UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D. C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
x Quarterly report under Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
For the quarterly period endedSeptember 30, 2012
¨ Transition report under Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
For the transition period from ______ to ______
000-30061
(Commission file No.)
ELEPHANT TALK COMMUNICATIONS CORP.
(Exact name of small business issuer as specified in its charter)
DELAWARE | 95-4557538 | |
(State or other jurisdiction of | (I.R.S. employer identification no.) | |
incorporation or organization) |
Schiphol Boulevard 249
1118 BH Schiphol
The Netherlands
(Address of principal executive offices)
31 20 6535916
(Issuer's telephone number, including area code)
Check whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act during the past 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.
Yesx No¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Website, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T ( § 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yesx No¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
Large Accelerated filer ¨ Accelerated filer x Non-Accelerated filer ¨ Smaller reporting company ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
Yes¨ Nox
As of October 31, 2012, there were 114,710,206 shares of the Company’s common stock outstanding.
ELEPHANT TALK COMMUNICATIONS CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
TABLE OF CONTENTS
FORM 10-Q REPORT
September 30, 2012
PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION | 3 |
Item 1. Financial Statements | 3 |
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011 | 3 |
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the three and nine months periods ended September 30, 2012 and 2011 | 4 |
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the nine months periods ended September 30, 2012 and 2011 | 5 |
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements | 6 |
Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations | 23 |
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk | 31 |
Item 4. Controls and Procedures | 32 |
PART II - OTHER INFORMATION | 32 |
Item 1. Legal Proceedings | 32 |
Item 1A. Risk Factors | 33 |
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds | 33 |
Item 3. Default upon Senior Securities | 33 |
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosure | 33 |
Item 5. Other Information | 33 |
Item 6. Exhibits | 34 |
SIGNATURES | 34 |
2 |
PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Consolidated Financial Statements
ELEPHANT TALK COMMUNICATIONS CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
September 30, | December 31, | |||||||
2012 | 2011 | |||||||
ASSETS | ||||||||
CURRENT ASSETS | ||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 4,344,438 | $ | 6,009,576 | ||||
Restricted cash | 1,789,207 | 190,844 | ||||||
Accounts receivable, net of an allowance for doubtful accounts of $745,735 and $436,546 at September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011 respectively | 4,378,162 | 6,441,528 | ||||||
Prepaid expenses and other current assets | 1,662,776 | 1,522,461 | ||||||
Total current assets | 12,174,583 | 14,164,409 | ||||||
OTHER ASSETS | 1,844,398 | 1,392,837 | ||||||
DUE FROM RELATED PARTIES | 1,042,931 | - | ||||||
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, NET | 13,395,076 | 13,315,687 | ||||||
INTANGIBLE ASSETS, NET | 10,971,247 | 12,784,199 | ||||||
GOODWILL | 3,132,528 | 3,154,971 | ||||||
TOTAL ASSETS | $ | 42,560,763 | $ | 44,812,103 | ||||
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY | ||||||||
CURRENT LIABILITIES | ||||||||
Overdraft | $ | 340,135 | $ | 312,236 | ||||
Accounts payable and customer deposits | 5,641,109 | 4,490,455 | ||||||
Deferred Revenue | 101,713 | 132,467 | ||||||
Accrued expenses and other payables | 4,211,116 | 3,035,758 | ||||||
8% Convertible Note | 1,631,688 | - | ||||||
Loans payable | 962,679 | 960,869 | ||||||
Total current liabilities | 12,888,440 | 8,931,785 | ||||||
LONG TERM LIABILITIES | ||||||||
8% Convertible Note | 3,897,716 | - | ||||||
Conversion feature | 851,623 | - | ||||||
Trade note payable | - | 271,915 | ||||||
Loan from joint venture partner | 544,936 | 513,303 | ||||||
Total long term liabilities | 5,294,275 | 785,218 | ||||||
Total liabilities | 18,182,715 | 9,717,003 | ||||||
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY | ||||||||
Common stock, no par value, 250,000,000 shares authorized, 111,742,350 issued and outstanding as of September 30, 2012 compared to 110,525,233 shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2011 | 222,260,303 | 216,188,899 | ||||||
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) | (1,458,521 | ) | (1,143,295 | ) | ||||
Accumulated deficit | (196,599,134 | ) | (180,128,371 | ) | ||||
Elephant Talk Communications Corp. stockholders' equity | 24,202,648 | 34,917,233 | ||||||
NON-CONTROLLING INTEREST | 175,400 | 177,867 | ||||||
Total stockholders' equity | 24,378,048 | 35,095,100 | ||||||
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY | $ | 42,560,763 | $ | 44,812,103 |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements
3 |
ELEPHANT TALK COMMUNICATIONS CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE LOSS
(UNAUDITED)
For the three months | For the nine months | |||||||||||||||
Period ended September 30, | Period ended September 30, | |||||||||||||||
2012 | 2011 | 2012 | 2011 | |||||||||||||
REVENUES | $ | 6,699,381 | $ | 7,796,936 | $ | 22,365,318 | $ | 24,095,926 | ||||||||
COST AND OPERATING EXPENSES | ||||||||||||||||
Cost of service | 4,603,588 | 6,996,525 | 16,677,853 | 22,048,689 | ||||||||||||
Selling, general and administrative expenses | 4,221,767 | 4,325,272 | 13,356,906 | 11,566,385 | ||||||||||||
Non-cash compensation to officers, directors and employees | 1,709,403 | 2,432,317 | 4,940,131 | 5,600,283 | ||||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization of intangibles assets | 1,263,137 | 1,353,450 | 3,766,494 | 3,993,900 | ||||||||||||
Total cost and operating expenses | 11,797,895 | 15,107,564 | 38,741,384 | 43,209,257 | ||||||||||||
LOSS FROM OPERATIONS | (5,098,514 | ) | (7,310,628 | ) | (16,376,066 | ) | (19,113,331 | ) | ||||||||
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE) | ||||||||||||||||
Interest income | (85,364 | ) | 74,988 | 194,554 | 122,119 | |||||||||||
Interest expense, amortization of discount and financing costs | (649,251 | ) | (35,467 | ) | (1,588,098 | ) | (173,742 | ) | ||||||||
Other income & (expense) | - | - | - | 460,000 | ||||||||||||
Change in fair value of conversion feature | 617,603 | - | 1,847,689 | - | ||||||||||||
Total other income (expense) | (117,012 | ) | 39,521 | 454,145 | 408,377 | |||||||||||
LOSS BEFORE PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES | (5,215,526 | ) | (7,271,107 | ) | (15,921,921 | ) | (18,704,954 | ) | ||||||||
Provision for income taxes | (94,887 | ) | - | (192,175 | ) | (800 | ) | |||||||||
NET LOSS BEFORE NONCONTROLLING INTEREST | (5,310,413 | ) | (7,271,107 | ) | (16,114,096 | ) | (18,705,754 | ) | ||||||||
Net (loss) income attributable to non-controlling interest | - | - | - | - | ||||||||||||
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated joint venture | (164,252 | ) | (356,667 | ) | ||||||||||||
NET LOSS | (5,474,665 | ) | (7,271,107 | ) | (16,470,763 | ) | (18,705,754 | ) | ||||||||
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS) INCOME | ||||||||||||||||
Foreign currency translation gain (loss) | 594,468 | (2,325,642 | ) | (315,226 | ) | 931,961 | ||||||||||
594,468 | (2,325,642 | ) | (315,226 | ) | 931,961 | |||||||||||
COMPREHENSIVE LOSS | $ | (4,880,197 | ) | $ | (9,596,749 | ) | $ | (16,785,989 | ) | $ | (17,773,793 | ) | ||||
Net loss per common share and equivalents - basic and diluted | $ | (0.05 | ) | $ | (0.07 | ) | $ | (0.15 | ) | $ | (0.18 | ) | ||||
Weighted average shares outstanding during the period - basic and diluted | 111,558,485 | 107,842,911 | 111,129,222 | 101,492,507 |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements
4 |
ELEPHANT TALK COMMUNICATIONS CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(UNAUDITED)
September 30, 2012 | September 30, 2011 | |||||||
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES: | ||||||||
Net loss | $ | (16,470,763 | ) | $ | (18,705,754 | ) | ||
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities: | ||||||||
Depreciation and amortization | 3,766,494 | 3,993,900 | ||||||
Provision for doubtful accounts | 309,429 | 141,298 | ||||||
Non-cash compensation | 4,923,738 | 5,185,493 | ||||||
Equity in earnings of joint venture | 356,667 | - | ||||||
Amortization of shares issued for consultancy | - | 414,790 | ||||||
Changes in operating assets and liabilities: | ||||||||
Decrease (increase) in accounts receivable | 1,728,467 | (1,156,321 | ) | |||||
Decrease (increase) in prepaid expenses, deposits and other assets | (129,937 | ) | 1,007,688 | |||||
Decrease in accounts payable, proceeds from related parties and customer deposits | 938,142 | (1,123,577 | ) | |||||
Increase (decrease) in deferred revenue | (35,352 | ) | 431,794 | |||||
Increase (decrease) in accrued expenses and other payables | 945,862 | (1,488,451 | ) | |||||
Net cash used in operating activities | (3,667,253 | ) | (11,299,140 | ) | ||||
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES: | ||||||||
Purchases of property and equipment | (2,096,026 | ) | (6,438,506 | ) | ||||
Restricted cash | (1,597,168 | ) | 37 | |||||
Loans to related party | (1,000,589 | ) | - | |||||
Loans to joint venture partners | (107,618 | ) | - | |||||
Loan to third party | (249,827 | ) | (111,236 | ) | ||||
Net cash used in investing activities | (5,051,228 | ) | (6,549,705 | ) | ||||
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES: | ||||||||
Trade note payable | - | 392,590 | ||||||
Deferred financing costs | (543,438 | ) | - | |||||
Proceeds from 8% convertible note, net of original issue discount | 8,000,000 | - | ||||||
Payments on 8% convertible note installment payments and interest | (964,958 | ) | - | |||||
Proceeds from exercise of warrants & options | 969,714 | 25,601,365 | ||||||
Payments for share issue costs | (79,643 | ) | - | |||||
Placement & solicitation fees | - | (1,027,522 | ) | |||||
Net cash provided by financing activities | 7,381,675 | 24,966,433 | ||||||
EFFECT OF EXCHANGE RATES ON CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS | (328,332 | ) | 1,482,698 | |||||
NET INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS | (1,665,138 | ) | 8,600,286 | |||||
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF THE PERIOD | 6,009,576 | 2,245,697 | ||||||
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF THE PERIOD | $ | 4,344,438 | $ | 10,845,983 | ||||
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION: | ||||||||
Cash paid during the period for interest | $ | 348,383 | $ | - |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements
5 |
ELEPHANT TALK COMMUNICATIONS CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Note 1. Description of Business, Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation
Description of Business
Elephant Talk Communications Corp. also referred to as “we”, “us”, “Elephant Talk” and “the Company” is an international provider of mobile networking software and services. Its mission is to provide a single service fully enabling and securing the mobile cloud. In addition, the Company has traditionally been providing landline-based services.
Basis of presentation of Interim Periods
The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements and related notes as included in our 2011 Form 10-K. These consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements in our Form 10-K. In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared on the same basis as the audited consolidated financial statements and contain all adjustments (which include only normal recurring adjustments) considered necessary for a fair presentation of our financial position, results of operations and cash flows as of and for the periods presented.
The results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the entire year.
Principles of Consolidation
The accompanying consolidated financial statements for September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011 include the accounts of Elephant Talk Communications Corp., including:
· | its wholly-owned subsidiary Elephant Talk Europe Holding B.V. and its wholly owned subsidiaries Elephant Talk Communications Luxembourg SA, Elephant Talk Communications France S.A.S., Elephant Talk Communications Italy S.R.L., ET-Stream GmbH, Elephant Talk Business Services W.L.L., Guangzhou Elephant Talk Information Technology Limited, Elephant Talk Deutschland GmbH, Elephant Talk Belgium BVBA, and the majority owned (51%) subsidiaries Elephant Talk Communications PRS U.K. Limited and (51%) ET-UTS NV; |
· | Elephant Talk Europe Holding B.V.’s wholly-owned subsidiary Elephant Talk Communication Holding AG and its wholly-owned subsidiaries Elephant Talk Communications S.L.U., Elephant Talk Mobile Services B.V., Elephant Talk Communication Austria GmbH, Elephant Talk Telekom GmbH, Elephant Talk Communication Carrier Services GmbH, Elephant Talk Communication Schweiz GmbH, Elephant Talk Communication (Europe) GmbH and the majority owned (51%) subsidiary Elephant Talk Communications Premium Rate Services Netherlands B.V.; |
· | Elephant Talk Telecomunicação do Brasil LTDA, owned 90% by Elephant Talk Europe Holding BV and 10% by Elephant Talk Communication Holding AG; |
· | Elephant Talk Europe Holding B.V.’s majority (60%) owned subsidiary Elephant Talk Middle East & Africa (Holding) W.L.L., its wholly owned (100%) and its majority owned (99%) subsidiaries Elephant Talk Middle East & Africa (Holding) Jordan L.L.C. and Elephant Talk Middle East & Africa Bahrain W.L.L.; |
· | its wholly-owned subsidiary Elephant Talk Limited and its majority owned (50.54%) subsidiary Elephant Talk Middle East & Africa FZ-LLC; and |
· | its wholly-owned subsidiary ValidSoft Ltd and its wholly-owned subsidiaries ValidSoft (UK) Ltd and ValidSoft (Australia) Pty Ltd. |
· | its wholly-owned subsidiary Elephant Talk Group International B.V., based in The Netherlands. |
In the third quarter 2012, the entity VoiceBottle BV merged into its mother company Elephant Talk Europe Holding B.V. There were no restructuring charges taken as result of the merger other than immaterial fees paid to terminate the entity.
All intercompany balances are eliminated in consolidation.
6 |
Note 2. Significant Accounting Policies
Currency Translation
The functional currency is the Euro for the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary Elephant Talk Europe Holding B.V. and its subsidiaries, for its wholly-owned subsidiary Elephant Talk Global Holding B.V., and the Hong Kong Dollar for its wholly-owned subsidiary Elephant Talk Limited and the British Pound Sterling for its wholly-owned subsidiary ValidSoft (UK) Ltd. The financial statements of the Company were translated to US Dollar using period-end exchange rates as to assets and liabilities and average exchange rates as to revenues and expenses, and capital accounts were translated at their historical exchange rates when the capital transaction occurred. In accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standard Codification (“ASC”) 830, Foreign Currency Matters” (“ASC 830”), net gains and losses resulting from translation of foreign currency financial statements are included in the statements of shareholder’s equity as other comprehensive income (loss). Foreign currency transaction gains and losses are included in consolidated income/(loss). The accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss) as of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011 was ($1,458,521) and ($1,143,295), respectively. The foreign currency translation gain (/loss) for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011 was ($315,226) and $931,961, respectively. The foreign currency translation gain (/loss) for the three months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011 was $594,468 and ($2,325,642).
Use of Estimates
The preparation of the accompanying financial statements conforms with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. The Company bases its estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
For purposes of the cash flow statements, the Company considers all highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less at the time of purchase to be cash equivalents.
Restricted Cash
Restricted cash of $1,789,207 consists of $1,308,946 relating to the amount in an escrow account for the remaining first year installments to be made on the $8,800,000 senior convertible note up to and including April 1, 2013. These first year installment payments have started on May 1, 2012 and will end on April 1, 2013. The balance as of September 30, 2012 of $1,308,946 covers the remaining 7 monthly installment payments that range between $181,000 and $190,000 (with an approximate average of $187,000). The current balance also includes some minor interest earned on the escrow account.
In addition, restricted cash includes $480,261 of cash deposited on blocked accounts as bank guarantee for national interconnection and wholesale agreements with telecom operators.
Accounts Receivables, net
The Company’s customer base consists of geographically dispersed customers. The Company maintains an allowance for potential credit losses on accounts receivable. Management reviews the composition of accounts receivable on a customer by customer basis and analyzes historical bad debt, customer concentrations, customer credit worthiness, current economic trends and changes in customer payment patterns to evaluate the adequacy of these allowances. As of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, the allowance for doubtful accounts was $745,735 and $436,546, respectively.
7 |
Revenue Recognition and Deferred Revenue
The Company’s revenue recognition policies are in compliance with ASC 605, Revenue Recognition (“ASC 605”). Revenue is recognized only when the price is fixed or determinable, persuasive evidence of arrangement exists, the service is performed and the collectability of the resulting receivable is reasonably assured. The Company derives revenue from activities as a fixed-line and mobile services provider with its network and its own switching technology. Revenue represents amounts earned for telecommunication services provided to customers (net of value added tax). For its security solutions under the ValidSoft brand name and technologies revenue represents amounts earned for consultancy services, outsourcing, maintenance and licenses (net of value added tax).
Deferred revenues consist of platform fees collected from customers. The Company recognizes revenues on the implementation fees when the platform is successfully implemented.
Cost of Service
Cost of service includes origination, termination, network and billing charges from telecommunications operators, out payment costs to content and information providers, network costs, data center costs, facility costs of hosting network and equipment, and costs of providing resale arrangements with long distance service providers, costs of leasing transmission facilities and international gateway switches for voice and data transmission services.
Segments
ASC 820, “Segment Reporting” (“ASC 820”), defines operating segments as components of an enterprise about which separate financial information is available that is evaluated regularly by the chief operating decision maker in deciding how to allocate resources and in assessing performances. The Company operates in a single business segment because operating and strategic decisions are made by decision makers who monitor the Company as a whole.
Stock-based Compensation
We follow the provisions of ASC 718 “Compensation-Stock Compensation”, (“ASC 718”). Under ASC 718, stock-based awards are recorded at fair value as of the grant date and recognized as expense with an adjustment for forfeiture over the employee’s requisite service period (the vesting period, generally up to three years), which we have elected to amortize on a straight-line basis.
To determine the value of our stock options at grant date under our employee stock option plan, we currently use the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. The use of this model requires us to make a number of subjective assumptions. The following addresses each of these assumptions and describes our methodology for determining each assumption:
Expected Life
The expected life represents the period that the stock option awards are expected to be outstanding. We use the simplified method for estimating the expected life of the option, by taking the average between time to vesting and the contract life of the award. Therefore, the expected term assumption was estimated for each individual grant using the simplified method as an average between time to vesting and the contractual term of the award.
Expected Volatility
We estimate expected cumulative volatility giving consideration to the expected life of the option of the respective award, and the calculated annual volatility by using the continuously compounded return calculated by using the share closing prices of an equal number of days prior to the grant-date (reference period). The annual volatility is used to determine the (cumulative) volatility of our common stock (= annual volatility x SQRT (expected life)).
Forfeiture rate
The Company is using the aggregate forfeiture rate. The aggregate forfeiture rate is the ratio of pre-vesting forfeitures over the awards granted (Pre-vesting forfeitures/grants). The forfeiture discount (additional loss) is released into the profit and loss in the same period as the option vesting-date. The forfeiture rate is actualized every reporting period.
8 |
Risk-Free Interest Rate
We estimate the risk-free interest rate using the “Daily Treasury Yield Curve Rates” from the U.S. Treasury Department with a term equal to the reported rate, or derived by using both spread in intermediate term and rates, to the expected life of the award.
Expected Dividend Yield
We estimate the expected dividend yield by giving consideration to our current dividend policies as well as those anticipated in the future considering our current plans and projections. We do not currently calculate a discount for any post-vesting restrictions to which our awards may be subject.
Income Taxes
The Company accounts for income taxes under ASC 740, “Accounting for Income Taxes” (“ASC 740”). This statement requires the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the future consequences of events that have been recognized in the Company’s financial statements or tax returns. The measurement of the deferred items is based on enacted tax laws. In the event the future consequences of differences between financial reporting bases and the tax bases of the Company’s assets and liabilities result in a deferred tax asset, ASC 740 requires an evaluation of the probability of being able to realize the future benefits indicated by such asset. A valuation allowance related to a deferred tax asset is recorded when it is more likely than not that some portion or the entire deferred tax asset will not be realized. As part of the process of preparing our consolidated financial statements, we are required to estimate our income tax expense in each of the jurisdictions in which we operate. In the ordinary course of a global business, there are many transactions and calculations where the ultimate tax outcome is uncertain. Some of these uncertainties arise as a consequence of revenue sharing and reimbursement arrangements among related entities, the process of identifying items of revenue and expenses that qualify for preferential tax treatment and segregation of foreign and domestic income and expense to avoid double taxation. We also assess temporary differences resulting from differing treatment of items, such as deferred revenue, for tax and accounting differences. These differences result in deferred tax assets and liabilities, which are included within our consolidated balance sheet. We may record a valuation allowance to reduce our deferred tax assets to the amount of future tax benefit that is more likely than not to be realized. Although we believe that our estimates are reasonable and that we have considered future taxable income and ongoing prudent and feasible tax strategies in estimating our tax outcome and in assessing the need for the valuation allowance, there is no assurance that the final tax outcome and the valuation allowance will not be different than those that are reflected in our historical income tax provisions and accruals.
ASC 740 prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement methodology to recognize and measure an income tax position taken, or expected to be taken, in a tax return. The evaluation of a tax position is based on a two-step approach. The first step requires an entity to evaluate whether the tax position would “more likely than not” be sustained upon examination by the appropriate taxing authority. The second step requires the tax position be measured at the largest amount of tax benefit that is greater than 50 percent likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement. In addition, previously recognized benefits from tax positions that no longer meet the new criteria would be derecognized.
The Company has filed or is in the process of filing tax returns that are subject to audit by the respective tax authorities. Although the ultimate outcome is unknown, we believe that any adjustments that may result from tax return audits are not likely to have a material, adverse effect on our consolidated results of operations, financial condition or cash flows.
Comprehensive Income/(Loss)
Comprehensive income/(loss) includes all changes in equity during a period from non-owner sources. Other comprehensive income refers to gains and losses that under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States are recorded as an element of stockholders’ equity but are excluded from net income. In the first quarters of 2012 and 2011 the Company’s comprehensive income/(loss) consisted of its net loss and foreign currency translation adjustments.
Intangible Assets
In accordance with ASC 350 “Goodwill and Other” (“ASC 350”), intangible assets are carried at cost less accumulated amortization and impairment charges. Intangible assets are amortized on a straight-line basis over the expected useful lives of the assets, between three and ten years. Other intangible assets are reviewed for impairment in accordance with ASC 360 “Property, Plant, and Equipment”, annually, or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of such assets may not be recoverable. Measurement of any impairment loss for long-lived assets and identifiable intangible assets that management expects to hold and use is based on the amount of the carrying value that exceeds the fair value of the asset.
9 |
Property and Equipment, Internally Developed and Third Party Software
Property and equipment are initially recorded at cost. Additions and improvements are capitalized, while expenditures that do not enhance the assets or extend the useful life are charged to operating expenses as incurred. Included in property and equipment are certain costs related to the development of the Company’s internally developed software technology platform.
The Company has capitalized certain computer software development costs upon the establishment of technological feasibility. Technological feasibility is considered to have occurred upon completion of a detailed program design that has been confirmed by documenting the product specifications, or to the extent that a detailed program design is not pursued, upon completion of a working model that has been confirmed by testing to be consistent with the product design. Depreciation applied using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets once the assets are placed in service. Once a new functionality or improvement is released for operational use, the asset is moved from the property and equipment category “projects under construction” to a property and equipment asset subject to depreciation in accordance with the principle described in the previous sentence.
Fair Value Measurements
Fair value is defined as the price that would be received upon the sale of an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. Assets and liabilities recorded at fair value in the consolidated balance sheets are categorized based upon the level of judgment associated with the inputs used to measure their fair value. The fair value hierarchy distinguishes between (1) market participant assumptions developed based on market data obtained from independent sources (observable inputs) and (2) an entity’s own assumptions about market participant assumptions developed based on the best information available in the circumstances (unobservable inputs). The fair value hierarchy consists of three broad levels, which gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3). The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are described below:
Level | ||
Input: | Input Definition: | |
Level I | Inputs are unadjusted, quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in active markets at the measurement date. | |
Level II | Inputs, other than quoted prices included in Level I, that are observable for the asset or liability through corroboration with market data at the measurement date. | |
Level III | Unobservable inputs that reflect management’s best estimate of what market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability at the measurement date. |
The following table summarizes fair value measurements by level at September 30, 2012 for financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis:
Level I | Level II | Level III | Total | |||||||||||||
Conversion feature | $ | - | $ | - | $ | 851,623 | $ | 851,623 | ||||||||
Total liabilities | $ | - | $ | - | $ | 851,623 | $ | 851,623 |
We have classified the outstanding conversion feature into level III due to the fact that some inputs are not published and not easily comparable to industry peers.
The carrying value of the Company’s financial assets and liabilities, including cash and cash equivalents, other assets, due from related parties, loans payable, accounts payable and accrued liabilities, are carried at historical cost basis and approximate fair value because of the short-term nature of these instruments. The carrying value of the Company’s notes payable approximates fair value based on management’s best estimate of the interest rates that would be available for similar debt obligations having similar terms at the balance sheet date.
10 |
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
Disclosures About Offsetting Assets and Liabilities
In December 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued an accounting standard update that requires an entity todisclose information about offsetting and related arrangements of financial instruments and derivative instruments to enable users of itsfinancial statements to understand the effect of these arrangements on its financial position. The amendments in this accounting standard updateare effective for annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2013, and interim periods within those annual periods. We do not expect theadoption of this accounting standard update will have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements, but it may require certainadditional disclosures.
Testing Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets for Impairment
In July 2012, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2012-02,Intangibles-Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Testing Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets for Impairment. To be consistent with the guidance found underASU 2011-08,Intangibles-Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Testing Goodwill for Impairment,ASU 2012-02 is intended to simplify impairmenttesting for indefinite-lived intangible assets other than goodwill by adding a qualitative review step to assess whether the required quantitativeimpairment analysis that exists today is necessary. Under the amended rule, a company will not be required to calculate the fair value of abusiness that contains recorded indefinite-lived intangible assets other than goodwill unless it concludes, based on the qualitative assessment,that it is more likely than not that the fair value of that business is less than its book value. If such a decline in fair value is deemed more likely than not to have occurred, then the quantitative impairment test that exists under current GAAP must be completed; otherwise, the indefinite livedassets other than goodwill are deemed to be not impaired and no further testing is required until the next annual test date (or sooner ifconditions or events before that date raise concerns of potential impairment in the business). The amended impairment guidance does not affectthe manner in which a company estimates fair value. This new standard is effective for the Company beginning June 1, 2013.
Note 3. Prepaid expenses and other current assets
Prepaid expenses and other current assets recorded at $1,662,776 as of September 30, 2012, compared with $1,522,461 as of December 31, 2011. On September 30, 2012, $701,326 of the prepaid expenses was related to prepaid Value Added Tax (“VAT”). On December 31, 2011, prepaid VAT represented $615,596.
Note 4. Other assets
Other assets are long-term in nature and consist of a financial investment in a joint venture, long term notes receivable, deferred financing costs and long-term deposits.
Financial Investment in Joint Venture
In the fourth quarter 2011, the Company acquired one third (33.33%) of equity interest of Modale B.V. (previously known as Elephant Security I B.V.), a company incorporated on 26 October 2011 in the Netherlands. The investment was recorded at cost and is accounted for using the equity method. Modale BV was deemed a related party entity since one of the other owners of Modale B.V., is Elephant Security B.V., a majority owned and controlled entity of QAT Investments SA, an affiliate of the Company.
As of September 30, 2012, the carrying value of the financial investment was $135,599 comprising the initial investment of $7,715 and $460,332 in loans, increased by a total of $24,219 in accrued interest and decreased by ($356,667) for our equity share in the losses incurred by Modale B.V. Ownership interest remains at 33.33%. The loans mature on December 31, 2014 and carry an interest rate per annum of 7% that is accrued on a monthly basis. Even though impairment indicators, such as continued losses, are present, the Company believes at this point in time that the expected future cash flows can sustain the carrying value of the investment.
11 |
Note receivable
As of September 30, 2012 the Note receivable was $654,424 compared to $417,199 as of December 31, 2011. Note receivable as of September 30, 2012 comprises a number of loans provided to Morodo Ltd and it includes accrued interest of $27,957.
The loans mature on April 1, 2013 and carry as of January 1, 2012 an interest rate of 7% per annum accrued on a monthly basis. The notes receivable are interim loans prior to the acquisition agreement entered into on October 31, 2012. See Note 23 for further details.
Long-term deposits
Long-term deposits to various telecom carriers during the course of its operations and a deposit towards the French Tax Authorities all for the total amount of $638,339 as of September 30, 2012 compared with $651,930 as of December 31, 2011. The carrier deposits are refundable at the termination of the business relationship with the carriers.
Deferred financing costs
In connection with the Senior Secured Convertible Notes issued on March 29, 2012, the Company incurred costs for a total amount of $544,695 related to perfecting liens of assets, contract review fees from lawyers, registration fees for registering underlying shares and some other smaller fees. These costs will amortize during the life of the Senior Secured Convertible Loan using the effective-interest method calculation. The total current amount still to be amortized is $416,036.
Note 5. Due from related parties
Due from related parties was $1,042,931 as of September 30, 2012 as result from loans provided to Elephant Security B.V. This amount includes $38,688 of accrued interest. Elephant Security B.V. is a related party entity since it is majority owned and controlled by QAT Investments SA, an affiliate of the Company. The notes receivable are interim loans prior to the potential acquisition of Elephant Security B.V. and carry an interest rate of 7% per annum accrued on a monthly basis. Even though the loans matured on June 30, 2012 the Company is still evaluating and negotiating the structure and conditions of this potential acquisition of which these loans will be an integral part.
Note 6. Property and equipment
The Company’s Property & Equipment also include the capitalization of its systems engineering and software programming activities. Typically, these investments pertain to the Company’s:
· | Intelligent Network (IN) platform; |
· | CRM provisioning Software; |
· | Mediation, Rating & Pricing engine; |
· | ValidSoft security software applications; |
· | Operations and business support software; |
· | Network management tools. |
Property and equipment at September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011 consist of:
Average Estimated | September 30, | December 31, | ||||||||||
Useful Lives | 2012 | 2011 | ||||||||||
Furniture and fixtures | 5 | 298,263 | 290,058 | |||||||||
Computer, communication and network equipment | 3 - 10 | 15,847,551 | 15,247,060 | |||||||||
Software | 5 | 5,311,316 | 4,752,070 | |||||||||
Automobiles | 5 | 97,733 | 98,416 | |||||||||
Construction in progress | 3,037,156 | 2,516,476 | ||||||||||
Total property and equipment | 24,592,019 | 22,904,080 | ||||||||||
Less: accumulated depreciation | (11,196,943 | ) | (9,588,393 | ) | ||||||||
Total property and equipment, Net | $ | 13,395,076 | $ | 13,315,687 |
12 |
Total depreciation expense for the three months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011 was $599,446 and $583,789, respectively. Total depreciation expense for the nine months ended on September 30, 2012 and 2011 was $1,744,999 and $1,672,024 respectively.
Note 7. Intangible Assets
Intangible assets include customer contracts, telecommunication licenses and integrated, multi-country, centrally managed switch-based interconnects as well as intellectual property held in ValidSoft which includes but is not limited to software source codes, applications, customer lists & pipeline, registration & licenses, patents, and trademarks.
Intangible assets at September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011 consist of:
Estimated | September 30, | December 31, | ||||||||
Useful Lives | 2011 | 2011 | ||||||||
Customer Contracts, Licenses , Interconnect & Technology | 5-10 | $ | 11,733,190 | $ | 11,480,653 | |||||
ValidSoft IP & Technology | 1-10 | 15,343,661 | 15,428,182 | |||||||
Total intangible assets | 27,076,851 | 26,908,835 | ||||||||
Less: Accumulated Amortization and impairment charges | (10,184,316 | ) | (9,735,102 | ) | ||||||
Less: Accumulated Amortization ValidSoft IP & Technology | (5,921,288 | ) | (4,389,534 | ) | ||||||
Total intangible assets, Net | $ | 10,971,247 | $ | 12,784,199 |
Total amortization expense for the three months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011 was $663,691 and $769,661, respectively. Total amortization expense for the nine months ended in September 30, 2012 and 2011 was $2,021,495 and $2,321,876 respectively.
Estimated future amortization expense related to our intangible assets is:
Q4 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 and after | |||||||||||||||||||
Interconnect licenses and contracts | $ | 146,408 | $ | 560,950 | $ | 446,681 | $ | 79,345 | $ | 4,145 | $ | - | ||||||||||||
ValidSoft IP & Technology | 518,850 | 2,075,399 | 2,011,341 | 1,872,792 | 1,826,609 | 542,786 | ||||||||||||||||||
$ | 665,258 | $ | 2,636,349 | $ | 2,458,022 | $ | 1,952,137 | $ | 1,830,754 | $ | 542,786 |
Note 8. Goodwill
Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price of acquired businesses over the estimated fair value assigned to the individual assets acquired and liabilities assumed. The Company does not amortize goodwill, but instead is required to test goodwill for impairment in accordance with ASC 350, “Intangibles - Goodwill and Other” (“ASC 350”) at least annually and, if necessary, we would record an impairment based on the results of any such impairment test. The Company will perform an impairment test between scheduled annual tests if facts and circumstances indicate that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit that has goodwill is less than its carrying value.
In performing a goodwill impairment test under ASC 350, the Company may first make a qualitative assessment of whether it is more-likely-than-not that the Company’s fair value, as a single reporting unit, is less than its carrying value to determine whether it is necessary to perform a two-step goodwill impairment test. The qualitative impairment test includes considering various factors including macroeconomic conditions, industry and market conditions, cost factors, a sustained share price or market capitalization decrease, and any reporting unit specific events. If it is determined through the qualitative assessment that a reporting unit's fair value is more-likely-than-not greater than its carrying value, the two-step impairment test is not required. If the qualitative assessment indicates it is more-likely-than-not that a reporting unit's fair value is not greater than its carrying value, we must perform the two-step impairment test. We may also elect to proceed directly to the two-step impairment test without considering such qualitative factors.
13 |
During the fourth quarter of 2011, we commenced our annual goodwill impairment test for 2011 and after considering qualitative factors including our market capitalization and the Company’s 2012 outlook announced in the Company concluded that a two-step goodwill impairment test was not required.
In performing the first step of the two-step goodwill impairment test, the Company determined that the fair value of the Company, as a single reporting unit, exceeded the carrying value by a significant amount indicating no impairment was necessary.
The carrying value of the Company’s goodwill for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 was as follows:
Goodwill | September 30, | December 31, | ||||||
2012 | 2011 | |||||||
Goodwill at acquisition of ValidSoft Ltd | $ | 3,433,833 | $ | 3,433,833 | ||||
End of period exchange rate translation | (301,305 | ) | (278,862 | ) | ||||
Total | $ | 3,132,528 | $ | 3,154,971 |
Note 9. Overdraft
In 2004, Elephant Talk Ltd, a subsidiary of the Company executed a credit facility with a bank in Hong Kong pursuant to which Elephant Talk Ltd. borrowed funds. As of September 30, 2012, the overdraft balance, including accrued interest totaled, $340,135 compared to $312,236 as of December 31, 2011. The interest rate and default payment interest rate were charged at 2% and 6% per annum above the Lender’s Hong Kong Dollar Prime Rate quoted by the Lender from time to time. The Company has not guaranteed the credit facility or is otherwise obligated to pay funds drawn upon it on behalf of Elephant Talk Ltd. Further detail can be found in Note 20, Litigation.
Note 10. Deferred Revenue
Deferred revenue represents amounts received from the customers against future sales of services since the Company recognizes revenue upon performing the services. They typically represent implementation fees. Deferred revenue was $101,713 and $132,467 as of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively.
Note 11. Accrued Expenses
As of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, the accrued expenses comprised of the following:
September 30, | December 31, | |||||||
2012 | 2011 | |||||||
Accrued Selling, General & Administrative expenses | $ | 1,722,664 | $ | 1,477,463 | ||||
Accrued cost of service | 631,527 | 562,240 | ||||||
Accrued taxes (including VAT) | 569,131 | 294,689 | ||||||
Accrued interest payable | 851,176 | 701,366 | ||||||
Other accrued expenses | 436,618 | 0 | ||||||
Total accrued expenses | $ | 4,211,116 | $ | 3,035,758 |
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Note 12. Loans Payable
September | December | |||||||
30, 2012 | 31, 2011 | |||||||
Installment loan payable due December 24, 2006, secured by personal guarantees of two shareholders, a former director, and a third party | $ | 320,367 | $ | 319,764 | ||||
Installment loan payable, bank, monthly principal and interest payments of $2,798 including interest at bank’s prime rate plus 1.5% per annum, 8.25% at November 30, 2008, due December 24, 2011, secured by personal guarantees of three shareholders and a former director | 254,702 | 254,224 | ||||||
Installment loan payable, bank, monthly principal and interest payments of $1,729 including interest at bank’s prime rate plus 1.5% per annum, 8.25% at November 24, 2008, due June 28, 2009, secured by personal guarantees of three shareholders and a former director | 103,899 | 103,704 | ||||||
Term loan payable, bank, monthly payments of interest at bank’s prime rate, 7.0% at December 31, 2007 | 283,710 | 283,177 | ||||||
Total | $ | 962,679 | $ | 960,869 |
In December 2009 Chong Hing Bank Limited, fka Liu Chong Hing Bank Limited, a foreign banking services company based in Hong Kong (Bank), commenced a lawsuit in the California Orange County Superior Court called Chong Hing Bank Limited v. Elephant Talk Communications, Inc., Case No. 30-2009-00328467.
The Bank alleged that it entered into various installment and term loan agreements and an overdraft account with Elephant Talk Limited (ETL), a wholly-owned Hong Kong subsidiary of the Company. Various former officers and directors of ETL personally guaranteed the loans and overdraft account.
The Bank alleged that ETL was in default on the loans and overdraft account, and that approximately $1,933,308 including interest and default interest was due. The Bank alleged that the Company was directly liable to repay the loans and overdraft account as a successor in interest to ETL or because the Company expressly or impliedly assumed direct liability for the loans and overdraft account. The Company denied the Bank’s allegations and asserted several affirmative defenses. The Company contended that it had no direct liability to the Bank, and that the Bank must pursue its recourse against ETL and its personal guarantors.
The Bank and the Company tried the case to the court without a jury between October, 5 and 12, 2011. The court found, among other things, that
· | The Company was not liable as a successor in interest or otherwise on the Bank loans and overdraft account to ETL; | |
· | The Company was not liable on the Bank’s claims because the Bank filed its action after the applicable California 4-year statute of limitations had expired; and | |
· | The Company was not liable to the Bank under the alternative theories of negligent or intentional misrepresentation. |
The court entered judgment in favor of Elephant Talk Communications Corp. and against the Bank on December 14, 2011, and awarded the Company $5,925 in costs. The judgment became final on February 16, 2012. We continue to accrue for these loans since our subsidiary ETL in Hong Kong, alleged by the Bank as the contractual party, may be still held liable for these loans.
Note 13. 8% Senior Secured Convertible Note
On March 29, 2012, the Company issued certain senior secured convertible notes (“8% Convertible Note” or “Notes”) to a number of investors (“Holders”) in the principal amount of $8,800,000 with the Company whereby the Holders agreed to provide the Company with net proceeds of $7,537,193, after an $800,000 Original Issue Discount and after a deduction of $462,807 for financing costs such as various advisory fees and contract preparation fees. According to the terms, the Note will bear an interest rate of 8%, compounded annually and matures May 1, 2014. The monthly installment payments (constituting principal and interest) total $2,273,718 for the first year and $7,180,000 for the second year through to maturity. During the three months ending September 30, 2012 the Company spent an additional $81,888 on financing costs, mainly incurred by legal consultants.
Of the $8 million in gross proceeds, the amount equal to the first year installments, being $2,273,718, was placed in escrow and was classified as restricted cash on the balance sheet and is applied on a monthly basis for the payment of the monthly installments. The amount deposited in escrow would cover all necessary installments up to and including April 2013. As of September 30, 2012 the balance in the escrow account amounts to $1,308,946. At the election of the Company the Company can pay the full installment amount or parts thereof in common stock at an amount equal to 90% of the average of the five lowest volume weighted average price (“VWAP”) of the common stock during the twenty (20) Trading Days immediately prior to such installment on the trading day payment date. To date, the Company has not made use of the option to pay for the interest and repayment of principal in stock.
15 |
In the first year, when the Company elects to pay a monthly installment in common stock, the equivalent cash installment amount will be released from the escrow and becomes available to the Company. The Notes are convertible at the option of the Holder into the Company’s common stock at a fixed conversion price of $2.61 (“fixed conversion price”). After a period of 12 months the Notes automatically converts at the fixed conversion price, if the shares of the Company, for any consecutive 30 days, close at or above 150% of the fixed conversion price. The Notes are secured by a first priority security interest in all of the assets of the Company.
8% Senior Secured Convertible Loan Agreement Payable as of September 30, 2012:
8% Convertible Note | Short Term | Long Term | Total | |||||||||
8% Convertible Note | $ | 3,706,545 | $ | 4,418,455 | $ | 8,125,000 | ||||||
Less: | ||||||||||||
Original Issue Discount (OID) (net of amortization) | $ | 474,345 | $ | 119,051 | $ | 593,396 | ||||||
Conversion Feature (net of amortization) | $ | 1,600,512 | $ | 401,688 | $ | 2,002,200 | ||||||
$ | 1,631,688 | $ | 3,897,716 | $ | 5,529,404 |
The remaining unamortized life of the OID and conversion feature is approximately 19 months and total remaining amortizations until the end of the loan are $593,396 for the OID and $2,002,200 for the conversion feature. The current outstanding principal on the Note as of September 30, 2012 is $8,125,000.
The Company has identified the conversion feature in the above instruments as an embedded derivative that requires evaluation and accounting under the guidance applicable to financial derivatives. The conversion feature is bifurcated from the host debt contract and accounted for as a liability. The conversion feature is recorded at fair value at the date of issuance and marked-to-market each reporting period with changes in fair value recorded to the Company’s statements of operations and classified into “Change fair value in conversion feature” which is part of Other income and expenses. As of March 29, 2012 (“Closing date”) the Company recognized a “Fair Market Value” using a lattice model of $2,699,312 and evaluated the value of the conversion feature as per September 30, 2012 at a fair market value of $851,623. During 2012, the conversion feature liability was neither reduced by any conversion and redemption transactions associated with the convertible notes nor any additional repayment of the principal amount.
Conversion Feature valuation as per September 30, 2012: | ||||||||||||||||
Conversion Feature at fair market value | Conversion Feature remaining value netted in Convertible Note Payables | Number of Outstanding Conversion Rights | ||||||||||||||
At Closing March 29, 2012 (Initial Value) | $ | 2,699,312 | $ | 2,699,312 | 3,371,648 | |||||||||||
Repayment of Principal | $ | (207,049 | ) | $ | - | (258,621 | ) | |||||||||
YtD Revaluation as of September 30, 2012 (Movement only) | Gain | $ | (1,640,640 | ) | $ | - | - | |||||||||
YtD Amortization as of September 30, 2012 (Movement only) | Expense | $ | - | $ | (697,112 | ) | - | |||||||||
As of September 30, 2012 (remaining balances/number) | $ | 851,623 | $ | 2,200,200 | 3,113,027 |
The conversion feature associated with the Note is recorded at fair value using a lattice calculation model with variables such as quoted share price, volatility, remaining term and risk free interest rate which are observable market inputs including quoted market prices. We classify this instrument in Level III as quoted market prices can be corroborated utilizing observable current market prices on active exchanges.
16 |
Note 14. Loan from joint venture partner
The Company’s 51% owned subsidiary ET-UTS N.V. has received $544,936 in interest bearing (8% per annum) unsecured loans from the 49% shareholder in the joint venture, United Telecommunication Services N.V., the government owned incumbent telecom operator of Curaçao. The amount is inclusive of accumulated accrued interest. No maturity date has been fixed.
Note 15. Stockholders’ Equity
(A) Common Stock
The Company is presently authorized to issue 250,000,000 shares common stock. The Company had 111,742,350 shares of common shares issued and outstanding as of September 30, 2012, an increase of 1,217,121 shares since December 31, 2011, largely due to the shares issued in connection with the exercise of 595,000 warrants; 442,065 shares issued to employees as a result of exercised employee stock options; 346,010 shares issued as consideration for management and board compensation, 300,000 shares returned after a settlement agreement with a former executive officer and 134,046 shares were issued for full consideration of a minor acquisition of the Company.
Reconciliation with stock transfer agent records:
The shares issued and outstanding as of September 30, 2012 according to the stock transfer agent’s records are 114,547,188. The difference in number of issued shares recognized by the Company of 111,742,350 shares is the result of the exclusion of the 233,900 unreturned shares from ‘cancelled’ acquisitions (pre-2006), 12,000 treasury shares issued under Employee benefits plan and the 2,558,938 Contingent Shares in connection with the ValidSoft acquisition which are kept in escrow.
(B) Preferred Stock
The Company’s Certificate of Incorporation (“Articles”) authorizes the issuance of 50,000,000 shares of no par value Preferred Stock. No shares of Preferred Stock are currently issued and outstanding. Under the Company’s Articles, the Board of Directors has the power, without further action by the holders of the Common Stock, to designate the relative rights and preferences of the preferred stock, and issue the preferred stock in such one or more series as designated by the Board of Directors. The designation of rights and preferences could include preferences as to liquidation, redemption and conversion rights, voting rights, dividends or other preferences, any of which may be dilutive of the interest of the holders of the Common Stock or the Preferred Stock of any other series. The issuance of Preferred Stock may have the effect of delaying or preventing a change in control of the Company without further shareholder action and may adversely affect the rights and powers, including voting rights, of the holders of Common Stock. In certain circumstances, the issuance of preferred stock could depress the market price of the Common Stock.
During 2011 and in the first nine months 2012 the Company did not issue any shares of Preferred Stock.
Note 16. Basic and Diluted Net Loss per Share
Net loss per share is calculated in accordance with ASC 260, Earnings per Share (“ASC 260”). Basic net loss per share is based upon the weighted average number of common shares outstanding. Dilution is computed by applying the treasury stock method. Under this method, options and warrants are assumed to be exercised at the beginning of the period (or at the time of issuance, if later), and as if funds obtained thereby were used to purchase common stock at the average market price during the period. Weighted average number of shares used to compute basic and diluted loss per share is the same since the effect of dilutive securities is anti-dilutive.
Note 17. Employee Benefit Plan and Non-Qualified Stock Option and Compensation Plan
2006 Non-Qualified Stock and Option Compensation Plan
Under this plan there are, as of September 30, 2012, 75,000 stock options outstanding. There are remaining 600,000 shares and 14,490 stock options available for grant.
17 |
Current outstanding options have all vested already and generally vested over a 3 year period. Options generally expire 2 years from the date of vesting.
Common stock purchase options consisted of the following as of September 30, 2012:
Number of shares | Average Exercise Price | Initial Fair Market Value | ||||||||||
Options: | ||||||||||||
Outstanding as of December 31, 2011 | 75,000 | $ | 2.25 | $ | 53,441 | |||||||
Granted in 2012 | 0 | $ | 2.25 | $ | 0 | |||||||
Exercised | 0 | $ | 2.25 | $ | 0 | |||||||
Cancelled/Forfeited/Returned to reserve | 0 | $ | 2.25 | $ | 0 | |||||||
Outstanding as of September 30, 2012 | 75,000 | $ | 2.25 | $ | 53,441 |
No grants were made during the first nine months of 2012. Also no exercises and or cancellations/forfeitures have occurred.
The current 75,000 outstanding options, if not exercised, will expire in 2013 with various expiration dates.
Following is a summary of the status of options outstanding at September 30, 2012:
Options outstanding | Options exercisable | |||||||||||||||
Range of Exercise Prices | Total Options Outstanding | Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (Years) | Weighted Average Exercise Price | Options Exercisable | Weighted Average Exercise Price | |||||||||||
$ | 2.25 | 75,000 | 0.98 years | $ | 2.25 | 75,000 | $ | 2.25 |
At September 30, 2012, the total compensation cost related to unvested stock-based awards granted to employees under the provisions of ASC 718 and the Company’s 2006 stock award plan, but not yet recognized was $0.
2008 Long-Term Incentive Plan
In 2008 the Company adopted an incentive plan. This incentive plan initially provided for an authorized total awards of up to 5,000,000 shares of common stock, in the form of incentive and non-qualified stock options, stock appreciation rights, performance units, restricted stock awards and performance bonuses. The amount of common stock underlying the awards to be granted remained the same after the 25 to one reverse stock-split that was effectuated on June 11, 2008.
In 2011 the Company filed, after approval of the shareholders, an “Amended and Restated 2008 Long-Term Incentive Compensation Plan” which increased the amount under the 2008 plan to 23,000,000 shares of common stock in order to cover future grants under this Plan.
Reconciliation of registered and available shares and/or options as of September 30, 2012:
Nine months ended September 30, 2012 | Total | |||||||
Registered 2008 | 5,000,000 | |||||||
Registered 2011 | 18,000,000 | |||||||
Total Registered under this plan | 23,000,000 | |||||||
Shares (issued to): | ||||||||
Consultants | - | 325,000 | ||||||
Directors and Officers | 346,010 | 853,310 | ||||||
Options exercised | 412,305 | 922,400 | ||||||
Options (movements): | ||||||||
Issued and Outstanding | 4,999,879 | 12,381,563 | ||||||
Available for grant: | 8,517,727 |
18 |
During 2012 no shares were issued to consultants under the Plan although the Company issued a total number of 325,000 shares during the term of the plan. As of 2012 the Company decided, in order to avoid costly separate registrations for the quarterly recurring share issues and the obligatory registration of such shares, to issue the non-cash compensation to directors and officers under this plan. During the first nine months of 2012 the Company issued 346,010 shares to various directors and officers which were issued in conjunction with their willingness to receive their total or part of their compensation in shares of the Company. Those shares are issued with a 25% discount on the 10 day average share price preceding the quarter of their relating services as per the terms agreed by the compensation committee dated February 11, 2011.
During the nine months ended September 30, 2012 the total of outstanding options has increased by 4,999,879 options due to the annual grant of options and currently a total of 12,381,563 stock options are outstanding under the Plan. Currently 325,000 shares of restricted common stock have been issued to consultants, 853,310 shares of common stock had been issued towards directors and officers and another 922,400 shares were issued as a result of exercised options during the existence of this plan.
Options granted generally vest immediately or up to a three-year period after grant date. Although options have been granted with a shorter term than two years, options generally expire between two and ten years from date of grant.
Common stock purchase options consisted of the following as of September 30, 2012:
Number of Options | Average Exercise Price | Initial Fair Market Value (Outstanding Options) | ||||||||||
Options: | ||||||||||||
Outstanding as of December 31, 2011 | 7,793,989 | $ | 1.78 | $ | 10,195,479 | |||||||
Additions/(deductions): (movements) | ||||||||||||
Granted in 2012 | 6,093,715 | $ | 2.26 | $ | 7,310,297 | |||||||
Forfeitures (Pre-vesting) | (801,796 | ) | $ | 2.28 | $ | (1,082,815 | ) | |||||
Expirations (Post-vesting) | (248,124 | ) | $ | 2.18 | $ | (348,763 | ) | |||||
Exchanged for Cashless exercise | (43,916 | ) | $ | 1.66 | $ | (56,248 | ) | |||||
Total Addtions/deductions | 4,999,879 | |||||||||||
Exercises: | ||||||||||||
Exercised (with delivery of shares) | (412,305 | ) | $ | 1.01 | $ | (386,926 | ) | |||||
Outstanding as of September 30, 2012 | 12,381,563 | $ | 1.78 | $ | 15,631,024 |
The options granted in 2012 were granted with a weighted average exercise price of $2.26. The grant date fair market value of the options is $7,310,297.
Following is a summary of the status of options outstanding at September 30, 2012:
2008 Plan | Options outstanding | Options exercisable | ||||||||||||||||||||
Range of Exercise Prices | Total Options Outstanding | Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (Years) | Weighted Average Exercise Price | Options Exercisable | Weighted Average Exercise Price | |||||||||||||||||
$ 0.60 - $ 3.39 | 12,381,563 | 5.62 | $ | 1.78 | 4,254,419 | $ | 1.97 | |||||||||||||||
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Unvested Options | Options expected to vest | |||||||||||||
Number of options not yet vested | Forfeiture rate used in this reporting | Number of options expected to vest corrected by forfeiture rate | Unrecognized stock- based compensation expense | Weighting Average remaining contract life (of Total Options expected to vest)(in years) | ||||||||||
8,127,144 | 9.11 | % | 7,386,634 | $ | 4,546,741 | 5.27 |
Weighted average assumptions for 2012 grants:
Weighted Average Annual Volatility | 81 | % | ||
Weighted Average Cumulative Volatility | 134 | % | ||
Weighted Average Contractual Life (in years) | 3.86 | |||
Weighted Average Expected Option life (in years) | 2.68 | |||
Weighted Average Risk Free Interest Rate | 0.456 | % | ||
Dividend yield | 0.000 | % |
The weighted average assumptions used for the options granted in 2012 using the Black-Scholes options model are: expected cumulative volatility of 134% based on calculated annual volatility of 81%, contractual life of 3.86 years, expected option life of 2.68 years (using the simplified method) and a Risk Free Interest Rate of 0.456%. The expected dividend yield is zero.
At September 30, 2012 the not yet recognized expense portion of stock-based awards granted to employees under the provisions of ASC 718 and the Company’s 2008 stock award plan, was approximately $4,546,741. The future expensing takes place proportionally to the vesting associated with each stock-award, adjusted for cancellations, forfeitures and returns. The forfeiture rate has been adjusted from 6.50% at closing 2011 to 9.11% as per closing September 2012 and the corresponding profit and loss effect has been accounted for in 2012.
Stock-Based Compensation Expense
Under the provisions of ASC 718, the Company recorded for the quarter ended September 30, 2012, $1,719,494 in stock-based compensation expense for the 2008 Long-Term Incentive Plan, consisting of shares issued to directors and officers and employee option expensing. For the comparable period in 2011 such expensing was $2,308,759. The Company recorded for the nine months ended September 30, 2012, $4,881,059 in stock-based compensation expense for the 2008 Long-Term Incentive Plan, consisting of shares issued to directors and officers and employee option expensing. For the comparable period in 2011 the expensing was $4,990,358. The Company utilized the Black-Scholes valuation model for estimating the fair value of the stock-options at grant.
Stock-Based Compensation Expense | Three months ended September 30, 2012 | Three months ended September 30, 2011 | Nine months ended September 30, 2012 | Nine months ended September 30, 2011 | ||||||||||||
Directors and Officers (shares) | $ | 254,929 | $ | 379,157 | $ | 823,359 | $ | 1,127,053 | ||||||||
Employee (options) | 1,464,564 | 1,929,602 | 4,057,701 | 3,863,305 | ||||||||||||
$ | 1,719,494 | $ | 2,308,759 | $ | 4,881,059 | $ | 4,990,358 |
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Note 18. Commitments
Commitments of the Company relating to co-location, network and office rents, regulatory and interconnection fees are as follows:
Year | Office | Co- location | Interconnect | Service/Support | Network | Total | ||||||||||||||||||
2012 | $ | 196,718 | $ | 128,616 | $ | 1,035,762 | $ | 61,358 | $ | 101,075 | $ | 1,523,529 | ||||||||||||
2013 | 409,845 | 596,253 | 1,739,571 | 137,982 | 319,823 | 3,203,474 | ||||||||||||||||||
2014 | 239,914 | 251,989 | 64,185 | 0 | 196,009 | 752,097 | ||||||||||||||||||
2015 | 239,914 | 188,992 | 51,315 | 0 | 188,877 | 669,098 | ||||||||||||||||||
2016 | $ | 239,914 | $ | 0 | $ | 12,705 | $ | 0 | $ | 99,614 | 352,233 | |||||||||||||
$ | 6,500,431 |
Note 19. Non-controlling Interest
The Company had non-controlling interests in several of its subsidiaries. The subsidiaries with a positive balance of the non-controlling interests as of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011 were as follows:
Noncontrolling interest Balance at | ||||||||||||
Subsidiary | Noncontrolling Interest % | September 30, 2012 | December 31, 2011 | |||||||||
ETC PRS UK | 49% | $ | 9,434 | $ | 9,500 | |||||||
ETC PRS Netherlands | 49% | 126,013 | 126,894 | |||||||||
ET Bahrain WLL | 1% | 2,863 | 4,382 | |||||||||
ET ME&A FZ LLC | 49.46% | 37,091 | 37,091 | |||||||||
Total | $ | 175,400 | $ | 177,867 |
Note 20. Litigations
(a) Chong Hing Bank Litigation
In December 2009 Chong Hing Bank Limited, fka Liu Chong Hing Bank Limited (Bank), a foreign banking services company based in Hong Kong , commenced a lawsuit in the California Orange County Superior Court calledChong Hing Bank Limited v. Elephant Talk Communications, Inc., Case No. 30-2009-00328467. The Bank alleged that it entered into various installment and term loan agreements and an overdraft account with Elephant Talk Limited (ETL), a wholly-owned Hong Kong subsidiary of Elephant Talk Communications Corp. (Company). Various former officers and directors of ETL personally guaranteed the loans and overdraft account.
The Bank alleged that ETL was in default on the loans and overdraft account, and that approximately $1,933,308 including interest and default interest was due. The Bank alleged that the Company was directly liable to repay the loans and overdraft account as a successor in interest to ETL or because the Company expressly or impliedly assumed direct liability for the loans and overdraft account. The Company denied the Bank’s allegations and asserted several affirmative defenses. The Company contended that it had no direct liability to the Bank, and that the Bank must pursue its recourse against ETL and its personal guarantors.
The Bank and the Company tried the case to the court without a jury between October, 5 and 12, 2011. The court found, among other things, that
· | The Company was not liable as a successor in interest or otherwise on the Bank loans and overdraft account to ETL; |
· | The Company was not liable on the Bank’s claims because the Bank filed its action after the applicable California 4-year statute of limitations had expired; and |
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· | The Company was not liable to the Bank under the alternative theories of negligent or intentional misrepresentation. |
The court entered judgment in favor of the Company and against the Bank on December 14, 2011, and awarded the Company $5,925.41 in costs. The judgment became final on February 16, 2012. We continue to accrue for these loans since our subsidiary ETL in Hong Kong, alleged by the Bank as the contractual party, may be still held liable for these loans.
(b) Rescission of the Purchase Agreement of March 31, 2004 of New Times Navigation Limited.
As previously described in our 2004 Annual Report we and New Times Navigation Limited mutually agreed to terminate this purchase agreement. We returned the received shares of New Times Navigation Limited to the concerned shareholders and received back 90,100 of our common stock out of the 204,000 issued by us for the purchase. In addition we issued 37 unsecured convertible promissory notes for a total amount of $3,600,000. On our request 21 notes were returned with a total value of $2,040,000.
We are presently seeking relief from the High Court of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region against the holders of the unreturned shares to return a total of 113,900 common shares (valued at $381,565) and also to have them return the remaining 18 unsecured convertible promissory notes representing a total amount of $1,740,000 and rescind the purchase agreement. The case is currently pending.
Note 21. Geographic Information
Nine months ended September 30, 2012
Europe | Other foreign countries | Total | ||||||||||
Revenues from unaffiliated customers | $ | 22,239,695 | $ | 125,623 | $ | 22,365,318 | ||||||
Identifiable assets | $ | 36,619,280 | $ | 5,941,483 | $ | 42,560,763 |
Nine months ended September 30, 2011
Europe | Other foreign countries | Total | ||||||||||
Revenues from unaffiliated customers | $ | 23,994,563 | $ | 101,363 | $ | 24,095,926 | ||||||
Identifiable assets | $ | 40,098,878 | $ | 10,761,877 | $ | 50,860,755 |
Note 22. Related Party Transactions
In the third quarter 2012 the Company provided a loan of $44,841 (€35,000) to Modale B.V. (previously known as Elephant Security I B.V.), a company in which the Company holds a 33.33% ownership interest. The loan carries an interest rate of 7% per annum and has the maturity date of December 31, 2012.
Note 23. Subsequent Events
On October 31, 2012 we entered into an agreement to acquire Morodo Ltd, a company established in the United Kingdom in exchange for 250,000 shares as purchase price consideration. Morodo provides low-cost global telephony and SMS services as a downloadable App as-a-service under its Mo-Call brand within the mobile and online applications market.
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Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Forward-Looking Statements
Any forward looking statements made herein are based on current expectations of the Company, involve a number of risks and uncertainties and should not be considered as guarantees of future performance. The factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include: interruptions or cancellation of existing contracts, inability to integrate acquisitions, impact of competitive products and pricing, product demand and market acceptance risks, the presence of competitors with greater financial resources than the Company, product development and commercialization risks, changes in governmental regulations, and changing economic conditions in developing countries and an inability to arrange additional debt or equity financing.
Overview
The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with our financial statements and notes thereto and the other financial information included elsewhere in this document.
Our Business
Elephant Talk Communications Corp. also referred to as “we”, “us”, “Elephant Talk” and “the Company” is an international provider of mobile networking software and services. Its mission is to provide a single service fully enabling and securing the mobile cloud. The Company has substantial investments of software development, infrastructure, deployment, licenses and connectivity in place, supporting its customers through a whole range of managed services.
Elephant Talk empowers Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) and Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs) by providing a cloud based mobile communications infrastructure, operating software and managed services, based mostly on Company developed and owned software. We enable these Mobile Operators and Virtual Network Operators by offering a full suite of products, delivery platforms, support services, superior industry expertise and high quality customer service without substantial upfront investment for the customer.
As a specialized outsourcing partner, we provide operating software, managed services, cloud and SaaS solutions and an integrated transaction and delivery platform to the mobile telecommunications industry globally. Our products include remote health care, credit card fraud prevention, mobile internet ID security, secure remote file access management, loyalty and transaction management services and a whole range of other emerging mobile services.
Elephant Talk can count several of the world’s leading Mobile Operators amongst their customers including Vodafone, T-Mobile and Zain, and most business efforts are focused on tier 1 operators worldwide.
A number of more recent milestones include:
· | In 2011 the company closed a contract with Zain KSA in Saudi Arabia to provide its mobile platform which is now expected to start hosting subscribers in the fourth quarter 2012. |
· | In November 2011 we executed a mass migration of SIMs on to our platform in Spain. This live migration – without having to replace the SIM cards – was believed to be a significant achievement and milestone for the Company. |
· | In February 2012 we acquired out of liquidation proceedings the assets of Ensercom, a small MVNE in Germany giving us instant footprint in the German market. |
Earlier this year, the Company entered into mobile telecom contracts with a group of German MNVOs to provide mobile telecommunication services. In mid of September 2012, the Company was informed that due to an evaluation of internal procedures and practices within these German MVNOs, all these mobile telecom contracts signed between the group and all external providers had been temporarily placed on hold. As of the date of this quarterly report, there is no further update to be reported.
ValidSoft – Fraud Prevention and Security Software Solutions
ValidSoft Limited has been a wholly owned subsidiary of Elephant Talk since early 2010 and underpins our mobile/cloud security offering. ValidSoft is a thought and technology leader in providing solutions to counter electronic fraud relating to a variety of bank, card, internet and telephone channels. ValidSoft's solutions are used to verify the authenticity of both parties to a transaction (Mutual Authentication), the security of the relevant telecommunication channel used (Secure Communications), and the integrity of transactions itself (Transaction Verification) for the mass market, in a highly cost effective and secure manner while being very easy to use.
ValidSoft’s clients include leading worldwide service providers and institutions who benefit from a very substantial reduction in false positives, thereby freeing up resources to combat actual fraud, as well as a substantial elimination of the fraud itself, all in real time.
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ValidSoft is currently the only security software company in the world that has been granted Privacy Seals from the European Community. Besides the two previously awarded European Privacy Seals, a third Seal was also recently awarded taking the number of privacy seals to three.
The key operational highlights:
· | In September 2011 ValidSoft and Adeptra (www.adeptra.com), now part of the FICO Corporation, formed a partnership to provide financial organizations with best-in-class fraud detection and prevention functionality, as well as total control over their customer communications. |
· | Following a pilot project at a long-standing Adeptra client, one of the ten largest international financial institutions implemented the SIM Swap solution and has been in live production for several months. The institution’s adoption of the application is another step toward securing all transaction channels, using leading edge technology and communications to benefit its customers. |
· | ValidSoft successfully concluded the live-trials for a Self-Certification project to an EU Government in the area of citizen benefit payments. The proposed solution is based on ValidSoft’s own IP and specialised technology and incorporates ValidSoft’s Speaker Verification Platform, VALid-SVP™ to provide automation in the processing of citizen benefits with a view to achieving cost reduction and efficiencies. We now await a decision to be taken by the EU Government in terms of next steps, including potential deployment and timing. |
· | The Company launched VALid-SVP™ (Speaker Verification Platform), a voice biometric technology to improve secure authentication. |
· | ValidSoft has filed applications for several new patents in the Card Not Present fraud prevention area and the high end security area. |
· | ValidSoft successfully renewed the European Privacy Seal in regards to its anti-fraud technology software, VALid-POS®, which is designed to detect and prevent card related fraud, a global multibillion dollar problem for financial institutions. |
· | ValidSoft was awarded its second European Privacy Seal for its VALid-4F™solution, an advanced security solution to provide multi-factor authentication, including voice biometrics. |
· | ValisSoft was awarded its third European Privacy Seal for VALid-SIM, an advanced “context aware” solution to counter the growing problem of SIM Swap fraud. ValidSoft continues to be the only Security Software Company in the world to be certified to the EuroPriSe standards. The European Privacy Seal certifies IT products and IT-based services privacy compliance with European data protection regulations. |
Landline network outsourcing services
In addition to the mobile based services, the Company also provides traditional landline services like Carrier Select and Carrier Pre-Select Services, Toll Free and Premium Rate Services to the business market.through our fixed line telecom infrastructure and our centrally operated and managed ET Boss and Infitel platform.
Support technology
Business Support and Operational Support System (“ET BOSS”) and Intelligent Network – IN – (“Infitel”)
Through our European and Chinese development centers, we develop in-house telecom and media related systems and software, related to companies’ proprietary platforms ET BOSS and IN
Electronic fraud prevention products: VALid-POS®, VALid®, VALid-SVP™ and VALid-4F®
Our subsidiary ValidSoft has given us ownership of technology and intellectual property to combat fraud relating to card, the internet, and telephone channels. ValidSoft solutions are marketed under VALid-POS®, VALid® and VALid-4F®. For its biometrics based product it trades under VALid-SVP™.
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Telecom infrastructure & network
We currently operate a switch-based telecom network with national licenses and direct fixed line interconnects with the Incumbents/National Telecom Operators in seven (7) European countries and one (1) in the Middle East (Bahrain). To this we have added mobile access coverage in order to cater for our mobile services and solutions. Our first mobile partners are T-Mobile in the Netherlands, Vodafone Enabler in Spain, KPN in Belgium and wholesale partner Telekom Deutschland in Germany. In Saudi Arabia we partnered with Zain KSA to provide our mobile platform services.
Application of Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
Revenue Recognition and Deferred Revenue
The Company’s revenue recognition policies are in compliance with ASC 605, Revenue Recognition (“ASC 605”) (formerly, Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB) 104). Revenue is recognized only when the price is fixed or determinable, persuasive evidence of arrangement exists, the service is performed and the collectability of the resulting receivable is reasonably assured. The Company derives revenue from activities as a fixed-line and mobile services provider with its network and its own switching technology. Revenue represents amounts earned for telecommunication services provided to customers (net of value added tax and inter-company revenue). The Company recognizes revenue from prepaid calling cards as the services are provided. Payments received before all of the relevant criteria for revenue recognition are satisfied are recorded as deferred revenue. Deferred revenue represents amounts received from the customers against future sales of services since the Company recognizes revenue upon performing the services.
Stock-based Compensation
Effective January 1, 2006, we adopted the provisions of ASC 718 “Compensation-Stock Compensation”, using the prospective approach. As a result, we recognize stock-based compensation expense for only those awards that are granted subsequent to December 31, 2005 and any previously existing awards that are subject to variable accounting, including certain stock options that were exercised with notes in 2003, until the awards are exercised, forfeited, or contractually expire in accordance with the prospective method and the transition rules of ASC 718. Under ASC 718, stock-based awards granted after December 31, 2005, are recorded at fair value as of the grant date and recognized as expense over the employee’s requisite service period (the vesting period, generally three years), which we have elected to amortize on a straight-line basis.
Business Combinations
We use the purchase method of accounting for business combinations and the results of the acquired businesses are included in the income statement from the date of acquisition. The purchase price includes the direct costs of the acquisition. However, beginning in fiscal 2009, acquisition-related costs will be expensed as incurred, in accordance with ASC 805 “Business Combinations” amounts allocated to intangible assets are amortized over their estimated useful lives; no amounts are allocated to in-progress research and development. Goodwill represents the excess of consideration paid over the net identifiable business assets acquired.
Intangible Assets and Impairment of long Lived Assets
In accordance with ASC 350, intangible assets are carried at cost less accumulated amortization and impairment charges. Intangible assets are amortized on a straight-line basis over the expected useful lives of the assets, between three and ten years. Other intangible assets are reviewed for impairment in accordance with ASC 360, “Property and Equipment”, annually, or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of such assets may not be recoverable. Measurement of any impairment loss for long-lived assets and identifiable intangible assets that management expects to hold and use is based on the amount of the carrying value that exceeds the fair value of the asset.
Goodwill Impairment
On September 15, 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-08, Intangibles – Goodwill and Other, which simplifies how an entity is required to test goodwill for impairment. This ASU would allow an entity to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is necessary to perform the two-step quantitative goodwill impairment test. Under the ASU, an entity would not be required to calculate the fair value of a reporting unit unless the entity determines, based on a qualitative assessment, that it is more likely than not that its fair value is less than its carrying amount. The ASU includes a number of factors to consider in conducting the qualitative assessment. The ASU is effective for annual and interim goodwill impairment tests performed for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2011. The adoption of this accounting standard in 2011 had no material impact on the Company’s financial statements.
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Results of Operations
Our results of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2012, consisted of the operations of Elephant Talk Communications Corp., its wholly-owned subsidiaries, Elephant Talk Limited and its subsidiaries, Elephant Talk Europe Holding BV and its subsidiaries, and ValidSoft Ltd and its subsidiaries.
Although the vast majority of our business activities are carried out in Euros, we report our financial statements in US dollars (“USD”). The conversion of Euros and USD leads to period-to-period fluctuations in our reported USD results arising from changes in the exchange rate between the USD and the Euro. Generally, when the USD strengthens relative to the Euro, it has an unfavorable impact on our reported revenue and income and a favorable impact on our reported expenses. Conversely, when the USD weakens relative to the Euro, it produces a favorable impact on our reported revenue and income, and an unfavorable impact on our reported expenses. The above fluctuations in the USD/Euro exchange rate therefore result in currency translation effects (not to be confused with real currency exchange effects), which impact our reported USD results and may make it difficult to determine actual increases and decreases in our revenue and expenses which are attributable to our actual operating activities. In addition to reporting changes in our financial statements in USD as per the requirements of United States generally accepted accounting principles (“US GAAP”), we also highlight the impact of any material currency translation effect by providing a comparison between periods on a constant currency basis, where the most recent USD/Euro exchange rate is applied to previous periods. Management believes that this allows for greater insight into the trends and changes in our business for the reported periods. Also, since we carry out our business activities primarily in Euro’s we do not currently engage in hedging activities.
The constant currency analysis presented within the comparison of the nine month year-to-year results is calculated by using the average exchange rates over the nine months ended September 30, 2012. The same exchange rates are used in the income statement of the nine months ended September 30, 2012. The following table shows the USD equivalent of the major currencies for the nine months ended September 30, 2012:
US Dollars | ||||
equivalent | ||||
Euro | $ | 1.2812 | ||
British Pound | $ | 1.5775 |
Adjusted EBITDA
In order to provide investors additional information regarding our financial results, we are disclosing Adjusted EBITDA, a non-GAAP financial measure. We employ Adjusted EBITDA, defined as earnings before derivative accounting, such as warrant liabilities and conversion feature expensing, income taxes, depreciation and amortization and stock-based compensation, for several purposes, including as a measure of our operating performance. We use Adjusted EBITDA because it removes the impact of items not directly resulting from our core operations, thus allowing us to better assess whether the elements of our growth strategy are yielding the desired results. Accordingly, we believe that Adjusted EBITDA provides useful information for investors and others, which allows them to better understand and evaluate our operating results.
A reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to net loss, the most directly comparable measure under U.S. GAAP, for each of the fiscal periods indicated, is as follows:
Nine months ended September 30, | ||||||||||||
EBITDA Adjusted | 2012 | 2011 | 2011 in constant currency | |||||||||
Net loss | $ | (16,470,763 | ) | (18,705,754 | ) | (17,812,705 | ) | |||||
Provision for income taxes | 192,175 | 800 | 800 | |||||||||
Depreciation and amortization | 3,766,494 | 3,993,900 | 3,663,684 | |||||||||
Stock-based compensation | 4,940,131 | 5,600,283 | 5,523,024 | |||||||||
Other income & expenses | (454,145 | ) | (408,377 | ) | (408,377 | ) | ||||||
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated joint venture | 356,667 | - | - | |||||||||
Adjusted EBITDA | $ | (7,669,441 | ) | (9,519,148 | ) | (9,033,574 | ) |
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Three months ended September 30, | ||||||||||||
EBITDA Adjusted | 2012 | 2011 | 2011 in constant currency | |||||||||
Net loss | $ | (5,474,665 | ) | $ | (7,271,107 | ) | $ | (6,857,514 | ) | |||
Provision for income taxes | 94,887 | - | - | |||||||||
Depreciation and amortization | 1,263,137 | 1,353,450 | 1,205,060 | |||||||||
Non-cash compensation | 1,709,403 | 2,432,317 | 2,397,897 | |||||||||
Other income & expenses | 117,012 | (39,521 | ) | (36,528 | ) | |||||||
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated joint venture | 164,252 | - | - | |||||||||
Adjusted EBITDA | $ | (2,125,974 | ) | $ | (3,524,861 | ) | $ | (3,291,085 | ) |
Comparison of Three and Nine months ended September 30, 2012 and September 30, 2011
As our business is primarily Euro-based, the effects of the devaluation of the Euro against the US Dollar have been substantial on the 2012 financials we report. For purposes of comparison and clarification we have added ‘constant currency’ calculations below in order to remove the reporting currency effects from the revenues and results derived in the functional currencies. Explanations for fluctuations or trends in our revenues and cost are provided principally in the ‘constant currency’ sections.
Revenue
Revenue for the three months ended September 30, 2012 was $6,699,381, a decrease of $1,097,555 or 14.1%, compared to $7,796,936 for the three months ending September 30, 2011. The landline services revenue for the three months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011 was $3,763,140 and $6,388,824, respectively, a decrease of $2,625,684. The decrease was due to two factors. The first is a decision earlier this year by a landline client to discontinue their business with us. The second is the overall global trend of communication moving away from landline towards mobile and wireless. The mobile and security solutions revenue for the three months ended September 30, 2012 was $2,936,241, an increase of $1,528,129 from $1,408,112 for the same period 2011. The increase was mainly due to increased subscriber base hosted on our platforms.
Revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 was $22,365,318, a decrease of $1,730,608 or 7.2%, compared to $24,095,926 for the nine months ended September 30, 2011. This decrease of $1,730,608 was the result of an unfavorable impact of the currency translation effect of $2,130,756 arising from a lower US Dollar/Euro exchange rate.
Nine months ended September 30, | ||||||||
2012 | 2011 | |||||||
Revenues | $ | 22,365,318 | $ | 24,095,926 | ||||
Cost of service | 16,677,853 | 22,048,689 | ||||||
5,687,465 | 2,047,237 |
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Mobile and security revenue increased as a percentage of total Company revenue to 43.8% in the third quarter of 2012 from 18.1% in the prior year period.
Nine months ended September 30, | ||||||||||||||||
Constant currency | ||||||||||||||||
Revenue | 2012 | 2011 | 2011 | Variance 2012 versus 2011 | ||||||||||||
Landline Services | $ | 14,217,650 | $ | 20,227,712 | $ | 18,440,459 | $ | (4,222,809 | ) | |||||||
Mobile & Security Solutions | 8,147,668 | 3,868,214 | 3,524,710 | 4,622,958 | ||||||||||||
Total Revenue | $ | 22,365,318 | $ | 24,095,926 | $ | 21,965,169 | $ | 400,149 |
Revenue - constant currency
In constant currency, the revenue for the three months ended September 30, 2012 decreased by $172,721 or 2.5% compared to the same period 2011. In constant currency, the revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 increased by $400,149 or 1.8% compared to the same period 2011. The increase in revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 was led by an increase of $4,622,958 (or 131.2%) in our revenues in the higher margin mobile and security solutions business following the increased subscriber base hosted on our platforms. The mobile revenue increase was however largely off-set by the expected continued decrease in our lower margin legacy landline business by $4,222,809 (or 22.9%).
Cost of service
Cost of service for the three months ended September 30, 2012 was $4,603,588, a decrease of $2,392,937 or 34.2%, compared to $6,996,525 for the three months ending September 30, 2011. Cost of service for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 was $16,677,853, a decrease of $5,370,836 or 24.4%, compared to $22,048,689 for the nine months ended September 30, 2011. This decrease is related to the decline in landline revenue. Cost of service as a percentage of the total revenue was 74.6% and 91.5% for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively.
Cost of service includes origination, termination, network and billing charges from telecommunications operators, out payment costs to content and information providers, network costs, data center costs, facility cost of hosting network and equipment and cost in providing resale arrangements with long distance service providers, cost of leasing transmission facilities, international gateway switches for voice, and data transmission services.
Management expects cost of service to decline further as a percentage of revenue as a greater proportion of future revenue is comprised of our mobile services and security solutions, which have a substantially lower cost of service than our traditional landline business.
Cost of service– constant currency
In constant currency, the cost of service for the three months ended September 30, 2012 decreased by $1,584,034 or 25.6% compared to the same period in 2011. In constant currency, the cost of service for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 decreased by $3,422,919 or 17.0% compared to the same period in 2011. The decrease was primarily as a result of lower levels of revenue in our landline business and the lower cost of service associated with our mobile and security solutions business.
Selling, general and administrative expenses
Selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expense for the three months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011 were $4,221,767 and $4,325,272, respectively, a decreased $103,505 (or 2.4%). Selling, general and administrative expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, were $13,356,906 and $11,566,385, respectively. SG&A expenses increased by $1,790,521 (or 15.5%) in the first nine months 2012 compared to the same period 2011.
Selling, general and administrative expenses – constant currency
In constant currency, SG&A for the three months ended September 30, 2012 increased by $246,202 (or 6.2%), compared to the same period in 2011 due to higher staffing levels. In constant currency, SG&A for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 increased by $2,458,935 (or 22.6%), compared to the same period in 2011. Higher year-over-year SG&A for expenses in the nine months September 30, 2012 were mainly the result of an 18.6% year-over-year increase in staffing levels, largely European MNO operational support and commercial support staff, as well as higher investor relations and sales, marketing & communication related staffing and expenses.
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Non-cash compensation to officers, directors, consultants and employees
Non-cash compensation for the three months ended September 30, 2012 was $1,709,403, a decrease of $722,914 or 29.7%, compared to $2,432,317 for the three months ended September 30, 2011. Non-cash compensation for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011 was $4,940,131 and $5,600,283, respectively. The decrease in the nine months ended September 2012 was of $660,152 (or 11.8%) compared to the same period 2011. The decreases are caused by a number of factors such as lower non-cash compensation for board and management, board and management composition and reduced contractual terms of options granted under the company incentive scheme resulting in a lower fair market value of the options granted
Non-cash compensation is comprised of:
• | the stock options expenses related to the companywide 2008 Long-Term Incentive Compensation Plan; | |
• | expenses related to shares of common stock that were issued to directors and officers in lieu of cash compensation. |
Depreciation and amortization
Depreciation and amortization expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2012 was $1,263,137, a decrease of $90,313 (or 6.7%), compared to $1,353,450 for the three months ended September 30, 2011. Depreciation and amortization for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, was $3,766,494 and $3,993,900 respectively. Depreciation and amortization expenses decreased by $227,406 (or 5.7%) in the first nine months 2012 compared to the same period 2011.
Depreciation and amortization – constant currency
In constant currency, the depreciation and amortization expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2012 decreased by $58,077 (or 4.8%) compared to the same period in 2011. In constant currency, the depreciation and amortization expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 decreased by $102,810 (or 2.8%) compared to the same period in 2011. The decreases are caused by reduced amortization expenses following certain intangible assets being fully amortized.
Intangible assets impairment charge
The September 30, 2012 consolidated balance sheet includes: $11.0 million of intangible assets, net, and $3.1 million of goodwill. Management updated its analysis of intangible assets and long-lived assets as of September 30, 2012 and we determined that for the first nine months 2012 no asset impairment charges are necessary.
We have acquired several companies in the last few years and our current business strategy includes continuing to make additional acquisitions in the future. These acquisitions may continue to give rise to goodwill and other intangible assets which will need to be assessed for impairment from time to time.
Other Income and Expenses
Interest income for the three months ended September 30, 2012 was ($85,364), consisting of $53,935 interest income for the period and an adjustment of ($139,299) related to previously reported periods. Interest income for the three months ended September 30, 2011 was $74,988. The adjustment follows an overstatement of both interest income ($139,299) as well as interest expense in prior periods in 2012 resulting from certain intercompany interest charges that were not eliminated. A similar adjustment (in opposite direction) was made in interest expense ($139,288) for the three months ended September 2012. Interest income was $194,554 and $122,119 for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011. Interest income was interest received on bank balances and interest on loans provided to related and third parties.
Interest expense, amortization of debt discount and financing cost for the three months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011 were $649,251 and $35,467, respectively. The amount of $35,467 for the three months ended September 30, 2011 is entirely related to interest expenses, whereas the amount of $649,251 for the three months ended September 30, 2012 is composed of interest expenses in the amount of $104,477, interest expenses related to debt discount in the amount of $359,842 and of the amortization of deferred financing costs in the amount of $184,932. Interest expense, amortization of debt discount and financing cost for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011were $1,588,098 and $173,742, respectively. The $173,742 for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 is entirely related to interest expenses, whereas the amount of $1,588,098 for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 is composed of interest expenses in the amount of $555,723, interest expenses related to debt discount in the amount of $697,112 and of the amortization of deferred financing costs in the amount of $335,263. Interest expenses for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 include the interest expenses on the 8% convertible note of $168,867 and 344,092, respectively.
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Other income was $0 and $460,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011 respectively. The other income for 2011 was related to the release of an accrual for a tax provision, following a successful abatement.
Change in fair value conversion feature
In the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012, the income related to the fair value changes of the conversion feature of the convertible notes was $617,603 and $1,847,689, respectively, compared to $0 in the first three and nine months 2011.
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated joint venture
In the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012, the Company incurred expenses of $164,252 and $356,667, respectively, as a result of the Company’s equity share in the losses of its financial investment in a joint venture.
Provision for Income Taxes
Provision for income taxes for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 was $94,887 and $192,175, respectively. In the ordinary course of the Company's business there are transactions where the ultimate income tax determination is uncertain, the Company believes that is has adequately provided for income tax issues not yet resolved with federal, state, local and foreign tax authorities. In the event that actual results differ from these estimates or we adjust these estimates in future periods, an additional charge to expense would result.
Net Loss
Net loss for the three months ended September 30, 2012 was $5,474,665, a decrease of $1,796,442 (or 24.7%), compared to $7,271,107 for the three months ending September 30, 2011. Net Loss was $16,470,763, a decrease of $2,234,991 (or 11.9%) compared to $18,705,754 for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011. The decreases in loss of $1,796,442 for the three months ended September 30, 2012 and $2,234,991 for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 were led by the decrease in the loss from operations by $2,212,114 and $2,737,265 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012. Loss from operations reduced because of increased revenues from our higher margin mobile and security business combined with a reduced non-cash compensation expenses.
Both the provision for income taxes of $94,887 and $192,175 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 and the equity in earnings of unconsolidated joint venture for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 of ($164,252) and ($356,667), respectively, had an adverse impact on the net loss. The change in income/(expense) of ($156,533) for the three months ended September 30, 2012 had a negative impact on the net loss of the third quarter 2012, while the increase of $45,768 in other income for nine months ended September 30, 2012 had a positive effect on the net loss for the nine months ended September 30, 2012. The decrease in loss from operations was primarily driven by the increase of our Mobile & Security business.
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
We record foreign currency translation gains and losses as other comprehensive income or loss. Other comprehensive Income (Loss) for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011 was ($315,226) and $931,961, respectively. This change is primarily attributable to the translation effect resulting from the substantial fluctuations in the US Dollars/Euro exchange rates.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
We have an accumulated deficit of $196,599,134 as of September 30, 2012. Historically, we have relied on a combination of debt and equity financings to fund our ongoing cash requirements. The Company’s operations have not yet resulted in positive cash flow and accordingly, management may need to raise additional financing. In the third quarter we had an operational cash burn rate of between $900,000 and $600,000 per month, excluding working capital changes. We estimate our short term cash requirements including working capital requirements, losses and capital expenditures to be on average approximately $1,000,000 per month which we intend to cover using cash on hand of $4,344,438 at September 30, 2012, substantial additional revenues and margins and a commitment of up to $2 million from QAT Investments SA, an affiliate of the Company. We intend to monitor and reduce where necessary cash outflow by delaying capital expenditures and carefully use our resources and protect our strategic assets in order to strengthen our position in the mobile and security services industry. Lastly, our first twelve months convertible loan repayment obligations will be covered through the first quarter of 2013 using the restricted cash balance of $1,308,946 as described in Note 2 to these financial statements.
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The Company anticipates that they may need additional financing to continue our operations for the longer term. Although we have previously been able to raise capital as needed, including our recent private placement of certain senior secured convertible notes in the principal amount of $8,800,000, such capital may not continue to be available to us at all, or if available, on reasonable terms as required. Further, the terms of such financing may be dilutive to our existing stockholders or otherwise on terms not favorable to us or our existing stockholders. If we are unable to secure additional capital, as circumstances require, or do not succeed in meeting our sales objectives we may be required to change or delay our operations.
Operating activities
Net cash used in operating activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 was $3,667,253 compared to $11,299,140 in the same period 2011, a decrease of $7,631,887. This decrease is primarily attributable to improvements in working capital due to tighter cash management and cost control, as well as to the lower net loss.
Investment activities
Net cash used in investment activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 was $5,051,228 a decrease of $1,498,477, (or 22.9%) compared to $6,549,705 in the same period 2011. The decrease was attributable to a lower level of purchases of property and equipment by $4,342,480, which was partly offset by the increase in loans to the third party Morodo Ltd. by $138,591, change in restricted cash by $1,597,205, as well as by loans to joint venture partner Modale B.V. (previously known as Elephant Security I B.V.) of $107,618 and by the loan to the related party Elephant Security B.V. of $1,000,589.
Financing activities
Net cash received by financing activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 was $7,381,675 compared to $24,966,433 for the nine months ended September 30, 2011. In the first nine months of 2012 we received a total of $8,000,000 in gross proceeds from the 8% convertible note and $969,714 from the exercise of warrants and options. After the deduction of deferred financing costs and expenses attributable to share issuances of ($623,081) the net proceeds from financing activities amounted to $8,346,633. In the first nine months of 2012 $964,958 was paid for installment payments and interest related the 8% convertible note.
As a result of the above activities, the Company had the cash and cash equivalents balance of $4,344,438 as of September 30, 2012, a net decrease in cash and cash equivalents of $1,665,138 since December 31, 2011.
Off- Balance Sheet Arrangements
The Company did not have any off-balance sheet arrangements that have or are reasonably likely to have a current or future effect on our financial condition, changes in financial condition, revenues or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources that is material to investors.
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure about Market Risks
Foreign currency exchange rate
As the vast majority of our business activities are carried out in Euros and we report our financial statements in US dollars, fluctuations in foreign currencies impact the total amount of assets and liabilities that we report for our foreign subsidiaries upon the translation of those amounts in US dollars. Since we carry out our business activities primarily in Euro’s we have not engaged in foreign currency exchange rate hedging activities for our operational activities.
However, since we concluded in the first quarter 2012 a convertible a loan agreement with gross proceeds of $8.8 million whereby we will be obliged to pay monthly interest and repayment in United States dollars, we evaluate on a regular basis if hedging is appropriate for the Company. So far, this has not resulted in the Company engaging in hedging activities for this particular convertible loan agreement.
Contractual obligations
The contractual obligations are presented in the Note 18, Commitments to the financial statements. Changes in our business needs, cancellation provisions and other factors may result in actual payments differing from these estimates.
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The company does not recognize any risks caused by fluctuations in prices for commodity, equity (other than its own share price) or other items other than above described.
Item 4. Controls and Procedures
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
As of September 30, 2012 the Company carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of the Company's management, including the Company's Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company' disclosure controls and procedures, as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Based on the evaluation and consistent with what was reported in the 2011 annual report on Form 10-K, the Company's Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the Company's disclosure controls and procedures were ineffective to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports it files or submits under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in Securities and Exchange Commission rules and forms and is accumulated and communicated to our management as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
During the reporting period, management has continued their efforts to establish a framework to improve internal controls over financial reporting, particularly as they related to the material weaknesses previously disclosed in our 2011 Annual Report on Form 10-K. We continued to commit resources to the design, implementation, documentation, and testing of our internal controls. Our management believes that these efforts have improved our internal control over financial reporting.
Under the direction of the Audit Committee, management will continue to review and make any changes it deems necessary to the overall design of the Company's internal control over financial reporting, including implementing improvements in policies and procedures.
There has been no change in the Company's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the Company's most recent fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company's internal control over financial reporting, except for the remediation steps and improvements made to address the material weakness in its internal control over financial reporting as described in the 2011 Annual Report.
PART II - OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. Legal Proceedings
(a) Chong Hing Bank Litigation
In December 2009 Chong Hing Bank Limited, fka Liu Chong Hing Bank Limited (Bank), a foreign banking services company based in Hong Kong , commenced a lawsuit in the California Orange County Superior Court calledChong Hing Bank Limited v. Elephant Talk Communications, Inc ., Case No. 30-2009-00328467. The Bank alleged that it entered into various installment and term loan agreements and an overdraft account with Elephant Talk Limited (ETL), a wholly-owned Hong Kong subsidiary of Elephant Talk Communications Corp. (Company). Various former officers and directors of ETL personally guaranteed the loans and overdraft account.
The Bank alleged that ETL was in default on the loans and overdraft account, and that approximately $1,933,308 including interest and default interest was due. The Bank alleged that the Company was directly liable to repay the loans and overdraft account as a successor in interest to ETL or because the Company expressly or impliedly assumed direct liability for the loans and overdraft account. The Company denied the Bank’s allegations and asserted several affirmative defenses. The Company contended that it had no direct liability to the Bank, and that the Bank must pursue its recourse against ETL and its personal guarantors.
The Bank and the Company tried the case to the court without a jury between October, 5 and 12, 2011. The court found, among other things, that
· | The Company was not liable as a successor in interest or otherwise on the Bank loans and overdraft account to ETL; |
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· | The Company was not liable on the Bank’s claims because the Bank filed its action after the applicable California 4-year statute of limitations had expired; and |
· | The Company was not liable to the Bank under the alternative theories of negligent or intentional misrepresentation. |
The court entered judgment in favor of the Company and against the Bank on December 14, 2011, and awarded the Company $5,925.41 in costs. The judgment became final on February 16, 2012. We continue to accrue for these loans since our subsidiary ETL in Hong Kong, alleged by the Bank as the contractual party, may be still held liable for these loans.
(b) Rescission of the Purchase Agreement of March 31, 2004 of New Times Navigation Limited.
As previously described in our 2004 Annual Report we and New Times Navigation Limited mutually agreed to terminate this purchase agreement. We returned the received shares of New Times Navigation Limited to the concerned shareholders and received back 90,100 of our common stock out of the 204,000 issued by us for the purchase. In addition we issued 37 unsecured convertible promissory notes for a total amount of $3,600,000. On our request 21 notes were returned with a total value of $2,040,000.
We are presently seeking relief from the High Court of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region against the holders of the unreturned shares to return a total of 113,900 common shares (valued at $381,565) and also to have them return the remaining 18 unsecured convertible promissory notes representing a total amount of $1,740,000 and rescind the purchase agreement. The case is currently pending.
Item 1A. Risk Factors
In addition to the other information set forth in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, you should carefully consider the Risk Factors included in Part I, “Item 1A. — “Risk Factors” of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011 and the “Risk Factors” in our Form S-3 filed on April 26, 2012. These Risk Factors could materially impact our business, financial condition and/or operating results. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently deem to be immaterial also may materially adversely impact our business, financial condition and/or operating results.
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
None.
Item 3. Defaults upon Senior Securities.
None.
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures
Not applicable.
Item 5. Other Information
None.
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Item 6. Exhibits
(a) Exhibits
31.1 | Certification of the CEO pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15(d)-14(a) on page 32. * |
31.2 | Certification of the CFO pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15(d)-14(a) on page 33. * |
32.1 | Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. §1350 as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 on page 34. * |
32.2 | Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. §1350 as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 on page 35. * |
101.INS ** | XBRL Instance Document |
101.SCH ** | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document |
101.CAL ** | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document |
101.DEF ** | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document |
101.LAB ** | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document |
101.PRE ** | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document |
* filed herein.
** XBRL (Extensible Business Reporting Language) information is furnished and not filed or a part of a registration statement or prospectus for purposes of Sections 11 or 12 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, is deemed not filed for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and otherwise is not subject to liability under these sections.
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.
ELEPHANT TALK COMMUNICATIONS CORP. | ||
November 8, 2012 | By | /s/ Steven van der Velden |
Steven van der Velden | ||
President and Chief Executive Officer | ||
(Principal Executive Officer) | ||
November 8, 2012 | By | /s/ Mark Nije |
Mark Nije | ||
Chief Financial Officer | ||
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) |
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