Atlantic Tele-Network Reports 2006 Results.Full Year 2006 Highlights * Revenue increases 52% to $155.4 million * Operating Income Operating Income The profit realized from a business' own operations. Notes: This would not include income from things such as investments in other firms. Also referred to as operating profit or recurring profit. increases 41% to $52.3 million * Earnings increase 71% to $23.2 million * Earnings Per Share increase 56% to $1.70 * Strong contributions to year-over-year results from acquired businesses SALEM, Mass. -- Atlantic Tele-Network, Inc. (NASDAQ NASDAQ in full National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotations U.S. market for over-the-counter securities. Established in 1971 by the National Association of Securities Dealers (NASD), NASDAQ is an automated quotation system that reports on : ATNI ATNI Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians ) today reported earnings for the quarter and year ended December 31, 2006. For the year ended December 31, 2006, revenue was $155.4 million, an increase of $53.1 million or 52% as compared to revenue of $102.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2005. For the year ended December 31, 2006, earnings were $23.2 million as compared to $13.6 million for the same period in 2005, an increase of $9.6 million or 71%. On a per share basis, earnings increased by 56% to $1.70 per share from $1.09 per share for the year ended December 31, 2005. Revenue for the quarter was $42.0 million, an increase of $10.6 million or 34% as compared to revenue of $31.4 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2005. Earnings were $6.6 million as compared to $2.9 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2005, an increase of $3.7 million or 128%. On a per share basis, earnings increased by 87% to $0.43 per share from $0.23 per share for the quarter ended December 31, 2005. Excluding the impact of a $2.1 million reserve taken in the fourth quarter of 2005, earnings for the three months and year ended December 31, 2006, increased $1.6 million and $7.5 million, respectively, or 32% and 48%, respectively. Per share data for the three months and year ended December 31, 2006 were affected by the Company's sale in the third quarter of 2.6 million shares of the Company's common stock at $19.00 per share in an underwritten public offering, from which the Company received $46.3 million in net proceeds Net Proceeds The amount received after all costs are deducted from the sale of a piece of property or security. Notes: In the case of an investor selling a security, net proceeds represent the proceeds from the sale minus any trading costs (i.e. commissions). . Share and per share amounts for all periods also reflect the effects of the 5-for-2 split of the Company's common stock, which took place on March 31, 2006. "Our main objective for the year was to develop new sources of revenue and growth without negatively impacting earnings. Thus far, we have exceeded our goals. This announcement of our full year results for 2006 concludes a very satisfying year" said Michael T. Prior, Chief Executive Officer of Atlantic Tele-Network, Inc. "Our recently added rural wireless business (Commnet) and New England telephone Verizon New England, Inc., formerly New England Telephone & Telegraph Co., is a Bell Operating Company that serves the majority of New England. It is an operating unit of Verizon Communications. New England Telephone & Telegraph Co. , data and service provider (Sovernet) both had a strong year. In particular, the team at Commnet completed an ambitious expansion of our rural wireless network in the Southwest, while continuing to grow multiple sources of revenue from core voice roaming The ability to use a communications device such as a cellphone or PDA and be able to move from one cell or access point to another without losing the connection. services for major US carriers, to data roaming and roaming for international carriers. And, we are pleased as well that most of our pre-existing businesses were able to deliver very respectable results for the year. In Guyana, GT&T managed to grow revenues, operating income and profits despite an increase in cellular competition. In 2006, we extended coverage and increased the capacity of our GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications) A digital cellular phone technology based on TDMA that is the predominant system in Europe, but also used worldwide. Developed in the 1980s, GSM was first deployed in seven European countries in 1992. network in Guyana and extended the wireline network to new areas as well. Choice Communications managed to continue to grow revenue and reduce operating losses operating loss The excess of operating expenses over revenue. As with operating income, operating losses exclude revenues and expenses from operations that are not considered a regular part of the business. Also called deficit. Compare operating income. , reaching our goal of self-funding all cash operating expenses Operating expenses The amount paid for asset maintenance or the cost of doing business, excluding depreciation. Earnings are distributed after operating expenses are deducted. by year-end." Mr. Prior added, "Looking ahead, we expect to invest significant additional capital in our U.S. businesses which we believe have attractive opportunities to expand the reach of their networks and add new services. Our main challenge in 2007 appears to be greater competition in Guyana, where the existing nationwide wireless competitor was acquired in late 2006 by a large, aggressive, regional operator. The increased competition is likely to put pressure on our wireless operating margins Operating Margin A ratio used to measure a company's pricing strategy and operating efficiency. Calculated by: and market share in Guyana. Overall, we expect to grow consolidated earnings in 2007, but do not think the organic growth will be as strong as in 2006." Fourth Quarter 2006 Operating Highlights As was previously announced, the Company completed the acquisitions of Sovernet, Inc., a Vermont telephone and data services provider, in February 2006 and Commnet Wireless, LLC (Logical Link Control) See "LANs" under data link protocol. LLC - Logical Link Control , a U.S. rural wireless business, in September 2005. The Company's results reflect Sovernet only since the date of acquisition and consequently Sovernet is not reflected in the Company's results for the three months or twelve months ended December 31, 2005. The Company's results for the year ended December 31, 2005 reflect Commnet only from the date of its acquisition in September 2005. The Company generated the following operating results for the quarter ended December 31, 2006 (unless otherwise indicated, all comparative information is compared against the quarter ended December 31, 2005): Wireless Revenue Wireless revenue increased by $5.9 million, or 50%, to $17.7 million from $11.8 million. This increase was attributable to the continued expansion of our rural wireless network, along with growth in minutes of use and increases in data and international roaming revenue. Our Commnet subsidiary ended the quarter with a total of 287 base stations, compared to 233 on December 31, 2005. In addition, the increase in wireless revenue also reflects growth of our subscriber base in Guyana. Our wireless customer base in Guyana increased from 228,000 subscribers to 269,000 subscribers, of which 207,000 use GSM service as compared to 102,000 GSM subscribers a year ago and 175,000 at the end of September 2006. Local Telephone and Data Revenue Local telephone and data revenue increased $3.8 million, or 51%, to $11.2 million from $7.4 million. Of this increase, $3.6 million was attributable to the addition of Sovernet. Excluding that contribution, local telephone and data revenue generated by our Guyana and Virgin Islands operations increased by $0.2 million, or 3%. Access lines at GT&T increased from approximately 113,000 to 121,000, or 7%, as we continued to extend the wireline infrastructure to additional communities. In the Virgin Islands, our broadband wireless See wireless broadband. subscriber base grew by more than 146% over the year, contributing to the increase in revenues. International Long Distance Revenue and Other Revenue International long distance revenue, all of which is generated by our GT&T subsidiary, was $12.2 million during 2006, an increase of $0.8 million, or 7%, from $11.4 million in 2005. Inbound in·bound 1 adj. Bound inward; incoming: inbound commuter traffic. Adj. 1. inbound minutes represented 86% of international traffic for the quarter. Other revenue increased primarily as a result of a 16% increase in television subscribers in our Virgin Islands operations. Operating Expenses Operating expenses increased by $8.1 million, or 40%, from $20.1 million to $28.2 million for 2005 and 2006, respectively. Of the $8.1 million increase, $3.0 million is attributable to the addition of Sovernet. Excluding Sovernet, operating expenses increased $5.1 million. Of the $5.1 million, $1.7 million is attributable to increased sales and marketing efforts at GT&T to encourage our TDMA (Time Division Multiple Access) A satellite and cellular phone technology that interleaves multiple digital signals onto a single high-speed channel. For cellular, TDMA triples the capacity of the original analog method (FDMA). subscribers to convert to GSM handsets and to re-position ourselves against our changing competition. A further $1.8 million is related to increased engineering and operations costs associated with expanding our networks and an increase in termination and access fees from year over year traffic growth at both GT&T and Commnet. The balance of the increase in operating expenses is predominantly pre·dom·i·nant adj. 1. Having greatest ascendancy, importance, influence, authority, or force. See Synonyms at dominant. 2. a result of increased depreciation and amortization expense and additional overhead costs overhead costs see fixed costs. to support our growth. Operating Income Operating income increased by $2.5 million, or 22%, from $11.3 million to $13.8 million. Of the $2.5 million increase, $0.6 million is attributable to the addition of Sovernet. The balance primarily reflects the growth in our rural wireless and Virgin Islands businesses. Bermuda Digital Communications Transmitting text, voice and video in binary form. See communications. Equity in the earnings from BDC (Backup Domain Controller) In a Windows NT server, a copy of the Primary Domain Controller (PDC). The BDC is periodically synchronized with the PDC. See PDC. BDC - Backup Domain Controller , our Bermuda affiliate, declined from $0.6 million for 2005 to $0.5 million for 2006. This decline was due to a decrease in revenue and increased marketing and handset The part of the telephone that contains the speaker and the microphone. On a desktop phone, the part you hold in your hand is the handset. On a cellphone, the entire phone is the handset. See multihandset cordless and headset. expenses to maintain our share of a maturing market. Wireless subscribers were down slightly from December 31, 2005, although we maintained our position as the largest of the three competitive cellular providers in Bermuda. Conference Call Information Atlantic Tele-Network will host a conference call tomorrow, March 2, 2007 at 10:00 a.m. Eastern time (ET) to discuss its fourth quarter results for 2006. The call will be hosted by Michael Prior Michael Prior (born 6 September, 1973) is a former Australian rules footballer who played for the AFL's Essendon Football Club and the West Coast Eagles. Drafted 3rd overall in the 1992 AFL Draft, he made the unusual choice at the time to remain with his original club, East , President and Chief Executive Officer, and Justin Benincasa, Chief Financial Officer. The dial-in numbers are US/Canada: (800) 946-0713 and International: (719) 457-2642, access code 8472275. A replay of the call will be available from 1:00 p.m. (ET) March 2, 2007 until 11:59 p.m. (ET) on March 8, 2007. The replay dial-in numbers are US/Canada: (888) 203-1112 and International: (719) 457-0820, access code 8472275. About Atlantic Tele-Network Atlantic Tele-Network, Inc. (NASDAQ:ATNI) is a telecommunications company See telecom company. with corporate offices in Salem, Massachusetts Salem, Massachusetts locale of frenzied assault on supposed witches (1692). [Am. Hist.: Jameson, 442; Am. Lit.: The Crucible] See : Witchcraft and St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands. Its principal subsidiaries include: Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company, Limited, which is the national telephone service provider for all local, long-distance and international service, as well as the largest cellular service provider, in the Cooperative Republic of Guyana; Commnet Wireless, LLC, which provides voice and data wireless roaming services for U.S. and international carriers in rural areas throughout the United States United States, officially United States of America, republic (2005 est. pop. 295,734,000), 3,539,227 sq mi (9,166,598 sq km), North America. The United States is the world's third largest country in population and the fourth largest country in area. ; Sovernet, Inc., which provides wireline voice and data services to businesses and homes across Vermont; and Choice Communications, LLC, which provides wireless television and wireless broadband High-speed wireless transmission of data. What is "high" speed is always a changing number. Wireless systems are typically slower than land-based, wireline networks. In the past, wireless broadband started at 250 Kbps, whereas land-based broadband was generally considered to start at T1 services, as well as dial-up internet services in the U.S. Virgin Islands. The Company also owns 44% of Bermuda Digital Communications Ltd., which, under the Cellular One name, is the largest provider of cellular voice and data services in Bermuda. Cautionary Language Concerning Forward-Looking Statements forward-looking statement A projected financial statement based on management expectations. A forward-looking statement involves risks with regard to the accuracy of assumptions underlying the projections. This news release contains forward-looking statements relating to relating to relate prep → concernant relating to relate prep → bezüglich +gen, mit Bezug auf +acc , among other matters, the future financial performance and results of operations of the Company, including the relative contributions of Commnet and Sovernet; demand for our services and industry trends; the pace of our network expansion and improvement, including our realization of the benefits of these investments; and management's plans and strategy for the future. These forward-looking statements are based on estimates, projections, beliefs, and assumptions and are not guarantees of future events or results. Actual future events and results could differ materially from the events and results indicated in these statements as a result of many factors, including, among others, (1) significant political and regulatory risk facing our exclusive license to provide local exchange and long distance telephone services in Guyana; (2) any significant decline in the price or volume of international long distance calls to Guyana; (3) increased competition affecting our businesses; (4) the regulation of rates that GT&T may charge for local wireline telephone service; (5) significant tax disputes between GT&T and the Guyanese tax authorities; (6) a significant portion of our U.S. wireless revenue is derived from a small number of customers; (7) our failure to maintain favorable fa·vor·a·ble adj. 1. Advantageous; helpful: favorable winds. 2. Encouraging; propitious: a favorable diagnosis. 3. roaming arrangements; (8) economic, political and other risks facing our foreign political operations; (9) regulatory changes affecting our businesses; (10) rapid and significant technological changes in the telecommunications Communicating information, including data, text, pictures, voice and video over long distance. See communications. industry; (11) our reliance on a limited number of key suppliers and vendors for timely supply of equipment and services relating to our network infrastructure; (12) loss of any key members of management; (13) the adequacy and expansion capabilities of our network capacity and customer service system to support our customer growth; (14) dependence of our wireless and wireline revenues on the reliability and performance of our network infrastructure; (15) the occurrence of severe weather and natural catastrophes; (16) our economic interest in our Bermuda affiliate may be reduced in 2008; and (17) our inability to realize the value that we believe exists in businesses that we acquire. These and other additional factors that may cause actual future events and results to differ materially from the events and results indicated in the forward-looking statements above are set forth more fully under Item 1A "Risk Factors" of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K Form 10-K A report required by the SEC from exchange-listed companies that provides for annual disclosure of certain financial information. Form 10-K See 10-K. for the year ended December 31, 2005, which is on file with the SEC. The Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements to reflect actual results, changes in assumptions or changes in other factors that may affect such forward-looking statements. [TABLE OMITTED] [TABLE OMITTED] |
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