Form 10-Q
Table of Contents

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)

x QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2010

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 0-22531

INTELSAT CORPORATION

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

 

Delaware   95-4607698

(State or Other Jurisdiction of

Incorporation or Organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

3400 International Drive, N.W.,

Washington, D.C.

  20008
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)   (Zip Code)

(202) 944-6800

(Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code)

N/A

(Former Name, Former Address and Former Fiscal Year, if Changed Since Last Report)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes  ¨    No  x

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes  ¨    No  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

Large accelerated filer  ¨

  Accelerated filer  ¨    Non-accelerated filer  x    Smaller reporting company  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    Yes  ¨    No  x

As of November 1, 2010, an aggregate of 548 shares of our common stock, par value $0.01 per share, were outstanding.

 

 

 


Table of Contents

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

          Page  

PART I.    FINANCIAL INFORMATION

  

Item 1.

  

Financial Statements:

  
  

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2009 and September 30, 2010 (Unaudited)

     4   
  

Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2009 and 2010

     5   
  

Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2009 and 2010

     6   
  

Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

     7   

Item 2.

  

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

     24   

Item 3.

  

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

     39   

Item 4.

  

Controls and Procedures

     39   

PART II.    OTHER INFORMATION

  

Item 1.

  

Legal Proceedings

     40   

Item 1A.

  

Risk Factors

     40   

Item 2.

  

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

     40   

Item 3.

  

Defaults upon Senior Securities

     40   

Item 4.

  

(Removed and Reserved)

     40   

Item 5.

  

Other Information

     40   

Item 6.

  

Exhibits

     41   

SIGNATURES

     42   

 

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INTRODUCTION

In this Quarterly Report, unless otherwise indicated or the context otherwise requires, (1) the terms “Intelsat Corp,” “we,” “us,” “our,” and the “Company” refer to Intelsat Corporation, formerly known as PanAmSat Corporation, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Intelsat Holding Corporation, formerly known as PanAmSat Holding Corporation, and its subsidiaries, (2) the term “Intelsat Acquisition Transactions” refers to the acquisition of Intelsat Holding Corporation by Intelsat (Bermuda), Ltd., now known as Intelsat (Luxembourg) S.A., on July 3, 2006 and related transactions, (3) the term “Intelsat” refers to Intelsat S.A., our indirect parent company, and its subsidiaries on a consolidated basis after giving effect to the acquisition of PanAmSat Holding Corporation on July 3, 2006, (4) the terms “Serafina Holdings” and “Intelsat Global” refer to Intelsat Global S.A. (formerly known as Serafina Holdings Limited), (5) the term “Serafina” refers to Intelsat Global Subsidiary S.A. (formerly known as Serafina Acquisition Limited), (6) the term “Intelsat Holdings” refers to Intelsat S.A.’s parent, Intelsat Holdings S.A., (7) the term “Intelsat Luxembourg” refers to Intelsat (Luxembourg) S.A., Intelsat S.A.’s direct wholly-owned subsidiary, (8) the term “Intelsat Jackson” refers to Intelsat Jackson Holdings S.A., Intelsat Luxembourg’s direct wholly-owned subsidiary, (9) the term “Intermediate Holdco” refers to Intelsat Intermediate Holding Company S.A., Intelsat Jackson’s direct wholly-owned subsidiary, (10) the term “Intelsat Sub Holdco” refers to Intelsat Subsidiary Holding Company S.A., Intermediate Holdco’s direct wholly-owned subsidiary, and (11) the term “New Sponsors Acquisition Transactions” refers to the acquisition of Intelsat Holdings by Serafina on February 4, 2008 and related transactions.

In this Quarterly Report, unless the context otherwise requires, all references to transponder capacity or demand refer to transponder capacity or demand in the C-band and Ku-band only.

FINANCIAL AND OTHER INFORMATION

Unless otherwise indicated, all references to “dollars” and “$” in this Quarterly Report are to, and all monetary amounts in this Quarterly Report are presented in, U.S. dollars. Unless otherwise indicated, the financial information contained in this Quarterly Report has been prepared in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”).

Certain monetary amounts, percentages and other figures included in this Quarterly Report have been subject to rounding adjustments. Accordingly, figures shown as totals in certain tables may not be the arithmetic aggregation of the figures that precede them, and figures expressed as percentages in the text may not total 100% or, as applicable, when aggregated may not be the arithmetic aggregation of the percentages that precede them.

In this Quarterly Report, we refer to and rely on publicly available information regarding our industry and our competitors. Although we believe the information is reliable, we cannot guarantee the accuracy and completeness of the information and have not independently verified it.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Some of the statements in this Quarterly Report constitute forward-looking statements that do not directly or exclusively relate to historical facts. The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a “safe harbor” for certain forward-looking statements as long as they are identified as forward-looking and are accompanied by meaningful cautionary statements identifying important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the expectations expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements.

When used in this Quarterly Report, the words “may,” “will,” “ might,” “should,” “expect,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “project,” “believe,” “estimate,” “predict,” “intend,” “potential,” “outlook” and “continue,” and the negative of these terms and other similar expressions, are intended to identify forward-looking statements and information.

 

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The forward-looking statements made in this Quarterly Report reflect our intentions, plans, expectations, assumptions and beliefs about future events. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this Quarterly Report and are not guarantees of future performance or results and are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which are outside of our control. These factors could cause actual results or developments to differ materially from the expectations expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements and include known and unknown risks. Known risks include, among others, the risks discussed in Item 1A—Risk Factors in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009, the political, economic and legal conditions in the markets we are targeting for communications services or in which we operate and other risks and uncertainties inherent in the telecommunications business in general and the satellite communications business in particular.

The following list represents some, but not necessarily all, of the factors that could cause actual results to differ from historical results or those anticipated or predicted by these forward-looking statements:

 

   

risks associated with operating our in-orbit satellites;

 

   

satellite launch failures, satellite launch and construction delays and in-orbit failures or reduced performance;

 

   

potential changes in the number of companies offering commercial satellite launch services and the number of commercial satellite launch opportunities available in any given time period that could impact our ability to timely schedule future launches and the prices we have to pay for such launches;

 

   

our ability to obtain new satellite insurance policies with financially viable insurance carriers on commercially reasonable terms or at all, as well as the ability of our insurance carriers to fulfill their obligations;

 

   

possible future losses on satellites that are not adequately covered by insurance;

 

   

domestic and international government regulation;

 

   

changes in our revenue backlog or expected revenue backlog for future services;

 

   

pricing pressure and overcapacity in the markets in which we compete;

 

   

inadequate access to capital markets;

 

   

the competitive environment in which we operate;

 

   

customer defaults on their obligations owed to us;

 

   

our international operations and other uncertainties associated with doing business internationally; and

 

   

litigation.

Although we believe that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot guarantee our future results, level of activity, performance or achievements. Because actual results could differ materially from our intentions, plans, expectations, assumptions and beliefs about the future, you are urged not to rely on forward-looking statements in this Quarterly Report and to view all forward-looking statements made in this Quarterly Report with caution. We do not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

 

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PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

Item 1. Financial Statements

INTELSAT CORPORATION

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(in thousands, except share amounts)

 

     As of
December 31,
2009
    As of
September 30,
2010
 
           (unaudited)  
ASSETS     

Current assets:

    

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 116,705      $ 259,638   

Receivables, net of allowance of $4,378 in 2009 and $2,261 in 2010

     58,421        47,885   

Due from affiliates

     132,335        158,109   

Deferred income taxes

     39,133        18,695   

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

     16,466        15,830   
                

Total current assets

     363,060        500,157   

Satellites and other property and equipment, net

     2,392,997        2,338,144   

Goodwill

     3,346,662        3,346,662   

Non-amortizable intangible assets

     652,970        652,970   

Amortizable intangible assets, net

     487,915        446,972   

Deferred charges and other assets, net

     160,088        147,745   
                

Total assets

   $ 7,403,692      $ 7,432,650   
                
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDER’S EQUITY     

Current liabilities:

    

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

   $ 39,424      $ 59,445   

Taxes payable

     5,443        —     

Employee related liabilities

     36,523        22,792   

Accrued interest payable

     33,454        31,487   

Current portion of long-term debt

     89,051        89,051   

Deferred satellite performance incentives

     14,709        11,223   

Deferred revenue

     9,663        26,014   

Other current liabilities

     14,785        11,915   
                

Total current liabilities

     243,052        251,927   

Long-term debt, net of current portion

     3,177,672        2,465,840   

Deferred satellite performance incentives, net of current portion

     105,573        97,941   

Deferred revenue, net of current portion

     62,473        83,887   

Deferred income taxes

     566,189        508,414   

Accrued retirement benefits

     166,651        163,363   

Long-term taxes payable, net of current portion

     185,285        203,986   

Deferred credits and other long-term liabilities

     168,330        177,651   

Commitments and contingencies (Note 12)

    

Shareholder’s equity:

    

Ordinary shares, $0.01 par value; 1,000 shares authorized and 548 shares outstanding at December 31, 2009 and September 30, 2010

     —          —     

Paid-in capital

     2,989,891        3,750,514   

Accumulated deficit

     (192,626     (207,677

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

     (68,798     (65,095
                

Total Intelsat Corporation shareholder’s equity

     2,728,467        3,477,742   

Noncontrolling interest

     —          1,899   
                

Total liabilities and shareholder’s equity

   $ 7,403,692      $ 7,432,650   
                

See accompanying notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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INTELSAT CORPORATION

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(in thousands)

 

    Three Months Ended
September 30,
2009
    Three Months Ended
September 30,
2010
    Nine Months Ended
September 30,
2009
    Nine Months Ended
September 30,
2010
 

Revenue:

       

Transponder services, satellite-related services and other

  $ 201,213      $ 208,346      $ 649,523      $ 615,101   

Revenue from affiliates

    67,710        77,246        204,241        231,863   
                               

Total revenue

    268,923        285,592        853,764        846,964   
                               

Operating expenses:

       

Direct costs of revenue (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)

    31,456        31,603        137,556        101,118   

Costs from affiliates

    30,187        39,868        87,443        111,534   

Selling, general and administrative

    28,238        22,338        89,949        70,059   

Depreciation and amortization

    83,232        83,312        252,383        255,521   

Impairment of asset value

    —          —          144,100        110,625   

Losses on derivative financial instruments

    19,608        16,128        11,800        43,606   
                               

Total operating expenses

    192,721        193,249        723,231        692,463   
                               

Income from operations

    76,202        92,343        130,533        154,501   

Interest expense, net

    44,871        44,782        142,692        136,844   

Loss on early extinguishment of debt

    (51     (75,805     (51     (75,805

Other income, net

    607        1,435        3,178        2,801   
                               

Income (loss) before income taxes

    31,887        (26,809     (9,032     (55,347

Provision for (benefit from) income taxes

    12,144        (30,943     (2,629     (42,638
                               

Net income (loss)

    19,743        4,134        (6,403     (12,709

Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest

    —          (22     —          22   
                               

Net income (loss) attributable to Intelsat Corporation

  $ 19,743      $ 4,112      $ (6,403   $ (12,687
                               

See accompanying notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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INTELSAT CORPORATION

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(in thousands)

 

     Nine Months Ended
September 30,
2009
    Nine Months Ended
September 30,
2010
 

Cash flows from operating activities:

    

Net loss

   $ (6,403   $ (12,709

Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities:

    

Depreciation and amortization

     252,383        255,521   

Impairment of asset value

     144,100        110,625   

Provision for doubtful accounts

     2,501        (69

Foreign currency transaction gain

     (1,799     (695

Deferred income taxes

     (79,281     (38,438

Loss on disposal of assets

     6,711        313   

Share-based and other compensation expense

     9,121        (1,765

Amortization of discount and issuance costs

     8,222        7,994   

Unrealized (gains) losses on derivative financial instruments

     (28,894     22,627   

Loss on early extinguishment of debt

     —          73,247   

Other non-cash items

     (282     2,226   

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

    

Receivables

     (15,100     9,103   

Prepaid expenses and other assets

     28,114        20,857   

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

     (50,552     (16,154

Due from affiliates

     (10,226     (27,812

Accrued retirement benefits

     2,384        (3,288

Deferred gains and revenue

     (10,277     37,764   

Other long-term liabilities

     67,245        (12,316
                

Net cash provided by operating activities

     317,967        427,031   
                

Cash flows from investing activities:

    

Payments for satellites and other property and equipment (including capitalized interest)

     (153,837     (252,889

Proceeds from sale of other property and equipment

     128,648        —     

Capital contribution to unconsolidated affiliates

     (12,210     (12,209

Other investing activities

     5,437        9,585   
                

Net cash used in investing activities

     (31,962     (255,513
                

Cash flows from financing activities:

    

Repayments of long-term debt

     (67,815     (738,004

Dividends to shareholder

     (71,594     (71,611

Payment of premium on early retirement of debt

     —          (44,118

Capital contribution from parent

     —          834,000   

Principal payments on deferred satellite performance incentives

     (12,261     (9,547
                

Net cash used in financing activities

     (151,670     (29,280
                

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

     1,799        695   
                

Net change in cash and cash equivalents

     136,134        142,933   

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period

     52,259        116,705   
                

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period

   $ 188,393      $ 259,638   
                

Supplemental cash flow information:

    

Interest paid, net of amounts capitalized

   $ 165,629      $ 126,577   

Income taxes paid, net

     13,627        3,897   

Supplemental disclosure of non-cash investing and financing activities:

    

Accrued capital expenditures

   $ 13,365      $ 25,833   

See accompanying notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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INTELSAT CORPORATION

NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED) September 30, 2010

Note 1    General

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements of Intelsat Corporation , formerly known as PanAmSat Corporation, and its subsidiaries (“Intelsat Corp,” “PanAmSat,” “we,” “us” or “our”) have not been audited, but are prepared in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”) for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by U.S. GAAP for complete financial statements. References to U.S. GAAP issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) in these footnotes are to the FASB Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC” or the “Codification”). The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include all adjustments (consisting only of normal and recurring adjustments) that are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair presentation of these financial statements. The results of operations for the periods presented are not necessarily indicative of operating results for the full year. The condensed consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2009 has been derived from the audited consolidated financial statements at that date but does not include all of the information and footnotes required by U.S. GAAP for complete financial statements. These unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009 on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The term “Intelsat” refers to Intelsat S.A., our indirect parent company, and its subsidiaries on a consolidated basis after giving effect to the acquisition of PanAmSat Holding Corporation on July 3, 2006 referred to as the Intelsat Acquisition Transactions. The terms “Holdco,” “PanAmSat Holdco” and “PanAmSat Holding Corp” refer to our direct parent company, Intelsat Holding Corporation (formerly known as PanAmSat Holding Corporation), and not its subsidiaries.

On December 15, 2009, Intelsat, Ltd., our indirect parent, and certain of its parent holding companies and subsidiaries migrated their jurisdiction of organization from Bermuda to Luxembourg (the “Migration”). As a result of the Migration, Intelsat’s headquarters are located in Luxembourg. Each company that migrated has continued its corporate and legal personality in Luxembourg. Subsequent to the Migration, Intelsat Global, Ltd. is known as Intelsat Global S.A. (“Intelsat Global”), Intelsat Global Subsidiary, Ltd. is known as Intelsat Global Subsidiary S.A., Intelsat Holdings, Ltd. is known as Intelsat Holdings S.A. (“Intelsat Holdings”), Intelsat, Ltd. is known as Intelsat S.A., Intelsat (Bermuda), Ltd. is known as Intelsat (Luxembourg) S.A. (“Intelsat Luxembourg”), Intelsat Jackson Holdings, Ltd. is known as Intelsat Jackson Holdings S.A., Intelsat Intermediate Holding Company, Ltd. is known as Intelsat Intermediate Holding Company S.A. and Intelsat Subsidiary Holding Company, Ltd. is known as Intelsat Subsidiary Holding Company S.A. (“Intelsat Sub Holdco”).

Use of Estimates

The preparation of these condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in these condensed consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Examples of estimates include the allowance for doubtful accounts, pension and postretirement benefits, the fair value of our derivative instruments, the fair value of share-based and other compensation awards, income taxes, useful lives of satellites, intangible assets and other property and equipment, the recoverability of goodwill and the fair value of non-amortizable intangible assets. Changes in such estimates may affect amounts reported in future periods.

 

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INTELSAT CORPORATION

NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)—(Continued)

September 30, 2010

 

 

Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements

During the third quarter of 2009, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2009-13 (EITF 08-1), Multiple-Deliverable Revenue Arrangements (“ASU 2009-13”). ASC Subtopic 605-25, Revenue Recognition- Multiple-Element-Arrangements (“ASC Subtopic 605-25”), sets forth requirements that must be met for an entity to recognize revenue from the sale of a delivered item that is part of a multiple-element arrangement when other items have not yet been delivered.

Historically, we have entered into contracts with customers to deliver multiple services such as tracking, telemetry and control (“TT&C”), satellite capacity and equipment. These elements usually have separate delivery dates. Under the previous guidance, in certain situations we deferred the revenue of all deliverables until the undelivered item had been provided because we were unable to demonstrate vendor-specific objective evidence (“VSOE”) or third-party evidence (“TPE”) for the undelivered items, primarily capacity. The arrangements with multiple deliverables are not common and are non-standard; therefore, they do not constitute a significant portion of the contracts entered into during a given year.

ASU 2009-13 amends ASC Subtopic 605-25 to eliminate the requirement that all undelivered elements must have VSOE or TPE before an entity can recognize the portion that is attributable to items already delivered. In the absence of VSOE or TPE of the stand-alone selling price for one or more delivered or undelivered elements in the arrangement, entities will be required to make a best estimate of the selling prices of those elements. ASU 2009-13 is effective prospectively for revenue arrangements entered into or materially modified in fiscal years beginning on or after June 15, 2010 with early adoption permitted.

We elected to early adopt ASU 2009-13 on a prospective basis, effective for the first quarter of 2010. The adoption of ASU 2009-13 did not have a material impact on our condensed consolidated statements of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010 and is not expected to significantly impact future periods.

Note 2    Fair Value Measurements

FASB ASC Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures (“FASB ASC 820”), defines fair value, establishes a market-based framework or hierarchy for measuring fair value and provides for certain required disclosures about fair value measurements. The guidance is applicable whenever another accounting pronouncement requires or permits assets and liabilities to be measured at fair value, but does not require any new fair value measurements.

The fair value hierarchy prioritizes the inputs used in valuation techniques into three levels as follows:

 

   

Level 1—unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in active markets;

 

   

Level 2—quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, and inputs other than quoted market prices that are observable or that can be corroborated by observable market data by correlation; and

 

   

Level 3—unobservable inputs based upon the reporting entity’s internally developed assumptions which market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability.

 

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INTELSAT CORPORATION

NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)—(Continued)

September 30, 2010

 

 

The following tables present assets and liabilities measured and recorded at fair value in our condensed consolidated balance sheets on a recurring basis and their level within the fair value hierarchy (in thousands), excluding long-term debt (see Note 8—Long-Term Debt):

 

            Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2009  

Description

   As of
December 31,
2009
     Quoted Prices in
Active Markets for
Identical Assets

(Level 1)
     Significant Other
Observable Inputs
(Level 2)
 

Assets

        

Marketable securities (1)

   $ 5,749       $ 5,749       $ —     

Undesignated interest rate swap

     15,662         —           15,662   
                          

Total assets

   $ 21,411       $ 5,749       $ 15,662   
                          

Liabilities

        

Undesignated interest rate swap

   $ 67,461       $ —         $ 67,461   
                          

Total liabilities

   $ 67,461       $ —         $ 67,461   
                          
            Fair Value Measurements at September 30, 2010  

Description

   As of
September 30,
2010
     Quoted Prices in
Active Markets for
Identical Assets
(Level 1)
     Significant Other
Observable Inputs
(Level 2)
 

Assets

        

Marketable securities (1)

   $ 5,702       $ 5,702       $ —     
                          

Total assets

   $ 5,702       $ 5,702       $ —     
                          

Liabilities

        

Undesignated interest rate swap

   $ 88,363       $ —         $ 88,363   
                          

Total liabilities

   $ 88,363       $ —         $ 88,363   
                          

 

(1) The cost basis of our available-for-sale marketable securities was $6.7 million at December 31, 2009 and $6.3 million at September 30, 2010. We sold marketable securities with a cost basis of $0.4 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and recorded a gain on the sale which was included within other income, net in our condensed consolidated statement of operations.

Certain assets and liabilities are measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis; that is, such items are not measured at fair value on an ongoing basis but are subject to fair value adjustments only in certain circumstances, such as if there is evidence of impairment.

The following table presents assets measured and recorded on a nonrecurring basis at fair value in our condensed consolidated balance sheets and their level within the fair value hierarchy (in thousands):

 

Description

   Carrying Value
As of
September 30,
2010
     Fair Value Measurements Using
Significant Unobservable Inputs
(Level 3)
     Total
Losses
 

Long lived asset held and used

   $ 34,200       $ 35,000       $ 104,100   

 

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INTELSAT CORPORATION

NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)—(Continued)

September 30, 2010

 

 

The fair value measurement of this long-lived asset was considered by us to be within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy as the most significant inputs were derived utilizing our internally prepared budgets and forecast information, which we believe a market participant would use in pricing such an asset. The estimated fair value was determined based on a probability weighted discounted cash flow analysis and was discounted at an appropriate weighted average cost of capital. During the second quarter of 2010, this long-lived asset was written down to a fair value of $35.0 million from its carrying value of $139.1 million, and continues to be depreciated. In accordance with the FASB ASC Topic 360, Property, Plant and Equipment (“FASB ASC 360”), regarding the impairment or disposal of long-lived assets, we recorded an impairment charge of $104.1 million, which was included in our condensed consolidated statements of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 (see Note 5—Satellites and Other Property and Equipment).

Note 3    Share-Based and Other Compensation Plans

We maintain a variety of equity-based awards issued under the amended and restated Intelsat Global, Ltd. 2008 Share Incentive Plan (the “2008 Incentive Plan”), which was adopted by the board of directors of Intelsat Global on May 6, 2009. The 2008 Incentive Plan provides for a variety of equity-based awards with respect to Class A common shares of Intelsat Global (the “Class A Shares”), and Class B common shares of Intelsat Global (the “Class B Shares” and, together with the Class A Shares, the “Common Shares”), including non-qualified share options, incentive share options (within the meaning of Section 422 of the United States Internal Revenue Service Tax Code), restricted share awards, restricted share unit awards, share appreciation rights, phantom share awards and performance-based awards.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2010, Intelsat Global entered into share-based compensation arrangements (“SCAs”) permitting the purchase of 6,000 Class A shares on terms substantially similar to previous such grants. During the nine months ended September 30, 2010, Intelsat Global also cancelled 8,104 Class A rollover options and repurchased 5,075 Class A restricted shares and 6,413 vested Class B Shares. We recorded compensation expense of $6.7 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2009, and a credit to compensation expense of $1.8 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2010, related to our equity-based awards.

Note 4    Retirement Plans and Other Retiree Benefits

(a) Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits

We maintain a noncontributory defined benefit retirement plan covering substantially all of our employees hired prior to July 19, 2001. The cost of providing benefits to eligible participants under the defined benefit retirement plan is calculated using the plan’s benefit formulas, which take into account the participants’ remuneration, dates of hire, years of eligible service, and certain actuarial assumptions. In addition, as part of the overall medical plan, we provide postretirement medical benefits to certain current retirees who meet the criteria under the medical plan for postretirement benefit eligibility.

The defined benefit retirement plan is subject to the provisions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended. We expect that our future contributions to the defined benefit retirement plan will be based on the minimum funding requirements of the Internal Revenue Code and on the plan’s funded status. Recent market conditions have resulted in an unusually high degree of volatility and increased risks related to the short-term liquidity of certain investments held by our defined benefit retirement plan, which could impact the value of the plan assets after the date of these condensed consolidated financial statements. Additionally, any significant decline in the fair value of our defined benefit retirement plan assets or other adverse changes to the significant assumptions used to determine the plan’s funded status would negatively impact its funded status and could result in increased funding in future periods. The impact on the funded status as of October 1, the plan’s

 

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INTELSAT CORPORATION

NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)—(Continued)

September 30, 2010

 

annual measurement date, is determined based upon market conditions in effect when we completed our annual valuation. During the nine months ended September 30, 2010, we made a contribution to the defined benefit retirement plan of $7.2 million. In October 2010, we made an additional non-cash contribution of approximately $2.2 million to the defined benefit retirement plan, whereby a credit was applied for this amount related to the defined benefit retirement plan’s funding standard carryover balance. We do not anticipate any additional contributions to the defined benefit retirement plan during the remainder of 2010. We fund the postretirement medical benefits throughout the year based on benefits paid. We anticipate that our contributions to fund postretirement medical benefits in 2010 will be approximately $0.3 million, which will be reimbursed by Intelsat Global Service Corporation, an indirect subsidiary of Intelsat S.A., pursuant to the indemnification provisions of the employee transfer agreement entered into at the time of the Intelsat Acquisition Transactions.

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, as amended by the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010 (the “Healthcare Reform Act”), was signed into law in March 2010. The Healthcare Reform Act codifies health care reforms with staggered effective dates from 2010 to 2018 with many provisions in the Healthcare Reform Act requiring the issuance of additional guidance from various governmental agencies. We assessed the future impact of several of the Healthcare Reform Act’s provisions on our other postretirement benefit liability and determined that as of September 30, 2010 the impact to our condensed consolidated balance sheets and condensed consolidated statements of operations would be immaterial. Given the complexity of the Healthcare Reform Act, the extended time period over which the reforms will be implemented, and the unknown impact of future regulatory guidance, further financial impact to our other postretirement benefit liability and related future expense may occur.

Included in accumulated other comprehensive loss at September 30, 2010 is $102.6 million ($64.2 million, net of tax) that has not yet been recognized in net periodic pension cost, which includes the amortization of unrecognized prior service credits and unrecognized actuarial losses.

Net periodic pension benefit costs included the following components (in thousands):

 

     Three Months
Ended
September 30,
2009
    Three Months
Ended
September 30,
2010
    Nine Months
Ended
September 30,
2009
    Nine Months
Ended
September 30,
2010
 

Service cost

   $ 694      $ 726      $ 2,081      $ 2,179   

Interest cost

     5,176        5,221        15,529        15,661   

Expected return on plan assets

     (5,143     (4,855     (15,429     (14,566

Amortization of unrecognized prior service cost

     (43     (43     (129     (129

Amortization of unrecognized net loss

     —          910        —          2,731   
                                

Net periodic costs

   $ 684      $ 1,959      $ 2,052      $ 5,876   
                                

Net periodic other postretirement benefit costs included the following components (in thousands):

 

     Three Months
Ended
September 30,
2009
     Three Months
Ended
September 30,
2010
     Nine Months
Ended
September 30,
2009
     Nine Months
Ended
September 30,
2010
 

Service cost

   $ 136       $ 102       $ 408       $ 307   

Interest cost

     133         131         400         393   
                                   

Total costs

   $ 269       $ 233       $ 808       $ 700   
                                   

 

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INTELSAT CORPORATION

NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)—(Continued)

September 30, 2010

 

 

(b) Other Retirement Plans

We maintain two defined contribution retirement plans, qualified under the provisions of Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code, for our employees in the United States. We recognized compensation expense for these plans of $5.9 million and $3.9 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2010, respectively. We also maintain other defined contribution retirement plans in several non-U.S. jurisdictions, but such plans are not material to our financial position or results of operations.

Note 5    Satellites and Other Property and Equipment

(a) Satellites and Other Property and Equipment, Net

Satellites and other property and equipment, net were comprised of the following (in thousands):

 

     As of
December 31,
2009
    As of
September 30,
2010
 

Satellites and launch vehicles

   $ 2,663,834      $ 2,749,625   

Information systems and ground segment

     152,969        174,869   

Buildings and other

     100,421        101,370   
                

Total cost

     2,917,224        3,025,864   

Less: accumulated depreciation

     (524,227     (687,720
                

Total

   $ 2,392,997      $ 2,338,144   
                

Satellites and other property and equipment are stated at cost, with the exception of satellites that have been impaired, as discussed below. Satellites and other property and equipment acquired as part of an acquisition are based on their fair value at the date of acquisition.

Satellites and other property and equipment, net as of December 31, 2009 and September 30, 2010 included construction-in-progress of $89.3 million and $329.7 million, respectively. These amounts relate primarily to satellites under construction and related launch services. Interest costs of $10.5 million and $9.0 million were capitalized during the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2010, respectively.

We have entered into launch contracts for the launch of both specified and unspecified future satellites. Each of these launch contracts provides that such contract may be terminated at our option, subject to payment of a termination fee that increases in magnitude as the applicable launch date approaches. In addition, in the event of a failure of any launch, we may exercise our right to obtain a replacement launch within a specified period following our request for re-launch.

(b) Impairment of Asset Value

On February 1, 2010 our IS-4 satellite experienced an anomaly of its backup satellite control processor (“SCP”). The anomaly has caused this satellite to be deemed unrecoverable, resulting in a net non-cash impairment charge in February 2010 of $6.5 million to write off the remaining carrying value of the IS-4 satellite, which was not insured, and related deferred performance incentive obligations. Launched in 1995, IS-4 was expected to reach its end of service life later in 2010. IS-4 had previously experienced the failure of its primary SCP and was operating on its backup SCP.

 

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INTELSAT CORPORATION

NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)—(Continued)

September 30, 2010

 

 

On April 5, 2010, our Galaxy 15 satellite experienced an anomaly. We transitioned all media traffic on this satellite to our Galaxy 12 satellite, which was our designated in-orbit spare satellite for the North America region. Galaxy 15 is a Star-2 satellite manufactured by Orbital Sciences Corporation (“Orbital”). Along with the manufacturer, we are conducting a technical investigation with respect to this anomaly. As of September 30, 2010, a final conclusion had not been reached as to the most likely cause of the anomaly. All recovery attempts thus far have been unsuccessful, and the likelihood that future attempts will be successful is uncertain. Furthermore, because we have been unable to communicate with the satellite since the anomaly, the exact health of Galaxy 15 is unknown and therefore there can be no assurance that the satellite can return to its pre-anomaly role in our satellite fleet should it be recovered.

In accordance with our policy and the guidance provided for under FASB ASC Topic 360, Property, Plant and Equipment, we review our long-lived assets for impairment whenever events and circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the asset or asset group may not be recoverable. The recoverability of an asset or asset group held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of the asset or asset group to the estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to be generated by the asset or asset group. When a satellite experiences an anomaly or other health related issues, we believe the lowest level of identifiable cash flows exists at the individual satellite level. Accordingly, in the second quarter of 2010, we performed an impairment review of our Galaxy 15 satellite and recorded a non-cash impairment charge of $104.1 million to write down the Galaxy 15 satellite to its estimated fair value following the anomaly. The estimated fair value of Galaxy 15 was determined by us based on a probability-weighted cash flow analysis derived primarily using our internally prepared budgets and forecast information including estimates of the potential revenue generating capacity of the satellite, if recovered, discounted at an appropriate weighted average cost of capital. Our analysis included an estimate of the likelihood of recovery of the satellite, based in part on discussions with Orbital and input from our engineers. In the event that remaining attempts to recover the Galaxy 15 satellite are unsuccessful, we may be required to take additional charges for impairment, including the possible full impairment of the remaining carrying value of the satellite, which was $34.2 million at September 30, 2010. All attempts to recover this satellite are currently expected to be completed within the next several months.

Note 6    Investments

In June 2009, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 167, Amendments to FASB Interpretation No. 46(R) (“SFAS No. 167”). Subsequent to the issuance of the accounting pronouncement, SFAS No. 167 was incorporated into the Codification under FASB ASC Topic 810, Consolidations (“FASB ASC 810”). FASB ASC 810 is intended to revise the previous methodology used to determine the primary beneficiary of a Variable Interest Entity (“VIE”). Historically, the analysis was primarily quantitative and contained certain considerations of qualitative factors. FASB ASC 810 eliminates the quantitative approach for determining the primary beneficiary of a VIE and revises the guidance to employ a more qualitative approach to analyzing a VIE, including consideration of the substance of the VIE as well as assessing the underlying factors driving the economics of the VIE. Additionally, the revised guidance requires an ongoing assessment of whether an entity is the primary beneficiary and includes additional disclosure requirements, which are included below, including further description and explanation as to how an entity determined the primary beneficiary of the VIE. Under FASB ASC 810, the primary beneficiary is the entity that consolidates a VIE. We adopted FASB ASC 810 in the first quarter of 2010.

During 2009 and 2010 we had ownership interests in a number of entities which met the criteria of a VIE, including Horizons-1, Horizons-2 and WP Com, which are further discussed below, including our analyses of the primary beneficiary determination as required under FASB ASC 810.

 

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INTELSAT CORPORATION

NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)—(Continued)

September 30, 2010

 

 

(a) Horizons-1 and Horizons-2

We have a joint venture with JSAT International, Inc. (“JSAT”), a leading satellite operator in the Asia-Pacific region. The joint venture is named Horizons Satellite Holdings, LLC (“Horizons Holdings”), and consists of two investments: Horizons-1 Satellite LLC (“Horizons-1”) and Horizons-2 Satellite LLC (“Horizons-2”). We provide certain services to the joint venture and utilize capacity from the joint venture.

In accordance with the guidance provided under FASB ASC 810, we are required to reassess the primary beneficiary determination of Horizons Holdings on a recurring basis, as well as consider more qualitative factors when considering the primary beneficiary. Upon inception of the joint venture, we originally concluded that we were not the primary beneficiary of the joint venture and therefore did not consolidate Horizons Holdings. The assessment considered both quantitative and qualitative factors surrounding the joint venture, including which entity was more exposed to risk of loss or gain as well as other factors such as whether one partner of the joint venture had more voting power or other control of the joint venture. Horizons Holdings is set up with a joint 50/50 share of management authority as well as an equal share of the profits and revenues from Horizons-1 and Horizons-2. Therefore the equal share of quantitative and qualitative rights from the joint venture alone was not persuasive in defining a primary beneficiary. However, JSAT guarantees the payment of the debt at Horizons Holdings which was incurred to finance the construction of the Horizons-2 satellite. As a result, it was determined that we were not the primary beneficiary and would not consolidate Horizons Holdings. Rather, our investment is accounted for using the equity method of accounting. Subsequent to inception, and considering the guidance in FASB ASC 810, there have been no events or revisions to the joint venture which would change our primary beneficiary determination. As of September 30, 2010, we continue to believe that we are not the primary beneficiary of the VIE and therefore we have not consolidated Horizons Holdings.

Horizons-1 owns and operates the Ku-band portion of the Horizons-1 satellite in the fixed satellite services sector, offering service to customers in the Asia-Pacific region. Through our investment in Horizons Holdings, we have an indirect 50% ownership interest in Horizons-1, an investment which is accounted for under the equity method of accounting. Our share of the results of Horizons-1 is included in other income, net in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations and was income of $0.1 million during each of the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2010. The investment balance of $12.6 million and $10.4 million as of December 31, 2009 and September 30, 2010, respectively, was included within other assets in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets.

During each of the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2010, we recorded expenses of $2.8 million in relation to the utilization of Ku-band satellite capacity from Horizons-1. Additionally, we provide TT&C and administrative services for the Horizons-1 satellite. We recorded revenue for these services of $0.5 million during each of the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2010.

We also have a revenue share agreement with JSAT related to services sold on the Horizons-1 satellite. We are responsible for the billing and collecting for all such services sold, but recognize revenue on a net basis. The payable due to JSAT was $1.8 million as of December 31, 2009 and September 30, 2010.

On August 1, 2005, we formed a second satellite joint investment with JSAT to build and launch a Ku-band satellite, Horizons-2. The Horizons-2 satellite was launched in December 2007 and placed into service in February 2008. Similar to the Horizons-1 joint venture, we share an indirect 50/50 ownership and voting interest in Horizons-2 with JSAT through our investment in Horizons Holdings. However, unlike Horizons-1, JSAT guarantees the payment of debt for the Horizons-2 joint venture.

 

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INTELSAT CORPORATION

NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)—(Continued)

September 30, 2010

 

 

The total future joint investment obligation in Horizons-2 is estimated to be $100.7 million as of September 30, 2010, of which each of the joint venture partners is required to fund their 50% share. Our share of the results of Horizons-2 is included in other income, net in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations and was income of $0.3 million and $0.2 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2010, respectively. As of December 31, 2009 and September 30, 2010, the investment balance of $75.3 million and $71.8 million, respectively, was included within other assets in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets.

In connection with our investment in Horizons-2, we entered into a capital contribution and subscription agreement in August 2005, which requires us to fund our 50% share of the amounts due under Horizons-2’s loan agreement with a third-party lender. Pursuant to this agreement, we made contributions of $12.2 million during each of the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2010. We have entered into a security and pledge agreement with a third-party lender and, pursuant to this agreement, granted a security interest in our contribution obligation to the lender. Therefore, we have recorded this obligation as an indirect guarantee. We recorded a liability of $12.2 million within accrued liabilities as of December 31, 2009 and September 30, 2010, and a liability of $48.8 million and $36.6 million within other long-term liabilities as of December 31, 2009 and September 30, 2010, respectively, in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets.

We provide TT&C and administrative services for the Horizons-2 satellite. We recorded revenue for these services of $0.6 million during each of the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2010. During the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2010, we recorded expenses of $5.3 million and $5.1 million, respectively, in relation to the utilization of satellite capacity for the Horizons-2 satellite.

We also have a revenue share agreement with JSAT related to services sold on the Horizons-2 satellite. We are responsible for the billing and collecting for all such services sold, but recognize revenue on a net basis. The amount payable to JSAT was $1.8 million and $1.7 million as of December 31, 2009 and September 30, 2010, respectively.

(b) WP Com

We have formed a joint venture with Corporativo W. Com S. de R.L. de C.V. (“Corporativo”) named WP Com, S. de R.L. de C.V. (“WP Com”). We own 49% of the voting equity shares and 88% of the economic interest in WP Com and Corporativo owns the remaining 51% of the voting equity shares. PanAmSat de Mexico, S. de R.L. de C.V. (“PAS de Mexico”) is a subsidiary of WP Com, 99.9% of which is owned by WP Com, with the remainder of the equity interest split between us and Corporativo. We formed WP Com to enable us to operate in Mexico, and PAS de Mexico acts as a reseller of our satellite services to customers in Mexico. Profits and losses of WP Com are allocated to the joint venture partners based upon the voting equity shares.

We have determined that this joint venture meets the criteria of a VIE under FASB ASC 810. In accordance with FASB ASC 810, we evaluated this joint venture to determine the primary beneficiary. We have concluded that we are the primary beneficiary because we influence the underlying business drivers of PAS de Mexico, including by acting as the sole provider for satellite services that PAS de Mexico resells. Furthermore, we have modified our pricing for these services to ensure that PAS de Mexico continues to operate in the Mexican market. Corporativo does not fund any of the operating expenses of PAS de Mexico. Thus, we have consolidated WP Com within our condensed consolidated financial statements and we have accounted for the percentage interest in the voting equity of WP Com owned by Corporativo as a noncontrolling interest, which is included in the equity section of our condensed consolidated balance sheet in accordance with FASB ASC 810.

 

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INTELSAT CORPORATION

NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)—(Continued)

September 30, 2010

 

 

Note 7    Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

The carrying amounts of goodwill and acquired intangible assets not subject to amortization consist of the following (in thousands):

 

     As of
December 31,
2009
     As of
September 30,
2010
 

Goodwill

   $ 3,346,662       $ 3,346,662   

Trade name

     21,970         21,970   

Orbital locations

     631,000         631,000   

We determine the estimated fair value of our rights to operate at orbital locations using the build up method, as described below, to determine the cash flows for the income approach, with the resulting projected cash flows discounted at an appropriate weighted average cost of capital. In instances where the build up method does not generate positive value for the right to operate at an orbital location, but the right is expected to generate revenue, we assigned a value based upon independent source data for recent transactions of similar orbital locations.

Under the build up method, the amount an investor would be willing to pay for the right to operate a satellite business at an orbital location within our network is calculated by first estimating the cash flows that typical market participants would assume could be available from the right to operate satellites using the orbital locations in a similar market. It is assumed that rather than acquiring such a business, the buyer would hypothetically start with the right to operate at the orbital locations and build a new operation with similar attributes. Thus the buyer or builder is considered to incur the start-up costs and losses typically associated with such a business, including costs for all other tangible and intangible assets.

We account for goodwill and other non-amortizable intangible assets in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 350, Intangibles—Goodwill and Other (“FASB ASC 350”), and have deemed these assets to have indefinite lives. Therefore, these assets are not amortized but are tested on an annual basis for impairment during the fourth quarter, or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be fully recoverable. During the nine months ended September 30, 2009, we recognized a non-cash impairment charge of $144.1 million related to the impairment of our rights to operate at orbital locations resulting from an increase in the discount rate used in our valuation process. There was no similar impairment charge recognized during the nine months ended September 30, 2010.

The carrying amount and accumulated amortization of acquired intangible assets subject to amortization consist of the following (in thousands):

 

     As of December 31, 2009      As of September 30, 2010  
     Gross
Carrying
Amount
     Accumulated
Amortization
    Net
Carrying
Amount
     Gross
Carrying
Amount
     Accumulated
Amortization
    Net
Carrying
Amount
 

Backlog and other

   $ 394,970       $ (107,135   $ 287,835       $ 394,970       $ (143,953   $ 251,017   

Customer relationships

     204,920         (4,840     200,080         204,920         (8,965     195,955   
                                                   

Total

   $ 599,890       $ (111,975   $ 487,915       $ 599,890       $ (152,918   $ 446,972   
                                                   

Intangible assets are amortized based on the expected pattern of consumption. We recorded amortization expense of $42.5 million and $40.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2010, respectively.

 

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INTELSAT CORPORATION

NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)—(Continued)

September 30, 2010

 

 

In the first quarter of 2009, the FASB revised FASB ASC 350 to provide additional guidance for determining the useful life of intangible assets. The revised guidance provides that we are required to disclose on an interim and annual basis our policy related to the renewal or extension of the term of our intangible assets. Our policy is to expense all costs incurred to renew or extend the terms of our intangible assets. The renewal expenses for each of the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2010 were immaterial to our condensed consolidated results of operations.

Note 8    Long-Term Debt

The carrying values and fair values of our notes payable and long-term debt were as follows (in thousands):

 

     As of December 31, 2009      As of September 30, 2010  
     Carrying
Value
    Fair Value      Carrying
Value
    Fair Value  

Senior Secured Credit Facilities due January 2014

   $ 1,733,391      $ 1,630,427       $ 1,719,989      $ 1,653,597   

Unamortized discount on Senior Secured Credit Facilities

     (10,785     —           (8,982     —     

Senior Secured Credit Facilities due July 2012

     204,648        195,644         151,261        148,433   

9.25% Senior Notes due August 2014

     658,119        676,217         111,833        115,188   

9.25% Senior Notes due June 2016

     580,719        599,592         580,719        618,466   

6.875% Secured Senior Debentures due January 2028

     125,000        104,688         71        85   

Unamortized discount on 6.875% Senior Secured Debentures

     (24,369     —           —          —     
                                 

Total Intelsat Corp consolidated long-term debt

     3,266,723      $ 3,206,568         2,554,891      $ 2,535,769   
                                 

Less: current portion of long-term debt

     89,051           89,051     
                     

Total consolidated long-term debt, excluding current portion

   $ 3,177,672         $ 2,465,840     
                     

The fair value for publicly traded instruments is determined using quoted market prices and, for non-publicly traded instruments, fair value is based upon composite pricing from a variety of sources, including market leading data providers, market makers, and leading brokerage firms. Substantially all of the inputs used to determine the fair value are classified as Level 1 inputs within the fair value hierarchy from FASB ASC 820 except our senior secured credit facilities, the inputs for which are classified as Level 2.

Senior Secured Revolving Credit Facility

No amounts were outstanding under the revolving credit facility as of September 30, 2010; however, $1.7 million in letters of credit were issued and outstanding under the facility. The borrowing availability under the revolving credit facility was $152.5 million at September 30, 2010.

 

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INTELSAT CORPORATION

NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)—(Continued)

September 30, 2010

 

 

2010 Tender Offers and Consent Solicitations

On September 30, 2010, we purchased $546.3 million of our outstanding 9 1/4% Senior Notes due 2014 (the “2014 Corp Notes”) for $571.7 million and $124.9 million of our outstanding 6 7/8% Senior Secured Debentures due 2028 (the “2028 Corp Notes”) for $151.7 million, pursuant to cash tender offers (the “Tender Offers”). In connection with the Tender Offers, we received the consent of the holders of the 2014 Corp Notes and the 2028 Corp Notes to amend the indentures governing these notes, among other things, to eliminate substantially all of the restrictive covenants, certain events of default and certain other provisions contained in the indentures.

The Tender Offers were funded through an $834.0 million capital contribution from our direct parent, Intelsat Holding Corporation, which received a majority of the proceeds of an offering by our indirect parent, Intelsat Jackson, of $1.0 billion aggregate principal amount of 7 1/4% Senior Notes due 2020, completed on September 30, 2010, together with cash on hand.

After giving effect to the Tender Offers, approximately $109.6 million of cash from the capital contribution remained available for general corporate purposes, which could include the repayment, redemption, retirement or repurchase in the open market of other indebtedness of Intelsat Corp.

Note 9    Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities

Interest Rate Swaps

We are subject to interest rate risk primarily associated with our variable rate borrowings. Interest rate risk is the risk that changes in interest rates could adversely affect earnings and cash flows. Specific interest rate risk includes: the risk of increasing interest rates on short-term debt; the risk of increasing interest rates for planned new fixed long-term financings; and the risk of increasing interest rates for planned refinancing using long-term fixed rate debt. In order to mitigate this risk, we have entered into interest rate swap agreements to reduce the impact of interest rate movements on future interest expense by converting substantially all of our floating-rate debt to a fixed rate.

As of September 30, 2010, we held interest rate swaps with an aggregate notional amount of $1.3 billion which mature in 2013. These swaps were entered into as further described below to economically hedge the variability in cash flow on a portion of the floating-rate term loans under our senior secured credit facilities, but have not been designated as hedges for accounting purposes. On a quarterly basis, we receive a floating rate of interest equal to the three-month London Interbank Offered Rate and pay a fixed rate of interest. Certain of the interest rate swap agreements had options permitting us to terminate the underlying interest rate swaps on March 14, 2011, prior to the stated maturity date of March 14, 2013. On July 23, 2010, we received $31.8 million in cash from our counterparties to the respective interest rate swap agreements in return for the cancellation of our options to terminate the underlying interest rate swaps on March 14, 2011.

On March 15, 2010, our interest rate swap with an aggregate notional principal amount of $312.5 million matured. On March 14, 2010, our five-year interest rate swap to hedge interest expense on a notional amount of $625.0 million (originally $1.25 billion of debt, and reduced under the original terms of the swap agreement) expired.

The counterparties to our interest rate swap agreements are highly rated financial institutions. In the unlikely event that the counterparties fail to meet the terms of the interest rate swaps, our exposure is limited to the interest rate differential on the notional amount at each quarterly settlement period over the life of the agreement. We do not anticipate non-performance by the counterparties.

 

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INTELSAT CORPORATION

NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)—(Continued)

September 30, 2010

 

 

The swaps are marked-to-market quarterly, with any change in fair value recorded within (gains) losses on derivative financial instruments in our condensed consolidated statements of operations. We incorporate credit valuation adjustments to appropriately reflect both our own nonperformance risk and the respective counterparty’s nonperformance risk in the fair value measurements of our derivatives. The fair value measurement of derivatives could result in either a net asset or a net liability position for us. In adjusting the fair value of our derivative contracts for the effect of nonperformance risk, we have considered the impact of netting arrangements as applicable and necessary. When the swaps are in a net liability position for us, the credit valuation adjustments are calculated by determining the total expected exposure of the derivatives, incorporating the current and potential future exposures and then applying an applicable credit spread to the exposure. The total expected exposure of a derivative is derived using market-observable inputs, such as yield curves and volatilities. The inputs utilized for our own credit spread are based on implied spreads from traded levels of our debt. Accordingly, during the nine months ended September 30, 2010, we recorded a non-cash credit valuation adjustment of approximately $4.6 million as a reduction to our liability.

As of December 31, 2009 and September 30, 2010, $9.5 million and $2.0 million was included in other current liabilities, respectively, and $42.3 million and $86.4 million was included in deferred credits and other long-term liabilities, respectively, within our condensed consolidated balance sheets related to the interest rate swaps.

In accordance with disclosure requirements provided under FASB ASC Topic 815, Derivatives and Hedging, we include the following tabular presentation, which sets forth the fair value of our derivatives by category (in thousands):

 

Derivatives not designated

as hedging instruments

      Asset Derivatives     Liability Derivatives  
 

Balance Sheet Location

  December 31,
2009
    September 30,
2010
    December 31,
2009
    September 30,
2010
 

Undesignated interest rate swaps (a)

  Deferred credits and other long-term liabilities   $ 15,662      $ —        $ 57,941      $ 86,378   

Undesignated interest rate swaps

  Other current liabilities     —          —          9,520        1,985   
                                 

Total derivatives

    $ 15,662      $ —        $ 67,461      $ 88,363   
                                 

 

(a) The value of undesignated interest rate swaps on our condensed consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2009 is net of $15.7 million, which represents the fair value of options permitting us to terminate certain swaps. The fair value of these options is classified as an asset derivative in the table above. In the third quarter of 2010, these options were cancelled, as discussed above. As of September 30, 2010, there are no asset derivatives included within our condensed consolidated balance sheets.

Note 10    Income Taxes

We are included within Intelsat Holding Corporation’s consolidated federal and state tax returns as a consolidated member. Accordingly, we account for income taxes using the separate return method pursuant to FASB ASC Topic 740, Income Taxes. Our obligations under the separate return method are offset in the consolidated Intelsat Holding Corporation federal tax return by the cumulative tax benefit from net operating losses generated by Intelsat Holding Corporation and are classified as long-term taxes payable, net of current portion in our condensed consolidated balance sheets.

 

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INTELSAT CORPORATION

NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)—(Continued)

September 30, 2010

 

 

As of December 31, 2009 and September 30, 2010, our gross unrecognized tax benefits were $48.6 million and $32.0 million, respectively (including interest and penalties), of which $37.6 million and $19.8 million, respectively, if recognized, would affect our effective tax rate. As of December 31, 2009 and September 30, 2010, we had recorded reserves for interest and penalties in the amount of $2.8 million and $4.5 million, respectively. We continue to recognize interest and, to the extent applicable, penalties with respect to the unrecognized tax benefits as income tax expense. Since December 31, 2009, the change in the balance of unrecognized tax benefits consisted of an increase of $2.4 million related to current period positions, a decrease of $20.7 million related to prior period tax positions, and an increase related to prior period positions of $1.7 million.

We operate in various taxable jurisdictions throughout the world and our tax returns are subject to audit and review from time to time. We consider the United States to be our significant tax jurisdiction. Our U.S. subsidiaries are subject to federal, state and local income tax examination for periods beginning after December 31, 2006. Within the next twelve months, we believe that there are no jurisdictions in which the outcome of unresolved tax issues or claims is likely to be material to our results of operations, financial position or cash flows.

During the third quarter of 2010, the United States Internal Revenue Service closed an audit of our federal income tax returns for the years ended December 31, 2005 and 2006. None of the proposed adjustments had a material impact on our results of operations, financial position or cash flows.

Prior to August 20, 2004, PanAmSat joined with The DIRECTV Group and General Motors Corporation in filing a consolidated U.S. Federal income tax return. In April 2004, PanAmSat entered into a tax separation agreement with The DIRECTV Group that superseded four earlier tax-related agreements among PanAmSat and its subsidiaries, The DIRECTV Group and certain of its affiliates. Pursuant to the tax separation agreement, The DIRECTV Group agreed to indemnify PanAmSat for all federal and consolidated state and local income taxes a taxing authority may attempt to collect from PanAmSat regarding any liability for the federal or consolidated state or local income taxes of General Motors Corporation and The DIRECTV Group, except those income taxes PanAmSat is required to pay under the tax separation agreement. In addition, The DIRECTV Group agreed to indemnify Intelsat Corp for any taxes (other than those taxes described in the preceding sentence) related to any periods or portions of such periods ending on, or prior to, the day of the closing of the PanAmSat recapitalization, which occurred on August 20, 2004, in amounts equal to 80% of the first $75.0 million of such other taxes and 100% of any other taxes in excess of the first $75.0 million. As a result, Intelsat Corp’s tax exposure after indemnification related to these periods is capped at $15.0 million, of which $4.0 million has been paid to date. The tax separation agreement with The DIRECTV Group is effective from August 20, 2004 until the expiration of the statute of limitations with respect to all taxes to which the tax separation agreement relates. As of December 31, 2009 and September 30, 2010, we had a tax indemnification receivable of $2.3 million.

Note 11    Restructuring Costs

Our restructuring costs include our historical facilities restructuring plans and management approved restructuring plans to consolidate and integrate the management and operations of Intelsat and PanAmSat subsequent to consummation of the Intelsat Acquisition Transactions.

We approved a facilities restructuring plan subsequent to the consummation of the Intelsat Acquisition Transactions, which included the closure of our former corporate headquarters in Wilton, Connecticut, as well as two other locations in the United States. These costs relate primarily to payments due on existing lease obligations that are expected to be incurred and paid through 2011. We also had recorded liabilities in connection with our 2002

 

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INTELSAT CORPORATION

NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)—(Continued)

September 30, 2010

 

approval of a plan to restructure several of our United States locations and close certain facilities, some of which are currently being leased through 2011. The facilities restructuring liability was $2.9 million and $1.5 million as of December 31, 2009 and September 30, 2010, respectively, the current portion of which is included in accounts payable and accrued liabilities. We made cash payments of $1.2 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2010 in connection with the facilities restructuring plan and we expect to pay $1.5 million within the next 12 months. No additional charges related to the facilities restructuring plan are expected to be incurred.

Note 12    Contingencies

We are subject to litigation in the ordinary course of business. Management does not believe that the resolution of any pending proceedings would have a material adverse effect on our financial position or results of operations.

Note 13    Business and Geographic Segment Information

We operate in a single industry segment, in which we provide satellite services to our communications customers around the world. Revenue by region is based on the locations of customers to which services are billed. Revenue from affiliates is included in the North America region. Our satellites are in geosynchronous orbit, and consequently are not attributable to any geographic location. Of our remaining assets, substantially all are located in the United States.

We earn revenue primarily by providing services over satellite transponder capacity to our customers. Our customers generally obtain satellite capacity from us by placing an order pursuant to one of several master customer service agreements. Our customer agreements also cover services that we procure from third parties and resell, which we refer to as off-network services. These services can include transponder services and other satellite-based transmission services in frequencies not available on our network. Under the category off-network and other revenues, we also include revenues from consulting and other services that we provide to other satellite operators.

The geographic distribution of our revenue was as follows:

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30,

2009
    Three Months Ended
September 30,

2010
 

North America

     68     70

Latin America and Caribbean

     13     14

Africa and Middle East

     8     8

Asia Pacific

     6     5

Europe

     5     3

Approximately 12% of our transponder services, satellite-related services and other revenue was derived from our largest customer during each of the three months ended September 30, 2009 and 2010. Our ten largest customers accounted for approximately 44% and 45% of our transponder services, satellite-related services and other revenue for the three months ended September 30, 2009 and 2010, respectively.

 

     Nine Months Ended
September 30,

2009
    Nine Months Ended
September 30,

2010
 

North America

     69     71

Latin America and Caribbean

     11     13

Africa and Middle East

     8     8

Asia Pacific

     8     5

Europe

     4     3

 

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INTELSAT CORPORATION

NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)—(Continued)

September 30, 2010

 

 

Approximately 11% and 12% of our transponder services, satellite-related services and other revenue was derived from our largest customer during the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2010, respectively. Our ten largest customers accounted for approximately 47% and 45% of our transponder services, satellite-related services and other revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2010, respectively.

Our revenues were derived from the following services, with Off-network and Other Revenues shown separately from On-Network Revenues (in thousands, except percentages):

 

     Three Months
Ended
September 30,
2009
    Three Months
Ended
September 30,
2010
    Nine Months
Ended
September 30,
2009
    Nine Months
Ended
September 30,
2010
 

On-Network Revenues

                

Transponder services

   $ 177,352        66   $ 181,350        63   $ 536,258        63   $ 536,048        63

Managed services

     18,328        7     19,390        7     52,250        6     60,183        7
                                                                

Total on-network revenues

     195,680        73     200,740        70     588,508        69     596,231        70

Off-Network and Other Revenues

     5,533        2     7,606        3     61,015        7     18,870        3
                                                                

Total transponder services, satellite-related services and other

     201,213        75     208,346        73     649,523        76     615,101        73

Revenue from affiliates

     67,710        25     77,246        27     204,241        24     231,863        27
                                                                

Total

   $ 268,923        100   $ 285,592        100   $ 853,764        100   $ 846,964        100
                                                                

Note 14    Related Party Transactions

(a) Shareholders Agreements and Ownership of Intelsat Global by Management

The shareholders of Intelsat Global entered into a shareholders agreement on February 4, 2008. The shareholders agreement and the articles of incorporation of Intelsat Global provide, among other things, for the governance of Intelsat Global and its subsidiaries and provide specific rights to and limitations upon the holders of Intelsat Global’s share capital with respect to shares held by such holders.

Certain directors, officers and key employees of Intelsat Corp and its subsidiaries hold restricted shares, options and SCAs of Intelsat Global (see Note 3—Share-based and Other Compensation Plans).

(b) Transactions with Affiliates

Following the Intelsat Acquisition Transactions, substantially all of the direct and indirect subsidiaries of Intelsat Holdings, including us and PanAmSat Holdco, entered into a master intercompany services agreement (the “MISA”) pursuant to which these entities provide services to each other. In each case, services are provided on terms that we believe are not materially more or less favorable to each party than are available on an arm’s length basis and on terms that the relevant boards of directors have determined to be fair. The MISA may be amended from time to time as required for changes in services or pricing.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2010, we recorded revenue of $112.0 million and $140.5 million, respectively, related to capacity purchased from us by other subsidiaries of Intelsat Holdings.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2010, we recorded revenue of $92.2 million and $91.4 million, respectively, related to services we provided to other subsidiaries of Intelsat Holdings in accordance with the MISA.

 

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INTELSAT CORPORATION

NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)—(Continued)

September 30, 2010

 

 

For the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2010, we recognized $56.4 million and $83.5 million, respectively, of costs from affiliates related to capacity we purchased from other subsidiaries of Intelsat Holdings.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2010, we recognized $31.1 million and $28.0 million, respectively, of costs from affiliates related to services provided to us by other subsidiaries of Intelsat Holdings in accordance with the MISA.

As of December 31, 2009 and September 30, 2010, we had a net receivable of $132.3 million and $158.1 million, respectively, from subsidiaries of Intelsat Holdings.

(c) Capital Contribution from Parent

We received an $834.0 million capital contribution from our parent company, Intelsat Holding Corporation, during the three months ended September 30, 2010, which represents the transfer of a majority of the proceeds of an offering by our indirect parent, Intelsat Jackson, of $1.0 billion aggregate principal amount at maturity of 7 1/4% Senior Notes due 2020, completed on September 30, 2010 (see Note 8—Long Term Debt—2010 Tender Offers and Consent Solicitations).

(d) Horizons

We have a 50% ownership interest in Horizons-1 and Horizons-2 as a result of a joint venture with JSAT (see Note 6—Investments).

(e) WP Com

We have a 49% ownership interest in WP Com as a result of a joint venture with Corporativo (see Note 6—Investments).

(f) Purchase of Intelsat 21 Satellite

On June 30, 2010, we entered into an agreement with Intelsat LLC whereby Intelsat LLC assigned to us its rights under a contract for the construction of the Intelsat 21 satellite in exchange for $46.7 million in cash and our assumption of the remaining obligations under the contract.

Note 15    Dividends

On June 11, 2010 our board of directors declared and paid a cash dividend to Intelsat Holding Corporation of approximately $71.6 million.

On May 14, 2009 our board of directors declared a cash dividend to Intelsat Holding Corporation of approximately $71.6 million, which was paid on June 12, 2009.

 

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Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

The following discussion should be read in conjunction with our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and their notes included elsewhere in this Quarterly Report. See “Forward-Looking Statements” for a discussion of factors that could cause our future financial condition and results of operations to be different from those discussed below.

Overview

We operate as a fully integrated subsidiary of Intelsat S.A., our indirect parent. Our combined company operates the world’s largest fixed satellite services business, providing a critical layer in the global communications infrastructure. We provide our infrastructure services on a satellite fleet comprised of over 20 satellites that are integrated with satellites owned by other subsidiaries of Intelsat S.A. for a combined fleet of over 50 satellites covering 99% of the earth’s populated regions. Our satellite capacity is complemented by IntelsatONESM , a terrestrial network comprised of leased fiber optic cable and owned and operated teleports. Our combined company operates more satellite capacity in orbit, has more satellite capacity under contract, serves more commercial customers and delivers services in more countries than any other commercial satellite operator.

Results of Operations

Three Months Ended September 30, 2009 and 2010

The following table sets forth our comparative statements of operations for the periods shown with the increase (decrease) and percentage changes, except those deemed not meaningful (“NM”), between the periods presented (in thousands, except percentages):

 

                 Three Months Ended
September 30, 2010
Compared to
Three Months Ended
September 30, 2009
 
     Three Months Ended
September 30, 2009
    Three Months Ended
September 30, 2010
    Increase
(Decrease)
    Percentage
Change
 

Revenue

        

Transponder services, satellite-related services and other

   $ 201,213      $ 208,346      $ 7,133        4

Revenue from affiliates

     67,710        77,246        9,536        14   
                          

Total revenue

     268,923        285,592        16,669        6   
                          

Operating expenses:

        

Direct costs of revenue (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)

     31,456        31,603        147        0   

Costs from affiliates

     30,187        39,868        9,681        32   

Selling, general and administrative

     28,238        22,338        (5,900     (21

Depreciation and amortization

     83,232        83,312        80        0   

Losses on derivative financial instruments

     19,608        16,128        (3,480     (18
                          

Total operating expenses

     192,721        193,249        528        0   
                          

Income from operations

     76,202        92,343        16,141        21   

Interest expense, net

     44,871        44,782        (89     (0

Loss on early extinguishment of debt

     (51     (75,805     (75,754     NM   

Other income, net

     607        1,435        828        NM   
                          

Income (loss) before income taxes

     31,887        (26,809     (58,696     NM   

Provision for (benefit from) income taxes

     12,144        (30,943     (43,087     NM   
                          

Net income

     19,743        4,134        (15,609     (79 )% 

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest

     —          (22     (22     NM   
                          

Net income attributable to Intelsat Corporation

   $ 19,743      $ 4,112      $ (15,631     (79 )% 
                          

 

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Revenue

We earn revenue primarily by providing services over satellite transponder capacity to our customers. We also earn revenue from affiliates pursuant to a master intercompany services agreement (the “MISA”) for services performed and for capacity on our satellites that is sold by other subsidiaries of Intelsat Holdings. Our third-party customers generally obtain satellite capacity from us by placing an order pursuant to one of several master customer service agreements. Our customer agreements also cover services that we procure from third parties (other than affiliates) and resell, which we refer to as off-network services. These services can include transponder services and other satellite-based transmission services sourced from other operators often in frequencies not available on our network. Under the category Off-Network and Other Revenues, we also include revenues from consulting and other services, as well as sales of customer premises equipment.

The following table sets forth our comparative revenue by service type, with Off-Network and Other Revenues shown separately from On-Network Revenues, for the periods shown (in thousands, except percentages):

 

     Three Months
Ended
September 30,
2009
     Three Months
Ended
September 30,
2010
     Increase
(Decrease)
     Percentage
Change
 

On-Network Revenues

           

Transponder services

   $ 177,352       $ 181,350       $ 3,998         2

Managed services

     18,328         19,390         1,062         6   
                             

Total on-network revenues

     195,680         200,740         5,060         3   

Off-Network and Other Revenues

     5,533         7,606         2,073         37   
                             

Total transponder services, satellite-related services and other

     201,213         208,346         7,133         4   

Revenue from affiliates

     67,710         77,246         9,536         14   
                             

Total

   $ 268,923       $ 285,592       $ 16,669         6
                             

Total revenue for the three months ended September 30, 2010 increased by $16.7 million, or 6%, as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2009. By service type, our revenue increased or decreased due to the following:

On-Network Revenues:

 

   

Transponder services—an aggregate increase of $4.0 million, largely due to a net increase in revenues from network services customers, primarily in the North America and the Latin America regions, and an increase in revenues from media customers in the Latin America region offset by lost revenues due to the IS-4 and Galaxy 15 satellite anomalies, in the Africa and Middle East and the North America regions, respectively, and reduced revenue from customers in the Asia Pacific region.

 

   

Managed services—an aggregate increase of $1.1 million, primarily due to an increase in revenue from network services customers of $1.3 million resulting largely from new business and service expansion in trunking and private line solutions for customers in the Africa and Middle East and the North America regions.

Off-Network and Other Revenues

 

   

Satellite-related services—an aggregate increase of $2.1 million, primarily due to an increase in revenue from network services and professional services sold to customers in the Latin America and Caribbean region.

Revenue from affiliates for the three months ended September 30, 2010 increased by $9.5 million, or 14%, as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2009, primarily driven by a $10.2 million increase in the

 

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sale of capacity to other subsidiaries of Intelsat S.A., partially offset by a decrease of $0.7 million in revenues related to services provided pursuant to the MISA.

Operating Expenses

Direct Costs of Revenue (Exclusive of Depreciation and Amortization)

Direct costs of revenue increased by $0.1 million, or less than 1%, to $31.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2010 as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2009. The increase was primarily due to $1.0 million in satellite-related insurance costs related to recently launched satellites, partially offset by a decrease of $0.6 million in earth station operation costs.

Costs from Affiliates

Costs from affiliates increased by $9.7 million, or 32%, to $39.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2010 as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2009. This increase was primarily due to increased costs for capacity purchased by Intelsat Corp and its subsidiaries on satellites owned by other subsidiaries of Intelsat Holdings.

Selling, General and Administrative

Selling, general and administrative expenses decreased by $5.9 million, or 21%, to $22.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2010 as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2009. The decrease was primarily due to a $0.9 million decrease in professional fees, a $0.9 million decrease in miscellaneous expense, and a decrease of $2.7 million in staff-related expenses.

Depreciation and Amortization

Depreciation and amortization expense increased by $0.1 million to $83.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2010 as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2009. This increase was primarily due to the following:

 

   

an increase of $4.8 million in depreciation expense resulting from the impact of satellites placed into service in the fourth quarter of 2009; and

 

   

an increase of $3.1 million from changes in the estimated remaining useful lives of certain satellites; partially offset by

 

   

a decrease of $7.3 million in depreciation expense due to certain satellites, ground and other assets becoming fully depreciated and the impairment of our IS-4 and Galaxy 15 satellites following the anomalies that occurred in 2010.

Losses on Derivative Financial Instruments

Losses on derivative financial instruments were $16.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2010 compared to $19.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2009. The losses on our derivative financial instruments were primarily due to the change in fair value of our interest rate swaps.

Interest Expense, Net

Interest expense, net consists of the gross interest expense we incur less the amount of interest we capitalize related to capital assets under construction and less interest income earned. We also held interest rate swaps with an aggregate notional amount of $1.3 billion to economically hedge the variability in cash flow on a portion of the floating-rate term loans under our senior secured credit facilities. The swaps have not been designated as hedges for accounting purposes. Interest expense, net decreased by $0.1 million to $44.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2010, as compared to $44.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2009.

 

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The non-cash portion of total interest expense, net was $2.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2010, which included $2.5 million related to the amortization of discounts associated with a portion of our debt as well as the amortization of debt issuance costs.

Loss on Early Extinguishment of Debt

Loss on early extinguishment of debt was $75.8 million during the three months ended September 30, 2010 as compared to $51 thousand during the three months ended September 30, 2009. The 2010 loss was recognized in connection with our purchase of $546.3 million of our outstanding 9 1/4% Senior Notes due 2014 (the “2014 Corp Notes”) for $565.4 million (excluding accrued and unpaid interest of $6.3 million) and $124.9 million of our outstanding 6 7/8% Senior Secured Debentures due 2028 (the “2028 Corp Notes”) for $149.9 million (excluding accrued and unpaid interest of $1.8 million) pursuant to cash tender offers. The loss of $75.8 million was caused by a $46.7 million difference between the carrying value of the notes purchased and the total cash amount paid (including related fees), and a write-off of $29.1 million unamortized debt discounts and debt issuance costs.

Other Income, Net

Other income, net was $1.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2010 as compared to $0.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2009. The increase of $0.8 million was primarily due to a $0.6 million increase related to a realized gain on our available-for-sale investments in 2010 compared to a realized loss in 2009.

Provision for (Benefit from) Income Taxes

Our benefit from income taxes was $30.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2010, as compared to a provision for income taxes of $12.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2009. The difference was principally due to a reduction in unrecognized tax benefits of $20.7 million and to pre-tax losses related to the loss on early extinguishment of debt of $75.8 million during the three months ended September 30, 2010, as compared to pre-tax income earned during the three months ended September 30, 2009.

 

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Nine Months Ended September 30, 2009 and 2010

The following table sets forth our comparative statements of operations for the periods shown with the increase (decrease) and percentage changes, except those deemed not meaningful (“NM”), between the periods presented (in thousands, except percentages):

 

                 Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2010
Compared to
Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2009
 
     Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2009
    Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2010
    Increase
(Decrease)
    Percentage
Change
 

Revenue

        

Transponder services, satellite-related services and other

   $ 649,523      $ 615,101      $ (34,422     (5 )% 

Revenue from affiliates

     204,241        231,863        27,622        14   
                          

Total revenue

     853,764        846,964        (6,800     (1
                          

Operating expenses:

        

Direct costs of revenue (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)

     137,556        101,118        (36,438     (26

Costs from affiliates

     87,443        111,534        24,091        28   

Selling, general and administrative

     89,949        70,059        (19,890     (22

Depreciation and amortization

     252,383        255,521        3,138        1   

Impairment of asset value

     144,100        110,625        (33,475     (23

Losses on derivative financial instruments

     11,800        43,606        31,806        NM   
                          

Total operating expenses

     723,231        692,463        (30,768     (4
                          

Income from operations

     130,533        154,501        23,968        18   

Interest expense, net

     142,692        136,844        (5,848     (4

Loss on early extinguishment of debt

     (51     (75,805     (75,754     NM   

Other income, net

     3,178        2,801        (377     (12
                          

Loss before income taxes

     (9,032     (55,347     (46,315     NM   

Benefit from income taxes

     (2,629     (42,638     (40,009     NM   
                          

Net loss

     (6,403     (12,709     (6,306     98

Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest

     —          22        22        NM   
                          

Net loss attributable to Intelsat Corporation

   $ (6,403   $ (12,687   $ (6,284     98
                          

 

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Revenue

The following table sets forth our comparative revenue by service type, with Off-Network and Other Revenues shown separately from On-Network Revenues, for the periods shown (in thousands, except percentages):

 

     Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2009
     Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2010
     Increase
(Decrease)
    Percentage
Change
 

On-Network Revenues

          

Transponder services

   $ 536,258       $ 536,048       $ (210     (0 )% 

Managed services

     52,250         60,183         7,933        15   
                            

Total on-network revenues

     588,508         596,231         7,723        1   

Off-Network and Other Revenues

     61,015         18,870         (42,145     (69
                            

Total transponder services, satellite-related services and other

     649,523         615,101         (34,422     (5

Revenue from affiliates

     204,241         231,863         27,622        14   
                            

Total

   $ 853,764       $ 846,964       $ (6,800     (1 )% 
                            

Total revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 decreased by $6.8 million, or 1%, as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2009, due primarily to a decline in satellite-related services revenues as a result of launch vehicle resales that occurred during the nine months ended September 30, 2009, with no similar resales in the nine months ended September 30, 2010. Excluding the launch vehicle resales, total revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 would have increased by 5% as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2009. By service type, our revenue increased or decreased due to the following:

On-Network Revenues:

 

   

Transponder services—an aggregate decrease of $0.2 million, primarily due to an $18.1 million decline in revenue related to the Galaxy 15 and the IS-4 satellite anomalies, which mainly affected revenues from customers in the North America and the Africa and Middle East regions. The decline was partially offset by an aggregate increase of $15.3 million in revenue resulting from favorable pricing, new business and renewals primarily sold to network service customers in the North America region.

 

   

Managed services—an aggregate increase of $7.9 million, due to an increase in revenue from network services customers of $6.2 million, resulting largely from new business and service expansion in trunking and private line solutions in the Africa and Middle East and the North America regions and an increase of $2.2 million in revenue from media customers, primarily in the Asia-Pacific and the Latin America and Caribbean regions.

Off-Network and Other Revenues

 

   

Satellite-related services—an aggregate decrease of $42.1 million, resulting primarily from $44.0 million in launch vehicle resale revenues recorded in the nine months ended September 30, 2009 with no similar resales occurring in the nine months ended September 30, 2010.

Revenue from affiliates for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 increased by $27.6 million, or 14 %, as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2009, primarily driven by a $28.5 million increase in the sale of capacity to other subsidiaries of Intelsat S.A. partially offset by a decrease in other revenues of $1.2 million pursuant to the MISA.

 

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Operating Expenses

Direct Costs of Revenue (Exclusive of Depreciation and Amortization)

Direct costs of revenue decreased by $36.4 million, or 26%, to $101.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2009. The decrease was primarily due to a decline of $35.2 million in cost of sales related to off-network and other revenues resulting from the resale of two launch vehicles during the nine months ended September 30, 2009 with no similar costs incurred during the nine months ended September 30, 2010.

Costs from Affiliates

Costs from affiliates increased by $24.1 million, or 28%, to $111.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2009. This increase was primarily due to increased costs for capacity purchased by Intelsat Corp and its subsidiaries on satellites owned by other subsidiaries of Intelsat Holdings.

Selling, General and Administrative

Selling, general and administrative expenses decreased by $19.9 million, or 22%, to $70.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2009. The decrease was primarily due to a $10.4 million decrease in staff expenses, which included an $8.5 million decrease resulting from higher compensation costs in 2009, stemming from new equity awards and revisions to the terms of existing equity awards, as compared to 2010, a decrease of $4.4 million primarily related to the loss recognized from the sale of launch services to Intelsat LLC in the second quarter of 2009, with no similar transactions in 2010, and a decrease of $2.6 million in bad debt expense.

Depreciation and Amortization

Depreciation and amortization expense increased by $3.1 million, or 1%, to $255.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2009. This increase was primarily due to the following:

 

   

an increase of $14.4 million in depreciation expense resulting from the impact of satellites placed into service in the fourth quarter of 2009; and

 

   

an increase of $12.4 million from changes in the estimated remaining useful lives of certain satellites; partially offset by

 

   

a decrease of $22.0 million in depreciation expense due to certain satellites, ground and other assets becoming fully depreciated and the impairment of our IS-4 and Galaxy 15 satellites following the anomalies that occurred in 2010; and

 

   

a decrease of $1.6 million in amortization expense primarily due to changes in the expected pattern of consumption of amortizable intangible assets.

Impairment of Asset Value

Impairment of asset value was $110.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 as compared to $144.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009. The charges incurred during the nine months ended September 30, 2010 included a $104.1 million non-cash impairment charge for the impairment of our Galaxy 15 satellite after an anomaly occurred in April 2010, as well as a $6.5 million non-cash impairment charge for the impairment of our IS-4 satellite, which was deemed unrecoverable after an anomaly occurred in February 2010.

 

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Losses on Derivative Financial Instruments

Losses on derivative financial instruments were $43.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 compared to $11.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009. The losses on our derivative financial instruments were primarily due to the change in fair value of our interest rate swaps.

Interest Expense, Net

Interest expense, net decreased by $5.8 million, or 4%, to $136.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010, as compared to $142.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009. The decrease in interest expense, net was principally due to the following:

 

   

a decrease of $8.2 million due to lower interest rates on our variable rate debt in 2010 as compared to 2009; partially offset by

 

   

a decrease of $1.6 million in interest income; and

 

   

a decrease of $1.5 million in capitalized interest expense.

The non-cash portion of total interest expense, net was $8.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010, which included $7.4 million related to the amortization of discounts associated with a portion of our debt as well as the amortization of debt issuance costs.

Loss on Early Extinguishment of Debt

Loss on early extinguishment of debt was $75.8 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2010 as compared to $51 thousand during the nine months ended September 30, 2009. The 2010 loss was recognized in connection with our purchase of $546.3 million of our outstanding 2014 Corp Notes for $565.4 million (excluding accrued and unpaid interest of $6.3 million) and $124.9 million of our outstanding 2028 Corp Notes for $149.9 million (excluding accrued and unpaid interest of $1.8 million) pursuant to cash tender offers. The loss of $75.8 million was caused by a $46.7 million difference between the carrying value of the notes purchased and the total cash amount paid (including related fees), and a write-off of $29.1 million unamortized debt discounts and debt issuance costs.

Other Income, Net

Other income, net was $2.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 as compared to $3.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009. The decrease of $0.4 million was primarily related to a $1.1 million decrease in exchange rate gains, primarily due to the U.S. dollar weakening against the Brazilian real, which impacts our service contracts with our Brazilian customers, partially offset by a $0.7 million increase related to a realized gain on our available-for-sale investments in 2010 compared to a realized loss in 2009.

Benefit from Income Taxes

Our benefit from income taxes was $42.6 million and $2.6 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively. The difference was principally due to a reduction in the balance of unrecognized tax benefits of $20.7 million and pre-tax losses caused by satellite impairment charges of $110.6 million and the loss on early extinguishment of debt of $75.8 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2010, partially offset by higher impairment charges in 2009.

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, as amended by the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010 was enacted in March 2010. Included in the new legislation is a provision that affected the tax treatment of Medicare Part D subsidy payments. With the change in law, the subsidy will still not be taxed, but an equal amount of expenditures by the plan sponsor will not be deductible. Therefore, the expected

 

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future tax deduction will be reduced by an amount equal to the subsidy, and any previously recognized deferred tax asset must be reversed. In accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC” or the “Codification”) Topic 740, Income Taxes, the expense associated with adjusting this deferred tax asset is recognized as tax expense in continuing operations in the period the change in tax law is enacted. We recorded an increase of $0.4 million to tax expense related to the change in law during the nine months ended September 30, 2010.

EBITDA

EBITDA consists of earnings before net interest, gain (loss) on early extinguishment of debt, taxes and depreciation and amortization. EBITDA is a measure commonly used in the fixed satellite services sector, and we present EBITDA to enhance the understanding of our operating performance. We use EBITDA as one criterion for evaluating our performance relative to that of our peers. We believe that EBITDA is an operating performance measure, and not a liquidity measure, that provides investors and analysts with a measure of operating results unaffected by differences in capital structures, capital investment cycles and ages of related assets among otherwise comparable companies. However, EBITDA is not a measure of financial performance under United States generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”), and our EBITDA may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies. EBITDA should not be considered as an alternative to operating income (loss) or net income (loss), determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP, as an indicator of our operating performance, or as an alternative to cash flows from operating activities, determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP, as an indicator of cash flows, or as a measure of liquidity.

A reconciliation of net income (loss) attributable to Intelsat Corporation to EBITDA for the periods shown is as follows (in thousands):

 

    Three Months
Ended
September 30,
2009
    Three Months
Ended
September 30,
2010
    Nine Months
Ended
September 30,
2009
    Nine Months
Ended
September 30,
2010
 

Net income (loss) attributable to Intelsat Corporation

  $ 19,743      $ 4,112      $ (6,403   $ (12,687

Add:

       

Interest expense, net

    44,871        44,782        142,692        136,844   

Loss on early extinguishment of debt

    51        75,805        51        75,805   

Provision for (benefit from) income taxes

    12,144        (30,943     (2,629     (42,638

Depreciation and amortization

    83,232        83,312        252,383        255,521   
                               

EBITDA

  $ 160,041      $ 177,068      $ 386,094      $ 412,845   
                               

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Cash Flow Items

Our cash flows consisted of the following for the periods shown (in thousands):

 

     Nine Months
Ended
September 30,
2009
    Nine Months
Ended
September 30,
2010
 

Net cash provided by operating activities

   $ 317,967      $ 427,031   

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities

     (31,962     (255,513

Net cash used in financing activities

     (151,670     (29,280

Net change in cash and cash equivalents

     136,134        142,933   

 

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Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities

Net cash provided by operating activities increased by $109.1 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2010 as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2009. During the nine months ended September 30, 2010, cash flows from operating activities reflected a cash inflow of $37.8 million related to deferred revenue for amounts received from customers for long-term service contracts, and a cash inflow of $20.9 million related to prepaid expenses and other assets primarily due to the receipt of $31.8 million of cash in the third quarter of 2010 in conjunction with the cancellation of our options to terminate certain undesignated interest rate swaps prior to their stated maturity date.

Net Cash Used in Investing Activities

Net cash used in investing activities increased by $223.6 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2010 as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2009. This change was largely due to $128.6 million in proceeds from the sale of other property and equipment during the nine months ended September 30, 2009, primarily related to the sale of two satellite launch services contracts to an affiliate, with no similar transactions occurring during the nine months ended September 30, 2010. In addition, the increase was due to higher capital expenditures of $99.1 million in 2010 associated with satellites under construction.

Net Cash Used in Financing Activities

Net cash used in financing activities was $29.3 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2010 as compared to $151.7 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2009. This $122.4 million change was primarily due to an $834.0 million capital contribution received from our parent, Intelsat Holding Corporation, which represents a majority of the proceeds from an offering by our indirect parent, Intelsat Jackson, of $1.0 billion principal amount of 7 1/4% Senior Notes due 2020. This capital contribution was used to fund the purchase of $546.3 million of the 2014 Corp Notes and $124.9 million of the 2028 Corp Notes, which were included in the $738.0 million of repayments of long-term debt during the nine months ended September 30, 2010, and for which we paid a premium of $44.1 million (see “—2010 Tender Offers and Consent Solicitation” for further discussion). In addition, we paid $71.6 million of dividends to Intelsat Holding Corporation during the nine months ended September 30, 2010.

Long-Term Debt

Intelsat is a highly leveraged company and, in connection with the consummation of the New Sponsors Acquisition Transactions, Intelsat became a significantly more highly leveraged company, which resulted in a significant increase in its interest expense. During the quarter ended September 30, 2010, we purchased $546.3 million of our outstanding 2014 Corp Notes and $124.9 million of our outstanding 2028 Corp Notes funded by an offering of our indirect parent, Intelsat Jackson.

In connection with the New Sponsors Acquisition, our pre-acquisition long-term debt was adjusted to fair value as of the effective date of the acquisition, resulting in a net decrease of $15.1 million. This net difference between the fair value and par value of the debt is being amortized as an increase to interest expense over the remaining term of the related debt using the effective interest method.

Senior Secured Credit Facilities

As of September 30, 2010, we had a revolving credit facility and certain term loans outstanding under the Intelsat Corp Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, which consisted of a $355.9 million Tranche A-3 Senior Secured Term Loan due 2012, a $1.8 billion Tranche B-2 Senior Secured Term Loan facility due 2014, and a $175.0 million revolving credit facility due 2012. Up to $150.0 million of the revolving credit facility is available for issuance of letters of credit. Additionally, up to $35.0 million of the revolving credit facility is available for swingline loans.

 

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We are required to pay a commitment fee for the unused commitments under the revolving credit facility, if any, at a rate per annum of 0.375%. Both the face amount of any outstanding letters of credit and any swingline loans reduce availability under the revolving credit facility on a dollar for dollar basis. Obligations under the Intelsat Corp Amended and Restated Credit Agreement continue to be guaranteed by certain of our subsidiaries and are secured by a perfected first priority security interest to the extent legally permissible in substantially all of our and the guarantors’ tangible and intangible assets, with certain agreed exceptions.

On January 25, 2008, we entered into Amendment No. 2 to the Intelsat Corp Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, which became effective upon the consummation of the New Sponsors Acquisition and amended and modified the Intelsat Corp Amended and Restated Credit Agreement to, among other things:

 

  (a) change the applicable margin (i) on Above Bank Rate (“ABR”) loans that are term loans to a rate of 1.5% per annum, (ii) on London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) loans that are term loans to a rate of 2.5% per annum, (iii) on ABR loans that are revolving credit loans or swingline loans to a rate of between 1.5% and 1.875%, and (iv) on LIBOR loans that are revolving credit loans or swingline loans to a rate of between 2.5% and 2.875%;

 

  (b) reduce the size of the revolving facility by $75.0 million and add a $75.0 million incremental revolving credit facility provision;

 

  (c) require the payment of a prepayment premium for prepayments of term loans prior to February 4, 2011 (with respect to Tranche B-2-A Term Loans) or February 14, 2010 (with respect to Tranche B-2-B Term Loans);

 

  (d) make certain changes permitting the New Sponsors Acquisition; and

 

  (e) add a financial maintenance covenant requiring compliance with a Consolidated Secured Debt to Consolidated EBITDA Ratio (as defined in the Intelsat Corp Amended and Restated Credit Agreement) of less than or equal to 4.5 to 1.0.

On February 4, 2008, in connection with the New Sponsors Acquisition Transactions, we also executed a Joinder Agreement by and among Intelsat Corp, the several lenders party thereto and certain other parties, to the Intelsat Corp Amended and Restated Credit Agreement pursuant to which we incurred an additional $150.0 million in aggregate principal amount of Tranche B-2 Term Loan.

The Consolidated Secured Debt to Consolidated EBITDA Ratio is determined by comparing Consolidated Secured Debt to Consolidated EBITDA, each as defined under the Intelsat Corp Amended and Restated Credit Agreement. We were in compliance with this financial maintenance covenant ratio, with a Consolidated Secured Debt to Consolidated EBITDA Ratio of 2.1 to 1.0, as of September 30, 2010. In the event we were to fail to comply with this financial maintenance covenant ratio and were unable to obtain waivers, we would default under the Intelsat Corp Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, and the lenders under the Intelsat Corp Amended and Restated Credit Agreement could accelerate our obligations thereunder, which would result in an event of default under our existing notes and the Intelsat Jackson unsecured credit agreements.

No amounts were outstanding under the revolving credit facility as of September 30, 2010; however, $1.7 million in letters of credit were issued and outstanding under the facility. The borrowing availability under the revolving credit facility was $152.5 million at such date, assuming that one of the lenders under the revolving credit facility, responsible for approximately $20.8 million of the $175.0 million of aggregate lending commitments, would not provide any funds in response to any future borrowing request. Such lender did not provide any funds in response to a September 2008 borrowing request we made under the revolving credit facility.

Long-Term Debt Changes in 2009

On July 31, 2009, we redeemed the approximately $1.0 million principal amount of our outstanding 9% Senior Notes due 2014 and the approximately $0.01 million principal amount of our outstanding 9% Senior Notes due 2016.

 

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2010 Tender Offers and Consent Solicitations

On September 30, 2010, we purchased $546.3 million of our outstanding 2014 Corp Notes for $571.7 million and $124.9 million of our outstanding 2028 Corp Notes for $151.7 million, pursuant to cash tender offers (the “Tender Offers”). In connection with the Tender Offers, we received the consent of the holders of the 2014 Corp Notes and the 2028 Corp Notes to amend the indentures governing these notes, among other things, to eliminate substantially all of the restrictive covenants, certain events of default and certain other provisions contained in the indentures.

The Tender Offers were funded through an $834.0 million capital contribution from our direct parent, Intelsat Holding Corporation, which received a majority of the proceeds of an offering by our indirect parent, Intelsat Jackson, of $1.0 billion aggregate principal amount of 7 1/4% Senior Notes due 2020, completed on September 30, 2010, together with cash on hand.

Intelsat Corp Adjusted EBITDA

In addition to EBITDA, which is calculated as set forth in “—Results of Operations – EBITDA”, we calculate a measure called Intelsat Corp Adjusted EBITDA, based on the term Consolidated EBITDA, as defined in the Intelsat Corp Amended and Restated Credit Agreement. Intelsat Corp Adjusted EBITDA consists of EBITDA as adjusted to exclude or include certain unusual items, certain other operating expense items and other adjustments permitted in calculating covenant compliance under the credit agreement governing our senior secured credit facility as described in the table and related footnotes below. Intelsat Corp Adjusted EBITDA as presented below is calculated only with respect to Intelsat Corp and its subsidiaries. Intelsat Corp Adjusted EBITDA is a material component of certain ratios used in the Intelsat Corp Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, such as the secured net debt leverage ratio and the total leverage ratio. Under the Intelsat Corp Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, we must maintain a secured net debt leverage ratio not greater than 4.50 to 1.00, at the end of each fiscal quarter, and generally may not incur additional indebtedness (subject to certain exceptions) if the total leverage ratio calculated on a pro forma basis at the time of incurrence would exceed 6.75 to 1.00. There are similar additional covenants in our other debt agreements that significantly restrict our ability to incur additional indebtedness and make restricted payments, in some cases based on the satisfaction of applicable leverage ratios.

We believe that the inclusion of Intelsat Corp Adjusted EBITDA in this Quarterly Report is appropriate to provide additional information to investors about the calculation of certain covenants in the Intelsat Corp Amended and Restated Credit Agreement as mentioned above. We believe that some investors may use Intelsat Corp Adjusted EBITDA to evaluate our liquidity and financial condition. Intelsat Corp Adjusted EBITDA is not a measure of financial performance under U.S. GAAP and Intelsat Corp Adjusted EBITDA may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies. Intelsat Corp Adjusted EBITDA should not be considered as an alternative to operating income (loss) or net income (loss) attributable to Intelsat Corporation, determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP, as an indicator of our operating performance, or as an alternative to cash flows from operating activities, determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP, as an indicator of cash flows, or as a measure of liquidity.

 

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A reconciliation of net cash provided by operating activities to net loss attributable to Intelsat Corporation to EBITDA to Intelsat Corp Adjusted EBITDA is as follows (in thousands):

 

     Nine Months
Ended
September 30,
2009
    Nine Months
Ended
September 30,
2010
 

Reconciliation of net cash provided by operating activities to net loss attributable to Intelsat Corporation:

    

Net cash provided by operating activities

   $ 317,967      $ 427,031   

Depreciation and amortization

     (252,383     (255,521

Impairment of asset value

     (144,100     (110,625

Provision for doubtful accounts

     (2,501     69   

Foreign currency transaction gain

     1,799        695   

Deferred income taxes

     79,281        38,438   

Loss on disposal of assets

     (6,711     (313

Share-based and other compensation expense

     (9,121     1,765   

Amortization of discount and issuance costs

     (8,222     (7,994

Loss on early extinguishment of debt

     —          (73,247

Unrealized (gains) losses on derivative financial instruments

     28,894        (22,627

Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest

     —          22   

Other non-cash items

     282        (2,226

Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effect of acquisition

     (11,588     (8,154
                

Net loss attributable to Intelsat Corporation:

     (6,403     (12,687
                

Add (Subtract):

    

Interest expense, net

     142,692        136,844   

Loss on early extinguishment of debt

     51        75,805   

Benefit from income taxes

     (2,629     (42,638

Depreciation and amortization

     252,383        255,521   
                

EBITDA

     386,094        412,845   
                

Reconciliation of EBITDA to Intelsat Corp Adjusted EBITDA:

    

Add (Subtract):

    

Impairment of asset value (1)

     144,100        110,625   

Losses on derivative financial instruments (2)

     11,800        43,606   

Non-recurring and other non-cash items (3)

     29,783        8,935   
                

Intelsat Corp Adjusted EBITDA

   $ 571,777      $ 576,011   
                

 

(1) Represents a first quarter 2009 non-cash impairment charge recorded to write-down our intangible assets determined to have indefinite useful lives in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 350, Intangibles—Goodwill and Other, a first quarter 2010 write-off of our IS-4 satellite, which was deemed to be unrecoverable due to an anomaly, including a write-off of the related deferred performance incentive obligations and a second quarter 2010 impairment charge related to Galaxy 15.
(2) Represents the changes in the fair value of the undesignated interest rate swaps as well as the difference between the amount of floating rate interest we receive and the amount of fixed rate interest we pay, which are recognized in operating income.
(3) Reflects certain non-recurring gains and losses and non-cash items including expenses incurred related to our equity compensation plans and expenses for services on the Galaxy 13/Horizons-1 and Horizons-2 satellites.

 

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Funding Sources and Uses

We are a highly leveraged company. However, in connection with the recent Tender Offers we reduced our total indebtedness by approximately $671.2 million, which is anticipated to lower our annualized interest expense by approximately $59.1 million. We expect to use our cash on hand, cash flows from operations and availability under our senior secured facilities and intercompany borrowings, if necessary, to fund our most significant cash outlays, including debt service requirements and capital expenditures, during the next twelve months. Additionally, from time to time, we may repurchase our existing indebtedness, including our outstanding securities, in the open market or otherwise.

Backlog

We have historically had and currently have a substantial backlog, which provides some assurance regarding our future revenue expectations. Backlog is our expected future revenue under customer contracts, and includes both cancelable and non-cancelable contracts, although 97% of our backlog as of September 30, 2010 related to contracts that either were non-cancelable or were cancelable subject to substantial termination fees. In certain cases of breach for non-payment or customer bankruptcy, we may not be able to recover the full value of certain contracts or termination fees. Our backlog also includes our pro rata share of backlog of our joint venture investments. Our backlog was approximately $3.8 billion as of June 30, 2010 and September 30, 2010. This backlog reduces the volatility of our net cash provided by operating activities more than would be typical for a company outside our industry.

Capital Expenditures

Our capital expenditures depend on our business strategies and reflect our commercial responses to opportunities and trends in our industry. Our actual capital expenditures may differ from our expected capital expenditures if, among other things, we enter into any currently unplanned strategic transactions. Levels of capital spending from one year to the next are also influenced by the nature of the satellite life cycle and by the capital-intensive nature of the satellite industry. For example, we incur significant capital expenditures during the years in which satellites are under construction. We typically procure a new satellite within a timeframe that would allow the satellite to be deployed at least one year prior to the end of the service life of the satellite to be replaced. As a result, we frequently experience significant variances in our capital expenditures from year to year.

Payments for satellites and other property and equipment during the nine months ended September 30, 2010 were $252.9 million. We have three satellites in development but do not currently have plans to launch any satellites in 2010.

We expect our 2010 total capital expenditures to remain within a range of approximately $360 million to $410 million. However, several late 2010 contract milestones could affect the timing of capital expenditure payments between 2010 and 2011. We intend to fund our capital expenditure requirements through cash on hand, cash provided from operating activities and, if necessary, borrowings under the revolving facilities of our senior secured credit facilities and intercompany borrowings.

Disclosures about Market Risk

See Item 3—Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

On August 1, 2005, we formed a second satellite joint investment with JSAT to build and launch a Ku-band satellite, Horizons–2. The Horizons-2 satellite was launched in December 2007 and placed into service in February 2008. Our investment is being accounted for using the equity method of accounting. The total future

 

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joint investment obligation in Horizons-2 is expected to be $100.7 million as of September 30, 2010, of which each of the joint venture partners is required to fund their 50% share. Our share of the results of Horizons-2 is included in other income, net in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations and was income of $0.3 million and $0.2 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2010, respectively. As of December 31, 2009 and September 30, 2010, the investment balance of $75.3 million and $71.8 million, respectively, was included within other assets in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets.

In connection with our investment obligation in Horizons-2, we entered into a capital contribution and subscription agreement in August 2005, which requires us to fund our 50% share of the amounts due under Horizons-2’s loan agreement with a third-party lender. Pursuant to this agreement, we made contributions of $12.2 million during each of the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2010. We have entered into a security and pledge agreement with a third-party lender and, pursuant to this agreement, granted a security interest in our contribution obligation to the lender. Therefore, we have recorded this obligation as an indirect guarantee. We recorded a liability of $12.2 million within accrued liabilities as of December 31, 2009 and September 30, 2010, and a liability of $48.8 million and $36.6 million within other long-term liabilities as of December 31, 2009 and September 30, 2010, respectively, in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets.

We do not have any other significant off-balance sheet arrangements that have, or are reasonably likely to have, a current or future material effect on our financial condition, results of operations or liquidity.

Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements

During the third quarter of 2009, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2009-13 (EITF 08-1), Multiple-Deliverable Revenue Arrangements (“ASU 2009-13”). ASC Subtopic 605-25, Revenue Recognition-Multiple-Element-Arrangements (“ASC Subtopic 605-25”), sets forth requirements that must be met for an entity to recognize revenue from the sale of a delivered item that is part of a multiple-element arrangement when other items have not yet been delivered.

Historically, we have entered into contracts with customers to deliver multiple services such as tracking, telemetry and control, satellite capacity and equipment. These elements usually have separate delivery dates. Under the previous guidance, in certain situations we deferred the revenue of all deliverables until the undelivered item had been provided because we were unable to demonstrate vendor-specific objective evidence (“VSOE”) or third-party evidence (“TPE”) for the undelivered items, primarily capacity. The arrangements with multiple deliverables are not common and are non-standard; therefore, they do not constitute a significant portion of the contracts entered into during a given year.

ASU 2009-13 amends ASC Subtopic 605-25 to eliminate the requirement that all undelivered elements must have VSOE or TPE before an entity can recognize the portion that is attributable to items already delivered. In the absence of VSOE or TPE of the stand-alone selling price for one or more delivered or undelivered elements in the arrangement, entities will be required to make a best estimate of the selling prices of those elements. ASU 2009-13 is effective prospectively for revenue arrangements entered into or materially modified in fiscal years beginning on or after June 15, 2010 with early adoption permitted.

Intelsat elected to early adopt ASU 2009-13 on a prospective basis, effective for the first quarter of 2010. The adoption of ASU 2009-13 did not have a material impact on our condensed consolidated statements of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010 and is not expected to significantly impact future periods.

 

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Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

We are primarily exposed to the market risk associated with unfavorable movements in interest rates and foreign currencies. The risk inherent in our market risk sensitive instruments and positions is the potential loss arising from adverse changes in those factors. In addition, with respect to our interest rate swaps as described below, we are exposed to counterparty credit risk, which we seek to minimize through credit support agreements and the review and monitoring of all counterparties. We do not purchase or hold any derivative financial instruments for speculative purposes. On March 15, 2010, our interest rate basis swap with an aggregate notional principal amount of $312.5 million matured. On March 14, 2010, our five-year interest rate swap to hedge interest expense on a notional amount of $625.0 million (originally $1.25 billion of debt, and reduced under the original terms of the swap agreement) expired. On July 23, 2010 the interest rate swap options that permitted us to terminate underlying interest rate swaps covering a notional amount of $717.0 million on March 14, 2011 prior to the stated maturity of March 14, 2013, were cancelled upon receipt of $31.8 million in cash from our counterparties to the respective interest rate swap agreements. During the nine months ended September 30, 2010, there were no other material changes to our market risk sensitive instruments and positions as discussed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009.

 

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Disclosure controls and procedures are controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in reports that we file or submit under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), is recorded, processed, summarized and timely reported as provided in SEC rules and forms. We periodically review the design and effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures worldwide, including compliance with various laws and regulations that apply to our operations. We make modifications to improve the design and effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures, and may take other corrective action, if our reviews identify a need for such modifications or actions. In designing and evaluating the disclosure controls and procedures, we recognize that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives.

We have carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and the participation of our management, including our principal executive officer and our principal financial officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act), as of September 30, 2010. Based upon that evaluation, our principal executive officer and our principal financial officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of September 30, 2010.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended September 30, 2010 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

 

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PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

We are subject to litigation in the ordinary course of business, but management does not believe that the resolution of any pending proceedings would have a material adverse effect on our financial position or results of operations.

 

Item 1A. Risk Factors

No material changes in the risks related to our business have occurred since we filed our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009.

 

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

None.

 

Item 3. Defaults upon Senior Securities

None.

 

Item 4. (Removed and Reserved)

 

Item 5. Other Information

None.

 

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Item 6. Exhibits

 

Exhibit No.

    

Document Description

  4.1       Third Supplemental Indenture for the 9 1/4% Senior Notes due 2014, dated as of September 29, 2010 among Intelsat Corporation, the subsidiary guarantors named therein and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 of Intelsat S.A.’s Current Report on Form 8-K, File No. 000-50262, filed on October 4, 2010).
  4.2       First Supplemental Indenture for the 6 7/8% Senior Secured Debentures due 2028, dated as of September 29, 2010 between Intelsat Corporation and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.4 of Intelsat S.A.’s Current Report on Form 8-K, File No. 000-50262, filed on October 4, 2010).
  31.1       Certification of the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rules 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.*
  31.2       Certification of the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rules 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.*
  32.1       Certification by the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350.*
  32.2       Certification by the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350.*

 

* Filed herewith.

 

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) 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.

 

 

INTELSAT CORPORATION

Date: November 8, 2010

 

By

 

/S/ DAVID MCGLADE

    David McGlade
    Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
 

INTELSAT CORPORATION

Date: November 8, 2010

 

By

 

/S/ MICHAEL MCDONNELL

    Michael McDonnell
    Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

 

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