United States
Securities and Exchange Commission

Washington, D.C.  20549

Form 10-Q

x  QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (d)

OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the Quarterly Period Ended March 31, 2007

o  TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (d)

OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Commission File Number 0-27024

METRO ONE TELECOMMUNICATIONS, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

OREGON

 

93-0995165

(State or other jurisdiction of

 

(I.R.S. Employer

incorporation or organization)

 

Identification No.)

 

11200 Murray Scholls Place, Beaverton, Oregon  97007

(Address of principal executive offices) (zip code)

(503) 643-9500

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has (1) 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 is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer.  See definition of “accelerated filer and large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.  (Check one):

Large accelerated filer  o

 

Accelerated filer  o

 

Non-accelerated filer  x

 

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

Number of shares of common stock outstanding as of May 11, 2007: 6,233,326 shares, no par value per share.

 




METRO ONE TELECOMMUNICATIONS, INC.

INDEX TO FORM 10–Q

Part I

 

Financial Information

 

 

 

Item 1.

 

Financial Statements (Unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three months ended March 31, 2007 and 2006

 

 

 

 

 

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2007 and December 31, 2006

 

 

 

 

 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the three months ended March 31, 2007 and 2006

 

 

 

 

 

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

 

 

 

Item 2.

 

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

 

 

 

Item 3.

 

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

 

 

 

Item 4.

 

Controls and Procedures

 

 

 

Part II

 

Other Information

 

 

 

Item 6.

 

Exhibits

 

 

 

 

 

Signatures

 




 

Metro One Telecommunications, Inc.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited)

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
March 31,

 

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

 

 

(In thousands, except per share data)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenues

 

$

4,902

 

$

15,229

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Costs and expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

Direct operating

 

3,926

 

7,765

 

Selling, general and administrative

 

3,762

 

7,107

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

614

 

1,235

 

Restructuring charges

 

482

 

5,016

 

 

 

8,784

 

21,123

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss from operations

 

(3,882

)

(5,894

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other income, net

 

165

 

187

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss before income taxes

 

(3,717

)

(5,707

)

Income tax (benefit) expense

 

(15

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss

 

$

(3,702

)

$

(5,707

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss per common share:

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

$

(0.59

)

$

(0.92

)

Diluted

 

$

(0.59

)

$

(0.92

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average shares outstanding:

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

6,233

 

6,234

 

Diluted

 

6,233

 

6,234

 

 

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

1




 

Metro One Telecommunications, Inc.

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited)

 

 

 

March 31,

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current assets:

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

7,248

 

$

11,965

 

Restricted cash

 

4,741

 

4,741

 

Accounts receivable, net

 

2,666

 

2,179

 

Prepaid costs and other current assets

 

706

 

961

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total current assets

 

15,361

 

19,846

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Furniture, fixtures and equipment, net

 

2,590

 

3,014

 

Intangible assets, net

 

4,510

 

4,666

 

Other assets

 

86

 

86

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total assets

 

$

22,547

 

$

27,612

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable

 

$

352

 

$

983

 

Accrued liabilities

 

1,801

 

1,685

 

Accrued payroll and related costs

 

3,082

 

3,898

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total current liabilities

 

5,235

 

6,566

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other long-term liabilities

 

438

 

470

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total liabilities

 

5,673

 

7,036

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commitments and contingencies

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shareholders’ equity:

 

 

 

 

 

Preferred stock, no par value; 10,000 shares authorized, no shares issued or outstanding

 

 

 

Common stock, no par value; 50,000 shares authorized, 6,233 shares issued and outstanding at March 31, 2007 and December 31, 2006

 

120,067

 

120,067

 

Deficit

 

(103,193

)

(99,491

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total shareholders’ equity

 

16,874

 

20,576

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

 

$

22,547

 

$

27,612

 

 

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

2




 

Metro One Telecommunications, Inc.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited)

 

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss

 

$

(3,702

)

$

(5,707

)

Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash (used in) provided by operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

614

 

1,235

 

Loss on disposal of fixed assets

 

11

 

185

 

Deferred rent

 

(33

)

(161

)

Changes in certain assets and liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts receivable

 

(487

)

6,634

 

Prepaid costs and other assets

 

271

 

474

 

Accounts payable and other liabilities

 

(1,331

)

(1,403

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities

 

(4,657

)

1,257

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from investing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Capital expenditures

 

(61

)

(138

)

Proceeds from sale of assets

 

1

 

177

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities

 

(60

)

39

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents

 

(4,717

)

1,296

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period

 

11,965

 

17,769

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period

 

$

7,248

 

$

19,065

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:

 

 

 

 

 

Cash paid for income taxes, net

 

$

12

 

$

42

 

 

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

3




Metro One Telecommunications, Inc.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

 

1.     Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared by Metro One Telecommunications, Inc. in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America for interim financial information.  Accordingly, certain financial information and footnotes have been omitted or condensed.  In the opinion of management, the condensed financial statements include all adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of the results for the interim periods.  These condensed consolidated financial statements and notes thereto should be read in conjunction with our audited financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006.  The results of operations for the interim periods shown in this report are not necessarily indicative of results for future interim periods or the entire fiscal year.

The condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Metro One Telecommunications, Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiaries.  All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

On July 6, 2006, we effected a one-for-four reverse split of our common stock.  All share and per share data presented in the accompanying financial statements and notes thereto have been restated for the reverse stock split.

Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Restricted Cash

Cash and cash equivalents include cash deposits in banks and highly liquid investments with maturity dates of three months or less at the date of acquisition.  Restricted cash consists of cash restricted to secure a letter of credit related to our workers’ compensation program and is invested in a bank certificate of deposit.

Stock-Based Compensation

Effective January 1, 2006, we adopted the fair value recognition provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 123R, “Share-Based Payment,” under which compensation expense is recognized in the condensed consolidated statement of operations for the fair value of employee stock-based compensation.  We elected the modified-prospective transition method as permitted by SFAS No. 123R and accordingly, prior periods have not been restated to reflect the effect of SFAS No. 123R.  The modified-prospective transition method requires that stock-based compensation expense recognized in the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations include (1) quarterly amortization of all stock-based compensation granted prior to, but not vested as of January 1, 2006, based on the grant date fair value estimated in accordance with the original provisions of SFAS No. 123 and (2) quarterly amortization of all stock-based payments granted subsequent to January 1, 2006, based on the grant date fair value estimated in accordance with the provisions of SFAS No. 123R.  In addition, pursuant to SFAS No. 123R, we estimate forfeitures when calculating stock-based compensation expense, rather than accounting for forfeitures as incurred, which was our previous method.  Compensation expense is recognized over the requisite service (vesting) period using the straight-line attribution method.

Compensation expense related to the effects of SFAS No. 123R was not material to our consolidated financial statements for the first quarter of 2007 or 2006.

Options to purchase our common stock are granted at prices equal to or greater than the fair market value on the date of grant.  Options granted to directors generally vest immediately while options granted to employees generally vest and become exercisable quarterly over a four year period.  All options generally expire ten years from the date of the grant.

We estimate the fair value of stock options using the Black-Scholes option pricing model.  Key input assumptions used to estimate the fair value of stock options include the exercise price of the award, the expected option term, the expected volatility of our stock over the option’s expected term, and the risk-free interest rate over the option’s expected term and the Company’s expected annual dividend yield.  The expected option term represents the

4




estimated time until exercise and is based on our historical experience with similar awards, taking into consideration contractual terms, vesting schedules and expected employee behavior.  The expected stock price volatility is based on the historical volatility of our stock over the most recent period equal to the expected term of the option, adjusted for activity that is not expected to occur in the future.  The risk-free interest rate is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant for periods corresponding with the expected term of the option.  We have not yet paid a dividend, and thus the dividend yield is 0.0%.  Prospectively, the assumptions will be evaluated and revised as necessary to reflect changes in market conditions and our experience.

Estimates of fair value are not intended to predict actual future events or the value ultimately realized by people who receive equity awards.

2.     Restructuring Charges and Exit Activities

In the first quarter of 2007, we have continued to focus on efforts to reduce our operating costs and to establish long-term viability and stability for the Company.  To that end, we incurred approximately $482,000 of restructuring expenses during the quarter primarily associated with one-time termination benefits related to head-count reductions and other costs primarily associated with efforts to select and retain a strategic advisor to pursue operational, strategic, and financial alternatives.

In the first quarter of 2006, we undertook significant restructuring activities, due primarily to the departure of call volume from Nextel that resulted in the closure of 13 call centers with call volumes transferred into the remaining call centers.  These closures and other restructuring activities resulted in the reduction of approximately 1,350 call center employees, the payment of approximately $1.8 million of termination benefits, and payment of approximately $700,000 of other costs, primarily legal and advisory services and dismantling costs, related to our restructuring efforts.

Costs incurred in restructuring activities during the three months ended March 31, 2007 and 2006 are as follows:

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

Major cost type

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

One-time termination benefits

 

$

113

 

$

1,764

 

Lease termination costs

 

24

 

2,514

 

Other

 

345

 

738

 

 

 

$

482

 

$

5,016

 

 

The following summarizes the provisions, payments, adjustments and liability for costs associated with our restructuring efforts for the period shown (in thousands):

 

 

One-time

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

termination
benefits

 

Lease
termination costs

 

Other

 

Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at January 1, 2007

 

$

520

 

$

192

 

$

 

$

712

 

Provisions

 

113

 

24

 

345

 

482

 

Payments

 

(633

)

(74

)

(345

)

(1,052

)

Adjustments

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at March 31, 2007

 

$

 

$

142

 

$

 

$

142

 

 

5




We may undertake additional restructuring and/or consolidation efforts in the future that would cause us to incur additional restructuring charges.

3.     Net Loss Per Share

Basic net loss per share is based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding.  Diluted net loss per share reflects the potential dilution that could occur if outstanding options to purchase common stock were exercised or converted into common stock.  There were no adjustments to net loss for the calculation of both basic and diluted net loss per share for all periods.  For all periods presented in these financial statements, the calculation of weighted-average outstanding shares is the same on both a basic and diluted basis because inclusion of potential common shares would be anti-dilutive.

Options to purchase approximately 536,000 and 646,000 shares of common stock were outstanding at March 31,  2007 and 2006, respectively, but were not included in the computation of diluted net loss per share because their effect would be anti-dilutive.

4.     Commitments and Contingencies

We are party to various legal actions and administrative proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business. We believe the disposition of these matters will not have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

From time to time, in the normal course of our business, we issue standby letters of credit and bank guarantees.  At March 31, 2007, we had one letter of credit outstanding in the amount of $4,741,000 related to our workers’ compensation program.  The letter of credit is secured by a certificate of deposit for the same amount that is recorded as restricted cash.  This commitment was renewed on April 1, 2007.

5.     Significant Events

Termination of contract

In February 2005, we entered into a Master Services Agreement for Directory Assistance Services (the “Services Agreement”) with Nextel Operations, Inc., acting on behalf of certain affiliates (collectively “Nextel”) of Nextel Communications, Inc.  Under the Services Agreement, we agreed to provide directory assistance services to Nextel’s customers on a non-exclusive basis, and Nextel could transition call volume away from us on short notice and/or terminate services entirely.

In October 2005, we received notification from Nextel that it would be terminating the Services Agreement effective January 9, 2006.  In February 2006, we entered into a Settlement Agreement and Disentanglement Transition Plan (the “Plan”) with Nextel that resolved certain disputed matters in connection with the termination of the Services Agreement.  Under the Plan, we continued to provide services to Nextel callers through March 31, 2006 in return for the payment by Nextel of approximately $5.75 million.  Those payments were in addition to $2.5 million previously paid by Nextel in December 2005 in connection with the transition and in addition to the contractual payments by Nextel for normal service provided by us to Nextel callers through the transition period.  Calls from Nextel were substantially transitioned away from us by March 31, 2006, and we have received all amounts due from Nextel.  Including the $5.75 million received in the first quarter of 2006 as part of the settlement payments, Nextel represented approximately 74% of our revenues in the first quarter of 2006.

As a result of termination of this and other contracts, the Company has experienced significant financial losses and reduction of cash flows over the last several years.  It is likely that additional losses will be incurred during parts or all of 2007.  Such customer losses have had, and will continue to have, a significant adverse impact on our results of operations and cash flows and these events and issues raise doubt as to whether we can continue to operate as a going concern.  We have experienced net losses in each of the quarterly and annual periods since the first quarter of 2003.  Our management is aggressively pursuing new and additional sources of revenues and is working to grow our

6




voice and data services businesses. Over the past two years we have significantly reduced the direct cost of delivering our services as well as significantly reduced our general and administrative overhead.  In addition, our management and board of directors are actively pursuing strategic alternatives for the Company to improve operations, improve liquidity and capital resources, and provide stability to the Company’s financial position.  There can be no assurance that our plans will be successful.  Our existing cash and cash equivalents will likely not be sufficient to fund our operations for the remainder of 2007 or beyond.  In order to continue as a going concern, we will need to significantly increase our revenues and/or further reduce our costs and/or obtain additional financing.  There can be no assurance that our efforts in these areas will be successful.  In such event, we may attempt to establish borrowing arrangements in order to maintain adequate liquidity, although we cannot provide assurance that financing will be available in amounts or on terms acceptable to us.  If we are unable to execute our operations according to our plans or obtain additional financing, we may be forced to cease operations.

Significant new contract.

In August 2006, we entered into a Telecom Information Services Agreement (the “Agreement”) with Jingle Networks, Inc. (“Jingle”).  Under the Agreement, we are a preferred directory assistance provider for “1-800-FREE411”.  In addition to per call charges, the Agreement includes financial commitments from Jingle based on call volume expansion and other financial incentives.  The Agreement is for three years and will automatically renew annually for up to two additional years unless either party provides notice of termination at least 60 days prior to the commencement of such renewal period.  Under the Agreement, as a preferred directory provider we will be allocated no fewer calls than any other vendor providing similar services.  The Agreement provides that our status as a preferred provider may be terminated by Jingle but, in such event, the warrants described below will be terminated.  Jingle accounted for approximately 35% of our revenue in the first quarter of 2007.

In connection with the Agreement, we issued to Jingle two warrants to purchase shares of our common stock.  The first warrant was for the purchase of up to 623,250 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $2.60 per share.  The warrant was exercisable under the condition that Jingle meet certain revenue and payment thresholds through February 28, 2007.  The revenue targets were not met, thus, the first warrant terminated on February 28, 2007.

The second warrant is for the purchase of up to 870,075 shares of our common stock; provided, however, that shares represented by the sum of the first and second warrants, if exercised, cannot exceed 19.98% of our total shares outstanding after the warrants are exercised.  The exercise price for the second warrant will equal 115% of the average closing price per share of our common stock over the 20 consecutive trading days ending the last trading day prior to July 1, 2007.  The second warrant will not be exercisable unless and until certain revenue and payment thresholds are achieved by Jingle during specified time periods as outlined in the Agreement.  The second warrant terminates on July 1, 2009.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements.

In July 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Interpretation No. 48 (“FIN 48”), “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes — an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109.”  FIN 48 prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return.  FIN 48 also provides guidance on derecognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure, and transition.  FIN 48 is effective for our fiscal year beginning January 1, 2007.  We are evaluating the impact that the adoption of FIN 48 will have on our consolidated financial position and results of operations.

In September 2006, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (“SFAS”) No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements,” which establishes a framework for measuring the fair value of assets and liabilities.  This framework is intended to increase consistency in how fair value determinations are made under various existing accounting standards that permit, or in some cases require, estimates of fair market value.  SFAS No. 157 also expands financial statement disclosure requirements about a company’s use of fair value measurements, including the effect of such measures on earnings.  SFAS No. 157 is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007, and interim periods within those fiscal years.  We do not expect the adoption of this statement to have a material effect on our consolidated financial position or results of operations.

7




ITEM 2.                             MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

All statements and trend analyses contained in this item and elsewhere in this report on Form 10-Q relative to the future constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  These forward-looking statements may, but do not necessarily, also include words such as “believes,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “plans,” “estimates,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “could,” “continue” or similar expressions.  Forward-looking statements are not guarantees.  They involve known and unknown business and economic risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.  These risks, uncertainties and other factors include the expiration or pricing of customer contracts, the successful execution of our cost reduction efforts and current business strategy, and our ability to generate cash from operations, and other risks, including those discussed in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“the SEC”) and those described in our other filings with the SEC, press releases and other communications.  Any forward-looking statement in this report reflects our expectations at the time of this report only.  We undertake no obligation to publicly release any revisions to these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

Overview

We are a provider of Enhanced Directory Assistance® and other information services delivered through live operators and by electronic means.  We contract primarily with wireless carriers, Voice over Internet Protocol (“VoIP”) providers, cable companies, Competitive Local Exchange Carriers (“CLEC”), free directory assistance providers, prepaid carriers, and payphone operators to provide our services to their subscribers and users.  Our proprietary Enhanced Directory Assistance platform provides comprehensive directory assistance listings and other informational content and services.  Other non-directory assistance services and content include access to personal contacts and calendars, reservation services, movie listings and a variety of other unique services.  Our special return-to-operator features, StarBack® and AutoBack®, make the telephone easier to use and are offered exclusively by Metro One.  All of our services are provided by operators located only in the United States, or electronically.  Many of our features or aspects thereof are the subject of patents or pending patent applications.  Revenues are derived principally through fees charged to telecommunications carriers and other customers.

In addition to voice-based services, we also provide Enhanced Directory Assistance services in electronic format.  These services are provided to customers who electronically issue directory assistance queries and use the returned information to complete and correct their own data records.  We currently provide electronic directory assistance services in a number of delivery formats to meet customer needs including automated file processing and real-time individual look ups.  We contract with a broad range of companies that require electronic directory assistance including companies in the service, marketing, and financial sectors.  Our Data Services business represents an emerging business based on infrastructure originally developed to support our voice-based call center business.

Under a typical wholesale contract, a carrier agrees to route some or all of their directory assistance calls to us.  We offer our services to multiple carriers within the same market.  When a carrier’s subscribers dial a typical directory assistance number, such as “411,” “555-1212” or “00,” the calls are routed to and answered by our operators identifying the service by that carrier’s brand name.

Each carrier customer establishes its own directory assistance fee structure for its subscribers.  Wireless subscribers typically pay fees ranging from $1.25 to $1.79 plus airtime charges for our services.  We bear no subscriber collection risk with respect to carrier subscribers; however, there may be collection risk to the extent growth and profitability in the telecommunications industry decreases and to the extent we provide services to other types of customers.

We charge our carrier customers on a per call basis.  Prices for services provided to other types of customers, including businesses, governmental units or customers who receive our services in electronic form, may vary based on the nature of the service, volume and other circumstances.

As discussed further under “Significant Events” below, as a result of the termination of contracts with significant customers, the Company has experienced significant financial losses and reduction of cash flows over the last several

8




years.  It is likely that additional losses will be incurred during parts or all of 2007.  Such customer losses have had, and will continue to have, a significant adverse impact on our results of operations and cash flows and these events and issues raise doubt as to whether we can continue to operate as a going concern.  We have experienced net losses in each of the quarterly and annual periods since the first quarter of 2003.  Our management is aggressively pursuing new and additional sources of revenues and is working to grow our voice and data services businesses.  Over the past two years we have significantly reduced the direct cost of delivering our services as well as significantly reduced our general and administrative overhead.  In addition, our management and board of directors are actively pursuing strategic alternatives for the Company to improve operations, improve liquidity and capital resources, and provide stability to the Company’s financial position.  There can be no assurance that our plans will be successful.  Our existing cash and cash equivalents will likely not be sufficient to fund our operations for the remainder of 2007 or beyond.  In order to continue as a going concern, we will need to significantly increase our revenues and/or further reduce our costs and/or obtain additional financing.  There can be no assurance that our efforts in these areas will be successful.  In such event, we may attempt to establish borrowing arrangements in order to maintain adequate liquidity, although we cannot provide assurance that financing will be available in amounts or on terms acceptable to us.  If we are unable to execute our operations according to our plans or obtain additional financing, we may be forced to cease operations.

Significant Events

Termination of contract

In February 2005, we entered into a Master Services Agreement for Directory Assistance Services (the “Services Agreement”) with Nextel Operations, Inc., acting on behalf of certain affiliates (collectively “Nextel”) of Nextel Communications, Inc.  Under the Services Agreement, we agreed to provide directory assistance services to Nextel’s customers on a non-exclusive basis, and Nextel could transition call volume away from us on short notice and/or terminate services entirely.

In October 2005, we received notification from Nextel that it would be terminating the Services Agreement effective January 9, 2006.  In February 2006, we entered into a Settlement Agreement and Disentanglement Transition Plan (the “Plan”) with Nextel that resolved certain disputed matters in connection with the termination of the Services Agreement.  Under the Plan, we continued to provide services to Nextel callers through March 31, 2006 in return for the payment by Nextel of approximately $5.75 million.  Those payments were in addition to $2.5 million previously paid by Nextel in December 2005 in connection with the transition and in addition to the contractual payments by Nextel for normal service provided by us to Nextel callers through the transition period.  Calls from Nextel were substantially transitioned away from us by March 31, 2006, and we have received all amounts due from Nextel.  Including the $5.75 million received in the first quarter of 2006 as part of the settlement payments, Nextel represented approximately 76% of our revenues in the first quarter of 2006.

Restructuring activities

In the first quarter of 2007, we have continued to focus on efforts to reduce our operating costs and to establish long-term viability and stability for the Company as a result of the termination of our contracts with Nextel and other customers.  To that end, we incurred approximately $482,000 of restructuring expenses during the quarter primarily associated with one-time termination benefits related to head-count reductions and other costs primarily associated with efforts to select and retain a strategic advisor to pursue operational, strategic, and financial alternatives.

In the first quarter of 2006, we undertook significant restructuring activities, due primarily to the departure of call volume from Nextel that resulted in the closure of 13 call centers with call volumes transferred into the remaining call centers.  These closures and other restructuring activities resulted in the reduction of approximately 1,350 call center employees, the payment of approximately $1.8 million of termination benefits, and payment of approximately $700,000 of other costs, primarily legal and advisory services and dismantling costs, related to our restructuring efforts.

Significant new contract

In August 2006, we entered into a Telecom Information Services Agreement (the “Agreement”) with Jingle Networks, Inc. (“Jingle”).  Under the Agreement, we will be a preferred directory assistance provider for “1-800-FREE411”.  In addition to per call charges, the Agreement includes financial commitments from Jingle based on call volume expansion and other financial incentives.  The Agreement is for three years and will automatically renew annually for up to two additional years unless either party provides notice of termination at least 60 days prior to the commencement of such renewal period.  Under the Agreement, as a preferred directory provider we will be allocated

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no fewer calls than any other vendor providing similar services.  The Agreement provides that our status as a preferred provider may be terminated by Jingle but, in such event, the warrants described below will be terminated.  Jingle accounted for approximately 35% of our revenue in the first quarter of 2007.

In connection with the Agreement, we issued to Jingle two warrants to purchase shares of our common stock.  The first warrant was for the purchase of up to 623,250 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $2.60 per share.  The warrant was exercisable under the condition that Jingle meet certain revenue and payment thresholds through February 28, 2007.  The revenue targets were not met, thus, the first warrant terminated on February 28, 2007.

The second warrant is for the purchase of up to 870,075 shares of our common stock; provided, however, that shares represented by the sum of the first and second warrants, if exercised, cannot exceed 19.98% of our total shares outstanding after the warrants are exercised.  The exercise price for the second warrant will equal 115% of the average closing price per share of our common stock over the 20 consecutive trading days ending the last trading day prior to July 1, 2007.  The second warrant will not be exercisable unless and until certain revenue and payment thresholds are achieved by Jingle during specified time periods as outlined in the Agreement.  The second warrant terminates on July 1, 2009.

Results of Operations

This table shows selected items from our statements of operations expressed as a percentage of revenues:

 

Three Months Ended
March 31,

 

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

Revenues

 

100.0

%

100.0

%

Direct operating costs

 

80.1

 

51.0

 

Selling, general and administrative costs

 

76.8

 

46.7

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

12.5

 

8.1

 

Restructuring charges

 

9.8

 

32.9

 

Loss from operations

 

(79.2

)

(38.7

)

Other income, net

 

3.4

 

1.2

 

Loss before income taxes

 

(75.8

)

(37.5

)

Income tax benefit

 

(0.3

)

 

Net loss

 

(75.5

)%

(37.5

)%

 

Comparison of first quarter 2007 to first quarter 2006

Total revenues decreased 67.8% to $4.9 million from $15.2 million and call volume decreased from 21.3% from 28.2 million calls to 22.2 million calls, primarily as a result of the termination of our services agreement with Nextel as noted above.  Excluding revenue and call volume of $11.3 million and 17.2 million, respectively, from Nextel in the first quarter of 2006, total revenues in the first quarter of 2007 increased 26.1% to $4.9 million from $3.9 million and total call volume increased 101.4% to 22.2 million from 11.0 million.  These increases resulted from increased call volumes from continuing customers in addition to call volume from new customers acquired during 2006 and the first quarter of 2007, partially offset by a decrease in our average revenue per call. Our average revenue per call in the first quarter of 2007 was approximately $0.20 compared to approximately $0.32 in the first quarter of 2006, excluding the one-time settlement payments noted above.  The decrease in revenue per call was due primarily to industry-wide pricing pressures and rapid growth in shorter duration calls for which price points are typically lower.

Direct operating costs consist of salaries, wages, benefits and taxes relating to call center personnel and costs of listings data and content acquisition.  These costs decreased 49.4% to $3.9 million from $7.8 million.  This decrease was primarily due to lower personnel and data costs associated with servicing lower call volumes, lower average labor rates, and improved operating efficiencies.  As a percentage of revenues, direct operating costs decreased to 80.1 % from 81.9%, excluding the one-time settlement payments from Nextel in the first quarter of 2006.  This was primarily due to lower labor costs and improved operating efficiencies in the call centers in the first quarter of 2007 compared to the first quarter of 2006.

Selling, general and administrative costs decreased 47.1% to $3.8 million from $7.1 million.  This decrease resulted primarily from reductions in personnel and associated costs of approximately $1.1 million, facilities-related costs of approximately $800,000, voice and data network costs of approximately $800,000 and reductions in other general

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and administrative expenses of approximately $600,000 resulting from our restructuring efforts.  As a percentage of revenues, selling, general and administrative costs increased to 76.7% from 54.8% primarily due to lower revenues.

Depreciation and amortization expense, a component of selling, general and administrative costs, decreased 50.3% to $614,000 from $1.2 million but increased to 12.5% from 8.0% of revenue.  The decrease in depreciation and amortization was due primarily to the overall reduction in acquisition of fixed assets in the last several years as operations have been reduced while the increase as a percentage of revenue was primarily due to lower revenues.

Restructuring charges in the first quarter of 2007 consisted primarily of costs associated with the selection and retention of a strategic advisory firm of $345,000, one-time termination benefits paid to employees of $113,000 and $24,000 of other miscellaneous costs associated with efforts to restructure our operations.  Restructuring charges of approximately $142,000, primarily related to continuing lease obligations on closed facilities, have been accrued but not paid at March 31, 2007.  In the first quarter of 2006, restructuring costs consisted primarily of one-time termination benefits paid to employees of approximately $1.8 million and lease termination costs of approximately $2.5 million, primarily related to the closure of call centers.  In addition, we incurred approximately $700,000 of other costs, primarily legal and advisory services, related to our restructuring efforts during the first quarter of 2006.

Other income was $165,000 and $187,000 in the first quarter of 2007 and 2006, respectively, and consisted primarily of interest income earned on cash and cash equivalents in both periods.

Because of our operating losses in the first quarter of 2007 and 2006, we recorded no federal income tax expense.  We have a valuation allowance against deferred tax assets associated with operating losses in this and prior quarters and other deferred tax assets because it is deemed more likely than not that these assets will not be realized.  Accordingly, no federal income tax benefit has been recorded with respect to these deferred tax assets.  In the first quarter of 2007, we recorded a state income tax benefit of $15,000 to adjust prior estimates of state income taxes payable to actual income taxes paid.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments and restricted cash are recorded at cost which approximates their fair market value.  As of March 31, 2007, we had approximately $12.0 million in cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments and restricted cash (including $4.7 million of restricted cash) compared to approximately $16.7 million (including $4.7 million of restricted cash) at December 31, 2006.  The net decrease of $4.7 million resulted primarily from net operating losses.  We have no outstanding debt.

Working capital was $10.1 million at March 31, 2007, compared to $13.3 million at December 31, 2006.  This change was primarily due to net operating losses.

Cash flow from operations. Net cash used in operations in the first quarter of 2007 was $4.7 million compared to net cash provided by operations of $1.3 million in the first quarter of 2006.  Accordingly, we used approximately $5.9 million more cash in operations in the first quarter of 2007 as compared to the first quarter of 2006.  The increase in cash used was primarily because we received $17.4 million less cash from customers in the first quarter of 2007 than in the first quarter of 2006 primarily due to the termination of our contract with Nextel.  Partially offsetting this decrease in cash received from customers was the fact that we paid $6.9 million less to or on behalf of employees and we paid $4.5 million less for restructuring costs in the first quarter of 2007 compared to the first quarter of 2006.

Cash flow from investing activities. Cash used in investing activities was $60,000 in the first quarter of 2007, primarily resulting from cash expended for capital purchases.  Cash provided by investing activities was a net of $39,000 in the first quarter of 2007 primarily resulting from proceeds received from the sale of excess equipment and other assets, partially offset by cash expended for capital purchases.  In the first quarter of 2007 and 2006, capital expenditures were primarily for equipment to upgrade existing call centers and corporate networks and infrastructure.

Cash flow from financing activities. Cash used in financing activities was not significant in the first quarter of 2007 or 2006.

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Future capital needs and resources. The primary uses of our capital in the near future are expected to be primarily for working capital and evaluating and implementing our strategic plans.  We expect to adjust personnel, call centers and network capacities in order to address varying business circumstances, including changes in volume and pricing and other provisions of customer contracts.

Although cash on hand (including restricted cash) and short-term investments at March 31, 2007 was approximately $12.0 million, our operations and future activities, including additional restructuring efforts, will reduce available cash.

Our existing cash and cash equivalents will likely not be sufficient to fund our operations for the remainder of 2007 or beyond.  Our management is aggressively pursuing new and additional sources of revenues and is working to grow our voice and data services businesses.  Over the past two years, we have significantly reduced the direct cost of delivering our services as well as significantly reduced our general and administrative overhead; however, in order to continue as a going concern, we will need to significantly increase our revenues and/or further reduce our costs and/or obtain additional financing.  In addition, our management and board of directors are actively pursuing strategic alternatives for the Company to improve operations, improve liquidity and capital resources, and provide stability to the Company’s financial position.  There can be no assurance that management’s efforts in these areas will be successful.  In such event, we may attempt to establish borrowing arrangements in order to maintain adequate liquidity, although we cannot provide assurance that financing will be available in amounts or on terms acceptable to us.  If we are unable to execute our operations according to our plans or obtain additional financing, we may be forced to cease operations.

Critical Accounting Policies

We prepare our financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.  As such, we are required to make certain estimates, judgments and assumptions that we believe are reasonable based upon the information available.  These estimates and assumptions affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the periods presented.  Management believes that of our significant accounting policies (see Note 1 to the financial statements), those governing accounts receivable, the lives and recoverability of the carrying amount of equipment and other long-lived assets, such as existing intangible assets, estimates involving the levels of our contingent liabilities for workers’ compensation and medical self-insurance and estimates of current taxes owed may involve a higher degree of judgment, estimation and uncertainty.

Accounts receivable. Our wholesale customer base has primarily consisted of large wireless telephone carriers in the United States.  As such, we have had minimal risk of uncollectibility, at any point in time, related to outstanding accounts receivable with these customers.  We have not experienced significant collection issues or write-offs related to these customers.  Since our accounts receivable are concentrated in relatively few of these wholesale customers, a significant change in the liquidity or financial position of any one of them could adversely impact collection of our accounts receivable and therefore have a material adverse effect on our financial position and future operating results.  In addition, our data services business is generating receivables from customers that may not be as financially stable as our large carrier customers which to date has not but may in the future expose us to greater risk of uncollectible receivables than we have experienced in the past.

Long-lived assets and intangibles.  We evaluate the remaining life and recoverability of equipment and other assets, including patents and trademarks and internally developed software, whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the assets may not be recoverable.  At such time, we estimate the future cash flows expected from use of such assets and their eventual disposition and, if lower than the carrying amounts, adjust the carrying amount of the assets to their estimated fair value.  Because of our changing business conditions, including lower wholesale prices and dependence on a relatively small number of customers for a significant portion of our revenues, our estimates of future cash flows to be generated from our operations could change materially, resulting in the need for us to record additional impairment charges.  In addition, as a result of our changing business conditions, we expect to adjust personnel, call centers and network capacities.  If any of these activities result in certain of our assets no longer being used in operations, we may need to record an additional impairment charge.  As a result of the decision by Nextel to terminate its contract with us, as discussed under Significant Events above, and because of continuing operating losses, we evaluated our fixed assets and intangibles as of December 31, 2006 for impairment in accordance with SFAS No. 144.  Our evaluation determined that the assets were not impaired as of December 31, 2006.

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Self-insurance reserves.  In the past, we have self-insured a portion of our workers’ compensation and employee medical insurance programs.  In some periods we purchased stop loss coverage at varying levels in order to mitigate our potential future losses.  The nature of the liabilities associated with these self-insurance programs, which may not fully manifest themselves for several years, requires significant judgment.  We evaluate open workers’ compensation and medical claims under these policies periodically to determine the reasonableness of the reserves we have recorded for such claims.  Our evaluation includes estimates of potential incurred-but-unreported claims as well as factors that may cause original estimates of such claims to increase over time, such as available claims data and historical trends and experience, as well as future projections of ultimate losses, expenses, premiums and administrative costs.  We adjust these reserves if events or changes in circumstances indicate that ultimate payments related to the claims will be more than the recorded reserves.  At March 31, 2007, we have reserved approximately $1.7 million and $160,000 related to these self-insured workers’ compensation and medical programs, respectively.  While we believe that the amounts reserved for these obligations are sufficient, any significant change in the status of open claims or costs associated with claims made under these plans could have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

Income taxes.  Accounting for income taxes requires us to estimate our income taxes in each jurisdiction in which we operate.  Due to differences in the recognition of items included in income for accounting and tax purposes, temporary differences arise which are recorded as deferred tax assets or liabilities.  We estimate the likelihood of recovery of these assets, which is dependent on future levels of profitability and enacted tax rates.  Should any amounts be determined not to be recoverable, or assumptions change, we would be required to take a charge to establish a valuation allowance against such deferred tax assets, which could have a material effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.  At March 31, 2007 and 2006, a valuation allowance reduced net deferred tax assets to zero.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In July 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Interpretation No. 48 (“FIN 48”), “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes — an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109.”  FIN 48 prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return.  FIN 48 also provides guidance on derecognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure, and transition.  FIN 48 is effective for our fiscal year beginning January 1, 2007.  We are evaluating the impact that the adoption of FIN 48 will have on our consolidated financial position and results of operations.

In September 2006, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (“SFAS”) No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements,” which establishes a framework for measuring the fair value of assets and liabilities.  This framework is intended to increase consistency in how fair value determinations are made under various existing accounting standards that permit, or in some cases require, estimates of fair market value.  SFAS No. 157 also expands financial statement disclosure requirements about a company’s use of fair value measurements, including the effect of such measures on earnings.  SFAS No. 157 is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007, and interim periods within those fiscal years.  We do not expect the adoption of this statement to have a material effect on our consolidated financial position or results of operations.

ITEM 3.                             QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

Substantially all of our liquid resources are invested in money market instruments and short-term debt securities.  However, these funds were invested in overnight money market instruments or debt securities with short-term effective maturities at March 31, 2007 and were redeemable on a daily or monthly basis.  Therefore, the fair market value of these investments is not materially affected by changes in market interest rates.  All of the underlying investments in the money market fund had maturities of three months or less.  A hypothetical 1% fluctuation in interest rates would not have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

ITEM 4.                             CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer, we conducted an evaluation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined under Rule 13a-15(e)

13




promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)) at the end of the period covered by this quarterly report.  Based upon that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the end of the period covered by this quarterly report.

There has not been any change in our internal control over financial reporting, that occurred during the fiscal quarter covered by this report, that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

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PART II.                        OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 6.                             EXHIBITS

(a)          Exhibits

31.1                           Certification of Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer pursuant to Securities and Exchange Commission Rule 13a-14(a).

32.1                           Certification of Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act Of 2002.

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SIGNATURES

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

Date:   May 15, 2007

 

 

METRO ONE TELECOMMUNICATIONS, INC.

 

 

 

By:

 /s/ Gary E. Henry

 

President, Chief Executive Officer

 

(Principal Executive, Financial, and Accounting Officer)

 

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