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AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON FEBRUARY 20, 2001
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, DC 20549
FORM 20-F
[ ] REGISTRATION STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) or 12(g) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934.
or
[X] ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934.
FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED
SEPTEMBER 30, 2000
or
[ ] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934.
COMMISSION FILE NUMBER 0-30594
GT GROUP TELECOM INC.
(Exact Name of the Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
CANADA
(Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization)
20 BAY STREET, 7TH FLOOR, TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA M5J 2N8
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of
the Act:
Title Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered
----- -----------------------------------------
CLASS B NON-VOTING SHARES NASDAQ NATIONAL MARKET
Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of
the Act:
NONE
Securities for which there is a reporting obligation pursuant to
Section 15(d) of the Act:
13 1/4% SENIOR DISCOUNT NOTES DUE 2010
WARRANTS TO PURCHASE CLASS B NON-VOTING SHARES
Indicate the number of outstanding shares of each of the issuer's classes
of capital or common stock as of the close of the period covered by the
annual report.:
41,105,767 CLASS B NON-VOTING SHARES AT SEPTEMBER 30, 2000
Indicate by check mark whether the Company: (1) has filed all reports
required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Company
was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing
requirements for the past 90 days.
YES X NO ____
Indicate by check mark which financial statement item the Company has
elected to follow.
Item 17 _____ Item 18 X
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed all documents and
reports required to be filed by Sections 12, 13 or 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 subsequent to the distribution of securities under a plan
confirmed by a court.
NOT APPLICABLE
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As used in this Annual Report on Form 20-F, unless the context otherwise
indicates, the term "we", "us", "our" and similar terms, as well as references
to "GT", "Group Telecom" or the "Company" means GT Group Telecom Inc.
EXCHANGE RATES
UNLESS OTHERWISE INDICATED, ALL MONETARY REFERENCES HEREIN ARE DENOMINATED IN
CANADIAN DOLLARS. REFERENCES TO "$" OR "DOLLARS" ARE TO CANADIAN DOLLARS AND
REFERENCES TO "US$" OR "U.S. DOLLARS" ARE TO UNITED STATES DOLLARS. AS OF
SEPTEMBER 30, 2000, THE BUYING RATE FOR TRANSFERS IN CANADIAN DOLLARS AS QUOTED
BY REUTERS WAS $0.6649 EQUALS US$1.00. (SEE ITEM 3 FOR FURTHER EXCHANGE RATE
INFORMATION TO U.S. CURRENCY.)
STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD LOOKING INFORMATION
Certain statements in this Annual Report under Item 3: Key Information, Item 4:
Information on the Company and Item 5: Operating and Financial Review and
Prospects and elsewhere in this Annual Report are "forward-looking statements"
within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act
of 1995. These statements relate to future events or our future financial
performance. You can generally identify forward looking statements by
terminology such as "may," "will," "should," "expects," "plans," "intends,"
"anticipates," "believes," "estimates," "projects," "predicts," "potential," or
"continue," or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology.
These statements are only predictions and involve known and unknown risks,
uncertainties and other factors, including the risks outlined under Item 3: Key
Information, that may cause our or our industry's actual results, levels of
activity, performance or achievements to differ materially from any future
results, levels of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied
by these forward-looking statements.
Although we believe that the expectations reflected in the forward
looking-statements are reasonable, we cannot guarantee future results, levels of
activity, performance or achievements. Moreover, we do not assume and no other
person assumes responsibility for the accuracy and completeness of these
statements. We do not promise to update forward-looking information to reflect
actual results or changes in assumptions.
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GT GROUP TELECOM INC.
PART I
ITEM 1: IDENTITY OF DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND ADVISERS.
Not applicable.
ITEM 2: OFFER STATISTICS AND EXPECTED TIMETABLE
Not applicable
ITEM 3: KEY INFORMATION
A. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
The following table sets forth selected financial and operating information
for Group Telecom for the periods indicated. You should read this selected
consolidated financial and operating information in conjunction with Item 5:
Operating and Financial Review and Prospects and Financial Statements in Item
18. Our financial statements are presented in Canadian dollars and are prepared
in accordance with Canadian GAAP, which differs in some respects from U.S. GAAP.
The principal differences are summarized in note 19 to our audited financial
statements.
TWELVE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30,
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1996(1) 1997 1998 1999 2000
----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AND OPERATING DATA)
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS:
Canadian GAAP
Revenue ......................... $ 29 $ 2,051 $ 1,823 $ 2,705 $ 73,251
Cost of services ................ 28 1,437 1,131 1,808 51,336
----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Gross profit .................... 1 614 692 897 21,915
Selling, general and
administrative expenses.......... 243 989 3,038 10,218 100,959
----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
(242) (375) (2,346) (9,321) (79,044)
Amortization .................... 9 55 255 853 43,055
----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Operating loss .................. (251) (430) (2,601) (10,174) 122,099
Interest and finance items
(income)......................... -- -- (162) (372) 54,354
Tax expense (recovery) .......... (5) -- -- 165 (38,467)
----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Loss for the period ............. $ (246) $ (430) $ (2,439) $ (9,967) $ (137,986)
=========== =========== =========== =========== ===========
Loss per share(2) ............... (0.05) (0.05) (0.26) (0.56) (1.83)
U.S. GAAP
Loss for the period ............. $ (269) $ (426) $ (3,582) $ (10,336) $ (140,648)
=========== =========== =========== =========== ===========
Comprehensive loss for the period $ (269) $ (426) $ (3,582) $ (10,336) $ (116,722)
=========== =========== =========== =========== ===========
Loss per share(2) ............... (0.05) (0.05) (0.38) (0.58) (1.86)
Weighted average number of common
shares outstanding .............. 4,920 8,024 9,542 17,859 75,442
BALANCE SHEET:
Canadian GAAP
Cash and cash equivalents ....... $ 5 $ 61 $ 2,476 $ 59,851 $ 444,050
Working capital (deficit) ....... (166) (224) (4,199) 47,870 384,090
Property, plant and equipment,
net(3)........................... 64 481 10,555 73,817 954,917
Prepayment on property, plant and
equipment ....................... -- -- -- -- 203,703
Goodwill and other assets(4) .... 85 75 207 1,292 227,033
Total assets .................... 171 1,022 14,368 139,814 1,929,268
Long-term debt .................. -- -- 776 47,557 948,928
Shareholders' equity (deficiency) (17) 331 5,787 73,928 862,798
U.S. GAAP
Shareholders' equity (deficiency) $ (41) $ 316 $ 5,685 $ 73,513 $ 912,731
CASH PROVIDED BY (USED IN):(5)
Operating activities ............ $ (127) $ (251) $ (1,360) $ (9,033) $ (49,181)
Financing activities ............ 233 769 7,686 75,947 1,145,607
Investing activities ............ (101) (462) (3,911) (9,539) (712,227)
OTHER:
EBITDA(6) ....................... $ (242) $ (375) $ (2,288) $ (8,402) $ (56,836)
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AT AT AT
SEPTEMBER 30, SEPTEMBER 30, SEPTEMBER 30,
1998 1999 2000
------------- ------------- ------------
OPERATING DATA:
Route kilometers ........................... 5 46 9,545(7)
Fiber kilometers ........................... 2,030 16,595 190,583(8)
Number of Lucent and Nortel class 5 switches 1 1 5
Number of buildings connected .............. 8 40 1,569
Number of employees ........................ 51 168 987
(1) Data is for the period from our incorporation on April 12, 1996 to
September 30, 1996.
(2) The effect of the exercise of options and warrants is not dilutive.
Accordingly, fully diluted earnings per share is not presented.
(3) Property, plant and equipment at cost is as follows:
SEPTEMBER 30,
------------------------------------------------------------
1996 1997 1998 1999 2000
-------- -------- -------- -------- --------
(IN THOUSANDS)
Property, plant and equipment, at cost $ 69 $ 517 $ 10,805 $ 74,895 $986,416
(4) Goodwill and other assets includes goodwill and other long-term assets.
(5) Cash flow information represents cash provided by (used in) operating,
financing and investing activities are identical under Canadian and U.S.
GAAP.
(6) EBITDA is calculated in accordance with Canadian GAAP and consists of
earnings (loss) before interest expense, income taxes, depreciation and
amortization and financing expenses and includes interest income. EBITDA is
a financial metric used by substantially all investors to compare companies
in the telecommunications industry on the basis of operating results, asset
value and the ability to incur and service debt. It is not intended to
represent cash flow or results of operations in accordance with Canadian
GAAP. EBITDA may not be comparable to similarly titled amounts reported by
other companies. Under U.S. GAAP, EBITDA for the period from April 12,
1996, our date of incorporation, to September 30, 1996, the years ended
September 30, 1997, 1998, 1999 and 2000 was $(265,000), $(371,000),
$(3,431,000), $(8,769,000) and $(68,281,000), respectively.
(7) Equivalent to approximately 5,930 route miles. Route miles equal the number
of miles of the telecommunications paths in which we own or lease installed
fiber-optic cable.
(8) Equivalent to approximately 118,422 fiber miles. Fiber miles equal the
number of route miles installed along a telecommunications path multiplied
by the number of fibers along the path.
EXCHANGE RATES
The following table sets forth, for the periods and rates indicated,
information concerning exchange rates for Canadian dollars expressed in United
States dollars, based on the inverse of the noon buying rate in the City of New
York for cable transfers in Canadian dollars as certified for customs purposes
by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. On February 15, 2001, the inverse of
the noon buying rate was Cdn$1.00 = US$0.6547.
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TWELVE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30,
--------------------------------------------------
1996 1997 1998 1999 2000
---- ---- ---- ---- ----
AVERAGE 0.7327 0.7286 0.6845 0.6663 0.6791
MONTH ENDED
------------------------------------------------------------------------
AUGUST, SEPTEMBER, OCTOBER, NOVEMBER, DECEMBER, JANUARY,
2000 2000 2000 2000 2000 2001
---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ----
HIGH 0.6715 0.6636 0.6531 0.6410 0.6469 0.6595
LOW 0.6793 0.6783 0.6687 0.6552 0.6669 0.6692
The average noon buying rate is derived by taking the average of the noon
buying rate on the last business day of each month during the relevant period.
DIVIDEND POLICY
We have not paid any dividends on our class B non-voting shares and do not
intend to pay any dividends on our class B non-voting shares in the foreseeable
future. We currently intend to retain future earnings, if any, to finance the
future growth of our business. In addition, our ability to pay cash dividends is
currently restricted under the terms of financing agreements related to our long
term debt. Future dividends, if any, will be determined by our board of
directors.
B. CAPITALIZATION AND INDEBTEDNESS
Not applicable
C. REASONS FOR THE OFFER AND USE OF PROCEEDS
Not applicable
D. RISK FACTORS
THE COSTS OF DEPLOYING OUR NETWORK AND EXPANDING OUR BUSINESS MAY EXCEED THE
CAPITAL AVAILABLE TO US. IF THIS HAPPENS, WE MAY HAVE TO DELAY OR ABANDON OUR
BUSINESS PLAN.
We used substantial capital to fund our acquisitions of the businesses of
Shaw FiberLink and Videon FiberLink, our acquisition of the Cable Atlantic
competitive local exchange carrier and commercial telecommunications operations
and our acquisitions from 360networks, and will have significant capital
expenditures, working capital, debt service and cash flow deficits during the
period in which we are expanding our business and deploying our network,
services and systems. The actual amount and timing of our future capital
requirements may differ materially
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from our estimates as a result of prevailing economic conditions and financial,
business and other factors, many of which are beyond our control. We cannot
assure you that the capital actually required for this expansion and deployment
will not exceed our expectations. If demand in the targeted markets exceeds
current expectations, capital requirements may increase materially. In addition,
we may identify new markets in the future and, as opportunities develop, we may
be required to make additional investments in our network and facilities or
pursue strategic alliances to consummate those opportunities.
If required, we expect to raise additional capital through the sale of debt
and equity and through vendor financing. We cannot assure you that we will be
able to raise sufficient capital or that such funding will be available on a
timely basis or on terms acceptable to us, if at all. If we fail to raise
additional funds when and if required, we may have to delay or abandon our
planned expansion of our network, services and systems, which could cause us to
lose revenue and would hinder our ability to compete in the telecommunications
industry.
IF WE ARE UNABLE TO NEGOTIATE ACCESS RIGHTS TO THE PROPERTY OF A VARIETY OF
THIRD PARTIES, WE WOULD BE DELAYED IN EXECUTING OUR BUSINESS PLAN.
Most of our target customers are tenants within large buildings. To execute
our business plan, we will need to obtain additional building license agreements
with several different building management companies. We may not be able to
secure additional building license agreements on a timely basis or on acceptable
terms. If we cannot obtain building license agreements, our operating results
will be harmed and we may be required to delay or abandon some of our planned
future expansion.
To build our network, we must obtain rights and other permits, which
include, but are not limited to, rights-to-use underground conduit and aerial
pole space and other rights-of-way from entities such as utilities, railroads,
long distance providers, provincial highway authorities, local governments and
transit authorities. We cannot assure you that we will be successful in either
obtaining or maintaining these permits and rights-of-way on commercially
reasonable terms and conditions. Certain permits and rights-of-way may require
regulatory filings or may be subject to legal challenge by municipal
governments, land and building owners or other third parties. For example, there
is a public notice proceeding that was initiated by Canada's telecommunications
regulatory authority, the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications
Commission (commonly known as the "CRTC") in which interested parties were
invited to comment on the terms and conditions of access to municipal
rights-of-way in the city of Vancouver. Loss of substantial permits or
rights-of-way or the failure to enter into or maintain required arrangements
could cause us to lose revenue or abandon certain markets.
If we cannot enter into agreements for access rights or purchase or lease
fiber with accompanying access rights, our business and our operating results
may be harmed and we may be required to delay or abandon some of our business
plan.
WE ARE DEPENDENT ON OTHER PARTIES IN RESPECT OF THE FIBER WHICH CONSTITUTES
A SIGNIFICANT PART OF OUR NETWORK.
In connection with our acquisition of the business of Shaw FiberLink we
received an indefeasible right to use Shaw FiberLink's fiber for 60 years. Shaw
FiberLink has, in turn, a one-year indefeasible right to use fiber of various
cable companies which are owned by Shaw
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Communications, renewable annually by Shaw FiberLink during the term of our
indefeasible right to use Shaw FiberLink's fiber. As a result, in order to have
access to the fiber provided by the indefeasible right to use, we are dependent
on Shaw FiberLink's ability to maintain its indefeasible right to use agreements
with the Shaw cable companies. In addition, the terms of our agreements with
Shaw FiberLink, Videon FiberLink, Cable Atlantic and 360networks provide that
our rights under those agreements are limited if the underlying rights
associated with the fiber that is the subject of the indefeasible rights to use
have any limitations or prohibitions. We entered into performance assurance
agreements with Shaw Communications and Moffat Communications to support our
rights under our agreement with Shaw FiberLink and Videon FiberLink. If we
discover that indefeasible right to use rights are not passed to us as
anticipated, or if we, Shaw FiberLink, Videon FiberLink, Cable Atlantic or
360networks do not obtain and maintain the necessary underlying rights, or if
Shaw Communications or Moffat Communications do not comply with the performance
assurance agreements, we may not have access to the fiber provided by the
indefeasible right to use agreement and this could substantially impair our
ability to carry on business.
SOME OF OUR CUSTOMERS ARE ALSO OUR COMPETITORS AND, GIVEN OUR COMPETITION
WITH THEM, MAY REDUCE THE LEVEL OF BUSINESS THEY DO WITH US.
We provide data services to and derive revenue from other telecommunications
carriers, even though we also compete with some of them for customers. A large
portion of the revenues of the businesses we have recently acquired are also
derived from services to other telecommunications carriers. These carriers may
not wish to use our services to this extent given our competition with them and
they may reduce the level of business they do with us.
WE HAVE EXPERIENCED AND ANTICIPATE THAT WE WILL CONTINUE TO EXPERIENCE NET
LOSSES.
For the year ended September 30, 2000 and 1999 we had net losses of $138.0
million and $10.0 million and negative cash flow from operating activities of
$49.2 million and $9.0 million, respectively. We expect to incur significant
additional expenditures in connection with the development and expansion of our
network and service offerings. As a result, we expect to continue to incur
significant future net losses and negative cash flow. If our revenues do not
increase significantly or the increase in our expenses is greater than expected,
we may not achieve or sustain profitability or generate positive cash flow in
the future.
GROUP TELECOM'S LIMITED HISTORY OF OPERATIONS MAY MAKE IT DIFFICULT TO
EVALUATE OUR PROSPECTS.
Group Telecom was incorporated in 1996. Our short operating history permits
us to provide you with only limited operating and financial data which you can
use to evaluate our performance.
IF WE DO NOT CONTINUALLY ADAPT TO TECHNOLOGICAL CHANGE, WE COULD LOSE
CUSTOMERS AND MARKET SHARE.
The telecommunications industry is subject to rapid and significant changes
in technology, and we rely on outside vendors for the development of and access
to new technology. The effect of technological changes on our business cannot be
predicted. We believe our future success will depend, in part, on our ability to
anticipate or adapt to such changes and to offer, on a timely
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basis, services that meet customer demands. In addition, we rely on vendors with
whom we have financing agreements to anticipate and adapt to new technology and
to make products that incorporate such technology available to us. We cannot
assure you that we will obtain access to new technology on a timely basis or on
satisfactory terms. If we fail to obtain new technology, we may lose customers
and market share which could harm our business and operating results.
OUR SUBSTANTIAL DEBT OBLIGATIONS MAY HINDER OUR GROWTH AND PUT US AT A
COMPETITIVE DISADVANTAGE.
We have a significant amount of debt. As of September 30, 2000, we had
approximately $953.3 million of long-term debt outstanding. In addition, we
could incur an additional $528.3 million under our senior bank debt and our
vendor facilities with Cisco and Lucent, assuming we could incur debt in
compliance with covenants set forth in these facilities. We may need to incur
additional debt in the future. Our substantial debt obligations could have
important consequences to you. For example, they could:
o require us to use a substantial portion of our operating cash flow to
pay interest, which reduces funds available to expand our network and
for other purposes;
o place us at a competitive disadvantage compared to our competitors that
have less debt;
o make us more vulnerable to economic and industry downturns and reduce
our flexibility in responding to changing business and economic
conditions;
o limit our ability to pursue business opportunities; and
o limit our ability to borrow more money for operations or capital in the
future.
A 1 percent interest rate change on our floating interest rate long-term
debt outstanding at September 30, 2000, would have an annual impact of $2.5
million on our interest cost.
WE REQUIRE A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF CASH TO PAY OUR DEBT. IF WE FAIL TO
GENERATE SUFFICIENT CASH FLOW FROM OPERATIONS, WE MAY NEED TO REFINANCE OUR
DEBT, OBTAIN ADDITIONAL FINANCING OR POSTPONE CAPITAL EXPENDITURES.
We cannot assure you that we will generate sufficient cash flow from
operations to make scheduled payments on our debt. Our ability to meet our debt
obligations will depend on whether we can successfully implement our strategy,
as well as on economic, financial, competitive, legal and technical factors.
Some of the factors are beyond our control, such as economic conditions in the
different local markets where we operate or intend to operate, and pressure from
existing and new competitors. If we cannot generate sufficient cash flow from
operations to make scheduled payments on our debt obligations, we may need to
refinance our debt, obtain additional financing, delay planned capital
expenditures or sell assets. Our ability to refinance our debt or obtain
additional financing will depend on, among other things:
o our financial condition at the time;
o restrictions in agreements governing our debt; and
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o other factors, including market conditions.
DUE TO RESTRICTIONS IN OUR FINANCING AGREEMENTS, WE MAY NOT BE ABLE TO
OPERATE OUR BUSINESS AS WE DESIRE.
The financing agreements under which our long-term debt was incurred contain
a number of conditions and limitations on the way in which we can operate our
business, including limitations on our ability to raise debt, sell or acquire
assets and pay dividends as well as various covenants that require us to
maintain specific financial ratios. These limitations may force us to pursue
less than optimal business strategies or forego business arrangements which
could have been financially advantageous to us and our shareholders.
Our failure to comply with the covenants and restrictions contained in our
financing agreements could lead to a default under the terms of one of these
agreements. If a default occurs in one of these agreements, the parties to our
other financing agreements could declare all amounts borrowed and all amounts
due under these other agreements due and payable.
WE FACE POTENTIAL CONFLICTS OF INTEREST CAUSED BY INVESTOR INFLUENCE.
As a result of an amended and restated shareholders agreement entered into
by shareholders on February 16, 2000 then holding approximately 88.0% of our
fully-diluted equity in connection with our acquisition of the business of Shaw
FiberLink, two of our institutional investors (which are affiliates of Goldman
Sachs and CIBC World Markets) and Shaw Communications, were able to nominate a
majority of our directors. Affiliates of Goldman Sachs and CIBC World Markets
hold approximately 32.0% of our equity and have 4 of 11 directors on our board
of directors. In addition, Shaw Communications holds approximately 24.8% of our
equity and has 3 directors on our board of directors. Each of Shaw
Communications and Goldman Sachs has a right to consent to:
o specified major transactions by us, including acquisitions and
investments in excess of $300 million and mergers or business
combinations, for a period of 18 months after February 16, 2000; and
o our annual operating budget, for a period of 24 months after February
16, 2000.
Decisions concerning our operations or financial structure may present
conflicts of interest between these investors, our management and other holders
of our securities. In addition, these investors or their affiliates currently
have significant investments in other telecommunications companies, including
entities that compete with us, and may in the future invest in other entities
engaged in the telecommunications business or in related businesses. Conflicts
may also arise in the negotiation or enforcement of arrangements entered into by
us and entities in which these investors have an interest.
SOME OF OUR COMPETITORS HAVE GREATER FINANCIAL, TECHNICAL AND OTHER
RESOURCES THAN WE DO, AND WE MAY NOT BE ABLE TO COMPETE SUCCESSFULLY.
The Canadian telecommunications market is highly competitive. We face, and
expect to continue to face, intense competition in all of our target markets
from the incumbent local exchange carriers, cable companies, competitive long
distance providers, wireless providers, new
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local exchange carriers, and resellers. Many of our current and potential
competitors, including the Bell companies, Aliant, BCT.TELUS, AT&T Canada and
Call-Net, have longer operating histories in the telecommunications industry and
substantially greater financial, marketing, technical, personnel, regulatory and
other resources, including greater brand name recognition. The emergence in
Canada of a competitive market for local telecommunications services has
resulted in price competition among market participants, and this pricing
pressure may be more intense than we expect, which could harm our business and
our financial condition. Also, as communications technologies develop, new
classes of competitors will emerge.
OUR BUSINESS STRATEGY DEPENDS ON SECURING AND MAINTAINING INTERCONNECTION
AGREEMENTS WITH OTHER PROVIDERS.
We provide some local services to our customers using facilities that we
lease or purchase from the incumbent local exchange carriers. We must enter into
agreements for the interconnection of our network with the networks of the
incumbent local exchange carriers and other carriers covering each market in
which we intend to offer service. We have entered into interconnection
agreements in a number of jurisdictions. However, we cannot assure you that we
will successfully renegotiate these agreements as they become due to expire, or
negotiate additional agreements as we enter new markets. Although the incumbent
local exchange carriers are not entitled to unjustly discriminate against
telecommunications carriers like us in respect of the rates or services they
provide to us or to disrupt the access of competitors to their respective
facilities, we are vulnerable to changes in our lease and interconnection
arrangements with the incumbent local exchange carriers, such as rate increases
and changes in rules and policies of the CRTC.
WE DEPEND ON OUR SUPPLIERS OF SWITCHES AND OTHER EQUIPMENT AND MAY
EXPERIENCE DELAYS IN RECEIVING REQUIRED COMPONENTS.
We rely on other companies to supply key components of our network
infrastructure, primarily switching and data routing equipment. These components
are only available in the quantities and quality we require from limited
sources. We may experience delays in receiving components or may not be able to
obtain these components on the scale and within the time frames required by us
at an affordable cost, or at all.
IF OUR BILLING, CUSTOMER SERVICE AND INFORMATION SYSTEMS DO NOT OPERATE AS
WE EXPECT OR IF WE FAIL TO UPGRADE SYSTEMS AS NECESSARY, WE WILL NOT BE ABLE TO
CONDUCT OUR BUSINESS EFFICIENTLY.
Integrated management information and processing systems are vital to our
growth and our ability to monitor costs, process customer orders, bill customers
and operate efficiently. The cost of implementing these systems has been, and we
expect will continue to be, substantial.
We are in the final stages of developing and testing our operational support
system to integrate important facets of our operations. The development and
implementation of this system relies in part on the products and services of
third party vendors, over which we have no control. Unanticipated problems with
our system may harm our business and operating results.
In addition, any of the following developments could harm us:
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o our failure to adequately identify and integrate all of our information
and processing needs;
o failure of our processing or information systems to perform as expected;
and
o our failure to upgrade systems as necessary and on a timely basis.
IF WE LOSE KEY PERSONNEL OR ARE UNABLE TO ATTRACT AND RETAIN ADDITIONAL
PERSONNEL, OUR BUSINESS AND OUR PROSPECTS COULD BE HARMED.
We are dependent on the continued service of a small number of key
executives and operations personnel, including Daniel Milliard, our chief
executive officer, Robert Wolfe, our president, Stephen Shoemaker, our chief
financial officer and Eric Demirian, our executive vice president, corporate
development. The loss of services of one or more of our key executives,
particularly Messrs. Milliard, Wolfe, Shoemaker and Demirian, could harm our
business and our prospects. We do not maintain key person life insurance for any
of our executive officers.
REGULATIONS RELATING TO CANADIAN OWNERSHIP AND CONTROL OF OUR VOTING SHARES
PREVENTS A FOREIGN INVESTOR FROM ACQUIRING US, WHICH COULD LIMIT THE VALUE OF
OUR CLASS B NON-VOTING SHARES OUTSTANDING.
As a competitive local exchange carrier, we are subject to regulations which
require that not less than 66 2/3% of our issued and outstanding voting shares
be beneficially owned by "Canadians" (as defined in these regulations). To
ensure compliance with these regulations, we have placed restrictions on the
transfer of our class A voting shares to non-Canadians. These restrictions
effectively limit the number of potential acquirors of our business and
therefore a takeover bid for us is less likely and you are less likely to
receive the change of control premium that generally comes with such bids.
OUR ABILITY TO COMPETE IN THE CANADIAN LOCAL TELECOMMUNICATIONS MARKET IS
SUBJECT TO EXTENSIVE GOVERNMENT REGULATION WHICH MAY BE CHANGED IN A MANNER
HARMFUL TO OUR BUSINESS.
We are subject to regulation by the CRTC pursuant to the provisions of the
Canadian Telecommunications Act. We are also subject to radio spectrum
regulation by the Canadian Federal Department of Industry (commonly known as
Industry Canada) pursuant to the provisions of the Radiocommunication Act. Since
1994, the stated policy of the CRTC has been to recognize the importance of
competition in the local switched services market. As a relatively new entrant
into the Canadian telecommunications market, we benefit from this policy and
these decisions. However, we cannot assure you that the CRTC's policy to foster
the development of competition in the local switched services market will not
change or that the CRTC will react quickly and efficiently to anti-competitive
practices or effects resulting from the dominant position of Canada's incumbent
local exchange carriers. Any change in the CRTC's policies or regulations could
harm our business, operating results and prospects.
CRTC decisions are subject to review and variance by the CRTC at any time.
CRTC decisions can also be appealed to the Canadian Federal Court of Appeal and
may also be challenged by petition to the Federal Cabinet. We cannot assure you
that the local competition decisions of the CRTC, or other decisions relating to
the telecommunications markets in which we compete will not be reviewed and
varied by the CRTC or by the Federal Court or Cabinet on
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appeal. Any variance of these decisions or other rules and regulations of the
CRTC could harm our business.
OUR NEED TO COMPLY WITH EXTENSIVE GOVERNMENT REGULATION CAN INCREASE OUR
COSTS AND SLOW OUR GROWTH.
Because we are subject to extensive government regulation, delays in
receiving required regulatory approvals may slow our growth. In addition, the
enactment of new adverse regulations or regulatory requirements may increase our
costs, which could have a harmful effect on us. We also cannot assure you that,
as we expand our business, the CRTC and Industry Canada will continue to grant
us the authority we need to conduct our business or will not take action against
us if we are found to have provided services without obtaining the necessary
authorizations or to have violated other requirements of their rules or orders.
The CRTC, Industry Canada or others could challenge our compliance with
applicable rules and orders, which could cause us to incur substantial legal and
administrative expenses. Lengthy administrative hearings might also delay the
deployment of our network, which could slow our growth.
OUR CLASS B NON-VOTING SHARES HAVE A LIMITED TRADING HISTORY AND THEIR PRICE
MAY BE VOLATILE. WE CANNOT ASSURE YOU THAT OUR SHARE PRICE WILL NOT DECLINE IN
THE FUTURE.
There has only been a public market for our class B non-voting shares since
March 2000. The market price of our class B non-voting shares could be subject
to significant fluctuation. Among the factors that could affect our share price
are:
o quarterly variations in our operating results;
o changes in revenue or earnings estimates or publication of research
reports by analysts;
o strategic decisions by us or our competitors, such as acquisitions or
restructurings or changes in business strategy;
o actions by institutional stockholders;
o speculation in the press or investment community;
o general market conditions; and
o economic factors unrelated to our performance.
Recently, stock markets in the United States have experienced significant
price and volume fluctuations and the market prices of securities of
telecommunications services providers and technology companies, particularly
Internet-related companies, have been highly volatile. Investors may not be able
to resell their class B non-voting shares at or above the current price reported
on the Nasdaq National Market. In the past, following periods of volatility in
the market price of a company's securities, securities class action litigation
in the United States has often been instituted against such a company. The
institution of such litigation against us could result in substantial costs and
a diversion of our management's attention and resources, which could harm our
business and financial condition.
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SINCE OUR REVENUE IS IN CANADIAN DOLLARS AND MOST OF OUR DEBT IS IN U.S.
DOLLARS, WE ARE SUBJECT TO FLUCTUATIONS IN THE EXCHANGE RATE BETWEEN CANADIAN
AND U.S. DOLLARS.
As of September 30, 2000 we had debt outstanding denominated in U.S. dollars
of approximately US$562.3 million. Since the majority of our revenue is in
Canadian dollars, we are, and will continue to be, exposed to fluctuations in
the exchange rate between Canadian and U.S. dollars and the uncertainty of the
amount of Canadian dollars that will be required to service the principal and
interest payments under our U.S. dollar denominated debt. In order to minimize
these effects, as at September 30, 2000, we had entered into certain cross
currency swaps to hedge approximately 57% of our outstanding U.S. dollar
denominated debt. Based on our September 30, 2000 balances, a 1 percent change
in the foreign currency exchange rate between the Canadian and U.S. dollar would
have an impact of $3.8 million on the unhedged portion of our long-term debt.
Any substantial increase in the U.S. dollar relative to the Canadian dollar
could affect our results of operations and our ability to meet our future
payment obligations on our debt.
ITEM 4: INFORMATION ON THE COMPANY
A. HISTORY AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE COMPANY
The head and principal office of the Company is located at 20 Bay Street,
7th Floor, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5J 2N8 and our telephone number is (416)
848-2000. The Company was incorporated under the Canada Business Corporations
Act on April 12, 1996 under the name "BSC Broadband Solutions Corp.". The
articles of the Company were amended on June 14, 1996 to authorize the issuance
of preference shares. On January 22, 1997, the articles of the Company were
further amended to change the name of the Company to "GT Group Telecom Inc.".
The issued common shares of the Company were divided on a basis of two new
shares for each existing share pursuant to an amendment to the articles dated
July 24, 1997. On September 23, 1998, the articles of the Company were amended
to authorize the issuance of class A voting shares and class B non-voting
shares, to amend the rights and restrictions of the preference shares and to
provide for certain restrictions on the issue, transfer, conversion and
ownership of voting shares of the Company. The articles of the Company were
further amended on May 7, 1999 to create the series A first preference shares
and on February 14, 2000 to create the series B first preference shares.
GT Group Telecom Services Corp. ("GT Services") is a wholly-owned subsidiary
of the Company and was amalgamated under the Canada Business Corporations Act on
March 10, 1999. GT Group Telecom Services (USA) Corp. is a wholly-owned
subsidiary of the Company and was incorporated under the General Corporation Law
of the State of Nevada on May 5, 2000.
OUR ACQUISITIONS
SHAW FIBERLINK. On February 16, 2000, we acquired the business of Shaw
FiberLink from Shaw Communications for $760 million in cash and shares. We
acquired rights to 101,546 fiber kilometers from Shaw FiberLink and, in
addition, Shaw Communications has agreed to construct for our use, at no
additional cost to us, approximately 97,500 additional fiber kilometers over the
next three years. As at September 30, 2000, we had received the rights to use
$27.0 million of newly constructed fibers under these arrangements.
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Since 1993, Shaw FiberLink has provided facilities-based data services over
a high bandwidth fiber-optic network in Canada to national telecommunications
carriers, large businesses and governments. For the year ended August 31, 1999,
Shaw FiberLink had revenue of $38.8 million and EBITDA of $12.1 million.
Shaw FiberLink operates high capacity fiber-optic telecommunications
networks in some of Canada's fastest growing markets including: the greater
Toronto area (Toronto, Scarborough, Markham, Vaughan, Richmond Hill, Pickering
and Barrie), Edmonton, Calgary, Winnipeg, Vancouver Island and central British
Columbia (Kamloops, Penticton, Kelowna, Vernon and surrounding areas). Shaw
FiberLink also owns and operates several strategically located inter-city
networks and several international gateways into the United States.
Shaw FiberLink has over 400 customers. Its customer base includes carriers,
competitive local exchange carriers, internet service providers, governments,
banks, broadcasters, oil and gas companies, and wireless communication
providers. These customers demand a wide variety of requirements in terms of
bandwidth, type of connectivity and support. As the dominant competitive access
provider in Western Canada, Shaw FiberLink also provides technical support,
network management, and sales and administrative support to a number of smaller
competitive access providers.
ACQUISITION FROM MOFFAT COMMUNICATIONS LTD. On April 27, 2000, we acquired
Videon FiberLink from Moffat Communications Ltd. for $68 million in cash and the
right to acquire approximately 1.7 million of our class B non-voting shares.
Videon FiberLink is a competitive access provider business. This acquisition
provides us with additional customers, employees and an indefeasible right to
use for 30 years certain specifically identified existing fibers comprising
approximately 620 fiber route kilometers in Edmonton and Winnipeg connected to
over 240 buildings.
AGREEMENT WITH CABLE ATLANTIC. On July 21, 2000, we acquired from Cable
Atlantic its competitive local exchange carrier and commercial
telecommunications operations for $15 million in cash, the right to acquire
1,740,196 of our class B non-voting shares and a cash payment equal to the value
of the net working capital of the acquired business. This acquisition provides
us with additional customers, employees and an indefeasible right to use for 30
years certain specifically identified existing fibers comprising approximately
8,732 fiber kilometres and 390 route kilometres in Newfoundland connected to a
minimum of 68 commercial business buildings and 31 Newfoundland government
buildings, with a right to purchase these fibers for $1 at any time. At the time
we acquired it, the business had property, plant and equipment of approximately
$47 million.
TERM SHEET WITH C1 COMMUNICATIONS. In October 2000, we signed a term sheet
with C1 Communications to acquire all of its Atlantic Canada assets and
business. The transaction includes the acquisition of C1 Communication's
Atlantic cable competitive local exchange carrier business, including its
fiber-optic network, buildings connected to its network, related assets,
customers and approximately 36 employees. The acquisition will provide us with
approximately 2,325 additional route kilometres and approximately 44,400
additional fiber kilometres in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. As consideration
we will issue 2,372,000 class B non-voting shares and assume the rights and
obligations of C1 Communications relating to its fiber network in Atlantic
Canada. The transaction is subject to obtaining certain approvals.
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The networks of the businesses we have acquired and our network are
constructed in compatible, fiber network configurations, with minimal geographic
overlap using synchronous optical networking technology and gigabit ethernet
connections. Accordingly, we have already fully integrated Shaw FiberLink and
Videon FiberLink and we believe that the integration of the businesses we
acquired from Cable Atlantic and intend to acquire from C1 Communications can be
accomplished in a timely manner. With the addition of these businesses, we now
own and operate facilities nationally in 8 Canadian provinces, including
Canada's major metropolitan centers of Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, Ottawa,
Calgary, Edmonton, Winnipeg and St. John's. We expect that the combined network
(including the network we intend to acquire from C1 Communications), with its
national coverage, will give us a time-to-market advantage that will lead to
increased market penetration and higher operating margins.
Our cash expenditures for property, plant and equipment were $153.6 million,
$8.5 million and $3.7 million for the years ended September 30, 2000, 1999 and
1998, respectively. Such expenses were related to the purchase and construction
of switching and data networking equipment, construction of our fiber-optic
infrastructure and central office and data hub facilities, transmission
equipment and co-location facilities and construction and implementation of our
back office systems.
B. BUSINESS OVERVIEW
We control and operate the largest independent national broadband network in
Canada enabling us to provide reliable metropolitan and long haul services. Over
our network, we provide Internet, high-speed data and voice services targeted
primarily to small and medium businesses. Our Internet and data services include
web and application hosting, co-location, e-commerce and other value added
Internet services. As part of our co-location services, we house and manage
computer and networking equipment for our data customers. We bundle our data
services with traditional telecommunications products and services, including
local area network extension and enhanced local and long distance voice
services. To serve the growing data and telecommunications markets, we are
continually expanding our fiber-optic network and selectively use fixed wireless
and digital subscriber line technologies to extend the reach of our network. We
have acquired and integrated the competitive access provider businesses of Shaw
FiberLink located primarily in western and central Canada, Moffat, located in
western Canada and acquired the competitive local exchange carrier businesses of
Cable Atlantic, located in eastern Canada. We have also entered into agreements
with 360networks to obtain additional long haul fiber assets across Canada and
the United States. We own and operate facilities nationally in 8 Canadian
provinces and in Canada's major metropolitan centers of Toronto, Montreal,
Vancouver, Ottawa, Calgary, Edmonton, Winnipeg and St. John's.
We have been providing Internet, high speed data and voice services in all
five of our initial markets of Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary, Montreal and
Edmonton since February 2000. Since then, through organic growth and a series of
acquisitions, we have expanded the reach of our fiber network to include an
additional 8 markets beyond our original targeted network. These new
metropolitan markets include Victoria, Winnipeg, London, Hamilton,
Kitchener/Waterloo, Ottawa, Quebec City, and St. John's, Newfoundland. As of
September 30, 2000, we serve all 13 of these markets.
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PRODUCTS AND SERVICES
In fiscal 2000, data revenue accounted for 84.5% of our total revenue,
while voice accounted for 14.5% and applications for 1%. We generated our
revenue by providing telecommunications services in Canada. We currently provide
the following products and services:
DATA SERVICES PORTFOLIO
DATA ACCESS. We expect the majority of our revenue to come from data access
which includes the following products and services:
o Local Area Network Connect (also known as transparent LAN Service) - a
managed high-speed connection to an organization's local area network,
for Internet connectivity (including common server capability) and/or
connectivity between multiple local area networks delivered over fiber,
wireless or digital subscriber technologies. Supported interfaces
include ethernet at speeds up to 1 gigabit per second.
o Carrier Private Lines - Point-to-point connections over our network,
targeting carriers rather than small businesses.
o Remote Access/Teleworking - Corporate modem pools to facilitate dial-in
capability for employees working from home, including the use of
higher-speed technologies.
INTERNET SERVICES. We currently provide the following types of dedicated
Internet services:
o Business Internet Gateway - Internet connectivity packages for small and
medium-sized businesses.
o Internet Transit/Commercial Internet - High-speed, scalable Internet
connectivity for Internet professionals who in turn support residential
and business Internet users.
o Outsourced Modem Pools - Managed modem pools for Internet service
providers; providing the hardware and scalability to enable Internet
service providers to grow capacity over time and incorporating
higher-speed technologies.
ENHANCED AND OTHER DATA SERVICES. We currently provide and are continuing
development efforts for a variety of innovative data products and services in
order to act as a one-stop shop for all of our customers' data needs, including
the following:
o Enhanced IP Services - Internet protocol fax capability, and private
branch exchange/local area network gateways using voice over Internet
protocol.
o Web-Based Reporting Services - Internet virtual private networking and
data service reporting for performance management and usage monitoring
via a web browser interface.
o Data Hardware Resale and Maintenance - Selling and maintaining routers,
hubs and switches.
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APPLICATION SERVICES PORTFOLIO
APPLICATION HOSTING SERVICES. We provide our business customers the
opportunity to outsource their server and application needs to us through
several service offerings:
o Applications Hosting - Turnkey Internet/Web server hosting packages as
an outsourced solution to small and medium-sized businesses. This
service includes all software, hardware and management required for a
business website or for other general office applications.
o Co-location - The physical space in close proximity to our network to
colocate, host and/or manage servers or modem pools. This service
includes space, power, security and optional management.
o E-Commerce Hosting - Enhanced Web server solutions that enable small and
medium-sized businesses to incorporate e-commerce into their website,
including the ability to sell products and services and the ability to
clear credit card purchases.
o Unified Messaging (Voicemail/Email) - Integration of a business'
voicemail and email services to act as a single message center; complete
with faxing capabilities, future speech to text/text to speech
conversion and encrypted security.
o PC/Server backup - online ability to backup and restore hard drives of
computing devices through a web interface.
o Teleconferencing - reservation based audio conferencing with chairperson
controls, web streaming and other operator assistance.
Additional application services in development include online delivery of
office software applications (ASP), multimedia conferencing and Web-based
application service reporting.
SECURE NETWORK SERVICES. We provide our customers with security enhancements
to a basic Internet connection through a variety of service offerings:
o Networking Security - Anti-hacker services, such as firewall hosting, to
protect customer local area networks from the Internet.
o Virtual Private Networking - The ability to travel securely and
privately by tunneling through the Internet, either from one business
location to the next or from one business connection to that of a
partner, on a single user or enterprise wide basis.
o Public Key Infrastructure/Certificate Authority - The technology to
enable secure transactions and information sharing on the Internet by
serving as a third party manager of the exchange of information via
digital identification certificates.
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VOICE SERVICE PORTFOLIO
LOCAL VOICE SERVICES. We began offering local voice services in November
1999, and offer a full suite of services to accommodate customers that require
varying degrees of sophistication in their telecommunications services.
o Individual and Digital Business Lines and Multiple Line Business Trunks
- Local switched analog telephone service via individual lines or
multi-line trunks and digital service with enhanced features and
functionality.
o Centrex/Virtual Private Branch Exchange - Feature-rich phone lines
enabling customers to manage their own phone service internally without
a private branch exchange.
o Private Branch Exchange Interconnect - A connection between a business'
private branch exchange and the public switched telephone network.
o Digital Tie Lines - A business with a private telecommunications network
by connecting two private branch exchanges.
ENHANCED VOICE SERVICES. We offer and continue to develop a full suite of
enhanced offerings to complement our standard business voice services.
o Long Distance Service - Long distance telephone access throughout all
major Canadian cities with toll-free directory/operator services,
account codes and calling cards.
o Other Enhanced Features - Features such as call transfer, call-waiting,
Web-based reporting service, remote message forwarding, three-way
conferencing, digital display and other custom calling features.
o Voice Hardware Resale and Maintenance - Telephone sets, private branch
exchange and key systems.
MARKETING AND SALES
In each target market, we have identified buildings with tenants that meet
our target profile. Our ideal building has many small and medium-sized business
tenants, each with 10 to 200 employees, that have complex data and other
telecommunications needs, including Internet application and voice requirements.
Once a building has been targeted, we negotiate the building licence agreement
which allows our facilities to be installed in that building. Each member of our
local direct sales force is assigned a territory which includes specific
buildings in which to sell. The sales representative will become intimate with
the needs of all potential customers in those buildings and will be the
relationship manager between us and the customer. The sales representative will
work with a technical expert, when necessary, to differentiate our services from
those of our competitors and cost effectively address our customers' needs. Our
sales force will initially target customers with data telecommunications needs
that are, or will be, located in on-net buildings. Once we provide a customer
with solutions to its data needs and our sales representative has created a
relationship with the customer, the sales representative will offer Internet
application and voice services to the customer. We believe that once a
customer's data
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needs are met and it is satisfied with our customer service, it will be
receptive to purchasing Internet application and voice services from us.
Our sales representatives receive a competitive base salary and a series of
individual and team bonuses. Their bonuses are based on their attaining a sales
quota on a recurring monthly and one time sale basis. Salespeople are further
rewarded by the opportunity to participate in our share option plan.
We provide our sales and marketing employees with a comprehensive training
program which includes introductory formal training, product and service
training, leadership development, on going coaching, including on the job
training, and a mentor program.
We have retained, and intend to continue to retain, people with extensive
experience in the telecommunications industry. The market for hiring highly
qualified sales representatives is competitive. However, as a result of the
recent mergers in the telecommunications industry, we believe a number of highly
talented sales representatives are seeking more entrepreneurial companies that
provide a higher degree of challenge and more opportunity to develop skills and
assume more responsibility. At September 30, 2000, we had over 210 sales
representatives.
NETWORK
Our network in each of our current markets looks similar to the following
diagram:
[OM NETWORK DIAGRAM]
INTEGRATED NETWORK ARCHITECTURE
We provide services to our customers over an integrated network that
supports high-speed data, Internet application, local and long distance voice
services. We believe that the integrated design of our data, Internet
application and local and long distance networks significantly reduces our cost
of providing a bundled service offering. Our integrated network architecture
includes switches and data routers, customer premise equipment and synchronous
optical networking technology fiber rings. In addition, approximately 20% of our
urban fiber network is comprised of slack and storage fiber in urban area access
points.
We have integrated the fiber, equipment and operating systems of Shaw
FiberLink and Videon FiberLink and believe that our integration of the business
we acquired from Cable Atlantic and intend to acquire from C1 Communications can
be accomplished without significant delay or cost. We also believe we can
upgrade the equipment in buildings on Shaw FiberLink's, Videon FiberLink's and
the aforementioned Cable Atlantic business' networks and sell our services (in
addition to those of Shaw FiberLink, Videon FiberLink and the Cable Atlantic
business we have acquired) to their existing customers. Shaw FiberLink's, Videon
FiberLink's and the aforementioned Cable Atlantic business' telecommunications
equipment is industry standard, purchased from well known vendors, and is
compatible with our equipment.
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SWITCHES AND DATA ROUTERS
Our Lucent and Nortel Class 5 switches and Cisco data routing equipment are
located in central offices in 5 of our 13 markets. Our central offices are
secure, specifically outfitted facilities which have special heating, humidity,
air, fire suppression and power requirements to support sensitive electronic
equipment.
Switches and data routing equipment direct a voice signal or data packet
from its origin to its correct destination according to the telephone number or
addressing technology. Switched voice services, including basic and advanced
telephone services, are provided through switches at central offices. Data
services are provided through Cisco equipment in central offices and the
buildings connected to our Internet protocol based network.
Our network uses data routing equipment and voice switches installed at
central offices in five cities: Vancouver, Toronto, Calgary, Montreal and St.
John's. Data and voice traffic from other cities is directed to the central
office nearest to that city.
CUSTOMER PREMISE EQUIPMENT
To connect our customers to our network, we install data and voice routing
equipment in the building in which they are a tenant. This equipment combines
and converts the customer's transmission to an optical signal. The signal is
then transmitted through our network to a central office where data and voice
traffic are routed to their ultimate destination. Where buildings have fewer
tenants, we intend to connect up to ten buildings to the switch/router in one
centrally located building.
For voice traffic, our network can currently provide up to 2.5 gigabits per
second speed connections to our end customers and can easily be upgraded for
increasing volume of traffic. For data traffic, our network currently provides
up to 1 gigabit per second speed ethernet connections to our end customers. This
network's capacity is also easily upgradable.
SYNCHRONOUS OPTICAL NETWORKING TECHNOLOGY AND GIGABIT ETHERNET CONNECTIONS
We provide our data, Internet application and voice services over our
integrated network. Our network uses synchronous optical networking technology
and gigabit ethernet connections to transport information along our fiber-optic
backbone. Synchronous optical networking technology is used primarily to
transmit voice services. Synchronous optical networking technology is based on
self healing concentric rings, a technology that routes traffic through an
alternate path in the event there is a point of failure. This technology results
in a very reliable network which is less likely to be subject to disruptions in
the event of breakage at one point. Other advantages of synchronous optical
networking technology are high capacity and standardization. Synchronous optical
networking technology offers large amounts of bandwidth for fiber-optic
networks. It provides seamless inter- connectivity among equipment providers
which is important when we look to interconnect with other networks on a global
basis. Finally, synchronous optical networking technology offers superior
bandwidth management, real-time monitoring, and survivability. Ethernet
technology is used primarily to transmit data. Ethernet is the standard
interface technology for local area networks and has many of the same advantages
of synchronous optical networking technology. Ethernet offers simple, scaleable
high bandwidth capacity.
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In addition, we apply intelligent end-to-end network management, which
means that the customers' and end users' lines are monitored from a network
operations center, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
ADVANTAGES OF FIBER-OPTIC CABLE
Through our advanced fiber-optic network we can provide higher bandwidth,
enabling information to be transported at speeds significantly faster than the
up to six megabits per second that can be achieved using digital subscriber line
technology over copper facilities. Fiber-optic cable also has high immunity to
signal degradation, which means that a signal can be transmitted over extremely
long distances without requiring regeneration of the original signal. The result
is a transmission that is more reliable, precise, clear and consistent than
transmissions over copper wires. Unlike metallic cable, a fiber-optic-based
infrastructure does not emit any radiation and is immune to noise. In addition,
metallic cable is limited in distance, suffers in performance and requires
additional equipment to regenerate signals carried by it over a longer distance.
OTHER NETWORK COMPONENTS
Although we intend to provide our services over our own fiber-optic network
in each of our target markets, in order to capture customers and generate early
revenue as we deploy our network, we intend to use wireless technology or to
lease other companies' facilities to provide services to those customers not
currently directly connected, but who will be connected in the short term to our
local networks. We will also deploy digital subscriber line technology over the
leased facilities to extend the current reach of our network. This strategy
provides us with rapid access to buildings and allows us to gain market
penetration and take advantage of market opportunities before we have completely
constructed our network. Customers served by these technologies will be migrated
onto our network as it is built.
STRATEGIC RELATIONSHIPS
We are actively pursuing strategic relationships with some utilities,
property owners and technology companies. We intend to use these relationships
to maximize the penetration and speed of entry and reduce the cost of deploying
our network in our target markets.
AGREEMENTS WITH 360NETWORKS, INC. In May 2000, we agreed with 360networks,
inc. to (1) lease from them dedicated fiber-optic capacity and (2) purchase
fiber in Canada and receive from them an indefeasible right to use fiber in the
United States. The aggregate price of the dedicated fiber-optic capacity and
fiber we acquired was approximately $362 million. We have the option to acquire
from 360networks additional fiber and dedicated fiber-optic capacity.
Under the agreement, 360networks will lease to us fiber-optic cable capacity
at a bandwidth level of 2.4 gigabits per second, in Canada and the United
States. The lease will give us the exclusive right to use this fiber capacity
for 20 years, comprised of an initial term of 3 years with a 17 year renewal
option at our discretion. In October 2000, we accepted approximately 28% of the
fiber-optic capacity under the long-term capacity lease arrangement.
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In addition, 360networks has sold and will sell to us 12 strands of unused
fiber ranging approximately 7,000 kilometers, connecting Seattle, Washington to
Halifax, Nova Scotia via Victoria, Kamloops, Edmonton, Calgary, Regina,
Winnipeg, Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal and Quebec City.
If we choose, 360networks will also grant us the right to use an additional
12 strands of fiber ranging approximately 7,900 kilometers, connecting Seattle,
Sacramento, Denver, Chicago, Detroit, Toronto, Buffalo, Albany, New York City,
Boston and Montreal. This fiber will be located primarily in the United States.
The indefeasible right to use this fiber will be for a term of at least 20
years.
We also will have the option to purchase from 360networks additional
segments of fiber-optic cable connecting the United States and Canada.
Delivery of the capacity and the fiber to us by 360networks and payment by
us to 360networks will be made in installments over the next four years. An
initial installment payment of approximately $32 million has been made. We will
also pay 360networks fees for maintaining the fibers.
In addition, we invested approximately $43 million in the equity of 360networks.
ACCESS AGREEMENTS AND RIGHTS-OF-WAY
We have established, and expect to continue to establish, relationships with
electric and other utilities in our target markets to obtain access to
customers. In order to cost-effectively build our network in Vancouver, we
signed two agreements in December 1997 with BC Hydro, which provide us with
access to BC Hydro conduits on its electric distribution network in and around
Vancouver and elsewhere across British Columbia. BC Hydro's conduits connect to
nearly all buildings in British Columbia. These agreements enable us to lay our
fiber in a cost-effective manner because we can do so with minimal excavation of
city streets. The BC Hydro agreements expire December 1, 2012, with five year
extensions at our option.
In August 1999, we entered into a conduit access agreement with ENMAX
Corporation, the Calgary power authority. The agreement expires on December 31,
2017 and can be renewed for two additional 5 year periods. We issued to ENMAX
Corporation 1.0 million series A first preference shares and agreed to pay fees
for installation and access rights and annual fees for maintenance and
administration. The agreement provides us with non-exclusive access to conduits
in Calgary's downtown core. ENMAX has installed 13 kilometers of our fiber-optic
cable into these conduits at our cost as of December 31, 1999. In August 1999,
we entered into an agreement with EPCOR, Edmonton's power authority, which gives
us non-exclusive access to conduits in Edmonton. The EPCOR agreement terminates
on August 12, 2014 and can be renewed for additional five year terms after this
date with the consent of EPCOR.
Where our network touches public property, we must obtain local municipal
approvals to deploy our fiber in municipal rights-of-way. We have signed
municipal access agreements with the cities of Vancouver and Burnaby, British
Columbia, Calgary, Alberta, the City of Toronto, Region of Waterloo, City of
Waterloo, City of Cambridge, Regional Municipality of Ottawa-Carleton and Quebec
City. We also have
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o a "public user" conduit access agreement with the CSEVM (Commission des
Services Electriques de la Ville de Montreal) permitting access to CSEVM
conduits in the city core of Montreal;
o interim authority allowing construction to proceed in the City of
Ottawa, City of London, Town of Newmarket and City of Hamilton/Region of
Hamilton-Wentworth; and
o permit authority allowing construction to proceed following permit
application approvals in Winnipeg, Manitoba and Sainte-Foy,
Charlesbourg, Outremont, St. Laurent, LaSalle and Laval, Quebec.
Through long term indefeasible right to use agreements, we now have access
to various municipal and other rights-of-way by way of underlying rights held or
claimed by the indefeasible right to use grantors. These agreements permit the
expansion of the existing networks where we request, including various major and
minor markets across Canada.
We have secured support structure agreements with BCT.Telus (British
Columbia and Alberta), MTS (Manitoba) and Bell Canada (Ontario and Quebec)
permitting access to available spare capacity on available poles or conduits
where approved.
We are participating in several joint builds of conduit systems in the
Toronto area, and have an existing lease of dark fibers from Toronto Hydro. We
are also finalizing the sublease of an existing decommissioned waterpipe system
from AT&T Canada which is located in the central business district of Toronto.
This waterpipe system was previously refurbished for telecommunications
purposes.
We are in the process of negotiating and finalizing various municipal access
agreements with the City of London, City of Kitchener, City of Hamilton/Region
of Hamilton-Wentworth, City of Hull, City of Edmonton, Region of York, Town of
Richmond Hill, City of Vaughan, Region of Peel and City of Mississauga, Ontario
and Richmond, British Columbia.
We are in the process of negotiating agreements for joint build and access
to existing support structures with various providers and are also considering
joint use, indefeasible right to use or capacity lease opportunities in various
markets.
These agreements allow us to deploy and use our network over and under a
variety of municipal rights-of-way and existing or new support structures
permitting us to connect our expanding switch or hub equipment to our customers.
These rights and rights-of-way are integral to the construction, installation,
operation and expansion of our facilities-based network.
BUILDING LICENSE AGREEMENTS
Before providing services to customers, we must obtain permission from the
property owner to install our equipment, including our voice and data equipment,
and to access the riser closets to run fiber directly to the offices of our
customers. Once a building has been targeted by our marketing personnel, our
network services department negotiates the building license agreement which
allows our equipment to be installed in that building. We have adopted a
collaborative approach with developers and owners, and have found them generally
willing to provide access to their buildings since we are providing enhanced
services to the building, thus increasing its
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value to the building's tenants. Because of our long-term building license
agreements, we gain access to potential customers at minimal cost.
We have recently entered into a series of commercial agreements with the
largest property managers in Canada securing access to 304 buildings in 13 of
our currently served markets representing approximately 85 million square feet.
As of September 30, 2000 we had signed over 493 building license agreements with
national property owners, including Oxford Properties, Brookfield, Cadillac
Fairview and O&Y Enterprises. As of September 30, 2000, we had 1,569 buildings
on our network (representing approximately 122 million square feet). The
remaining buildings are proximate to our fiber-optic network. These agreements
typically contain a provision for permanent access by our network, including
fiber-optic cable, to a specified point inside the building, with a renewable
right of access regarding inside wiring to the premises of our clients. These
agreements provide us with access to each building on a non-exclusive basis.
The CRTC has recently established a presumption that any agreement between a
local telephone company and another party, including property owners, that
results in the provision of local telephone service to a multi-dwelling unit on
an exclusive basis is a violation of the Canadian Telecommunications Act. We
believe this presumption will enhance our ability to access additional
buildings.
FIBER LEASE AGREEMENTS
On July 15, 1999, we entered into a fiber-optic agreement with Toronto
Hydro, Toronto's electric utility company. This agreement provides that we will
lease access to Toronto Hydro's existing fiber-optic network, which extends
throughout Toronto, allowing us to provide service to our customers until we are
able to build our own fiber-optic network. A permit from Toronto Hydro, which
establishes our network access by indicating routing and termination locations
and specifies annual rates and one time connection fees, is required before we
can provide service to our Toronto customers under this agreement. Permits
expire after three years and can be renewed automatically for an additional
three years, unless either party gives notice otherwise. We are finalizing
negotiations with Ottawa Hydro for a similar arrangement.
MARKETING AGREEMENTS
In May 2000, we entered into an agreement with Research in Motion Limited to
market and offer their BlackBerry(TM) wireless e-mail solution so as to expand
our suite of value added applications and services. In May 2000 we entered into
an agreement with Net Nation Communications Inc. to develop web and ecommerce
hosting application services. In March 2000, we entered into an agreement with
Jawz Inc. (formerly Offsite Data Services) to develop PC/Server backup
application services. In April 2000, we entered into an agreement with Multicom
Canada Inc. to provide us with operator and administration services for our
teleconferencing services.
TECHNOLOGY SUPPLIER RELATIONSHIPS
In February 2000, we entered into an agreement with Lucent to provide us
with switching equipment, synchronous optical networking technology and other
telecommunications equipment, fiber-optic cable and related services, including
installation, engineering and maintenance services. This agreement replaces an
agreement we entered into with Lucent in
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August 1998. The new agreement with Lucent specifies the pricing of this
equipment and services and the terms of its delivery until January 2004. We will
work together with Lucent to prepare detailed lists of equipment and services to
be provided to us in each of our markets. In addition, we purchase our data
switching and routing equipment and our unified messaging equipment from Cisco.
We are a "Cisco-powered network" and are an authorized reseller of Cisco
products. We believe these supplier relationships enable us to deploy a
state-of-art network and give us access to the advanced technologies that our
customers require.
COMPETITION
The telecommunications services industry is highly competitive, rapidly
evolving and subject to constant technological change. We face, and expect to
continue to face, intense competition in all of our markets from the incumbent
local exchange carriers, cable companies, resellers of voice services,
competitive access providers, utilities, microwave carriers, competitive long
distance providers, wireless providers, new competitive local exchange carriers,
and private networks built by large end users. Our competitors in the
telecommunications services market include and will include Internet service
providers, application service providers, other telecommunications companies,
e-commerce service providers and Internet software providers.
Based on our knowledge of the industry, we expect that the principal
competitive factors affecting our business will be customer service, the range
and quality of services provided and pricing levels. Many of our current and
potential competitors have financial, personnel and other resources (including
brand name recognition) substantially greater than ours, as well as other
competitive advantages. However, until recently the Canadian telecommunications
services industry has been focused on larger customer accounts, leaving small
and medium-sized businesses relatively underserved.
In addition, a continuing trend toward consolidation of telecommunications
companies and the formation of strategic alliances within the telecommunications
industry, as well as the development of new technologies, could give rise to
significant new competitors.
Our most significant group of competitors is comprised of companies that
previously formed the Stentor Alliance which included NorthwesTel, the recently
merged BC Telecom and TELUS, SaskTel, Manitoba Telecom, Bell Canada and the
telephone companies located in Eastern Canada which recently merged to form
Aliant. Until recently, these companies benefited from a monopoly over the
provision of local switched services in their respective geographic regions.
They continue to represent approximately 95% of the local voice services market.
A number of these companies, including Bell Canada and its Nexxia and Intrigna
affiliates, Aliant and BCT.TELUS, are seeking to attract customers nationwide,
beyond their historic territories.
Many of these companies possess significant financial, technical and
marketing resources with which to compete, as well as comprehensive fiber
networks and long-standing relationships with their customers. While several key
decisions of the CRTC have created a framework for competition in Canadian
telecommunications markets generally, competition with the incumbent local
exchange carriers is in the early stages of development.
In addition to competition from these companies, we face competition from a
variety of other current and potential market entrants including Call-Net, AT&T
Canada, Videotron and OCI Communications. All of these companies have entered
the local voice and data service markets.
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Some have certain advantages over us, including greater financial, personnel,
marketing and technical resources. Most prominent among these is the newly
merged AT&T Canada, which has a particular strength in serving large business
customers, followed by Call-Net which to date has been more focused on the
residential and small business voice market. Beyond the significant competition
posed by wireline-based service providers, there is an unknown potential
competitive threat from alternative technologies such as wireless and Internet
services over cable by cable companies. However, while their fiber and Internet
services compete directly with us in major metropolitan markets, to date the
cable companies' strategy has been primarily focused on the residential market.
REGULATION
CRTC AND LEGISLATION
Companies which own or operate transmission facilities in Canada that are
used to offer telecommunications services to the public for compensation are
classified as "telecommunications common carriers" under the Telecommunications
Act (Canada) and are subject to the regulatory authority of the CRTC.
The CRTC has the discretionary power to forbear from exercising certain of
its regulatory powers over Canadian carriers where it finds that a
telecommunications service or class of services is, or will be, subject to
competition sufficient to protect the interests of users. Some Canadian
carriers, such as the incumbent local exchange carriers, are classified by the
CRTC as "dominant" in the provision of certain services because of their market
power and control over the supply of local services and certain long distance
services. Carriers classified as "non-dominant" by the CRTC are subject to less
regulation than dominant carriers and include facilities-based long distance
providers, and competitive access providers. The CRTC has forborne from
regulating most of the services offered by non-dominant carriers, including,
long distance, private line, dedicated access services, wireless services, local
switched services. In addition, the CRTC has forborne from regulating certain
services offered by the incumbent carriers, most notably, data, long distance,
Internet access and interexchange private line services on certain routes. The
CRTC also has the power to exempt any class of Canadian carrier from the
application of the Telecommunications Act (Canada) if the CRTC is satisfied that
such an exemption is consistent with Canadian telecommunications policy
objectives. However, it has not, to date, used that power.
Leave to appeal decisions of the CRTC to the Federal Court of Appeal may be
sought within 30 days of the decision. The decision may also be challenged by
petition to the Federal Cabinet (within 90 days of the decision). CRTC decisions
are also subject to review and variance under the Telecommunications Act
(Canada) either on the CRTC's own initiative or by way of an application which
must generally be brought within 6 months of the decision, but which may be
brought as a new proceeding at any time.
REGULATION OF LOCAL SWITCHED SERVICES
In 1994, the CRTC determined that restrictions on entry into the market for
local switched telecommunications services should be removed and that measures
should be implemented to enable competitors to offer local telephone services.
The regulatory framework for competition in the local market was established as
a result of a series of decisions issued on May 1, 1997.
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These decisions do not currently apply to SaskTel and NorthwesTel nor do they
currently apply to roughly 35 small independent local telephone companies
located in Ontario, Quebec and British Columbia.
The decisions issued on May 1, 1997 effectively opened Canada's local
switched services market to competition, ending the historical monopoly of the
incumbent local exchange carriers. The decisions established a comprehensive
regulatory framework allowing for the introduction of competition in the local
switched services market. The following is a summary of those aspects of the
decisions and the current regulatory regime which are expected to have a
material impact on our business:
CO-CARRIER STATUS. The CRTC adopted a principle that competitive local exchange
carriers will be considered carriers of equal stature with, and not merely
customers of, the incumbent local exchange carriers in the local switched
services market. Consistent with this principle, the CRTC adopted a "bill and
keep" traffic termination mechanism, whereby all local exchange carriers are
required to terminate each others' local traffic originating within the same
exchange without specifically compensating each other for the termination
function that they perform unless there is a traffic imbalance for a significant
period of time. In areas where traffic is at an imbalance, the CRTC has
authorized the use of a mutual compensation scheme under which competitive local
exchange carriers and incumbent local exchange carriers charge each other for
the traffic termination functions that they perform.
The CRTC determined that the incumbent local exchange carriers and
competitive local exchange carriers must each identify a point of
interconnection within the incumbent local exchange carrier local exchanges
where they provide service to permit the interconnection of their respective
networks and that incumbent local exchange carriers and competitive local
exchange carriers should share the cost of interconnection equally (or under
mutually agreed terms).
UNBUNDLING OF INCUMBENT LOCAL EXCHANGE CARRIER FACILITIES. The CRTC has directed
the incumbent local exchange carriers to "unbundle" or make available to
competitive local exchange carriers the network elements that competitive local
exchange carriers require in order to allow them to provide their own local
services. These network elements include facilities that the CRTC deemed
essential, as well as certain other facilities that are not essential but which
were determined by the CRTC to be necessary to facilitate competition in the
market for local switched services in the short term. The CRTC directed the
incumbent local exchange carriers to price all services subject to the mandatory
unbundling requirement at their long run incremental cost ("phase II costs")
plus a 25% mark-up. The incumbent local exchange carrier essential facilities
that are subject to the mandatory unbundling rule include central office codes,
subscriber listings and local loops (the wire facilities which run from the
incumbent local exchange carriers' central offices to the customer premises) in
certain small urban and high cost rural areas. All urban local loops, other than
those deemed essential, and transiting services were deemed not essential by the
CRTC but were nonetheless required to be unbundled and made available to
competitive local exchange carriers for five years. Although the incumbent local
exchange carriers are currently required to provide these non-essential
facilities on an unbundled basis at the price of phase II costs plus a 25%
mark-up, this obligation will be discontinued after the expiry of the initial
five year period. The incumbent local exchange carriers would, nevertheless, be
required to provide those facilities which are essential, beyond the five year
period.
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Many of the competitive local exchange carriers operating in the market make
extensive use of unbundled local loops. In a proceeding initiated by the CRTC in
July 2000, the CRTC has asked for interested parties' comments on its
preliminary view that the five year period for these and other non-essential
facilities should be extended for a longer period of time, in order to
facilitate competitive entry into local exchange markets. The CRTC has also
asked for comments on its preliminary view that it may be appropriate to treat
all copper loops as essential facilities.
The mandatory unbundling of incumbent local exchange carrier facilities
allows us to lease incumbent local exchange carrier local loops to provide
services to customers that are not directly on our networks. Depending on the
outcome of the proceeding initiated by the CRTC, if and when loops leased by us
are no longer priced and offered on an essential facilities basis, we will have
to (i) reach an agreement with the relevant incumbent local exchange carriers to
continue leasing these local loops (which may be on less favorable terms than
the CRTC mandated prices), (ii) build, lease or acquire our own facilities in
those markets where we do not already have our own facilities, or (iii) develop
other alternatives to reach our customers.
SAFEGUARDS AGAINST INCUMBENT LOCAL EXCHANGE CARRIER ANTI-COMPETITIVE PRICING. In
order to prevent anti-competitive pricing by the incumbent local exchange
carriers, the CRTC imposed a floor price test that effectively requires the
incumbent local exchange carriers to charge prices for their retail services
sufficient to recover their costs which, with respect to essential facilities,
must be at least equal to the amount charged to the competitive local exchange
carriers (the long run incremental cost of providing the facility plus a 25%
markup) and, with respect to non-essential services, must be at least equal to
phase II costs. The incumbent local exchange carriers will be required to meet
the floor price test in all applications for new local business services (other
than for market trials and promotions) and applications proposing explicit or
implicit price decreases. The CRTC's floor price test is an important safeguard
for us against anti-competitive pricing by the incumbent local exchange
carriers. However, since incumbent local exchange carriers need not include in
their own floor prices the mandated 25% markup that they charge to competitive
local exchange carriers for non-essential local services, incumbent local
exchange carriers will be able to compete against competitive local exchange
carriers that utilize such non-essential services solely on the basis of price.
RESALE. The incumbent local exchange carriers are required to make their
tariffed local switched services (both business and residential) available for
resale, but not at a mandated discount as had been proposed to the CRTC by some
potential new entrants. The CRTC's denial of mandated discounts does not affect
current incumbent local exchange carrier business services offered at volume and
contract term discounts, such as Centrex services. However, the absence of
mandated discounts pursuant to the CRTC decisions has limited the number of
non-facilities-based entrants, such as resellers, into the local switched
services market.
CONTRIBUTION. In Canada, local residential services are subsidized. Since the
introduction of facilities-based long distance competition in 1992, local
telephone services in Canada have been subsidized by "contribution" payments
from both incumbent and competitive long distance service providers based on the
minutes of long distance traffic that originate or terminate on the local
switched telephone network or on cross-border or overseas access circuits.
On November 30, 2000, the CRTC announced that the contribution system will
be completely overhauled. Effective January 1, 2001, the current per-minute
mechanism will be replaced with a
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mechanism based on a percentage of eligible Canadian telecommunications services
revenues. The new mechanism will be national in scope and will be assessed on
all Canadian telecommunications service providers (including competitive local
exchange carriers, resellers, wireless providers, satellite service providers,
international licensees, payphone providers, data and private line providers)
with annual revenues from Canadian telecommunications services of at least $10
million. Contribution-eligible revenues are determined by including all revenues
from Canadian telecommunications services, less any contribution revenues
received, inter-carrier expenses paid to other service providers for the
provision of contribution-eligible services, and all revenues from retail
Internet services, retail paging services and the sale and rental of terminal
equipment. For 2001, an interim rate of 4.5% of contribution-eligible revenues
has been set; a final rate will be determined in mid-2001 and will be
retroactive to January 1, 2001.
As a result of this decision, we will be required to pay contribution on
certain services we offer, such as local telephone service, which have not
previously been subject to contribution. However, the amount of contribution
payable in respect of our long distance voice and data services can be expected
to decline. As well, starting January 1, 2001 the subsidy will only be used to
support local services in high-cost serving areas and the CRTC has announced
that the way in which the subsidy is calculated will be revised effective
January 1, 2002. These changes should result in a reduction in the total amount
of the subsidy, and consequently a reduction in the percentage of contribution
we will be required to pay.
REGULATION OF COMPETITIVE LOCAL EXCHANGE CARRIERS
Although the CRTC has determined that competitive local exchange carriers
are non-dominant carriers that should not be subject to the same degree of
regulation as the incumbent local exchange carriers, the CRTC requires
competitive local exchange carriers to assume certain obligations. For example,
competitive local exchange carriers must file, for CRTC approval,
interconnection agreements and tariffs for services that they provide to other
carriers. Competitive local exchange carriers must also provide interconnection
to all other local exchange carriers within the same exchange, interconnection
to wireless service providers and equal access interconnection to long distance
providers that offer services in the same territory served by the competitive
local exchange carrier on terms and conditions no less favorable than those
contained in the incumbent local exchange carriers' tariffs, unless the
competitive local exchange carrier can justify a departure from the incumbent
local exchange carriers' tariffs. Competitive local exchange carriers are also
required, among other things, to provide for reciprocal local exchange
carrier-to-local exchange carrier interconnection; to implement local number
portability ("LNP"); to provide emergency (911) service and message relay
service and to satisfy various other existing and future regulatory requirements
designed to protect customer privacy, such as providing consumers, upon request,
with information regarding their services, prices and local calling area
boundaries. Both wireline and wireless service providers may become competitive
local exchange carriers as long as they accept the obligations imposed on
competitive local exchange carriers by the CRTC.
We believe we have an advantage over the incumbent local exchange carriers
in terms of pricing flexibility, offering of services and responsiveness to
customer needs since the incumbent local exchange carriers, unlike us, must file
and obtain regulatory approval for the rates, terms and conditions of the local
services they intend to offer and are subject to price cap regulation of their
local services. However, like the incumbent local exchange carriers, competitive
local
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exchange carriers are subject to the prohibitions set forth in the
Telecommunications Act (Canada) against unjust discrimination and the granting
of undue preferences to end users and to other carriers. In addition, and to the
extent that they are not regulated under the Telecommunications Act (Canada),
they are subject to anti-trust legislation such as the Competition Act (Canada).
LOCAL NUMBER PORTABILITY. Local number portability enables customers to retain
their local telephone number when they change local exchange carriers. The CRTC
requires all local exchange carriers to provide local number portability and has
determined that all local exchange carriers should bear their own costs of
implementing local number portability. Local number portability was considered
to be an important requirement by new entrants due to the reluctance of
customers to change local exchange carriers if it meant changing their telephone
number. Local number portability has been rolled out in most major urban centres
in Canada, including Vancouver, Montreal, Toronto, Calgary, Edmonton, and
Ottawa/ Hull in accordance with a schedule for implementation established by the
CRTC in a 1998 decision. If no competitive local exchange carrier has initiated
interconnection with an incumbent local exchange carrier in a given exchange by
the scheduled roll-out date or if there is no scheduled roll-out date for the
exchange in question, the industry has agreed to a request-driven roll-out
schedule for local number portability. In these circumstances, local number
portability must be implemented between 30 and 180 days following a request for
local number portability, depending on the nature of the underlying switch
configuration.
CO-LOCATION. On June 16, 1997, the CRTC rendered a decision relating to
incumbent local exchange carrier central office co-location arrangements. In its
decision, the CRTC mandated the provision by incumbent local exchange carriers
of both physical and virtual co-location arrangements, available at the
competitive local exchange carrier's option, under CRTC-approved tariffs and
standard-form central office licence agreements. Under a virtual co-location
arrangement, competitive local exchange carriers and incumbent local exchange
carrier traffic is exchanged at a designated point outside the central office,
and additional dedicated facilities located in the central office are provided
by the incumbent local exchange carrier to complete the competitive local
exchange carrier's transmission system. Co-location arrangements are important
to us because they allow us to interconnect our transmission systems with those
of the incumbent local exchange carriers using the most efficient and
cost-effective network structure possible. They also allow us to gain immediate
access to incumbent local exchange carrier unbundled loops for our off-net
customers. Under certain circumstances, competitive local exchange carriers are
also permitted to enter into cross-connection arrangements with other co-located
competitive local exchange carriers within a central office which allows for
increased network efficiency.
The CRTC also determined in its co-location decision that mandated
co-location was available only to facilities-based carriers interconnecting with
incumbent local exchange carriers under the terms of an agreement and a tariff.
This limitation of mandated co-location to facilities-based carriers created an
opportunity for competitive local exchange carriers to use their transmission
capacity for connection at central offices to provide services to other
telecommunications service providers, including resellers and Internet
providers, which did not have access to mandated co-location arrangements.
However, in September 2000, the CRTC granted mandated co-location and access to
unbundled loops and connecting links to digital subscriber line service
providers. The CRTC prohibited digital subscriber line service providers from
using these arrangements to provide switched local voice services.
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The CRTC also set rates in the decision for a variety of monthly co-location
services, including central office floor space and entrance conduit space
charges, as well as for certain non-recurring charges. For some of these
charges, such as service order and application charges the incumbent local
exchange carriers were directed to charge the long run incremental cost of
providing the service plus a 25% mark-up. For many other charges, however, the
CRTC directed the incumbent local exchange carriers to base their charges upon
costs incurred with no mark-ups, (e.g., for construction, site preparation and
project management services).
A six-month maximum time limit was imposed on the incumbent local exchange
carriers between the date of the competitive local exchange carrier's acceptance
of the initial report for physical co-location and the availability of the
service, and a corresponding three-month maximum time limit to obtain virtual
co-location. Competitive telecommunications service providers have identified a
number of problems with the current co-location regime, including, among other
issues, an apparent lack of space in the incumbents' central offices and their
reticence to provide physical co-location, limitations on the type of equipment
allowed within the central offices, the difficulty of obtaining co-location
within the time frames specified by the CRTC and problems gaining access to
co-located equipment on a timely basis. We are one of the 12 competitive
providers which has joined the Coalition for Better Co-Location to attempt to
resolve these issues through consultation with the CRTC's Co-location
Sub-Working Group, as well as through applications for relief from the CRTC.
PRICE CAP REGULATION. The CRTC has adopted a form of rate regulation for the
incumbent local exchange carriers which brings most of their local services
under a price cap regime. The price cap mechanism adopted by the CRTC segregates
the incumbent local exchange carriers' services into sub-baskets of related
services and imposes an overall constraint on price increases for all services
subject to the price caps as well as certain specific price constraints for
services within each of three sub-baskets. The price of local services under the
price cap regime are subject to an overall price cap that limits price increases
to an annual percentage linked to the rate of inflation, subject to certain
adjustments (including a 4.5% productivity offset). Within the three sub-baskets
of local services prescribed by the CRTC (i.e., basic residential local service,
single and multi-line business local services and other capped services), the
aggregate price levels for the basic residential local service and other capped
services sub-baskets will be limited to annual increases equal to the inflation
rate. A maximum increase of 10% in any year will apply to individual rates for
residential and single-line business services in smaller exchanges.
The CRTC decided to exclude certain of the incumbent local exchange
carriers' local services such as optional local services, including calling
features such as voice mail and call waiting, from the price cap regime. In
addition, the CRTC regulates the rates of certain local "competitor services"
outside the price cap regime. These services are provided by the incumbent local
exchange carriers to their competitors, such as competitive local exchange
carriers, in order to allow their competitors to provide local and long distance
services. Examples of services included in this category are equal access
services provided to long distance service providers, unbundled local loops, and
network access services provided to wireless carriers. These services are
subject to detailed rate regulation and the prices are set at long run
incremental cost plus a 25% markup.
Despite the price constraints contained in the CRTC's price cap regime, the
incumbent local exchange carriers still have the ability under price cap
regulation to increase prices for local
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services for which there is little competition (such as residential and single
line business local services) and use the excess profits generated from these
activities to subsidize price reductions in competitive services (such as
business and government local services) that are included in the same basket of
services.
Price cap regulation for the incumbent local exchange carriers will be in
force until December 31, 2001 and will be reviewed by the CRTC before the end of
this period. The CRTC's review may result in the extension of price cap
regulation or the elimination of rate regulation for some or all of the
incumbent local exchange carriers' local services.
REGULATION OF LONG DISTANCE SERVICES
We will offer long distance telecommunications services as part of our
bundled telecommunications services. Long distance competition has been in place
in Canada since 1990 for long distance resellers and since 1992 for
facilities-based carriers. Since 1994, the incumbent local exchange carriers
have been required to provide "equal access" to long distance carriers and
resellers which eliminated the need for customers of competitive long distance
providers to dial additional digits when placing long distance calls.
As described above, competitive long distance service providers, including
resellers, currently make contribution payments to local exchange carriers to
reflect the subsidy that long distance services have traditionally contributed
to the provision of local residential telephone service. However, as of January
1, 2001, all telecommunications service providers will be required to contribute
to the subsidy based on a percentage of revenues derived from
contribution-eligible Canadian telecommunications services. We will make
contribution payments calculated as a percentage of revenues earned from our
long distance voice and data services, as well as from other eligible services.
Under the CRTC's 1992 long distance competition decision, competitive long
distance providers were required to assume approximately 30% of the cost
required to modify the incumbent local exchange carriers' networks to
accommodate interconnection with long distance competitors. These initial
modification charges are spread over a period of 10 years and are payable on the
basis of a specified charge per minute. Competitive long distance providers are
also required to pay local exchange carriers charges for other services which
they use, including switching and aggregation, primary interexchange carrier
information processing (which implements a subscriber's choice of long distance
carrier), operator services and certain billing and collection services.
The CRTC has refrained from regulating (including tariff approval and rate
setting provisions) most long distance services and interexchange private line
services provided by the incumbent local exchange carriers and all such services
offered by their competitors, apart from access to their respective networks.
The incumbent local exchange carriers' basic (undiscounted) long distance rates
remain subject to rate regulation as well as their rates in areas that do not
yet have equal access. The incumbent local exchange carriers also remain subject
to rate regulation on private line services on inter-city routes which are not
yet subject to facilities-based competition. The lack of regulation of the
incumbent local exchange carriers' long distance services, including the absence
of a floor price test, has provided the incumbent local exchange carriers with
pricing flexibility and has increased their ability to compete with us on the
basis of price.
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UNBUNDLED RATES TO PROVIDE EQUAL ACCESS
In April 1997, the CRTC issued a decision which unbundles the rates that
long distance providers pay to the incumbent local exchange carriers for various
"equal access" or local switching and traffic aggregation services. Under the
decision, long distance providers were required to pay the incumbent local
exchange carriers a separate rate of $0.007 per minute (recently reduced to
$0.003 per minute) for local end office connection and an additional rate of
approximately $0.004 to $0.007 per minute for connection at the toll switch;
also referred to as "access tandem connection." Competitive local exchange
carriers also charge these rates to long distance providers for traffic
originating and terminating on their local networks.
The CRTC's equal access decision is important to us for two reasons. First,
it establishes the prices which we, or those from which we purchase long
distance services for resale, will be required to pay to the incumbent local
exchange carriers for origination or termination of long distance traffic at
either the access tandem or local end office. Second, since we compete with the
incumbent local exchange carriers in providing switched access to long distance
services, we price our services to compete with the incumbent local exchange
carriers' tariffed rates.
In May 1999, in a decision relating to the regulatory framework relating to
the Internet, referred to as the "New Media" decision, the CRTC acknowledged the
proposal of one party to the proceeding that a comprehensive review of
interconnection and unbundling arrangements was necessary, and indicated that it
would shortly initiate such a proceeding.
Furthermore, in June 1999 an application was filed by a competitor
requesting the CRTC to review the entire framework for interconnection
arrangements between interexchange and local service providers. This application
included a proposal to permit all local exchange carriers to interchange traffic
with each other regardless of where the traffic originates. Currently, the CRTC
is determining the best type of proceeding to deal with this application. It
recently held a two-day round-table discussion for interested industry
participants in which it solicited views on what issues should be discussed
during future proceedings and what issues could be dealt with on a more
expedient basis by the CRTC interconnection steering committee. The Commission
will issue its determinations resulting from these discussions by the fall of
2000, at which time it should publish a public notice.
In September 2000, the CRTC approved an application by a U.S.-based provider
of digital subscriber line services for access to the incumbent local exchange
carriers' unbundled local loops and central office co-location sites on the same
terms and conditions as competitive local exchange carriers, as well as an
application by Bell Canada for approval of a tariff under which it would provide
access to its unbundled local loops to resellers using digital subscriber line
access technology. This decision creates opportunities for additional
competition in the high-speed Internet access market from service providers
which are not subject to the same restrictions on foreign ownership and control
as the competitive local exchange carriers.
ACCESS
Access to both private and public property is important to our business in
order for us to be able to reach our customers in multiple unit dwellings and
construct, maintain and operate our network. With respect to access to multiple
unit dwellings, the CRTC, which does not
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have direct jurisdiction over building owners, has recognized the importance of
customer choice of service providers and has expressed the view that an
exclusive arrangement between a service provider and a landlord of a multiple
unit dwelling will generally violate the Telecommunications Act (Canada). The
CRTC has initiated a proceeding to consider its regulatory approach to
facilitating non-discriminatory access and customer choice in multi-dwelling
units. Participants have been asked to comment on possible fees or charges for
access and other terms and conditions. A determination is expected in February
2001.
In December 1999, the CRTC initiated a proceeding to examine the terms and
conditions the city of Vancouver may impose for access to public lands in order
to construct, maintain and operate telecommunications facilities. The outcome of
this proceeding may permit other service providers to obtain such access on
terms more favorable than those in our agreement with the city of Vancouver, or
may permit us to renegotiate our agreement with the city of Vancouver to the
extent that our agreement contains less favourable terms than those approved by
the CRTC.
REGULATION OF WIRELESS SERVICES
Use of radio spectrum to provide wireless telecommunications services is
subject to licensing by Industry Canada under the Radiocommunication Act
(Canada). Under this legislation, Industry Canada is authorized to issue radio
licences, to plan the allocation and use of the radio spectrum and to perform
other duties to ensure the orderly development and efficient operation of
radiocommunication in Canada. With respect to spectrum licensing, Industry
Canada has the authority to revoke a licence for non-compliance with terms and
conditions or failure to pay associated spectrum licence fees. However,
revocation is rare and licences are usually renewed year to year upon payment of
the applicable fee. Industry Canada levies licence fees on wireless
telecommunications service providers, and generally not on subscribers for the
services offered by such providers.
Industry Canada has issued spectrum licences to us in the 38 GHz frequency
range which allow us to operate point-to-point radio systems in Vancouver,
Calgary, Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal. To obtain licences, applicants operating
as radiocommunication carriers must comply with foreign ownership restrictions
under the Radiocommunication Act.
FOREIGN OWNERSHIP RESTRICTIONS
Group Telecom, and our operating subsidiary GT Group Telecom Services Corp.,
which is a telecommunications common carrier for regulatory purposes, are
required by the Canadian Telecommunications Act and the Radiocommunication Act,
and the regulations made under both statutes, to be Canadian-owned and
controlled corporations incorporated or continued under the laws of Canada or a
province of Canada. Our operating subsidiary is deemed to be Canadian-owned and
controlled if: (i) not less than 80% of the members of its board of directors
are Canadians; (ii) Canadians beneficially own and control not less than 80% of
its issued and outstanding voting shares; and (iii) it is not otherwise
controlled in fact by persons that are not Canadians. GT Group Telecom Services
Corp. is a Canadian carrier wholly owned and controlled by us and not less than
80% of its board of directors are individual Canadians. We will ensure that not
less than 80% of the members of the board of directors of our subsidiary will
continue to be composed of Canadians.
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We intend that our operating subsidiary will remain controlled by us, and
be our wholly-owned subsidiary. Therefore, all of the outstanding voting shares
of the subsidiary are now, and it is intended that the subsidiary will remain,
owned by a company controlled by Canadians. A "Canadian" for the purposes of
these requirements includes a Canadian citizen who is ordinarily resident in
Canada, a permanent resident of Canada and, among other types of entities,
corporations in which Canadians beneficially own and control in the aggregate
not less than 66 2/3% of the issued and outstanding voting shares and which are
not otherwise controlled in fact by non-Canadians. A "voting share" for purposes
of these requirements means a share of any class of shares of a corporation
carrying voting rights under all circumstances or by reason of an event that has
occurred and is continuing or by reason of a condition that has been fulfilled
and includes: (i) a security that is convertible into such a share at the time
that a calculation of the percentage of shares owned and controlled by Canadians
is made; and (ii) an option or right to acquire the share or security referred
to in clause (i) that is exercisable at the time that the calculation referred
to in that clause is made.
Also, regulations made under the Telecommunications Act and the
Radiocommunication Act provide that, in order for a company which holds shares
in a carrier to be considered Canadian, not less than 66 2/3% of the issued and
outstanding voting shares of that company must be owned by Canadians and the
company must not otherwise be controlled in fact by non-Canadians. This means
that not less than 66 2/3% of the issued and outstanding voting shares of GT
Group Telecom Inc. must be owned by Canadians and that GT Group Telecom Inc.
must not otherwise be controlled in fact by non-Canadians.
Our class A voting shares are "voting shares" for these purposes and more
than 66 2/3% of the class A voting shares are held by Canadians as at the date
of this prospectus. Our class B non-voting shares are not "voting shares" for
these purposes.
The term "control in fact" is not defined in the relevant legislation and
raises various complex questions of interpretation. A number of factors have
been considered relevant to the determination of whether a regulated entity is
not controlled in fact by non-Canadians, including the election and composition
of the board of directors, the industry specific experience of the non-Canadian
shareholders, the ability to appoint senior management, the power to determine
policies, operations and strategic decision-making and the percentage of equity
interest (whether voting or non-voting) held by non-Canadians.
We have designed our capital structure to ensure compliance with the
Canadian ownership requirements. Our articles of incorporation provide that
certain non-voting shares may not be converted into voting shares if the
exercise of such conversion rights would cause us to be in violation of any
Canadian law applicable to the ownership interests in, or the exercise of
control over, a corporation that is providing telecommunication services in
Canada. In addition, the regulations under the Telecommunications Act (Canada)
provide us with the time and ability to rectify ineligibility resulting from
insufficient Canadian ownership of voting shares. In particular, we may, to the
extent applicable:
(i) refuse to accept any subscription for any voting shares;
(ii) refuse to allow any transfer of voting shares to be recorded;
(iii) suspend the rights of a holder of voting shares to vote at a meeting
of shareholders; and
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(iv) sell, repurchase or redeem any voting shares.
Although we believe that we have at all times been in compliance with the
relevant legislation, there can be no assurance that a future CRTC or Industry
Canada determination or events beyond our control will not result in us ceasing
to comply with the relevant legislation. Should this occur, the ability of our
wholly owned subsidiary to operate as a Canadian carrier under the
Telecommunications Act (Canada) or to renew or secure licences under the
Radiocommunication Act (Canada) could be jeopardized and our business could be
materially adversely affected. If we become subject to proceedings before the
CRTC or Industry Canada with respect to compliance with the relevant
legislation, we could be materially adversely affected, even if we were
ultimately successful in such a proceeding.
C. ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE
GT Group Telecom Services Corp. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of GT Group
Telecom Inc. and was amalgamated under the Canada Business Corporations Act on
March 10, 1999. GT Group Telecom Services (USA) Corp. is a wholly-owned
subsidiary of the Company and was incorporated under the General Corporation Law
of the State of Nevada on May 5, 2000.
D. PROPERTY, PLANTS AND EQUIPMENT
Our facilities include administrative and sales offices, central offices and
other facilities to house our fiber-optic network equipment. We fully utilize
our facilities. The table below describes our material properties:
APPROXIMATE
SQUARE
LOCATION PURPOSE OWNED OR LEASED FOOTAGE
- ---------------------- -------------------- ------------------ -----------
Toronto, Ontario ..... Corporate head office Lease expires on 38,757
and central office December 31, 2014
Vancouver, B.C ....... Network operations and Lease expires on 16,122
engineering July 31, 2006
Burnaby, B.C ......... Central office Owned 7,869
Calgary, Alberta ..... Central office Lease expires on 19,328
December 1, 2014
Edmonton, Alberta .... Equipment housing Lease expires on 12,738
January 1, 2015
Montreal, Quebec ..... Central office Lease expires on 11,918
January 31, 2015
ITEM 5: OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEW AND PROSPECTS
OVERVIEW
We have been providing data services since 1996. We constructed our
facilities-based network in Vancouver. We avoided substantial capital
expenditures in the build-out of our network in Vancouver through a contract
with BC Hydro, an electric utility, which enabled us to install our fiber
through their existing conduits which connect to nearly all buildings in British
Columbia. We have used our Vancouver fiber network strategy as a blueprint to
enter our other initial target markets across Canada, and have already entered
into conduit access agreements
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with utility companies in Calgary and Edmonton, and intend to pursue similar
opportunities in Montreal. In Toronto we intend to acquire and have leased
existing fiber to establish our network and in July, 1999 entered into a fiber
lease agreement with Toronto Hydro which gives us access to Toronto Hydro's
existing fiber-optic network.
We installed our first Lucent 5ESS voice switch in Vancouver in 1998. We
installed voice switches in Toronto and Calgary in December 1999 and in Montreal
in January 2000.
In the fall of 1999, we launched a national marketing effort of our
comprehensive suite of services. As of September 30, 2000, we had 1,569
buildings connected to our network and had approximately 190,583 fiber
kilometers (118,422 miles) over 9,545 route kilometers (5,930 miles). At
September 30, 2000, we had signed strategic agreements with property management
companies, including Oxford Properties, Brookfield, Cadillac Fairview and O&Y
Enterprises, providing us access to approximately 130 million square feet of
office space across Canada.
We have been providing Internet, high speed data and voice services in all
five of our initial markets of Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary, Montreal and
Edmonton since February 2000. Since then, through organic growth and a series of
acquisitions, we have expanded the reach of our fiber network to include an
additional 8 markets beyond our original targeted network. These new
metropolitan markets include Victoria, Winnipeg, London, Hamilton,
Kitchener/Waterloo, Ottawa, Quebec City, and St. John's, Newfoundland. As of
September 30, 2000, we serve all 13 of these markets.
Our network in a city consists of a fiber-optic backbone, fiber connection
from the backbone to the buildings, equipment in the buildings in which our
customers are located, central offices housing data and switching equipment and
equipment connecting our network to the public switched telephone network and
the Internet.
The construction of our network in each target market varies, depending upon
the size and complexity of the network. The time required to complete the
construction phase is also significantly influenced by the number of route and
fiber miles involved, the mix of aboveground versus underground fiber
deployment, possible delays in securing rights-of-way and negotiating business
licence agreements and required construction permits, time in negotiating leases
for central offices and office space and installing electronic equipment.
Our strategy is to own or control the fiber that comprises our network in
each of our target markets. We believe there are several strategic advantages to
serving our customers over owned facilities instead of reselling services or
leasing facilities, including earning higher margins. To reduce the capital
expenditures required to construct our fiber-optic infrastructure, we have
established, and expect to continue to establish, access and rights-of-way
agreements with utility companies and other companies in our target markets.
OUR RECENT ACQUISITIONS
On February 16, 2000, we acquired from Shaw Communications the business of
Shaw FiberLink for $360 million in cash and the issuance of 27.1% of our fully
diluted equity. The cash portion of the purchase price was funded by borrowing
$100 million under our bank facility and by using $260 million of the net
proceeds of our offering of units consisting of our 13 1/4% senior discount
notes due 2010 and warrants for our class B non-voting shares. For the year
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ended August 31, 1999, Shaw FiberLink had revenue of $38.8 million and EBITDA of
$12.1 million. As part of our acquisition of the business of Shaw FiberLink, we
received rights to 1,502 fiber kilometers through assigned contracts and an
indefeasible right to use 100,044 fiber kilometers for 60 years. In addition,
Shaw Communications agreed to construct for our use, at no additional cost to
us, approximately 97,500 fiber kilometers over the next three years, subject to
variance depending on the location of the constructed fiber. We will have an
indefeasible right to use these fiber kilometers for between 57 and 60 years. As
at September 30, 2000, we had received the rights to use $27.0 million of newly
constructed fibers under these arrangements.
In April 2000, we purchased from Moffat Communications all the property and
assets used in connection with their fiber-optic business telecom operations for
$68 million in cash and 1,667,000 of our class B non-voting shares. The assets
purchased include equipment, operational contracts, equipment contracts, supply
contracts, interconnection agreements, co-location agreements, customer
contracts, software licences, intellectual property, permits, accounts
receivable, prepaid expenses and certain other assets. We also entered into an
indefeasible right to use agreement with Moffat Communications which granted us
an indefeasible right to use certain specifically identified existing fibers in
the fiber-optic cable networks of Moffat Communications for 30 years.
In May 2000, we agreed with 360networks Inc. to (1) lease from them
dedicated fiber-optic wavelengths and (2) purchase fiber in Canada and receive
from them an indefeasible right to use fiber in the United States. The aggregate
price of the dedicated fiber-optic capacity and fiber we acquired was
approximately $362 million. We have the option to acquire from 360networks
additional fiber and dedicated fiber-optic wavelengths. In addition, we invested
approximately $43 million in the equity of 360networks. In October 2000, we
accepted approximately 28% of the fiber-optic capacity under the long term
capacity lease arrangement.
In July 2000, we acquired from Cable Atlantic certain property and assets
used in Cable Atlantic's competitive local exchange carrier operations and
commercial telecommunications operations in consideration for $15 million in
cash, the issuance of 1,740,196 of our class B non-voting shares and a cash
payment equal to the value of the net working capital of the acquired business
on the closing date. The assets purchased include equipment, land and building,
operational contracts, customer contracts, intellectual property, permits, books
and records, goodwill, accounts receivable and prepaid expenses. We entered into
an agreement with Cable Atlantic that grants to us an indefeasible right to use
certain specifically identified existing fibers of Cable Atlantic for 30 years,
with a right to purchase these fibers for $1 at any time.
In October 2000, we signed a term sheet with C1 Communications Inc. (C1
Communications) to acquire all of its Atlantic Canada assets and business. The
transaction includes the acquisition of C1 Communication's Atlantic cable
competitive local exchange carrier business, including its fiber-optic network,
buildings connected to its network, related assets, customers and employees. As
consideration we will issue 2,372,000 class B non-voting shares and assume the
rights and obligations of C1 Communications relating to its fiber network in
Atlantic Canada. The transaction is subject to obtaining certain approvals.
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OPERATING DATA
The table below provides selected key operating data:
GROUP TELECOM
---------------------------------------------------------
AT SEPTEMBER 30, AT SEPTEMBER 30, AT SEPTEMBER 30,
1998 1999 2000
---------------- ---------------- ----------------
OPERATING DATA:
Route kilometers .................. 5 46 9,545(1)
Fiber kilometers .................. 2,030 16,595 190,583(2)
Number of Lucent and Nortel
class 5 switches .................. 1 1 5
Number of buildings connected ..... 8 40 1,569
Number of employees ............... 51 168 987
- ----------
(1) Equivalent to approximately 5,930 route miles. Route miles equals the number
of miles of the telecommunications path in which we own or lease installed
fiber-optic cable.
(2) Equivalent to approximately 118,422 fiber miles. Fiber miles equals the
number of miles installed along a telecommunications path multiplied by the
number of fibers along the path.
GROUP TELECOM RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2000 COMPARED TO YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1999
REVENUE. We generate most of our revenue by providing data and voice
services over our local network to end-user customers and charging access fees
to long distance providers who make use of our local network for their voice and
data transmissions. Our major sources of revenue are:
o monthly access and usage fees;
o telecommunications service fees which we earn by connecting our
customers to our network;
o sales of our data, Internet application and voice services to customers;
and
o installation of our customers' equipment at our site to connect them
directly to our network.
We also earn one time charges for installation and activation of services as
well as revenue from the resale of equipment to our customers and the
installation of such equipment.
Revenue for the year ended September 30, 2000 increased $70.5 million, or
2,608%, to $73.3 million compared to $2.7 million for the year ended September
30, 1999, due to the addition of new customers and new services and inclusion of
the customer base we acquired from Shaw Fiberlink, Moffat Communications and
Cable Atlantic. We expect to maintain a 20% growth quarter over quarter in the
upcoming year. In the years to come, our expansion strategy is to achieve a
significant penetration of the Canadian business telecommunications market,
including
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the small and medium enterprise sector.
In fiscal 2000, data revenue accounted for 84.5% of our total revenue, while
voice accounted for 14.5% and applications for 1%. Data ports and private lines
provisioned grew from 134 in the first quarter to 5,206 in the fourth quarter
and from 259 to 38,879, respectively. Growth in our data revenue was achieved by
providing Internet gateway and LAN/WAN extension services, as well as voice and
application services, in bundled product offerings to meet each client's
requirements.
Voice revenue increased during the year, as a result of provisioned access
lines growing from 7,357 in the first quarter to 36,516 in the fourth quarter.
In addition, the percentage of on-net access lines dramatically increased from
fewer than 5% as at September 30, 1999 to 62% as at September 30, 2000
contributing to an improvement in our gross margin as described below.
COST OF SERVICES. Our cost of services consists of network operating costs
which include:
o the costs to install, monitor and repair our network;
o termination and unbundled network element charges;
o charges from long distance carriers for resale of long distance
services;
o salaries and benefits associated with network operations as well as our
customer service personnel;
o charges for our redundant connection to the Internet;
o leased fiber costs; and
o building access fees and municipal access fees paid to civic authorities
and others for use of rights of way.
Cost of services for the year ended September 30, 2000 increased $49.5
million, or 2,739%, to $51.3 million compared to $1.8 million for the year ended
September 30, 1999. The increase was due to a corresponding increase in revenue.
For the year ended September 30, 2000, we achieved a gross margin level of 30%.
We expect continued improvement in gross margins in the coming year.
SELLING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES. Our selling, general and
administrative expenses consist primarily of:
o promotions;
o advertising, travel and entertainment costs;
o compensation to sales representatives, administrative, marketing,
financial and executive personnel;
o recruiting costs;
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o corporate administration costs;
o legal, accounting and other professional fees;
o office related expenses; and
o bad debts.
Selling, general and administrative expenses increased $90.7 million, or
888%, to $101.0 million for the year ended September 30, 2000 compared to $10.2
million for the year ended September 30, 1999. During the year ended September
30, 2000, we undertook a significant national expansion, implemented back office
and operational support systems, and hired over 800 employees to execute these
directives. Accordingly, the majority of our selling, general and administrative
expenses relate to compensation, advertising, facility and travel costs
incurred. In the coming year, we expect to leverage off and realize the benefits
from our established infrastructure as we continue to grow our business.
AMORTIZATION. Amortization for the year ended September 30, 2000 increased
$42.1 million, or 4,948%, to $43.0 million compared to $0.9 million for the year
ended September 30, 1999 due to an increase in property, plant and equipment
resulting from our acquisitions and the deployment of our network.
INTEREST. Interest income resulted from investment of cash reserves from
debt and equity offerings. Interest income for the year ended September 30, 2000
was $22.2 million compared to $0.9 million for the year ended September 30,
1999.
Interest expense resulted from interest and financing charges related to our
long-term debt. Interest expense for the year ended September 30, 2000 was $85.8
million compared to $0.5 million for the year ended September 30, 1999. Of our
available financing, we have utilized $100 million of secured bank financing and
$185.4 million of vendor financing. In addition, $662.7 million of senior
discount notes are also outstanding. The senior discount notes incur interest at
an effective rate of 14.9% while the bank financing has been structured as
floating interest rate debt with the interest rate fixed in six-month intervals
using bankers acceptances and term loans. The vendor facilities bear interest at
a floating rate plus a margin ranging from 2 to 4.25%. As we continue our
network expansion in 2001, our interest expense is expected to increase as we
incur interest on the current utilization of our financing for a full year and
incur additional interest charges through drawing down future amounts of our
available financing.
FOREIGN EXCHANGE GAIN. A net foreign exchange gain of $9.3 million was
incurred for the year ended September 30, 2000 due to our significant U.S.
dollar cash position and the devaluation of the Canadian dollar. Foreign
exchange gains and losses associated with U.S. dollar denominated long-term debt
are deferred and amortized over the life of the financing arrangement.
TAXES. We have not generated any taxable income to date and therefore have
not accrued any income tax expense. In the year ended September 30, 2000, a net
recovery of $38.5 million of future income taxes was recorded in order to
recognize the tax benefit from operating loss carryforwards to the extent of
existing temporary differences arising from the Shaw FiberLink
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and Cable Atlantic acquisitions.
LOSS. As a result of the above, the loss before income taxes for the year
ended September 30, 2000 was $176.5 million compared to $9.8 million for the
year ended September 30, 1999, representing an increase of 1,700%.
EBITDA AND CASH FLOW FROM OPERATIONS. For the year ended September 30, 2000,
we experienced a negative EBITDA of $56.8 million, representing a significant
increase over the previous year negative EBITDA of $8.4 million as a result of
our expansion strategies. Cash flow used in operating activities were $49.2
million in the year ended September 30, 2000 and $9.0 million in the year ended
September 30, 1999. Based on our current funded business plan, we are projecting
to reach a positive EBITDA in the second half of 2002.
EBITDA is a financial metric used by substantially all investors to compare
companies in the telecommunications industry on the basis of operating results,
asset value and the ability to incur and service debt. It is not intended to
represent results of operations or cash flow results in accordance with Canadian
generally accepted accounting principles. EBITDA may not be comparable to
similarly titled amounts reported by other companies.
YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1999 COMPARED TO YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1998
REVENUE. Revenue for the year ended September 30, 1999 increased $0.9
million, or 48%, to $2.7 million compared to $1.8 million for the year ended
September 30, 1998, due to a larger number of customers and new services being
provided. Approximately 72% of our revenue for the year ended September 30, 1999
was from recurring sources as compared to 63% for 1998. Our recurring revenue
was primarily from the sale of access and usage of our network.
COST OF SERVICES. Cost of services for the year ended September 30, 1999
increased $0.7 million, or 60%, to $1.8 million compared to $1.1 million for the
year ended September 30, 1998. The increase was due to corresponding increase in
revenue and change in product mix which resulted in lower margins.
SELLING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES. Selling, general and
administrative expenses increased $7.2 million, or 236%, to $10.2 million for
the year ended September 30, 1999 compared to $3.0 million for the year ended
September 30, 1998 due to an increase in salaries due to increased headcount, a
national marketing launch and increased need for office space and related costs.
AMORTIZATION. Amortization for the year ended September 30, 1999 increased
$597,961, or 234%, to $852,539 compared to $254,578 for the year ended September
30, 1998 due to an increase in property, plant and equipment available for
commercial service.
INTEREST INCOME AND FINANCE CHARGES. Interest income for the year ended
September 30, 1999 was $465,913 as compared to interest expense of $89,188 for
the year ended September 30, 1998. Interest income resulted from investment of
cash reserves from private equity offerings. This was partially offset by
increases in interest expense on long-term debt and financing charges related to
vendor financings.
TAXES. We have not generated any taxable income to date and therefore have
not accrued any
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income tax expense. We have accrued a provision for large corporations tax for
September 30, 1999, of $165,000. As of September 30, 1999, we had an aggregate
of approximately $13.1 million of non-capital loss carry forwards, of which
$326,000 expire by 2003. We currently have no capital losses. Non-capital losses
can be carried forward 7 years and carried back 3 years.
LOSS. As a result of the above, the loss before income taxes for the year
ended September 30, 1999 was $9.8 million compared to $2.4 million for the year
ended September 30, 1998, representing an increase of 302%.
EBITDA AND CASH FLOW FROM OPERATIONS. For the period ended September 30,
1999, we incurred a negative EBITDA of $8.4 million, representing a significant
increase over the previous year negative EBITDA of $2.3 million as a result of
our expansion strategies. Cash flows used in operating activities were $9.0
million in the year ended September 30, 1999 and $1.4 million in the year ended
September 30, 1998.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
We have incurred significant operating and net losses and expect that such
losses will continue as we develop, construct and expand our network and our
operations and build our customer base. The cash provided by our operations will
not be sufficient to cover these operating and net losses as we construct and
expand our network.
Our cash expenditures for property, plant and equipment for the year ended
September 30, 2000 were $153.6 million compared to $8.5 million for the year
ended September 30, 1999, and were related to the purchase and construction of
switching and data networking equipment, construction of our fiber-optic
infrastructure and central office and data hub facilities, transmission
equipment and co-location facilities and construction and implementation of our
back office systems. As a result of our own, build and acquisition strategy, we
expanded our network from 16,595 fiber kilometers as at September 30, 1999 to
190,583 fiber kilometers as at September 30, 2000 and increased the number of
buildings connected to our network from 40 to 1,569 in the same period. In 2001
and as part of our fully funded business plan, we will continue to make capital
expenditures as we expand the reach of our network to target markets. We expect
to grow our network to include over 500,000 fiber kilometers by September 30,
2001.
At September 30, 2000, our current assets were $500.4 million and our
current liabilities were $116.3 million, giving us a working capital of $384.1
million compared to $47.9 million at September 30, 1999. Cash and cash
equivalents at September 30, 2000 were $444.0 million compared to $59.9 million
at September 30, 1999.
As of September 30, 2000, we had approximately $953.3 million of long-term
debt outstanding. In addition, we could incur an additional $528.3 million under
our senior bank debt and our vendor facilities with Cisco and Lucent, assuming
we could incur debt in compliance with covenants set forth in these facilities.
Cash used in operating activities for the year ended September 30, 2000 was
$49.2 million, most of which came from our net loss of $138.0 million, partially
offset by an increase in items not affecting cash, such as amortization,
non-cash interest expense and recovery of future income taxes, and changes in
working capital. At September 30, 2000, we held $123.2 million of our cash and
cash equivalents in Canadian funds and $213.3 million in U.S. funds ($320.8
million
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expressed in Canadian funds).
From our inception in April 1996 until May 1999, we funded our capital
expenditures and operating losses through private placements of our equity and
debt.
In May and July, 1999
o we raised approximately $41.5 million from a private placement of series
A first preference shares to affiliates of Goldman Sachs, CIBC World
Markets, National Bank Financial Capital Corp. and MGN Opportunity Group
LLC. In August 1999, we raised an additional $28.8 million, $25.9
million of which came from the exercise of options held by these private
equity investors resulting in the issuance of 13,833,335 series A first
preference shares.
o we entered into a credit facility with Lucent which provided for an
initial commitment of US$40 million and which is available until May 28,
2001. The facility is to finance the purchase of equipment and services
from Lucent to be used in our network.
o we signed a credit agreement with Cisco pursuant to which we can borrow
from Cisco up to US$15 million to finance our purchase and installation
of Cisco networking hardware and software. The funds under this credit
agreement are available until July 28, 2001 and bear interest at a rate
of 12% per year.
In February, 2000
o we issued 855,000 units, consisting of US$855,000,000 of 13 1/4% senior
discount notes and warrants to purchase 4,198,563 of our class B
non-voting shares for net proceeds to us of US$436,900,000;
o we entered into an agreement with Lucent which will allow us to finance
up to US$315 million of switches, fiber and related electronic equipment
and engineering and installation services purchased from Lucent over a
three year period from the initial drawdown; and
o we entered into an agreement with several banks under which they will
provide a $220 million committed bank facility.
In September, 2000 we entered into a credit agreement with Cisco pursuant to
which we can finance up to $120 million of telecommunications equipment and
services purchased from Cisco over a two year period.
We are not required to begin repaying any of our funding obligations until
2003. Interest on the senior discount notes is deferred until 2005 with payment
of the deferred interest and principal due in 2010. After 2005, interest on the
senior discount notes is payable semi-annually. The term portion of the senior
bank facility is repayable in annual increments ranging from 5% to 10% between
2003 and 2005, with a final repayment of 75% of the principal in 2006. The
vendor facilities are with two of the world's leading telecommunication
equipment suppliers, Lucent Technologies Inc. and Cisco Systems Inc. One
requires quarterly installments of 1.25% beginning in 2003 with 75% of the
principal in 2008 and the other requires annual installments ranging from 5% to
20% between 2003 and 2006 with final repayments of 55% in 2007. These
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repayment terms are providing us with the flexibility to focus on the growth of
our business which we expect will generate the funds required to service our
long- term debt.
We completed our initial public offering on March 15, 2000 with the issuance
of 20,700,000 of our class B non-voting shares at a price of US$14 per share.
The initial public offering resulted in aggregate net proceeds to us of
US$268,100,000.
Our funding has provided us with the stability and the resources to finance
our growth. As at September 30, 2000, we had available approximately $1 billion
in funding to fully fund our business plan to 2004, consisting of $444 million
cash on hand, $415 million in available vendor financing and $120 million in
available senior bank financing.
In February 2000, we acquired the business of Shaw FiberLink for $360
million in cash and the issuance of 27.1% of our fully-diluted equity. We funded
the cash portion of our acquisition of the business of Shaw FiberLink by
borrowing $100 million under our bank facility and by using $260 million of the
net proceeds from the issuance of our units. In April 2000, we acquired the
business of Videon FiberLink from Moffat Communications for $68 million in cash
and 1,667,000 of our class B non-voting shares. In May 2000, we acquired and
will acquire fiber and dedicated fiber-optic capacity from 360networks for an
initial cash payment of approximately $32 million and total future payments of
$330 million. We have options to acquire from 360networks further fiber and
dedicated fiber-optic capacity. In July 2000, we acquired from Cable Atlantic
its competitive local exchange carrier and commercial telecommunications
operations for $15 million in cash, 1,740,196 of our class B non-voting shares
and a cash payment equal to the value of the net working capital of the acquired
business on the closing date. In October 2000, we signed a term sheet with C1
Communications to acquire all of its Atlantic Canada business and assets in
exchange for the issuance of 2,372,000 class B non-voting shares and the
assumption of certain liabilities. The transaction is subject to obtaining
certain approvals.
We believe that the remaining net proceeds of our unit offering, additional
borrowing under our Lucent and Cisco vendor facilities, our bank facility and
the net proceeds of our initial public offering of class B non-voting shares
will be sufficient to fully fund our business plan to 2004. The extent of
additional financing required, if any, will depend upon the rate of our
expansion and the success of our business. Consistent with our business
strategy, we continually consider acquisition opportunities that will enhance
our business. There can be no assurance that additional financing will be
available to us or, if available, that it can be obtained on acceptable terms or
within the limitations contained in our existing financing agreements.
In the event that our plans change, the assumptions upon which our plans are
based prove inaccurate, we expand or accelerate our business plan or we complete
acquisitions, the foregoing sources of funds may prove insufficient to fully
fund our business plan and we may be required to seek additional financing
sooner than we currently expect. Additional sources of financing may include
public or private equity or debt financings, capital and operating leases and
other financing arrangements. To the extent sufficient funding is not available
we may limit which markets we enter into and the degree to which we penetrate a
particular market.
We can give no assurance that additional financing will be available to us
or, if available, that it can be obtained on a timely basis and on acceptable
terms or within the limitations contained in our financing arrangements. Failure
to obtain such financing could result in the delay or
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abandonment of some or all of our development and expansion plans and
expenditures, which would harm our financial condition and operating results.
Such a failure could also limit our ability to make principal and interest
payments on our indebtedness. We cannot assure you that financing, if required,
will be available in the future or that, if such financing were available, it
would be available on terms and conditions acceptable to us.
Our revenue is generated primarily in Canadian dollars, while substantial
amounts of our current and future liabilities, including interest and principal
obligations on our long-term debt, are and will be payable in U.S. dollars. As
at September 30, 2000, we had entered into certain cross currency swaps to hedge
approximately 57% of our outstanding U.S. dollar denominated debt. Based on our
September 30, 2000 balances, a 1 percent change in the foreign currency exchange
rate between the Canadian and U.S. dollar would have an impact of $3.8 million
on the unhedged portion of our long-term debt. Any substantial increase in the
U.S. dollar relative to the Canadian dollar could affect our results of
operations and our ability to meet our future payment obligations on our debt.
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ITEM 6: DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND EMPLOYEES
A. DIRECTORS AND SENIOR MANAGEMENT
Each director is generally elected by a vote at the annual meeting of
shareholders and serves for a term of one year. Each executive officer will
serve until his or her successor is elected or appointed by the board of
directors or his or her earlier removal or resignation from office. There are no
family relationships between any of our executive officers and our directors.
NAME POSITION AGE
- ---- -------- ---
MICHAEL ABRAM Director 48
Calgary, Alberta
MICHAEL D'AVELLA(3) Director 42
Calgary, Alberta
GEORGE ESTEY Director 44
Toronto, Ontario
ROBERT R. GHEEWALLA(1)(3) Director 33
New York, New York
LEO J. HINDERY Director 53
Hillsborough, California
P. KENNETH KILGOUR(1)(2) Director 40
Toronto, Ontario
JAMES M. MANSOUR(1)(2) Director and Chair of Executive Committee 41
Austin, Texas
JAMES G. MATKIN(2)(3) Chairman and Director 57
Vancouver, British Columbia
DANIEL R. MILLIARD(1) Chief Executive Officer and Director 53
Couldersport, Pennsylvania
JIM SHAW(1) Director 43
Calgary, Alberta
ROBERT G. WOLFE(1) President, Chief Operating Officer and Director 44
Toronto, Ontario
STEPHEN H. SHOEMAKER Executive Vice-President and Chief Executive Officer 39
Toronto, Ontario
ERIC A. DEMIRIAN Executive Vice-President, Corporate Development 42
Toronto, Ontario
MICHAEL A. AYMONG Executive Vice-President, Marketing and Sales 36
Toronto, Ontario
ROBERT WATSON Executive Vice-President, Carrier Services 52
Toronto, Ontario
ROBERT M. FABES Senior Vice-President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary 39
Toronto, Ontario
ASHOK BHATT Senior Vice-President, Engineering 54
Toronto, Ontario
ANDREW J. CSINGER Senior Vice-President, Systems Services 37
Toronto, Ontario
STEVEN L. KOLES Senior Vice-President, Marketing 30
Toronto, Ontario
C. WILLIAM RAINEY Senior Vice-President, Sales 47
Toronto, Ontario
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MALCOLM RODRIGUES(4) Senior Vice-President, National Operations 33
Toronto, Ontario
PATRICIA A. SALTYS(5) Vice-President, Finance 36
Vancouver, B.C.
(1) Member of Executive Committee
(2) Member of Audit Committee
(3) Member of Compensation Committee
(4) Resigned effective February 2001
(5) Resigned effective December 2000
JAMES G. MATKIN Mr. Matkin has been the chairman of the board since
September 1997. Mr. Matkin is the chief executive officer of the Law Society of
British Columbia. With over 9,000 members, the Law Society is the governing body
for the British Columbia legal profession. Mr. Matkin has extensive experience
in law, government and business. He is a public policy practitioner and a
Harvard Law School graduate who began his legal career on Wall Street in New
York City before clerking with Mr. Justice Martland of the Supreme Court of
Canada. A former director of the Bank of Canada, Mr. Matkin currently serves on
the boards of several public and private organizations, including the Provincial
Chair of the Council for Canadian Unity. As president of the Business Council of
British Columbia for 10 years (1983-93), Mr. Matkin has represented more than
150 of the largest companies in Canada in their business-government relations.
JAMES M. MANSOUR Mr. Mansour has been a director since April 1998. Mr.
Mansour is former President and owner of National Telecommunications of Florida,
a long distance carrier providing voice and data telecommunications services to
businesses in 32 states which he sold in 1998 to Inter Media Communications,
Inc. Prior to that time, Mr. Mansour founded and ran National Telecommunications
of Austin, one of the largest regional long distance carriers in the United
States, which he sold to WorldCom in March of 1991. In addition, Mr. Mansour
currently serves on the Board of Netpliance, a company providing high-speed
Internet access services. Mr. Mansour holds a Juris Doctorate degree from Tulane
Law School and is a certified public accountant.
DANIEL R. MILLIARD Mr. Milliard has been our chief executive officer and a
director since September, 1999. Mr. Milliard was most recently senior vice
president and secretary of Adelphia Communications and vice chairman and
president of Hyperion Communications. Prior to that time, Mr. Milliard was the
first president and chief operating officer of Hyperion Communications, led the
company from its inception and was instrumental in growing it to become a
national competitive local exchange carrier. He also served as vice president,
secretary and/or general counsel of Adelphia. Mr. Milliard graduated from
American University in 1970 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business
Administration. He received an M.A. degree in Business from Central Missouri
State University in 1971, where he was an instructor in the Department of
Finance, School of Business and Economics, from 1971 to 1973. Mr. Milliard
received his Juris Doctor degree from the University of Tulsa School of Law in
1976. Mr. Milliard is a director of Charles Cole Memorial Hospital.
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49
ROBERT G. WOLFE Mr. Wolfe has been a director and our president since
February 1999. Prior to joining us, Mr. Wolfe served as chief financial officer
of Trillium Corporation, an international investment company. In addition, he
has significant experience in senior corporate finance positions with Goldman
Sachs. Mr. Wolfe held three overseas posts for Goldman Sachs in London, Tokyo
and Hong Kong. Mr. Wolfe graduated from Washington State University and holds an
MBA from Pacific Lutheran University.
STEPHEN H. SHOEMAKER Stephen joined us as executive vice president and chief
financial officer in December 1999. Before joining us, Mr. Shoemaker held
several senior managerial positions at Qwest Communications, most recently as
vice president, treasurer. Prior to Qwest Communications, Stephen was the vice
president, corporate finance for Host Marriott Services Corporation. Mr.
Shoemaker has a B.S. Commerce, concentration in Accounting from the University
of Virginia. He is a certified public accountant, a member of the Treasury
Management Association and also a member of the AICPA.
ERIC A. DEMIRIAN Eric joined us as executive vice president, corporate
development, in January 2000. Prior to joining us, Mr. Demirian was a partner
with PricewaterhouseCoopers and was the head of the Canadian information and
communications group. Mr. Demirian has a Bachelor of Business Management degree
from Ryerson University and both Certified General Accountant and Chartered
Accountant designations. He is a member of the Treasury Management Association
and is a past Director and Treasurer of the Parkinson Foundation of Canada.
MICHAEL A. AYMONG Mr. Aymong has been our executive vice president,
marketing and sales since June 1999. Prior to his present position, he served as
acting vice president, marketing and sales support for TELUS in Calgary. In this
position, he managed the marketing efforts during TELUS' merger with BC Tel.
Before joining TELUS, Mr. Aymong was director of operations of the former
MetroNet. Mr. Aymong holds an MBA from the University of Western Ontario. He is
also on the board of directors for the Muttart Art Gallery, Vicom Communications
and Big Picture Technologies and participates in several other community and
business organizations.
ROBERT C. WATSON Mr. Watson has been our executive vice president, carrier
services since February 2000. Mr. Watson was most recently president of Shaw
FiberLink. Prior to that time, Mr. Watson was president and chief executive
officer of ACC Telenterprise. Before then, he was executive vice president and
country manager for Cable & Wireless Inc. Mr. Watson is a graduate in Electronic
Technologies from Ryerson Polytechnical University.
ROBERT M. FABES Mr. Fabes has been our general counsel and corporate
secretary since June 21, 1999. Prior to joining us, he practiced in the area of
corporate finance with Goodman Phillips & Vineberg, Vancouver, our primary
outside legal counsel. Mr. Fabes received his law degrees from McGill University
in 1992 and is a member of both the British Columbia and Quebec law societies.
ASHOK BHATT Mr. Bhatt has been our senior vice president, engineering since
February 2000. Mr. Bhatt brings to our company more than 30 years of experience
both at national and international levels in all aspects of network services
(technology, engineering, and operations). Prior to joining us, Mr. Bhatt held a
senior management consulting position for strategic planning with Bell Canada
International and also held several senior management positions at
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50
Bell Sygma and Bell Canada. Mr. Bhatt received his Masters of Engineering degree
from the Technical University of Nova Scotia and is a member of the Association
of Professional Engineers of Ontario.
ANDREW J. CSINGER Dr. Csinger has been our senior vice president, systems
services since January 1999. Dr. Csinger was most recently the president of
Xcert Software Inc., which he founded in 1996 to develop the emerging public key
infrastructure product. Prior to that time, Dr. Csinger was founding president
of InterSpect Systems Consulting, successfully implementing many Internet
security projects for clients including the U.S. Food and Drug Administration
and the Government of Canada. Before then, Dr. Csinger had various positions in
software engineering and electromagnetic design. Dr. Csinger holds a PhD in
Computer Science from the University of British Columbia.
STEVEN L. KOLES Mr. Koles joined us in May 1999. Prior to joining us, Mr.
Koles held several management positions at TELUS, most recently as assistant
vice president of internetworking services, where he focused on national
expansion strategies. He was also one of the founding team members of TELUS
Advanced Communications - an enhanced data communications and business Internet
applications service provider. Mr. Koles also serves on the boards of the
Canadian Association of Internet Providers, CA*net's advisory committee and
Netera Alliance's board and executive committee. Mr. Koles has a Bachelor of
Commerce from the University of Alberta and has completed the Executive
Management Program at the University of Western Ontario.
C. WILLIAM RAINEY Mr. Rainey joined us in May, 1999. Mr. Rainey has over 20
years of sales and marketing experience in the high tech, finance and
telecommunications industries. After receiving a Bachelor of Science degree from
the University of Alberta he joined Xerox Canada and held numerous sales,
marketing, education and consulting management positions over 10 years. During
his 5 years with Royal Trust he led the sales and marketing efforts for
investments and lending in Western Canada for 3 years and then spent 2 years in
the Toronto head office in senior sales and marketing management positions. Mr.
Rainey left TELUS' data company, TELUS Advanced Communications, as Assistant
Vice President after 6 years with TELUS. During his tenure at TELUS he completed
the Executive Management Program at Queens University.
MICHAEL ABRAM Mr. Abram has been a director since March 23, 2000. Mr. Abram
is President of Shaw Ventures, the investment division of Shaw Communications
Inc. Prior to joining Shaw, Mr. Abram was the President of a national office
solutions company in Canada. Mr. Abram is a graduate of the University of
Calgary.
MICHAEL D'AVELLA Mr. D'Avella joined us as a director in February 2000. Mr.
D'Avella is the senior vice president of planning for Shaw Communications and
has served in this position since 1991. He has previously held senior positions
with the Canadian Cable Television Association and business development
positions with Telesat Canada. Mr. D'Avella is also a director of Terayon
Communications Systems Inc. (a provider of broadband access systems) and
Canadian Satellite Communications (Cancom). Mr. D'Avella is a graduate of the
University of Toronto with a B.A. in economics and planning.
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GEORGE ESTEY Mr. Estey joined us as a director in February 2000. Mr. Estey
is the Chairman of Goldman Sachs Canada. Prior to this, he was involved in
various roles within Goldman, Sachs & Co.'s Investment Banking Division since
joining the firm in 1987. Mr. Estey was also a consultant with McKinsey & Co.
Mr. Estey holds an MBA from the Harvard Graduate School of Business
Administration and a B.Sc. from the University of New Brunswick.
LEO J. HINDERY, JR. Mr. Hindery has been a director since March 23, 2000.
Mr. Hindery is currently chairman and chief executive officer of GlobalCenter
Inc., the Internet commerce services subsidiary of Global Crossing (from March
2000 until October 2000, he was also, on an interim basis, chief executive
officer of Global Crossing Ltd.). Prior to joining Global Crossing and
GlobalCenter, Mr. Hindery was president and chief executive officer of AT&T
Broadband & Internet Services and president and chief executive officer of its
predecessor company, Tele-Communications, Inc. (TCI). From 1988 to 1997, Mr.
Hindery was the founder and managing general partner of InterMedia Partners, the
ninth largest multiple cable system operator in the United States. Prior to
this, Mr. Hindery was chief officer for planning and finance of The Chronicle
Publishing Company, and chief financial officer and managing director of Becker
Paribas, Inc. Mr. Hindery holds an MBA from Stanford University and an honors
degree from Seattle University and is a member of the Stanford Business School
Advisory Council. He is a director of Tanning Technology Corp., TD Waterhouse
Group, Inc. Telocity, Inc. and Vertical Net, Inc.
P. KENNETH KILGOUR Mr. Kilgour has been a director since May 1999. Mr.
Kilgour is managing director and head of CIBC Capital Partners. Prior to joining
CIBC Capital Partners in 1989, Mr. Kilgour was senior manager, corporate finance
of Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, which he joined in 1982. Mr. Kilgour
holds an MBA from the University of Toronto and a B.Sc. (Applied Science) from
Queen's University.
ROBERT R. GHEEWALLA Mr. Gheewalla has been a director since May 1999. Mr.
Gheewalla is a vice president in the principal investment area at Goldman Sachs.
He received an MBA from Harvard Business School, an MS from The London School of
Economics while on a Fulbright Scholarship, and a BS from Tufts University. Mr.
Gheewalla currently serves as a board member for 360networks Inc., Diginet
Americas, Digital Access and North American RailNet.
JIM SHAW Mr. Shaw joined as a director in December 1999. Mr. Shaw has been
president and chief executive officer of Shaw Communications since 1998. Prior
to this, Mr. Shaw held various senior management positions at Shaw
Communications. Mr. Shaw is also chairman of the Canadian Cable Television
Association (CCTA) and a director of: CableLabs, a North American cable
television research organization; the At Home Corporation; Canadian Satellite
Communications Inc. and @Home Canada.
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AMENDED AND RESTATED SHAREHOLDERS' AGREEMENT Pursuant to an amended and restated
shareholders' agreement dated February 16, 2000, shareholders of the Company
holding approximately 95.5% of the Class A Voting Shares at the date of this
Circular, agreed to vote all shares of the Company owned by them in favor of the
election of the directors designated by each of Shaw FiberLink Ltd. ("Shaw
FiberLink"), certain affiliates of The Goldman Sachs Group Inc. ("GSCP"),
Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce ("CIBC"), the nominating committee of the
Company (the "Nominating Committee") and members of management of the Company.
Shaw FiberLink designated Messrs. D'Avella, Abram and Shaw; GSCP designated
Messrs. Estey, Gheewalla and Matkin; CIBC designated Mr. Kilgour; the Nominating
Committee designated Messrs. Mansour and Hindery; and management of the Company
designated Messrs. Milliard and Wolfe.
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B. COMPENSATION
We paid the following compensation during the year ended September 30, 2000
to our executive officers:
ANNUAL COMPENSATION LONG-TERM COMPENSATION
--------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------
AWARDS PAYOUTS
---------------------------- -------
SECURITIES RESTRICTED
UNDER SHARES OR
OTHER ANNUAL OPTIONS RESTRICTED LTIP ALL OTHER
NAME AND PRINCIPAL POSITION SALARY BONUS COMPENSATION GRANTED SHARE UNITS PAYOUTS COMPENSATION
- --------------------------- --------- ------------- ------------ --------------- ----------- ------- ------------
($) ($) ($) (#) ($) ($) ($)
Daniel R. Milliard......... $ 416,700 800,000(6) 209,725(2) 175,000 - - -
(Chief Executive Officer Class B(6)
and Director)
Robert G. Wolfe............ $ 358,300 560,000(5)(6) 14,903(3) 100,000 - - -
(President, Chief Operating Class B(6)
Officer and Director)
Stephen H. Shoemaker....... $ 180,700 225,000 - 460,000 Class B - - -
(Executive Vice President
and Chief Financial
Officer)
Eric A. Demirian........... $ 167,200 200,000 6,200(4) 440,000 Class A - - -
(Executive Vice President,
Corporate Development)
Michael A. Aymong.......... $ 173,500 215,000 - 260,000 Class A - - -
(Executive Vice President,
Marketing and Sales)
Robert Watson.............. $ 150,000 150,000 15,000(7)(8) 340,000 Class A - - -
(Executive Vice President,
Carrier Services)
Marek K. Wieckowski(1)..... $ 173,600 90,000 - - - - -
(Executive Vice President,
Network Services)
Robert M. Fabes............ $ 132,500 61,250 - 105,000 Class A - - -
(Senior Vice President,
General Counsel and
Corporate Secretary)
Ashok Bhatt................ $ 90,700 32,667 - 90,000 Class A - - -
(Senior Vice President,
Engineering)
Andrew J. Csinger.......... $ 140,000 67,000 - 50,000 Class A - - -
(Senior Vice President,
Systems Services)
Steven L. Koles............ $ 143,100 66,333 4,400(9) 77,000 Class A - - -
(Senior Vice President,
Marketing)
C. William Rainey.......... $ 144,800 51,612 9,200(8)(10) 87,000 Class A - - -
(Senior Vice President,
Sales)
Malcolm Rodriguez(11)...... $ 86,800 27,800 - 91,000 - - -
(Senior Vice President, Class A(12)
National Operations)
Patricia A. Saltys(13)..... $ 124,800 60,750 - 20,000 Class A - - -
(Vice President, Finance)
- ----------
(1) Resigned effective April 30, 2000.
(2) Includes imputed interest of $209,725 accrued, at the effective federal
interest rate of the Internal Revenue Code, on an option exercise loan for
an aggregate amount of $4 million and on housing loan of approximately $1
million to Daniel R. Milliard.
(3) Includes imputed interest of $14,903 accrued, at the effective federal
interest rate of the Internal Revenue Code, on an option exercise loan of
$312,500 to Robert G. Wolfe.
(4) Includes imputed interest of $6,200 accrued, at the prescribed interest
rate of the Canada, Customers and Revenue Agency, on a loan for an
aggregate amount of $190,000 to Eric A. Demirian.
(5) The Company also paid $250,000 during the fiscal year ended September 30,
2000, representing a bonus awarded during the fiscal year ended September
30, 1999.
(6) Subject to board ratification.
(7) Includes imputed interest of $1,250 accrued, at the prescribed interest
rate of the Canada, Customs Revenue Agency, on a housing loan of $250,000
to Robert Watson.
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(8) Includes $13,750 paid to Robert Watson and $7,400 paid to C. William
Rainey for auto allowances.
(9) Includes imputed interest of $4,400 accrued, at the prescribed interest
rate of the Canada, Customs Revenue Agency, on a housing loan of $200,000
to Steven L. Koles.
(10) Includes imputed interest of $1,800 accrued, at the prescribed interest
rate of the Canada, Customs and Revenue Agency, on a housing loan of
$275,000 to C. William Rainey.
(11) Resigned effective February 16, 2001.
(12) 67,314 options for class A voting shares subsequently cancelled upon
resignation.
(13) Resigned effective December 31, 2000.
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
At September 30, 2000, we had thirteen executive officers. At September 30,
2000, aggregate cash compensation of $1,242,000 was paid to our executive
officers who were members of our board of directors, and $2,122,700 was paid to
our other executive officers, including salaries, bonuses and other amounts paid
by us. Under our arrangements with our directors and executive officers we have
no obligations in respect of pension, retirement or similar benefits.
EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN
Our board of directors approved our employees' and directors' equity
incentive plan effective as of September 1999. The equity incentive plan applies
to our (and our affiliates) directors and employees who, in the judgment of our
board of directors, will be largely responsible for our future growth and
success. The equity incentive plan was approved by our shareholders in March
2000.
The equity incentive plan is administered by our board of directors. Options
can be exercised for our class A voting shares or our class B non-voting shares.
The exercise price for any option granted under the equity incentive plan may
not be less than 100% of the weighted average price of our class B non-voting
shares on the Toronto Stock Exchange or Nasdaq National Market for the preceding
five days of trading. Options are exercisable during a period established at the
time of their grant provided that such period will expire no later than 10 years
after the date of grant, subject to early termination of the option in the event
the holder of the option dies or ceases to be a director or employee. No single
participant, together with his or her associates, may be granted options which
could result in the cumulative issuance to such persons of options to acquire
our shares exceeding 5% of our shares outstanding immediately prior to the grant
under the equity incentive plan. The number of our shares reserved for issuance
pursuant to options granted to persons beneficially holding, together with their
associates, in excess of 10% of our shares must not exceed 10% of our shares
outstanding immediately prior to the grant under the equity incentive plan.
We do not have any plans providing for pension, retirement or similar
benefits. The compensation committee of our board has the discretion to approve
bonus payments to all employees, including executive officers.
REMUNERATION OF DIRECTORS
We currently have 11 directors. No compensation is paid to directors in
their capacity as such.
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We grant share options to our directors and reimburse them for their out of
pocket expenses with respect to attendance at board meetings. We maintain
$5,000,000 in directors' and officers' liability insurance.
OPTIONS
At January 31, 2001, our directors and executive officers held the following
options to purchase a total of 2,901,810 class A voting shares and a total of
1,823,200 class B non-voting shares:
TOTAL NUMBER
NUMBER EXERCISE OF SHARES
NAME AND PRINCIPAL POSITION GRANTED DATE OF GRANT PRICE EXPIRY DATE UNDER OPTION
- ------------------------------------ ---------- ------------- -------- ------------- ------------
James G. Matkin..................... 10,000 Nov. 18, 1997 $ 0.50 May 31, 2001 190,000
Chairman and Director 80,000 Nov. 18, 1997 0.50 May 31, 2001
100,000(1) Feb. 15, 2000 8.00 Feb. 15, 2005
James M. Mansour.................... 150,000 Feb. 16, 1999 1.25 Feb. 16, 2004 650,000
Director and Chair of 300,000 Apr. 23, 1999 1.50 Apr. 23, 2004
Executive Committee 200,000(1) Sep. 30, 1999 1.88 Sep. 30, 2004
Robert G. Wolfe..................... 500,000(1) Apr. 1, 1999 1.50 Apr. 1, 2004 750,000
President, Chief Operating 250,000(1) Nov. 11, 1999 3.00 Nov. 11, 2004
Officer and Director
Stephen H. Shoemaker................ 400,000(1) Dec. 16, 1999 3.00 Dec. 16, 2004 460,000
Executive Vice President and Chief 60,000(1) Oct. 4, 2000 19.42 Oct. 4, 2005
Financial Officer
Eric A. Demirian.................... 400,000 Dec. 16, 1999 3.00 Dec. 16, 2004 440,000
Executive Vice-President, Corporate 40,000 Oct. 4, 2000 19.42 Oct. 4, 2005
Development
Michael A. Aymong................... 90,000 July 15, 1999 1.50 July 15, 2004 352,200
Executive Vice President, 150,000 Dec. 16, 1999 3.00 Dec. 16, 2004
Sales and Marketing 70,000 Feb. 9, 2000 1.50 Feb. 9, 2005
2,200(1) Aug. 22, 2000 20.40 Mar. 9/2001
40,000 Oct. 4, 2000 19.42 Oct. 4, 2005
Robert Watson....................... 300,000 Feb. 9, 2000 8.00 Feb. 9, 2005 340,000
Executive Vice President 40,000 Oct. 4, 2000 19.42 Oct. 4, 2005
Carrier Services
Robert M. Fabes..................... 15,000 July 15, 1999 1.50 July 15, 2004 124,600
Senior Vice President, 40,000 Dec. 16, 1999 3.00 Dec. 16, 2004
General Counsel and 30,000 Feb. 15, 2000 8.00 Feb. 15, 2005
Corporate Secretary 4,600(1) Aug. 22, 2000 20.40 Mar. 9. 2001
35,000 Oct. 4, 2000 19.42 Oct. 4, 2005
Ashok Bhatt......................... 40,000 Feb. 15, 2000 8.00 Feb. 15, 2005 90,000
Senior Vice President, 20,000 Feb. 15, 2000 8.00 Feb. 15, 2005
Engineering 30,000 Oct. 4, 2000 19.42 Oct. 4, 2005
Andrew J. Csinger................... 95,000 Mar. 9, 1999 1.25 Sep. 30, 2003 145,000
Senior Vice President, 25,000 Dec. 16, 1999 3.00 Dec. 16, 2004
Systems Services 25,000 Oct. 4, 2000 19.42 Oct. 4, 2005
Steven L. Koles..................... 20,000 July 15, 1999 1.50 July 15, 2004 101,600
Senior Vice President, 25,000 Dec. 16, 1999 3.00 Dec. 16, 2004
Marketing 7,000 Jan. 26, 2000 1.50 Jan. 26, 2005
15,000 Feb. 15, 2000 8.00 Feb. 15, 2005
4,600(1) Aug. 22, 2000 20.40 Mar. 9, 2001
30,000 Oct. 4, 2000 19.42 Oct. 4, 2005
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C. William Rainey................... 20,000 July 15, 1999 1.50 July 15, 2004 108,800
Senior Vice President, 40,000 Dec. 16, 1999 3.00 Dec. 16, 2004
Sales 7,000 Jan. 26, 2000 1.50 Jan. 26, 2005
10,000 Feb. 15, 2000 8.00 Feb. 15, 2005
1,800(1) Aug. 22, 2000 20.40 Mar. 9, 2001
30,000 Oct. 4, 2000 19.42 Oct. 4, 2005
Malcolm Rodrigues................... 20,350 Feb. 9, 2000 8.00 Aug. 31, 2001 23,686
Senior Vice President, 3,336 Oct. 4, 2000 19.42 Aug. 31, 2001
National Operations
Patricia A. Saltys.................. 30,000 Oct. 15, 1997 1.00 (2) 149,124
Vice President, Finance 44,124 Apr. 23, 1998 1.25 (2)
55,000 Mar. 9, 1999 1.25 (2)
20,000 Dec. 16, 1999 3.00 (2)
Michael Abram....................... 100,000 Feb. 15, 2000 8.00 Feb. 15, 2005 100,000
Director
Michael D'Avella.................... 100,000 Feb. 15, 2000 8.00 Feb. 15, 2005 100,000
Director
George Estey........................ 100,000 Feb. 15, 2000 8.00 Feb. 15, 2005 100,000
Director
Leo J. Hindery...................... 200,000(1) Feb. 15, 2000 8.00 Feb. 15, 2005 200,000
Director
Ken Kilgour......................... 100,000 Feb. 15, 2000 8.00 Feb. 15, 2005 100,000
Director
Robert Gheewalla.................... 100,000(1) Feb. 15, 2000 8.00 Feb. 15, 2005 100,000
Director
Jim Shaw............................ 100,000 Feb. 15, 2000 8.00 Feb. 15, 2005 100,000
Director
Total: 4,725,010
=========
- ----------
(1) These options entitle the holder to purchase class B non-voting shares.
(2) The later of June 30, 2001 and six months after the date the class A voting
shares are listed on the TSE.
C. BOARD PRACTICES
COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Our board of directors has three standing committees: an executive
committee, an audit committee and a compensation committee. The executive
committee consists of Messrs. Gheewalla, Kilgour, Mansour, Matkin, Milliard,
Shaw and Estey, and, as a non-voting observer, Mr. Wolfe. A majority of the
members of the audit committee are persons who are not our officers or employees
or any of our affiliates. The audit committee, which consists of Messrs.
Mansour, Matkin and Kilgour, selects and engages, on our behalf, the independent
public accountants to audit our annual financial statements, and reviews and
approves the planned scope of the annual audit. The compensation committee
establishes remuneration levels for our senior officers. The compensation
committee consists of Messrs. Matkin, D'Avella and Gheewalla.
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EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENTS
We have employment agreements or remuneration arrangements with all of our
executive officers. Each agreement or arrangement provides for salary, benefits,
bonuses and incentive stock option grants for the executive officer, and for
compensation if his or her employment is terminated.
D. EMPLOYEES
As of September 30, 2000, we had 987 employees, of which 283 were sales and
marketing, 117 were customer service, 508 were technical (network services), and
79 were administrative and corporate personnel. 130 of these employees were
hired as a result of our acquisition of Shaw FiberLink. We hired 16 Videon
FiberLink employees and hired 19 Cable Atlantic employees. We believe that our
future success will depend on our continued ability to attract and retain highly
skilled and qualified employees. None of our employees is currently represented
by a collective bargaining agreement. At September 30, 1999, we had 168
employees and at September 30, 1998, we had 51 employees. We believe we enjoy
good relationships with our employees.
E. SHARE OWNERSHIP
The following table sets for the direct and indirect share ownership of our
directors and previously named executive officers at January 31, 2001 The number
of shares beneficially owned by a person includes class A voting shares and
class B non-voting shares subject to options held by that person. The class A
voting shares and class B non-voting shares issuable under those options are
treated as if they were outstanding for computing the percentage ownership of
the person holding these options but are not treated as if they were outstanding
for the purposes of computing the percentage ownership outstanding for any other
person.
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# OF CLASS A # OF CLASS B % OF OUTSTANDING % OF OUTSTANDING
VOTING SHARES NON-VOTING SHARES CLASS A VOTING CLASS B NON-VOTING
NAME HELD HELD SHARES SHARES
---- ------------- ----------------- ---------------- ------------------
Michael Abram .............. 100,000(1) -- .13% --
Michael D'Avella ........... 100,000(2) 375 .13% .001%
George Estey ............... 100,000(3) -- .13% --
Robert R. Gheewalla ........ -- 100,000(4) -- .24%
Leo J. Hindery ............. -- 200,000(5) -- .49%
P. Kenneth Kilgour ......... 100,000(6) -- --
James M. Mansour ........... 1,238,887(7) 248,874(8) 1.56% .60%
James G. Matkin ............ 906,968(9) 108,000(10) 1.14% .26%
Daniel R. Milliard ......... -- 1,528,000 -- 3.71%
Jim Shaw ................... 100,000(11) 40,000 .13% .10%
Robert G. Wolfe ............ 140,000 1,081,499(12) .18% 2.63%
Stephen H. Shoemaker ....... -- 470,000(13) -- 1.14%
Eric A. Demirian ........... 440,000(14) -- .55% --
Michael Aymong ............. 525,000(15) 2,200(16) .66% .01%
Robert Watson .............. 340,000(17) 4,600 .43% .01%
Robert M. Fabes ............ 130,000(18) 4,600(19) .16% .01%
Ashok Bhatt ................ 90,000(20) -- .11% --
Andrew J. Csinger .......... 177,666(21) 2,600 .22% .01%
Steven L. Koles ............ 137,000(22) 11,130(23) .17% .03%
C. William Rainey .......... 157,000(24) 1,800(25) .20% .004%
Malcolm Rodrigues .......... 23,686(26) 20,000 .11% .05%
Patricia A. Saltys ......... 194,124(27) 4,600 .24% .01%
- -----------
(1) 100,000 options for class A voting shares
(2) 100,000 options for class A voting shares
(3) 100,000 options for class A voting shares
(4) 100,000 options for class B non-voting shares
(5) 200,000 options for class B non-voting shares
(6) 100,000 options for class A voting shares
(7) Includes 450,000 options for class A voting shares
(8) Includes 200,000 options for class B non-voting shares
(9) Includes 90,000 options for class A voting shares
(10) Includes 100,000 options for class B non-voting shares
(11) 100,000 options for class A voting shares
(12) Includes 750,000 options for class B non-voting shares
(13) Includes 460,000 options for class B non-voting shares
(14) 440,000 options for class A voting shares
(15) Includes 350,000 options for class A voting shares
(16) 2,200 options for class B non-voting shares
(17) 340,000 options for class A voting shares
(18) Includes 120,000 options for class A voting shares
(19) 4,600 options for class B non-voting shares
(20) 90,000 options for class A voting shares
(21) Includes 145,000 options for class A voting shares
(22) Includes 97,000 options for class A voting shares
(23) Includes options for 4,600 class B non-voting shares
(24) Includes options for 107,000 class A voting shares
(25) 1,800 options for class B non-voting shares
(26) 23,686 options for class A voting shares
(27) Includes 149,124 options for class A voting shares
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ITEM 7: MAJOR SHAREHOLDERS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
A. MAJOR SHAREHOLDERS
The following table sets forth, to our knowledge, information as of January
31, 2001, for (i) each person who beneficially owns 5% or more of our then
issued and outstanding class A voting shares and (ii) all of our directors and
executive officers as a group. The number of shares beneficially owned by a
person includes class A voting shares subject to options held by that person
that were currently exercisable at, or exercisable within 60 days of, January
31, 2001. The class A voting shares issuable under those options are treated as
if they were outstanding for computing the percentage ownership of the person
holding these options but are not treated as if they were outstanding for the
purposes of computing the percentage ownership outstanding for any other person.
PERCENTAGE OF
NUMBER OF OUTSTANDING
NAME CLASS A SHARES CLASS A SHARES
- --------------------------------------- -------------- --------------
Shaw Communications .............................. 29,096,097 36.55
Goldman Sachs(1) ................................. 18,999,999 23.86
Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce ............... 7,500,000 9.42
Directors and executive officers (22 persons) .... 1,362,174 1.71
- -------------
(1) As of January 31, 2001, Goldman Sachs also owned 11,000,002 class B
non-voting shares, representing approximately 26.70% of the class B
non-voting shares then issued and outstanding.
At January 31, 2001, approximately 31% of the holders of class A voting shares
and approximately 41.5% of the holders of class B non-voting shares were located
in the U.S.
B. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
AGREEMENTS WITH OUR SHAREHOLDERS
Affiliates of Goldman Sachs and CIBC Capital Partners participated in our
series A first preference share offering in May 1999 and received options to
purchase additional series A first preference shares at a price of $1.875 per
share. These options were exercised in full in August 1999. Robert Gheewalla,
one of our directors, is a vice president in the Principal Investment Area at
Goldman Sachs. George Estey, another of our directors, is Chairman of Goldman
Sachs Canada. Kenneth Kilgour, another of our directors, is managing director
and head of CIBC Capital Partners. In addition, three of our directors are
executive officers of Shaw Communications. These directors are Michael Abram,
Michael D'Avella and Jim Shaw. In connection with our series A first preference
share offering, on May 7, 1999, we entered into a shareholders' agreement with
our shareholders, including the holders of all of our then outstanding series A
first preference shares. On February 16, 2000, in connection with our
acquisition of the business of Shaw FiberLink, we amended and restated this
agreement to include Shaw Communications as a party. Eleven of our current
directors and executive officers are signatories to the agreement.
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INDEBTEDNESS OF DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
The following table sets forth outstanding loans made by us to various directors
and executive officers:
INVOLVEMENT OF LARGEST AMOUNT OUTSTANDING
NAME AND PRINCIPAL ISSUER OR DURING LAST COMPLETED AMOUNT OUTSTANDING AS AT
POSITION SUBSIDIARY FINANCIAL YEAR ($) DECEMBER 31, 2000 ($)
- ------------------ -------------- -------------------------- ------------------------
Daniel R. Milliard Lender 4,673,280.21(1)(3) 4,740,668.88(1)
(Chief Executive
Officer, Director and
Director Nominee)
Robert G. Wolfe Lender 317,581.46(3) 318,414.79(2)
(President, Director and
Director Nominee)
Eric Demirian Lender 190,000(4) 156,667.67
(Executive Vice
President, Corporate
Development)
Robert Watson Lender 502,136.99(5)(8) 259,246.58
(Executive Vice
President, Carrier
Services)
C. William Rainey Lender 276,826.51(6)(8) 280,894.99
(Senior Vice-President,
Sales)
Steven Koles Lender 204,438.36(7)(8) 207,397.26
(Senior Vice-President,
Marketing)
(1) Option exercise loan dated September 1, 1999 to purchase 1,600,000
Class B Non-Voting Shares of the Company in the amount of $3,562,500,
and a housing assistance loan in the amount of $901,054 (with aggregate
interest in the amount of $209,725.28 to September 30, 2000 and
$277,113.95 to December 31, 2000). Housing assistance loan matures on
the earlier of January 5, 2005, the date upon which employment ceases
or disposition of the subject property, etc. Option exercise loan
matures on the earlier of September 1, 2004, the date upon which
employment ceases or disposition of the shares.
(2) Option exercise loan dated January 4, 2000 to purchase 250,000 Class A
Voting Shares of the Company in the amount of $312,500 (with interest
in the amount of $19,466.19 to December 31, 2000). Option exercise loan
matures on the earlier of January 4, 2005, the date upon which
employment ceases or disposition of the shares.
(3) Each loan bears interest at the effective applicable federal rate in
effect under Section 1274(d) of the Internal Revenue Code
(4) Interest free incentive loan. Matures three calendar years from the
date of advance.
(5) Housing assistance loan in the amount of $500,000, with interest
thereon at the prescribed interest rate of the Canada, Customs and
Revenue Agency
(6) Housing assistance loan in the amount of $275,010, with interest
thereon at the prescribed interest rate of the Canada, Customs and
Revenue Agency
(7) Housing assistance loan in the amount of $200,000, with interest
thereon at the prescribed interest rate of the Canada, Customs and
Revenue Agency
(8) Mature on the earlier of 25 years from the date of advance, the date
upon which employment ceases, disposition of the subject property or
any default in the performance of the loan obligations, etc.
C. INTERESTS OF EXPERTS AND COUNSEL
Not applicable
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ITEM 8: FINANCIAL INFORMATION
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
There are no material legal proceedings against us.
See Item 18: Financial Statements
ITEM 9: THE OFFER AND LISTING
A. OFFER AND LISTING DETAILS
Our class B non-voting shares have been listed on The Toronto
Stock Exchange, under the symbol "GTG.B" and on the Nasdaq National Market under
the symbol "GTTLB" since March 10, 2000. The following are the price ranges and
trading volumes as reported by The Toronto Stock Exchange and the Nasdaq
National Market for the periods indicated.
Nasdaq National Market The Toronto Stock Exchange
-------------------------- --------------------------
High Low High Low
---------- ---------- ------- ---------
(US$) (Cdn$)
Annual
2000 (from March 10, 2000)...................... US$30 US$4 3/4 Cdn$45 Cdn$9.60
Quarterly 2000
Quarter ending March 31, 2000 (from March 10)... US$30 US$161/2 $45.00 $25.00
Quarter ending June 30, 2000.................... US$20 13/16 US$111/4 $30.45 $16.55
Quarter ending September 30, 2000............... US$18 13/16 US$12 13/16 $27.40 $19.05
Quarter ending December 31, 2000................ US$13 3/16 US$4 3/4 $20.70 $ 9.60
Monthly 2000 / 2001
January......................................... US$12 1/16 US$7 3/97 $18.15 $10.60
B. PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
Not applicable.
C. MARKETS
Our class B non-voting shares are currently quoted on the Nasdaq National
Market under the symbol "GTTLB" and listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under
the symbol "GTG.B".
D. SELLING SHAREHOLDERS
Not applicable.
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E. DILUTION
Not applicable.
F. EXPENSES OF THE ISSUE
Not applicable.
ITEM 10: ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
A. SHARE CAPITAL.
Not applicable
B. ARTICLES AND BY-LAWS.
SECURITIES REGISTERS
Group Telecom or an agent shall maintain a central securities register for
each class or series of securities at our registered office or at any other
place designated by the board of directors. Branch securities registers may be
maintained by us or by an agent at any place designated by the board of
directors for each class or series of securities.
POWERS OF DIRECTORS
Every director who is a party to a material contract or a proposed material
contract for Group Telecom, or who is a director or officer of or has a material
interest in any person who is a party to a material contract or a proposed
material contract with Group Telecom, shall disclose in writing to Group Telecom
or request to have entered in the minutes of meeting of directors the nature of
his or her interest, and refrain from voting in respect of the material contract
or proposed material contract if and when prohibited by the Canada Business
Corporations Act (commonly known as the "CBCA"). However, a director who is
prohibited by the CBCA from voting on a material contract or proposed material
contract will be counted in determining whether a quorum is present for the
purpose of the resolution. In spite of the foregoing, neither our articles nor
the by-laws provide for the directors' power to vote compensation to themselves
or any members of their body in the absence of an independent quorum.
Our by-laws provide that the board of directors may, on our behalf, (i)
borrow money upon our credit, (ii) issue, reissue, sell or pledge securities or
other evidences of our debt obligations, (iii) to the extent permitted by the
CBCA, give financial assistance to anyone by means of a loan, guarantee or
otherwise to secure performance of an obligation of such person; and (iv) create
a security interest in all or any present or after-acquired property of ours, to
secure any obligation of ours.
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DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES
Authorized and Issued Shares
Our authorized share capital consists of an unlimited number of class A
voting shares, class B non-voting shares, first preference shares issuable in
series and second preference shares issuable in series.
Class A Voting Shares and Class B Non-Voting Shares
Holders of class A voting shares are entitled to vote at all meetings of
our shareholders, other than meetings of other classes of shares where holders
of such shares are entitled to vote separately as a class. Holders of class B
non-voting shares are not entitled to vote on any matters except as specifically
required by law.
Upon liquidation or dissolution, the holders of class A voting shares and
class B non-voting shares are entitled to share the remaining property equally
pro rata, subject to the rights of the holders of our preference shares.
Class A voting shares and class B non-voting shares may be paid dividends
subject to the provisions of any other class of shares.
The holders of class B non-voting shares benefit from take-over bid
"coat-tail" provisions, entitling them to convert class B non-voting shares into
class A voting shares in certain circumstances in which an offer is made for the
purchase of class A voting shares.
A non-Canadian holder of class A voting shares may be restricted in its
ability to exercise voting rights attached to such shares as a result of
regulatory restrictions applicable to Canadian telecommunications carriers. All
class B non-voting shares will be converted into class A voting shares if all of
the restrictions on the ownership of our voting shares, and the control in fact,
or any of our affiliates by non-Canadians under applicable Canadian law are
eliminated and our non-Canadian ownership of and control is not otherwise
limited by law.
Except as described above, the class A voting shares and the class B
non-voting shares have the same rights, are equal in all respects and are
treated by us as if they were shares of one class only. Other than as provided
under the Telecommunications Act (Canada) which is further discussed below under
the heading of "Foreign Ownership Restrictions", neither the class A voting
shares nor the class B non-voting shares are subject to any redemption rights
(except as provided under the CBCA), sinking fund provisions or further capital
calls by us.
FIRST PREFERENCE SHARES
The first preference shares may be issued at any time or from time to time
in one or more series as may be determined by our board of directors. They are
authorized to fix before issue the number, consideration per share and
designation of such shares, and subject to the special rights and restrictions
attached to all first preference shares, the rights and restrictions attaching
to the first preference shares of each series including voting rights. The first
preference shares of each series rank equally with the first preference shares
of each other series with respect to the
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payment of dividends and the return of capital on our liquidation, dissolution
or winding up. The first preference shares are entitled to preference over the
second preference shares, the class A voting shares and class B non-voting
shares and any other shares ranking junior to the first preference shares with
respect to payments of dividends and the return of capital. Holders of the first
preference shares are not entitled to any voting rights as a class, except as
otherwise provided under the CBCA, or in any special rights attached to any
series of the first preference shares upon creation of that series.
Specifically, our series A first preference shares and series B first preference
shares (none of which are presently issued and outstanding) carry a limited
right to vote and are convertible into our common shares. Except as otherwise
stipulated in any special rights attached to any series of the first preference
shares upon creation of that series, the first preference shares are not subject
to any redemption rights (other than as provided under the CBCA), sinking fund
provisions or further capital calls by us. The rights and restrictions attaching
to the first preference shares as a class may not be amended without such
approval as may then be required by law, subject to a minimum requirement of
approval by the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of the votes cast at a
meeting of the holders of first preference shares to be called and held for that
purpose.
SERIES A
On May 7, 1999, the series A first preference shares were created with an
authorized share capital of 50,000,000 after being approved by our directors.
Upon completion of our initial public offering in March 2000, all of the
42,500,002 outstanding series A first preference shares were converted into
either class A voting shares or class B non-voting shares, based on foreign
ownership restrictions described under the heading of "Foreign Ownership
Restrictions" below, on a one-for-one basis.
SERIES B
On February 14, 2000, the series B first preference shares were created
with an authorized share capital of 100,000,000 after being approved by our
directors. Upon completion of our acquisition of the business of Shaw FiberLink,
we issued to Shaw Communications 29,096,097 series B first preference shares
which, at the time, represented 27.1% of our equity. Upon completion of our
initial public offering on March 2000, all of the outstanding series B first
preference shares were converted into class A voting shares.
SHAREHOLDERS AGREEMENT
On February 16, 2000, shareholders then holding approximately 88.0% of our
fully diluted equity, including holders of all of the then outstanding series A
first preference shares and Shaw Communications, as the holder of all of the
then outstanding series B first preference shares, entered into a shareholders
agreement which provides that:
o our board will consist of 11 directors;
o each of Shaw Communications and Goldman Sachs will be entitled to
designate three directors and CIBC World Markets will be entitled to
designate one director; and
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o each of Shaw Communications and Goldman Sachs will have a right to
consent to:
(1) specified major transactions by us, including acquisitions and
investments in excess of $300 million and mergers or business
combinations, for a period of 18 months from February 16, 2000. If
Shaw Communications or Goldman Sachs withholds its consent in
respect of a major transaction, the other party may force it to
either sell its shares to the other party or buy the other party's
shares; and
(2) our annual operating budget, for a period of 24 months from February
16, 2000.
REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
On February 16, 2000, the initial purchasers of our series A first
preference shares and Shaw Communications, as the holder of all of the then
outstanding series B first preference shares, entered into a registration rights
agreement with us. This agreement:
o provides certain of the shareholders with the ability to require us to
register their shares with the securities regulatory authority in the
jurisdiction in which we made our public offering after we have made a
public offering of our shares;
o provides the shareholders with the ability to have their shares included
with any registration statement to be filed by us with a securities
regulatory authority; and
o provides for the circumstances in which these rights may be exercised
and the restrictions on such rights, including the number of times such
requests may be made, our ability to refuse such rights, the number of
shares to refuse such rights, the number of shares to be registered and
the payment of expenses.
SECOND PREFERENCE SHARES
The second preference shares are identical in all respects to the first
preference shares except that they are subordinate in all respects to the first
preference shares and any other shares which may rank senior to the second
preference shares.
Under the CBCA, none of the rights and restrictions attached to any of our
securities may be altered, except by way of a resolution passed by a majority of
not less than two-thirds of the votes cast by the shareholders who voted in
respect of that resolution or signed by all the shareholders entitled to vote on
that resolution. This type of resolution is defined as a "Special Resolution"
under the CBCA. Furthermore, through a Special Resolution, the directors may be
granted the authority to amend the rights and restrictions of any of our
securities.
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SHAREHOLDER MEETINGS
There are two types of shareholder meetings: the regular annual meeting and
the special meeting. Pursuant to the CBCA, the annual shareholder meeting must
be held within every 15 months of the most recent annual meeting. The Toronto
Stock Exchange requires that the annual meeting be held within six months from
the end of the financial year. Special meetings may be called at any time by our
board of directors, the chairman, the chief executive officer or the president.
Notice of the meeting must be given to all shareholders entitled to vote,
all directors, and the auditor at least 21 days but not more than 50 days before
the meeting unless such requirement is otherwise waived. We must fix a record
date in advance of the meeting for the purpose of determining shareholders
entitled to notice of the meeting. Only shareholders of record on such date will
be entitled to notice of the meeting. However, if shares have been transferred
after the record date, the transferor shall not be entitled to vote such shares
and a transferee shall be entitled to vote at the meeting if the transferee (i)
produces a properly endorsed share certificate or otherwise establishes that he
owns the shares, and (ii) at least 10 days before the meeting (or such shorter
period as the by-laws of the corporation may provide), demands that his name be
included on the shareholders list. Only shareholders who are entitled to vote,
the directors, our auditors or others who are permitted by the other applicable
law, or our constating documents to be present, may attend the shareholder
meeting.
A shareholder entitled to vote at a meeting may appoint a proxyholder to
vote in his place. A proxy instrument must be signed by the shareholder or by a
duly authorized attorney of the shareholder. A holder of a proxy has the same
rights as the shareholder who appointed him to attend the meeting subject to any
directions or limitations contained in the proxy instrument. A proxyholder need
not be a shareholder. A shareholder may, however, revoke a proxy at any time
before the meeting if the shareholder deposits written instructions to that
effect either with the Company before the day of the meeting or with the
chairman of the meeting on the day of the meeting.
FOREIGN OWNERSHIP RESTRICTIONS
We are, and our operating subsidiary GT Group Telecom Services Corp., which
is a telecommunications common carrier for regulatory purposes, are required by
the Canadian Telecommunications Act and the Radiocommunication Act, and the
regulations made under both statutes, to be Canadian-owned and controlled
corporations incorporated or continued under the laws of Canada or a province of
Canada. Our operating subsidiary is deemed to be Canadian-owned and controlled
if: (i) not less than 80% of the members of its board of directors are
Canadians; (ii) Canadians beneficially own and control not less than 80% of its
issued and outstanding voting shares; and (iii) it is not otherwise controlled
in fact by persons that are not Canadians. GT Group Telecom Services Corp. is a
Canadian carrier wholly owned and controlled by us and not less than 80% of its
board of directors are individual Canadians.
A "Canadian" for the purposes of these requirements includes a Canadian
citizen who is ordinarily resident in Canada, a permanent resident of Canada
and, among other types of entities, corporations in which Canadians beneficially
own and control in the aggregate not less than 66 2/3% of the issued and
outstanding voting shares and which are not otherwise controlled in fact by
non-Canadians. A "voting share" for purposes of these requirements means a share
of any
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class of shares of a corporation carrying voting rights under all circumstances
or by reason of an event that has occurred and is continuing or by reason of a
condition that has been fulfilled and includes: (i) a security that is
convertible into such a share at the time that a calculation of the percentage
of shares owned and controlled by Canadians is made; and (ii) an option or right
to acquire the share or security referred to in clause (i) that is exercisable
at the time that the calculation referred to in that clause is made.
Also, regulations made under the Telecommunications Act and the
Radiocommunication Act provide that, in order for a company which holds shares
in a carrier to be considered Canadian, not less than 66 2/3% of the issued and
outstanding voting shares of that company must be owned by Canadians and the
company must not otherwise be controlled in fact by non-Canadians. This means
that not less than 66 2/3% of our issued and outstanding voting shares must be
owned by Canadians and that we must not otherwise be controlled in fact by
non-Canadians.
Our class A voting shares are "voting shares" for these purposes and more
than 66 2/3% of the class A voting shares are held by Canadians as at the date
of this Form 20-F. Our class B non-voting shares are not "voting shares" for
these purposes.
To ensure compliance with the Canadian ownership requirements, we have
provided in the by-laws, our share certificates shall bear the legend that Group
Telecom is a "constrained share corporation", where the issue, transfer or
ownership of our shares, will be restricted to ensure that we, or any of our
affiliates or associates, is eligible to operate, or to obtain, maintain, amend
or review any licences or authorizations that it may need, pursuant to
applicable provisions of the Telecommunications Act (Canada) and the regulations
thereunder and of any other statutes, regulations, rules, orders, directions or
instruments that impose similar requirements in relation to Canadian ownership.
Furthermore, our articles provide that certain non-voting shares may not be
converted into voting shares if the exercise of such conversion rights would
cause us to be in violation of any Canadian law applicable to the ownership
interests in, or the exercise of control over, a corporation that is providing
telecommunication services in Canada. In addition, the regulations under the
Telecommunications Act (Canada) provide us with the time and ability to rectify
ineligibility resulting from insufficient Canadian ownership of voting shares.
In particular, we may, to the extent applicable: (i) refuse to accept any
subscription for any voting shares; (ii) refuse to allow any transfer of voting
shares to be recorded; (iii) suspend the rights of a holder of voting shares to
vote at a meeting of shareholders; and (iv) sell, repurchase or redeem any
voting shares.
C. MATERIAL CONTRACTS
INDENTURE. We issued 13 1/4% senior discount notes due 2010 under an
Indenture dated February 1, 2000 between us and The Chase Manhattan Bank which
was amended by the First Supplemental Indenture dated July 11, 2000 between us
and The Chase Manhattan Bank. The notes were issued at a price of 52.651% of the
stated amount at maturity. The first interest payment on the notes will be made
on August 1, 2005. The notes are redeemable, at our option, at any time on or
after February 1, 2003 at various redemption prices set forth in the indenture.
The indenture sets forth various occurrences each of which would constitute
an event of default. If an event of default occurs, other than our bankruptcy or
insolvency, holders of not less than 25% of the principal amount of notes
outstanding (voting as one class to the extent equally
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affected) may declare the accreted value of the notes, together with any accrued
interest, to be due and payable. If we become bankrupt or insolvent, the notes
immediately become due and payable without any action required by the
noteholders.
The indenture contains certain covenants that, among other things, limit
o our issuance of additional debt,
o our payment of dividends and other distributions to shareholders and
affiliated persons or companies,
o investments in non-wholly owned subsidiaries,
o certain transactions with affiliated companies,
o the incurrence of liens,
o sales of assets, including share capital of subsidiaries, and
o certain amalgamations, mergers, consolidations and transfers of assets.
THE EXCHANGE AND REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT DATED FEBRUARY 1, 2000 AMONG
US AND GOLDMAN, SACHS & CO., CIBC WORLD MARKETS CORP., CREDIT SUISSE FIRST
BOSTON CORPORATION, RBC DOMINION SECURITIES CORPORATION, SCOTIA CAPITAL (USA)
INC. AND TD SECURITIES (USA) INC. We sold the notes in private placements in the
United States and outside the United States. We agreed to register substantially
similar notes under the Securities Act of 1933 according to a specified schedule
and to exchange those registered notes for the unregistered notes. We have
registered and exchanged the notes in accordance with the agreement.
SENIOR CREDIT FACILITY DATED FEBRUARY 3, 2000, AS AMENDED AND RESTATED AS OF
SEPTEMBER 29, 2000, AMONG US, CIBC WORLD MARKETS INC., GOLDMAN SACHS CREDIT
PARTNERS, ROYAL BANK OF CANADA AND THE TORONTO DOMINION BANK. We entered into a
$220 million bank facility to finance the acquisition of the business of Shaw
FiberLink and for general corporate purposes. The bank facility is available in
Canadian dollars or U.S. dollars. As at September 30, 2000 we had $100 million
outstanding under our bank facility. The bank facility:
o consists of two tranches:
- tranche 1, a $120 million seven year revolving reducing bank facility;
and
- tranche 2, a $100 million single draw reducing term loan;
o bears interest at rates of 3.00% to 4.50% over the prevailing yield on
Canadian dollar bankers' acceptances or LIBOR, or 2.00% to 3.25% over
the Canadian or United States bank prime rate, based on our financial
status;
o provides that GT Group Telecom Services Corp., our wholly-owned
subsidiary, will be the borrower with guarantees by us and all of our
other subsidiaries;
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o provides for the payment of certain lending, arranging and commitment
fees; and
o contains covenants that, among other things, require us to meet ongoing
financial tests and restrict our ability to incur additional
indebtedness, incur liens, pay dividends or repurchase our capital
stock.
SECURITY
The bank facility is secured by:
o a first priority security interest over all our assets and material
agreements;
o a guarantee by us and by GT Group Telecom Services (USA) Corp.; and
o a pledge of the shares of GT Group Telecom Services Corp. and GT Group
Telecom Services (USA) Corp.
MATURITY, AVAILABILITY AND REPAYMENT
The bank facility matures on or about February 3, 2007 (seven years after
the closing date). The amounts available under tranche 1 of the facility will be
reduced by 10% in 2003, 15% in 2004, 15% in 2005, 20% in 2006 and 40% at
maturity in 2007. The amount outstanding under tranche 2 of the facility must be
repaid by 4.9% in 2003, 10% in 2004, 10% in 2005, 20% in 2006 and 55.1% at
maturity in 2007.
Amounts outstanding under the bank facility may be prepaid at any time,
subject to customary breakage charges.
Amounts available under the bank facility are also mandatorily reduced in
pro rata amounts equal to:
o the net proceeds from certain asset sales or insurance claims;
o 25% of excess cash flow; or
o 50% of the net cash proceeds in excess of $600 million from the issuance
of unsecured debt or senior debt with a United States bank or other
financial institution.
COVENANTS
The bank facility ranks pari passu with the Lucent facility and the Cisco
facility with respect to the security obtained from the borrower, our guarantor
subsidiaries and us. Under the terms of the bank facility, we, the borrower, and
our guarantor subsidiaries are restricted by the bank facility, among other
things, from:
o making capital expenditures, investments or acquisitions in excess of
certain limits;
o selling certain assets;
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o creating liens other than certain permitted encumbrances;
o incurring additional indebtedness, other than certain permitted
indebtedness;
o investing in or guaranteeing the obligations of subsidiaries except to
the extent that such investment or guarantee constitutes permitted
obligations of such subsidiaries or to the extent that such investment
or guarantee constitutes permitted indebtedness;
o declaring or setting aside funds for the payment of dividends;
o consenting to or agreeing to certain amendments of other financing
documents; and
o amalgamating, consolidating, merging, or entering into any other form of
business combination.
We are also required under the bank facility to maintain certain minimum
debt to total capitalization ratios, debt coverage ratios, revenue and
performance levels.
The bank facility restricts the payment of dividends by us or our
subsidiaries, other than payments of dividends by our subsidiaries to us or
another of our subsidiaries.
The bank facility also contains customary events of default, including the
failure to pay interest or principal, breach of covenants, cross-defaults or
judgements in excess of $5 million, a change of control event or the bankruptcy
or insolvency of us or any of our subsidiaries.
The bank facility is governed by the laws of the Province of Ontario.
CREDIT AGREEMENT, AS AMENDED AND RESTATED, DATED FEBRUARY 3, 2000, AS AMENDED
AND RESTATED AS OF SEPTEMBER 29, 2000, BETWEEN US AND LUCENT TECHNOLOGIES CANADA
INC. We entered into a vendor facility with Lucent Technologies, Inc., as
vendor, to finance the purchase and installation of up to US$315 million of
Lucent equipment and services. The Lucent facility:
o bears interest at rates of 2.00% to 4.50% over the United States bank
prime rate, or LIBOR, based principally on our financial status;
o provides that GT Group Telecom Services Corp., our wholly-owned
subsidiary, will be the borrower with guarantees by us and all of our
other subsidiaries;
o provides for the payment of certain lending, arranging and commitment
fees; and
o contains covenants that, among other things, require us to meet ongoing
financial tests and restrict our ability to incur additional
indebtedness, incur liens, pay dividends or repurchase our capital
stock.
This facility is available in two tranches of US$161 million and US$154
million. Initial borrowings under tranche A of this Lucent facility must be used
to repay amounts outstanding under our previous facility with Lucent. As at
September 30, 2000, US$91 million was outstanding under our Lucent facility.
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SECURITY
The Lucent facility is secured by:
o a first priority security interest over all our assets and material
agreements;
o a guarantee by us and by GT Group Telecom Services (USA) Corp.; and
o a pledge of the shares of all our subsidiaries.
MATURITY, AVAILABILITY AND REPAYMENT
The Lucent facility matures approximately 8 1/2 years after the initial
advance is made. The availability period to make advances under the facility
will terminate on February 3, 2003 or, if earlier, the date on which we
terminate the facility. After such date, principal amounts outstanding must be
repaid in 22 consecutive installments on a quarterly basis in amounts equal to
1.25% of the aggregate amount outstanding for the first 20 quarters and 37.5% of
the aggregate amount outstanding for the final 2 quarters.
Lucent retains the right, with our prior written agreement with respect to
economics and terms, to designate and convert up to US$140 million of the
drawings under tranches A and B into a senior secured term loan. Any amounts
under the senior secured term loan will be subject to limited amortization, with
the balance to be paid in full at maturity.
Amounts outstanding under the Lucent facility may be prepaid at any time,
subject to customary breakage charges.
Amounts available under the Lucent facility are also mandatorily reduced in
amounts equal to:
o the net proceeds from certain asset sales or insurance claims;
o 25% of excess cash flow; or
o 50% of the net cash proceeds in excess of $600 million from the issuance
of unsecured debt or senior debt with a United States bank or other
financial institution.
COVENANTS
The Lucent facility ranks pari passu with the Cisco facility and the bank
facility with respect to the security obtained from the borrower, our guarantor
subsidiaries and us. Under the terms of the Lucent facility, we, the borrower,
and our guarantor subsidiaries are restricted by the Lucent facility, among
other things, from:
o making capital expenditures, investments or acquisitions in excess of
certain limits;
o selling certain assets;
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o creating liens other than certain permitted encumbrances;
o incurring additional indebtedness, other than certain permitted
indebtedness;
o investing in or guaranteeing the obligations of subsidiaries except to
the extent that such investments or guarantee constitutes permitted
obligations of such subsidiaries or to the extent that such investment
or guarantee constitutes permitted indebtedness;
o declaring or setting aside funds for the payment of dividends;
o consenting to or agreeing to certain amendments of other financing
documents; and
o amalgamating, consolidating, merging, or entering into any other form of
business combination.
We are also required under the Lucent facility to maintain certain minimum
debt to total capitalization ratios, debt coverage ratios, revenue and
performance levels.
The Lucent facility restricts the payment of dividends by us or our
subsidiaries, other than payments of dividends by our subsidiaries to us or
another of our subsidiaries.
The Lucent facility also contains customary events of default, including the
failure to pay interest or principal, breach of covenants, cross-defaults or
judgements in excess of $5 million, a change of control event or the bankruptcy
of us or any of our subsidiaries.
The Lucent facility is governed by the laws of the State of New York.
CREDIT AGREEMENT, DATED AS OF SEPTEMBER 29, 2000 BETWEEN US AND CISCO SYSTEMS
CAPITAL CORPORATION. We entered into a vendor facility with Cisco Systems
Capital Corporation to finance the purchase of up to $120 million of Cisco
telecommunications equipment and services. The Cisco facility:
o bears interest at rates of 3.00% to 4.25% over the prevailing yield on
Canadian dollar bankers' acceptances, or 2.00% to 3.25% over the prime
rate, based on our financial status:
o provides that GT Group Telecom Services Corp. our wholly-owned
subsidiary, will be the borrower with guarantees by us and all of our
subsidiaries;
o provides for the payment of certain lending, arranging, and commitment
fees; and
o contains covenants that, among other things, require us to meet ongoing
financial tests and restrict our ability to incur additional
indebtedness, incur liens, pay dividends or repurchase our capital
stock.
The initial borrowings on the Cisco facility must be used to repay amounts
outstanding under our previous facility with Cisco. As at September 30, 2000,
US$10 million was outstanding under our Cisco facility.
SECURITY
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The Cisco facility is secured by:
o a first priority security interest over all our assets and material
agreements;
o a guarantee by us and GT Group Telecom Services (USA) Corp.; and
o a pledge of the shares of GT Group Telecom Services Corp. and GT Group
Telecom Services (USA) Corp.
MATURITY, AVAILABILITY, AND REPAYMENT
The Cisco facility matures on September 29, 2007. The availability period to
make advances under the facility will terminate on September 29, 2002. The
amount outstanding under the facility must be repaid 4.89% in 2003, 10% in 2004,
10% in 2005, 20% in 2006 and 55.11% at maturity in 2007.
Amounts outstanding under the Cisco facility may be prepaid at any time,
subject to customary breakage charges.
Amounts available under the Cisco facility are also mandatorily reduced in
pro rata amounts equal to:
o the net proceeds from certain asset sales or insurance claims;
o 25% of excess cash flow; or
o 50% of the net cash proceeds in excess of $600 million from the issuance
of unsecured debt or senior debt with a United States bank or other
financial institution.
COVENANTS
The Cisco facility ranks pari passu with the Lucent facility and the bank
facility with respect to the security obtained from the borrower, our guarantor
subsidiaries and us. Under the terms of the Cisco facility, we, the borrower,
and our guarantor subsidiaries are restricted by the Cisco facility, among other
things, from:
o making capital expenditures, investments or acquisitions in excess of
certain limits;
o selling certain assets;
o creating liens other than certain permitted encumbrances;
o incurring additional indebtedness, other than certain permitted
indebtedness;
o investing in or guaranteeing the obligations of subsidiaries except to
the extent that such investments or guarantee constitutes permitted
obligations of such subsidiaries or to the extent that such investment
or guarantee constitutes permitted indebtedness;
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o declaring or setting aside funds for the payment of dividends;
o consenting to or agreeing to certain amendments of other financing
documents; and
o amalgamating, consolidating, merging, or entering into any other form of
business combination.
We are also required under the Cisco facility to maintain certain minimum
debt to total capitalization ratios, debt coverage ratios, revenue and
performance levels.
The Cisco facility restricts the payment of dividends by us or our
subsidiaries, other than payments of dividends by our subsidiaries to us or
another of our subsidiaries.
The Cisco facility also contains customary events of default, including the
failure to pay interest or principal, breach of covenants, cross-defaults or
judgements in excess of $5 million, a change of control event or the bankruptcy
or insolvency of us or any of our subsidiaries.
ASSET PURCHASE AND SUBSCRIPTION AGREEMENT DATED DECEMBER 22, 1999 AMONG SHAW
COMMUNICATIONS INC., SHAW FIBERLINK LTD., GT GROUP TELECOM INC. AND GT GROUP
TELECOM SERVICES CORP. We purchased from Shaw Communications all of the property
and assets of Shaw FiberLink used in connection with its high speed data and
competitive access business. We also assumed certain obligations related to
permits, operational contracts, customer contracts, software licenses and
certain other obligations. The assets purchased include:
o equipment, computer hardware and fixed assets,
o operational, equipment supply and customer contracts,
o interconnect agreements and co-location agreements,
o software and broadband wireless licenses,
o permits,
o intellectual property,
o goodwill, and
o certain other fiber business assets.
Certain assets were excluded from the acquisition of the business of Shaw
FiberLink, including:
o certain interconnection, Internet bandwidth and other agreements;
o the name "Shaw FiberLink" (subject to a license granted to us pursuant
to the trade-mark license agreement described below);
o any assets of Shaw Communications or its affiliates used in the cable
television, residential Internet or video and other residential services
businesses; and
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o any indefeasible right to use fibers or rights underlying the
indefeasible right to use fibers, other than rights assigned to us
pursuant to any assigned operational contracts.
Where the transfer of any such assets requires consent of a third party and
such consent is not obtained, Shaw Communications has agreed to hold such assets
in trust for us and to continue to maintain the existence of such assets, at our
expense.
The purchase consideration of $760 million paid by us consisted of $360
million in cash and sufficient series B first preference shares to provide Shaw
Communications with a 27.1% fully diluted interest in us at the date the
acquisition was consummated. The fair value of these shares was approximately
$400 million. Upon completion of our initial public offering in March 2000, all
of these shares were converted into class A voting shares. In connection with
our acquisition of the business of Shaw FiberLink, three executive officers of
Shaw Communications, became directors of Group Telecom.
The asset purchase and subscription agreement contains customary
representations, warranties and indemnities. In particular, Shaw Communications
has represented that the Shaw FiberLink assets are all the assets and rights
(excluding material non-assignable permits, engineering and administration
services and certain underlying rights) which are required to enable us to
conduct the business of Shaw FiberLink. With limited exceptions, Shaw
Communications made no representations or warranties as to the underlying rights
to the fibers subject to the indefeasible right to use agreement described
below.
INDEFEASIBLE RIGHT TO USE AGREEMENT DATED FEBRUARY 16, 2000 BETWEEN SHAW
FIBERLINK LTD. AND US. We received rights to 1,502 fiber kilometers through
assigned contracts and an indefeasible right to use 100,044 fiber kilometers for
60 years, including 10,720 fiber kilometers located in New Brunswick available
to us on May 1, 2003. Additionally, Shaw FiberLink and each of the affiliates of
Shaw Communications which owns indefeasible rights to use fiber has entered into
an agreement to grant a one-year indefeasible right of use to Shaw FiberLink in
all of the indefeasible rights to use fiber which Shaw FiberLink does not own,
renewable annually by Shaw FiberLink. On the closing of the acquisition, we
fully prepaid the rent for the fibers in which we received the right of use for
the full 60 year term of our agreement with Shaw FiberLink. In addition, Shaw
Communications agreed to construct for our use, at no additional cost to us,
approximately 97,500 additional fiber kilometers over the next three years,
subject to variance depending on the location of the constructed fiber, over
which we will have an indefeasible right of use. This commitment to build an
additional 97,500 fiber kilometers was included in the $760 million purchase
price consideration, and has been recorded as a $223 million prepayment of
property, plant and equipment. Our indefeasible right to use agreement also
allows us to ask Shaw Communications to install new access cables and new
segments to our network. Once we pay Shaw FiberLink for the cable they install,
Shaw FiberLink will grant us an indefeasible right to use those newly installed
fibers for the remainder of our initial 60 year indefeasible right of use term.
During the term of our indefeasible right to use agreement with Shaw
FiberLink, Shaw FiberLink will, for a fee, provide facilities for our optronics
or electronics or our optical or electrical equipment in Shaw Communications hub
sites. Shaw FiberLink will repair and maintain our fibers in exchange for a
yearly fee.
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PERFORMANCE ASSURANCE AGREEMENT DATED FEBRUARY 16, 2000 AMONG SHAW
COMMUNICATIONS INC., GT GROUP TELECOM INC. AND GT GROUP TELECOM SERVICES CORP.
Shaw Communications has agreed that if Shaw FiberLink defaults in any of its
obligations under the indefeasible right to use agreement, Shaw Communications
will perform, or cause to be performed, Shaw FiberLink's obligation in
accordance with the terms and conditions of the indefeasible right to use
agreement. Shaw Communications' promise to us is independent of the bankruptcy
or insolvency of Shaw Communications, Shaw FiberLink or any of their affiliates
(including any affiliates that have granted an indefeasible right to use fiber
to Shaw FiberLink), and is independent of any acquisition of the business of
Shaw Communications, Shaw FiberLink or any of their affiliates (including any
affiliates that have granted an indefeasible right to use fiber to Shaw
FiberLink).
NON-COMPETITION AGREEMENTS. On February 16, 2000 we entered into a
non-competition agreement with Shaw FiberLink and Shaw Communications in favor
of us that prohibits Shaw Communications or any of its affiliates from providing
certain telecommunications services to business customers and telecommunications
carriers in any area of Canada in which we carry on such business, for three
years. February 16, 2000, we also entered into a non-competition agreement with
Shaw Communications Inc. and Shaw FiberLink Ltd. in favor of Shaw Communications
which prohibits us or any of our affiliates from providing cable television,
residential video, Internet or telephone services or other residential services
in any area of Canada in which Shaw Communications carries on such business, for
three years.
TRANSITIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT DATED FEBRUARY 16, 2000 AMONG SHAW
COMMUNICATIONS INC., SHAW FIBERLINK LTD., GT GROUP TELECOM INC. AND GT GROUP
TELECOM SERVICES CORP. In order to facilitate the transfer of the business of
Shaw FiberLink from Shaw Communications to us, we and Shaw Communications will
provide certain services to each other, on a transitional basis, pursuant to a
six month transitional services agreement.
WARRANT AGREEMENT DATED FEBRUARY 1, 2000 BETWEEN GT GROUP TELECOM INC. AND THE
CHASE MANHATTAN BANK. As of the date of this annual report, each warrant, when
exercised, will entitle the holder thereof to receive 4.9106 class B non-voting
shares (the "Exercise Rate") of Group Telecom at no additional cost to the
holder of the warrant. Unless earlier exercised, the warrants will expire on
February 1, 2010. The number of class B non-voting shares that may be purchased
upon the exercise of the warrants will be subject to adjustment in certain
events including:
(1) the payment by Group Telecom of dividends or other distributions on
class A voting or class B non-voting shares of Group Telecom payable in such
class A voting or class B non-voting shares or other shares of Group
Telecom's capital stock,
(2) subdivisions, combinations and certain reclassifications of class A
voting or class B non-voting shares,
(3) sales by Group Telecom of class A voting or class B non-voting
shares, or of securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable
for, class A voting or class B non-voting shares of the Company at less than
the Current Market Value of such shares (provided that no adjustment shall
be made with respect to our issuance, after the date of the Indenture, of
series B first preference shares to Shaw Communications in connection with
our acquisition of the business of Shaw FiberLink), and
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(4) the distribution to all holders of class A voting or class B
non-voting shares of any of Group Telecom's assets, debt securities or any
rights or warrants to purchase securities (excluding those rights and
warrants referred to in clause (3) above and excluding cash dividends or
other cash distributions from current or retained earnings).
In the case of certain reclassifications, redesignations, reorganizations or
change in the number of outstanding shares of class B non-voting shares or
amalgamations, consolidations or mergers of Group Telecom or the sale of all or
substantially all of the assets of Group Telecom, each warrant shall thereafter
be exercisable for the right to receive the kind and amount of shares of stock
or other securities or property to which such holder would have been entitled as
a result of such amalgamation, consolidation, merger or sale had the warrants
been exercised immediately prior thereto.
REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT DATED FEBRUARY 1, 2000 AMONG US AND GOLDMAN, SACHS
& CO., CIBC WORLD MARKETS CORP., CREDIT SUISSE FIRST BOSTON CORPORATION, RBC
DOMINION SECURITIES CORPORATION, SCOTIA CAPITAL (USA) INC. AND TD SECURITIES
(USA) INC. We agreed, for the benefit of the holders of the warrants, to file
with the Commission a shelf registration statement under the Securities Act
relating to the resale of the warrants and the class B non-voting shares
issuable upon the exercise of the warrants. This registration statement was
filed with the Commission and became effective in compliance with the
requirements of the agreement.
We further agreed to use our best efforts to keep the registration statement
effective until the earlier to occur of (i) the second anniversary of the
effective date of the registration statement or (ii) such time as there are no
longer outstanding any warrants or class B non-voting shares issuable upon
exercise of the warrants; provided that we may postpone the filing of, or
suspend the effectiveness of, any registration statement or amendment thereto,
suspend the use of any prospectus and shall not be required to amend or
supplement the registration statement, any related prospectus or any document
incorporated therein by reference in the event that, and for a period not to
exceed an aggregate of 60 days in cert,
(1) an event or circumstance occurs and is continuing as a result of which
the registration statement, any related prospectus or any document
incorporated therein by reference as then supplemented or proposed to be
filed would, in our good faith judgment, contain an untrue statement of
material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to
make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which
they were made, not misleading, and
(2) We determine in our good faith judgment that the disclosure of such an
event at such time would have a material adverse effect on our business,
operations or prospects of ours or the disclosure otherwise relates to a
material business transaction that has not yet been publicly disclosed.
FIBER SALE AGREEMENT DATED MAY 24, 2000 AMONG WORLDWIDE FIBER (F.O.T.S.)
LTD., WORLDWIDE FIBER (F.O.T.S.) NO. 3, LTD., WFI-CN FIBRE INC. AND GT GROUP
TELECOM SERVICES CORP.
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CAPACITY LEASE AGREEMENT DATED MAY 24, 2000 BY AND BETWEEN WORLDWIDE FIBER
NETWORK SERVICES LTD. AND WORLDWIDE FIBER NETWORK SERVICES, INC. AND GT GROUP
TELECOM SERVICES CORP. AND GT GROUP TELECOM SERVICES (USA) CORP.
IRU AGREEMENT DATED MAY 24, 2000 BY AND BETWEEN WORLDWIDE FIBER NETWORK
SERVICES, INC. AND GT GROUP TELECOM SERVICES (USA) CORP.
We agreed with 360networks, inc. to (1) lease from them dedicated
fiber-optic capacity and (2) purchase fiber in Canada and receive from them an
indefeasible right to use fiber in the United States. The aggregate price of the
dedicated fiber-optic capacity and fiber we acquired was approximately $362
million. We have the option to acquire from 360networks additional fiber and
dedicated fiber-optic capacity. During October 2000, we accepted approximately
28% of the fiber-optic wavelengths under the long-term capacity arrangements.
Under the agreement, 360networks will lease to us fiber-optic cable capacity
at a bandwidth level of 2.4 gigabits per second, in Canada and the United
States. The lease will give us the exclusive right to use this fiber capacity
for 20 years, comprised of an initial term of 3 years with a 17 year renewal
option at our discretion.
In addition, 360networks has sold and will sell to us 12 strands of unused
fiber ranging approximately 7,000 kilometers, connecting Seattle, Washington to
Halifax, Nova Scotia via Victoria, Kamloops, Edmonton, Calgary, Regina,
Winnipeg, Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal and Quebec City.
If we choose, 360networks will also grant us the right to use an additional
12 strands of fiber ranging approximately 7,900 kilometers, connecting Seattle,
Sacramento, Denver, Chicago, Detroit, Toronto, Buffalo, Albany, New York City,
Boston and Montreal. This fiber will be located primarily in the United States.
The indefeasible right to use this fiber will be for a term of at least 20
years.
We also will have the option to purchase from 360networks additional
segments of fiber-optic cable connecting the United States and Canada.
Delivery of the capacity and the fiber to us by 360networks and payment by
us to 360networks will be made in installments over the next four years. An
initial installment payment of approximately $32 million has been made. We will
also pay 360networks fees for maintaining the fibers.
In addition, we invested approximately $43 million in the equity of
360networks.
D. EXCHANGE CONTROLS
There are currently no limitations imposed by Canadian laws, decrees or
regulations that restrict the import or export of capital, including foreign
exchange controls, or that affect the remittance of dividends, and interest or
other payments to nonresident holders of our securities.
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E. TAXATION
U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS
The following discussion, based on current law, is a general summary of the
material United States federal income tax considerations to you of the ownership
and disposition of the warrants and class B non-voting shares either acquired on
the exercise of warrants as capital property or acquired otherwise (the
"Shares") and the 13 1/4% senior discount notes due 2010 (the "Notes"). The
discussion of the United States federal income tax consequences set forth below
is based upon the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, its legislative
history, existing and proposed regulations, and judicial decisions and
administrative interpretations thereunder, all as currently in effect, and such
authorities may be repealed, revoked, or modified, possibly on a retroactive
basis, so as to result in United States federal income tax consequences
different from those discussed below. There can be no assurance that the
Internal Revenue Service will not challenge one or more of the tax consequences
described herein, and the Company has not obtained, nor does it intend to
obtain, a ruling from the Internal Revenue Service or an opinion of counsel with
respect to the United States federal income tax consequences of acquiring or
holding warrants, the Shares or the Notes. The discussion below pertains only to
you if you are a U.S. holder. As used herein, you are a U.S. holder if you are a
beneficial owner of warrants, the Shares or the Notes and you are:
o a citizen or resident of the United States,
o a corporation, partnership or other entity created in or under the laws
of the United States or any political subdivision thereof,
o an estate the income of which is subject to United States federal income
taxation regardless of its source, or
o a trust if (x) a court within the United States is able to exercise
primary supervision over the administration of the trust and one or more
United States persons have the authority to control all substantial
decisions of the trust or (y) it has a valid election in effect under
applicable regulations to be treated as a U.S. person.
This discussion does not purport to deal with all aspects of United States
federal income taxation that may be relevant to a particular holder in light of
the holder's circumstances (for example, persons subject to the alternative
minimum tax provisions of the Internal Revenue Code). Also, this discussion does
not deal with special rules that may apply to you if you are a member of a
special class of holders subject to special rules, including
o a dealer in securities or currencies,
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o a trader in securities that elects to use a mark-to-market method of
accounting for your securities holdings,
o a bank,
o a life insurance company,
o a tax-exempt organization,
o a person that actually or constructively owns 10% or more of our voting
stock,
o a person holding warrants, the Shares, or Notes as part of a hedging,
conversion or constructive sale transaction or straddle or
o a person whose "functional currency" is not the United States dollar.
The discussion below assumes that you hold (or would hold if you acquired)
the warrants, Shares or Notes as capital assets within the meaning of Section
1221 of the Internal Revenue Code. The discussion also does not discuss any
aspect of state, local or foreign law, nor federal estate and gift tax law.
EACH HOLDER OR PROSPECTIVE HOLDER OF WARRANTS, SHARES OR NOTES IS STRONGLY
URGED TO CONSULT ITS OWN TAX ADVISOR WITH RESPECT TO ITS PARTICULAR TAX
SITUATION INCLUDING THE TAX EFFECTS OF ANY STATE, LOCAL, FOREIGN, OR OTHER TAX
LAWS AND POSSIBLE CHANGES IN THE TAX LAWS.
TAX TREATMENT OF THE OWNERSHIP AND DISPOSITION OF NOTES
ORIGINAL ISSUE DISCOUNT. For United States federal income tax purposes, the
Notes were issued with original issue discount, and you will be required to
include in its gross income original issue discount income as described below
(regardless of whether you are a cash or accrual basis taxpayer). You must
include original issue discount in income as ordinary interest income as it
accrues on the basis of a constant yield to maturity. Generally, original issue
discount must be included in income in advance of the receipt of cash
representing such income.
Original issue discount on each Note equals the excess of the stated
redemption price at maturity of the Note over its issue price. The stated
redemption price at maturity of a Note equals the sum of all payments other than
any "qualified stated interest" payments. Qualified stated interest is stated
interest that is unconditionally payable in cash or in property (other than debt
instruments of the issuer) at least annually at a single fixed rate. Because
interest is not payable prior to August 1, 2005 none of the payments on the
Notes constitute qualified stated interest. Accordingly, all payments on the
Notes are treated as part of their stated redemption price at maturity.
Generally, the issue price of the Notes is determined by allocating the
"issue price" of each Unit between the Note and the Warrant comprising such Unit
on the basis of the proportion which the fair market value of each such element
of the Unit bears to the fair market value of the
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Unit. The issue price of the Units equalled the first price for which a
substantial amount of Units were sold. We allocated US$478.60 to the Notes and
US$47.91 to the Warrants comprising each Unit for tax and accounting purposes.
You may make an allocation that is different from our allocation by disclosing
such allocation on a statement attached to your timely filed United States
federal income tax return for the taxable year that included the acquisition
date of the Unit.
You must include in gross income, for all days during its taxable year in
which you hold a Note, the sum of the "daily portions" of original issue
discount. The "daily portions" are determined by allocating to each day in an
"accrual period" (generally the period between interest payments or compounding
dates) a pro rata portion of the original issue discount that accrued during
such accrual period. The amount of original issue discount that will accrue
during an accrual period is the product of the "adjusted issue price" of the
Note at the beginning of the accrual period and its yield to maturity
(determined on the basis of compounding at the end of each accrual period and
properly adjusted for the length of the particular accrual period). The adjusted
issue price of a Note is the sum of its issue price, plus prior accruals of
original issue discount, reduced by the total payments made with respect to such
Note in all prior periods and on the first day of the current accrual period.
Each payment on a Note will be treated as a payment of original issue discount
(which was previously includable in income) to the extent that original issue
discount has accrued as of the date such payment is due and has not been
allocated to prior payments, and any excess will be treated as a payment of
principal.
There are several circumstances under which we could make a payment on a
Note which would affect the yield to maturity of a Note, including the optional
redemption of Notes by us and the repurchase of Notes by us pursuant to a Change
of Control. According to regulations, the possibility of a change in
circumstances will not affect the amount of interest income recognized by you
(or the timing of such recognition) if the likelihood of the change, as of the
date the debt obligations are issued, is remote. We believe that the likelihood
of these circumstances happening is remote and does not intend to treat such
possibility as affecting the yield to maturity.
Original issue discount accrued with respect to the Notes will constitute
foreign source income, and generally will be "passive" or "financial services"
income, which is treated separately from other types of income, for purposes of
computing any foreign tax credit that may be allowable to you.
ELECTION TO TREAT ALL INTEREST AS ORIGINAL ISSUE DISCOUNT. You may elect to
treat all "interest" on a Note as original issue discount and calculate the
amount includable in gross income under the method described above. For this
purpose, "interest" includes stated and unstated interest, original issue
discount, acquisition discount, market discount and de minimis market discount,
as adjusted by any acquisition premium. The election is to be made for the
taxable year in which you acquired the Note and may not be revoked without the
consent of the Internal Revenue Service.
MARKET DISCOUNT AND ACQUISITION PREMIUM. If you purchased a Note for an
amount that is less than its adjusted issue price, the Note may have "market
discount' to you. Any principal payment or gain realized by you on disposition
or retirement of a Note will be treated as ordinary income to the extent that
there is accrued market discount on the Note. Unless you elect to accrue under a
constant-interest method, accrued market discount is the total market discount
multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days the
holder has held the
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obligation and the denominator of which is the number of days from the date you
acquired the obligation until its maturity. You may be required to defer a
portion of its interest deductions for the taxable year attributable to any
indebtedness incurred or continued to purchase or carry a Note purchased with
market discount. Any such deferred interest expense would not exceed the market
discount that accrues during such taxable year and is, in general, allowed as a
deduction not later than the year in which such market discount is includable in
income. If the you elect to include market discount in income currently as it
accrues on all market discount instruments acquired by the U.S. holder in that
taxable year or thereafter, the interest deferral rule described above will not
apply.
If you acquired a Note for an amount that is greater than its adjusted issue
price but equal to or less than the sum of all amounts payable on such Note
after the purchase date other than payments of qualified stated interest, the
Note will be considered to have purchased by you at an "acquisition premium."
Under the acquisition premium rules of the Code and the regulations, the daily
portion of original issue discount which such holder must include in its gross
income with respect to such Note for any taxable year will be reduced by an
amount equal to the original issue discount multiplied by a fraction, the
numerator of which is the amount of such acquisition premium and the denominator
of which is the original issue discount remaining from the date the Note was
purchased to its maturity date.
SALE, EXCHANGE OR RETIREMENT OF THE NOTES. Upon the sale, exchange or
retirement of a Note, you generally will recognize gain or loss equal to the
difference between the amount realized on the sale, exchange or retirement
(which does not include any amount attributable to accrued but unpaid interest,
which will be taxable as interest) and your adjusted tax basis in the Note. Your
adjusted tax basis in the Note will equal your cost for the Note (in the case of
an initial purchaser, its issue price, as discussed above) increased by any
original issue discount or market discount previously included in income by you
with respect to such Note and decreased by any payments received thereon.
Gain or loss realized on the sale, exchange or retirement of a Note will be
capital gain or loss (subject to the market discount rules, discussed above),
and will be long-term capital gain or loss if at the time of sale, exchange or
retirement you have held the Note for more than one year. Certain non-corporate
U.S. holders, including individuals, are eligible for reduced rates of taxation
on net long-term capital gains. The deductibility of capital losses is subject
to limitations. Such gain or loss, if any, will be United States source. You are
urged to consult your tax advisor with respect to the taxation of capital gains
and losses.
WARRANTS AND SHARES
TAX TREATMENT OF THE WARRANTS. Because there is no exercise price for a
warrant, a warrant should be considered to be constructively exercised for
United States federal income tax purposes on the day on which the warrant is
acquired and you should be considered a holder of Shares subject to the warrant
as of the date you acquired the warrant. Consequently, the following discussion
is applicable to holders of Shares and warrants. You will not realize gain or
loss on the exercise of a warrant for class B non-voting shares.
PAYMENT OF DIVIDENDS. The gross amount of any dividends paid to you
(including amounts withheld to pay Canadian withholding taxes) will be treated
as dividend income to you to the extent paid out of our current or accumulated
earnings and profits, as determined under United
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States federal income tax principles. Such income will be includable in your
gross income as ordinary income on the day received by you. Such dividends will
not be eligible for the dividends received deduction allowed to corporations
under the Internal Revenue Code. Such dividends will be foreign source income
and will be either "passive income" or "financial services" income for United
States foreign tax credit purposes.
The amount of any dividend paid in Canadian dollars will equal the United
States dollar value of the Canadian dollars received calculated by reference to
the exchange rate in effect on the date the dividend is received by you
regardless of whether the Canadian dollars are converted into United States
dollars. If you do not convert the Canadian dollars into United States dollars
on the date of receipt, you will have a basis in the Canadian dollars equal to
its United States dollar value on the date of receipt. Any gain or loss realized
on a subsequent conversion or other disposition of the Canadian dollars will be
treated as United States source ordinary income or loss.
If you are a U.S. holder or eligible for the benefits of the Canada-United
States Income Tax Convention (1980) (the "Convention"), the maximum rate of
Canadian withholding tax on dividends paid to you is 15%. You may be entitled to
deduct or credit such tax, subject to applicable limitations in the Internal
Revenue Code. The rules governing the foreign tax credit are complex. You are
urged to consult your tax advisors regarding the availability of the foreign tax
credit under your particular circumstances.
To the extent that the amount of any distribution paid to you exceeds our
current and accumulated earnings and profits for a taxable year, the
distribution will first be treated as a tax-free return of capital, causing a
reduction in the adjusted basis of your Warrant Shares (thereby increasing the
amount of gain, or decreasing the amount of loss, to be recognized by you on a
subsequent disposition of the Warrant Shares), and the balance in excess of
adjusted basis will be taxed as capital gain recognized on a sale or exchange.
To the extent such distributions are treated as capital gain, such gain would be
United States source. Accordingly, you would not be able to use the foreign tax
credit arising from any Canadian withholding tax imposed on such distribution
unless such credit can be applied (subject to applicable limitations) against
United States tax due on other foreign source income in the appropriate category
for foreign tax credit purposes.
SALE, EXCHANGE OR REPURCHASE OF WARRANTS OR SHARES. Generally, the issue
price of the warrants is determined by reference to the price paid for the
warrants. For the initial purchasers of our warrants in the February 2000 unit
offering, we allocated US$47.91 to the warrants comprising each unit, for tax
and accounting purposes.
You generally will recognize taxable gain or loss on the disposition of a
warrant or Warrant Share in an amount equal to the difference between the amount
realized for the warrant or the Warrant Share and your adjusted tax basis in the
warrant or Warrant Share. Such gain or loss will be capital gain or loss, and
such gain or loss will be long-term capital gain or loss if you held the Warrant
Share for more than one year. Certain non-corporate U.S. holders, including
individuals, are eligible for reduced rates of taxation on net long-term capital
gains. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to limitations. Such gain
or loss, if any, will be United States source.
If we repurchase Shares, the repurchase generally will be treated as a sale
or exchange of stock subject to the rules discussed above. However, under
certain circumstances as provided by
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Section 302 of the Internal Revenue Code, the repurchase may be treated fully or
partially as a dividend taxable as ordinary income to you. You should consult
your own tax advisor concerning the United States federal income tax
consequences of the repurchase under your particular circumstances.
PASSIVE FOREIGN INVESTMENT COMPANY RULES. In general, we will be a passive
foreign investment company (a "PFIC") with respect to you if for any taxable
year in which you held our warrants or Warrant Shares:
o 75% or more of our gross income consists of passive income, such as
dividends, interest, rents and royalties, or
o 50% or more of the average quarterly value of our assets consists of
assets that produce, or are held for the production of, passive income.
If a foreign corporation owns at least 25% by value of the stock of another
corporation, the foreign corporation is treated for purposes of the PFIC tests
as owning its proportionate share of the assets of the other corporation, and as
receiving directly its proportionate share of the other corporation's income. We
believe that we will not satisfy either of the PFIC tests in the current or
subsequent taxable years. However, because the PFIC determination is made
annually on the basis of our income and assets, including goodwill, there can be
no assurance that we will not be a PFIC in the current or subsequent taxable
years.
If we were a PFIC in any taxable year and you held warrants and Shares, you
generally would be subject to special rules with respect to "excess
distributions" made by us on the Shares and with respect to gain from the
disposition of Shares. An "excess distribution" generally is defined as the
excess of the distributions with respect to the Shares in any taxable year over
125% of the average annual distributions received by you from us during the
shorter of the three preceding years, or your holding period for the Shares.
Generally, you would be required to allocate any excess distribution or gain
from the disposition of the Shares ratably over your holding period for the
Shares. The portion of the excess distribution or gain allocated to a prior
taxable year, other than a year prior to the first year in which we became a
PFIC, effectively would be taxed at the highest United States federal income tax
rate on ordinary income in effect for such taxable year, and you would be
subject to an interest charge on the resulting tax liability, determined as if
the tax liability had been due with respect to the particular taxable year. The
portion, if any, of the excess distribution or gain that is not allocated to
prior taxable years would be included in your gross income for the taxable year
of the excess distribution or disposition and taxed as ordinary income.
The foregoing rules with respect to excess distributions and dispositions
may be avoided if you are eligible for and timely make a valid "mark-to-market"
election. If you make a valid mark-to-market election, you will not be subject
to the PFIC rules described above. Instead, in calculating income for each
taxable year, you generally would be required, subject to certain limitations,
to take into account the difference, if any, between the fair market value and
the adjusted tax basis of the Shares as ordinary gain or loss at the end of
taxable year (but only to the extent of the net amount of previously included
income as a result of the mark-to-market election). Your basis in the Shares
will be adjusted to reflect any such income or loss amounts. The mark-to-market
election is made with respect to marketable stock in a PFIC on a
shareholder-by-shareholder basis and, once made, can only be revoked with the
consent of the
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Internal Revenue Service. Under applicable regulations, the term "marketable
stock" includes stock of a PFIC that is "regularly traded" on a qualified
exchange or other market. For these purposes, a class of stock is regularly
traced on a qualified exchange or other market for any calendar year during
which such class of stock is traded (other than in de minimis quantities) on at
least 15 days during each calendar quarter. It is expected that the shares will
be treated as marketable stock for these purposes, but no assurances can be
given.
If you own Shares during any year that we are a PFIC, you must file Internal
Revenue Service Form 8621. If we are a PFIC, U.S. holders who acquire shares
from decedents could be denied the step-up of the income tax basis for such
shares which would otherwise have been available.
INFORMATION REPORTING AND BACKUP WITHHOLDING. In general, information
reporting requirements will apply to certain payments made in respect of the
warrants or the Shares (or in respect of the Shares received upon exercise of
the warrants) or the Notes and the proceeds received on the disposition of
warrants or Warrant Shares or the Notes paid within the United States (and in
certain cases, outside of the United States) to U.S. holders other than certain
exempt recipients (such as corporations), and a 31 percent backup withholding
may apply to such amounts if you are a non-corporate U.S. holder and you:
o fail to provide an accurate taxpayer identification number,
o are notified by the Internal Revenue Service that you have failed to
report all interest or dividends required to be shown on your federal
income tax returns, or
o in certain circumstances, fail to comply with applicable certification
requirements.
Persons that are not United States persons may be required to establish
their exemption from information reporting and backup withholding by certifying
their status on Internal Revenue Service Form W-8 (or successor form).
If you sell your warrants, Shares or Notes to or through a United States
office of broker, the payment of the proceeds is subject to both United States
backup withholding and information reporting unless you certify that you are a
non-U.S. person, under penalties of perjury, or you otherwise establish an
exemption, provided that the broker does not have actual knowledge that you are
a U.S. person or that the conditions of any such exemption are not satisfied. If
you sell your warrants, Shares or Notes outside the United States through a
non-U.S. office of a non-U.S. broker, and the sales proceeds are paid to you
outside the United States, then United States backup withholding and information
reporting requirements generally will not apply to that payment. However, United
States information reporting, but not backup withholding, will apply to a
payment of sales proceeds, even if that payment is made outside the United
States, if you sell your warrants, Shares or Notes through a non-U.S. office of
a broker that:
o is a United States person;
o derives 50% or more of its gross income for a specified three-year
period from the conduct of a trade or business in the United States;
o is a "controlled foreign corporation" as to the United States; or
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o is a foreign partnership, if at any time during its tax year:
o one or more of its partners are U.S. persons, as defined in regulations,
who in the aggregate hold more than 50% of the income or capital
interest in the partnership; or
o at any time during its tax year the foreign partnership is engaged in a
United States trade or business;
unless the broker has documentary evidence in its records that you are a
non-United States person and does not have actual knowledge that you are a U.S.
person or you otherwise establish an exemption.
You generally may obtain a refund of any amounts withheld under the backup
withholding rules that exceed your income tax liability by filing a refund claim
with the United States Internal Revenue Service. The amount of any backup
withholding from a payment to you will be allowed as a credit against your
United States federal income tax liability.
CANADIAN FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS
The following is a summary of the principal Canadian federal income tax
considerations generally applicable to the acquisition, holding and disposition
of Warrants or Notes by a holder (a "U.S. Holder") who, for the purposes of the
Income Tax Act (Canada) (the "ITA") and the Canada-United States Income Tax
Convention (1980) (the "Convention"), as applicable, and at all relevant times,
(i) is a resident of the United States and not resident, nor deemed to be
resident, in Canada, (ii) holds warrants, Shares or Notes as capital property,
(iii) does not use or hold (and is not deemed to use or hold) warrants, Shares
or Notes in connection with a trade or business carried on (or deemed to be
carried on) in Canada and (iv) deals at arm's length with Group Telecom. For the
purpose of the ITA, related persons (as defined therein) are deemed not to deal
at arm's length, and it is a question of fact whether persons not related to
each other deal at arm's length. In general, warrants, Shares and Notes will be
considered to be capital property to a U.S. holder unless the U.S. Holder holds
the warrants, Shares or Notes, as the case may be, in the course of carrying on
business or acquired the warrants, Shares or Notes, as the case may be, in a
transaction or transactions considered to be an adventure or concern in the
nature of trade. Special rules, which are not discussed in this summary, may
apply to "financial institutions" (as defined in the ITA) and to non-resident
insurers carrying on an insurance business in Canada and elsewhere, and
accordingly, such persons should consult their own tax advisors.
This summary is based on the current provisions of the ITA and the
regulations thereunder and the Convention, specific proposals to amend the ITA
or the regulations thereunder announced by the Canadian Minister of Finance
prior to the date hereof (the "Tax Proposals") and the current published
administrative practices of the Canada Customs and Revenue Agency (the "CCRA").
This summary is not exhaustive of all possible Canadian federal income tax
consequences and, except for the Tax Proposals, does not otherwise take into
account or anticipate any changes in law or administrative practice nor does it
otherwise take into account income tax laws or considerations of any province or
territory of Canada, which may differ from the federal income tax consequences
described herein, or any jurisdiction other than Canada. This summary is of a
general nature only and is not intended to be, and should not be interpreted
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as, legal or tax advice to any particular investor, and no representation with
respect to the tax consequence to any particular U.S. Holder is made.
All amounts relating to the acquisition, holding or disposition of warrants,
Shares or Notes must be converted into Canadian dollars for the purposes of the
ITA.
WARRANTS AND SHARES
EXERCISE OF WARRANTS. A U.S. Holder will not realize a gain or a loss on
the exercise of a Warrant for Shares.
DIVIDENDS. Under the ITA and the Convention, dividends paid or credited, or
deemed to be paid or credited (e.g., as described below), on the Shares to a
U.S. Holder who owns less than 10% of the voting shares of Group Telecom will be
subject to Canadian withholding tax at the rate of 15% of the gross amount of
such dividends or deemed dividends, provided that the U.S. Holder is the
beneficial owner of such dividends or deemed dividends.
Under the Convention, dividends paid to certain religious, scientific,
charitable and similar tax exempt organizations and certain pension
organizations that are resident, and exempt from tax, in the United States and
who have complied with certain administrative procedures may be exempt from this
Canadian withholding tax.
DISPOSITION OF WARRANTS OR WARRANT SHARES. A U.S. Holder will not be
subject to tax under the ITA in respect of any capital gain realized on a
disposition or deemed disposition of a warrant or a Share unless at the time of
such disposition or deemed disposition such warrant or Share constitutes taxable
Canadian property of the U.S. Holder for purposes of the ITA and such U.S.
Holder is not entitled to relief under the Convention. The warrants and Shares
will generally not constitute taxable Canadian property of a U.S. Holder at the
time of disposition of such warrants or Shares provided that (i) the U.S. Holder
does not use or hold such Warrants or Shares, as the case may be, in connection
with carrying on business in Canada, (ii) the U.S. Holder, alone or together
with persons with whom it does not deal at arm's length, did not own (taking
into account any interest in or option in respect of such shares) 25% or more of
the issued shares of any class or series of the capital stock of Group Telecom
during the five-year period that ends at such time of disposition, and (iii)
furthermore, the Shares are listed on a prescribed stock exchange. In any event,
pursuant to the Convention, a U.S. Holder will not generally be subject to
Canadian income tax on any capital gain realized on the disposition or deemed
disposition of a warrant or a Share (including a disposition to Group Telecom)
provided that the value of the warrant or the Share, as the case may be, at the
time of the disposition is not derived principally from real property situated
in Canada (as defined in the Convention). To the extent the warrant or Shares
disposed of constitute taxable Canadian property, a U.S. Holder will be required
to file a Canadian tax return for the taxation year in which the disposition
occurs even if the gain arising from such a disposition is exempt from tax
because of the Convention.
If we purchase a Share from you, other than by a purchase in the open market
in the manner in which shares would normally be purchased by a member of the
public in the open market, we will be deemed to have paid and you will be deemed
to have received a dividend equal to the amount paid by Group Telecom in excess
of the paid-up capital of the Share for the purposes of the ITA at the time of
the purchase. The paid-up capital of the Share may be less than you cost of the
share. Such deemed dividend will be subject to the withholding tax described
under
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"Dividends" above. The amount by which the purchase price of the Share exceeds
the amount of the deemed dividend will be treated as proceeds of disposition of
the Share.
NOTES
The payment by Group Telecom of interest, principal or premium, if any, on
the Notes to a U.S. holder will be exempt from Canadian withholding tax.
In addition, no other tax on income (including taxable capital gains) will
be payable under the ITA by a U.S. holder in respect of the acquisition,
holding, redemption or disposition of the Notes.
F. DIVIDENDS AND PAYING AGENTS
Not applicable
G. STATEMENTS BY EXPERTS
Not applicable
H. DOCUMENTS ON DISPLAY
We are currently subject to the information and periodic reporting
requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and, file
periodic reports and other information with the Commission through its
Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis and Retrieval (or EDGAR) system. Our SEC
filings, including the registration statement, of which this prospectus is a
part, and the exhibits thereto, are available for inspection and copying at the
public reference facilities maintained by the Commission in Room 1024, 450 Fifth
Street, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20549, and the Commission's regional offices
located in New York, New York and Chicago, Illinois. Copies of all or any part
of the registration statement may be obtained from these offices after payment
of fees prescribed by the Commission. Please call the Commission at
1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the public reference rooms. The
Commission also maintains a Web site at http://www.sec.gov that contains
reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding
registrants that file electronically with the Commission.
As a foreign private issuer, we are exempt from the rules under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, prescribing the furnishing and
content of proxy statements to shareholders. Because we are a foreign private
issuer, we, our directors and our officers are also exempt from the shortswing
profit recovery and disclosure regime of section 16 of the Exchange Act.
I. SUBSIDIARY INFORMATION
Not applicable.
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ITEM 11: QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
In the normal course of business, we are exposed to changes in foreign
currency exchange rates and interest rates, which may significantly affect our
financial results. We regularly assess the risks and establish policies to
manage the effects of these exposures.
FOREIGN EXCHANGE RISK
As of September 30, 2000 we had debt outstanding denominated in U.S.
dollars of approximately US$562.3 million. Since the majority of our revenue is
in Canadian dollars, we are, and will continue to be, exposed to fluctuations in
the exchange rate between Canadian and U.S. dollars and the uncertainty of the
amount of Canadian dollars that will be required to service the principal and
interest payments under our U.S. dollar denominated debt. In order to minimize
these effects, as at September 30, 2000, we had entered into certain cross
currency swaps to hedge approximately 57% of our outstanding U.S. dollar
denominated debt. As at September 30, 2000, the fair value of these swap
agreements is not significant. We do not utilize these financial instruments for
trading or other speculative purposes.
Based on our September 30, 2000 balances, a 1 percent change in the foreign
currency exchange rate between the Canadian and U.S. dollar would have an impact
of $3.8 million on the unhedged portion of our long-term debt. Any substantial
increase in the U.S. dollar relative to the Canadian dollar could affect our
results of operations and our ability to meet our future payment obligations on
our debt.
INTEREST RATE RISK
A portion of our debt outstanding bears interest at a floating rate,
therefore, we are and will continue to be, exposed to fluctuations in the prime
and/or LIBOR interest rates. A 1 percent interest rate change on our floating
interest rate long-term debt outstanding at September 30, 2000, would have an
annual impact of $2.5 million on our interest cost.
CREDIT RISK
Financial instruments that potentially subject us to a concentration of
credit risk consist of cash and cash equivalents, and accounts receivable. Our
cash and cash equivalents are deposited with highly rated financial
institutions. Our accounts receivable are derived from revenue earned from
customers located in Canada. We perform ongoing credit evaluations on our
customers' financial condition and, generally, requires no collateral from our
customers. We maintain an allowance for doubtful accounts receivable based upon
expected collectibility of accounts receivable.
ITEM 12: DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES OTHER THAN EQUITY SECURITIES
Not applicable.
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PART II
ITEM 13: DEFAULTS, DIVIDEND ARREARAGES AND DELINQUENCIES
None
ITEM 14: MATERIAL MODIFICATIONS TO THE RIGHTS OF SECURITY HOLDERS AND USE OF
PROCEEDS
None
ITEM 15: RESERVED
ITEM 16: RESERVED
PART III
ITEM 17: FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Not applicable.
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ITEM 18: FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AUDITORS' REPORT
To the Directors of
GT GROUP TELECOM INC.
We have audited the consolidated balance sheets of GT GROUP TELECOM INC. as
at September 30, 2000 and 1999 and the consolidated statements of operations and
deficit and cash flows for the years ended September 30, 2000, 1999 and 1998.
These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the company's
management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated
financial statements based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with Canadian and United States
generally accepted auditing standards. Those standards require that we plan and
perform an audit to obtain reasonable assurance whether the financial statements
are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis,
evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An
audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant
estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial
statement presentation.
In our opinion, these consolidated financial statements present fairly, in
all material respects, the financial position of the company as at September 30,
2000 and 1999 and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the years
ended September 30, 2000, 1999 and 1998 in accordance with Canadian generally
accepted accounting principles.
Toronto, Canada /s/ PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS LLP
November 3, 2000 Independent Public Accountants
91
92
GT GROUP TELECOM INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(expressed in thousands of Canadian dollars)
SEPTEMBER 30,
2000 1999
--------- -------
$ $
ASSETS
CURRENT ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents.......................................................... 444,050 59,851
Accounts receivable (note 4)....................................................... 49,952 3,783
Prepaid expenses................................................................... 5,939 526
Inventory.......................................................................... 436 545
--------- -------
500,377 64,705
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT (note 5)............................................. 954,917 73,817
PREPAYMENTS ON PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT (notes 3(a) and 3(b))................. 203,703 -
LONG-TERM INVESTMENT (note 6)...................................................... 43,238 -
GOODWILL AND OTHER ASSETS (note 7)................................................. 227,033 1,292
--------- -------
1,929,268 139,814
========= =======
LIABILITIES
CURRENT LIABILITIES
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities (note 8).................................. 111,395 14,926
Unearned revenue (note 9).......................................................... 544 656
Current portion of long-term debt (note 10)........................................ 4,348 1,253
--------- -------
116,287 16,835
LONG-TERM UNEARNED REVENUE (note 9)................................................ 1,255 1,494
LONG-TERM DEBT (note 10)........................................................... 948,928 47,557
--------- -------
1,066,470 65,886
========= =======
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
SHARE CAPITAL (note 11)
Authorized
Common shares
Unlimited number of Class A voting and convertible Class B non-voting common
shares without par value
Preferred
50,000,000 Series A convertible first preference shares without par value
100,000,000 Series B convertible first preference shares without par value
Issued and outstanding
Common shares 463,333 12,573
79,542,239 Class A voting shares (1999 - 18,261,149)...........................
41,105,767 Class B non-voting shares (1999 - 4,148,569)........................ 495,370 5,026
Preferred shares
Nil Series A first preference shares (1999 - 41,500,002)....................... - 67,281
--------- -------
958,703 84,880
ADDITIONAL PAID-IN CAPITAL......................................................... 255 255
WARRANTS (note 11(f)).............................................................. 58,776 -
LOANS TO OFFICERS (note 11(g))..................................................... (3,868) -
SHARES TO BE ISSUED (note 11(h))................................................... - 1,875
DEFICIT............................................................................ (151,068) (13,082)
--------- -------
862,798 73,928
--------- -------
1,929,268 139,814
========= =======
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (note 14)
SUBSEQUENT EVENTS (note 17)
APPROVED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
(signed) DANIEL R. MILLIARD (signed) JAMES G. MATKIN
Director Director
The accompanying notes form an integral part of these consolidated
financial statements.
92
93
GT GROUP TELECOM INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND DEFICIT
(expressed in thousands of Canadian dollars)
YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30,
2000 1999 1998
-------- ------- -------
$ $ $
REVENUE............................................................ 73,251 2,705 1,823
COST OF SERVICES................................................... 51,336 1,808 1,131
-------- ------- -------
21,915 897 692
SELLING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES....................... 100,959 10,219 3,038
-------- ------- -------
(79,044) (9,322) (2,346)
AMORTIZATION....................................................... 43,055 853 255
INTEREST AND FINANCE ITEMS
Interest income.................................................... (22,208) (920) (58)
Interest on long-term debt......................................... 81,207 262 147
Finance charges.................................................... 4,631 192 -
Foreign exchange loss (gain)....................................... (9,276) 93 (251)
-------- ------- -------
54,354 (373) (162)
-------- ------- -------
LOSS BEFORE INCOME TAXES........................................... (176,453) (9,802) (2,439)
PROVISION FOR (RECOVERY OF) INCOME TAXES (note 12)
Current............................................................ 3,833 165 -
Future............................................................. (42,300) - -
-------- ------- -------
(38,467) 165 -
-------- ------- -------
LOSS FOR THE YEAR.................................................. (137,986) (9,967) (2,439)
DEFICIT - BEGINNING OF YEAR........................................ (13,082) (3,115) (676)
-------- ------- -------
DEFICIT - END OF YEAR.............................................. (151,068) (13,082) (3,115)
======== ======= =======
LOSS PER SHARE..................................................... (1.83) (0.56) (0.26)
======== ======= =======
WEIGHTED AVERAGE NUMBER OF COMMON SHARES OUTSTANDING
(in thousands)................................................... 75,442 17,859 9,542
======== ======= =======
The accompanying notes form an integral part of these consolidated
financial statements.
93
94
GT GROUP TELECOM INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(expressed in thousands of Canadian dollars)
YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30,
2000 1999 1998
--------- ------- -------
$ $ $
CASH PROVIDED BY (USED IN)
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Loss for the year......................................................... (137,986) (9,967) (2,439)
Items not affecting cash
Amortization............................................................ 43,055 853 255
Non-cash interest expense............................................... 79,832 - -
Additional paid-in capital.............................................. - - 84
Shares issued for interest on long-term debt............................ - 171 62
Recovery of future income taxes......................................... (42,300) - -
---------- ------- -------
(57,399) (8,943) (2,038)
---------- ------- -------
Changes in non-cash working capital items
Increase in accounts receivable......................................... (44,112) (2,417) (723)
Increase in prepaid expenses............................................ (5,179) (500) (1)
Decrease (increase) in inventory........................................ 343 (545) -
Increase in accounts payable and accrued liabilities.................... 57,771 1,295 1,363
Increase (decrease) in unearned revenue................................. (605) 2,077 39
--------- ------- -------
8,218 (90) 678
--------- ------- -------
Cash flows used in operating activities................................... (49,181) (9,033) (1,360)
--------- ------- -------
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Proceeds from long-term debt.............................................. 690,711 4,421 1,762
Issuance of shares........................................................ 396,120 71,526 5,924
Proceeds from issuance of warrants........................................ 58,776 - -
--------- ------- -------
1,145,607 75,947 7,686
---------- ------- -------
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Business acquisitions..................................................... (446,720) - -
Purchase of property, plant and equipment................................. (153,569) (8,454) (3,738)
Increase in other assets.................................................. (64,832) (1,085) (173)
Purchase of long-term investment.......................................... (43,238) - -
Issuance of loans to officers............................................. (3,868) - -
--------- ------- -------
(712,227) (9,539) (3,911)
--------- ------- -------
INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS..................................... 384,199 57,375 2,415
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS - BEGINNING OF YEAR............................. 59,851 2,476 61
--------- ------- -------
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS - END OF YEAR................................... 444,050 59,851 2,476
========= ======= =======
Additional cash flow disclosures (note 15)
The accompanying notes form an integral part of these consolidated
financial statements.
94
95
GT GROUP TELECOM INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(tabular amounts expressed in thousands of Canadian dollars)
1 NATURE OF BUSINESS
GT Group Telecom Inc. ("GT") was incorporated on April 12, 1996 under the
Canada Business Corporations Act. GT, through its wholly owned subsidiaries
GT Group Telecom Services Corp. and GT Group Telecom Services (USA) Corp.
(collectively known as "the Company") markets and sells telecommunications
services and related products over GT's owned fiber-optic infrastructure to
small and medium-sized businesses. The Company also uses digital subscriber
lines and fixed wireless technology to extend the reach of its network. The
Company provides data, Internet applications and voice services and derives
revenue from network usage and access, equipment sales, co-location and
installation services.
2 SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
These consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with
accounting principles generally accepted in Canada which, in the case of the
Company, conform in all material respects with those in the United States,
except as outlined in note 19.
(A) PRINCIPLES OF CONSOLIDATION
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company
and its wholly owned subsidiaries. All intercompany transactions and
balances have been eliminated on consolidation.
(B) CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
Cash and cash equivalents consist of cash on deposit and highly liquid
short-term interest bearing securities with maturity at the date of purchase
of three months or less. The short-term interest bearing securities are
recorded at cost plus accrued interest earned, which approximates current
market value.
(C) REVENUE RECOGNITION
Revenue from network usage and access is recognized when services are
provided. Revenue from equipment sales is recognized at the time the
equipment is delivered and accepted by the customer. Revenue from
installation services and from co-locations, where the Company provides a
location and services for the customers' servers and telecommunication
equipment, are recognized as services are rendered.
Unearned revenue is recorded for services when cash payment has been
received in advance and is recognized as revenue in the period in which the
services are provided.
95
96
Income from operating leases of fiber-optic facilities is recognized on a
straight-line basis over the term of the lease.
(D) PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
Property, plant and equipment are recorded at cost less accumulated
amortization. Amortization is provided over estimated useful lives on a
straight-line basis at the following annual rates:
Buildings......................... 7%
Furniture and fixtures............ 20%
Computer equipment and software... 33%
Telecommunication networks........ 5% to 20%
Leasehold improvements............ over the term of the leases (4-8 years)
Telecommunication networks, which are installed on rights of way granted by
others, include construction costs, costs of acquiring rights of way,
interest costs and network design costs, all of which are incurred in
developing new networks or expanding existing networks. Amortization
commences when the assets are available for use.
Management reviews the carrying values of its property, plant and equipment
for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the
carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. In performing its review
for recoverability, management estimates the future cash flows expected to
result from the use of the asset and its eventual disposition. If the sum of
the expected future cash flows is less than the carrying amount of the
asset, an impairment loss is recognized.
(E) LONG-TERM INVESTMENT
The long-term investment is accounted for on the cost basis. The carrying
value of the investment is written down to net realizable value if there is
a loss of value that is considered to be other than temporary.
(F) GOODWILL AND OTHER ASSETS
Goodwill represents the excess of the cost of business acquisitions over the
fair value of the identifiable net assets acquired. Goodwill is amortized
over its estimated useful life ranging from 3 to 20 years. The Company
reviews the carrying value of its goodwill to determine whether there has
been a permanent impairment in value. The measurement of possible impairment
is based primarily on the ability to recover the carrying value from
expected future operating cash flows on an undiscounted basis.
Non-compete agreements, license rights and deferred charges are amortized on
a straight-line basis over the term of the agreements or estimated useful
life ranging from 3 to 10 years.
Financing costs are amortized on a straight-line basis over the terms of the
related debt financing.
96
97
(G) STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION PLAN
The Company has a stock-based compensation plan, which is described in note
11(f). No compensation expense is recognized for the plan when stock options
are issued to employees. Any consideration paid by employees on exercise of
stock options is credited to share capital.
(H) FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSLATION
The Company translates all foreign currency denominated monetary assets and
liabilities at year-end exchange rates. Revenues and expenses are translated
at the rates prevailing on the respective transaction dates. Exchange gains
and losses resulting from movements in rates are reflected in net income in
the year except for: (i) gains or losses relating to long-term monetary
liabilities which are deferred and amortized over the remaining term of the
assets and liabilities; and (ii) hedged balances which are described in note
13.
(I) INCOME TAXES
The Company uses the liability method of accounting for income taxes under
which future tax assets and liabilities are recognized for differences
between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and
liabilities and their respective tax bases. Future tax assets and
liabilities are measured using substantively enacted tax rates in effect in
the period in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered
or settled. The effect on future tax assets and liabilities of a change in
tax rates is recognized as part of the provision for income taxes in the
period that includes the enactment date. A valuation allowance is recorded
to the extent there is uncertainty regarding realization of future tax
assets.
(J) LOSS PER COMMON SHARE
Loss per common share is calculated using the weighted average number of
common shares outstanding during the years. The exercise of options and
warrants outstanding at September 30, 2000, 1999 and 1998 would have had an
anti-dilutive effect on loss per common share.
(K) SEGMENTED INFORMATION
The Company is a Canadian national facilities based provider of high-speed
data, Internet application and voice services comprising a single operating
segment. Substantially all of the Company's assets are located in Canada and
revenue is derived from telecommunications services provided in Canada.
(L) USE OF ESTIMATES
The preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally
accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and
assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and
disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities and the reported amounts of
revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could
differ from those estimates.
97
98
3 BUSINESS ACQUISITIONS
Summary of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed during the year ended
September 30, 2000:
SHAW VIDEON CABLE
FIBERLINK FIBERLINK ATLANTIC
(A) (B) (C) OTHER TOTAL
---------- --------- --------- ------- ----------
$ $ $ $ $
ASSETS
Indefeasible right to use agreements
Property, plant and equipment for
constructed fibers........................... 329,000 88,359 29,689 - 447,048
Prepayment for fibers to
be constructed............................... 223,000 7,600 - - 230,600
Property, plant and equipment..................... 100,000 7,397 17,560 435 125,392
License rights.................................... 13,800 - - - 13,800
Non-compete agreements............................ 15,000 - 1,200 - 16,200
Goodwill including
acquisition costs............................... 119,513 - 25,025 3,261 147,799
Other current assets.............................. 204 784 1,107 24 2,119
---------- --------- --------- ------- ----------
800,517 104,140 74,581 3,720 982,958
========== ========= ========= ======= ==========
LIABILITIES
Current liabilities............................... 246 - 881 - 1,127
Future income taxes............................... 28,200 - 14,100 - 42,300
---------- --------- --------- ------- ----------
28,446 - 14,981 - 43,427
========== ========= ========= ======= ==========
PURCHASE CONSIDERATION
Cash paid......................................... 360,000 68,784 15,226 2,710 446,720
Class A voting shares............................. - - - 1,010 1,010
Class B non-voting shares......................... - 32,356 42,374 - 74,730
Series B first preference shares.................. 400,071 - - - 400,071
Acquisition costs................................. 12,000 3,000 2,000 - 17,000
---------- --------- --------- ------- ----------
772,071 104,140 59,600 3,720 939,531
========== ========= ========= ======= ==========
NUMBER OF SHARES
ISSUED
Class A voting shares............................. - - - 336,666 336,666
========== ========= ========= ======= ==========
Class B non-voting shares......................... - 1,667,000 1,740,196 - 3,407,196
========== ========= ========= ======= ==========
Series B first preference shares.................. 29,096,097 - - - 29,096,097
========== ========= ========= ======= ==========
The acquisitions of business' assets and liabilities are accounted for by
the purchase method of accounting under which the assets and liabilities
purchased are recorded at their fair values with the excess of the purchase
price over the fair value of identifiable assets and liabilities acquired
recorded as goodwill. The results of operations are included in the
Company's consolidated statement of operations from the dates of
acquisition.
(A) SHAW FIBERLINK
On February 16, 2000, the Company purchased from Shaw Communications Inc.
("Shaw Communications") and Shaw FiberLink Ltd. ("Shaw FiberLink") all of
the property and assets of Shaw FiberLink used in connection with the
high-speed data and competitive access business.
The Company and Shaw FiberLink also entered into an indefeasible right to
use agreement which grants the Company an indefeasible right to use certain
specifically identified existing fibers in the fiber-optic cable networks of
Shaw Communications for 60 years. Certain of the existing fibers located in
New Brunswick, Canada under the indefeasible right to use agreement will be
available for use in 2003. In addition, the Company will receive an
indefeasible right to use fibers to be built over the next three years in
mutually agreed regions. As at September 30, 2000, the carrying value of
newly constructed fibers obtained for use by the Company amounts to $27
million.
98
99
(B) VIDEON FIBERLINK
On April 27, 2000, the Company purchased from Moffat Communications Limited
("Moffat Communications") all the property and assets used as a competitive
access provider in its Videon FiberLink business. The Company and Moffat
Communications also entered into an indefeasible right to use agreement
which granted the Company an indefeasible right to use certain specifically
identified existing fibers in the fiber-optic cable networks of Moffat
Communications for 30 years. In addition, the Company will receive an
infeasible right to use fibers to be built over the next three years in
mutually agreed upon regions.
(C) CABLE ATLANTIC
On July 21, 2000, the Company purchased from Cable Atlantic Inc. ("Cable
Atlantic") all the property and assets used in connection with the
fiber-optic telecom business. The Company also entered into an indefeasible
right to use agreement which granted the Company an indefeasible right to
use certain specifically identified existing fibers in the fiber-optic cable
networks of Cable Atlantic for 30 years.
The following unaudited pro forma data summarizes the results of operations
for the years indicated as if the Shaw FiberLink acquisition had been
completed as of the beginning of the years presented. The pro forma data
give effect to actual operating results prior to the acquisition, adjusted
to give effect to interest expense on long-term debt of $360 million and
amortization of the assets acquired. These pro forma amounts do not purport
to be indicative of the results that would have actually been obtained if
the acquisition occurred as of the beginning of the years presented or that
may be obtained in the future.
YEAR ENDED
SEPTEMBER 30,
2000 1999
--------- --------
$ $
(UNAUDITED)
Revenue................................................................................. 91,296 43,176
Income (loss) before amortization, interest and finance items and
income tax........................................................................... (74,304) 2,863
Net loss................................................................................ (160,930) (53,195)
Loss per share.......................................................................... (1.82) (2.98)
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding
(in thousands)........................................................................ 88,639 17,859
Pro forma results including the other acquisitions completed by the Company
during the year ended September 30, 2000 have not been provided as the
results of operations are not considered significant and the information is
not readily available.
4 ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE
2000 1999
------ ------
$ $
Trade receivables......................................................................... 34,759 1,191
Sales tax receivable...................................................................... 12,568 2,140
Employee receivables...................................................................... 3,105 487
Other..................................................................................... 4,026 -
Allowance for doubtful accounts........................................................... (4,506) (35)
------ ------
49,952 3,783
====== ======
99
100
5 PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
SEPTEMBER 30, 2000
ACCUMULATED
COST AMORTIZATION NET
-------- ------ -------
$ $ $
Land.................................................................... 550 - 550
Buildings............................................................... 3,950 139 3,811
Furniture and fixtures.................................................. 4,694 664 4,030
Computer equipment and software......................................... 40,786 3,094 37,692
Telecommunication networks.............................................. 927,734 27,059 900,675
Leasehold improvements.................................................. 8,702 543 8,159
-------- ------ -------
986,416 31,499 954,917
======== ====== =======
SEPTEMBER 30, 1999
ACCUMULATED
COST AMORTIZATION NET
-------- ------ -------
$ $ $
Land.................................................................... 490 - 490
Buildings............................................................... 887 87 800
Furniture and fixtures.................................................. 877 56 821
Computer equipment and software......................................... 4,551 361 4,190
Telecommunication networks.............................................. 67,638 476 67,162
Leasehold improvements.................................................. 452 98 354
-------- ------ -------
74,895 1,078 73,817
======== ====== =======
Included in telecommunication networks as at September 30, 2000 are costs of
$87 million (1999 - $40 million) relating to assets not yet available for
use on which no amortization has been charged.
Included in telecommunication networks are assets under capital lease with a
cost of $447 million (1999 - $nil) and accumulated amortization of $13
million.
Furniture and fixtures, and computer equipment and software, as at September
30, 2000 include capital lease asset costs of $4 million and $1 million
(1999 - $0.3 million and $0.9 million) respectively, and related accumulated
amortization of $nil. (1999 - $nil).
For the year ended September 30, 2000, interest and finance charges of $3
million were capitalized on projects under construction (1999 - $2 million).
6 LONG-TERM INVESTMENT
On April 12, 2000, the company purchased a less than 1% equity interest in
360networks, inc. for $43 million in cash. The market value of the
investment at September 30, 2000 is $77 million.
100
101
7 GOODWILL AND OTHER ASSETS
SEPTEMBER 30,
2000 1999
-------- ------
$ $
Goodwill net of accumulated amortization of $4,319 (1999 - $nil)......................... 131,464 -
Non-compete agreements and license rights net of accumulated
amortization of $4,098 (1999 - $nil)................................................... 26,172 -
Deferred charges net of accumulated amortization of $527 (1999 - $32).................... 19,122 605
Deferred financing charges net of accumulated amortization of $2,684 (1999 - $38)........ 48,609 457
Deferred foreign exchange loss net of accumulated
amortization of $179 (1999 - $1)....................................................... 1,666 12
Deposits................................................................................. - 218
-------- ------
227,033 1,292
======== ======
8 ACCOUNTS PAYABLE AND ACCRUED LIABILITIES
SEPTEMBER 30,
2000 1999
-------- ------
$ $
Trade accounts payable................................................................ 53,404 2,017
Accounts payable and accruals for purchases of property, plant and equipment.......... 32,498 9,355
Accrued vacation and bonuses.......................................................... 10,795 1,139
Capital tax, large corporations tax and sales taxes payable........................... 6,786 622
Other accrued liabilities............................................................. 7,912 1,383
Accrual for inventory purchases....................................................... - 410
-------- ------
111,395 14,926
======== ======
9 UNEARNED REVENUE
Unearned revenue represents amounts related to an operating lease
arrangement entered into in April 1999, whereby the Company is the lessor of
24 strands of dark fiber including rights of way. The Company received an
up-front fee for installation costs related to placement of fiber-optic
cable, building entrances and fiber-optic cable connections to the lessee's
existing cable facilities which is presented as unearned revenue and being
recognized as income over the initial term of the lease. Under this
contract, the Company also receives annual payments for lease and rights of
way which are being recognized as income in equal annual amounts. The lease
period ends in April, 2009; however the lessee has the option to extend the
lease for an additional ten years. Minimum lease payments receivable for the
next five years and thereafter are as follows:
$
---
Year ending September 30,
2001........................................................................................... 500
2002........................................................................................... 500
2003........................................................................................... 500
2004........................................................................................... 250
2005........................................................................................... 250
Thereafter..................................................................................... 750
10 LONG TERM DEBT
SEPTEMBER 30,
2000 1999
-------- ------
$ $
Senior discount notes (a)................................................................ 662,661 -
Vendor financing (b)..................................................................... 153,565 40,398
Vendor financing (c)..................................................................... 31,859 6,481
Senior bank facility (d)................................................................. 100,144 -
Capital leases payable (f)............................................................... 4,292 1,155
Note payable (e)......................................................................... 755 776
-------- ------
953,276 48,810
Less: Current portion.................................................................... 4,348 1,253
-------- ------
948,928 47,557
======== ======
101
102
Repayments of long-term debt in each of the next five years are as follows:
SENIOR SENIOR CAPITAL LEASES
DISCOUNT VENDOR BANK AND NOTES
NOTES FINANCING FACILITY PAYABLE
-------- --------- -------- --------------
$ $ $ $
Year ending September 30,
2001...................................................... - 1,615 - 2,463
2002...................................................... - 1,479 - 1,676
2003...................................................... - 8,783 4,907 1,155
2004...................................................... - 10,703 10,014 339
2005...................................................... - 13,727 10,014 -
Thereafter................................................ 662,661 149,117 75,209 -
------- ------- ------- -----
662,661 185,424 100,144 5,633
Less: Amounts representing interest....................... - - - (586)
------- ------- ------- -----
662,661 185,424 100,144 5,047
======= ======= ======= =====
SENIOR DISCOUNT NOTES
(a) Pursuant to an indenture dated February 1, 2000, the Company issued
855,000 units, consisting of U.S.$855 million (issued at a price of
52.651% of the stated amount) of 13.25% senior discount notes due 2010
and 855,000 warrants to purchase 4,198,563 Class B non-voting shares.
Gross proceeds amounted to U.S.$450 million, equivalent to approximately
CDN$651 million. Expenses related to the offering amounted to
approximately $20 million. Of the total proceeds, $592 million was
allocated to the senior discount notes and $59 million was allocated to
the share purchase warrants (note 11(f)).
The senior discount notes accrue interest at 13.25% on the face value of the
notes until February 1, 2005. The interest accrued to February 1, 2005 is
payable at maturity together with the face value of the notes. After
February 1, 2005, interest is payable semi-annually in cash in arrears
February 1 and August 1 of each year, at an annual rate of 13.25%. The
effective interest rate on the senior discount notes is 14.9%.
On or after February 1, 2003, the Company can elect to commence the payment
of interest in cash semi-annually on February 1 and August 1 of each year,
thereby reducing the stated amount of the note.
The Company has an early redemption option at any time after February 1,
2005 for all or part of the senior discount notes. The redemption prices for
the notes for each year ending February 1, are as follows: 106.625% in 2005,
104.417% in 2006, 102.208% in 2007 and 100% thereafter, plus unpaid
interest. In addition, prior to February 1, 2005, the company may redeem up
to 35% of the notes at a redemption price of 113.25% of the outstanding
amounts of the notes at the time of redemption.
The notes are unsecured obligations of the Company and the indenture
contains certain restrictive covenants including limitation on indebtedness,
restriction on the payment of dividends and other payments, limitations on
liens, asset dispositions, change of control and limitation on transactions
with subsidiaries.
To reduce the exposure to U.S. dollar exchange rate fluctuations, the
Company has entered into cross currency swaps as described in note 13.
102
103
VENDOR FINANCING
(b) On May 28, 1999, the Company entered into a credit facility to finance
the Company's purchase of telecommunication equipment and services to a
value of U.S.$40 million.
On February 3, 2000, the Company entered into a U.S.$315 million facility
with this vendor to finance the purchase and installation of
telecommunication equipment and services. The initial borrowings under this
vendor facility were used to repay amounts outstanding under the existing
credit facility with this vendor.
The balance of vendor financing at September 30, 2000 of $154 million is
comprised of amounts payable to the vendor of $17 million, and additional
amounts drawn on the vendor credit facility of $137 million (denominated as
U.S.$91 million).
The vendor facility matures on June 30, 2008 with quarterly principal
repayments at the rate of 1.25% of the amount outstanding, starting on March
31, 2003 until December 31, 2007. In March and June of 2008, the principal
is repayable in two installments of 37.5% of the outstanding amount.
Availability under the credit facility is by way of multiple draw-downs. At
the option of the Company, draw-downs under the credit facility bear
interest at either LIBOR plus an applicable margin or U.S. Prime Rate plus
an applicable margin. Depending on the ratio of consolidated total debt to
annualized earnings before interest, taxes and amortization, the margin
added to the LIBOR is between 3.0% and 4.5% and the margin added to the U.S.
Prime Rate is between 2.0% and 3.5%. The effective interest rate on
outstanding amounts during the year ended September 30, 2000 was 11.5% (1999
- 10.2%).
In addition, a commitment fee varying between 0.75% and 1.50% depending on
the level of utilization of the vendor facility is payable on the undrawn
portion.
The credit facility agreement contains certain covenants that restrict the
ability of the Company and its subsidiaries to incur additional indebtedness
and issue certain preferred stock, pay dividends or make other
distributions, engage in sale and leaseback transactions, create certain
liens, enter into certain transactions with affiliates, sell assets of the
Company or its subsidiaries, issue or sell equity interests of the Company's
subsidiaries or enter into certain mergers and consolidations.
(c) On July 27, 1999 the Company entered into an agreement for a U.S.$15
million credit facility with a vendor.
On September 29, 2000, the Company entered into a new vendor credit facility
for $120 million to replace the U.S.$15 million vendor facility and finance
the purchase and installation of telecommunication equipment and services
provided by this vendor. The vendor credit facility matures September 29,
2007 with annual principal repayment at a rate of 4.89% of the outstanding
amount on September 30, 2003, 10% on September 30, 2004 and September 30,
2005, 20% on September 20, 2006, and 55.11% on September 30, 2007.
Availability under the vendor credit facility is by way of multiple
draw-downs.
103
104
The balance of vendor financing at September 30, 2000 of $32 million is
comprised of amounts payable to the vendor of $16 million, and additional
amounts drawn on the credit facility of $16 million (denominated as U.S.$10
million).
At the option of the Company, the credit facility bears interest at either
the Prime Rate (published rate of a Schedule I Canadian Bank) or the quoted
banker acceptances rate ("BA rate") plus an applicable margin. The
applicable margin on Prime Rate loans ranges from 2.00% to 3.25% and the
margin applicable to BA Rate loans ranges from 3.00% to 4.25%, depending
upon the Company's consolidated ratio of total debt to annualized earnings
before interest, taxes and amortization. The effective interest rate on
outstanding amounts during the year ended September 30, 2000 and 1999 was
12.0%.
In addition, a commitment fee of 0.5% per annum is payable on the undrawn
portion of the credit facility.
The credit facility agreement contains certain covenants that restrict the
ability of the Company and its subsidiaries to incur additional indebtedness
and issue certain preferred stock, pay dividends or make other
distributions, engage in sale and leaseback transactions, create certain
liens, enter into certain transactions with affiliates, sell assets of the
Company or its subsidiaries, issue or sell equity interests of the Company's
subsidiaries or enter into certain mergers and consolidations.
SENIOR BANK FACILITY
(d) On February 3, 2000, the Company entered into a credit agreement for a
senior bank facility for an amount of $220 million to finance part of
the acquisition of the business of Shaw FiberLink (note 3(a)). The bank
facility is comprised of a $120 million seven year revolving reducing
term loan and a $100 million reducing term loan.
The $120 million revolving term loan reduces, starting February 3, 2003 to
$108 million and reduces on every anniversary thereafter to $90 million in
2004, $72 million in 2005, $48 million in 2006 and nil in 2007. The $100
million reducing term loan is amortized annually by 4.9% on February 3,
2003, 10% on February 3, 2004 and 2005, 20% on February 3, 2006 and 55.1% on
February 3, 2006.
At the option of the Company, the bank facility may be used as LIBOR loans
denominated in U.S. dollars, bankers acceptances in Canadian dollars, U.S.
Base rate loans in U.S. dollars and standby letters of credit in Canadian or
U.S. dollars. The margins added to the applicable interest rates may vary
from 2.0% to 4.5%, depending upon the Company's consolidated ratio of total
debt to annualized earnings before interest, taxes and amortization. The
effective interest rate on outstanding amounts during the year ended
September 30, 2000 was 11.9%.
The credit facility agreement contains certain covenants that restrict the
ability of the Company and its subsidiaries to incur additional indebtedness
and issue certain preferred stock, pay dividends or make other
distributions, engage in sale and leaseback transactions, create certain
liens, enter into certain transactions with affiliates, sell assets of the
Company or its subsidiaries, issue or sell equity interests of the Company's
subsidiaries or enter into certain mergers and consolidations.
104
105
COLLATERAL AGENCY AND INTERCREDITOR AGREEMENT
The Company has granted the lenders under the vendor credit facilities, the
senior bank credit facility and cross currency swaps (note 13) general
security agreements providing the lenders a first priority lien on all the
present and future property and assets of a subsidiary of the Company. The
parties to the various credit agreements have entered into an amended and
restated Collateral Agency and Intercreditor Agreement, which among other
things, sets out the agreement between the lenders for the priority and
security of the obligations of the Company's subsidiaries to the lenders,
and rights enforcement and allocation of proceeds.
NOTES PAYABLE
(e) In 1998, the Company purchased land and a building for $900 thousand,
which was financed substantially by a note payable to a vendor. The note
bears interest at 10.5% per annum and is payable in monthly installments
of principal and interest of $8 thousand per month, a lump sum payment
against principal of $100 thousand on February 15, 1999, and the
remaining balance on February 15, 2001. The land and building acquired
have been pledged as collateral.
CAPITAL LEASES PAYABLE
(f) Capital leases are payable in equal monthly instalments of $37 thousand
including principal and interest at rates varying between 6% and 10%.
The leases are collateralized by the underlying assets and expire in
2002.
11 SHARE CAPITAL
Authorized
Common
Unlimited number of Class A voting shares without nominal or par
value, each Class A share has one vote; unlimited number of
convertible Class B non-voting shares without nominal or par
value. Other than with respect to voting rights and limited
conversion rights, the two classes of common shares have
identical rights. Each Class B non-voting share may, under
certain limited circumstances at the option of the holder, be
converted into one Class A voting share. The holders of Class A
and B shares are entitled to receive dividends as determined by
the Board of Directors, subject to the rights of the holders of
the preferred shares. The holders of Class A voting and Class B
non-voting shares are also entitled to participate equally in the
event of liquidation of the company, subject to the rights of the
holders of the preferred shares.
Preferred
Unlimited number of non-voting first and second preference shares
without nominal or par value. The first and second preference
shares may be issued in one or more series. Each share is
convertible at the option of the holder into either Class A
voting shares or Class B non-voting shares depending on foreign
ownership restrictions then
105
106
in place and automatically upon an initial public offering of
such shares, initially on a one-to-one basis to May 7, 2000, with
a compound increase of 10%, subject to adjustment. The Board of
Directors of the company may fix the number of shares in each
series and designate rights, privileges, restriction, conditions
and other provisions. The first and second preference shares
shall be entitled to preference over any other shares of the
company with respect to the payment of dividends and in the event
of liquidation of the company.
On May 7, 1999 and February 14, 2000, Series A and Series B first preference
shares were created, respectively. In addition to the rights and privileges
of the first preference shares described above, the Series A and Series B
first preference shares have a liquidation value equal to the price paid for
the share plus a compound annual rate of return of 10% and have
anti-dilutive provisions protecting their conversion into Class A voting
shares or Class B non-voting shares. At September 30, 2000, there were
50,000,000 authorized Series A and 100,000,000 authorized Series B first
preference shares (1999: Series A - 50,000,000 and Series B - nil).
ISSUED
NUMBER OF NUMBER OF
NUMBER OF NUMBER OF SERIES A SERIES B
CLASS A CLASS B FIRST FIRST
VOTING NON-VOTING PREFERENCE PREFERENCE
SHARES SHARES SHARES SHARES AMOUNT
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- -------
$
Balance as at September 30, 1997.................... 7,095,132 - - - 836
Class A voting shares issued for
Cash............................................ 4,880,629 - - - 6,083
Upon exercise of options (e).................... 822,167 - - - 332
Upon exercise of warrants (e)................... 7,900 - - - 4
Upon conversion of debentures (d)............... 2,482,592 - - - 1,886
Share issuance costs............................ - - - - (495)
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- -------
Balance as at September 30, 1998.................... 15,288,420 - - - 8,646
Class A voting shares issued for
Cash............................................ 2,004,322 - - - 3,480
Upon exercise of options (e).................... 630,000 - - - 70
Upon conversion of debentures (d)............... 338,407 - - - 423
Share issuance costs............................ - - - - (46)
Class B non-voting shares issued for
Cash............................................ - 721,101 - - 901
Upon conversion of debentures (d)............... - 3,427,468 - - 4,284
Share issuance costs............................ - - - - (159)
Series A first preference shares issued for
Cash............................................ - - 27,666,667 - 41,500
Upon exercise of options (e).................... - - 13,833,335 - 25,938
Share issuance costs............................ - - - - (157)
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- -------
Balance as at September 30, 1999.................... 18,261,149 4,148,569 41,500,002 - 84,880
Class A voting shares issued for
Cash............................................ 35,000 - - - 280
Purchase of businesses (note 3)................. 336,666 - - - 1,010
Upon exercise of options (e).................... 313,327 - - - 336
Class B non-voting shares issued for
Cash (b)........................................ - 20,700,000 - - 422,280
Upon exercise of options (e).................... - 1,850,000 - - 3,875
Purchase of businesses (note 3)................. - 3,407,196 - 29,096,097 474,801
Share issuance costs............................ - - - - (30,634)
Series A first preference shares issued
for acquisition of rights of way (h)............ - - 1,000,000 - 1,875
Conversions (c)................................... 60,596,097 11,000,002 (42,500,002) (29,096,097) -
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- -------
Balance as at September 30, 2000.................... 79,542,239 41,105,767 - - 958,703
========== ========== ========== ========== =======
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107
(A) REDESIGNATION OF COMMON SHARES
In September 1998, the Company redesignated all authorized common shares,
both issued and unissued, as Class A voting shares and increased authorized
capital by creating an unlimited number of shares designated as Class B
non-voting shares. This change in classification for issued shares has been
presented retroactively in these financial statements.
(B) INITIAL PUBLIC OFFERING
Pursuant to an initial public offering on March 15, 2000, the Company issued
18,000,000 Class B non-voting shares for aggregate cash proceeds of
U.S.$232.9 million, net of U.S.$19.1 million in underwriting commissions and
expenses of the offering. In addition, the underwriters exercised their
option to purchase an additional 2,700,000 Class B non-voting shares for net
proceeds of U.S.$35.2 million to the Company. Aggregate net proceeds of the
Initial Public Offering amounted to $391.7 million.
(C) CONVERSION OF SHARES
On completion of the Company's initial public offering on March 15, 2000,
42,500,002 Series A and 29,096,097 Series B first preference shares were
automatically converted into 60,596,097 Class A voting shares and 11,000,002
Class B non-voting shares on a one-for-one basis.
(D) CONVERTIBLE DEBENTURES
On December 15, 1998 and March 5, 1999, the Company issued 12% convertible
debentures totalling $4,536,000 due March 31, 2000. The debentures plus
accrued interest could be converted by the Company into fully-paid Series A
first preference shares at a conversion price of $1.25 per preference share
before July 1, 1999 ("Mandatory Conversion Period"). If the Company did not
exercise its right to convert the debentures into Series A first preference
shares, each holder of debentures had the option to convert the debentures
into fully paid Class A voting shares or Class B non-voting shares at a
conversion price of $1.25 per share, in compliance with CRTC foreign
ownership restrictions in effect at the time of conversion.
On April 30, 1999, the Company waived the condition that the debentures be
converted to Series A first preference shares, and all debentures including
accrued interest were converted into 338,407 Class A voting shares and
3,427,468 Class B non-voting shares.
(E) PREFERENCE SHARE PURCHASE OPTIONS
On May 7, 1999, the Company issued 27,666,667 units to a group of
institutional shareholders at $1.50 per unit. Each unit consisted of one
Series A first preference share and an option to purchase half of one Series
A first preference share at a share price of $1.875 until August 10, 1999
and at $2.25 until November 10, 1999. At September 30, 1999, all the options
had been exercised, resulting in the issuance of 13,833,335 Series A first
preference shares.
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108
(F) COMMON SHARE OPTIONS AND WARRANTS
OPTIONS
The Board of Directors has established a stock option plan under which
options to purchase Class A voting shares and Class B non-voting shares are
granted to directors, officers and employees of the Company. Options are
granted at exercise prices estimated to be at least equal to the fair value
of the shares, vest over a three-year period and generally expire five years
from the date of grant.
At September 30, 2000, there were 5,594,635 (1999 - 2,161,842) options to
purchase Class A voting shares and 1,770,600 (1999 - 2,300,000) options to
purchase Class B non-voting shares outstanding. These options expire between
April 2001 and September 2005.
Option activity for the year is as follows:
2000 1999
-------------------------- -------------------------
WEIGHTED WEIGHTED
AVERAGE AVERAGE
NUMBER OF EXERCISE NUMBER OF EXERCISE
SHARES PRICE SHARES PRICE
---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
$ $
Outstanding - Beginning of year .... 4,461,842 1.64 1,854,978 0.69
Class A voting shares
Granted .......................... 4,076,700 9.09 1,658,228 1.34
Exercised ........................ (313,327) 1.07 (630,000) 0.11
Class B non-voting shares
Granted .......................... 1,320,600 5.20 2,300,000 2.04
Exercised ........................ (1,850,000) 2.10 -- --
Expired ............................ -- -- (682,003) 0.50
Cancelled .......................... (330,580) 7.76 (39,361) 1.25
---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Outstanding - End of year .......... 7,365,235 6.36 4,461,842 1.64
========== ========== ========== ==========
Exercisable - End of year
Class A voting shares .............. 2,289,626 3.47 1,726,564 1.19
Class B non-voting shares .......... 715,525 2.83 1,883,333 2.16
---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Total .............................. 3,005,151 3.32 3,609,897 1.69
========== ========== ========== ==========
A summary of stock options outstanding at September 30, 2000 is set out
below:
OUTSTANDING STOCK OPTIONS
------------------------------------------------ EXERCISABLE STOCK OPTIONS
-----------------------------
WEIGHTED
AVERAGE WEIGHTED WEIGHTED
REMAINING AVERAGE AVERAGE
CONTRACTUAL EXERCISE EXERCISE
EXERCISE PRICE NUMBER LIFE PRICE NUMBER PRICE
---------------- --------- ----------- ----------- --------- ---------
$ $ $
0.50 - 1.875 ....... 2,437,513 3.01 years 1.42 1,908,634 1.40
3.00 ............... 2,025,932 3.97 years 3.00 599,463 3.00
8.00 ............... 1,890,289 4.38 years 8.00 380,097 8.00
20.40 - 20.86 ...... 666,801 4.63 years 20.52 94,241 20.48
24.08 .............. 300,700 4.79 years 24.08 20,882 24.08
26.21 .............. 44,000 4.88 years 26.21 1,834 26.21
--------- ---------- --------- --------- ---------
7,365,235 3.86 years 6.36 3,005,151 3.32
========= ========== ========= ========= =========
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109
A summary of stock options outstanding at September 30, 1999 is set out
below:
OUTSTANDING STOCK OPTIONS
------------------------------------------------
EXERCISABLE STOCK OPTIONS
WEIGHTED ----------------------------
AVERAGE WEIGHTED WEIGHTED
REMAINING AVERAGE AVERAGE
CONTRACTUAL EXERCISE EXERCISE
EXERCISE PRICE NUMBER LIFE PRICE NUMBER PRICE
-------------- --------- ------------ --------- --------- ---------
$ $ $
0.50 ....... 277,224 1.29 years 0.50 277,224 0.50
1.00 ....... 37,500 1.08 years 1.00 37,500 1.00
1.25 ....... 1,239,118 3.76 years 1.25 972,062 1.25
1.50 ....... 1,108,000 4.60 years 1.50 523,111 1.50
1.875 ...... 1,300,000 4.59 years 1.875 1,300,000 1.875
3.00 ....... 500,000 4.92 years 3.00 500,000 3.00
--------- ---------- --------- --------- ---------
4,461,842 4.17 years 1.64 3,609,897 1.69
========= ========== ========= ========= =========
WARRANTS
Warrant activity for each of the years is as follows:
2000 1999
-------------------------- ---------------------------
WEIGHTED WEIGHTED
AVERAGE AVERAGE
NUMBER EXERCISE NUMBER EXERCISE
OF SHARES PRICE OF SHARES PRICE
--------- -------- --------- --------
$ $
Outstanding - Beginning of year .... 100,000 0.50 415,000 0.50
Class A voting shares
Expired .......................... -- -- (313,311) 0.50
Cancelled ........................ -- -- (1,689) 0.50
Class B non-voting shares
Issued ........................... 855,000 -- -- --
-------- -------- -------- --------
Outstanding - End of year .......... 955,000 0.05 100,000 0.50
======== ======== ======== ========
The warrants for Class A voting shares vested on the date of grant and
expire on November 30, 2000.
The warrants for Class B non-voting shares were issued at a value of $59
million pursuant to an indenture dated February 1, 2000 (note 10(a)). The
warrants entitle the holders to purchase 4,198,563 Class B non-voting shares in
the aggregate through to February 1, 2010 for nil consideration. The warrants
are exercisable upon a registration statement, relating to the resale of
warrants and the Class B non-voting shares issuable upon exercise of the
warrants, becoming effective providing that the Class B non-voting shares
continue to be listed on a stock exchange.
(G) LOANS TO OFFICERS
Pursuant to employment contracts, certain officers have been provided
option-exercise loans which bear interest at the effective applicable
federal interest rate of the Internal Revenue Code and are due the earlier
of: (i) five years from the date of purchase ranging from September 1, 2004
to January 4, 2005, (ii) cessation of employment or (iii) upon the sale of
the shares purchased. The option exercise loans are secured by a first
charge against the shares purchased. These loans amount to $4 million at
September 30, 2000 (1999 - $nil).
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110
(H) SHARES TO BE ISSUED
At September 30, 1999, 1,000,000 Series A first preference shares at $1.875
per share remained to be issued in connection with the acquisition of rights
of way in August 1999. These Series A first preference shares were issued in
December 1999.
12 INCOME TAXES
The tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to future income tax
assets and liabilities are as follows:
SEPTEMBER 30,
---------------------------
2000 1999
------- -------
$ $
Future income tax assets
Accounts receivable .................... 1,876 --
Property, plant and equipment .......... -- 27
Deferred charges ....................... -- 63
Long-term debt ......................... 6,149 --
Debt and share issue costs ............. 8,381 257
Operating loss carry forwards .......... 57,403 5,709
------- -------
73,809 6,056
Valuation allowance ...................... (44,219) (6,056)
------- -------
29,590
Future income tax liabilities
Property, plant and equipment .......... (27,465) --
Deferred charges and other assets ...... (2,125) --
------- -------
(29,590) 6,056
======= =======
-- --
======= =======
Management has recorded a valuation allowance for the net amount of future
income tax assets.
The Company has non-capital losses available to reduce taxable income in
future years. These losses expire as follows:
$
-------
Year ending September 30,
2002.............................. 11
2003.............................. 315
2004.............................. 522
2005.............................. 4,523
2006.............................. 7,764
2007.............................. 112,749
-------
125,884
=======
The income tax provision for the year differs from the amount obtained by
applying the statutory Canadian federal and provincial income tax rates to
loss before income taxes for years ended as follows:
2000 1999 1998
------- ------- -------
$ $ $
Statutory Canadian federal and provincial income tax rates .... 45.6% 45.6% 45.6%
------- ------- -------
Income tax recovery based on the statutory rates .............. (80,463) (4,470) (1,112)
Differences from statutory rates relating to
Change in valuation allowance ............................... 38,163 4,470 1,112
Large corporations tax ...................................... 3,833 165 --
------- ------- -------
(38,467) 165 --
======= ======= =======
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13 FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS AND RISK MANAGEMENT
FAIR VALUES OF FINANCIAL ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
The fair values of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, and
accounts payable and accrued liabilities approximate their carrying values
due to the short-term nature of these instruments. At September 30, 2000,
and 1999, using discounted cash flow analysis, the carrying value of
long-term debt approximates its fair value, except for the senior discount
notes. The fair value of the senior discount notes is $649 million based on
its trading price at September 30, 2000.
CREDIT RISK
Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to a
concentration of credit risk consist of cash and cash equivalents, and
accounts receivable. The Company's cash and cash equivalents are deposited
with highly rated financial institutions. The Company's accounts receivable
are derived from revenue earned from customers located in Canada. The
Company performs ongoing credit evaluations on its customers' financial
condition and, generally, requires no collateral from its customers. The
Company maintains an allowance for doubtful accounts receivable based upon
expected collectibility of accounts receivable.
For the year ended September 30, 2000, one customer of the Company accounted
for approximately 15% of revenue (note 16) and for the year ended September
30, 1999, three customers of the Company accounted for approximately 48% of
revenue (one customer accounted for 26%, a second customer accounted for 12%
and a third customer accounted for 10%). For the year ended September 30,
1998, two customers of the Company accounted for approximately 55% of the
Company's revenue (one customer accounted for 37% and a second customer
accounted for 18%).
INTEREST RATE AND FOREIGN CURRENCY RISK
The Company is exposed to foreign currency fluctuations on its U.S. dollar
denominated trade payables and long-term debt to the extent that these
liabilities exceed the U.S. dollar cash and cash equivalents. The following
table summarizes the Company's exposure to interest rate foreign currency
risk:
111
112
FIXED RATE
FLOATING WITHIN FIXED RATE FIXED RATE NON-INTEREST
RATE ONE YEAR 1-5 YEARS 6-10 YEARS BEARING
-------- ---------- ---------- ---------- --------------
$ $ $ $ $
September 30, 2000
Financial assets
Cash and cash equivalents
Canadian dollars ......... 123,203 -- -- -- --
U.S. dollars
(U.S.$213,329) ........ 320,847 -- -- -- --
Accounts receivable ........ -- -- -- -- 49,952
Loans to officers .......... -- -- 3,868 -- --
Financial liabilities
Accounts payable and
accrued liabilities
Canadian dollars ......... -- -- -- -- 90,218
U.S. dollars
(U.S.$14,431) ......... -- -- -- -- 21,177
Long-term debt
Canadian dollars ......... 120,682 755 4,292 -- --
U.S. dollars
(U.S.$562,338) ........ 164,886 -- -- 662,661 --
September 30, 1999
Financial assets
Cash and cash equivalents
Canadian dollars ......... 39,794 -- -- -- --
U.S. dollars
(U.S.$13,657) ......... 20,057 -- -- -- --
Accounts receivable ........ -- -- -- -- 3,783
Financial liabilities
Accounts payable and
accrued liabilities
Canadian dollars ......... -- -- -- -- 9,554
U.S. dollars
(U.S.$3,660) .......... -- -- -- -- 5,372
Long-term debt
Canadian dollars ......... -- 327 1,603 -- --
U.S. dollars
(U.S.$31,815) ......... 40,398 926 5,556 -- --
CROSS CURRENCY SWAP
On February 15 and August 14, 2000, the Company entered into cross currency
swaps with several financial institutions to convert approximately 69%
(representing a notional amount of U.S. $590 million) of the future U.S.
dollar payments on the senior discount notes to Canadian dollars at a fixed
average exchange rate of approximately $1.4450. The payments represent the
semi-annual interest payments from August 1, 2005 to August 1, 2009 and the
principal repayment on February 1, 2010. As a result of the cross currency
swap, the average fixed interest rate on the portion of the senior discount
notes decreased from 13.25% to approximately 12.96%. The Company and the
financial institutions each have the right to terminate the swap on February
1, 2005. As at September 30, 2000, the fair value of these swap agreements
is not significant. The Company has granted the financial institutions a
general security as part of the Collateral Agency and Intercreditor
Agreement as described in Note 10(d).
From the date the swap agreements were entered, the portion of the senior
discount notes to which the exchange rate has been fixed by the swap has
been converted to Canadian dollars using the swap forward rate.
112
113
14 COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
CAPITAL EXPENDITURES
(A) AGREEMENT WITH 360NETWORKS
On May 24, 2000, the Company completed a multiple element agreement with
360networks, inc. Pursuant to this transaction, the Company:
i) Purchased certain dark fibers to be constructed along Canadian route
paths for $137 million. Of this amount, $32 million was paid in the year
ended September 30, 2000 which is included in property, plant and
equipment. The balance will be paid over the next three years when the
fiber becomes available to the Company; and
ii) Purchased an indefeasible right to use certain dark fibers to be
constructed along United States route paths for $140 million. In
addition, the Company acquired exclusive rights to fiber-optic
wavelengths along a diverse route in Canada and the United States under
long-term lease arrangements and the option to purchase additional
wavelengths on similar terms. Assets and obligations under these
arrangements, which will be accounted for as capital leases over 20
years commencing in 2001 when the fiber becomes available to the
Company, amount to approximately $85 million. In October 2000, the
Company accepted approximately 28% of the fiber-optic wavelengths under
the long-term capacity lease arrangement.
(B) VENDOR FINANCING AGREEMENT
The Company has entered into a vendor financing agreement (note 10(b)) to
purchase and license certain engineering and construction services together
with digital switches and related network software and equipment from a
supplier. The minimum future purchase commitment is U.S.$213 million over
the next twenty months.
LETTER OF CREDIT
As of September 30, 2000, the Company has letters of credit in favour of
network equipment suppliers in the amount of $0.5 million.
OPERATING LEASES
The Company has entered into operating leases for its premises, certain
equipment and for rights of way. Minimum lease payments for the next five
years and thereafter are as follows:
$
--------
Year ending September 30,
2001..................................... 8,410
2002..................................... 8,422
2003..................................... 8,442
2004..................................... 8,412
2005..................................... 8,345
Thereafter............................... 50,740
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114
The rent expense under operating leases for the following years was as
follows:
2000 1999 1998
------ ------ ------
$ $ $
Operating lease expense..................... 5,733 197 165
15 ADDITIONAL CASH FLOW DISCLOSURES
YEAR ENDED
SEPTEMBER 30,
-------------------------
2000 1999 1998
------- ------- -------
$ $ $
Interest paid.................. 7,862 95 53
Income taxes paid.............. 819 -- --
NON-CASH TRANSACTIONS
Purchases of property, plant and equipment of $159 million for the year
ended September 30, 2000 (1999 - $55 million) and purchases of other assets
of $6 million at September 30, 2000 (1999 - $nil) were financed through
long-term debt, notes payable and through accounts payable and accrued
liabilities. In addition, the Company issued $476 million in Class A voting
and Class B non-voting shares in respect of businesses acquired during the
year ended September 30, 2000 (note 3). Accordingly, these transactions are
not reflected in the Statement of Cash Flows.
16 RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
During the year ended September 30, 2000, the Company earned $11 million
(1999 - $nil) of revenues and incurred $2 million (1999 - $nil) of
administrative expenses in respect of transitional processing fees on the
Shaw FiberLink operations from a minority shareholder. The Company has also
engaged this related company to process certain cash disbursements on its
behalf. Included in accounts receivable is $11 million (1999 - $nil)
receivable from this customer, $4 million of which relates to balances
acquired upon the Company's acquisition of Shaw FiberLink. Included in
accounts payable and accrued liabilities is $2 million (1999 - $nil) payable
as at September 30, 2000 to this related company. The above transactions
were entered into in the ordinary course of business and were recorded at
the exchange amount.
17 SUBSEQUENT EVENT
On October 16, 2000, the Company entered into a term sheet with C1
Communications Inc. ("C1"). Under the term sheet, the Company will purchase
from C1 all the property and assets used in its Atlantic Cable competitive
local exchange carrier business. The Company will also assume an
indefeasible right to use agreement which will grant the company an
indefeasible right to use certain specifically identified existing fibers in
the fiber-optic networks of C1 for 19 years.
The purchase consideration consists of rights to acquire 2,372,000 class B
non-voting shares of the Company and the assumption of C1's obligations
under the indefeasible right to use agreement, which amount to $22 million
on a present value basis. Acquisition costs are estimated to be $2 million.
114
115
18 PRIOR YEAR COMPARATIVE AMOUNTS
Certain prior years' comparative numbers have been reclassified to conform
to the current year's presentation.
19 RECONCILIATION TO ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLES GENERALLY ACCEPTED IN THE UNITED
STATES
The Company's consolidated financial statements have been prepared in
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") in Canada,
which, in the case of the Company, conform in all material respects with
GAAP in the United States of America ("U.S. GAAP") except as outlined below:
(A) NET LOSS AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
The following summary sets out the adjustments to the company's loss and
shareholders' equity which would be made to conform to U.S. GAAP:
2000 1999 1998
-------- ------- ------
$ $ $
Loss for the year in accordance with Canadian GAAP.......................... (137,986) (9,967) (2,439)
Impact of U.S. accounting principles
Amortization of purchase price adjustment (c)............................. (617) -- --
Deferred charges.......................................................... (15) (301) (87)
Stock based compensation (d).............................................. (11,430) (56) (1,056)
Deferred foreign exchange (e)............................................. (1,655) (12) --
Recovery of future income taxes (f)....................................... 11,055 -- --
-------- ------- ------
Net loss for the year in accordance with U.S. GAAP.......................... (140,648) (10,336) (3,582)
Unrealized gains on securities, net of tax of $10,366 (f)................... 23,926 -- --
-------- ------- ------
Comprehensive loss in accordance with U.S. GAAP............................. (116,722) (10,336) (3,582)
======== ======= ======
Net loss per share in accordance with U.S. GAAP............................. (1.86) (0.58) (0.38)
======== ======= ======
The reconciliation of the change in shareholders' equity from Canadian to
U.S. GAAP is as follows:
2000 1999
-------- --------
$ $
Shareholders' equity in accordance with Canadian GAAP at
September 30................................................... 862,798 73,928
Purchase price adjustment, net of amortization of $617
(1999 and 1998 - $nil) (c)..................................... 17,035 --
Deferred charges................................................. (417) (403)
Cumulative stock-based compensation expense (d).................. (11,651) (1,118)
Deferred stock based compensation expense (d).................... (34,266) (287)
Net change in stock options (d).................................. 45,917 1,405
Deferred foreign exchange (e).................................... (1,666) (12)
Recovery of future income taxes (f).............................. 11,055 --
Other comprehensive income (f)................................... 23,926 --
------- ------
Shareholders' equity in accordance with U.S. GAAP
at September 30................................................ 912,731 73,513
======= ======
(B) CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
The following table indicates the restated amounts for the items in the
consolidated balance sheets of the Company that would be affected had the
financial statements been prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP:
115
116
2000 1999
--------- -------
$ $
Property, plant and equipment (c)................... 957,957 73,817
Long-term investment (f)............................ 77,530 --
Goodwill and other assets (c)....................... 239,327 877
Share capital (c)................................... 1,032,079 85,480
Additional paid-in capital.......................... 337 337
Deferred stock-based compensation expense (d)....... (34,266) (287)
Stock options outstanding (d)....................... 45,917 723
Deficit............................................. (155,263) (14,615)
Other comprehensive income (f)...................... 23,926 --
(C) PURCHASE PRICE ADJUSTMENT
For U.S. GAAP, the Company has recorded the purchase price of the assets
acquired from Moffat Communications (note 3(b)), based on the fair value of
consideration agreed to on March 27, 2000, when the Company entered into an
asset purchase agreement. The purchase consideration consisted of $68
million cash and the rights to acquire 1,667,000 Class B non-voting shares
of the Company, which had an aggregate value of approximately $50 million at
March 27, 2000. For U.S. GAAP purposes, details of assets and liabilities
acquired at their fair value are as follows:
$
-------
ASSETS ACQUIRED
Indefeasible right to use agreement
Property, plant and equipment for constructed fibers.... 91,748
Prepayment for fibers to be constructed................. 7,600
Videon FiberLink acquisition
Property, plant and equipment........................... 7,397
Non-competition agreement............................... 2,360
Goodwill................................................ 12,594
Other current assets.................................... 784
-------
122,483
=======
LIABILITIES ASSUMED
Future income taxes....................................... 689
=======
For Canadian GAAP, the fair value of the shares to be issued as partial
consideration of the purchase price has been determined based on the average
stock price on April 27, 2000, the date the transaction closed.
(D) STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION
For U.S. GAAP, the Company has chosen to account for stock-based
compensation using the intrinsic value method prescribed in Accounting
Principles Board Opinion No. 25 "Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees".
This method recognizes compensation cost as the amount by which the fair
value of the stock exceeds the exercise price at the date of grant. The
compensation cost is recognized over the vesting period of the options. For
U.S. GAAP, the compensation cost not yet recognized is presented as deferred
stock-based compensation charge, with a corresponding amount included in
stock options outstanding, both of which form part of shareholders' equity.
For Canadian GAAP, stock-based compensation expense is not recorded in the
financial statements of the Company.
Had the Company determined compensation costs based on fair value at the
date of grant for its awards under a method prescribed by Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 123, "Accounting for Stock-Based
Compensation" the Company's loss and loss per share would be as follows:
116
117
2000 1999 1998
-------- ------- ------
$ $ $
Loss in accordance with U.S. GAAP........ (140,648) (10,336) (3,582)
Additional compensation expense.......... (2,106) (174) (18)
-------- ------- ------
Pro forma net loss....................... (142,754) (10,510) (3,600)
======== ======= ======
Pro forma loss per share................. (1.89) (0.59) (0.38)
======== ======= ======
The pro-forma compensation expense reflected above has been estimated using
the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. Assumptions used in the pricing
model included: (i) risk free interest rate between 4.10% - 6.41%; (ii)
expected volatility ranging between nil - 70%; (iii) expected dividend yield
of nil; and (iv) an estimated average life ranging from 2.17 - 3 years.
(E) DEFERRED FOREIGN EXCHANGE
U.S. GAAP requires immediate recognition in income of unrealized foreign
currency exchange gains and losses on long-term monetary items with a fixed
or ascertainable life whereas Canadian GAAP requires that these unrealized
gains and losses be deferred and amortized over the remaining term of the
long-term monetary items.
(F) UNREALIZED GAIN ON SECURITIES
Under U.S. GAAP, portfolio investments which are considered to be "available
for sale" securities are measured at market value, with the unrealized gains
and losses included in comprehensive income/loss. Under Canadian GAAP, the
Company's long-term investment is recorded at cost. Under U.S. GAAP, this
also resulted in an additional $11 million recovery of future income taxes.
The concept of comprehensive income/loss does not exist under Canadian GAAP.
(G) DETAILS OF AMORTIZATION EXPENSE
2000 1999 1998
------ ------ ------
$ $ $
Amortization expense for the year consists of:
Property, plant and equipment.......................... 30,510 839 213
Goodwill, non-complete agreements and license rights... 8,417 - 33
Deferred charges....................................... 4,128 14 9
------ --- ---
43,055 853 255
====== === ===
(H) RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
(I) ACCOUNTING FOR DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES
In June 1998, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued SFAS No. 133,
"Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities". This
statement establishes methods of accounting for derivative instruments,
including certain derivatives embedded in other contracts, and for hedging
activities. The statement requires that entities recognize all derivatives
as either assets or liabilities in the balance sheet and measure those
instruments at fair value.
The Company will adopt SFAS No. 133 effective October 1, 2000 and will
record a cumulative effect-type adjustment of $18 million, net of tax of
$nil, as a charge to other comprehensive income to recognize derivatives
designated as cash flow hedges at fair value. The resulting effect is that
foreign exchange gains and losses on the hedged portion of the
117
118
long-term debt will be reflected in other comprehensive income, together
with the change in the fair value of the hedging instruments.
As the Financial Accounting Standards Board continues to issue additional
guidance and interpretations on SFAS No. 133, the Company will review its
accounting practises for derivative instruments, and make adjustments, if
necessary.
(II) REVENUE RECOGNITION
In December 1999, the Securities and Exchange Commission issued Staff
Accounting Bulletin No. 101 on Revenue Recognition. The adoption of this
pronouncement will not have a material impact on the Company's financial
statements.
118
119
GT GROUP TELECOM INC.
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(thousands of Canadian dollars)
SEPTEMBER 30, JUNE 30, MARCH 31, DECEMBER 31,
2000 2000 2000 1999
------------- --------- --------- ------------
$ $ $ $
(UNAUDITED)
ASSETS
CURRENT ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents............................. 444,050 526,231 732,053 29,348
Accounts receivable
Trade............................................... 30,253 32,799 12,801 1,922
Other............................................... 19,699 7,786 2,456 3,858
Prepaid expenses...................................... 5,939 8,958 5,227 2,074
Inventory............................................. 436 201 201 545
--------- --------- --------- -------
500,377 575,975 752,738 37,747
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT......................... 954,917 778,926 567,568 108,009
PREPAYMENT ON PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT........... 203,703 230,600 223,000 -
LONG-TERM INVESTMENT.................................. 43,238 43,238 - -
GOODWILL AND OTHER ASSETS............................. 227,033 199,710 192,366 14,902
--------- --------- --------- -------
1,929,268 1,828,449 1,735,672 160,658
========= ========= ========= =======
LIABILITIES
CURRENT LIABILITIES
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities.............. 111,395 88,485 42,583 34,963
Unearned revenue...................................... 544 1,325 925 676
Current portion of long-term debt..................... 4,348 1,204 6,203 3,746
--------- --------- --------- -------
116,287 91,014 49,711 39,385
LONG-TERM UNEARNED REVENUE............................ 1,255 1,080 1,219 1,356
LONG-TERM DEBT........................................ 948,928 853,123 781,447 57,028
FUTURE INCOME TAXES................................... - - 28,200 -
--------- --------- --------- -------
1,066,470 945,217 860,577 97,769
--------- --------- --------- -------
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
SHARE CAPITAL AND OTHER EQUITY ITEMS.................. 1,013,866 971,468 937,550 88,035
DEFICIT............................................... (151,068) (88,236) (62,455) (25,146)
--------- --------- --------- -------
862,798 883,232 875,095 62,889
--------- --------- --------- -------
1,929,268 1,828,449 1,735,672 160,658
========= ========= ========= =======
119
120
GT GROUP TELECOM INC.
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS AND DEFICIT
(thousands of Canadian dollars)
FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED,
SEPTEMBER 30, JUNE 30, MARCH 31, DECEMBER 31,
2000 2000 2000 1999
------------- ---------- ----------- ------------
$ $ $ $
(UNAUDITED)
REVENUE............................................... 32,167 25,558 13,259 2,267
COST OF SERVICES...................................... 21,230 17,415 10,553 2,138
-------- ------- ------- --------
10,937 8,143 2,706 129
SELLING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES.......... 38,901 30,984 20,286 10,788
-------- ------- ------- --------
(27,964) (22,841) (17,580) (10,659)
AMORTIZATION.......................................... 20,241 15,447 6,169 1,198
INTEREST AND FINANCING CHARGES........................ 26,488 14,488 13,237 141
-------- ------- ------- --------
LOSS BEFORE INCOME TAXES.............................. (74,693) (52,776) (36,986) (11,998)
PROVISION (RECOVERY) OF FUTURE INCOME TAXES........... (11,861) (26,995) 323 66
-------- ------- ------- --------
LOSS FOR THE PERIOD................................... (62,832) (25,781) (37,309) (12,064)
DEFICIT - BEGINNING OF PERIOD......................... (88,236) (62,455) (25,146) (13,082)
-------- ------- ------- --------
DEFICIT - END OF PERIOD............................... (151,068) (88,236) (62,455) (25,146)
======== ======= ======= ========
LOSS PER SHARE........................................ (0.52) (0.22) (0.90) (0.54)
======== ======= ======= ========
WEIGHTED AVERAGE NUMBER OF COMMON
SHARES OUTSTANDING (in thousands)................... 120,256 118,376 41,506 22,474
======== ======= ======= ========
120
121
ITEM 19: EXHIBITS
EXHIBIT INDEX
EXHIBIT PAGE
NUMBER DESCRIPTION NUMBER
--------- --------------------------------------------------------------------- -------
***2.1 Credit Agreement, as amended and restated, dated February 3,
2000, as amended and restated as of September 29,
2000, with Lucent Technologies Canada Inc.
***2.2 Senior Credit Facility dated February 3, 2000, as amended
and restated as of September 29, 2000, among GT Group
Telecom Inc., CIBC World Markets Inc., Goldman Sachs Credit
Partners, Royal Bank of Canada and Toronto Dominion Bank
*2.3 Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement dated February 1,
2000 among GT Group Telecom Inc. and Goldman, Sachs & Co.,
CIBC World Markets Corp., Credit Suisse First Boston
Corporation, RBC Dominion Securities Corporation, Scotia
Capital (USA) Inc. and TD Securities (USA) Inc.
*2.4 Indenture dated February 1, 2000 between GT Group Telecom
Inc. and The Chase Manhattan Bank
**2.5 First Supplemental Indenture dated July 11, 2000 between GT
Group Telecom Inc. and The Chase Manhattan Bank
***2.6 Credit Agreement, dated as of September 29, 2000, with Cisco
Systems Capital Corporation
*2.7 Preference Share Purchase Agreement dated May 7, 1999 among
GT Group Telecom Inc., GS Capital Partners III L.P., DSE FIN
B.V., and W9 Blanche Eight 10 B.V., CIBC Capital (SFC) Inc.,
First Marathon Capital Corporation and MGN Group LLC
*2.8 Registration Rights Agreement dated February 1, 2000 among
GT Group Telecom Inc. and Goldman, Sachs & Co., CIBC World
Markets Corp., Credit Suisse First Boston Corporation, RBC
Dominion Securities Corporation, Scotia Capital (USA) Inc.
and TD Securities (USA) Inc.
*2.9 Warrant Agreement dated February 1, 2000 between GT Group
Telecom Inc. and The Chase Manhattan Bank
*3.1 Articles of Incorporation of GT Group Telecom Inc.
*3.2 By-laws of GT Group Telecom Inc.
*4.1 Asset Purchase and Subscription Agreement dated December 22,
1999 among Shaw Communications Inc., Shaw FiberLink Ltd., GT
Group Telecom Inc. and GT Group Telecom Services Corp.
*4.2 Indefeasible Right of Use Agreement dated February 16, 2000
between Shaw FiberLink Ltd. and GT Group Telecom Inc.
*4.3 Non-competition Agreement in favour of Group Telecom dated
February 16, 2000 among Shaw Communications Inc., Shaw
FiberLink Ltd. and GT Group Telecom Inc.
*4.4 Non-competition Agreement in favour of Shaw dated February
16, 2000 among Shaw Communications Inc., Shaw FiberLink Ltd.
and GT Group Telecom Inc.
*4.5 Transitional Services Agreement dated February 16, 2000
among Shaw Communications Inc., Shaw FiberLink Ltd., GT
Group Telecom Inc. and GT Group Telecom Services Corp.
*4.6 Performance Assurance Agreement dated February 16, 2000
among Shaw Communications Inc., GT Group Telecom Inc. and GT
Group Telecom Services Corp.
+**4.7 Fiber Sale Agreement dated May 24, 2000 among Worldwide
Fiber (F.O.T.S.) Ltd., Worldwide Fiber (F.O.T.S.) No. 3,
Ltd., WFI-CN Fibre Inc. and GT Group Telecom Services Corp.
122
+**4.8 Capacity Lease Agreement dated May 24, 2000 by and between
Worldwide Fiber Network Services Ltd. and Worldwide Fiber
Network Services, Inc. and GT Group Telecom Services Corp.
and GT Group Telecom Services (USA) Corp.
+**4.9 IRU Agreement dated May 24, 2000 by and between Worldwide
Fiber Network Services, Inc. and GT Group Telecom Services
(USA) Corp.
**8.1 Subsidiaries of GT Group Telecom Inc.
- ----------
* Incorporated by reference to the Registrant's Registration Statement of Form
F-1 (File No. 333-11506)
** Incorporated by reference to the Registrant's Registration Statement on Form
F-4 (File No. 333-38058).
*** Incorporated by reference to the Registration Statement on Form F-1 (File
No. 333-45378).
+ Confidential material has been omitted and filed separately with the
Securities and Exchange Commission.
123
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 12 of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, the Company certifies that it meets all of the
requirements for filing on Form 20-F and has duly caused this Annual Report to
be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
GT GROUP TELECOM INC.
Date: February 19, 2001 /s/ ROBERT M. FABES
-----------------------------------------
Name: Robert M. Fabes
Title: Senior Vice President, General
Counsel and Corporate Secretary
124
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
----
PART I ................................................................................. 3
ITEM 1: IDENTITY OF DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND ADVISERS............................ 3
ITEM 2: OFFER STATISTICS AND EXPECTED TIMETABLE.......................................... 3
ITEM 3: KEY INFORMATION.................................................................. 3
ITEM 4: INFORMATION ON THE COMPANY....................................................... 13
ITEM 5: OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEW AND PROSPECTS..................................... 36
ITEM 6: DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND EMPLOYEES....................................... 47
ITEM 7: MAJOR SHAREHOLDERS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS................................ 59
ITEM 8: FINANCIAL INFORMATION............................................................ 61
ITEM 9: THE OFFER AND LISTING............................................................ 61
ITEM 10: ADDITIONAL INFORMATION........................................................... 62
ITEM 11: QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK....................... 89
ITEM 12: DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES OTHER THAN EQUITY SECURITIES........................... 89
PART II ................................................................................. 90
ITEM 13: DEFAULTS, DIVIDEND ARREARAGES AND DELINQUENCIES.................................. 90
ITEM 14: MATERIAL MODIFICATIONS TO THE RIGHTS OF SECURITY HOLDERS AND USE OF PROCEEDS..... 90
ITEM 15: RESERVED......................................................................... 90
ITEM 16: RESERVED......................................................................... 90
PART III ................................................................................. 90
ITEM 17: FINANCIAL STATEMENTS............................................................. 90
ITEM 18: FINANCIAL STATEMENTS............................................................. 91
ITEM 19: EXHIBITS