ITC^DeltaCom Reports 2007 Fourth Quarter and Full-Year Results

Thu Mar 20, 2008 10:47pm EDT
 
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HUNTSVILLE, Ala., March 20 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- ITC^DeltaCom, Inc.
(OTC Bulletin Board: ITCD), a leading provider of integrated communications
services to customers in the southeastern United States, today reported its
operating and financial results for the quarter and the year ended December
31, 2007.
    For the quarter ended December 31, 2007, ITC^DeltaCom reported total
operating revenues of $122.0 million, a net loss of $(11.6) million, and
EBITDA* of $19.7 million (excluding stock-based compensation as explained
below). For the year ended December 31, 2007, ITC^DeltaCom reported total
operating revenues of $492.1 million, a net loss of $(177.0) million, and
EBITDA* of $77.0 million (excluding certain one-time costs and losses and
stock-based compensation associated with the Company's refinancing and
recapitalization consummated on July 31, 2007 as explained below).
    "Our investments in new products and customer service enhancements
resulted in strong customer growth in 2007, with a 15% increase in our core
facilities-based retail business lines," said Randall E. Curran,
ITC^DeltaCom's Chief Executive Officer.  He continued, "At the same time,
we've maintained focus on increasing the efficiency of our network, and we're
pleased to see the results of all of these initiatives in our 2007 results."
    Among its operating highlights for the fourth quarter and the year,
ITC^DeltaCom:
    -- Increased EBITDA (excluding $9.2 million of stock-based compensation
       and $122.4 million of costs and losses from the extinguishment of debt
       and unused equity commitment in connection with the refinancing and
       recapitalization transactions it completed on July 31, 2007), to $77.0
       million for the year, which represented a 19% increase over 2006 EBITDA
       of $64.7 million (excluding $2.6 million of stock-based compensation,
       $500,000 of restructuring expenses and $330,000 cost of hurricane
       impact);

    -- Increased EBITDA (excluding $4.5 million of stock-based compensation)
       to $19.7 million for the quarter, which represented a 19.4% increase
       over EBITDA of $16.5 million (excluding $684,000 of stock-based
       compensation and $22,000 restructuring expenses) for the fourth quarter
       of 2006;

    -- Increased unlevered free cash flow to $9.2 million for the quarter
       compared to $7.3 million for the fourth quarter of 2006, an increase of
       26%;

    -- Expanded its customer base by adding approximately 43,500 core
       facilities-based retail business voice lines in service (including both
       UNE-T and UNE lines), representing 15% growth from year end 2006 to
       year end 2007 and increased those lines as a percentage of total retail
       business voice lines in service from 75% to 81%;

    -- Grew business local, data and Internet revenues by $21.7 million for
       the 2007 year, or 9.3%, and increased equipment sales for the 2007 year
       by 7.9% over 2006;

    -- Reduced cost of services and equipment as a percentage of total
       operating revenues to 47.2% for the 2007 year from 50.1% for the 2006
       year by eliminating excess costs from our network;

    -- Strengthened its balance sheet by reducing its outstanding debt by
       approximately $63 million, reducing its annual borrowing costs by
       approximately $25 million, and eliminating approximately $7 million of
       annual in-kind dividends on its formerly outstanding preferred stock
        through the refinancing and recapitalization transactions completed on
       July 31, 2007, and

    -- Generated more than $30 million in unlevered free cash flow for the
       year.


    "We're pleased to report strong growth in our core retail revenues,
increased operating profitability, and over $30 million in unlevered free cash
flow during 2007," said Richard E. Fish, Executive Vice President and Chief
Financial Officer.  "In addition, we completed refinancing transactions in
2007 that we believe have resulted in substantial enhancements to shareholder
value."
    *  EBITDA represents net income (loss) before interest, taxes,
       depreciation and amortization, all as disclosed in the consolidated
       statements of operations and comprehensive loss. EBITDA is not a
       measurement of financial performance under accounting principles
       generally accepted in the United States. For information about
       management's reasons for providing data with respect to EBITDA, the
       limitations associated with the use of EBITDA and a quantitative
       reconciliation of EBITDA to net loss, as net loss is calculated in
       accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, see the
       accompanying table captioned "EBITDA Reconciliation."

    ** Unlevered free cash flow is defined by ITC^DeltaCom as net cash
       provided by operating activities, less capital expenditures, changes in
       accrued capital-related costs and equipment purchased through capital
       leases plus interest expense net of interest income, debt prepayment
       penalties paid in cash and equity commitment fees paid, all as
       disclosed in the consolidated statements of cash flows or the
       consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss.
       Unlevered free cash flow is not a measurement of financial performance
       under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States.
       For information about management's reasons for providing data with
       respect to unlevered free cash flow, the limitations associated with
       the use of unlevered free cash flow and a quantitative reconciliation
       of unlevered free cash flow to net cash provided by operating
       activities, as net cash provided by operating activities is calculated
       in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, see the
       accompanying table captioned "Unlevered Free Cash Flow Reconciliation."


    ABOUT ITC^DELTACOM, INC.
    ITC^DeltaCom, Inc., headquartered in Huntsville, Alabama, provides,
through its operating subsidiaries, integrated telecommunications and
technology services to businesses and consumers in the southeastern United
States. ITC^DeltaCom has a fiber optic network spanning approximately 15,800
route miles, including more than 11,800 route miles of owned fiber, and offers
a comprehensive suite of voice and data communications services, including
local, long distance, broadband data communications, Internet connectivity,
and customer premise equipment to end-user customers. ITC^DeltaCom is one of
the largest competitive telecommunications providers in its primary eight-
state region. For more information about ITC^DeltaCom, visit ITC^DeltaCom's
Web site at www.deltacom.com.
    FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
    Except for the historical and present factual information contained
herein, this release contains "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 release, the words "anticipate,"
"believe," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "plan" and similar expressions as
they relate to ITC^DeltaCom, Inc. or its management are intended to identify
these forward-looking statements. All statements by the Company regarding its
expected financial position, revenues, liquidity, cash flow and other
operating results, balance sheet improvement, business strategy, financing
plans, forecasted trends related to the markets in which it operates, legal
proceedings and similar matters are forward-looking statements. The Company's
actual results could be materially different from its expectations because of
various risks. These risks, some of which are discussed under the caption
"Risk Factors" in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 2007, and in the Company's subsequent SEC reports, include the
Company's dependence on new product development, rapid technological and
market change, the Company's dependence upon rights of way and other third-
party agreements, debt service and other cash requirements, liquidity
constraints and risks related to future growth and rapid expansion. Other
important risk factors that could cause actual events or results to differ
from those contained or implied in the forward-looking statements include,
without limitation, customer attrition, delays or difficulties in deployment
and implementation of colocation arrangements and facilities, appeals of or
failures by third parties to comply with rulings of governmental entities,
inability to meet installation schedules, general economic and business
conditions, failure to maintain underlying service/vendor arrangements,
competition, adverse changes in the regulatory or legislative environment, and
various other factors beyond the Company's control. ITC^DeltaCom disclaims any
responsibility to update these forward-looking statements.
    Investor Contact:
    Richard E. Fish
    Chief Financial Officer
    256-382-3827
    richard.fish@deltacom.com



                              ITC^DeltaCom, Inc.
                             Financial Highlights
               (In thousands, except share and per share data)

                                                    Year Ended December 31,
                                                      2007           2006

    OPERATING REVENUES:
       Integrated communications services           $395,573       $381,766
       Wholesale services                             70,590         81,785
       Equipment sales and related services           25,985         24,089

    TOTAL OPERATING REVENUES                         492,148        487,640

    COSTS AND EXPENSES:
       Cost of services and equipment,
        excluding depreciation and amortization      232,192        244,278
       Selling, operations and administration
        expense                                      192,085        182,873
       Depreciation and amortization                  74,166         59,832
          Total operating expenses                   498,443        486,983

    OPERATING INCOME (LOSS)                           (6,295)           657

    OTHER (EXPENSE) INCOME:
       Interest expense                              (50,598)       (57,625)
       Interest income                                 2,293          2,678
       Prepayment penalties on debt extinguished      (8,208)             -
       Debt issuance cost write-off                   (7,298)             -
       Loss on extinguishment of debt               (105,269)             -
       Cost of unused equity commitment               (1,620)             -
       Other income (expense)                            (31)           831
          Total other expense, net                  (170,731)       (54,116)

    LOSS BEFORE INCOME TAXES                        (177,026)       (53,459)

    INCOME TAX EXPENSE                                     -              -

    NET LOSS                                        (177,026)       (53,459)
    PREFERRED STOCK DIVIDENDS AND ACCRETION          (39,306)        (7,445)
    CHARGE DUE TO PREFERRED STOCK REDEMPTION
     AND CONVERSION                                  (44,250)             -

    NET LOSS APPLICABLE TO COMMON STOCKHOLDERS     $(260,582)      $(60,904)

    BASIC AND DILUTED NET LOSS PER COMMON SHARE       $(6.68)        $(3.25)

    BASIC AND DILUTED WEIGHTED AVERAGE COMMON
     SHARES OUTSTANDING                           39,001,228     18,751,067



                              ITC^DeltaCom, Inc.
                             Quarterly Highlights
                                 (Unaudited)
                                (In thousands)

                                           Three Months Ended
                               Dec. 31, Sept. 30, June 30, March 31, Dec. 31,
                                 2007      2007     2007     2007      2006
    Integrated communications
     services revenues: (1)
       Long distance and
        access                 $18,146   $19,476  $20,220  $19,568   $19,534
       Business local, data
        and internet            81,162    80,904   79,072   77,025    75,317

    Total integrated
     communications services
     revenues                   99,308   100,380   99,292   96,593    94,851
    Equipment sales and
     related services revenues   5,780     7,027    6,285    6,893     5,827
    Wholesale services
     revenues:
       Broadband transport      13,287    13,613   13,986   13,976    14,318
       Local interconnection     1,279     1,434    1,644    1,900     1,507
       Directory assistance and
        operator services        1,344     1,402    1,387    1,429     1,985
       Other                       982       906      978    1,043     1,285

    Total wholesale services
     revenues                   16,892    17,355   17,995   18,348    19,095

    Total operating revenues   121,980   124,762  123,572  121,834   119,773

    COSTS AND EXPENSES:
       Cost of services and
        equipment, excluding
        depreciation and
        amortization            56,577    58,838   58,668   58,109    56,722
       Selling, operations and
        administration expense  50,239    48,713   46,146   46,963    47,376
       Depreciation and
        amortization            19,079    19,449   18,260   17,378    16,448
       Restructuring                 -         -        -       24        22

          Total operating
           expenses            125,895   127,000  123,074  122,474   120,568

    OPERATING INCOME (LOSS)    $(3,915)  $(2,238)    $498    $(640)    $(795)


     (1)  Certain amounts have been reclassified for presentation purposes.



                              ITC^DeltaCom, Inc.
                       Quarterly Highlights (continued)
                                 (Unaudited)

                                           Three Months Ended
                               Dec. 31, Sept. 30, June 30, March 31, Dec. 31,
                                 2007      2007     2007     2007      2006

    Retail business voice
     lines in service(1)
       UNE-T and UNE lines(2)  339,534   327,915  316,267  309,178   295,995
       Increase from
        previous quarter           3.5%      3.7%     2.3%     4.5%      4.1%
       Resale and UNEP
        lines(3)                78,976    83,697   89,454   94,373    98,847
       (Decrease) from
        previous quarter          (5.6%)    (6.4%)   (5.2)%   (4.5)%    (3.1)%

    Total retail business
     voice lines in service    418,510   411,612  405,721  403,551   394,842

    Wholesale voice lines
     in service(4)              40,319    42,596   46,345   49,427    47,702
       Increase (decrease)
        from previous quarter     (5.3%)    (8.1%)   (6.2)%    3.6%    (10.4)%

    Total business voice
     lines in service (5)      458,829   454,208  452,066  452,978   442,544

    Number of employees (6)      1,800     1,813    1,807    1,867     1,975


    (1) Lines in service include only voice lines in service. Conversion of
        data services provided to customers to a voice line equivalent is not
        included.
    (2) Facilities-based service offering in which ITC^DeltaCom provides local
        transport through its owned and operated switching facilities.
    (3) Resale service offering in which ITC^DeltaCom provides local service
        through a leased switch port and loop from the local operating
        company.
    (4) Represents primary rate interface circuits provided as part of
        ITC^DeltaCom's local interconnection services for Internet service
        providers.
    (5) Reported net of lines disconnected or canceled.
    (6) Includes full-time and part-time employees.



                              ITC^DeltaCom, Inc.
                 Balance Sheet and Other Financial Highlights
                                (In thousands)

    Balance Sheet Data (at period end):              Dec. 31,       Dec. 31,
                                                       2007           2006

       Cash and cash equivalents (unrestricted)      $57,505        $67,643
       Working capital                                42,179         24,009
       Total assets                                  398,366        435,582
       Long-term liabilities                         306,535        338,512
       Convertible redeemable preferred stock         34,351         74,170
       Stockholders' deficit                         (23,924)       (91,039)
       Total liabilities and stockholders' deficit   398,366        435,582


                                                     Year Ended December 31,
    Other Financial Data:                              2007           2006


    Capital expenditures(1)                          $50,489        $46,880
    Cash flows provided by operating activities       23,163         28,676
    Cash flows used in investing activities           50,745         46,913
    Cash flows provided by financing activities       17,444         16,520
    EBITDA(2)(3)                                     (54,555)        61,320



                                           Three Months Ended
                               Dec. 31, Sept. 30, June 30, March 31, Dec. 31,
    Other Financial Data:        2007      2007     2007     2007      2006
                                                (Unaudited)

    Capital expenditures(1)    $12,215   $11,508  $13,105  $13,661   $13,092
    Cash flows (used in)
     provided by:
       Operating activities     13,740    (5,712)   8,739    6,396     6,154
       Investing activities    (12,552)  (11,767) (13,269) (13,157)  (13,622)
       Financing activities     (2,111)   22,817   (3,079)    (183)   17,534

    EBITDA (2)(3)(4)            15,151  (105,225)  18,769   16,750    15,762

    Unlevered free cash
     flow (5)                    9,240     3,222   10,677    7,433     7,287



                              ITC^DeltaCom, Inc.
           Balance Sheet and Other Financial Highlights (continued)
                                (In thousands)

    Notes:
    (1) Includes equipment purchased through capital leases and changes in
        accrued capital related costs.
    (2) EBITDA represents net income (loss) before interest, taxes,
        depreciation and amortization. EBITDA is not a measurement of
        financial performance under accounting principles generally accepted
        in the United States. For information about management's reasons for
        providing data with respect to EBITDA and the limitations associated
        with the use of EBITDA, and for a quantitative reconciliation of
        EBITDA to net loss, as net loss is calculated in accordance with
        generally accepted accounting principles, see the accompanying table
        captioned "EBITDA Reconciliation."
    (3) EBITDA in the table above includes the following items for the
        reported periods in 2007 and 2006:

                                                     Year Ended December 31,
    Items included in EBITDA:                          2007           2006

       Restructuring expenses                            $24           $501
       Non-cash loss on extinguishment of debt       105,269              -
       Debt issue cost write-off                       7,298              -
       Prepayment penalties on debt                    8,208              -
       Equity commitment fee                           1,620              -
       Stock-based compensation(6)                     9,169          2,569
       Hurricane Katrina impact                            -            330
                                                    $131,588         $3,400



    (4)  For 2007 and 2006 three-month periods, EBITDA included the following:


                                           Three Months Ended
                               Dec. 31, Sept. 30, June 30, March 31, Dec. 31,
                                 2007      2007     2007     2007      2006
                                                 (Unaudited)
    Items included in EBITDA:
     (Unaudited)
       Restructuring expenses       $-        $-       $-      $24       $22
       Non-cash loss on
        extinguishment of
        debt                         -   105,269        -        -         -
       Debt issue cost
        write-off                    -     7,298        -        -         -
       Prepayment penalties
        on debt                      -     8,208        -        -         -
       Equity commitment fee         -     1,620        -        -         -
       Stock-based
        compensation(6)          4,470     3,268      710      721       684
                                $4,470  $125,663     $710     $745      $706



                              ITC^DeltaCom, Inc.
           Balance Sheet and Other Financial Highlights (continued)
                                 (Unaudited)
                                (In thousands)

    Notes:  (continued)

    (5) Unlevered free cash flow is defined by ITC^DeltaCom as net cash
        provided by operating activities, less capital expenditures, changes
        in accrued capital related costs and equipment purchased through
        capital leases plus interest expense net of interest income, debt
        prepayment penalties paid in cash and equity commitment fees paid all
        as disclosed in the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows or
        the condensed consolidated statements of operations. Unlevered free
        cash flow is not a measurement of financial performance under
        accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. For
        information about management's reasons for providing data with respect
        to unlevered free cash flow, the limitations associated with the use
        of unlevered free cash flow and a quantitative reconciliation of
        unlevered free cash flow to net cash provided by operating activities,
        as net cash provided by operating activities is calculated in
        accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, see the
        accompanying table captioned "Unlevered Free Cash Flow
        Reconciliation."

    (6) $2.4 million of stock-based compensation in the three months ended
        September 30, 2007 is attributable to required accounting treatment
        for modification of compensatory equity awards as a result of the
        recapitalization transactions consummated on July 31, 2007. $3.6
        million of stock-based compensation in the three months ended December
        31, 2007 is attributable to required accounting treatment for
        compensatory equity awards as a result of the modification on December
        21, 2007 of the terms of vesting for certain awards.



                              ITC^DeltaCom, Inc.
                            EBITDA Reconciliation
                                (In thousands)
                                 (Unaudited)

    EBITDA represents net income (loss) before interest, taxes, depreciation
and amortization. EBITDA is not a measurement of financial performance under
accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. The following
table presents EBITDA amounts for the fiscal years and fiscal quarters
indicated and also sets forth a quantitative reconciliation of EBITDA to net
loss, as net loss is calculated in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles:
                                                    Year Ended December 31,
                                                       2007           2006
    Net loss                                       $(177,026)      $(53,459)
    Add: items not included in EBITDA:
       Depreciation and amortization                  74,166         59,832
       Interest expense, net of interest income       48,305         54,947

    EBITDA                                          $(54,555)       $61,320



                                           Three Months Ended
                              Dec. 31,  Sept. 30, June 30, March 31, Dec. 31,
                               2007       2007      2007      2007     2006
                                                 (Unaudited)

    Net loss                $(11,643) $(135,523) $(14,534) $(15,326) $(15,006)
    Add: items not
     included in EBITDA:
       Depreciation and
        amortization          19,079     19,449    18,260    17,378    16,448
       Interest expense, net
        of interest income     7,715     10,849    15,043    14,698    14,320

    EBITDA                   $15,151  $(105,225)  $18,769   $16,750   $15,762


    ITC^DeltaCom has included data with respect to EBITDA because its
management evaluates and projects the performance of ITC^DeltaCom's business
using several measures, including EBITDA. Management considers EBITDA to be an
important supplemental indicator of its operating performance, particularly as
compared to the operating performance of its competitors, because this measure
eliminates many differences among companies in financial, capitalization and
tax structures, capital investment cycles and ages of related assets, as well
as some recurring non-cash and non-operating supplemental information to
investors regarding its operating performance and facilitates comparisons by
investors between the operating performance of ITC^DeltaCom and the operating
performance of ITC^DeltaCom's competitors. ITC^DeltaCom's management believes
that consideration of EBITDA should be supplemental, because EBITDA has
limitations as an analytical financial measure. These limitations include the
following:
    -- EBITDA does not reflect ITC^DeltaCom's cash expenditures, or future
       requirements for capital expenditures, or contractual commitments;

    -- EBITDA does not reflect the interest expense, or the cash requirements
       necessary to service interest or principal payments, on ITC^DeltaCom's
       indebtedness;

    -- EBITDA does not reflect depreciation and amortization charges, and
       although such are non-cash charges, the assets being depreciated and
       amortized will often have to be replaced in the future and EBITDA does
       not reflect any cash requirements for such replacements;

    -- EBITDA does not reflect the effect of earnings or charges resulting
       from matters ITC^DeltaCom's management considers not to be indicative
       of its ongoing operations; and

    -- EBITDA may be calculated in a different manner by other companies in
       ITC^DeltaCom's industry, which limits its usefulness as a comparative
       measure.


    ITC^DeltaCom's management compensates for these limitations by relying
primarily on its results under generally accepted accounting principles to
evaluate its operating performance and by considering independently the
economic effects of the foregoing items that are not reflected in EBITDA. As a
result of these limitations, EBITDA should not be considered as an alternative
to net income (loss), as calculated in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles, as a measure of operating performance, nor should it be
considered as an alternative to cash flows, as calculated in accordance with
generally accepted accounting principles, as a measure of liquidity.


                              ITC^DeltaCom, Inc.
                   Unlevered Free Cash Flow Reconciliation
                                (In thousands)
                                 (Unaudited)

    Unlevered free cash flow is defined by ITC^DeltaCom as net cash provided
by operating activities, less capital expenditures, changes in accrued capital
related costs and equipment purchased through capital leases plus interest
expense net of interest income, debt prepayment penalties paid in cash and
equity commitment fees paid, all as disclosed in the condensed consolidated
statements of cash flows or the condensed consolidated statements of
operations. Unlevered free cash flow is not a measurement of financial
performance under accounting principles generally accepted in the United
States. The following table presents unlevered free cash flow amounts for the
years and fiscal quarters indicated and also sets forth a quantitative
reconciliation of unlevered free cash flow to net cash provided by operating
activities, as net cash provided by operating activities is calculated in
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles:


                                                     Year Ended December 31,
                                                       2007           2006
    Net cash provided by operating activities        $23,163        $28,676

    Add:
       Interest expense, net of interest income       48,305         54,947
       Prepayment penalties on debt paid in cash       7,973              -
       Equity commitment fee                           1,620              -
    Less:
       Capital expenditures                          (47,888)       (46,068)
       Change in accrued capital related costs        (1,158)          (812)
       Equipment purchased through capital leases     (1,443)             -

    Unlevered free cash flow                         $30,572        $36,743



                                           Three Months Ended
                              Dec. 31,  Sept. 30, June 30, March 31, Dec. 31,
                               2007       2007      2007      2007     2006
                                                 (Unaudited)
    Net cash provided by
     operating activities    $13,740   $(5,712)(1) $8,739   $6,396   $6,154

    Add:
       Interest expense,
        net of interest
        income                 7,715    10,849     15,043   14,698   14,320
       Prepayment penalties
        on debt paid in cash       -     7,973          -        -        -
       Equity commitment fee       -     1,620          -        -        -
    Less:
       Capital expenditures  (14,053)  (11,965)   (12,826)  (9,044) (16,556)
       Change in accrued
        capital related
        costs                  1,838       457       (279)  (3,174)   3,464
       Equipment purchased
        through capital
        leases                     -         -          -   (1,443)     (95)

    Unlevered free cash flow  $9,240    $3,222    $10,677   $7,433   $7,287



                              ITC^DeltaCom, Inc.
                   Unlevered Free Cash Flow Reconciliation
                                (In thousands)
                                 (Unaudited)

    Notes:

    (1) Cash payments of interest during the three months ended Sept. 30, 2007
        included two quarterly interest payments and totaled $19.5 million
        compared to interest expenses of $11.4 million recorded for this
        period. Before the refinancing completed on July 31, 2007, interest
        payments were due and made on the first day of each quarter. After the
        refinancing, interest payments were due and made on the last day of
        the quarter. The additional quarterly interest paid during the quarter
        as a result of the refinancing totaled $9.9 million.



                              ITC^DeltaCom, Inc.
             Unlevered Free Cash Flow Reconciliation (continued)
                                (In thousands)
                                 (Unaudited)


    ITC^DeltaCom has included data with respect to unlevered free cash flow
because its management considers unlevered free cash flow to be a useful,
supplemental indicator of its operating performance because, when measured
over time, unlevered free cash flow provides supplemental information to
investors concerning the growth rate in ITC^DeltaCom's operating results and
its ability to generate cash flows to satisfy mandatory debt service
requirements and make other mandatory, non-discretionary expenditures.
    -- ITC^DeltaCom's management believes that consideration of unlevered free
       cash flow should be supplemental, however, because unlevered free cash
       flow has limitations as an analytical financial measure. These
       limitations include the following:

    -- Unlevered free cash flow does not reflect ITC^DeltaCom's cash
       expenditures for interest expense or accrued restructuring and merger
       costs, prepayment penalties on debt paid in cash, equity commitment
       fees, changes in restricted cash balances or proceeds from sales of
       fixed assets;

    -- ITC^DeltaCom does not pay income taxes due to net operating losses, and
       therefore, generates greater unlevered free cash flow than a comparable
       business that does pay income taxes;

    -- Unlevered free cash flow is subject to variability on a quarterly basis
       as a result of the timing of payments made or received related to
       accounts receivable, accounts payable and other current operating
       assets and liabilities; and

    -- Unlevered free cash flow may be calculated in a different manner by
       other companies in ITC^DeltaCom's industry, which limits its usefulness
       as a comparative measure.


    ITC^DeltaCom's management compensates for these limitations by relying
primarily on its results under generally accepted accounting principles to
evaluate its operating performance and by considering independently the
economic effects of the foregoing items that are not reflected in unlevered
free cash flow. As a result of these limitations, unlevered free cash flow
should not be considered as a measure of liquidity nor as an alternative to
net cash provided by operating activities, cash used in investing activities,
cash provided by (used in) financing activities or change in cash and cash
equivalents, as calculated in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles.
SOURCE  ITC^DeltaCom, Inc.

Investors, Richard E. Fish, Chief Financial Officer, ITC^DeltaCom, Inc.,
+1-256-382-3827, richard.fish@deltacom.com

 

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