Form 10-Q/A June 30, 2004

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
_____________________
FORM 10-Q/A
(Amendment No.1)
(Mark One)

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

For the quarterly period ended June 30, 2004

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 000 - 26728

Talk America Holdings, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware
(State of incorporation)
23-2827736
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

12020 Sunrise Valley Drive, Suite 250, Reston, Virginia
(Address of principal executive offices)
20191
(Zip Code)

(703) 391-7500
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

Yes X No____ 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).

Yes X No____

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

26,972,408 shares of Common Stock, par value of $0.01 per share, were issued and outstanding as of August 2, 2004.

 

 
Explanatory Note

Talk America Holdings, Inc. is filing this Amendment No. 1 on Form 10-Q/A (“Amendment No. 1”) to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q originally filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 4, 2004, for the purpose of restating our consolidated financial statements for the quarter ended June 30, 2004 and 2003 to reflect corrections of the following errors:

The quarterly results for the four quarters of 2003 and for the first and second quarters of 2004 have been adjusted to reflect the restatement of our previously reported consolidated financial statements for those periods and for the year ended December 31, 2003 as detailed below.

We have revised our consolidated financial statements for these periods to correct for the following errors:

(a)  Due to a classification error in our general ledger, we incorrectly recorded certain customer fee revenues as sales, use and excise tax liability to the consolidated balance sheets for the four quarters of 2003, for the year ended December 31, 2003 and for the first and second quarters of 2004.  These customer fee revenues were $0.3 million for the second quarter of 2004, $0.1 million for the second quarter 2003, $0.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2004, $0.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2003, and $1.0 million for the full year 2003. These customer fees have now been appropriately recorded to revenues in the consolidated statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2003 and in the unaudited quarterly periods for the first and second quarters 2004 and 2003;

(b) We determined that in our calculations of earnings per share since the third quarter of 2003 we had not incorporated the tax benefits associated with the assumed exercise of employee stock options. As a result, fully diluted shares outstanding were over-reported and income per fully diluted share was understated in the periods subsequent to third quarter 2003; and

(c) We identified errors in the computation of the deferred tax assets recognized in the third quarter of 2003 as follows: (i) failure to deduct state income tax expense from federal taxable income resulted in the deferred tax benefit as originally reported for the year ended December 31, 2003 and the unaudited third quarter 2003 being understated by $0.9 million and (ii) failure to complete the appropriately detailed analysis of our deferred tax assets relating to state net operating loss carryforwards resulted in the deferred tax benefit as originally reported for the year ended December 31, 2003 and the unaudited third quarter 2003 being understated by $1.7 million. In February 2005, we determined that we improperly corrected for the errors in the deferred tax computations through an adjustment to the effective tax rate for 2004 rather than through the restatement of our prior period financial statements. As a result, we have restated the first and second quarter of 2004 and the third and fourth quarter of 2003 and year end December 31, 2003.

(d) In connection with the release of the valuation allowance in the third quarter 2003, $6.5 million of deferred tax assets associated with acquired net operating loss carryforwards were realizable and should have been recorded as a deferred tax asset. Originally, we believed this deferred tax asset was limited due to provisions of the Internal Revenue Code Section 382. This error resulted in deferred tax assets being understated and goodwill being overstated in each of the periods beginning in the third quarter 2003. As a result, we have restated the first and second quarter of 2004 and the third and fourth quarter of 2003 and year end December 31, 2003.

The effect of these items are reflected in our consolidated financial statements contained in Item 1 of this Amendment, with corresponding changes reflected in Item 2, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and Item 4, Controls and Procedures. The effect of these items on our consolidated statement of operations for the four quarters of 2003, the year ended December 31, 2003 and for the first and second quarter of 2004 is summarized in the following table.



ii


 
(in 000s, except per share data)
(Unaudited)
 
 
 
2003
 
 
2004
 
   
Q1 
   
Q2
   
Q3
   
Q4
 
Q1
Q2
Revenue:
                             
   Reported    $ 87,843     $ 93,748     $ 99,929     $ 101,143         $  109,321    $  114,881  
   Adjustments
   
359
   
158
   
249
   
264
       
298
   
332
 
   As Restated
 
$
88,202
 
$
93,906
 
$
100,178
 
$
101,407
       
109,619
   
115,213
 
                                           
Operating Income:
                                         
   Reported
 
$
15,179
 
$
19,027
 
$
17,620
 
$
13,432
     
 $
14,103
 
 $
13,973
 
   Adjustments
   
359
   
158
   
249
   
264
       
298
   
332
 
   As Restated
 
$
15,538
 
$
19,185
 
$
17,869
 
$
13,696
       
14,401
   
14,305
 
                                           
Pre-Tax Income:
                                         
   Reported
 
$
14,961
 
$
17,500
 
$
16,106
 
$
12,197
     
 $
13,387
 
 $
13,573
 
   Adjustments
   
358
   
158
   
249
   
264
       
298
   
332
 
   As Restated
 
$
15,319
 
$
17,658
 
$
16,355
 
$
12,461
       
13,685
   
13,905
 
                                           
Income Tax Expense:
                                         
   Reported
 
$
5,835
 
$
6,825
   
($35,460
)
$
5,103
     
 $
5,031
 
 $
5,025
 
   Adjustments
   
141
   
62
   
(2,287
)
 
(243
)
     
366
   
458
 
   As Restated
 
$
5,976
 
$
6,887
   
($37,747
)
$
4,860
       
5,397
   
5,483
 
                                           
Net Income:
                                         
   Reported
 
$
9,126
 
$
10,675
 
$
51,566
 
$
7,094
     
 $ 
8,356
 
 $
8,548
 
   Adjustments
   
217
   
96
   
2,536
   
507
       
(68
)
 
(126
)
   As Restated
 
$
9,343
 
$
10,771
 
$
54,102
 
$
7,601
       
8,288
   
8,422
 
                                           
Basic EPS:
                                         
   Reported
 
$
0.35
 
$
0.41
 
$
1.96
 
$
0.27
     
$
0.31
 
$
0.32
 
   Adjustments
   
--
   
--
   
0.09
   
0.02
       
--
   
(0.1
)
   As Restated
 
$
0.35
 
$
0.41
 
$
2.05
 
$
0.29
     
 $
0.31
 
 $
0.31
 
                                           
Fully Diluted EPS:
                                         
   Reported
 
$
0.32
 
$
0.37
 
$
1.74
 
$
0.25
     
 $
0.29
 
 $
0.30
 
   Adjustments
   
--
   
--
   
0.14
   
0.02
       
--
   
--
 
   As Restated
 
$
0.32
 
$
0.37
 
$
1.88
 
$
0.27
       
0.29
   
0.30
 
                                           
Fully Diluted Shares:
                                         
   Reported
   
29,940
   
29,563
   
29,761
   
28,884
       
28,862
   
28,694
 
   Adjustments
   
--
   
--
   
(884
)
 
(777
)
     
(732
)
 
(655
)
   As Restated
   
29,940
   
29,563
   
28,877
   
28,107
       
28,130
   
28,039
 


iii


The consolidated balance sheets for the second quarter of 2004 and 2003 as originally reported have been restated as follows (in thousands):


 
 
At June 30, 2004
   
As Originally
Reported
   
As Restated
 
Deferred income tax assets
   
   
 
   Current
 
$
26,338
 
$
26,338
 
   Long-term
   
30,619
   
38,857
 
Goodwill
   
19,503
   
13,013
 
Total assets
   
239,996
   
241,744
 
Sales, use and excise taxes
   
14,926
   
13,266
 
Deferred income taxes
   
19,840
   
20,088
 
Total liabilities
   
121,989
   
120,575
 
Accumulated deficit
   
(233,436
)
 
(230,274
)
Total stockholders’ equity
   
118,007
   
121,169
 

 
 
At June 30, 2003*
   
As Originally
Reported
   
As
Restated
 
Deferred income tax assets
   
   
 
   Current
 
$
10,653
 
$
10,447
 
   Long-term
   
--
   
--
 
Goodwill
   
19,503
   
19,503
 
Total assets
   
169,318
   
171,572
 
Sales, use and excise taxes
   
12,794
   
12,276
 
Deferred income taxes
   
--
   
--
 
Total liabilities
   
130,554
   
132,495
 
Accumulated deficit
   
(309,000
)
 
(308,687
)
Total stockholders’ equity
   
38,764
   
39,077
 
 
*  Certain amounts reflected herein for 2003 have been reclassified to reflect the 2004 presentation.
 
Unless otherwise expressly stated, this Amendment No. 1 does not reflect events occurring after the filing on August 4, 2004 of our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2004, nor does it modify or update in any way disclosures contained in our Form 10-Q other than to reflect the restatement discussed above.

 
iv



TALK AMERICA HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Index

 
 Page
   
PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
   
Item 1. Consolidated Financial Statements
 
   
Consolidated Statements of Operations - Three and Six Months Ended June 30, 2004 (restated) and 2003 (restated) (unaudited)
2
   
Consolidated Balance Sheets - June 30, 2004 (restated), December 31, 2003 (restated), and June 30, 2003 (restated) (unaudited)
3
   
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity - Six Months Ended June 30, 2004 (restated) (unaudited)
4
   
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - Three and Six Months Ended June 30, 2004 (restated) and 2003 (restated) (unaudited)
5
   
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)
6
   
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
14
   
Item 4. Controls and Procedures
25
   
PART II - OTHER INFORMATION
27 
   
Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K
27
   
                (a) Exhibits
 
(b) Reports on Form 8-K
 
 
 
1


TALK AMERICA HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(In thousands, except for per share data)
(Unaudited)


   
Three Months Ended
June 30,
 
Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
 
   
2004
(restated) 
   
2003
(restated)
 
 
2004
(restated)
 
 
 
2003
(restated)
 
                           
Revenue
 
$
115,213
 
$
93,906
 
$
224,832
 
$
182,108
 
                           
Costs and expenses:
                         
    Network and line costs, excluding depreciation and amortization (see below)
   
55,586
   
43,268
   
109,806
   
87,152
 
General and administrative expenses
   
15,891
   
12,549
   
31,053
   
25,428
 
Provision for doubtful accounts
   
4,905
   
2,895
   
8,326
   
5,117
 
Sales and marketing expenses
   
19,204
   
11,629
   
36,488
   
21,000
 
Depreciation and amortization
   
5,322
   
4,380
   
10,453
   
8,688
 
Total costs and expenses
   
100,908
   
74,721
   
196,126
   
147,385
 
                           
Operating income
   
14,305
   
19,185
   
28,706
   
34,723
 
Other income (expense):
                         
Interest income
   
42
   
186
   
143
   
295
 
Interest expense
   
(442
)
 
(2,027
)
 
(1,259
)
 
(4,506
)
Other income, net
   
--
   
314
   
--
   
2,465
 
Income before provision for income taxes
   
13,905
   
17,658
   
27,590
   
32,977
 
Provision for income taxes
   
5,483
   
6,887
   
10,880
   
12,863
 
                           
Net income
 
$
8,422
 
$
10,771
 
$
16,710
 
$
20,114
 
                           
Income per share - Basic:
                         
Net income per share
 
$
0.31
 
$
0.41
 
$
0.63
 
$
0.76
 
                           
Weighted average common shares outstanding
   
26,746
   
26,226
   
26,710
   
26,300
 
                           
Income per share - Diluted:
                         
Net income per share
 
$
0.30
 
$
0.37
 
$
0.59
 
$
0.70
 
                           
Weighted average common and common equivalent shares outstanding
   
28,039
   
29,563
   
28,090
   
29,349
 


See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 
2

TALK AMERICA HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands, except for share and per share data)
(Unaudited)


   
June 30,
2004
(restated)
 
December 31,
2003
(restated)
 
 
June 30,
2003
(restated)
 
                     
                     
Assets
                   
Current assets:
                   
Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
30,427
 
$
35,242
 
$
25,858
 
    Accounts receivable, trade (net of allowance for uncollectible accounts of $12,227, $9,414 and $7,954 at June 30, 2004, December 31, 2003 and June 30 2003, respectively)
   
48,109
   
40,321
   
33,905
 
Deferred income taxes
   
26,338
   
24,605
   
10,447
 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
   
7,476
   
5,427
   
4,417
 
Total current assets
   
112,350
   
105,595
   
74,627
 
                     
Property and equipment, net
   
66,016
   
68,069
   
64,383
 
Goodwill
   
13,013
   
13,013
   
19,503
 
Intangibles, net
   
3,244
   
4,666
   
5,956
 
Deferred income taxes
   
38,857
   
48,288
   
--
 
Other assets
   
8,264
   
7,547
   
7,103
 
   
$
241,744
 
$
247,178
 
$
171,572
 
                     
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
                   
Current liabilities:
                   
Accounts payable
 
$
43,039
 
$
35,296
 
$
34,469
 
Sales, use and excise taxes
   
13,266
   
13,521
   
12,276
 
Deferred revenue Legal settlements
   
14,516
   
10,873
   
8,707
 
Current portion of long-term debt
   
17,554
   
16,806
   
58
 
Accrued compensation
   
4,941
   
9,888
   
4,264
 
Other current liabilities
   
4,186
   
6,851
   
7,171
 
Total current liabilities
   
97,502
   
93,235
   
66,945
 
                     
Long-term debt
   
2,985
   
31,791
   
65,550
 
                     
Deferred income taxes
   
20,088
   
19,009
   
--
 
                     
Commitments and contingencies
                   
                     
Stockholders' equity:
                   
Preferred stock - $.01 par value, 5,000,000 shares authorized; no shares outstanding
   
--
   
--
   
--
 
Common stock - $.01 par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized; 26,966,743, 26,662,952 and 26,351,070, issued and outstanding at June 30, 2004, December 31, 2003 and June 30, 2003, respectively
   
283
   
280
   
277
 
Additional paid-in capital
   
356,160
   
354,847
   
352,487
 
Accumulated deficit
   
(230,274
)
 
(246,984
)
 
(308,687
)
Treasury stock - $.01 par value, 1,315,789 shares at June 30, 2004 and December 31, 2003 and June 30, 2003 respectively
   
(5,000
)
 
(5,000
)
 
(5,000
)
Total stockholders' equity
   
121,169
   
103,143
   
39,077
 
   
$
241,744
 
$
247,178
 
$
171,572
 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

 
3

TALK AMERICA HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)

 
                                         
 
 
 
Common Stock 
 
Additional
Paid-In
   
Accumulated
 
Treasury Stock
     
 
    Shares     
Amount
   
Capital
   
Deficit
   
Shares
   
Amount
   
Total
 
                                             
    Balance, December 31, 2003 (restated)
   
27,979
 
$
280
 
$
354,847
 
$
(246,984
)
 
1,316
 
$
(5,000
)
$
103,143
 
                                             
    Net income (restated)
   
--
   
--
   
--
   
16,710
   
--
   
--
   
16,710
 
Income tax benefit related to exercise of common stock options
   
--
   
--
   
757
   
--
   
--
   
--
   
757
 
Change in terms of employee stock options
   
--
   
--
   
9
   
--
   
--
   
--
   
9
 
Exercise of common stock options
   
304
   
3
   
547
   
--
   
--
   
--
   
550
 
    Balance, June 30, 2004 (restated)
   
28,283
 
$
283
 
$
356,160
 
$
(230,274
)
 
1,316
 
$
(5,000
)
$
121,169
 


See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

 
4

TALK AMERICA HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)

 
 
 
Six Months Ended June 30, 
 
 
   
2004
(restated) 
   
2003
(restated)
 
Cash flows from operating activities:
             
Net income
 
$
16,710
 
$
20,114
 
       Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
             
Provision for doubtful accounts
   
8,326
   
5,117
 
Depreciation and amortization
   
10,453
   
8,688
 
Loss on sale and retirement of assets
   
--
   
16
 
Non-cash interest and amortization of accrued interest liabilities
   
(130
)
 
(131
)
Gain from extinguishment of debt
   
--
   
(2,471
)
Deferred income taxes
   
9,534
   
11,851
 
Non-cash compensation
   
9
   
--
 
Changes in assets and liabilities:
             
Accounts receivable, trade
   
(16,114
)
 
(11,180
)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
   
(1,488
)
 
(551
)
Other assets
   
(24
)
 
1,435
 
Accounts payable
   
7,743
   
2,321
 
Sales, use and excise taxes
   
(255
)
 
837
 
Deferred revenue
   
3,643
   
2,227
 
Accrued compensation
   
(4,947
)
 
(1,345
)
Other current liabilities
   
(2,665
)
 
(1,843
)
Net cash provided by operating activities
   
30,795
   
35,084
 
               
Cash flows from investing activities:
             
Capital expenditures
   
(3,339
)
 
(4,217
)
Capitalized software development costs
   
(1,787
)
 
(1,388
)
Net cash used in investing activities
   
(5,126
)
 
(5,605
)
               
Cash flows from financing activities:
             
Payments of borrowings
   
(30,362
)
 
(32,676
)
Payments of capital lease obligations
   
(672
)
 
(31
)
Proceeds from exercise of options
   
550
   
498
 
Purchase of treasury stock
   
--
   
(5,000
)
Net cash used in financing activities
   
(30,484
)
 
(37,209
)
               
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents
   
(4,815
)
 
(7,730
)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period
   
35,242
   
33,588
 
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
 
$
30,427
 
$
25,858
 
               

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 
 
5

 
TALK AMERICA HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

NOTE 1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES

(a) Basis of Financial Statements Presentation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Talk America Holdings, Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiaries (collectively, "Talk America," "we," "our" and "us"). All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated.

The consolidated financial statements and related notes thereto as of June 30, 2004 and for the three and six months ended June 30, 2004 and June 30, 2003 are presented as unaudited, but in the opinion of management include all adjustments necessary to present fairly the information set forth therein. The consolidated balance sheet information for December 31, 2003 was derived from the audited financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003 filed March 12, 2004, as amended by our Form 10-K/A filed May 7, 2004, and as restated by our Form 10-K/A Amendment No. 2 filed March 28, 2005. These interim financial statements should be read in conjunction with our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003, as amended by our Form 10-K/A, and as restated by our Form 10-K/A Amendment No. 2. The interim results are not necessarily indicative of the results for any future periods. Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified for comparative purposes.

(b) Risks and Uncertainties

Future results of operations involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Factors that would likely negatively affect future operating results and cash flows and cause actual results to vary materially from historical results include, but are not limited to:
 
·
Dependence on the availability and functionality of the networks of the incumbent local telephone carriers as they relate to the unbundled network element platform
 
·
The FCC is expected to pronounce interim and eventually final rules with respect thereto, which are expected to adversely affect availability and pricing of various network elements and bundles thereof. Such rules may also affect or limit our ability to pursue our current “customer first” strategy of acquiring a base of bundled phone service customers, building our own network platform and the migrating those customers to our own network platform.
 
·
Additional changes in government policy, regulation and enforcement or adverse judicial or administrative interpretations and rulings or legislative action relating to regulations, enforcement and pricing.
 
·
Increased price competition in local and long distance services, including bundled services, and overall competition within the telecommunications industry.

Further negative developments in these areas would likely have a material adverse effect on our business prospects, financial condition and results of operations. See “Other Matters.”

 
6

NOTE 2. DEBT AND CAPITAL LEASE OBLIGATIONS

The following is a summary of our debt and capital lease obligations (in thousands):

 
 
   
June 30, 2004 
   
December 31, 2003
   
June 31, 2003
 
                     
8% Secured Convertible Notes Due 2006
 
$
--
 
$
--
 
$
15,452
 
12% Senior Subordinated Notes Due 2007
   
10,730
   
40,730
   
45,520
 
8% Convertible Senior Subordinated Notes Due 2007 (1)
   
3,648
   
3,778
   
3,908
 
5% Convertible Subordinated Notes Due 2004
   
670
   
670
   
670
 
Other, primarily vendor-financed computer software
   
2,744
   
--
   
--
 
Capital lease obligations
   
2,747
   
3,419
   
58
 
Total long-term debt and capital lease obligations
   
20,539
   
48,597
   
65,608
 
Less: current maturities (2)
   
17,554
   
16,806
   
58
 
Total long-term debt and capital lease obligations, excluding current maturities
 
$
2,985
 
$
31,791
 
$
65,550
 


    (1) Includes future accrued interest of $0.8 million as of June 30, 2004 and $1.0 million as of December 31, 2003.

(2) Reflects our June 21, 2004, notice and commitment to redeem remaining principal amounts of our 12% Senior Subordinated Notes and our 8% Convertible Senior Subordinated Notes, respectively, on August 23, 2004, and resulting change in the maturity of such principal amount to the noticed redemption date.

(a)  12% Senior Subordinated Notes Due 2007 and 8% Convertible Senior Subordinated Notes Due 2007

Effective April 4, 2002, we completed the exchange of $57.9 million of the $61.8 million outstanding principal balance of our 4-1/2% Convertible Subordinated Notes due December 15, 2002 ("4-1/2% Convertible Subordinated Notes") for $53.2 million principal amount of our new 12% Senior Subordinated PIK Notes due August 2007 ("12% Senior Subordinated Notes") and $2.8 million principal amount of our new 8% Convertible Senior Subordinated Notes due August 2007 ("8% Convertible Senior Subordinated Notes") and cash paid of $0.5 million. In addition, we exchanged $17.4 million of the $18.1 million outstanding principal balance of our 5% Convertible Subordinated Notes ("5% Convertible Subordinated Notes") that mature on December 15, 2004 for $17.4 million principal amount of the 12% Senior Subordinated Notes.

On June 21, 2004, we provided a notice and commitment to redeem the remaining principal amounts of our 12% Senior Subordinated Notes and our 8% Convertible Senior Subordinated Notes on August 23, 2004. The 12% Senior Subordinated Notes and 8% Convertible Senior Subordinated Notes are redeemable at any time at our option at par value plus accrued interest to the redemption date.

In accordance with SFAS No. 15, "Accounting by Debtors and Creditors for Troubled Debt Restructurings," we accounted for the exchange of the 4-1/2% Convertible Subordinated Notes for $53.2 million of the 12% Senior Subordinated Notes and $2.8 million of the 8% Convertible Senior Subordinated Notes as a troubled debt restructuring. Since the total liability of $57.4 million ($57.9 million of principal as of the exchange date, less cash payments of $0.5 million) was less than the future cash flows to holders of 8% Convertible Senior Subordinated Notes and 12% Senior Subordinated Notes of $91.5 million (representing the $56.0 million of principal and $35.5 million of future interest expense), the liability remained on our balance sheet at $57.4 million as long-term debt. We recognized the difference of $1.4 million between principal and the carrying amount as a reduction of interest expense over the life of the new notes. The redemption of the 8% Convertible Senior Subordinated Notes prior to maturity will cause $0.8 million of future accrued interest benefit to be recorded as an offset to interest expense upon redemption.

(b)  5% Convertible Subordinated Notes Due 2004
 
As of June 30, 2004, we had $0.7 million principal amount outstanding of our 5% Convertible Subordinated Notes that mature on December 15, 2004. The notes are convertible, at the option of the holder, at a conversion price of $76.14 per share. The 5% Convertible Subordinated Notes are redeemable, in whole or in part at our option, at 100.71% of par.
 
 
7


(c)  Other

During the second quarter 2004, we entered into a vendor-financed computer software purchase agreement for upgrades to our database management systems. Approximately $2.7 million was outstanding under this agreement at June 30, 2004. Total assets under this purchase agreement are approximately $3.4 million as of June 30, 2004, consisting of a perpetual software license agreement of approximately $2.9 million and a one-year vendor maintenance agreement of approximately $0.5 million. The agreement is repayable in 12 quarterly installments, which includes interest based on an annual percentage rate of approximately 3% and annual maintenance agreement renewals.

(d)  Capital Leases

During 2003, we entered into a non-cancelable capital lease agreement for upgrades to our customer data storage equipment. Approximately $2.7 million and $3.4 million was outstanding under this agreement at June 30, 2004 and December 31, 2003, respectively. Total assets under this lease agreement are approximately $3.4 million as of June 30, 2004 and December 31, 2003. The lease is repayable in monthly installments through December 2006, which includes interest based on an annual percentage rate of approximately 2%.

NOTE 3. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

We are party to a number of legal actions and proceedings arising from our provision and marketing of telecommunications services (including matters involving do not call regulations), as well as certain legal actions and regulatory matters arising in the ordinary course of business. During the second quarter of 2003, we were made aware that AOL agreed to settle a class action case for approximately $10 million; the claims in the case allegedly relate to marketing activities conducted pursuant to the former telecommunications marketing agreement, between us and AOL. At the time of the settlement agreement, AOL asserted that we are required to indemnify AOL in this matter under the terms of the marketing agreement and advised that it will seek such indemnification from us. We believe that we do not have an obligation to indemnify AOL in this matter and that any claim by AOL for this indemnification would be without merit. We have received no further information regarding this matter and it is our intention, if AOL initiates a claim for indemnification under the marketing agreement, to defend against the claim vigorously. We believe that the ultimate outcome of the foregoing actions will not result in a liability that would have a material adverse effect on our financial condition or results of operations.

NOTE 4. STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

We account for our stock option awards under the intrinsic value based method of accounting prescribed by APB Opinion No. 25, "Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees," and related interpretations, including FASB Interpretation No. 44 "Accounting for Certain Transactions Including Stock Compensation," an interpretation of APB Opinion No. 25. Under the intrinsic value based method, compensation cost is the excess, if any, of the quoted market price of the stock at grant date or other measurement date over the amount an employee must pay to acquire the stock. We make pro forma disclosures of net income and earnings per share as if the fair value based method of accounting had been applied as required by SFAS No. 123, "Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation" and SFAS 148, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation - Transition and Disclosure - an amendment of SFAS 123.” The following disclosure complies with the adoption of this statement and includes pro forma net income as if the fair value based method of accounting had been applied (in thousands except for per share data):

 
8

 
 
 
 
Three Months Ended June 30, 
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
 
 
   
2004
 (restated) 
   
2003
(restated)
 
 
2004
(restated)
 
 
2003
(restated)
 
Net income as reported
 
$
8,422
 
$
10,771
 
$
16,710
 
$
20,114
 
Add: Stock-based employee compensation expense included in reported net income
   
--
   
--
   
5
   
--
 
Deduct: Total stock-based employee compensation expense determined under fair value based method for all options
   
1,439
   
340
   
2,875
   
562
 
Pro forma net income
 
$
6,983
 
$
10,431
 
$
13,840
 
$
19,552
 



                  
Three Months Ended June 30,
Six Months Ended June 30,
   
2004
 (restated)  
       
2003
(restated)
 
2004
(restated)
 
2003
(restated)
Basic earnings per share:
               
As reported
 
$ 0.31
 
$ 0.41
 
$ 0.63
 
$ 0.76
Pro forma
 
$ 0.25
 
$ 0.37
 
$ 0.50
 
$ 0.71
Diluted earnings per share:
               
As reported
 
$ 0.30
 
$ 0.37
 
$ 0.59
 
$ 0.70
Pro forma
 
$ 0.25
 
$ 0.36
 
$ 0.50
 
$ 0.69
 
For purposes of pro forma disclosures under SFAS 123, the estimated fair value of the options is assumed to be amortized to expense over the options' vesting period. The fair value of the options granted has been estimated at the various dates of the grants using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following assumptions:

                        ·      Fair market value based on our closing common stock price on the date the option is granted;
                        ·      Risk-free interest rate based on the weighted averaged 5 year U.S. treasury note strip rates;
 
·
Volatility based on the historical stock price over the expected term (5 years);
 
·
No expected dividend yield based on future dividend payment plans.

 NOTE 5. PER SHARE DATA

Basic earnings per common share for a fiscal period is calculated by dividing net income by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the fiscal period. Diluted earnings per common share is calculated by adjusting the weighted average number of common shares outstanding and the net income during the fiscal period for the assumed conversion of all potentially dilutive stock options, warrants and convertible bonds (and assuming that the proceeds hypothetically received from the exercise of dilutive stock options are used to repurchase our common stock at the average share price during the fiscal period). For the diluted earnings calculation, we also adjust the net income by the interest expense on the convertible bonds assumed to be converted. Income per share is computed as follows (in thousands except per share data):
 

 
9

 

 
   
Three Months Ended
June 30,
 
Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
 
 
 
   
2004
(restated) 
   
2003
(restated)
 
 
2004
(restated)
 
 
2003
(restated)
 
                           
Net income used to compute basic earnings per share
 
$
8,422
 
$
10,771
 
$
16,710
 
$
20,114
 
Interest expense on convertible bonds, net of tax affect (See Note 2 (a))
   
(5
)
 
183
   
(11
)
 
366
 
Net income used to compute diluted earnings per share
 
$
8,417
 
$
10,954
 
$
16,699
 
$
20,480
 
                           
Average shares of common stock outstanding used to compute basic earnings per share
   
26,746
   
26,226
   
26,710
   
26,300
 
Additional common shares to be issued assuming exercise of stock options and warrants (net of shares assumed reacquired) and conversion of convertible bonds *
   
1,293
   
3,337
   
1,380
   
3,045
 
Average shares of common and common equivalent stock outstanding used to compute diluted earnings per share
   
28,039
   
29,563
   
28,090
   
29,345
 
                           
Income per share - Basic:
                         
Net income per share
 
$
0.31
 
$
0.41
 
$
0.63
 
$
0.76
 
                           
Weighted average common shares outstanding
   
26,746
   
26,226
   
26,710
   
26,300
 
                           
                           
Income per share - Diluted:
                         
Net income per share
 
$
0.30
 
$
0.37
 
$
0.59
 
$
0.70
 
                           
Weighted average common and common equivalent shares outstanding
   
28,039
   
29,563
   
28,090
   
29,345
 

* The diluted share basis for the three and six months ended June 30, 2004 and 2003 both exclude 9 shares associated with certain convertible bonds due to their antidilutive effect. The diluted share basis for the three months ended June 30, 2004 and 2003 excludes 2,951 and 1,305 shares, respectively, and for the six months ended June 30, 2004 and 2003 excludes 2,928 and 1,595 shares, respectively, associated with the options and warrants due to their antidilutive effect.

10

NOTE 6. RESTATEMENT

Our consolidated financial statements have been revised to reflect the correction for the following errors:

(a)  
Due to a classification error in our general ledger, we incorrectly recorded certain customer fee revenues as sales, use and excise tax liability to the consolidated balance sheets for the four quarters of 2003, for the year ended December 31, 2003 and for the first and second quarters of 2004. These customer fee revenues were $0.3 million for the second quarter of 2004, $0.1 million for the second quarter of 2003, $0.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2004, $0.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2003, and an aggregate of $1.0 million for the full year 2003. These customer fees have now been appropriately recorded to revenues in the consolidated statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2003 and in the unaudited quarterly periods for the first and second quarters 2004 and 2003.
(b)  
We determined that in our calculations since the third quarter of 2003 we had not incorporated the tax benefits associated with the assumed exercise of employee stock options. As a result, fully diluted shares outstanding were over-reported and income per fully diluted share was understated in those periods.
(c)  
We identified errors in the computation of the deferred tax assets recognized in the third quarter of 2003 as follows: (i) failure to deduct state income tax expense from federal taxable income resulted in the deferred tax benefit as originally reported for the year ended December 31, 2003 and the unaudited third quarter of 2003 being understated by $0.9 million and (ii) failure to complete the appropriately detailed analysis of our deferred tax assets relating to state net operating loss carryforwards resulted in the deferred tax benefit as originally reported for the year ended December 31, 2003 and the unaudited third quarter of 2003 being understated by $1.7 million. In February 2005, we determined that we improperly corrected for the errors in the deferred tax computations through an adjustment to the effective tax rate for 2004 rather than through the restatement of our prior period financial statements. As a result, we have restated the first and second quarter of 2004 and the third and fourth quarter of 2003 and year end December 31, 2003.
(d)  
In connection with the release of the valuation allowance in the third quarter 2003, $6.5 million of deferred tax assets associated with acquired net operating loss carryforwards were realizable and should have been recorded as a deferred tax asset. Originally, we believed this deferred tax asset was limited due to provisions of the Internal Revenue Code Section 382. This error resulted in deferred tax assets being understated and goodwill being overstated in each of the periods beginning in the third quarter 2003. As a result, we have restated the first and second quarter of 2004 and the third and fourth quarter of 2003 and year end December 31, 2003.

As a result of these restatements, certain originally reported amounts in the consolidated statements of operations for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2004 and 2003 have been restated as follows (in thousands, except per share data):

 
 
11



 
 
   
As
Originally Reported 
 
 
Adjustments
 
 
As
Restated
 
                     
Three Months Ended June 30, 2004
                   
Revenue
 
$
114,881
 
$
332
 
$
115,213
 
Operating income
   
13,973
   
332
   
14,305
 
Provision for income taxes
   
5,025
   
458
   
5,483
 
Net income
   
8,548
   
(126
)
 
8,422
 
Net income per share - Basic
   
0.32
   
(0.01
)
 
0.31
 
Net income per share - Diluted
   
0.30
   
--
   
0.30
 
Weighted average common and common equivalent shares outstanding -Diluted
   
28,694
   
(655
)
 
28,039
 
                     
Three Months Ended June 30, 2003
                   
Revenue
 
$
93,748
 
$
158
 
$
93,906
 
Operating income
   
19,027
   
158
   
19,185
 
Provision for income taxes
   
6,825
   
62
   
6,887
 
Net income
   
10,675
   
96
   
10,771
 
Net income per share - Basic
   
0.41
   
--
   
0.41
 
Net income per share - Diluted
   
0.37
   
--
   
0.37
 
Weighted average common and common equivalent shares outstanding -Diluted
   
29,563
   
--
   
29,563
 
                     
Six Months Ended June 30, 2004
                   
Revenue
 
$
224,202
 
$
630
 
$
224,832
 
Operating income
   
28,076
   
630
   
28,706
 
Provision for income taxes
   
10,056
   
824
   
10,880
 
Net income
   
16,904
   
(194
)
 
16,710
 
Net income per share - Basic
   
0.63
   
--
   
0.63
 
Net income per share - Diluted
   
0.59
   
--
   
0.59
 
Weighted average common and common equivalent shares outstanding -Diluted
   
28,787
   
(697
)
 
28,090
 
                     
Six Months Ended June 30, 2003
                   
Revenue
 
$
181,591
 
$
517
 
$
182,108
 
Operating income
   
34,206
   
517
   
34,723
 
Provision (benefit) for income taxes
   
12,659
   
204
   
12,863
 
Net income
   
19,801
   
313
   
20,114
 
Net income per share - Basic
   
0.75
   
0.01
   
0.76
 
Net income per share - Diluted
   
0.69
   
0.01
   
0.70
 
Weighted average common and common equivalent shares outstanding -Diluted
   
29,345
   
4
   
29,349
 

As a result of these restatements, certain originally reported amounts in the consolidated balance sheets at June 30, 2004, December 31, 2003 and June 30, 2004 have been restated as follows (in thousands):

 
12

 


 
 
   
As
Originally Reported 
   
Adjustments
   
As
Restated
 
At June 30, 2004
                   
Deferred income tax assets
                   
   Current
 
$
26,338
 
$
--
 
$
26,338
 
   Long-term
   
30,619
   
8,238
   
38,857
 
Goodwill
   
19,503
   
(6,490
)
 
13,013
 
Total assets
   
239,996
   
1,748
   
241,744
 
Sales, use and excise taxes
   
14,926
   
(1,660
)
 
13,266
 
Deferred income taxes
   
19,840
   
248
   
20,088
 
Total liabilities
   
121,989
   
(1,414
)
 
120,575
 
Accumulated deficit
   
(233,436
)
 
3,162
   
(230,274
)
Total stockholders’ equity
   
118,007
   
3,162
   
121,169
 
                     
At December 31, 2003
                   
Deferred income tax assets
                   
   Current
 
$
24,605
 
$
--
 
$
24,605
 
   Long-term
   
40,543
   
7,745
   
48,288
 
Goodwill
   
19,503
   
(6,490
)
 
13,013
 
Total assets
   
245,923
   
1,255
   
247,178
 
Sales, use and excise taxes
   
14,551
   
(1,030
)
 
13,521
 
Deferred income taxes
   
19,904
   
(895
)
 
19,009
 
Total liabilities
   
146,136
   
(2,101
)
 
144,035
 
Accumulated deficit
   
(250,340
)
 
3,356
   
(246,984
)
Total stockholders’ equity
   
99,787
   
3,356
   
103,143
 
                     
At June 30, 2003*
                   
Deferred income tax assets
                   
   Current
 
$
10,653
 
$
(206
)
$
10,447
 
   Long-term
   
--
   
--
   
--
 
Goodwill
   
19,503
   
--
   
19,503
 
Total assets
   
169,318
   
2,254
   
171,572
 
Sales, use and excise taxes
   
12,794
   
(518
)
 
12,276
 
Deferred income taxes
   
--
   
--
   
--
 
Total liabilities
   
130,554
   
1,941
   
132,495
 
Accumulated deficit
   
(309,000
)
 
313
   
(308,687
)
Total stockholders’ equity
   
38,764
   
313
   
39,077
 
 
*  Certain amounts reflected herein for 2003 have been reclassified to reflect the 2004 presentation.

13

As a result of these restatements, certain originally reported amounts for cash flows from operating activities in the consolidated statement of cash flows have been adjusted as follows (in thousands):

 
 
   
As
Originally Reported 
 
 
Adjustments
 
 
As
Restated
 
                     
 
At June 30, 2004
                   
Cash flows from operating activities:
                   
    Net income
 
$
16,904
 
$
(194
)
$
16,710
 
    Deferred income taxes
   
8,884
   
650
   
9,534
 
    Changes in assets and liabilities:
                   
      Sales, use and excise taxes
   
375
   
(630
)
 
(255
)
        Other current liabilities and accrued compensation
   
(7,786
)
 
174
   
(7,612
)
           Net cash provided by operating activities
   
30,795
   
--
   
30,795
 
                     
At June 30, 2003
                   
Cash flows from operating activities:
                   
    Net income
 
$
19,801
 
$
313
 
$
20,114
 
    Deferred income taxes
   
11,647
   
204
   
11,851
 
    Changes in assets and liabilities:
                   
Sales, use and excise taxes
   
1,354
   
(517
)
 
837
 
Other current liabilities and accrued compensation
   
(3,188
)
 
--
   
(3,188
)
Net cash provided by operating activities
   
35,084
   
--
   
35,084
 
 
 
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

You should read the following discussion in conjunction with our Consolidated Financial Statements included elsewhere in this Form 10-Q and in our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed March 12, 2004, as amended by our Form 10-K/A filed May 7, 2004, as restated by our Form 10-K/A Amendment No. 2 filed March 28, 2005 and any subsequent filings. Certain of the statements contained herein may be considered “forward-looking statements” for purposes of the securities laws. From time to time, oral or written forward-looking statements may also be included in other materials released to the public. These forward-looking statements are intended to provide our management’s current expectations or plans for our future operating and financial performance, based on our current expectations and assumptions currently believed to be valid. For these statements, we claim protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking statements provided by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking words or phrases, including, but not limited to, “believes,” "estimates," "expects," "expected," "anticipates," "anticipated," “plans,” “strategy,” “target,” “prospects” and other words of similar meaning in connection with a discussion of future operating or financial performance. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, there can be no assurance that such expectations will prove to have been correct.

All forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that may cause our actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements. In addition to those factors discussed in this Form 10-Q Report, you should see our other reports on Forms 10-K, 10-Q and 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission from time to time for information identifying factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements.
 

 
14


OVERVIEW

We offer a bundle of local and long distance phone services to residential and small business customers in the United States. Our current business strategy is to build a large, profitable base of bundled phone service customers using the wholesale operating platforms of the incumbent local telephone companies and to then migrate customers to our own networking platform and further increase our revenues and profitability by offering new products and services to these customers. As a result of the decision earlier this year by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia (discussed under “Other Matters”, below) that reversed important portions of the FCC’s orders requiring incumbent local telephone companies to provide unbundled network elements by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia, the FCC is in the process of creating interim and eventually final rules that govern the manner in which we purchase services from the incumbent local telephone carriers, including the unbundled network element platform. The FCC expects to complete final rules within six months of announcing interim rules. As of the date of this report, the FCC has not issued the interim rules. While the content of the interim and final rules are not known, they are likely to contain provisions that would cause our costs to significantly increase over time. These cost increases will have a negative impact on our product pricing and our ability to add new customers and thus may affect our current business strategy.

An integral element of our current business strategy is to develop our own local networking capability. Local networking would enhance our operating flexibility and provide us with an alternative to the wholesale operating platforms of the incumbent local telephone companies. During 2003, we deployed networking assets in Michigan and have provisioned over 3,500 customers to our switch from our colocation site in Southfield, Michigan as of June 30, 2004. We are currently in the process of expanding our presence in the incumbent local telephone companies’ end offices by collocating our networking equipment in these end offices to provide service over our own network to a larger existing customer base in geographic regions where we have a high density of customers. We expect to have equipment collocated and operating in at least 18 different sites by the end of 2004 or the beginning of 2005. We are in the process of automating the business processes required to provide local network-based services. In addition, we are actively exploring next generation networking opportunities with a variety of vendors in order to decrease our cost of delivering service, reduce our reliance upon the incumbent local telephone companies and provide local telephone services through new, innovative methods of delivery.

In addition, we will add new services and enhance our existing service and product offerings, as available. We believe that the addition of these new services and of enhanced services will increase our revenues and gross margins from our customers while also meeting the needs and demands of our customers and reducing our customer turnover. We launched a new dial-up internet service in June 2004, and expect to test digital subscriber line, or DSL, service in the third quarter 2004.


15

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following table sets forth for the periods indicated certain of our financial data as a percentage of revenue:

   
Three Months Ended June 30,
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
 
 
 
   
2004
(restated) 
   
2003
(restated)
 
 
2004
(restated)
 
 
2003
(restated)
 
Revenue
   
100.0
%
 
100.0
%
 
100.0
%
 
100.0
%
Costs and expenses:
                         
Network and line costs
   
48.2
   
46.1
   
48.8
   
47.9
 
    General and administrative expenses
   
13.8
   
13.4
   
13.8
   
13.9
 
Provision for doubtful accounts
   
4.3
   
3.1
   
3.7
   
2.8
 
Sales and marketing expenses
   
16.7
   
12.4
   
16.2
   
11.5
 
Depreciation and amortization
   
4.6
   
4.6
   
4.6
   
4.8
 
Total costs and expenses
   
87.6
   
79.6
   
87.2
   
80.9
 
Operating income
   
12.4
   
20.4
   
12.8
   
19.1
 
Other income (expense):
                         
Interest income
   
--
   
0.2
   
0.1
   
0.2
 
Interest expense
   
(0.3
)
 
(2.2
)
 
(0.6
)
 
(2.5
)
Other, net
   
--
   
0.4
   
--
   
1.3
 
Income before income taxes
   
12.1
   
18.8
   
12.3
   
18.1
 
Provision for income taxes
   
4.8
   
7.3
   
4.8
   
7.1
 
Net income
   
7.3
%
 
11.5
%
 
7.5
%
 
11.0
%
 
 
 

 
16

The following table sets forth for certain items of our financial data for the periods indicated the percentage increase or (decrease) in such item from the prior year comparable fiscal period:

 
   
Three Months Ended June 30,
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
   
2004
(restated)
 
2003
(restated)
 
2004
(restated)
 
2003
(restated)
Revenue
 
22.7%
 
20.9%
 
23.5%
 
15.9%
Costs and expenses:
               
Network and line costs
 
28.5
 
14.9
 
26.0
 
11.9
    General and administrative expenses
 
26.6
 
(8.0)
 
22.1
 
(9.9)
Provision for doubtful accounts
 
69.4
 
3.4
 
62.7
 
(24.8)
Sales and marketing expenses
 
65.1
 
68.2
 
73.8
 
64.0
Depreciation and amortization
 
21.5
 
(1.1)
 
20.3
 
(2.1)
         Total costs and expenses
 
35.1
 
14.2
 
33.1
 
9.5
Operating income
 
(25.4)
 
56.8
 
(17.3)
 
54.0
Other income (expense):
               
Interest income
 
(77.4)
 
97.9
 
(51.5)
 
61.7
Interest expense
 
(78.2)
 
(30.1)
 
(72.1)
 
3.0
Other, net
 
(100.0)
 
3588.9
 
(100.0)
 
(402.1)
Income before income taxes
 
(21.3)
 
87.5
 
(16.3)
 
87.9
Provision for income taxes
 
(20.4)
 
N/A
 
(15.4)
 
N/A
Net income
 
(21.8)%
 
14.4%
 
(16.9)
 
14.6%




17



SECOND QUARTER 2004 COMPARED TO SECOND QUARTER 2003

Revenue. The increase in revenue for the second quarter 2004 from the second quarter 2003 was due to the increase in bundled revenue offset by a decline in long distance revenue. During 2004, we increased certain fees and rates related to our long distance and bundled products and such changes in rates may adversely impact customer turnover.

The increase in bundled revenue to $99.4 million for the second quarter 2004 from $67.8 million for the second quarter 2003 was due to higher average bundled lines in 2004 as compared to 2003, partially offset by lower average monthly revenue per customer. We ended the second quarter 2004 with 672,000 billed bundled lines, compared to 443,000 at the end of the second quarter 2003 and 623,000 at the end of the first quarter 2004. Approximately 50% of the bundled lines at the end of the second quarter 2004 were in Michigan, compared to 68% at the end of the second quarter 2003, reflecting our continued efforts to market into new states. A significant increase in the costs we pay for network services from the incumbent local telephone carriers may cause us to dramatically limit the marketing of new customers in some or all states, resulting in a decline in revenues in the future.

Our long distance revenue decreased for the second quarter 2004 to $15.8 million from $26.0 million for the second quarter 2003. Our decision in 2000 to invest in building a bundled customer base, together with customer turnover, contributed to the decline in long distance customers and revenue, although the effect on revenue of the decline in customers was offset partially by an increase in average monthly revenue per customer due to price increases. We expect this decline in long distance customers and revenues to continue.

Network and Line Costs The increase of network and line costs for the second quarter 2004 from the second quarter 2003 is primarily due to the increase in bundled customers, partially offset by the decrease in long distance customers. The lower total network and line costs as a percentage of revenue were due primarily to lower network costs as a percentage of revenue for both the bundled and long distance products. This decrease was partially offset by a shift in our customer base to the higher cost bundled product from the lower cost long distance product and increases in network cost pricing and costs of unbundled network elements in certain states. Network and line costs exclude depreciation and amortization.

Bundled network and line costs were $49.7 million for the second quarter 2004, as compared to $32.0 million for the second quarter 2003. Long distance network and line costs were $5.8 million for the second quarter 2004, as compared to $11.2 million for the second quarter 2003. As a percentage of bundled revenue, bundled and network line costs were 50.1% for the second quarter 2004, as compared to 47.2% for the second quarter 2003. Long distance network and line costs as a percentage of long distance revenue were 36.8% for the second quarter 2004, as compared to 43.1% for the second quarter 2003. During the second quarter 2004, we recorded liabilities for network and line costs related to retroactive cost increases pending the resolution of a rate proceeding in the State of Georgia and other matters. The increase in these liabilities was partially offset by a reduction in accruals for network and line costs due to the expiration of the period to backbill us certain charges. In addition during the second quarter 2004, we received a credit of $1.3 million related to a retroactive reduction in certain switching costs for Bell South.

18

We structure and price our products in order to maintain network and line costs as a percentage of revenue at certain targeted levels. While the control of the structure and pricing of our products assists us in mitigating risks of increases in network and line costs, the telecommunications industry is highly competitive and there can be no assurances that we will be able to effectively market these higher priced products. There are several factors that could cause our network and line costs as a percentage of revenue to increase in the future, including without limitation:

· Determinations by the FCC, courts, or state commission(s) that make unbundled local switching and/or combinations of unbundled network elements effectively unavailable to us in some or all of our geographic service areas, requiring us to provide services in these areas through other means, including total service resale agreements with incumbent local telephone companies, network elements purchased from the Regional Bell Operating Companies at "just and reasonable" rates under Section 271 of the Act and the switching facilities of other non-incumbent carriers, in any case at significantly increased costs, or to provide services over our own switching facilities, if we are able to deploy them. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia, on March 2, 2004, issued an order that reversed the FCC’s Triennial Review Order in part and remanded to the FCC with instructions to revise the Order in material ways that may make unbundled local switching and/or combinations of unbundled network elements effectively unavailable to us in some or all of our geographic service areas (see our discussion under "Liquidity and Capital Resources, Other Matters," below).
 
· Adverse changes to the current pricing methodology mandated by the FCC for use in establishing the prices charged to us by incumbent local telephone companies for the use of their unbundled network elements. The FCC’s 2003 Triennial Review Order, which was reversed in part and remanded to the FCC with instructions to revise the Order in material ways, (see our discussion under "Liquidity and Capital Resources, Other Matters," below), clarified several aspects of these pricing principles related to depreciation, fill factors (i.e. network utilization) and cost of capital, which could enable incumbent local telephone companies to increase the prices for unbundled network elements. In addition, the FCC released a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on December 15, 2003, which initiated a proceeding to consider making additional changes to its unbundled network element pricing methodology, including reforms that would base prices more on the actual network costs incurred by incumbent local telephone companies than on the hypothetical network costs that would be incurred when the most efficient technology is used. These changes could result in material increases in prices charged to us for unbundled network elements.
 
· Determinations by state commissions to increase prices for unbundled network elements in ongoing state cost dockets.
 
Changes in the pricing of our service plans could also cause network and line costs as a percentage of revenue to change in the future. See our discussion under "Liquidity and Capital Resources, Other Matters," below.

General and Administrative Expenses. General and administrative expenses increased for the second quarter 2004 from the second quarter 2003 primarily due to an increase in the number of employees for customer service, information technology and our local networking initiatives to support our expanding base of bundled customers. The increase was also attributable to a new operating lease for information technology equipment.
 
Provision for Doubtful Accounts. The provision for doubtful accounts increased for the second quarter 2004 from the second quarter 2003. The increase in bad debt expense is primarily attributable to the increase in bundled revenue, both in total and as a percentage of total revenue. In addition, the provision for doubtful accounts as a percentage of revenues increased in the second quarter 2004 due to an insufficient number of collections personnel.

Sales and Marketing Expenses. The increase in sales and marketing expenses for the second quarter 2004 from the second quarter 2003 is primarily attributable to increased levels of sales and marketing activity to continue our bundled sales growth. The cost of acquiring a customer has also increased. Currently, substantially all of our sales and marketing expenses relate to the bundled product.
 
19


Interest Expense. The decrease in interest expense for the second quarter 2004 from the second quarter 2003 is primarily attributable to the decrease in outstanding debt balances through repurchases of our 12% Senior Subordinated Notes during 2003 and the first quarter 2004, and our 8% Secured Convertible Notes during 2003. Interest expense in the third quarter 2004 will include an $0.8 million benefit related to the redemption of the 8% Convertible Senior Subordinated Notes prior to maturity.

Depreciation and Amortization. The increase in depreciation and amortization for the second quarter 2004 from the second quarter 2003 is primarily attributable to depreciation on costs incurred in 2003 related to our deployment of networking assets (our local switch and colocation equipment) in Michigan, and amortization of capitalized software projects completed during 2003 primarily related to the development of customer relations management software.

Other Income, Net. Other income for the second quarter 2003 consists of gains from our repurchase of a portion of our 12% Senior Subordinated Notes at a discount to par.

Provision for Income Taxes. The effective tax rate for the second quarter 2004 was 39.4%. The increase in the effective tax rate reflects the impact of income tax returns filed during the first quarter 2004 for the 2003 tax year. The effective tax rate is expected to be approximately 39.4% for fiscal 2004 and approximately 39.8% for fiscal 2005. As a result of the application of net operating loss carryforwards, we currently need only pay accrued alternative minimum taxes and state income taxes; we expect net-operating losses will be fully utilized during 2007. During the second half of 2004, we expect to resolve certain tax benefits related to net operating loss carryforwards not previously recognized.


YEAR TO DATE 2004 COMPARED TO YEAR TO DATE 2003

Revenue. The increase in revenue for the year to date 2004 from the year to date 2003 was due to the increase in bundled revenue offset by a decline in long distance revenue. During 2004, we increased certain fees and rates related to our long distance and bundled products and such changes in rates may adversely impact customer turnover.

The increase in bundled revenue to $191.4 million for the year to date 2004 from $128.4 million for the year to date 2003 was due to higher average bundled lines in 2004 as compared to 2003, partially offset by lower average monthly revenue per customer.

Our long distance revenue decreased for the year to date 2004 to $33.4 million from $53.8 million for the year to date 2003. Our decision in 2000 to invest in building a bundled customer base, together with customer turnover, contributed to the decline in long distance customers and revenue, although the effect on revenue of the decline in customers was offset partially by an increase in average monthly revenue per customer due to price increases. We expect this decline in long distance customers and revenues to continue.

Network and Line Costs. The increase of network and line costs for the year to date 2004 from the year to date 2003 is primarily due to the increase in bundled customers, partially offset by the decrease in long distance customers. The lower total network and line costs as a percentage of revenue were due primarily to lower network costs as a percentage of revenue for both the bundled and long distance products. This decrease was partially offset by a shift in our customer base to the higher cost bundled product from the lower cost long distance product and increases in network cost pricing and costs of unbundled network elements in certain states.

Bundled network and line costs were $97.1 million for the year to date 2004, as compared to $64.1 million for the year to date 2003. Long distance network and line costs were $12.7 million for the year to date 2004, as compared to $23.0 million for the year to date 2003. As a percentage of bundled revenue, bundled and network line costs were 50.7% for the year to date 2004, as compared to 50.0% for the year to date 2003. Long distance network and line costs as a percentage of long distance revenue were 38.1% for the year to date 2004, as compared to 42.8% for the year to date 2003. During the year to date 2004, we recorded liabilities for network and line costs related to retroactive cost increases pending the resolution of a rate proceeding in the State of Georgia and other matters. The increase in these liabilities was partially offset by a reduction in accruals for network and line costs due to the expiration of the period to backbill us certain charges. In addition during the second quarter 2004, we received a credit of $1.3 million related to a retroactive reduction in certain switching costs for Bell South.

20

General and Administrative Expenses. General and administrative expenses increased for the year to date 2004 from the year to date 2003 primarily due to an increase in the number of employees for customer service, information technology and our local networking initiatives to support our expanding base of bundled customers. The increase was also attributable to a new operating lease for information technology equipment.
 
Provision for Doubtful Accounts. The provision for doubtful accounts increased for the year to date 2004 from the year to date 2003. The increase in bad debt expense is primarily attributable to the increase in bundled revenue, both in total and as a percentage of total revenue. In addition, the provision for doubtful accounts as a percentage of revenues increased in the second quarter 2004 due to an insufficient number of collections personnel.

Sales and Marketing Expenses. The increase in sales and marketing expenses for the year to date 2004 from the year to date 2003 is primarily attributable to increased levels of sales and marketing activity to continue our bundled sales growth. The cost of acquiring a customer has also increased. Currently, substantially all of our sales and marketing expenses relate to the bundled product.

Interest Expense. The decrease in interest expense for the year to date 2004 from the year to date 2003 is primarily attributable to the decrease in outstanding debt balances through repurchases of our 12% Senior Subordinated Notes during 2003 and 2004, and our 8% Secured Convertible Notes during 2003.
 
Depreciation and Amortization. The increase in depreciation and amortization for the year to date 2004 from the year to date 2003 is primarily attributable to depreciation on costs incurred in 2003 related to our deployment of networking assets (our local switch and colocation equipment) in Michigan, and amortization of capitalized software projects completed during 2003 primarily related to the development of customer relations management software.

Other Income, Net. Other income for the year to date 2003 consists of gains from our repurchase of a portion of our 12% Senior Subordinated Notes at a discount to par.

Provision for Income Taxes. The effective tax rate for the year to date 2004 was 39.4%. The increase in the effective tax rate reflects the impact of income tax returns filed during the first quarter 2004 for the 2003 tax year. The effective tax rate is expected to be approximately 39.4% for fiscal 2004. As a result of the application of net operating loss carryforwards, we currently need only pay accrued alternative minimum taxes and state income taxes; we expect net operating losses will be fully utilized by the end of 2007.

  
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Our management assesses our liquidity in terms of our ability to generate cash to fund our operations, capital expenditures and debt service obligations. For the second quarters 2004 and 2003, our operating activities provided net cash flow of $18.9 million and $20.5 million, respectively, which was used by us along with existing cash and cash equivalents, to reduce our outstanding debt obligations and fund capital expenditures and capitalized software development costs. As of June 30, 2004, we had $30.4 million in cash and cash equivalents and long-term debt (including current maturities) of $20.5 million, compared to $35.2 million and $48.6 million, respectively, at December 31, 2003.
 
 
21

Our contractual obligations as of June 30, 2004 are summarized by years to maturity as follows (in thousands):


Contractual Obligations
 
Total
 
1 year or
less
 
2 - 3
Years
 
4 - 5
Years
 
Thereafter
 
                               
Talk America Holdings, Inc.:
                               
12% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2007 (1)
 
$
10,730
 
$
10,730
 
$
--
 
$
--
 
$
--
 
8% Convertible Senior Subordinated Notes due 2007 (2)
   
3,648
   
3,648
   
--
   
--
   
--
 
5% Convertible Subordinated Notes due 2004
   
670
   
670
   
--
   
--
   
--
 
                                 
                                 
Talk America Inc. and other subsidiaries:
                               
    Capital lease obligations
   
2,747
   
1,121
   
1,626
   
--
   
--
 
Other, primarily vendor-financed computer software
   
2,744
   
1,385
   
1,359
   
--
   
--
 
     
20,539
   
17,554
   
2,985
   
--
   
--
 
                                 
Operating leases
   
6,848
   
2,781
   
3,267
   
390
   
410
 
Carrier commitments (3)
   
81,650
   
19,250
   
41,600
   
20,800
   
--
 
                                 
Total Contractual Obligations
 
$
109,037
 
$
39,585
 
$
47,852
 
$
21,190
 
$
410
 

(1) Reflects our June 21, 2004, notice and commitment to redeem entire remaining principal amount of these 12% Senior Subordinated Notes on August 23, 2004, and resulting change in the maturity of such principal amount to the noticed redemption date.

(2) The amount of the 8% Convertible Senior Subordinated Notes include $2.8 million of principal and $0.8 million of future accrued interest, and reflects our June 21, 2004, notice and commitment to redeem entire remaining principal amount of these notes on August 23, 2004, and resulting change in the maturity of such principal amount to the noticed redemption date.

(3) In December 2003, we entered into a new four-year master carrier agreement with AT&T. The agreement provides us with a variety of services, including transmission facilities to connect our network switches as well as services for international calls, local traffic, international calling cards, overflow traffic and operator assisted calls. The agreement also provides that, subject to certain terms and conditions, we will purchase these services exclusively from AT&T during the term of the agreement, provided, however, that we are not obligated to purchase exclusively in certain cases, including if such purchases would result in a breach of any contract with another carrier that was in place when we entered into the AT&T agreement, or if vendor diversity is required. Certain of our network service agreements, including the AT&T agreement, contain certain minimum usage commitments. Our contract with AT&T establishes pricing and provides for annual minimum revenue commitments based upon usage as follows: 2004 - $25 million, 2005 - $32 million, 2006 - $32 million and 2007 - $32 million and obligates us to pay 65 percent of the revenue shortfall, if any. A separate contract with a different vendor establishes pricing and provides for annual minimum payments for 2004 of $3.0 million. To the extent that we are unable to meet these minimum commitments, our costs of purchasing the services under the agreement will correspondingly increase.

Cash Provided By Operating Activities. Net cash provided by operating activities was $30.8 for the year to date 2004. The major contributors to the net cash provided by operating activities in this period were:
· Net income of $16.7 million;
· Increases in accounts payable of $7.7 million, primarily due to increased levels of sales and marketing activity, and an increase in network and line costs primarily due to the increase in bundled customers;
· Non-cash items of $25.2 million, including utilization of deferred tax assets of $9.5 million. The application of NOL carryforwards has limited our current payment of income taxes to cash taxes for alternative minimum taxes and state income taxes. We expect that our NOLs will be fully utilized during 2007;
· An increase in deferred revenue of $3.6 million for advance customer billings, primarily due to the growth in bundled customers.

22

 
Partially offsetting these contributors to the net cash provided by operating activities were:
· An increase in accounts receivable of $16.1 million due to the growth of our customer base. We generally do not have a significant concentration of credit risk with respect to net trade accounts receivable, due to the large number of end-users comprising our customer base;
· A decrease in accrued compensation of $4.9 million due to payment of year-end performance bonuses;
· A decrease in other current liabilities of $2.6 million primarily attributable to a decrease in accrued interest due to both lower debt levels and accrued interest payments.

For the year to date 2003, the major contributors to the net cash provided by operating activities were:
· Net income of $20.1 million;
· An increase in accounts payable of $2.3 million attributable to an increase in network and line costs primarily due to the increase in bundled customers;
                
    Non-cash items of $22.9 million, primarily consisting of utilization of deferred tax assets of $11.8 million;
· An increase in deferred revenue of $2.2 million for advance customer billings, primarily due to the growth in bundled customers;
· A decrease in other assets of $1.4 million attributable to repayment of a related party loan.

Partially offsetting these contributors to the net cash provided by operating activities were:
· An increase in accounts receivable of $11.2 million, primarily due to the continued shift in our customer base from long distance customers to local bundled customers with higher average monthly revenue per customer.
· A decrease in accrued compensation of $1.3 million primarily due to payment of year-end performance bonuses;
· A decrease in other current liabilities of $1.8 million primarily attributable to accrued interest payments.


Net Cash Used in Investing Activities. Net cash used in investing activities was $5.1 million during the year to date 2004, consisting of capitalized software development costs of $1.8 million and capital expenditures of $3.3 million, consisting primarily of upgrades to our information technology capabilities and build-out of our local networking platform.

In 2004, we have made application for and we plan to have equipment collocated and operating in a total of eighteen colocations by the end of 2004 and the beginning of 2005 and to continue migrating local bundled customers over to our network. In 2004, we expect to incur capital expenditures of approximately $20 to $25 million for both network and non-network assets. As a result of the FCC’s expected pronouncement of interim and final rules that are expected to adversely affect availability and pricing of various network elements and bundles thereof, including the unbundled network element platform of the local telephone carriers network, we may need to further accelerate our plans for 2005 to migrate those customers to our own networking platform and our capital expenditures would increase significantly, although there can be no assurance that we will be successful in such efforts.

Capitalized software development costs consist of direct development costs associated with internal-use computer software, including external direct costs of material and services and payroll costs for employees devoting time to the software projects. In 2003, capitalized software development costs totaled $2.7 million and were primarily related to the development of customer relations management software. In 2004, we expect software development costs to increase moderately as we continue to develop the integrated information systems required to provide local switch-based service.

Net cash used in investing activities was $5.6 million during the year to date 2003, consisting of capitalized software development costs of $1.4 million and capital expenditures primarily for the purchase of equipment of $4.2 million.

Net Cash Used in Financing Activities. Net cash used in financing activities for the second quarters 2004 and 2003 was $30.5 and $37.2 million, primarily attributable to debt repayment of $30.4 and $32.7 million, respectively. In addition, for the year to date 2003, pursuant to our share buyback program announced in January 2003, we purchased 1,315,789 shares for a purchase price of $5.0 million. On June 1, 2004, we announced that our Board of Directors had authorized a share buyback program for us to purchase up to $ 50 million of our outstanding shares. To date we have not purchased any shares under the program.

During the first half of 2004, we redeemed the $15 million of 12% Senior Subordinated Notes for which we had given notice in February 2004. On June 21, 2004, we noticed and committed to redeem all of the approximately $10.7 million remaining principal amount of our 12% Senior Subordinated Notes and $2.8 million remaining principal amount of our 8% Convertible Senior Subordinated Notes on August 23, 2004, with the resulting change in the maturity of such principal amounts to the noticed redemption date. In addition, in June 2004, we announced a new share buyback program to purchase up to $50 million of our outstanding shares. The shares may be purchased from time to time, in the open market and/or private transactions.

While we believe that we have access to new capital in the public or private markets to fund our ongoing cash requirements, there can be no assurance as to the timing, amounts, terms or conditions of any such new capital or whether it could be obtained on terms acceptable to us. We anticipate that our cash requirements will generally be met from our cash-on-hand and from cash generated from operations. Based on our current projections for operations, we believe that our cash-on-hand and our cash flow from operations will be sufficient to fund our currently contemplated capital expenditures, our debt service obligations, and the expenses of conducting our operations for at least the next twelve months. However, there can be no assurance that we will be able to realize our projected cash flows from operations, which is subject to the risks and uncertainties discussed in this report, or that we will not be required to consider capital expenditures in excess of those currently contemplated, as discussed in this report.

23


 
OTHER MATTERS
 
 Our provision of telecommunications services is subject to government regulation.  Recent changes in these regulations are likely to have a material adverse effect on us.  Our local telecommunications services are provided almost exclusively through the use of unbundled network elements purchased from incumbent local telephone companies, and it is primarily the availability of unbundled network elements priced by regulators at cost-based rates that has enabled us to price our local telecommunications services competitively.  FCC rules that were in effect until June 15, 2004 required incumbent local telephone companies to provide an unbundled network element platform, that includes all of the network elements required by a competitor to provide a competitive retail local telecommunications service, in most geographic areas. 
 
Through the use of unbundled network element platforms of the incumbent local telephone company, we have been able to provide retail local telecommunications services entirely through the use of the incumbent local telephone companies' facilities at substantially lower prices than those available for resale through total service resale agreements.  However, on March 2, 2004, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia reversed the FCC order that adopted the rules requiring incumbent local telephone companies to provide unbundled network elements in important respects.  Among other things, the Court ruled that the FCC had improperly determined that the ability of competitive local telephone carriers such as us was impaired nationwide without access to the local switching and high capacity transport unbundled network elements, and that the FCC had erroneously delegated decision-making authority over where particular unbundled network elements must be provided to state commissions.  Accordingly, the Court of Appeals vacated important portions of the FCC's orders relating to the provision of unbundled network elements effective as of June 15, 2004, including the portions that required incumbent local telephone carriers to provide critical components of the unbundled network element platform.  Thus, although we and other carriers have appealed the Court's ruling to the U.S. Supreme Court, as of the date of this report there are no effective FCC rules that require incumbent local telephone carriers to provide the unbundled network element platform that we currently rely upon to provide our local telecommunications services and there are no rules in place requiring incumbent local telephone carriers to provide the high capacity transport unbundled network elements that we have intended to use to deploy our own switching facilities in the future.

Should the unbundled network element platform become effectively unavailable to us due to this adverse judicial ruling or otherwise, we will be unable to offer our telecommunications services as we have done in the past and will instead be required to serve customers through total service resale agreements with the incumbent local telephone companies, through the use of our own network facilities, by migrating customers onto the networks of other facilities-based competitive local telephone companies, or perhaps by purchasing critical unbundled network elements at presumably higher "just and reasonable" rates pursuant to Section 271 of the Act.  Similarly, should cost-based transport unbundled network elements become effectively unavailable to us due to this adverse judicial ruling or otherwise, our plans to deploy our own network facilities could be substantially impeded, and we could be forced to substitute the use of facilities purchased at higher special access rates or transport services purchased from other facilities-based competitive local telephone carriers.   In either event, our cost of service could rise dramatically and our plans for a service roll-out for use of our own network facilities could be delayed substantially or derailed entirely.  This would have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, operating margins, results of operations, cash flows and financial condition.

The regional Bell telephone companies all have announced plans to continue to provide all of the unbundled network element platform until late 2004.  These announcements are non-binding, do not in all cases include high capacity transport facilities, and do not extend beyond late 2004.  In addition, FCC officials have publicly stated an intention to require incumbent local telephone companies to provide all unbundled network elements through the end of 2004, but there is no assurance that they will issue such an order or that the courts will permit it to take effect.  Even if the FCC took such action, unbundled network elements would be available to us in 2005 only at substantially higher rates, if at all, unless the FCC takes additional action to promulgate new permanent rules requiring incumbent local telephone companies to provide unbundled network elements at cost-based rates.

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CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Our discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations are based upon our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. Certain amounts for 2003 have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation. The preparation of these financial statements requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. On an on-going basis, we evaluate our estimates, including those related to bad debt, goodwill and intangible assets, income taxes, sales taxes, network and line costs, contingencies and litigation. We base our estimates and judgments on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.

In March 2004, the Emerging Issues Task Force ("EITF") issued EITF 03-6, “Participating Securities and the Two-Class Method Under FASB Statement No. 128, Earnings per Share” This issue addresses the computation of earnings per share ("EPS") by companies that have issued securities other than common stock that contractually entitle the holder to participate in dividends and earnings of the company when, and if, it declares dividends on its common stock. The provisions of EITF 03-6 are not expected to have a material effect on the Company’s method and presentation with respect to earnings per share .

Additional information about these critical accounting policies may by found in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003 filed March 12, 2004, as amended by our Form 10-K/A filed May 7, 2004, as restated by our form 10-K/A Amendment No. 2 filed March 28, 2005 and in Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, under the heading Critical Accounting Policies.

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

Disclosure Controls and Procedures—We maintain disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our reports under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC's rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to management, including our Chief Executive Officer ("CEO") and Chief Financial Officer ("CFO"), as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

We carried out an evaluation under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including the CEO and CFO, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Exchange Act) as of June 30, 2004. Based upon this evaluation, our CEO and the CFO concluded that, for the reasons described below, our disclosure controls and procedures were not effective as of June 30, 2004.

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We have restated our previously issued consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2003, the four quarters of 2003, the first and second quarters of 2004. This restatement was primarily the result of the following material weaknesses:

1. We did not maintain effective controls over the application of generally accepted accounting principles related to the financial reporting process for complex transactions. Specifically, we did not have personnel who possess sufficient depth, skills and experience in accounting for and review of complex transactions in the financial reporting process to ensure that complex transactions were accounted for in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. This control deficiency resulted in the restatement of our financial statements for the third and fourth quarters of 2003, the year ended December 31, 2003 and the first and second quarters of 2004.

2. We did not maintain effective controls over sales, use and excise tax liabilities. Specifically, our reconciliation and review procedures with respect to sales, use and excise tax liability that we collect and remit did not identify that certain customer fee revenue had been incorrectly recorded in the sales, use and excise tax general ledger account. This control deficiency resulted in the restatement of our revenues and sales, use and excise tax liability for each of the quarters in 2003, the year ended December 31, 2003 and the first and second quarters of 2004.

The restatements, described above, were for matters related to (a) the recognition in revenue in the four quarters 2003, the year ended December 31, 2003 and for the first and second quarter of 2004 of certain customer fees previously recorded in those periods as increases in current liabilities; (b) the calculation of outstanding diluted weighted average common and common equivalent shares since the third quarter 2003 to reflect the inclusion of assumed tax benefits in the proceeds used to repurchase shares in the application of the treasury stock method of accounting for outstanding options; (c) for the third and fourth quarters 2003 and the year ended December 31, 2003, a correction in the calculation of net operating losses utilized in 2003 and in the calculation of state deferred tax assets; and (d) the recording, beginning in the third quarter 2003 and for the year ended December 31, 2003, of a deferred tax asset associated with acquired net operating loss carryforwards. Refer to Note 6 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further information regarding this restatement, including the effect of the restatement for each of the four quarters of 2003, the year ended December 31, 2003 and the second quarter of 2004.
 
To address these material weaknesses, subsequent to June 30, 2004, we have taken the following actions:
 
1.  
Engaging outside contractors with technical and accounting related expertise to assist in the preparation of the income tax provision and related work papers. We are also implementing controls to assure accurate data is provided to, and that we review and agree with the conclusions of, outside contractors.
 
2.  
Outside contractors with technical accounting capabilities have been and will be retained to the extent an issue is sufficiently complex and outside the technical accounting capabilities of our personnel.
 
3.  
We have redesigned the account reconciliation process for sales, use and excise tax liabilities. Our Controller will increase the depth of review of the account reconciliation and our Chief Accounting Officer will confirm that established review processes are being adhered to.

We are in the process of developing procedures for the testing of these controls to determine if the material weaknesses have been remediated. We will continue the implementation of policies, processes and procedures regarding the review of complex transactions. Management believes that our controls and procedures will continue to improve as a result of the further implementation of these measures.

The changes to internal control over financial reporting were implemented subsequent to the quarter ended June 30, 2004. There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the quarter ended June 30, 2004 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 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders 

         The Annual Meeting of Stockholders was held on May 19, 2004.  Two proposals were voted upon at the meeting: (1) the election of two directors and (2) the ratification of the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as the independent certified public accountants for 2004.  The votes for each proposal were as follows:
 
         For the election of Gabriel Battista as director, there were 17,597,685 votes cast for, 0 votes cast against and 4,150,601 abstentions and broker non-votes.

        For the election of Ronald R. Thoma as director, there were 20,835,661 votes cast for, 0 votes cast against and 912,625 abstentions and broker non-votes.

         For the ratification of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as independent auditors, there were 21,636,442 votes cast for, 85,924 votes cast against and 25,920 abstentions and broker non-votes.

Item 6.