These terms and conditions govern your use of the website alphaminr.com and its related
services.
These Terms and Conditions (“Terms”) are a binding contract between you and Alphaminr,
(“Alphaminr”, “we”, “us” and “service”). You must agree to and accept the Terms. These Terms
include the provisions in this document as well as those in the Privacy Policy. These terms may
be modified at any time.
Subscription
Your subscription will be on a month to month basis and automatically renew every month. You may
terminate your subscription at any time through your account.
Fees
We will provide you with advance notice of any change in fees.
Usage
You represent that you are of legal age to form a binding contract. You are responsible for any
activity associated with your account. The account can be logged in at only one computer at a
time.
The Services are intended for your own individual use. You shall only use the Services in a
manner that complies with all laws. You may not use any automated software, spider or system to
scrape data from Alphaminr.
Limitation of Liability
Alphaminr is not a financial advisor and does not provide financial advice of any kind. The
service is provided “As is”. The materials and information accessible through the Service are
solely for informational purposes. While we strive to provide good information and data, we make
no guarantee or warranty as to its accuracy.
TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES SHALL ALPHAMINR BE LIABLE TO
YOU FOR DAMAGES OF ANY KIND, INCLUDING DAMAGES FOR INVESTMENT LOSSES, LOSS OF DATA, OR ACCURACY
OF DATA, OR FOR ANY AMOUNT, IN THE AGGREGATE, IN EXCESS OF THE GREATER OF (1) FIFTY DOLLARS OR
(2) THE AMOUNTS PAID BY YOU TO ALPHAMINR IN THE SIX MONTH PERIOD PRECEDING THIS APPLICABLE
CLAIM. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL OR
CERTAIN OTHER DAMAGES, SO THE ABOVE LIMITATION AND EXCLUSIONS MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU.
If any provision of these Terms is found to be invalid under any applicable law, such provision
shall not affect the validity or enforceability of the remaining provisions herein.
Privacy Policy
This privacy policy describes how we (“Alphaminr”) collect, use, share and protect your personal
information when we provide our service (“Service”). This Privacy Policy explains how
information is collected about you either directly or indirectly. By using our service, you
acknowledge the terms of this Privacy Notice. If you do not agree to the terms of this Privacy
Policy, please do not use our Service. You should contact us if you have questions about it. We
may modify this Privacy Policy periodically.
Personal Information
When you register for our Service, we collect information from you such as your name, email
address and credit card information.
Usage
Like many other websites we use “cookies”, which are small text files that are stored on your
computer or other device that record your preferences and actions, including how you use the
website. You can set your browser or device to refuse all cookies or to alert you when a cookie
is being sent. If you delete your cookies, if you opt-out from cookies, some Services may not
function properly. We collect information when you use our Service. This includes which pages
you visit.
Sharing of Personal Information
We use Google Analytics and we use Stripe for payment processing. We will not share the
information we collect with third parties for promotional purposes.
We may share personal information with law enforcement as required or permitted by law.
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended
September 30, 2019
☐
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from__________ to __________
Commission File No.: 000-09881
SHENANDOAH TELECOMMUNICATIONS COMPANY
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Virginia
54-1162807
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
500 Shentel Way, Edinburg, Virginia22824
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
(540) 984-4141
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)
SECURITIES REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(B) OF THE ACT:
Common Stock (No Par Value)
SHEN
NASDAQ Global Select Market
49,857,142
(Title of Class)
(Trading Symbol)
(Name of Exchange on which Registered)
(The number of shares of the registrant's common stock outstanding on October 25, 2019)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes☑ No ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes☑ No ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and "emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer
☑
Accelerated filer
☐
Non-accelerated filer
☐
Smaller reporting company
☐
Emerging growth company
☐
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
SHENANDOAH TELECOMMUNICATIONS COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Note 1. Basis of Presentation
The interim condensed consolidated financial statements of Shenandoah Telecommunications Company and Subsidiaries (collectively, the “Company”) are unaudited. In the opinion of management, all adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of the interim results have been reflected therein in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States ("GAAP") for interim financial reporting and as required by Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements may not include all of the information and notes required by GAAP for audited financial statements. The information contained herein should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018.
Adoption of New Accounting Principles
There have been no developments related to recently issued accounting standards, including the expected dates of adoption and estimated effects on the Company's unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and note disclosures, from those disclosed in the Company's 2018 Annual Report on Form 10-K, that would be expected to impact the Company except for the following:
The Company adopted ASU No. 2018-02, Income Statement - Reporting Comprehensive Income (Topic 220), as of January 1, 2019. The Company elected not to reclassify stranded income tax effects from accumulated other comprehensive income (OCI) to retained earnings and has implemented this election as its accounting policy as of January 1, 2019. The Company utilizes the portfolio approach as its policy to release the income tax effects from accumulated OCI as the entire portfolio is liquidated, sold, or extinguished.
The Company adopted ASU No. 2016-02, Leases (“Topic 842” or “the new lease standard”) on January 1, 2019. Topic 842 replaces previous leasing guidance with a comprehensive lease measurement and recognition standard and expanded disclosure requirements. Topic 842 requires lessees to recognize most leases on their balance sheet as liabilities, with corresponding right-of-use, or ROU assets. The Company adopted the new lease standard utilizing the modified retrospective approach. As a result, comparable period information has not been retrospectively updated. The modified retrospective approach includes a package of optional practical expedients that we elected to apply. As a result, the Company did not reassess prior conclusions regarding lease identification, lease classification and initial direct costs under the new standard. In those circumstances where the Company is the lessee, we have elected to account for non-lease components associated with our leases (e.g., maintenance costs) and lease components as a single lease component for substantially all of our asset classes under Topic 842.
Note 2.Leases
The Company leases various cell sites, warehouses, retail stores, and office facilities for use in our business. These agreements include fixed rental payments as well as variable rental payments, such as those based on relevant inflation indices. The accounting lease term includes optional renewal periods that we are reasonably certain to exercise based on our assessment of relevant contractual and economic factors. The related lease payments are discounted at lease commencement using the Company's incremental borrowing rate in order to measure the lease liability and ROU asset.
The incremental borrowing rate is determined using a portfolio approach based on the rate of interest that the Company would have to pay to borrow an amount equal to the lease payments on a collateralized basis over a similar term. The Company uses the observable unsecured borrowing rate and risk-adjusts that rate to approximate a collateralized rate. Under the new lease standard, leases are remeasured upon the occurrence of certain events or modifications.
Adoption of the new lease standard did not materially impact the Company's consolidated net earnings, cash flows, liquidity, or loan covenants.
The cumulative effect of the changes made to the consolidated January 1, 2019 balance sheet for the adoption of the new lease standard were as follows:
(in thousands)
December 31, 2018 As Previously Reported
Effect of the Adoption of ASC Topic 842 (Leases)
January 1, 2019 As Adjusted
Assets
Prepaid expenses and other
$
60,162
$
(11,580
)
$
48,582
Property, plant and equipment, net
701,359
1,789
703,148
Operating lease right-of-use assets
—
369,344
369,344
Intangible assets, net
366,029
(13,828
)
352,201
Liabilities
Current operating lease liabilities
—
38,773
38,773
Accrued liabilities and other
14,563
(412
)
14,151
Deferred Lease
22,436
(22,436
)
—
Noncurrent operating lease liabilities
—
328,156
328,156
Other liabilities
14,364
1,644
16,008
In addition to recognizing the operating lease liabilities and right-of-use assets, Topic 842 also reclassified prepaid and deferred rent balances, off-market leases, and lease incentives into the right-of-use assets.
The following table shows the components of lease income and costs:
(in thousands)
Three Months Ended September 30, 2019
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2019
Lease income from operating leases - fixed
$
2,149
$
6,219
Operating lease expense
18,151
51,811
Amortization of finance lease assets
158
399
Interest on finance lease liabilities
14
59
Subtotal finance lease cost
172
458
Total lease expense
$
18,323
$
52,269
Substantially all of the Company's sublease income from operating leases relates to fixed lease payments.
All operating lease expenses, including short-term and variable lease expenses, are split between cost of service and selling, general and administrative expense in the condensed consolidated statements of operations based on the use of the facility that the rent is being paid on. Operating lease expense includes variable lease payments and short-term lease expense, both of which are immaterial. Variable lease expenses represent payments that are dependent on a rate or index, or on usage of the asset.
The following table summarizes other information related to operating and finance leases:
(in thousands)
Three Months Ended September 30, 2019
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2019
Operating cash flows used by leases
$
16,002
$
46,546
Leased assets obtained in exchange for new operating lease liabilities
The following table summarizes the lease terms and discount rates:
September 30, 2019
Weighted-average remaining lease term (years)
Operating leases
8
Finance leases
16
Weighted-average discount rate
Operating leases
4.6
%
Finance leases
5.2
%
The following table summarizes the expected maturity of lease liabilities at September 30, 2019:
(in thousands)
Operating Leases
Finance Leases
Total
2019
$
12,742
$
63
$
12,805
2020
64,474
174
64,648
2021
65,087
174
65,261
2022
63,341
174
63,515
2023
59,885
174
60,059
2024 and thereafter
242,115
1,704
243,819
Total lease payments
507,644
2,463
510,107
Less: Interest
103,481
748
104,229
Present value of lease liabilities
$
404,163
$
1,715
$
405,878
The Company's finance lease liabilities are presented in the accrued liabilities and other and the other liabilities lines of the unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets. The related finance lease assets are included in the property, plant and equipment line.
Our commitments under leases existing as of December 31, 2018 were approximately $55.1 million for the year ending December 31, 2019, $104.4 million in total for the years ending December 31, 2020 and 2021, $97.6 million in total for the years ending December 31, 2022 and 2023 and $168.5 million in total for years thereafter.
The Company is also the lessor on agreements to lease assets such as collocation space at cell sites and dedicated fiber-optic strands to third parties. These agreements have been accounted for as operating leases both before and after adoption of the new lease standard. The new lease standard did not have a significant impact on the recognition of lease revenue associated with these agreements. The following table summarizes the total minimum rental receipts under lease agreements at September 30, 2019:
(in thousands)
Operating Leases
2019
$
1,774
2020
6,621
2021
4,526
2022
3,432
2023
1,801
2024 and thereafter
4,978
Total lease income
$
23,132
Note 3. Revenue from Contracts with Customers
The Company earns revenue primarily through the sale of its wireless service. Additional revenue is earned from the sale of wireless equipment; from business, residential and enterprise services which provide video, broadband, and voice services; and
from tower and other services. Refer to Note 14, Segment Reporting, for a tabular summary of revenue for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019.
Wireless service
The Company earns revenue primarily through the sale of its wireless service by providing network access to Sprint under the affiliate agreement. Wireless service revenue is variable based on billed revenue to Sprint’s subscribers that originated in the Company's affiliate area, less applicable fees retained by Sprint.
The Company's revenue related to Sprint’s postpaid customers is the amount that Sprint bills its postpaid subscribers, reduced by customer credits, estimates of bad debt, and 8% management and 8.6% service fees. The Company is also charged for the costs of subsidized handsets sold through Sprint’s national channels as well as commissions paid by Sprint to third-party resellers in the Company's service territory.
The Company's revenue related to Sprint’s prepaid customers is the amount that Sprint bills its prepaid subscribers, reduced by costs to acquire and support the customers, based on national averages for Sprint’s prepaid programs, and a 6% management fee.
Under our affiliate agreement with Sprint, we have historically earned and recognized monthly revenue of $1.5 million for providing service to Sprint customers who pass through our network area ("Travel Revenue"). While we continue to provide these services to Sprint, the agreed upon payments were suspended by Sprint on April 30, 2019. Accordingly, we have ceased recognizing revenue for the services provided after that date until a new prospective fee can be agreed. We have commenced final dispute resolution proceedings to settle this dispute and expect it to be settled by early 2020.
The Company considers Sprint, rather than Sprint's subscribers, to be the customer and the Company's performance obligation is to provide Sprint a series of continuous network access services within the Sprint Affiliate Area. The Company determined that reimbursements to Sprint including the cost of prepaid handsets and commissions, and postpaid commissions paid by Sprint to third-party resellers, represent consideration payable to a customer. These reimbursements are initially recorded as a contract asset and are subsequently recognized as a reduction of revenue over the expected benefit period between 21 and 53 months. Contract asset balances and activity for 2019 were as follows:
Three Months Ended September 30,
Nine Months Ended September 30,
(in thousands)
2019
2018
2019
2018
Beginning balance
$
73,789
$
57,256
$
65,674
$
51,103
Contract payments
20,761
16,421
56,477
44,790
Contract amortization
(14,930
)
(11,861
)
(42,531
)
(34,077
)
Ending balance
$
79,620
$
61,816
$
79,620
$
61,816
Wireless equipment
The Company also earns revenue through the sale of wireless equipment. The Company owns and operates Sprint-branded retail stores within the Sprint Affiliate Area from which the Company sells equipment, primarily wireless handsets, and service to Sprint subscribers. The Company's equipment is predominantly sold to subscribers through Sprint's equipment financing plans. Under the equipment financing plans, Sprint purchases the equipment from the Company and resells the equipment to its subscribers. The Company is the principal in these equipment financing transactions, as it controls and bears the risk of ownership of the inventory prior to sale, and accordingly, revenue and handset costs are recorded on a gross basis, and the corresponding cost of the equipment is recorded separately to cost of goods sold.
Business, residential and enterprise
The Company also earns revenue in the Cable and Wireline segments from the sale of business, residential, and enterprise services to customers where the performance obligations are to provide cable, broadband, and telephone network services, sell and lease equipment and wiring services, and lease fiber-optic cable. The Company's arrangements for residential services are generally composed of contracts that are cancellable at the customer’s discretion without penalty at any time. As there are multiple performance obligations in these arrangements, the Company recognizes revenue based on the standalone selling price of each distinct good or service. The Company generally recognizes this revenue over time as customers simultaneously receive and consume the benefits of the service, with the exception of equipment sales and home wiring which are recognized as revenue at a point in time when control transfers and when installation is complete, respectively.
Installation fees are allocated to services and are recognized ratably over the longer of the contract term or the period the unrecognized portion of the fee remains material to the contract, typically 10 and 11 months for Cable and Wireline customers, respectively. Additionally, the Company incurs commission and installation costs related to in-house employees and third-party vendors which are capitalized and amortized over the expected benefit period which is approximately 44 months and 72 months for Cable and Wireline, respectively.
Tower and Other
The Company also earns revenue from tower and other services. Tower revenue consists primarily of tower collocation space on cell towers owned by the Company accounted for under Topic 842, Leases. Other revenue includes network access-related charges for service provided to customers across the segments.
Future performance obligations
On September 30, 2019, the Company had approximately $3.5 million allocated to unsatisfied performance obligations, which excludes contracts with original expected duration of one year or less. The following table summarizes the approximate amounts expected to be recognized as revenue after September 30, 2019.
Amount Expected to be Recognized as Revenue:
(in thousands)
2019
$
219
2020
850
2021
770
2022 and thereafter
1,707
Total
$
3,546
Contract acquisition costs and costs to fulfill contracts
Capitalized contract costs represent contract fulfillment costs and contract acquisition costs which include commissions and installation costs in the Cable and Wireline segments. Capitalized contract assets, including commissions and installation costs, are amortized on a straight-line basis over the average customer life of 44 months and 72 months for Cable and Wireline, respectively. The Company elected to apply the practical expedient to expense contract acquisition costs when incurred, if the amortization period would be twelve months or less. The amortization of these costs is included in cost of services, and selling, general and administrative expenses. Amortized and capitalized costs for Cable and Wireline contracts were as follows:
Three Months Ended September 30,
Nine Months Ended September 30,
(in thousands)
2019
2018
2019
2018
Beginning Balance
$
10,476
$
9,755
$
10,091
$
9,841
Contract payments
1,840
1,613
4,996
4,246
Contract amortization
(1,399
)
(1,339
)
(4,170
)
(4,058
)
Ending Balance
$
10,917
$
10,029
$
10,917
$
10,029
Note 4. Acquisitions
Big Sandy
On February 28, 2019, the Company completed its preliminary valuation for the acquisition of the assets of Big Sandy Broadband, Inc. ("Big Sandy") for $10 million and recorded $4.6 million of property, plant and equipment; $2.8 million of subscriber relationships; and $2.6 million of goodwill which is reported in the Cable segment and was accounted for as a business combination under ASC 805, Business Combinations. The estimated remaining useful lives of the acquired property, plant and equipment were approximately 2.5 years to 12.5 years and the estimated useful lives for subscriber relationships were 7 years at the time of the acquisition. Big Sandy was a provider of cable television, telephone and high speed internet services. Our preliminary allocation of the acquisition price is based on our preliminary estimate of fair value for each of the acquired assets and liabilities. These estimates may be revised during the one year measurement period provided by the authoritative guidance applicable to business combinations.
In 1999, the Company executed a Management Agreement (the “Agreement”) with Sprint whereby the Company committed to construct and operate a PCS network using CDMA air interface technology. The Agreement has been amended numerous times. Under the amended Agreement, the Company is the exclusive PCS Affiliate of Sprint providing wireless mobility communications network products and services on the 800 MHz, 1900 MHz and 2.5 GHz spectrum ranges in its territory across a multi-state area covering large portions of central and western Virginia, south-central Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and portions of Maryland, North Carolina, Kentucky, and Ohio. Effective February 1, 2018, the Company amended its Agreement with Sprint to expand its wireless service area to include certain areas in Kentucky, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia.
As an exclusive PCS Affiliate of Sprint, the Company has the exclusive right to build, own and maintain its portion of Sprint’s nationwide PCS network, in the aforementioned areas, to Sprint’s specifications. The initial term of the Agreement extends through November 2029, with two successive 10-year renewal periods, unless terminated by either party under provisions outlined in the Agreement. Upon non-renewal by either party, the Company may cause Sprint to buy or Sprint may cause the Company to sell the business, at 90% of Entire Business Value ("EBV") as defined in the Agreement. EBV is defined as i) the fair market value of a going concern paid by a willing buyer to a willing seller; ii) valued as if the business will continue to utilize existing brands and operate under existing agreements; and, iii) valued as if Shentel has continued access to the spectrum. Determination of EBV is made by an independent appraisal process.
Note 6. Earnings Per Share ("EPS")
Basic EPS was computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding. Diluted EPS was computed under the treasury stock method by dividing net income by the sum of the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding and potentially dilutive securities outstanding during the period under the treasury stock method. Potentially dilutive securities include unvested equity awards that are expected to vest and shares that the Company is contractually obligated to issue in the future.
The following table indicates the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share:
Three Months Ended September 30,
Nine Months Ended September 30,
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
2019
2018
2019
2018
Calculation of net income per share:
Net income
$
14,354
$
15,534
$
41,414
$
31,743
Basic weighted average shares outstanding
49,857
49,559
49,827
49,527
Basic net income per share
$
0.29
$
0.31
$
0.83
$
0.64
Effect of stock options outstanding:
Basic weighted average shares outstanding
49,857
49,559
49,827
49,527
Effect from dilutive shares and options outstanding
272
558
283
517
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding
50,129
50,117
50,110
50,044
Diluted net income per share
$
0.29
$
0.31
$
0.83
$
0.63
The computation of diluted EPS does not include certain unvested awards, on a weighted average basis, because their inclusion would have an anti-dilutive effect on EPS. The awards excluded because of their anti-dilutive effect were as follows:
Three Months Ended September 30,
Nine Months Ended September 30,
(in thousands)
2019
2018
2019
2018
Awards excluded from the computation of diluted net income per share because their inclusion would have been anti-dilutive
The Company determines classification for investments at the date individual investments are acquired. The appropriateness of such classification is periodically reassessed. The Company monitors the value of all investments, and based on factors such as market conditions, financial information and industry conditions, the Company reflects impairments in values when warranted. The domestic and international equity funds are carried at their fair value as determined by using the net asset value expedient.
Note 8. Property, Plant and Equipment
Property, plant and equipment consisted of the following:
(in thousands)
Estimated Useful Lives
September 30, 2019
December 31, 2018
Land
$
6,936
$
6,723
Buildings and structures
10 - 40 years
231,962
213,657
Cable and fiber
15 - 40 years
321,963
309,928
Equipment and software
3 - 20 years
839,624
791,401
Plant in service
1,400,485
1,321,709
Plant under construction
70,674
81,409
Total property, plant and equipment
1,471,159
1,403,118
Less: accumulated amortization and depreciation
782,643
701,759
Property, plant and equipment, net
$
688,516
$
701,359
The Company prospectively changed the estimated useful life of certain tower, antenna, and fiber assets during 2019 based on the Company's experience as well as observable examples in the industry. Depreciation expense was approximately $0.8 million lower as a result for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019.
Affiliate contract expansion is amortized over the expected benefit period and is further reduced by the amount of waived management fees received from Sprint which were $9.7 million and $29.0 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019, respectively. Since May 6, 2016, the date of the non-monetary exchange, waived management fees received from Sprint have totaled $127.4 million, and the Company expects to collect another $128.2 million, up to $4.2 million per month, through 2022.
FCC Spectrum Licenses
During the third quarter of 2019, the Company purchased certain indefinite-lived spectrum licenses for $13.8 million. Spectrum licenses are issued by the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) which provide us the exclusive right to utilize designated radio frequency spectrum within specific geographic service areas to provide wireless communication services. While some spectrum licenses are issued for a fixed time (generally up to fifteen years), renewals have been granted routinely and at nominal costs. The Company believes it will be able to meet all requirements necessary to secure renewal of its spectrum licenses. Moreover, the Company has determined that there are currently no legal, regulatory, contractual, competitive, economic or other factors that limit the useful lives of our spectrum licenses and as a result, we account for spectrum licenses as indefinite-lived intangible assets. During the third quarter of 2019, the Company also acquired certain definite-lived spectrum licenses for $4.7 million. These licenses are being amortized over their remaining contractual lives of approximately 20 years.
The Company uses derivative financial instruments to manage its exposure to interest rate risk for its long-term variable-rate debt through interest rate swaps. The Company's interest rate swaps are all designated as cash flow hedges, and involve the receipt of variable-rate amounts from counterparties in exchange for the Company making fixed-rate payments over the life of the agreements without exchange of the underlying notional amount.
The outstanding notional amounts of these swaps was $292.6 million and $384.0 million as of September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively.
The table below presents the fair value of the Company’s derivative financial instruments as well as their classification in the condensed consolidated balance sheets. The fair value of these instruments was estimated using an income approach and observable market inputs (Level II):
(in thousands)
September 30, 2019
December 31, 2018
Balance sheet location of derivative financial instruments:
Prepaid expenses and other
$
1,483
$
4,930
Deferred charges and other assets, net
536
8,323
Total derivatives designated as hedging instruments
$
2,019
$
13,253
The table below summarizes changes in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) by component:
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2019
(in thousands)
Accumulated Gains (Losses) on Cash Flow Hedges
Income Tax (Expense) Benefit
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), net of taxes
Balance as of December 31, 2018
$
13,253
$
(4,973
)
$
8,280
Unrealized gain (loss)
(7,741
)
1,929
(5,812
)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income to interest expense
(3,493
)
871
(2,622
)
Net current period other comprehensive income (loss)
(11,234
)
2,800
(8,434
)
Balance as of September 30, 2019
$
2,019
$
(2,173
)
$
(154
)
Note 11. Other Assets and Accrued Liabilities
Prepaid expenses and other, classified as current assets, included the following:
Deferred charges and other assets, classified as long-term assets, included the following:
(in thousands)
September 30, 2019
December 31, 2018
Interest rate swaps
$
536
$
8,323
Wireless contract asset
37,742
32,351
Contract acquisition and fulfillment costs
6,056
5,457
Other
6,135
3,760
Deferred charges and other assets
$
50,469
$
49,891
Accrued liabilities and other, classified as current liabilities, included the following:
(in thousands)
September 30, 2019
December 31, 2018
Sales and property taxes payable
$
4,409
$
4,281
Asset retirement obligations
407
582
Accrued programming costs
3,125
2,886
Financing leases
89
—
FCC spectrum licenses
87
—
Other current liabilities
6,614
6,814
Accrued liabilities and other
$
14,731
$
14,563
Other liabilities, classified as long-term liabilities, included the following:
(in thousands)
September 30, 2019
December 31, 2018
Noncurrent portion of deferred lease revenue
$
12,613
$
12,593
FCC spectrum licenses
1,687
—
Noncurrent portion of financing leases
1,627
—
Other
749
1,771
Other liabilities
$
16,676
$
14,364
Topic 842 requires the Company to include fixed payments for maintenance activities in its measurement of lease liabilities since the Company elected not to separate lease and non-lease components. Liabilities for the Company's financing leases were established with the adoption of Topic 842, as of January 1, 2019, to reflect the present value of fixed payments for maintenance activities. Refer to Note 2, Leases, for additional information.
Note 12. Long-Term Debt
Total debt consisted of the following:
(in thousands)
September 30, 2019
December 31, 2018
Term loan A-1
$
265,855
$
287,699
Term loan A-2
474,715
497,537
740,570
785,236
Less: unamortized loan fees
12,558
14,994
Total debt, net of unamortized loan fees
$
728,012
$
770,242
Current maturities of long-term debt, net of current unamortized loan fees
$
31,634
$
20,618
Long-term debt, less current maturities, net of unamortized loan fees
As of September 30, 2019, the Company's indebtedness totaled approximately $728.0 million, net of unamortized loan fees of $12.6 million, with an annualized overall weighted average interest rate of approximately 3.63%. In September of 2019, the Company's interest rate decreased by 25 basis points as the net leverage ratio, as defined in the Company's credit facility, dropped below the 2.25x threshold. As of September 30, 2019, the Term Loan A-1 bears interest at one-month London Interbank Offered Rate ("LIBOR") plus a base rate of 1.50%, while the Term Loan A-2 bears interest at one-month LIBOR plus a base rate of 1.75%. LIBOR resets monthly.
The amended Term Loan A-1 requires quarterly principal repayments of $3.6 million, which began on December 31, 2018 and continued through September 30, 2019, increasing to $7.3 million quarterly from December 31, 2019 through September 30, 2022; then increasing to $10.9 million quarterly from December 31, 2022 through September 30, 2023, with the remaining balance due November 8, 2023. The amended Term Loan A-2 requires quarterly principal repayments of $1.2 million which began on December 31, 2018 and continue through September 30, 2025, with the remaining balance due November 8, 2025. In addition to its required quarterly repayments, the Company paid an additional $15.0 million in the first quarter of 2019 and an additional $15.0 million in the third quarter of 2019, with no prepayment penalties.
The Company's cash payments for interest were $21.6 million and $25.1 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018, respectively.
As shown below, as of September 30, 2019, the Company was in compliance with the financial covenants in its credit agreement.
Actual
Covenant Requirement
Total leverage ratio
2.38
3.50 or Lower
Debt service coverage ratio
6.21
2.00 or Higher
Minimum liquidity balance (in millions)
$
172.2
$25.0 or Higher
Note 13. Income Taxes
The Company files U.S. federal income tax returns and various state income tax returns. The Company is not subject to any state or federal income tax audits as of September 30, 2019. The Company's returns are generally open to examination from 2015 forward and the net operating losses acquired in the acquisition of nTelos are open to examination from 2002 forward.
The Company’s effective tax rate for the three months ended September 30, 2019 was approximately 24.3%, as compared with approximately 23.8% for the three months ended September 30, 2018. The Company’s effective tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 was approximately 24.4%, which was consistent with approximately 24.3% for the nine months ended September 30, 2018. The Company's cash payments for income taxes were $6.1 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2019. The Company received cash refunds for income taxes of $2.7 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2018.
Note 14. Segment Reporting
The Company's reportable segments, which the Company operates and manages as strategic business units that are organized according to major product and service offerings, include: Wireless, Cable, Wireline and Other. A general description of the products and services offered and the customers served by each of these segments is as follows:
•
Wireless provides digital wireless service as a Sprint PCS Affiliate to a portion of a multi-state area covering large portions of central and western Virginia, south-central Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and portions of Maryland, North Carolina, Kentucky, and Ohio. In these areas, the Company is the exclusive provider of Sprint-branded wireless mobility communications network products and services on the 800 MHz, 1900 MHz and 2.5 GHz spectrum bands.
•
Cable provides video, broadband and voice services in the cable franchise areas in portions of Virginia, West Virginia, western Maryland, and eastern Kentucky, and leases fiber optic facilities and provides fiber transport services throughout its service area. It does not include video, broadband and voice services provided to customers in Shenandoah County, Virginia.
•
Wireline provides video and broadband services in the cable franchise area and regulated and unregulated voice and broadband services in Shenandoah County, Virginia, and leases fiber optic facilities and provides fiber transport services throughout portions of Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland and Pennsylvania.
•
Other operations are represented by Shenandoah Telecommunications Company, the parent holding company that provides investing and management services to its subsidiaries.
On October 29, 2019, the Company's Board of Directors approved a dividend of $0.29 per common share and authorized a stock repurchase program that will enable the Company to repurchase an aggregate of $80 million of its outstanding common stock. The dividend will be payable on December 2, 2019 to shareholders of record as of the close of business on November 14, 2019. The share repurchase program will be become effective November 4, 2019, and is expected to be executed over the next twelve months subject to market conditions.
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
This management’s discussion and analysis includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. When used in this report, the words “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “plan” and similar expressions as they relate to Shenandoah Telecommunications Company or its management are intended to identify these forward-looking statements. All statements regarding Shenandoah Telecommunications Company’s expected future financial position and operating results, business strategy, financing plans, forecasted trends relating to the markets in which Shenandoah Telecommunications Company operates and similar matters are forward-looking statements. We cannot assure you that the Company’s expectations expressed or implied in these forward-looking statements will turn out to be correct. The Company’s actual results could be materially different from its expectations because of various factors, including those discussed below and under the caption “Risk Factors” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for its fiscal year ended December 31, 2018. The following management’s discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for its fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, including the consolidated financial statements and related notes included therein.
Overview
Shenandoah Telecommunications Company (Shentel) provides a broad range of diversified communications services through its high speed, state-of-the-art network to customers in the Mid-Atlantic United States. The Company’s services include: wireless voice and data; cable video, internet and digital voice; fiber network and services; and regulated local and long distance telephone. Shentel is the exclusive personal communications service (“PCS”) Affiliate of Sprint in a multi-state area covering large portions of central and western Virginia, south-central Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and portions of Maryland, North Carolina, Kentucky, and Ohio. For more information, please visit www.shentel.com.
2019 Developments
Big Sandy Broadband, Inc. Acquisition:On February 28, 2019, the Company acquired the assets of Big Sandy Broadband, Inc., ("Big Sandy”), a provider of cable television, telephone and high speed internet services in eastern Kentucky. The Company's investment will allow the Cable segment to expand its footprint into the adjacent markets of eastern Kentucky. See Note 4, Acquisitions, for additional information.
Fiber to the Home (FTTH): During the second quarter of 2019, we initiated the deployment of our new FTTH product, in our Cable segment, which leverages our existing robust fiber network and commercial customer base to target certain residential areas in three initial markets within our wireless service territory. We incurred $0.8 million and $1.8 million of FTTH business development expenses in the three and nine months ending September 30, 2019, respectively. We expect to continue to incur expenses related to the initiation of FTTH in the select markets, in advance of generating revenue from this new product.
Three Months Ended September 30, 2019 Compared with the Three Months Ended September 30, 2018
The Company's consolidated results from operations are summarized as follows:
Three Months Ended September 30,
Change
($ in thousands)
2019
% of Revenue
2018
% of Revenue
$
%
Operating revenue
$
155,152
100.0
%
$
158,731
100.0
%
(3,579
)
(2.3
)%
Operating expenses
129,793
83.7
%
130,402
82.2
%
(609
)
(0.5
)%
Operating income
25,359
16.3
%
28,329
17.8
%
(2,970
)
(10.5
)%
Interest expense
(7,505
)
(4.8
)%
(9,001
)
(5.7
)%
(1,496
)
(16.6
)%
Other income, net
1,099
0.7
%
1,054
0.7
%
45
4.3
%
Income before taxes
18,953
12.2
%
20,382
12.8
%
(1,429
)
(7.0
)%
Income tax expense
4,599
3.0
%
4,848
3.1
%
(249
)
(5.1
)%
Net income
$
14,354
9.3
%
$
15,534
9.8
%
(1,180
)
(7.6
)%
Operating revenue
During the three months ended September 30, 2019, operating revenue decreased approximately $3.6 million, or 2.3%, compared with the three months ended September 30, 2018, driven by the continued dispute of the travel fee with Sprint in the Wireless segment, partially offset by growth in the Cable segment. Refer to the discussion of the results of operations for the Wireless and Cable segments, included within this quarterly report, for additional information.
Operating expenses
During the three months ended September 30, 2019, operating expenses decreased approximately $0.6 million, or 0.5%, compared with the three months ended September 30, 2018. The decrease was primarily due to lower advertising and depreciation expense in the Wireless segment, partially offset by the expansion of our network that resulted in higher cost of services in the Wireless and Cable segments.
Interest expense
During the three months ended September 30, 2019, interest expense decreased approximately $1.5 million, or 16.6%, compared with the three months ended September 30, 2018. The decrease in interest expense was primarily attributable to the reduction of applicable base interest rate by 75 basis points and principal repayments, partially offset by the effect of increases in LIBOR.
Other income, net
During the three months ended September 30, 2019, other income remained consistent with the prior period.
Income tax expense
During the three months ended September 30, 2019, income tax expense decreased approximately $0.2 million, or 5.1%, compared with the three months ended September 30, 2018, consistent with our lower income before taxes.
Our effective tax rate for the three months ended September 30, 2019 was approximately 24.3%, as compared with approximately 23.8% for the three months ended September 30, 2018.
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2019 Compared with the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018
The Company's consolidated results from operations are summarized as follows:
Nine Months Ended September 30,
Change
($ in thousands)
2019
% of Revenue
2018
% of Revenue
$
%
Operating revenue
$
472,909
100.0
%
$
469,370
100.0
%
3,539
0.8
%
Operating expenses
398,743
84.3
%
403,118
85.9
%
(4,375
)
(1.1
)%
Operating income
74,166
15.7
%
66,252
14.1
%
7,914
11.9
%
Interest expense
(22,981
)
(4.9
)%
(27,184
)
(5.8
)%
(4,203
)
(15.5
)%
Other income, net
3,562
0.8
%
2,882
0.6
%
680
23.6
%
Income before taxes
54,747
11.6
%
41,950
8.9
%
12,797
30.5
%
Income tax expense
13,333
2.8
%
10,207
2.2
%
3,126
30.6
%
Net income
$
41,414
8.8
%
$
31,743
6.8
%
9,671
30.5
%
Operating revenue
During the nine months ended September 30, 2019, operating revenue increased approximately $3.5 million, or 0.8%, compared with the nine months ended September 30, 2018, driven by growth in the Cable segment and was partially offset by a decline in Wireless segment revenue due to the continued dispute of the travel fee with Sprint.
Operating expenses
During the nine months ended September 30, 2019, operating expenses decreased approximately $4.4 million, or 1.1%, compared with the nine months ended September 30, 2018. The decrease was primarily due to a $5.4 million decline in Wireless depreciation and amortization expense as certain assets acquired from nTelos became fully depreciated.
Interest expense
During the nine months ended September 30, 2019, interest expense decreased approximately $4.2 million, or 15.5%, compared with the nine months ended September 30, 2018. The decrease in interest expense was primarily attributable to the reduction of applicable base interest rate by 75 basis points and principal repayments, partially offset by the effect of increases in LIBOR.
Other income, net
During the nine months ended September 30, 2019, other income, net increased approximately $0.7 million, or 23.6%, compared with the nine months ended September 30, 2018. The increase in other income, net was primarily due to an increase in interest and dividend income on our investments.
Income tax expense
During the nine months ended September 30, 2019, income tax expense increased approximately $3.1 million, or 30.6%, compared with the nine months ended September 30, 2018. The increase was consistent with the increase in our income before taxes.
Our effective tax rate was 24.4%, consistent with the prior year period.
"POPS" refers to the estimated population of a given geographic area. Market POPS are those within a market area which we are authorized to serve under our Sprint PCS affiliate agreement, and Covered POPS are those covered by our network. The data source for POPS is U.S. census data.
(2)
Beginning February 1, 2018 includes Richmond Expansion Area except for gross PCS subscriber additions.
Except for gross additions, the subscriber statistics above include the Richmond Expansion Area as follows:
Three Months Ended September 30, 2019 Compared with the Three Months Ended September 30, 2018
Three Months Ended September 30,
Change
($ in thousands)
2019
% of Revenue
2018
% of Revenue
$
%
Wireless operating revenue
Wireless service revenue
$
91,108
82.5
%
$
96,299
82.9
%
(5,191
)
(5.4
)%
Tower lease revenue
2,950
2.7
%
2,902
2.5
%
48
1.7
%
Equipment revenue
15,975
14.5
%
15,666
13.5
%
309
2.0
%
Other revenue
395
0.3
%
1,232
1.1
%
(837
)
(67.9
)%
Total Wireless operating revenue
110,428
100.0
%
116,099
100.0
%
(5,671
)
(4.9
)%
Wireless operating expenses
Cost of services
34,044
30.8
%
32,253
27.8
%
1,791
5.6
%
Cost of goods sold
15,571
14.1
%
14,940
12.9
%
631
4.2
%
Selling, general and administrative
9,882
8.9
%
11,191
9.6
%
(1,309
)
(11.7
)%
Depreciation and amortization
27,200
24.6
%
30,363
26.2
%
(3,163
)
(10.4
)%
Total Wireless operating expenses
86,697
78.5
%
88,747
76.4
%
(2,050
)
(2.3
)%
Wireless operating income
$
23,731
21.5
%
$
27,352
23.6
%
(3,621
)
(13.2
)%
Operating Revenue
Under our affiliate agreement with Sprint, we have historically earned and recognized monthly revenue of $1.5 million for providing service to Sprint customers who pass through our network area ("Travel Revenue"). While we continue to provide these services to Sprint, the agreed upon payments were suspended by Sprint on April 30, 2019. Accordingly, we have ceased recognizing revenue for the services provided after that date until a new prospective fee can be agreed. We have triggered the final dispute resolution option with Sprint which we expect will lead to a resolution for travel fee revenue by early 2020.
Wireless operating revenue decreased$5.7 million or 4.9% to $110.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2019, compared with $116.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2018. The decreases in revenue were primarily attributable to a decline in travel revenue of $4.5 million, lower postpaid Average Revenue Per User ("ARPU"), increased contract asset amortization which is recorded as contra revenue and due to increases in Sprint customer bad debt expense which reduces the revenues we earn from Sprint. These decreases were partially offset by the overall growth in subscribers.
Postpaid net billings are defined under the terms of the affiliate contract with Sprint to be the gross billings to customers within our wireless network coverage area less billing credits and adjustments and allocated write-offs of uncollectible accounts.
Cost of services
During the three months ended September 30, 2019, cost of services increased approximately $1.8 million or 5.6%, compared with the three months ended September 30, 2018 due to higher cell site rent expense of $2.8 million related to our network expansion, partially offset by continued network optimization and construction of fiber to our towers which results in more cost effective backhaul circuits.
Cost of goods sold
During the three months ended September 30, 2019, cost of goods sold increased approximately $0.6 million, or 4.2%, compared with the three months ended September 30, 2018 on higher unit volume.
Selling, general and administrative
During the three months ended September 30, 2019, selling, general and administrative costs decreased approximately $1.3 million, or 11.7%, compared with the three months ended September 30, 2018. This was driven by a $1.7 million reduction in advertising expense, partially offset by a $0.5 million increase in sales and use tax expense.
Depreciation and amortization
During the three months ended September 30, 2019, depreciation and amortization decreased approximately $3.2 million, or 10.4%, compared with the three months ended September 30, 2018, as certain assets acquired from nTelos became fully depreciated.
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2019 Compared with the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018
Nine Months Ended September 30,
Change
($ in thousands)
2019
% of Revenue
2018
% of Revenue
$
%
Wireless operating revenue
Wireless service revenue
$
282,533
83.0
%
$
284,154
82.7
%
(1,621
)
(0.6
)%
Tower lease revenue
8,810
2.6
%
8,676
2.5
%
134
1.5
%
Equipment revenue
47,814
14.1
%
48,859
14.2
%
(1,045
)
(2.1
)%
Other revenue
1,065
0.3
%
1,967
0.6
%
(902
)
(45.9
)%
Total Wireless operating revenue
340,222
100.0
%
343,656
100.0
%
(3,434
)
(1.0
)%
Wireless operating expenses
Cost of services
101,085
29.7
%
99,491
29.0
%
1,594
1.6
%
Cost of goods sold
45,740
13.4
%
45,749
13.3
%
(9
)
—
%
Selling, general and administrative
31,836
9.4
%
35,693
10.4
%
(3,857
)
(10.8
)%
Depreciation and amortization
90,469
26.6
%
95,853
27.9
%
(5,384
)
(5.6
)%
Total Wireless operating expenses
269,130
79.1
%
276,786
80.5
%
(7,656
)
(2.8
)%
Wireless operating income
$
71,092
20.9
%
$
66,870
19.5
%
4,222
6.3
%
Operating Revenue
Under our affiliate agreement with Sprint, we have historically earned and recognized monthly revenue of $1.5 million for providing service to Sprint customers who pass through our network area. While we continue to provide these services to Sprint, the agreed upon fee was suspended on April 30, 2019. Accordingly, we have ceased recognizing revenue for the services provided after that date until a new prospective fee can be agreed. We have commenced the final dispute resolution proceedings to settle this dispute and expect it to be settled by early 2020.
During the nine months ended September 30, 2019, operating revenue decreased approximately $3.4 million, or 1.0%, compared with the nine months ended September 30, 2018. The decreases in revenue were primarily attributable to a decline in Sprint travel revenue of $7.5 million, lower postpaid ARPU and increased contract asset amortization which is recorded as contra revenue. These decreases were partially offset by the overall growth in subscribers. Prepaid service revenue was up $2.2 million primarily due to subscriber growth and an increase in prepaid ARPU.
Postpaid net billings are defined under the terms of the affiliate contract with Sprint to be the gross billings to customers within our wireless network coverage area less billing credits and adjustments and allocated write-offs of uncollectible accounts.
Cost of services
During the nine months ended September 30, 2019, cost of services increased approximately $1.6 million or 1.6%, compared with the nine months ended September 30, 2018 primarily due to higher cell site rent expense related to our network expansion, partially offset by continued network optimization and construction of fiber to our towers which results in more cost effective backhaul circuits.
Cost of goods sold
During the nine months ended September 30, 2019, cost of goods sold remained consistent with the prior period.
Selling, general and administrative
During the nine months ended September 30, 2019, selling, general and administrative costs decreased approximately $3.9 million, or 10.8%, compared with the nine months ended September 30, 2018 primarily due to lower marketing and advertising expenses of approximately $1.9 million, reduced sales and use and property tax expenses of $1.3 million, and a $0.6 million decline in store rent expense.
Depreciation and amortization
During the nine months ended September 30, 2019, depreciation and amortization decreased approximately $5.4 million, or 5.6%, compared with the nine months ended September 30, 2018. Amortization expense declined by $3.2 million, primarily because our Sprint affiliate contract expansion asset is amortized under an accelerated method that declines over time. Depreciation expense also declined by $2.2 million as certain assets acquired from nTelos in 2016 became fully depreciated.
Homes and businesses are considered passed (“homes passed”) if we can connect them to our distribution system without further extending the transmission lines. Homes passed is an estimate based upon the best available information. Homes passed have access to video, broadband and voice services.
(2)
Customer relationships represent the number of billed customers who receive at least one of our services.
As of September 30, 2019, the Company revised its methodology for counting RGUs associated with hotels, multiple dwelling units ("MDUs") and certain commercial customers. We now count each dwelling or unit of service as a separate RGU. Prior year information has been recast to reflect our revised methodology. Previously we counted RGUs on an equivalent basis consistent with carriage fee practices.
(4)
Penetration is calculated by dividing the number of users by the number of homes passed or available homes, as appropriate.
(5)
Digital video penetration is calculated by dividing the number of digital video users by total video users. Digital video users are video customers who receive any level of video service via digital transmission. A dwelling with one or more digital set-top boxes or digital adapters counts as one digital video user.
(6)
Total fiber miles are measured by taking the number of fiber strands in a cable and multiplying that number by the route distance. For example, a 10 mile route with 144 fiber strands would equal 1,440 fiber miles.
Cable
Three Months Ended September 30, 2019 Compared with the Three Months Ended September 30, 2018
Three Months Ended September 30,
Change
($ in thousands)
2019
% of Revenue
2018
% of Revenue
$
%
Cable operating revenue
Residential & SMB
$
30,829
87.8
%
$
28,578
88.8
%
2,251
7.9
%
Equipment revenue
292
0.8
%
234
0.7
%
58
24.8
%
Enterprise & other revenue
3,983
11.4
%
3,370
10.5
%
613
18.2
%
Total Cable operating revenue
35,104
100.0
%
32,182
100.0
%
2,922
9.1
%
Cable operating expenses
Cost of services
15,790
45.0
%
14,837
46.1
%
953
6.4
%
Cost of goods sold
156
0.4
%
78
0.2
%
78
100.0
%
Selling, general and administrative
6,636
18.9
%
5,331
16.6
%
1,305
24.5
%
Depreciation and amortization
6,226
17.8
%
6,102
19.0
%
124
2.0
%
Total Cable operating expenses
28,808
82.1
%
26,348
81.9
%
2,460
9.3
%
Cable operating income
$
6,296
17.9
%
$
5,834
18.1
%
462
7.9
%
Residential & Small and Medium Business ("SMB") revenue
During the three months ended September 30, 2019, revenue increased approximately $2.3 million, or 7.9%, compared with the three months ended September 30, 2018. The increase was primarily attributable to a full quarter of results from the Big Sandy acquisition and growth in ARPU from an increase in video rates.
Enterprise & other revenue
Enterprise & other revenue is mainly comprised of fiber services, backhaul and installation services. During the three months ended September 30, 2019, Enterprise & other revenue increased approximately $0.6 million, or 18.2%, compared with the three months ended September 30, 2018 primarily attributable to expansion of the Company's fiber network and increased demand for fiber services.
Operating expenses
During the three months ended September 30, 2019, operating expenses increased approximately $2.5 million, or 9.3%, compared with the three months ended September 30, 2018 primarily due to $0.8 million of expenses incurred that were associated with starting our FTTH product offering, higher repair and maintenance expenses of $0.8 million associated with maintaining our growing network, higher sales and marketing expenses of $0.6 million and $0.2 million in higher programming costs. We expect to continue to incur expenses related to the initiation of FTTH in select markets, in advance of generating revenue from this new product.
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2019 Compared with the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018
Nine Months Ended September 30,
Change
($ in thousands)
2019
% of Revenue
2018
% of Revenue
$
%
Cable operating revenue
Residential & SMB revenue
$
91,250
88.2
%
$
85,797
89.4
%
5,453
6.4
%
Equipment revenue
817
0.8
%
537
0.6
%
280
52.1
%
Enterprise & other revenue
11,436
11.0
%
9,670
10.0
%
1,766
18.3
%
Total Cable operating revenue
103,503
100.0
%
96,004
100.0
%
7,499
7.8
%
Cable operating expenses
Cost of services
47,138
45.5
%
45,118
47.0
%
2,020
4.5
%
Cost of goods sold
443
0.4
%
197
0.2
%
246
124.9
%
Selling, general and administrative
17,898
17.3
%
14,940
15.6
%
2,958
19.8
%
Depreciation and amortization
19,239
18.7
%
18,305
19.0
%
934
5.1
%
Total Cable operating expenses
84,718
81.9
%
78,560
81.8
%
6,158
7.8
%
Cable operating income
$
18,785
18.1
%
$
17,444
18.2
%
1,341
7.7
%
Residential & SMB revenue
During the nine months ended September 30, 2019, revenue increased approximately $5.5 million, or 6.4%, compared with the nine months ended September 30, 2018. The increase was primarily attributable to a full quarter of results from the Big Sandy acquisition and growth in ARPU from an increase in video rates.
Enterprise & other revenue
During the nine months ended September 30, 2019, Enterprise & other revenue increased approximately $1.8 million, or 18.3%, compared with the nine months ended September 30, 2018 primarily attributable to expansion of the Company's fiber network and increased demand for fiber services.
Operating expenses
During the nine months ended September 30, 2019, operating expenses increased approximately $6.2 million, or 7.8%, compared with the nine months ended September 30, 2018 primarily due to $1.8 million of expenses incurred for starting our FTTH product offering, $1.5 million of higher sales and marketing expenses, $1.4 million of higher repair and maintenance expenses, $0.9 million of higher depreciation and amortization expense, and $0.7 million of higher programming fees. We expect to continue to incur expenses related to the initiation of FTTH in select markets, in advance of generating revenue from this new product.
Three Months Ended September 30, 2019 Compared with the Three Months Ended September 30, 2018
Three Months Ended September 30,
Change
($ in thousands)
2019
% of Revenue
2018
% of Revenue
$
%
Wireline operating revenue
Service revenue
$
5,892
30.8
%
$
5,824
29.7
%
68
1.2
%
Carrier access and fiber revenue
12,504
65.3
%
13,019
66.3
%
(515
)
(4.0
)%
Equipment revenue
53
0.3
%
63
0.3
%
(10
)
(15.9
)%
Other revenue
695
3.6
%
716
3.7
%
(21
)
(2.9
)%
Total Wireline operating revenue
19,144
100.0
%
19,622
100.0
%
(478
)
(2.4
)%
Wireline operating expenses
Cost of services
9,104
47.6
%
9,266
47.2
%
(162
)
(1.7
)%
Costs of goods sold
98
0.5
%
19
0.1
%
79
415.8
%
Selling, general and administrative
1,938
10.1
%
1,780
9.1
%
158
8.9
%
Depreciation and amortization
3,077
16.1
%
3,435
17.5
%
(358
)
(10.4
)%
Total Wireline operating expenses
14,217
74.3
%
14,500
73.9
%
(283
)
(2.0
)%
Wireline operating income
$
4,927
25.7
%
$
5,122
26.1
%
(195
)
(3.8
)%
Operating revenue
During the three months ended September 30, 2019, total operating revenue decreased approximately $0.5 million compared with the three months ended September 30, 2018. The decrease was primarily attributable to a reduction in regulatory support funds.
Operating expenses
During the three months ended September 30, 2019, total operating expenses were comparable to the three months ended September 30, 2018.
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2019 Compared with the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018
During the nine months ended September 30, 2019, total operating revenue decreased approximately $0.9 million compared with the nine months ended September 30, 2018. Lower switched access terminating volume drove $0.6 million of the decline, and lower governmental support payments drove a further $0.3 million decrease.
Operating expenses
During the nine months ended September 30, 2019, total operating expenses decreased approximately $0.5 million compared with the nine months ended September 30, 2018 primarily due primarily to reductions in payroll expenses.
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
Adjusted OIBDA
Adjusted OIBDA represents Operating income before depreciation, amortization, stock-based compensation and certain other items of revenue, expense, gain or loss not reflective of our operating performance, which may or may not be recurring in nature.
Adjusted OIBDA is a non-GAAP financial measure that we use to evaluate our operating performance in comparison to our competitors. Management believes that analysts and investors use Adjusted OIBDA as a supplemental measure of operating performance to facilitate comparisons with other telecommunications companies. This measure isolates and evaluates operating performance by excluding the cost of financing (e.g., interest expense), as well as the non-cash depreciation and amortization of past capital investments, non-cash share-based compensation expense, and certain other items of revenue, expense, gain or loss not reflective of our operating performance, which may or may not be recurring in nature.
Adjusted OIBDA has limitations as an analytical tool and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for operating income, net income or any other measure of financial performance reported in accordance with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“GAAP”).
The following tables reconcile Adjusted OIBDA to operating income, which we consider to be the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure:
Three Months Ended September 30, 2019
(in thousands)
Wireless
Cable
Wireline
Other
Consolidated
Operating income
$
23,731
$
6,296
$
4,927
$
(9,595
)
$
25,359
Depreciation and amortization
27,200
6,226
3,077
123
36,626
OIBDA
50,931
12,522
8,004
(9,472
)
61,985
Share-based compensation expense
—
—
—
851
851
Adjusted OIBDA
$
50,931
$
12,522
$
8,004
$
(8,621
)
$
62,836
Additionally, we realized cash savings of $9.7 million during the period from the waiver of Sprint's Management Fee. These cash savings are accounted for as a reduction of the Sprint affiliate contract expansion asset, which was recognized in conjunction with the 2016 nTelos acquisition. The remaining waived management fee balance at September 30, 2019 was $128.2 million, which we expect to realize through 2022.
Three Months Ended September 30, 2018
(in thousands)
Wireless
Cable
Wireline
Other
Consolidated
Operating income
$
27,352
$
5,834
$
5,122
$
(9,979
)
$
28,329
Depreciation and amortization
30,363
6,102
3,435
128
40,028
OIBDA
57,715
11,936
8,557
(9,851
)
68,357
Share-based compensation expense
—
—
—
1,171
1,171
Adjusted OIBDA
$
57,715
$
11,936
$
8,557
$
(8,680
)
$
69,528
Additionally, we realized cash savings of $9.6 million during the period from the waiver of Sprint's Management Fee, as discussed above.
Our principal sources of liquidity are our cash and cash equivalents, cash generated from operations, and proceeds available under our Credit Facility.
As of September 30, 2019 our cash and cash equivalents totaled $97.4 million and the availability under our revolving line of credit was $75.0 million, for total available liquidity of $172.4 million.
The Company generated approximately $193.5 million of net cash from operations in the first nine months of 2019, representing an increase of $4.7 million or 2.5%, compared with the first nine months of 2018, primarily driven by:
•
a $9.7 million increase in net income, and was partially offset by
•
$4.8 million as the result of a change in working capital.
Net cash used in investing activities decreased$10.1 million, or 7.1%, for the nine months ended September 30, 2019. Cash used in investing activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2019, was primarily for:
•
$14.7 million increase in capital expenditures primarily driven by $6.0 million of capacity upgrades and network expansion across our Wireless network and a $8.7 million increase in our Cable segment to support the launch of our FTTH initiative;
•
$16.7 million for the purchase of FCC spectrum licenses; and
•
in 2018, we acquired the Sprint Territory Expansion Area for $52.0 million and in 2019 we acquired Big Sandy for $10.0 million which was integrated into our Cable segment.
We expect our investments in our networks and infrastructure to expand in support of our continued growth.
Net cash used in financing activities decreased$0.9 million, or 1.9%, for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 due to an increase in taxes paid for equity award issuances.
Borrowing Capacity. As of September 30, 2019, the Company’s outstanding debt, under the Credit Facility, totaled $740.6 million, with an estimated annualized effective interest rate of 3.63% after considering the impact of the interest rate swap contracts and unamortized loan costs.
As of September 30, 2019, the Company was in compliance with the financial covenants in its Credit Facility agreement.
We believe that cash on hand, cash flow from operations and borrowings expected to be available under our existing credit facilities will provide sufficient cash to enable us to fund planned capital expenditures, make scheduled principal and interest payments on our long-term debt, meet our other cash requirements and maintain compliance with the terms of our financing agreements for at least the next twelve months. There can be no assurance that we will continue to generate cash flows at or above current levels or that we will be able to maintain our ability to borrow under our credit facilities. Thereafter, capital expenditures will likely be required to continue planned capital upgrades to the acquired wireless network and provide increased capacity to meet our expected growth in demand for our products and services. The actual amount and timing of our future capital requirements may differ materially from our estimate depending on the demand for our products, new market developments and expansion opportunities.
Our cash flows from operations could be adversely affected by events outside our control, including, without limitation, changes in overall economic conditions, regulatory requirements, changes in technologies, demand for our products, availability of labor resources and capital, changes in our relationship with Sprint, and other conditions. The Wireless segment’s operations are dependent upon Sprint’s ability to execute certain functions such as billing, customer care, and collections; our ability to develop and implement successful marketing programs and new products and services; and our ability to effectively and economically manage other operating activities under our agreements with Sprint. Our ability to attract and maintain a sufficient customer base, particularly in our cable markets, is also critical to our ability to maintain a positive cash flow from operations. The foregoing events individually or collectively could affect our results.
Critical accounting policies are those policies that affect our more significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements. For a more detailed discussion of our critical accounting policies, please refer to our 2018 Form 10-K.
ITEM 3.
QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
The Company’s market risks relate primarily to changes in interest rates. The Company’s interest rate risk generally involves two components. The first component is outstanding debt with variable rates. As of September 30, 2019, the Company had $740.6 million of gross variable rate debt outstanding, bearing interest at a weighted average rate of 3.63%. An increase in market interest rates of 1.00% would add approximately $7.3 million to annual interest expense, excluding the effect of the interest rate swap. The swaps cover notional principal equal to $292.6 million, or approximately 39.5% as of September 30, 2019. The Company is required to pay a combined fixed rate of approximately 1.16% and receive a variable rate based on one month LIBOR (2.11% for September 2019), to manage a portion of its interest rate risk. Changes in the net interest paid or received under the swaps would offset approximately 60.5% of the change in interest expense on the variable rate debt outstanding. The swap agreements currently reduce annual interest expense by approximately $1.4 million, based on the spread between the fixed rate and the variable rate currently in effect on our debt.
Management, with the participation of our President and Chief Executive Officer, who is the Principal Executive Officer, and the Senior Vice President - Finance and Chief Financial Officer, who is the Principal Financial Officer, and the Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer, who is the Principal Accounting Officer, conducted an evaluation of our disclosure controls and procedures, (as defined by Rule 13a-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934), as of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly report on Form 10-Q.
As disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for our fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, we identified material weaknesses in internal control over financial reporting. The material weaknesses will not be considered remediated until the applicable enhanced controls operate for a sufficient period of time and management has concluded, through testing, that these controls are operating effectively. As remediation has not yet been completed, our President and Chief Executive Officer and our Senior Vice President - Finance and Chief Financial Officer, and our Vice President - Chief Accounting Officer, have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures continued to be ineffective as of September 30, 2019.
Notwithstanding the material weaknesses, management has concluded that the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q fairly state, in all material respects, our financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the periods presented.
Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
There have been no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) of the Exchange Act) as of September 30, 2019, that have materially affected or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
Remediation Efforts
Management is continuing to implement the material weakness remediation plans as disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for our fiscal year ended December 31, 2018. We believe that these actions and the improvements we expect to achieve will effectively remediate the material weaknesses. However, these material weaknesses will not be considered remediated until the enhanced controls operate for a sufficient period of time and management has concluded that these controls are operating effectively.
We discuss in our Annual Report on Form 10-K various risks that may materially affect our business. We use this section to update this discussion to reflect material developments since our Form 10-K was filed. As of September 30, 2019, the Company has not identified any updates to the risk factors included in our most recent Form 10-K.
ITEM 2.
Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities
None.
Use of Proceeds from Registered Securities
None.
Purchases of Equity Securities by the Issuer or Affiliated Purchasers
There have been no repurchases of shares during the months of July, August and September 2019.
The following exhibits are filed with this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q:
3.1
Amended and Restated Bylaws of Shenandoah Telecommunications Company, as amended effective April 16, 2019
3.2
Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation, as amended effective August 31, 2019
3.3
Amended and Restated Bylaws of Shenandoah Telecommunications Company, as amended effective October 29, 2019
31.1*
Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
31.2*
Certification of Principal Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
31.3*
Certification of Principal Accounting Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
32**
Certifications pursuant to Rule 13a-14(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and 18 U.S.C. § 1350.
(101)
Formatted in XBRL (Extensible Business Reporting Language)
101.INS
XBRL Instance Document - the instance document does not appear in the interactive data file because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document
This certification is deemed not filed for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (Exchange Act), or otherwise subject to the liability of that section, nor shall it be deemed incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (Securities Act), or the Exchange Act.
Certifications pursuant to Rule 13a-14(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and 18 U.S.C. § 1350.
(101)
Formatted in XBRL (Extensible Business Reporting Language)
101.INS
XBRL Instance Document - the instance document does not appear in the interactive data file because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document
This certification is deemed not filed for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (Exchange Act), or otherwise subject to the liability of that section, nor shall it be deemed incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (Securities Act), or the Exchange Act.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
Customers and Suppliers of SHENANDOAH TELECOMMUNICATIONS CO/VA/
Beta
No Customers Found
No Suppliers Found
Bonds of SHENANDOAH TELECOMMUNICATIONS CO/VA/
Price Graph
Price
Yield
Insider Ownership of SHENANDOAH TELECOMMUNICATIONS CO/VA/
company Beta
Owner
Position
Direct Shares
Indirect Shares
AI Insights
Summary Financials of SHENANDOAH TELECOMMUNICATIONS CO/VA/
Beta
(We are using algorithms to extract and display detailed data. This is a hard problem and we are working continuously to classify data in an accurate and useful manner.)