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GTT Communications, Inc. - Quarter Report: 2018 September (Form 10-Q)



UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q
þ
Quarterly Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
 
For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2018
 
or
¨
Transition Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
 
For the transition period from ____ to ____
 

Commission File Number 001-35965 
GTT Communications, Inc.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
 
Delaware
 
20-2096338
(State or Other Jurisdiction of
 
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
Incorporation or Organization)
 
 
 
7900 Tysons One Place
Suite 1450
McLean, Virginia 22102
(Address including zip code of principal executive offices)

(703) 442-5500
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)
 
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 þ 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 þ No ¨
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See definitions of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer," "smaller reporting company," and "emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one): 
Large Accelerated Filer
þ
 
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). Yes ¨ No þ
 
As of November 6, 2018, 54,701,256 shares of common stock, par value $.0001 per share, of the registrant were outstanding.
 
 



 
Page
 
   

2


PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
GTT Communications, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(Unaudited)
(Amounts in millions, except for share and per share data) 
 
September 30, 2018
 
December 31, 2017
ASSETS
 

 
 

Current assets:
 

 
 

Cash and cash equivalents
$
47.7

 
$
101.2

Accounts receivable, net of allowances of $4.2 and $5.1, respectively
254.1

 
102.8

Prepaid expenses and other current assets
68.8

 
24.1

Total current assets
370.6

 
228.1

Property and equipment, net
1,904.6

 
499.3

Intangible assets, net
564.6

 
417.1

Goodwill
1,666.8

  
644.5

Other long-term assets
86.6

 
9.2

Total assets
$
4,593.2

 
$
1,798.2

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
 

 
 

Current liabilities:
 

 
 

Accounts payable
$
125.7

 
$
22.5

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities
168.7

 
89.0

Acquisition holdbacks
8.9

 
14.0

Current portion of capital lease obligations
6.8

 
1.5

Current portion of long-term debt
40.9

 
7.0

Deferred revenue
191.5

 
53.7

Total current liabilities
542.5

 
187.7

Capital lease obligations, long-term portion
36.2

 
0.3

Long-term debt
3,115.5

 
1,236.5

Deferred revenue, long-term portion
268.6

 
108.0

Deferred tax liabilities
122.7

 
26.3

Other long-term liabilities
31.7

 
8.0

Total liabilities
4,117.2

 
1,566.8

Commitments and contingencies


 


Stockholders’ equity:
 

 
 

Common stock, par value $.0001 per share, 80,000,000 shares authorized, 54,671,841 and 44,531,905 shares issued and outstanding as of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively
—

 
—

Additional paid-in capital
799.0

 
360.2

Accumulated deficit
(315.3
)
 
(124.9
)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
(7.7
)
 
(3.9
)
Total stockholders’ equity
476.0

 
231.4

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
$
4,593.2

 
$
1,798.2


The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

3


GTT Communications, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
(Unaudited)
(Amounts in millions, except for share and per share data)
 
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
Revenue:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Telecommunications services
$
448.6

 
$
202.6

 
$
1,036.0

 
$
578.6


 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cost of telecommunications services
247.4

 
103.8

 
568.2

 
296.1

Selling, general and administrative expenses
112.7

 
52.0

 
270.7

 
151.6

Severance, restructuring and other exit costs
15.5

 
11.1

 
22.7

 
21.8

Depreciation and amortization
58.5

 
32.8

 
146.5

 
94.7


 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total operating expenses
434.1

 
199.7

 
1,008.1

 
564.2


 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating income
14.5

 
2.9

 
27.9

 
14.4


 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other expense:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest expense, net
(47.6
)
 
(18.3
)
 
(98.7
)
 
(50.7
)
Loss on debt extinguishment
—

 
(3.0
)
 
(13.8
)
 
(8.6
)
Other expense, net
8.1

 
0.2

 
(106.9
)
 
0.2


 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total other expense
(39.5
)
 
(21.1
)
 
(219.4
)
 
(59.1
)

 
 
 
 
  

 
  

Loss before income taxes
(25.0
)
 
(18.2
)
 
(191.5
)

(44.7
)

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Benefit from income taxes
(1.6
)
 
(8.7
)
 
(1.1
)
 
(22.7
)

 
 
 
 
  

 
  

Net loss
$
(23.4
)
 
$
(9.5
)
 
$
(190.4
)
 
$
(22.0
)

 
 
 
 
  

 
  

Loss per share:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
$
(0.43
)
 
$
(0.23
)
 
$
(3.87
)
 
$
(0.53
)
Diluted
$
(0.43
)
 
$
(0.23
)
 
$
(3.87
)
 
$
(0.53
)

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted average shares:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
54,671,787

 
41,762,693

 
49,210,929

 
41,160,317

Diluted
54,671,787

 
41,762,693

 
49,210,929

 
41,160,317


The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements


4



GTT Communications, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss
(Unaudited)
(Amounts in millions)
 
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
Net loss
$
(23.4
)
 
$
(9.5
)
 
$
(190.4
)
 
$
(22.0
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other comprehensive (loss) income:
 

 
 

 
 
 
 
Foreign currency translation adjustment
(6.9
)
 
0.5

 
(3.8
)
 
1.0

Comprehensive loss
$
(30.3
)
 
$
(9.0
)
 
$
(194.2
)
 
$
(21.0
)
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
 

5



GTT Communications, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Statement of Stockholders’ Equity
(Unaudited)
(Amounts in millions, except for share data)
 
 
 
Common Stock
 
Additional Paid-In Capital
 
Accumulated Deficit
 
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
 
Total
 
 
 
Shares
 
Amount
 
Balance, December 31, 2017
44,531,905

 
$
—

 
$
360.2

 
$
(124.9
)
 
$
(3.9
)
 
$
231.4

 
Share-based compensation for options issued
—

 
—

 
0.9

 
—

 
—

 
0.9

 
Share-based compensation for restricted stock issued
631,603

 
—

 
23.0

 
—

 
—

 
23.0

 
Tax withholding related to the vesting of restricted stock
(342,807
)
 
—

 
(16.1
)
 
—

 
—

 
(16.1
)
 
Stock issued in connection with employee stock purchase plan
22,866

 
—

 
0.7

 
—

 
—

 
0.7

 
Stock issued in connection with acquisition
79,930

 
—

 
4.2

 
—

 
—

 
4.2

 
Equity offerings, net of issuance costs
9,589,094

 
—

 
424.5

 
—

 
—

 
424.5

 
Stock options exercised
159,250

 
—

 
1.6

 
—

 
—

 
1.6

 
Net loss
—

 
—

 
—

 
(190.4
)
 
—

 
(190.4
)
 
Foreign currency translation
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(3.8
)
 
(3.8
)
 
Balance, September 30, 2018
54,671,841

 
$
—

 
$
799.0

 
$
(315.3
)
 
$
(7.7
)
 
$
476.0

 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

6


GTT Communications, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(Unaudited)
(Amounts in millions)

 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2018
 
2017
Cash flows from operating activities:
 

 
 

Net loss
$
(190.4
)
 
$
(22.0
)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities:
 
 
 
Depreciation and amortization
146.5

 
94.7

Share-based compensation
23.9

 
16.0

Debt discount amortization
1.9

 
0.5

Loss on debt extinguishment
13.8

 
8.6

Amortization of debt issuance costs
3.4

 
2.6

Change in fair value of derivative financial liability
106.9

 
—

Excess tax benefit from stock-based compensation
(6.6
)
 
(5.4
)
Deferred income taxes
8.0

 
(18.3
)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions:
 
 
 
Accounts receivable, net
0.4

 
(7.4
)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
12.9

 
4.3

Other long-term assets
(12.5
)
 
3.3

Accounts payable
15.5

 
(15.7
)
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities
(54.4
)
 
24.1

Deferred revenue
(11.2
)
 
(28.1
)
Other long-term liabilities
(8.1
)
 
(10.1
)
Net cash provided by operating activities
50.0

 
47.1

 
 
 
 
Cash flows from investing activities:
 

 
 
Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired
(2,206.7
)
 
(652.8
)
Purchase of customer contracts
—

 
(14.9
)
Settlement of deal-contingent foreign currency hedge
(105.8
)
 
—

Purchases of property and equipment
(61.4
)
 
(26.9
)
Net cash used in investing activities
(2,373.9
)
 
(694.6
)
 
 
 
 
Cash flows from financing activities:
 

 
 
Proceeds from revolving line of credit
7.5

 
—

Repayment of revolving line of credit
—

 
(20.0
)
Proceeds from term loans
2,633.7

 
696.5

Repayment of term loan
(699.6
)
 
(431.0
)
Proceeds from senior note
—

 
159.0

Repayment of other secured borrowings
(5.9
)
 
—

Payment of holdbacks
(11.2
)
 
(22.7
)
Debt issuance costs paid to third parties and lenders
(62.8
)
 
(29.9
)
Proceeds from equity issuance, net of issuance costs
424.5

 
—

Repayment of capital leases
(2.1
)
 
(1.0
)
Proceeds from issuance of common stock under employee stock purchase plan
0.7

 
0.5

Tax withholding related to the vesting of restricted stock
(16.1
)
 
(3.2
)
Exercise of stock options
1.6

 
1.0

Net cash provided by financing activities
2,270.3

 
349.2

 
 
 
 
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash
0.1

 
(0.9
)
 
 
 
 
Net decrease in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash
(53.5
)
 
(299.2
)
 
 
 
 
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at beginning of period
101.2

 
334.0

 
 
 
 
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at end of period
$
47.7

 
$
34.8

 
 
 
 
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
 

 
 

Cash paid for interest
$
102.4

 
$
39.0

Cash paid for income taxes, net of refunds
$
1.9

 
$
0.6

 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
 

7


GTT Communications, Inc. 
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)

NOTE 1 — ORGANIZATION AND BUSINESS
 
Organization and Business
 
GTT Communications, Inc. ("GTT" or the "Company") is a provider of cloud networking services to large national and multinational enterprise and carrier clients. The Company's comprehensive portfolio of cloud networking services includes: SD-WAN; wide area networking; managed services; internet; infrastructure services; voice; and video transport.

GTT's global network connects people across organizations and around the world. The Company's global network includes over 550 points of presence (PoPs), spans six continents, and provides services to clients in more than 100 countries. GTT differentiates itself from its competition by delivering services to its clients with simplicity, speed, and agility.

Basis of Presentation
 
The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") and should be read in conjunction with the Company’s audited financial statements and footnotes thereto for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017, included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on March 1, 2018. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP") have been omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations.

The condensed consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments) that are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair presentation of the Company’s consolidated financial position and its results of operations. The operating results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full fiscal year 2018 or for any other interim period. The December 31, 2017 consolidated balance sheet is condensed from the audited financial statements as of that date.

Reclassification Within Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows

Certain prior period amounts in the condensed consolidated statement of cash flows have been reclassified to conform with the current period presentation to reflect the total change in deferred revenue into a single line item as well as changes in operating assets and liabilities to more closely align with the related balance sheet caption.

Use of Estimates and Assumptions
 
The preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect certain reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Significant estimates are used when establishing allowances for doubtful accounts and accruals for billing disputes, determining useful lives for depreciation and amortization, estimating accruals for exit activities, assessing the need for impairment charges (including those related to intangible assets and goodwill), determining the fair values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed in business combinations, accounting for income taxes and related valuation allowances against deferred tax assets, and estimating the grant date fair values used to compute the share-based compensation expense. Management evaluates these estimates and judgments on an ongoing basis and makes estimates based on historical experience, current conditions, and various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. The results of these estimates form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities as well as identifying and assessing the accounting treatment with respect to commitments and contingencies. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.

Segment Reporting

The Company reports operating results and financial data in one operating and reporting segment. The Company's Chief Executive Officer is the chief operating decision maker and manages the Company as a single profit center in order to promote collaboration, provide comprehensive service offerings across its entire customer base, and provide incentives to employees based on the success of the organization as a whole. Although certain information regarding selected products or services and acquired companies are

8


discussed for purposes of promoting an understanding of the Company's complex business, the chief operating decision maker manages the Company and allocates resources at the consolidated level. Additionally, integration efforts related to Interoute are currently underway, but have not currently changed the manner in which the chief operating decision maker has managed the consolidated business. These integration efforts are designed to establish scale and align Interoute's network assets and product offerings within the existing business.

Revenue Recognition

The Company's revenue is derived primarily from telecommunications services. Revenues are recognized when control of these services is transferred to the customer, in an amount that reflects the consideration the Company expects to receive in exchange for those services.

The Company delivers seven primary services to its customers — SD-WAN; wide area networking; managed services; internet; voice; infrastructure services; and video transport.
 
The Company's services are provided under contracts that typically include an installation or provisioning charge along with payments of recurring charges on a monthly basis for use of the services over a committed term. Its contracts with customers specify the terms and conditions for providing such services, including installation date, recurring and non-recurring fees, payment terms, and length of term. These contracts call for the Company to provide the service in question (e.g., data transmission between point A and point Z), to manage the activation process, and to provide ongoing support (in the form of service maintenance and trouble-shooting) during the service term. The contracts do not typically provide the customer any rights to use specifically identifiable assets. Furthermore, the contracts generally provide the Company with discretion to engineer (or re-engineer) a particular network solution to satisfy each customer’s data transmission requirement, and typically prohibit physical access by the customer to the network infrastructure used by the Company and its suppliers to deliver the services.

Fees charged for ongoing services are generally fixed in price and billed on a recurring monthly basis (one month in advance) for a specified term. Fees may also be based on specific usage of the related services, or usage above a fixed threshold, which are billed monthly in arrears. The usage based fees represent variable consideration as defined by Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") 606, however, the nature of the fees are such that the Company is not able to estimate these amounts with a high degree of certainty and therefore the usage based fees are excluded from the transaction price and are instead recognized as revenue based on actual usage charges billed using the rates and/or thresholds specified in each contract. At the end of the term, most contracts provide for a continuation of services on the same terms, either for a specified renewal period (e.g., one year) or on a month-to-month basis. Revenue is generally recognized over time for these contracts as the customers simultaneously receive and consume the benefit of the service as the Company performs. Fees may also be billed for early terminations based on contractually stated amounts. The early termination fees represent variable consideration as defined by ASC 606. The Company estimates the amount of variable consideration it expects to be entitled to receive for such arrangements using the expected value method.

Primary geographical market. The Company’s operations are located primarily in the United States and Europe. The nature and timing of revenue from contracts with customers across geographic markets is similar. The following table presents the Company's revenues disaggregated by primary geographic market based on legal entities (in millions, unaudited):
 
Three Months Ended September 30, 2018
 
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018
Primary geographic market
 
 
 
US
$
192.7

 
$
577.6

UK
92.0

 
165.9

Ireland
20.6

 
75.9

Other
117.4

 
181.4

Total revenue from contracts with customers
422.7

 
1,000.8

Lease revenue
25.9

 
35.2

Total telecommunications services revenue
$
448.6

 
$
1,036.0


Contracts with multiple performance obligations. The majority of the Company’s contracts with customers have a single performance obligation - telecommunication services. The related installation services are generally considered not material within the context of the contract and in accordance with the guidance of ASC 606 the Company does not recognize these immaterial promised services as a separate performance obligation. Certain contracts with customers may include multiple performance

9


obligations, specifically when the Company sells its connectivity services in addition to customer premise equipment ("CPE"). For such arrangements, revenue is allocated to each performance obligation based on its relative standalone selling price. The standalone selling price for each performance obligation is based on observable prices charged to customers in similar transactions or using expected cost plus margin.

The Company applies the practical expedient in paragraph ASC 606-10-32-18 and does not adjust the promised amount of consideration for the effects of a significant financing component if the Company expects, at contract inception, that the period between when the Company transfers a promised good or service to a customer and when the customer pays for that good or service will be one year or less.

Prepaid Capacity Sales and Indefeasible Right to Use. The Company sells capacity on a long-term basis, where a certain portion of the contracted revenue is prepaid upon acceptance of the service by the customer. This prepaid amount is initially recorded as deferred revenue and amortized ratably over the term of the contract. Certain of these prepaid capacity sales are in the form of Indefeasible Rights to Use ("IRUs"), where the customer has the right to use the capacity of the fiber optic cable for a specified term. The Company records revenues from these prepaid leases of fiber optic cable IRUs over the term that the customer is given exclusive access to the assets.

Universal Service Fund (USF), Gross Receipts Taxes and Other Surcharges. The Company is liable in certain cases for collecting regulatory fees and/or certain sales taxes from its customers and remitting the fees and taxes to the applicable governing authorities. Taxes assessed by a governmental authority that are both imposed on and concurrent with a specific revenue-producing transaction, that are collected by the Company from a customer, are excluded from revenue. Conversely, USF contributions are assessed to the Company by and paid to the Universal Service Administration Company ("USAC") and are based on the Company’s interstate and inter-nation end-user revenues. The Company may assess its customers a separate fee to recoup its USF expense. These fees are included in telecommunications services revenue and costs of telecommunications services. USF fees and other surcharges billed to customers and recorded on a gross basis (as service telecommunications services revenue and cost of telecommunications services) were $5.3 million and $3.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively, and $17.5 million and $11.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

Contract balances. Accounts receivable represent amounts billed to customers where the Company has an enforceable right to payment for performance completed to date. Contract liabilities are generally limited to deferred revenue. Deferred revenue is a contract liability, representing advance consideration received from customers primarily related to the pre-paid capacity sales noted above, where transfer of control occurs over time, and therefore revenue is recognized over the related contractual service period.

In accordance with ASC 606, the Company is required to disclose its accounts receivable balances, contract assets, and contract liabilities related to revenue from contracts with customers, which excludes lease revenue, at September 30, 2018. The Company’s accounts receivable balance at September 30, 2018 includes $225.2 million in amounts billed for contracts with customers. There were no contract assets as of January 1, 2018 or September 30, 2018. Refer to Note 6 - Deferred Revenue for significant changes in the contract liabilities balances during the period as well as the estimated revenue expected to be recognized for each of the years subsequent to September 30, 2018 related to performance obligations that are unsatisfied (or partially unsatisfied) at September 30, 2018.

The Company applies the practical expedient in paragraph ASC 606-10-50-14 and does not disclose information about remaining performance obligations that have original expected durations of one year or less.

Contract Costs

The Company capitalizes sales commissions earned by its sales force when they are considered to be incremental and recoverable costs of obtaining a contract with a customer. These costs are deferred and then amortized over a period of benefit which is determined by taking into consideration our customer contacts, technology and other factors. Amortization of sales commissions expense is included in selling, general and administrative expenses. There were no significant amounts of assets recorded related to contract costs as of September 30, 2018.

Cost of Telecommunications Services

Cost of telecommunications services includes direct costs incurred in accessing other telecommunications providers’ networks in order to maintain the Company's global Tier 1 IP network and provide telecommunication services to the Company's customers, including access, co-location, usage-based charges, and certain excise taxes and surcharges recorded on a gross basis.


10


Share-Based Compensation
 
The Company issues three types of equity grants under its share-based compensation plan: time-based restricted stock, time-based stock options, and performance-based restricted stock. The time-based restricted stock and stock options generally vest over a four-year period, contingent upon meeting the requisite service period requirement. Performance awards typically vest over a shorter period, e.g. one to two years, starting when the performance criteria established in the grant have been met.

The share price of the Company's common stock as reported on the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE") on the date of grant is used as the fair value for all restricted stock. The Company uses the Black-Scholes option-pricing model to determine the estimated fair value for stock options. Critical inputs into the Black-Scholes option-pricing model include the following: option exercise price; fair value of the stock; expected life of the option; annualized volatility of the stock; annual rate of quarterly dividends on the stock; and risk-free interest rate.

Implied volatility is calculated as of each grant date based on our historical stock price volatility along with an assessment of a peer group. Other than the expected life of the option, volatility is the most sensitive input to our option grants. The risk-free interest rate used in the Black-Scholes option-pricing model is determined by referencing the U.S. Treasury yield curve rates with the remaining term equal to the expected life assumed at the date of grant. Forfeitures are estimated based on our historical analysis of attrition levels. Forfeiture estimates are updated quarterly for actual forfeitures.

The share-based compensation expense for time-based restricted stock and stock options is recognized on a straight-line basis over the vesting period. The Company begins recognizing share-based compensation expense for performance awards when the Company considers the achievement of the performance criteria to be probable through the expected vesting period.

Income Taxes
 
Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method pursuant to GAAP. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the expected future impacts attributable to the differences between the financial statement carrying amounts and the tax basis of assets and liabilities. The effect of a change in tax rates on deferred tax assets and liabilities is recognized in the period of the change. Further, deferred tax assets are recognized for the expected realization of available net operating loss and tax credit carryforwards. A valuation allowance is recorded on gross deferred tax assets when it is "more likely than not" that such asset will not be realized. When evaluating the realizability of deferred tax assets, all evidence, both positive and negative, is evaluated. Items considered in this analysis include the ability to carry back losses, the reversal of temporary differences, tax planning strategies, and expectations of future earnings. The Company reviews its deferred tax assets on a quarterly basis to determine if a valuation allowance is required based upon these factors. Changes in the Company's assessment of the need for a valuation allowance could give rise to a change in such allowance, potentially resulting in additional expense or benefit in the period of change.

The Company's income tax provision includes U.S. federal, state, local, and foreign income taxes and is based on pre-tax income or loss. In determining the annual effective income tax rate, the Company analyzes various factors, including its annual earnings and taxing jurisdictions in which the earnings were generated, transfer pricing methods, the impact of state and local income taxes, and its ability to use tax credits and net operating loss carryforwards.

Under GAAP for income taxes, the amount of tax benefit to be recognized is the amount of benefit that is "more likely than not" to be sustained upon examination. The Company analyzes its tax filing positions in all of the U.S. federal, state, local, and foreign tax jurisdictions where it is required to file income tax returns, as well as for all open tax years in these jurisdictions. If, based on this analysis, the Company determines that uncertainties in tax positions exist, a liability is established in the consolidated financial statements. The Company recognizes accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax positions in the provision for income taxes.

Comprehensive Loss
 
In addition to net loss, comprehensive loss includes certain charges or credits to equity occurring other than as a result of transactions with stockholders. For the Company, this consists of foreign currency translation adjustments.

Loss Per Share

Basic loss per share is computed by dividing net loss available to common stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding. Diluted loss per share reflects, in periods with earnings and in which they have a dilutive effect, the effect of common shares issuable upon exercise of stock options.

11



The table below details the calculations of loss per share (in millions, except for share and per share amounts):  
  
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
Numerator for basic and diluted EPS – net loss available to common stockholders
$
(23.4
)
 
$
(9.5
)
 
$
(190.4
)
 
$
(22.0
)
Denominator for basic EPS – weighted average shares
54,671,787

 
41,762,693

 
49,210,929

 
41,160,317

Effect of dilutive securities
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

Denominator for diluted EPS – weighted average shares
54,671,787

 
41,762,693

 
49,210,929

 
41,160,317

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Loss per share:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
$
(0.43
)
 
$
(0.23
)
 
$
(3.87
)
 
$
(0.53
)
Diluted
$
(0.43
)
 
$
(0.23
)
 
$
(3.87
)
 
$
(0.53
)
 
All outstanding stock options were anti-dilutive as of September 30, 2018 and 2017 due to the net loss incurred during the periods. There were approximately 526,000 and 767,000 outstanding stock options as of September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

Cash and Cash Equivalents
 
Cash and cash equivalents may include deposits with financial institutions as well as short-term money market instruments, certificates of deposit and debt instruments with maturities of three months or less when purchased.

The Company invests its cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments in accordance with the terms and conditions of its 2018 Credit Agreement, which seeks to ensure both liquidity and safety of principal. The Company’s policy limits investments to instruments issued by the U.S. government and commercial institutions with strong investment grade credit ratings, and places restrictions on the length of maturity. As of September 30, 2018, the Company held no investments in auction rate securities, collateralized debt obligations, structured investment vehicles, or non-government guaranteed mortgage-backed securities.

Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents that are contractually restricted from operating use are classified as restricted cash and cash equivalents. In December 2016, the Company completed a private offering of $300.0 million aggregate principal amount of 7.875% senior unsecured notes due in 2024. The proceeds of the private offering plus 60 days of prepaid interest, were deposited into escrow, where the funds remained until the closing of the acquisition of Hibernia Networks ("Hibernia") that occurred in January 2017. The proceeds were released from escrow at closing to fund the Hibernia acquisition.

Accounts Receivable, Net
 
Accounts receivable balances are stated at amounts due from the customer net of an allowance for doubtful accounts. Credit extended is based on an evaluation of the customer’s financial condition and is granted to qualified customers on an unsecured basis.
 
The Company, pursuant to its standard service contracts, is typically entitled to impose a monthly finance charge of a certain percentage per month with respect to amounts that are past due. The Company’s standard terms require payment within 30 days of the date of the invoice. The Company treats invoices as past due when they remain unpaid, in whole or in part, beyond the payment date set forth in the applicable service contract.
 
The Company determines its allowance for doubtful accounts by considering a number of factors, including the length of time trade receivables are past due, the customer’s payment history and current ability to pay its obligation to the Company, and the condition of the general economy. Specific reserves are also established on a case-by-case basis by management. Credit losses have historically been within management's estimates. Actual bad debts, when determined, reduce the allowance, the adequacy of which management then reassesses. The Company writes off accounts after a determination by management that the amounts are no longer likely to be collected, following the exercise of reasonable collection efforts, and upon management's determination that the costs

12


of pursuing collection outweigh the likelihood of recovery. The allowance for doubtful accounts was $4.2 million and $5.1 million as of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively.

Deferred Costs

Installation costs related to provisioning of recurring communications services that the Company incurs from independent third party suppliers, directly attributable and necessary to fulfill a particular service contract, and which would not have been incurred but for the occurrence of that service contract, are recorded as deferred costs and expensed ratably over the contractual term of service in the same manner as the deferred revenue arising from that contract. Based on historical experience, the Company believes the initial contractual term is the best estimate for the period of earnings. If any installation costs exceed the amount of corresponding deferred revenue, the excess cost is recognized in the current period.

Property and Equipment
 
Property and equipment are stated at cost, net of accumulated depreciation. Depreciation on these assets is computed on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the assets. Assets are recorded at acquired cost. Costs associated with the initial customer installations and upgrade of services and acquiring and deploying customer premise equipment, including materials, internal labor costs, and related indirect labor costs are also capitalized. Indirect and overhead costs include payroll taxes, insurance, and other benefits. Capitalized labor costs include the direct costs of engineers and service delivery technicians involved in the installation and upgrades of services, and the costs of support personnel directly involved in capitalizable activities, such as project managers and supervisors. Internal labor costs are based on standards developed by position for the percentage of time spent on capitalizable projects while overhead costs are capitalized based on standards developed from historical information. Costs for repairs and maintenance, disconnecting service, or reconnecting service are expensed as incurred. The Company capitalized labor costs, including indirect and overhead costs, of $3.0 million and $1.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively, and $9.2 million and $4.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively. Assets and liabilities under capital leases are recorded at the lesser of the present value of the aggregate future minimum lease payments or the fair value of the assets under lease. Leasehold improvements and assets under capital leases are amortized over the shorter of the term of the lease, excluding optional extensions, or the useful life. Expenditures for maintenance and repairs are expensed as incurred. Depreciable lives used by the Company for its classes of assets are as follows:
 
Freehold Buildings
30 years
Furniture and Fixtures
7 years
Fiber Optic Cable
20 years
Fiber Optic Network Equipment
3 - 15 years
Leasehold Improvements
up to 10 years
Computer Hardware and Software
3-5 years

The Company reviews long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the assets may not be recoverable. If the carrying amount of an asset were to exceed its estimated future undiscounted cash flows, the asset would be considered to be impaired. Impairment losses would then be measured as the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset exceeds the fair value of the asset. Assets to be disposed of, if any, are reported at the lower of the carrying amount or fair value less costs to sell.

Software Capitalization
    
Software development costs include costs to develop software programs to be used solely to meet the Company's internal needs. The Company capitalizes development costs related to these software applications once the preliminary project stage is complete and it is probable that the project will be completed. Subsequent additions, modifications or upgrades to internal-use software are capitalized only to the extent that they allow the software to perform a function it previously did not perform. Software maintenance, data conversion and training costs are expensed in the period in which they are incurred. The Company capitalized software costs of $1.4 million and $0.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively, and $3.6 million and $1.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively.


13


Goodwill and Intangible Assets 

Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of the net identifiable assets acquired in a business combination. Goodwill is reviewed for impairment at least annually, in October, or more frequently if a triggering event occurs between impairment testing dates. There were no triggering events or goodwill impairments identified for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017.

Intangible assets arising from business combinations, such as acquired customer contracts and relationships, (collectively "customer relationships"), trade names, and/or intellectual property, are initially recorded at fair value. The Company amortizes these intangible assets over the determined useful life which generally ranges from three to ten years. The Company reviews its intangible assets for impairment whenever events or circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be fully recoverable. There were no triggering events or intangible asset impairments recognized for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017.

Business Combinations
    
The Company includes the results of operations of the businesses that it acquires commencing on the respective dates of acquisition. The Company allocates the fair value of the purchase price of its acquisitions to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their estimated fair values. The excess of the fair value of the purchase price over the fair values of these identifiable assets and liabilities is recorded as goodwill.

Asset Purchases
 
Periodically the Company acquires customer contracts that it accounts for as an asset purchase and records a corresponding intangible asset that is amortized over its estimated useful life. No goodwill is recorded in an asset purchase.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2018, the Company did not acquire any such customer contracts.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2017, the Company acquired customer contracts for an aggregate purchase price of $37.3 million.

Accrued Supplier Expenses
 
The Company accrues estimated charges owed to its suppliers for services. The Company bases this accrual on the supplier contract, the individual service order executed with the supplier for that service, and the length of time the service has been active.
 
Disputed Supplier Expenses
 
In the normal course of business, the Company identifies errors by suppliers with respect to the billing of services. The Company performs bill verification procedures to ensure that errors in the Company's suppliers' billed invoices are identified and resolved. If the Company concludes that a vendor has billed inaccurately, the Company will record a liability only for the amount that it believes is owed. As of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, the Company had open disputes not accrued for of $9.2 million and $5.3 million, respectively.

Acquisition Holdbacks

Acquisition holdbacks represent fixed deferred consideration to be paid out at some point in the future, typically on the one-year anniversary of an acquisition or asset purchase. The portion of the deferred consideration due within one year is recorded as a current liability until paid, and any consideration due beyond one year is recorded in other long-term liabilities.

Debt Issuance Costs

Debt issuance costs represent costs that qualify for deferral associated with the issuance of new debt or the modification of existing debt facilities. The unamortized balance of debt issuance costs is presented as a reduction to the carrying value of long-term debt. Debt issuance costs are amortized and recognized on the condensed consolidated statements of operations as interest expense. The unamortized debt issuance costs were $32.1 million and $33.8 million as of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively.

Original Issuance Discounts and Premiums

14



Original issuance discounts and premiums is the difference between the face value of debt and the amount of principal received when the debt was originated. When the debt reaches maturity, the face value of the debt is payable. The Company recognizes original issuance discounts and premiums by accretion of the discount or premium as interest expense, net over the term of the debt. The unamortized portion of the original issuance discounts and premiums was a $49.4 million net discount and a $9.3 million net premium as of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively.

Translation of Foreign Currencies
 
For non-U.S. subsidiaries, the functional currency is evaluated at the time of the Company's acquisition of such subsidiaries and on a periodic basis for financial reporting purposes. These condensed consolidated financial statements have been reported in U.S. Dollars by translating asset and liability amounts of foreign subsidiaries at the closing currency exchange rate, equity amounts at historical rates, and the results of operations and cash flow at the average currency exchange rate prevailing during the periods reported. The net effect of such translation gains and losses are reflected in accumulated other comprehensive loss in the stockholders' equity section of the condensed consolidated balance sheets.

 Transactions denominated in foreign currencies other than a subsidiary's functional currency are recorded at the rates of exchange prevailing at the time of the transaction. Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are remeasured at the rate of exchange prevailing at the balance sheet date. Exchange differences arising upon settlement of a transaction are reported in the condensed consolidated statements of operations in other expense, net.

Derivative Financial Instruments
 
The Company may use derivatives to partially offset its business exposure to foreign currency or interest rate risk on expected future cash flows. There can be no assurance the hedges will offset more than a portion of the financial impact resulting from movements in foreign currency exchange or interest rates. The Company does not hold derivatives for trading purposes.

As of September 30, 2018, the Company had derivative financial instruments in the form of interest rate swaps outstanding. The interest rate swaps were not designated as hedges and therefore do not qualify for hedge accounting. Refer to Note 7 - Debt for further information. There were no derivative financial instruments outstanding as of December 31, 2017. Additionally, during the nine months ended September 30, 2018 the Company settled a derivative financial instrument to hedge foreign currency rates. Refer to Note 2 - Business Acquisitions for further information on the terms of the arrangement.

Derivatives that are not designated as hedging instruments are adjusted to fair value through earnings on the condensed consolidated statement of operations as other expense, net. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, the Company recognized a gain of $8.3 million and a loss of $107.0 million in other expense, net, respectively, due to the change in fair value of its derivative financial instruments.

The Company records the fair value of its derivative financial instruments in the condensed consolidated balance sheet as a component of other current assets when in a net asset position and a component of accrued expenses and other current liabilities when in a net liability position.

Fair Value Measurements
 
Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The Company classifies certain assets and liabilities based on the following hierarchy of fair value:

Level 1:
Quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in active markets that can be assessed at the measurement date.

Level 2:
Inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1, such as quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar assets and liabilities in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data.

Level 3:
Inputs reflect management's best estimate of what market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability at the measurement date. The inputs are unobservable in the market and significant to the instrument's valuation.


15


When determining the fair value measurements for assets and liabilities required to be recorded at fair value, management considers the principal or most advantageous market in which it would transact and considers risks, restrictions, or other assumptions that market participants would use when pricing the asset or liability.

Recurring Fair Value Measurements

In accordance with GAAP, certain assets and liabilities are required to be recorded at fair value on a recurring basis. For the Company, the only assets or liabilities adjusted to fair value on a recurring basis are its derivative financial instruments.

The Company measures all derivatives at fair value and recognizes them as either assets or liabilities in its condensed consolidated balance sheets. The Company's derivative financial instruments are valued primarily using models based on readily observable market parameters for all substantial terms of our derivative contracts, and therefore have been classified as Level 2. None of the Company's derivative financial instruments qualify for hedge accounting, and therefore all changes in the fair values of derivative instruments are recognized in earnings in the current period.

The following table presents the Company's financial assets and liabilities that are required to be measured and recognized at fair value on a recurring basis classified under the appropriate level of the fair value hierarchy as of September 30, 2018. There were no financial assets or liabilities that were required to be measured and recognized at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2017. There were no transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018.

 
September 30, 2018
 
 
 
Quoted Prices in Active Markets
 
Significant Other Observable Inputs
 
Significant Unobservable Inputs
(amounts in millions)
Total
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate swap agreements
$
5.8

 
$
—

 
$
5.8

 
$
—

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Liabilities:

 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate swap agreements
$
(6.5
)
 
$
—

 
$
(6.5
)
 
$
—


Non-recurring Fair Value Measurements

In addition to assets and liabilities that are recorded at fair value on a recurring basis, the Company records assets and liabilities at fair value on a non-recurring basis as required by GAAP.

Assets measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis include goodwill, tangible assets, and intangible assets. Such assets are reviewed quarterly for impairment indicators. If a triggering event has occurred, the assets are re-measured when the estimated fair value of the corresponding asset group is less than the carrying value. The fair value measurements, in such instances, are based on significant unobservable inputs (Level 3).

Other Fair Value Measurements

As of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, the carrying amounts reflected in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets for cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable, and other current liabilities, and acquisition earn-outs and holdbacks approximated fair value due to the short-term nature of these instruments.

The table below presents the fair values for the Company's long-term debt as well as the input level used to determine these fair values as of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017. The carrying amounts exclude any debt issuance costs or original issuance discount:


16


 
 
 
 
 
 
Fair Value Measurement Using
 
 
Total Carrying Value in Consolidated Balance Sheet
 
Unadjusted Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets or Liabilities (1)
(Level 1)
(amounts in millions)
 
September 30, 2018
 
December 31, 2017
 
September 30, 2018
 
December 31, 2017
Liabilities not recorded at fair value in the Financial Statements:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Long-term debt, including the current portion:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
US Term loan
 
$
1,765.6

 
$
693.0

 
$
1,750.1

 
$
697.3

EMEA Term loan
 
868.2

 
—

 
865.0

 
—

7.875% Senior unsecured notes
 
575.0

 
575.0

 
543.4

 
608.1

Revolving line of credit
 
7.5

 
—

 
7.4

 
—

Other secured loans
 
21.6

 
—

 
21.6

 
—

Total long-term debt, including current portion
 
$
3,237.9

 
$
1,268.0

 
$
3,187.5

 
$
1,305.4

(1) Fair value based on the bid quoted price, except for other secured loans for which carrying value approximates fair value.

Concentrations of Credit Risk

Financial instruments potentially subject to concentration of credit risk consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents and trade accounts receivable. At times during the periods presented, the Company had funds in excess of $250,000 insured by the U.S. Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, or in excess of similar Deposit Insurance programs outside of the United States, on deposit at various financial institutions. Management believes the Company is not exposed to significant credit risk due to the financial position of the depository institutions in which those deposits are held.

The Company's trade accounts receivable are generally unsecured and geographically dispersed. No single customer's trade accounts receivable balance as of September 30, 2018 or December 31, 2017 exceeded 10% of the Company's consolidated accounts receivable, net. No single customer accounted for more than 10% of revenue for the three or nine months ended September 30, 2018 or 2017.

Newly Adopted Accounting Principles

In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) as modified by subsequently issued ASUs 2015-14, 2016-08, 2016-10, 2016-12, and 2016-20 (collectively ASU 2014-09). The revenue recognition principle in ASU 2014-09 is that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The Company has adopted this new standard as of January 1, 2018 using the modified retrospective method. The adoption of the new standard did not have a material impact on the Company's condensed consolidated balance sheets, statements of operations, comprehensive (loss) income, stockholders' equity, or cash flows as of the adoption date or for the nine months ended September 30, 2018, and therefore no tabular reconciliation has been provided as there was no material effect on any financial statement line item. As part of the adoption, the Company has not retrospectively restated the contract revenue for those modifications in accordance with the contract modification guidance in paragraphs ASC 606-10-25-12 and 25-13. Instead, the Company reflected the aggregate effect of all modifications when identifying the satisfied and unsatisfied performance obligations, determining the transaction price and allocating the transaction price. The impact of this practical expedient had no significant impact on the Company's final conclusions. The Company has included the disclosures required by ASU No. 2014-09 above.

In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-15, Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments, which is intended to reduce diversity in practice of how certain transactions are classified and presented in the statement of cash flows in accordance with ASC 230. The ASU amends or clarifies guidance on eight specific cash flow issues, some of which include classification on debt prepayment or debt extinguishment costs, contingent consideration payments made after a business combination, and separately identifiable cash flows and application of the predominance principle. The standard is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim periods within those periods. The guidance requires application using a retrospective transition method. The Company adopted the guidance as of January 1, 2018, and the provisions of the new guidance did not have a material impact on its condensed consolidated financial statements.

17



In November 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-18, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Restricted Cash, which requires that restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents during the period should be included in the beginning and ending cash and cash equivalents balance reconciliation on the statement of cash flows. When cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash, or restricted cash equivalents are presented in more than one line item within the statement of financial position, an entity shall calculate a total cash amount in a narrative or tabular format that agrees to the amount shown on the statement of cash flows. Details on the nature and amounts of restricted cash should also be disclosed. The guidance is effective for public business entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within that reporting period and should be applied using a retrospective transition method to each period presented. The Company adopted the guidance as of January 1, 2018. The impact of the implementation is as follows:

 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2018
 
2017
 
 
 
 
Net cash used in investing activities (prior to the adoption of ASU 2016-18)
$
(2,373.9
)
 
$
(390.3
)
Impact of including restricted cash within cash and cash equivalents
—

 
(304.3
)
Net cash used in investing activities (after adoption of ASU 2016-18)
$
(2,373.9
)
 
$
(694.6
)

In May 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-09, Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Scope of Modification Accounting, which clarifies when changes to the terms or conditions of share-based equity awards must be accounted for as modifications. Entities will apply the modification accounting guidance if the value, vesting conditions, or classification of the award are not the same immediately before and after the modification. The guidance is effective prospectively for public business entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within that reporting period. The Company adopted the guidance as of January 1, 2018, and the provisions of the new guidance did not have a material impact on its condensed consolidated financial statements.

In December 2017, the SEC issued Staff Accounting Bulletin ("SAB") No. 118 (as further clarified by FASB ASU 2018- 05, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Amendments to SEC Paragraphs Pursuant to SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118), which provides guidance for companies that may not have completed their accounting for the income tax effects of the Tax Cut and Jobs Act ("Tax Act") in the period of enactment, which is the period that includes December 22, 2017. SAB No. 118 provides for a provisional one year measurement period for entities to finalize their accounting for certain income tax effects related to the Tax Act. The Company expects to finalize its provisional amounts within the one year measurement period. Refer to Note 9 - Income Taxes for additional disclosure.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements
  
In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases, which requires most leases (with the exception of leases with terms of less than one year) to be recognized on the balance sheet as an asset and a lease liability. Leases will be classified as an operating lease or a financing lease. Operating leases are expensed using the straight-line method, whereas financing leases will be treated similarly to a capital lease under the current standard. The guidance is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018, and early adoption is permitted. The new standard must be presented using the modified retrospective method. However, in July 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-11, Leases (Topic 842): Targeted Improvements, which provides an additional (and optional) transition method to adopt the new leases standard. The modified retrospective method is applied to all prior reporting periods presented with a cumulative-effect adjustment recorded in the earliest comparative period while the optional transition relief method is applied beginning in the period of adoption with a cumulative-effect adjustment recorded to the opening balance of retained earnings in the period of adoption without adjustment to the financial statements for periods prior to adoption. The Company is still evaluating the method of adoption. The Company anticipates the new standard will have a material impact to its consolidated balance sheets. However, the Company does not believe adoption will have a material impact on its consolidated statements of operations. While the Company is continuing to assess all potential impacts of the new standard, the Company currently believes the most significant impact relates to its accounting for office space, colocation operating leases, and embedded leases within its dark fiber and duct supplier contracts. The Company expects its accounting for capital leases to remain substantially unchanged under the new standard.

In March 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-04, Intangibles-Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment, which simplifies the accounting for goodwill impairment by eliminating the requirement to calculate the implied fair

18


value of goodwill (Step 2) to measure a goodwill impairment charge. Instead, entities will record an impairment charge based on the excess of a reporting unit's carrying amount over its fair value (as determined in Step 1). The guidance is effective prospectively for public business entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019. Early adoption is permitted for interim or annual goodwill impairment tests performed on testing dates after January 1, 2017. The Company does not expect the new guidance to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

In February 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-02, Income Statement - Reporting Comprehensive Income (Topic 220) Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, which allows for reclassification of stranded tax effects on items resulting from the Tax Act from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) to retained earnings. The guidance will be effective for the Company for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 31, 2018, and early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the effect of the new guidance on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

In August 2018, the SEC issued several final rules, including but not limited to SEC Final Rule Release No. 33-10532 Disclosure Update and Simplification (“Final Rule”), which amends certain redundant, duplicative, outdated, superseded or overlapping disclosure requirements.  This Final Rule is intended to facilitate disclosure information provided to investors and simplify compliance without significantly impacting the mix of information provided to investors. The amendments also expand the disclosure requirements regarding the analysis of stockholders' equity for interim financial statements, in which entities will be required to present a reconciliation for each period for which a statement of comprehensive income is required to be filed. The Final Rule is effective on November 5, 2018, however the SEC staff announced that it would not object if the filer's first presentation of the changes in stockholders' equity is included in its Form 10-Q for the quarter that begins after the effective date of the amendments. As such, the Company plans to use the new presentation of a condensed consolidated statement of stockholders equity within its interim financial statements beginning in its Form 10-Q for the quarter ending March 31, 2019. Other than the new presentation, the Company does not anticipate any material impact to its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures upon adoption.

NOTE 2 — BUSINESS ACQUISITIONS

Since its formation, the Company has consummated a number of transactions accounted for as business combinations as part of its growth strategy. The acquisitions of these businesses, which are in addition to periodic purchases of customer contracts, have allowed the Company to increase the scale at which it operates, which in turn affords the Company the ability to increase its operating leverage, extend its network, and broaden its customer base.

The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements include the operations of the acquired entities from their respective acquisition dates. All of the acquisitions have been accounted for as a business combination. Accordingly, consideration paid by the Company to complete the acquisitions is initially allocated to the acquired assets and liabilities based upon their estimated acquisition date fair values. The recorded amounts for assets acquired and liabilities assumed are provisional and subject to change during the measurement period, which is up to 12 months from the acquisition date.

2018 Acquisitions

Accelerated Connections, Inc.

In March 2018, the Company acquired Accelerated Connections, Inc. ("ACI"). The Company paid $35.0 million cash consideration, of which $0.8 million was net cash acquired, and 79,930 unregistered shares of the Company's common stock valued at $4.2 million at closing. $3.9 million of the initial cash consideration is held in escrow for one year, subject to reduction for any indemnification claims made by the Company prior to such date. Substantially all of the consideration was allocated to goodwill and identifiable intangible assets. The results of ACI have been included from March 1, 2018. Pro forma results of operations for this acquisition have not been presented as it is not material to the condensed consolidated results of operations. The acquisition was considered a stock purchase for tax purposes.

Interoute

In May 2018, the Company acquired Interoute Communications Holdings S.A. ("Interoute"), a Luxembourg public limited liability company. The Company paid $2,239.3 million in cash consideration at closing, of which $66.1 million was net cash acquired, and assumed $27.7 million in debt. The results of Interoute have been included from June 1, 2018. The acquisition was considered a stock purchase for tax purposes.


19


The Company partially funded the purchase price through the issuance of 9,589,094 shares of common stock to a group of institutional investors for proceeds of $425.0 million concurrently with the closing of the Interoute acquisition. The Company also entered into a credit agreement to fund the remainder of the purchase price. Refer to Note 7 - Debt for further information.

In February 2018, the Company also entered into a deal-contingent foreign currency hedge arrangement with a total notional amount of €1.260 billion at a spot rate of $1.23459 to €1.00. Fees associated with this arrangement were payable upon closing of the acquisition based on a pre-defined schedule in the hedge agreement. The Company recognized a loss of $105.8 million upon settlement of the deal-contingent foreign currency hedge arrangement, of which $17.2 million had been recognized during the three months ended March 31, 2018.

For material acquisitions completed during 2017, 2016, and 2015, refer to Note 3 - Business Acquisitions to the consolidated financial statements contained in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017. During the nine months ended September 30, 2018, certain measurement period adjustments were recorded to adjust provisional amounts for acquisitions completed during 2017 and 2018.

Purchase Price Allocation

The table below reflects the Company's preliminary estimates of the acquisition date fair values of the purchase consideration, assets acquired, and liabilities assumed for the Interoute acquisition (amounts in millions):
 

20


 
Interoute
Purchase Price
 
Cash paid at closing
$
2,239.3

Purchase consideration
$
2,239.3

 
 
Purchase Price Allocation
 
Assets acquired:
 
Cash
$
66.1

Accounts receivable
155.2

Prepaid expenses and other current assets
51.3

Property and equipment
1,435.9

Other assets
19.7

Intangible assets - customer lists
171.5

Intangible assets - tradename
2.1

Intangible assets - other
15.4

Deferred tax assets
36.9

Goodwill
980.1

Total assets acquired
2,934.2

 
 
Liabilities assumed:
 
Accounts payable
(75.5
)
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities
(112.9
)
Capital leases (1)
(42.3
)
Debt
(27.7
)
Deferred revenue
(311.3
)
Deferred tax liabilities
(87.1
)
Other long-term liabilities
(38.1
)
Total liabilities assumed
(694.9
)
Net assets acquired
$
2,239.3

(1) Includes $38.8 million of assumed long-term building leases.

The table below reflects the weighted average amortization period for intangible assets acquired in the Interoute acquisition (amounts in years):

 
Interoute
Intangible assets - customer lists
14.7
Intangible assets - tradename
1.0
Intangible assets - other
7.0
Weighted average
13.9

Amortization expense related to intangible assets created as a result of the Interoute acquisition of $4.3 million and $5.8 million has been recorded for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, respectively. Estimated amortization expense related to intangible assets created as a result of the Interoute acquisition for each of the years subsequent to September 30, 2018 is as follows (amounts in millions):


21


2018
$
4.4

2019
16.3

2020
15.5

2021
15.5

2022
15.5

2023 and beyond
116.0

Total
$
183.2


Goodwill is calculated as the excess of the consideration transferred over the net assets recognized and represents the estimated future economic benefits arising from other assets acquired that could not be individually identified and separately recognized. Goodwill is not expected to be deductible for tax purposes. Goodwill will not be amortized but instead will be tested for impairment at least annually and more frequently if certain indicators of impairment are present.

Acquisition Method Accounting Estimates

The Company initially recognizes the assets and liabilities acquired from the aforementioned acquisitions based on its preliminary estimates of their acquisition date fair values. As additional information becomes known concerning the acquired assets and assumed liabilities, management may make adjustments to the opening balance sheet of the acquired company up to the end of the measurement period, which is no longer than a one year period following the acquisition date. The determination of the fair values of the acquired assets and liabilities assumed (and the related determination of estimated lives of depreciable tangible and identifiable intangible assets) requires significant judgment.

Transaction Costs

Transaction costs describe the broad category of costs the Company incurs in connection with signed and/or closed acquisitions. There are two types of costs that the Company accounts for:

•Severance, restructuring and other exit costs
•Transaction and integration costs

Severance, restructuring and other exit costs include severance and other one-time benefits for terminated employees, termination charges for leases and supplier contracts, and other costs incurred associated with an exit activity. These costs are reported separately in the condensed consolidated statements of operations during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017. Refer to Note 10 - Severance, Restructuring, and Other Exit Costs of these condensed consolidated financial statements for further information.

Transaction and integration costs include expenses associated with legal, accounting, regulatory, and other transition services rendered in connection with acquisition, travel expense, and other non-recurring direct expenses associated with acquisitions. Transaction and integration costs are expensed as incurred in support of the integration. The Company incurred transaction and integration costs of $10.7 million and $3.3 million during the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively, and $25.1 million and $13.8 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively. Transaction and integration costs have been included in selling, general and administrative expenses in the condensed consolidated statements of operations and in cash flows from operating activities in the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows.

Pro forma Financial Information (Unaudited)

The pro forma results presented below include the effects of the Company’s material acquisitions during 2018 and 2017 as if the acquisitions occurred on January 1, 2017. The pro forma net loss for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 includes adjustments to revenue and cost of telecommunications services to eliminate inter-company activity, adjustments to deferred revenue and deferred cost from the acquired companies, and IFRS to US GAAP adjustments for Interoute. The pro forma adjustments are based on historically reported transactions by the acquired companies. The pro forma results do not include any anticipated synergies or other expected benefits of the acquisitions. The unaudited pro forma financial information below is not necessarily indicative of either future results of operations or results that might have been achieved had the acquisitions been consummated as of January 1, 2017.


22


 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
(Amounts in millions, except per share and share data)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revenue
$
448.6

 
$
444.7

 
$
1,381.2

 
$
1,301.4

Net loss
$
(23.4
)
 
$
(9.3
)
 
$
(75.0
)
 
$
(137.3
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Loss per share:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
$
(0.43
)
 
$
(0.18
)
 
$
(1.52
)
 
$
(2.71
)
Diluted
$
(0.43
)
 
$
(0.18
)
 
$
(1.52
)
 
$
(2.71
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Denominator for basic EPS – weighted average shares
54,671,787

 
51,351,787

 
49,210,929

 
50,749,411

Denominator for diluted EPS – weighted average shares
54,671,787

 
51,351,787

 
49,210,929

 
50,749,411

    
NOTE 3 — GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS
 
The goodwill balance was $1,666.8 million and $644.5 million as of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively. Additionally, the Company's intangible asset balance was $564.6 million and $417.1 million as of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively. The additions to both goodwill and intangible assets during the nine months ended September 30, 2018 relate primarily to the acquisition of ACI and Interoute (refer to Note 2 - Business Acquisitions).

The change in the carrying amount of goodwill for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 was as follows (amounts in millions):
 
Goodwill - December 31, 2017
$
644.5

Initial goodwill associated with 2018 business combinations
1,107.3

Adjustments to 2018 business combinations
(100.0
)
Adjustments to prior year business combinations
23.5

Foreign currency translation adjustments
(8.5
)
Goodwill - September 30, 2018
$
1,666.8


The following table summarizes the Company’s intangible assets as of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 (amounts in millions):
 
 
 
September 30, 2018
 
December 31, 2017
 
Amortization
Period
 
Gross Asset Cost
 
Accumulated Amortization
 
Net Book Value
 
Gross Asset Cost
 
Accumulated Amortization
 
Net Book Value
Customer lists
3-20 years
 
$
746.8

 
$
212.7

 
$
534.1

 
$
552.8

 
$
155.1

 
$
397.7

Non-compete agreements
3-5 years
 
4.7

 
4.6

 
0.1

 
4.6

 
4.5

 
0.1

Other intangible assets
3-7 years
 
1.7

 
1.7

 
—

 
1.7

 
1.7

 
—

Intellectual property
10 years
 
38.9

 
10.3

 
28.6

 
23.7

 
5.2

 
18.5

Tradename
1-3 years
 
6.1

 
4.3

 
1.8

 
3.9

 
3.1

 
0.8

 
 
 
$
798.2

 
$
233.6

 
$
564.6

 
$
586.7

 
$
169.6

 
$
417.1

  
Amortization expense was $22.9 million and $17.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively, and $64.0 million and $49.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively.


23


Estimated amortization expense related to intangible assets subject to amortization at September 30, 2018 in each of the years subsequent to September 30, 2018 is as follows (amounts in millions):

2018 remaining
$
22.0

2019
84.2

2020
80.4

2021
78.7

2022
65.7

2023 and beyond
233.6

Total
$
564.6

 
NOTE 4 — PREPAID EXPENSES AND OTHER CURRENT ASSETS

The following table summarizes the Company’s prepaid expenses and other current assets as of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 (amounts in millions):

 
September 30, 2018
 
December 31, 2017
Prepaid carrier costs
$
24.7

 
$
2.1

Prepaid selling, general and administrative
14.0

 
10.0

Interest rate swaps
5.8

 
—

Short term deposits
2.6

 
0.4

Taxes receivable
2.8

 
1.5

Capitalized commissions
3.2

 
—

Other
15.7

 
10.1

 
$
68.8

 
$
24.1


NOTE 5 — ACCRUED EXPENSES AND OTHER CURRENT LIABILITIES

The following table summarizes the Company’s accrued expenses and other current liabilities as of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 (amounts in millions):

 
September 30, 2018
 
December 31, 2017
Compensation and benefits
$
35.1

 
$
13.3

Carrier costs
61.9

 
13.8

Restructuring
23.7

 
9.7

Interest
13.2

 
22.9

Fiber pair repurchase
—

 
10.0

Accrued taxes
6.8

 
9.6

Interest rate swaps
6.5

 
—

Selling, general and administrative
3.4

 
2.1

Other
18.1

 
7.6

 
$
168.7

 
$
89.0


NOTE 6 — DEFERRED REVENUE

Total deferred revenue as of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 was $460.1 million and $161.7 million, respectively, consisting of unamortized prepaid capacity sales, IRUs, deferred non-recurring revenue, and unearned revenue for amounts billed in advance to customers. Deferred revenue is recognized as current and noncurrent deferred revenue on the condensed consolidated balance sheets.


24


Significant changes in deferred revenue balances during the period are as follows (amounts in millions):

 
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018
 
Contract Term
 
 
 
ASC 606 Revenue as a % of Greater than 1 Year (1)
 
Less than 1 Year
 
Greater than 1 Year
 
Total
 
Balance, December 31, 2017
$
31.4

 
$
130.3

 
$
161.7

 
45.7
%
Revenue recognized from beginning balance
(28.8
)
 
(16.8
)
 
(45.6
)
 
82.1
%
Increase in deferred revenue (gross)
472.5

 
13.7

 
486.2

 
32.4
%
Revenue recognized on increase in deferred revenue
(383.3
)
 
(4.3
)
 
(387.6
)
 
41.9
%
Business combinations (gross)
69.0

 
242.3

 
311.3

 
22.1
%
Revenue recognized from business combinations
(57.6
)
 
(8.3
)
 
(65.9
)
 
33.7
%
Balance, September 30, 2018
$
103.2

 
$
356.9

 
$
460.1

 
27.7
%
(1) Refer to Footnote 1 - Organization and Business for a discussion of the required disclosures in accordance with ASC 606.

The change in deferred revenue per the table above includes the non-cash impact of foreign currency translation adjustments of $1.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018.
 
Three Months Ended September 30, 2018
 
Contract Term
 
 
 
ASC 606 Revenue as a % of Greater than 1 Year (1)
 
Less than 1 Year
 
Greater than 1 Year
 
Total
 
Balance, June 30, 2018
$
112.2

 
$
357.5

 
$
469.7

 
28.5
%
Revenue recognized from beginning balance
(97.4
)
 
(9.5
)
 
(106.9
)
 
57.9
%
Increase in deferred revenue (gross)
226.2

 
12.1

 
238.3

 
32.2
%
Revenue recognized on increase in deferred revenue
(137.8
)
 
(3.2
)
 
(141.0
)
 
43.8
%
Balance, September 30, 2018
$
103.2

 
$
356.9

 
$
460.1

 
27.7
%
(1) Refer to Footnote 1 - Organization and Business for a discussion of the required disclosures in accordance with ASC 606.

Remaining amortization at September 30, 2018 and in each of the years subsequent to September 30, 2018 is as follows (amounts in millions):
 
Contract Term
 
 
 
ASC 606 Revenue as a % of Greater than 1 Year (1)
 
Less than 1 Year
 
Greater than 1 Year
 
Total
 
2018 remaining
$
95.4

 
$
14.0

 
$
109.4

 
51.4
%
2019
7.8

 
56.5

 
64.3

 
50.8
%
2020
—

 
39.3

 
39.3

 
35.4
%
2021
—

 
35.0

 
35.0

 
33.7
%
2022
—

 
33.0

 
33.0

 
33.6
%
2023 and beyond
—

 
179.1

 
179.1

 
14.7
%
 
$
103.2

 
$
356.9

 
$
460.1

 
27.7
%
(1) Refer to Footnote 1 - Organization and Business for a discussion of the required disclosures in accordance with ASC 606.




25


NOTE 7     — DEBT
  
As of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, long-term debt was as follows (amounts in millions):

 
September 30, 2018
 
December 31, 2017
 
 
 
 
US Term loan
$
1,765.6

 
$
693.0

EMEA Term loan
868.2

 
—

7.875% Senior unsecured notes
575.0

 
575.0

Revolving line of credit
7.5

 
—

Other secured loans
21.6

 
—

Total debt obligations
3,237.9

 
1,268.0

Unamortized debt issuance costs
(32.1
)
 
(33.8
)
Unamortized original issuance premium (discount), net
(49.4
)
 
9.3

Carrying value of debt
3,156.4

 
1,243.5

Less current portion
(40.9
)
 
(7.0
)
Long-term debt less current portion
$
3,115.5

 
$
1,236.5


2018 Credit Agreement

On May 31, 2018, the Company entered into a credit agreement (the "2018 Credit Agreement") that provides for (1) a $1,770.0 million term loan B facility (the "US Term Loan Facility"), (2) a €750.0 million term loan B facility (the "EMEA Term Loan Facility"), and (3) a $200.0 million revolving credit facility (the "Revolving Line of Credit Facility") (which includes a $50.0 million letter of credit facility). In addition, the Company may request incremental term loan commitments and/or incremental revolving loan commitments in an aggregate amount not to exceed the sum of $575.0 million and an unlimited amount that is subject to pro forma compliance with a net secured leverage ratio test. The US Term Loan Facility was issued at an original issuance discount of $8.9 million and the EMEA Term Loan Facility was issued at an original issuance discount of €3.8 million.

The maturity date of the US Term Loan Facility and the EMEA Term Loan Facility (collectively the "Term Loan Facilities") is May 31, 2025 and the maturity date of the Revolving Line of Credit Facility is May 31, 2023. Each maturity date may be extended per the terms of the 2018 Credit Agreement. If within six months after entering into the 2018 Credit Agreement certain prepayments are made or any amendment reduces the “effective yield” applicable to all or a portion of such term loans, such prepayment or repriced portions of the term loans will be subject to a penalty equal to 1.00% of the outstanding term loans being prepaid or repriced. No such prepayments or amendments were made through September 30, 2018.

The principal amounts of the US Term Loan Facility and EMEA Term Loan Facility are payable in equal quarterly installments of $4.425 million and €1.875 million, respectively, commencing on September 30, 2018 and continuing thereafter until the maturity date when the remaining balances of outstanding principal amount is payable in full.

The Company may prepay loans under the 2018 Credit Agreement at any time, subject to certain notice requirements, LIBOR breakage costs, and prepayment fees noted above.

At the Company’s election, the US Term Loan Facility may be made as either Base Rate Loans or Eurocurrency Loans. The EMEA Term Loan Facility will bear interest at the European Money Markets Institute EURIBO Rate plus the applicable margin. The applicable margin for the US Term Loan Facility is 1.75% for Base Rate Loans and 2.75% for Eurocurrency Loans, subject to a “LIBOR floor” of 0.00%.  The applicable margin for the EMEA Term Loan Facility is 3.25%, subject to a “EURIBOR floor” of 0.00%. The applicable margin for revolving loans under the Revolving Line of Credit Facility is 1.75% for Base Rate Loans, 2.75% for Eurocurrency Loans denominated in U.S. Dollars and certain other approved currencies other than Euros, and 3.25% for revolving loans denominated in Euros.

The proceeds from the US Term Loan Facility and EMEA Term Loan Facility were used to finance the Interoute acquisition, to repay amounts outstanding under the Company's prior term loan facility, and to pay costs associated with such transactions.
 
The unused and available amount of the Revolving Line of Credit Facility at September 30, 2018 was as follows (amounts in millions):

26



Committed capacity
$
200.0

Borrowings outstanding
(7.5
)
Letters of credit issued
(13.9
)
Unused and available
$
178.6


The obligations of the Company under the 2018 Credit Agreement are secured by the substantial majority of the tangible and intangible assets of the Company.
 
The 2018 Credit Agreement does not contain a financial covenant for the US Term Loan Facility or the EMEA Term Loan Facility, but it does include a maximum Consolidated Net Secured Leverage Ratio applicable to the Revolving Line of Credit Facility in the event that utilization exceeds 30% of the revolving loan facility commitment. If triggered, the covenant requires the Company to maintain a Consolidated Net Secured Leverage Ratio, on a Pro Forma Basis, below the maximum ratio specified as follows:

Fiscal Quarter Ending
 
Maximum Ratio
September 30, 2018
 
6.50:1.00
December 31, 2018
 
6.50:1.00
March 31, 2019
 
6.50:1.00
June 30, 2019
 
6.50:1.00
September 30, 2019
 
6.25:1.00
December 31, 2019
 
6.25:1.00
March 31, 2020
 
6.00:1.00
June 30, 2020
 
6.00:1.00
September 30, 2020
 
5.50:1.00
December 31, 2020
 
5.50:1.00
March 31, 2021
 
5.50:1.00
June 30, 2021
 
5.00:1.00
September 30, 2021
 
5.00:1.00
December 31, 2021
 
4.50:1.00
March 31, 2022
 
4.50:1.00
June 30, 2022 and thereafter
 
4.25:1.00

Interest Rate Swaps

During 2018, the Company entered into the following interest rate swap arrangements to partially mitigate the variability of cash flows due to changes in the Eurodollar rate, specifically related to interest payments on our term loans under the 2018 Credit Agreement:

Trade date
April 6, 2018

 
May 17, 2018

 
May 17, 2018

 
May 17, 2018

Notional amount (in millions)
$
500.0

 
$
200.0

 
$
300.0

 
€
317.0

Term (years)
5

 
7

 
3

 
7

Effective date
4/30/2018

 
6/29/2018

 
6/29/2018

 
6/29/2018

Termination date
4/30/2023

 
5/31/2025

 
6/30/2021

 
5/31/2025

Fixed rate
2.6430
%
 
3.0370
%
 
2.8235
%
 
0.8900
%
Floating rate
1-month LIBOR

 
1-month LIBOR

 
1-month LIBOR

 
1-month EURIBOR


The interest rate swaps do not qualify for hedge accounting.

The fair value of the interest rate swaps at September 30, 2018 was as follows (in millions):

27



 
 
 
 
 
Fair Value
 
 
 
 
 
September 30, 2018
Derivative Instrument
Aggregate Notional Amount
Effective Date
Maturity Date
 
Asset Derivatives
 
Liability Derivatives
Interest rate swap
$
500.0

4/30/2018
4/30/2023
 
$
5.5

 
$
—

Interest rate swap
$
200.0

6/29/2018
5/31/2025
 
—

 
(1.5
)
Interest rate swap
$
300.0

6/29/2018
6/30/2021
 
0.3

 
—

Interest rate swap
€
317.0

6/29/2018
5/31/2025
 
—

 
(5.0
)
 
 
 
 
 
$
5.8

 
$
(6.5
)

The Company records the fair value of interest rate swaps in its consolidated balance sheets within prepaid expenses and other current assets when in an asset position and within accrued expenses and other current liabilities when in a liability position. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, the Company recognized a gain of $8.6 million and a loss of $0.7 million in other expense, net due to the change in fair value of its interest rate swaps.

7.875% Senior Unsecured Notes

During 2016 and 2017, the Company completed three private offerings for $575.0 million aggregate principal amount of its 7.875% senior unsecured notes due in 2024 (collectively the “7.875% Senior Unsecured Notes”). Each offering was treated as a single series of debt securities. The 7.875% Senior Unsecured Notes have identical terms other than the issuance date and offering price. The 7.875% Senior Unsecured Notes were issued at a combined premium of $16.5 million. In connection with the offerings, the Company incurred debt issuance costs of $17.3 million, of which $0.5 million was incurred in 2016 and the remainder was incurred in 2017.

Other Secured Loans

In connection with the Interoute acquisition in May 2018 the Company acquired other loans related to loans secured by certain network assets. The balance of other secured loans at September 30, 2018 was $21.6 million.

Effective Interest Rate

The effective interest rate on the long-term debt at September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 was 5.3% and 4.5%, respectively. The effective interest rate at September 30, 2018 considers the impact of the interest rate swaps.

Long-term Debt Contractual Maturities

The aggregate contractual maturities of long-term debt (excluding unamortized debt issuance costs and unamortized original issuance discounts and premiums) were as follows as of September 30, 2018 (amounts in millions):

 
Total debt
2018 remaining
$
10.4

2019
39.3

2020
30.9

2021
26.8

2022
26.4

2023 and beyond
3,104.1

 
$
3,237.9



Debt Issuance Costs and Original Issuance Discounts and Premiums


28


The following table summarizes the debt issuance costs activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 (amounts in millions):

 
US Term Loan
 
EMEA Term Loan
 
7.875% Senior Unsecured Notes
 
Revolving Line of Credit
 
Total
Balance, December 31, 2017
$
(14.7
)
 
$
—

 
$
(16.1
)
 
$
(3.0
)
 
$
(33.8
)
Debt issuance costs incurred
(4.7
)
 
(2.9
)
 
—

 
(0.6
)
 
(8.2
)
Amortization
1.5

 
0.1

 
1.4

 
0.4

 
3.4

Loss on debt extinguishment
6.1

 
—

 
—

 
0.4

 
6.5

Balance, September 30, 2018
$
(11.8
)
 
$
(2.8
)
 
$
(14.7
)
 
$
(2.8
)
 
$
(32.1
)

Debt issuance costs are presented in the condensed consolidated balance sheets as a reduction to "Long-term debt." Interest expense associated with the amortization of debt issuance costs was $1.1 million and $1.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively, and $3.4 million and $2.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

The following table summarizes the original issuance (discount) and premium activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 (amounts in millions):

 
US Term Loan
 
EMEA Term Loan
 
7.875% Senior Unsecured Notes
 
Total
Balance, December 31, 2017
$
(6.5
)
 
$
—

 
$
15.8

 
$
9.3

New Original Issuance Discount
(8.9
)
 
(4.4
)
 
—

 
(13.3
)
Fees paid to lenders
(35.2
)
 
(19.4
)
 
—

 
(54.6
)
Amortization
2.2

 
1.1

 
(1.4
)
 
1.9

Loss on debt extinguishment
7.3

 
—

 
—

 
7.3

Balance, September 30, 2018
$
(41.1
)
 
$
(22.7
)
 
$
14.4

 
$
(49.4
)

Original issuance discounts and premiums are presented in the condensed consolidated balance sheets as a reduction to "Long-term debt." Amortization of original issuance discounts and premiums was $1.7 million and netted to zero for the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively, and $1.9 million and $0.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively and is included in Interest expense, net.

Previous Debt Agreement - 2017 Credit Agreement

On January 9, 2017, the Company entered into a credit agreement (the "2017 Credit Agreement") that provided a $700.0 million term loan facility and a $75.0 million revolving line of credit facility (which included a $25.0 million letter of credit facility). Amounts outstanding under the 2017 Credit Agreement were paid in full at the closing of the 2018 Credit Agreement. The previous term loan facility was issued at an original issuance discount of $3.5 million.

NOTE 8 — SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION
     
Share-Based Compensation Plan
  
The Company grants share-based equity awards, including stock options and restricted stock, under the GTT Stock Plan. The GTT Stock Plan is limited to an aggregate 14,250,000 shares of which 9,398,923 have been issued and are outstanding as of September 30, 2018.

The GTT Stock Plan permits the granting of time-based stock options, time-based restricted stock, and performance-based restricted stock to employees and consultants of the Company, and non-employee directors of the Company.

Time-based options granted under the GTT Stock Plan have an exercise price of at least 100% of the fair market value of the underlying stock on the grant date and expire no later than 10 years from the grant date. The Company uses the Black-Scholes option-pricing model to determine the fair value of its stock option awards at the time of grant. The stock options generally vest over four
years with 25% of the options becoming exercisable one year from the date of grant and the remaining vesting annually or quarterly over the following three years.

Time-based restricted stock granted under the GTT Stock Plan is valued at the share price of our common stock as reported on the NYSE on the date of grant. Time-based restricted stock generally vests over four years with 25% of the shares becoming unrestricted one year from the date of grant and the remaining vesting annually or quarterly over the following three years.

Performance-based restricted stock is granted under the GTT Stock Plan subject to the achievement of certain performance measures. Once achievement of these performance measures is considered probable, the Company starts to expense the fair value of the grant over the vesting period. The performance-based restricted stock is valued at the share price of our common stock as reported on the NYSE on the date of grant. The performance grant vests quarterly over the vesting period once achievement of the performance measure has been met and approved by the Compensation Committee, typically one to two years.

The Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors, as administrator of the GTT Stock Plan, has the discretion to authorize a different vesting schedule for any awards.

Share-Based Compensation Expense

The following tables summarize the share-based compensation expense recognized as a component of selling, general and administrative expense in the condensed consolidated statements of operations (amounts in millions):
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
Stock options
$
0.2

 
$
0.4

 
$
0.9

 
$
1.1

Restricted stock
8.9

 
5.7

 
22.8

 
14.8

ESPP
0.1

 
—

 
0.2

 
0.1

Total
$
9.2

 
$
6.1

 
$
23.9

 
$
16.0

    
As of September 30, 2018, there was $73.5 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested share-based compensation awards. The following table summarizes the unrecognized compensation cost and the weighted average period over which the cost is expected to be amortized (amounts in millions):

 
September 30, 2018
 
Unrecognized Compensation Cost
 
Weighted Average Remaining Period to be Recognized (Years)
Time-based stock options
$
0.8

 
1.01
Time-based restricted stock
56.7

 
2.30
Performance-based restricted stock (1)
16.0

 
1.48
Total
$
73.5

 
2.11
(1) Excludes $16.3 million of unrecognized compensation cost related to 2017 Performance Awards where achievement of the performance criteria was not probable as of September 30, 2018.

The following table summarizes the restricted stock granted during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively (amounts in millions, except shares data):


29


 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
Time-based restricted stock granted
196,468

 
238,088

 
815,019

 
929,896

Fair value of time-based restricted stock granted
$
8.8

 
$
7.6

 
$
38.4

 
$
27.5

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Performance-based restricted stock granted
—

 
20,000

 
8,000

 
20,000

Fair value of performance-based restricted stock granted
$
—

 
$
0.5

 
$
0.4

 
$
0.5


No stock options were issued in any period presented.

Performance-based Restricted Stock

The Company granted $8.5 million of restricted stock during 2014 and early 2015 contingent upon the achievement of certain performance criteria (the "2014 Performance Awards"). The fair value of the 2014 Performance Awards was calculated using the value of GTT common stock on date of grant. The Company started recognizing share-based compensation expense for these grants when the achievement of the performance criteria became probable, which was in the third quarter of 2015. The 2014 Performance Awards started vesting in the fourth quarter of 2015 when the performance criteria were met and they continued to vest ratably through the third quarter of 2017. As of September 30, 2018, the 2014 Performance Awards were fully vested.

The Company granted $17.4 million of restricted stock during 2015 and 2017 contingent upon the achievement of certain performance criteria (the "2015 Performance Awards"). The fair value of the 2015 Performance Awards was calculated using the value of GTT common stock on the respective grant dates. Upon announcement of the Hibernia acquisition in November 2016, the achievement of two of the four performance criteria became probable and the Company started recognizing share-based compensation expense for these grants. Expense recognition will continue through the first quarter of 2019. Additionally, upon announcement of the Global Capacity acquisition in June 2017, the achievement of the final two performance criteria became probable and the Company started recognizing share-based compensation expense for these grants. Expense recognition will continue through the fourth quarter of 2019. The Company recognized share-based compensation expense related to the 2015 Performance Awards of $1.9 million and $1.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively, and $5.9 million and $4.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively. As of September 30, 2018, unrecognized compensation cost related to the unvested 2015 Performance Awards was $3.4 million.

The Company granted $32.6 million of restricted stock during 2017 and 2018 contingent upon the achievement of certain performance criteria (the "2017 Performance Awards"). The fair value of the 2017 Performance Awards was calculated using the value of GTT common stock on the grant date. Upon the closing of the Interoute acquisition in May 2018, the achievement of two of the four performance criteria became probable and the Company started recognizing share-based compensation expense for these grants. Expense recognition is expected to continue through the second quarter of 2020. The Company recognized share-based compensation expense related to the 2017 Performance Awards of $1.8 million and $3.6 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, respectively. No share-based compensation expense was recognized related to the 2017 Performance Awards during the 2017 period. As of September 30, 2018, unrecognized compensation cost related to the unvested 2017 Performance Awards was $28.9 million, inclusive of unrecognized compensation cost where achievement of the performance criteria was not probable as of September 30, 2018.

Employee Stock Purchase Plan
    
The Company has an Employee Stock Purchase Plan ("ESPP") that permits eligible employees to purchase common stock through payroll deductions at the lesser of the opening stock price or 85% of the closing stock price of the common stock during each of the three-month offering periods. The Company expenses the discount offered as additional share-based compensation expense. The offering periods generally commence on the first day and the last day of each quarter. At September 30, 2018, 410,378 shares were available for issuance under the ESPP.
        
NOTE 9 — INCOME TAXES

The Company’s provision for income taxes is determined using an estimate of its annual effective tax rate, adjusted for the effect of discrete items arising in the quarter. Each quarter the Company updates its estimate of the annual effective tax rate.

The quarterly tax provision and the quarterly estimate of the Company's annual effective tax rate is subject to significant variation due to several factors, including variability in accurately predicting pre-tax and taxable income (loss) and the mix of jurisdictions to which they relate, effects of acquisitions and integrations, audit-related developments, changes in the Company's stock price, foreign currency gains (losses), and tax law developments. Additionally, the Company's effective tax rate may be more or less volatile based on the amount of pre-tax income or loss and impact of discrete items.

The Company recorded a tax benefit of $1.6 million and $8.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively, and $1.1 million and $22.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively.


30


The Company assesses the available positive and negative evidence to estimate whether sufficient future taxable income will be generated to permit use of the Company's existing deferred tax assets. A significant piece of objective negative evidence identified during the Company's evaluation was the cumulative loss incurred over the three-year period ended December 31, 2017. Such objective evidence limits the ability to consider other subjective evidence, such as the Company's forecasts of future taxable income and tax planning strategies. On the basis of this evaluation, as of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, a valuation allowance of $134.6 million and $39.2 million, respectively, has been recorded to recognize only the portion of the deferred tax asset that is more likely than not to be realized. During the three months ended September 30, 2018, the Company recorded a measurement period adjustment of $158.8 million related to the recognized portion of deferred tax assets for Interoute. The amount of the deferred tax asset considered realizable, however, could be adjusted if objective negative evidence in the form of cumulative losses is no longer present and additional weight is given to subjective evidence such as forecasted taxable income.

The Tax Act was enacted in December 2017. The Tax Act significantly changed U.S. tax law by, among other things, lowering U.S. corporate income tax rates, implementing a territorial tax system, and imposing a one-time transition tax on deemed repatriated earnings of foreign subsidiaries. In accordance with SAB No. 118, the Company recorded the provisional income tax effects of the Tax Act as of December 31, 2017. The Company is still in the process of analyzing the impact of the various provisions of the Tax Act. The ultimate impact may differ from the provisional income tax effect due to, among other things, additional analyses, changes in interpretations and assumptions made, additional regulatory guidance from various federal and state tax jurisdictions that may be issued, and actions the Company may take as a result of the Tax Act. The Company expects to complete its analysis within the one year measurement period in accordance with SAB No. 118. As of September 30, 2018, the Company has not recorded any adjustments to provisional recordings from 2017.

While the Tax Act provides for a modified territorial tax system, beginning in 2018, global intangible low-taxed income ("GILTI") provisions will be applied providing an incremental tax on low taxed foreign income. The GILTI provisions require the Company to include in its U.S. income tax return foreign subsidiary earnings in excess of an allowable return on the foreign subsidiary's tangible assets. Under U.S. GAAP, the Company is required to make an accounting policy election to either (1) treat taxes due related to GILTI as a current-period expense when incurred (the "period cost method") or (2) factor such amounts into our measurement of our deferred taxes (the "deferred method"). During the first quarter 2018, the Company made an accounting policy election to treat the impact of GILTI as a period cost, however the impact is offset by a full valuation allowance in the U.S.

NOTE 10 — SEVERANCE, RESTRUCTURING, AND OTHER EXIT COSTS

The Company incurred severance, restructuring and other exit costs associated with 2017 and 2018 acquisitions. These costs include employee severance costs, termination costs associated with facility leases and network agreements, and other exit costs related to the transactions.

The total exit costs recorded and paid relating to the acquisitions mentioned above are summarized as follows for the three months ended September 30, 2018 (amounts in millions):

 
Balance, June 30, 2018
 
Charges
 
Payments
 
Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments
 
Balance, September 30, 2018
Employee Termination Benefits
$
9.1

 
$
9.8

 
$
(7.6
)
 
$
(0.2
)
 
$
11.1

Lease terminations
9.3

 
0.6

 
(1.1
)
 
—

 
8.8

Other contract terminations
0.7

 
5.1

 
(2.0
)
 
—

 
3.8

 
$
19.1

 
$
15.5

 
$
(10.7
)
 
$
(0.2
)
 
$
23.7


During the three months ended September 30, 2017 the Company incurred severance, restructuring and other exit costs of $11.1 million and made payments of $2.8 million relating to acquisitions.

The total exit costs recorded and paid relating to the acquisitions mentioned above are summarized as follows for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 (amounts in millions):


31


 
Balance, December 31, 2017
 
Charges
 
Acquired Costs
 
Payments
 
Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments
 
Balance,
September 30, 2018
Employee Termination Benefits
$
5.5

 
$
15.9

 
$
6.0

 
$
(16.1
)
 
$
(0.2
)
 
$
11.1

Lease terminations
2.4

 
1.0

 
7.8

 
(2.4
)
 
—

 
8.8

Other contract terminations
1.8

 
5.8

 
—

 
(3.8
)
 
—

 
3.8

 
$
9.7

 
$
22.7

 
$
13.8

 
$
(22.3
)
 
$
(0.2
)
 
$
23.7


During the nine months ended September 30, 2017 the Company incurred severance, restructuring and other exit costs of $21.8 million and made payments of $9.4 million relating to acquisitions.

NOTE 11 — COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Estimated annual commitments under contractual obligations are as follows at September 30, 2018 (amounts in millions):
 
Network Supply
 
Office Space
 
Capital Leases
 
Other
2018 remaining
$
99.5

 
$
6.1

  
$
1.4

 
$
18.0

2019
346.0

 
20.8

  
4.4

 
4.9

2020
242.1

 
17.8

  
5.2

 
2.6

2021
130.6

 
14.8

 
4.2

 
1.4

2022
39.6

 
10.2

 
3.1

 
—

2023 and beyond
182.8

 
29.1

 
24.7

 
—

 
$
1,040.6

 
$
98.8

 
$
43.0

 
$
26.9


Refer to Note 7 - Debt for the aggregate contractual maturities of long-term debt (excluding unamortized debt issuance costs and unamortized original issuance discounts and premiums) at September 30, 2018.

Network Supply Agreements
 
As of September 30, 2018, the Company had purchase obligations of $1,040.6 million associated with the telecommunications services that the Company has contracted to purchase from its suppliers. The Company’s supplier agreements fall into two key categories, the Company's core network backbone and customer specific locations (also referred to as 'last mile' locations). Supplier agreements associated with the Company's core network backbone are typically contracted on a one-year term and do not relate to any specific underlying customer commitments. The short-term duration allows the Company to take advantage of favorable pricing trends.

Supplier agreements associated with the Company's customer specific locations are contracted with vendors as either a lit service or as dark fiber. The combination of both types of services represent the substantial majority of the Company's network spending. Lit services represent bandwidth services where the customer pays for the amount and type of bandwidth. Lit services are typically contracted so the terms and conditions in both the vendor and customer contracts are substantially the same in terms of duration and capacity. The back-to-back nature of the Company’s contracts means that its network supplier obligations for lit services are generally mirrored by its customers' commitments to purchase the services associated with those obligations. Dark fiber represents dedicated bandwidth where the customer will "light" the fiber using their own optical equipment. The Company combines its owned dark fiber network with contracted dark fiber to meet its customers requirements. Contracted dark fibers is procured on terms and conditions that are similar to that of the customer, however depending on the location and route of the services, the contracted term may be substantially longer than the customer contract.

Office Space and Leases
 
The Company is currently headquartered in McLean, Virginia and has 35 other offices throughout North America, 40 offices in Europe, five offices in Asia, two offices in the Middle East, and one office in South America. The Company records rent expense using the straight-line method over the term of the respective lease agreement. Office facility rent expense was $4.6 million and $1.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively, and $10.4 million and $3.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

Legal Proceedings
 
From time to time, the Company is a party to legal proceedings arising in the normal course of its business. As of September 30, 2018, the Company does not believe that it is a party to any current or pending legal action that could reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on its financial condition or results of operations and cash flows. 
 
ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations should be read together with our condensed consolidated financial statements and the related notes and the other financial information included elsewhere in this Report, as well as the consolidated financial statements and Management's Discussion and Analysis ("MD&A") of our Annual Report. In addition to historical consolidated financial information, the following discussion contains forward-looking statements that reflect our plans, estimates and beliefs. Our actual results could differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to these differences include those discussed below. For a more complete description of the risks noted above and other risks that could cause our actual results to materially differ from our current expectations, please see Item 1A "Risk Factors" in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017, which we refer to as our

32


Annual Report. We assume no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless required by law.

Executive Summary

GTT Communications, Inc. is a provider of cloud networking services to large national and multinational enterprise and carrier clients. We operate a Tier 1 global IP backbone, ranked among the largest in the industry, and own a fiber network that includes an expansive pan-European footprint and three transatlantic cables. Our global network includes over 550 points of presence (PoPs), spans six continents, and we provide services in more than 100 countries. Our comprehensive portfolio of cloud networking services includes: SD-WAN, wide area networking including Ethernet, MPLS, and VPLS; managed services including managed equipment, managed security, and managed hosting; internet services including IP transit, dedicated internet access, and managed broadband; infrastructure services including wavelength, colocation, and dark fiber; voice services including SIP trunking and hosted PBX; and video transport services.

We differentiate ourselves from our competition by delivering service to our clients with simplicity, speed, and agility.

We deliver the following primary service offerings to our clients:

Software Defined Wide Area Networking

SD-WAN is an enterprise networking technology in the early stages of market adoption with high growth potential. The software-based network intelligence in SD-WAN enables more efficient delivery of traffic across a mix of access types, accelerates the speed of service deployments, and improves application visibility.

GTT’s SD-WAN delivers managed global connectivity, enhanced application performance and control, and secure access to cloud-based services and applications that enterprises require. Our service leverages GTT’s global, Tier 1 IP backbone, securely connecting client locations to any destination on the internet or to any cloud service provider. We offer the widest range of access options with bundled network security, making it simple and cost-effective to integrate new locations and add network bandwidth as needed.

Wide Area Networking

We provide Layer 2 (Ethernet, VPLS) and Layer 3 (MPLS) wide area networking solutions to meet the growing needs of multinational enterprises, carriers, service providers, and content delivery networks regardless of location. We design and implement custom private, public, and hybrid cloud network solutions for our customers, offering bandwidth speeds from 10 Mbps to 100 Gbps per port with burstable and aggregate bandwidth capabilities. All services are available on a protected basis with the ability to specify pre-configured alternate routes to minimize the impact of any network disruption.

Through GTT's wide area networking services, clients can securely connect to cloud service providers in data centers and exchanges around the world. Our Cloud Connect feature provides private, secure, pre-established connectivity to leading cloud service providers. Using GTT's global network, clients can connect any office location in the world to any application in the cloud.
 
Managed Services

We offer fully managed network services, including managed equipment, security, and hosting, enabling customers to focus on their core business.

GTT's Managed Equipment provides a turnkey solution for the end-to-end management of customer premise equipment. This includes the design, procurement, implementation, monitoring, and maintenance of equipment including routers, switches, servers, and Wi-Fi access points.

GTT's Managed Security is available as a cloud-based or premises-based security service and provides a comprehensive, multi-layered security solution that protects the network while meeting the most stringent security standards. Our Unified Threat Management services include advanced firewall, intrusion detection, anti-virus, web filtering, and anti-spam. GTT's DDoS Mitigation service detects and removes malicious traffic, ensuring business continuity for our clients, even in the event of a large-scale DDoS attack. The service utilizes a next-generation DDoS platform technology, which provides immediate threat detection, deep packet inspection analytics and filtering of compromised traffic at GTT’s scrubbing centers. We offer a full range of compliancy packages, which include developing, deploying, configuring, and monitoring network and security assets, and providing

33


documentation to comply with audits.

GTT’s Managed Hosting service is offered in 15 owned and operated data centers. In addition to space and power, GTT provides managed hosting services including application hosting and equipment management services.
    
Internet

We offer clients scalable, high-bandwidth global internet connectivity and IP transit with guaranteed availability and packet delivery, utilizing our Tier global 1 IP network. Our Internet services offer flexible connectivity with multiple port interfaces including Fast Ethernet, Gigabit Ethernet, 10 Gigabit Ethernet, and 100 Gigabit Ethernet. We also offer a wide range of broadband and wireless access services. We support a dual stack of IPv4 and IPv6 protocols, enabling the delivery of seamless IPv6 services alongside existing IPv4 services.

Voice

We offer local voice service in over 60 countries around the world, along with global long-distance and toll-free services. Our SIP Trunking service delivers worldwide PSTN access to client telephony equipment over an integrated data connection, driving efficiency and productivity organization-wide while allowing clients to retain control of their core voice infrastructure. Our Hosted PBX service allows clients to eliminate traditional voice infrastructure with communication services delivered through the cloud and a wide array of features and customization choices for each site and user.

Infrastructure Services

We provide a full suite of infrastructure services over our fiber network, enabling cloud-based applications and the transport of high volume data between data centers, large enterprise office locations, and media hubs. Our native wavelength product is designed to deliver scalable high-performance optical connectivity over a state-of-the-art dense wave division multiplexing platform. Our service is differentiated based on an expansive pan-European fiber footprint and transatlantic cable infrastructure, network diversity, and low latency connections between major financial and commercial centers in North America and Europe. Our clients for these services include internet-based technology companies and OTTs, large banks, and other service providers requiring network infrastructure.

We offer dark fiber and duct to our largest clients for Infrastructure services, which can be tailored to meet their unique network capacity requirements.

We provide colocation services in 54 facilities in Europe and North America, which include 17 owned and operated data centers. The turnkey service offering includes cabinets, racks, suites, and technical support services, providing clients with efficient and secure access to other carrier networks.

Additionally, we provide provides ultra-low latency services between the major financial centers and exchanges, tailored to meet the requirements of proprietary trading firms for the fastest connections. Our service provides the industry leading lowest latency performance of the Express transatlantic subsea cable connecting North America and Europe, which is wholly owned and operated by GTT.

Video Transport

We provide a suite of fully-managed services serving clients in the media and entertainment industry including broadcasters and providers of cable programming. Our services are designed to support our clients' requirements for stringent broadcast quality transmission of live events, sports entertainment, and news. Our service options include dedicated and occasional use options. We manage individual services, multicast distribution, and entire client networks, supporting all video formats required for today's media workflow.


Client and Network Contracts

Our client contracts are most commonly three years for the initial term but can range from one to five years or sometimes longer. Following the initial term, these agreements typically provide for automatic renewal for specified periods ranging from one month to one year. Our prices are fixed for the duration of the contract, and we typically bill monthly in advance for such services. If a client terminates its agreement, the terms of our client contracts typically require full recovery of any amounts due for the remainder of the term or, at a minimum, our liability to any underlying suppliers.

34



Our revenue is composed of recurring revenue and non-recurring revenue. Recurring revenue relates to contracted ongoing service that is generally fixed in price and paid by the customer on a monthly basis for the contracted term. For the nine months ended September 30, 2018, recurring revenue was approximately 93% of our total revenue. Non-recurring revenue primarily includes installation and equipment charges to clients, one-time termination charges for clients who cancel their services prior to the contract termination date, and usage revenue which represents variable revenue based on whether a customer exceeds its committed usage threshold as specified in the contract.

Our network supplier contracts do not have any market related net settlement provisions. We have not entered into, and do not plan to enter into, any supplier contracts which involve financial or derivative instruments. The supplier contracts are entered into solely for the direct purchase of telecommunications capacity, which is resold by us in the normal course of business.

Other than cost of telecommunication services provided, our most significant operating expenses are employment costs. As of September 30, 2018, we had approximately 3,300 full-time equivalent employees. For the nine months ended September 30, 2018, the total employee cash compensation and benefits represented approximately 14% of total revenue.

Recent Developments Affecting Our Results

Business Acquisitions

Since our formation, we have consummated a number of transactions accounted for as business combinations which were executed as part of our strategy of expanding through acquisitions. These acquisitions, which are in addition to our periodic purchases of customer contracts, have allowed us to increase the scale at which we operate which in turn affords us the ability to increase our operating leverage, extend our network, and broaden our customer base. The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements include the operations of the acquired entities from their respective acquisition dates.

ACI

In March 2018, the Company acquired Accelerated Connections, Inc. ("ACI"). The Company paid $35.0 million cash consideration, of which $0.8 million was net cash acquired, and 79,930 unregistered shares of the Company's common stock valued at $4.2 million at closing. $3.9 million of the initial cash consideration is held in escrow for one year, subject to reduction for any indemnification claims made by the Company prior to such date. The results of ACI have been included from March 1, 2018. The acquisition was considered a stock purchase for tax purposes.

Interoute

In February 2018, the Company entered into an Agreement for the Sale and Purchase of Interoute Communications Holdings S.A. ("Interoute"), a Luxembourg public limited liability company (the “Interoute Purchase Agreement”) for €1,915.2 million in cash consideration, or $2,335.0 million using the exchange rate in effect on the date the Company entered into the Interoute Purchase Agreement.

In February 2018, the Company also entered into a deal-contingent foreign currency hedge arrangement with a total notional amount of €1.260 billion at a spot rate of $1.23459 to €1.00 to fix a portion of the purchase price. Fees associated with this arrangement were payable upon closing of the acquisition based on a pre-defined schedule in the hedge agreement.  

On May 31, 2018, the Company closed on the transaction and acquired Interoute. The Company paid the €1,915.2 million, or $2,239.3 million in cash consideration using the exchange rate in effect at closing, which at $1.16920 to €1.00 was lower than at announcement, of which $66.1 million was net cash acquired, and assumed $27.7 million in debt. Concurrent with closing of the acquisition, and as a result of the decline in exchange rate, the Company settled the deal-contingent foreign currency hedge arrangement for $105.8 million, inclusive of fees.  The $105.8 million has been recorded as a loss in the statement of operations within other expense.  The combination of the consideration paid at closing plus the settlement of the hedge are consistent with the total expected price of the transaction at announcement in February 2018. 

The results of Interoute have been included from June 1, 2018. The acquisition was considered a stock purchase for tax purposes.

The Company partially funded the purchase price though the issuance of of 9,589,094 shares of common stock to a group of institutional investors for proceeds of $425.0 million substantially concurrently with the closing of the Interoute acquisition. The Company also entered into a credit agreement to fund the remainder of the purchase price.

35



Asset Purchases

Periodically we acquire customer contracts that we account for as an asset purchase and record a corresponding intangible asset that is amortized over its assumed useful life.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2018, we did not acquire any such customer contracts.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2017, we acquired customer contracts for an aggregate purchase price of $37.3 million.

Indebtedness

The following summarizes our long-term debt at September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 (amounts in millions):

 
September 30, 2018
 
December 31, 2017
 
 
 
 
US Term loan
$
1,765.6

 
$
693.0

EMEA Term loan
868.2

 
—

7.875% Senior unsecured notes
575.0

 
575.0

Revolving line of credit
7.5

 
—

Other secured loans
21.6

 
—

Total debt obligations
3,237.9

 
1,268.0

Unamortized debt issuance costs
(32.1
)
 
(33.8
)
Unamortized original issuance premium (discount), net
(49.4
)
 
9.3

Carrying value of debt
3,156.4

 
1,243.5

Less current portion
(40.9
)
 
(7.0
)
Long-term debt less current portion
$
3,115.5

 
$
1,236.5


2018 Credit Agreement

In May 2018, we entered into a credit agreement (the "2018 Credit Agreement") that provides for (1) a $1,770.0 million term loan B facility (the "US Term Loan Facility"), (2) a €750.0 million term loan B facility (the "EMEA Term Loan Facility"), and (3) a $200.0 million revolving credit facility (the "Revolving Line of Credit Facility") (which includes a $50.0 million letter of credit facility). In addition, we may request incremental term loan commitments and/or incremental revolving loan commitments in an aggregate amount not to exceed the sum of $575.0 million and an unlimited amount that is subject to pro forma compliance with a net secured leverage ratio test. The US Term Loan Facility was issued at an original issuance discount of $8.9 million and the EMEA Term Loan Facility was issued at an original issuance discount of €3.8 million.

The maturity date of the US Term Loan Facility and the EMEA Term Loan Facility (collectively the "Term Loan Facilities") is May 31, 2025 and the maturity date of the Revolving Line of Credit Facility is May 31, 2023. Each maturity date may be extended per the terms of the 2018 Credit Agreement. If within six months after entering into the 2018 Credit Agreement certain prepayments are made or any amendment reduces the “effective yield” applicable to all or a portion of such term loans, such prepayment or repriced portions of the term loans will be subject to a penalty equal to 1.00% of the outstanding term loans being prepaid or repriced. No such prepayments or amendments were made through September 30, 2018.

The principal amounts of the US Term Loan Facility and EMEA Term Loan Facility are payable in equal quarterly installments of $4.425 million and €1.875 million, respectively, commencing on September 30, 2018 and continuing thereafter until the maturity date when the remaining balances of outstanding principal amount is payable in full.

We may prepay loans under the 2018 Credit Agreement at any time, subject to certain notice requirements, LIBOR breakage costs, and prepayment fees noted above.

At our election, the US Term Loan Facility may be made as either Base Rate Loans or Eurocurrency Loans. The EMEA Term Loan Facility will bear interest at the European Money Markets Institute EURIBO Rate plus the applicable margin. The applicable

36


margin for the US Term Loan Facility is 1.75% for Base Rate Loans and 2.75% for Eurocurrency Loans, subject to a “LIBOR floor” of 0.00%.  The applicable margin for the EMEA Term Loan Facility is 3.25%, subject to a “EURIBOR floor” of 0.00%. The applicable margin for revolving loans under the Revolving Line of Credit Facility is 1.75% for Base Rate Loans, 2.75% for Eurocurrency Loans denominated in U.S. Dollars and certain other approved currencies other than Euros, and 3.25% for revolving loans denominated in Euros.

The proceeds from the US Term Loan Facility and EMEA Term Loan Facility were used to finance the Interoute acquisition, to repay amounts outstanding under our prior term loan facility, and to pay costs associated with such transactions.
 
The unused and available amount of the Revolving Line of Credit Facility at September 30, 2018 was as follows (amounts in millions):

Committed capacity
$
200.0

Borrowings outstanding
(7.5
)
Letters of credit issued
(13.9
)
Unused and available
$
178.6


The 2018 Credit Agreement does not contain a financial covenant for the US Term Loan Facility or the EMEA Term Loan Facility, but it does include a maximum Consolidated Net Secured Leverage Ratio applicable to the Revolving Line of Credit Facility in the event that utilization exceeds 30% of the revolving loan facility commitment. If triggered, the covenant requires the Company to maintain a Consolidated Net Secured Leverage Ratio, on a Pro Forma Basis, below the maximum ratio specified as follows:

Fiscal Quarter Ending
 
Maximum Ratio
September 30, 2018
 
6.50:1.00
December 31, 2018
 
6.50:1.00
March 31, 2019
 
6.50:1.00
June 30, 2019
 
6.50:1.00
September 30, 2019
 
6.25:1.00
December 31, 2019
 
6.25:1.00
March 31, 2020
 
6.00:1.00
June 30, 2020
 
6.00:1.00
September 30, 2020
 
5.50:1.00
December 31, 2020
 
5.50:1.00
March 31, 2021
 
5.50:1.00
June 30, 2021
 
5.00:1.00
September 30, 2021
 
5.00:1.00
December 31, 2021
 
4.50:1.00
March 31, 2022
 
4.50:1.00
June 30, 2022 and thereafter
 
4.25:1.00

Interest Rate Swaps

During the 2018, we entered into the following interest rate swap arrangements to partially mitigate the variability of cash flows due to changes in the Eurodollar rate, specifically related to interest payments on our term loans under the 2018 Credit Agreement:


37


Trade date
April 6, 2018

 
May 17, 2018

 
May 17, 2018

 
May 17, 2018

Notional amount (in millions)
$
500.0

 
$
200.0

 
$
300.0

 
€
317.0

Term (years)
5

 
7

 
3

 
7

Effective date
4/30/2018

 
6/29/2018

 
6/29/2018

 
6/29/2018

Termination date
4/30/2023

 
5/31/2025

 
6/30/2021

 
5/31/2025

Fixed rate
2.6430
%
 
3.0370
%
 
2.8235
%
 
0.8900
%
Floating rate
1-month LIBOR

 
1-month LIBOR

 
1-month LIBOR

 
1-month EURIBOR


The interest rate swaps do not qualify for hedge accounting.

The fair value of the interest rate swaps at September 30, 2018 was as follows (in millions):

 
 
 
 
 
Fair Value
 
 
 
 
 
September 30, 2018
Derivative Instrument
Aggregate Notional Amount
Effective Date
Maturity Date
 
Asset Derivatives
 
Liability Derivatives
Interest rate swap
$
500.0

4/30/2018
4/30/2023
 
$
5.5

 
$
—

Interest rate swap
$
200.0

6/29/2018
5/31/2025
 
—

 
(1.5
)
Interest rate swap
$
300.0

6/29/2018
6/30/2021
 
0.3

 
—

Interest rate swap
€
317.0

6/29/2018
5/31/2025
 
—

 
(5.0
)
 
 
 
 
 
$
5.8

 
$
(6.5
)

We record the fair value of interest rate swaps in our consolidated balance sheets within other current assets when in an asset position and within accrued expenses and other current liabilities when in a liability position. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, we recognized a gain of $8.6 million and a loss of $0.7 million in other expense, net due to the change in fair value of our interest rate swaps.

7.875% Senior Unsecured Notes

During 2016 and 2017, the Company completed three private offerings for $575.0 million aggregate principal amount of its 7.875% senior unsecured notes due in 2024 (collectively the “7.875% Senior Unsecured Notes”). Each offering was treated as a single series of debt securities. The 7.875% Senior Unsecured Notes have identical terms other than the issuance date and offering price. The 7.875% Senior Unsecured Notes were issued at a combined premium of $16.5 million. In connection with the offerings, the Company incurred debt issuance costs of $17.3 million, of which $0.5 million was incurred in 2016 and the remainder was incurred in 2017.

Other Secured Loans

In connection with the Interoute acquisition in May 2018 the Company acquired other loans related to loans secured by certain network assets. The balance of other secured loans at September 30, 2018 was $21.6 million.

Effective Interest Rate

The effective interest rate on the long-term debt at September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 was 5.3% and 4.5%, respectively. The effective interest rate at September 30, 2018 considers the impact of the interest rate swaps.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
 
Our consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with GAAP. For information regarding our critical accounting policies and estimates, please refer to "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates" contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017 and Note 2 - Significant Accounting Policies to our consolidated financial statements contained therein. There have been no material changes to the critical accounting policies previously disclosed in that report, except as it relates to changes to our policy for revenue recognition as a result of adopting ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606)

38


and subsequently issued amendments on January 1, 2018. Refer to Note 1 - Organization and Business to our condensed consolidated financial statements contained herein.
 
Results of Operations

Three months ended September 30, 2018 compared to three months ended September 30, 2017
 
Overview. The financial information presented in the tables below is comprised of the unaudited condensed consolidated financial information for the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 (amounts in millions):
 
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
2018
 
2017
 
$ Variance
 
% Change
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revenue:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Telecommunications services
$
448.6

 
$
202.6

 
$
246.0

 
121.4
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cost of telecommunications services
247.4

 
103.8

 
143.6

 
138.3
%
Selling, general and administrative expenses
112.7

 
52.0

 
60.7

 
116.7
%
Severance, restructuring and other exit costs
15.5

 
11.1

 
4.4

 
39.6
%
Depreciation and amortization
58.5

 
32.8

 
25.7

 
78.4
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total operating expenses
434.1

 
199.7

 
234.4

 
117.4
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating income
14.5

 
2.9

 
11.6

 
400.0
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other expense:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest expense, net
(47.6
)
 
(18.3
)
 
(29.3
)
 
160.1
%
Loss on debt extinguishment
—

 
(3.0
)
 
3.0

 
*

Other expense, net
8.1

 
0.2

 
7.9

 
*

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total other expense
(39.5
)
 
(21.1
)
 
(18.4
)
 
87.2
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Loss before income taxes
(25.0
)
 
(18.2
)
 
(6.8
)
 
*

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Benefit from income taxes
(1.6
)
 
(8.7
)
 
7.1

 
*

 
  

 
  

 
 
 
 
Net loss
$
(23.4
)
 
$
(9.5
)
 
$
(13.9
)
 
*

* - Not meaningful
 
Revenue
Our revenue increased by $246.0 million, or 121.4%, from $202.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2017 to $448.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2018. The increase was primarily due to the 2017 acquisitions of Global Capacity, Transbeam, and Custom Connect (collectively, the "2017 Acquisitions"), and the 2018 acquisitions of ACI and Interoute (collectively, the "2018 Acquisitions").

On a constant currency basis using the average exchange rates in effect during the three months ended September 30, 2017, revenue would have been higher by $2.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2018.
 
Cost of Telecommunications Services Provided
Cost of telecommunications services provided increased by $143.6 million, or 138.3%, from $103.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2017 to $247.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2018. Consistent with our increase in

39


revenue, the increase in cost of telecommunications services provided was principally driven by the 2017 Acquisitions and the 2018 Acquisitions.

On a constant currency basis using the average exchange rates in effect during the three months ended September 30, 2017, cost of telecommunications services provided would have been higher by $1.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2018.
 
Operating Expenses
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses. Selling, general and administrative expenses increased by $60.7 million, or 116.7%, from $52.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2017 to $112.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2018. The following table summarizes the major categories of selling, general and administrative expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 (amounts in millions):

 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
2018
 
2017
 
$ Variance
 
% Change
Employee related compensation (excluding share-based compensation)
$
60.1

 
$
24.7

 
$
35.4

 
143.3
%
Share-based compensation
9.2

 
6.1

 
3.1

 
50.8
%
Transaction and integration expense
10.7

 
3.3

 
7.4

 
224.2
%
Other SG&A(1)
32.7

 
17.9

 
14.8

 
82.7
%
Total
$
112.7

 
$
52.0

 
$
60.7

 
116.7
%
(1) Includes bad debt expense, professional fees, marketing costs, facilities, and other general support costs.

Employee related compensation increased primarily due to the 2017 Acquisitions and 2018 Acquisitions. Share-based compensation expense increases were driven by the recognition of share-based compensation for performance awards and an increase in the aggregate value of employee equity awards. Transaction and integration costs increases were primarily driven by higher integration costs related to Interoute during the three months ended September 30, 2018. Other SG&A expense increases were principally driven by 2017 Acquisitions and 2018 Acquisitions.

On a constant currency basis using the average exchange rates in effect during the three months ended September 30, 2017, selling, general and administrative expenses would have been higher by $0.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2018.

Severance, Restructuring and Other Exit Costs. For the three months ended September 30, 2018, we incurred exit costs of $15.5 million primarily relating to 2018 Acquisitions. For the three months ended September 30, 2017, we incurred exit costs of $11.1 million relating to 2017 Acquisitions.

Depreciation and Amortization. Amortization of intangible assets increased $5.9 million or 34.7%, from $17.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2017 to $22.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2018, primarily due to the additional definite-lived intangible assets recorded in connection with 2017 Acquisitions and 2018 Acquisitions. Depreciation expense increased $19.8 million, or 125.3% from $15.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2017 to $35.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2018, primarily due to the assets acquired from the Hibernia and Interoute acquisitions.

Other Expense. Other expense increased by $18.4 million to $39.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2018, compared to $21.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2017. This is primarily attributed to higher interest expense due to higher debt levels driven by 2017 Acquisitions and 2018 Acquisitions, partially offset by gain on derivative financial instruments of $8.3 million due to changes in fair value on the interest rate swaps.

Nine months ended September 30, 2018 compared to nine months ended September 30, 2017
 
Overview. The financial information presented in the tables below is comprised of the unaudited condensed consolidated financial information for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 (amounts in millions):
 

40


 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2018
 
2017
 
$ Variance
 
% Change
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revenue:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Telecommunications services
$
1,036.0

 
$
578.6

 
$
457.4

 
79.1
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cost of telecommunications services
568.2

 
296.1

 
272.1

 
91.9
%
Selling, general and administrative expenses
270.7

 
151.6

 
119.1

 
78.6
%
Severance, restructuring and other exit costs
22.7

 
21.8

 
0.9

 
4.1
%
Depreciation and amortization
146.5

 
94.7

 
51.8

 
54.7
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total operating expenses
1,008.1

 
564.2

 
443.9

 
78.7
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating income
27.9

 
14.4

 
13.5

 
93.8
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other expense:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest expense, net
(98.7
)
 
(50.7
)
 
(48.0
)
 
94.7
%
Loss on debt extinguishment
(13.8
)
 
(8.6
)
 
(5.2
)
 
60.5
%
Other expense, net
(106.9
)
 
0.2

 
(107.1
)
 
*

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total other expense
(219.4
)
 
(59.1
)
 
(160.3
)
 
271.2
%
 
  

 
  

 
 
 
 
Loss before income taxes
(191.5
)
 
(44.7
)
 
(146.8
)
 
328.4
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Benefit from income taxes
(1.1
)
 
(22.7
)
 
21.6

 
*

 
  

 
  

 
 
 
 
Net loss
$
(190.4
)
 
$
(22.0
)
 
$
(168.4
)
 
*

* - Not meaningful

Revenue
Our revenue increased by $457.4 million, or 79.1%, from $578.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 to $1,036.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018. The increase was primarily due to the 2017 Acquisitions and 2018 Acquisitions.

On a constant currency basis using the average exchange rates in effect during the nine months ended September 30, 2017, revenue would have been lower by $23.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018.
 
Cost of Telecommunications Services Provided
Cost of telecommunications services provided increased by $272.1 million, or 91.9%, from $296.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 to $568.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018. Consistent with our increase in revenue, the increase in cost of telecommunications services provided was principally driven by the 2017 Acquisitions and 2018 Acquisitions.

On a constant currency basis using the average exchange rates in effect during the nine months ended September 30, 2017, cost of telecommunications services provided would have been lower by $12.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018.
 
Operating Expenses
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses. Selling, general and administrative expenses increased by $119.1 million, or 78.6%, from $151.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 to $270.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018. The following table summarizes the major categories of selling, general and administrative expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 (amounts in millions):

41


 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2018
 
2017
 
$ Variance
 
% Change
Employee related compensation (excluding share-based compensation)
$
139.8

 
$
70.4

 
$
69.4

 
98.6
%
Share-based compensation
23.9

 
16.0

 
7.9

 
49.4
%
Transaction and integration expense
25.1

 
13.8

 
11.3

 
81.9
%
Other SG&A(1)
81.9

 
51.4

 
30.5

 
59.3
%
Total
$
270.7

 
$
151.6

 
$
119.1

 
78.6
%
(1) Includes bad debt expense, professional fees, marketing costs, facilities, and other general support costs.

Employee related compensation increased primarily due to the 2017 Acquisitions and 2018 Acquisitions. Share-based compensation expense increases were driven by the recognition of share-based compensation for performance awards and an increase in the aggregate value of employee equity awards. Transaction and integration costs increases were driven by final integration costs related to Hibernia and transaction costs associated with the acquisition of Perseus, Global Capacity, and Interoute. Other SG&A expense increases were principally driven by 2017 Acquisitions and 2018 Acquisitions.

On a constant currency basis using the average exchange rates in effect during the nine months ended September 30, 2017, selling, general and administrative expenses would have been lower by $4.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018.

Severance, Restructuring and Other Exit Costs. For the nine months ended September 30, 2018, we incurred exit costs of $22.7 million relating to 2017 Acquisitions and 2018 Acquisitions. We incurred $21.8 million related to 2017 Acquisitions for the nine months ended September 30, 2017.

Depreciation and Amortization. Amortization of intangible assets increased $14.4 million or 29.0%, from $49.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 to $64.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018, primarily due to the additional definite-lived intangible assets recorded in connection with 2017 Acquisitions and 2018 Acquisitions. Depreciation expense increased $37.4 million, or 82.9% from $45.1 million to $82.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018, primarily due to the assets acquired from the Hibernia and Interoute acquisitions.

Other Expense. Other expense increased by $160.3 million to $219.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2017. This is primarily attributed to higher interest expense due to higher debt levels driven by 2017 Acquisitions and 2018 Acquisitions, loss on derivative financial instruments of $107.0 million primarily related to the cost of the derivative financial liability related to currency hedging for the Interoute acquisition of $105.8 million partially offset by a gain due to changes in fair value on the interest rate swaps of $8.3 million, and a loss on debt extinguishment of $13.8 million.
 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Our primary sources of liquidity have been cash provided by operations, equity offerings, and debt financings. Our principal uses of cash have been acquisitions, working capital, capital expenditures, and debt service requirements. We anticipate that our principal uses of cash in the future will be for acquisitions, capital expenditures, working capital, and debt service.
 
Management monitors cash flow and liquidity requirements on a regular basis, including an analysis of the anticipated working capital requirements for the next 12 months. This analysis assumes our ability to manage expenses, capital expenditures, indebtedness, and the anticipated growth of revenue. If our operating performance differs significantly from our forecasts, we may be required to reduce our operating expenses and curtail capital spending, and we may not remain in compliance with our debt covenants. In addition, if we are unable to fully fund our cash requirements through operations and current cash on hand, we may need to obtain additional financing through a combination of equity and debt financings and/or renegotiation of terms of our existing debt. If any such activities become necessary, there can be no assurance that we would be successful in obtaining additional financing or modifying our existing debt terms.

Our capital expenditures increased by $34.5 million, or 128.3% from $26.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 to $61.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018. The increase in capital expenditures was due mainly to the 2017 Acquisitions and 2018 Acquisitions. We anticipate that we will incur capital expenditures of approximately 7% of revenue

42


going forward. We continue to expect that our capital expenditures will be primarily success-based, i.e., in support of specific revenue opportunities.

We believe that our cash flows from operating activities, in addition to cash on-hand, will be sufficient to fund our operating activities and capital expenditures for the foreseeable future, and in any event for at least the next 12 to 18 months from the date of this filing. However, no assurance can be given that this will be the case.

Cash Flows

The following table summarizes the components of our cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 (amounts in millions):
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows Data
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2018
 
2017
 
$ Variance
Net cash provided by operating activities
$
50.0

 
$
47.1

 
$
2.9

Net cash used in investing activities
(2,373.9
)
 
(694.6
)
 
(1,679.3
)
Net cash provided by financing activities
2,270.3

 
349.2

 
1,921.1


Cash Provided by Operating Activities
 
Our largest source of cash provided by operating activities is monthly recurring revenue from our customers. Our primary uses of cash are payments to network suppliers, compensation-related costs, interest expense, and third-party vendors such as agents, contractors, and professional service providers.

Net cash flows from operating activities increased by $2.9 million, from $47.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 to $50.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018. This increase was primarily due to the 2018 Acquisitions and 2017 Acquisitions, partially offset by higher interest expense, non-recurring cash payments for severance and exit costs, and for transaction and integration costs.

Cash Used in Investing Activities

Our primary uses of cash include acquisitions, purchases of customer contracts, and capital expenditures.

Net cash flows used in investing activities increased by $1,679.3 million, from $694.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 to $2,373.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 due primarily to Interoute.

Cash used for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 consisted of $2,206.7 million for acquisitions, $105.8 million for the settlement of the deal-contingent foreign currency hedge, and capital expenditures of approximately $61.4 million. Cash used for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 consisted of $652.8 million for acquisitions, as well as the purchase of certain customer contracts for which we paid $14.9 million, and capital expenditures of $26.9 million.

Cash Provided by Financing Activities

Our primary source of cash from financing activities are proceeds from debt and equity issuances. Our primary use of cash for financing activities is the refinancing of our debt and repayment of principal pursuant to the debt agreements.

Net cash flows from financing activities increased by $1,921.1 million, from $349.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 to $2,270.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018, consisting primarily of net proceeds from the new US Term Loan Facility and EMEA Term Loan Facility, proceeds from net equity issuance, partially offset by repayment of the prior term loan and payment of holdbacks.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements, Contractual Obligations and Commitments
 
The following table summarizes our significant contractual obligations as of September 30, 2018 (amounts in millions):

43


 
Total
 
Less than 1 year
 
1-3 years
 
3-5 years
 
More than 5 years
Term loans
$
2,633.8

 
$
26.4

 
$
52.8

 
$
52.8

 
$
2,501.8

7.875% senior note
575.0

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
575.0

Other secured loans
21.6

 
13.9

 
6.7

 
1.0

 
—

Revolving line of credit
7.5

 
—

 
—

 
7.5

 
—

Operating leases
98.8

 
22.3

 
34.0

 
17.5

 
25.0

Capital leases
43.0

 
3.1

 
10.5

 
6.3

 
23.1

Network supplier agreements (1)
1,040.6

 
372.6

 
434.0

 
75.2

 
158.8

Other (2)
26.9

 
22.3

 
4.6

 
—

 
—

 
$
4,447.2

 
$
460.6

 
$
542.6

 
$
160.3

 
$
3,283.7

(1) Excludes contracts where the initial term has expired and we are currently in month-to-month status.
(2) "Other" consists of vendor contracts associated with network monitoring and maintenance services.

As of September 30, 2018, we did not have any off-balance sheet arrangements.
 
Non-GAAP Financial Measures

In addition to financial measures prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States ("GAAP"), from time to time we may use or publicly disclose certain "non-GAAP financial measures" in the course of our financial presentations, earnings releases, earnings conference calls, and otherwise. For these purposes, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") defines a "non-GAAP financial measure" as a numerical measure of historical or future financial performance, financial positions, or cash flows that (i) exclude amounts, or is subject to adjustments that effectively exclude amounts, included in the most directly comparable measure calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP in financial statements, and (ii) include amounts, or is subject to adjustments that effectively include amounts, that are excluded from the most directly comparable measure so calculated and presented.

Non-GAAP financial measures are provided as additional information to investors to provide an alternative method for assessing our financial condition and operating results. We believe that these non-GAAP measures, when taken together with our GAAP financial measures, allow us and our investors to better evaluate our performance and profitability. These measures are not in accordance with, or a substitute for, GAAP, and may be different from or inconsistent with non-GAAP financial measures used by other companies. These measures should be used in addition to and in conjunction with results presented in accordance with GAAP and should not be relied upon to the exclusion of GAAP financial measures.

Pursuant to the requirements of Regulation G, whenever we refer to a non-GAAP financial measure we will also generally present the most directly comparable financial measure calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP, along with a reconciliation of the differences between the non-GAAP financial measure we reference with such comparable GAAP financial measure.

Adjusted Earnings before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization ("Adjusted EBITDA")

Adjusted EBITDA is defined by us as income/(loss) before interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization ("EBITDA") adjusted to exclude severance, restructuring and other exit costs, acquisition-related transaction and integration costs, losses on extinguishment of debt, share-based compensation, and from time to time, other non-cash or non-recurring items.

We use Adjusted EBITDA to evaluate operating performance, and this financial measure is among the primary measures we use for planning and forecasting future periods. We further believe that the presentation of Adjusted EBITDA is relevant and useful for investors because it allows investors to view results in a manner similar to the method used by management and makes it easier to compare our results with the results of other companies that have different financing and capital structures. The 2017 Credit Agreement does not contain a financial covenant for the term loan facility, but includes a maximum consolidated net secured leverage ratio that utilizes a modified EBITDA calculation. The modified EBITDA calculation is similar to our definition of Adjusted EBITDA; however, it includes the pro forma Adjusted EBITDA of and expected cost synergies from the companies acquired by us during the applicable reporting period. Finally, Adjusted EBITDA results, along with other quantitative and qualitative information, are utilized by management and our compensation committee for purposes of determining bonus payouts to our employees.


44


The following is a reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA from Net loss:

 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
(Amounts in millions)
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Adjusted EBITDA
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net loss
$
(23.4
)
 
$
(9.5
)
 
$
(190.4
)
 
$
(22.0
)
Benefit from income taxes
(1.6
)
 
(8.7
)
 
(1.1
)
 
(22.7
)
Interest and other expense, net
39.5

 
18.1

 
205.6

 
50.5

Loss on debt extinguishment
—

 
3.0

 
13.8

 
8.6

Depreciation and amortization
58.5

 
32.8

 
146.5

 
94.7

Severance, restructuring and other exit costs
15.5

 
11.1

 
22.7

 
21.8

Transaction and integration costs
10.7

 
3.3

 
25.1

 
13.8

Share-based compensation
9.2

 
6.1

 
23.9

 
16.0

Adjusted EBITDA
$
108.4

 
$
56.2

 
$
246.1

 
$
160.7


Adjusted Free Cash Flow and Adjusted Unlevered Free Cash Flow

Adjusted Free Cash Flow is defined as net cash provided by operating activities less purchases of property and equipment, adjusted to exclude cash paid for severance, restructuring and other exit costs, and acquisition-related transaction and integration costs. Adjusted Unlevered Free Cash Flow is defined as Adjusted Free Cash Flow before interest. Adjusted Free Cash Flow and Adjusted Unlevered Free Cash Flow are not a measurement of our financial performance under GAAP and should not be considered in isolation or as alternatives to net cash flows provided by operating activities, total net cash flows, or any other performance measure derived in accordance with GAAP.

We use Adjusted Free Cash Flow as a measure to evaluate cash generated through normal operating activities. We believe that the presentation of Adjusted Free Cash Flow is relevant and useful to investors because it provides a measure of cash available to pay the principal on our debt and pursue acquisitions of businesses or other strategic investments or uses of capital. We use Adjusted Unlevered Free Cash Flow as a measure to evaluate cash generated through normal operating activities prior to debt service as our debt capital structure will change over time. We believe that the presentation of Adjusted Unlevered Free Cash Flow is relevant and useful for investors because it allows investors to view results in a manner similar to the method used by management and makes it easier to compare our results with the results of other companies that have different financing and capital structures.

The following is a reconciliation of Adjusted Free Cash Flow and Adjusted Unlevered Free Cash Flow from Cash provided by operating activities (amounts in millions):

 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2018
 
2017
Net cash provided by operating activities
$
50.0

 
$
47.1

Purchases of property and equipment
(61.4
)
 
(26.9
)
Severance, restructuring and other exit costs
22.3

 
9.4

Transaction and integration costs
24.7

 
13.0

Adjusted Free Cash Flow
35.6

 
42.6

Cash paid for interest
102.4

 
39.0

Adjusted Unlevered Free Cash Flow
$
138.0

 
$
81.6


ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

We are exposed to certain market risks. These risks, which include interest rate risk and foreign currency exchange risk, arise in the normal course of business rather than from trading activities.

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Interest Rate Sensitivity
 
Our exposure to market risk for changes in interest rates is primarily related to our outstanding term loans and revolving loans. As of September 30, 2018, we had $2,633.8 million in term loans and $7.5 million in revolving loans with variable interest rates. The interest expense associated with our term loan and revolving loan will vary with market rates.

The US Term Loan Facility carries an interest rate equal to either Base Rate Loans with applicable margin at 1.75% or Eurocurrency Loans at 2.75%, subject to a floor of 0.00%. Based on current rates, a hypothetical 100 basis point increase in Eurodollar rate would increase annual interest expense by approximately $7.7 million, which would decrease our income and cash flows by the same amount. A hypothetical increase of the Eurodollar rate to 4%, the average historical three-month rate, would increase annual interest expense by approximately $14.8 million, which would decrease our income and cash flows by the same amount. This sensitivity analysis takes into account the impact of the LIBOR-based interest rate swaps entered into during 2018.

The EMEA Term Loan Facility carries an interest rate equal to 3.25%, subject to a EURIBOR floor of 0.00%. Based on current rates, a hypothetical 100 basis point increase in EURIBOR rate would increase annual interest expense by approximately $2.7 million, which would decrease our income and cash flows by the same amount. A hypothetical increase of the EURIBOR rate to 2%, the average historical three-month rate, would increase annual interest expense by approximately $8.7 million, which would decrease our income and cash flows by the same amount. This sensitivity analysis takes into account the impact of the EURIBOR-based interest rate swap entered into during 2018.

We may enter into additional derivative financial instruments in the future.

Exchange Rate Sensitivity
 
Our exposure to market risk for changes in foreign currency rate relates to our global operations. Our consolidated financial statements are denominated in U.S. Dollars, but a portion of our revenue, cost of telecommunications services provided and selling, general and administrative expenses are recorded in the local currency of our foreign subsidiaries. Accordingly, changes in exchange rates between the applicable foreign currency and the U.S. Dollar will affect the translation of each foreign subsidiary’s financial results into U.S. Dollars for purposes of reporting consolidated financial results.

Approximately 53% of our revenues for the three months ended September 30, 2018 were generated by non-US entities, of which approximately 37% was recorded in Euros, approximately 13% was recorded in GBP, and the remainder was recorded predominantly in Canadian dollars. Approximately 51% of our cost of telecommunications services provided and approximately 47% of our selling, general and administrative expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2018 were generated by the same non-US entities. 

ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

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The Company maintains disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”)) designed to provide reasonable assurance that the information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms. These include controls and procedures designed to ensure that this information is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Management, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer, and our Chief Financial Officer, evaluated the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures as of September 30, 2018. Based on this evaluation, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were not effective, as of September 30, 2018, due to the material weakness over internal control over financial reporting described below, in providing reasonable assurance that the information required to be disclosed by us in this report was accumulated and communicated in the manner provided above.

Our evaluation excluded Interoute which was acquired in May 2018. On a pro forma basis, as of and for the three months ended December 31, 2017 Interoute represented approximately 63.0% of total assets and 44.6% of revenue. These percentages did not differ significantly for the month post acquisition. In accordance with guidance issued by the SEC, companies are allowed to exclude acquisitions from their assessment of internal controls over financial reporting during the first year subsequent to the acquisition while integrating with acquired operations.

The effectiveness of our or any system of disclosure controls and procedures is subject to certain limitations, including the exercise of judgment in designing, implementing and evaluating the controls and procedures, the assumptions used in identifying the likelihood of future events and the inability to eliminate misconduct completely. As a result, there can be no assurance that our disclosure controls and procedures will detect all errors or fraud. By their nature, our or any system of disclosure controls and procedures can provide only reasonable assurance regarding management's control objectives.

Material Weakness in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

The Company’s management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, identified a material weakness in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting during the three months ended March 31, 2018. A material weakness is a deficiency, or a combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting, such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of the Company’s annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis.

The Company’s operating effectiveness of controls over accounting for complex and unusual transactions failed to operate during the quarter ended March 31, 2018. The Company failed to correctly account for a deal-contingent foreign currency hedge as a derivative. This derivative was entered into during the quarter ended March 31, 2018, in which we entered into the Agreement for Sale and Purchase of Interoute, and the derivative was settled at the closing of the Interoute acquisition on May 31, 2018. The fair value of this derivative was correctly recorded in the condensed consolidated financial statements as of and for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and subsequent changes to the fair value through the settlement date were correctly recorded as of and for the three months ended June 30, 2018. This material weakness could result in a failure to correctly account for complex and unusual transactions that could result in a material misstatement to the consolidated financial statements that would not be prevented or detected.

Remediation Measures

To address the material weakness described above, the Company has designed and has implemented new and enhanced controls to ensure that complex and unusual transactions are accounted for correctly and that in-house accounting personnel have training to ensure they have the relevant expertise related to complex and unusual transactions, including derivative contracts.

We believe the actions described above will be sufficient to remediate the identified material weakness and strengthen our internal control over financial reporting. The enhanced controls were implemented during the second quarter of 2018 and we anticipate being able to fully remediate the material weakness no later than December 31, 2018. We will continue to monitor the effectiveness of these controls and will make any further changes management determines appropriate.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
 
Except for the Company’s design and implementation of new and enhanced controls related to the material weakness described above, there were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the

47


Exchange Act) as of September 30, 2018, that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect our internal control over financial reporting.


48


PART II – OTHER INFORMATION
 
ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
 
From time to time, we are party to legal proceedings arising in the normal course of business. We do not believe that we are party to any current or pending legal action that could reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on our financial condition or results of operations.

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
 
For a discussion of our risk factors, refer to Part I, Item 1A "Risk Factors," contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year-ended December 31, 2017, as filed with the SEC on March 1, 2018, and Part II, Item 1A "Risk Factors," contained in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2018, as filed with the SEC on August 8, 2018.

ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

None.
ITEM 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

None.

ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

None.

ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION

None.


49


ITEM 6. EXHIBITS
 
The following exhibits, which are numbered in accordance with Item 601 of Regulation S-K, are filed herewith or, as noted, incorporated by reference herein:
 
Exhibit Number
Description of Document
Certification of Chief Executive Officer of the Registrant, pursuant to Rules 13a-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
 
 
Certification of Chief Financial Officer of the Registrant, pursuant to Rules 13a-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
 
 
Certification of Chief Executive Officer of the Registrant, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
 
Certification of Chief Financial Officer of the Registrant, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
 
101*
The following financial statements and footnotes from GTT Communications, Inc.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, formatted in XBRL (eXtensible Business Reporting Language): (i) Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (unaudited); (ii) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (unaudited); (iii) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss; (iv) Condensed Consolidated Statement of Stockholders' Equity (unaudited); (v) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (unaudited); and (v) Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
*
Filed herewith
+
Denotes a management or compensatory plan or arrangement
  


50


SIGNATURES
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
 
 
 
GTT Communications, Inc.
 
 
 
 
 
 
By:
/s/ Richard D. Calder, Jr.
 
 
 
Richard D. Calder, Jr.
 
 
 
President, Chief Executive Officer and
 
 
 
Director (Principal Executive Officer)
 
 
 
 
 
 
By:
/s/ Michael T. Sicoli
 
 
 
Michael T. Sicoli
 
 
 
Chief Financial Officer
 
 
 
(Principal Financial Officer)
 
 
 
 
 
 
By:
/s/ Daniel M. Fraser
 
 
 
Daniel M. Fraser
 
 
 
Vice President and Controller
Date:
November 8, 2018
 
(Principal Accounting Officer)
 
 
 
 
 

51