactions with affiliates, changes to the nature of business, modifying organizational documents and material agreements, entering into sale and leaseback transactions, amending or making prepayments on certain subordinated debt, and entering into mergers and acquisitions.
The 2024 Alaska Credit Facility is secured by substantially all of the personal property and certain material real property owned by Alaska Communications Systems Holdings, the parent company of Alaska Communications
(“Holdings”), the Borrower, and its wholly owned subsidiaries, excluding, among other things, certain federal and state licenses where a pledge is prohibited by applicable law or is permitted only with the consent of a governmental authority that has not been obtained.
The 2024 Alaska Credit Agreement contains usual and customary affirmative and negative covenants of the parties for credit facilities of this type or as otherwise deemed appropriate by the administrative agent, subject to customary exceptions and materiality standards. The 2024 Alaska Credit Agreement also contains certain customary covenants and events of default, as well as, in the event of an occurrence of an “Event of Default,” customary remedies for the lenders, including the acceleration of any amounts outstanding under the 2024 Alaska Credit Facility. Holdings and its wholly owned subsidiaries are guarantors of the Borrower’s obligations under the 2024 Alaska Credit Agreement. The Company is not a guarantor under the 2024 Alaska Credit Agreement, and the lenders have no recourse against the Company in the event of an occurrence of an “Event of Default.” Additionally, the 2024 Alaska Credit Agreement includes certain customary conditions that must be met for the Borrower to borrow under the 2024 Alaska Credit Agreement from time to time.
2022 Alaska Credit Facility
On December 23, 2022, Alaska Communications entered into a Credit Agreement (the “2022 Alaska Credit Facility”) with Fifth Third Bank, National Association, as Administrative Agent, and a syndicate of lenders to provide a Revolving Credit Commitment of $75.0 million (the “2022 Alaska Revolving Facility”) and Term Loan Commitment of $230.0 million (the “2022 Alaska Term Loan”).
The key terms and conditions of the 2022 Alaska Credit Facility included the following:
| ● | Amounts outstanding bore an interest rate of the forward-looking SOFR rate with a one-month interest period, plus the SOFR Spread Adjustment of 10 basis points, plus a margin ranging from 3.00% to 4.00% based on Alaska Communications’ Consolidated Total Net Leverage Ratio (as defined in the Credit Agreement) or at an alternate base rate at a margin that is 1% lower than the counterpart SOFR margin; |
| ● | Principal repayments of $1.4 million were made quarterly commencing with the fourth quarter of 2023; |
| ● | Alaska Communications was required to maintain financial ratios as defined in the 2022 Alaska Credit Facility, including (a) a maximum Consolidated Net Total Leverage Ratio of 4.00 to 1, stepping down to 3.75 to 1 beginning with the second quarter of 2024; and (b) a minimum Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio of not less than 1.25 to 1. In addition to these financial ratios, Alaska Communications was subject to customary representations, warranties and covenants, including limitations on additional indebtedness, liens, consolidations, mergers, assets sales, advances, investments and loans, transactions with affiliates, sale and leaseback transactions, subordinated indebtedness, and changes in the nature of its business; and |
| ● | The 2022 Alaska Credit Facility was non-recourse to us and was secured by substantially all of the personal property and certain material real property owned by Alaska Communications. |
On August 29, 2024, all outstanding amounts under the 2022 Alaska Credit Facility were repaid in full using the proceeds received upon the completion of the 2024 Alaska Credit Facility.
Alaska Term Facility
On June 15, 2022, Holdings entered into a secured lending arrangement with Bristol Bay Industrial, LLC (the “Alaska Term Facility”).
The Alaska Term Facility provided for a secured delayed draw term loan in an aggregate principal amount of up to $7.5 million and the proceeds were used to pay certain invoices from a contractor for work performed in connection with a fiber build. Interest on the Alaska Term Facility accrued at a fixed rate of 4.0% and scheduled quarterly payments of principal commenced on March 31, 2023. The Alaska Term Facility was repaid in full during the three months ended June 30, 2024.
Alaska Interest Rate Swap Agreements
In November 2023, Alaska Communications entered into two forward starting 1-month floating to fixed SOFR interest rate swap agreements. The total non-amortizing notional amount of the agreements is $200 million, with fixed SOFR rates of 4.8695% and 4.8980% and both agreements mature on June 30, 2025. The swap agreements had an aggregate fair value of $(0.5) and $(1.2) million as of December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
FirstNet Receivables Credit Facility
On March 26, 2020, Commnet Finance, a wholly owned subsidiary of Commnet Wireless, entered into a receivables credit facility with us, Commnet Wireless, and CoBank, ACB (the “Receivables Credit Facility”).
The Receivables Credit Facility provides for a senior secured delayed draw term loan in an aggregate principal amount of up to $75.0 million and the proceeds may be used to acquire certain receivables from Commnet Wireless. The receivables to be financed and sold under the Receivables Credit Facility, which provide the loan security, relate to the obligations of AT&T under the FirstNet Agreement.
On December 27, 2024, CoBank amended the Receivables Credit Facility and extended the delayed draw period to December 31, 2025.
The maturity date for each loan will be set by CoBank and will match the weighted average maturity of the certain receivables financed.
Interest on the loans accrue at a fixed annual interest rate to be quoted by CoBank.
The Receivables Credit Facility contains customary events of termination, representations and warranties, affirmative and negative covenants and events of default customary for facilities of this type.
As of December 31, 2024, Commnet Wireless had $44.6 million outstanding, of which $8.0 million was classified as being current and $36.6 million as long-term on our balance sheet, and $9.2 million of availability under the Receivables Credit Facility. Commnet Wireless capitalized $0.8 million in fees associated with the Receivables Credit Facility which are being amortized over the life of the debt and $0.4 million were unamortized as of December 31, 2024.
OneGY Credit Facilities
On October 12, 2022 , OneGY entered into a $2.9 million term facility and a $5.7 million overdraft facility (the “Guyana Credit Facilities”) with Republic Bank (Guyana) Limited.
The Guyana Credit Facilities were secured by real estate assets and carried a fixed interest rate of 7.5%. On November 29, 2024, the overdraft facility and term facility were canceled at the request of OneGY and there were no outstanding amounts at that time.
Sacred Wind Term Debt
The Sacred Wind Term Debt with the United States of America, acting through the Administrator of the Rural Utilities Service (“RUS”) which provides financial assistance in the form of loans under the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 to furnish or improve telecommunications and/or broadband services in rural areas, is secured by substantially all of the assets of Sacred Wind and is an underlying mortgage to the United States of America. These mortgage notes are to be repaid in equal monthly installments covering principal and interest beginning after date of issue and expiring by 2035.
The Sacred Wind Term Debt contains certain restrictions on the declaration or payment of dividends, redemption of capital stock or investment in affiliated companies without the consent by the RUS noteholders. The agreements also contain a financial covenant which Sacred Wind was not in compliance with as of December 31, 2024. Sacred Wind submitted a corrective action plan to comply with the financial covenant by December 31, 2028. The corrective action plan was accepted by the RUS and, as of December 31, 2024, we were in compliance with that corrective action plan.
As of December 31, 2024, $24.9 million was outstanding under the Sacred Wind Term Debt. Of that amount, $3.5 million was current and $21.4 million was long term.
The mortgage notes carry fixed interest rates ranging from 0.88% to 5.0%.
Viya Debt
We, and certain of our subsidiaries, have entered into a $60.0 million loan agreement (the “Viya Debt”) with National Cooperative Services Corporation (“NCSC”). The Viya Debt agreement contains customary representations, warranties, and affirmative and negative covenants (including limitations on additional debt, guaranties, sale of assets and liens) and a financial covenant that limits the maximum ratio of indebtedness to annual operating cash flow to 3.5 to 1.0 (the “Net Leverage Ratio”). This covenant is tested on an annual basis at the end of each fiscal year. Interest is paid quarterly at a fixed rate of 4.0% per annum and principal repayment is not required until maturity on July 1, 2026. Prepayment of the Viya Debt may be subject to a fee under certain circumstances. The debt is secured by certain assets of the Viya subsidiaries and is guaranteed by us.
We paid a fee of $0.9 million in 2016 to lock the interest rate at 4% per annum over the term of the Viya Debt. The fee was recorded as a reduction to the Viya Debt carrying amount and is being amortized over the life of the loan.
As of December 31, 2024, $60.0 million of the Viya Debt remained outstanding and $0.2 million of the rate lock fee was unamortized.
On May 5, 2022, the Net Leverage Ratio was amended to 7.0 to 1.0 through the maturity date of July 1, 2026. The Ratio is tested annually, and we were in compliance with the Net Leverage Ratio as of December 31, 2024.
Debt Maturity
The table below summarizes the annual maturities of our debt instruments (amounts in thousands).
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| · · · · · · · · · · · · Customer | |||||||||||||
| · US · · International · · Corporate and · · Total · Receivable | |||||||||||||
| Amounts Maturing During · Telecom · · Telecom · · Other · · Debt · Credit Facility | |||||||||||||
| Year ending December 31, 2025 | $3,469 | | $— | | $4,757 | | $8,226 | $8,031 | |||||
| Year ending December 31, 2026 | | 5,469 | | | 60,000 | | | 8,125 | | | 73,594 | | 8,409 |
| Year ending December 31, 2027 | | 13,098 | | | — | | | 9,750 | | | 22,848 | | 8,807 |
| Year ending December 31, 2028 | | 18,858 | | | — | | | 68,370 | | | 87,228 | | 9,229 |
| Year ending December 31, 2029 | | 277,749 | | | — | | | 93,556 | | | 371,305 | | 6,041 |
| Thereafter | | 6,239 | | | — | | | — | | | 6,239 | | 4,085 |
| Total | | 324,882 | | | 60,000 | | | 184,558 | | | 569,440 | | 44,602 |
| Debt Discounts | | (8,641) | | | (150) | | | (3,293) | | | (12,084) | | (368) |
| Book Value as of December 31, 2024 | $316,241 | | $59,850 | | $181,265 | | $557,356 | $44,234 | |||||
Factors Affecting Sources of Liquidity
*Internally generated funds.The key factors affecting our internally generated funds are demand for our services, competition, regulatory developments, economic conditions in the markets where we operate our businesses and industry trends within the telecommunications industry. *
*Restrictions under 2023 Credit Facility.*Our 2023 CoBank Credit Facility contains customary representations, warranties and covenants, including covenants limiting additional indebtedness, liens, guaranties, mergers and consolidations, substantial asset sales, investments and loans, sale and leasebacks, transactions with affiliates and fundamental changes.
In addition, the 2023 CoBank Credit Facility contains a financial covenant that imposes a maximum ratio of indebtedness to EBITDA. As of December 31, 2024, we were in compliance with all of the financial covenants of the 2023 CoBank Credit Facility.
*Capital markets.*Our ability to raise funds in the capital markets depends on, among other things, general economic conditions, the conditions of the telecommunications industry, our financial performance, the state of the capital markets and our compliance with SEC requirements for the offering of securities. In August 2022, we filed a new “universal” shelf registration statement with the SEC, to register potential future offerings of up to $300 million of our securities.
Foreign Currency
We translate the assets and liabilities of our foreign subsidiaries from their respective functional currencies, primarily the Guyana Dollar, to US Dollars at the appropriate rates as of the balance sheet date. Changes in the carrying value of these assets and liabilities attributable to fluctuations in rates are recognized in foreign currency translation adjustment, a component of accumulated other comprehensive income on our balance sheet. Income statement accounts are translated using the monthly average exchange rates during the year. Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in a currency that is different from a reporting entity’s functional currency must first be remeasured from the applicable currency to the legal entity’s functional currency. The effect of this remeasurement process is reported in other income within our income statement. During the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, we recorded $1.9 million and $1.4 million, respectively, in losses on foreign currency transactions. We will continue to assess the impact of our exposure to the Guyana Dollar.
Inflation
Several of our markets have experienced an increase in operating costs, some of which we believe, is attributable to inflation. If inflation continues or worsens, it could negatively impact our Company by increasing our operating expenses. Inflation may lead to cost increases in multiple areas across our business, for example, rises in the prices of raw materials and manufactured goods, increased energy rates, as well as increased wage pressures and other expenses related to our employees. In particular, where we have agreed to undertake infrastructure build-outs on a fixed budget for our carrier customers or by accepting government grants, inflation may result in build costs that exceed our original budget given the long delays experienced in procuring equipment and materials due to global supply chain delays. To the extent that we are unable to pass on these costs through increased prices, revised budget estimates, or offset them in other ways, they may impact our financial condition and cash flows.
Material Cash Obligations and Sources
*Capital Expenditures.*We are continuing to invest in our telecommunication networks along with our operating and business support systems in many of our markets. Such investments include the upgrade and expansion of both our mobility and fixed telecommunications networks as well as our service delivery platforms. For 2025, we expect capital expenditures to be approximately $90 million to $100 million (net of reimbursable amounts), and will primarily relate to network maintenance and upgrades. We expect to fund our 2025 capital expenditures primarily from our current cash balances, cash generated from operations and our existing credit facilities including the Receivables Credit Facility.
*Long-term Debt.*To service our previously described debt facilities, we will be required to make future minimum principal repayments (not including interest, commitment fees or letter of credit fees) of $8.3 million in 2025 and then $73.6 million, $22.8 million, $87.2 million, and $371.2 million during 2026 through 2029, respectively, and then $6.2 million in subsequent years.
Lease Commitments. We have operating and financing leases for towers, land, corporate offices, retail facilities, and data transport capacity. In order to comply with our lease agreements, we will be required to pay $22.4 million in 2025 and then $16.7 million, $13.8 million, $10.5 million and $7.6 million during 2026 through 2029, respectively, and then $81.5 million in subsequent years.
FirstNet Agreement. In connection with the FirstNet Agreement, we are building a portion of AT&T’s network for the First Responder Network Authority (“FirstNet”) in or near our current operating area in the western United States. We expect to incur construction costs of approximately $6 million, primarily during 2025 with the remainder in 2026, in order to complete the network build portion of that agreement. Following acceptance of the cell sites, AT&T will own the sites and we will assign to AT&T any third-party tower lease applicable to such cell site. If the cell site is located on a communications tower we own, AT&T will pay us pursuant to a separate lease agreement for an initial term of eight years. In addition to building the network, we will provide ongoing equipment and site maintenance and high-capacity transport to and from these cell sites for an initial term ending in 2031.
Connect America Fund II (CAF II). We are a recipient under the Connect America Fund Phase II program which will offer subsidies to us in order to expand our broadband coverage in designated areas. In connection with this program, we are expecting to spend $16.2 million in capital expenditures during the year ended December 31, 2025 (which is included in our capital expenditure estimates for the US Telecom segment above in order to meet our build-out obligations under this program. We are not expecting any commitments under the CAF II program after 2025.
Spectrum Buildout Commitments. In connection with our spectrum licenses in the United States and other jurisdictions in which we operate, we will have to achieve certain spectrum build-out obligations. We expect to comply with all applicable requirements related to these licenses but cannot currently estimate the cost of building our network in the covered areas. If we do not comply with such requirements in a certain area within timeframe specified in the applicable spectrum license, our spectrum license for that area may be forfeited.
*Construction grants.*We have also been awarded construction grants to build network connectivity for eligible communities. The funding of these grants reimburse us for our construction costs. As of December 31, 2024, $150.2 million of such construction obligations remain with completion deadlines beginning in 2025. Once these projects are constructed, we are obligated to provide service to the participants.
Software licensing, maintenance and other business support systems. We have committed to agreements with vendors to provide us with software licensing and maintenance services as well as other business support systems. These agreements expire primarily during the year ending December 31, 2025 and will require us to pay approximately $37.0 million in 2025, and then $12.8 million, $4.3 million, $2.7 million, and $2.4 million during 2026 through 2029, respectively and then $14.8 million thereafter.
Circuits and other transport costs. We expect to pay $32.5 million, $26.0 million, $14.3 million, $8.1 million and $4.3 million during the years ended December 31, 2025, 2026, 2027, 2028 and 2029, respectively, for circuit and other telecommunication transport costs. Thereafter, we are obligated to pay an additional $8.9 million for such services.
*Sources of Cash.*In addition to future internally generated funds, as of December 31, 2024, we have $111.4 million, $89.0 million and $9.2 million available to us under the CoBank Credit Facility, the Alaska Revolving Facility and the Receivables Credit Facility, respectively, and may be able to raise funds in the capital markets by making an offering under our universal shelf registration.
Critical Accounting Estimates
We have based our discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations on our Consolidated Financial Statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”). We base our estimates on our operating experience and on various conditions existing in the market and we believe them to be reasonable under the circumstances. Our 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 may differ materially from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.
We have identified the critical accounting estimates that we believe require significant judgment in the preparation of our Consolidated Financial Statements. We consider these accounting estimates to be critical because changes in the assumptions or estimates we have selected have the potential of materially impacting our financial statements.
Revenue Recognition. In determining the appropriate amount of revenue to recognize for a particular transaction, we apply the criteria established by the authoritative guidance for revenue recognition and defer those items that do not meet the recognition criteria. As a result of the cutoff times of our billing cycles, we are often required to estimate the amount of revenues earned but not billed from the end of each billing cycle to the end of each reporting period. These estimates are based primarily on rate plans in effect and historical evidence with each customer or carrier. Adjustments affecting revenue can and occasionally do occur in periods subsequent to the period when the services were provided, billed and recorded as revenue, however, historically, these adjustments have not been material.
We apply our judgment when assessing the ultimate realization of receivables, including assessing the probability of collection and the current credit- worthiness of customers. We establish an allowance for credit losses on trade receivables sufficient to cover probable and reasonably estimable losses. Our estimate of the allowance for credit losses on trade receivables considers collection experience, aging of the accounts receivable, the credit quality of the customer and, where necessary, other macro-economic factors.
Goodwill and Long-Lived Intangible Assets. In accordance with the authoritative guidance regarding the accounting for impairments or disposals of long-lived assets and the authoritative guidance for the accounting for goodwill and other intangible assets, we evaluate the carrying value of our long-lived assets, including property and equipment, whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be
recoverable. An impairment loss exists when estimatedundiscounted cash flows attributable to non-current assets subject to depreciation and amortization anddiscounted cash flows for intangible assets not subject to amortization are less than their carrying amount. For long lived assets other than goodwill, if an asset is deemed to be impaired, the amount of the impairment loss recognized represents the excess of the asset’s carrying value as compared to its estimated fair value, based on management’s assumptions and projections.
Our estimates of the future cash flows attributable to our long-lived assets and the fair value of our businesses involve significant uncertainty. Those estimates are based on management’s assumptions of future results, growth trends and industry conditions. If those estimates are not met, we could have additional impairment charges in the future, and the amounts may be material.
We also assess the carrying value of goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets on an annual basis or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of goodwill may not be recoverable. The carrying value of each reporting unit, including goodwill assigned to that reporting unit, is compared to its fair value. If the carrying value of the reporting unit, including goodwill, exceeds the fair value of the reporting unit, an impairment charge is recorded equal to the excess, but not more than the total amount of goodwill allocated to the reporting unit.
We assess the recoverability of the value of our telecommunications licenses using either a market or income approach. We believe that our telecommunications licenses generally have an indefinite life based on historical ability to renew such licenses, that such renewals may be obtained indefinitely and at little cost, and that the related technology used is not expected to be replaced in the foreseeable future. If the value of these assets was impaired by some factor, such as an adverse change in the subsidiary’s operating market, we may be required to record an impairment charge. We test the impairment of our telecommunications licenses annually or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that such assets might be impaired. The impairment test consists of a comparison of the fair value of telecommunications licenses with their carrying amount.
During the quarter ended September 30, 2024, we completed our impairment assessment for our US Telecom segment after identifying events that indicated that the fair value of a reporting unit may be below its carrying value. These events included the Company’s continued shift away from wholesale roaming and retail operations towards carrier managed services and fixed broadband services, delays in completing significant network upgrade projects, the conclusion of certain government subsidy programs leading to slower consumer growth, and delays in enterprise sales and delivery. The combination of these events led to the reporting unit being unable to meet key financial and operational forecasted targets. As a result of that analysis, we recorded an impairment of $35.3 million during the quarter ended September 30, 2024.
Contingencies. We are subject to proceedings, lawsuits, tax audits and other claims related to lawsuits and other legal and regulatory proceedings that arise in the ordinary course of business as further described in Note 13 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Report. We are required to assess the likelihood of any adverse judgments or outcomes to these matters as well as the potential ranges of probable losses. A determination of the amount of loss accruals required, if any, for these contingencies is made after careful analysis of each individual issue. We consult with legal counsel and other experts where necessary in connection with our assessment of any contingency. The required accrual for any such contingency may change materially in the future due to new developments or changes in each matter. We believe that some adverse outcome is probable and have accordingly accrued $13.8 million as of December 31, 2024 for these matters.
The text of this filing, as the company filed it with the SEC, without its images or exhibits. This is not investment advice.