Table of Contents

 

As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 20, 2012.

Registration No. 333-             

 

 

 

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 


 

FORM S-4

 

REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

 


 

Hughes Satellite Systems Corporation*

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Colorado
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)

 

4899
(Primary standard industrial
classification code number)

 

45-0897865
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification Number)

 

100 Inverness Terrace East

Englewood, Colorado 80112

(303) 706-4000

(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of Registrant’s principal executive office)

 

Dean A. Manson

Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary

Hughes Satellite Systems Corporation
100 Inverness Terrace East

Englewood, Colorado 80112

(303) 723-1000

(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)

 

Copies to:

 

Scott D. Miller
Sarah P. Payne
Sullivan & Cromwell LLP
1870 Embarcadero Road
Palo Alto, California 94303
(650) 461-5600

 

* The companies listed on the next page are also included in this Form S-4 Registration Statement as additional Registrants.

 

APPROXIMATE DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF PROPOSED SALE TO PUBLIC: As soon as practicable after the effective date of this registration statement.

 

If the securities being registered on this Form are being offered in connection with the formation of a holding company and there is compliance with General Instruction G, check the following box.  o

 

If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, please check the following box and list the Securities Act of 1933 registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.  o

 

If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(d) under the Securities Act of 1933, check the following box and list the Securities Act of 1933 registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.  o

 

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

 

Large accelerated filer  o

Accelerated filer  o

Non-accelerated filer  x

Smaller Reporting Company  o

 

 

(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

 

 

If applicable, place an X in the box to designate the appropriate rule provision relied upon in conducting this transaction:

 

Exchange Act Rule 13e-4(i) (Cross-Border Issuer Tender Offer)

o

Exchange Act Rule 14d-1(d) (Cross-Border Third Party Tender Offer)

o

 


 

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

 

Title of Each Class of
Securities to be Registered

 

Amount to be
Registered

 

Proposed
Maximum
Offering Price
Per Note (1)

 

Proposed
Maximum
Aggregate Offering
Price (1)

 

Amount of
Registration
Fee

 

6½% Senior Secured Notes due 2019

 

$

1,100,000,000

 

100

%

$

1,100,000,000

 

$

126,060

 

75/8% Senior Notes due 2021

 

$

900,000,000

 

100

%

$

900,000,000

 

$

103,140

 

Guarantees of 6½% Senior Secured Notes due 2019 (3)

 

 

(2)

 

(2)

 

(2)

 

(2)

Guarantees of 75/8% Senior Notes due 2021 (3)

 

 

(2)

 

(2)

 

(2)

 

(2)

 

ADDITIONAL REGISTRANTS

 

Exact Name of Additional Registrants
as Specified in their Respective
Charters*

 

Jurisdiction of
Incorporation/
Organization

 

IRS Employer
Identification
No.

 

Address, including Zip Code and Telephone Number,
including Area Code, of Registrant’s Principal
Executive Offices

EchoStar Satellite Services L.L.C.

 

Colorado

 

20-5109074

 

100 Inverness Terrace East, Englewood, Colorado 80112

(303) 706-4000

EchoStar Satellite Operating Corporation

 

Colorado

 

35-2353699

 

100 Inverness Terrace East, Englewood, Colorado 80112

(303) 706-4000

EchoStar 77 Corporation

 

Delaware

 

26-2191105

 

100 Inverness Terrace East, Englewood, Colorado 80112

(303) 706-4000

EchoStar Orbital L.L.C.

 

Colorado

 

27-2342485

 

100 Inverness Terrace East, Englewood, Colorado 80112

(303) 706-4000

EchoStar Government Services L.L.C.

 

Colorado

 

27-0682004

 

100 Inverness Terrace East, Englewood, Colorado 80112

(303) 706-4000

Hughes Communications, Inc.

 

Delaware

 

13-3871202

 

11717 Exploration Lane, Germantown, Maryland 20876

(301) 428-5500

Hughes Network Systems, LLC

 

Delaware

 

11-3735091

 

11717 Exploration Lane, Germantown, Maryland 20876

(301) 428-5500

Helius, LLC

 

Utah

 

87-0547594

 

333 South 520 West, Suite 330, Lindon, Utah 84042

(801) 764-9020

Helius Acquisition, LLC

 

Utah

 

30-0565987

 

333 South 520 West, Suite 330, Lindon, Utah 84042

(801) 764-9020

Advanced Satellite Research, LLC

 

Delaware

 

30-0565980

 

333 South 520 West, Suite 330, Lindon, Utah 84042

(801) 764-9020

HNS Finance Corp.

 

Delaware

 

56-2571546

 

11717 Exploration Lane, Germantown, Maryland 20876

(301) 428-5500

HNS Real Estate, LLC

 

Delaware

 

20-2712714

 

11717 Exploration Lane, Germantown, Maryland 20876

(301) 428-5500

Hughes Network Systems International Service Company

 

Delaware

 

52-1691571

 

11717 Exploration Lane, Germantown, Maryland 20876

(301) 428-5500

HNS-India VSAT, Inc.

 

Delaware

 

52-1755631

 

11717 Exploration Lane, Germantown, Maryland 20876

(301) 428-5500

HNS-Shanghai, Inc.

 

Delaware

 

52-1720113

 

11717 Exploration Lane, Germantown, Maryland 20876

(301) 428-5500

HNS License Sub, LLC

 

Delaware

 

86-1124461

 

11717 Exploration Lane, Germantown, Maryland 20876

(301) 428-5500

 

*       The primary standard industrial classification number for each of these Registrants is 4899.

 

(1)     Pursuant to Rule 457(f) under the Securities Act of 1933, the fee is calculated based upon the book value of the 6½% Senior Secured Notes due 2019 and the 75/8% Senior Notes due 2021, respectively, as of December 31, 2011.

(2)     Pursuant to Rule 457(n) under the Securities Act of 1933, no registration fee is required with respect to the guarantees.

(3)     Guaranteed by the additional Registrants listed below.

 

The Registrants hereby amend this Registration Statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the Registrants shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this Registration Statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 or until the Registration Statement shall become effective on such date as the Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.

 

 

 


 


Table of Contents

 

The information in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed.  We may not sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective.  This prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and it is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted.

 

SUBJECT TO COMPLETION. DATED JANUARY 20, 2012.

 

PROSPECTUS

 

HUGHES SATELLITE SYSTEMS CORPORATION

 

Offer to Exchange up to $1,100,000,000 aggregate principal amount of new

6½% Senior Secured Notes due 2019 and
up to $900,000,000 aggregate principal amount of new 7
5/8% Senior Notes due 2021,

which have been registered under the Securities Act of 1933,

for any and all of its outstanding 6½% Senior Secured Notes due 2019 and 75/8% Senior Notes
due 2021, respectively

Subject to the Terms and Conditions described in this Prospectus

 

The Exchange Offer will expire at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on                                 , 2012,
unless extended

 


 

We are offering to exchange, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this prospectus and the accompanying letter of transmittal, our new 6½% Senior Secured Notes due 2019 for all of our outstanding 6½% Senior Secured Notes due 2019 and our new 75/8% Senior Notes due 2021 for all of our outstanding 75/8% Senior Notes due 2021.  We refer to our outstanding 6½% Senior Secured Notes due 2019 as the “Old Secured Notes,” our outstanding 75/8% Senior Notes due 2021 as the “Old Unsecured Notes” (together with the Old Secured Notes, the “Old Notes”), the new 6½% Senior Secured Notes due 2019 issued in this offer as the “Secured Notes” and the new 75/8% Senior Notes due 2021 issued in this offer as the “Unsecured Notes” (together with the Secured Notes, the “Notes”).  The Secured Notes and the Unsecured Notes are substantially identical to the Old Secured Notes and the Old Unsecured Notes, respectively, that we issued on June 1, 2011, except for certain transfer restrictions and registration rights provisions relating to the Old Notes.  The CUSIP numbers for the Old Secured Notes are 268520 AA1 and U2792Q AA5. The CUSIP numbers for the Old Unsecured Notes are 268520 AC7 and U2792Q AB3.

 

MATERIAL TERMS OF THE EXCHANGE OFFER

 

·              You will receive an equal principal amount of Secured Notes for all Old Secured Notes that you validly tender and do not validly withdraw, and an equal principal amount of Unsecured Notes for all Old Unsecured Notes that you validly tender and do not validly withdraw.

 

·              The exchange should not be a taxable exchange for United States federal income tax purposes.

 

·              There has been no public market for the Old Notes and we cannot assure you that any public market for the Notes will develop.  We do not intend to list the Notes on any securities exchange or to arrange for them to be quoted on any automated quotation system.

 

·              The terms of the Secured Notes and the Unsecured Notes are substantially identical to the Old Secured Notes and the Old Unsecured Notes, respectively, except for transfer restrictions and registration rights relating to the Old Notes.

 

·              If you fail to tender your Old Notes for the Notes, you will continue to hold unregistered securities and it may be difficult for you to transfer them.

 


 

Investing in the Notes involves risks.  Consider carefully the “Risk Factors” beginning on page 20 of this prospectus.

 


 

We are not making this exchange offer in any state where it is not permitted.

 

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined that this prospectus is truthful or complete.  Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

 


 

The date of this prospectus is                       , 2012.

 



Table of Contents

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

 

Page

 

 

 

DISCLOSURE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

1

SUMMARY

 

5

RISK FACTORS

 

20

USE OF PROCEEDS

 

42

CAPITALIZATION

 

43

SELECTED HISTORICAL CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA

 

44

UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

46

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

50

BUSINESS

 

69

RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

 

84

MANAGEMENT

 

88

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

 

89

SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

 

102

THE EXCHANGE OFFER

 

104

DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN OTHER INDEBTEDNESS

 

111

DESCRIPTION OF THE SECURED NOTES

 

112

DESCRIPTION OF THE UNSECURED NOTES

 

159

REGISTRATION RIGHTS

 

199

MATERIAL UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS

 

201

BENEFIT PLAN INVESTOR CONSIDERATIONS

 

207

BOOK-ENTRY, DELIVERY AND FORM

 

209

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

 

211

VALIDITY OF THE NOTES

 

213

EXPERTS

 

213

INDEX TO EH HOLDING CORPORATION’S COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2010, 2009 AND 2008

 

F-1

INDEX TO HUGHES SATELLITE SYSTEMS CORPORATION’S CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE THREE AND NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2011

 

F-31

INDEX TO HUGHES COMMUNICATIONS, INC.’S CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2010, 2009 AND 2008

 

F-67

INDEX TO HUGHES COMMUNICATIONS, INC.’S CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED MARCH 31, 2011

 

F-119

 

You should rely only on the information contained in this prospectus.  We have not authorized anyone to provide you with information different from that contained in this prospectus.  This prospectus is an offer to exchange only the Notes offered by this prospectus and only under circumstances and in jurisdictions where it is lawful to do so.  The information contained in this prospectus is accurate only as of its date.

 

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DISCLOSURE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

We make “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 throughout this prospectus, including the documents incorporated herein by reference.  Whenever you read a statement that is not simply a statement of historical fact (such as when we describe what we “believe,” “intend,” “plan,” “estimate,” “expect” or “anticipate” will occur, and other similar statements), you must remember that our expectations may not be achieved, even though we believe they are reasonable.  We do not guarantee that any future transactions or events described in this prospectus will happen as described or that they will happen at all.  You should read this prospectus in its entirety and with the understanding that actual future results may be materially different from what we expect.  Whether actual events or results will conform to our expectations and predictions is subject to a number of risks and uncertainties.  The risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the following:

 

General Risks Affecting Our Business

 

·                  One of our principal operating subsidiaries, EchoStar Satellite Services L.L.C. (“ESS”), currently derives a substantial portion of its revenue from its two primary customers, DISH Network Corporation (“DISH Network”) and Dish Mexico, S. de R.L. de C.V. (“Dish Mexico”).  The loss of, or a significant reduction in orders from or a decrease in selling price of transponder leasing and/or providing digital broadcast operations to DISH Network or Dish Mexico would also significantly reduce our revenue and adversely impact our results of operations derived from ESS.

·                  Economic weakness, including high unemployment and reduced consumer spending, may adversely affect our ability to grow or maintain our business.

·                  If we are unable to properly respond to technological changes, our business could be significantly harmed.

·                  The failure to adequately anticipate the need for transponder capacity or the inability to obtain transponder capacity could harm our results of operations.

·                  We currently have unused satellite capacity, and our results of operations may be materially adversely affected if we are not able to lease more of this capacity to third parties.

·                  Certain of our sales to DISH Network could be terminated or substantially curtailed on short notice, which would have a detrimental effect on us.

·                  We currently face competition from established competitors in the satellite service business and may face competition from others in the future.

·                  The enterprise network communications industry is highly competitive.  We may be unsuccessful in competing effectively against other terrestrial and satellite-based network providers in our enterprise groups.

·                  The consumer network communications market is highly competitive.  We may be unsuccessful in competing effectively against DSL and cable service providers and other satellite broadband providers in the consumer market. Following the commencement of service on ViaSat-1 by WildBlue and prior to the commencement of service on Jupiter 1, we will be at a competitive disadvantage to WildBlue.

·                  If we are unable to develop, introduce and market new products, applications and services on a cost-effective and timely basis, or if we are unable to sell our new products and services to existing and new customers, our business could be adversely affected.

·                  Any failure or inadequacy of our information technology infrastructure or those of our third-party service providers could harm our business.

·                  We are dependent upon third-party providers for components, manufacturing outsourcing, installation, and customer support service, and our results of operations may be materially adversely affected if any of these third-party providers fail to appropriately deliver the contracted goods or services.

·                  Our dependence on outside contractors could result in delays related to the design, manufacture and launch of our new satellites, which could in turn adversely affect our operating results.

·                  If our products contain defects, we could be subject to significant costs to correct such defects and our product and network service contracts could be delayed or cancelled, which could adversely affect our revenues.

·                  We may be unable to raise additional capital in the future to, among other things, continue investing in our business, construct and launch new satellites and pursue acquisitions and other strategic transactions.

·                  We may experience significant financial losses on our existing investments.

 

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·                  Our business depends on certain intellectual property rights and on not infringing the intellectual property rights of others.  The loss of or infringement of our intellectual property rights could have a significant adverse impact on our business.

·                  From time to time, we are party to various lawsuits which, if adversely decided, could have a significant adverse impact on our business, particularly lawsuits regarding intellectual property.

·                  We are a wholly owned subsidiary of EchoStar Corporation (“EchoStar”) and do not operate as an independent company.

·                  EchoStar has not been an independent company for a significant amount of time and it may be unable to make, on a timely or cost-effective basis, the changes necessary to operate as an independent company.

·                  We rely on key personnel and the loss of their services may negatively affect our businesses.

·                  Although we expect that the Acquisition (as defined below) will benefit us, those expected benefits may not occur because of the complexity of integration and other challenges.

·                  We may pursue acquisitions and other strategic transactions to complement or expand our business, which may not be successful and we may lose up to the entire value of our investment in these acquisitions and transactions.

·                  The pro forma financial information is presented for illustrative purposes only and may not be an indication of our financial condition or results of operations in the future.

 

Risks Related to Our Satellites

 

·                  Our owned and leased satellites in orbit are subject to significant operational and environmental risks that could limit our ability to utilize these satellites.

·                  Our satellites have minimum design lives ranging from 12 to 15 years, but could fail or suffer reduced capacity before then.

·                  We generally do not have commercial insurance coverage on the satellites we use and could face significant impairment charges if one of our uninsured satellites fails.

·                  Our satellites under construction are subject to risks related to construction and launch that could limit our ability to utilize these satellites.

 

Risks Related to the Regulation of Our Business

 

·                  Our business is subject to risks of adverse government regulation.

·                  Our use of satellites is dependent on satellite coordination agreements, which may be difficult to obtain.

·                  Our business depends on Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) licenses that can expire or be revoked or modified and applications for FCC licenses that may not be granted.

·                  We may face difficulties in accurately assessing and collecting contributions towards the Universal Service Fund.

·                  Our foreign operations expose us to regulatory risks and restrictions not present in our domestic operations.

·                  We may not be aware of certain foreign government laws or regulations or changes to them which could have a significant adverse impact on our business.

·                  Our international sales and operations require access to international markets and are subject to applicable laws relating to trade, export controls and foreign corrupt practices, the violation of which could adversely affect our operations.

 

Risks Relating to Our Relationship with DISH Network

 

·                  We have potential conflicts of interest with DISH Network due to our common ownership and management.

·                  We may not be able to resolve any potential conflicts of interest with DISH Network and, even if we do so, the resolution may be less favorable to us than if we were dealing with an unaffiliated party.

 

Risks Related to the Notes and the Exchange Offer

 

·                  We have substantial debt outstanding and may incur additional debt.

·                  We may be required to raise and refinance indebtedness during unfavorable market conditions.

 

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·                  We depend upon our subsidiaries’ earnings to make payments on our indebtedness.

·                  The guarantees of the Notes by our subsidiaries may be subject to challenge.

·                  Certain subsidiaries are not included as guarantor subsidiaries.

·                  The covenants in the indentures will not necessarily restrict our ability to take actions that may impair our ability to repay the Notes.

·                  We may be unable to repay or repurchase the Notes upon a change of control.

·                  There may be no public market for the Notes.

 

Additional Risks Related to the Secured Notes

 

·                  The Collateral (as defined below) securing the Secured Notes is subject to priority liens held by holders of indebtedness secured by priority liens and holders of other indebtedness secured by permitted prior liens.  If there is a default, such collateral may not be sufficient to repay both the holders of such priority liens and the holders of the Secured Notes.

·                  State law may limit the ability of the Collateral Agent and the noteholders to foreclose on the real property and improvements included in the Collateral.

·                  We may not be able to grant you a collateral interest in our leased satellites.

·                  The value of the Collateral securing the Secured Notes may not be sufficient to satisfy our obligations under the Secured Notes or to secure post-petition interest under U.S. federal bankruptcy law.

·                  The ability of the Trustee to foreclose on certain of the collateral securing the Secured Notes may be limited by U.S. law.

·                  The pledge of the capital stock, other securities and similar items of our subsidiaries that secure the Secured Notes will automatically be released from the lien on them and no longer constitute Collateral for so long as the pledge of such capital stock or such other securities would require the filing of separate financial statements with the SEC for that subsidiary.

·                  Foreclosing on any of the Collateral located outside the United States may be difficult due to the laws of certain jurisdictions.

·                  The Collateral securing the Secured Notes may be diluted under certain circumstances.

·                  The rights of holders of the Secured Notes to the Collateral securing the Secured Notes may be materially limited by any intercreditor agreement to the extent we have incurred or will incur any priority lien debt.

·                  There are circumstances other than repayment or discharge of the Secured Notes under which the Collateral securing the Secured Notes will be released automatically, without your consent or the consent of the Collateral Agent.

·                  The rights of holders of the Secured Notes in the Collateral may be adversely affected by the failure to perfect security interests in the Collateral and other issues generally associated with the realization of security interests in the Collateral.

·                  The Collateral is subject to casualty risks.

·                  Any future note guarantees or additional liens on the Collateral provided after the Secured Notes are issued could also be avoided by a trustee in bankruptcy.

·                  U.S. federal bankruptcy laws may significantly impair noteholders’ ability to realize value from the Collateral.

 

Additional Risks Related to the Unsecured Notes

 

·                  The Unsecured Notes are unsecured, and the Unsecured Notes will be effectively subordinated to any existing and future secured debt.

 

All cautionary statements made herein should be read as being applicable to all forward-looking statements wherever they appear.  In this connection, investors should consider the risks described herein and should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements.

 

Although we believe that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot guarantee future results, events, levels of activity, performance or achievements.  We do not assume responsibility for the accuracy and completeness of the forward-looking statements.  All forward-looking statements contained in

 

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this prospectus only speak as of the date of this document.  We assume no responsibility for updating forward-looking information contained herein.

 

Should one or more of the risks or uncertainties described in this prospectus take place, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, our actual results and plans could differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statements.

 

You should read carefully the section of this prospectus under the heading “Risk Factors” beginning on page 20.

 

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SUMMARY

 

In this prospectus, the words “Company,” “we,” “our” and “us” refer to Hughes Satellite Systems Corporation, formerly known as EH Holding Corporation (“HSS”) and its subsidiaries, unless otherwise stated or the context otherwise requires. “ESS” refers to EchoStar Satellite Services L.L.C., our wholly owned subsidiary, and its subsidiaries.  “Hughes Communications” refers to Hughes Communications, Inc. and its subsidiaries. “EchoStar” refers to EchoStar Corporation, our ultimate parent company, and its subsidiaries, including us.  The “Acquisition” refers to the completed merger of a wholly owned subsidiary of HSS with and into Hughes Communications, Inc. on June 8, 2011, following which Hughes Communications, Inc. became a direct wholly owned subsidiary of HSS.  The use of the phrase “the Acquisition and related financing transactions” refers to the Acquisition, the other transactions contemplated by the merger agreement governing the Acquisition (referred to as the “Merger Agreement”), and the issuance of the Old Notes.  Historical financial information of HSS presented in this prospectus includes both “combined” historical financial statements and “consolidated” historical financial statements, both of which we refer to as “consolidated” for purposes of this prospectus.  This summary highlights selected information contained in greater detail elsewhere in this prospectus herein.  This summary may not contain all of the information that you should consider before investing in the Notes.  You should carefully read the entire prospectus, including the sections under the headings “Risk Factors” and “Disclosure Regarding Forward-Looking Statements.”

 

Background

 

Effective January 1, 2008, EchoStar Corporation became the holding company of certain businesses, infrastructure and other assets that had been part of DISH Network, including certain satellites, uplink and satellite transmission assets and other assets and related liabilities, as a result of the completion of the related distribution (the “Spin-off”) by DISH Network.  Following the Spin-off, EchoStar has been able to pursue strategic satellite transactions, focus on the commercialization of previously under-utilized satellite capacity, expand the sales of set top boxes and pursue international opportunities.

 

Since the Spin-off, EchoStar and DISH Network have operated as separate publicly-traded companies, and neither entity has any ownership interest in the other.  However, a substantial majority of the voting power of the shares of EchoStar and DISH Network is owned beneficially by Charles W. Ergen, our and EchoStar’s Chairman, or by certain trusts established by Mr. Ergen for the benefit of his family. EchoStar and DISH Network share significant intercompany agreements such as receiver, broadcast and satellite capacity contracts.

 

On June 8, 2011, EchoStar completed its previously announced acquisition of Hughes Communications, pursuant to which a wholly owned subsidiary of EchoStar Corporation merged with and into Hughes Communications, Inc., with Hughes Communications, Inc. becoming an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of EchoStar Corporation and a direct wholly owned subsidiary of HSS.  The cash portion of the Acquisition, related costs and repayment of certain indebtedness of Hughes Communications, Inc., including of its wholly owned subsidiary Hughes Network Systems, LLC (“HNS”), was financed with a combination of the net proceeds from the offering of the Old Notes and existing cash balances and marketable securities at EchoStar Corporation and Hughes Communications.

 

Hughes Satellite Systems Corporation (Issuer of the Notes)

 

HSS is a holding company wholly owned by EchoStar Corporation that was formed in March 2011 as EH Holding Corporation to facilitate the Acquisition and related financing transactions.  EH Holding Corporation was renamed Hughes Satellite Systems Corporation in October 2011.  The principal operating subsidiaries of HSS include ESS and Hughes Communications.  HSS is a leading provider of diverse satellite services, including broadcast satellites services (“BSS”), fixed satellite services (“FSS”), consumer satellite broadband services and enterprise satellite broadband services.

 

We rank among the leading fixed global satellite service providers in terms of revenues and satellite fleet size.  We are the largest provider of satellite Internet broadband in North America to the consumer market in terms of the number of subscribers and a global leader in providing satellite network services and systems to the enterprise market.  We have a satellite fleet of 11 owned and leased satellites that have Ka-band and Ku-band transponder

 

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capacity, enabling us to be a leader in the consumer and enterprise markets. We serve broadband consumers, small and medium sized businesses, large enterprises, governments, state agencies, Internet service providers, broadcast news organizations, programmers and private enterprise customers around the world.

 

For the nine months ended September 30, 2011, our revenues, net loss and EBITDA were $576 million, $8 million and $203 million, respectively.  As of September 30, 2011, we had contracted revenue backlog attributable to satellites currently in orbit of approximately $905 million and contracted backlog attributable to satellites under construction, including QuetzSat-1, of $1.305 billion, and we had a total non-consumer revenue backlog (excluding backlog of satellites under construction) of $818 million, each providing significant visibility into future revenue, EBITDA and cash flow.

 

Our Satellite Fleet

 

We have a satellite fleet of 11 owned and leased satellites that have Ka-band and Ku-band transponder capacity and that represent approximately $741 billion in net book value as of September 30, 2011.  We cover the North American market with our owned satellite fleet and North American and international markets with our significant leased Ku-band capacity.  Our satellite fleet has substantial average life remaining, which will increase materially following the anticipated launches of EchoStar XVI and Jupiter 1.  The table below does not include any of our individual satellite transponder leases.

 

Satellites (1)

 

Launch Date

 

Degree Orbital
Location (West
Longitude)

 

Initial Useful
Life/Lease Term
(In Years)

 

Owned:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EchoStar III (2)

 

October 1997

 

61.5

 

12

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EchoStar VI

 

July 2000

 

77

 

12

 

EchoStar VIII

 

August 2002

 

77

 

12

 

EchoStar IX

 

August 2003

 

121

 

12

 

EchoStar XII

 

July 2003

 

61.5

 

10

 

SPACEWAY 3

 

August 2007

 

94.95

 

15

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Leased from DISH Network:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EchoStar I

 

December 1995

 

77

 

12

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Leased from Other Third Parties:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

AMC-15 (3)

 

December 2004

 

105

 

10

 

AMC-16 (3)

 

January 2005

 

85

 

10

 

Nimiq 5 (3)

 

September 2009

 

72.7

 

15

 

QuetzSat-1 (3)

 

September 2011

 

67.1

 

10

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Under Construction:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EchoStar XVI (owned)

 

Expected in 2012

 

61.5

 

15

 

Jupiter 1 (owned)

 

Expected in 2012

 

107

 

15

 

 


(1)          EchoStar IV, which was launched in May 1998 and operated at the 77 degree west longitude orbital location, is fully depreciated and was retired from service in the third quarter of 2011.

(2)          Fully depreciated.

(3)          These satellites are accounted for as capital leases.

 

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EchoStar Corporate Structure

 

The diagram below depicts, in simplified form, the corporate structure of EchoStar.

 

 

Neither EchoStar Corporation nor any of its subsidiaries (other than HSS and its domestic subsidiaries that are Restricted Subsidiaries) will have any obligations or liability with respect to the Notes at any time.

 

EchoStar Satellite Services

 

ESS, a principal subsidiary of ours, uses its 10 owned and leased in-orbit satellites and related FCC licenses to provide service capacity on a full-time and occasional-use basis primarily to DISH Network, and secondarily to Dish Mexico, U.S. government service providers, state agencies, Internet service providers, broadcast news organizations, programmers and private enterprise customers.  ESS also continues to pursue expanding its business offerings by providing value added services such as telemetry, tracking and control services to third parties.

 

ESS’ transponder capacity is currently used by its customers for a variety of applications:

 

·                  Direct To Home (“DTH”) Services. ESS provides satellite transponder capacity to satellite TV providers, broadcasters and programmers that use its satellites to deliver programming. ESS’ satellites are also used for the transmission of live sporting events, Internet, disaster recovery, and satellite news gathering services.

 

·                  Government Services. ESS provides satellite services and technical services to U.S. government service providers and directly to some state agencies. ESS believes its commercial satellites may be used for government services such as homeland security, emergency response, continuing education, distance learning, and training.

 

·                  Network Services. ESS provides satellite transponder capacity and provides terrestrial network services to corporations. These networks are dedicated private networks that allow delivery of video and data services for corporate communications. ESS’ satellites can be used for point-to-point or point-to-multi-point communications.

 

ESS’ primary customer is DISH Network, the nation’s third largest pay-TV provider, with more than 13.9 million customers across the United States as of September 30, 2011. DISH Network provides significant coverage throughout the United States, including local channel coverage in standard definition to markets covering 100% of U.S. TV households and local HD channel coverage to markets representing approximately 94% of U.S. TV households as of December 31, 2010.  In 2010, DISH Network represented approximately 80% of ESS revenue.

 

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Hughes Communications

 

Hughes Communications, our other principal subsidiary, is a leading provider of broadband satellite network services and systems to the enterprise market and is the largest satellite Internet broadband access provider to North American consumers in terms of the number of subscribers.  In addition, Hughes Communications provides managed services to large enterprises that combine the use of satellite and terrestrial alternatives, thus offering solutions that are tailored and cost effective for specific customers. Hughes Communications also provides networking systems solutions to customers for mobile satellite and wireless backhaul systems.

 

Since Hughes Communications’ deployment of the first very small aperture terminal (“VSAT”) network in 1983, the company has been a leader in commercial digital satellite communications and has achieved extensive depth and experience in the development, manufacturing and operation of satellite-based data, voice and video networks.

 

Hughes Communications has three main businesses: (i) North American broadband; (ii) international broadband; and (iii) telecom systems.

 

North American Broadband. Hughes Communications delivers broadband Internet service to more than approximately 626,000 consumers as of September 30, 2011 and provides satellite, wire line and wireless communication network products and services to enterprises in North America. To support the growth of its North American enterprise and consumer business, Hughes Communications launched its SPACEWAY™ 3 satellite (“SPACEWAY 3”) in August 2007. SPACEWAY 3 was designed and developed as the next generation Ka-band broadband satellite system with a unique architecture for broadband data communications. Because SPACEWAY 3 supports higher data rates and offers direct user-to-user network connectivity, Hughes Communications is able to offer its North American enterprise and consumer customers faster communication rates, reduce its operating costs substantially through the reduction of third-party transponder capacity expenses as the company utilizes the additional capacity of SPACEWAY 3, and as a result, significantly improve its margins. In addition, in June 2009, Hughes Communications entered into an agreement with Space Systems/Loral, Inc. for the design and manufacture of a next-generation, high throughput geostationary satellite (“Jupiter 1”). Jupiter 1 will employ a multi-spot beam, bent pipe Ka-band architecture and is expected to provide additional capacity of approximately 100 gigabits per second for satellite broadband Internet service to the consumer market in North America. Hughes Communications anticipates launching Jupiter 1 in the second quarter of 2012.

 

International Broadband. Hughes Communications provides satellite communication networks and services to customers worldwide. The international broadband business suite of products and services are particularly well-suited to many international markets because of the geographic dispersion of customers as well as the lack of local infrastructure.  Hughes Communications also provides hardware and shared-hub services, modeled in part on its North American enterprise business. Shared-hub services are available both via Hughes Communications’ own hubs covering Europe, Brazil, Northern Africa, India and the Middle East and through third-party and joint venture operations. Hughes Communications leases transponder capacity on satellites from multiple providers for its enterprise customers. International customers span a wide variety of industries and include state-owned operators as well as private businesses.

 

Telecom Systems. The telecom systems business consists of the Mobile Satellite Systems group and the Terrestrial Microwave group. This ancillary business line gives Hughes Communications the opportunity to exploit its extensive technological capabilities by developing and supplying turnkey technologies in the L and S band. This business has the technology, engineering talent and manufacturing and customer support capability to offer design and equipment of mobile satellite systems and terrestrial microwave networking equipment for point-to-multipoint and cellular backhaul solutions.  The telecom systems business customers include leading mobile satellite operators, telecom and cellular mobile operators and aeronautical and maritime customers (including airlines, workboats and offshore oil rigs).

 

Our Competitive Strengths

 

Leading satellite services provider with key assets. We have significant assets with orbital slots in key locations serving leading global markets, and a long history and expertise in providing satellite services to consumers and enterprises.

 

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Leading satellite Internet access provider to underserved rural consumer markets in North America. We are one of the few satellite broadband service providers to address underserved markets that are less likely to receive terrestrial broadband service. We believe there is significant growth opportunity in these markets.

 

Strong and predictable cash flow driven by long-term contracts with high renewal rates. Both ESS and Hughes Communications have been able to generate strong and predictable cash flow due to a significant contracted revenue backlog from long-term customer contracts, high customer retention, pre-contracted service on expansion satellites, the relatively fixed-cost nature of the business and disciplined expense management. Enterprise customers include blue chip companies and leaders in the retail, energy, financial, hospitality and services industries, with a high historical rate of renewals.

 

New satellite launches expected to provide significant additional capacity. During 2008, we entered into a ten-year satellite service agreement with SES Latin America S.A. (“SES”) to lease all of the capacity on the QuetzSat-1 satellite, which was launched on September 29, 2011. In addition, we have two satellites under construction that are expected to be launched in the near term. Jupiter 1, our next-generation high-throughput satellite, is expected to launch in the second quarter of 2012.  Jupiter 1 is expected to provide approximately 100 gigabits per second of data capacity for between 1.5 and 2.0 million additional broadband Internet subscribers. EchoStar XVI is expected to launch in the second half of 2012.  DISH Network has agreed to lease all of the capacity on this satellite from us for a portion of its useful life.

 

Global operations providing revenue diversification and economies of scale. We benefit from a geographically diverse revenue stream that consists of a mix of services and hardware revenues. In 2010, on a pro forma basis after giving effect to the Acquisition, HSS derived approximately 80.6% of global revenues from providing services and 19.4% from hardware revenues and enterprise equipment leases.

 

Our Strategies

 

Leverage our available satellite capacity.  We benefit from available satellite capacity.  We believe market opportunities exist to lease our capacity to a broader customer base, including providers of pay-TV service, satellite-delivered broadband, corporate communications and government services. We plan to use this capacity to seek cross selling opportunities, including bundling wholesale broadband services from Hughes Communications together with video DTH services under a single package.

 

Capitalize on demand for broadband services.  We intend to capitalize on the increasing demand for satellite-delivered broadband services and enterprise solutions by utilizing our industry expertise, technology leadership and high level of reliable and quality service to continue subscriber growth both among consumers and enterprise customers.

 

Develop improved technologies.  We believe HSS will be one of the prime beneficiaries of the combined engineering power of EchoStar and Hughes Communications. This will allow us to continue to develop and deploy cutting edge technology and maintain a leading technological position in our industry.

 

Exploit international opportunities.  We believe that international DTH satellite and broadband services are particularly well-suited for countries without extensive telecommunications and cable infrastructure, and we intend to continue to seek new investments and customer relationships with international DTH satellite and broadband service providers.  Our available satellite capacity provides us, in certain cases, with the ability to initiate new services quickly, which gives us a competitive advantage.

 

Pursue strategic partnerships, joint ventures and acquisitions.  We intend to selectively pursue partnerships, joint ventures and strategic acquisition opportunities, both domestically and internationally, that we believe may allow us to increase our existing market share, expand into new markets, broaden our portfolio of products and intellectual property, and strengthen our relationships with our customers.

 

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HSS Corporate Structure

 

The diagram below depicts, in simplified form, our corporate and financing structure.

 

 


(1)          HSS is 100% owned by EchoStar Corporation.  Neither EchoStar Corporation nor any of its subsidiaries (including those forming part of EchoStar’s digital set-top box business, but excluding those identified above) are guarantors; nor do any of their assets or share interests form any part of the collateral securing the Old Secured Notes and the Secured Notes.

 

(2)          Each of EchoStar Satellite Services L.L.C. and Hughes Communications, Inc. has subsidiaries that are guarantors and subsidiaries that are non-guarantors.

 

(3)          Our non-guarantor subsidiaries, which are primarily comprised of our foreign subsidiaries, accounted for approximately $164 million, or 12.6%, of our revenues for the year ended December 31, 2010 on a pro forma basis after giving effect to the Acquisition and related financing transactions, and approximately $126 million, or 3.0% of our consolidated total assets, and approximately $67 million, or 2.2% of our liabilities, in each case as of September 30, 2011.

 


 

Our principal executive offices are located at 100 Inverness Terrace East, Englewood, Colorado 80112, and our telephone number is (303) 706-4000.

 

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Table of Contents

 

The Exchange Offer

 

The exchange offer relates to the exchange of up to $1,100,000,000 aggregate principal amount of outstanding 6½% Senior Secured Notes due 2019 and up to $900,000,000 aggregate principal amount of outstanding 75/8% Senior Notes due 2021, for an equal aggregate principal amount of the Secured Notes and the Unsecured Notes, respectively.  The form and terms of the Secured Notes and the Unsecured Notes are identical in all material respects to the form and terms of the corresponding outstanding Old Secured Notes and Old Unsecured Notes, respectively, except that the Notes will be registered under the Securities Act, and therefore they will not bear legends restricting their transfer.

 

The Exchange Offer

 

We are offering to exchange $1,000 principal amount of our Secured Notes that we have registered under the Securities Act for each $1,000 principal amount of outstanding Old Secured Notes, and $1,000 principal amount of our Unsecured Notes that we have registered under the Securities Act for each $1,000 principal amount of outstanding Old Unsecured Notes.  Old Notes tendered in the exchange offer must be in minimum denominations of $2,000 principal amount and any integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof.  In order for us to exchange your Old Notes, you must validly tender them to us and we must accept them.  We will exchange all outstanding Old Notes that are validly tendered and not validly withdrawn.

 

 

 

Resale of the Notes

 

Based on interpretations by the staff of the SEC set forth in no-action letters issued to other parties, we believe that you may offer for resale, resell and otherwise transfer your Notes without compliance with the registration and prospectus delivery provisions of the Securities Act if you are not our affiliate and you acquire the Notes issued in the exchange offer in the ordinary course.

 

You must also represent to us that you are not participating, do not intend to participate and have no arrangement or understanding with any person to participate in the distribution of the Notes we issue to you in the exchange offer.

 

Each broker-dealer that receives Notes in the exchange offer for its own account in exchange for Old Notes that it acquired as a result of market-making or other trading activities must acknowledge that it will deliver a prospectus meeting the requirements of the Securities Act in connection with any resale of the Notes issued in the exchange offer.  You may not participate in the exchange offer if you are a broker-dealer who purchased such outstanding Old Notes directly from us for resale pursuant to Rule 144A or any other available exemption under the Securities Act.

 

 

 

Expiration date

 

The exchange offer will expire at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on         , 2012, unless we decide to extend the expiration date.  We may extend the expiration date for any reason.  If we fail to consummate the exchange offer, you will have certain rights against us under the registration rights agreement we entered into as part of the offering of the Old Notes.

 

 

 

Special procedures for beneficial owners

 

If you are the beneficial owner of Old Notes and you registered your Old Notes in the name of a broker or other institution, and you wish to participate in the exchange, you should promptly contact the person in whose name you registered your Old Notes and instruct that person to tender the Old Notes on your behalf.  If you wish to tender on your own behalf, you must, prior to completing and executing the letter of transmittal and delivering your outstanding Old Notes, either make appropriate

 

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arrangements to register ownership of the outstanding Old Notes in your name or obtain a properly completed bond power from the registered holder.  The transfer of record ownership may take considerable time.

 

 

 

Guaranteed delivery procedures

 

If you wish to tender your Old Notes and time will not permit your required documents to reach the exchange agent by the expiration date, or you cannot complete the procedure for book-entry transfer on time or you cannot deliver your certificates for registered Old Notes on time, you may tender your Old Notes pursuant to the procedures described in this prospectus under the heading “The Exchange Offer—How to use the guaranteed delivery procedures if you will not have enough time to send all documents to us.”

 

 

 

Withdrawal rights

 

You may withdraw the tender of your Old Notes at any time prior to the expiration date.

 

 

 

Material United States federal income tax consequences

 

An exchange of Old Notes for Notes should not be subject to United States federal income tax.  See “Material United States Federal Income Tax Considerations.”

 

 

 

Use of proceeds

 

We will not receive any proceeds from the issuance of Notes pursuant to the exchange offer.  Old Notes that are validly tendered and exchanged will be retired and canceled.  We will pay all expenses incident to the exchange offer.

 

 

 

Exchange Agent

 

You can reach the Exchange Agent, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association at MAC - N9303-121, Corporate Trust Operations, P.O. Box 1517, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55480-1517.  For more information with respect to the exchange offer, you may call the Exchange Agent at (800) 344-5128; the fax number for the Exchange Agent is (612) 667-6282.

 

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Table of Contents

 

The Notes

 

The exchange offer applies to $1,100,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 6½% Senior Secured Notes due 2019 and $900,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 75/8% Senior Notes due 2021.  The form and terms of the Secured Notes and the Unsecured Notes are identical in all material respects to the form and terms of the corresponding outstanding Old Secured Notes and Old Unsecured Notes, respectively, except that the Notes will be registered under the Securities Act, and therefore they will not bear legends restricting their transfer.  The Notes will be entitled to the benefits of the respective indentures governing the Notes.  See “Description of the Secured Notes” and “Description of the Unsecured Notes.” As used in this summary of the Notes, “subsidiaries” refers to our direct and indirect subsidiaries.

 

Issuer

 

Hughes Satellite Systems Corporation.

 

 

 

Notes Offered

 

$1,100,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 6½% Senior Secured Notes due 2019; and

$900,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 75/8% Senior Notes due 2021.

 

 

 

Maturity

 

Secured Notes: June 15, 2019

Unsecured Notes: June 15, 2021

 

 

 

Interest Payment Dates

 

June 15 and December 15 of each year, starting on June 15, 2012

 

 

 

Security

 

The Secured Notes will be secured by first-priority Liens on substantially all existing and future tangible and intangible assets of HSS and the guarantors subject to certain excluded assets and permitted liens (the “Collateral”).  Certain other pari passu lien obligations incurred after issuance may share in the Collateral equally and ratably with the Secured Notes and the guarantees thereof.

 

For more information, see “Description of the Secured Notes — Security.”

 

 

 

Ranking

 

The Notes and the guarantees thereof are HSS’s senior indebtedness, and rank pari passu in right of payment with all of its existing and future senior debt.

 

Indebtedness under the Secured Notes and all related guarantees are secured by the Collateral (as defined herein) and will rank effectively senior to any of HSS’s future senior unsecured debt to the extent of the Collateral securing the Secured Notes.

 

The Secured Notes will rank effectively junior to HSS’s obligations that are secured by assets that do not constitute Collateral. As of September 30, 2011, the Old Secured Notes ranked effectively junior to $393 million of debt secured by assets not constituting Collateral or assets that secure such other debt on a higher priority basis.

 

Indebtedness under the Unsecured Notes will be unsecured senior obligations of the issuer and will rank effectively junior to HSS’s existing and future senior secured indebtedness to the extent of the collateral securing such indebtedness. As of

 

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September 30, 2011, the Old Unsecured Notes ranked effectively junior to $1.5 billion of debt of which $1.1 billion was attributed to the Old Secured Notes.

 

 

 

Guarantees

 

The Notes will be fully and unconditionally guaranteed, on a joint and several basis, by each of HSS’s domestic subsidiaries, including Hughes Communications and its domestic subsidiaries, other than immaterial subsidiaries, that are Restricted Subsidiaries (as defined herein), and by any other parties that become guarantors of the Notes after the issue date.

 

Our non-guarantor subsidiaries accounted for approximately $164 million, or 12.6%, of our revenues for the year ended December 31, 2010 on a pro forma basis after giving effect to the Acquisition and related financing transactions, and approximately $126 million, or 3.0% of our consolidated total assets, and approximately $67 million, or 2.2% of our liabilities, in each case as of September 30, 2011.

 

Neither EchoStar Corporation nor any of its subsidiaries (other than HSS and its domestic subsidiaries that are Restricted Subsidiaries) will have any obligations or liability with respect to the Notes.

 

 

 

Optional Redemption

 

We may redeem the Secured Notes, in whole or in part, at any time at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount plus a make-whole premium and accrued interest and unpaid interest, if any.  In addition, we may redeem up to 10% of the outstanding Secured Notes per year at any time prior to June 15, 2015 at a redemption price equal to 103% of the principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any.  For more information, see “Description of the Secured Notes — Optional Redemption.”

 

We may redeem the Unsecured Notes, in whole or in part, at any time at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount plus a make-whole premium and accrued interest and unpaid interest, if any.  For more information, see “Description of the Unsecured Notes — Optional Redemption.”

 

 

 

Optional Redemption

After Equity Offering

 

At any time (which may be more than once) before June 15, 2014, we may redeem up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of Notes issued with the net proceeds that we raise in one or more equity offerings, as long as at least 65% of the aggregate principal amount of Notes issued remains outstanding afterwards.

 

 

 

Change of Control

 

If a Change of Control occurs, as that term is defined in “Description of the Secured Notes — Certain Definitions” and “Description of the Unsecured Notes — Certain Definitions,” holders of Notes will have the right, subject to certain conditions, to require us to repurchase their Notes at a purchase price equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount of Notes repurchased plus accrued and unpaid

 

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Table of Contents

 

 

 

interest, if any, to the date of repurchase. See “Description of the Secured Notes — Change of Control Offer” and “Description of the Unsecured Notes — Change of Control Offer.”

 

 

 

Certain Covenants

 

 

The indentures governing the Notes, among other things, limit our ability and the ability of our restricted subsidiaries to:

 

·     pay dividends or distributions, repurchase equity, prepay subordinated debt or make certain investments;

 

·     incur additional debt or issue certain disqualified stock and preferred stock;

 

·     incur liens on assets;

 

·     merge or consolidate with another company or sell all or substantially all assets;

 

·     enter into transactions with affiliates; and

 

·     allow to exist certain restrictions on the ability of the guarantors to pay dividends or make other payments to us.

 

These covenants are subject to important exceptions and qualifications as described under “Description of the Secured Notes — Certain Covenants” and “Description of the Unsecured Notes — Certain Covenants.”

 

 

 

Registration Rights

 

Pursuant to a registration rights agreement between us and the initial purchaser of the Old Notes, we agreed to use our reasonable best efforts to cause an exchange offer registration statement to be declared effective within 365 days after June 8, 2011. We intend the registration statement relating to this prospectus to satisfy these obligations.  In certain circumstances, we will be required to file a shelf registration statement to cover resales of the Notes.  If we do not comply with our obligations under the registration rights agreement, we will be required to pay additional interest on the Notes.  See “Registration Rights.”

 

 

 

Risk Factors

 

Investing in the Notes involves substantial risks. You should carefully consider all the information contained in this prospectus prior to investing in the Notes. In particular, we urge you to carefully consider the information set forth in the section under the heading “Risk Factors” for a description of certain risks you should consider before investing in the Notes.

 

 

 

Indentures

 

The Secured Notes will be issued under an indenture, dated as of June 1, 2011, with Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee and collateral agent, as supplemented by a supplemental indenture, dated as of June 8, 2011.  The rights of holders of the Secured Notes, including rights with

 

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respect to default, waivers and amendments will be governed by the indenture, as supplemented.

 

The Unsecured Notes will be issued under an indenture, dated as of June 1, 2011, with Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee, as supplemented by a supplemental indenture, dated as of June 8, 2011.  The rights of holders of the Unsecured Notes, including rights with respect to default, waivers and amendments will be governed by the indenture, as supplemented.

 

 

 

Governing Law

 

The indentures, as supplemented, are, and the Notes will be, governed by the laws of the State of New York.

 

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Table of Contents

 

Unaudited Summary Pro Forma Condensed Combined Financial Data

 

The unaudited summary pro forma condensed combined statement of operations data have been prepared to give effect to the Acquisition and related financing transactions as if they had been completed on January 1, 2010.

 

The unaudited summary pro forma condensed combined financial data are for informational purposes, should not be considered indicative of actual results that would have been achieved had the Acquisition and related financing transactions been consummated on the date or for the periods indicated and do not purport to indicate combined statement of operations data or other financial data for any future period.

 

You should read the data below in conjunction with the information contained in “Selected Historical Consolidated Financial Data,” “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” “Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Financial Information,” the historical consolidated financial statements of HSS and related notes, and the historical consolidated financial statements of Hughes Communications and related notes appearing elsewhere in this prospectus.

 

HSS

Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Statements of Operations

(In thousands)

 

 

 

For the

 

For the

 

 

 

Nine Months Ended

 

Year Ended

 

 

 

September 30, 2011

 

December 31, 2010

 

Revenue:

 

 

 

 

 

Services and other revenue

 

$

715,713

 

$

839,421

 

Services and other revenue — DISH Network

 

160,457

 

208,364

 

Equipment revenue

 

164,795

 

252,003

 

Equipment revenue — DISH Network

 

97

 

 

Total revenue

 

1,041,062

 

1,299,788

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Costs and Expenses: (exclusive of depreciation shown separately below):

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of sales - services and others

 

369,243

 

457,583

 

Cost of sales — equipment

 

148,137

 

218,410

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses

 

191,744

 

219,883

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

231,413

 

337,352

 

Total costs and expenses

 

940,537

 

1,233,228

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating income (loss)

 

100,525

 

66,560

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other Income (Expense):

 

 

 

 

 

Interest income

 

2,489

 

2,069

 

Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized

 

(117,154

)

(163,175

)

Other, net

 

9,455

 

1,663

 

Total other income (expense)

 

(105,210

)

(159,443

)

Income (loss) before income taxes

 

(4,685

)

(92,883

)

Income tax (provision) benefit, net

 

(1,618

)

39,148

 

Net income (loss)

 

(6,303

)

(53,735

)

Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests

 

103

 

193

 

Net income (loss) attributable to the HSS common shareholder

 

$

(6,406

)

$

(53,928

)

 

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Table of Contents

 

Summary Historical Consolidated Financial Data

 

The following tables present the summary historical consolidated financial data of HSS and its subsidiaries at the dates and for the periods indicated. We derived the following summary historical consolidated financial data for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008 and as of December 31, 2010 and 2009 from the audited consolidated financial statements of HSS and its subsidiaries included elsewhere in this prospectus.  We derived the following summary historical consolidated financial data for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010 and as of September 30, 2011 from the unaudited consolidated financial statements of HSS and its subsidiaries included elsewhere in this prospectus.  The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of HSS were prepared on a basis consistent with its audited consolidated financial statements. In the opinion of HSS’ management, the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include all adjustments, consisting only of normal and recurring adjustments, necessary for a fair statement of the results for those periods.  Results for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 also include the operating results of Hughes Communications subsequent to June 8, 2011, the date of completion of the Acquisition, and are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the full year.

 

You should read this data in conjunction with, and it is qualified by reference to, the sections entitled “Selected Historical Consolidated Financial Data” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and our consolidated financial statements and related notes appearing elsewhere in this prospectus.

 

 

 

For the Years
Ended December 31,

 

For the Nine Months
Ended September 30,

 

 

 

2010

 

2009

 

2008

 

2011

 

2010

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(unaudited)

 

Revenue:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Services and other revenue

 

$

52,643

 

$

40,284

 

$

30,014

 

$

331,775

 

$

38,571

 

Services and other revenue — DISH Network

 

208,364

 

131,111

 

149,513

 

160,457

 

157,114

 

Equipment revenue

 

1,172

 

851

 

124

 

83,444

 

946

 

Equipment revenue — DISH Network

 

 

 

 

97

 

 

Total revenue

 

262,179

 

172,246

 

179,651

 

575,773

 

196,631

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Costs and Expenses: (exclusive of depreciation shown below)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of sales — services and other

 

64,593

 

35,025

 

37,271

 

185,277

 

48,193

 

Cost of sales — equipment

 

876

 

10

 

11

 

68,541

 

700

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses

 

12,072

 

9,512

 

6,868

 

93,029

 

9,133

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

95,069

 

107,471

 

141,701

 

163,976

 

71,799

 

Impairments of long-lived assets

 

 

 

234,959

 

 

 

Total costs and expenses

 

172,610

 

152,018

 

420,810

 

510,823

 

129,825

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating income (loss)

 

89,569

 

20,228

 

(241,159

)

64,950

 

66,806

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other Income (Expense):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest income

 

26

 

23

 

53

 

1,823

 

5

 

Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized

 

(23,640

)

(23,567

)

(30,836

)

(50,904

)

(19,527

)

Acquisition costs

 

 

 

 

(35,230

)

 

Other, net

 

1,289

 

92

 

3

 

9,703

 

1,082

 

Total other income (expense)

 

(22,325

)

(23,452

)

(30,780

)

(74,608

)

(18,440

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income (loss) before income taxes

 

67,244

 

(3,224

)

(271,939

)

(9,658

)

48,366

 

Income tax (provision) benefit, net

 

(24,812

)

396

 

98,126

 

1,697

 

(17,846

)

Net income (loss)

 

42,432

 

(2,828

)

(173,813

)

(7,961

)

30,520

 

Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests

 

 

 

 

357

 

 

Net income (loss) attributable to the HSS common shareholder

 

$

42,432

 

$

(2,828

)

$

(173,813

)

$

(8,318

)

$

30,520

 

 

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Table of Contents

 

 

 

As of

 

 

 

December 31,

 

September 30,

 

 

 

2010

 

2009

 

2011

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance Sheet Data:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

106

 

$

 

$

194,212

 

Total assets

 

$

996,676

 

$

942,729

 

$

4,173,407

 

Total debt

 

$

411,763

 

$

443,893

 

$

2,396,312

 

Total shareholder’s equity

 

$

480,633

 

$

437,580

 

$

1,084,437

 

 

 

 

For the Years
Ended December 31,

 

For the Nine Months
Ended September 30,

 

 

 

2010

 

2009

 

2008

 

2011

 

2010

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(unaudited)

 

Other Data:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EBITDA(1)

 

$

185,927

 

$

127,791

 

$

(99,455

)

$

203,042

 

$

139,687

 

Net cash flows from:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating activities

 

$

167,527

 

$

78,185

 

$

80,673

 

$

192,696

 

$

114,690

 

Investing activities

 

$

(120,191

)

$

(138,196

)

$

(28,031

)

$

(2,067,020

)

$

(97,710

)

Financing activities

 

$

(47,230

)

$

60,011

 

$

(52,642

)

$

2,067,675

 

$

(16,855

)

 


(1)

EBITDA is defined as net income (loss) attributable to the HSS common shareholder plus net interest expense, taxes and depreciation and amortization. EBITDA is not a measure determined in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”), and should not be considered a substitute for operating income, net income or any other measure determined in accordance with GAAP. EBITDA is used as a measurement of operating efficiency and overall financial performance and we believe it to be a helpful measure for those evaluating companies in the multi-channel video programming distribution industry. Conceptually, EBITDA measures the amount of income generated each period that could be used to service debt, pay taxes and fund capital expenditures because EBITDA is independent of the actual leverage and capital expenditures employed by the business. EBITDA should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures of performance prepared in accordance with GAAP.

 

 

 

The following table reconciles EBITDA to net income (loss) attributable to the HSS common shareholder:

 

 

 

For the Years

 

For the Nine Months

 

 

 

Ended December 31,

 

Ended September 30,

 

 

 

2010

 

2009

 

2008

 

2011

 

2010

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EBITDA

 

$

185,927

 

$

127,791

 

$

(99,455

)

$

203,042

 

$

139,687

 

Interest income (expense), net

 

(23,614

)

(23,544

)

(30,783

)

(49,081

)

(19,522

)

Income tax (provision) benefit, net

 

(24,812

)

396

 

98,126

 

1,697

 

(17,846

)

Depreciation and amortization

 

(95,069

)

(107,471

)

(141,701

)

(163,976

)

(71,799

)

Net income (loss) attributable to the HSS common shareholder

 

$

42,432

 

$

(2,828

)

$

(173,813

)

$

(8,318

)

$

30,520

 

 

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RISK FACTORS

 

Investing in the Notes involves a high degree of risk. You should carefully consider the following risk factors and all other information contained in this prospectus before deciding whether to invest in the Notes. The risks and uncertainties described below are not the only ones facing us. Additional risks and uncertainties that we are unaware of, or that we currently believe to be immaterial, may also become important factors that affect us.

 

If any of the following events occur, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected. In that case, the value of the Notes could decline and you may lose some or all of your investment.

 

General Risks Affecting Our Business

 

One of our principal operating subsidiaries, ESS, currently derives a substantial portion of its revenue from its two primary customers, DISH Network and Dish Mexico.  The loss of, or a significant reduction in orders from or a decrease in selling price of transponder leasing and/or providing digital broadcast operations to DISH Network or Dish Mexico would also significantly reduce our revenue and adversely impact our results of operations derived from ESS.

 

Revenues generated by ESS from DISH Network accounted for 79.5%, 76.1% and 83.2% of our total revenue for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively, and 27.9% of our total revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2011.  Furthermore, Dish Mexico accounted for 3.2%, 4.8% and 0.1% of our total revenue for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively, and 1.1% of our total revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2011. Any reduction in sales to DISH Network or Dish Mexico or in the prices they pay for the services they purchase from us could have a significant negative impact on our business.  In addition, because a substantial portion of ESS’ revenue is derived from DISH Network and Dish Mexico, ESS’ success also depends to a significant degree on the continued success of DISH Network and Dish Mexico in attracting new subscribers.

 

There are a relatively small number of potential new customers for ESS’ satellite services, and we expect this customer concentration to continue for the foreseeable future.  Therefore, our operating results from ESS will likely continue to depend on sales to a relatively small number of customers, as well as the continued success of these customers.  In addition, we may from time to time enter into customer agreements providing for exclusivity periods during which we may sell a specified product only to that customer.  If we do not develop relationships with new customers, we may not be able to expand our customer base or maintain or increase our revenue.

 

Historically, many of ESS’ potential customers have perceived it as a competitor due to our affiliation with DISH Network.  There can be no assurance that we will be successful in entering into any commercial relationships with potential customers who are competitors of DISH Network (particularly if we continue to be perceived as affiliated with DISH Network as a result of common ownership and shared management services).

 

Economic weakness, including high unemployment and reduced consumer spending, may adversely affect our ability to grow or maintain our business.

 

Our business depends on the economic health and willingness of our customers and potential customers to make and adhere to capital and financial commitments to purchase our products and services. The U.S. and world  economy experienced significant slowdown and other weaknesses in the past few years, and the economic environment may continue to be unfavorable in the future. In addition, the telecommunications industry has been facing significant challenges resulting from excess capacity, new technologies and intense price competition. If the U.S. and world economic conditions continue to be volatile or deteriorate further or if the telecommunications industry experiences future weaknesses, we could experience reduced demand for, and pricing pressure on, our products and services, which could lead to a reduction in our revenues and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.  In addition, a substantial portion of ESS’ revenue comes from providers of pay-TV services that in turn derive a substantial majority of their revenue from residential customers whose spending is affected by economic uncertainty  Our ability to grow or maintain our business may be adversely affected by sustained economic weakness, including the effect of wavering consumer confidence, high unemployment and other

 

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factors that may adversely affect providers of pay-TV services and the telecommunications industry.  In particular, the weak economic conditions may result in the following:

 

·     Decreased Demand and Increased Pricing Pressure.  Subscribers to pay-TV services may delay purchasing decisions or reduce or reallocate their discretionary spending, which may in turn decrease demand for programming packages from pay-TV providers.  Increased pricing pressures may also result in reduced margins for pay-TV providers, which are the primary customers of ESS.

 

·     Excess Satellite Capacity.  There is an increased risk of excess satellite capacity resulting from possible decreased demand for pay-TV services and other services utilizing satellite transmission.

 

·      Increased Impairment Charges.  Sustained economic weakness could result in substantial future impairment charges relating to, among other things, satellites, FCC authorizations, goodwill and intangibles, and our debt and equity investments.

 

If we are unable to properly respond to technological changes, our business could be significantly harmed.

 

Our business and the market in which we operate are characterized by rapid technological changes, evolving industry standards and frequent product and service enhancements.  If we are unable to properly respond to technological developments, our existing products and services may become obsolete and demand for our products and services may decline.  We and our suppliers may not be able to keep pace with technological developments.  If we fail to timely obtain such technologies from our suppliers or introduce products and services with superior technologies, if the new technologies developed by us or our partners fail to achieve sustained acceptance in the marketplace or become obsolete, or if our competitors obtain or develop proprietary technologies that are perceived by the market as being superior to ours, we could suffer a material adverse effect on our future competitive position that could in turn decrease our revenues and earnings.  Furthermore, after we have incurred substantial research and development costs, one or more of the technologies under our development, or under development by one or more of our strategic partners, could become obsolete prior to its introduction.  Even if we keep up with technological innovation, we may not meet market demands.

 

Our response to technological developments depends, to a significant degree, on the work of technically skilled employees.  Competition for the services of such employees is intense.  Although we strive to attract and retain these employees, we may not succeed in this respect.  Moreover, issues arising from the integration of EchoStar and Hughes Communications, including, among others, differences in corporate culture, may affect our ability to retain technically skilled employees. If we are unable to attract and retain technically skilled employees, we may not be able to respond to changes in technologies and, as a result, our competitive position could be materially and adversely affected.

 

The failure to adequately anticipate the need for transponder capacity or the inability to obtain transponder capacity could harm our results of operations.

 

Our Hughes segment has made substantial contractual commitments for transponder capacity based on its existing customer contracts and backlog, as well as anticipated future business, to the extent its existing broadband customers are not expected to utilize our SPACEWAY 3 satellite.  If future demand does not meet our expectations, we will be committed to maintaining excess transponder capacity for which we will have no or insufficient revenues to cover our costs, which would have a negative impact on our margins and results of operations.  Our transponder leases are generally for two to five years, and different leases cover satellites with coverage of different geographical areas or support different applications and features, so we may not be able to quickly or easily adjust our capacity to changes in demand.  If we only purchase transponder capacity based on existing contracts and bookings, capacity for certain types of coverage in the future that cannot be readily served by SPACEWAY 3 may be unavailable to us, and we may not be able to satisfy certain needs of our customers, which could result in a loss of possible new business and could negatively impact the margins earned for those services.  At present, until the launch and operation of additional satellites, there is limited availability of capacity on the Ku-band frequencies in North America.  In addition, the FSS industry has seen consolidation in the past decade, and today, the three main FSS providers in North America and a number of smaller regional providers own and operate the current satellites that are available for our capacity needs.  The failure of any of these FSS providers to replace existing satellite assets at the end of their useful lives or a downturn in their industry as a whole could reduce or interrupt the Ku-band capacity available

 

21



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to us.  If we are not able to renew our capacity leases at economically viable rates, or if capacity is not available due to any problems of the FSS providers, our business and results of operations could be adversely affected, to the extent SPACEWAY 3 and Jupiter 1 are unable to satisfy the associated demand.

 

We currently have unused satellite capacity, and our results of operations may be materially adversely affected if we are not able to lease more of this capacity to third parties.

 

While we are currently evaluating various opportunities to make profitable use of our satellite capacity (including, but not limited to, supplying satellite capacity for new international ventures), we do not have firm plans to utilize all of our satellite capacity.  In addition, especially in light of the potential continued lack of demand for satellite services as a result of sustained economic weakness, there can be no assurance that we can successfully develop the business opportunities we currently plan to pursue with this capacity.  If we are unable to lease our excess satellite capacity to third parties, our margins would be negatively impacted and we may be required to record impairments related to our satellites.

 

Certain of our sales to DISH Network could be terminated or substantially curtailed on short notice, which would have a detrimental effect on us.

 

DISH Network has only certain obligations to continue to purchase certain of ESS’ services.  Therefore, our relationship with DISH Network could be terminated or substantially curtailed with little or no advance notice.  Any material reduction in our sales to DISH Network would have a significant adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial position.  Furthermore, because there are a relatively small number of potential customers for our products and services and because we have had limited success to date in attracting such potential customers, if we lose DISH Network as a customer, it will be difficult for us to replace, in whole or in part, ESS’ historical revenues from DISH Network.

 

We currently face competition from established competitors in the satellite service business and may face competition from others in the future.

 

We compete against larger, well-established satellite service companies, such as Intelsat, SES and Telesat.  Because the satellite services industry is relatively mature, our growth strategy depends largely on our ability to displace current incumbent providers, which often have the benefit of long-term contracts with customers.  These long-term contracts and other factors result in relatively high costs for customers to change service providers, making it more difficult for us to displace customers from their current relationships with our competitors.  In addition, the supply of satellite capacity has increased in recent years, which makes it more difficult for us to sell our services in certain markets and to price our capacity at acceptable levels.  Competition may cause downward pressure on prices and further reduce the utilization of our fleet capacity, both of which could have an adverse effect on our financial performance.  Our satellite services business also competes with fiber optic cable and other terrestrial delivery systems, which may have a cost advantage, particularly in point-to-point applications where such delivery systems have been installed.

 

The enterprise network communications industry is highly competitive. We may be unsuccessful in competing effectively against other terrestrial and satellite-based network providers in our enterprise groups.

 

We operate in a highly competitive enterprise network communications industry in the sale and lease of our products and services.  This industry is characterized by competitive pressures to provide enhanced functionality for the same or lower price with each new generation of technology.  As the prices of our products decrease, we will need to sell more products and/or reduce the per-unit costs to improve or maintain our results of operations.  We face competition from providers of terrestrial-based networks, such as Digital Subscriber Line (“DSL”), cable modem service, Multiprotocol Label Switching and Internet protocol-based virtual private networks, which may have advantages over satellite networks for certain customer applications.  Terrestrial-based networks are offered by telecommunications carriers and other large companies, many of which have substantially greater financial resources and greater name recognition than us.

 

The costs of a satellite network may exceed those of a terrestrial-based network, especially in areas that have experienced significant DSL and cable Internet build-out.  It may become more difficult for us to compete with terrestrial providers as the number of these areas increases and the cost of their network and hardware services

 

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Table of Contents

 

declines.  We also compete for enterprise clients with other satellite network providers, satellite providers that are targeting small and medium businesses and smaller independent systems integrators on procurement projects.

 

The consumer network communications market is highly competitive. We may be unsuccessful in competing effectively against DSL and cable service providers and other satellite broadband providers in the consumer market.  Following the commencement of service on ViaSat-1 by WildBlue and prior to the commencement of service on Jupiter 1, we will be at a competitive disadvantage to WildBlue.

 

We face competition in our consumer group primarily from DSL and cable Internet service providers.  Also, other satellite and wireless broadband companies have launched or are planning the launch of consumer satellite Internet access services in competition with ours in North America.  Some of these competitors offer consumer services and hardware at lower prices than ours.  In addition, terrestrial alternatives do not require our external dish which may limit customer acceptance of our products.

 

Our primary competitor for consumer satellite Internet access services is WildBlue Communications, Inc. (“WildBlue”), which is owned by ViaSat, Inc. (“ViaSat”).   Following the commencement of service on ViaSat-1 by WildBlue and prior to the commencement of service on Jupiter 1, WildBlue may be in a better position economically to offer faster connection speeds than us, and there can therefore be no assurance that our product offerings will remain competitive with those of WildBlue.  As discussed above, there can be no assurance that the expected launch of Jupiter 1 in the second quarter of 2012 will not be delayed or will not fail. See “Risks Related to Our Satellites—Our satellites under construction are subject to risks related to construction and launch that could limit our ability to utilize these satellites.”

 

If we are unable to develop, introduce and market new products, applications and services on a cost-effective and timely basis, or if we are unable to sell our new products and services to existing and new customers, our business could be adversely affected.

 

The network communications market is characterized by rapid technological changes, frequent new product introductions and evolving industry standards.  If we fail to develop new technology or keep pace with significant industry technological changes, our existing products and technology could be rendered obsolete.  Even if we keep up with technological innovation, it may not meet the demands of the network communications market.  For example, our large enterprise customers may only choose to renew services with us at substantially lower prices or for a decreased level of service.  Many of our large enterprise customers have existing networks available to them and may opt to find alternatives to our VSAT services or may renew with us solely as a backup network.  If we are unable to respond to technological advances on a cost-effective and timely basis, or if our products or applications are not accepted by the market, then our business, financial condition and results of operations would be adversely affected.

 

Any failure or inadequacy of our information technology infrastructure or those of our third-party service providers could harm our business.

 

The capacity, reliability and security of our information technology hardware and software infrastructure are important to the operation of our current business, which would suffer in the event of system failures.  Likewise, our ability to expand and update our information technology infrastructure in response to our growth and changing needs is important to the continued implementation of our new service offering initiatives.  Our networks and those of our third-party service providers and our customers may be vulnerable to unauthorized access, computer viruses and other security problems.  Persons who circumvent security measures could wrongfully obtain or use information on the network or cause interruptions, delays or malfunctions in our operations, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.  We may be required to expend significant resources to protect against the threat of security breaches or to alleviate problems, including reputational harm and litigation, caused by any breaches.  Although we have implemented and intend to continue to implement industry-standard security measures, these measures may prove to be inadequate and result in system failures and delays that could lower network operations center availability and have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. In addition, our inability to expand or upgrade our technology infrastructure could have adverse consequences, which could include the delayed implementation of new offerings, product or service interruptions, and the diversion of development resources.

 

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Table of Contents

 

We are dependent upon third-party providers for components, manufacturing outsourcing, installation, and customer support service, and our results of operations may be materially adversely affected if any of these third-party providers fail to appropriately deliver the contracted goods or services.

 

We are dependent upon third-party services and products provided to us, including the following:

 

·      Components.  A limited number of suppliers manufacture some of the key components required to build our products.  These key components may not be continually available and we may not be able to forecast our component requirements sufficiently in advance, which may have a detrimental effect on supply.  If we are required to change suppliers for any reason, we would experience a delay in manufacturing our products if another supplier is not able to meet our requirements on a timely basis.  In addition, if we are unable to obtain the necessary volumes of components on favorable terms or prices on a timely basis, we may be unable to produce our products at competitive prices and we may be unable to satisfy demand from our customers.

 

·      Commodity Price Risk.  Many of our products contain components whose base raw materials have undergone dramatic cost fluctuations in the last 24 months.  Fluctuations in pricing of raw materials have the ability to affect our product costs.  Although we have been successful in offsetting or mitigating our exposure to these fluctuations, such changes could have an adverse impact on our product costs.

 

·      Manufacturing outsourcing.  While we develop and manufacture prototypes for our products, we use contract manufacturers to produce a significant portion of our hardware.  If these contract manufacturers fail to provide products that meet our specifications in a timely manner, then our customer relationships may be harmed.

 

·      Installation and customer support service.  Each of our North American and international operations utilizes a network of third-party installers to deploy our hardware.  In addition, a portion of our customer support and management is provided by offshore call centers.  Since we provide customized services for our customers that are essential to their operations, a decline in levels of service or attention to the needs of our customers could adversely affect our reputation, renewal rates and ability to win new business.

 

Our dependence on outside contractors could result in delays related to the design, manufacture and launch of our new satellites, which could in turn adversely affect our operating results.

 

There are a limited number of manufacturers that are able to design and build satellites according to the technical specifications and standards of quality we require, including Astrium Satellites, Boeing Satellite Systems, Lockheed Martin, Space Systems/Loral and Thales Alenia Space.  There are also a limited number of launch service providers able to launch such satellites, including International Launch Services, Arianespace, United Launch Alliance, Space Exploration Technologies Corp. and Sea Launch Company.  The loss of any of our manufacturers or launch service providers could increase the cost and result in the delay of the design, construction or launch of our satellites.  Even if alternate suppliers for such services are available, we may have difficulty identifying them in a timely manner or we may incur significant additional expense in changing suppliers, and this could result in difficulties or delays in the design, construction or launch of our satellites.  Any delays in the design, construction or launch of our satellites could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

If our products contain defects, we could be subject to significant costs to correct such defects and our product and network service contracts could be delayed or cancelled, which could adversely affect our revenues.

 

The products and the networks we deploy are highly complex, and some may contain defects when first introduced or when new versions or enhancements are released, despite extensive testing and our quality control procedures.  In addition, many of our products and network services are designed to interface with our customers’ existing networks, each of which has different specifications and utilizes multiple protocol standards.  Our products and services must interoperate with the other products and services within our customers’ networks, as well as with future products and services that might be added to these networks, to meet our customers’ requirements.  The occurrence of any defects, errors or failures in our products or network services could result in: (i) additional costs to correct such defects; (ii) cancellation of orders; (iii) a reduction in revenue backlog; (iv) product returns or recalls;

 

24



Table of Contents

 

(v) diversion of our resources; and (vi) the issuance of credits to customers and other losses to us, our customers or end users.  Any of these occurrences could also result in the loss of or delay in market acceptance of our products and services and loss of sales, which would harm our reputation and our business and adversely affect our revenues and profitability.

 

We may be unable to raise additional capital in the future to, among other things, continue investing in our business, construct and launch new satellites, and pursue acquisitions and other strategic transactions.

 

Weakness in the financial markets could make it difficult for us to access capital markets at acceptable terms or at all.  Instability in the equity markets could make it difficult for us to raise equity financing without incurring substantial dilution to our existing shareholders.  In addition, sustained economic weakness may limit our ability to generate sufficient internal cash to fund investments, capital expenditures, acquisitions and other strategic transactions.  We cannot predict with any certainty whether or not we will be impacted by sustained economic weakness.  As a result, these conditions make it difficult for us to accurately forecast and plan future business activities because we may not have access to funding sources necessary for us to pursue organic and strategic business development opportunities.

 

We may experience significant financial losses on our existing investments.

 

We have entered into certain strategic transactions and investments in North America, Asia and elsewhere.  These investments involve a high degree of risk and could diminish our ability to invest capital in our business.  The overall sustained economic uncertainty, as well as financial, operational and other difficulties encountered by certain companies in which we have invested, increases the risk that the actual amounts realized in the future on our debt and equity investments will differ significantly from the fair values currently assigned to them.  These investments could also expose us to significant financial losses and may restrict our ability to make other investments or limit alternative uses of our capital resources.  In particular, the laws, regulations and practices of certain countries may make it harder for our international investments to be successful.  If our investments suffer losses, our financial condition could be materially adversely affected.  In addition, the companies in which we invest or with whom we partner may not be able to compete effectively or there may be insufficient demand for the services and products offered by these companies.

 

Our business depends on certain intellectual property rights and on not infringing the intellectual property rights of others.  The loss of or infringement of our intellectual property rights could have a significant adverse impact on our business.

 

We rely on our patents, copyrights, trademarks and trade secrets, as well as licenses and other agreements with our vendors and other parties, to use our technologies, conduct our operations and sell our products and services.  Legal challenges to our intellectual property rights and claims by third parties of intellectual property infringement could require that we enter into royalty or licensing agreements on unfavorable terms, incur substantial monetary liability or be enjoined preliminarily or permanently from further use of the intellectual property in question or from the continuation of our businesses as currently conducted, which could require us to change our business practices or limit our ability to compete effectively or could otherwise have an adverse effect on our results of operations.  Even if we believe any such challenges or claims are without merit, they can be time-consuming and costly to defend and may divert management’s attention and resources away from our business.  Moreover, due to the rapid pace of technological change, we rely in part on technologies developed or licensed by third parties, and if we are unable to obtain or continue to obtain licenses or other required intellectual property rights from these third parties on reasonable terms, our business, financial position and results of operations could be adversely affected.  In addition, technology licensed from third parties may have undetected errors that impair the functionality or prevent the successful integration of our products or services. As a result of any such changes or loss, we may need to incur additional development costs to ensure continued performance of our products or suffer delays until replacement technology, if available, can be obtained and integrated.

 

From time to time, we are party to various lawsuits which, if adversely decided, could have a significant adverse impact on our business, particularly lawsuits regarding intellectual property.

 

From time to time, we are subject to various legal proceedings and claims, which arise in the ordinary course of business.  Many entities, including some of our competitors, have or may in the future obtain patents and other

 

25



Table of Contents

 

intellectual property rights that cover or affect products or services related to those that we offer.  In general, if a court determines that one or more of our products or services infringes valid intellectual property rights held by others, we may be required to cease developing or marketing those products or services, to obtain licenses from the holders of the intellectual property at a material cost, or to redesign those products or services in such a way as to avoid infringement.  If those intellectual property rights are held by a competitor, we may be unable to license the necessary intellectual property rights at any price, which could adversely affect our competitive position.

 

We are a wholly owned subsidiary of EchoStar Corporation and do not operate as an independent company.

 

We rely on EchoStar Corporation for a substantial portion of our administrative and management functions and services including human resources-related functions, accounting, tax administration, legal, external reporting, treasury administration, internal audit and insurance functions, information technology and telecommunications services and other support services.  While HSS has access to certain of Hughes Communications’ infrastructure, we do not have in place the systems and resources to perform all these functions or services.  Instead, we generally receive these services pursuant to an arrangement between us and EchoStar.  As discussed in more detail below, EchoStar in turn receives certain of these services from DISH Network pursuant to a management services agreement and a professional services agreement entered into between them. We anticipate continuing to rely upon DISH Network to provide many of these services. If our intercompany arrangement with EchoStar were to terminate, or if EchoStar no longer receives certain services from DISH Network, we would need to obtain agreements with third-party service providers or obtain additional internal resources, neither of which may be available on acceptable terms or at all.

 

EchoStar has not been an independent company for a significant amount of time and it may be unable to make, on a timely or cost-effective basis, the changes necessary to operate as an independent company.

 

Prior to the Spin-off, EchoStar’s business (including ESS) was operated by DISH Network as part of its broader corporate organization, rather than as an independent company.  DISH Network’s senior management oversaw the strategic direction of our businesses and DISH Network performed various corporate functions for us, including, but not limited to:

 

·      human resources related functions;

 

·      accounting;

 

·      tax administration;

 

·      legal and external reporting;

 

·      treasury administration, investor relations, internal audit and insurance functions; and

 

·      information technology and telecommunications services.

 

DISH Network and its affiliates are currently obligated to provide certain of these functions to EchoStar pursuant to the management services agreement and the professional services agreement between EchoStar and DISH Network.  If DISH Network does not continue to perform effectively the services that are called for under the management services agreement and the professional services agreement, we may not be able to operate our business effectively.  In addition if, once the management services agreement and the professional services agreement terminate, we do not have in place our own systems and business functions, we do not have agreements with other providers of these services or we are not able to make these changes cost-effectively, we may not be able to operate our business effectively and our profitability may decline.

 

We rely on key personnel and the loss of their services may negatively affect our businesses.

 

We believe that our future success will depend to a significant extent upon the performance of Mr. Charles W. Ergen, our and EchoStar’s Chairman, and certain other key executives.  Certain of these key executives will also continue to devote significant time to their employment at DISH Network.  The loss of Mr. Ergen or of certain other key executives or the ability of these certain other key executives to devote sufficient time and effort to our business

 

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could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.  Although all of EchoStar’s executives have certain agreements limiting their ability to work for or consult with competitors if they leave EchoStar, EchoStar does not have employment agreements with any of them.

 

Although we expect that the Acquisition will benefit us, those expected benefits may not occur because of the complexity of integration and other challenges.

 

We acquired Hughes Communications on June 8, 2011.  Achieving the expected benefits of the Acquisition will depend in part on our ability to integrate Hughes Communications’ operations, technology and personnel in a timely and efficient manner.  We have incurred substantial direct transaction costs associated with the Acquisition, and will incur additional costs associated with consolidation and integration of operations.  The integration of Hughes Communications is complex, time-consuming, and expensive, and may disrupt our business or result in the loss of our or Hughes Communications’ customers or key employees or the diversion of our management’s attention. In addition, the integration process may strain our financial and managerial controls and reporting systems and procedures. This may result in the diversion of management and financial resources from our principal core business objectives.  Moreover, we cannot assure you that the integration will be completed as quickly as we expect or that the Acquisition will achieve its expected benefits.

 

If the total costs of the Acquisition exceed estimates or if the expected benefits of the Acquisition do not exceed the total costs of the Acquisition, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially adversely affected.

 

We may pursue acquisitions and other strategic transactions to complement or expand our business, which may not be successful and we may lose up to the entire value of our investment in these acquisitions and transactions.

 

Our future success may depend on the existence of, and our ability to capitalize on, opportunities to buy other businesses or technologies or partner with other companies that could complement, enhance or expand our current business or products or that may otherwise offer us growth opportunities.  We may pursue acquisitions, joint ventures or other business combination activities to complement or expand our business.  In addition, we have entered, and may continue to enter, into strategic transactions and investments in North America, Asia and elsewhere.  Any such acquisitions, transactions or investments that we are able to identify and complete, which may become substantial over time, involve a high degree of risk, including, but not limited to, the following:

 

·      the diversion of our management’s attention from our existing business to integrate the operations and personnel of the acquired or combined business or joint venture;

 

·      possible adverse effects on our operating results during the integration process; and

 

·      exposure to significant financial losses if the transactions and/or the underlying ventures are not successful and/or we are unable to achieve the intended objectives of the transaction.

 

New acquisitions, joint ventures and other transactions may require the commitment of significant capital that may otherwise be directed to investments in our existing businesses. Commitment of this capital may cause us to defer or suspend any capital expenditures that we otherwise may have made.

 

We have made and will continue to make significant investments in research, development, and marketing for new products, services and related technologies, as well as entry into new business areas.  Investments in new technologies and business areas are inherently speculative and commercial success thereof depends on numerous factors including innovativeness, quality of service and support, and effectiveness of sales and marketing.  We may not achieve revenue or profitability from such investments for a number of years, if at all.  Moreover, even if such products, services, technologies and business area become profitable, their operating margins may be minimal.

 

The pro forma financial information is presented for illustrative purposes only and may not be an indication of our financial condition or results of operations in the future.

 

The pro forma financial information contained in this prospectus is presented for illustrative purposes only and may not be an indication of our financial condition or results of operations in the future for several reasons. For

 

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example, the pro forma financial information has been derived from the historical financial statements of HSS and Hughes Communications and certain adjustments and assumptions have been made regarding us after giving effect to the Acquisition and related financing transactions. These kinds of adjustments and assumptions are difficult to make with complete accuracy. Moreover, the pro forma financial information may not reflect all costs that are expected to be incurred by us in connection with the transaction. For example, the impact of any incremental costs incurred in integrating the two companies is not reflected in the pro forma financial information. As a result, our actual financial condition and results of operations following the transaction may not be consistent with, or evident from, this pro forma financial information.

 

In addition, the assumptions used in preparing the pro forma financial information may not prove to be accurate, and other factors may affect our financial condition or results of operations following the transaction. Any potential deterioration in our financial condition or results of operations may cause a significant decline in the value of your investment. See the section entitled “Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Financial Information.”

 

Risks Related to Our Satellites

 

Our owned and leased satellites in orbit are subject to significant operational and environmental risks that could limit our ability to utilize these satellites.

 

Satellites are subject to significant operational risks while in orbit.  These risks include malfunctions, commonly referred to as anomalies, which have occurred in our satellites and the satellites of other operators as a result of various factors, such as satellite design and manufacturing defects, problems with the power systems or control systems of the satellites and general failures resulting from operating satellites in the harsh environment of space.

 

Although we work closely with the satellite manufacturers to determine and eliminate the cause of anomalies in new satellites and provide for redundancies of many critical components in the satellites, we may experience anomalies in the future, whether of the types described above or arising from the failure of other systems or components.

 

Any single anomaly or series of anomalies could materially and adversely affect our operations and revenues and our relationship with current customers, as well as our ability to attract new customers.  In particular, future anomalies may result in the loss of individual transponders on a satellite, a group of transponders on that satellite or the entire satellite, depending on the nature of the anomaly.  Anomalies may also reduce the expected useful life of a satellite, thereby reducing the revenue that could be generated by that satellite, or create additional expenses due to the need to provide replacement or back-up satellites or satellite capacity.

 

Meteoroid events pose a potential threat to all in-orbit satellites.  The probability that meteoroids will damage those satellites increases significantly when the Earth passes through the particulate stream left behind by comets.  Occasionally, increased solar activity also poses a potential threat to all in-orbit satellites.

 

Some decommissioned spacecraft are in uncontrolled orbits, which pass through the geostationary belt at various points and present hazards to operational spacecraft, including our satellites.  We may be required to perform maneuvers to avoid collisions and these maneuvers may prove unsuccessful or could reduce the useful life of the satellite through the expenditure of fuel to perform these maneuvers.  The loss, damage or destruction of any of our satellites as a result of an electrostatic storm, collision with space debris, malfunction or other event could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

Our satellites have minimum design lives ranging from 12 to 15 years, but could fail or suffer reduced capacity before then.

 

Generally, the minimum design life of each of our satellites ranges from 12 to 15 years.  We can provide no assurance, however, as to the actual operational lives of our satellites, which may be shorter than their design lives.  Our ability to earn revenue depends on the continued operation of our satellites, each of which has a limited useful life.  A number of factors affect the useful lives of the satellites, including, among other things, the quality of their design and construction, the durability of their component parts, the ability to continue to maintain proper orbit and control over the satellite’s functions, the efficiency of the launch vehicle used, and the remaining on-board fuel following orbit insertion.

 

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In the event of a failure or loss of any of our satellites, we may relocate another satellite and use it as a replacement for the failed or lost satellite, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.  Such a relocation would require FCC approval and, among other things, a showing to the FCC that the replacement satellite would not cause additional interference compared to the failed or lost satellite.  We cannot be certain that we could obtain such FCC approval.  In addition, we cannot guarantee that another satellite will be available for use as a replacement for a failed or lost satellite, or that such relocation can be accomplished without a substantial utilization of fuel.  Any such utilization of fuel would reduce the operational life of the replacement satellite.

 

We generally do not have commercial insurance coverage on the satellites we use and could face significant impairment charges if one of our uninsured satellites fails.

 

Historically, we have not carried launch or in-orbit insurance on the satellites we use.  We currently do not carry in-orbit insurance on any of our satellites, other than on SPACEWAY 3, and often do not use commercial insurance to mitigate the potential financial impact of launch or in-orbit failures because we believe that the cost of insurance premiums is uneconomical relative to the risk of such failures. If one or more of our in-orbit uninsured satellites fail, we could be required to record significant impairment charges.  However, pursuant to the terms of the indentures governing the Notes, we are required, subject to certain limitations on coverage, to obtain launch and in-orbit insurance for Jupiter 1 and EchoStar XVI.

 

Our satellites under construction are subject to risks related to construction and launch that could limit our ability to utilize these satellites.

 

Satellite construction and launch are subject to significant risks, including delays, launch failure and incorrect orbital placement.  Certain launch vehicles that may be used by us have either unproven track records or have experienced launch failures in the past.  The risks of launch delay and failure are usually greater when the launch vehicle does not have a track record of previous successful flights.  Launch failures result in significant delays in the deployment of satellites because of the need both to construct replacement satellites, which can take more than three years, and to obtain other launch opportunities.  Construction and launch delays could materially and adversely affect our ability to generate revenues.  Because we generally do not carry launch insurance on our satellites, if a launch failure were to occur, it could have a material adverse effect on our ability to generate revenues and fund future satellite procurement and launch opportunities.  In addition, the occurrence of launch failures whether on our satellites or those of others may significantly reduce the availability of launch insurance on our satellites or make launch insurance premiums uneconomical.

 

Risks Related to the Regulation of Our Business

 

Our business is subject to risks of adverse government regulation.

 

Our business is subject to varying degrees of regulation in the United States by the FCC and other entities, and in foreign countries by similar entities and internationally by the International Telecommunication Union (“ITU”).  These regulations are subject to the political process and have changed from time to time.  Moreover, a substantial number of foreign countries in which we have, or may in the future make, an investment, regulate, in varying degrees, the ownership of satellites and the distribution and ownership of programming services and foreign investment in telecommunications companies.  Violations of laws or regulations may result in various sanctions including fines, loss of authorizations and the denial of applications for new authorizations or for the renewal of existing authorizations.  Further material changes in law and regulatory requirements must be anticipated, and there can be no assurance that our business and the business of our affiliates will not be adversely affected by future legislation, new regulation or deregulation.

 

Our use of satellites is dependent on satellite coordination agreements, which may be difficult to obtain.

 

Because satellite transmissions and the use of frequencies often are dependent on coordination with other satellite systems operated by U.S. or foreign satellite operators, it can be difficult to determine the outcome of these coordination agreements with these other entities.  The impact of a coordination agreement may result in the loss of rights to the use of certain frequencies or access to certain markets. The significance of such a loss would vary and it can therefore be difficult to determine which portion of our revenues will be impacted.

 

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Furthermore the satellite coordination process is conducted under the guidance of the International Telecommunications Union, ITU, radio regulations and the national regulations of the satellites involved in the coordination process.  These rules and regulations could be amended and could therefore materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

We cannot predict the outcomes of these coordination processes and proceedings, amendments to the rules and regulations under which they are conducted or their effect on our business.

 

Our business depends on FCC licenses that can expire or be revoked or modified and applications for FCC licenses that may not be granted.

 

If the FCC were to cancel, revoke, suspend, or fail to renew any of our licenses or authorizations, or fail to grant our applications for FCC licenses, it could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.  Specifically, loss of a frequency authorization would reduce the amount of spectrum available to us, potentially reducing the amount of services we provide to our customers.  The significance of such a loss of authorizations would vary based upon, among other things, the orbital location, the frequency band and the availability of replacement spectrum.  In addition, Congress often considers legislation that could affect us and enacts legislation that does affect us, and FCC proceedings to implement the Communications Act of 1934, as amended (the “Communications Act”) and enforce its regulations are ongoing.  We cannot predict the outcomes of these legislative or regulatory proceedings or their effect on our business.

 

We may face difficulties in accurately assessing and collecting contributions towards the Universal Service Fund.

 

As a provider of telecommunications in the United States, we are presently required to contribute a percentage of our revenues from telecommunications services to the Universal Service Fund to support mechanisms that subsidize the provision of services to low-income consumers, high-cost areas, schools, libraries and rural health care providers.  This percentage is set each calendar quarter by the FCC. Current FCC rules permit us to pass this Universal Service Fund contribution onto our customers.

 

Because our customer contracts often include both telecommunications services, which create such support obligations, and other goods and services, which do not, it can be difficult to determine which portion of our revenues forms the basis for this contribution and the amount that we can recover from our customers.  If the FCC, which oversees the support mechanisms, or a court or other governmental entity were to determine that we computed our contribution obligation incorrectly or passed the wrong amount onto our customers, we could become subject to additional assessments, liabilities, or other financial penalties.  In addition, the FCC is considering substantial changes to its Universal Service Fund contribution and distribution rules.  These changes could impact our future contribution obligations and those of third parties that provide communication services to our business.  Any such change to the Universal Service Fund contribution rules could adversely affect our costs of providing service to our customers. In addition, changes to the Universal Service Fund distribution rules could intensify the competition we face by offering subsidies to competing firms and/or technologies.

 

Our foreign operations expose us to regulatory risks and restrictions not present in our domestic operations.

 

Our operations outside the United States accounted for approximately 3.2%, 4.8% and 0.1% of our total revenues for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively, and 16.3% of our total revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2011.  We expect our foreign operations to continue to represent a significant portion of our business.  We have operations in Brazil, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Mexico, the Russian Federation, South Africa, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom and China, among other nations.  Over the last 20 years, Hughes Communications has sold products in over 100 countries. Our foreign operations involve varying degrees of risks and uncertainties inherent in doing business abroad. Such risks include:

 

·      Complications in complying with restrictions on foreign ownership and investment and limitations on repatriation.  We may not be permitted to own our operations in some countries and may have to enter into partnership or joint venture relationships. Many foreign legal regimes restrict our repatriation of earnings to the United States from our subsidiaries and joint venture entities. We may also be limited in our ability to distribute or access our assets by the governing documents pertaining to such entities. In such event, we will not have access to the cash flow and assets of our joint ventures.

 

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·      Difficulties in following a variety of foreign laws and regulations, such as those relating to data content retention, privacy and employee welfare.  Our international operations are subject to the laws of many different jurisdictions that may differ significantly from United States law.  For example, local political or intellectual property law may hold us responsible for the data that is transmitted over our network by our customers.  Also, other nations have more stringent employee welfare laws that guarantee perquisites that we must offer. Compliance with these laws may lead to increased operations costs, loss of business opportunities or violations that result in fines or other penalties.

 

·      Restrictions on space station landing rights/coordination.  Satellite market access and landing rights are dependent on the national regulations established by foreign governments, including, but not limited to: (a) national coordination requirements and registration requirements for satellites; and (b) reporting requirements of national telecommunications regulators with respect to service provision and satellite performance.

 

·      Financial and legal constraints and obligations.  Operating pursuant to foreign licenses subjects us to certain financial constraints and obligations, including, but not limited to: (a) tax liabilities that may or may not be dependent on revenues; (b) the burden of creating and maintaining additional facilities and staffing in foreign jurisdictions; and (c) legal regulations requiring that we make available “free” satellite capacity for national social programing, which may impact our revenue.

 

·      Significant competition in our international markets.  Outside North America, we have traditionally competed for hardware and services sales primarily in Europe, Brazil and India and focused only on hardware revenues in other regions. In Europe, we face intense competition which is not expected to abate in the near future.

 

·      Changes in exchange rates between foreign currencies and the United States dollar.  We conduct our business and incur cost in the local currency of a number of the countries in which we operate.  Accordingly, our results of operations are reported in the relevant local currency and then translated to U.S. dollars at the applicable currency exchange rate for inclusion in our financial statements.  These fluctuations in currency exchange rates have affected, and may in the future affect, revenue, profits and cash earned on international sales.  In addition, we sell our products and services and acquire supplies and components from countries that historically have been, and may continue to be, susceptible to recessions or currency devaluation.

 

·      Greater exposure to the possibility of economic instability, the disruption of operations from labor and political disturbances, expropriation or war.  As we conduct operations throughout the world, we could be subject to regional or national economic downturns or instability, labor or political disturbances or conflicts of various sizes.  Any of these disruptions could detrimentally affect our sales in the affected region or country or lead to damage to, or expropriation of, our property or danger to our personnel.

 

·      Competition with large or state-owned enterprises and/or regulations that effectively limit our operations and favor local competitors.  Many of the countries in which we conduct business have traditionally had state owned or state granted monopolies on telecommunications services that favor an incumbent service provider.  We face competition from these favored and entrenched companies in countries that have not deregulated.  The slower pace of deregulation in these countries, particularly in Asia and Latin America, has adversely affected the growth of our business in these regions.

 

·      Customer credit risks.  Customer credit risks are exacerbated in foreign operations because there is often little information available about the credit histories of customers in the foreign countries in which we operate.

 

We may not be aware of certain foreign government laws or regulations or changes to them which could have a significant adverse impact on our business.

 

Because regulatory schemes vary by country, we may be subject to laws or regulations in foreign countries of which we are not presently aware.  If that were to be the case, we could be subject to sanctions by a foreign government that could materially and adversely affect our ability to operate in that country.  There is no assurance that any current regulatory approvals held by us are, or will remain, sufficient in the view of foreign regulatory authorities, or that any additional necessary approvals will be granted on a timely basis or at all, in all jurisdictions in which we wish to operate new satellites, or that applicable restrictions in those jurisdictions will not be unduly

 

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burdensome.  The failure to obtain the authorizations necessary to operate satellites internationally could have a material adverse effect on our ability to generate revenue and our overall competitive position.

 

We, our customers and companies with whom we do business may be required to have authority from each country in which we or they provide services or provide our customers use of our satellites.  Because laws and regulations in each country are different, we may not be aware if some of our customers and/or companies with which we do business do not hold the requisite licenses and approvals.

 

Our international sales and operations require access to international markets and are subject to applicable laws relating to trade, export controls and foreign corrupt practices, the violation of which could adversely affect our operations.

 

We must comply with foreign national requirements for the registration of satellites and associated obligations.  We may not be aware of the laws for new markets in which we intend to conduct business.  Furthermore, for those countries in which we are presently conducting business, the requirements relating to satellite registration and satellite services could be changed. Non-compliance with these requirements may result in the loss of the authorizations and licenses to conduct business in these countries.

 

We must comply with all applicable export control laws and regulations of the United States and other countries. United States laws and regulations applicable to us include the Arms Export Control Act, the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (“ITAR”), the Export Administration Regulations (“EAR”) and the trade sanctions laws and regulations administered by the United States Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (“OFAC”). The export of certain hardware, technical data and services relating to satellites is regulated by the United States Department of State’s Directorate of Defense Trade Controls under ITAR. Other items are controlled for export by the United States Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security under EAR. We cannot provide services to certain countries subject to United States trade sanctions unless we first obtain the necessary authorizations from OFAC. Violations of these laws or regulations could result in significant sanctions including fines, more onerous compliance requirements, debarments from export privileges or loss of authorizations needed to conduct aspects of our international business.  A violation of ITAR or the other regulations enumerated above could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

In addition, we are subject to the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and similar anti-bribery laws in other jurisdictions that prohibit companies and their intermediaries from making improper payments to foreign officials and other individuals for the purpose of obtaining or retaining business.  Our policies mandate compliance with these laws.  However, we operate in many parts of the world that have experienced corruption to some degree.  If we are found to be liable for violating these laws, we could suffer from civil and criminal penalties or other sanctions, which could have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.

 

Risks Relating to Our Relationship with DISH Network

 

We have potential conflicts of interest with DISH Network due to our common ownership and management.

 

Questions relating to conflicts of interest may arise between DISH Network and us in a number of areas relating to our past and ongoing relationships. Areas in which conflicts of interest between DISH Network and us could arise include, but are not limited to, the following:

 

·      Cross officerships, directorships and stock ownership.  We continue to have significant overlap in directors and executive officers with DISH Network, which may lead to conflicting interests.  Certain of EchoStar’s executive officers and directors also serve as executive officers of DISH Network.  DISH Network’s Corporate Controller provides us with services pursuant to a management services agreement between EchoStar and DISH Network and provides the same services to DISH Network.  EchoStar’s Board of Directors includes persons who are members of the Board of Directors of DISH Network, including Charles W. Ergen, who serves as the Chairman of DISH Network, EchoStar and us.  The executive officers and the members of EchoStar’s Board of Directors who overlap with DISH Network have fiduciary duties to DISH Network’s shareholders.  Therefore, these individuals may have actual or apparent conflicts of interest with respect to matters involving or affecting each company.  For example, there is potential for a conflict of interest when we or DISH Network look at acquisitions and other corporate opportunities that

 

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may be suitable for both companies.  In addition, many of EchoStar’s directors and officers own DISH Network stock and options to purchase DISH Network stock, certain of which they acquired or were granted prior to the spin-off, including Mr. Ergen, who beneficially owns approximately 53.2% of the total equity (assuming conversion of only the Class B Common Stock held by Mr. Ergen into Class A Common Stock) and controls approximately 90.4% of the voting power of DISH Network (assuming no conversion of the Class B Common Stock).  Mr. Ergen’s beneficial ownership of DISH Network excludes 4,245,151 shares of DISH Network Class A Common Stock issuable upon conversion of shares of DISH Network Class B Common Stock currently held by certain trusts established by Mr. Ergen for the benefit of his family.  These trusts beneficially own approximately 2.0% of the total equity securities of DISH Network (assuming conversion of only the Class B Common Stock held by such trusts into Class A Common Stock) and possess approximately 1.6% of the total voting power of DISH Network (assuming no conversion of the Class B Common Stock).  Mr. Ergen beneficially owns approximately 50.4% of EchoStar’s total equity securities (assuming conversion of only the Class B Common Stock held by Mr. Ergen into Class A Common Stock) and possesses approximately 75.6% of EchoStar’s total voting power (assuming no conversion of the Class B Common Stock).  Mr. Ergen’s beneficial ownership of EchoStar excludes 8,734,250 shares of EchoStar’s Class A Common Stock issuable upon conversion of shares of its Class B Common Stock currently held by certain trusts established by Mr. Ergen for the benefit of his family.  These trusts beneficially own approximately 18.3% of EchoStar’s total equity securities (assuming conversion of only the Class B Common Stock held by such trusts into Class A Common Stock) and possess approximately 16.9% of EchoStar’s total voting power (assuming no conversion of the Class B Common Stock).  These ownership interests could create actual, apparent or potential conflicts of interest when these individuals are faced with decisions that could have different implications for our company and DISH Network.

 

·      Intercompany agreements related to the Spin-off.  EchoStar entered into agreements with DISH Network pursuant to which DISH Network provides EchoStar certain management, administrative, accounting, tax, legal and other services, for which EchoStar pays DISH Network an amount equal to DISH Network’s cost plus a fixed margin.  In addition, EchoStar entered into a number of intercompany agreements covering matters such as tax sharing and its responsibility for certain liabilities previously undertaken by DISH Network for certain of our businesses.  The terms of certain of these agreements were established while EchoStar was a wholly owned subsidiary of DISH Network and were not the result of arm’s length negotiations.  The allocation of assets, liabilities, rights, indemnifications and other obligations between DISH Network and EchoStar under the separation and ancillary agreements EchoStar entered into with DISH Network did not necessarily reflect what two unaffiliated parties might have agreed to.  Had these agreements been negotiated with unaffiliated third parties, their terms may have been more favorable, or less favorable, to EchoStar.  In addition, conflicts could arise in the interpretation or any extension or renegotiation of these existing agreements.

 

·      Future intercompany transactions.  In the future, DISH Network or its affiliates may enter into transactions with us or our subsidiaries or other affiliates.  Although the terms of any such transactions will be established based upon negotiations between DISH Network and us and, when appropriate, subject to the approval of the committee of the non-interlocking directors or in certain instances non-interlocking management, there can be no assurance that the terms of any such transactions will be as favorable to us or our subsidiaries or affiliates as may otherwise be obtained in negotiations between unaffiliated third parties.

 

·      Competition for business opportunities.  DISH Network retains its interests in various companies that have subsidiaries or controlled affiliates that own or operate domestic or foreign services that may compete with services offered by our businesses.  We may also compete with DISH Network when we participate in auctions for spectrum or orbital slots for our satellites.

 

We may not be able to resolve any potential conflicts of interest with DISH Network and, even if we do so, the resolution may be less favorable to us than if we were dealing with an unaffiliated party.

 

We do not have any agreements with DISH Network that restrict us from selling our services to competitors of DISH Network, nor do we have any agreement that prevents DISH Network from purchasing services from our competitors.  We also do not have any agreements with DISH Network that would prevent us from competing with

 

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each other. In addition, the corporate opportunity policy set forth in EchoStar’s articles of incorporation addresses potential conflicts of interest for officers and directors of DISH Network who are also officers or directors of EchoStar.  This policy could restrict our ability to take advantage of certain corporate opportunities.

 

Risks Related to the Notes and the Exchange Offer

 

We have substantial debt outstanding and may incur additional debt.

 

As of September 30, 2011, our total debt, including the debt of our subsidiaries, was approximately $2.4 billion. Our debt levels could have significant consequences, including:

 

·      making it more difficult to satisfy our obligations;

 

·      having a dilutive effect on our outstanding equity capital or future earnings;

 

·      increasing our vulnerability to general adverse economic conditions, including changes in interest rates;

 

·      limiting our ability to obtain additional financing;

 

·      requiring us to devote a substantial portion of our available cash and cash flow to make interest and principal payments on our debt, thereby reducing the amount of available cash for other purposes;

 

·      limiting our financial and operating flexibility in responding to changing economic and competitive conditions; and

 

·      placing us at a disadvantage compared to our competitors that have relatively less debt.

 

In addition, we may incur substantial additional debt in the future. The terms of the indentures governing the Notes permit us to incur substantial additional debt and will allow us to issue additional secured debt under certain circumstances which will also be guaranteed by the guarantors and will share in the Collateral that will secure the Secured Notes and the guarantees thereof, and, in some cases, such debt can be secured by a lien on the Collateral that is pari passu with the lien on certain Collateral securing the Secured Notes.  The indentures will also allow our foreign subsidiaries to incur additional debt, which would be structurally senior to the Notes.  In addition, the indentures will not prevent us from incurring other liabilities that do not constitute indebtedness.  See “Description of the Secured Notes” and “Description of the Unsecured Notes.”  This may have the effect of reducing the amount of proceeds paid to you. If new debt is added to our current debt levels, the risks we now face could intensify.

 

We may be required to raise and refinance indebtedness during unfavorable market conditions.

 

Our business plans may require that we raise additional debt to capitalize on our business opportunities.  Recent developments in the financial markets have made it more difficult for issuers of high yield indebtedness such as us to access capital markets at reasonable rates. Currently, we have not been materially impacted by events in the current credit market. However, we cannot predict with any certainty whether or not we will be impacted in the future by the current conditions which may adversely affect our ability to secure additional financing to support our growth initiatives.

 

We depend upon our subsidiaries’ earnings to make payments on our indebtedness.

 

Since we conduct all of our operations through subsidiaries, our ability to service our debt obligations will depend upon the earnings of our subsidiaries and the payment of funds by our subsidiaries to us in the form of loans, dividends or other payments. We have few assets of significance other than the capital stock of our subsidiaries. Our subsidiaries are separate legal entities and are not obligated to make funds available to us, and creditors of our subsidiaries will have a superior claim to certain of our subsidiaries’ assets. In addition, our subsidiaries’ ability to make any payments to us will depend on their earnings, the terms of their indebtedness, business and tax considerations, and legal restrictions. We cannot assure you that our subsidiaries will be able to pay dividends or otherwise contribute or distribute funds to us in an amount sufficient to pay the principal of or interest on the indebtedness owed by us.

 

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The guarantees of the Notes by our subsidiaries may be subject to challenge.

 

Our obligations under the Notes will be guaranteed jointly and severally by our principal domestic operating subsidiaries. It is possible that if the creditors of the subsidiary guarantors challenge the subsidiary guarantees as a fraudulent conveyance under relevant federal and state statutes, under certain circumstances (including a finding that a subsidiary guarantor was insolvent at the time its guarantee of the Notes was issued), a court could hold that the obligations of a subsidiary guarantor under a subsidiary guarantee may be voided or are subordinate to other obligations of a subsidiary guarantor. In addition, it is possible that the amount for which a subsidiary guarantor is liable under a subsidiary guarantee may be limited. The measure of insolvency for purposes of the foregoing may vary depending on the law of the jurisdiction that is being applied. Generally, however, a company would be considered insolvent if the sum of its debts is greater than all of its property at a fair valuation or if the present fair saleable value of its assets is less than the amount that will be required to pay its probable liability on its existing debts as they become absolute and mature. The indentures governing the Notes will provide that the obligations of the subsidiary guarantors under the subsidiary guarantees will be limited to amounts that will not result in the subsidiary guarantees being a fraudulent conveyance under applicable law. See “Description of the Secured Notes — Guarantees” and “Description of the Unsecured Notes — Guarantees.”

 

Certain subsidiaries are not included as guarantor subsidiaries.

 

The guarantors of the Notes include only certain of our direct and indirect subsidiaries.  Because a portion of our operations is conducted by the non-guarantor subsidiaries, our cash flow and our ability to service debt, including our and the guarantor subsidiaries’ ability to pay the interest on and principal of the Notes when due, are dependent to some extent upon interest payments, cash dividends and distributions or other transfers from the non-guarantor subsidiaries. In addition, any payment of interest, dividends, distributions, loans or advances by the non-guarantor subsidiaries to us and to the guarantor subsidiaries, as applicable, could be subject to restrictions on dividends or repatriation of earnings under applicable local law, monetary transfer restrictions and foreign currency exchange regulations in the jurisdictions in which those non-guarantor subsidiaries operate. Moreover, payments to us and the guarantor subsidiaries by the non-guarantor subsidiaries will be contingent upon non-guarantor subsidiaries’ earnings.

 

Our non-guarantor subsidiaries are separate and distinct legal entities and have no obligation, contingent or otherwise, to pay any amounts due pursuant to the Notes or the guarantees or to make any funds available therefor, whether by dividends, loans, distributions or other payments. Any right that we or the subsidiary guarantors have to receive any assets of any of the non-guarantor subsidiaries upon the liquidation or reorganization of those subsidiaries, and the consequent rights of holders of notes to realize proceeds from the sale of any of those subsidiaries’ assets, will be effectively subordinated to the claims of that subsidiary’s creditors, including trade creditors and holders of debt of that subsidiary.

 

The covenants in the indentures will not necessarily restrict our ability to take actions that may impair our ability to repay the Notes.

 

Although the indentures governing the Notes include covenants that will restrict us from taking certain actions, the terms of these covenants include important exceptions that you should review carefully before investing in the Notes. Notwithstanding the covenants in the indentures, we expect that we will continue to be able to incur substantial additional indebtedness and to make significant investments and other restricted payments without significant restrictions under the indentures, including actions which may adversely affect our ability to perform our obligations under the indentures.  We are able to incur additional indebtedness based on a multiple of our Consolidated Cash Flow for the most recent four fiscal quarters, and we are able to make restricted payments (including investments) in an amount that is based in part upon our cumulative Consolidated Cash Flow since the issue date of the Notes.  However, this may change in the future depending on, among other things, our expectations as to future cash needs as well as our operations, earnings and general financial condition, as well as other internal and external factors that we may deem relevant.  See “Description of the Secured Notes — Certain Covenants” and “Description of the Unsecured Notes — Certain Covenants.”

 

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We may be unable to repay or repurchase the Notes upon a change of control.

 

There is no sinking fund with respect to the Notes, and the entire outstanding principal amount of the Notes will become due and payable on its maturity date. If we experience a Change of Control Event, as defined in the indentures, you may require us to repurchase all or a portion of your Notes prior to maturity. See “Description of the Secured Notes — Change of Control Offer” and “Description of the Unsecured Notes — Change of Control Offer.” We may not have sufficient funds or be able to arrange for additional financing to repay the Notes at maturity or to repurchase Notes tendered to us following a change of control.

 

If we have insufficient funds to redeem all Notes that holders tender for purchase upon the occurrence of a change of control, and we are unable to raise additional capital, an event of default could occur under the indentures governing the Notes that have not been redeemed. An event of default could cause any other debt that we have to become automatically due, further exacerbating our financial condition and diminishing the value and liquidity of the Notes. We cannot assure you that additional capital would be available to us on acceptable terms, or at all.

 

There may be no public market for the Notes.

 

The Notes will be a new issue of securities with no established trading market.  We cannot assure you that any market for the Notes will develop or, if it does develop, that it will be maintained.  If a trading market is established, various factors could have a material adverse effect on the trading of the Notes, including fluctuations in the prevailing interest rates.  We do not intend to apply for a listing of the Notes on any securities exchange.

 

Additional Risks Related to the Secured Notes

 

The Collateral securing the Secured Notes is subject to priority liens held by holders of indebtedness secured by priority liens and holders of other indebtedness secured by permitted prior liens.  If there is a default, such collateral may not be sufficient to repay both the holders of such priority liens and the holders of the Secured Notes.

 

The indenture governing the Secured Notes permits us to issue and permits to exist additional indebtedness, including without limitation, indebtedness secured by Permitted Liens, that may be secured on a first-priority or equal and ratable basis by liens on the Collateral securing the Secured Notes.  The holders of indebtedness secured by priority liens on the Collateral will be entitled to receive proceeds from any realization of their Collateral to repay their obligations in full before the holders of the Secured Notes will be entitled to any recovery from the Collateral.  Thus, there can be no assurance that holders of the Secured Notes will realize any proceeds from the Collateral.

 

The Secured Notes will rank effectively junior to HSS’s obligations that are secured by assets that do not constitute Collateral. As of September 30, 2011, the Old Secured Notes ranked effectively junior to $393 million of debt secured by assets not constituting Collateral or assets that secure such other debt on a higher priority basis.

 

State law may limit the ability of the Collateral Agent and the noteholders to foreclose on the real property and improvements included in the Collateral.

 

The Secured Notes will be secured by, among other things, liens on owned and, to the extent applicable, certain leased or otherwise held real property and related improvements.  State law may limit the ability of the Collateral Agent or the noteholders to foreclose on the improved real property Collateral located in those states.  The perfection, enforceability and foreclosure of mortgage liens against real property interests that secure debt obligations such as the Secured Notes are generally governed by the laws of those states where the Collateral is located.  In addition, these laws may impose procedural requirements for foreclosure different from and necessitating a longer time period for completion than the requirements for foreclosure of security interests in personal property.  Debtors may have the right to reinstate defaulted debt (even if it is has been accelerated) before the foreclosure date by paying the past due amounts and a right of redemption after foreclosure.  Governing laws may also impose security first and one form of action rules which can affect the ability to foreclose or the timing of foreclosure on real and personal property collateral regardless of the location of the Collateral and may limit the right to recover a deficiency following a foreclosure.

 

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The Collateral Agent and the noteholders also may be limited in their ability to enforce a breach of the “no liens” covenant.  Some decisions of state courts have placed limits on a lender’s ability to accelerate debt secured by real property upon breach of covenants prohibiting the creation of certain junior liens or leasehold estates, and the Collateral Agent and the noteholders may need to demonstrate that enforcement is reasonably necessary to protect against impairment of the lender’s security or to protect against an increased risk of default.  Although the foregoing court decisions may have been preempted, at least in part, by certain federal laws, the scope of such preemption, if any, is uncertain.  Accordingly, a court could prevent the Trustee and the holders of the Secured Notes from declaring a default and accelerating the notes by reason of a breach of this covenant, which could have a material adverse effect on the ability of such holders to enforce the covenant.

 

We may not be able to grant you a collateral interest in our leased satellites.

 

We currently lease 5 satellites and may in the future lease additional satellites.  We have agreed to use our commercially reasonable efforts to have the owners of such current and future leased satellites agree to consent to our granting a security interest in our rights as lessee under such leases to the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the noteholders.  We have agreed to use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain those consents prior to 180 days after June 8, 2011 (in the case of existing satellite leases) or prior to 180 days after entering into a new lease for a satellite.  We cannot assure that the owners of such satellites will consent to our grant of a security interest in such leases to the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the noteholders.  In the event they do not consent to our grant of such a security interest, the noteholders will not have a collateral interest in such leased satellite.

 

The value of the Collateral securing the Secured Notes may not be sufficient to satisfy our obligations under the Secured Notes or to secure post-petition interest under U.S. federal bankruptcy law.

 

The value of the Collateral is subject to fluctuations based on factors that include general economic conditions, the actual fair market value of the Collateral at such time, the timing and the manner of the sale and availability of buyers and similar factors.  By its nature, some or all of the Collateral may be illiquid and may have no readily ascertainable market value.  We cannot assure you that the Collateral will be saleable or, if saleable, that there will not be substantial delays in its liquidation.  Further, to the extent that liens, rights and easements granted to third parties encumber assets located on property owned by us or the guarantors or constitute senior or pari passu or subordinate liens on the Collateral, those third parties have or may exercise rights and remedies with respect to the property subject to such encumbrances (including rights to require marshalling of assets) that could adversely affect the value of the Collateral located at a particular site and the ability of the Collateral Agent to realize or foreclose on the Collateral at that site.  Further, the Collateral Agent’s rights to foreclose on certain Collateral consisting of equity interests in our first-tier foreign subsidiaries will be subject to local law, and the Collateral Agent may not be able to realize or foreclose on such Collateral due to foreign law restrictions.

 

As a result, liquidating the Collateral securing the Secured Notes may not produce proceeds in an amount sufficient to pay any amounts due on the Secured Notes.  In the event of a bankruptcy, liquidation, dissolution, reorganization or similar proceeding, the bankruptcy trustee, the debtor-in-possession or competing creditors could possibly assert that the fair market value of the Collateral with respect to the Secured Notes on the date of the bankruptcy filing was less than the then-current principal amount of the Secured Notes.  If a bankruptcy court determines that the Secured Notes are under-collateralized, a claim in the bankruptcy proceeding with respect to a Secured Note would be bifurcated between a secured claim and unsecured claim, and the unsecured claim would not be entitled to the benefits of security in the Collateral and may not receive other “adequate protection,” including any post-petition interest, under U.S. federal bankruptcy laws.  See “—U.S. federal bankruptcy laws may significantly impair noteholders’ ability to realize value from the Collateral.”

 

In addition, in the event of a bankruptcy, liquidation, dissolution, reorganization or similar proceeding against us or the guarantors, noteholders will be entitled to post-petition interest under the Bankruptcy Code only if the value of their security interest in the Collateral is greater than their pre-bankruptcy claim.  Further, if any payments of post-petition interest were made at the time of such a finding of under-collateralization, such payments could be re-characterized by the bankruptcy court as a reduction of the principal amount of the secured claim with respect to the Secured Notes.

 

We therefore cannot assure you of the value of the Collateral or of the amount of gross proceeds that would be received upon a sale or liquidation of the Collateral.

 

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The ability of the Trustee to foreclose on certain of the collateral securing the Secured Notes may be limited by U.S. law.

 

The ability to foreclose on, or to exercise certain rights or remedies with respect to, certain of the Collateral requires prior approval from the FCC to the extent it would result in an assignment or change of control of the FCC licenses of us or any subsidiary (whether as a matter of law or fact).  Equity and voting rights in certain of the collateral, and control over such collateral, must remain with us even in the event of default until the FCC gives its consent to the exercise of security holder rights by a purchaser at a public or private sale of such Collateral or to the exercise of such rights by a receiver, trustee, conservator, or other agent duly appointed pursuant to applicable law.  There is no assurance that any such required FCC approval can be obtained on a timely basis or at all.  In addition, applicable foreign ownership restrictions could prevent non-United States citizens from foreclosing on certain of the collateral securing the Secured Notes.

 

The pledge of the capital stock, other securities and similar items of our subsidiaries that secure the Secured Notes will automatically be released from the lien on them and no longer constitute Collateral for so long as the pledge of such capital stock or such other securities would require the filing of separate financial statements with the SEC for that subsidiary.

 

The Secured Notes and the guarantees of the Secured Notes will be secured by a pledge of the stock of some of our subsidiaries.  Under the SEC regulations currently in effect, if the par value, book value as carried by us or market value (whichever is greatest) of the capital stock, other securities or similar items of a subsidiary pledged as part of the Collateral is greater than or equal to 20% of the aggregate principal amount of the Secured Notes then outstanding, such a subsidiary would be required to provide separate financial statements to the SEC.  The indenture and the collateral documents provide that any capital stock and other securities of any of our subsidiaries will be excluded from the Collateral for so long as the pledge of such capital stock or other securities to secure the Secured Notes would cause such subsidiary to be required to file separate financial statements with the SEC pursuant to Rule 3-16 of Regulation S-X (as in effect from time to time).

 

As a result, holders of the Secured Notes could lose a portion or all of their security interest in the capital stock or other securities of those subsidiaries during such period.  It may be more difficult, costly and time-consuming for holders of the Secured Notes to foreclose on the assets of a subsidiary than to foreclose on its capital stock or other securities, so the proceeds realized upon any such foreclosure could be significantly less than those that would have been received upon any sale of the capital stock or other securities of such subsidiary.  See “Description of the Secured Notes — Security.”

 

Foreclosing on any of the Collateral located outside the United States may be difficult due to the laws of certain jurisdictions.

 

Some of the Collateral securing the Secured Notes may be located outside of the United States. If we default under the indenture or if a guarantor defaults under its guarantee, the holders of a majority of the aggregate principal amount of the Old Secured Notes and the Secured Notes may direct the Trustee to instruct the Collateral Agent to bring a foreclosure action against the defaulting party. We cannot assure you that the Collateral or the guarantors will be located in a jurisdiction having effective or favorable foreclosure procedures and lien priorities. Any foreclosure proceedings could be subject to lengthy delays, resulting in increased custodial costs, deterioration in the condition of the Collateral and substantial reduction of the value of such Collateral. In addition, some jurisdictions may not provide a legal remedy for the enforcement of mortgages on the Collateral.

 

Such laws may vary significantly from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. Furthermore, all or some of those laws and procedures may be less favorable to mortgagees than those in other jurisdictions and may be less favorable than those applicable in the United States. The costs of enforcement in foreign jurisdictions can be high and can include fees based on the face amount of the mortgage(s) being enforced.  Foreign court proceedings can also be slow and have unexpected procedural hurdles. Priorities accorded lien claims and mortgages can vary in foreign jurisdictions, and some jurisdictions prefer certain local claimants to foreign claimants. Consequently, there are no assurances that the Collateral Agent will be able to enforce any one or more of the mortgages covering any of the Collateral that is located outside the United States.

 

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The Collateral securing the Secured Notes may be diluted under certain circumstances.

 

The indenture permits us to issue additional senior secured indebtedness, including other indebtedness that may be secured on a pari passu basis with the Secured Notes, subject to our compliance with the restrictive covenants in the indenture and the agreements governing our other indebtedness at the time we issue or incur such additional senior secured indebtedness.  As a result, the Collateral securing the Secured Notes would be shared by any such other indebtedness, which would dilute the value of the Collateral compared to the aggregate principal amount of indebtedness issued or incurred such that there can be no assurance that the holders of the Secured Notes will realize any proceeds from the Collateral.  As of September 30, 2011, the Old Unsecured Notes ranked effectively junior to $1.5 billion of debt of which $1.1 billion was the Old Secured Notes.

 

The rights of holders of the Secured Notes to the Collateral securing the Secured Notes may be materially limited by any intercreditor agreement to the extent we have incurred or will incur any priority lien debt.

 

The Collateral will be subject to any and all exceptions, defects, encumbrances, liens and other imperfections as may be accepted by creditors that have the benefit of senior-priority liens on such Collateral from time to time, whether on or after the date the Secured Notes and guarantees thereof are issued.  The existence of any such exceptions, defects, encumbrances, liens and other imperfections could adversely affect the value of the Collateral securing the Secured Notes as well as the ability of the Collateral Agent to realize or foreclose on such Collateral.

 

There are circumstances other than repayment or discharge of the Secured Notes under which the Collateral securing the Secured Notes will be released automatically, without your consent or the consent of the Collateral Agent.

 

Under various circumstances, Collateral securing the Secured Notes will be released automatically, including: (a) upon a sale, transfer or other disposal of such Collateral in a transaction not prohibited under the indenture; and (b) with respect to Collateral held by a guarantor, upon the release of the guarantor from its guarantee in accordance with the indenture.

 

The indenture also permits us to designate one or more of our Restricted Subsidiaries that is a guarantor of the Secured Notes as an Unrestricted Subsidiary.  If we designate a subsidiary guarantor as an Unrestricted Subsidiary for purposes of the indenture, all of the liens on any Collateral owned by that subsidiary or any of its subsidiaries and any guarantees of the Secured Notes by that subsidiary or any of its subsidiaries will be released under the indenture if so permitted pursuant to the terms of the indenture.

 

The rights of holders of the Secured Notes in the Collateral may be adversely affected by the failure to perfect security interests in the Collateral and other issues generally associated with the realization of security interests in the Collateral.

 

Applicable law requires that a security interest in certain tangible and intangible assets can only be properly perfected and its priority retained through certain actions undertaken by the secured party.  The senior liens in all Collateral from time to time owned by us or the guarantors and/or the liens in all Collateral from time to time owned by us or the guarantors may not be perfected with respect to the Secured Notes and the guarantees thereof if the Collateral Agent has not taken the actions necessary to perfect any of those liens upon or prior to the issuance of the Secured Notes.  The inability or failure of the Collateral Agent to take all actions necessary to create properly perfected security interests in the Collateral may result in the loss of the priority of the security interest for the benefit of the noteholders to which they would have been otherwise entitled.

 

In addition, applicable law requires that certain property and rights acquired after the grant of a general security interest can only be perfected at the time such property and rights are acquired and identified.  We and the guarantors will have limited obligations to perfect the security interest of the holders of the Secured Notes in specified Collateral.  We cannot assure you that the Collateral Agent will monitor, or that we or the guarantors will inform the Collateral Agent of, the future acquisition of property and rights that constitute Collateral, and that the necessary action will be taken to properly perfect the security interest in such after-acquired Collateral.  The Collateral Agent for the Secured Notes has no obligation to monitor the acquisition of additional property or rights that constitute Collateral or the perfection of any security interest.  Such failure may result in the loss of the security

 

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interest in the Collateral or the priority of the security interest in favor of the Secured Notes and the guarantees thereof against third parties.

 

The security interest of the Collateral Agent will be subject to practical challenges generally associated with the realization of security interests in the Collateral.  For example, the Collateral Agent may need to obtain the consent of a third party to obtain or enforce a security interest in an asset.  We cannot assure you that the Collateral Agent will be able to obtain any such consent or that the consents of any third parties will be given when required to facilitate a foreclosure on such assets.  As a result, the Collateral Agent may not have the ability to foreclose upon those assets and the value of the Collateral may significantly decrease.

 

In addition, because a portion of the Collateral will consist of pledges of 65% of the capital stock of certain of our foreign subsidiaries, the validity of those pledges under local law, if applicable, and the ability of the holders of the Secured Notes to realize upon that Collateral under local law, to the extent applicable, may be limited by such local law, which limitations may or may not affect the liens securing the Secured Notes.

 

The Collateral is subject to casualty risks.

 

Certain losses, including losses resulting from terrorist acts, may be either uninsurable or not economically insurable, in whole or in part.  As a result, we cannot assure you that the insurance proceeds, if any, will compensate us fully for our losses.  If there is a total or partial loss of any of the Collateral securing the Secured Notes, we cannot assure you that any insurance proceeds received by us will be sufficient to satisfy all the secured obligations, including the Secured Notes.  We currently do not carry in-orbit insurance on any of our satellites, other than for SPACEWAY 3, and, except for the planned launches of Jupiter 1 and EchoStar XVI, we often do not use commercial insurance to mitigate the potential financial impact of launch or in-orbit failures.

 

Any future note guarantees or additional liens on the Collateral provided after the Secured Notes are issued could also be avoided by a trustee in bankruptcy.

 

The indenture governing the Secured Notes provides that certain of our future subsidiaries will guarantee the Secured Notes and secure the guarantees thereof with liens on their assets.  The indenture also requires us and the guarantors to grant liens on certain assets that are acquired after the Secured Notes are issued.  Any future Secured Note guarantee or additional lien in favor of the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the holders of the Secured Notes might be avoidable by the grantor (as debtor-in-possession) or by its trustee in bankruptcy or other third parties if certain events or circumstances exist or occur.  For instance, if the entity granting the future note guarantee or additional lien were insolvent at the time of the grant and if such grant were made within 90 days before that entity commenced a bankruptcy proceeding (or one year before commencement of a bankruptcy proceeding if the creditor that benefited from the note guarantee or lien is an “insider” under the Bankruptcy Code), and the granting of the future note guarantee or additional lien enabled the noteholders to receive more than they would if the grantor were liquidated under Chapter 7 of the Bankruptcy Code, then such note guarantee or lien could be avoided as a preferential transfer.

 

U.S. federal bankruptcy laws may significantly impair noteholders’ ability to realize value from the Collateral.

 

The right of the Collateral Agent to repossess and dispose of the Collateral securing the Secured Notes upon the occurrence of an event of default under the indenture governing the Secured Notes or any instrument governing future indebtedness is likely to be significantly impaired by U.S. federal bankruptcy law if bankruptcy proceedings were to be commenced by or against us or any guarantor prior to or possibly even after the Collateral Agent has repossessed and disposed of the Collateral.  Under the Bankruptcy Code, a secured creditor is prohibited from repossessing its security from a debtor in a bankruptcy proceeding, or from disposing of security repossessed from such debtor, without the approval of the bankruptcy court.  Moreover, the Bankruptcy Code permits the debtor to continue to retain and to use the Collateral, and the proceeds, products, rents or profits of the Collateral, even after the debtor is in default under the applicable debt instruments, provided that the secured creditor is given “adequate protection.” The meaning of the term “adequate protection” may vary according to circumstances, but it is intended in general to protect the value of the secured creditor’s interest in the Collateral and may include cash payments or the granting of additional security, if and at such times as the court in its discretion determines, for any diminution in the value of the Collateral as a result of the stay of repossession or disposition or any use of the Collateral by the debtor during the pendency of the bankruptcy proceeding.  In view of the broad discretionary powers of a

 

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bankruptcy court, we cannot predict (1) how long payments on the Secured Notes could be delayed following commencement of a bankruptcy proceeding, (2) whether or when the Collateral Agent would repossess or dispose of the Collateral or (3) whether or to what extent noteholders would be compensated for any delay in payment of loss of value of the Collateral through the requirements of “adequate protection.”  Furthermore, in the event the bankruptcy court determines that the value of the Collateral is not sufficient to repay all amounts due on the Secured Notes, noteholders would have “undersecured claims.” U.S. federal bankruptcy laws do not permit the payment or accrual of interest, costs and attorneys’ fees for ‘‘undersecured claims” during the debtor’s bankruptcy proceeding.

 

Additional Risks Relating to the Unsecured Notes

 

The Unsecured Notes are unsecured, and the Unsecured Notes will be effectively subordinated to any existing and future secured debt.

 

The Unsecured Notes are unsecured and will rank equal in right of payment with our existing and future unsecured and unsubordinated senior debt. The Unsecured Notes will be effectively subordinated to the Unsecured Notes and any future secured debt to the extent of the value of the assets that secure the indebtedness. In the event of our bankruptcy, liquidation or reorganization or upon acceleration of the Unsecured Notes, payment on the Unsecured Notes could be less, ratably, than on any secured indebtedness.  We may not have sufficient assets remaining after payment to our secured creditors to pay amounts due on any or all of the Unsecured Notes then outstanding.

 

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USE OF PROCEEDS

 

The exchange offer is intended to satisfy our obligations under the registration rights agreement we entered into in connection with the issuance of the Old Notes. We will not receive any cash proceeds from the issuance of the Notes in the exchange offer. In consideration for issuing the Notes as contemplated in this prospectus, we will receive in exchange the Old Notes in like principal amount. We will cancel and retire the Old Notes surrendered in exchange for the Notes in the exchange offer. As a result, the issuance of the Notes will not result in any increase or decrease in our indebtedness.

 

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CAPITALIZATION

 

The following table presents our cash position plus consolidated capitalization as of September 30, 2011.  The table below should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and related notes thereto included in this prospectus.

 

 

 

As of

 

 

 

September 30, 2011

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

 

 

(unaudited)

 

Cash, cash equivalents and marketable investment securities

 

$

453,708

 

Debt:

 

 

 

61/2% Senior Secured Notes due 2019

 

1,100,000

 

75/8% Senior Notes due 2021

 

900,000

 

Other (1)

 

396,312

 

Total debt

 

2,396,312

 

Total shareholder’s equity

 

1,084,437

 

Total capitalization

 

$

3,480,749

 

 


(1)        Represents amounts relating to certain capital lease obligations, mortgages and other notes payable, including current portion, VSAT hardware financing, 8% note payable for EchoStar IX, and satellite vendor financing payable over 14 years from launch.  See “Description of Certain Other Indebtedness.”

 

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SELECTED HISTORICAL CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA

 

The following tables present the selected historical consolidated financial data of HSS and its subsidiaries at the dates and for the periods indicated. We derived the following selected historical consolidated financial data for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2009 and 2010 and as of December 31, 2009 and 2010 from the audited consolidated financial statements of HSS and its subsidiaries included in this prospectus.  We derived the following selected historical consolidated financial data for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2011 and as of September 30, 2011 from the unaudited consolidated financial statements of HSS and its subsidiaries included elsewhere in this prospectus.  The unaudited consolidated financial statements of HSS were prepared on a basis consistent with its audited consolidated financial statements.  In the opinion of HSS’s management, the unaudited consolidated financial statements include all adjustments, consisting only of normal and recurring adjustments, necessary for a fair statement of the results for those periods.  Results for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 also include the operating results of Hughes Communications from June 8, 2011, the date of completion of the Acquisition, and are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the full year.  No historical consolidated financial data of HSS and its subsidiaries are available as of any date or for any period prior to the Spin-off, which was effected as of January 1, 2008.

 

You should read this data in conjunction with, and it is qualified by reference to, the sections entitled “Summary—Summary Historical Consolidated Financial Data” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and our consolidated financial statements and related notes appearing elsewhere in this prospectus.

 

 

 

For the Years Ended
December 31,

 

For the Nine Months Ended
September 30,

 

 

 

2010

 

2009

 

2008

 

2011

 

2010

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(unaudited)

 

Revenue:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Services and other revenue

 

$

52,643

 

$

40,284

 

$

30,014

 

$

331,775

 

$

38,571

 

Services and other revenue — DISH Network

 

208,364

 

131,111

 

149,513

 

160,457

 

157,114

 

Equipment revenue

 

1,172

 

851

 

124

 

83,444

 

946

 

Equipment revenue — DISH Network

 

 

 

 

97

 

 

Total revenue

 

262,179

 

172,246

 

179,651

 

575,773

 

196,631

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Costs and Expenses: (exclusive of depreciation shown separately below)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of sales — services and other

 

64,593

 

35,025

 

37,271

 

185,277

 

48,193

 

Cost of sales — equipment

 

876

 

10

 

11

 

68,541

 

700

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses

 

12,072

 

9,512

 

6,868

 

93,029

 

9,133

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

95,069

 

107,471

 

141,701

 

163,976

 

71,799

 

Impairments of long-lived assets

 

 

 

234,959

 

 

 

Total costs and expenses

 

172,610

 

152,018

 

420,810

 

510,823

 

129,825

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating income (loss)

 

89,569

 

20,228

 

(241,159

)

64,950

 

66,806

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other Income (Expense):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest income

 

26

 

23

 

53

 

1,823

 

5

 

Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized

 

(23,640

)

(23,567

)

(30,836

)

(50,904

)

(19,527

)

Acquisition costs

 

 

 

 

(35,230

)

 

Other, net

 

1,289

 

92

 

3

 

9,703

 

1,082

 

Total other income (expense)

 

(22,325

)

(23,452

)

(30,780

)

(74,608

)

(18,440

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income (loss) before income taxes

 

67,244

 

(3,224

)

(271,939

)

(9,658

)

48,366

 

Income tax (provision) benefit, net

 

(24,812

)

396

 

98,126

 

1,697

 

(17,846

)

Net income (loss)

 

42,432

 

(2,828

)

(173,813

)

(7,961

)

30,520

 

Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests

 

 

 

 

357

 

 

Net income (loss) attributable to the HSS common shareholder

 

$

42,432

 

$

(2,828

)

$

(173,813

)

$

(8,318

)

$

30,520

 

 

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Table of Contents

 

 

 

As of

 

 

 

December 31,

 

September 30,

 

Balance Sheet Data:

 

2010

 

2009

 

2011

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(unaudited)

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

106

 

$

 

$

194,212

 

Total assets

 

$

996,676

 

$

942,729

 

$

4,173,407

 

Total debt

 

$

411,763

 

$

443,893

 

$

2,396,312

 

Total shareholder’s equity

 

$

480,633

 

$

437,580

 

$

1,084,437

 

 

 

 

For the Years Ended
December 31,

 

For the Nine
Months Ended
September 30,

 

Other Data (unaudited):

 

2010

 

2009

 

2008

 

2011

 

 

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

Ratio of earnings to fixed charges (1)

 

2.24

 

 

 

 

Deficiency of earnings to fixed charges (1)

 

 

$

(6,014

)

$

(267,280

)

$

(36,008

)

 


(1)       For purposes of computing the ratio of earnings to fixed charges, earnings consist of earnings before income taxes, plus fixed charges. Fixed charges consist of interest incurred on all indebtedness, including capitalized interest and the imputed interest component of rental expense under noncancelable operating leases.

 

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UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

Introduction

 

The pro forma information has been prepared in accordance with the rules and regulations of the SEC.  The following unaudited pro forma condensed combined statements of operations give effect to the Acquisition and the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement and the issuance by HSS of $1.1 billion of its 6½% Secured Notes due 2019 and $900 million of its 75/8% Unsecured Notes due 2021, as if the Acquisition and related financing transactions had been completed on January 1, 2010.

 

The unaudited pro forma adjustments are based on historical information and certain assumptions that we believe are reasonable.  The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information is for informational purposes only and does not purport to reflect the results of operations that would have occurred if the Acquisition and related financings had been consummated on the date indicated above; nor does it purport to represent or be indicative of the results of operations of HSS for any future dates or periods.  The historical consolidated results of operations of HSS include Hughes Communications’ results of operations subsequent to the Acquisition.  A pro forma balance sheet is not included within this financial information as the effect of the Acquisition is reflected in the September 30, 2011 consolidated balance sheet of HSS included in this prospectus.

 

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HSS

Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Statements of Operations

 

 

 

For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2011

 

 

 

HSS
Historical

 

Pre-Acquisition
Hughes
Communications
Historical

 

Pro Forma
Adjustments

 

Total

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

Revenue:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Services and other revenue

 

$

331,775

 

$

385,620

 

$

(1,682

)(a)

$

715,713

 

Services and other revenue - DISH Network

 

160,457

 

 

 

160,457

 

Equipment revenue

 

83,444

 

81,351

 

 

164,795

 

Equipment revenue - DISH Network

 

97

 

 

 

97

 

Total revenue

 

575,773

 

466,971

 

(1,682

)

1,041,062

 

Costs and Expenses: (exclusive of depreciation shown below)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of sales - services and other

 

185,277

 

240,436

 

(56,470

)(b)

369,243

 

Cost of sales - equipment

 

68,541

 

83,925

 

(4,329

)(a)(b)

148,137

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses

 

93,029

 

138,029

 

(39,314

)(a)(b)

191,744

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

163,976

 

1,237

 

5,515

(c)

231,413

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

60,685

(b)

 

 

Total costs and expenses

 

510,823

 

463,627

 

(33,913

)

940,537

 

Operating income (loss)

 

64,950

 

3,344

 

32,231

 

100,525

 

Other Income (Expense):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest income

 

1,823

 

666

 

 

2,489

 

Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized

 

(50,904

)

(21,983

)

(44,267

)(d)

(117,154

)

Acquisition costs

 

(35,230

)

 

35,230

(a)

 

Other, net

 

9,703

 

(248

)

 

9,455

 

Total other income (expense)

 

(74,608

)

(21,565

)

(9,037

)

(105,210

)

Income (loss) before income taxes

 

(9,658

)

(18,221

)

23,194

 

(4,685

)

Income tax (provision) benefit, net

 

1,697

 

(3,316

)

1

(e)

(1,618

)

Net income (loss)

 

(7,961

)

(21,537

)

23,195

 

(6,303

)

Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests

 

357

 

(254

)

 

103

 

Net income (loss) attributable to the HSS common shareholder

 

$

(8,318

)

$

(21,283

)

$

23,195

 

$

(6,406

)

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the

Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Financial Information.

 

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Table of Contents

 

 

 

For the Year Ended December 31, 2010

 

 

 

HSS
Historical

 

Pre-Acquisition
Hughes
Communication

Historical

 

Pro Forma
Adjustments

 

Total

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

Revenue:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Services and other revenue

 

$

53,815

 

$

791,324

 

$

(5,718

)(a)

$

839,421

 

Services and other revenue - DISH Network

 

208,364

 

 

 

208,364

 

Equipment revenue

 

 

252,003

 

 

252,003

 

Total revenue

 

262,179

 

1,043,327

 

(5,718

)

1,299,788

 

Costs and Expenses: (exclusive of depreciation shown below)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of sales - services and other

 

65,469

 

493,023

 

(100,909

)(b)

457,583

 

Cost of sales - equipment

 

 

234,805

 

(16,395

)(a)(b)

218,410

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses

 

12,072

 

226,791

 

(18,980

)(a)(b)

219,883

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

95,069

 

3,084

 

127,912

(c)

337,352

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

111,287

(b)

 

 

Total costs and expenses

 

172,610

 

957,703

 

102,915

 

1,233,228

 

Operating income (loss)

 

89,569

 

85,624

 

(108,633

)

66,560

 

Other Income (Expense):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest income

 

26

 

2,043

 

 

2,069

 

Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized

 

(23,640

)

(59,345

)

(80,190

)(d)

(163,175

)

Other, net

 

1,289

 

374

 

 

1,663

 

Total other income (expense)

 

(22,325

)

(56,928

)

(80,190

)

(159,443

)

Income (loss) before income taxes

 

67,244

 

28,696

 

(188,823

)

(92,883

)

Income tax (provision) benefit, net

 

(24,812

)

(5,716

)

69,676

(e)

39,148

 

Net income (loss)

 

42,432

 

22,980

 

(119,147

)

(53,735

)

Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests

 

 

193

 

 

193

 

Net income (loss) attributable to the HSS common shareholder

 

$

42,432

 

$

22,787

 

$

(119,147

)

$

(53,928

)

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the

Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Financial Information.

 

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Notes to Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Financial Information

 

(a)          Represents pro forma adjustments necessary to reflect the Acquisition and related financing transactions, including (i) the reduction of revenue and the associated expenses on the pro forma condensed combined statements of operations to reflect elimination of deferred revenue and subscriber acquisition costs in the preliminary purchase price allocation; and (ii) the removal of material nonrecurring charges related to (a) compensation arrangements with executive management and (b) direct and incremental transaction costs associated with the Acquisition that are recorded in the historical financial statements of HSS.

 

(b)         Represents the pro forma re-classification adjustments to conform Hughes Communications’ accounting policies to those of HSS, including but not limited to, depreciation expense which is no longer recorded as a component of cost of sales, or selling general and administrative expenses based on the nature of the underlying long-lived asset but is presented in the caption depreciation and amortization.

 

(c)          Represents net incremental depreciation and amortization expense of $128 million and $6 million for the year ended December 31, 2010 and the nine months ended September 30, 2011, respectively, as a result of the allocation of purchase price to identified intangible assets.  Estimated future amortization over the next five years for identifiable intangible assets is as follows:

 

Year Subsequent to the Acquisition

 

Amortization

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

1

 

$

114,282

 

2

 

$

57,953

 

3

 

$

53,524

 

4

 

$

50,185

 

5

 

$

39,628

 

 

(d)         Represents the estimated net increase in interest expense incurred on the $2.0 billion in Old Notes issued in connection with the Acquisition based on a weighted average interest rate of 7.01%.

 

 

 

For the Nine Months
Ended September 30, 2011

 

For the Year Ended
December 31, 2010

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

Interest on new debt instruments

 

$

(58,385

)

$

(140,125

)

Hughes Communications historical interest expense elimination

 

21,983

 

59,345

 

Amortization of deferred financing costs and changes in capitalized interest

 

(7,865

)

590

 

Total

 

$

(44,267

)

$

(80,190

)

 

(e)          Represents the tax effect of pro forma adjustments using the HSS blended federal, state and international statutory tax rates adjusted for permanent differences.

 

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MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

You should read the following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations together with the consolidated financial statements and notes to the financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus.  This management’s discussion and analysis is intended to help provide an understanding of our financial condition, changes in financial condition and results of our operations and contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties.  The forward-looking statements are not historical facts, but rather are based on current expectations, estimates, assumptions and projections about our industry, business and future financial results.  Our actual results could differ materially from the results contemplated by these forward-looking statements due to a number of factors, including those discussed in this prospectus, including under the captions “Risk Factors” and “Disclosure Regarding Forward-Looking Statements.”

 

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

 

HSS is a holding company and a direct, wholly-owned subsidiary of EchoStar Corporation, a publicly traded company listed on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol “SATS.”  HSS was formed under Colorado law in March 2011 as EH Holding Corporation, and was renamed Hughes Satellite Systems Corporation in October 2011. Its common stock is held by EchoStar Corporation.

 

On June 8, 2011, EchoStar completed its acquisition of Hughes Communications, pursuant to which a wholly owned subsidiary of EchoStar Corporation merged with and into Hughes Communications, with Hughes Communications becoming an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of EchoStar Corporation and a direct wholly owned subsidiary of HSS.  The cash portion of the Acquisition, related costs and repayment of certain indebtedness of Hughes Communications, including of its wholly owned subsidiary HNS, was financed with a combination of the net proceeds from the offering of the Old Notes and existing cash balances and marketable securities at EchoStar Corporation and Hughes Communications.  The principal operating subsidiaries of HSS currently include ESS and Hughes Communications.

 

The following discussion and analysis of our consolidated results of operations, financial condition and liquidity are presented on a historical basis.  Our historical financial statements prior to the Acquisition and related financing transactions reflect the historical financial position and results of combined operations of entities included in the consolidated financial statements of EchoStar that generally represent EchoStar’s satellite services business.  The assets and liabilities included in these historical financial statements were contributed to HSS, effective March 2011.  Our results of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 also include those of Hughes Communications from June 8, 2011, the date of completion of the Acquisition.  Therefore, our results of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 are not comparable to our results of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2010.

 

Following the Acquisition, we operate two segments: the EchoStar Satellite Services segment, consisting of ESS, and the Hughes segment, consisting of Hughes Communications.

 

EchoStar Satellite Services Segment

 

Our EchoStar Satellite Services segment uses ten of our owned and leased in-orbit satellites and related FCC licenses to lease capacity on a full-time and occasional-use basis primarily to DISH Network, and secondarily to Dish Mexico, U.S. government service providers, state agencies, Internet service providers, broadcast news organizations, programmers and private enterprise customers.  Furthermore, we continue to pursue expanding our business offerings by providing value added services such as telemetry, tracking and control services to third parties.  However, there can be no assurance that we will be able to effectively compete against our competitors due to their significant resources and operating history.

 

As of September 30, 2011, our EchoStar Satellite Services segment had contracted revenue backlog attributable to satellites currently in orbit of approximately $905 million and contracted backlog attributable to satellites under construction of $1.053 billion, including QuetzSat-1, which provide significant visibility into future revenue.

 

Dependence on DISH Network.  We depend on DISH Network for a substantial portion of the revenue for our EchoStar Satellite Services segment.  Therefore, our results of operations are and will for the foreseeable future be closely linked to the performance of DISH Network’s satellite pay-TV business.

 

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While we expect to continue to provide satellite services to DISH Network for the foreseeable future, its satellite capacity requirements may change for a variety of reasons, including the launch of its own additional satellites.  Any termination or reduction in the services we provide to DISH Network would increase excess capacity on our satellites and require that we aggressively pursue alternative sources of revenue for this business.

 

In addition, because the number of potential new customers for our EchoStar Satellite Services segment is small, our current customer concentration is likely to continue for the foreseeable future.  Our future success may also depend on the extent to which prospective customers that have been competitors of DISH Network are willing to purchase services from us.  Many of these customers may continue to view us as a competitor given the common ownership and management team EchoStar continues to share with DISH Network.

 

Additional Challenges for Our EchoStar Satellite Services Segment.  Our ability to expand revenues in the EchoStar Satellite Services segment will likely require that we displace incumbent suppliers that generally have well established business models and often benefit from long-term contracts with their customers.  As a result, to grow our EchoStar Satellite Services segment we may need to develop or otherwise acquire access to new satellite-delivered services so that we may offer differentiated services to prospective customers.  However, there can be no assurance that we would be able to develop or otherwise acquire access to such differentiated services or develop the sales and marketing expertise necessary to sell such services profitably.

 

In addition, as our satellite fleet ages, we will be required to evaluate replacement alternatives such as acquiring, leasing or constructing additional satellites, with or without customer commitments for capacity, which may require us to seek additional financing.  However, there can be no assurance that such financing will be available to fund any such replacement alternatives on terms that would be attractive to us or at all.

 

Hughes Segment

 

On June 8, 2011, we acquired all of the outstanding equity of Hughes Communications, Inc. pursuant to the Merger Agreement, following which Hughes Communications, Inc. became a direct, wholly-owned subsidiary of HSS.  Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, each issued and outstanding share of common stock and vested stock options of Hughes Communications, Inc. was converted into the right to receive $60.70 (minus any applicable exercise price) in cash and substantially all of the outstanding debt of Hughes Communications was repaid.  In addition, each share of unvested restricted stock and unvested stock option of Hughes Communications, Inc. was converted into the right to receive $60.70 (minus any applicable exercise price) in cash on the vesting date of the stock award.  The funding of the Acquisition was supported by the issuance of $1.1 billion of Old Secured Notes and $900 million of Old Unsecured Notes.  In addition to the debt securities issued, EchoStar contributed cash and marketable investment securities to, and forgave certain net intercompany accounts payable of, HSS, totaling $609 million.

 

Our Hughes segment provides broadband network services and systems to the domestic and international enterprise markets and satellite broadband Internet access to North American consumers, which we refer to as the consumer market.  Our Hughes segment also provides managed services to large enterprises and networking systems solutions to customers for mobile satellite and wireless backhaul systems.  We incorporate advances in technology to reduce costs and to increase the functionality and reliability of our products and services.  Through the usage of advanced spectrally efficient modulation and coding methodologies, such as DVB-S2 and proprietary software web acceleration and compression techniques, we continue to improve the efficiency of our networks.  In addition, we invest in technologies to enhance our system and network management capabilities, specifically our managed services for enterprises.  We also continue to invest in next generation technologies that can be applied to our future products and services.

 

In June 2009, Hughes Communications entered into a contract for construction of our next-generation, geostationary high throughput satellite (“Jupiter 1”). Jupiter 1 will employ a multi-spot beam, bent pipe Ka-band architecture and will provide additional capacity for the HughesNet consumer broadband Internet service in North America.  We anticipate launching Jupiter 1 in the second quarter of 2012.

 

In August 2010, Hughes Communications was awarded $59 million from the U.S. government as the only recipient of a national award under the $100 million satellite project component of the broadband stimulus program, established pursuant to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.  This award is part of the U.S. government’s investments in broadband projects to expand access to broadband service and create jobs and economic opportunity in rural, underserved

 

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communities nationwide.  Hughes Communications began to offer services to customers under this program in October 2010.

 

As of September 30, 2011, we had approximately 626,000 customers that subscribe to our consumer and small/medium enterprise service.  In addition, as of September 30, 2011, our Hughes segment had total revenue backlog, which we define as our expected future revenue under customer contracts that are non-cancelable and excluding agreements with our customers in our consumer market, of approximately $1.070 billion, which provides significant visibility into future revenue.

 

Additional Challenges for Our Hughes Segment.  Our ability to continue to grow our consumer revenue will depend on our success in adding new subscribers on our satellite network and successful launch and deployment of our Jupiter 1 satellite as planned.  We may need to adjust our service offerings in response to the offerings of our competitors, including WildBlue, following its commencement of service on the ViaSat-1 satellite which launched in October 2011.  In addition, following the commencement of service on ViaSat-1 and prior to the commencement of service on Jupiter 1, WildBlue may be in a better position to offer faster connection speeds more economically than us, which could adversely impact our ability to add new subscribers and increase our consumer revenues.

 

An additional focus in this business is our ability to grow our revenue in the enterprise business, both domestically and internationally.

 

International DTH Platforms

 

During 2008, EchoStar entered into a joint venture for a direct-to-home satellite service in Mexico known as Dish Mexico.  Pursuant to these arrangements, we provide satellite capacity to Dish Mexico.  For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, we recognized $2 million and $6 million, respectively, of satellite services to Dish Mexico.

 

New Business Opportunities

 

We are exploring opportunities to selectively pursue partnerships, joint ventures and strategic acquisition opportunities that we believe may allow us to increase our existing market share, expand into new markets, broaden our portfolio of products and intellectual property, and strengthen our relationships with our customers.

 

The Acquisition brings together two of the leading providers of satellite communications services.  By combining Hughes Communications’ operational strength and proven record of customer satisfaction with ESS’ expertise in cutting edge satellite video technology, we expect that customers will benefit significantly from our shared institutional strengths.  We expect that the combination of ESS and Hughes Communications will create a strong leader in video and data transport, as it enables us to enter the Ka-broadband retail (and wholesale) satellite services market, and would provide us with broad exposure to the global enterprise VSAT market.  Furthermore, we expect that the Acquisition will enable us to export Ka-band consumer expertise internationally, and provide two and three-way bundled service offerings to global markets.  We also view the Acquisition as an opportunity for revenue and cost synergies.

 

Adverse Economic Conditions

 

Our ability to grow or maintain our business may be adversely affected by weak global and domestic economic conditions, including wavering consumer confidence and constraints on discretionary purchasing, unemployment, tight credit markets, declines in global and domestic stock markets, falling home prices and other factors that may adversely affect the markets in which we operate.  Our ability to increase our income or to generate additional revenues will depend in part on our ability to organically grow our businesses, identify and successfully exploit opportunities to acquire other businesses or technologies, and enter into strategic partnerships.  These activities may require significant additional capital that may not be available on terms that would be attractive to us or at all.  In particular, volatile credit markets, which have significantly impacted the availability and cost of financing, specifically in the leveraged finance markets, may significantly constrain our ability to obtain financing to support our growth initiatives.  These developments in the credit markets may increase our cost of financing and impair our liquidity position.  In addition, these developments may cause us to defer or abandon business strategies and transactions that we would otherwise pursue if financing were available on acceptable terms.

 

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Future Capital Sources

 

As contemplated by the terms of the Acquisition and related financing transactions, we received a contribution in cash and marketable securities from, and a forgiveness of certain net intercompany accounts payable to, our parent EchoStar Corporation, totaling $609 million, and raised $2 billion in the offering of the Old Notes in June 2011.  We expect our future working capital, capital expenditures and debt service requirements to be funded with cash generated from operations and future financings.  Since we depend on DISH Network for a substantial portion of our revenue, our cash flow from operations depends heavily on their needs for services.  There can be no assurance that we will always have positive cash flows from operations.

 

Basis of Presentation

 

Our consolidated statements of operations include expenses that are clearly identifiable to us as a specific entity or subsidiary of EchoStar engaged in the satellite services business, as well as expense allocations for certain centralized corporate functions, including overhead, provided to us by EchoStar.  These expense allocations include services for, among other things, treasury, tax, accounting and reporting, risk management, legal, internal audit, human resources, and information technology.  For expenses that are clearly identifiable to us, allocations are made to us on a specific identification basis.  For expenses that are not clearly identifiable to us, allocations are based on the relative percentages, as compared to EchoStar’s other business, of revenue, headcount or other appropriate methods depending on the nature of each item of cost allocated.

 

These consolidated financial statements may not include all of the actual expenses that would have been incurred had HSS been a stand-alone entity.  While we believe the allocations, including their related assumptions, are reasonable, the amounts may not reflect our future results of operations, financial position and cash flows or reflect what our results of operations, financial position and cash flows would have been had we been a separate, stand-alone company during the periods presented.

 

EXPLANATION OF KEY METRICS AND OTHER ITEMS

 

Services and other revenue. “Services and other revenue” primarily includes the sale of enterprise and consumer broadband services, as well as maintenance and other contracted services.  “Services and other revenue” also includes revenue associated with satellite and transponder leasing, satellite uplinking/downlinking and other services provided to customers other than DISH Network.

 

Services and other revenue DISH Network. Services and other revenue — DISH Network” primarily includes revenue associated with satellite and transponder leasing, satellite uplinking/downlinking, telemetry, tracking and control, and other services provided to DISH Network.

 

Equipment revenue. Equipment revenue” primarily includes the sale of broadband equipment and networks to customers in our enterprise and consumer markets.

 

Cost of sales - services and other.Cost of sales — services and other” principally includes the cost of broadband services sold to customers in our enterprise and consumer markets, as well the cost of providing maintenance and other contracted services. “Cost of sales — services and other” also includes costs associated with satellite and transponder leasing, satellite uplinking/downlinking, telemetry, tracking and control, and other services.

 

Cost of sales — equipment. “Cost of sales — equipment” consists primarily of the cost of broadband equipment and networks sold to customers in our enterprise and consumer markets.

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses. “Selling, general and administrative expenses” consists primarily of selling and marketing costs and employee-related costs associated with administrative services (i.e., information systems, human resources and other services), including non-cash, stock-based compensation expense. It also includes research and development expense, professional fees (i.e., legal, information systems and accounting services) and other items associated with facilities and administrative services provided by DISH Network and other third parties.

 

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Interest income.  “Interest income” consists primarily of interest earned on our cash, cash equivalents and marketable investment securities, including accretion on debt securities.

 

Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized.  “Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized” primarily includes interest expense associated with our debt and capital lease obligations (net of capitalized interest), and amortization of debt issuance costs.

 

Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”). EBITDA is defined as “Net income (loss) attributable to HSS” plus “Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized” net of “Interest income,” “Income taxes” and “Depreciation and amortization.”  This “non-GAAP financial measure” is reconciled to “Net income (loss) attributable to the HSS common shareholder” in our discussion of “Results of Operations” below.

 

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

Three Months Ended September 30, 2011 Compared to the Three Months Ended September 30, 2010.

 

 

 

For the Three Months

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ended September 30,

 

Variance

 

Statements of Operations Data

 

2011

 

2010

 

Amount

 

%

 

 

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

(unaudited)

 

Revenue:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Services and other revenue

 

$

243,569

 

$

14,751

 

$

228,818

 

*

 

Services and other revenue - DISH Network

 

54,429

 

51,691

 

2,738

 

5.3

%

Equipment revenue

 

58,257

 

428

 

57,829

 

*

 

Equipment revenue - DISH Network

 

97

 

 

97

 

*

 

Total revenue

 

356,352

 

66,870

 

289,482

 

*

 

Costs and Expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Costs of sales - services and other

 

125,380

 

17,888

 

107,492

 

*

 

% of Total services and other revenue

 

42.1

%

26.9

%

 

 

 

 

Cost of sales — equipment

 

48,729

 

348

 

48,381

 

*

 

% of Total equipment revenue

 

83.5

%

81.3

%

 

 

 

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses

 

69,733

 

3,440

 

66,293

 

*

 

% of Total revenue

 

19.6

%

5.1

%

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

101,048

 

23,146

 

77,902

 

*

 

Total costs and expenses

 

344,890

 

44,822

 

300,068

 

*

 

Operating income (loss)

 

11,462

 

22,048

 

(10,586

)

(48.0

)%

Other Income (Expense):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest income

 

1,538

 

1

 

1,537

 

*

 

Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized

 

(33,791

)

(4,204

)

(29,587

)

*

 

Acquisition costs

 

(730

)

 

(730

)

*

 

Other, net

 

336

 

1,070

 

(734

)

(68.6

)%

Total other income (expense)

 

(32,647

)

(3,133

)

(29,514

)

*

 

Income (loss) before income taxes

 

(21,185

)

18,915

 

(40,100

)

*

 

Income tax (provision) benefit, net

 

9,134

 

(6,979

)

16,113

 

*

 

Effective tax rate

 

(43.1

)%

(36.9

)%

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

 

(12,051

)

11,936

 

(23,987

)

*

 

Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests

 

270

 

 

270

 

*

 

Net income (loss) attributable to the HSS common shareholder

 

$

(12,321

)

$

11,936

 

$

(24,257

)

*

 

Other Data:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EBITDA

 

$

111,846

 

$

46,264

 

$

65,582

 

*

 

 


* Percentage is not meaningful.

 

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Services and other revenue. “Services and other revenue,” including “Services and other revenue - DISH Network,” totaled $298 million during the three months ended September 30, 2011, an increase of $232 million compared to the same period in 2010.  This increase was primarily related to services revenue contributed by our Hughes segment from the sale of broadband services to customers in our enterprise and consumer markets, and customers’ maintenance and other contracted services.

 

Equipment revenue.  “Equipment revenue,” including “Equipment revenue - DISH Network,” totaled $58 million during the three months ended September 30, 2011, an increase of $58 million compared to the same period in 2010.  This change primarily related to equipment revenue contributed by our Hughes segment from the sale of broadband equipment and networks sold to customers in our enterprise and consumer markets.

 

Cost of sales — services and other.  “Cost of sales — services and other” totaled $125 million during the three months ended September 30, 2011, an increase of $107 million compared to the same period in 2010.  This change primarily related to costs associated with the sale of broadband services provided to customers in our enterprise and consumer markets, and customers’ maintenance and other contracted services from our Hughes segment.  “Cost of sales — services and other” represented 42.1% and 26.9% of total services and other revenue for the three months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively.  The increase in the expense to revenue ratio principally resulted from an increase in revenue and expenses from our Hughes segment.

 

Cost of sales — equipment.  “Cost of sales — equipment” totaled $49 million during the three months ended September 30, 2011, an increase of $48 million compared to the same period in 2010.  This increase primarily related to costs associated with the sale of broadband equipment and networks to customers in our enterprise and consumer markets resulting from our Hughes segment. “Cost of sales — equipment” represented 83.5% and 81.3% of total equipment revenue for the three months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively. The increase in the expense to revenue ratio principally resulted from an increase in revenue and expenses from our Hughes segment.

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses“Selling, general and administrative expenses” totaled $70 million during the three months ended September 30, 2011, an increase of $66 million compared to the same period in 2010.  This change primarily resulted from an increase in marketing and advertising expenses and other general and administrative expenses resulting from our Hughes segment. Of the $66 million increase in “Selling, general and administrative expenses,” $9 million was associated with the change of control bonuses given to certain of the executives of Hughes Communications. See Note 9 in the Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements of HSS for further discussion.

 

Depreciation and amortization.  “Depreciation and amortization” expense totaled $101 million during the three months ended September 30, 2011, an increase of $78 million compared to the same period in 2010. This change related to an increase in depreciation expense on equipment and satellites as well as amortization expense on intangibles in our Hughes segment.

 

Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized“Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized” totaled $34 million during the three months ended September 30, 2011, an increase of $30 million compared to the same period in 2010.  This change primarily resulted from an increase in interest expense related to the issuance of the Old Notes during the second quarter of 2011, partially offset by an increase in capitalized interest.

 

Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortizationEBITDA was $112 million during the three months ended September 30, 2011, an increase of $66 million compared to the same period in 2010.  The following table reconciles EBITDA to the accompanying financial statements.

 

55



Table of Contents

 

 

 

For the Three Months

 

 

 

Ended September 30,

 

 

 

2011

 

2010

 

 

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

(unaudited)

 

EBITDA

 

$

111,846

 

$

46,264

 

Interest expense, net

 

(32,253

)

(4,203

)

Income tax (provision) benefit, net

 

9,134

 

(6,979

)

Depreciation and amortization

 

(101,048

)

(23,146

)

Net income (loss) attributable to the HSS common shareholder

 

$

(12,321

)

$

11,936

 

 

EBITDA is not a measure determined in accordance with GAAP and should not be considered a substitute for operating income, net income or any other measure determined in accordance with GAAP.  Conceptually, EBITDA measures the amount of income generated each period that could be used to service debt, pay taxes and fund capital expenditures.  EBITDA should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures of performance prepared in accordance with GAAP.  EBITDA is used by our management as a measure of operating efficiency and overall financial performance for benchmarking against our peers and competitors.  Management believes EBITDA provides meaningful supplemental information regarding liquidity and the underlying operating performance of our business.  Management also believes that EBITDA is useful to investors because it is frequently used by securities analysts, investors and other interested parties to evaluate companies in our industries.

 

Income tax (provision) benefit, net.  The income tax benefit totaled $9 million during the three months ended September 30, 2011 compared to an income tax provision of $7 million in the same period in 2010, as we incurred a loss before income taxes for the three months ended September 30, 2011 while we generated income before income taxes in the same period in 2010.  Our effective tax rate for the three months ended September 30, 2011 was impacted by accounting for income taxes in interim periods.

 

Net income (loss) attributable to the HSS common shareholderOur net loss attributable to the HSS common shareholder was $12 million during the three months ended September 30, 2011, as opposed to net income attributable to HSS of $12 million in  the same period in 2010.  This change was primarily attributable to the changes in revenue and expenses discussed above.

 

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2011 Compared to the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2010.

 

 

 

For the Nine Months

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ended September 30,

 

Variance

 

Statements of Operations Data

 

2011

 

2010

 

Amount

 

%

 

 

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

(unaudited)

 

Revenue:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Services and other revenue

 

$

331,775

 

$

38,571

 

$

293,204

 

*

 

Services and other revenue - DISH Network

 

160,457

 

157,114

 

3,343

 

2.1

%

Equipment revenue

 

83,444

 

946

 

82,498

 

*

 

Equipment revenue - DISH Network

 

97

 

 

97

 

*

 

Total revenue

 

575,773

 

196,631

 

379,142

 

*

 

Costs and Expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Costs of sales - services and other

 

185,277

 

48,193

 

137,084

 

*

 

% of Total services and other revenue

 

37.6

%

24.6

%

 

 

 

 

Cost of sales — equipment

 

68,541

 

700

 

67,841

 

*

 

% of Total equipment revenue

 

82.0

%

74.0

%

 

 

 

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses

 

93,029

 

9,133

 

83,896

 

*

 

% of Total revenue

 

16.2

%

4.6

%

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

163,976

 

71,799

 

92,177

 

*

 

Total costs and expenses

 

510,823

 

129,825

 

380,998

 

*

 

Operating income (loss)

 

64,950

 

66,806

 

(1,856

)

(2.8

)%

Other Income (Expense):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest income

 

1,823

 

5

 

1,818

 

*

 

Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized

 

(50,904

)

(19,527

)

(31,377

)

*

 

Acquisition costs

 

(35,230

)

 

(35,230

)

*

 

Other, net

 

9,703

 

1,082

 

8,621

 

*

 

Total other income (expense)

 

(74,608

)

(18,440

)

(56,168

)

*

 

Income (loss) before income taxes

 

(9,658

)

48,366

 

(58,024

)

*

 

Income tax (provision) benefit, net

 

1,697

 

(17,846

)

19,543

 

*

 

Effective tax rate

 

(17.6

)%

(36.9

)%

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

 

(7,961

)

30,520

 

(38,481

)

*

 

Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest

 

357

 

 

357

 

*

 

Net income (loss) attributable to the HSS common shareholder

 

$

(8,318

)

$

30,520

 

$

(38,838

)

*

 

Other Data:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EBITDA

 

$

203,042

 

$

139,687

 

$

63,355

 

45.4

%

 


* Percentage is not meaningful.

 

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Table of Contents

 

Services and other revenue.  “Services and other revenue,” including “Services and other revenue - DISH Network,” totaled $492 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2011, an increase of $297 million compared to the same period in 2010.  This increase was primarily related to services revenue contributed by our Hughes segment from the sale of broadband services to customers in our enterprise and consumer markets, and customers’ maintenance and other contracted services.

 

Equipment revenue.  “Equipment revenue,” including “Equipment revenue - DISH Network,” totaled $84 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2011, an increase of $83 million compared to the same period in 2010.  This change primarily related to equipment revenue contributed by our Hughes segment from the sale of broadband equipment and networks sold to customers in our enterprise and consumer markets.

 

Cost of sales — services and other.  “Cost of sales — services and other” totaled $185 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2011, an increase of $137 million compared to the same period in 2010.  This change primarily related to costs associated with the sale of broadband services provided to customers in our enterprise and consumer markets, and customers’ maintenance and other contracted services from our Hughes segment.  “Cost of sales — services and other” represented 37.6% and 24.6% of total services and other revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively.  The increase in the expense to revenue ratio principally resulted from an increase in revenue and expenses from our Hughes segment.

 

Cost of sales — equipment.  “Cost of sales — equipment” totaled $69 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2011, an increase of $68 million compared to the same period in 2010.  This change primarily related to costs associated with the sale of broadband equipment and networks sold to customers in our enterprise and consumer markets in our Hughes segment. “Cost of sales — equipment” represented 82.0% and 74.0% of total equipment revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively.  The increase in the expense to revenue ratio principally resulted from an increase in revenue and expenses from our Hughes segment.

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses“Selling, general and administrative expenses” totaled $93 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2011, an increase of $84 million compared to the same period in 2010.  This change primarily resulted from an increase in marketing and advertising expenses and other general and administrative expenses resulting from our Hughes segment. Of the $84 million increase in “Selling, general and administrative expenses,” $11 million was associated with the change of control bonuses given to certain of the executives of Hughes Communications. See Note 9 in the Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements of HSS for further discussion.

 

Depreciation and amortization.  “Depreciation and amortization” expense totaled $164 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2011, an increase of $92 million compared to the same period in 2010. This change related to an increase in depreciation expense on equipment and satellites as well as amortization expense on intangibles in our Hughes segment.

 

57


 


Table of Contents

 

Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized“Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized” totaled $51 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2011, an increase of $31 million compared to the same period in 2010.  This change primarily resulted from an increase in interest expense related to the issuance of the Old Notes during the second quarter of 2011, partially offset by an increase in capitalized interest.

 

Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortizationEBITDA was $203 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2011, an increase of $63 million or 45.4% compared to the same period in 2010.  The following table reconciles EBITDA to the accompanying financial statements.

 

 

 

For the Nine Months

 

 

 

Ended September 30,

 

 

 

2011

 

2010

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

 

 

(unaudited)

 

EBITDA

 

$

203,042

 

$

139,687

 

Interest expense, net

 

(49,081

)

(19,522

)

Income tax (provision) benefit, net

 

1,697

 

(17,846

)

Depreciation and amortization

 

(163,976

)

(71,799

)

Net Income (loss) attributable to the HSS common shareholder

 

$

(8,318

)

$

30,520

 

 

EBITDA is not a measure determined in accordance with GAAP and should not be considered a substitute for operating income, net income or any other measure determined in accordance with GAAP.  Conceptually, EBITDA measures the amount of income generated each period that could be used to service debt, pay taxes and fund capital expenditures.  EBITDA should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures of performance prepared in accordance with GAAP.  EBITDA is used by our management as a measure of operating efficiency and overall financial performance for benchmarking against our peers and competitors.  Management believes EBITDA provides meaningful supplemental information regarding liquidity and the underlying operating performance of our business.  Management also believes that EBITDA is useful to investors because it is frequently used by securities analysts, investors and other interested parties to evaluate companies in our industries.

 

Income tax (provision) benefit, net.  The income tax benefit totaled $2 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2011 compared to an income tax provision of $18 million in the same period in 2010, as we incurred a loss before income taxes for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 while we generated income before income taxes in the same period in 2010. Our effective tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 was impacted by a significant amount of permanent differences in relation to “Income (loss) before income taxes.”

 

Net income (loss) attributable to the HSS common shareholderOur net loss attributable to the HSS common shareholder was $8 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2011 compared to a net income attributable to HSS of $31 million for the same period in 2010.  The change was primarily attributable to the changes in revenue and expenses discussed above.

 

Year Ended December 31, 2010 Compared to the Year Ended December 31, 2009.

 

 

 

For the Years Ended

 

 

 

 

 

December 31,

 

Variance

 

Statements of Operations Data

 

2010

 

2009

 

Amount

 

%

 

 

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

Revenue:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Services and other revenue- DISH Network

 

$

208,364

 

$

131,111

 

$

77,253

 

58.9

 

Services and other revenue - other

 

53,815

 

41,135

 

12,680

 

30.8

 

Total revenue

 

262,179

 

172,246

 

89,933

 

52.2

 

Costs and Expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Costs of sales - services and other

 

65,469

 

35,035

 

30,434

 

86.9

 

% of Total revenue

 

25.0

%

20.3

%

 

 

 

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses

 

12,072

 

9,512

 

2,560

 

26.9

 

% of Total revenue

 

4.6

%

5.5

%

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

95,069

 

107,471

 

(12,402

)

(11.5

)

Total costs and expenses

 

172,610

 

152,018

 

20,592

 

13.5

 

Operating income (loss)

 

89,569

 

20,228

 

69,341

 

*

 

Other Income (Expense):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest income (1)

 

26

 

23

 

3

 

13.0

 

Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized

 

(23,640

)

(23,567

)

(73

)

(0.3

)

Other, net

 

1,289

 

92

 

1,197

 

*

 

Total other income (expense)

 

(22,325

)

(23,452

)

1,127

 

4.8

 

Income (loss) before income taxes

 

67,244

 

(3,224

)

70,468

 

*

 

Income tax (provision) benefit, net

 

(24,812

)

396

 

(25,208

)

*

 

Effective tax rate

 

36.9

%

12.3

%

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

 

$

42,432

 

$

(2,828

)

$

45,260

 

*

 

Other Data:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EBITDA

 

$

185,927

 

$

127,791

 

$

58,136

 

45.5

 

 


*

 

Percentage is not meaningful.

(1)

 

Although interest income is included in “Other, net” on our audited consolidated statements of operations, it is disclosed separately here because it is a component of EBITDA.

 

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Table of Contents

 

Services and other revenue — DISH Network.  “Services and other revenue — DISH Network” totaled $208 million during the year ended December 31, 2010, an increase of $77 million or 58.9% compared to 2009.  The change was driven by an increase in transponder leasing primarily related to the Nimiq 5 satellite, which was placed into service in October 2009 and the increase in monthly lease rates per transponder on certain satellites based on the terms of our amended lease agreements.  See Note 12 to our audited consolidated financial statements for further discussion.

 

Services and other revenue — other.  “Services and other revenue — other” totaled $54 million during the year ended December 31, 2010, an increase of $13 million or 30.8% compared to 2009.  The change was driven primarily by an increase in transponder leasing provided to customers other than DISH Network.

 

Cost of sales — services and other.  “Cost of sales — services and other” totaled $65 million during the year ended December 31, 2010, an increase of $30 million or 86.9% compared to 2009.  This change primarily resulted from an increase in costs related to the EchoStar I satellite, which we began leasing from DISH Network during the first quarter of 2010, and costs related to the Nimiq 5 satellite, which was placed into service in October 2009.  “Cost of sales — services and other” represented 25.0% and 20.3% of “Total revenue” during the year ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.  The increase in this expense to revenue ratio was primarily driven by an increase in costs related to the EchoStar I and Nimiq 5 satellites, partially offset by an increase in transponder leasing revenue, discussed above.  The majority of our costs associated with transponder leasing are related to satellites, which are included in “Depreciation and amortization” expense and not included as part of the cost of sales.

 

Depreciation and amortization.  “Depreciation and amortization” expense totaled $95 million during the year ended December 31, 2010, a $12 million or 11.5% decrease compared to 2009.  The change in “Depreciation and amortization” expense was primarily related to declines in depreciation expense related to satellites that became fully depreciated in 2010 and lower depreciation expense on AMC-16 as a result of the reduction in its asset value, partially offset by depreciation expense associated with Nimiq 5, which was placed into service in October 2009.

 

Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization.  EBITDA was $186 million during the year ended December 31, 2010, an increase of $58 million compared to 2009.  The following table reconciles EBITDA to the accompanying financial statements.

 

 

 

For the Years Ended

 

 

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2010

 

2009

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

EBITDA

 

$

185,927

 

$

127,791

 

Interest expense, net

 

(23,614

)

(23,544

)

Income tax (provision) benefit, net

 

(24,812

)

396

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

(95,069

)

(107,471

)

Net Income (loss)

 

$

42,432

 

$

(2,828

)

 

EBITDA is not a measure determined in accordance with GAAP and should not be considered a substitute for operating income, net income or any other measure determined in accordance with GAAP.  Conceptually, EBITDA measures the amount of income generated each period that could be used to service debt, pay taxes and fund capital expenditures.  EBITDA should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures of performance prepared in accordance with GAAP.  EBITDA is used by our management as a measure of operating efficiency and overall financial performance for benchmarking against our peers and competitors.  Management believes EBITDA provides meaningful supplemental

 

59



Table of Contents

 

information regarding liquidity and the underlying operating performance of our business.  Management also believes that EBITDA is useful to investors because it is frequently used by securities analysts, investors and other interested parties to evaluate companies in our industry.

 

Income tax (provision) benefit, net.  The income tax provision totaled $25 million during the year ended December 31, 2010, compared to an income tax benefit of less than $1 million in 2009.  The income tax provision resulted primarily from our income before income taxes during the year ended December 31, 2010, compared to our loss before income taxes incurred in 2009, and an increase in our effective tax rate from 2009 to 2010.  During the year ended December 31, 2009, our state tax rates increased, which caused an increase in our state income tax provision and cumulative deferred tax liabilities, leading to a decline in our total income tax benefit and a decrease in our overall effective tax rate in 2009.

 

Net income (loss).  Our net income was $42 million during the year ended December 31, 2010, compared to a net loss of $3 million in 2009.  This change was primarily attributable to the changes in revenue and expenses discussed above.

 

Year Ended December 31, 2009 Compared to the Year Ended December 31, 2008.

 

 

 

For the Years Ended

 

 

 

 

 

December 31,

 

Variance

 

Statements of Operations Data

 

2009

 

2008

 

Amount

 

%

 

 

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

Revenue:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Services and other revenue- DISH Network

 

$

131,111

 

$

149,513

 

$

(18,402

)

(12.3

)

Services and other revenue - other

 

41,135

 

30,138

 

10,997

 

36.5

 

Total revenue

 

172,246

 

179,651

 

(7,405

)

(4.1

)

Costs and Expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Costs of sales - services and other

 

35,035

 

37,282

 

(2,247

)

(6.0

)

% of Total revenue

 

20.3

%

20.8

%

 

 

 

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses

 

9,512

 

6,868

 

2,644

 

38.5

 

% of Total revenue

 

5.5

%

3.8

%

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

107,471

 

141,701

 

(34,230

)

(24.2

)

Impairments of long-lived assets

 

 

234,959

 

(234,959

)

(100.0

)

Total costs and expenses

 

152,018

 

420,810

 

(268,792

)

(63.9

)

Operating income (loss)

 

20,228

 

(241,159

)

261,387

 

*

 

Other Income (Expense):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest income (1)

 

23

 

53

 

(30

)

(56.6

)

Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized

 

(23,567

)

(30,836

)

7,269

 

23.6

 

Other, net

 

92

 

3

 

89

 

*

 

Total other income (expense)

 

(23,452

)

(30,780

)

7,328

 

23.8

 

Income (loss) before income taxes

 

(3,224

)

(271,939

)

268,715

 

98.8

 

Income tax (provision) benefit, net

 

396

 

98,126

 

(97,730

)

(99.6

)

Effective tax rate

 

12.3

%

36.1

%

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

 

$

(2,828

)

$

(173,813

)

$

170,985

 

98.4

 

Other Data:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EBITDA

 

$

127,791

 

$

(99,455

)

$

227,246

 

*

 

 


*                             Percentage is not meaningful.

(1)                 Although interest income is included in “Other, net” on our audited consolidated statements of operations, it is disclosed separately here because it is a component of EBITDA.

 

Services and other revenue — DISH Network.  “Services and other revenue — DISH Network” totaled $131 million during the year ended December 31, 2009, a decrease of $18 million or 12.3% compared to 2008.  The change was driven primarily by a reduction in the number of transponders leased to DISH Network as a result of the launch of a satellite owned by DISH Network in July 2008.

 

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Services and other revenue — other.  “Services and other revenue — other” totaled $41 million during the year ended December 31, 2009, an increase of $11 million or 36.5% compared to 2008.  The change was primarily related to an increase in transponder leasing to Dish Mexico which began service in November 2008.

 

Cost of sales — services and other.  “Cost of sales — services and other” totaled $35 million during the year ended December 31, 2009, a decrease of $2 million or 6.0% compared to 2008.  This change primarily resulted from a decline in transponder leasing and other services provided to DISH Network, partially offset by the increase in costs related to the Nimiq 5 satellite, which was placed into service in October 2009.

 

Depreciation and amortization.  “Depreciation and amortization” expense totaled $107 million during the year ended December 31, 2009, a $34 million or 24.2% decrease compared to 2008.  The decrease in “Depreciation and amortization” expense was primarily due to less depreciation expense on our AMC-15 and AMC-16 satellites, with respect to which we incurred combined impairments of $218 million in 2008.  See Note 4 to our audited consolidated financial statements for further discussion.  This decrease was partially offset by an increase in depreciation expense associated with the Nimiq 5 satellite, which was placed into service in October 2009.

 

Impairments of long-lived assets.  “Impairments of long-lived assets” totaled $235 million during the year ended December 31, 2008, which primarily resulted from impairments of our AMC-15 and AMC-16 satellites.  See Note 4 to our audited consolidated financial statements for further discussion.

 

Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization. EBITDA was $128 million during the year ended December 31, 2009, an increase of $227 million compared to 2008. EBITDA for the year ended December 31, 2008 included “Impairments of long-lived assets” of $235 million. The following table reconciles EBITDA to the accompanying financial statements.

 

 

 

For the Years Ended

 

 

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2009

 

2008

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

EBITDA

 

$

127,791

 

$

(99,455

)

Interest expense, net

 

(23,544

)

(30,783

)

Income tax (provision) benefit, net

 

396

 

98,126

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

(107,471

)

(141,701

)

Net Income (loss)

 

$

(2,828

)

$

(173,813

)

 

EBITDA is not a measure determined in accordance with GAAP and should not be considered a substitute for operating income, net income or any other measure determined in accordance with GAAP.  Conceptually, EBITDA measures the amount of income generated each period that could be used to service debt, pay taxes and fund capital expenditures.  EBITDA should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures of performance prepared in accordance with GAAP.  EBITDA is used by our management as a measure of operating efficiency and overall financial performance for benchmarking against our peers and competitors.  Management believes EBITDA provides meaningful supplemental information regarding liquidity and the underlying operating performance of our business.  Management also believes that EBITDA is useful to investors because it is frequently used by securities analysts, investors and other interested parties to evaluate companies in our industry.

 

Income tax (provision) benefit, net.  During the year ended December 31, 2009, we recorded an income tax benefit of less than $1 million, a decrease of $98 million in the benefit compared to 2008.  This change resulted primarily from the decline in our loss before income taxes and the change in our effective tax rate.  During the year ended December 31, 2009, our state tax rates increased, which caused an increase in our state income tax provision and cumulative deferred tax liabilities, leading to a decline in our total income tax benefit and a decrease in our overall effective tax rate in 2009.

 

Net income (loss).  Our net loss was $3 million during the year ended December 31, 2009, a $171 million decrease in the net loss compared to 2008. This decrease was primarily attributable to the changes in revenue and expenses discussed above.

 

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LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

 

Cash and Cash Equivalents

 

We consider all liquid investments purchased within 90 days of their maturity to be cash equivalents.  As of December 31, 2010, our cash and cash equivalents totaled $106,000 compared to zero as of December 31, 2009.  As of September 30, 2011, our cash and cash equivalents totaled $194 million.  The following discussion highlights our cash flow activities during the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008 and the nine months ended September 30, 2011.

 

Cash flows from operating activities.  We typically reinvest the cash flow from operating activities in our business.  For the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008 and the nine months ended September 30, 2011, we reported net cash inflows from operating activities of $168 million, $78 million, $81 million and $193 million, respectively.

 

The $90 million improvement in net cash inflows from operating activities during the year ended December 31, 2010 compared to 2009 was primarily attributable to an increase of $58 million in net income adjusted to exclude non-cash changes in “Depreciation and amortization” and “Deferred tax expense (benefit).”  This improvement was also attributable to an increase in cash resulting from changes in operating assets and liabilities of $33 million.

 

The $3 million decrease in net cash inflows from operating activities during the year ended December 31, 2009 compared to 2008 was primarily attributable to a decrease in cash resulting from changes in operating assets and liabilities of $2 million and a decrease in net loss adjusted to exclude non-cash changes in “Impairments of long-lived assets,” “Depreciation and amortization” and “Deferred tax expense (benefit).”

 

The net cash inflows from operating activities of $193 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2011 were primarily comprised of net income adjusted to exclude non-cash charges for “Depreciation and amortization” expense of $164 million and by changes in operating assets and liabilities related to timing differences between book expense and cash payments.

 

Cash flows from investing activities.  Our investing activities generally include capital expenditures and strategic investments.  For the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008 and the nine months ended September 30, 2011, we reported net cash outflows from investing activities of $120 million, $138 million, $28 million and $2.1 billion, respectively.

 

The decrease in net cash outflows from investing activities from 2009 to 2010 of $18 million primarily resulted from changes in restricted cash and cash equivalents of $16 million, including $1 million of cash inflows in 2010 and $15 million of cash outflows in 2009, and from a decline in capital expenditures of $3 million compared to 2009.

 

The increase in net cash outflows from investing activities from 2008 to 2009 of $110 million primarily resulted from an increase in cash outflows related to capital expenditures for satellites of $53 million, proceeds from an insurance settlement of $41 million in 2008 and an increase in cash outflows related to changes in restricted cash and cash equivalents of $16 million.

 

The net cash outflows from investing activities of $2.1 billion during the nine months ended September 30, 2011 were primarily related to the Acquisition.

 

Cash flows from financing activities.  Our financing activities generally include cash used for payment of capital lease obligations and cash inflows from, or outflows to, EchoStar Corporation in the form of advances or distributions.  For the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008 and the nine months ended September 30, 2011, we reported financing activities of $47 million in net cash outflows, $60 million in net cash inflows, $53 million in net cash outflows and $2.1 billion in net cash inflows, respectively.

 

The increase in net cash outflows from financing activities from 2009 to 2010 of $107 million principally resulted from a decrease in advances from EchoStar Corporation of $104 million.

 

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The increase in net cash inflows from financing activities from 2008 to 2009 of $113 million principally resulted from changes in “Advances (distributions) to owner” of $118 million, partially offset by an increase in repayments of long-term debt and capital lease obligations of $5 million.

 

The net cash inflows from financing activities of $2.1 billion during the nine months ended September 30, 2011 primarily resulted from the issuance of the Old Notes during the second quarter of 2011.

 

Satellites

 

As our satellite fleet ages, we will be required to evaluate replacement alternatives such as acquiring, leasing or constructing additional satellites, with or without customer commitments for capacity.

 

Obligations and Future Capital Requirements

 

Contractual Obligations and Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

 

In general, we do not engage in off-balance sheet financing activities.  Future maturities of our contractual obligations as of December 31, 2010 are summarized as follows:

 

 

 

Payments due by period

 

 

 

Total

 

2011

 

2012

 

2013

 

2014

 

2015

 

Thereafter

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

Long-term debt obligations

 

$

6,314

 

$

707

 

$

764

 

$

826

 

$

892

 

$

963

 

$

2,162

 

Capital lease obligations

 

405,449

 

51,506

 

56,832

 

62,651

 

64,850

 

11,088

 

158,522

 

Interest expense on long-term debt and capital lease obligations

 

222,005

 

37,230

 

32,493

 

27,259

 

21,484

 

17,850

 

85,689

 

Satellite-related obligations

 

986,285

 

140,066

 

158,664

 

78,189

 

75,057

 

63,895

 

470,414

 

Purchase and other obligations

 

9,923

 

9,923

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

$

1,629,976

 

$

239,432

 

$

248,753

 

$

168,925

 

$

162,283

 

$

93,796

 

$

716,787

 

 

In certain circumstances, the dates on which we are obligated to make these payments could be delayed.  These amounts will increase to the extent we procure insurance for our satellites or contract for the construction, launch or lease of additional satellites.

 

Future maturities of our contractual obligations as of September 30, 2011 are summarized as follows:

 

 

 

Payments due by period

 

 

 

Total

 

2011

 

2012

 

2013

 

2014

 

2015

 

Thereafter

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

Long-term debt obligations

 

$

2,006,706

 

$

222

 

$

1,134

 

$

1,009

 

$

1,068

 

$

1,100

 

$

2,002,173

 

Capital lease obligations

 

389,606

 

13,573

 

57,486

 

62,528

 

64,284

 

12,487

 

179,248

 

Interest expense on long-term debt and capital lease obligations

 

1,481,289

 

85,351

 

175,292

 

169,982

 

164,219

 

160,528

 

725,917

 

Satellite-related obligations

 

1,165,149

 

105,056

 

275,841

 

126,768

 

99,773

 

78,774

 

478,937

 

Operating lease obligation

 

41,891

 

3,512

 

12,966

 

8,983

 

6,861

 

4,557

 

5,012

 

Purchase and other obligations

 

7,590

 

6,201

 

676

 

510

 

203

 

 

 

Payments in connection with the Acquisition

 

22,426

 

5,798

 

7,012

 

5,866

 

3,750

 

 

 

Total

 

$

5,114,657

 

$

219,713

 

$

530,407

 

$

375,646

 

$

340,158

 

$

257,446

 

$

3,391,287

 

 

Future commitments related to satellites, including two launch contracts for satellites that are currently under construction, as described below, are included in the table above under “Satellite-related obligations.”  Payments related to the QuetzSat-1 capital lease are currently included in “Satellite-related obligations” but will be reclassified to “Capital lease obligations” when the satellite is placed into service later this year.

 

·      EchoStar XVI.  During November 2009, we entered into a contract for the construction of EchoStar XVI, a direct broadcast satellite (“DBS”), which is expected to be completed during the second half of 2012 and will operate at the 61.5 degree west longitude orbital location.  DISH Network has agreed to lease all of the capacity on this satellite from us for a portion of its useful life.  As of September 30, 2011, the remaining obligation related to EchoStar XVI

 

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of $85 million, including the launch contract, is included in the table above.

 

·      Jupiter 1.  During June 2009, Hughes Communications entered into a contract for the construction of Jupiter 1, which is expected to launch in the second quarter of 2012.  Barrett Xplore Inc. has agreed to lease the user beams designed to operate in Canada, which represents a portion of the capacity available on the Jupiter 1 satellite.  As of September 30, 2011, the remaining obligation related to Jupiter 1 of $103 million, including the launch contract, is included in the table above.

 

During 2008, we entered into a ten-year satellite service agreement with SES to lease all of the capacity on the QuetzSat-1 satellite, which was launched on September 29, 2011.  This lease will be accounted for as a capital lease. Upon expiration of the initial term, we have the option to renew the transponder service agreement on a year-to-year basis through the end-of-life of the QuetzSat-1 satellite. DISH Network has agreed to lease 24 of the 32 DBS transponders on this satellite from us.

 

In certain circumstances, the dates on which we are obligated to make these payments could be delayed. These amounts will increase to the extent we procure insurance for our satellites or contract for the construction, launch or lease of additional satellites.

 

Acquisition of Brazilian Orbital Slot.  On August 30, 2011, we were declared the winner of the right to select an orbital slot in an auction conducted by ANATEL, the Brazilian communications regulatory authority.  We selected the 45 degree west longitude orbital location for a bid of approximately $79 million, using an exchange rate of $1 to 1.8291 Brazilian Real as of September 30, 2011.  This amount is not included in the table above.  We must comply with certain post-auction regulatory and payment requirements before we will receive the orbital slot.  Once we receive the orbital slot, the slot will be used to expand our video and data capabilities in South America.

 

Purchase Obligations

 

Our purchase obligations primarily consist of binding purchase orders for equipment and for our share of transitional service agreements entered into between EchoStar and DISH Network.

 

Satellite Insurance

 

Historically, we have not carried insurance for any of the in-orbit satellites that we use because we believe that the premium costs are uneconomical relative to the risk of satellite failure. However, pursuant to the terms of the indentures governing the Notes, we maintain in orbit insurance for SPACEWAY 3 and have agreed, subject to certain limitations on coverage, to obtain launch and in-orbit insurance for Jupiter 1 and EchoStar XVI.  The loss of an uninsured satellite or other satellite malfunctions or anomalies could have a material adverse effect on our financial performance which we may not be able to mitigate by using available capacity on other satellites.  There can be no assurance that we can recover critical transmission capacity in the event one or more of our in-orbit satellites were to fail.  In addition, the loss of an uninsured satellite or other satellite malfunctions or anomalies could affect our ability to comply with FCC regulatory obligations and our ability to fund the construction or acquisition of replacement satellites for our in-orbit fleet in a timely fashion, or at all.

 

Future Capital Requirements

 

As contemplated by the terms of the Acquisition and related financing transactions, we received a contribution in cash and marketable securities from, and a forgiveness of certain net intercompany accounts payable to, our parent, EchoStar Corporation, of $609 million and raised $2 billion in the offering of the Old Notes in June 2011.  We expect our future working capital, capital expenditures and debt service requirements to be funded with cash generated from operations and future financings.  Since we depend on DISH Network for a substantial portion of our revenue, our cash flow from operations depends heavily on their needs for services.  There can be no assurance that we will always have positive cash flows from operations.

 

We have a significant amount of outstanding indebtedness.  As of September 30, 2011, our total indebtedness was $2.4 billion.  Our liquidity requirements will be significant, primarily due to our debt service requirements.

 

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Our future capital expenditures are likely to increase if we make additional investments in infrastructure necessary to support and expand our business, or if we decide to purchase one or more additional satellites.  Other aspects of our business operations may also require additional capital.  We periodically evaluate various strategic initiatives, the pursuit of which also could require us to raise significant additional capital.

 

However, there can be no assurance that we could raise all required capital or that required capital would be available on acceptable terms or at all.  Our financial condition is dependent upon our future financial performance, which is subject to many economic, commercial, financial and other factors that are beyond our control.  Any renewed weakness in the financial markets could make it difficult for certain borrowers to access capital markets at acceptable terms or at all, which may significantly constrain our ability to obtain financing to support our business operations.  This may have a significant effect on our cost of financing and our liquidity position and may, as a result, cause us to defer or abandon profitable business strategies that we would otherwise pursue if financing were available on acceptable terms.  In addition, sustained economic weakness may limit our ability to generate sufficient internal cash to fund investments, capital expenditures, acquisitions and other strategic transactions.  Debt-financing arrangements may require us to pledge certain assets and enter into covenants that could restrict certain business activities or our ability to incur further indebtedness and may contain other terms that are not favorable to us.  If we are unable to obtain adequate funds on reasonable terms, we may be required to curtail operations significantly or obtain funds by entering into financing, supply or joint venture agreements on unattractive terms.

 

Critical Accounting Estimates

 

The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates, judgments and assumptions that affect amounts reported therein.  Management bases its estimates, judgments and assumptions on historical experience and on various other factors that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances.  Due to the inherent uncertainty involved in making estimates, actual results reported in future periods may be affected by changes in those estimates.  For a summary of our significant accounting policies, including those discussed below, see Note 2 in the Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements of HSS for further discussion.

 

Business Combinations.  When we acquire a business, we allocate the purchase price to the various components of the acquisition based upon the fair value of each component using various valuation techniques, including the market approach, income approach and/or cost approach.

 

The accounting standard for business combinations requires most identifiable assets, liabilities, noncontrolling interests and goodwill acquired to be recorded at fair value.  Transaction costs related to the acquisition of the business are expensed as incurred.  Costs associated with the issuance of debt associated with a business combination are capitalized and included as a yield adjustment to the underlying debt’s stated rate.

 

Acquired intangible assets other than goodwill are amortized over their estimated useful lives unless the lives are determined to be indefinite.  Amortization of these intangible assets is recorded on a straight line basis over an average finite useful life primarily ranging from approximately one to twenty years or in relation to the estimated discounted cash flows over the life of the intangible.

 

Valuation of long-lived assetsWe evaluate the carrying value of long-lived assets to be held and used, other than goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite lives, when events and circumstances warrant such a review. The carrying value of a long-lived asset or asset group is considered impaired when the anticipated undiscounted cash flows from such asset or asset group is less than its carrying value.  In that event, a loss is recorded in “Impairments of long-lived assets” on our consolidated statements of operations based on the amount by which the carrying value exceeds the fair value of the long-lived asset or asset group.  Fair value is determined primarily using the estimated cash flows associated with the asset or asset group under review, discounted at a rate commensurate with the risk involved.  Losses on long-lived assets to be disposed of by sale are determined in a similar manner, except that fair values are reduced for estimated selling costs.  Among other reasons, changes in estimates of future cash flows could result in a write-down of the asset in a future period.

 

Income taxes.  Our income tax policy is to record the estimated future tax effects of temporary differences between the tax bases of assets and liabilities and amounts reported in our consolidated balance sheets, as well as operating loss and tax credit carryforwards.  Determining necessary valuation allowances requires us to make assessments about the timing of future events, including the probability of expected future taxable income and available tax planning opportunities.  We

 

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periodically evaluate our need for a valuation allowance based on both historical evidence, including trends, and future expectations in each reporting period.  Any such valuation allowance is recorded in either “Income tax (provision) benefit, net” on our consolidated statements of operations or “Total shareholder’s equity (deficit)” on our consolidated balance sheets.  Future performance could have a significant effect on the realization of tax benefits, or reversals of valuation allowances, as reported in our consolidated results of operations.

 

Uncertainty in tax positions.  Management evaluates the recognition and measurement of uncertain tax positions based on applicable tax law, regulations, case law, administrative rulings and pronouncements and the facts and circumstances surrounding the tax position.  Changes in our estimates related to the recognition and measurement of the amount recorded for uncertain tax positions could result in significant changes in our “Income tax provision (benefit),” which could be material to our consolidated results of operations.

 

Contingent liabilities.  A significant amount of management judgment is required in determining when, or if, an accrual should be recorded for a contingency and the amount of such accrual.  Estimates generally are developed in consultation with counsel and are based on an analysis of potential outcomes.  Due to the uncertainty of determining the likelihood of a future event occurring and the potential financial statement impact of such an event, it is possible that upon further development or resolution of a contingent matter, a charge could be recorded in a future period to “Selling, general and administrative expenses” on our consolidated statements of operations that would be material to our consolidated results of operations and financial position.

 

Seasonality

 

Like many communications infrastructure equipment vendors, a significant amount of Hughes Communications’ hardware sales occur in the second half of the year due to its customers’ annual procurement and budget cycles. Large enterprises and operators usually allocate their capital expenditure budgets at the beginning of their fiscal year (which often coincides with the calendar year). The typical sales cycle for large complex system procurements is 6 to 12 months, which often results in the customer expenditure occurring towards the end of the year. Customers often seek to expend the budgeted funds prior to the end of the year and the next budget cycle. As a result, interim results are not indicative of the results to be expected for the full year.

 

Inflation

 

Inflation has not materially affected our operations during the past three years.  We believe that our ability to increase the prices charged for our services in future periods will depend primarily on competitive pressures or contractual terms.

 

Satellites

 

As our satellite fleet ages, we will be required to evaluate replacement alternatives such as acquiring, leasing or constructing additional satellites, with or without customer commitments for capacity.

 

Backlog

 

Our contracted backlog represents the future revenue we expect to realize under all current contractual service agreements for satellite capacity.  This is comprised of all amounts due under a contract through the expiration date.  We do not assume a given contract will be renewed beyond its stated expiration date.

 

For ESS, contracted backlog is attributable both to satellites currently in orbit and to satellites currently under construction.  As of September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, ESS’ contracted revenue backlog attributable to satellites currently in orbit was approximately $905 million and $1.054 billion, respectively, and ESS’ contracted revenue backlog attributable to satellites under construction, including QuetzSat-1, was $1.053 billion and $1.100 billion, respectively. Contracts with ESS’ customers for satellite capacity are typically long-term commitments of up to 10 years.

 

For Hughes Communications, contracted backlog is attributable to our expected future revenue under customer contracts that are non-cancelable and excluding agreements with our consumer customers. As of September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, Hughes Communications’ total revenue backlog was approximately $1.070 billion and $1.064 billion,

 

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respectively. Included in Hughes Communications’ revenue backlog as of September 30, 2011 are future revenues of $252 million associated with our Jupiter 1 satellite, which is under construction. Of the $252 million, $245 million is associated with the Barrett Agreement for satellite capacity, which revenue is expected to be realized ratably over 15 years once the satellite is launched and placed into service and $13 million is related to gateway developments for Barrett. Associated with the Barrett Agreement for satellite capacity, Hughes Communications has collected $5 million of a non-refundable reservation fee.

 

QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

 

The following discussion and the estimated amounts generated from the sensitivity analyses referred to below include forward-looking statements of market risk which assume for analytical purposes that certain adverse market conditions may occur. Actual future market conditions may differ materially from such assumptions because the amounts shown below are the result of analyses used for the purpose of assessing possible risks and the mitigation thereof. Accordingly, you should not consider the forward-looking statements as projections by us of future events or losses.

 

General

 

Our cash flows and earnings are subject to fluctuations resulting from changes in foreign currency exchange rates, interest rates and changes in the market value of our equity investments. We manage our exposure to those market risks through internally established policies and procedures and, when deemed appropriate, through the use of derivative financial instruments. We enter into derivative instruments only to the extent considered necessary to meet our risk management objectives and do not enter into derivative contracts for speculative purposes.

 

Foreign Currency Risk

 

We generally conduct our business in United States dollars. Our international business is also conducted in a variety of foreign currencies and it is therefore exposed to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates. Our objective in managing our exposure to foreign currency changes is to reduce earnings and cash flow volatility associated with foreign exchange rate fluctuations. Accordingly, we may enter into foreign exchange contracts to mitigate risks associated with foreign currency denominated assets, liabilities, commitments and anticipated foreign currency transactions. As of September 30, 2011, we had an estimated $21 million of foreign currency denominated receivables and payables outstanding, and $7 million of hedge contracts in place to partially mitigate foreign currency risk. The differences between the face amount of the foreign exchange contracts and their estimated fair values were not material as of September 30, 2011.

 

The impact of a hypothetical 10% adverse change in exchange rates on the fair value of foreign currency denominated net assets and liabilities of our foreign subsidiaries would be an estimated loss of $7 million as of September 30, 2011.

 

Marketable Securities Risk

 

We have a significant amount of cash that is invested in marketable securities which is subject to market risk due to interest rate fluctuations. We have established an investment policy which governs our investment strategy and stipulates that we diversify investments among United States Treasury securities and other high credit quality debt instruments that we believe to be low risk. We are averse to principal loss and seek to preserve our invested funds by limiting default risk and market risk.  A hypothetical 10% change in average interest rates during 2011 would not have a material impact on the fair value due to the limited duration of our investments.

 

Interest Rate Risk

 

The Old Notes and the outstanding borrowings related to VSAT hardware financing arrangements are not subject to interest rate fluctuations because the interest rate is fixed for the term of the instrument.

 

Market Concentration and Credit Risk

 

We provide services and extend credit to a number of equipment customers, service providers, and a large number of consumers, both in the United States and around the world. We monitor our exposure to credit losses and maintain, as necessary, allowances for anticipated losses. Financial instruments which potentially subject us to a concentration of credit

 

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risk consist of cash, cash equivalents and marketable investments. Although we maintain cash balances at financial institutions that exceed federally insured limits, these balances are placed with high credit quality financial institutions.

 

Commodity Price Risk

 

All of our products contain components whose base raw materials have undergone dramatic cost fluctuations in the last 24 months. Fluctuations in pricing of raw materials have the ability to affect our product costs. Although we have been successful in offsetting or mitigating our exposure to these fluctuations, such changes could have an adverse impact on our product costs. We are unable to predict the possible impact of changes in commodity prices.

 

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BUSINESS

 

Overview

 

Hughes Satellite Systems Corporation, formerly known as EH Holding Corporation, is a holding company and a direct, wholly-owned subsidiary of EchoStar Corporation.  EchoStar Corporation is a publicly traded company listed on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol “SATS.”  HSS was formed as a Colorado corporation in March 2011 to facilitate the acquisition of Hughes Communications, Inc. and its subsidiaries and related financing transactions.  In connection with our formation, EchoStar contributed the assets and liabilities of its satellite services business, including the principal operating subsidiary of its satellite services business, EchoStar Satellite Services L.L.C., to us. As a result, our historical financial statements, prior to June 9, 2011, reflect the historical consolidated financial position and operating results of EchoStar’s satellite services business.  Our principal executive offices are located at 100 Inverness Terrace East, Englewood, Colorado 80112-5308 and our telephone number is (303) 706-4000.

 

Effective January 1, 2008, DISH Network completed its distribution to EchoStar Corporation of its digital set-top box business and certain infrastructure and other assets, including certain of its satellites, uplink and satellite transmission assets, real estate and other assets and related liabilities.  Since the Spin-off, EchoStar Corporation and DISH Network have operated as separate publicly-traded companies, and neither entity has any ownership interest in the other.  However, a substantial majority of the voting power of the shares of EchoStar Corporation and DISH Network is owned beneficially by Charles W. Ergen, our and EchoStar’s Chairman, or by certain trusts established by Mr. Ergen for the benefit of his family.

 

Following the Acquisition, we operate two segments: the EchoStar Satellite Services segment, consisting of ESS, and the Hughes segment, consisting of Hughes Communications.

 

·                  EchoStar Satellite Services — which uses 10 of our 11 owned and leased in-orbit satellites and related FCC licenses to lease capacity on a full-time and occasional-use basis primarily to DISH Network, and secondarily to Dish Mexico, U.S. government service providers, state agencies, Internet service providers, broadcast news organizations, programmers and private enterprise customers.

 

·                  Hughes — which provides broadband network services and systems to the domestic and international enterprise markets and satellite broadband Internet access to North American consumers.  Hughes also provides managed services to large enterprises and networking systems solutions to customers for mobile satellite and wireless backhaul systems.  Effective June 9, 2011, Hughes became a new segment as a result of the Acquisition, and the results of operations of Hughes Communications are included in our results only as of such date.

 

Business Segments

 

EchoStar Satellite Services Segment

 

Overview

 

Our EchoStar Satellite Services segment uses ten of our owned and leased in-orbit satellites and related FCC licenses to lease capacity on a full-time and occasional-use basis primarily to DISH Network, and secondarily to Dish Mexico, U.S. government service providers, state agencies, Internet service providers, broadcast news organizations, programmers and private enterprise customers.  Furthermore, we continue to pursue expanding our business offerings by providing value added services such as telemetry, tracking and control services to third parties.  However, there can be no assurance that we will be able to effectively compete against our competitors due to their significant resources and operating history.

 

ESS’ transponder capacity is currently used by its customers for a variety of applications:

 

·                  DTH Services. ESS provides satellite transponder capacity to satellite TV providers, broadcasters and programmers that use its satellites to deliver programming. ESS’ satellites are also used for the transmission of live sporting events, Internet, disaster recovery, and satellite news gathering services.

 

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·                  Government Services. ESS provides satellite services and technical services to U.S. government service providers and directly to some state agencies. ESS believes the U.S. government may increase its use of commercial satellites for homeland security, emergency response, continuing education, distance learning, and training.

 

·                  Network Services. ESS provides satellite transponder capacity and provides terrestrial network services to corporations. These networks are dedicated private networks that allow delivery of video and data services for corporate communications. ESS’ satellites can be used for point-to-point or point-to-multi- point communications.

 

Customers

 

ESS provides transponder capacity on its satellite fleet primarily to DISH Network, but also to a small number of U.S. government service providers, state agencies, Internet service providers, broadcast news organizations, programmers and private enterprise customers.  Currently, due to ESS’ limited customer base, it has unused satellite capacity.  For the nine months ended September 30, 2011, DISH Network accounted for 77.6% of ESS’ total satellite services revenue.   ESS has entered into certain commercial agreements with DISH Network pursuant to which it is obligated to provide DISH Network with satellite services at fixed prices for varying lengths of time depending on the satellite.  While ESS expects to continue to provide satellite services to DISH Network, its satellite capacity requirements may change for a variety of reasons, including DISH Network’s ability to construct and launch its own satellites.  Any termination or reduction in the services ESS provides to DISH Network may cause it to have excess capacity on its satellites and require that it aggressively pursue alternative sources of revenue for this business.  Its other satellite service sales are generally characterized by shorter-term contracts or spot market sales.  Future costs associated with ESS’ excess satellite capacity will negatively impact its margins if it does not generate revenue to offset these costs.

 

Competition

 

ESS competes against larger, well-established satellite service companies, such as Intelsat, SES and Telesat, in an industry that is characterized by long-term contracts and high costs for customers to change service providers.  Therefore, it will be difficult for ESS to displace customers from their current relationships with its competitors.  Intelsat and SES maintain key North American orbital slots that may further limit competition and competitive pricing.  In addition, we could face significant competition from suppliers of terrestrial communications capacity.  While we believe that there may be opportunities for ESS to capture new business as a result of market trends such as the increased communications demands of homeland security initiatives, there can be no assurance that ESS will be able to effectively compete against its competitors due to their significant resources and operating history.

 

Other Business Opportunities

 

We intend to evaluate new strategic development opportunities in North America and in other international markets.  We also plan to expand ESS’ business and support the development of new satellite-delivered services, such as mobile video services.  The expertise ESS obtains through these strategic opportunities may also help it to improve and expand the services that it provides to its existing customers.

 

Hughes Segment

 

On June 8, 2011, we acquired all of the outstanding equity of Hughes Communications, Inc., pursuant to the Merger Agreement by and between us, EchoStar, certain of EchoStar’s subsidiaries, and Hughes Communications, Inc., following which Hughes Communications, Inc. became a direct, wholly-owned subsidiary of HSS.  Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, each issued and outstanding share of common stock and vested stock option of Hughes Communications, Inc. was converted into the right to receive $60.70 (minus any applicable exercise price) in cash and substantially all of the outstanding debt of Hughes Communications was repaid.  In addition, each share of unvested restricted stock and unvested stock option of Hughes Communications, Inc. was converted into the right to receive $60.70 (minus any applicable exercise price) in cash on the vesting date of the stock award.  The funding of the Acquisition was supported by the issuance of $1.1 billion of Old Secured Notes and $900 million of Old Unsecured Notes.

 

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Overview

 

Our Hughes segment provides broadband network services and systems to the domestic and international enterprise markets and satellite broadband Internet access to North American consumers, which we refer to as the consumer market.  In addition, our Hughes segment provides managed services to large enterprises that combine the use of satellite and terrestrial alternatives, thus offering solutions that are tailored and cost effective. This segment also provides networking systems solutions to customers for mobile satellite and wireless backhaul systems.

 

Since Hughes Communications’ deployment of the first VSAT network in 1983, it has been a leader in commercial digital satellite communications and has achieved extensive depth and experience in the development, manufacturing and operation of satellite-based data, voice and video networks.

 

Our Hughes segment consists of three main businesses: (i) North American broadband; (ii) international broadband; and (iii) telecom systems.

 

North American Broadband. To support the growth of its North American enterprise and consumer business, Hughes Communications launched its SPACEWAY 3 satellite in August 2007. SPACEWAY 3 was designed and developed as the next generation Ka-band broadband satellite system with a unique architecture for broadband data communications. Because SPACEWAY 3 supports higher data rates and offers direct user-to-user network connectivity, we are able to offer our North American enterprise and consumer customers faster communication rates, reduce our operating costs substantially through the reduction of third-party transponder capacity expenses as we utilize the additional capacity of SPACEWAY 3, and as a result, significantly improve margins. In addition, in June 2009, Hughes Communications entered into a contract for the construction of a next-generation, high throughput geostationary satellite, Jupiter 1. Jupiter 1 will employ a multi-spot beam, bent pipe Ka-band architecture and is expected to provide additional capacity of approximately 100 gigabits per second for our broadband Internet service to the consumer market in North America. We anticipate launching Jupiter 1 in the second quarter of 2012.

 

In August 2010, Hughes Communications was awarded $59 million from the U.S. Government as the only recipient of a national award under the $100 million satellite project component of the broadband stimulus program, established pursuant to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.  This award is part of the U.S. Government’s investments in broadband projects to expand access to broadband service and create jobs and economic opportunity in rural, underserved communities nationwide.  Hughes Communications began to offer services to customers under this program in October 2010.

 

International Broadband. Hughes Communications provides satellite communication networks and services to customers worldwide. Its international broadband business suite of products and services are particularly well-suited to many international markets because of the geographic dispersion of customers as well as the lack of local infrastructure.  Hughes Communications also provides hardware and shared-hub services, modeled in part on the North American enterprise business. Shared-hub services are available both via its own hubs covering Europe, Brazil, Northern Africa, India and the Middle East and through third-party and joint venture operations. Hughes Communications leases transponder capacity on satellites from multiple providers for its enterprise customers. International customers span a wide variety of industries and include state-owned operators as well as private businesses.

 

Telecom Systems. The telecom systems business consists primarily of the Mobile Satellite Systems group. This ancillary business line gives Hughes Communications the opportunity to exploit its extensive technological capabilities by developing and supplying turnkey technologies in the L and S bands. This business has the technology, engineering talent and manufacturing and customer support capability to offer design and equipment used in mobile satellite systems and terrestrial microwave networking equipment for point-to-multipoint and cellular backhaul solutions.  The telecom systems business customers include leading mobile satellite operators, telecom and cellular mobile operators and aeronautical and maritime customers (including airlines, workboats and offshore oil rigs).

 

Customers

 

Hughes Communications delivers broadband Internet service to North American consumers.  Hughes Communications also provides satellite, wire line and wireless communication network products and services to

 

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enterprises in North America and managed networks services and equipment to enterprises and broadband service providers worldwide.  In addition, Hughes Communications provides turnkey satellite ground segment systems to mobile system operators and point-to-multipoint microwave radio network systems that are used for cellular backhaul and broadband wireless access.  As of September 30, 2011, approximately 626,000 customers subscribed to Hughes Communications’ consumer and small/medium enterprise service.

 

Competition

 

The network communications industry is highly competitive. As a provider of data network products and services in the United States and internationally, we compete with a large number of telecommunications service providers. This increasingly competitive environment has put pressure on prices and margins. To compete effectively, we emphasize our network quality, our customization capability, our offering of networks as a turnkey managed service rather than as an equipment sale, our position as a single point of contact for products and services and our competitive prices.

 

In our consumer market Hughes Communications competes against traditional telecommunications and wireless carriers, as well as DSL and cable Internet service providers offer competing services in many communities it seeks to serve. Cost, speed and accessibility are key determining factors in the election of a service provider by the consumer. Our primary satellite competitor in our consumer market is WildBlue, which is owned by ViaSat. To a much lesser extent, we also compete with smaller satellite operators such as Spacenet, Inc., which is a subsidiary of Gilat Satellite Networks Ltd. (“Gilat”). We seek to differentiate ourselves based on our service quality, proprietary technology, distribution channels and the SPACEWAY 3 satellite network.  We also face competition in from major established carriers such as AT&T Corp., Verizon, Sprint Corporation, British Telecommunications plc, France Télécom, Deutsche Telekom AG and the global consortia of telecom operators and other major carriers, which provide international telephone, private line and private network services using their national telephone networks and those of other carriers.

 

In our enterprise market, our principal competitors for the supply of VSAT satellite networks are Gilat, ViaSat and iDirect Technologies (“iDirect”).  Unlike Gilat, which offers a full line of broadband products and services for enterprise customers, ViaSat and iDirect offer enterprises only broadband products. In competing with Gilat, ViaSat and iDirect, we emphasize particular technological features of our products and services, our ability to customize networks and perform desired development work, the quality of our customer service and our willingness to be flexible in structuring arrangements for the customer. We are aware of other emerging competitors that supply networks, equipment and services. Hughes Communications also faces competition from resellers and numerous local companies who purchase equipment and sell services to local customers.

 

Our broadband networks generally have an advantage over terrestrial networks where the network must reach many locations over large distances, where the customer has a “last mile” or congestion problem that cannot be solved easily with terrestrial facilities and where there is a need for transmission to remote locations or emerging markets. By comparison, ground-based facilities (e.g., fiber optic cables) often have an advantage for carrying large amounts of bulk traffic between a small number of fixed locations. However, because of a customer’s particular circumstances, the pricing offered by suppliers and the effectiveness of the marketing efforts of the competing suppliers also play a key role in this competitive environment.

 

We believe that we will have sufficient capacity to grow our broadband business and that our capacity will grow significantly when we launch our next generation satellite, Jupiter 1, in the second quarter of 2012. However, faster subscriber growth rates than anticipated or increases in subscriber consumption of capacity beyond our current expectations could force us to modify our marketing and business plans in some of our coverage regions prior to the launch of Jupiter 1. The competitive dynamic with our competitors is constantly changing as we and our competitors strive to improve our respective competitive positions. While the current competitive dynamic provides us the opportunity to grow our business, we cannot be certain of its continuing effects on our business as our competitors modify or adapt their strategies and service offerings.

 

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Our Strengths

 

Leading satellite services provider with key assets. We have significant assets with orbital slots in key locations serving leading global markets, and a long history and expertise in providing satellite services to consumers and enterprises.

 

Leading satellite Internet access provider to underserved rural consumer markets in North America. We are one of the few satellite broadband service providers to address underserved markets that are less likely to receive terrestrial broadband service. We believe there is significant growth opportunity in these markets.

 

Strong and predictable cash flow driven by long-term contracts with high renewal rates. Both ESS and Hughes Communications have been able to generate strong and predictable cash flow due to a significant contracted revenue backlog from long-term customer contracts, high customer retention, pre-contracted service on expansion satellites, the relatively fixed-cost nature of the business and disciplined expense management. Enterprise customers include blue chip companies and leaders in the retail, energy, financial, hospitality and services industries, with a high historical rate of renewals.

 

New satellite launches expected to provide significant additional capacity. During 2008, we entered into a ten-year satellite service agreement with SES to lease all of the capacity on the QuetzSat-1 satellite, which was launched on September 29, 2011. In addition, we have two satellites under construction that are expected to be launched in the near term. Jupiter 1, our next-generation high-throughput satellite, is expected to launch in the second quarter of 2012.  Jupiter 1 will operate at the 107 degree west longitude orbital location and is expected to provide approximately 100 gigabits per second of data capacity for between 1.5 and 2.0 million additional subscribers. EchoStar XVI is expected to launch in the second half of 2012.  EchoStar XVI will operate at the 61.5 degree west longitude orbital location and DISH Network has agreed to lease all of the capacity on this satellite from us for a portion of its useful life.

 

Global operations providing revenue diversification and economies of scale. We benefit from a geographically diverse revenue stream that consists of a mix of services and hardware revenues. On a pro forma basis after giving effect to the Acquisition, HSS derived approximately 80.6% of global revenues from providing services and 19.4% from hardware revenues and enterprise equipment leases for the year ended December 31, 2010.

 

Business Strategy

 

Leverage our available satellite capacity. We benefit from available satellite capacity. We believe market opportunities exist to lease our capacity to a broader customer base, including providers of pay-TV service, satellite-delivered broadband, corporate communications and government services. We plan to use this capacity to seek cross-selling opportunities, including bundling wholesale broadband services from Hughes Communications together with video DTH services under a single package.

 

Capitalize on demand for broadband services. We intend to capitalize on the increasing demand for satellite-delivered broadband services and enterprise solutions by utilizing our industry expertise, technology leadership and high level of reliable and quality service to continue subscriber growth among both consumers and enterprise customers.

 

Develop improved technologies. We believe HSS will be one of the prime beneficiaries of the combined engineering power of EchoStar and Hughes Communications. This will allow us to continue to develop and deploy cutting edge technology and maintain a leading technological position in our industry.

 

Exploit international opportunities. We believe that international DTH satellite and broadband services are particularly well-suited for countries without extensive telecommunications and cable infrastructure, and we intend to continue to seek new investments and customer relationships with international DTH satellite and broadband service providers.

 

Pursue strategic partnerships, joint ventures and acquisitions. We intend to selectively pursue partnerships, joint ventures and strategic acquisition opportunities, both domestically and internationally, that we believe may allow us to increase our existing market share, expand into new markets, broaden our portfolio of products and intellectual property, and strengthen our relationships with our customers.

 

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Satellites

 

We currently utilize 11 satellites in geostationary orbit approximately 22,300 miles above the equator.  Our satellite fleet consists of both owned and leased satellites detailed in the table below.

 

Satellites (1)

 

Launch Date

 

Degree Orbital
Location (West
Longitude)

 

Initial Useful
Life/Lease Term
(In Years)

 

Owned:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EchoStar III (2)

 

October 1997

 

61.5

 

12

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EchoStar VI

 

July 2000

 

77

 

12

 

EchoStar VIII

 

August 2002

 

77

 

12

 

EchoStar IX

 

August 2003

 

121

 

12

 

EchoStar XII

 

July 2003

 

61.5

 

10

 

SPACEWAY 3

 

August 2007

 

94.95

 

15

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Leased from DISH Network:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EchoStar I

 

December 1995

 

77

 

12

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Leased from Other Third Parties:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

AMC-15 (3)

 

December 2004

 

105

 

10

 

AMC-16 (3)

 

January 2005

 

85

 

10

 

Nimiq 5 (3)

 

September 2009

 

72.7

 

15

 

QuetzSat-1 (3)

 

September 2011

 

67.1

 

10

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Under Construction:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EchoStar XVI (owned)

 

Expected in 2012

 

61.5

 

15

 

Jupiter 1 (owned)

 

Expected in 2012

 

107

 

15

 

 


(1)          EchoStar IV, which was launched in May 1998 and operated at the 77 degree west longitude orbital location is fully depreciated and was retired from service in the third quarter of 2011.

(2)          Fully depreciated and not currently in service.

(3)          These satellites are accounted for as capital leases.

 

*             The above table does not include any of our individual satellite transponder leases.

 

QuetzSat-1.  During 2008, we entered into a ten-year satellite service agreement with SES to lease all of the capacity on the QuetzSat-1 satellite, which was launched on September 29, 2011. Upon expiration of the initial term, we have the option to renew the transponder service agreement on a year-to-year basis through the end-of-life of the QuetzSat-1 satellite.  DISH Network has agreed to lease 24 of the 32 DBS transponders on this satellite from us.

 

In addition, we have two owned satellites that are currently under construction:

 

EchoStar XVI.  In November 2009, we entered into a contract for the construction of EchoStar XVI, a DBS satellite, which is expected to be launched during the second half of 2012 and will operate at the 61.5 degree west longitude orbital location.  DISH Network has agreed to lease all of the capacity on this satellite from us for a portion of its useful life.

 

Jupiter 1.  In June 2009, Hughes Communications entered into a contract for the construction of Jupiter 1, our next-generation, high throughput geostationary satellite.  Jupiter 1 will employ a multi-spot beam, bent pipe Ka-band architecture and will provide additional capacity for our HughesNet service to the consumer market in North America.  Jupiter 1 is expected to be launched during the second quarter of 2012 and will operate at the 107 degree west longitude orbital location.

 

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Satellite Anomalies

 

From time to time, certain satellites in our fleet have experienced anomalies, some of which have had a significant adverse impact on their remaining useful life and/or commercial operation.  There can be no assurance that future anomalies will not further impact the remaining useful life and commercial operation of any of these satellites.  See “Long-Lived Assets” in Note 2 to the audited combined financial statements of HSS for further discussion of the evaluation of impairment.  In addition, there can be no assurance that we can recover critical transmission capacity in the event one or more of our in-orbit satellites were to fail.  We generally do not carry insurance for any of the in-orbit satellites that we use, and therefore we will bear the risk of any uninsured in-orbit failures.  Recent developments with respect to certain of our satellites are discussed below.

 

Owned Satellites

 

EchoStar IV.  During the third quarter of 2011, EchoStar IV was removed from the 77 degree west longitude orbital location and retired from commercial service.  This retirement did not have a material impact on our results of operations or financial position.

 

EchoStar VIII.  EchoStar VIII was designed to operate 32 DBS transponders in the continental United States at approximately 120 watts per channel, switchable to 16 DBS transponders operating at approximately 240 watts per channel.  EchoStar VIII was also designed with spot-beam technology.  This satellite has experienced several anomalies prior to and during 2011.  In January 2011, the satellite experienced an anomaly which temporarily disrupted electrical power to some components, causing an interruption of broadcast service.  In addition, it has now been determined one of the two on-board computers used to control the satellite failed in connection with this anomaly.  None of these anomalies has impacted the commercial operation or estimated useful life of the satellite.  However, there can be no assurance that this anomaly or any future anomalies will not reduce its useful life or impact its commercial operation.

 

Leased Satellites

 

AMC-15.  AMC-15, an FSS satellite, commenced commercial operation during January 2005 and currently operates at the 105 degree west longitude orbital location.  This SES satellite is equipped with 24 Ku FSS transponders that operate at approximately 120 watts per channel and a Ka FSS payload consisting of 12 spot beams.  During 2011, AMC-15 experienced solar-power anomalies, which caused a power loss that reduced its capacity.  Pursuant to the AMC-15 satellite services agreement with SES, we are negotiating a reduction of our monthly recurring payment, which could impact the carrying value of the satellite and the related capital lease obligation.

 

AMC-16.  AMC-16, an FSS satellite, commenced commercial operation during February 2005 and currently operates at the 85 degree west longitude orbital location.  This SES satellite is equipped with 24 Ku-band FSS transponders that operate at approximately 120 watts per channel and a Ka-band payload consisting of 12 spot beams.  During the first quarter of 2010, SES notified us that AMC-16 had experienced a solar-power anomaly, which caused a power loss that reduced its capacity.  Pursuant to the AMC-16 satellite services agreement with SES, we are entitled to a reduction of our monthly recurring payment in the event of a partial loss of satellite capacity.  Effective in March and July 2010, the monthly recurring payment was reduced and as a result our capital lease obligation and the corresponding asset value was lowered by a total of $39 million.  In addition, beginning in May 2011, the monthly recurring payment was reduced again due to the March 2010 anomaly and as a result our capital lease obligation was lowered by approximately $7 million and a gain was recorded in “Other, net” on our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss).

 

Government Regulation

 

We are subject to comprehensive regulation by the FCC for our domestic satellite and telecommunications operations.  We are also regulated by other federal agencies, state and local authorities, the International Telecommunication Union (“ITU”) and certain foreign governments.  We are also subject to the export control laws and regulations and trade and economic sanctions laws and regulations of the United States with respect to the export of telecommunications equipment and services.  Depending upon the circumstances, noncompliance with applicable legislation or regulations could result in suspension or revocation of our licenses or authorizations, the termination or loss of contracts or the imposition of contractual damages, civil fines or criminal penalties.

 

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The following summary of regulatory developments and legislation is not intended to describe all present and proposed government regulation and legislation affecting the satellite markets.  Government regulations that are currently the subject of judicial or administrative proceedings, legislative hearings or administrative proposals could impact ESS, HSS and their industries to varying degrees.  We cannot predict either the outcome of these proceedings or any potential impact they might have on the industry or on HSS’ operations.

 

Regulations Applicable to Satellite Operations

 

FCC Jurisdiction over Satellite Operations.  The Communications Act gives the FCC broad authority to regulate HSS’ satellite operations.  All commercial entities that use radio frequencies to provide communications services in the United States are subject to the jurisdiction of the FCC under the Communications Act.  Specifically, the Communications Act gives the FCC regulatory jurisdiction over the following areas relating to communications satellite operations:

 

·                  the assignment of satellite radio frequencies and orbital locations, the licensing of satellites and earth stations, the granting of related authorizations, and evaluation of the fitness of a company to be a licensee;

 

·                  approval for the relocation of satellites to different orbital locations or the replacement of an existing satellite with a new satellite;

 

·                  ensuring compliance with the terms and conditions of such assignments, licenses, authorizations and approvals, including required timetables for construction and operation of satellites;

 

·                  avoiding interference with other radio frequency emitters; and

 

·                  ensuring compliance with other applicable provisions of the Communications Act and FCC rules and regulations.

 

In addition, the Communications Act prohibits the operation of certain satellite earth station facilities, such as those operated by us and certain of our customers, except under licenses issued by the FCC.

 

To obtain FCC satellite licenses and authorizations for satellites and earth stations, satellite operators must satisfy strict legal, technical and financial qualification requirements.  Once issued, these licenses and authorizations are subject to a number of conditions including, among other things, satisfaction of certain technical and ongoing due diligence obligations, construction milestones, and various reporting requirements.  Applications for new or modified satellites and earth stations are necessary for further development and expansion of satellites services and generally must be approved by the FCC in advance.  Necessary federal approval of these applications may not be granted, may not be granted in a timely manner, or may be granted subject to conditions which may be cumbersome.

 

Satellite Licenses, Authorizations and Contractual Rights for Satellite Capacity.  Our spacecraft operations are subject to the licensing jurisdiction of, and conditions imposed by, the FCC and any other government whose ITU filing we use to operate a satellite. Such conditions may include, for example, that we implement the satellite system in a manner consistent with certain milestones (such as for the satellite design and construction, ground segment procurement, and launch and implementation of service), that the satellite control center be located in national territory, that a license be obtained prior to launching or operating the satellite or that a license be obtained before interconnecting with the local switched telephone network.

 

Our satellites are located in orbital positions, or slots, that are designated by their longitude.  An orbital position describes both a physical location in space and an assignment of spectrum in the applicable frequency band.  Certain of our satellites also include spot-beam technology that enables us to provide services on a local or regional basis, but reduces the number of frequency channels that could otherwise be utilized across the entire United States.

 

ESS has U.S. DBS licenses for 30 frequencies at the 61.5 degree west longitude orbital location, capable of providing service to the Eastern and Central United States.  ESS is also currently operating on the two unassigned frequencies at the 61.5 degree west longitude orbital location under a conditional special temporary authorization. That authority requires periodic renewal.  The licensing method for assigning these two channels will be decided in

 

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a pending FCC rulemaking proceeding, and these two channels are currently subject to an FCC moratorium on new DBS applications.  The FCC has previously found that existing DBS providers will not be eligible for the two unassigned channels at the 61.5 degree west longitude orbital location.  There is a pending petition for reconsideration of that decision, which will be determined as part of the FCC rulemaking.

 

Hughes Communications currently holds a license to operate SPACEWAY 3 at the 95 degree west longitude orbital location, which is capable of providing service to the U.S., Canada and Central and South America. Hughes Communications also holds authorizations through the Office of Communications in the United Kingdom (“Ofcom”) and the FCC to operate satellites at certain locations on the geostationary arc, which it may use for Jupiter 1 or any future satellites it acquires or constructs.  For the Jupiter 1 satellite that is currently under construction and scheduled to be launched in the second quarter of 2012, Hughes Communications holds a Letter of Intent authorization from the FCC that will allow it to operate the satellite from the 107 degree west longitude orbital location and transmit to earth stations located in the United States.

 

ESS also has FCC authority to provide service from a Mexican DBS orbital slot at the 77 degree west longitude orbital location using 24 frequencies and at a Canadian DBS orbital slot at the 72.7 degree west longitude orbital location using 32 frequencies.  In addition, ESS holds licenses or has entered into agreements to lease capacity on satellites at FSS orbital locations including:

 

·                  500 MHz of Ku spectrum divided into 32 frequencies at the 121 degree west longitude orbital location, capable of providing service to CONUS, plus 900 MHz of Ka spectrum at the 121 degree west longitude orbital location capable of providing service into select spot beams;

 

·                  500 MHz of Ku spectrum divided into 24 frequencies at the 105 degree west longitude orbital location, currently capable of providing service to CONUS, Alaska and Hawaii, plus at least 720 MHz of Ka spectrum capable of providing service into select spot beams; and

 

·                  500 MHz of Ku spectrum divided into 24 frequencies at the 85 degree west longitude orbital location, currently capable of providing service to CONUS, plus at least 720 MHz of Ka spectrum capable of providing service into select spot beams.

 

In addition, we have a number of modification, special temporary authority, and license applications pending with the FCC.  We cannot be sure that the FCC will grant any of these applications, or that the authorizations, if granted, will not be subject to onerous conditions.  Moreover, the cost of building and launching a satellite can be as much as $300 million or more, and we cannot be sure that we will be able to construct and launch all of the satellites for which we have requested authorization.

 

Duration of Satellite Licenses.  Generally speaking, all satellite licenses are subject to expiration unless renewed by the FCC.  The term of each of ESS’ DBS licenses is 10 years and FSS licenses generally have 15 year terms.  Our licenses are currently set to expire at various times.  In addition, special temporary authorizations are granted for periods of only 180 days or less, subject to possible renewal by the FCC. Generally, our FCC satellite licenses and special temporary authorizations have been renewed by the FCC on a routine basis, but there can be no assurance that the FCC will continue to do so. ANATEL licenses are valid for 30 years and there is no specified time limit for Ofcom authorizations.

 

The earth station licenses we hold are granted for terms that vary significantly depending upon the jurisdiction in which they were obtained. For those granted by the FCC, the FCC also has granted periodic requests by us for special temporary authorizations and experimental authorizations to operate new or modified facilities on a temporary basis. The FCC generally renews satellite earth station licenses routinely, but there can be no assurance that the FCC will continue to do so.

 

Opposition and Other Risks to Our Licenses.  Several third parties have opposed, and we expect them to continue to oppose, some of ESS’ FCC satellite authorizations and pending requests to the FCC for extensions, modifications, waivers and approvals of ESS’ licenses.  In addition, we may not have fully complied with all of the FCC reporting, filing and other requirements in connection with our satellite authorizations.  Consequently, it is possible the FCC could revoke, terminate, condition or decline to extend or renew certain of our authorizations or licenses.

 

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Reverse Band (17/24 GHz BSS) Spectrum.  Recently authorized 17/24 GHz BSS operations may interfere with the uplink operations of ESS’ DBS satellites.  At this time, no applications have been filed to operate a 17/24 GHz BSS satellite near ESS’ DBS satellites at 61.5 degrees.  We cannot be certain that such an application will not be filed in the future.  Furthermore, the FCC has a pending rulemaking to decide how to protect DBS satellites from 17/24 GHz BSS operations, and we cannot predict if and how the final rules will affect ESS’ DBS operations at 61.5 degrees.

 

Interference from Other Services Sharing Satellite Spectrum.  The FCC has adopted rules that allow non-geostationary orbit satellite services to operate on a co-primary basis in the same frequency band as DBS and Ku-band-based fixed satellite services.  The FCC has also authorized the use of multichannel video and data distribution service (“MVDDS”) in the DBS band.  MVDDS licenses were auctioned in 2004.  While, to our knowledge, no MVDDS systems have been commercially deployed, several systems are now being tested, and may soon be deployed.  Despite regulatory provisions to protect DBS operations from harmful interference, there can be no assurance that operations by other satellites or terrestrial communication services in the DBS band will not interfere with ESS’ DBS operations and adversely affect its business.

 

International Satellite Competition and Interference.  As noted above, ESS has received authority to provide service to the U.S. from a Mexican orbital slot at 77 degrees, and a Canadian orbital slot at 72.7 degrees.  DirecTV, Spectrum Five and DISH Network L.L.C. have received similar authorizations to provide service to the U.S. from foreign orbital slots.  The possibility that the FCC will allow service to the U.S. from additional foreign slots may permit additional competition against ESS from other satellite providers.  It may also provide a means by which to increase ESS’ available satellite capacity in the United States.  In addition, a number of administrations, such as Great Britain and The Netherlands, have requested to add orbital locations serving the U.S. close to ESS’ licensed slots.  Such operations could cause harmful interference into ESS’ satellites and constrain ESS’ future operations at those slots if such “tweener” operations are approved by the FCC.  The risk of harmful interference will depend upon the final rules adopted in the FCC’s “tweener” proceeding.

 

Telecommunications Regulation

 

As a provider of telecommunications services in the United States, we are required to contribute a percentage of our revenues from telecommunications services to the Universal Service Fund to support mechanisms that subsidize the provision of services to low-income consumers, high-cost areas, schools, libraries and rural health care providers. This percentage is set each calendar quarter by the FCC. Current FCC rules permit us to pass this Universal Service Fund contribution through to our customers.  The FCC also requires broadband Internet access and Internet telephony service providers to comply with the requirements of the Federal Communications Assistance for Law Enforcement Act (“CALEA”). CALEA requires telecommunications carriers, including satellite-based carriers, to ensure that law enforcement agencies are able to conduct lawfully-authorized surveillance of users of their services.  In addition, as a provider of interconnected VOIP services, we are required to abide by a number of rules related to telephony service, including rules dealing with the protection of customer information and the processing of emergency calls.

 

State and Local Regulation

 

In addition, we are also regulated by other federal agencies, and state and local authorities.  While the FCC has preempted many state and local regulations that impair the installation and use of VSATs and other consumer satellite dishes, our businesses nonetheless may be adversely affected by state and local regulation, including zoning regulations that impair the ability to install these consumer satellite earth station antennas.

 

International Regulation

 

In addition, we are subject to regulation by the ITU and certain foreign governments and national communications regulatory authorities of other countries in which we, and under certain circumstances our resellers and distributors, provide service.

 

We must comply with the applicable laws and regulations and, where required, obtain the approval of the regulatory authority of each country in which we, or under certain circumstances our resellers, provide services or operate earth stations. The laws and regulatory requirements regulating access to satellite systems vary from country

 

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to country. In certain countries, a license is required to provide our services and to operate satellite earth stations. The application procedure can be time-consuming and costly in some countries, and the terms of licenses vary for different countries.  In some countries, there may be restrictions on our ability to interconnect with the local switched telephone network. In addition, in certain countries, there are limitations on the fees that can be charged for the services we provide.

 

Many countries permit competition in the provision of voice, data or video services, the ownership of the equipment needed to provide telecommunications services and the provision of transponder capacity to that country. We believe that this trend should continue due to commitments by many countries to open their satellite markets to competition. In other countries, however, a single entity, often the government-owned telecommunications authority, may hold a monopoly on the ownership and operation of telecommunications facilities or on the provision of telecommunications to, from or within the country. In those cases, we may be required to negotiate for access to service or equipment provided by that monopoly entity, and we may not be able to obtain favorable rates or other terms.

 

The International Telecommunication Union Frequency Registration. The orbital location and frequencies for certain of our satellites are subject to the frequency registration and coordination process of the ITU. The ITU Radio Regulations define the international rules, regulations and rights for a satellite to use specific radio frequencies at a specific orbital location. We have made filings with the ITU for SPACEWAY 3, Jupiter 1 and for other potential future satellites we may acquire.  We have cooperated, and will continue to cooperate, with the FCC in the preparation of ITU filings and responses.  We have “requests for modification” that have been filed by the United States government relating to certain of our satellites.  In the event such a “request for modification” is not granted by the ITU, we will have to enter into coordination agreements with adjacent operators or operate the applicable satellite(s) on a non-interference basis.  If we cannot enter into coordination agreements with adjacent operators or operate on a non-interference basis, we may have to cease operating such satellite(s) at the affected orbital location.  We cannot predict when the ITU will act upon these “requests for modifications.”

 

Export Control Requirements and Sanctions Regulations

 

In the operation of our business, we must comply with all applicable export control and economic sanctions laws and regulations of the United States and other countries.  Applicable United States laws and regulations include the Arms Export Control Act, the ITAR, the EAR and the trade sanctions laws and regulations administered by the OFAC.

 

The export of certain hardware, technical data and services relating to satellites to non-United States persons is regulated by the United States Department of State’s Directorate of Defense Trade Controls, under the ITAR. Other items are controlled for export by the United States Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security (“BIS”), under the Export Administration Regulations. For example, BIS regulates our export of equipment for earth stations in ground networks located outside of the United States. In addition, we cannot provide certain equipment or services to certain countries subject to United States trade sanctions unless we first obtain the necessary authorizations from OFAC. We are also subject to the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, which prohibits paying or promising to pay bribes or giving or promising to give anything of value to foreign government officials and other individuals for the purpose of obtaining or retaining business or gaining a competitive advantage.

 

Intellectual Property

 

We currently rely on a combination of patent, trade secret, copyright and trademark law, together with licenses, non-disclosure and confidentiality agreements and technical measures, to establish and protect proprietary rights in our products. We hold United States patents covering various aspects of our products and services, including patents covering technologies that we believe will enable the production of lower cost satellite terminals and provide for significant acceleration of communication speeds and enhancement of throughput. The duration of each of our U.S. patents is generally 20 years from the earliest filing date to which the patent has priority. We have granted licenses to use our trademarks and service-marks to resellers worldwide, and we typically retain the right to monitor the use of those marks and impose significant restrictions on their use in efforts to ensure a consistent brand identity. We protect our proprietary rights in our software through software licenses that, among other things, require that the software source code be maintained as confidential information and that prohibit any reverse-engineering of that code.

 

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We believe that our patents are important to our business. We also believe that, in some areas, the improvement of existing products and the development of new products, as well as reliance upon trade secrets and unpatented proprietary know-how, are important in establishing and maintaining a competitive advantage. We believe, to a certain extent, that the value of our products and services are dependent upon our proprietary software, hardware and other technology remaining trade secrets and/or subject to copyright protection. Generally, we enter into non-disclosure and invention assignment agreements with our employees, subcontractors and certain customers and other business partners.

 

Many entities, including some of our competitors, have or may in the future obtain patents and other intellectual property rights that cover or affect products or services related to those that we offer.  In general, if a court determines that one or more of our products infringes valid intellectual property rights held by others, we may be required to cease developing or marketing those products, obtain licenses from the holders of the intellectual property at a material cost, or redesign those products in such a way as to avoid infringement.  If those intellectual property rights are held by a competitor, we may be unable to obtain a license to such intellectual property at any price, which could adversely affect our competitive position.

 

We may not be aware of all intellectual property rights that our products may potentially infringe.  In addition, patent applications in the United States are confidential until the Patent and Trademark Office either publishes the application or issues a patent (whichever arises first) and, accordingly, our products may infringe claims contained in pending patent applications of which we are not aware.  Further, the process of determining definitively whether a patent claim is valid and whether a particular product infringes a valid patent claim often involves expensive and protracted litigation, even if we are ultimately successful on the merits.

 

We cannot estimate the extent to which we may be required in the future to obtain intellectual property licenses or the availability and cost of any such licenses.  Those costs, and their impact on our results of operations, could be material.  Damages in patent infringement cases may also be trebled in certain circumstances.  To the extent that we are required to pay unanticipated royalties to third parties, these increased costs of doing business could negatively affect our liquidity and operating results.

 

Research and Development, Engineering and Manufacturing

 

We, primarily through Hughes Communications, have a skilled and multi-disciplined engineering organization that develops our products and services. Hughes Communications’ in-house technological capability includes a wide range of skills required to develop the hardware, software and firmware required in our products and services. In addition to our product development skills, over the past 30 years, Hughes Communications has pioneered numerous advances in the area of wireless communication techniques and methodologies. During this period, Hughes Communications and its predecessors have been granted over 500 patents, many of which have been adopted in numerous communication standards in both satellite and terrestrial systems. We, through Hughes Communications, currently own over 230 patents.  The remaining patents still in force are subject to either a royalty-free perpetual license or a covenant not to assert from The DIRECTV Group, Inc., Hughes Communications’ former parent.

 

With respect to hardware development,  we have skill sets that include complex digital designs, radio frequency and intermediate frequency analog designs, advanced application-specific integrated circuit designs and sophisticated consumer and system level packaging designs. We also have extensive experience in developing products for high-volume, low-cost manufacturing for the consumer industry, including satellite TV set-top receivers and dual mode satellite and cellular handsets.

 

As a complement to our hardware development, we have developed extensive experience in designing reliable software systems as part of our telecommunication systems and services offerings. For example, our broadband product line for the enterprise market supports an extensive range of protocols for data communications. Our software engineers have also developed many large turnkey systems for our customers by designing the overall solution, implementing the various subsystems, deploying the entire network and user terminals, integrating and verifying the operational system and ultimately training the customers’ technicians and operators.

 

Our products are designed, manufactured and tested primarily at our facilities in Maryland; however, we also outsource a significant portion of the manufacturing of our products to third parties. Our manufacturing facilities, together with our third-party arrangements, have sufficient capacity to handle current demand. We adjust our

 

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capacity based on our production requirements. We also work with third-party vendors for the development and manufacture of components that are integrated into our products. We develop dual sourcing capabilities for critical parts when practical and we evaluate outsourced subcontract vendors on a periodic basis.  We have implemented a multifaceted strategy focused on meeting customer demand for our products and reducing production costs. Our operations group, together with our research and development group, works with our vendors and subcontractors to reduce development costs and to increase production efficiency in order to obtain components at lower prices.

 

Environmental

 

We are subject to the requirements of federal, state, local and foreign laws regulating air emissions, water discharge, waste management, hazardous chemicals and product disposal, most significantly the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (“RCRA”) and the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (“EPCRA”).

 

Under the RCRA, we are considered a small quantity generator. As such, we perform weekly inspections of any waste storage areas to ensure that their integrity has not been breached and to ensure that the waste receptacles are intact. We also label all hazardous waste containers with appropriate signage identifying both the contents and the date the waste was generated, and we use a third-party waste hauler to transport and dispose of such waste. Hazardous and other waste is manifested and shipped in accordance with Environmental Protection Agency, Department of Transportation and relevant state regulations.

 

As required by the EPCRA, we file periodic reports with regulators covering four areas: Emergency Planning, Emergency Release, Hazardous Chemical Storage and Toxic Chemical Release. We maintain small quantities of hazardous materials on our premises and, therefore, have relatively modest reporting requirements under the EPCRA.

 

We are also subject to the requirements of other environmental and occupational safety and health laws and regulations.  We attempt to maintain compliance with all such requirements.  Our environmental compliance costs to date have not been material, and we currently have no reason to believe that such costs will become material in the foreseeable future.  However, environmental requirements are complex, change frequently and have become more stringent over time.  Accordingly, we cannot provide assurance that these requirements will not change or become more stringent in the future in a manner that could have a material adverse effect on our business.

 

Properties

 

Our principal executive offices are located at 100 Inverness Terrace East, Englewood, Colorado 80112.  Our properties consist of design centers, manufacturing facilities, services facilities and sales and marketing offices and are located in the United States, Latin America, Europe, Asia and Africa.  The following table sets forth certain information concerning our owned and leased properties as of September 30, 2011.  We believe that our facilities are well maintained and are sufficient to meet our current and projected needs.  We own or lease capacity on ten satellites which are used in our EchoStar Satellite Services segment.

 

Location

 

Owned/
Leased

 

Segment(s)
Using
Property

 

Function

Englewood, Colorado

 

Leased

 

ESS(3)

 

Corporate headquarters

Germantown, Maryland(1)

 

Owned

 

Hughes

 

Office space and engineering lab, network operations, shared hubs

Cheyenne, Wyoming

 

Leased

 

ESS(3)

 

Digital broadcast operations center

Gilbert, Arizona

 

Leased

 

ESS(3)

 

Digital broadcast operations center

Black Hawk, South Dakota

 

Leased

 

ESS(3)

 

Spacecraft autotrack operations center

Baker, Montana

 

Leased

 

ESS(3)

 

Spacecraft autotrack operations center

Gaithersburg, Maryland

 

Leased

 

Hughes

 

Manufacturing, test

Gaithersburg, Maryland

 

Leased

 

Hughes

 

Engineering, office space

Gurgaon, India(2)

 

Leased

 

Hughes

 

Development center

Gurgaon, India(1) (2)

 

Leased

 

Hughes

 

Corporate headquarters (Hughes

 

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Communication India Limited), shared hub, operations, warehouse

Las Vegas, Nevada(1)

 

Leased

 

Hughes

 

Shared hub, antennae yards, backup network operation and control center for SPACEWAY, gateways

Griesheim, Germany(1)

 

Leased

 

Hughes

 

Office space, shared hub, operations, warehouse

San Diego, California

 

Leased

 

Hughes

 

Engineering, sales

Barueri, Brazil(1)

 

Leased

 

Hughes

 

Warehouse, shared hub

Southfield, Michigan(1)

 

Leased

 

Hughes

 

Shared hub

Milton Keynes, United Kingdom

 

Leased

 

Hughes

 

Corporate headquarters (Europe) and operations

Bangalore, India(2)

 

Leased

 

Hughes

 

Office space, guest house

Kolkata, India(2)

 

Leased

 

Hughes

 

Warehouse, office space, studio

Lindon, Utah

 

Leased

 

Hughes

 

Office space

Sao Paulo, Brazil

 

Leased

 

Hughes

 

Corporate headquarters (Brazil)

New Delhi, India

 

Leased

 

Hughes

 

Corporate headquarters (India)

Mumbai, India(2)

 

Leased

 

Hughes

 

Warehouse, office space

Alexandria, Virginia

 

Leased

 

Hughes

 

Warehouse

Beijing, China(2)

 

Leased

 

Hughes

 

Sales, marketing, operations

Gaithersburg, Maryland

 

Leased

 

Hughes

 

Warehouse, garage

Rockville, Maryland(2)

 

Leased

 

Hughes

 

Corporate office for subsidiary

Rome, Italy

 

Leased

 

Hughes

 

Sales, marketing

Chicago, Illinois

 

Leased

 

Hughes

 

Sales, marketing

Moscow, Russia

 

Leased

 

Hughes

 

Sales, marketing

Dubai, United Arab Emirates

 

Leased

 

Hughes

 

Sales

Lomas de Chaputepec, Mexico

 

Leased

 

Hughes

 

Sales, marketing, operations

Fort Lauderdale, Florida

 

Leased

 

Hughes

 

Sales

San Jose, California(2)

 

Leased

 

Hughes

 

Sales

 


(1)             We perform network services and customer support functions 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year at these locations.

(2)             Including properties of subsidiaries that are less than wholly-owned by the Company.

(3)             These properties used in the EchoStar Satellite Services segment are owned or leased by EchoStar Corporation or its subsidiaries other than ESS or ESS’ subsidiaries.

 

Employees and Labor Relations

 

As of September 30, 2011, we had 1,922 employees, including 268 employees from our less than wholly-owned subsidiaries.  In addition, DISH Network and EchoStar provide us with certain management and administrative services, which include the services of certain employees of DISH Network.  Other than 56 of our employees located in Italy and Brazil, none are represented by a union. We believe that our relations with our employees are good.

 

Generally, our employees are retained on an at-will basis.  However, Hughes Communications has entered into employment and non-competition agreements with its Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, General Counsel and each of its Executive Vice Presidents.  Hughes Communications requires all at-will employees to sign at-will employee agreements which contain a confidentiality agreement and place restrictions on the employees’ ability to compete with Hughes Communications during their employment with Hughes Communications and for a period of one or two years following the termination of their employment.

 

Legal Proceedings

 

We are periodically involved in litigation in the ordinary course of our business involving claims regarding intellectual property infringement, product liability, property damage, personal injury, contracts, employment and worker’s compensation. We do not believe that there are any such pending or threatened legal proceedings,

 

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including ordinary litigation incidental to the conduct of our business and the ownership of our properties that, if adversely determined, would have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations or liquidity.

 

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RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

 

EchoStar

 

We and EchoStar have agreed that we shall have the right, but not the obligation, to receive from EchoStar certain corporate services, including among other things: treasury, tax, accounting and reporting, risk management, legal, internal audit, human resources, and information technology.  In addition, we occupy certain office space in buildings owned by EchoStar and pay a portion of the taxes, insurance, utilities and maintenance of the premises in accordance with the percentage of the space we occupy.  These services are provided at cost.  We may terminate a particular service we receive from EchoStar for any reason upon at least 30 days’ notice.  We recorded expense for these services of $6 million and $5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and for the year ended December 31, 2010, respectively.

 

DISH Network

 

On January 1, 2008, EchoStar Corporation completed its separation from DISH Network Corporation. Following the Spin-off, EchoStar and DISH Network have operated as separate public companies and DISH Network has no ownership interest in EchoStar or us.  However, a substantial majority of the voting power of the shares of EchoStar and DISH Network is owned beneficially by Charles W. Ergen, our Chairman, or by certain trusts established by Mr. Ergen for the benefit of his family.

 

In connection with the Spin-off and subsequent to the Spin-off, EchoStar and DISH Network have entered into certain agreements pursuant to which EchoStar and we obtain certain products, services and rights from DISH Network, DISH Network obtains certain products, services and rights from us and EchoStar, and we, EchoStar and DISH Network have indemnified each other against certain liabilities arising from our respective businesses.  In addition, we and EchoStar may enter into additional agreements with DISH Network in the future.

 

Generally, the prices charged for products and services provided under the agreements entered into in connection with the Spin-off are based on our cost plus a fixed margin (unless noted differently below), which varies depending on the nature of the products and services provided.

 

The following is a summary of the terms of the principal agreements that we have entered into with DISH Network that may have an impact on our financial position and results of operations.

 

“Services and other revenue — DISH Network”

 

Satellite Capacity Agreements. In connection with the Spin-off and subsequent to the Spin-off, we entered into certain satellite capacity agreements pursuant to which DISH Network leases satellite capacity on certain satellites owned or leased by us.  The fees for the services provided under these satellite capacity agreements depend, among other things, upon the orbital location of the applicable satellite and the length of the lease.  The term of each of the leases is set forth below:

 

EchoStar III, VI, VIII and XII.  DISH Network leases certain satellite capacity from us on EchoStar VI, VIII and XII.  The leases generally terminate upon the earlier of:  (i) the end of life or replacement of the satellite (unless DISH Network determines to renew on a year-to-year basis); (ii) the date the satellite fails; (iii) the date the transponder on which service is being provided fails; or (iv) a certain date, which depends upon, among other things, the estimated useful life of the satellite, whether the replacement satellite fails at launch or in orbit prior to being placed into service, and the exercise of certain renewal options.  DISH Network generally has the option to renew each lease on a year-to-year basis through the end of the respective satellite’s life.  There can be no assurance that any options to renew such agreements will be exercised.  In August 2010, DISH Network’s lease of EchoStar III terminated when it was replaced by EchoStar XV, which is owned by DISH Network.

 

EchoStar IX.  DISH Network leases certain satellite capacity from us on EchoStar IX.  Subject to availability, DISH Network generally has the right to continue to lease satellite capacity from us on EchoStar IX on a month-to-month basis.

 

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EchoStar XVI.  DISH Network will lease certain satellite capacity from us on EchoStar XVI after its service commencement date, and this lease generally terminates upon the earlier of:  (i) the end of life or replacement of the satellite; (ii) the date the satellite fails; (iii) the date the transponder(s) on which service is being provided under the agreement fails; or (iv) ten years following the actual service commencement date.  Upon expiration of the initial term, DISH Network has the option to renew on a year-to-year basis through the end of life of the satellite.  There can be no assurance that any options to renew this agreement will be exercised.  EchoStar XVI is expected to be launched during the second half of 2012.

 

EchoStar XV.  EchoStar XV is owned by DISH Network and is operated at the 61.5 degree west longitude orbital location.  The FCC has granted us an authorization to operate the satellite at the 61.5 degree west longitude orbital location.  For as long as EchoStar XV remains in service at the 61.5 degree west longitude orbital location, DISH Network is obligated to pay us a fee for the use of the orbital slot which varies depending on the number of frequencies being used by EchoStar XV.

 

Nimiq 5 Agreement.  During September 2009, we entered into a fifteen-year satellite service agreement with Telesat Canada (“Telesat”) to receive service on all 32 DBS transponders on the Nimiq 5 satellite at the 72.7 degree west longitude orbital location (the “Telesat Transponder Agreement”).  During September 2009, DISH Network also entered into a satellite service agreement (the “DISH Telesat Agreement”) with us, pursuant to which they will receive service from us on all 32 of the DBS transponders covered by the Telesat Transponder Agreement.  We and DISH Network are currently receiving service on all 32 of these DBS transponders.

 

Under the terms of the DISH Telesat Agreement, DISH Network makes certain monthly payments to us that commenced in October 2009 when the Nimiq 5 satellite was placed into service and continue through the service term.  Unless earlier terminated under the terms and conditions of the DISH Telesat Agreement, the service term will expire ten years following the date it was placed into service.  Upon expiration of the initial term, DISH Network has the option to renew the DISH Telesat Agreement on a year-to-year basis through the end of life of the Nimiq 5 satellite.  Upon in-orbit failure or end of life of the Nimiq 5 satellite, and in certain other circumstances, DISH Network has certain rights to receive service from us on a replacement satellite.  There can be no assurance that any options to renew this agreement will be exercised or that DISH Network will exercise its option to receive service on a replacement satellite.

 

QuetzSat-1 Agreement.  During 2008, we entered into a ten-year satellite service agreement with SES, which provides, among other things, for the provision by SES to us of service on 32 DBS transponders on the QuetzSat-1 satellite.  This satellite was launched on September 29, 2011 and was placed into service during the fourth quarter of 2011 at the 67.1 degree west longitude orbital location while we explore alternative uses for the QuetzSat-1 satellite.  We commenced payments under our agreement with SES upon the placement of the QuetzSat-1 satellite at the 67.1 degree west longitude orbital location.  During 2008, we also entered into a transponder service agreement with DISH Network pursuant to which they will receive service from us on 24 of the DBS transponders on QuetzSat-1, which will replace certain other transponders leased from us.

 

Under the terms of our contractual arrangements with DISH Network, we will recognize revenue for the QuetzSat-1 satellite when it is placed into service at the 77 degree west longitude orbital location and continuing through the remainder of the service term.  Unless earlier terminated under the terms and conditions of our agreement with DISH Network for the QuetzSat-1 satellite, the initial service term will expire ten years following the date that QuetzSat-1 satellite was placed at the 67.1 degree west longitude orbital location.  Upon expiration of the initial service term, DISH Network has the option to renew the agreement for the QuetzSat-1 satellite on a year-to-year basis through the end of life of the QuetzSat-1 satellite.  Upon an in-orbit failure or end of life of the QuetzSat-1 satellite, and in certain other circumstances, DISH Network has certain rights to receive service from us on a replacement satellite.  There can be no assurance that any options to renew this agreement will be exercised or that DISH Network will exercise its option to receive service on a replacement satellite.

 

TT&C Agreement.  In connection with the Spin-off, we entered into a telemetry, tracking and control (“TT&C”) agreement pursuant to which we provide TT&C services to DISH Network and its subsidiaries.  On January 1, 2012 we entered into a new TT&C Agreement (the “2012 TT&C Agreement”) pursuant to which we will continue to provide TT&C services to DISH Network and its subsidiaries for a period ending on December 31, 2016.  The fees for services provided under the 2012 TT&C Agreement are calculated at cost plus a fixed fee.  DISH Network may terminate the 2012 TT&C Agreement for any reason upon at least 60 days notice.

 

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“General and administrative expenses — DISH Network”

 

Management Services Agreement.  In connection with the Spin-off, EchoStar entered into a management services agreement with DISH Network pursuant to which DISH Network makes certain of its officers available to provide services (which are primarily legal and accounting services) to us and EchoStar. EchoStar makes payments to DISH Network based upon an allocable portion of the personnel costs and expenses incurred by DISH Network with respect to such DISH Network officers (taking into account wages and fringe benefits). These allocations are based upon the estimated percentages of time to be spent by the DISH Network executive officers performing services for us and EchoStar under the management services agreement. EchoStar also reimburses DISH Network for direct out-of-pocket costs incurred by DISH Network for management services provided to us and EchoStar. EchoStar and DISH Network evaluate all charges for reasonableness at least annually and make any adjustments to these charges as EchoStar and DISH Network mutually agree upon. A portion of these costs and expenses has been allocated to HSS in the manner described above under the caption “EchoStar.”

 

The management services agreement automatically renewed on January 1, 2012 for an additional one-year period until January 1, 2013 and renews automatically for successive one-year periods thereafter, unless terminated earlier: (i) by us at any time upon at least 30 days notice; (ii) by DISH Network at the end of any renewal term, upon at least 180 days notice; or (iii) by DISH Network upon notice to us, following certain changes in control.

 

Professional Services Agreement.  Prior to 2010, in connection with the Spin-off, EchoStar entered into various agreements with DISH Network including the Transition Services Agreement, Satellite Procurement Agreement and Services Agreement, which all expired on January 1, 2010 and were replaced by a Professional Services Agreement.  During 2009, EchoStar and DISH Network agreed that EchoStar shall continue to have the right, but not the obligation, to receive from DISH Network the following services, among others, certain of which were previously provided under the Transition Services Agreement:  information technology, travel and event coordination, internal audit, legal, accounting and tax, benefits administration, program acquisition services and other support services.  Additionally, EchoStar and DISH Network agreed that DISH Network shall continue to have the right, but not the obligation, to engage us to manage the process of procuring new satellite capacity for DISH Network (as discussed above, previously provided under the satellite procurement agreement) and receive logistics, procurement and quality assurance services from EchoStar (as discussed above, previously provided under the services agreement).  A portion of these fees has been allocated to us in the manner described above under the caption “EchoStar.” The professional services agreement automatically renewed on January 1, 2012 for an additional one-year period until January 1, 2013 and renews automatically for successive one-year periods thereafter, unless terminated earlier by either party upon at least 60 days notice. However, either party may terminate the services it receives with respect to a particular service for any reason upon at least 30 days notice.

 

Other Agreements — DISH Network

 

Satellite Capacity Leased from DISH Network.  During 2009, we entered into a satellite capacity agreement pursuant to which we lease certain satellite capacity from DISH Network on EchoStar I. The fee for the services provided under this satellite capacity agreement depends, among other things, upon the orbital location of the satellite and the length of the lease.   During the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and the year ended December 31, 2010, the amount of those fees included in “Cost of sales — services and other” on our Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss) was approximately $17 million and $19 million, respectively.  The lease generally terminates upon the earlier of:  (i) the end of life or replacement of the satellite (unless we determine to renew on a year-to-year basis); (ii) the date the satellite fails; (iii) the date the transponder on which service is being provided fails; or (iv) a certain date, which depends, among other things, upon the estimated useful life of the satellite, whether the replacement satellite fails at launch or in orbit prior to being placed into service, and the exercise of certain renewal options. We generally have the option to renew this lease on a year-to-year basis through the end of the satellite’s life. There can be no assurance that any options to renew this agreement will be exercised.

 

Tax Sharing Agreement.  As a subsidiary of EchoStar, we are an indirect party to EchoStar’s tax sharing agreement with DISH Network that was entered into in connection with the Spin-off. This agreement governs EchoStar and DISH Network’s respective rights, responsibilities and obligations after the Spin-off with respect to taxes for the periods ending on or before the Spin-off. Generally, all pre-Spin-off taxes, including any taxes that are

 

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incurred as a result of restructuring activities undertaken to implement the Spin-off, are borne by DISH Network, and DISH Network will indemnify EchoStar for such taxes. However, DISH Network is not liable for and will not indemnify EchoStar for any taxes that are incurred as a result of the Spin-off or certain related transactions failing to qualify as tax-free distributions pursuant to any provision of Section 355 or Section 361 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”) because of: (i) a direct or indirect acquisition of any of EchoStar’s stock, stock options or assets; (ii) any action that EchoStar takes or fails to take; or (iii) any action that EchoStar takes that is inconsistent with the information and representations furnished to the IRS in connection with the request for the private letter ruling, or to counsel in connection with any opinion being delivered by counsel with respect to the Spin-off or certain related transactions. In such case, EchoStar will be solely liable for, and will indemnify DISH Network for, any resulting taxes, as well as any losses, claims and expenses. The tax sharing agreement will only terminate after the later of the full period of all applicable statutes of limitations, including extensions, or once all rights and obligations are fully effectuated or performed.

 

Blockbuster.  On April 26, 2011, DISH Network acquired substantially all of the assets of Blockbuster, Inc. (“Blockbuster”). Hughes Communications provides broadband products and services to Blockbuster.  For the nine months ended September 30, 2011, we recognized less than $1 million of revenue from Blockbuster.  As of September 30, 2011, we had a receivable balance of less than $1 million due from Blockbuster.

 

Hughes Systique Corporation (“Hughes Systique”)

 

We contract with Hughes Systique for software development services. In addition to our 45% ownership in Hughes Systique, Pradman Kaul, the CEO and President of Hughes Communications, Inc. and a member of EchoStar’s board of directors and his brother, who is the CEO and President of Hughes Systique, in the aggregate, owned approximately 26%, on an undiluted basis, of Hughes Systique’s outstanding shares as of September 30, 2011. Furthermore, Mr. Pradman Kaul serves on the board of directors of Hughes Systique. We are considered the “primary beneficiary” of Hughes Systique and as a result, we are required to consolidate Hughes Systique’s results of operations in our operating results.

 

Dish Mexico

 

During 2008, EchoStar entered into a joint venture for a DTH satellite service in Mexico known as Dish Mexico. Pursuant to these arrangements, we provide satellite capacity to Dish Mexico. For the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and the year ended December 31, 2010, we recognized $6 million and $9 million of revenue from Dish Mexico, respectively. As of September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, amounts receivable from Dish Mexico totaled $1 million.

 

Policies and Procedures for Reviewing Related Party Transactions

 

EchoStar Corporation’s Board of Directors has adopted a written policy for the review and approval of transactions involving EchoStar and related parties, such as directors, executive officers (and their immediate family members) and DISH Network.  In order to identify these transactions, EchoStar Corporation distributes questionnaires to its officers and directors on a quarterly basis.  EchoStar Corporation’s General Counsel then directs the appropriate review of all potential related-party transactions and schedules their presentation at the next regularly-scheduled meetings of EchoStar Corporation’s Audit Committee and its Board of Directors.  Both EchoStar Corporation’s Audit Committee and its Board of Directors must approve these transactions, with all interested parties abstaining from the vote.  Once each calendar year, EchoStar Corporation’s Audit Committee and its Board of Directors undertake a review of all recurring potential related-party transactions.  Both EchoStar Corporation’s Audit Committee and its Board of Directors must approve the continuation of each such transaction, with all interested parties abstaining.  With respect to transactions involving DISH Network, EchoStar Corporation’s directors who are neither members of DISH Network’s management nor its Board of Directors must approve the transaction.

 

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MANAGEMENT

 

The following table and information below sets forth the name, age and position with HSS of each of our executive officers and directors, the period during which each executive officer and director has served as such, and each executive officer and director’s business experience during the past five years.

 

Name

 

Age

 

Position

Kenneth G. Carroll

 

56

 

Chief Financial Officer

Michael T. Dugan

 

63

 

Director, President and Chief Executive Officer

Charles W. Ergen

 

58

 

Chairman

Dean A. Manson

 

45

 

Director, Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary

 

Kenneth G. Carroll.  Mr. Carroll has served as our Chief Financial Officer and Chief Financial Officer of EchoStar Corporation since November 2011. Mr. Carroll, a 20-year veteran in the satellite TV and satellite broadband industry, served as Chief Operating Officer of EchoStar Satellite Services, a wholly-owned subsidiary of EchoStar Corporation, from August 2010 to June 2011, and as Executive Vice President, Business Development and International, of EchoStar Corporation from June 2011 to November 2011. Prior to joining EchoStar, from 2003 to 2010, Mr. Carroll served as President and Chief Operating Officer of WildBlue Communications, Inc., a nationwide satellite broadband company. In addition, Mr. Carroll previously served as Chief Financial Officer for Liberty Satellite & Technology and DTH satellite TV provider PrimeStar.

 

Michael T. Dugan.  Mr. Dugan has served as President and Chief Executive Officer of EchoStar Corporation since November 2009.  Mr. Dugan also serves as a member of our Board of Directors and as our President and Chief Executive Officer, positions he has held since our formation.  Mr. Dugan served as a senior advisor to EchoStar since the Spin-off of EchoStar from DISH Network on January 1, 2008.  From May 2004 to December 2007, he was a Director of DISH Network, and served DISH Network alternately as Chief Technical Officer and senior advisor from time to time.

 

Charles W. Ergen.  Mr. Ergen serves as Chairman of EchoStar Corporation and also serves as our Chairman, a position he has held since our formation.  Mr. Ergen served as Chief Executive Officer of EchoStar Corporation from its formation in 2007 until November 2009.  Mr. Ergen is also Chairman of DISH Network, a position that he has held since DISH Network’s formation in 1980, and previously served as President and Chief Executive Officer of DISH Network from its formation until June 2011.  During the past ten years, he has also held various executive officer and director positions with DISH Network’s subsidiaries.

 

Dean A. Manson.  Mr. Manson has served as our Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary and Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary of EchoStar Corporation since November 2011, and is responsible for all legal and government affairs of EchoStar Corporation and its subsidiaries.  Mr. Manson also serves as a member of our Board of Directors and as Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary of Hughes Communications, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of EchoStar Corporation.  Mr. Manson joined Hughes Communications in 2000 from the law firm of Milbank, Tweed, Hadley & McCloy, where he focused on international project finance and corporate transactions, and was appointed General Counsel of Hughes Communications in 2004.  Mr. Manson received a Bachelor of Science in Engineering from Princeton University and a Juris Doctorate from Columbia University School of Law.

 

There are no arrangements or understandings between any executive officer or director and any other person pursuant to which any executive officer was selected as such.  Pursuant to our Bylaws, executive officers serve at the discretion of the Board of Directors.

 

Our Board of Directors consists of three directors.  As a wholly owned subsidiary of EchoStar Corporation, we currently do not have any independent director serving on our Board of Directors.

 

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EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

 

Compensation Discussion and Analysis

 

HSS is a wholly owned subsidiary of EchoStar Corporation.  The Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of EchoStar Corporation, which we refer to herein as the Compensation Committee, is responsible for establishing, implementing and continually monitoring our executive compensation programs, including the compensation of our named executive officers (“NEOs”).  Amounts paid by EchoStar to certain of our NEOs include amounts paid for services to us.  See “Related Party Transactions — EchoStar” above.

 

This Compensation Discussion and Analysis (“CD&A”) addresses our compensation objectives and policies for our NEOs, the elements of NEO compensation and the application of those objectives and policies to each element of fiscal year 2010 compensation for our NEOs.  To the extent applicable, the CD&A contains information regarding performance targets and goals for our executive compensation program. These targets and goals were disclosed to provide information on how executive compensation was determined in 2010 but are not intended to be estimates of future results or other forward-looking guidance.  We caution investors against using these targets and goals outside of the context of their use in our executive compensation program as described herein.

 

Our NEOs in 2010 included Messrs. Michael T. Dugan, Charles W. Ergen, Bernard L. Han, David J. Rayner and R. Stanton Dodge.  Messrs. Dugan and Rayner were employed and solely compensated by EchoStar during 2010 and are also NEOs of EchoStar Corporation.  Mr. Rayner served as Chief Administrative Officer of EchoStar from 2008 until June 2010 and as Chief Financial Officer from June 2010 until November 8, 2011.  Effective November 8, 2011, Mr. Rayner ceased to be an employee of EchoStar Corporation.  Mr. Ergen was employed and compensated by both EchoStar and DISH Network in 2010 and was a NEO of EchoStar and DISH Network in 2010.  Mr. Han served as EchoStar’s and our Chief Financial Officer until June 2010 pursuant to a Management Services Agreement between EchoStar and DISH Network and was a NEO of EchoStar and DISH Network in 2010.  Mr. Dodge served as Executive Vice President, General Counsel, Secretary and Director of EchoStar Corporation and us pursuant to a Management Services Agreement between EchoStar and DISH Network until November 8, 2011.  Under the Management Services Agreement, Messrs. Han and Dodge were employed by, and received compensation from, DISH Network, and were not directly compensated by EchoStar or us.  EchoStar made payments to DISH Network pursuant to the Management Services Agreement based upon a portion of DISH Network’s personnel costs for Messrs. Han and Dodge (taking into account salary and fringe benefits) as determined by reference to the percentages of time spent by Messrs. Han and Dodge performing services for EchoStar and us.  Other than as described elsewhere with respect to Mr. Ergen and in relation to the payments to be made by EchoStar to DISH Network in respect of Messrs. Han and Dodge pursuant to the Management Services Agreement, none of our NEOs received direct compensation from both EchoStar and DISH Network during 2010 and the compensation paid by one company in 2010 had no impact on the compensation decisions of the other company in 2010.  None of our NEOs has entered into an employment agreement with EchoStar or us.

 

All compensation matters pertaining to our NEOs, including compensation philosophy, are administered by EchoStar.  As a result, information set forth below is derived from the CD&A of EchoStar Corporation insofar as it relates to executive compensation for our NEOs for services provided to EchoStar, including HSS and its subsidiaries.  The terms “we,” “us,” and “our” within this section refer to EchoStar, unless the context otherwise requires.

 

Overall Compensation Program Objectives and Policies

 

Compensation Philosophy

 

EchoStar’s executive compensation program was guided by the following key principles in 2010:

 

·                  Attraction, retention and motivation of executive officers over the long-term;

·                  Recognition of individual performance;

·                  Recognition of the achievement of company-wide performance goals, if any; and

 

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·                  Creation of shareholder value by aligning the interests of management and EchoStar’s shareholders through equity incentives.

 

General Compensation Levels

 

The total direct compensation opportunities, both base salaries and long-term incentives, offered to EchoStar’s NEOs have been designed to ensure that they are competitive with market practice, support EchoStar’s executive recruitment and retention objectives, reward individual and company-wide performance and contribute to EchoStar’s long-term success by aligning the interests of its executive officers and shareholders.

 

The Compensation Committee of EchoStar, without Mr. Ergen present, determined Mr. Ergen’s compensation in 2010.  Mr. Ergen recommended to the Board of Directors of EchoStar Corporation (the “Board of Directors”), but the Board of Directors ultimately approved, the base compensation of EchoStar’s NEOs other than Mr. Ergen.  EchoStar’s Compensation Committee makes and approves grants of options and other equity-based compensation to EchoStar’s NEOs, and establishes in writing performance goals for any performance-based compensation that together with other compensation to any EchoStar NEO could exceed $1 million annually. The Compensation Committee also certifies achievement of those performance goals prior to payment of performance-based compensation.

 

In determining the actual amount of each NEO’s overall compensation, the Compensation Committee of EchoStar reviews the information described in “Compilation of Certain Proxy Data” below, its subjective performance evaluation of the individual’s performance (after reviewing Mr. Ergen’s recommendations with respect to the NEOs other than himself), the individual’s success in achieving individual and company-wide goals, whether the performance goals of any short-term or long-term incentive plans were met and the payouts that would become payable upon achievement of those performance goals, equity awards previously granted to the individual, and equity awards that would be normally granted upon a promotion in accordance with EchoStar’s policies for promotions.  EchoStar’s Compensation Committee and Board have also considered the extent to which individual efforts of each of EchoStar’s NEOs (other than Mr. Ergen) resulted in tangible increases in corporate, division or department success when setting base cash salaries and any short term incentive compensation.

 

Furthermore, the Compensation Committee of EchoStar also makes a subjective determination as to whether an increase should be made to Mr. Ergen’s compensation based on its evaluation of Mr. Ergen’s contribution to the success of EchoStar, whether the performance goals of any short-term or long-term incentive plans were met, the payouts that would become payable to Mr. Ergen upon achievement of those performance goals, the options and other stock awards currently held by Mr. Ergen and whether such awards are sufficient to retain Mr. Ergen.

 

This approach to general compensation levels is not formulaic and the weight given to any particular factor in determining a particular NEO’s compensation depends on the subjective consideration of all factors described above in the aggregate.

 

With respect to incentive compensation, EchoStar attempts to ensure that each NEO has equity awards at any given time that are significant in relation to such individual’s annual cash compensation to ensure that each of the NEOs has appropriate incentives tied to the performance of EchoStar’s Class A Common Stock. Therefore, EchoStar may grant more options to one particular NEO in a given year if a substantial portion of the NEO’s equity incentives are vested and the underlying stock is capable of being sold. In addition, if an NEO recently received a substantial amount of equity incentives, EchoStar may not grant any equity incentives to that particular NEO.

 

Compilation of Certain Proxy Data

 

In connection with the approval process for EchoStar’s executive officer compensation, EchoStar’s Board of Directors and Compensation Committee had management prepare a compilation of the compensation components for the NEOs of companies selected by the Compensation Committee, as disclosed in their respective publicly-filed proxy statements (the “Proxy Data”). These surveyed companies included: Pace plc.,  Intelsat S.A., Loral Space & Communications, Inc.,  Telesat Canada,  Eutelsat Communications, SES S.A., Motorola Inc. and Cisco Systems, Inc.  The Proxy Data, along with other information obtained by Compensation Committee members from media

 

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reports, such as newspaper or magazine articles or other generally available sources related to executive compensation, and from corporate director events attended by Compensation Committee members, is used solely as a subjective frame of reference to set approximate boundaries for compensation, rather than a basis for benchmarking compensation of EchoStar’s NEOs.  EchoStar’s Compensation Committee and Board of Directors do not utilize a formulaic or standard, formalized benchmarking level or element in tying or otherwise setting EchoStar’s executive compensation to that of other companies.  Generally, EchoStar’s overall executive compensation lags behind competitors in the area of base pay, severance packages, and short-term incentives and may be competitive over time in equity compensation.  If EchoStar’s stock performance substantially outperforms similar companies, executive compensation at EchoStar could exceed other companies.  Barring significant increases in the stock price, however, EchoStar’s compensation levels generally lag its peers.

 

Deductibility of Compensation

 

Section 162(m) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code places a limit on the tax deductibility of compensation in excess of $1 million paid to certain “covered employees” of a publicly held corporation (generally, the corporation’s chief executive officer and its next four most highly compensated executive officers in the year that the compensation is paid).  This limitation applies only to compensation that is not considered performance-based under the Section 162(m) rules.  The Compensation Committee conducts an ongoing review of EchoStar’s compensation practices for purposes of obtaining the maximum continued deductibility of compensation paid consistent with EchoStar’s existing commitments and ongoing competitive needs.  However, nondeductible compensation in excess of this limitation may be paid.

 

Use of Compensation Consultants

 

No compensation consultants were retained by EchoStar to either evaluate or recommend the setting of executive compensation during the past fiscal year.

 

Implementation of Executive Compensation Program Objectives and Policies

 

Weighting and Selection of Elements of Compensation

 

As described in “General Compensation Levels” above, neither EchoStar’s Board of Directors nor its Compensation Committee has in the past assigned specific weights to any factors considered in determining compensation, and none of the factors are more dispositive than others.

 

Elements of Executive Compensation

 

The primary components of EchoStar’s executive compensation program have included:

 

·                  base cash salary;

·                  long-term equity incentive compensation in the form of stock options and restricted stock units offered under EchoStar’s stock incentive plan;

·                  401(k) plan; and

·                  other compensation, including perquisites and personal benefits and post-termination compensation.

 

EchoStar’s executive compensation program may also include short-term incentive compensation, including conditional and/or performance-based cash incentive compensation and discretionary bonuses. These elements combine to promote the objectives and policies described above.  Base salary, 401(k) benefits and other benefits and perquisites provided generally to EchoStar employees provide a minimum level of compensation for our NEOs.  While short-term incentives reward individual performance and achievement of annual goals important to EchoStar, during 2010, EchoStar elected not to implement a short-term incentive program.  Long-term equity-incentive compensation aligns NEO compensation directly with the creation of long-term shareholder value and promotes retention.

 

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EchoStar has not required that a certain percentage of an executive’s salary be provided in one form versus another.  However, the goal of the Compensation Committee is to award compensation that is reasonable in relation to EchoStar’s compensation program and objectives when all elements of potential compensation are considered.  Each element of EchoStar’s historical executive compensation and the rationale for each element are described below.

 

Base Cash Salary

 

EchoStar has traditionally included salary in its executive compensation package under the belief that it is appropriate that some portion of the compensation paid to its executives be provided in a form that is fixed and liquid occurring over regular intervals. Generally, for the reasons discussed in “Long-Term Equity Incentive Compensation,” EchoStar has weighted overall compensation towards equity components as opposed to base salaries. EchoStar’s Compensation Committee and Board of Directors have traditionally been free to set base salary at any level deemed appropriate and typically review base salaries once annually.   Any increases or decreases in base salary on a year-over-year basis have usually been dependent on a combination of the following factors:

 

·                        EchoStar’s Compensation Committee’s and Board of Directors’ respective assessment of EchoStar’s overall financial and business performance;

·                        the performance of the NEO’s business unit;

·                        the NEO’s individual contributions to EchoStar; and

·                        the rate of EchoStar’s standard annual merit increase for employees who are performing at a satisfactory level.

 

Annual base salaries paid to EchoStar’s executive officers have historically been at levels below those generally paid to executive officers with comparable experience and responsibilities in the set-top box and satellite services industries or other similarly-sized companies. In addition, EchoStar has stated that it believes the compensation paid to Mr. Dugan and Mr. Ergen has generally been at a level that is below amounts paid to chairmen and chief executive officers at other companies of similar size in comparable industries. Any changes in Mr. Ergen’s base salary are set by EchoStar’s Compensation Committee.  Mr. Ergen recommends to EchoStar’s Board of Directors, but the Board of Directors ultimately approves, any changes in the base salary of EchoStar’s other NEOs.

 

Short-Term Incentive Compensation

 

During 2010, the Board of Directors and the Compensation Committee elected not to implement a short-term incentive program.   If the Compensation Committee chooses to establish a short-term incentive plan or a cash incentive plan, it will make a determination as to both the performance goals and the payouts that will be made upon achievement of those performance goals.  In the future, the Board and Compensation Committee may elect to award short-term incentive compensation that reflect appropriate performance goals for our business.

 

Long-Term Equity Incentive Compensation

 

EchoStar has operated under the belief that executive officers will be better able to contribute to its long-term success and help build incremental shareholder value if they have a stake in that future success and value.  EchoStar believes this stake focuses the executive officers’ attention on managing EchoStar as owners with equity positions in EchoStar and aligns their interests with the long-term interests of EchoStar’s shareholders. Equity awards therefore have represented an important and significant component of EchoStar’s compensation program for executive officers. EchoStar has attempted to create general incentives with its standard stock option grants and conditional incentives through conditional awards that may include payouts in cash or equity.

 

General Equity Incentives

 

With respect to equity incentive compensation, EchoStar attempts to ensure that each NEO has equity awards at any given time that are significant in relation to such individual’s annual cash compensation to ensure that each of EchoStar’s NEOs has appropriate incentives tied to the performance of EchoStar’s Class A Common Stock. Therefore, EchoStar may grant more options to one particular NEO in a given year if a substantial portion of the NEO’s equity incentives are vested and the underlying stock is capable of being sold. In addition, if an NEO

 

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recently received a substantial amount of equity incentives, EchoStar may not grant any equity incentives to that particular NEO.

 

In granting equity incentive compensation, the Compensation Committee also takes into account whether the NEO has been promoted in determining whether to award equity awards to that individual.  Finally, from time to time, the Compensation Committee may award one-time equity awards based on a number of subjective criteria, including the NEO’s position and role in EchoStar’s success and whether the NEO made any exceptional contributions to EchoStar’s success.

 

To encourage executive officers to remain in EchoStar’s employ, options granted under EchoStar’s stock incentive plans generally vest at the rate of 20% per year and have exercise prices not less than the fair market value of EchoStar’s Class A Common Stock on the date of grant. EchoStar’s standard form of option agreement given to executive officers has included acceleration of vesting upon a change in control of EchoStar for those executive officers that are terminated by us or the surviving entity, as applicable, for any reason other than for cause during the twenty-four month period following such change in control.

 

Practices Regarding Grant of Equity Incentives

 

EchoStar has generally awarded equity awards as of the last day of each calendar quarter and has set exercise prices at not less than the fair market value of EchoStar’s Class A Common Stock on the date of grant or the last trading day prior to the date of grant (if the last day of the calendar quarter is not a trading day).

 

Stock Incentive Plan

 

EchoStar has adopted an employee stock incentive plan, which we refer to as the 2008 Stock Incentive Plan. The purpose of the 2008 Stock Incentive Plan is to provide incentives to attract and retain executive officers and other key employees. Awards available to be granted under the 2008 Stock Incentive Plan include: (i) stock options; (ii) stock appreciation rights; (iii) restricted stock and restricted stock units; (iv) performance awards; (v) dividend equivalents; and (vi) other stock-based awards.

 

Class B Chairman Stock Option Plan

 

EchoStar has adopted a Class B Chairman stock option plan, which we refer to as the 2008 Class B Chairman Stock Option Plan. The purpose of the 2008 Class B Chairman Stock Option Plan is to promote the interests of EchoStar and its subsidiaries by aiding in the retention of Charles W. Ergen, the Chairman of EchoStar, who EchoStar’s Board of Directors believes is crucial to assuring our future success, to offer Mr. Ergen incentives to put forth maximum efforts for our future success and to afford Mr. Ergen an opportunity to acquire additional proprietary interests in EchoStar. Mr. Ergen abstained from the Board of Directors’ vote on this matter. Awards available to be granted under the 2008 Class B Chairman Stock Option Plan include nonqualified stock options and dividend equivalent rights with respect to EchoStar’s Class B Common Stock. Up to 4 million shares of EchoStar’s Class B common stock are available for awards under the 2008 Class B Chairman Stock Option Plan.  Only Mr. Ergen is eligible to participate in the 2008 Class B Chairman Stock Option Plan.  No awards have been granted under the 2008 Class B Chairman Stock Option Plan.

 

Employee Stock Purchase Plan

 

EchoStar has adopted an employee stock purchase plan, which we refer to as the ESPP. The purpose of the ESPP is to provide EchoStar’s eligible employees with an opportunity to acquire a proprietary interest in it by the purchase of its Class A common stock. All full-time employees who are employed by EchoStar for at least one calendar quarter are eligible to participate in the ESPP. Employee stock purchases are made through payroll deductions. Under the terms of the ESPP, employees are not permitted to deduct an amount that would permit such employee to purchase EchoStar’s capital stock under the ESPP in an amount that exceeds $25,000 in fair market value of capital stock in any one year. The ESPP is intended to qualify under Section 423 of the Code and thereby provide participating employees with an opportunity to receive certain favorable income tax consequences as to stock purchase rights under the ESPP.

 

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401(k) Plan

 

EchoStar has adopted a defined-contribution tax-qualified 401(k) plan for its employees, including its executives, to encourage its employees to save some percentage of their cash compensation for their eventual retirement. EchoStar’s executives participate in the 401(k) plan on the same terms as EchoStar’s other employees. Under the plan, employees become eligible for participation in the 401(k) plan upon completing ninety days of service with EchoStar and reaching age 19. 401(k) plan participants are able to contribute up to 50% of their compensation in each contribution period, subject to the maximum deductible limit provided by the Internal Revenue Code. EchoStar may also make a 50% matching employer contribution up to a maximum of $1,500 per participant per calendar year. In addition, EchoStar may also make an annual discretionary profit sharing contribution to the 401(k) plan with the approval of its Compensation Committee and Board of Directors. 401(k) plan participants are immediately vested in their voluntary contributions and earnings on voluntary contributions. EchoStar’s employer contributions to 401(k) plan participants’ accounts vest 20% per year commencing one year from the employee’s date of employment.

 

Perquisites and Personal Benefits, Post-Termination Compensation and Other Compensation

 

EchoStar has traditionally offered certain plans and other benefits to its executive officers on the same terms as other employees. These plans and benefits have included medical, vision, and dental insurance, life insurance, and the employee stock purchase plan as well as discounts on EchoStar’s products and services. Relocation benefits may also be reimbursed, but are individually negotiated when they occur. EchoStar has also permitted certain NEOs to use its corporate aircraft for personal use. EchoStar has also paid for annual tax preparation costs for certain NEOs.

 

EchoStar has not traditionally had any plans in place to provide severance benefits to employees. However, certain stock options and restricted stock units have been granted to its executive officers subject to acceleration of vesting upon a change in control of EchoStar for those executive officers who are terminated by EchoStar or the surviving entity, as applicable, for any reason other than for cause during the twenty-four month period following such change in control.

 

2010 Executive Compensation

 

EchoStar generally makes decisions with respect to executive compensation for a particular compensation year in the first or second quarter of the applicable compensation year.  For 2010, EchoStar’s Compensation Committee (along with Mr. Ergen, for each of the NEOs other than himself) reviewed total compensation of each NEO and the value of (a) historic and current components of each NEO’s compensation, including the base salary and bonus paid to the NEO in the prior year, and (b) stock options and restricted stock units held by each NEO in EchoStar’s incentive plans. The Compensation Committee (along with Mr. Ergen, for each of the NEOs other than himself) also reviewed the Proxy Data prepared for 2010 and other information described in “Compilation of Certain Proxy Data” above. As described in “General Compensation Levels” above, EchoStar aims to provide base salaries and long-term incentives that are competitive with market practice with an emphasis on providing a substantial portion of overall compensation in the form of equity incentives.   In addition, EchoStar’s Compensation Committee has discretion to award performance based compensation that is based on performance goals different from those that were previously set or that is higher or lower than the anticipated compensation that would be awarded under EchoStar’s incentive plans if particular performance goals were met.  EchoStar’s Compensation Committee did not exercise this discretion in 2010.

 

Compensation of Our Chief Executive Officer and Our Chairman

 

2010 Base Salary.  Mr. Dugan’s salary was agreed to between EchoStar and Mr. Dugan in November 2009 in connection with the commencement of Mr. Dugan’s employment as President and Chief Executive Officer of EchoStar.   In connection with EchoStar’s Spin-off from DISH Network, Mr. Ergen’s base salary for 2009 was set at $1 and remained at such level in 2010.

 

2010 Cash Bonus.  No bonus was paid to Mr. Dugan or to Mr. Ergen.

 

2010 Equity Incentives.  With respect to equity incentives, EchoStar attempts to ensure that both the Chief Executive Officer and the Chairman have equity awards at any given time that are significant in relation to their

 

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annual cash compensation to ensure that they have appropriate incentives tied to the performance of EchoStar’s Class A Common Stock.  During 2010, the Compensation Committee determined that Mr. Ergen and Mr. Dugan had sufficient equity awards to ensure that they had appropriate incentives tied to the performance of EchoStar’s Class A Common Stock and therefore did not award Mr. Ergen or Mr. Dugan any additional equity awards.

 

Compensation of Other Named Executive Officers

 

2010 Base Salary.

 

Base salaries for each of the other NEOs are determined annually by EchoStar’s Board of Directors primarily based on Mr. Ergen’s recommendations. The Board of Directors places substantial weight on Mr. Ergen’s recommendations in light of his role as Chairman and as controlling shareholder of EchoStar.  Mr. Ergen made recommendations to the Board of Directors with respect to the 2010 base salary of each of the other NEOs after considering (a) the NEO’s base salary in 2010, (b) the range of the percentage increases in base salary for NEOs of the companies contained in the Proxy Data, (c) whether the NEO’s base salary was appropriate in light of EchoStar’s goals, including retention of the NEO, (d) the expected compensation to be paid to other NEOs in 2010 in relation to a particular NEO in 2010, (e) whether the NEO was promoted or newly hired in 2010, and (f) whether in Mr. Ergen’s subjective determination, the NEO’s performance in 2009 warranted an increase in the NEO’s base salary in 2010.  Placing primary weight on (a) the NEO’s base salary in 2009 and (b) whether, in Mr. Ergen’s subjective view, an increase in 2009 base salary was necessary to retain the NEO, Mr. Ergen recommended the base salary amounts indicated in “Executive Compensation and Other Information - Summary Compensation Table” below. The basis for Mr. Ergen’s recommendation with respect to each of the other NEOs is discussed below.  The Board of Directors accepted each of Mr. Ergen’s recommendations on base salaries for each of the other NEOs.

 

Mr. Dodge.  While serving as Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary of EchoStar Corporation and us until November 8, 2011, Mr. Dodge was employed by, and received compensation from, DISH Network, and was not directly compensated by EchoStar or us for his services.  Instead, EchoStar obtained the services of Mr. Dodge pursuant to the Management Services Agreement between EchoStar and DISH Network.  Accordingly, Mr. Dodge’s salary was set by the Board of Directors of DISH Network, and EchoStar made payments to DISH Network based upon a portion of DISH Network’s personnel costs for Mr. Dodge (taking into account salary and fringe benefits) as determined by reference to the percentages of time spent by Mr. Dodge performing services for EchoStar and us.

 

Mr. Han.  While serving as EchoStar’s and our Chief Financial Officer until June 2010, Mr. Han was employed by, and received compensation from, DISH Network, and was not directly compensated by EchoStar or us for his services.  Instead, EchoStar obtained the services of Mr. Han pursuant to the Management Services Agreement between EchoStar and DISH Network. Accordingly, Mr. Han’s salary was set by the Board of Directors of DISH Network, and EchoStar made payments to DISH Network based upon a portion of DISH Network’s personnel costs for Mr. Han (taking into account salary and fringe benefits) as determined by reference to the percentages of time spent by Mr. Han performing services for EchoStar and us.

 

Mr. Rayner.  Mr. Ergen determined that Mr. Rayner’s performance met expectations for 2009 and that Mr. Rayner was therefore eligible for EchoStar’s standard annual merit increase.  In addition, in connection with Mr. Rayner being appointed Chief Financial Officer during June 2010, Mr. Ergen determined that Mr. Rayner should receive an additional increase in base salary based on Mr. Ergen’s subjective determination of the amount required to maintain Mr. Rayner’s salary within the range of market compensation indicated in the Proxy Data taking into consideration EchoStar’s practices with respect to base salaries.

 

2010 Cash Bonus.   Mr. Ergen generally recommended that other NEOs receive a discretionary cash bonus only to the extent that Mr. Ergen considered that a particular individual’s performance during 2010 made a significant contribution towards development of EchoStar’s goals. In 2010, no discretionary cash bonuses were awarded to such other NEOs.

 

2010 Equity Incentives.  With respect to equity incentives, EchoStar primarily evaluates the position of each NEO to ensure that each individual has equity awards at any given time that are significant in relation to the NEO’s annual cash compensation to ensure that the NEO has appropriate incentives tied to the performance of EchoStar’s

 

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Class A Common Stock. This determination is made by the Compensation Committee primarily on the basis of Mr. Ergen’s recommendation.   As discussed above, in granting awards to the other NEOs for 2010, Mr. Ergen based his recommendation on, and the Compensation Committee took into account, among other things, what was necessary to retain EchoStar’s executive officers.  On June 30, 2010, in connection with the commencement of Mr. Rayner serving as EchoStar’s Chief Financial Officer, Mr. Rayner was awarded 75,000 stock options.  60,000 of these stock options remained unvested at the time Mr. Rayner resigned from EchoStar in November 2011.

 

Executive Compensation and Other Information

 

Explanatory Note to Summary Compensation Table, Grant of Plan-Based Awards Table, Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End Table, and Option Exercises and Stock Vested Table

 

Spin-Off from DISH Network

 

In connection with EchoStar’s Spin-off from DISH Network, which was effective on January 1, 2008, all outstanding DISH Network stock options and restricted stock units (collectively, “Stock-Based Awards”) held by DISH Network employees, including executive officers, were adjusted as follows:

 

Options

 

Each DISH Network stock option was converted into two options:

 

·                        an adjusted DISH Network stock option for the same number of shares as were exercisable under the original DISH Network stock option with an exercise price equal to the exercise price of the original DISH Network stock option multiplied by 0.831219.

·                        a new EchoStar stock option for one-fifth of the number of shares as were exercisable under the original DISH Network stock option with an exercise price equal to the exercise price of the original DISH Network stock option multiplied by 0.843907.

 

Restricted Stock Units

 

Holders of DISH Network restricted stock units retained their DISH Network restricted stock units and received one EchoStar restricted stock unit for every five DISH Network restricted stock units that they held.

 

These adjustments were made in order to preserve the pre-conversion intrinsic value of the Stock-Based Awards.

 

Presentation of Summary Compensation Table, Grant of Plan-Based Awards Table, Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End Table, and Option Exercises and Stock Vested Table

 

With respect to the presentation of NEO compensation in this section: (i) during 2008, 2009 and 2010, Messrs. Han and Dodge, who performed services for EchoStar and us pursuant to the Management Services Agreement, were compensated solely by DISH Network and EchoStar and EchoStar made payments to DISH Network for its allocable portions of DISH Network’s personnel costs for them; (ii) during 2008, 2009 and 2010, Mr. Ergen was compensated by both EchoStar and DISH Network; and (iii) during 2008, 2009 and 2010 all other NEOs were compensated solely by EchoStar.

 

Summary Compensation Table

 

The following table sets forth the cash and noncash compensation paid to such executive officers as discussed above for the NEOs for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010.

 

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Name and Principal Position

 

Year

 

Salary
($)

 

Bonus (1)
($)

 

Stock
Awards
($)

 

Option
Awards (2)
($)

 

Non-Equity
Incentive Plan
Compensation
($)

 

Change in
Pension Value
and
Nonqualified
Deferred
Compensation
Earnings
($)

 

All Other
Compensation
(3) ($)

 

Total
($)

 

Michael T. Dugan (4)

 

2010

 

$

750,000

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

$

5,691

 

$

755,691

 

President and Chief Executive Officer

 

2009

 

$

86,538

 

$

 

$

 

$

4,629,908

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

$

4,716,446

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Charles W. Ergen (4)

 

2010

 

$

1

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

$

124,143

 

$

124,144

 

Chairman

 

2009

 

$

1

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

$

168,455

 

$

168,456

 

 

 

2008

 

$

1

 

$

 

$

 

$

3,925,180

 

$

 

$

 

$

237,979

 

$

4,163,160

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

David J. Rayner (5)

 

2010

 

$

359,791

 

$

 

$

 

$

499,493

 

$

 

$

 

$

4,000

 

$

863,284

 

Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bernard L. Han (5)

 

2010

 

$

56,250

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

$

688

 

$

56,938

 

Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer - DISH Network

 

2009

 

$

112,981

 

$

25,000

 

$

 

$

289,500

 

$

 

$

 

$

875

 

$

428,356

 

 

2008

 

$

100,000

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

$

3,312

 

$

103,312

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

R. Stanton Dodge (6)

 

2010

 

$

74,712

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

$

1,375

 

$

76,087

 

Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary

 

2009

 

$

74,039

 

$

25,000

 

$

 

$

309,601

 

$

 

$

 

$

875

 

$

409,515

 

 

2008

 

$

62,500

 

$

 

$

 

$

16,638

 

$

 

$

 

$

1,375

 

$

80,513

 

 


(1)                        2009 bonus was earned in 2009 but not paid until 2010.

(2)                        The amounts reported in the “Option Awards” column reflect the aggregate grant date fair values.  Assumptions used in the calculation of these amounts are included in Note 13 to EchoStar’s audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010, included in EchoStar’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on February 24, 2011.

(3)                        “All Other Compensation” for all of the NEOs includes amounts contributed pursuant to EchoStar’s 401(k) matching program, relocation payments and its profit sharing program.  Mr. Ergen’s “All Other Compensation” also includes tax preparation payments in each year.  In addition, with respect to Mr. Ergen, “All Other Compensation” includes $124,143, $168,455, and $237,979 for Mr. Ergen’s personal use of corporate aircraft during the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009, and 2008, respectively.  EchoStar calculated the value of Mr. Ergen’s personal use of corporate aircraft based upon the incremental cost of such usage to EchoStar.

(4)                        Mr. Dugan was named President and Chief Executive Officer of EchoStar in November 2009, replacing Mr. Ergen who currently serves as its and our Chairman.

(5)                        Mr. Rayner was named Chief Financial Officer of EchoStar in June 2010, replacing Mr. Han.  Effective November 8, 2011, Mr. Rayner ceased to be an employee of EchoStar.

(6)                        In connection with the Spin-off, EchoStar entered into a management services agreement with DISH Network pursuant to which DISH Network makes certain of its officers available to provide services to EchoStar.  Mr. Dodge remains employed by DISH Network, but served as EchoStar’s Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary until November 8, 2011.  Compensation for Mr. Dodge is based upon an allocable portion of the personnel costs and expenses incurred by DISH Network with respect to Mr. Dodge (taking into account wages and fringe benefits).  This allocation is based upon the estimated percentages of time to be spent by certain DISH Network executive officers performing services for EchoStar and us under the management services agreement.

 

Grant of Plan-Based Awards

 

The following table provides information on EchoStar equity awards granted in 2010 for the Named Executive Officers.

 

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All Other

 

All Other

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stock

 

Option

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Awards:

 

Awards:

 

Exercise

 

Grant Date

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Number of

 

Number of

 

or Base

 

Fair Value of

 

 

 

 

 

Date of

 

Estimated Future Payouts Under

 

Estimated Future Payouts Under

 

Shares of

 

Securities

 

Price of

 

Stock and

 

 

 

 

 

Compensation

 

Non-Equity Incentive Plan Awards

 

 Equity Incentive Plan Awards

 

Stock or

 

Underlying

 

Option

 

Option

 

 

 

Grant

 

Committee

 

Threshold

 

Target

 

Maximum

 

Threshold

 

Target

 

Maximum

 

Units (1)

 

Options

 

Awards

 

Awards

 

Name

 

Date

 

Approval

 

($)

 

($)

 

($)

 

(#)

 

(#)

 

(#)

 

(#)

 

(#)

 

($/sh)

 

(2)

 

Michael T. Dugan

 

4/6/2010

 

2/5/2010

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

 

 

 

199

 

 

$

 

$

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

David J. Rayner

 

4/6/2010

 

2/5/2010

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

 

 

 

199

 

 

$

 

$

 

 

 

6/30/2010

 

5/4/10

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

 

 

 

 

75,000

 

$

19.08

 

$

499,493

 

 


(1)                        The amounts reported in the “All Other Stock Awards” column represent shares awarded to the eligible NEOs during 2010 pursuant to our profit sharing program.

(2)                        The amounts reported in the “Option Awards” column reflect the aggregate grant date fair values.  Assumptions used in the calculation of these amounts are included in Note 8 to HSS’s audited financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus.

 

Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End

 

Except as indicated elsewhere, all awards reflected in this table were made in shares of EchoStar common stock and were granted under the terms of EchoStar’s 2008 Stock Incentive Plan.  As discussed above, in connection with the Spin-off of EchoStar, effective January 1, 2008, all DISH Network equity awards were adjusted to reflect the change in the price of DISH Network common stock that occurred as a result of the Spin-off, and an additional award was granted that related to EchoStar’s common stock.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Incentive

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity

 

Plan

 

 

 

Option Awards

 

 

 

 

 

Incentive

 

Awards:

 

Name

 

Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options
(#)
Exercisable

 

Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options
(#)
Unexercisable

 

Equity
Incentive
Plan
Awards:
Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Unearned
Options
(#)

 

Option
Exercise
Price
($)

 

Option
Expiration
Date

 

Number of
Shares or
Units of
Stock
That Have
Not Vested
(#)

 

Market
Value of
Shares or
Units of
Stock That
Have Not
Vested
($)

 

Plan
Awards:
Number of
Unearned
Shares,
Units or
Other
Rights
That Have
Not Vested
(#)

 

Market or
Payout
Value of
Unearned
Shares,
Units or
Other
Rights That
Have Not
Vested
($)

 

Michael T. Dugan

 

3,600

 

 

 

$

24.38

 

3/31/2013

(1)

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

 

100,000

 

 

 

$

22.94

 

12/30/2015

(1)

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

 

420,000

 

 

 

$

20.60

 

12/30/2015

(2)

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

 

250,000

 

500,000

 

 

$

20.14

 

12/31/2019

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Charles W. Ergen

 

200,000

 

300,000

 

 

$

29.54

 

3/31/2018

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

David J. Rayner (3)

 

 

 

 

$

 

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bernard L. Han (3)

 

 

 

 

$

 

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

R. Stanton Dodge (4)

 

 

 

 

$

 

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

 


(1)                        Amounts represent outstanding EchoStar awards received by our NEOs as a result of the Spin-off.

(2)                        Amounts represent outstanding DISH Network awards granted to our NEOs prior to the Spin-off.

(3)                        Mr. Rayner was named Chief Financial Officer of EchoStar in June 2010, replacing Mr. Han.  Effective November 8, 2011, Mr. Rayner ceased to be an employee of EchoStar.

(4)                        Pursuant to EchoStar’s management services agreement with DISH Network, Mr. Dodge remains employed by DISH Network, but served as EchoStar’s Executive Vice President, General Counsel and

 

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Secretary until November 8, 2011.  Any plan-based awards granted to Mr. Dodge continue to be granted by DISH Network.  Compensation related to such awards is allocated to EchoStar based upon the estimated percentages of time to be spent by certain DISH Network executive officers performing services for EchoStar under the management services agreement.

 

Option Exercises and Stock Vested

 

There were no EchoStar stock options that were exercised by the NEOs in 2010 nor were there any EchoStar stock awards that vested for the NEOs in 2010, other than standard awards that vest 20% per year based upon continued employment with EchoStar.

 

Potential Payments Upon Termination Following a Change in Control

 

As discussed in “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” above, EchoStar’s standard form of option agreement given to executive officers includes acceleration of vesting upon a change in control of EchoStar for those executive officers that are terminated by EchoStar or the surviving entity, as applicable, for any reason other than for cause during the twenty-four month period following such change in control.

 

Generally a change in control is deemed to occur upon: (i) a transaction or a series of transactions the result of which is that any person (other than Mr. Ergen, EchoStar’s controlling shareholder, or a related party) individually owns more than fifty percent (50%) of the total equity interests of either (A) EchoStar or (B) the surviving entity in any such transaction(s) or a controlling affiliate of such surviving entity in such transaction(s); and (ii) the first day on which a majority of the members of the Board of Directors of EchoStar are not continuing directors.

 

Assuming a change in control were to have taken place as of December 31, 2010 and the executives are terminated by EchoStar or the surviving entity at such date, the estimated benefits that would have been provided are as follows:

 

Name

 

Maximum
Value of
Accelerated
Vesting of 
Options

 

Michael T. Dugan

 

$

2,415,000

 

 

 

 

 

Charles W. Ergen (1)

 

$

 

 

 

 

 

David J. Rayner (2)

 

$

 

 

 

 

 

Bernard L. Han (2)

 

$

 

 

 

 

 

R. Stanton Dodge (3)

 

$

 

 


(1)                 The value of potentially accelerated unvested options as of December 31, 2010 was zero because all unvested options held by Mr. Ergen were out-of-the-money.

(2)                 Mr. Rayner was named Chief Financial Officer of EchoStar in June 2010, replacing Mr. Han.  Effective November 8, 2011, Mr. Rayner ceased to be an employee of EchoStar.

(3)                 Pursuant to EchoStar’s management services agreement with DISH Network, Mr. Dodge remains employed by DISH Network, but served as our Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary until November 8, 2011.  Any plan-based awards granted to Mr. Dodge continue to be granted by DISH Network.  Compensation related to such awards is allocated to EchoStar based upon the estimated percentages of time to be spent by certain DISH Network executive officers performing services for EchoStar under the management services agreement.

 

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Director Compensation

 

All of HSS’s directors are employees of EchoStar and are not compensated for their services as directors.

 

Employee Stock Incentive Plan

 

EchoStar has adopted an employee stock incentive plan, which we refer to as the 2008 Stock Incentive Plan. The purpose of the 2008 Stock Incentive Plan is to provide incentives to attract and retain executive officers and other key employees.  The 2008 Stock Incentive Plan is administered by the Compensation Committee.

 

Awards available under the 2008 Stock Incentive Plan include:  (i) common stock purchase options; (ii) stock appreciation rights; (iii) restricted stock and restricted stock units; (iv) performance awards; (v) dividend equivalents; and (vi) other stock-based awards.  As of December 31, 2010, 7,390,258 of EchoStar’s Class A Shares were available for issuance under the 2008 Stock Incentive Plan.  The Compensation Committee retains discretion, subject to plan limits, to modify the terms of outstanding awards and to re-price awards.

 

As of December 31, 2010, there were outstanding options to purchase 7,203,101 Class A Shares and 130,040 outstanding restricted stock units under the 2008 Stock Incentive Plan.  These awards generally vest at the rate of 20% per year commencing one year from the date of grant.  The exercise prices of these options, which have generally been equal to or greater than the fair market value of EchoStar’s Class A Shares at the date of grant, range from less than $1.00 to $40.00 per Class A Share.

 

Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

 

EchoStar’s Compensation Committee is comprised solely of nonemployee directors.  The Compensation Committee members are Messrs. Tom A. Ortolf, C. Michael Schroeder and Anthony M. Federico.  None of these individuals was an officer or employee of EchoStar or DISH Network at any time during the 2010 fiscal year.  With the exception of those executive officers and directors who are also executive officers or directors of DISH Network, no executive officer or director of EchoStar served on the board of directors or compensation committee of any other entity that had one or more executive officers who served as a member of EchoStar’s or DISH Network’s Board of Directors or its Compensation Committee during the 2010 fiscal year.

 

Risk Assessment

 

EchoStar believes its approach to goal setting, setting of targets with payouts at multiple levels of performance, and evaluation of performance results assist in its efforts to mitigate excessive risk-taking. Further, with respect to its incentive compensation programs, when taking into consideration the compensation practices of DISH Network prior to the spin-off, EchoStar has historically designed corporate performance metrics that determine payouts for certain business segment leaders in part on the achievement of longer-term company-wide goals.  This is based on EchoStar’s belief that applying Company-wide metrics encourages decision-making that is in the best long-term interests of EchoStar and its shareholders as a whole. Finally, the multi-year vesting of EchoStar’s equity awards properly account for the time horizon of risk.  Furthermore, as discussed above, EchoStar’s overall compensation lags behind competitors in the area of base pay, severance packages, and short-term incentives and may be competitive over time in equity compensation.

 

Annually, management reviews the components of EchoStar’s compensation for each employee other than its executive officers.  Base salaries for each of EchoStar’s executive officers (other than Mr. Ergen) are determined annually by the Board of Directors primarily based on Mr. Ergen’s recommendations.  The Board of Directors places substantial weight on Mr. Ergen’s recommendations in light of his role as Chairman and as controlling shareholder of EchoStar.  The Board of Directors ultimately approved base cash salaries for 2010 for each of these executive officers other than Mr. Ergen.

 

The Compensation Committee, without Mr. Ergen present, sets Mr. Ergen’s base cash salary. In connection with EchoStar’s separation from DISH Network, Mr. Ergen’s base salary for 2009 was set at $1 and remained at such

 

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level in 2010.  The Compensation Committee makes and approves grants of options and other equity-based compensation to all of EchoStar’s executive officers.

 

The primary components of EchoStar’s executive compensation have historically included:

 

·                        base cash salary;

·                        long-term equity incentive compensation in the form of stock options and restricted stock units offered under EchoStar’s stock incentive plan;

·                        401(k) plan; and

·                        other compensation, including perquisites and personal benefits and post-termination compensation.

 

EchoStar’s executive compensation program may also include short-term incentive compensation, including conditional and/or performance-based cash incentive compensation and discretionary bonuses.  EchoStar designs corporate performance metrics that determine payouts for certain business segment leaders in part on the achievement of longer-term company-wide goals.  This is based on EchoStar’s belief that applying company-wide metrics encourages decision-making that is in the best long-term interests of EchoStar and its shareholders as a whole.  However, during 2010, EchoStar elected not to implement a short-term incentive program.

 

Base salary, 401(k) benefits and other benefits and perquisites provided generally to EchoStar employees provide a minimum level of compensation for EchoStar’s executive officers.  EchoStar has included salary as a component of its executive compensation package because EchoStar believes it is appropriate that some portion of the compensation paid to executives be provided in a form that is fixed and liquid occurring over regular intervals.  Generally, however, EchoStar has weighted overall compensation towards incentives, particularly equity components, as opposed to base salaries.

 

With respect to other compensation, including perquisites and personal benefits and post-termination compensation, EchoStar has traditionally offered benefits to its executive officers on substantially the same terms as offered to other employees.  These benefits have included medical, vision, and dental insurance, life insurance, and the employee stock purchase plan as well as discounts on EchoStar’s products and services.  EchoStar has not traditionally provided severance benefits to employees.  However, certain stock options have been granted to its executive officers subject to acceleration of vesting upon a change in control of EchoStar for those executive officers who are terminated by EchoStar or the surviving entity, as applicable, for any reason other than for cause during the twenty-four month period following such change in control.

 

Generally, EchoStar’s overall executive compensation trails that of its competitors in the areas of base pay, severance packages, and short-term incentives and may be competitive over time in equity compensation.  With respect to equity incentive compensation, EchoStar attempts to ensure that each executive officer retain equity awards that at any given time are significant in relation to such individual’s annual cash compensation to ensure that each of its executive officers has appropriate incentives tied to the value realized by its shareholders.

 

EchoStar generally grants stock options and/or restricted stock units only to a limited number of employees at certain levels; the awards generally vest annually at the rate of 20% per year.  EchoStar believes that the multi-year vesting of its equity awards properly account for the time horizon of risk.  EchoStar has operated under the belief that executive officers will be better able to contribute to its long-term success and help build incremental shareholder value prudently if they have a stake in that future success and value over a long period.  EchoStar believes this stake focuses the executive officers’ attention on managing EchoStar as owners with equity positions in EchoStar and aligns their interests with the long-term interests of EchoStar’s shareholders.  Equity awards therefore have represented an important and significant component of EchoStar’s compensation program for executive officers.  These awards, coupled with the relatively longer time frame during which these awards vest, mitigate the effect of short-term variations in EchoStar’s operating and financial performance, and EchoStar believes focus management goals appropriately on longer-term value creation for shareholders rather than rewarding short-term gains.  In light of EchoStar’s approach towards compensation as set forth above, EchoStar believes that its process assists it in its efforts to mitigate excessive risk-taking.

 

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SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

 

All of HSS’ issued and outstanding common stock is owned by EchoStar Corporation.  The following table sets forth, to the best of our knowledge, the beneficial ownership of EchoStar Corporation’s voting securities as of the close of business on December 30, 2011 by:  (i) each person known by us to be the beneficial owner of more than five percent of any class of EchoStar Corporation’s voting securities; (ii) each of our directors; (iii) each of our NEOs; and (iv) all of our directors and NEOs as a group.  Unless otherwise indicated, each person listed in the following table (alone or with family members) has sole voting and dispositive power over the shares listed opposite such person’s name.

 

Name (1)

 

Amount and
Nature of
Beneficial
Ownership

 

Percentage
of Class

 

Class A Common Stock:

 

 

 

 

 

Charles W. Ergen (2), (3)

 

39,527,455

 

50.4

%

William R. Gouger (4)

 

8,735,728

 

18.3

%

Putnam, LLC (5)

 

4,060,194

 

10.4

%

John A. Griffin (6)

 

2,635,000

 

6.8

%

Michael T. Dugan (7)

 

354,680

 

*

 

R. Stanton Dodge (8)

 

23,464

 

*

 

David J. Rayner (9)

 

528

 

*

 

Dean A. Manson

 

 

0.0

%

All Directors and Executive Officers as a Group (3 persons) (10)

 

39,905,599

 

51.4

%

Class B Common Stock:

 

 

 

 

 

Charles W. Ergen

 

38,952,789

 

81.7

%

Trusts (11)

 

8,734,250

 

18.3

%

All Directors and Executive Officers as a Group (3 persons) (10)

 

38,952,789

 

81.7

%

 


*                       Less than 1%

 

(1)             Except as otherwise noted below, the address of each such person is 100 Inverness Terrace East, Englewood, Colorado 80112. As of the close of business on December 30, 2011, there were 38,908,087 shares of Class A Common Stock and 47,687,039 shares of Class B Common Stock outstanding.

 

(2)             Mr. Ergen is deemed to own beneficially all of the EchoStar Class A Shares owned by his spouse, Cantey Ergen. Mr. Ergen’s beneficial ownership includes: (i) 58,579 EchoStar Class A Shares; (ii) 3,705 EchoStar Class A Shares held in the Company’s 401(k) Employee Savings Plan (which we refer to as the 401(k) Plan); (iii) the right to acquire 496,000 EchoStar Class A Shares within 60 days upon the exercise of employee stock options; (iv) 47 EchoStar Class A Shares held by Mr. Ergen’s spouse; (v) 201 EchoStar Class A Shares held in the 401(k) Plan held by Mrs. Ergen; (vi) 10,734 EchoStar Class A Shares held as custodian for his children; (vii) 5,400 Class A Shares held by a charitable foundation for which Mr. Ergen is an officer and (viii) 38,952,789 EchoStar Class A Shares issuable upon conversion of Mr. Ergen’s EchoStar Class B Shares. Mr. Ergen’s beneficial ownership of EchoStar Class A Shares excludes (A) 1,424,675 Class A Shares issuable upon conversion of Class B Shares currently held by the Ergen Two-Year GRAT dated November 30, 2010, (B) 1,842,674 Class A Shares issuable upon conversion of Class B Shares currently held by the Ergen Three-Year GRAT dated November 30, 2010, (C) 2,048,952 Class A Shares issuable upon conversion of Class B Shares currently held by the Ergen Four-Year GRAT dated November 30, 2010, (D) 2,170,577 Class A Shares issuable upon conversion of Class B Shares currently held by the Ergen Five-Year GRAT dated November 30, 2010 and (F) 1,247,372 Class A Shares issuable upon conversion of Class B Shares held by certain trusts established by Mr. Ergen for the benefit of his family.

 

(3)             Because each Class B Share is entitled to 10 votes per share, Mr. Ergen owns beneficially equity securities of EchoStar representing approximately 75.6% of the voting power of EchoStar (assuming no conversion of the Class B Shares and after giving effect to the exercise of Mr. Ergen’s options exercisable within 60 days).  Mr. Ergen’s beneficial ownership excludes 8,734,250 Class A Shares issuable upon conversion of Class B Shares currently held by certain trusts established by Mr. Ergen for the benefit of his family. These trusts beneficially own approximately 18.3% of our total equity securities and possess approximately 16.9% of our total voting power.

 

(4)             The address of Mr. William R. Gouger is 400 Inverness Parkway, Suite 250, Englewood, CO 80112.   Mr. Gouger’s beneficial ownership includes: (i) 28 Class A Shares owned beneficially directly by Mr. Gouger; (ii) 1,450 Class A Shares

 

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                           owned beneficially indirectly by Mr. Gouger in the 401(k) Plan; (iii) 1,247,372 Class B Shares owned beneficially by Mr. Gouger solely by virtue of his position as trustee of certain trusts established by Mr. Ergen for the benefit of his family; (iv) 1,424,675 Class B Shares owned beneficially by Mr. Gouger solely by virtue of his position as trustee of the Ergen Two-Year GRAT dated November 30, 2010; (v) 1,842,674 Class B Shares owned beneficially by Mr. Gouger solely by virtue of his position as trustee of the Ergen Three-Year GRAT dated November 30, 2010; (vi) 2,048,952 Class B Shares owned beneficially by Mr. Gouger solely by virtue of his position as trustee of the Ergen Four-Year GRAT dated November 30, 2010; and (vii) 2,170,577 Class B Shares owned beneficially by Mr. Gouger solely by virtue of his position as trustee of the Ergen Five-Year GRAT dated November 30, 2010.

 

(5)             The address of Putnam, LLC (d/b/a Putnam Investments) is One Post Office Square, Boston, Massachusetts 02109.  Of the EchoStar Class A Shares beneficially owned, Putnam, LLC has shared voting power as to 109,726 EchoStar Class A Shares beneficially owned by it and shared dispositive power as to 4,060,194 EchoStar Class A Shares beneficially owned by it.  The foregoing information is based solely upon a Schedule 13G filed by Putnam, LLC with the SEC on September 12, 2011.

 

(6)             The address of John A. Griffin is 660 Madison Avenue, 20th Floor, New York, New York 10065.  Of the EchoStar Class A Shares beneficially owned, Mr. Griffin has shared voting and dispositive power as to all of the 2,635,000 EchoStar Class A Shares beneficially owned by him.  Mr. Griffin is the Managing Member of Blue Ridge Capital Holdings L.L.C. and Blue Ridge Capital Offshore Holdings L.L.C. and in that capacity Mr. Griffin has shared voting and dispositive power over the EchoStar Class A Shares held by those entities.  This information is based solely upon a Schedule 13G filed by Mr. Griffin with the SEC on February 14, 2011.

 

(7)             Mr. Dugan’s beneficial ownership includes: (i) 116 EchoStar Class A Shares; (ii) 964 EchoStar Class A Shares held in the 401(k) Plan; and (iii) the right to acquire 353,600 EchoStar Class A Shares within 60 days upon the exercise of employee stock options.

 

(8)             Mr. Dodge’s beneficial ownership includes: (i) 36 EchoStar Class A Shares; (ii) 428 EchoStar Class A Shares held in the 401(k) Plan; and (iii) the right to acquire 23,000 EchoStar Class A Shares within 60 days upon the exercise of employee stock options.

 

(9)             Mr. Rayner’s beneficial ownership includes 528 EchoStar Class A Shares held in the 401(k) Plan.  Effective November 8, 2011, Mr. Rayner ceased to be an employee of EchoStar Corporation.  This information is based solely upon data provided by Mr. Rayner on January 6, 2012.

 

(10)       Includes: (i) 58,731 EchoStar Class A Shares; (ii) 5,097 EchoStar Class A Shares held in the 401(k) Plan; (iii) the right to acquire 872,600 EchoStar Class A Shares within 60 days upon the exercise of employee and nonemployee director stock options; (iv) 38,952,789 EchoStar Class A Shares issuable upon conversion of EchoStar Class B Shares; (v) 10,734 EchoStar Class A Shares held in the name of, or in trust for, children and other family members; (vi) 5,400 EchoStar Class A Shares held by a charitable foundation; and (vii) 248 EchoStar Class A Shares held by a spouse.

 

(11)       Held by certain trusts established by Mr. Ergen for the benefit of Mr. Ergen’s family of which Mr. Gouger is trustee.

 

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THE EXCHANGE OFFER

 

Purpose of the exchange offer

 

The sole purpose of the exchange offer is to fulfill our obligations with respect to the registration of the Old Notes.  We originally issued and sold the Old Notes on June 1, 2011.  We did not register those sales under the Securities Act, in reliance upon the exemption provided in section 4(2) of the Securities Act and Rule 144A and Regulation S promulgated under the Securities Act.  In connection with the sale of the Old Notes, we agreed to file with the SEC an exchange offer registration statement relating to the exchange offer.  Under the exchange offer registration statement, we will offer the Notes, in exchange for the Old Notes.

 

How to determine if you are eligible to participate in the exchange offer

 

We hereby offer to exchange, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this prospectus and in the letter of transmittal accompanying it, $1,000 in principal amount of Notes for each $1,000 in principal amount of the Old Notes that you hold.  You may only tender Old Notes in minimum denominations of $2,000 principal amount and any integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof. The terms of the Secured Notes and the Unsecured Notes are substantially identical to the terms of the Old Secured Notes and the Old Unsecured Notes, respectively, that you may exchange pursuant to this exchange offer, except that, generally, you may freely transfer the Notes, and you will not be entitled to certain registration rights and certain other provisions which are applicable to the Old Notes under the registration rights agreement.  The Notes will be entitled to the benefits of the respective indentures.  See “Description of the Secured Notes” and “Description of the Unsecured Notes.”

 

We are not making the exchange offer to, nor will we accept surrenders for exchange from, holders of outstanding Old Notes in any jurisdiction in which this exchange offer or the acceptance thereof would not be in compliance with the securities or blue sky laws of such jurisdiction.

 

We are not making the exchange offer conditional upon the holders tendering, or us accepting, any minimum aggregate principal amount of Old Notes.

 

Under existing SEC interpretations, the Notes would generally be freely transferable after the exchange offer without further registration under the Securities Act, except that broker-dealers receiving the Notes in the exchange offer will be subject to a prospectus delivery requirement with respect to their resale.  This view is based on interpretations by the staff of the SEC in no-action letters issued to other issuers in exchange offers like this one.  We have not, however, asked the SEC to consider this particular exchange offer in the context of a no-action letter.  Therefore, the SEC might not treat it in the same way it has treated other exchange offers in the past.  You will be relying on the no-action letters that the SEC has issued to third parties in circumstances that we believe are similar to ours.  Based on these no-action letters, the following conditions must be met:

 

·                  you must not be a broker-dealer that acquired the Old Notes from us or in market-making transactions;

 

·                  you must acquire the Notes in the ordinary course of your business;

 

·                  you must have no arrangements or understandings with any person to participate in the distribution of the Notes within the meaning of the Securities Act; and

 

·                  you must not be an affiliate of ours, as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act.

 

If you wish to exchange Old Notes for Notes in the exchange offer you must represent to us that you satisfy all of the above listed conditions.  If you do not satisfy all of the above listed conditions:

 

·                  you cannot rely on the position of the SEC set forth in the no-action letters referred to above; and

 

·                  you must comply with the registration and prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act in connection with a resale of the new Notes.

 

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The SEC considers broker-dealers that acquired Old Notes directly from us, but not as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities, to be making a distribution of the Notes if they participate in the exchange offer.  Consequently, these broker-dealers must comply with the registration and prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act in connection with a resale of the Notes.

 

A broker-dealer that has bought Old Notes for market-making or other trading activities must deliver a prospectus in order to resell any Notes it receives for its own account in the exchange offer.  The SEC has taken the position that broker-dealers may fulfill their prospectus delivery requirements with respect to the Notes by delivering the prospectus contained in the registration statement for the exchange offer.  Each broker-dealer that receives Notes for its own account pursuant to this exchange offer must acknowledge that it will deliver a prospectus in connection with any resale of such Notes.  The letter of transmittal states that by so acknowledging and by delivering a prospectus, a broker-dealer will not be deemed to admit that it is an “underwriter” within the meaning of the Securities Act.  This prospectus, as it may be amended or supplemented from time to time, may be used by a broker-dealer in connection with resales of Notes received in exchange for Old Notes where such Old Notes were acquired by such broker-dealer as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities.  We have agreed that, for a period of one year after we consummate the exchange offer, we will make this prospectus available to any broker-dealer for use in connection with any such resale.

 

By tendering Old Notes for exchange, you will exchange, assign and transfer the Old Notes to us and irrevocably appoint the exchange agent as your agent and attorney-in-fact to assign, transfer and exchange the Old Notes.  You will also represent and warrant that you have full power and authority to tender, exchange, assign and transfer the Old Notes and to acquire Notes issuable upon the exchange of such tendered Old Notes.  The letter of transmittal requires you to agree that, when we accept your Old Notes for exchange, we will acquire good, marketable and unencumbered title to them, free and clear of all security interests, liens, restrictions, charges and encumbrances and that they are not subject to any adverse claim.

 

You will also warrant that you will, upon our request, execute and deliver any additional documents that we believe are necessary or desirable to complete the exchange, assignment and transfer of your tendered Old Notes.  You must further agree that our acceptance of any tendered Old Notes and the issuance of Notes in exchange for them will constitute performance in full by us of our obligations under the registration rights agreement and that we will have no further obligations or liabilities under that agreement, except in certain limited circumstances.  All authority conferred by you will survive your death, incapacity, liquidation, dissolution, winding up or any other event relating to you, and every obligation of you shall be binding upon your heirs, personal representatives, successors, assigns, executors and administrators.

 

If you are tendering Old Notes, we will not require you to pay brokerage commissions or fees or, subject to the instructions in the letter of transmittal, transfer taxes with respect to the exchange of the Old Notes pursuant to the exchange offer.  Each of the Notes will bear interest from the most recent date through which interest has been paid on the Old Notes for which they were exchanged.  If we accept your Old Notes for exchange, you will waive the right to have interest accrue, or to receive any payment in respect to interest, on the Old Notes from the most recent interest payment date to the date of the issuance of the Notes.  Interest on the Notes is payable semiannually in arrears on June 15 and December 15.

 

Information about the expiration date of the exchange offer and changes to it

 

The exchange offer expires on the expiration date, which is 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on              , 2012, unless we, in our sole discretion, extend the period during which the exchange offer is open.  If we extend the expiration date for the exchange offer, the term “expiration date” means the latest time and date on which the exchange offer, as so extended, expires.  We reserve the right to extend the exchange offer at any time and from time to time prior to the expiration date by giving written notice to Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, which is the exchange agent, and by timely public announcement communicated by no later than 5:00 p.m. New York City time on the next business day following the expiration date, unless applicable law or regulation requires otherwise, by making a release to the Dow Jones News Service.  During any extension of the exchange offer, all Old Notes previously tendered pursuant to the exchange offer will remain subject to the exchange offer.

 

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The initial exchange date will be the first business day following the expiration date.  We expressly reserve the right to terminate the exchange offer and not accept for exchange any Old Notes for any reason, including if any of the events set forth below under “We may modify or terminate the exchange offer under some circumstances” have occurred and we have not waived them.  We also reserve the right to amend the terms of the exchange offer in any manner, whether before or after any tender of the Old Notes.  If we terminate or amend the exchange offer, we will notify the exchange agent in writing and will either issue a press release or give written notice to you as a holder of the Old Notes as promptly as practicable.  Unless we terminate the exchange offer prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the expiration date, we will exchange the Notes for Old Notes on the exchange date.

 

We will mail this prospectus and the related letter of transmittal and other relevant materials to you as a record holder of Old Notes and we will furnish these items to brokers, banks and similar persons whose names, or the names of whose nominees, appear on the lists of holders for subsequent transmittal to beneficial owners of Old Notes.

 

How to tender your Old Notes

 

If you tender to us any of your Old Notes pursuant to one of the procedures set forth below, that tender will constitute an agreement between you and us in accordance with the terms and subject to the conditions that we describe below and in the letter of transmittal for the exchange offer.

 

You may tender Old Notes by properly completing and signing the letter of transmittal or a facsimile of it.  All references in this prospectus to the “letter of transmittal” include a facsimile of the letter.  You must deliver it, together with the certificate or certificates representing the Old Notes that you are tendering and any required signature guarantees, or a timely confirmation of a book-entry transfer pursuant to the procedure that we describe below, to the exchange agent at its address set forth on the back cover of this prospectus on or prior to the expiration date.  You may also tender Old Notes by complying with the guaranteed delivery procedures that we describe below.

 

Your signature does not need to be guaranteed if you registered your Old Notes in your name, you will register the Notes in your name and you sign the letter of transmittal.  In any other case, the registered holder of your notes must endorse them or send them with duly executed written instruments of transfer in the form satisfactory to us.  Also, an “eligible institution,” such as a bank, broker, dealer, credit union, savings association, clearing agency or other institution that is a member of a recognized signature guarantee medallion program within the meaning of Rule 17Ad-15 under the Exchange Act must guarantee the signature on the endorsement or instrument of transfer.  If you want us to deliver the Notes or non-exchanged Old Notes to an address other than that of the registered holder appearing on the note register for the Old Notes, an “eligible institution” must guarantee the signature on the letter of transmittal.

 

If your Old Notes are registered in the name of a broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee and you wish to tender Old Notes, you should contact the registered holder promptly and instruct the holder to tender Old Notes on your behalf.  If you wish to tender your Old Notes yourself, you must, prior to completing and executing the letter of transmittal and delivering your Old Notes, either make appropriate arrangements to register ownership of the Old Notes in your name or follow the procedures described in the immediately preceding paragraph.  Transferring record ownership from someone else’s name to your name may take considerable time.

 

How to tender if you hold your Old Notes through a broker or other institution and you do not have the actual Old Notes

 

Any financial institution that is a participant in The Depository Trust Company’s (“DTC”) systems may make book-entry delivery of your Old Notes by causing DTC to transfer your Old Notes into the exchange agent’s account at DTC in accordance with DTC’s procedures for transfer.  Although you may deliver your Old Notes through book-entry transfer at DTC, you still must send the letter of transmittal, with any required signature guarantees and any other required documents, to the exchange agent at the address specified on the back cover of this prospectus on or prior to the expiration date and the exchange agent must receive these documents on time.  If you will not be able to send all the documents on time, you can still tender your Old Notes by using the guaranteed delivery procedures described below.

 

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You assume the risk of choosing the method of delivery of Old Notes and all other documents.  If you send your Old Notes and your documents by mail, we recommend that you use registered mail, return receipt requested, you obtain proper insurance, and you mail these items sufficiently in advance of the expiration date to permit delivery to the exchange agent on or before the expiration date.

 

If you do not provide your taxpayer identification number, which is your social security number or employer identification number, as applicable, and certify that such number is correct, the exchange agent will withhold 28% of the gross proceeds otherwise payable to you pursuant to the exchange offer, unless an exemption applies under the applicable law and regulations concerning “backup withholding” of federal income tax.  You should complete and sign the main signature form and the Substitute Form W-9 included as part of the letter of transmittal, so as to provide the information and certification necessary to avoid backup withholding, unless an applicable exemption exists and you prove it in a manner satisfactory to us and the exchange agent.

 

How to use the guaranteed delivery procedures if you will not have enough time to send all documents to us

 

If you desire to accept the exchange offer, and time will not permit a letter of transmittal or Old Notes to reach the exchange agent before the expiration date, you may tender your Old Notes if the exchange agent has received at its office listed on the letter of transmittal on or prior to the expiration date a letter, telegram or facsimile transmission from an eligible institution setting forth your name and address, the principal amount of the Old Notes that you are tendering, the names in which you registered the Old Notes and, if possible, the certificate numbers of the Old Notes that you are tendering.

 

The eligible institution’s correspondence to the exchange agent must state that the correspondence constitutes the tender and guarantee that within three New York Stock Exchange trading days after the date that the eligible institution executes such correspondence, the eligible institution will deliver the Old Notes, in proper form for transfer, together with a properly completed and duly executed letter of transmittal and any other required documents.  We may, at our option, reject the tender if you do not tender your Old Notes and accompanying documents by either the above-described method or by a timely book-entry confirmation, and if you do not deposit your Old Notes and tender documents with the exchange agent within the time period set forth above.  Copies of a notice of guaranteed delivery that eligible institutions may use for the purposes described in this paragraph are available from the exchange agent.

 

Valid receipt of your tender will occur as of the date when the exchange agent receives your properly completed letter of transmittal, accompanied by either the Old Notes or a timely book-entry confirmation.  We will issue Notes in exchange for Old Notes that you tendered pursuant to a notice of guaranteed delivery or correspondence to similar effect as described above by an eligible institution only against deposit of the letter of transmittal, any other required documents and either the tendered Old Notes or a timely book-entry confirmation.

 

We reserve the right to determine validity of all tenders

 

We will be the sole judge of all questions as to the validity, form, eligibility, including time of receipt, and acceptance for exchange of your tender of Old Notes and our judgment will be final and binding.  We reserve the absolute right to reject any or all of your tenders that are not in proper form or the acceptances for exchange of which may, in our opinion or in the opinion of our counsel, be unlawful.  We also reserve the absolute right to waive any of the conditions of the exchange offer or any defect or irregularities in your case.  Neither we, the exchange agent nor any other person will be under any duty to give you notification of any defects or irregularities in tenders nor shall any of us incur any liability for failure to give you any such notification.  Our interpretation of the terms and conditions of the exchange offer, including the letter of transmittal and its instructions, will be final and binding.

 

If you tender Old Notes pursuant to the exchange offer, you may withdraw them at any time prior to the expiration date

 

For your withdrawal to be effective, the exchange agent must timely receive your written or fax notice of withdrawal prior to the expiration date at the exchange agent’s address set forth on the back cover page of this prospectus.  Your notice of withdrawal must specify the following information:

 

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·                  The person named in the letter of transmittal as tendering Old Notes you are withdrawing;

·                  The certificate numbers of Old Notes you are withdrawing;

·                  The principal amount of Old Notes you are withdrawing;

·                  A statement that you are withdrawing your election to have us exchange such Old Notes; and

·                  The name of the registered holder of such Old Notes, which may be a person or entity other than you, such as your broker-dealer.

 

The person or persons who signed your letter of transmittal, including any eligible institutions that guaranteed signatures on your letter of transmittal, must sign the notice of withdrawal in the same manner as their original signatures on the letter of transmittal including any required signature guarantees.  If such persons and eligible institutions cannot sign your notice of withdrawal, you must send it with evidence satisfactory to us that you now hold beneficial ownership of the Old Notes that you are withdrawing.  The exchange agent will return the properly withdrawn Old Notes promptly following receipt of notice of withdrawal.  We will determine all questions as to the validity of notices of withdrawals, including time of receipt, and our determination will be final and binding on all parties.

 

How we will either exchange your Old Notes for Notes or return them to you

 

On the exchange date, we will determine which Old Notes the holders validly tendered, and we will issue Notes in exchange for the validly tendered Old Notes.  The exchange agent will act as your agent for the purpose of receiving Notes from us and sending the Old Notes to you in exchange for Notes promptly after acceptance of the tendered Old Notes.  If we do not accept your Old Notes for exchange, we will return them without expense to you.  If you tender your Old Notes by book-entry transfer into the exchange agent’s account at DTC pursuant to the procedures described above and we do not accept your Old Notes for exchange, DTC will credit your non-exchanged Old Notes to an account maintained with DTC.  In either case, we will return your non-exchanged Old Notes to you promptly following the expiration of the exchange offer.

 

We may modify or terminate the exchange offer under some circumstances

 

We are not required to issue Notes in respect of any properly tendered Old Notes that we have not previously accepted and we may terminate the exchange offer or, at our option, we may modify or otherwise amend the exchange offer.  If we terminate the exchange offer, it will be by oral or written notice to the exchange agent and by timely public announcement communicated no later than 5:00 p.m. on the next business day following the expiration date, unless applicable law or regulation requires us to terminate the exchange offer in the following circumstances:

 

·                  Any court or governmental agency brings a legal action seeking to prohibit the exchange offer or assessing or seeking any damages as a result of the exchange offer, or resulting in a material delay in our ability to accept any of the Old Notes for exchange offer; or

·                  Any government or governmental authority, domestic or foreign, brings or threatens any law or legal action that in our sole judgment, might directly or indirectly result in any of the consequences referred to above; or, if in our sole judgment, such activity might result in the holders of Notes having obligations with respect to resales and transfers of Notes that are greater than those we described above in the interpretations of the staff of the SEC or would otherwise make it inadvisable to proceed with the exchange offer; or

·                  A material adverse change has occurred in our business, condition (financial or otherwise), operations or prospects.

 

The foregoing conditions are for our sole benefit and we may assert them with respect to all or any portion of the exchange offer regardless of the circumstances giving rise to such condition.  We also reserve the right to waive these conditions in whole or in part at any time or from time to time in our discretion.  Our failure at any time to exercise any of the foregoing rights will not be a waiver of any such right, and each right will be an ongoing right that we may assert at any time or from time to time.  In addition, we have reserved the right, notwithstanding the satisfaction of each of the foregoing conditions, to terminate or amend the exchange offer.

 

Any determination by us concerning the fulfillment or nonfulfillment of any conditions will be final and binding upon all parties.

 

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In addition, we will not accept for exchange any tendered Old Notes, and we will not issue Notes in exchange for any such Old Notes, if at that time there is, or the SEC has threatened, any stop order with respect to the registration statement that this prospectus is a part of, or if qualification of the indenture is required under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939.

 

Where to send your documents for the exchange offer

 

We have appointed Wells Fargo Bank, National Association as the exchange agent for the exchange offer.  You must send your letter of transmittal to the exchange agent at:

 

By registered mail or certified mail:

 

Wells Fargo Bank, National Association
MAC - N9303-121
Corporate Trust Operations
P.O. Box 1517
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55480-1517

 

By regular mail or overnight courier:

 

Wells Fargo Bank, National Association
MAC - N9303-121
Corporate Trust Operations
Sixth Street & Marquette Avenue
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55479

 

By hand:

 

Wells Fargo Bank, National Association
Northstar East Building — 12th floor
Corporate Trust Services
608 Second Avenue South
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55402

 

By facsimile: (612) 667-6282

 

If you send your documents to any other address or fax number, you will have not validly delivered them and you will not receive Notes in exchange for your Old Notes.  We will return your Old Notes to you.

 

We are paying our costs for the exchange offer

 

We have not retained any dealer-manager or similar agent in connection with the exchange offer and will not make any payments to brokers, dealers or others for soliciting acceptances of the exchange offer.  We will, however, pay the exchange agent reasonable and customary fees for its services and will reimburse it for reasonable out-of-pocket expenses.  We will also pay brokerage houses and other custodians, nominees and fiduciaries the reasonable out-of-pocket expenses that they incur in forwarding tenders for their customers.  We will pay the expenses incurred in connection with the exchange offer, including the fees and expenses of the exchange agent and printing, accounting, investment banking and legal fees.  We estimate that these fees are approximately $675,000.

 

No person has been authorized to give you any information or to make any representations to you in connection with the exchange offer other than those that this prospectus contains.

 

If anyone else gives you information or representations about the exchange offer, you should not rely upon that information or representation or assume that we have authorized it.  Neither the delivery of this prospectus nor any exchange made hereunder shall, under any circumstances, create any implication that there has been no change in our affairs since the respective dates as of which this prospectus gives information.  We are not making the exchange offer to, nor will we accept tenders from or on behalf of, holders of Old Notes in any jurisdiction in which it is unlawful to make the exchange offer or to accept it.  However, we may, at our discretion, take such action as we may deem necessary to make the exchange offer in any such jurisdiction and extend the exchange offer to holders of

 

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Old Notes in such jurisdiction.  In any jurisdiction where the securities laws or blue sky laws require a licensed broker or dealer to make the exchange offer one or more registered brokers or dealers that are licensed under the laws of that jurisdiction is making the exchange offer on our behalf.

 

There are no dissenters’ or appraisal rights

 

Holders of Old Notes will not have dissenters’ rights or appraisal rights in connection with the exchange offer.

 

Federal income tax consequences to you

 

Your exchange of Old Notes for Notes should not be a taxable exchange for federal income tax purposes, and you should not recognize any taxable gain or loss or any interest income as a result of the exchange.  See “Material United States Federal Income Tax Considerations” below.

 

This is the only exchange offer for the Old Notes that we are required to make

 

Your participation in the exchange offer is voluntary, and you should carefully consider whether to accept the terms and conditions of it.  You are urged to consult your financial and tax advisors in making your own decisions on what action to take with respect to the exchange offer.  If you do not tender your Old Notes in the exchange offer, you will continue to hold such Old Notes and you will be entitled to all the rights and limitations applicable to the Old Notes under the Indenture.  All non-exchanged Old Notes will continue to be subject to the restriction on transfer set forth in the Indenture.  If we exchange Old Notes in the exchange offer, the trading market, if any, for any remaining Old Notes could be much less liquid.

 

We may in the future seek to acquire non-exchanged Old Notes in the open market or privately negotiated transactions, through subsequent exchange offers or otherwise.  We have no present plan to acquire any Old Notes that are not exchanged in the exchange offer.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN OTHER INDEBTEDNESS

 

VSAT Hardware Financing

 

Prior to September 2005, HNS leased certain VSAT hardware under an operating lease with customers funded by financial institutions.  Under the arrangements, the financial institution received title to the VSAT hardware and obtained the residual rights to the equipment after the operating lease with a customer expires and assumed the credit risk associated with non-payment by the customer. However, HNS retained a continuing obligation to the financing institution to indemnify it from losses it may incur from non-performance of the VSAT system.  As of September 30, 2011, these VSAT hardware financing obligations totaled $0.4 million.

 

Other

 

As of September 30, 2011, HSS had $566.8 million capitalized for the estimated fair value of satellites acquired under capital leases with related accumulated depreciation of $289.6 million.  In addition, as of September 30, 2011, HSS had $5.6 million outstanding on an 8% note payable for EchoStar IX satellite vendor financing, payable over 14 years from launch.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF THE SECURED NOTES

 

The Secured Notes will be issued under an indenture (the “Secured Indenture”), dated June 1, 2011, among EH Holding Corporation (currently known as Hughes Satellite Systems Corporation) (the “Company”), the guarantors listed on the signature page thereto and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Trustee and collateral agent, as supplemented by a supplemental indenture, dated June 8, 2011, among the Company, the Guarantors and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Trustee and collateral agent.  The rights of the holders of the Secured Notes are governed solely by the Secured Indenture and our obligations under the Secured Indenture are solely for the benefit of the holders of the Old Secured Notes and the Secured Notes.  The terms of the Secured Notes will be substantially identical to the terms of the Old Secured Notes.  However, the Secured Notes will not be subject to transfer restrictions or registration rights unless held by certain broker-dealers, our affiliates or certain other Persons.

 

The following description is a summary of the material provisions of the Secured Indenture. It does not restate the Secured Indenture in its entirety.  We urge you to read the Secured Indenture and the Secured Notes because they, and not this description, define your rights as a holder of the Secured Notes.  Copies of the Secured Indenture and the Secured Notes are available to you upon request.

 

You can find the definitions of some of the capitalized terms used in this section under the subheading “Certain Definitions.”  In this section of the prospectus:

 

·                  the terms “Hughes Satellite Systems,” the “Company,” the “Issuer,” “we,” “us,” “our” or similar terms refer only to Hughes Satellite Systems Corporation and not to any of our subsidiaries;

·                  references to “Guarantors” shall mean our direct and indirect Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiaries that guarantee the Secured Notes; and

·                  references to “Parent” mean Hughes Satellite Systems’ parent, EchoStar Corporation, together with each Wholly Owned Subsidiary of Parent that beneficially owns 100% of Hughes Satellite Systems’ Equity Interests, but only so long as Parent beneficially owns 100% of the Equity Interests of such subsidiary.

 

The terms of the Secured Notes include those stated in the Secured Indenture and those made part of the Secured Indenture by reference to the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the “Trust Indenture Act”).  The Secured Notes are subject to all such terms, and holders of Secured Notes should refer to the Secured Indenture and the Trust Indenture Act for a statement thereof.

 

Brief Description of the Secured Notes

 

The Secured Notes

 

The Secured Notes will be:

 

·                  general secured obligations of the Issuer;

·                  secured by a first priority security interest in substantially all of the assets of the Issuer, subject to certain exceptions and Permitted Liens;

·                  effectively junior to the Issuer’s obligations that are secured by assets that are not part of the Collateral (as defined under “—Security” below)  that is securing the Secured Notes, in each case to the extent of the value of the Collateral securing such obligations;

·                  effectively senior to the Issuer’s existing and future unsecured obligations to the extent of the value of the Collateral securing the Secured Notes, after giving effect to Permitted Liens;

·                  senior in right of payment to all existing and future obligations of the Issuer that are expressly subordinated to the Secured Notes;

·                  structurally junior to any existing and future obligations of any non-Guarantor Subsidiaries; and

·                  unconditionally guaranteed, jointly and severally, on a general senior secured basis by each Guarantor.

 

Although the Secured Notes are titled “senior,” we have not issued, and do not have any plans to issue, any indebtedness to which the Secured Notes would be senior.

 

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The Secured Notes will be issued in fully registered form only, without coupons, in denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof. Any Old Secured Notes that remain outstanding after the completion of the exchange offer, together with the Secured Notes issued in connection with the exchange offer, will be treated as a single class of securities for all purposes under the Secured Indenture, including, without limitation, waivers, amendments, redemptions, “Change of Control Offer” and “Certain Covenants—Asset Sales,” each as discussed under their respective subheadings below.

 

The Guarantees

 

The Secured Notes will be guaranteed by the Guarantors. The Guarantee of each Guarantor will be:

 

·                  a general secured obligation of such Guarantor;

·                  secured by a first priority security interest in substantially all of the assets of such Guarantor, subject to certain exceptions and Permitted Liens;

·                  effectively junior to such Guarantor’s obligations that are secured by assets that are not part of the Collateral that is securing the Secured Notes, in each case to the extent of the value of the collateral securing such obligations;

·                  effectively senior to such Guarantor’s existing and future unsecured obligations to the extent of the value of the Collateral securing the Secured Notes, after giving effect to Permitted Liens; and

·                  senior in right of payment to all existing and future obligations of such Guarantor that are expressly subordinated to the Secured Notes.

 

In addition, the Secured Indenture permits us and the Guarantors to incur additional Indebtedness, including secured and unsecured Indebtedness that ranks equally with the Secured Notes. Any secured Indebtedness will, as to the collateral securing such Indebtedness, be effectively senior to the Secured Notes or the Guarantees, as the case may be, to the extent of the value of such collateral.

 

All of our Domestic Subsidiaries are Guarantors other than any Immaterial Subsidiaries.

 

Principal, Maturity and Interest

 

The Secured Notes will be issued in an aggregate principal amount of up to $1,100,000,000.  Additional notes (“Additional Secured Notes”) may be issued under the Secured Indenture from time to time, subject to the limitations set forth under (x) “— Certain Covenants — Limitation on Incurrence of Indebtedness” without regard to clause (1) under the second paragraph thereof and (y) clause (c) of the definition of “Permitted Liens.”  Any Additional Secured Notes will be part of the same series as the Secured Notes offered hereby and will vote on all matters with the Secured Notes offered hereby.  The Secured Notes will mature on June 15, 2019.

 

Interest on the Secured Notes will accrue at a rate of 6.500% per annum payable semiannually in arrears in cash on June 15 and December 15 of each year, commencing June 15, 2012 or if any such day is not a business day on the next succeeding business day, to holders of record on the immediately preceding June 1 and December 1, respectively.  Interest on the Secured Notes will accrue from the most recent date to which interest has been paid or, if no interest has been paid, from the date of issuance.  Interest on the Secured Notes will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.

 

The Secured Notes are payable both as to principal and interest at our office or agency maintained for such purpose or, at our option, payment of interest may be made by check mailed to the holders of the Secured Notes at their respective addresses set forth in the register of holders of Secured Notes. Until otherwise designated by us, our office or agency will be the office of the Trustee maintained for such purpose.

 

Guarantees

 

Each Guarantor will jointly and severally guarantee the Issuer’s obligations under the Secured Notes.  The obligations of each Guarantor under its Guarantee for the Secured Notes will be limited as necessary to prevent such Guarantee from constituting a fraudulent conveyance or fraudulent transfer under applicable law.  See “Risk Factors — Risks Related to the Notes and the Exchange Offer— The guarantees of the Notes by our subsidiaries may be

 

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subject to challenge.”  Each Guarantor that makes a payment or distribution under a Guarantee will be entitled to a pro rata contribution from each other Guarantor based on the net assets of such Guarantor and each other Guarantor.

 

Each Guarantor may consolidate with or merge into or sell its assets to us or another Guarantor that is a Restricted Subsidiary, or with or to other Persons upon the terms and conditions set forth in the Secured Indenture. A Guarantor may not sell or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its assets, or consolidate with or merge with or into another Person (whether or not such Guarantor is the surviving Person), unless certain conditions are met. See “— Certain Covenants — Merger, Consolidation, or Sale of Assets.”

 

A Guarantee of a Guarantor will be deemed automatically discharged and released in accordance with the terms of the Secured Indenture:

 

(1)                                  in connection with any direct or indirect sale, conveyance or other disposition of all of the capital stock or all or substantially all of the assets of that Guarantor (including by way of merger or consolidation), if such sale or disposition is made in compliance with the applicable provisions of the Secured Indenture (see “— Certain Covenants — Asset Sales”);

 

(2)                                  if such Guarantor is dissolved or liquidated in accordance with the provisions of the Secured Indenture;

 

(3)                                  if we designate any such Guarantor as an Unrestricted Subsidiary in compliance with the terms of the Secured Indenture; or

 

(4)                                  the Issuer’s exercise of its legal defeasance option or covenant defeasance option as described under “Legal Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance” or if the Issuer’s obligations under the Secured Indenture are discharged in accordance with the terms of the Secured Indenture.

 

Security

 

The Secured Notes and the Guarantees will be secured by a first priority security interest (on a shared basis with any Additional Secured Obligations), subject to Permitted Liens and certain other exceptions, in substantially all of the assets of the Issuer and the Guarantors, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, including, without limitation, the following assets (to the extent they do not constitute Excluded Assets or as otherwise provided in the Security Documents):

 

·                  intellectual property,

·                  equipment, inventory and all other personal property,

·                  satellites and associated equipment, including all ground segment equipment for TT&C and monitoring of such satellites and any agreement relating to any of such satellites or associated equipment, owned or leased by the Issuer and the Guarantors,

·                  accounts, documents, chattel paper, letter of credit rights, and general intangibles, including contract rights and payment intangibles,

·                  deposit accounts, collateral accounts, securities accounts, promissory notes and other investment property,

·                  the Capital Stock of each of the Restricted Subsidiaries, and

·                  proceeds of the foregoing (collectively, together with the Real Property Interests, the “Collateral”).

 

The Secured Indenture and the Security Documents require that the Issuer and the Guarantors grant to the Collateral Agent, for its benefit and for the benefit of the Trustee and the holders of the Secured Notes, a first priority lien (on a shared basis with any Additional Secured Obligations), subject to Permitted Liens and certain other exceptions, on all property acquired after June 8, 2011 (the “Escrow Release Date”) of the kinds described above as Collateral. In addition, any future domestic Restricted Subsidiaries will be required to become Guarantors and similarly grant liens (on a shared basis with any Additional Secured Obligations), subject to Permitted Liens and certain other exceptions, on their assets to the Collateral Agent, for its benefit and for the benefit of the Trustee and the holders of the Old Secured Notes and the Secured Notes.

 

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The Secured Indenture and the Security Documents require that the Issuer and the Guarantors grant to the Collateral Agent, for its benefit and for the benefit of the Trustee and the holders of the Old Secured Notes and the Secured Notes, a first priority lien (on a shared basis with any Additional Secured Obligations), subject to Permitted Liens and certain other exceptions, in all right, title and interest, including, without limitation certain fee and leasehold interests of the Issuer and the Guarantors in certain real property, together with all easements, hereditaments and appurtenances relating thereto and fixtures located thereon, with respect to a future-acquired fee interest, which fee interest has a value of at least $5,000,000 and with respect to future-acquired leasehold interest, which leasehold interest has a base rent of at least $1,000,000 per annum; provided that the grant of each lien on each fee and leasehold interest will be made to the extent required and to the extent applicable consents are obtained and otherwise in accordance with the provisions of the Security Agreement (the “Real Property Interests”).

 

Other than with respect to foreign assets, the Issuer and the Guarantors shall execute any and all further documents, financing statements, agreements and instruments, and take all further action as is reasonably necessary or appropriate in order to grant, preserve, protect and perfect the validity and priority of the security interests created or intended to be created by the Security Documents in the Collateral. In addition, from time to time, the Issuer and each Guarantor will promptly secure the obligations under the Secured Indenture and the Security Documents by pledging or creating, or causing to be pledged or created, perfected security interests with respect to the Collateral. Such security interests and Liens will be created under the Security Documents and other security agreements, mortgages, deeds of trust and other instruments and documents in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Collateral Agent.

 

We have granted to the Trustee mortgages on certain existing fee interests in real property.  With respect to after-acquired leasehold interests, we have to use our commercially reasonable efforts to obtain a landlord’s consent, to the extent such consent is required pursuant to the terms of the applicable lease.

 

Excluded Assets” will include, among other things, (i) the equity interests of a foreign subsidiary to the extent such pledge would constitute an investment of earnings in U.S. property under Section 956 of the IRS Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), which investment could reasonably be expected to trigger a material increase in the net income of a U.S. shareholder of foreign subsidiary pursuant to Section 951 of the Code, (ii) assets securing purchase money indebtedness and capital lease obligations, (iii) after acquired property already subject to a lien, (iv) any intent-to-use trademark application to the extent such security interest would result in the loss by such Pledgor of any rights therein, (v) capital stock the pledge of which is prohibited by organizational documents or contracts with third parties, (vi) leasehold interests where such pledge would require landlord or owner consent, other than with respect to leased satellites as set forth below, (vii) equity interests of subsidiaries to the extent such pledge would require separate financial statements of such subsidiary pursuant to Rule 3-16 of Regulation S-X, (viii) any FCC licenses, to the extent, but only to the extent, the Communications Laws prohibit the grant of an executing interest thereon, and (ix) assets of the Issuer or any Guarantor located outside the United States, to the extent any Lien on such assets cannot be created and perfected under the United States federal or state law.

 

We currently lease certain of our satellites and may in the future lease additional satellites.  To the extent permitted by the Communications Laws, we have agreed to use our commercially reasonable efforts to have the owners of such current and future leased satellites agree to consent to our granting a security interest in our rights as lessee under such leases to the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the note holders.  We have agreed to use such commercially reasonable efforts to obtain those consents prior to 180 days after the Escrow Release Date (in the case of existing satellite leases) or prior to 180 days after entering into a new lease for a satellite.  We cannot assure that the owners of such satellites will consent to our grant of a security interest in such leases to the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the note holders.  In the event they do not consent to our grant of such a security interest, the note holders will not have a collateral interest in such leased satellite.  See “Risk Factors—We may not be able to grant you a collateral interest in our leased satellites.”

 

The Collateral is pledged pursuant to one or more security agreements (the “Security Agreements”) by and among the Issuer, the Guarantors and the Collateral Agent, and one or more mortgages or deeds of trust entered into after the Escrow Release Date (the “Mortgages”) or other grants or transfers for security executed and delivered by the Issuer or the applicable Guarantor to the Collateral Agent, creating a Lien upon property owned

 

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or leased or to be acquired by the Issuer or the applicable Guarantor in favor of the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the secured parties under the Security Documents.

 

So long as no Event of Default and no event of default under any Additional Secured Obligations shall have occurred and be continuing, and subject to certain terms and conditions, the Issuer and the Guarantors are entitled to exercise any voting and other consensual rights pertaining to all Capital Stock pledged pursuant to the Security Documents and to remain in possession and retain exclusive control over the Collateral (other than as set forth in the Security Documents), to operate the Collateral, to alter or repair the Collateral and to collect, invest and dispose of any income thereon.  The Security Documents, however, generally require the Issuer to deliver to the Collateral Agent for the Collateral Agent to maintain in its possession certificates evidencing pledges of stocks and instruments evidencing indebtedness and to use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain control agreements on deposit accounts, securities accounts or collateral accounts, within a certain specified period of time after the Escrow Release Date or the establishing of such account, in favor of the Collateral Agent subject to certain exceptions agreed to in the Security Documents.  Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default or an event of default under any Additional Secured Obligations, to the extent permitted by law and subject to the provisions of the Security Documents:

 

(1)                                  all of the rights of the Issuer and the Guarantors to exercise voting or other consensual rights with respect to all Capital Stock included in the Collateral shall cease, and all such rights shall become vested in the Collateral Agent, which, to the extent permitted by law, shall have the sole right to exercise such voting and other consensual rights; and

 

(2)                                  the Collateral Agent may take possession of and sell the Collateral or any part thereof in accordance with the terms of applicable law and the Security Documents.

 

In the case of an Event of Default or an event of default under any Additional Secured Obligations, the Collateral Agent will be permitted, subject to applicable law, to exercise remedies and sell the Collateral.  If such remedies are exercised by the Collateral Agent, the proceeds from the sale of the Collateral will be applied to all of the Indebtedness secured by such Collateral (not just the Secured Notes), and may not be sufficient to satisfy our obligations under the Secured Notes and the other Indebtedness secured by the Collateral in full.  See “Risk Factors— Risks Related to the Notes and the Exchange Offer—Additional Risks Related to the Secured Notes — The Collateral securing the Secured Notes is subject to priority liens held by holders of indebtedness secured by priority liens and holders of other indebtedness secured by permitted prior liens.  If there is a default, such collateral may not be sufficient to repay both the holders of such priority liens and the holders of the Secured Notes.”

 

Certain Limitations on the Collateral

 

There can be no assurance that the proceeds of any sale of Collateral following an Event of Default or an event of default under any other Additional Secured Obligations would be sufficient to satisfy, or would not be substantially less than, amounts due on the Secured Notes and such other Additional Secured Obligations.  See “Risk Factors— Risks Related to the Notes and the Exchange Offer—Additional Risks Related to the Secured Notes — The value of the Collateral securing the Secured Notes may not be sufficient to satisfy our obligations under the Secured Notes or to secure post-petition interest under U.S. federal bankruptcy law.”

 

With respect to some of the Collateral, the Collateral Agent’s security interest and ability to foreclose also will be limited by the need to meet certain requirements, such as complying with applicable law, obtaining third party consents and making additional filings.  If the Issuer or the Guarantors are unable to obtain these consents or make these filings, the security interests may be invalid and the holders will not be entitled to the Collateral or any recovery with respect thereto.  In particular, the Collateral Agent under the Security Documents will not be entitled to exercise any rights with respect to the Collateral constituting FCC Licenses upon the occurrence of an Event of Default or an event of default under any Additional Secured Obligations if such action would constitute or result in any assignment of the FCC Licenses or any change of control of the Issuer or any Guarantor, as applicable, unless the prior approval of the FCC is first obtained.  The Issuer cannot assure you that any such required FCC approval can be obtained on a timely basis or at all.  These requirements may limit the number of potential bidders for certain Collateral in any foreclosure and may delay any sale, either of which events may have an adverse effect on the sale

 

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price of the Collateral.  Therefore, the practical value of realizing on the Collateral may, without the appropriate consents and filings, be limited.

 

No appraisals of any of the Collateral have been prepared by or on behalf of the Issuer or the Guarantors in connection with this exchange offer.  The value of the Collateral in the event of a liquidation will depend upon market and economic conditions, the availability of buyers and similar factors.  By its nature, some or all of the Collateral will be illiquid and may have no readily ascertainable market value.  There also can be no assurance that the Collateral will be saleable and, even if saleable, the timing of its liquidation is uncertain.  The Collateral does not include any assets that constitute Excluded Assets or as otherwise provided in the Security Documents.

 

Accordingly, there can be no assurance that the proceeds of any sale of the Collateral pursuant to the Secured Indenture and the Security Documents following an Event of Default or an event of default under any other Additional Secured Obligations would be sufficient to satisfy, or would not be substantially less than, amounts due on the Secured Notes and the Additional Secured Obligations.  If the proceeds of any sale of the Collateral were not sufficient to repay all amounts due on the Secured Notes and the Additional Secured Obligations, the holders of the Secured Notes (to the extent not repaid from the proceeds of the sale of the Collateral) would have only an unsecured claim against the remaining assets of the Issuer and the Guarantors.

 

Release of Collateral

 

The Secured Indenture and the Security Documents provide that the Liens securing the Secured Notes will, upon compliance with the condition that the Issuer or the applicable Guarantor delivers to the Trustee all documents, if any, required by the Trust Indenture Act, automatically and without the need for any further action by any Person be released so long as such release is otherwise in compliance with the Trust Indenture Act:

 

(1)                                  in whole or in part, as applicable, as to all or any portion of property subject to such Liens which has been taken by eminent domain, condemnation or other similar circumstances, subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions set forth in the Secured Indenture or the Security Documents;

 

(2)                                  in whole, as to all property subject to such Liens, upon:

 

(a)                                  payment in full of the principal and unpaid interest and premium on the Secured Notes and all other obligations under the Secured Indenture, Secured Notes, Guarantees and Security Documents; or

 

(b)                                 legal defeasance or covenant defeasance of the Secured Indenture as set forth below under “—Legal Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance”;

 

(3)                                  in part, as to any property that (a) is sold, transferred or otherwise disposed of by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary in a transaction not prohibited by the Secured Indenture at the time of such sale, transfer or disposition, to the extent of the interest sold, transferred or disposed of or (b) is owned or at any time acquired by a Guarantor that has been released from its Guarantee, concurrently with the release of such Guarantee;

 

(4)                                  in part, as to any property with the consent of the Trustee (with the vote of the holders of the Secured Notes required under the Secured Indenture see “—Amendment, Supplement and Waiver”);

 

(5)                                  in part, in the event that (i)(A) a satellite suffers a total loss or a constructive total loss, (B) insurance proceeds are paid pursuant to such total loss or constructive total loss, and (C) the title of such satellite is required to be transferred to such insurer pursuant to the terms of the insurance policy pursuant to which such insurance proceeds are paid, in each case to the extent the terms of the insurance policy covering (and pursuant to which insurance proceeds are paid) such satellite require the transfer of title of such satellite, the insurance proceeds from the total loss or the constructive total loss of such satellite were received by the Issuer or the applicable Guarantor, such proceeds constitute Collateral and are

 

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applied in accordance with the terms of the Secured Indenture and/or any document governing Additional Secured Obligations, as the case may be, to the extent required to be so applied; or

 

(6)                                  as to assets that become Excluded Assets.

 

Certain Bankruptcy Limitations

 

The right of the Collateral Agent to take possession and dispose of the Collateral upon the occurrence of an Event of Default is likely to be significantly impaired by applicable bankruptcy law if a bankruptcy proceeding were to be commenced by or against the Issuer or the Guarantors prior to the Collateral Agent having taken possession and disposed of the Collateral.  Under Bankruptcy Law, a secured creditor is prohibited from taking its security from a debtor in a bankruptcy case, or from disposing of security taken from such debtor, without bankruptcy court approval.  Moreover, the Bankruptcy Law permits the debtor in certain circumstances to continue to retain and to use collateral owned as of the date of the bankruptcy filing (and the proceeds, products, offspring, rents or profits of such Collateral) even though the debtor is in default under the applicable debt instruments; provided that the secured creditor is given “adequate protection”.  The meaning of the term “adequate protection” may vary according to circumstances.  In view of the lack of a precise definition of the term “adequate protection” and the broad discretionary powers of a bankruptcy court, it is impossible to predict how long payments under the Secured Notes could be delayed following commencement of a bankruptcy case, whether or when the Collateral Agent could repossess or dispose of the Collateral or whether or to what extent holders would be compensated for any delay in payment or loss of value of the Collateral through the requirement of “adequate protection.”

 

Furthermore, in the event a bankruptcy court determines the value of the Collateral is not sufficient to repay all amounts due on the Secured Notes and any other Additional Secured Obligations, the holders of the Secured Notes and such other Additional Secured Obligations would hold secured claims to the extent of the value of the Collateral, and would hold unsecured claims with respect to any shortfall.  Bankruptcy Law does not permit the payment and/or accrual of post-petition interest, costs and attorneys’ fees during a debtor’s bankruptcy case unless the claims are oversecured or the debtor is solvent at the time of reorganization.  In addition, if the Issuer or the Guarantors were to become the subject of a bankruptcy case, the bankruptcy court, among other things, may avoid certain prepetition transfers made by the entity that is the subject of the bankruptcy filing, including, without limitation, transfers held to be preferences or fraudulent conveyances.

 

Optional Redemption

 

Except as stated below, the Secured Notes are not redeemable at our option prior to their stated maturity.

 

The Secured Notes will be redeemable, at our option, at any time in whole, or from time to time in part, upon not less than 30 and not more than 60 days’ notice, at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Secured Notes plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the redemption date and a make-whole premium. Holders of record on the relevant record date have the right to receive interest due on an interest payment date that is on or prior to the redemption date. The redemption price will never be less than 100% of the principal amount of the Secured Notes being redeemed plus accrued interest to the redemption date.

 

The amount of the make-whole premium on any Secured Note, or portion of a Secured Note, to be redeemed will be equal to the greater of (a) 1% of the principal amount of such Secured Note or such portion of a Secured Note being redeemed and (b) the excess, if any, of:

 

(1)                                  the sum of the present values, calculated as of the redemption date, of: (i) each interest payment that, but for the redemption, would have been payable on the Secured Note, or portion of a Secured Note, being redeemed on each interest payment date occurring after the redemption date, excluding any accrued interest for the period prior to the redemption date, plus (ii) the principal amount that, but for the redemption, would have been payable on the maturity date of the Secured Note, or portion of a Secured Note, being redeemed;

 

over

 

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(2)                                  the principal amount of the Secured Note, or portion of a Secured Note, being redeemed.

 

The present values of interest and principal payments referred to in clause (1) above will be determined in accordance with generally accepted principles of financial analysis. The present values will be calculated by discounting the amount of each payment of interest or principal from the date that each such payment would have been payable, but for the redemption, to the redemption date at a discount rate equal to the Treasury Yield, as defined below, plus 50 basis points.

 

We will appoint an independent investment banking institution of national standing to calculate the make-whole premium; provided that if we fail to appoint an institution at least 45 days prior to the date set for redemption or if the institution that we appoint is unwilling or unable to make such calculation, such calculation will be made by Deutsche Bank Securities Inc., or, if such firm fails to make such calculation, by an independent investment banking institution of national standing appointed by the Trustee (it being understood that the Trustee’s agreement to appoint such an institution is a matter of courtesy and accommodation only and the Trustee shall not be liable to any Person as a result).

 

For purposes of determining the make-whole premium, “Treasury Yield” refers to an annual rate of interest equal to the weekly average yield to maturity of United States Treasury Notes that have a constant maturity that corresponds to the remaining term to maturity of the Secured Notes being redeemed, calculated to the nearest one-twelfth of a year, which we call the remaining term.  The Treasury Yield will be determined as of the third business day immediately preceding the applicable redemption date.

 

The weekly average yields of United States Treasury Notes will be determined by reference to the most recent statistical release published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York and designated “H.15(519) Selected Interest Rates” or any successor release, which we call the H.15 Statistical Release. If the H.15 Statistical Release sets forth a weekly average yield for United States Treasury Notes having a constant maturity that is the same as the remaining term, then the Treasury Yield will be equal to such weekly average yield. In all other cases, the Treasury Yield will be calculated by interpolation, on a straight-line basis, between the weekly average yields on the United States Treasury Notes that have a constant maturity closest to and greater than the remaining term and the United States Treasury Notes that have a constant maturity closest to and less than the remaining term, in each case as set forth in the H.15 Statistical Release. Any weekly average yields as calculated by interpolation will be rounded to the nearest 0.01%, with any figure of 0.005% or more being rounded upward. If weekly average yields for United States Treasury Notes are not available in the H.15 Statistical Release or otherwise, then the Treasury Yield will be calculated by interpolation of comparable rates selected by the independent investment banking institution.

 

In addition, prior to June 15, 2015, the Issuer may redeem up to 10% of the outstanding Old Secured Notes and the Secured Notes per year (including any Additional Secured Notes) upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ prior notice mailed by first-class mail to each holder’s registered address, at a redemption price equal to 103% of the principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest and additional interest, if any, to, but not including, the applicable redemption date (subject to the right of holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date).

 

Redemption with the Proceeds of Certain Capital Contributions or Equity Offerings

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, at any time prior to June 15, 2014, we may redeem up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of the Old Secured Notes and the Secured Notes outstanding at a redemption price equal to 106.500% of the principal amount thereof, together with accrued and unpaid interest to such redemption date, with the net cash proceeds of any capital contributions or one or more public or private sales (including sales to Parent, regardless of whether Parent obtained such funds from an offering of Equity Interests or Indebtedness of Parent or otherwise, and provided that such funds are contributed to us) of Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of us (other than proceeds from a sale to any of our Subsidiaries or any employee benefit plan in which we or any of our Subsidiaries participates); provided that:

 

·                  at least 65% in aggregate of the originally issued principal amount of the Old Secured Notes and the Secured Notes remains outstanding immediately after the occurrence of such redemption; and

 

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·                  the sale of such Equity Interests is made in compliance with the terms of the Secured Indenture.

 

Selection and Notice

 

If less than all of the Secured Notes are to be redeemed at any time, the selection of Secured Notes for redemption will be made by the Trustee in compliance with the requirements of the principal national securities exchange, if any, on which the Secured Notes are listed or, if the Secured Notes are not so listed, on a pro rata basis, by lot or by such other method as the Trustee deems fair and appropriate in accordance with DTC procedures, provided that no Secured Notes with a principal amount of $2,000 or less shall be redeemed in part. Notice of redemption shall be mailed by first-class mail at least 30 but not more than 60 days before the redemption date to each holder of Secured Notes to be redeemed at its registered address. If any Note is to be redeemed in part only, the notice of redemption that relates to such Note shall state the portion of the principal amount thereof to be redeemed. A new Note in principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion thereof will be issued in the name of the holder thereof upon cancellation of the original Note. On and after the redemption date, if we do not default in the payment of the redemption price, interest will cease to accrue on Secured Notes or portions thereof called for redemption.

 

Change of Control Offer

 

Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control, we will be required to make an offer (a “Change of Control Offer”) to each holder of Secured Notes to repurchase all or any part (equal to $2,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof) of such holder’s Secured Notes at a purchase price equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount thereof, together with accrued and unpaid interest thereon to the date of repurchase (the “Change of Control Payment”). Within 30 days following any Change of Control, we shall mail a notice to each holder stating:

 

(1)                                  that the Change of Control Offer is being made pursuant to the covenant entitled “Change of Control Offer”;

 

(2)                                  the purchase price and the purchase date, which shall be no earlier than 30 days nor later than 60 days after the date such notice is mailed (the “Change of Control Payment Date”);

 

(3)                                  that any Secured Notes not tendered will continue to accrue interest in accordance with the terms of the Secured Indenture;

 

(4)                                  that, unless we default in the payment of the Change of Control Payment, all Secured Notes accepted for payment pursuant to the Change of Control Offer shall cease to accrue interest after the Change of Control Payment Date;

 

(5)                                  that holders will be entitled to withdraw their election if the paying agent receives, not later than the close of business on the second business day preceding the Change of Control Payment Date, a facsimile transmission or letter setting forth the name of the holder, the principal amount of Secured Notes delivered for purchase, and a statement that such holder is withdrawing his election to have such Secured Notes purchased;

 

(6)                                  that holders whose Secured Notes are being purchased only in part will be issued new Secured Notes equal in principal amount to the unpurchased portion of the Secured Notes surrendered, which unpurchased portion must be equal to $2,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof; and

 

(7)                                  any other information material to such holder’s decision to tender Secured Notes.

 

We will comply with the requirements of Rule 14e-1 under the Exchange Act and any other securities laws and regulations thereunder to the extent such laws and regulations are applicable in connection with the repurchase of the Secured Notes required in the event of a Change of Control.  We may not be able to repurchase all of the Secured Notes tendered upon a Change of Control.  If we fail to repurchase all of the Secured Notes tendered for purchase upon a Change of Control, such failure will constitute an Event of Default.  In addition, the terms of other indebtedness to which we may be subject may prohibit us from purchasing the Secured Notes or offering to

 

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purchase the Secured Notes, and a Change of Control Offer or a Change of Control Payment could trigger a default or event of default under the terms of such indebtedness.  If we were unable to obtain the consent of the holders of any such other indebtedness to make a Change of Control Offer or make the Change of Control Payment or to repay such indebtedness, a Default or Event of Default may occur. See the subheading, “Events of Default.”

 

Except as described above with respect to a Change of Control, the Secured Indenture does not contain any provisions that would permit the holders of any of the Secured Notes to require that we repurchase or redeem any Secured Notes in the event of a takeover, recapitalization or similar transaction.

 

Certain Covenants

 

Limitation on Restricted Payments.  The Secured Indenture provides that neither we nor any of our Restricted Subsidiaries may, directly or indirectly:

 

(a)                                  declare or pay any dividend or make any distribution on account of any of our Equity Interests other than dividends or distributions payable in Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of us;

 

(b)                                 purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire or retire for value any Equity Interests of Parent, us or any of its or our respective Subsidiaries or Affiliates, other than any such Equity Interests owned by us or by any Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary;

 

(c)                                  purchase, redeem, defease or otherwise acquire or retire for value any Indebtedness that is expressly subordinated in right of payment to the Secured Notes issued under the Secured Indenture or the Guarantees thereof, except (i) in accordance with the scheduled mandatory redemption, sinking fund or repayment provisions set forth in the original documentation governing such Indebtedness and (ii) the purchase, repurchase or other acquisition of subordinated Indebtedness with a stated maturity earlier than the maturity of the Secured Notes issued under the Secured Indenture or the Guarantees thereof purchased in anticipation of satisfying a payment of principal at the stated maturity thereof, within one year of such stated maturity;

 

(d)                                 declare or pay any dividend or make any distribution on account of any Equity Interests of any Restricted Subsidiary, other than:

 

(i)                                     to us or any Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary; or

 

(ii)                                  to all holders of any class or series of Equity Interests of such Restricted Subsidiary on a pro rata basis; provided that in the case of this clause (ii), such dividends or distributions may not be in the form of Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock; or

 

(e)                                  make any Restricted Investment;

 

(all such prohibited payments and other actions set forth in clauses (a) through (e) being collectively referred to as “Restricted Payments”), unless, at the time of such Restricted Payment:

 

(i)                                     no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would occur as a consequence thereof;

 

(ii)                                  after giving effect to such Restricted Payment and the incurrence of any Indebtedness the net proceeds of which are used to finance such Restricted Payment, our Indebtedness to Cash Flow Ratio would not have exceeded 5.5 to 1.0; and

 

(iii)                               such Restricted Payment, together with the aggregate of all other Restricted Payments made by us after the Issue Date, is less than the sum of:

 

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(A)          the difference of:

 

(x)            our cumulative Consolidated Cash Flow determined at the time of such Restricted Payment (or, in case such Consolidated Cash Flow shall be a deficit, minus 100% of such deficit); minus

 

(y)           1.4 times our Consolidated Interest Expense,

 

each as determined for the period (taken as one accounting period) from the Issue Date to the end of our most recently ended fiscal quarter for which internal financial statements are available at the time of such Restricted Payment; plus

 

(B)           an amount equal to 100% of the aggregate net cash proceeds (other than the net cash proceeds received from EchoStar Corporation or any of its subsidiaries that are used to consummate the Transactions) and, in the case of proceeds consisting of assets used in or constituting a business permitted under the covenant described under “— Limitations on Activities of the Issuer,” 100% of the fair market value of the aggregate net proceeds other than cash received by us, either from capital contributions from Parent, or from the issue or sale (including an issue or sale to Parent which is contributed to us) of Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of us (other than Equity Interests sold to any of our Subsidiaries), since the Issue Date; plus

 

(C)           if any Unrestricted Subsidiary is designated by us as a Restricted Subsidiary, an amount equal to the fair market value of the net Investment by us or a Restricted Subsidiary in such Subsidiary at the time of such designation; provided, however, that the foregoing sum shall not exceed the amount of the Investments made by us or any Restricted Subsidiary in any such Unrestricted Subsidiary since the Issue Date; plus

 

(D)          100% of any cash dividends and other cash distributions received by us and our Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiaries from an Unrestricted Subsidiary since the Issue Date to the extent not included in our cumulative Consolidated Cash Flow; plus

 

(E)           to the extent not included in clauses (A) through (D) above, an amount equal to the net reduction in Investments of us and our Restricted Subsidiaries since the Issue Date resulting from payments in cash of interest on Indebtedness, dividends, or repayment of loans or advances, or other transfers of property, in each case, to us or to a Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary or from the net cash proceeds from the sale, conveyance or other disposition of any such Investment; provided, however, that the foregoing sum shall not exceed, with respect to any Person in whom such Investment was made, the amount of Investments previously made by us or any Restricted Subsidiary in such Person which were included in computations made pursuant to this clause (iii).

 

The foregoing provisions will not prohibit the following (provided that with respect to clauses (2), (3), (4), (5), (6), (7), (8), (14) and (20) below, no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing):

 

(1)           the payment of any dividend or distribution within 60 days after the date of declaration thereof, if at such date of declaration such payment would have complied with the provisions of the Secured Indenture;

 

(2)           the redemption, repurchase, retirement or other acquisition of any of our Equity Interests or subordinated Indebtedness of us or any Guarantor in exchange for, or out of the net proceeds of the substantially concurrent capital contribution from Parent or from the substantially concurrent issue or sale (including to Parent) of Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of us (other than Equity Interests issued or sold to any Subsidiary of us);

 

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(3)           Investments in an aggregate amount not to exceed the greater of $75.0 million and 3.75% of Consolidated Net Tangible Assets plus, to the extent not included in Consolidated Cash Flow, an amount equal to the net reduction in such Investments resulting from payments in cash of interest on Indebtedness, dividends or repayment of loans or advances, or other transfers of property, in each case, to us or to a Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary or from the net cash proceeds from the sale, conveyance or other disposition of any such Investment; provided, however, that the foregoing sum shall not exceed, with respect to any Person in whom such Investment was made, the amount of Investments previously made by us or any Restricted Subsidiary in such Person pursuant to this clause (3);

 

(4)           cash dividends or distributions to the extent required for the purchase, redemption, repurchase or other acquisition or retirement for value of employee stock options to purchase Capital Stock of Parent or Issuer, or Capital Stock of Parent or Issuer issued pursuant to any management equity plan, stock option plan or other management or employee benefit plan or agreement, in an aggregate amount not to exceed $15.0 million in any calendar year;

 

(5)           a Permitted Refinancing;

 

(6)           Investments in an amount equal to 100% of the aggregate net proceeds (whether or not in cash) received by us or any Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary from capital contributions from Parent (other than the net cash proceeds received by EchoStar Corporation or any of its subsidiaries that are used to consummate the Transactions) or from the issue and sale (including a sale to Parent) of Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of us (other than Equity Interests issued or sold to a Subsidiary of Parent), on or after the Escrow Release Date; plus, to the extent not included in Consolidated Cash Flow, an amount equal to the net reduction in such Investments resulting from payments in cash of interest on Indebtedness, dividends, or repayment of loans or advances, or other transfers of property, in each case, to us or to a Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary or from the net cash proceeds from the sale, conveyance, or other disposition of any such Investment; provided, however, that the foregoing amount shall not exceed, with respect to any Person in whom such Investment was made, the amount of Investments previously made by us or any Restricted Subsidiary in such Person pursuant to this clause (6) in each case; provided that such Investments are in businesses of the type described under “— Limitations on Activities of the Issuer”;

 

(7)           Investments in businesses strategically related to businesses described in “— Limitations on Activities of the Issuer” in an aggregate amount not to exceed $250.0 million outstanding at any time;

 

(8)           Investments made as a result of the receipt of non-cash proceeds from Asset Sales made in compliance with the covenants described under “— Asset Sales” or any disposition not constituting an Asset Sale and Investments entered into in connection with an acquisition of assets used in or constituting a business permitted under the covenant described under “— Limitations on Activities of the Issuer,” as a result of “earn-outs” or other deferred payments or similar obligations;

 

(9)           any Investment existing on the Issue Date or, in the case of Hughes Communications, Inc. or any of its subsidiaries, the Escrow Release Date (including, for the avoidance of doubt, any such Investments by Hughes Communications, Inc. or any of its subsidiaries existing on the Escrow Release Date) and any Investments made pursuant to binding commitments in effect on the Issue Date or, in the case of Hughes Communications, Inc. or any of its subsidiaries, the Escrow Release Date (including, for the avoidance of doubt, any such binding commitments of Hughes Communications, Inc. or any of its subsidiaries in effect on the Escrow Release Date);

 

(10)         any Investment acquired by us or any Restricted Subsidiary (a) in exchange for any other Investment or accounts receivable held by us or any Restricted Subsidiary in connection with or as a result of a bankruptcy, workout, reorganization or recapitalization of the issuer of such other Investment or accounts receivable or (b) as a result of a foreclosure by us or any Restricted Subsidiary with respect to any secured Investment or other transfer of title with respect to any secured Investment in default;

 

(11)         Hedging Obligations permitted under “— Limitation on Incurrence of Indebtedness”;

 

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(12)         Investments consisting of the licensing or contribution of intellectual property pursuant to joint marketing arrangements with other Persons;

 

(13)         Investments consisting of purchases and acquisitions of inventory, supplies, materials and equipment or purchases of contract rights or licenses or leases of intellectual property in each case in the ordinary course of business;

 

(14)         additional Investments in joint ventures of us or any of our Restricted Subsidiaries existing on the Issue Date or, in the case of Hughes Communications, Inc. or any of its subsidiaries, the Escrow Release Date (including, for the avoidance of doubt, any such Investment by Hughes Communications, Inc. or any of its subsidiaries existing on the Escrow Release Date) in an aggregate amount not to exceed $50.0 million outstanding at any one time;

 

(15)         Investments of a Restricted Subsidiary acquired after the Escrow Release Date (including, for the avoidance of doubt, any such Investment by Hughes Communications, Inc. or any of its subsidiaries) or of an entity merged into, amalgamated with, or consolidated with a Restricted Subsidiary in a transaction that is not prohibited by the covenant described under “—Merger, Consolidation, or Sale of Assets” after the Escrow Release Date to the extent such Investments were not made in contemplation of such acquisition, merger, amalgamation or consolidation and were in existence on the date of such acquisitions, merger, amalgamation or consolidation;

 

(16)         any Investment in the Old Secured Notes or the Secured Notes, or Old Unsecured Notes or the Unsecured Notes;

 

(17)         the redemption, repurchase, defeasance or other acquisition or retirement for value of subordinated Indebtedness, including premium, if any, and accrued and unpaid interest, with the proceeds of, or in exchange for: (a) the proceeds of a capital contribution or a substantially concurrent offering of, shares of Capital Stock of the Issuer (or options, warrants or other rights to acquire such Capital Stock), or (b) Indebtedness that is at least as subordinated in right of payment to the Secured Notes, including premium, if any, and accrued and unpaid interest, as the Indebtedness being redeemed, repurchased, defeased, acquired or retired and with a final maturity equal to or greater than, and a Weighted Average Life to Maturity equal to or greater than, the final maturity and Weighted Average Life to Maturity, respectively of the Indebtedness being redeemed, repurchased, defeased, acquired or retired;

 

(18)         repurchases of Equity Interests deemed to occur upon (a) the exercise of stock options, warrants or convertible securities issued as compensation if such Equity Interests represent a portion of the exercise price thereof and (b) the withholding of a portion of the Equity Interests granted or awarded to an employee to pay taxes associated therewith (or a dividend or distribution to finance such a deemed repurchase by Parent);

 

(19)         amounts paid by us to Parent or any other Person with which we are included in a consolidated tax return equal to the amount of federal, state and local income taxes payable in respect of the income of the Issuer and its Subsidiaries, including without limitation, any payments made in accordance with tax allocation agreements between the Issuer and its Affiliates in effect from time to time;

 

(20)         the making of a Restricted Payment so long as after giving effect to any such Restricted Payment the aggregate amount of such Restricted Payments made pursuant to this clause (20) shall not exceed $75.0 million;

 

(21)         amounts paid to any direct or indirect parent company in amounts required for any direct or indirect parent company to pay customary salaries, bonuses and other benefits of any direct or indirect parent company, to the extent such salaries, bonuses and other benefits are attributable to the ownership or operation of the Issuer and the Restricted Subsidiaries; and

 

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(22)         the making of any payments to fund the Transactions and the fees and expenses related thereto.

 

Restricted Payments made pursuant to clauses (1), (2), (6) or (17) (but only to the extent that net proceeds received by us as set forth in such clause (2), (6) or (17) were included in the computations made in clause (iii)(B) of the first paragraph of this covenant), shall be included as Restricted Payments in any computation made pursuant to clause (iii) of the first paragraph of this covenant.

 

Restricted Payments made pursuant to clauses (3), (4), (5), (6), (17) (but only to the extent that net proceeds received by us as set forth in such clause (6) or (17) were not included in the computations made in clause (iii)(B) of the first paragraph of this covenant), (7), (8), (9), (10), (11), (12), (13), (14), (15), (16), (18), (19), (20), (21) and (22) shall not be included as Restricted Payments in any computation made pursuant to clause (iii) of the first paragraph of this covenant.

 

If we or any Restricted Subsidiary makes an Investment that was included in computations made pursuant to this covenant and the Person in which such Investment was made subsequently becomes a Restricted Subsidiary that is a Guarantor, to the extent such Investment resulted in a reduction in the amounts calculated under clause (iii) of the first paragraph of or under any other provision of this covenant, then such amount shall be increased by the amount of such reduction.

 

Limitation on Incurrence of Indebtedness.  The Secured Indenture provides that we shall not, and shall not permit any of our Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, create, incur, issue, assume, guarantee or otherwise become directly or indirectly liable with respect to (collectively, “incur”) any Indebtedness (including Acquired Debt); provided, however, that, notwithstanding the foregoing, the Issuer and any Guarantor may incur Indebtedness (including Acquired Debt), if, after giving effect to the incurrence of such Indebtedness and the application of the net proceeds thereof on a pro forma basis (including in the case of an acquisition, merger or other business combination giving pro forma effect to such transaction), our Indebtedness to Cash Flow Ratio would not have exceeded 5.5 to 1.0.

 

The foregoing limitation does not apply to any of the following incurrences of Indebtedness:

 

(1)           Indebtedness represented by the Old Secured Notes issued on the Issue Date or, in the case of Hughes Communications, Inc. or any of its subsidiaries, the Escrow Release Date (including, for the avoidance of doubt, any such Indebtedness of Hughes Communications, Inc. or any of its subsidiaries on the Escrow Release Date) and the Guarantees thereof;

 

(2)           the incurrence by us or any Restricted Subsidiary of Deferred Payments and letters of credit with respect thereto;

 

(3)           Indebtedness of us or any Restricted Subsidiary in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed the greater of $75.0 million and 3.75% of Consolidated Net Tangible Assets at any one time outstanding;

 

(4)           Indebtedness between and among us and any Restricted Subsidiary;

 

(5)           Acquired Debt of a Person, incurred prior to the date upon which such Person was acquired by us or any Restricted Subsidiary (excluding Indebtedness incurred by such entity other than in the ordinary course of its business in connection with, or in contemplation of, such entity being so acquired) provided that at the time of such transaction after giving pro forma effect thereto as if such transaction had occurred at the beginning of the applicable four-quarter period, either

 

(a)           we would be permitted to incur at least $1.00 of additional Indebtedness pursuant to the Indebtedness to Cash Flow Ratio test set forth in the covenant described under “— Limitation on Incurrence of Indebtedness,” above, or

 

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(b)           our Indebtedness to Cash Flow Ratio is equal to or less than immediately prior to such transaction;

 

(6)           Existing Indebtedness;

 

(7)           (a) In an aggregate principal amount not to exceed the greater of $75.0 million and 3.75% of Consolidated Net Tangible Assets at any one time outstanding the incurrence of Purchase Money Indebtedness and Capital Lease Obligations by us or any Restricted Subsidiary in an amount not to exceed the cost of construction, lease, acquisition or improvement of assets used in any business permitted under the covenant described under “— Limitations on Activities of the Issuer,” as well as any launch costs and insurance premiums related to such assets and (b) Indebtedness of us or any Restricted Subsidiary under Capital Lease Obligations with respect to AMC-15, AMC-16, Nimiq 5 and QuetzSat-1 and no more than one additional satellite and any replacement satellite for any of the foregoing satellites at any time, as well as any launch costs and insurance premiums related to such assets;

 

(8)           The incurrence by us or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries of Hedging Obligations that are incurred in the ordinary course of business and not for speculative purposes, including without limitation Hedging Obligations covering the principal amount of Indebtedness entered into in order to protect us or any of our Restricted Subsidiaries from fluctuation in interest rates on Indebtedness;

 

(9)           Indebtedness of us or any of our Restricted Subsidiaries in respect of performance bid and appeal bonds or completion guarantees or letters of credit of us or any Restricted Subsidiary or surety bonds provided by us or any Restricted Subsidiary incurred in the ordinary course of business and on ordinary business terms in connection with the businesses permitted under the covenant described under “— Limitations on Activities of the Issuer”;

 

(10)         the incurrence by us or any Restricted Subsidiary of Indebtedness issued in exchange for, or the proceeds of which are used to extend, refinance, renew, replace, substitute or refund in whole or in part Indebtedness referred to in the first paragraph of this covenant or in clauses (1), (2), (5), (6) or (7) above, this clause (10) or clause (18) (“Refinancing Indebtedness”); provided, however, that:

 

(A)          the principal amount of such Refinancing Indebtedness shall not exceed the principal amount and accrued interest of the Indebtedness so exchanged, extended, refinanced, renewed, replaced, substituted or refunded and any premiums payable and reasonable fees, expenses, commissions and costs in connection therewith;

 

(B)           the Refinancing Indebtedness shall have a final maturity equal to or later than, and a Weighted Average Life to Maturity equal to or greater than, the final maturity and Weighted Average Life to Maturity, respectively, of the Indebtedness being exchanged, extended, refinanced, renewed, replaced, substituted or refunded; and

 

(C)           the Refinancing Indebtedness shall be subordinated in right of payment to the Old Secured Notes and the Secured Notes issued under the Secured Indenture and the Guarantees thereof, if at all, on terms at least as favorable to the holders of the Old Secured Notes and the Secured Notes issued under the Secured Indenture as those contained in the documentation governing the Indebtedness being extended, refinanced, renewed, replaced, substituted or refunded (a “Permitted Refinancing”);

 

(11)         the guarantee by us or any Restricted Subsidiary of Indebtedness of us or a Restricted Subsidiary that was permitted to be incurred by another provision of this covenant;

 

(12)         Indebtedness incurred by us or any Restricted Subsidiary under a revolving credit facility, and any extension, amendment or amendment and restatement thereof, not to exceed $100.0 million;

 

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(13)         Indebtedness incurred by us or any Restricted Subsidiary under the Coface Facility, and any extension, amendment or amendment and restatement thereof (including any reinstatement of the Coface Facility that occurs after the Escrow Release Date notwithstanding that the Coface Facility was repaid on the Escrow Release Date), not to exceed $115.0 million;

 

(14)         Indebtedness of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary owed to (including obligations in respect of letters of credit for the benefit of) any Person in connection with workers’ compensation, health, disability or other employee benefits or property, casualty or liability insurance provided by such Person to us or such Restricted Subsidiary pursuant to reimbursement or indemnification obligations to such Person, in each case incurred in the ordinary course of business and consistent with industry practices;

 

(15)         Indebtedness arising from agreements of us or a Restricted Subsidiary providing for indemnification, adjustment of purchase price or similar obligations, in each case incurred in connection with the disposition of any business, assets or a Subsidiary of us in accordance with the terms of the Secured Indenture, other than guarantees of Indebtedness incurred by any Person acquiring all or any portion of such business, assets or Subsidiary for the purpose of financing such acquisition;

 

(16)         Indebtedness of us or any Restricted Subsidiary pursuant to the Equipment Financing Agreements;

 

(17)         Replacement Satellite Vendor Indebtedness in an aggregate principal amount outstanding at any one time not to exceed the greater of $75.0 million and 3.75% of Consolidated Net Tangible Assets; and

 

(18)         Indebtedness represented by the $900,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 75/8% Senior Notes due 2021 issued on the Issue Date (the “Unsecured Notes”).

 

For purposes of determining compliance with this covenant, if an item of Indebtedness meets the criteria of more than one of the categories described in clauses (1) through (18) above or is permitted to be incurred pursuant to the first paragraph of this covenant and also meets the criteria of one or more of the categories described in clauses (1) through (18) above, we shall, in our sole discretion, classify such item of Indebtedness in any manner that complies with this covenant and may from time to time reclassify such item of Indebtedness in any manner in which such item could be incurred at the time of such reclassification. Accrual of interest and the accretion of accreted value will not be deemed to be an incurrence of Indebtedness for purposes of this covenant.

 

Asset Sales.  The Secured Indenture provides that the Issuer will not, and will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, cause or make an Asset Sale, unless:

 

(1)           the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, receives consideration at the time of such Asset Sale at least equal to the fair market value (as determined in good faith by the Issuer) of the assets sold or otherwise disposed of;

 

(2)           at least 75% of the consideration therefor received by us or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, is in the form of cash, Cash Equivalents, Marketable Securities or Replacement Assets and/or any asset which is promptly (and in no event later than 180 days after the date of transfer to the Issuer or Restricted Subsidiary) converted into cash, provided that to the extent that such conversion is at a price that is less than the fair market value (as determined in good faith by the Issuer) of such asset at the time of the Asset Sale in which such asset was acquired, the Issuer or Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, shall be deemed to have made a Restricted Payment in the amount by which such fair market value exceeds the cash received upon conversion or a combination of the foregoing; provided that the following shall be deemed to be cash for the purposes of this clause (2): (x) Designated Non-Cash Consideration received by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary in such Asset Sale, if such Designated Non-Cash Consideration, taken together with all other Designated Non-Cash Consideration received pursuant to this clause (x), does not exceed the greater of $50.0 million or 2.5% of Consolidated Net Tangible Assets at the time of the receipt of such Designated Non-Cash Consideration (with the fair market value of each item of

 

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Designated Non-Cash Consideration being measured at the time received and without giving effect to subsequent changes in value) and (y) the amount of any liabilities of us or any Restricted Subsidiary that are assumed by or on behalf of the transferee in connection with an Asset Sale (and from which we or such Restricted Subsidiary are unconditionally released);

 

(3)           to the extent that any consideration received by the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary in such Asset Sale constitutes securities or other assets that are of a type or class that constitute Collateral, such securities or other assets, including the assets of any Person that becomes a Guarantor as a result of such transaction, are concurrently with their acquisition added to the Collateral securing the Secured Notes in the manner and to the extent required in the Secured Indenture or any of the Security Documents; and

 

(4)           the Net Proceeds from any such Asset Sale of Collateral are paid directly by the purchaser thereof to the Collateral Agent to be held in trust in an Asset Sale Proceeds Account for application in accordance with this covenant.

 

Clause (2) above shall not apply to any Asset Sale:

 

(x)            where assets not essential to our and our Restricted Subsidiaries’ business are contributed to a joint venture between us or one of our Restricted Subsidiaries and a third party that is not an Affiliate of Parent or any of its Subsidiaries, provided that following the sale, lease, conveyance or other disposition we or one of our Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiaries owns at least 50% of the voting and equity interest in such joint venture; or

 

(y)           to the extent the consideration therefor received by us or any of our Restricted Subsidiaries would constitute Indebtedness or Equity Interests of a Person that is not an Affiliate of Parent, us or one of their respective Subsidiaries, provided that the acquisition of such Indebtedness or Equity Interests is permitted under the provisions of the covenant described under “—Limitation on Restricted Payments”.

 

Within 365 days after the Issuer’s or a Restricted Subsidiary’s receipt of the Net Proceeds of any Asset Sale covered by this clause (a), the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary, at its option, may apply the Net Proceeds from such Asset Sale:

 

(1)           to make one or more offers to the holders of the Old Secured Notes and the Secured Notes (and, at the option of the Issuer, the holders of Additional Secured Obligations) to purchase Secured Notes (and such Additional Secured Obligations) pursuant to and subject to the conditions contained in the Secured Indenture (each, an “Asset Sale Offer”); provided, however, that if the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary shall so reduce any Additional Secured Obligations, the Issuer will make an offer to all holders of Old Secured Notes and the Secured Notes to purchase at a purchase price equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest and additional interest, if any, the pro rata principal amount of the Old Secured Notes and the Secured Notes, such offer to be conducted in accordance with the procedures set forth below for an Asset Sale Offer but without any further limitation in amount;

 

(2)           to an investment in (a) any one or more businesses; provided that such investment in any business is in the form of the acquisition of Capital Stock such that it constitutes a Restricted Subsidiary, (b) capital expenditures or (c) acquisitions of other assets, in each of (a), (b) and (c), used or useful in a Permitted Business;

 

(3)           to an investment in (a) any one or more businesses; provided that such investment in any business is in the form of the acquisition of Capital Stock such that it constitutes a Restricted Subsidiary, (b) properties or (c) other assets that, in each of (a), (b) and (c), replace the businesses, properties and assets that are the subject of such Asset Sale; or

 

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(4)           to the extent such Net Proceeds are not from Asset Sales of Collateral, to permanently reduce Indebtedness of a Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Guarantor, other than Indebtedness owed to the Issuer, a Guarantor or another Restricted Subsidiary.

 

Pending the final application of any Net Proceeds from Asset Sales in accordance with clauses (1) through (4) above that are not required to be held in an Asset Sale Proceeds Account, the Issuer and their Restricted Subsidiaries may temporarily reduce Indebtedness or otherwise apply such Net Proceeds in any manner not prohibited by the Secured Indenture. Any binding commitment to apply Net Proceeds to invest in accordance with clauses (2) or (3) above shall be treated as a permitted application of Net Proceeds so long as the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary enters into such commitment with the good faith expectation that such Net Proceeds will be applied to satisfy such commitment within 365 days of such commitment; provided that if such commitment is later canceled or terminated for any reason such Net Proceeds shall constitute “Excess Proceeds” (as defined below). Any Net Proceeds from the Asset Sales covered by this clause (a) that are not invested or applied as provided and within the time period set forth in the first sentence of the immediately preceding paragraph will be deemed to constitute “Excess Proceeds.” When the aggregate amount of Excess Proceeds exceeds $50.0 million, the Issuer shall make an Asset Sale Offer to all holders of the Old Secured Notes and the Secured Notes, and, at the Issuer’s option to the holders of any Additional Secured Obligations, to purchase the maximum principal amount of Old Secured Notes, Secured Notes and such Additional Secured Obligations, that are $2,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof that may be purchased out of the Excess Proceeds at an offer price in cash in an amount equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date fixed for the closing of such offer, in accordance with the procedures set forth in the Secured Indenture. The Issuer will commence an Asset Sale Offer with respect to Excess Proceeds within ten business days after the date that Excess Proceeds exceeds $50.0 million by mailing the notice required pursuant to the terms of the Secured Indenture, with a copy to the Trustee. To the extent that the aggregate amount of Old Secured Notes, Secured Notes and such Additional Secured Obligations tendered pursuant to an Asset Sale Offer is less than the Excess Proceeds, the Issuer may use any remaining Excess Proceeds (“Unutilized Excess Proceeds”) for any purpose not prohibited by the terms of the Secured Indenture. If the aggregate principal amount of Old Secured Notes, Secured Notes or the Additional Secured Obligations surrendered by such holders thereof exceeds the amount of Excess Proceeds, the Trustee shall select the Old Secured Notes and the Secured Notes and the applicable agent or the Issuer shall select such Additional Secured Obligations to be purchased on a pro rata basis based on the accreted value or principal amount of the Old Secured Notes and the Secured Notes or such Additional Secured Obligations tendered. Upon completion of any such Asset Sale Offer, the amount of Excess Proceeds shall be reset at zero. After the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary has applied the Net Proceeds from any Asset Sale of any Collateral as provided in, and within the time periods required by, this paragraph (a), any Unutilized Excess Proceeds shall be released by the Collateral Agent to the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary for use by the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary for any purpose not prohibited by the terms of the Secured Indenture.

 

Taking and Destruction.  Upon any Taking or Destruction, all Net Insurance Proceeds received by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary shall be deemed Net Proceeds derived from Collateral and shall be applied in accordance with and, in the time periods required by the second paragraph of “—Asset Sales”; provided that Net Insurance Proceeds received in respect of a satellite and related assets need not be used in such 365 day time period set forth in the second and third paragraphs of “—Asset Sales” provided that the Issuer has entered into a binding agreement within such time period to acquire another satellite and related assets consideration equal to or greater than the Net Insurance Proceeds.

 

Limitations on Liens.  The Secured Indenture provides that we shall not, and shall not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly, create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Lien on any asset now owned or hereafter acquired, or on any income or profits therefrom or assign or convey any right to receive income therefrom, except Permitted Liens.

 

Limitations on Activities of the Issuer.  The Issuer will not, and will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, engage in any business other than Permitted Businesses and other activities that, taken as a whole, are immaterial to the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries.

 

Additional Guarantors.  If after the Issue Date the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Issuer acquires or creates another Restricted Subsidiary and such Restricted Subsidiary is a Domestic Subsidiary (other than an

 

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Immaterial Subsidiary), that newly acquired or created Restricted Subsidiary must, unless prohibited by law from guaranteeing the Secured Notes, become a Guarantor and execute a supplemental indenture satisfactory to the Trustee and deliver an opinion of counsel to the Trustee within 30 days of the date on which it was acquired or created.

 

The obligations under the Old Secured Notes, the Secured Notes, the Guarantees and the Secured Indenture and any Additional Secured Obligations of any Person that is or becomes a Guarantor after the Issue Date will be secured equally and ratably by a Lien on the Collateral granted to the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the holders of the Old Secured Notes and the Secured Notes and the holders of Additional Secured Obligations.  Such Guarantor will enter into a joinder agreement to the applicable Security Documents defining the terms of the security interests that secure payment and performance when due of the Secured Notes and take all actions advisable in the opinion of the Issuer, as set forth in an officers’ certificate accompanied by an opinion of counsel to the Issuer and the Collateral Agent, to cause the Liens created by the Security Documents to be duly perfected to the extent required by such agreement in accordance with all applicable laws, including the filing of financing statements in the jurisdictions of incorporation or formation of the Issuer and the Guarantors.

 

Limitation on Dividend and Other Payment Restrictions Affecting Subsidiaries. The Secured Indenture provides that we shall not, and shall not permit any Restricted Subsidiary of us to, directly or indirectly, create or otherwise cause or suffer to exist or become effective any encumbrance or restriction on the ability of any Restricted Subsidiary to:

 

(a)           pay dividends or make any other distribution to us or any of our Restricted Subsidiaries on its Capital Stock or with respect to any other interest or participation in, or measured by, its profits, or pay any Indebtedness owed to us or any of our Subsidiaries;

 

(b)           make loans or advances to us or any of our Subsidiaries; or

 

(c)           transfer any of its properties or assets to us or any of our Subsidiaries;

 

except for such encumbrances or restrictions existing under or by reasons of:

 

(i)            Existing Indebtedness and existing agreements as in effect on the Issue Date or, in the case of Hughes Communications, Inc. or any of its subsidiaries, the Escrow Release Date (including, for the avoidance of doubt, any such Indebtedness and agreements of Hughes Communications, Inc. or any of its subsidiaries existing on the Escrow Release Date);

 

(ii)           applicable law or regulation;

 

(iii)          any instrument governing Acquired Debt as in effect at the time of acquisition (except to the extent such Indebtedness was incurred in connection with, or in contemplation of, such acquisition), which encumbrance or restriction is not applicable to any Person, or the properties or assets of any Person, other than the Person, or the property or assets of the Person, so acquired; provided that the Consolidated Cash Flow of such Person shall not be taken into account in determining whether such acquisition was permitted by the terms of the Secured Indenture; except to the extent that dividends or other distributions are permitted notwithstanding such encumbrance or restriction and could have been distributed;

 

(iv)          by reason of customary non-assignment provisions in leases entered into in the ordinary course of business and consistent with past practices;

 

(v)           Refinancing Indebtedness (as defined in “— Limitation on Incurrence of Indebtedness”); provided that the restrictions contained in the agreements governing such Refinancing Indebtedness are no more restrictive than those contained in the agreements governing the Indebtedness being refinanced;

 

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(vi)          the Secured Indenture or any of the Old Secured Notes or the Secured Notes or the Unsecured Indenture or any of the Old Unsecured Notes or the Unsecured Notes;

 

(vii)         Permitted Liens; or

 

(viii)        any agreement for the sale of any Subsidiary or its assets that restricts distributions by that Subsidiary pending its sale; provided that during the entire period in which such encumbrance or restriction is effective, such sale (together with any other sales pending) would be permitted under the terms of the Secured Indenture.

 

Accounts Receivable Subsidiary.  The Secured Indenture provides that we:

 

(a)           may, and may permit any of our Subsidiaries to, notwithstanding the provisions of the covenant entitled “— Limitation on Restricted Payments,” make Investments in an Accounts Receivable Subsidiary:

 

(i)            the proceeds of which are applied within five business days of the making thereof solely to finance:

 

(A)          the purchase of accounts receivable of us and our Subsidiaries; or

 

(B)           payments required in connection with the termination of all then existing arrangements relating to the sale of accounts receivable or participation interests therein by an Accounts Receivable Subsidiary (provided that the Accounts Receivable Subsidiary shall receive cash, Cash Equivalents and accounts receivable having an aggregate fair market value not less than the amount of such payments in exchange therefor); and

 

(ii)           in the form of Accounts Receivable Subsidiary Notes to the extent permitted by clause (b) below;

 

(b)           shall not, and shall not permit any of our Subsidiaries to sell accounts receivable to an Accounts Receivable Subsidiary except for consideration in an amount not less than that which would be obtained in an arm’s length transaction and solely in the form of cash or Cash Equivalents; provided that an Accounts Receivable Subsidiary may pay the purchase price for any such accounts receivable in the form of Accounts Receivable Subsidiary Notes so long as, after giving effect to the issuance of any such Accounts Receivable Subsidiary Notes, the aggregate principal amount of all Accounts Receivable Subsidiary Notes outstanding shall not exceed 20% of the aggregate purchase price paid for all outstanding accounts receivable purchased by an Accounts Receivable Subsidiary since the Issue Date (and not written off or required to be written off in accordance with the normal business practice of an Accounts Receivable Subsidiary);

 

(c)           shall not permit an Accounts Receivable Subsidiary to sell any accounts receivable purchased from us or our Subsidiaries or participation interests therein to any other Person except on an arm’s length basis and solely for consideration in the form of cash or Cash Equivalents or certificates representing undivided interests of a Receivables Trust; provided an Accounts Receivable Subsidiary may not sell such certificates to any other Person except on an arm’s length basis and solely for consideration in the form of cash or Cash Equivalents;

 

(d)           shall not, and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, enter into any guarantee, subject any of our or their respective properties or assets (other than the accounts receivable sold by them to an Accounts Receivable Subsidiary) to the satisfaction of any liability or obligation or otherwise incur any liability or obligation (contingent or otherwise), in each case, on behalf of an Accounts Receivable Subsidiary or in connection with any sale of accounts receivable or participation interests therein by or to an Accounts Receivable Subsidiary, other than obligations relating to breaches of representations,

 

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warranties, covenants and other agreements of us or any of our Subsidiaries with respect to the accounts receivable sold by us or any of our Subsidiaries to an Accounts Receivable Subsidiary or with respect to the servicing thereof; provided that neither we nor any of our Subsidiaries shall at any time guarantee or be otherwise liable for the collectibility of accounts receivable sold by them;

 

(e)           shall not permit an Accounts Receivable Subsidiary to engage in any business or transaction other than the purchase and sale of accounts receivable or participation interests therein of us and our Subsidiaries and activities incidental thereto;

 

(f)            shall not permit an Accounts Receivable Subsidiary to incur any Indebtedness other than the Accounts Receivable Subsidiary Notes, Indebtedness owed to us and Non-Recourse Indebtedness; provided that the aggregate principal amount of all such Indebtedness of an Accounts Receivable Subsidiary shall not exceed the book value of its total assets as determined in accordance with GAAP;

 

(g)           shall cause any Accounts Receivable Subsidiary to remit to us or a Restricted Subsidiary of us on a monthly basis as a distribution all available cash and Cash Equivalents not held in a collection account pledged to acquirors of accounts receivable or participation interests therein, to the extent not applied to:

 

(i)            pay interest or principal on the Accounts Receivable Subsidiary Notes or any Indebtedness of such Accounts Receivable Subsidiary owed to us;

 

(ii)           pay or maintain reserves for reasonable operating expenses of such Accounts Receivable Subsidiary or to satisfy reasonable minimum operating capital requirements or;

 

(iii)          to finance the purchase of additional accounts receivable of us and our Subsidiaries; and

 

(h)           shall not, and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, sell accounts receivable to, or enter into any other transaction with or for the benefit of, an Accounts Receivable Subsidiary:

 

(i)            if such Accounts Receivable Subsidiary pursuant to or within the meaning of any bankruptcy law:

 

(A)          commences a voluntary case;

 

(B)           consents to the entry of an order for relief against it in an involuntary case;

 

(C)           consents to the appointment of a custodian of it or for all or substantially all of its property;

 

(D)          makes a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors; or

 

(E)           generally is not paying its debts as they become due; or

 

(ii)           if a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order or decree under any bankruptcy law that:

 

(A)          is for relief against such Accounts Receivable Subsidiary in an involuntary case;

 

(B)           appoints a custodian of such Accounts Receivable Subsidiary or for all or substantially all of the property of such Accounts Receivable Subsidiary; or

 

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(C)           orders the liquidation of such Accounts Receivable Subsidiary, and, with respect to this clause (ii), the order or decree remains unstayed and in effect for 60 consecutive days.

 

Merger, Consolidation, or Sale of Assets.  The Secured Indenture provides that we shall not consolidate or merge with or into (whether or not we are the surviving entity), or sell, assign, transfer, lease, convey or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of our properties or assets in one or more related transactions to, another Person unless:

 

(a)           we are the surviving Person or the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger (if other than us) or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition shall have been made is a corporation organized or existing under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia;

 

(b)           the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger (if other than us) or the Person to which such sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition will have been made assumes all the obligations of us under the Secured Indenture and the Old Secured Notes and the Secured Notes issued under the Secured Indenture pursuant to a supplemental indenture to the Secured Indenture in form reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee;

 

(c)           immediately after such transaction, no Default or Event of Default exists; and

 

(d)           we or the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger (if other than us) or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition will have been made would, at the time of such transaction after giving pro forma effect thereto as if such transaction had occurred at the beginning of the applicable four-quarter period, be permitted to incur at least $1.00 of additional Indebtedness pursuant to the Indebtedness to Cash Flow Ratio test set forth in the covenant described under “— Limitation on Incurrence of Indebtedness,” above.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, we may merge with another Person if:

 

(a)           we are the surviving Person;

 

(b)           the consideration issued or paid by us in such merger consists solely of our Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) or Equity Interests of Parent; and

 

(c)           immediately after giving effect to such merger (determined on a pro forma basis), our Indebtedness to Cash Flow Ratio either (i) does not exceed 5.5 to 1.0 or (ii) does not exceed our Indebtedness to Cash Flow Ratio immediately prior to such merger.

 

The Secured Indenture provides that each Guarantor of the Old Secured Notes and the Secured Notes issued thereunder (other than any Guarantor whose Guarantee is to be released in accordance with the terms of such Guarantee and the Secured Indenture) will not, and we will not cause or permit any Guarantor to, consolidate or merge with or into (whether or not such Guarantor is the surviving entity), or sell, assign, transfer, lease, convey, or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its properties or assets in one or more related transactions to, any Person other than to us or a Guarantor unless:

 

(a)           the Guarantor is the surviving Person or the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger (if other than the Guarantor) or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition shall have been made is a corporation organized or existing under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia;

 

(b)           the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger (if other than the Guarantor) or the Person to which such sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition shall have been made assumes all the obligations of the Guarantor under the Secured Indenture and the Old

 

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Secured Notes and the Secured Notes issued under the Secured Indenture, pursuant to a supplemental indenture to the Secured Indenture in form reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee; and

 

(c)           immediately after such transaction, no Default or Event of Default exists.

 

Transactions with Affiliates.  The Secured Indenture provides that we shall not and shall not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, sell, lease, transfer or otherwise dispose of any of our or their properties or assets to, or purchase any property or assets from, or enter into any contract, agreement, understanding, loan, advance or Guarantee with, or for the benefit of, any Affiliate (including any Unrestricted Subsidiary) (each of the foregoing, an “Affiliate Transaction”), unless:

 

(a)           such Affiliate Transaction is on terms that are no less favorable to us or our Restricted Subsidiaries than those that would have been obtained in a comparable transaction by us or such Subsidiaries with an unrelated Person; and

 

(b)           if such Affiliate Transaction involves aggregate payments in excess of $75.0 million, such Affiliate Transaction has either (i) been approved by a majority of the disinterested members of the Issuer’s Board of Directors or EchoStar Corporation’s board of directors and by the Issuer’s Board of Directors or a committee thereof or (ii) if there are no disinterested members of the Issuer’s Board of Directors or EchoStar Corporation’s board of directors, the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary has obtained the favorable opinion of an independent expert as to the fairness of such Affiliate Transaction to the Issuer or the relevant Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, from a financial point of view, and we deliver to the Trustee no later than ten business days following a request from the Trustee a resolution of the Issuer’s Board of Directors set forth in an officers’ certificate certifying that such Affiliate Transaction has been so approved and complies with clause (a) above;

 

provided, however, that

 

(i)            the payment of reasonable fees, compensation or employee benefit arrangements to, and any indemnity provided for the benefit of, directors, officers, consultants or employees of Parent and its Subsidiaries;

 

(ii)           transactions between or among us and our Wholly Owned Subsidiaries (other than Unrestricted Subsidiaries);

 

(iii)          any issuance of securities, or other payments, awards or grants in cash, securities or otherwise pursuant to, or the funding of employment arrangements, stock options and stock ownership plans approved by our Board of Directors;

 

(iv)          transactions in the ordinary course of business, including loans, expense allowances, reimbursements or extensions of credit (including indemnity arrangements) between the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries on the one hand, and any employee of the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, on the other hand;

 

(v)           the granting and performance of registration rights for shares of Capital Stock of the Issuer under a written registration rights agreement approved by a majority of the members of our Board of Directors that are disinterested with respect to these transactions;

 

(vi)          transactions with Affiliates solely in their capacity as holders of Indebtedness or Capital Stock of the Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries, so long as a significant amount of Indebtedness or Capital Stock of the same class is also held by Persons that are not Affiliates of the Issuer and these Affiliates are treated no more favorably than holders of the Indebtedness or the Capital Stock generally;

 

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(vii)         (x) Restricted Payments that are permitted by the provisions of the covenant described under the caption “— Limitation on Restricted Payments” and (y) Permitted Investments;

 

(viii)        any transactions pursuant to agreements in effect on the Issue Date or, in the case of Hughes Communications, Inc. or any of its subsidiaries, the Escrow Release Date (including, for the avoidance of doubt, any such agreements of Hughes Communications, Inc. or any of its subsidiaries in effect on the Escrow Release Date) and any modifications, extensions or renewals thereof that are no less favorable to the Issuer or the applicable Restricted Subsidiary than such agreement as in effect on the Issue Date or, in the case of Hughes Communications, Inc. or any of its subsidiaries, the Escrow Release Date (including, for the avoidance of doubt, any such agreements of Hughes Communications, Inc. or any of its subsidiaries in effect on the Escrow Release Date);

 

(ix)           any transactions under which EchoStar Corporation or any of its controlled Affiliates (other than the Issuer and its controlled Affiliates) leases to or from the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries any satellite or any satellite capacity;

 

(x)            the provision of services to Parent and its Affiliates by the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, or the receipt of services from Parent and its Affiliates by the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, so long as no cash or other assets are transferred by the Issuer or its Restricted Subsidiaries, or by Parent and its Affiliates, in connection with such transactions (other than up to $50.0 million in cash in any fiscal year and other than nonmaterial assets used in the operations of the business in the ordinary course pursuant to the agreement governing the provision of the services), and so long as such transaction or agreement is determined by a majority of the members of the Issuer’s Board of Directors to be fair to the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries when taken together with all other such transactions and agreements entered into with Parent and its Affiliates;

 

(xi)           the disposition of assets of the Issuer and the Restricted Subsidiaries in exchange for assets of Parent and its Affiliates so long as (i) the value to the Issuer in its business of the assets it receives is determined by a majority of the members of Issuer’s Board of Directors to be substantially equivalent or greater than the value to Issuer in its business of the assets disposed of and (ii) the assets acquired by the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries constitute properties and capital assets (including Capital Stock of an entity owning such property or assets) to be used by the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in a business permitted as described under “—Limitations on Activities of the Issuer”;

 

(xii)          sales of Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) to Affiliates of the Issuer;

 

(xiii)         any transactions between us or any of our Restricted Subsidiaries and any Affiliate of us the Equity Interests of which Affiliate are owned solely by us or one of our Restricted Subsidiaries, on the one hand, and by Persons who are not Affiliates of us or Restricted Subsidiaries of us, on the other hand;

 

(xiv)        transactions with EchoStar Corporation, DISH Network Corporation or any of their respective controlled Affiliates that have been approved by (a) a majority of the members of the audit committee of the EchoStar Corporation board of directors or a special committee of the EchoStar Corporation board of directors consisting solely of members of the EchoStar Corporation board of directors who are not officers or employees of DISH Network Corporation or any of its controlled Affiliates (in the case of a transaction with DISH Network Corporation or any of its controlled Affiliates) or EchoStar Corporation or any of its controlled Affiliates (in the case of a transaction with EchoStar Corporation or any of its controlled Affiliates) and (b) the Issuer’s Board of Directors or a committee thereof as the Issuer deems appropriate;

 

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(xv)         the Transactions and the payment of fees and expenses related thereto;

 

(xvi)        overhead and other ordinary-course allocations of costs and services on a reasonable basis so long as such arrangements are comparable to arrangements made on an arm’s length basis;

 

(xvii)       allocations of tax liabilities and other tax-related items among the Issuer and its Affiliates based principally upon the financial income, taxable income, credits and other amounts directly related to the respective parties, to the extent that the share of such liabilities and other items allocable to the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries shall not exceed the amount that such Persons would have been responsible for as a direct taxpayer;

 

(xviii)      arrangements or agreements regarding the use of intellectual property between the Issuer and its Subsidiaries, on the one hand, and Parent and its Affiliates, on the other hand;

 

(xix)         arrangements or agreements entered into in the ordinary course of business providing for the acquisition or provision of goods and services; and

 

(xx)          amendments, modifications, renewals or replacements from time to time of any of the contracts, arrangements, services or other matters referred to or contemplated by any of the foregoing items; provided that any such amendments, modifications, renewals or replacements shall not be on terms materially less advantageous to the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries;

 

shall, in each case, not be deemed Affiliate Transactions.

 

Insurance.  The Issuer will obtain, and will cause the Restricted Subsidiaries to obtain, maintain and keep in full force and effect (i) with respect to the EchoStar XVI and Jupiter 1 satellites, launch insurance with respect to each such satellite covering the launch to one year following the launch (subject to clause (iii) below), (ii) with respect to the EchoStar XVI satellite, In-Orbit Insurance at all times subsequent to the one year anniversary of launch during the commercial in orbit service of such satellite, and (iii) with respect to the Jupiter 1 satellite and the SPACEWAY 3 satellite, In-Orbit Insurance at the earliest date such insurance is commercially available (during the commercial in orbit service of such satellite); provided that the insurance coverage specified in clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) above shall be commercially consistent with the objectives of a leading satellite operator seeking asset protection of up to full replacement value; provided further that the maximum cost of such insurance specified in clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) above will be limited to commercially reasonable pricing customarily incurred for such protection subject to the limitations of the commercial market for satellite insurance at the time of policy placement and the maximum cost of insurance premiums for such insurance specified in clause (i) above shall not exceed $30 million with respect to each of the EchoStar XVI and Jupiter 1 satellites, and the maximum cost of insurance premiums for such insurance specified in each of clauses (ii) and (iii) above shall not exceed $3.0 million annually with respect to each satellite.

 

Reports.  Whether or not required by the SEC, so long as any Secured Notes are outstanding, the Issuer will furnish to the holders of Secured Notes, or file electronically with the SEC through the SEC’s Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis and Retrieval System (or any successor system), within the time periods that would be applicable to the Issuer if it were subject to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act as a non-accelerated filer:

 

(1)           all quarterly and annual financial information that would be required to be contained in a filing with the SEC on Forms 10-Q and 10-K if the Issuer were required to file these Forms (taking into account, if applicable, the Issuer’s status as a subsidiary of an SEC-reporting company), including a “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and, with respect to the annual information only, a report on the annual financial statements by the Issuer’s certified independent accountants (it being understood that no report on the Issuer’s internal control over financial reporting will be required); and

 

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(2)           all current reports that would be required to be filed with the SEC on Form 8-K if the Issuer were required to file these reports (taking into account, if applicable, the Issuer’s status as a subsidiary of an SEC-reporting company).

 

In addition, whether or not required by the SEC, the Issuer will file a copy of all of the information and reports referred to in clauses (1) and (2) above with the SEC for public availability within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and regulations for a non-accelerated filer required to file reports under Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act (unless the SEC will not accept the filing) and make the information available to prospective investors upon request. The Issuer agrees that it will not take any action (including, following the consummation of the exchange offer contemplated by the Registration Rights Agreement, terminating its registration under Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act) for the purpose of causing the SEC not to accept such filings. The Issuer and the Guarantors have agreed that, for so long as any Secured Notes remain outstanding, the Issuer will furnish to the holders and to prospective investors, upon their request, the information required to be delivered pursuant to Rule 144A(d)(4) under the Securities Act.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, such requirements shall be deemed satisfied prior to the commencement of this exchange offer or the effectiveness of the shelf registration statement required by the Registration Rights Agreement by (1) the filing with the SEC of the exchange offer registration statement or shelf registration statement (or any other similar registration statement), and any amendments thereto, with such financial information that satisfies Regulation S-X under the Securities Act or (2) by posting publicly on its website, within the time periods after the Issuer would have been required to file annual and interim reports with the SEC as a non-accelerated filer, the financial information (including a “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” section) that would be required to be included in such reports, subject to exceptions consistent with the presentation of financial information in the Offering Memorandum; provided that the Issuer shall have (i) up to 75 days following the end of the first fiscal quarter after the Escrow Release Date to provide such information, which shall only include balance sheets, income statements and cash flow statements as required under the applicable rules of Regulation S-X (it being understood that no footnotes to such financial statements will be required) and (ii) up to 60 days following the end of the second fiscal quarter after the Escrow Release Date to provide such information; provided, further, that such information will not be required to contain the information contemplated by Rule 3-10 or Rule 3-16 of Regulation S-X of the Securities Act.

 

Payments for Consent.  The Secured Indenture provides that we shall not, and shall not permit any of our Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, pay or cause to be paid any consideration, whether by way of interest, fee or otherwise, to any holder of a Note for or as an inducement to any consent, waiver or amendment of any of the terms or provisions of the Secured Indenture or the Secured Notes unless such consideration is offered to be paid or agreed to be paid to all holders of the Old Secured Notes and the Secured Notes that consent, waive or agree to amend in the time frame set forth in the solicitation documents relating to such consent, waiver or agreement.

 

Investment Grade Rating.  The Secured Indenture provides that if, on any date following the issuance of the Secured Notes, (i) the Secured Notes receive an Investment Grade rating from both Rating Agencies and (ii) no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing (a “Suspension Event”) then, beginning on that date, the provisions of the Secured Indenture summarized under the following captions will not be applicable:

 

(1)           “— Certain Covenants — Limitation on Restricted Payments”;

 

(2)           “— Certain Covenants — Limitation on Incurrence of Indebtedness”;

 

(3)           “— Certain Covenants — Asset Sales”;

 

(4)           “— Certain Covenants — Taking and Destruction”;

 

(5)           “— Certain Covenants — Limitations on Activities of the Issuer”;

 

(6)           “— Certain Covenants — Limitation on Dividend and Other Payment Restrictions Affecting Subsidiaries”;

 

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(7)           “— Certain Covenants — Accounts Receivable Subsidiary”;

 

(8)           —clauses (d)(i) and (ii) of the first paragraph under “— Certain Covenants — Merger, Consolidation, or Sale of Assets”;

 

(9)           “— Certain Covenants — Transactions with Affiliates”; and

 

(10)         “— Certain Covenants — Insurance”

 

(collectively, the “Suspension Covenants”).

 

During any Suspension Period, the Issuer may not designate any of its Restricted Subsidiaries as Unrestricted Subsidiaries pursuant to the first sentence of the definition of “Unrestricted Subsidiary.”

 

In the event that the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries are not subject to the Suspension Covenants for any period of time as a result of the foregoing, and on any subsequent date (the “Reversion Date”) the condition set forth in clause (i) of the first paragraph of this section is no longer satisfied, then the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries will thereafter again be subject to the Suspension Covenants with respect to future events. The period of time between the date of the Suspension Event and the Reversion Date is referred to in this description as the “Suspension Period.”

 

On each Reversion Date, all Indebtedness incurred during the Suspension Period prior to such Reversion Date will be deemed to be Indebtedness permitted to be incurred under clause (6) of the second paragraph of the covenant described under “— Limitation on Incurrence of Indebtedness.”  For purposes of calculating the amount available to be made as Restricted Payments under clause (iii) of the first paragraph of the covenant described under “— Limitation on Restricted Payments,” calculations under such covenant shall be made as though such covenant had been in effect during the entire period of time after the Issue Date (including the Suspension Period).  Restricted Payments made during the Suspension Period not otherwise permitted pursuant to the second paragraph of the covenant described under “— Limitation on Restricted Payments” will reduce the amount available to be made as Restricted Payments under clause (iii) of the first paragraph of the covenant described under “— Limitation on Restricted Payments.”

 

There can be no assurance that the Secured Notes will ever achieve or maintain a rating of Investment Grade from any Rating Agency.

 

Upon a Suspension Event, the amount of Excess Proceeds for purposes of “— Asset Sales” shall be set at zero.

 

Events of Default

 

The Secured Indenture provides that each of the following shall constitute an Event of Default:

 

(a)           default for 30 days in the payment when due of interest on the Secured Notes;

 

(b)           default in payment when due of principal of the Secured Notes at maturity, upon repurchase, redemption or otherwise;

 

(c)           failure to comply with the provisions described under “Change of Control Offer,” “Certain Covenants — Transactions with Affiliates,” “Certain Covenants — Asset Sales” or “Certain Covenants —Taking and Destruction,” in each case continued for 30 days;

 

(d)           default under the provisions described under “Certain Covenants — Limitation on Restricted Payments” or “Certain Covenants — Limitation on Incurrence of Indebtedness” which default remains uncured for 30 days, or the breach of any representation or warranty, or the making of any untrue statement, in any certificate delivered by us pursuant to the Secured Indenture;

 

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(e)           failure by us for 60 days after notice from the Trustee or the holders of at least 25% in principal amount then outstanding of the Old Secured Notes and the Secured Notes issued under the Secured Indenture to comply with any of our other agreements in the Secured Indenture or the Old Secured Notes and the Secured Notes;

 

(f)            default under any mortgage, indenture or instrument under which there may be issued or by which there may be secured or evidenced any Indebtedness for money borrowed by us or any of our Restricted Subsidiaries (or the payment of which is guaranteed by us or any of our Restricted Subsidiaries), which default is caused by a failure to pay when due principal or interest on such Indebtedness within the grace period provided in such Indebtedness (a “Payment Default”), and the principal amount of any such Indebtedness, together with the principal amount of any other such Indebtedness under which there has been a Payment Default, aggregates $50.0 million or more;

 

(g)           default under any mortgage, indenture or instrument under which there may be issued or by which there may be secured or evidenced any Indebtedness for money borrowed by us or any of our Restricted Subsidiaries (or the payment of which is guaranteed by us or any of our Restricted Subsidiaries), which default results in the acceleration of such Indebtedness prior to its express maturity and the principal amount of any such Indebtedness, together with the principal amount of any other such Indebtedness under which there has been a Payment Default or the maturity of which has been so accelerated, aggregates $50.0 million or more; provided that any acceleration (other than an acceleration which is the result of a Payment Default under clause (f) above) of Indebtedness under the outstanding Deferred Payments in aggregate principal amount not to exceed $50.0 million shall be deemed not to constitute an acceleration pursuant to this clause (g);

 

(h)           failure by us or any of our Restricted Subsidiaries to pay final judgments (other than any judgment as to which a reputable insurance company has accepted full liability) aggregating in excess of $50.0 million, which judgments are not stayed within 60 days after their entry;

 

(i)            Parent, us or any of our Significant Subsidiaries pursuant to or within the meaning of any Bankruptcy Law:  (i) commences a voluntary case; (ii) consents to the entry of an order for relief against it in an involuntary case; (iii) consents to the appointment of a custodian of it or for all or substantially all of its property; or (iv) makes a general assignment for the benefit of creditors;

 

(j)            a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order or decree under any Bankruptcy Law that:  (i) is for relief against Parent, us or any of our Significant Subsidiaries in an involuntary case; (ii) appoints a custodian of Parent, us or any of our Significant Subsidiaries or for all or substantially all of the property of Parent, us or any of our Significant Subsidiaries; or (iii) orders the liquidation of Parent or any of our Significant Subsidiaries, and the order or decree remains unstayed and in effect for 60 consecutive days;

 

(k)           any Guarantee of the Old Secured Notes or the Secured Notes shall be held in a judicial proceeding to be unenforceable or invalid or shall cease for any reason to be in full force and effect, or any Guarantor of the Old Secured Notes or the Secured Notes, or any Person acting on behalf of any Guarantor, shall deny or disaffirm its obligations under its Guarantee of the Old Secured Notes or the Secured Notes; and

 

(l)            on and after the Escrow Release Date, in each case with respect to any Collateral having a fair market value in excess of $10.0 million individually or in the aggregate, any of the Security Documents at any time for any reason is declared null and void, or shall cease to be effective in all material respects to give the Collateral Agent the Liens with the priority purported to be created thereby subject to no other Liens (in each case, other than as expressly permitted by the Secured Indenture and the applicable Security Documents or by reason of the termination of the Secured Indenture or the applicable Security Document in accordance with its terms), which declaration or cessation is not rescinded, stayed, or waived by the Persons having such authority pursuant to the Security Documents or otherwise cured within 30 days after the Issuer receives written notice thereof specifying such occurrence from the Trustee, the Collateral

 

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Agent or the holders of at least 25% of the outstanding principal amount of the Old Secured Notes and the Secured Notes.

 

If any Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee or the holders of at least 25% in principal amount then outstanding of the Old Secured Notes and the Secured Notes may declare all the Secured Notes to be due and payable immediately (plus, in the case of an Event of Default that is the result of an action by us or any of our Subsidiaries intended to avoid restrictions on or premiums related to redemptions of the Secured Notes contained in the Secured Indenture or the Secured Notes, an amount of premium that would have been applicable pursuant to the Secured Notes or as set forth in the Secured Indenture).  Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the case of an Event of Default arising from the events of bankruptcy or insolvency with respect to us or any Guarantor of the Secured Notes described in (i) above, all outstanding Secured Notes will become due and payable without further action or notice.  Holders of the Secured Notes may not enforce the Secured Indenture or the Secured Notes except as provided in the Secured Indenture. Subject to certain limitations, holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Old Secured Notes and the Secured Notes may direct the Trustee in its exercise of any trust or power.  The Trustee may withhold from holders of the Secured Notes notice of any continuing Default or Event of Default (except a Default or Event of Default relating to the payment of principal or interest) if it determines that withholding notice is in such holders’ interest.

 

The holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount then outstanding of the Old Secured Notes and the Secured Notes, by written notice to the Trustee, may on behalf of the holders of all of the Old Secured Notes and the Secured Notes waive any existing Default or Event of Default and its consequences under the Secured Indenture, except a continuing Default or Event of Default in the payment of interest or premium on, or principal of, the Old Secured Notes and the Secured Notes.

 

We are required to deliver to the Trustee, in its capacity as trustee of the Secured Indenture, annually a statement regarding compliance with the Secured Indenture, and we are required upon becoming aware of any Default or Event of Default thereunder to deliver to the Trustee a statement specifying such Default or Event of Default.

 

All powers of the Trustee under the Secured Indenture, in its capacity as trustee of the Secured Indenture, will be subject to applicable provisions of the Communications Laws, including without limitation, the requirements of prior approval for de facto or de jure transfer of control or assignment of Title III licenses.

 

No Personal Liability of Directors, Owners, Employees, Incorporator and Shareholder

 

No director, officer, employee, incorporator or shareholder of us or any of our Affiliates, as such, shall have any liability for any obligations of us or any of our Affiliates under the Secured Notes, the Guarantees or the Secured Indenture or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation. Each holder of Secured Notes by accepting a Note waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for issuance of the Secured Notes. Such waiver may not be effective to waive liabilities under the federal securities laws and it is the view of the SEC that such a waiver is against public policy.

 

Legal Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance

 

The Secured Indenture provides that with respect to the Secured Notes, we may, at our option and at any time, elect to have all obligations discharged with respect to the Secured Notes (“Legal Defeasance”). Such Legal Defeasance means that we will be deemed to have paid and discharged the entire indebtedness represented by the Secured Notes, except for:

 

(a)           the rights of holders of outstanding Secured Notes to receive payments in respect of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Secured Notes when such payments are due, or on the redemption date, as the case may be;

 

(b)           our obligations with respect to the Secured Notes concerning issuing temporary Secured Notes, registration of Secured Notes, mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Secured Notes and the maintenance of an office or agency for payment and money for security payments held in trust;

 

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(c)           the rights, powers, trust, duties and immunities of the Trustee, and our obligations in connection therewith; and

 

(d)           the Legal Defeasance provisions of the Secured Indenture.

 

In addition, the Secured Indenture provides that we may, at our option and at any time, elect to have all obligations released with respect to certain covenants that are described in the Secured Indenture (“Covenant Defeasance”) and thereafter any omission to comply with such obligations shall not constitute a Default or Event of Default. If Covenant Defeasance occurs, certain events (not including non-payment, bankruptcy, receivership, rehabilitation and insolvency events) described under “Events of Default” will no longer constitute an Event of Default with respect to the Secured Notes.

 

In order to exercise either Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance, the Secured Indenture provides that:

 

(i)            we must irrevocably deposit with the Trustee, in trust, for the benefit of the holders of the Secured Notes, cash in United States dollars, non-callable United States government obligations, or a combination thereof, in such amounts as will be sufficient, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants selected by us, to pay the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the outstanding Secured Notes on the stated maturity or on the applicable optional redemption date, as the case may be;

 

(ii)           in the case of Legal Defeasance, we shall have delivered to the Trustee an opinion of counsel in the United States reasonably acceptable to the Trustee confirming that

 

(A)          we have received from, or there has been published by, the IRS a ruling or

 

(B)           since the Issue Date, there has been a change in the applicable federal income tax law.

 

In each case to the effect that, and based thereon such opinion of counsel shall confirm that, the holders of the Secured Notes will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of such Legal Defeasance, and will be subject to federal income tax in the same amount, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such Legal Defeasance had not occurred;

 

(iii)          in the case of Covenant Defeasance, we shall have delivered to the Trustee an opinion of counsel reasonably acceptable to such Trustee confirming that the holders of the Secured Notes will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of such Covenant Defeasance and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such Covenant Defeasance had not occurred;

 

(iv)          no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such deposit or insofar as Events of Default from bankruptcy or insolvency events are concerned, at any time in the period ending on the 91st day after the date of deposit;

 

(v)           such Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance shall not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, the Secured Indenture or any other material agreement or instrument to which we or any of our Subsidiaries is a party or by which we or any of our Subsidiaries is bound;

 

(vi)          we shall have delivered to the Trustee an officers’ certificate stating that the deposit was not made by us with the intent of preferring the holders of the Secured Notes over any

 

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of our other creditors or with the intent of defeating, hindering, delaying or defrauding any of our other creditors or others; and

 

(vii)         we shall have delivered to the Trustee an officers’ certificate stating that all conditions precedent provided for or relating to the Legal Defeasance or the Covenant Defeasance relating to the Secured Notes have been complied with.

 

Amendment, Supplement and Waiver

 

Except as provided in the next paragraph, the Secured Indenture and the Secured Notes may be amended or supplemented with the consent of the holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the Old Secured Notes and the Secured Notes then outstanding under the Secured Indenture that are affected by such amendment or supplement (including consents obtained in connection with a tender offer or exchange offer for Secured Notes), and any existing default or compliance with any provision of the Secured Indenture or the Secured Notes may be waived with the consent of the holders of a majority in principal amount of the Old Secured Notes and the Secured Notes then outstanding that are affected by such amendment or supplement (including consents obtained in connection with a tender offer or exchange offer for the Secured Notes).

 

Without the consent of each holder affected, however, an amendment or waiver may not (with respect to any Note held by a non-consenting holder):

 

(a)           reduce the aggregate principal amount of Old Secured Notes and Secured Notes whose holders must consent to an amendment, supplement or waiver;

 

(b)           reduce the principal of or change the fixed maturity of any Note or alter the provisions with respect to the redemption of such Note;

 

(c)           reduce the rate of or change the time for payment of interest on any Note;

 

(d)           waive a Default or Event of Default in the payment of principal of or premium, if any, or interest on the Secured Notes (except a rescission of acceleration of the Secured Notes by the holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Old Secured Notes and the Secured Notes and a waiver of the payment default that resulted from such acceleration);

 

(e)           make any Note payable in money other than that stated in such Note;

 

(f)            make any change in the provisions of the Secured Indenture relating to waivers of past Defaults or the rights of holders of Secured Notes issued under the Secured Indenture to receive payments of principal of or interest on the Secured Notes;

 

(g)           waive a redemption payment or mandatory redemption with respect to any Note; or

 

(h)           make any change in the foregoing amendment and waiver provisions.

 

In addition, without the consent of holders of at least 66 2/3% of the principal amount of the Old Secured Notes and the Secured Notes then outstanding, an amendment or a waiver may not make any change to the covenants in the Secured Indenture entitled “Asset Sales,” “Taking and Destruction,” “Change of Control Offer,” and “Excess Proceeds Offer” (including, in each case, the related definitions) as such covenants apply to the Secured Notes or release all or substantially all of the Collateral from the Liens of the Security Documents otherwise than in accordance with the terms of the Secured Indenture or the Security Documents.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, without the consent of any holder of Old Secured Notes and the Secured Notes, we, the Guarantors and the Trustee may amend or supplement the Secured Indenture or the Secured Notes or the Guarantees thereof to cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency or to conform the Secured Indenture to this Description of the Secured Notes as evidenced by an officer’s certificate, to provide for uncertificated Secured Notes

 

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or Guarantees in addition to or in place of certificated Secured Notes or Guarantees, to provide for the assumption of the obligations of us or any Guarantor to holders of the Secured Notes in the case of a merger or consolidation, to add Guarantees or Collateral, to release Guarantees or release Collateral from the Liens of the Secured Indenture and the Security Documents when permitted or required by the Security Documents or the Secured Indenture, to secure any Additional Secured Obligations under the Security Documents, to make any change that would provide any additional rights or benefits to the holders of the Secured Notes or that does not adversely affect the legal rights under the Secured Indenture of any such holder, or to comply with requirements of the SEC in order to effect or maintain the qualification of the Secured Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act.

 

Concerning the Trustee

 

The Secured Indenture contains certain limitations on the rights of the Trustee, if the Trustee becomes a creditor of us or our Subsidiaries, to obtain payment of claims in certain cases, or to realize on certain property received in respect of any such claim as security or otherwise.  The Trustee will be permitted to engage in other transactions with us and our Subsidiaries; however, if the Trustee acquires any conflicting interest, it must eliminate such conflict within 90 days, apply to the SEC for permission to continue as Trustee or resign.

 

With respect to the Secured Notes, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Old Secured Notes and the Secured Notes will have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for exercising any remedy available to the Trustee, subject to certain exceptions.  The Secured Indenture provides that in case an Event of Default shall occur thereunder (which shall not be cured), the Trustee will be required, in the exercise of its power, to use the degree of care of a prudent person in the conduct of his or her own affairs. The Trustee will not be relieved from liabilities for its own negligent action, its own negligent failure to act or its own willful misconduct, except that:

 

(i)            this sentence shall not limit the preceding sentence of this paragraph;

 

(ii)           the Trustee shall not be liable for any error of judgment made in good faith, unless it is proved that the Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts; and

 

(iii)          the Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in accordance with a direction received by it pursuant to the first sentence of this paragraph.

 

Subject to such provisions, the Trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under the Secured Indenture at the request of any holder of Secured Notes issued under the Secured Indenture, unless such holder shall have offered to the Trustee security and indemnity satisfactory to it against any loss, liability or expense.

 

Certain Definitions

 

Set forth below are certain defined terms used in the Secured Indenture.  Reference is made to the Secured Indenture for a full disclosure of all such terms, as well as any other capitalized terms used herein for which no definition is provided.

 

“Accounts Receivable Subsidiary” means one Unrestricted Subsidiary of us specifically designated as an Accounts Receivable Subsidiary for the purpose of financing our accounts receivable; provided that any such designation shall not be deemed to prohibit us from financing accounts receivable through any other entity, including, without limitation, any other Unrestricted Subsidiary.

 

“Accounts Receivable Subsidiary Notes” means the notes to be issued by the Accounts Receivable Subsidiary for the purchase of accounts receivable.

 

Acquired Debt” means, with respect to any specified Person, Indebtedness of any other Person existing at the time such other Person merges with or into or becomes a Subsidiary of such specified Person, or Indebtedness

 

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incurred by such specified Person in connection with the acquisition of assets, including Indebtedness incurred in connection with, or in contemplation of, such other Person merging with or into or becoming a Subsidiary of such specified Person or the acquisition of such assets, as the case may be.

 

Acquisition” means the acquisition by the Issuer, through Broadband Acquisition Corporation, a Delaware corporation and a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Issuer, of all of the outstanding capital stock of Hughes Communications, Inc., a Delaware corporation, pursuant to the Merger Agreement.

 

Additional Secured Obligations” means Pari Passu Indebtedness of the Issuer or any Guarantor permitted to be incurred under “—Certain Covenants—Limitation on Incurrence of Indebtedness” and “Permitted Liens” and designated in writing by the Issuer as Indebtedness to be secured on a pari passu basis by a Lien granted to the Collateral Agent on the Collateral which is permitted by the Secured Indenture; provided that the Authorized Representative (as such term is defined in the Security Documents) of such Additional Secured Obligation executes a joinder agreement to the Security Documents in the form attached thereto agreeing to be bound thereby.

 

Affiliate” of any specified Person means any other Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with such specified Person.  For purposes of this definition, “control” (including, with correlative meanings, the terms “controlling,” “controlled by” and “under common control with”), as used with respect to any Person, shall mean the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of such Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by agreement or otherwise; provided, however, that no individual, other than a director of Parent or us or an officer of Parent or us with a policy making function, shall be deemed an Affiliate of us or any of our Subsidiaries solely by reason of such individual’s employment, position or responsibilities by or with respect to Parent, us or any of their or our respective Subsidiaries.

 

“Asset Sale” means:

 

(1)           the sale, conveyance, transfer or other disposition, whether in a single transaction or a series of related transactions, of property or assets (including by way of a sale and leaseback) of the Issuer, a Guarantor or any Restricted Subsidiary (each referred to in this definition as a “disposition”), or

 

(2)           the issuance or sale of Equity Interests of any Restricted Subsidiary (other than directors’ qualifying shares or shares required by applicable law to be held by a Person other than the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary), whether in a single transaction or a series of related transactions (other than preferred stock of Restricted Subsidiaries issued in compliance with the covenant described under “Certain Covenants—Limitation on Incurrence of Indebtedness”)

 

in each case in clause (1) and (2), other than:

 

(a)           a disposition of Cash Equivalents or obsolete, damaged or worn out equipment or the sale or lease of equipment, inventory or accounts receivable in the ordinary course of business and dispositions of property no longer used or useful in the conduct of the business of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries;

 

(b)           dispositions to the Issuer or any Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary;

 

(c)           the disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Issuer in a manner permitted pursuant to the provisions described above under “—Certain Covenants—Merger, Consolidation, or Sale of Assets” or any disposition that constitutes a Change of Control pursuant to the Secured Indenture;

 

(d)           the making of any Restricted Payment or Permitted Investment that is permitted to be made, and is made, under the covenant described above under “—Certain Covenants—

 

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Limitation on Restricted Payments” or the granting of a Lien permitted by the covenant contained under “Certain Covenants—Liens”;

 

(e)           any disposition of assets or issuance or sale of Equity Interests of any Restricted Subsidiary in any transaction or series of transactions with an aggregate fair market value of less than $25.0 million;

 

(f)            to the extent allowable under Section 1031 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, any exchange of like property (excluding any boot thereon) for use in a Permitted Business;

 

(g)           the lease, assignment or sublease of any real or personal property in the ordinary course of business;

 

(h)           licenses or sub-licenses of intellectual property in the ordinary course of business (other than exclusive licenses or sub-licenses or assignments of intellectual property that have a material adverse effect on the value of the Collateral or the ability of the Collateral Agent or the lenders to realize the benefits of, and intended to be afforded by, the Collateral);

 

(i)            any financing transaction with respect to property built or acquired by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary after the Issue Date, including, without limitation, sale leasebacks and asset securitizations permitted by the Secured Indenture;

 

(j)            any issuance or sale of Equity Interests in, or Indebtedness or other securities of, an Unrestricted Subsidiary, including in connection with any merger or consolidation;

 

(k)           dispositions of accounts receivable in connection with the compromise, settlement or collection thereof in the ordinary course of business or in bankruptcy or similar proceedings;

 

(l)            any disposition of property or assets or the issuance of securities by a Restricted Subsidiary to us or by us or a Restricted Subsidiary to a Restricted Subsidiary or us;

 

(m)          an exchange of assets for assets (including a combination of assets and Cash Equivalents) related to a similar business of comparable or greater market value or usefulness to the business of us and the Restricted Subsidiaries as a whole, as determined in good faith by senior management or the Board of Directors;

 

(n)           any Destruction (determined without regard to the dollar limitations set forth in the definition thereof);

 

(o)           any sale of assets pursuant to the Equipment Financing Agreements;

 

(p)           any swap of owned or leased satellite transponder capacity for other satellite transponder capacity of comparable or greater value or usefulness to the business of us and the Restricted Subsidiaries as a whole, as determined in good faith by senior management or the Board of Directors;

 

(q)           any swap of assets in exchange for services in the ordinary course of business of comparable or greater value or usefulness to the business of us and the Restricted Subsidiaries as a whole, as determined in good faith by senior management or the Board of Directors;

 

(r)            sales or other dispositions of satellites for a consideration of comparable or greater value or usefulness to the business of us and the Restricted Subsidiaries as a whole, as determined in good faith by senior management or the Board of Directors, and sales or other dispositions of satellites in connection with the end of their life;

 

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(s)           sales or other dispositions of rights to construct or launch satellites;

 

(t)            a disposition, including by way of lease, of any satellite capacity;

 

(u)           termination of hedging or similar arrangements; and

 

(v)           any disposition of property or assets the net proceeds from which are re-invested in any Permitted Investment.

 

Asset Sale Proceeds Account” means one or more deposit accounts or securities accounts holding the proceeds of any sale or disposition of Collateral.

 

Bankruptcy Law” means title 11, U.S. Code or any similar federal or state law for the relief of debtors.

 

Board of Directors” means the Board of Directors of the Issuer.

 

Capital Lease Obligation” means, as to any Person, the obligations of such Person under a lease that are required to be classified and accounted for as capital lease obligations under GAAP and, for purposes of this definition, the amount of such obligations at the time any determination thereof is to be made shall be the amount of the liability in respect of a capital lease that would at such time be so required to be capitalized on a balance sheet in accordance with GAAP.

 

Capital Stock” means any and all shares, interests, participations, rights or other equivalents, however designated, of corporate stock or partnership or membership interests, whether common or preferred.

 

Cash Equivalents” means: (a) United States dollars, pounds sterling, euros, national currency of any participating member state in the European Union or, in the case of any non-U.S. Subsidiary that is a Restricted Subsidiary, such local currencies held by it from time to time in the ordinary course of business; (b) securities issued or directly and fully guaranteed or insured by the United States government or any country that is a member of the European Union or any agency or instrumentality thereof having maturities of not more than two years from the date of acquisition; (c) certificates of deposit and eurodollar time deposits with maturities of one year or less from the date of acquisition, bankers’ acceptances with maturities not exceeding one year and overnight bank deposits, in each case with any domestic commercial bank having capital and surplus in excess of $500 million; (d) repurchase obligations with a term of not more than 30 days for underlying securities of the types described in clauses (b) and (c) entered into with any financial institution meeting the qualifications specified in clause (c) above; (e) commercial paper rated P-2, A-2 or better or the equivalent thereof by Moody’s or S&P, respectively, and in each case maturing within twelve months after the date of acquisition; (f) money market funds offered by any domestic commercial or investment bank having capital and surplus in excess of $500 million at least 95% of the assets of which constitute Cash Equivalents of the kinds described in clauses (a) through (e) of this definition; and (g) securities representing an interest or interests in AAA rated money market funds registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940.

 

Change of Control” means: (a) any transaction or series of transactions the result of which is that any Person (other than the Principal or a Related Party) individually owns more than 50% of the total voting power of the voting Equity Interests of Parent; (b) the first day on which a majority of the members of the Board of Directors of Parent are not Continuing Directors; or (c) any time that Parent shall cease to beneficially own 100% of our Equity Interests.

 

Coface Facility” means the Coface Covered Export Credit Agreement, dated October 29, 2010 among Hughes Network Systems, LLC, the companies listed in Schedule I as Original Guarantors, BNP Paribas and Societe Generale, as Original Lenders, BNP Paribas and Societe Generale, as Mandated Lead Arrangers, BNP Paribas, as Facility Agent, Documentation Agent and Security Agent, and Societe Generale as Structuring Bank, as such agreement may be amended or modified or reinstated from time to time, and the promissory notes (billets à ordre) issued in connection therewith as such promissory notes may be amended or modified from time to time.

 

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Collateral Agent” means, the Person (initially, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association), acting as Collateral Agent for the holders of Indebtedness secured by the Security Documents, until a successor replaces it and thereafter means the successor.

 

Communications Laws” means the federal Communications Act of 1934, as amended, and all relevant rules, regulations and published policies of the FCC.

 

Consolidated Cash Flow” means, with respect to any Person for any period, the Consolidated Net Income of such Person for such period, plus, to the extent deducted in computing Consolidated Net Income: (a) provision for taxes based on income, profits or capital, including state franchise and similar taxes and tax distributions made to holders of Capital Stock of such Person; (b) Consolidated Interest Expense; (c) depreciation and amortization (including amortization of goodwill and other intangibles) of such Person for such period; (d) the amount of any restructuring charges or expenses (which, for the avoidance of doubt, shall include retention, severance, systems establishment costs or excess pension charges); (e) any extraordinary loss and any net loss realized in connection with any Asset Sale; and (f) Consolidated Non-cash Charges, in each case, on a consolidated basis determined in accordance with GAAP minus non-cash items increasing Consolidated Net Income for such period (excluding any items which represent the reversal of any accrual of, or cash reserve for, anticipated cash charges in any prior period and any items for which cash was received in any prior period); provided that Consolidated Cash Flow shall not include interest income derived from the net proceeds of the offering of the Secured Notes.

 

Consolidated Interest Expense” means, with respect to any Person for any period, consolidated interest expense of such Person for such period, whether paid or accrued, including amortization of original issue discount and deferred financing costs, non-cash interest payments and the interest component of Capital Lease Obligations, on a consolidated basis determined in accordance with GAAP; provided, however, that with respect to the calculation of the consolidated interest expense of us, the interest expense of Unrestricted Subsidiaries shall be excluded.

 

Consolidated Net Income” means, with respect to any Person for any period, the aggregate of the Net Income of such Person and its Subsidiaries or, if such Person is Hughes Satellite Systems, of Hughes Satellite Systems and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, on a consolidated basis, determined in accordance with GAAP; provided, however, that: (a) the Net Income of any Person that is not a Subsidiary or that is accounted for by the equity method of accounting shall be included only to the extent of the amount of dividends or distributions paid in cash to the referent Person, in the case of a gain, or to the extent of any contributions or other payments by the referent Person, in the case of a loss; (b) the Net Income of any Person that is a Subsidiary that is not a Wholly Owned Subsidiary shall be included only to the extent of the amount of dividends or distributions paid in cash to the referent Person; (c) the Net Income of any Subsidiary of such Person shall be excluded to the extent that the declaration or payment of dividends or similar distributions is not at the time permitted by operation of the terms of its charter or bylaws or any other agreement, instrument, judgment, decree, order, statute, rule or government regulation to which it is subject; (d) the cumulative effect of a change in accounting principles shall be excluded; (e) any net after-tax extraordinary or nonrecurring or unusual gains or losses (less all fees and expenses relating thereto), or income or expense or charge (including, without limitation, any severance, relocation or other restructuring costs, fees and expenses) and fees, expenses or charges related to any offering of equity interests of such Person, Investment, acquisition or Indebtedness permitted to be incurred by the Secured Indenture (in each case, whether or not successful), including any such fees, expenses or charges related to the Transactions, in each case, shall be excluded; (f) any increase in amortization or depreciation or any one-time non-cash charges resulting from purchase accounting in connection with the Acquisition and any acquisition that is consummated after the Issue Date shall be excluded; (g) any net after-tax income or loss from discontinued operations and any net after-tax gains or losses on disposal of discontinued operations shall be excluded; (h) any net after-tax gains or losses (less all fees and expenses or charges relating thereto) attributable to the early extinguishment of Indebtedness shall be excluded; (i) any non-cash impairment charge or asset write-off resulting from the application of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 142 and 144, and the amortization of intangibles arising pursuant to Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 141, shall be excluded; (j) any non-cash expenses realized or resulting from employee benefit plans or post-employment benefit plans, grants of stock appreciation or similar rights, stock options or other rights to officers, directors and employees of such Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries shall be excluded; (k) any one-time non-cash compensation charges shall be excluded; (l) non-cash gains, losses, income and expenses resulting from fair value accounting required by Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 133 and related

 

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interpretations shall be excluded; and (m) the effects of purchase accounting as a result of the Acquisition and any acquisition that is consummated after the Issue Date shall be excluded.

 

Consolidated Net Tangible Assets” means, with respect to any Person, the aggregate amount of assets of such Person (less applicable reserves and other properly deductible items) after deducting therefrom (to the extent otherwise included therein) (a) all current liabilities and (b) all goodwill, trade names, trademarks, patents, unamortized debt discount and expense and other like intangibles, all as set forth on the books and records of such Person and its consolidated Subsidiaries as of the end of the most recently ended fiscal quarter and computed in accordance with GAAP.

 

Consolidated Non-cash Charges” means, with respect to any Person for any period, the aggregate depreciation, amortization, impairment, non-cash compensation, non-cash rent and other non-cash expenses of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period on a consolidated basis and otherwise determined in accordance with GAAP, but excluding (i) any such charge which consists of or requires an accrual of, or cash reserve for, anticipated cash charges for any future period and (ii) the non-cash impact of recording the change in fair value of any embedded derivatives under Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 133 and related interpretations as a result of the terms of any agreement or instrument to which such Consolidated Non-cash Charges relate.

 

Continuing Director” means, as of any date of determination, any member of the Board of Directors of Parent who: (a) was a member of such Board of Directors on the Issue Date; or (b) was nominated for election or elected to such Board of Directors with the affirmative vote of a majority of the Continuing Directors who were members of such Board at the time of such nomination or election or was nominated for election or elected by the Principal and his Related Parties.

 

Default” means any event that is, or with the passage of time or the giving of notice or both would be, an Event of Default.

 

Deferred Payments” means Indebtedness owed to satellite construction or launch contractors incurred after the Issue Date in connection with the construction or launch of one or more satellites of the Issuer or the Issuer’s Restricted Subsidiaries used by the Issuer and/or them in the businesses described in the covenant “— Limitations on Activities of the Issuer” in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $50.0 million at any one time outstanding.

 

Designated Non-Cash Consideration” means the fair market value of non-cash consideration received by the Issuer or one of its Restricted Subsidiaries in connection with an Asset Sale that is so designated as “Designated Non-Cash Consideration” pursuant to an officer’s certificate, setting forth the basis of such valuation, less the amount of cash or Cash Equivalents received in connection with a subsequent sale of such Designated Non-Cash Consideration.

 

Destruction” means any damage to, loss or destruction of any portion of any satellite resulting in Net Insurance Proceeds of $7.5 million or more.

 

Disqualified Stock” means any Capital Stock which, by its terms (or by the terms of any security into which it is convertible or for which it is exchangeable), or upon the happening of any event, matures or is mandatorily redeemable, pursuant to a sinking fund obligation or otherwise, or redeemable at the option of the holder thereof, in whole or in part, on or prior to the date on which the Secured Notes mature; provided, however, that any such Capital Stock may require the issuer of such Capital Stock to make an offer to purchase such Capital Stock upon the occurrence of certain events if the terms of such Capital Stock provide that such an offer may not be satisfied and the purchase of such Capital Stock may not be consummated until the 91st day after the Secured Notes have been paid in full.

 

Domestic Subsidiary” means, with respect to any Person, any Restricted Subsidiary of such Person other than a Foreign Subsidiary.

 

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Eligible Institution” means a commercial banking institution that has combined capital and surplus of not less than $500 million or its equivalent in foreign currency, whose debt is rated Investment Grade at the time as of which any investment or rollover therein is made.

 

Equipment Financing Agreements” means (A) any and all agreements entered into by us or our Restricted Subsidiaries providing for the lease of equipment to enterprise customers, (B) any and all assignment agreements entered into by us and our Restricted Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business as contemplated by clause (A) of this definition, in each case, as the same may be refinanced, amended, modified, restated, renewed, supplemented or replaced, and (C) any agreements between us or any of our Restricted Subsidiaries and any third-party relating generally to the subject matter of the agreements set forth in clause (A) of this definition.

 

Equity Interests” means Capital Stock and all warrants, options or other rights to acquire Capital Stock (but excluding any debt security that is convertible into, or exchangeable for, Capital Stock).

 

Escrowed Proceeds” means the proceeds from the offering of any debt securities or other Indebtedness paid into an escrow account with an independent escrow agent on the date of the applicable offering or Incurrence pursuant to escrow arrangements that permit the release of amounts on deposit in such escrow account upon satisfaction of certain conditions or the occurrence of certain events.  The term “Escrowed Proceeds” shall include any interest earned on the amounts held in escrow.

 

Exchange Act” means the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 

Existing Indebtedness” means the Old Secured Notes and any other Indebtedness of us and our Subsidiaries in existence on the Issue Date or, in the case of Hughes Communications, Inc. or any of its subsidiaries, the Escrow Release Date (including, for the avoidance of doubt, any such Indebtedness of Hughes Communications, Inc. or any of its subsidiaries in existence on the Escrow Release Date); until such amounts are repaid.

 

FCC” means the Federal Communications Commission or any successor agency thereto.

 

FCC Licenses” means broadcasting and other licenses, authorizations, waivers and permits which are issued from time to time by the FCC.

 

Foreign Subsidiary” means, with respect to any Person, any Subsidiary of such Person that is not organized or existing under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia, and any Subsidiary of such Subsidiary.

 

GAAP” means United States generally accepted accounting principles set forth in the opinions and pronouncements of the Accounting Principles Board of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and statements and pronouncements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board or in such other statements by such other entity as may be approved by a significant segment of the accounting profession of the United States, which are applicable as of the Issue Date; provided that, for purposes of complying with the obligations under the covenant “Reports”, such reports shall utilize GAAP as then in effect.

 

Government Securities” means direct obligations of, or obligations guaranteed by, the United States of America for the payment of which guarantee or obligations the full faith and credit of the United States of America is pledged.

 

Governmental Authority” shall mean any Federal, state, provincial, local, foreign or other governmental, quasi-governmental or administrative (including self-regulatory) body, instrumentality, department, agency, authority, board, bureau, commission, office of any nature whatsoever or other subdivision thereof, or any court, tribunal, administrative hearing body, arbitration panel or other similar dispute-resolving body, whether now or hereafter in existence, or any officer or official thereof, having jurisdiction over any pledgor of Collateral or the Collateral or any portion thereof.

 

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guarantee” means a guarantee (other than by endorsement of negotiable instruments for collection in the ordinary course of business), direct or indirect, in any manner (including, without limitation, letters of credit and reimbursement agreements in respect thereof), of all or any part of any Indebtedness.

 

Guarantee” means a guarantee by a Guarantor of the Secured Notes.

 

Guarantor” means any entity that executes a Guarantee of the obligations of Hughes Satellite Systems under the Secured Notes, and their respective successors and assigns.

 

Hedging Obligations” means, with respect to any Person, the obligations of such Person pursuant to any arrangement with any other Person, whereby, directly or indirectly, such Person is entitled to receive from time to time periodic payments calculated by applying either floating or a fixed rate of interest on a stated notional amount in exchange for periodic payments made by such other Person calculated by applying a fixed or a floating rate of interest on the same notional amount and shall include, without limitation, interest rate swaps, caps, floors, collars and similar agreements designed to protect such Person against fluctuations in interest rates.

 

Immaterial Subsidiary” means any one or more Subsidiaries of the Issuer that have less than $5.0 million in total assets in the aggregate.

 

Indebtedness” means, with respect to any Person, any indebtedness of such Person, whether or not contingent, in respect of borrowed money or evidenced by bonds, notes, debentures or similar instruments or letters of credit (or reimbursement agreements in respect thereof) or representing the balance deferred and unpaid of the purchase price of any property (including pursuant to capital leases) or representing any Hedging Obligations, except any such balance that constitutes an accrued expense or trade payable, if and to the extent any of the foregoing (other than Hedging Obligations) would appear as a liability upon a balance sheet of such Person prepared in accordance with GAAP, and also includes, to the extent not otherwise included, the amount of all obligations of such Person with respect to the redemption, repayment or other repurchase of any Disqualified Stock or, with respect to any Subsidiary of such Person, the liquidation preference with respect to, any Preferred Equity Interests (but excluding, in each case, any accrued dividends) as well as the guarantee of items that would be included within this definition.

 

Indebtedness to Cash Flow Ratio” means, with respect to any Person, the ratio of: (a) the Indebtedness of such Person and its Subsidiaries (or, if such Person is Hughes Satellite Systems, of Hughes Satellite Systems and its Restricted Subsidiaries) as of the end of the most recently ended fiscal quarter, plus the amount of any Indebtedness incurred subsequent to the end of such fiscal quarter; to (b) such Person’s Consolidated Cash Flow for the most recently ended four full fiscal quarters for which internal financial statements are available immediately preceding the date on which such event for which such calculation is being made shall occur (the “Measurement Period”); provided, however, that if such Person or any of its Subsidiaries (or, if such Person is the Issuer, any of its Restricted Subsidiaries) consummates an acquisition, merger or other business combination or an Asset Sale or other disposition of assets subsequent to the commencement of the Measurement Period for which the calculation of the Indebtedness to Cash Flow Ratio is made, then the Indebtedness to Cash Flow Ratio shall be calculated giving pro forma effect to such transaction(s) as if the same had occurred at the beginning of the applicable period.

 

In-Orbit Insurance” means, with respect to any satellite (or, if the entire satellite is not owned by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, the portion of the satellite it owns or for which it has risk of loss), insurance or other contractual arrangement providing for coverage against the risk of loss of or damage to such satellite (or portion, as applicable) attaching upon the expiration of the launch insurance therefor and attaching, during the commercial in-orbit service of such satellite (or portion, as applicable), upon the expiration of the immediately preceding corresponding policy or other contractual arrangement, as the case may be, subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Secured Indenture.

 

Investment Grade” means, with respect to a security, that such security is rated at least BBB- or higher by S&P or Baa3 or higher by Moody’s (or, in the event of a change in ratings systems, the equivalent of such ratings by S&P or Moody’s), or the equivalent rating of another nationally recognized statistical rating organization.

 

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Investments” means, with respect to any Person, all investments by such Person in other Persons (including Affiliates) in the forms of loans (including guarantees), advances or capital contributions (excluding commission, travel and similar advances to officers and employees made in the ordinary course of business), purchases or other acquisitions for consideration of Indebtedness, Equity Interests or other securities and all other items that are or would be classified as investments on a balance sheet prepared in accordance with GAAP.

 

Issue Date” means June 1, 2011.

 

Lien” means, with respect to any asset, any mortgage, lien, pledge, charge, security interest or encumbrance of any kind in respect of such asset, whether or not filed, recorded or otherwise perfected under applicable law (including any conditional sale or other title retention agreement, any lease in the nature thereof, any option or other agreement to sell or give a security interest in and any filing of or agreement to give any financing statement under the Uniform Commercial Code (or equivalent statute) of any jurisdiction).

 

Marketable Securities” means: (a) Government Securities; (b) any certificate of deposit maturing not more than 365 days after the date of acquisition issued by, or time deposit of, an Eligible Institution; (c) commercial paper or corporate securities maturing not more than 18 months after the date of acquisition issued by a corporation (other than an Affiliate of us) with an Investment Grade rating, at the time as of which any investment therein is made, issued or offered by an Eligible Institution; (d) any bankers’’ acceptances or money market deposit accounts issued or offered by an Eligible Institution; and (e) any fund investing exclusively in investments of the types described in clauses (a) through (d) above.

 

Maximum Secured Amount” means 3.50 times the Trailing Cash Flow Amount, or, if greater and following a Suspension Event, 15% of our Consolidated Net Tangible Assets.

 

Merger Agreement” means that certain Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of February 13, 2011, by and among EchoStar Satellite Services L.L.C., Broadband Acquisition Corporation, EchoStar Corporation and Hughes Communications, Inc.

 

Moody’s” means Moody’s Investors Service, Inc., a subsidiary of Moody’s Corporation.

 

Net Income” means, with respect to any Person, the net income (loss) of such Person, determined in accordance with GAAP, excluding, however, any gain (but not loss), together with any related provision for taxes on such gain (but not loss), realized in connection with any Asset Sale (including, without limitation, dispositions pursuant to sale and leaseback transactions), and excluding any extraordinary gain (but not loss), together with any related provision for taxes on such extraordinary gain (but not loss) and excluding any unusual gain (but not loss) relating to recovery of insurance proceeds on satellites, together with any related provision for taxes on such extraordinary gain (but not loss).

 

Net Insurance Proceeds” means the insurance proceeds (excluding liability insurance proceeds payable to the Collateral Agent for any loss, liability or expense incurred by it and excluding the proceeds of business interruption insurance) or condemnation awards actually received by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary as a result of the Destruction or Taking of all or any portion of any satellite forming part of the Collateral, net of:

 

(1)           reasonable out-of-pocket expenses and fees relating to such Destruction (including, without limitation, expenses of attorneys and insurance adjusters);

 

(2)           repayment of Indebtedness that is secured by the property or assets that are the subject of such Destruction pursuant to a Lien that is permitted by the Secured Indenture to be prior to any Lien securing the Secured Notes;

 

(3)           provision for all income or other taxes measured by or resulting from such Destruction;

 

(4)           provision for payments to Persons who own an interest in the satellite (including any transponder thereon) in accordance with the terms of the agreement(s) governing the ownership of such

 

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Person (other than provision for payments to insurance carriers required to be made based on projected future revenues expected to be generated from such satellite in the good faith determination of us); and

 

(5)           deduction of appropriate amounts to be provided by us or a Restricted Subsidiary as a reserve, in accordance with GAAP, against any liabilities associated with the satellite that was the subject of the Destruction.

 

Net Proceeds” means the aggregate cash proceeds received by us or any of our Restricted Subsidiaries, as the case may be, in respect of any Asset Sale, net of the direct costs relating to such Asset Sale (including, without limitation, legal, accounting and investment banking fees, and sales commissions) and any relocation expenses incurred as a result thereof, taxes paid or payable as a result thereof (after taking into account any available tax credits or deductions and any tax sharing arrangements), amounts required to be applied to the repayment of Indebtedness secured by a Lien on the asset or assets that are the subject of such Asset Sale and any reserve for adjustment in respect of the sale price of such asset or assets. Net Proceeds shall exclude any non-cash proceeds received from any Asset Sale, but shall include such proceeds when and as converted by us or any Restricted Subsidiary to cash.

 

Non-Recourse Indebtedness” of any Person means Indebtedness of such Person that: (i) is not guaranteed by any other Person (except a Wholly Owned Subsidiary of the referent Person); (ii) is not recourse to and does not obligate any other Person (except a Wholly Owned Subsidiary of the referent Person) in any way; (iii) does not subject any property or assets of any other Person (except a Wholly Owned Subsidiary of the referent Person), directly or indirectly, contingently or otherwise, to the satisfaction thereof; and (iv) is not required by GAAP to be reflected on the financial statements of any other Person (other than a Subsidiary of the referent Person) prepared in accordance with GAAP.

 

Offering Memorandum” means the offering memorandum, dated as of May 17, 2011, relating to the offering of the Old Secured Notes.

 

Pari Passu Indebtedness” means Indebtedness of the Issuer or a Guarantor that is pari passu in right of payment (and not expressly subordinated) to the Secured Notes or, in the case of a Guarantor, that is pari passu in right of payment (and not expressly subordinated) to its Guarantee.

 

“Permitted Business” means any business conducted or proposed to be conducted by the Issuer (including through its Subsidiaries and joint ventures) on the Issue Date (including any activity conducted by Hughes Communications, Inc. or its Subsidiaries or joint ventures), any business activity that is a reasonable extension, development or expansion thereof or ancillary, incidental, similar, complementary or reasonably related thereto, and any business conducted or proposed to be conducted after the Issue Date as approved by the Board of Directors in good faith.

 

Permitted Investments” means: (a) Investments in us or in a Restricted Subsidiary; (b) Investments in Cash Equivalents and Marketable Securities; and (c) Investments by us or any of our Subsidiaries in a Person if, as a result of such Investment: (i) such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary, or (ii) such Person is merged, consolidated or amalgamated with or into, or transfers or conveys substantially all of its assets to, or is liquidated into, us or a Restricted Subsidiary; provided that if at any time a Restricted Subsidiary shall cease to be a Subsidiary of us, we shall be deemed to have made a Restricted Investment in the amount of its remaining investment, if any, in such former Subsidiary.

 

Permitted Liens” means:

 

(a)           Liens securing the Old Secured Notes and Liens securing any Guarantee;

 

(b)           Liens securing the Deferred Payments;

 

(c)           Liens on Collateral securing any Indebtedness (including, without limitation, Additional Secured Notes) permitted under the covenant described under “Certain Covenants— Limitation on

 

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Incurrence of Indebtedness” above; provided that such Liens under this clause (c) together with Liens under clause (a) of “Permitted Liens”  shall not secure Indebtedness in an amount exceeding the Maximum Secured Amount at the time that such Lien is incurred;

 

(d)           Liens securing Indebtedness permitted under clause (7) of the second paragraph of the covenant described under “Certain Covenants— Limitation on Incurrence of Indebtedness”; provided that such Indebtedness was permitted to be incurred by the terms of the Secured Indenture and such Liens do not extend to any assets of us or our Restricted Subsidiaries other than the assets so acquired;

 

(e)           Liens securing Indebtedness the proceeds of which are used to develop, construct, launch or insure any satellites; provided that such Indebtedness was permitted to be incurred by the terms of the Secured Indenture and such Liens do not extend to any assets of us or our Restricted Subsidiaries other than such satellites being developed, constructed, launched or insured, and to the related licenses, permits and construction, launch and TT&C contracts;

 

(f)            Liens on orbital slots, licenses and other assets and rights of us; provided that such orbital slots, licenses and other assets and rights relate solely to the satellites referred to in clause (e) of this definition;

 

(g)           Liens on property of a Person existing at the time such Person is merged into or consolidated with us or any of our Restricted Subsidiaries; provided that such Liens were not incurred in connection with, or in contemplation of, such merger or consolidation, other than in the ordinary course of business;

 

(h)           Liens on property of an Unrestricted Subsidiary at the time that it is designated as a Restricted Subsidiary pursuant to the definition of “Unrestricted Subsidiary;” provided that such Liens were not incurred in connection with, or in contemplation of, such designation;

 

(i)            Liens on property existing at the time of acquisition thereof by us or any Restricted Subsidiary; provided that such Liens were not incurred in connection with, or in contemplation of, such acquisition and do not extend to any assets of us or any of our Restricted Subsidiaries other than the property so acquired;

 

(j)            Liens to secure the performance of statutory obligations, bid, surety or appeal bonds or performance bonds, or landlords’, carriers’, warehousemen’s, mechanics’, suppliers’, materialmen’s or other like Liens, in any case incurred in the ordinary course of business and with respect to amounts not yet delinquent or being contested in good faith by appropriate process of law, if a reserve or other appropriate provision, if any, as is required by GAAP shall have been made therefor;

 

(k)           Liens existing on the Issue Date or, in the case of Hughes Communications, Inc. or any of its subsidiaries, the Escrow Release Date (including, for the avoidance of doubt, any such Liens of Hughes Communications, Inc. or any of its subsidiaries existing on the Escrow Release Date);

 

(l)            Liens for taxes, assessments or governmental charges or claims that are not yet delinquent or that are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings promptly instituted and diligently concluded; provided that any reserve or other appropriate provision as shall be required in conformity with GAAP shall have been made therefor;

 

(m)          Liens incurred by us or any of our Restricted Subsidiaries with respect to obligations that do not exceed $50 million in principal amount in the aggregate at any one time outstanding;

 

(n)           Liens securing Indebtedness permitted under clause (10) of the second paragraph of the covenant described under “Certain Covenants— Limitation on Incurrence of Indebtedness”; provided that such Liens shall not extend to assets other than the assets that previously secured such Indebtedness being refinanced;

 

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(o)           Liens securing Indebtedness permitted under clause (12) of the second paragraph of the covenant described under “Certain Covenants— Limitation on Incurrence of Indebtedness”;

 

(p)           Liens securing Indebtedness permitted under clause (13) of the second paragraph of the covenant described under “Certain Covenants— Limitation on Incurrence of Indebtedness”;

 

(q)           Liens securing Indebtedness permitted under clause (16) of the second paragraph of the covenant described under “Certain Covenants— Limitation on Incurrence of Indebtedness”; provided that such Liens do not extend to any assets of us or our Restricted Subsidiaries other than the assets so acquired;

 

(r)            Liens securing Indebtedness permitted under clause (17) of the second paragraph of the covenant described under “Certain Covenants— Limitation on Incurrence of Indebtedness”; provided that such Liens do not extend to any assets of us or our Restricted Subsidiaries other than the assets so acquired;

 

(s)           survey exceptions, encumbrances, Liens, restrictions, easements or reservations of, or rights of others for, licenses, rights-of-way, sewers, electric lines, telegraph and telephone lines and other similar purposes, or zoning or other restrictions as to the use of real properties or Liens incidental to the conduct of the business of such Person or to the ownership of its properties which were not incurred in connection with Indebtedness and which do not in the aggregate materially impair their use in the operation of the business of such Person;

 

(t)            leases and subleases of real property granted to others in the ordinary course of business that do not (i) materially interfere with the ordinary conduct of the business of us or our Restricted Subsidiaries or (ii) secure any Indebtedness;

 

(u)           Liens arising from Uniform Commercial Code financing statement filings regarding operating leases entered into by us and our Restricted Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business;

 

(v)           Liens on equipment of us or any Restricted Subsidiary granted in the ordinary course of business to our customers at the site at which such equipment is located;

 

(w)          Liens in favor of customers on satellites or portions thereof (including insurance proceeds relating thereto) or the satellite construction or acquisition agreement relating thereto;

 

(x)            grants of software and other licenses in the ordinary course of business;

 

(y)           Liens securing insurance premiums financing arrangements, provided that such Liens are limited to the applicable unearned insurance premiums;

 

(z)            extensions, renewals or refundings of any Liens referred to in clauses (a) through (y) above; provided that (i) any such extension, renewal or refunding does not extend to any assets or secure any Indebtedness not securing or secured by the Liens being extended, renewed or refinanced and (ii) any extension, renewal or refunding of a Lien originally incurred pursuant to clause (c) above shall not secure Indebtedness in an amount greater than the Maximum Secured Amount at the time of such extension, renewal or refunding; and

 

(aa)         Liens on Escrowed Proceeds for the benefit of the related holders of debt securities or other Indebtedness (or the underwriters or arrangers thereof) or on cash set aside at the time of the Incurrence of any Indebtedness or government securities purchased with such cash, in either case to the extent such cash or government securities prefund the payment of interest on such Indebtedness and are held in an escrow account or similar arrangement to be applied for such purpose.

 

Permitted Refinancing” has the meaning given in clause (10)(C) of the second paragraph of the covenant described under “Certain Covenants— Limitation on Incurrence of Indebtedness.”

 

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Person” means any individual, corporation, partnership, joint venture, association, joint-stock company, trust, unincorporated organization, limited liability company, government or any agency or political subdivision thereof or any other entity.

 

Preferred Equity Interest,” in any Person, means an Equity Interest of any class or classes (however designated) which is preferred as to the payment of dividends or distributions, or as to the distribution of assets upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation or dissolution of such Person, over Equity Interests of any other class in such Person.

 

Principal” means Charles W. Ergen.

 

Purchase Money Indebtedness” means (i) Indebtedness of us or any Guarantor incurred (within 365 days of such purchase) to finance the purchase of any assets (including the purchase of Equity Interests of Persons that are not our Affiliates or Guarantors) to the extent the amount of Indebtedness thereunder does not exceed 100% of the purchase cost of such assets; and (ii) Indebtedness of us or any Guarantor which refinances Indebtedness referred to in clause (i) of this definition; provided that such refinancing satisfies clause (i).

 

Rating Agency” or “Rating Agencies” means:

 

(a)           S&P;

 

(b)           Moody’s; or

 

(c)           if S&P or Moody’s or both shall not make a rating of the Secured Notes publicly available, a nationally recognized securities rating agency or agencies, as the case may be, selected by the Issuer, which shall be substituted for S&P or Moody’s or both, as the case may be.

 

“Receivables Trust” means a trust organized solely for the purpose of securitizing the accounts receivable held by the Accounts Receivable Subsidiary that:

 

(a)           shall not engage in any business other than (i) the purchase of accounts receivable or participation interests therein from the Accounts Receivable Subsidiary and the servicing thereof, (ii) the issuance of and distribution of payments with respect to the securities permitted to be issued under clause (b) below and (iii) other activities incidental to the foregoing;

 

(b)           shall not at any time incur Indebtedness or issue any securities, except (i) certificates representing undivided interests in the trust issued to the Accounts Receivable Subsidiary and (ii) debt securities issued in an arm’s length transaction for consideration solely in the form of cash and Cash Equivalents, all of which (net of any issuance fees and expenses) shall promptly be paid to the Accounts Receivable Subsidiary; and

 

(c)           shall distribute to the Accounts Receivable Subsidiary as a distribution on the Accounts Receivable Subsidiary’s beneficial interest in the trust no less frequently than once every six months all available cash and Cash Equivalents held by it, to the extent not required for reasonable operating expenses or reserves therefor or to service any securities issued pursuant to clause (b) above that are not held by the Accounts Receivable Subsidiary.

 

“Refinancing Indebtedness” has the meaning given in clause (10) of the second paragraph of the covenant described under “Certain Covenants— Limitation on Incurrence of Indebtedness.”

 

Registration Rights Agreement” means the Registration Rights Agreement dated as of the Issue Date among the Issuer, the Guarantors and Deutsche Bank Securities Inc., as supplemented by a joinder agreement to the Registration Rights Agreement, dated June 8, 2011, among the guarantors listed on the signature pages thereto and Deutsche Bank Securities Inc.

 

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Related Party” means, with respect to the Principal, (a) the spouse and each immediate family member of the Principal, (b) each trust, corporation, partnership or other entity of which the Principal beneficially holds an 80% or more controlling interest and (c) all trusts, including grantor retained annuity trusts, established by the Principal for the benefit of his family.

 

Replacement Assets” means, on any date, property or assets (including Capital Stock of an entity owning such property or assets), of a nature or type that are used in any Permitted Business.

 

Replacement Satellite Vendor Indebtedness” means Indebtedness of the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary provided by a satellite or satellite launch vendor, insurer or insurance agent or Affiliate thereof for the (i) construction, launch or insurance of all or part of one or more replacement satellites or satellite launches for such satellites, where “replacement satellite” means a satellite that is to be used: (x) as a replacement for any of the satellites owned, leased or under construction by the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary on the Issue Date or, in the case of Hughes Communications, Inc. or any of its subsidiaries, the Escrow Release Date, or (y) for continuation or expansion of the satellite service of the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary as a replacement for, or supplement to, a satellite that is retired or relocated (due to a deterioration in operating useful life) within the existing service area or reasonably determined by the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary to no longer meet the requirements for such service or as a supplement to one or more existing satellites to provide additional capacity or (ii) the replacement of a spare satellite that has been launched or that is no longer capable of being launched or suitable for launch. Replacement Satellite Vendor Indebtedness includes any Refinancing Indebtedness thereof.

 

Restricted Investment” means an Investment other than Permitted Investments.

 

Restricted Subsidiary” or “Restricted Subsidiaries” means any corporation, association or other business entity of which more than 50% of the total voting power of shares of Capital Stock entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of directors, managers or trustees thereof is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by us or one or more Subsidiaries of us or a combination thereof, other than Unrestricted Subsidiaries.

 

S&P” means Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services, a division of The McGraw Hill Companies, Inc.

 

SEC” means the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

Securities Act” means the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

 

Security Documents” means, collectively:

 

(1)           one or more Security Agreements dated as of June 8, 2011 (as amended, restated, modified, supplemented, extended or replaced from time to time), among the Issuer, the Guarantors and the Collateral Agent;

 

(2)           any mortgages after the Issue Date (as amended, restated, modified, supplemented, extended or replaced from time to time), among the Issuer or the applicable Guarantor and the Collateral Agent; and

 

(3)           all other security agreements, pledge agreements, mortgages, deeds of trust, deeds to secure debt, pledges, collateral assignments and other agreements or instruments evidencing or creating any security interest or Lien in favor of the Collateral Agent for its benefit and the benefit of the Trustee and the holders in any or all of the Collateral.

 

Significant Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary that would be a “significant subsidiary” as defined in Article 1, Rule 1-02 of Regulation S-X promulgated pursuant to the Securities Act, as such regulation is in effect on the Issue Date.

 

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Subsidiary” or “Subsidiaries” means, with respect to any Person, any corporation, association or other business entity of which more than 50% of the total voting power of shares of Capital Stock entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of directors, managers or trustees thereof is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by such Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of such Person or a combination thereof.

 

Taking” means any taking of the Collateral or any portion thereof, in or by condemnation or other eminent domain proceedings pursuant to any law, general or special, or by reason of the temporary requisition of the use of the Collateral or any portion thereof, by any Governmental Authority, civil or military.

 

Trailing Cash Flow Amount” means our Consolidated Cash Flow during the most recent four fiscal quarters for which financial statements are available; provided that if we or any of our Restricted Subsidiaries consummates a merger, acquisition or other business combination or an Asset Sale or other disposition of assets subsequent to the commencement of such period but prior to or contemporaneously with the event for which the calculation of Trailing Cash Flow Amount is made, then Trailing Cash Flow Amount shall be calculated giving pro forma effect to such material acquisition or Asset Sale or other disposition of assets, as if the same had occurred at the beginning of the applicable period.

 

Transactions” means the Acquisition, the repayment of certain existing indebtedness of Hughes Communications, Inc. and its subsidiaries in connection with the Acquisition, the offering of the Old Secured Notes and the Old Unsecured Notes contemplated by the Offering Memorandum and other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement.

 

TT&C” means telemetry, tracking and control.

 

Unrestricted Subsidiary” or “Unrestricted Subsidiaries” means any Subsidiary of us designated as an Unrestricted Subsidiary after the Issue Date in a resolution of our Board of Directors:

 

(a)           no portion of the Indebtedness or any other obligation (contingent or otherwise) of which, immediately after such designation: (i) is guaranteed by us or any other Subsidiary of us (other than another Unrestricted Subsidiary); (ii) is recourse to or obligates us or any other Subsidiary of us (other than another Unrestricted Subsidiary) in any way; or (iii) subjects any property or asset of us or any other Subsidiary of us (other than another Unrestricted Subsidiary), directly or indirectly, contingently or otherwise, to satisfaction thereof;

 

(b)           with which neither we nor any other Subsidiary of us (other than another Unrestricted Subsidiary) has any contract, agreement, arrangement, understanding or is subject to an obligation of any kind, written or oral, other than on terms no less favorable to us or such other Subsidiary than those that might be obtained at the time from Persons who are not our Affiliates; and

 

(c)           with which neither we nor any other Subsidiary of us (other than another Unrestricted Subsidiary) has any obligation: (i) to subscribe for additional shares of Capital Stock or other equity interests therein; or (ii) to maintain or preserve such Subsidiary’s financial condition or to cause such Subsidiary to achieve certain levels of operating results.

 

If at any time after the Issue Date we designate an additional Subsidiary as an Unrestricted Subsidiary, we will be deemed to have made a Restricted Investment in an amount equal to the fair market value (as determined in good faith by our Board of Directors evidenced by a resolution of our Board of Directors and set forth in an officers’ certificate delivered to the Trustee no later than ten business days following a request from the Trustee, which certificate shall cover the six months preceding the date of the request) of such Subsidiary and to have incurred all Indebtedness of such Unrestricted Subsidiary. An Unrestricted Subsidiary may be designated as a Restricted Subsidiary if, at the time of such designation after giving pro forma effect thereto, no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred or be continuing.

 

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Weighted Average Life to Maturity” means, when applied to any Indebtedness at any date, the number of years obtained by dividing (a) the then outstanding principal amount of such Indebtedness into (b) the total of the product obtained by multiplying (i) the amount of each then remaining installment, sinking fund, serial maturity or other required payments of principal, including payment at final maturity, in respect thereof, by (ii) the number of years (calculated to the nearest one-twelfth) that will elapse between such date and the making of such payment.

 

Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary” means a Wholly Owned Subsidiary of the Issuer that is a Restricted Subsidiary.

 

Wholly Owned Subsidiary” means, with respect to any Person, any Subsidiary all of the outstanding voting stock (other than directors’ qualifying shares) of which is owned by such Person, directly or indirectly.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF THE UNSECURED NOTES

 

The Unsecured Notes will be issued under an indenture (the “Unsecured Indenture”), dated June 1, 2011,  among EH Holding Corporation (currently known as Hughes Satellite Systems Corporation) (the “Company”), the guarantors listed on the signature page thereto and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Trustee, as supplemented by a supplemental indenture dated June 8, 2011 among the Company, the Guarantors and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association.  The rights of the holders of the Unsecured Notes are governed solely by the Unsecured Indenture and our obligations under the Unsecured Indenture are solely for the benefit of the holders of the Old Unsecured Notes and the Unsecured Notes.  The terms of the Unsecured Notes will be substantially identical to the terms of the Old Unsecured Notes.  However, the Unsecured Notes will not be subject to transfer restrictions or registration rights unless held by certain broker-dealers, our affiliates or certain other Persons.

 

The following description is a summary of the material provisions of the Unsecured Indenture. It does not restate the Unsecured Indenture in its entirety.  We urge you to read the Unsecured Indenture and the Unsecured Notes because they, and not this description, define your rights as a holder of the Unsecured Notes.  Copies of the Unsecured Indenture and the Unsecured Notes are available to you upon request.

 

You can find the definitions of some of the capitalized terms used in this section under the subheading “Certain Definitions.”  In this section of the prospectus:

 

·      the terms “Hughes Satellite Systems,” the “Company,” the “Issuer,” “we,” “us,” “our” or similar terms refer only to Hughes Satellite Systems Corporation and not to any of our subsidiaries;

·      references to “Guarantors” shall mean our direct and indirect Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiaries that guarantee the Unsecured Notes; and

·      references to “Parent” mean Hughes Satellite Systems’ parent, EchoStar Corporation, together with each Wholly Owned Subsidiary of Parent that beneficially owns 100% of Hughes Satellite Systems’ Equity Interests, but only so long as Parent beneficially owns 100% of the Equity Interests of such subsidiary.

 

The terms of the Unsecured Notes include those stated in the Unsecured Indenture and those made part of the Unsecured Indenture by reference to the Trust Indenture Act.  The Unsecured Notes are subject to all such terms, and holders of Unsecured Notes should refer to the Unsecured Indenture and the Trust Indenture Act for a statement thereof.

 

Brief Description of the Unsecured Notes

 

The Unsecured Notes

 

The Unsecured Notes will be:

 

·      general unsecured obligations of the Issuer;

·      effectively junior to the Issuer’s obligations that are secured to the extent of the value of the collateral securing such obligations;

·      senior in right of payment to all existing and future obligations of the Issuer that are expressly subordinated to the Unsecured Notes;

·      structurally junior to any existing and future obligations of any non-Guarantor Subsidiaries; and

·      unconditionally guaranteed, jointly and severally, on a general senior basis by each Guarantor.

 

Although the Unsecured Notes are titled “senior,” we have not issued, and do not have any plans to issue, any indebtedness to which the Unsecured Notes would be senior.

 

The Unsecured Notes will be issued in fully registered form only, without coupons, in denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof. Any Old Unsecured Notes that remain outstanding after the completion of the exchange offer, together with the Unsecured Notes issued in connection with the exchange offer, will be treated as a single class of securities for all purposes under the Unsecured Indenture, including, without

 

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limitation, waivers, amendments, redemptions, “Change of Control Offer” and “Certain Covenants —Asset Sales,” each as discussed under their respective subheadings below.

 

The Guarantees

 

The Unsecured Notes will be guaranteed by the Guarantors. The Guarantee of each Guarantor will be:

 

·      a general unsecured obligation of such Guarantor;

·      effectively junior to such Guarantor’s obligations that are secured to the extent of the value of the collateral securing such obligations;

·      senior in right of payment to all existing and future obligations of such Guarantor that are expressly subordinated to the Unsecured Notes.

 

In addition, the Unsecured Indenture permits us and the Guarantors to incur additional Indebtedness, including secured and unsecured Indebtedness that ranks equally with the Unsecured Notes. Any secured Indebtedness will, as to the collateral securing such Indebtedness, be effectively senior to the Unsecured Notes or the Guarantees, as the case may be, to the extent of the value of such collateral.

 

All of our Domestic Subsidiaries are Guarantors other than any Immaterial Subsidiaries.

 

Principal, Maturity and Interest

 

The Unsecured Notes will be issued in an aggregate principal amount of up to $900,000,000.  Additional notes (“Additional Unsecured Notes”) may be issued under the Unsecured Indenture from time to time, subject to the limitations set forth under (x) “— Certain Covenants — Limitation on Incurrence of Indebtedness” without regard to clause (1) under the second paragraph thereof and (y) clause (c) of the definition of “Permitted Liens.”  Any Additional Unsecured Notes will be part of the same series as the Unsecured Notes offered hereby and will vote on all matters with the Unsecured Notes offered hereby.  The Unsecured Notes will mature on                June 15, 2021.

 

Interest on the Unsecured Notes will accrue at a rate of 7.625% per annum payable semiannually in arrears in cash on  June 15 and December 15 of each year, commencing June 15, 2012 or if any such day is not a business day on the next succeeding business day, to holders of record on the immediately preceding June 1 and December 1, respectively.  Interest on the Unsecured Notes will accrue from the most recent date to which interest has been paid or, if no interest has been paid, from the date of issuance.  Interest on the Unsecured Notes will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.

 

The Unsecured Notes are payable both as to principal and interest at our office or agency maintained for such purpose or, at our option, payment of interest may be made by check mailed to the holders of the Unsecured Notes at their respective addresses set forth in the register of holders of Unsecured Notes. Until otherwise designated by us, our office or agency will be the office of the Trustee maintained for such purpose.

 

Guarantees

 

Each Guarantor will jointly and severally guarantee the Issuer’s obligations under the Unsecured Notes.  The obligations of each Guarantor under its Guarantee for the Unsecured Notes will be limited as necessary to prevent such Guarantee from constituting a fraudulent conveyance or fraudulent transfer under applicable law.  See “Risk Factors — Risks Related to the Notes and the Exchange Offer— The guarantees of the Notes by our subsidiaries may be subject to challenge.”  Each Guarantor that makes a payment or distribution under a Guarantee will be entitled to a pro rata contribution from each other Guarantor based on the net assets of such Guarantor and each other Guarantor.

 

Each Guarantor may consolidate with or merge into or sell its assets to us or another Guarantor that is a Restricted Subsidiary, or with or to other Persons upon the terms and conditions set forth in the Unsecured Indenture. A Guarantor may not sell or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its assets, or consolidate with

 

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or merge with or into another Person (whether or not such Guarantor is the surviving Person), unless certain conditions are met. See “— Certain Covenants — Merger, Consolidation, or Sale of Assets.”

 

A Guarantee of a Guarantor will be deemed automatically discharged and released in accordance with the terms of the Unsecured Indenture:

 

(1)           in connection with any direct or indirect sale, conveyance or other disposition of all of the capital stock or all or substantially all of the assets of that Guarantor (including by way of merger or consolidation), if such sale or disposition is made in compliance with the applicable provisions of the Unsecured Indenture (see “— Certain Covenants — Asset Sales”);

 

(2)           if such Guarantor is dissolved or liquidated in accordance with the provisions of the Unsecured Indenture;

 

(3)           if we designate any such Guarantor as an Unrestricted Subsidiary in compliance with the terms of the Unsecured Indenture; or

 

(4)           the Issuer’s exercise of its legal defeasance option or covenant defeasance option as described under “Legal Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance” or if the Issuer’s obligations under the Unsecured Indenture are discharged in accordance with the terms of the Unsecured Indenture.

 

Optional Redemption

 

Except as stated below, the Unsecured Notes are not redeemable at our option prior to their stated maturity.

 

The Unsecured Notes will be redeemable, at our option, at any time in whole, or from time to time in part, upon not less than 30 and not more than 60 days’ notice, at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Unsecured Notes plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the redemption date and a make-whole premium. Holders of record on the relevant record date have the right to receive interest due on an interest payment date that is on or prior to the redemption date. The redemption price will never be less than 100% of the principal amount of the Unsecured Notes being redeemed plus accrued interest to the redemption date.

 

The amount of the make-whole premium on any Unsecured Note, or portion of an Unsecured Note, to be redeemed will be equal to the greater of (a) 1% of the principal amount of such Unsecured Note or such portion of an Unsecured Note being redeemed and (b) the excess, if any, of:

 

(1)           the sum of the present values, calculated as of the redemption date, of: (i) each interest payment that, but for the redemption, would have been payable on the Unsecured Note, or portion of an Unsecured Note, being redeemed on each interest payment date occurring after the redemption date, excluding any accrued interest for the period prior to the redemption date, plus (ii) the principal amount that, but for the redemption, would have been payable on the maturity date of the Unsecured Note, or portion of an Unsecured Note, being redeemed;

 

over

 

(2)           the principal amount of the Unsecured Note, or portion of an Unsecured Note, being redeemed.

 

The present values of interest and principal payments referred to in clause (1) above will be determined in accordance with generally accepted principles of financial analysis. The present values will be calculated by discounting the amount of each payment of interest or principal from the date that each such payment would have been payable, but for the redemption, to the redemption date at a discount rate equal to the Treasury Yield, as defined below, plus 50 basis points.

 

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We will appoint an independent investment banking institution of national standing to calculate the make-whole premium; provided that if we fail to appoint an institution at least 45 days prior to the date set for redemption or if the institution that we appoint is unwilling or unable to make such calculation, such calculation will be made by Deutsche Bank Securities Inc., or, if such firm fails to make such calculation, by an independent investment banking institution of national standing appointed by the Trustee (it being understood that the Trustee’s agreement to appoint such an institution is a matter of courtesy and accommodation only and the Trustee shall not be liable to any Person as a result).

 

For purposes of determining the make-whole premium, “Treasury Yield” refers to an annual rate of interest equal to the weekly average yield to maturity of United States Treasury Notes that have a constant maturity that corresponds to the remaining term to maturity of the Unsecured Notes being redeemed, calculated to the nearest one-twelfth of a year, which we call the remaining term.  The Treasury Yield will be determined as of the third business day immediately preceding the applicable redemption date.

 

The weekly average yields of United States Treasury Notes will be determined by reference to the most recent statistical release published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York and designated “H.15(519) Selected Interest Rates” or any successor release, which we call the H.15 Statistical Release. If the H.15 Statistical Release sets forth a weekly average yield for United States Treasury Notes having a constant maturity that is the same as the remaining term, then the Treasury Yield will be equal to such weekly average yield. In all other cases, the Treasury Yield will be calculated by interpolation, on a straight-line basis, between the weekly average yields on the United States Treasury Notes that have a constant maturity closest to and greater than the remaining term and the United States Treasury Notes that have a constant maturity closest to and less than the remaining term, in each case as set forth in the H.15 Statistical Release. Any weekly average yields as calculated by interpolation will be rounded to the nearest 0.01%, with any figure of 0.005% or more being rounded upward. If weekly average yields for United States Treasury Notes are not available in the H.15 Statistical Release or otherwise, then the Treasury Yield will be calculated by interpolation of comparable rates selected by the independent investment banking institution.

 

Redemption with the Proceeds of Certain Capital Contributions or Equity Offerings

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, at any time prior to June 15, 2014, we may redeem up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of the Old Unsecured Notes and the Unsecured Notes outstanding at a redemption price equal to 107.625% of the principal amount thereof, together with accrued and unpaid interest to such redemption date, with the net cash proceeds of any capital contributions or one or more public or private sales (including sales to Parent, regardless of whether Parent obtained such funds from an offering of Equity Interests or Indebtedness of Parent or otherwise, and provided that such funds are contributed to us) of Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of us (other than proceeds from a sale to any of our Subsidiaries or any employee benefit plan in which we or any of our Subsidiaries participates); provided that:

 

·      at least 65% in aggregate of the originally issued principal amount of the Old Unsecured Notes and the Unsecured Notes remains outstanding immediately after the occurrence of such redemption; and

·      the sale of such Equity Interests is made in compliance with the terms of the Unsecured Indenture.

 

Selection and Notice

 

If less than all of the Unsecured Notes are to be redeemed at any time, the selection of Unsecured Notes for redemption will be made by the Trustee in compliance with the requirements of the principal national securities exchange, if any, on which the Unsecured Notes are listed or, if the Unsecured Notes are not so listed, on a pro rata basis, by lot or by such other method as the Trustee deems fair and appropriate in accordance with DTC procedures, provided that no Unsecured Notes with a principal amount of $2,000 or less shall be redeemed in part. Notice of redemption shall be mailed by first-class mail at least 30 but not more than 60 days before the redemption date to each holder of Unsecured Notes to be redeemed at its registered address. If any Note is to be redeemed in part only, the notice of redemption that relates to such Note shall state the portion of the principal amount thereof to be redeemed. A new Note in principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion thereof will be issued in the name of the holder thereof upon cancellation of the original Note. On and after the redemption date, if we do not default in the

 

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payment of the redemption price, interest will cease to accrue on Unsecured Notes or portions thereof called for redemption.

 

Change of Control Offer

 

Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control, we will be required to make an offer (a “Change of Control Offer”) to each holder of Unsecured Notes to repurchase all or any part (equal to $2,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof) of such holder’s Unsecured Notes at a purchase price equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount thereof, together with accrued and unpaid interest thereon to the date of repurchase (the “Change of Control Payment”). Within 30 days following any Change of Control, we shall mail a notice to each holder stating:

 

(1)           that the Change of Control Offer is being made pursuant to the covenant entitled “Change of Control Offer”;

 

(2)           the purchase price and the purchase date, which shall be no earlier than 30 days nor later than 60 days after the date such notice is mailed (the “Change of Control Payment Date”);

 

(3)           that any Unsecured Notes not tendered will continue to accrue interest in accordance with the terms of the Unsecured Indenture;

 

(4)           that, unless we default in the payment of the Change of Control Payment, all Unsecured Notes accepted for payment pursuant to the Change of Control Offer shall cease to accrue interest after the Change of Control Payment Date;

 

(5)           that holders will be entitled to withdraw their election if the paying agent receives, not later than the close of business on the second business day preceding the Change of Control Payment Date, a facsimile transmission or letter setting forth the name of the holder, the principal amount of Unsecured Notes delivered for purchase, and a statement that such holder is withdrawing his election to have such Unsecured Notes purchased;

 

(6)           that holders whose Unsecured Notes are being purchased only in part will be issued new Unsecured Notes equal in principal amount to the unpurchased portion of the Unsecured Notes surrendered, which unpurchased portion must be equal to $2,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof; and

 

(7)           any other information material to such holder’s decision to tender Unsecured Notes.

 

We will comply with the requirements of Rule 14e-1 under the Exchange Act and any other securities laws and regulations thereunder to the extent such laws and regulations are applicable in connection with the repurchase of the Unsecured Notes required in the event of a Change of Control.  We may not be able to repurchase all of the Unsecured Notes tendered upon a Change of Control.  If we fail to repurchase all of the Unsecured Notes tendered for purchase upon a Change of Control, such failure will constitute an Event of Default.  In addition, the terms of other indebtedness to which we may be subject may prohibit us from purchasing the Unsecured Notes or offering to purchase the Unsecured Notes, and a Change of Control Offer or a Change of Control Payment could trigger a default or event of default under the terms of such indebtedness.  If we were unable to obtain the consent of the holders of any such other indebtedness to make a Change of Control Offer or make the Change of Control Payment or to repay such indebtedness, a Default or Event of Default may occur. See the subheading, “Events of Default.”

 

Except as described above with respect to a Change of Control, the Unsecured Indenture does not contain any provisions that would permit the holders of any of the Unsecured Notes to require that we repurchase or redeem any Unsecured Notes in the event of a takeover, recapitalization or similar transaction.

 

Certain Covenants

 

Limitation on Restricted Payments.  The Unsecured Indenture provides that neither we nor any of our Restricted Subsidiaries may, directly or indirectly:

 

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(a)           declare or pay any dividend or make any distribution on account of any of our Equity Interests other than dividends or distributions payable in Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of us;

 

(b)           purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire or retire for value any Equity Interests of Parent, us or any of its or our respective Subsidiaries or Affiliates, other than any such Equity Interests owned by us or by any Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary;

 

(c)           purchase, redeem, defease or otherwise acquire or retire for value any Indebtedness that is expressly subordinated in right of payment to the Unsecured Notes issued under the Unsecured Indenture or the Guarantees thereof, except (i) in accordance with the scheduled mandatory redemption, sinking fund or repayment provisions set forth in the original documentation governing such Indebtedness and (ii) the purchase, repurchase or other acquisition of subordinated Indebtedness with a stated maturity earlier than the maturity of the Unsecured Notes issued under the Unsecured Indenture or the Guarantees thereof purchased in anticipation of satisfying a payment of principal at the stated maturity thereof, within one year of such stated maturity;

 

(d)           declare or pay any dividend or make any distribution on account of any Equity Interests of any Restricted Subsidiary, other than:

 

(i)            to us or any Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary; or

 

(ii)           to all holders of any class or series of Equity Interests of such Restricted Subsidiary on a pro rata basis; provided that in the case of this clause (ii), such dividends or distributions may not be in the form of Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock; or

 

(e)           make any Restricted Investment;

 

(all such prohibited payments and other actions set forth in clauses (a) through (e) being collectively referred to as “Restricted Payments”), unless, at the time of such Restricted Payment:

 

(i)            no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would occur as a consequence thereof;

 

(ii)           after giving effect to such Restricted Payment and the incurrence of any Indebtedness the net proceeds of which are used to finance such Restricted Payment, our Indebtedness to Cash Flow Ratio would not have exceeded 5.5 to 1.0; and

 

(iii)          such Restricted Payment, together with the aggregate of all other Restricted Payments made by us after the Issue Date, is less than the sum of:

 

(A)          the difference of:

 

(x)            our cumulative Consolidated Cash Flow determined at the time of such Restricted Payment (or, in case such Consolidated Cash Flow shall be a deficit, minus 100% of such deficit); minus

 

(y)           1.4 times our Consolidated Interest Expense,

 

each as determined for the period (taken as one accounting period) from the Issue Date to the end of our most recently ended fiscal quarter for which internal financial statements are available at the time of such Restricted Payment; plus

 

(B)           an amount equal to 100% of the aggregate net cash proceeds (other than the net cash proceeds received from EchoStar Corporation or any of its subsidiaries

 

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that are used to consummate the Transactions) and, in the case of proceeds consisting of assets used in or constituting a business permitted under the covenant described under “— Limitations on Activities of the Issuer,” 100% of the fair market value of the aggregate net proceeds other than cash received by us, either from capital contributions from Parent, or from the issue or sale (including an issue or sale to Parent which is contributed to us) of Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of us (other than Equity Interests sold to any of our Subsidiaries), since the Issue Date; plus

 

(C)           if any Unrestricted Subsidiary is designated by us as a Restricted Subsidiary, an amount equal to the fair market value of the net Investment by us or a Restricted Subsidiary in such Subsidiary at the time of such designation; provided, however, that the foregoing sum shall not exceed the amount of the Investments made by us or any Restricted Subsidiary in any such Unrestricted Subsidiary since the Issue Date; plus

 

(D)          100% of any cash dividends and other cash distributions received by us and our Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiaries from an Unrestricted Subsidiary since the Issue Date to the extent not included in our cumulative Consolidated Cash Flow; plus

 

(E)           to the extent not included in clauses (A) through (D) above, an amount equal to the net reduction in Investments of us and our Restricted Subsidiaries since the Issue Date resulting from payments in cash of interest on Indebtedness, dividends, or repayment of loans or advances, or other transfers of property, in each case, to us or to a Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary or from the net cash proceeds from the sale, conveyance or other disposition of any such Investment; provided, however, that the foregoing sum shall not exceed, with respect to any Person in whom such Investment was made, the amount of Investments previously made by us or any Restricted Subsidiary in such Person which were included in computations made pursuant to this clause (iii).

 

The foregoing provisions will not prohibit the following (provided that with respect to clauses (2), (3), (4), (5), (6), (7), (8), (14) and (20) below, no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing):

 

(1)           the payment of any dividend or distribution within 60 days after the date of declaration thereof, if at such date of declaration such payment would have complied with the provisions of the Unsecured Indenture;

 

(2)           the redemption, repurchase, retirement or other acquisition of any of our Equity Interests or subordinated Indebtedness of us or any Guarantor in exchange for, or out of the net proceeds of the substantially concurrent capital contribution from Parent or from the substantially concurrent issue or sale (including to Parent) of Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of us (other than Equity Interests issued or sold to any Subsidiary of us);

 

(3)           Investments in an aggregate amount not to exceed the greater of $75.0 million and 3.75% of Consolidated Net Tangible Assets plus, to the extent not included in Consolidated Cash Flow, an amount equal to the net reduction in such Investments resulting from payments in cash of interest on Indebtedness, dividends or repayment of loans or advances, or other transfers of property, in each case, to us or to a Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary or from the net cash proceeds from the sale, conveyance or other disposition of any such Investment; provided, however, that the foregoing sum shall not exceed, with respect to any Person in whom such Investment was made, the amount of Investments previously made by us or any Restricted Subsidiary in such Person pursuant to this clause (3);

 

(4)           cash dividends or distributions to the extent required for the purchase, redemption, repurchase or other acquisition or retirement for value of employee stock options to purchase Capital Stock of Parent or Issuer, or Capital Stock of Parent or Issuer issued pursuant to any management equity plan, stock option plan or other management or employee benefit plan or agreement, in an aggregate amount not to exceed $15.0 million in any calendar year;

 

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(5)           a Permitted Refinancing;

 

(6)           Investments in an amount equal to 100% of the aggregate net proceeds (whether or not in cash) received by us or any Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary from capital contributions from Parent (other than the net cash proceeds received by EchoStar Corporation or any of its subsidiaries that are used to consummate the Transactions) or from the issue and sale (including a sale to Parent) of Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of us (other than Equity Interests issued or sold to a Subsidiary of Parent), on or after the Escrow Release Date; plus, to the extent not included in Consolidated Cash Flow, an amount equal to the net reduction in such Investments resulting from payments in cash of interest on Indebtedness, dividends, or repayment of loans or advances, or other transfers of property, in each case, to us or to a Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary or from the net cash proceeds from the sale, conveyance, or other disposition of any such Investment; provided, however, that the foregoing amount shall not exceed, with respect to any Person in whom such Investment was made, the amount of Investments previously made by us or any Restricted Subsidiary in such Person pursuant to this clause (6) in each case; provided that such Investments are in businesses of the type described under “— Limitations on Activities of the Issuer”;

 

(7)           Investments in businesses strategically related to businesses described in “— Limitations on Activities of the Issuer” in an aggregate amount not to exceed $250.0 million outstanding at any time;

 

(8)           Investments made as a result of the receipt of non-cash proceeds from Asset Sales made in compliance with the covenants described under “— Asset Sales” or any disposition not constituting an Asset Sale and Investments entered into in connection with an acquisition of assets used in or constituting a business permitted under the covenant described under “— Limitations on Activities of the Issuer,” as a result of “earn-outs” or other deferred payments or similar obligations;

 

(9)           any Investment existing on the Issue Date or, in the case of Hughes Communications, Inc. or any of its subsidiaries, the Escrow Release Date (including, for the avoidance of doubt, any such Investments by Hughes Communications, Inc. or any of its subsidiaries existing on the Escrow Release Date) and any Investments made pursuant to binding commitments in effect on the Issue Date or, in the case of Hughes Communications, Inc. or any of its subsidiaries, the Escrow Release Date (including, for the avoidance of doubt, any such binding commitments of Hughes Communications, Inc. or any of its subsidiaries in effect on the Escrow Release Date);

 

(10)         any Investment acquired by us or any Restricted Subsidiary (a) in exchange for any other Investment or accounts receivable held by us or any Restricted Subsidiary in connection with or as a result of a bankruptcy, workout, reorganization or recapitalization of the issuer of such other Investment or accounts receivable or (b) as a result of a foreclosure by us or any Restricted Subsidiary with respect to any secured Investment or other transfer of title with respect to any secured Investment in default;

 

(11)         Hedging Obligations permitted under “— Limitation on Incurrence of Indebtedness”;

 

(12)         Investments consisting of the licensing or contribution of intellectual property pursuant to joint marketing arrangements with other Persons;

 

(13)         Investments consisting of purchases and acquisitions of inventory, supplies, materials and equipment or purchases of contract rights or licenses or leases of intellectual property in each case in the ordinary course of business;

 

(14)         additional Investments in joint ventures of us or any of our Restricted Subsidiaries existing on the Issue Date or, in the case of Hughes Communications, Inc. or any of its subsidiaries, the Escrow Release Date (including, for the avoidance of doubt, any such Investment by Hughes Communications, Inc. or any of its subsidiaries existing on the Escrow Release Date) in an aggregate amount not to exceed $50.0 million outstanding at any one time;

 

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(15)         Investments of a Restricted Subsidiary acquired after the Escrow Release Date (including, for the avoidance of doubt, any such Investment by Hughes Communications, Inc. or any of its subsidiaries) or of an entity merged into, amalgamated with, or consolidated with a Restricted Subsidiary in a transaction that is not prohibited by the covenant described under “—Merger, Consolidation, or Sale of Assets” after the Escrow Release Date to the extent such Investments were not made in contemplation of such acquisition, merger, amalgamation or consolidation and were in existence on the date of such acquisitions, merger, amalgamation or consolidation;

 

(16)         any Investment in the Old Secured Notes or the Secured Notes, or the Old Unsecured Notes or the Unsecured Notes;

 

(17)         the redemption, repurchase, defeasance or other acquisition or retirement for value of subordinated Indebtedness, including premium, if any, and accrued and unpaid interest, with the proceeds of, or in exchange for: (a) the proceeds of a capital contribution or a substantially concurrent offering of, shares of Capital Stock of the Issuer (or options, warrants or other rights to acquire such Capital Stock), or (b) Indebtedness that is at least as subordinated in right of payment to the Unsecured Notes, including premium, if any, and accrued and unpaid interest, as the Indebtedness being redeemed, repurchased, defeased, acquired or retired and with a final maturity equal to or greater than, and a Weighted Average Life to Maturity equal to or greater than, the final maturity and Weighted Average Life to Maturity, respectively of the Indebtedness being redeemed, repurchased, defeased, acquired or retired;

 

(18)         repurchases of Equity Interests deemed to occur upon (a) the exercise of stock options, warrants or convertible securities issued as compensation if such Equity Interests represent a portion of the exercise price thereof and (b) the withholding of a portion of the Equity Interests granted or awarded to an employee to pay taxes associated therewith (or a dividend or distribution to finance such a deemed repurchase by Parent);

 

(19)         amounts paid by us to Parent or any other Person with which we are included in a consolidated tax return equal to the amount of federal, state and local income taxes payable in respect of the income of the Issuer and its Subsidiaries, including without limitation, any payments made in accordance with tax allocation agreements between the Issuer and its Affiliates in effect from time to time;

 

(20)         the making of a Restricted Payment so long as after giving effect to any such Restricted Payment the aggregate amount of such Restricted Payments made pursuant to this clause (20) shall not exceed $75.0 million;

 

(21)         amounts paid to any direct or indirect parent company in amounts required for any direct or indirect parent company to pay customary salaries, bonuses and other benefits of any direct or indirect parent company, to the extent such salaries, bonuses and other benefits are attributable to the ownership or operation of the Issuer and the Restricted Subsidiaries; and

 

(22)         the making of any payments to fund the Transactions and the fees and expenses related thereto.

 

Restricted Payments made pursuant to clauses (1), (2), (6) or (17) (but only to the extent that net proceeds received by us as set forth in such clause (2), (6) or (17) were included in the computations made in clause (iii)(B) of the first paragraph of this covenant), shall be included as Restricted Payments in any computation made pursuant to clause (iii) of the first paragraph of this covenant.

 

Restricted Payments made pursuant to clauses (3), (4), (5), (6), (17) (but only to the extent that net proceeds received by us as set forth in such clause (6) or (17) were not included in the computations made in clause (iii)(B) of the first paragraph of this covenant), (7), (8), (9), (10), (11), (12), (13), (14), (15), (16), (18), (19), (20), (21) and (22) shall not be included as Restricted Payments in any computation made pursuant to clause (iii) of the first paragraph of this covenant.

 

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If we or any Restricted Subsidiary makes an Investment that was included in computations made pursuant to this covenant and the Person in which such Investment was made subsequently becomes a Restricted Subsidiary that is a Guarantor, to the extent such Investment resulted in a reduction in the amounts calculated under clause (iii) of the first paragraph of or under any other provision of this covenant, then such amount shall be increased by the amount of such reduction.

 

Limitation on Incurrence of Indebtedness.  The Unsecured Indenture provides that we shall not, and shall not permit any of our Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, create, incur, issue, assume, guarantee or otherwise become directly or indirectly liable with respect to (collectively, “incur”) any Indebtedness (including Acquired Debt); provided, however, that, notwithstanding the foregoing, the Issuer and any Guarantor may incur Indebtedness (including Acquired Debt), if, after giving effect to the incurrence of such Indebtedness and the application of the net proceeds thereof on a pro forma basis (including in the case of an acquisition, merger or other business combination giving pro forma effect to such transaction), our Indebtedness to Cash Flow Ratio would not have exceeded 5.5 to 1.0.

 

The foregoing limitation does not apply to any of the following incurrences of Indebtedness:

 

(1)           Indebtedness represented by the Old Unsecured Notes issued on the Issue Date or, in the case of Hughes Communications, Inc. or any of its subsidiaries, the Escrow Release Date (including, for the avoidance of doubt, any such Indebtedness of Hughes Communications, Inc. or any of its subsidiaries on the Escrow Release Date) and the Guarantees thereof;

 

(2)           the incurrence by us or any Restricted Subsidiary of Deferred Payments and letters of credit with respect thereto;

 

(3)           Indebtedness of us or any Restricted Subsidiary in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed the greater of $75.0 million and 3.75% of Consolidated Net Tangible Assets at any one time outstanding;

 

(4)           Indebtedness between and among us and any Restricted Subsidiary;

 

(5)           Acquired Debt of a Person, incurred prior to the date upon which such Person was acquired by us or any Restricted Subsidiary (excluding Indebtedness incurred by such entity other than in the ordinary course of its business in connection with, or in contemplation of, such entity being so acquired) provided that at the time of such transaction after giving pro forma effect thereto as if such transaction had occurred at the beginning of the applicable four-quarter period, either

 

(a)           we would be permitted to incur at least $1.00 of additional Indebtedness pursuant to the Indebtedness to Cash Flow Ratio test set forth in the covenant described under “— Limitation on Incurrence of Indebtedness,” above, or

 

(b)           our Indebtedness to Cash Flow Ratio is equal to or less than immediately prior to such transaction;

 

(6)           Existing Indebtedness;

 

(7)           (a) In an aggregate principal amount not to exceed the greater of $75.0 million and 3.75% of Consolidated Net Tangible Assets at any one time outstanding the incurrence of Purchase Money Indebtedness and Capital Lease Obligations by us or any Restricted Subsidiary in an amount not to exceed the cost of construction, lease, acquisition or improvement of assets used in any business permitted under the covenant described under “— Limitations on Activities of the Issuer,” as well as any launch costs and insurance premiums related to such assets and (b) Indebtedness of us or any Restricted Subsidiary under Capital Lease Obligations with respect to AMC-15, AMC-16, Nimiq 5 and QuetzSat-1 and no more than one additional satellite and any replacement satellite for any of the foregoing satellites at any time, as well as any launch costs and insurance premiums related to such assets;

 

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(8)           The incurrence by us or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries of Hedging Obligations that are incurred in the ordinary course of business and not for speculative purposes, including without limitation Hedging Obligations covering the principal amount of Indebtedness entered into in order to protect us or any of our Restricted Subsidiaries from fluctuation in interest rates on Indebtedness;

 

(9)           Indebtedness of us or any of our Restricted Subsidiaries in respect of performance bid and appeal bonds or completion guarantees or letters of credit of us or any Restricted Subsidiary or surety bonds provided by us or any Restricted Subsidiary incurred in the ordinary course of business and on ordinary business terms in connection with the businesses permitted under the covenant described under “— Limitations on Activities of the Issuer”;

 

(10)         the incurrence by us or any Restricted Subsidiary of Indebtedness issued in exchange for, or the proceeds of which are used to extend, refinance, renew, replace, substitute or refund in whole or in part Indebtedness referred to in the first paragraph of this covenant or in clauses (1), (2), (5), (6) or (7) above, this clause (10) or clause (18) (“Refinancing Indebtedness”); provided, however, that:

 

(A)          the principal amount of such Refinancing Indebtedness shall not exceed the principal amount and accrued interest of the Indebtedness so exchanged, extended, refinanced, renewed, replaced, substituted or refunded and any premiums payable and reasonable fees, expenses, commissions and costs in connection therewith;

 

(B)           the Refinancing Indebtedness shall have a final maturity equal to or later than, and a Weighted Average Life to Maturity equal to or greater than, the final maturity and Weighted Average Life to Maturity, respectively, of the Indebtedness being exchanged, extended, refinanced, renewed, replaced, substituted or refunded; and

 

(C)           the Refinancing Indebtedness shall be subordinated in right of payment to the Old Unsecured Notes and the Unsecured Notes issued under the Unsecured Indenture and the Guarantees thereof, if at all, on terms at least as favorable to the holders of the Old Unsecured Notes and the Unsecured Notes issued under the Unsecured Indenture as those contained in the documentation governing the Indebtedness being extended, refinanced, renewed, replaced, substituted or refunded (a “Permitted Refinancing”);

 

(11)         the guarantee by us or any Restricted Subsidiary of Indebtedness of us or a Restricted Subsidiary that was permitted to be incurred by another provision of this covenant;

 

(12)         Indebtedness incurred by us or any Restricted Subsidiary under a revolving credit facility, and any extension, amendment or amendment and restatement thereof, not to exceed $100.0 million;

 

(13)         Indebtedness incurred by us or any Restricted Subsidiary under the Coface Facility, and any extension, amendment or amendment and restatement thereof (including any reinstatement of the Coface Facility that occurs after the Escrow Release Date notwithstanding that the Coface Facility was repaid on the Escrow Release Date), not to exceed $115.0 million;

 

(14)         Indebtedness of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary owed to (including obligations in respect of letters of credit for the benefit of) any Person in connection with workers’ compensation, health, disability or other employee benefits or property, casualty or liability insurance provided by such Person to us or such Restricted Subsidiary pursuant to reimbursement or indemnification obligations to such Person, in each case incurred in the ordinary course of business and consistent with industry practices;

 

(15)         Indebtedness arising from agreements of us or a Restricted Subsidiary providing for indemnification, adjustment of purchase price or similar obligations, in each case incurred in connection with the disposition of any business, assets or a Subsidiary of us in accordance with the terms of the

 

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Unsecured Indenture, other than guarantees of Indebtedness incurred by any Person acquiring all or any portion of such business, assets or Subsidiary for the purpose of financing such acquisition;

 

(16)         Indebtedness of us or any Restricted Subsidiary pursuant to the Equipment Financing Agreements;

 

(17)         Replacement Satellite Vendor Indebtedness in an aggregate principal amount outstanding at any one time not to exceed the greater of $75.0 million and 3.75% of Consolidated Net Tangible Assets; and

 

(18)         Indebtedness represented by the $1,100,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 6½% Senior Secured Notes due 2019 issued on the Issue Date (the “Secured Notes”).

 

For purposes of determining compliance with this covenant, if an item of Indebtedness meets the criteria of more than one of the categories described in clauses (1) through (18) above or is permitted to be incurred pursuant to the first paragraph of this covenant and also meets the criteria of one or more of the categories described in clauses (1) through (18) above, we shall, in our sole discretion, classify such item of Indebtedness in any manner that complies with this covenant and may from time to time reclassify such item of Indebtedness in any manner in which such item could be incurred at the time of such reclassification. Accrual of interest and the accretion of accreted value will not be deemed to be an incurrence of Indebtedness for purposes of this covenant.

 

Asset Sales.  The Unsecured Indenture provides that the Issuer will not, and will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, cause or make an Asset Sale, unless:

 

(1)           the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, receives consideration at the time of such Asset Sale at least equal to the fair market value (as determined in good faith by the Issuer) of the assets sold or otherwise disposed of; and

 

(2)           at least 75% of the consideration therefor received by us or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, is in the form of cash, Cash Equivalents, Marketable Securities or Replacement Assets and/or any asset which is promptly (and in no event later than 180 days after the date of transfer to the Issuer or Restricted Subsidiary) converted into cash, provided that to the extent that such conversion is at a price that is less than the fair market value (as determined in good faith by the Issuer) of such asset at the time of the Asset Sale in which such asset was acquired, the Issuer or Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, shall be deemed to have made a Restricted Payment in the amount by which such fair market value exceeds the cash received upon conversion or a combination of the foregoing; provided that the following shall be deemed to be cash for the purposes of this clause (2): (x) Designated Non-Cash Consideration received by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary in such Asset Sale, if such Designated Non-Cash Consideration, taken together with all other Designated Non-Cash Consideration received pursuant to this clause (x), does not exceed the greater of $50.0 million or 2.5% of Consolidated Net Tangible Assets at the time of the receipt of such Designated Non-Cash Consideration (with the fair market value of each item of Designated Non-Cash Consideration being measured at the time received and without giving effect to subsequent changes in value) and (y) the amount of any liabilities of us or any Restricted Subsidiary that are assumed by or on behalf of the transferee in connection with an Asset Sale (and from which we or such Restricted Subsidiary are unconditionally released).

 

Clause (2) above shall not apply to any Asset Sale:

 

(x)            where assets not essential to our and our Restricted Subsidiaries’ business are contributed to a joint venture between us or one of our Restricted Subsidiaries and a third party that is not an Affiliate of Parent or any of its Subsidiaries, provided that following the sale, lease, conveyance or other disposition we or one of our Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiaries owns at least 50% of the voting and equity interest in such joint venture; or

 

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(y)           to the extent the consideration therefor received by us or any of our Restricted Subsidiaries would constitute Indebtedness or Equity Interests of a Person that is not an Affiliate of Parent, us or one of their respective Subsidiaries, provided that the acquisition of such Indebtedness or Equity Interests is permitted under the provisions of the covenant described under “—Limitation on Restricted Payments”.

 

Within 365 days after the Issuer’s or a Restricted Subsidiary’s receipt of the Net Proceeds of any Asset Sale covered by this clause (a), the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary, at its option, may apply the Net Proceeds from such Asset Sale:

 

(1)           to make one or more offers to the holders of the Old Unsecured Notes and the Unsecured Notes to purchase Unsecured Notes pursuant to and subject to the conditions contained in the Unsecured Indenture (each, an “Asset Sale Offer”);

 

(2)           to an investment in (a) any one or more businesses; provided that such investment in any business is in the form of the acquisition of Capital Stock such that it constitutes a Restricted Subsidiary, (b) capital expenditures or (c) acquisitions of other assets, in each of (a), (b) and (c), used or useful in a Permitted Business;

 

(3)           to an investment in (a) any one or more businesses; provided that such investment in any business is in the form of the acquisition of Capital Stock such that it constitutes a Restricted Subsidiary, (b) properties or (c) other assets that, in each of (a), (b) and (c), replace the businesses, properties and assets that are the subject of such Asset Sale; or

 

(4)           to permanently reduce Indebtedness of a Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Guarantor, other than Indebtedness owed to the Issuer, a Guarantor or another Restricted Subsidiary or to permanently reduce secured Indebtedness of the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Issuer.

 

Pending the final application of any Net Proceeds from Asset Sales in accordance with clauses (1) through (4) above, the Issuer and their Restricted Subsidiaries may temporarily reduce Indebtedness or otherwise apply such Net Proceeds in any manner not prohibited by the Unsecured Indenture. Any binding commitment to apply Net Proceeds to invest in accordance with clauses (2) or (3) above shall be treated as a permitted application of Net Proceeds so long as the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary enters into such commitment with the good faith expectation that such Net Proceeds will be applied to satisfy such commitment within 365 days of such commitment; provided that if such commitment is later canceled or terminated for any reason such Net Proceeds shall constitute “Excess Proceeds” (as defined below). Any Net Proceeds from the Asset Sales covered by this clause (a) that are not invested or applied as provided and within the time period set forth in the first sentence of the immediately preceding paragraph will be deemed to constitute “Excess Proceeds.” When the aggregate amount of Excess Proceeds exceeds $50.0 million, the Issuer shall make an Asset Sale Offer to all holders of the Old Unsecured Notes and the Unsecured Notes, to purchase the maximum principal amount of Old Unsecured Notes and the Unsecured Notes that are $2,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof that may be purchased out of the Excess Proceeds at an offer price in cash in an amount equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date fixed for the closing of such offer, in accordance with the procedures set forth in the Unsecured Indenture. The Issuer will commence an Asset Sale Offer with respect to Excess Proceeds within ten business days after the date that Excess Proceeds exceeds $50.0 million by mailing the notice required pursuant to the terms of the Unsecured Indenture, with a copy to the Trustee. To the extent that the aggregate amount of Old Unsecured notes and Unsecured Notes tendered pursuant to an Asset Sale Offer is less than the Excess Proceeds, the Issuer may use any remaining Excess Proceeds (“Unutilized Excess Proceeds”) for any purpose not prohibited by the terms of the Unsecured Indenture. If the aggregate principal amount of Old Unsecured Notes and Unsecured Notes surrendered by such holders thereof exceeds the amount of Excess Proceeds, the Trustee shall select the Old Unsecured Notes and the Unsecured Notes to be purchased on a pro rata basis based on the accreted value or principal amount of the Old Unsecured Notes and the Unsecured Notes tendered. Upon completion of any such Asset Sale Offer, the amount of Excess Proceeds shall be reset at zero.

 

Limitations on Liens.  The Unsecured Indenture provides that we shall not, and shall not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly, create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Lien on any asset now owned or

 

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hereafter acquired, or on any income or profits therefrom or assign or convey any right to receive income therefrom, except Permitted Liens.

 

Limitations on Activities of the Issuer.  The Issuer will not, and will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, engage in any business other than Permitted Businesses and other activities that, taken as a whole, are immaterial to the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries.

 

Additional Guarantors.  If after the Issue Date the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Issuer acquires or creates another Restricted Subsidiary and such Restricted Subsidiary is a Domestic Subsidiary (other than an Immaterial Subsidiary), that newly acquired or created Restricted Subsidiary must, unless prohibited by law from guaranteeing the Unsecured Notes, become a Guarantor and execute a supplemental indenture satisfactory to the Trustee and deliver an opinion of counsel to the Trustee within 30 days of the date on which it was acquired or created.

 

Limitation on Dividend and Other Payment Restrictions Affecting Subsidiaries. The Unsecured Indenture provides that we shall not, and shall not permit any Restricted Subsidiary of us to, directly or indirectly, create or otherwise cause or suffer to exist or become effective any encumbrance or restriction on the ability of any Restricted Subsidiary to:

 

(a)           pay dividends or make any other distribution to us or any of our Restricted Subsidiaries on its Capital Stock or with respect to any other interest or participation in, or measured by, its profits, or pay any Indebtedness owed to us or any of our Subsidiaries;

 

(b)           make loans or advances to us or any of our Subsidiaries; or

 

(c)           transfer any of its properties or assets to us or any of our Subsidiaries;

 

except for such encumbrances or restrictions existing under or by reasons of:

 

(i)            Existing Indebtedness and existing agreements as in effect on the Issue Date or, in the case of Hughes Communications, Inc. or any of its subsidiaries, the Escrow Release Date (including, for the avoidance of doubt, any such Indebtedness and agreements of Hughes Communications, Inc. or any of its subsidiaries existing on the Escrow Release Date);

 

(ii)           applicable law or regulation;

 

(iii)          any instrument governing Acquired Debt as in effect at the time of acquisition (except to the extent such Indebtedness was incurred in connection with, or in contemplation of, such acquisition), which encumbrance or restriction is not applicable to any Person, or the properties or assets of any Person, other than the Person, or the property or assets of the Person, so acquired; provided that the Consolidated Cash Flow of such Person shall not be taken into account in determining whether such acquisition was permitted by the terms of the Unsecured Indenture; except to the extent that dividends or other distributions are permitted notwithstanding such encumbrance or restriction and could have been distributed;

 

(iv)          by reason of customary non-assignment provisions in leases entered into in the ordinary course of business and consistent with past practices;

 

(v)           Refinancing Indebtedness (as defined in “— Limitation on Incurrence of Indebtedness”); provided that the restrictions contained in the agreements governing such Refinancing Indebtedness are no more restrictive than those contained in the agreements governing the Indebtedness being refinanced;

 

(vi)          the Unsecured Indenture or any of the Old Unsecured Notes or the Unsecured Notes, or the Secured Indenture or any of the Old Secured Notes or the Secured Notes;

 

(vii)         Permitted Liens; or

 

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(viii)        any agreement for the sale of any Subsidiary or its assets that restricts distributions by that Subsidiary pending its sale; provided that during the entire period in which such encumbrance or restriction is effective, such sale (together with any other sales pending) would be permitted under the terms of the Unsecured Indenture.

 

Accounts Receivable Subsidiary.  The Unsecured Indenture provides that we:

 

(a)           may, and may permit any of our Subsidiaries to, notwithstanding the provisions of the covenant entitled “— Limitation on Restricted Payments,” make Investments in an Accounts Receivable Subsidiary:

 

(i)            the proceeds of which are applied within five business days of the making thereof solely to finance:

 

(A)          the purchase of accounts receivable of us and our Subsidiaries; or

 

(B)           payments required in connection with the termination of all then existing arrangements relating to the sale of accounts receivable or participation interests therein by an Accounts Receivable Subsidiary (provided that the Accounts Receivable Subsidiary shall receive cash, Cash Equivalents and accounts receivable having an aggregate fair market value not less than the amount of such payments in exchange therefor); and

 

(ii)           in the form of Accounts Receivable Subsidiary Notes to the extent permitted by clause (b) below;

 

(b)           shall not, and shall not permit any of our Subsidiaries to sell accounts receivable to an Accounts Receivable Subsidiary except for consideration in an amount not less than that which would be obtained in an arm’s length transaction and solely in the form of cash or Cash Equivalents; provided that an Accounts Receivable Subsidiary may pay the purchase price for any such accounts receivable in the form of Accounts Receivable Subsidiary Notes so long as, after giving effect to the issuance of any such Accounts Receivable Subsidiary Notes, the aggregate principal amount of all Accounts Receivable Subsidiary Notes outstanding shall not exceed 20% of the aggregate purchase price paid for all outstanding accounts receivable purchased by an Accounts Receivable Subsidiary since the Issue Date (and not written off or required to be written off in accordance with the normal business practice of an Accounts Receivable Subsidiary);

 

(c)           shall not permit an Accounts Receivable Subsidiary to sell any accounts receivable purchased from us or our Subsidiaries or participation interests therein to any other Person except on an arm’s length basis and solely for consideration in the form of cash or Cash Equivalents or certificates representing undivided interests of a Receivables Trust; provided an Accounts Receivable Subsidiary may not sell such certificates to any other Person except on an arm’s length basis and solely for consideration in the form of cash or Cash Equivalents;

 

(d)           shall not, and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, enter into any guarantee, subject any of our or their respective properties or assets (other than the accounts receivable sold by them to an Accounts Receivable Subsidiary) to the satisfaction of any liability or obligation or otherwise incur any liability or obligation (contingent or otherwise), in each case, on behalf of an Accounts Receivable Subsidiary or in connection with any sale of accounts receivable or participation interests therein by or to an Accounts Receivable Subsidiary, other than obligations relating to breaches of representations, warranties, covenants and other agreements of us or any of our Subsidiaries with respect to the accounts receivable sold by us or any of our Subsidiaries to an Accounts Receivable Subsidiary or with respect to the servicing thereof; provided that neither we nor any of our Subsidiaries shall at any time guarantee or be otherwise liable for the collectibility of accounts receivable sold by them;

 

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(e)           shall not permit an Accounts Receivable Subsidiary to engage in any business or transaction other than the purchase and sale of accounts receivable or participation interests therein of us and our Subsidiaries and activities incidental thereto;

 

(f)            shall not permit an Accounts Receivable Subsidiary to incur any Indebtedness other than the Accounts Receivable Subsidiary Notes, Indebtedness owed to us and Non-Recourse Indebtedness; provided that the aggregate principal amount of all such Indebtedness of an Accounts Receivable Subsidiary shall not exceed the book value of its total assets as determined in accordance with GAAP;

 

(g)           shall cause any Accounts Receivable Subsidiary to remit to us or a Restricted Subsidiary of us on a monthly basis as a distribution all available cash and Cash Equivalents not held in a collection account pledged to acquirors of accounts receivable or participation interests therein, to the extent not applied to:

 

(i)            pay interest or principal on the Accounts Receivable Subsidiary Notes or any Indebtedness of such Accounts Receivable Subsidiary owed to us;

 

(ii)           pay or maintain reserves for reasonable operating expenses of such Accounts Receivable Subsidiary or to satisfy reasonable minimum operating capital requirements or;

 

(iii)          to finance the purchase of additional accounts receivable of us and our Subsidiaries; and

 

(h)           shall not, and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, sell accounts receivable to, or enter into any other transaction with or for the benefit of, an Accounts Receivable Subsidiary:

 

(i)            if such Accounts Receivable Subsidiary pursuant to or within the meaning of any bankruptcy law:

 

(A)          commences a voluntary case;

 

(B)           consents to the entry of an order for relief against it in an involuntary case;

 

(C)           consents to the appointment of a custodian of it or for all or substantially all of its property;

 

(D)          makes a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors; or

 

(E)           generally is not paying its debts as they become due; or

 

(ii)           if a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order or decree under any bankruptcy law that:

 

(A)          is for relief against such Accounts Receivable Subsidiary in an involuntary case;

 

(B)           appoints a custodian of such Accounts Receivable Subsidiary or for all or substantially all of the property of such Accounts Receivable Subsidiary; or

 

(C)           orders the liquidation of such Accounts Receivable Subsidiary, and, with respect to this clause (ii), the order or decree remains unstayed and in effect for 60 consecutive days.

 

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Merger, Consolidation, or Sale of Assets.  The Unsecured Indenture provides that we shall not consolidate or merge with or into (whether or not we are the surviving entity), or sell, assign, transfer, lease, convey or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of our properties or assets in one or more related transactions to, another Person unless:

 

(a)           we are the surviving Person or the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger (if other than us) or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition shall have been made is a corporation organized or existing under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia;

 

(b)           the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger (if other than us) or the Person to which such sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition will have been made assumes all the obligations of us under the Unsecured Indenture and the Old Unsecured Notes and the Unsecured Notes issued under the Unsecured Indenture pursuant to a supplemental indenture to the Unsecured Indenture in form reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee;

 

(c)           immediately after such transaction, no Default or Event of Default exists; and

 

(d)           we or the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger (if other than us) or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition will have been made would, at the time of such transaction after giving pro forma effect thereto as if such transaction had occurred at the beginning of the applicable four-quarter period, be permitted to incur at least $1.00 of additional Indebtedness pursuant to the Indebtedness to Cash Flow Ratio test set forth in the covenant described under “— Limitation on Incurrence of Indebtedness,” above.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, we may merge with another Person if:

 

(a)           we are the surviving Person;

 

(b)           the consideration issued or paid by us in such merger consists solely of our Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) or Equity Interests of Parent; and

 

(c)           immediately after giving effect to such merger (determined on a pro forma basis), our Indebtedness to Cash Flow Ratio either (i) does not exceed 5.5 to 1.0 or (ii) does not exceed our Indebtedness to Cash Flow Ratio immediately prior to such merger.

 

The Unsecured Indenture provides that each Guarantor of the Old Unsecured Notes and the Unsecured Notes issued thereunder (other than any Guarantor whose Guarantee is to be released in accordance with the terms of such Guarantee and the Unsecured Indenture) will not, and we will not cause or permit any Guarantor to, consolidate or merge with or into (whether or not such Guarantor is the surviving entity), or sell, assign, transfer, lease, convey, or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its properties or assets in one or more related transactions to, any Person other than to us or a Guarantor unless:

 

(a)           the Guarantor is the surviving Person or the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger (if other than the Guarantor) or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition shall have been made is a corporation organized or existing under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia;

 

(b)           the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger (if other than the Guarantor) or the Person to which such sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition shall have been made assumes all the obligations of the Guarantor under the Unsecured Indenture and the Old Unsecured Notes and the Unsecured Notes issued under the Unsecured Indenture, pursuant to a supplemental indenture to the Unsecured Indenture in form reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee; and

 

(c)           immediately after such transaction, no Default or Event of Default exists.

 

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Transactions with Affiliates.  The Unsecured Indenture provides that we shall not and shall not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, sell, lease, transfer or otherwise dispose of any of our or their properties or assets to, or purchase any property or assets from, or enter into any contract, agreement, understanding, loan, advance or Guarantee with, or for the benefit of, any Affiliate (including any Unrestricted Subsidiary) (each of the foregoing, an “Affiliate Transaction”), unless:

 

(a)           such Affiliate Transaction is on terms that are no less favorable to us or our Restricted Subsidiaries than those that would have been obtained in a comparable transaction by us or such Subsidiaries with an unrelated Person; and

 

(b)           if such Affiliate Transaction involves aggregate payments in excess of $75.0 million, such Affiliate Transaction has either (i) been approved by a majority of the disinterested members of the Issuer’s Board of Directors or EchoStar Corporation’s board of directors and by the Issuer’s Board of Directors or a committee thereof or (ii) if there are no disinterested members of the Issuer’s Board of Directors or EchoStar Corporation’s board of directors, the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary has obtained the favorable opinion of an independent expert as to the fairness of such Affiliate Transaction to the Issuer or the relevant Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, from a financial point of view, and we deliver to the Trustee no later than ten business days following a request from the Trustee a resolution of the Issuer’s Board of Directors set forth in an officers’ certificate certifying that such Affiliate Transaction has been so approved and complies with clause (a) above;

 

provided, however, that

 

(i)            the payment of reasonable fees, compensation or employee benefit arrangements to, and any indemnity provided for the benefit of, directors, officers, consultants or employees of Parent and its Subsidiaries;

 

(ii)           transactions between or among us and our Wholly Owned Subsidiaries (other than Unrestricted Subsidiaries);

 

(iii)          any issuance of securities, or other payments, awards or grants in cash, securities or otherwise pursuant to, or the funding of employment arrangements, stock options and stock ownership plans approved by our Board of Directors;

 

(iv)          transactions in the ordinary course of business, including loans, expense allowances, reimbursements or extensions of credit (including indemnity arrangements) between the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries on the one hand, and any employee of the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, on the other hand;

 

(v)           the granting and performance of registration rights for shares of Capital Stock of the Issuer under a written registration rights agreement approved by a majority of the members of our Board of Directors that are disinterested with respect to these transactions;

 

(vi)          transactions with Affiliates solely in their capacity as holders of Indebtedness or Capital Stock of the Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries, so long as a significant amount of Indebtedness or Capital Stock of the same class is also held by Persons that are not Affiliates of the Issuer and these Affiliates are treated no more favorably than holders of the Indebtedness or the Capital Stock generally;

 

(vii)         (x) Restricted Payments that are permitted by the provisions of the covenant described under the caption “— Limitation on Restricted Payments” and (y) Permitted Investments;

 

(viii)        any transactions pursuant to agreements in effect on the Issue Date or, in the case of Hughes Communications, Inc. or any of its subsidiaries, the Escrow Release Date (including, for the avoidance of doubt, any such agreements of Hughes Communications, Inc. or any of its subsidiaries in effect on the Escrow Release Date) and any modifications, extensions or renewals thereof that are no less

 

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favorable to the Issuer or the applicable Restricted Subsidiary than such agreement as in effect on the Issue Date or, in the case of Hughes Communications, Inc. or any of its subsidiaries, the Escrow Release Date (including, for the avoidance of doubt, any such agreements of Hughes Communications, Inc. or any of its subsidiaries in effect on the Escrow Release Date);

 

(ix)           any transactions under which EchoStar Corporation or any of its controlled Affiliates (other than the Issuer and its controlled Affiliates) leases to or from the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries any satellite or any satellite capacity;

 

(x)            the provision of services to Parent and its Affiliates by the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, or the receipt of services from Parent and its Affiliates by the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, so long as no cash or other assets are transferred by the Issuer or its Restricted Subsidiaries, or by Parent and its Affiliates, in connection with such transactions (other than up to $50.0 million in cash in any fiscal year and other than nonmaterial assets used in the operations of the business in the ordinary course pursuant to the agreement governing the provision of the services), and so long as such transaction or agreement is determined by a majority of the members of the Issuer’s Board of Directors to be fair to the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries when taken together with all other such transactions and agreements entered into with Parent and its Affiliates;

 

(xi)           the disposition of assets of the Issuer and the Restricted Subsidiaries in exchange for assets of Parent and its Affiliates so long as (i) the value to the Issuer in its business of the assets it receives is determined by a majority of the members of Issuer’s Board of Directors to be substantially equivalent or greater than the value to Issuer in its business of the assets disposed of and (ii) the assets acquired by the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries constitute properties and capital assets (including Capital Stock of an entity owning such property or assets) to be used by the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in a business permitted as described under “—Limitations on Activities of the Issuer”;

 

(xii)          sales of Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) to Affiliates of the Issuer;

 

(xiii)         any transactions between us or any of our Restricted Subsidiaries and any Affiliate of us the Equity Interests of which Affiliate are owned solely by us or one of our Restricted Subsidiaries, on the one hand, and by Persons who are not Affiliates of us or Restricted Subsidiaries of us, on the other hand;

 

(xiv)        transactions with EchoStar Corporation, DISH Network Corporation or any of their respective controlled Affiliates that have been approved by (a) a majority of the members of the audit committee of the EchoStar Corporation board of directors or a special committee of the EchoStar Corporation board of directors consisting solely of members of the EchoStar Corporation board of directors who are not officers or employees of DISH Network Corporation or any of its controlled Affiliates (in the case of a transaction with DISH Network Corporation or any of its controlled Affiliates) or EchoStar Corporation or any of its controlled Affiliates (in the case of a transaction with EchoStar Corporation or any of its controlled Affiliates) and (b) the Issuer’s Board of Directors or a committee thereof as the Issuer deems appropriate;

 

(xv)         the Transactions and the payment of fees and expenses related thereto;

 

(xvi)        overhead and other ordinary-course allocations of costs and services on a reasonable basis so long as such arrangements are comparable to arrangements made on an arm’s length basis;

 

(xvii)       allocations of tax liabilities and other tax-related items among the Issuer and its Affiliates based principally upon the financial income, taxable income, credits and other amounts directly related to the respective parties, to the extent that the share of such liabilities and other items allocable to the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries shall not exceed the amount that such Persons would have been responsible for as a direct taxpayer;

 

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(xviii)      arrangements or agreements regarding the use of intellectual property between the Issuer and its Subsidiaries, on the one hand, and Parent and its Affiliates, on the other hand;

 

(xix)         arrangements or agreements entered into in the ordinary course of business providing for the acquisition or provision of goods and services; and

 

(xx)          amendments, modifications, renewals or replacements from time to time of any of the contracts, arrangements, services or other matters referred to or contemplated by any of the foregoing items; provided that any such amendments, modifications, renewals or replacements shall not be on terms materially less advantageous to the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries;

 

shall, in each case, not be deemed Affiliate Transactions.

 

Insurance.  The Issuer will obtain, and will cause the Restricted Subsidiaries to obtain, maintain and keep in full force and effect (i) with respect to the EchoStar XVI and Jupiter 1 satellites, launch insurance with respect to each such satellite covering the launch to one year following the launch (subject to clause (iii) below), (ii) with respect to the EchoStar XVI satellite, In-Orbit Insurance at all times subsequent to the one year anniversary of launch during the commercial in orbit service of such satellite, and (iii) with respect to the Jupiter 1 satellite and the SPACEWAY 3 satellite, In-Orbit Insurance at the earliest date such insurance is commercially available (during the commercial in orbit service of such satellite); provided that the insurance coverage specified in clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) above shall be commercially consistent with the objectives of a leading satellite operator seeking asset protection of up to full replacement value; provided further that the maximum cost of such insurance specified in clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) above will be limited to commercially reasonable pricing customarily incurred for such protection subject to the limitations of the commercial market for satellite insurance at the time of policy placement and the maximum cost of insurance premiums for such insurance specified in clause (i) above shall not exceed $30 million with respect to each of the EchoStar XVI and Jupiter 1 satellites, and the maximum cost of insurance premiums for such insurance specified in each of clauses (ii) and (iii) above shall not exceed $3.0 million annually with respect to each satellite.

 

Reports.  Whether or not required by the SEC, so long as any Unsecured Notes are outstanding, the Issuer will furnish to the holders of Unsecured Notes, or file electronically with the SEC through the SEC’s Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis and Retrieval System (or any successor system), within the time periods that would be applicable to the Issuer if it were subject to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act as a non-accelerated filer:

 

(1)           all quarterly and annual financial information that would be required to be contained in a filing with the SEC on Forms 10-Q and 10-K if the Issuer were required to file these Forms (taking into account, if applicable, the Issuer’s status as a subsidiary of an SEC-reporting company), including a “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and, with respect to the annual information only, a report on the annual financial statements by the Issuer’s certified independent accountants (it being understood that no report on the Issuer’s internal control over financial reporting will be required); and

 

(2)           all current reports that would be required to be filed with the SEC on Form 8-K if the Issuer were required to file these reports (taking into account, if applicable, the Issuer’s status as a subsidiary of an SEC-reporting company).

 

In addition, whether or not required by the SEC, the Issuer will file a copy of all of the information and reports referred to in clauses (1) and (2) above with the SEC for public availability within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and regulations for a non-accelerated filer required to file reports under Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act (unless the SEC will not accept the filing) and make the information available to prospective investors upon request. The Issuer agrees that it will not take any action (including, following the consummation of the exchange offer contemplated by the Registration Rights Agreement, terminating its registration under Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act) for the purpose of causing the SEC not to accept such filings. The Issuer and the Guarantors have agreed that, for so long as any Unsecured Notes remain outstanding, the Issuer will furnish to the holders and to prospective investors, upon their request, the information required to be delivered pursuant to Rule 144A(d)(4) under the Securities Act.

 

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Notwithstanding the foregoing, such requirements shall be deemed satisfied prior to the commencement of this exchange offer or the effectiveness of the shelf registration statement required by the Registration Rights Agreement by (1) the filing with the SEC of the exchange offer registration statement or shelf registration statement (or any other similar registration statement), and any amendments thereto, with such financial information that satisfies Regulation S-X under the Securities Act or (2) by posting publicly on its website, within the time periods after the Issuer would have been required to file annual and interim reports with the SEC as a non-accelerated filer, the financial information (including a “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” section) that would be required to be included in such reports, subject to exceptions consistent with the presentation of financial information in the Offering Memorandum; provided that the Issuer shall have (i) up to 75 days following the end of the first fiscal quarter after the Escrow Release Date to provide such information, which shall only include balance sheets, income statements and cash flow statements as required under the applicable rules of Regulation S-X (it being understood that no footnotes to such financial statements will be required) and (ii) up to 60 days following the end of the second fiscal quarter after the Escrow Release Date to provide such information; provided, further, that such information will not be required to contain the information contemplated by Rule 3-10 or Rule 3-16 of Regulation S-X of the Securities Act.

 

Payments for Consent.  The Unsecured Indenture provides that we shall not, and shall not permit any of our Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, pay or cause to be paid any consideration, whether by way of interest, fee or otherwise, to any holder of a Note for or as an inducement to any consent, waiver or amendment of any of the terms or provisions of the Unsecured Indenture or the Unsecured Notes unless such consideration is offered to be paid or agreed to be paid to all holders of the Old Unsecured Notes and the Unsecured Notes that consent, waive or agree to amend in the time frame set forth in the solicitation documents relating to such consent, waiver or agreement.

 

Investment Grade Rating.  The Unsecured Indenture provides that if, on any date following the issuance of the Unsecured Notes, (i) the Unsecured Notes receive an Investment Grade rating from both Rating Agencies and (ii) no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing (a “Suspension Event”) then, beginning on that date, the provisions of the Unsecured Indenture summarized under the following captions will not be applicable:

 

(1)           “— Certain Covenants — Limitation on Restricted Payments”;

 

(2)           “— Certain Covenants — Limitation on Incurrence of Indebtedness”;

 

(3)           “— Certain Covenants — Asset Sales”;

 

(4)           “— Certain Covenants — Limitations on Activities of the Issuer”;

 

(5)           “— Certain Covenants — Limitation on Dividend and Other Payment Restrictions Affecting Subsidiaries”;

 

(6)           “— Certain Covenants — Accounts Receivable Subsidiary”;

 

(7)           —clauses (d)(i) and (ii) of the first paragraph under “— Certain Covenants — Merger, Consolidation, or Sale of Assets”;

 

(8)           “— Certain Covenants — Transactions with Affiliates”; and

 

(9)           “— Certain Covenants — Insurance”

 

(collectively, the “Suspension Covenants”).

 

During any Suspension Period, the Issuer may not designate any of its Restricted Subsidiaries as Unrestricted Subsidiaries pursuant to the first sentence of the definition of “Unrestricted Subsidiary.”

 

In the event that the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries are not subject to the Suspension Covenants for any period of time as a result of the foregoing, and on any subsequent date (the “Reversion Date”) the condition set forth

 

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in clause (i) of the first paragraph of this section is no longer satisfied, then the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries will thereafter again be subject to the Suspension Covenants with respect to future events. The period of time between the date of the Suspension Event and the Reversion Date is referred to in this description as the “Suspension Period.”

 

On each Reversion Date, all Indebtedness incurred during the Suspension Period prior to such Reversion Date will be deemed to be Indebtedness permitted to be incurred under clause (6) of the second paragraph of the covenant described under “— Limitation on Incurrence of Indebtedness.”  For purposes of calculating the amount available to be made as Restricted Payments under clause (iii) of the first paragraph of the covenant described under “— Limitation on Restricted Payments,” calculations under such covenant shall be made as though such covenant had been in effect during the entire period of time after the Issue Date (including the Suspension Period).  Restricted Payments made during the Suspension Period not otherwise permitted pursuant to the second paragraph of the covenant described under “— Limitation on Restricted Payments” will reduce the amount available to be made as Restricted Payments under clause (iii) of the first paragraph of the covenant described under “— Limitation on Restricted Payments.”

 

There can be no assurance that the Unsecured Notes will ever achieve or maintain a rating of Investment Grade from any Rating Agency.

 

Upon a Suspension Event, the amount of Excess Proceeds for purposes of “— Asset Sales” shall be set at zero.

 

Events of Default

 

The Unsecured Indenture provides that each of the following shall constitute an Event of Default:

 

(a)           default for 30 days in the payment when due of interest on the Unsecured Notes;

 

(b)           default in payment when due of principal of the Unsecured Notes at maturity, upon repurchase, redemption or otherwise;

 

(c)           failure to comply with the provisions described under “Change of Control Offer,” “Certain Covenants — Transactions with Affiliates” or “Certain Covenants — Asset Sales,” in each case continued for 30 days;

 

(d)           default under the provisions described under “Certain Covenants — Limitation on Restricted Payments” or “Certain Covenants — Limitation on Incurrence of Indebtedness” which default remains uncured for 30 days, or the breach of any representation or warranty, or the making of any untrue statement, in any certificate delivered by us pursuant to the Unsecured Indenture;

 

(e)           failure by us for 60 days after notice from the Trustee or the holders of at least 25% in principal amount then outstanding of the Old Unsecured Notes and the Unsecured Notes issued under the Unsecured Indenture to comply with any of our other agreements in the Unsecured Indenture or the Old Unsecured Notes and the Unsecured Notes;

 

(f)            default under any mortgage, indenture or instrument under which there may be issued or by which there may be secured or evidenced any Indebtedness for money borrowed by us or any of our Restricted Subsidiaries (or the payment of which is guaranteed by us or any of our Restricted Subsidiaries), which default is caused by a failure to pay when due principal or interest on such Indebtedness within the grace period provided in such Indebtedness (a “Payment Default”), and the principal amount of any such Indebtedness, together with the principal amount of any other such Indebtedness under which there has been a Payment Default, aggregates $50.0 million or more;

 

(g)           default under any mortgage, indenture or instrument under which there may be issued or by which there may be secured or evidenced any Indebtedness for money borrowed by us or any of our Restricted Subsidiaries (or the payment of which is guaranteed by us or any of our Restricted Subsidiaries),

 

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which default results in the acceleration of such Indebtedness prior to its express maturity and the principal amount of any such Indebtedness, together with the principal amount of any other such Indebtedness under which there has been a Payment Default or the maturity of which has been so accelerated, aggregates $50.0 million or more; provided that any acceleration (other than an acceleration which is the result of a Payment Default under clause (f) above) of Indebtedness under the outstanding Deferred Payments in aggregate principal amount not to exceed $50.0 million shall be deemed not to constitute an acceleration pursuant to this clause (g);

 

(h)           failure by us or any of our Restricted Subsidiaries to pay final judgments (other than any judgment as to which a reputable insurance company has accepted full liability) aggregating in excess of $50.0 million, which judgments are not stayed within 60 days after their entry;

 

(i)            Parent, us or any of our Significant Subsidiaries pursuant to or within the meaning of any Bankruptcy Law:  (i) commences a voluntary case; (ii) consents to the entry of an order for relief against it in an involuntary case; (iii) consents to the appointment of a custodian of it or for all or substantially all of its property; or (iv) makes a general assignment for the benefit of creditors;

 

(j)            a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order or decree under any Bankruptcy Law that:  (i) is for relief against Parent, us or any of our Significant Subsidiaries in an involuntary case; (ii) appoints a custodian of Parent, us or any of our Significant Subsidiaries or for all or substantially all of the property of Parent, us or any of our Significant Subsidiaries; or (iii) orders the liquidation of Parent or any of our Significant Subsidiaries, and the order or decree remains unstayed and in effect for 60 consecutive days; and

 

(k)           any Guarantee of the Old Unsecured Notes or the Unsecured Notes shall be held in a judicial proceeding to be unenforceable or invalid or shall cease for any reason to be in full force and effect, or any Guarantor of the old unsecured notes or the Unsecured Notes, or any Person acting on behalf of any Guarantor, shall deny or disaffirm its obligations under its Guarantee of the old unsecured notes or the Unsecured Notes.

 

If any Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee or the holders of at least 25% in principal amount then outstanding of the old unsecured notes and the Unsecured Notes may declare all the Unsecured Notes to be due and payable immediately (plus, in the case of an Event of Default that is the result of an action by us or any of our Subsidiaries intended to avoid restrictions on or premiums related to redemptions of the Unsecured Notes contained in the Unsecured Indenture or the Unsecured Notes, an amount of premium that would have been applicable pursuant to the Unsecured Notes or as set forth in the Unsecured Indenture).  Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the case of an Event of Default arising from the events of bankruptcy or insolvency with respect to us or any Guarantor of the Unsecured Notes described in (i) above, all outstanding Unsecured Notes will become due and payable without further action or notice.  Holders of the Unsecured Notes may not enforce the Unsecured Indenture or the Unsecured Notes except as provided in the Unsecured Indenture. Subject to certain limitations, holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding old unsecured notes and Unsecured Notes may direct the Trustee in its exercise of any trust or power.  The Trustee may withhold from holders of the Unsecured Notes notice of any continuing Default or Event of Default (except a Default or Event of Default relating to the payment of principal or interest) if it determines that withholding notice is in such holders’ interest.

 

The holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount then outstanding of the old unsecured notes and the Unsecured Notes, by written notice to the Trustee, may on behalf of the holders of all of the old unsecured notes and the Unsecured Notes waive any existing Default or Event of Default and its consequences under the Unsecured Indenture, except a continuing Default or Event of Default in the payment of interest or premium on, or principal of, the old unsecured notes and the Unsecured Notes.

 

We are required to deliver to the Trustee, in its capacity as trustee of the Unsecured Indenture, annually a statement regarding compliance with the Unsecured Indenture, and we are required upon becoming aware of any Default or Event of Default thereunder to deliver to the Trustee a statement specifying such Default or Event of Default.

 

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All powers of the Trustee under the Unsecured Indenture, in its capacity as trustee of the Unsecured Indenture, will be subject to applicable provisions of the Communications Laws, including without limitation, the requirements of prior approval for de facto or de jure transfer of control or assignment of Title III licenses.

 

No Personal Liability Of Directors, Owners, Employees, Incorporator and Shareholder

 

No director, officer, employee, incorporator or shareholder of us or any of our Affiliates, as such, shall have any liability for any obligations of us or any of our Affiliates under the Unsecured Notes, the Guarantees or the Unsecured Indenture or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation. Each holder of Unsecured Notes by accepting a Note waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for issuance of the Unsecured Notes. Such waiver may not be effective to waive liabilities under the federal securities laws and it is the view of the SEC that such a waiver is against public policy.

 

Legal Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance

 

The Unsecured Indenture provides that with respect to the Unsecured Notes, we may, at our option and at any time, elect to have all obligations discharged with respect to the Unsecured Notes (“Legal Defeasance”). Such Legal Defeasance means that we will be deemed to have paid and discharged the entire indebtedness represented by the Unsecured Notes, except for:

 

(a)           the rights of holders of outstanding Unsecured Notes to receive payments in respect of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Unsecured Notes when such payments are due, or on the redemption date, as the case may be;

 

(b)           our obligations with respect to the Unsecured Notes concerning issuing temporary Unsecured Notes, registration of Unsecured Notes, mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Unsecured Notes and the maintenance of an office or agency for payment and money for security payments held in trust;

 

(c)           the rights, powers, trust, duties and immunities of the Trustee, and our obligations in connection therewith; and

 

(d)           the Legal Defeasance provisions of the Unsecured Indenture.

 

In addition, the Unsecured Indenture provides that we may, at our option and at any time, elect to have all obligations released with respect to certain covenants that are described in the Unsecured Indenture (“Covenant Defeasance”) and thereafter any omission to comply with such obligations shall not constitute a Default or Event of Default. If Covenant Defeasance occurs, certain events (not including non-payment, bankruptcy, receivership, rehabilitation and insolvency events) described under “Events of Default” will no longer constitute an Event of Default with respect to the Unsecured Notes.

 

In order to exercise either Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance, the Unsecured Indenture provides that:

 

(i)            we must irrevocably deposit with the Trustee, in trust, for the benefit of the holders of the Unsecured Notes, cash in United States dollars, non-callable United States government obligations, or a combination thereof, in such amounts as will be sufficient, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants selected by us, to pay the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the outstanding Unsecured Notes on the stated maturity or on the applicable optional redemption date, as the case may be;

 

(ii)           in the case of Legal Defeasance, we shall have delivered to the Trustee an opinion of counsel in the United States reasonably acceptable to the Trustee confirming that

 

(A)          we have received from, or there has been published by, the IRS a ruling or

 

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(B)           since the Issue Date, there has been a change in the applicable federal income tax law.

 

In each case to the effect that, and based thereon such opinion of counsel shall confirm that, the holders of the Unsecured Notes will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of such Legal Defeasance, and will be subject to federal income tax in the same amount, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such Legal Defeasance had not occurred;

 

(iii)          in the case of Covenant Defeasance, we shall have delivered to the Trustee an opinion of counsel reasonably acceptable to such Trustee confirming that the holders of the Unsecured Notes will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of such Covenant Defeasance and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such Covenant Defeasance had not occurred;

 

(iv)          no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such deposit or insofar as Events of Default from bankruptcy or insolvency events are concerned, at any time in the period ending on the 91st day after the date of deposit;

 

(v)           such Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance shall not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, the Unsecured Indenture or any other material agreement or instrument to which we or any of our Subsidiaries is a party or by which we or any of our Subsidiaries is bound;

 

(vi)          we shall have delivered to the Trustee an officers’ certificate stating that the deposit was not made by us with the intent of preferring the holders of the Unsecured Notes over any of our other creditors or with the intent of defeating, hindering, delaying or defrauding any of our other creditors or others; and

 

(vii)         we shall have delivered to the Trustee an officers’ certificate stating that all conditions precedent provided for or relating to the Legal Defeasance or the Covenant Defeasance relating to the Unsecured Notes have been complied with.

 

Amendment, Supplement and Waiver

 

Except as provided in the next paragraph, the Unsecured Indenture and the Unsecured Notes may be amended or supplemented with the consent of the holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the Old Unsecured Notes and the Unsecured Notes then outstanding under the Unsecured Indenture that are affected by such amendment or supplement (including consents obtained in connection with a tender offer or exchange offer for Unsecured Notes), and any existing default or compliance with any provision of the Unsecured Indenture or the Unsecured Notes may be waived with the consent of the holders of a majority in principal amount of the Old Unsecured Notes and the Unsecured Notes then outstanding that are affected by such amendment or supplement (including consents obtained in connection with a tender offer or exchange offer for the Unsecured Notes).

 

Without the consent of each holder affected, however, an amendment or waiver may not (with respect to any Note held by a non-consenting holder):

 

(a)           reduce the aggregate principal amount of Old Unsecured Notes and Unsecured Notes whose holders must consent to an amendment, supplement or waiver;

 

(b)           reduce the principal of or change the fixed maturity of any Note or alter the provisions with respect to the redemption of such Note;

 

(c)           reduce the rate of or change the time for payment of interest on any Note;

 

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(d)           waive a Default or Event of Default in the payment of principal of or premium, if any, or interest on the Unsecured Notes (except a rescission of acceleration of the Unsecured Notes by the holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Old Unsecured Notes and the Unsecured Notes and a waiver of the payment default that resulted from such acceleration);

 

(e)           make any Note payable in money other than that stated in such Note;

 

(f)            make any change in the provisions of the Unsecured Indenture relating to waivers of past Defaults or the rights of holders of Unsecured Notes issued under the Unsecured Indenture to receive payments of principal of or interest on the Unsecured Notes;

 

(g)           waive a redemption payment or mandatory redemption with respect to any Note; or

 

(h)           make any change in the foregoing amendment and waiver provisions.

 

In addition, without the consent of holders of at least 66 2/3% of the principal amount of the Old Unsecured Notes and the Unsecured Notes then outstanding, an amendment or a waiver may not make any change to the covenants in the Unsecured Indenture entitled “Asset Sales,” “Change of Control Offer,” and “Excess Proceeds Offer” (including, in each case, the related definitions) as such covenants apply to the Unsecured Notes.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, without the consent of any holder of Old Unsecured Notes and the Unsecured Notes, we, the Guarantors and the Trustee may amend or supplement the Unsecured Indenture or the Unsecured Notes or the Guarantees thereof to cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency or to conform the Unsecured Indenture to this Description of the Unsecured Notes as evidenced by an officer’s certificate, to provide for uncertificated Unsecured Notes or Guarantees in addition to or in place of certificated Unsecured Notes or Guarantees, to provide for the assumption of the obligations of us or any Guarantor to holders of the Unsecured Notes in the case of a merger or consolidation, to add Guarantees, to release Guarantees when permitted or required by the Unsecured Indenture, to make any change that would provide any additional rights or benefits to the holders of the Unsecured Notes or that does not adversely affect the legal rights under the Unsecured Indenture of any such holder, or to comply with requirements of the SEC in order to effect or maintain the qualification of the Unsecured Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act.

 

Concerning the Trustee

 

The Unsecured Indenture contains certain limitations on the rights of the Trustee, if the Trustee becomes a creditor of us or our Subsidiaries, to obtain payment of claims in certain cases, or to realize on certain property received in respect of any such claim as security or otherwise.  The Trustee will be permitted to engage in other transactions with us and our Subsidiaries; however, if the Trustee acquires any conflicting interest, it must eliminate such conflict within 90 days, apply to the SEC for permission to continue as Trustee or resign.

 

With respect to the Unsecured Notes, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Old Unsecured Notes and the Unsecured Notes will have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for exercising any remedy available to the Trustee, subject to certain exceptions.  The Unsecured Indenture provides that in case an Event of Default shall occur thereunder (which shall not be cured), the Trustee will be required, in the exercise of its power, to use the degree of care of a prudent person in the conduct of his or her own affairs. The Trustee will not be relieved from liabilities for its own negligent action, its own negligent failure to act or its own willful misconduct, except that:

 

(i)            this sentence shall not limit the preceding sentence of this paragraph;

 

(ii)           the Trustee shall not be liable for any error of judgment made in good faith, unless it is proved that the Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts; and

 

(iii)          the Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in accordance with a direction received by it pursuant to the first sentence of this paragraph.

 

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Subject to such provisions, the Trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under the Unsecured Indenture at the request of any holder of Unsecured Notes issued under the Unsecured Indenture, unless such holder shall have offered to the Trustee security and indemnity satisfactory to it against any loss, liability or expense.

 

Certain Definitions

 

Set forth below are certain defined terms used in the Unsecured Indenture.  Reference is made to the Unsecured Indenture for a full disclosure of all such terms, as well as any other capitalized terms used herein for which no definition is provided.

 

“Accounts Receivable Subsidiary” means one Unrestricted Subsidiary of us specifically designated as an Accounts Receivable Subsidiary for the purpose of financing our accounts receivable; provided that any such designation shall not be deemed to prohibit us from financing accounts receivable through any other entity, including, without limitation, any other Unrestricted Subsidiary.

 

“Accounts Receivable Subsidiary Notes” means the notes to be issued by the Accounts Receivable Subsidiary for the purchase of accounts receivable.

 

Acquired Debt” means, with respect to any specified Person, Indebtedness of any other Person existing at the time such other Person merges with or into or becomes a Subsidiary of such specified Person, or Indebtedness incurred by such specified Person in connection with the acquisition of assets, including Indebtedness incurred in connection with, or in contemplation of, such other Person merging with or into or becoming a Subsidiary of such specified Person or the acquisition of such assets, as the case may be.

 

Acquisition” means the acquisition by the Issuer, through Broadband Acquisition Corporation, a Delaware corporation and a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Issuer, of all of the outstanding capital stock of Hughes Communications, Inc., a Delaware corporation, pursuant to the Merger Agreement.

 

Affiliate” of any specified Person means any other Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with such specified Person.  For purposes of this definition, “control” (including, with correlative meanings, the terms “controlling,” “controlled by” and “under common control with”), as used with respect to any Person, shall mean the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of such Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by agreement or otherwise; provided, however, that no individual, other than a director of Parent or us or an officer of Parent or us with a policy making function, shall be deemed an Affiliate of us or any of our Subsidiaries solely by reason of such individual’s employment, position or responsibilities by or with respect to Parent, us or any of their or our respective Subsidiaries.

 

“Asset Sale” means:

 

(1)           the sale, conveyance, transfer or other disposition, whether in a single transaction or a series of related transactions, of property or assets (including by way of a sale and leaseback) of the Issuer, a Guarantor or any Restricted Subsidiary (each referred to in this definition as a “disposition”), or

 

(2)           the issuance or sale of Equity Interests of any Restricted Subsidiary (other than directors’ qualifying shares or shares required by applicable law to be held by a Person other than the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary), whether in a single transaction or a series of related transactions (other than preferred stock of Restricted Subsidiaries issued in compliance with the covenant described under “Certain Covenants—Limitation on Incurrence of Indebtedness”)

 

in each case in clause (1) and (2), other than:

 

(a)           a disposition of Cash Equivalents or obsolete, damaged or worn out equipment or the sale or lease of equipment, inventory or accounts receivable in the ordinary course of

 

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business and dispositions of property no longer used or useful in the conduct of the business of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries;

 

(b)           dispositions to the Issuer or any Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary;

 

(c)           the disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Issuer in a manner permitted pursuant to the provisions described above under “—Certain Covenants—Merger, Consolidation, or Sale of Assets” or any disposition that constitutes a Change of Control pursuant to the Unsecured Indenture;

 

(d)           the making of any Restricted Payment or Permitted Investment that is permitted to be made, and is made, under the covenant described above under “—Certain Covenants—Limitation on Restricted Payments” or the granting of a Lien permitted by the covenant contained under “Certain Covenants— Limitations on Liens”;

 

(e)           any disposition of assets or issuance or sale of Equity Interests of any Restricted Subsidiary in any transaction or series of transactions with an aggregate fair market value of less than $25.0 million;

 

(f)            to the extent allowable under Section 1031 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, any exchange of like property (excluding any boot thereon) for use in a Permitted Business;

 

(g)           the lease, assignment or sublease of any real or personal property in the ordinary course of business;

 

(h)           licenses or sub-licenses of intellectual property in the ordinary course of business;

 

(i)            any financing transaction with respect to property built or acquired by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary after the Issue Date, including, without limitation, sale leasebacks and asset securitizations permitted by the Unsecured Indenture;

 

(j)            any issuance or sale of Equity Interests in, or Indebtedness or other securities of, an Unrestricted Subsidiary, including in connection with any merger or consolidation;

 

(k)           dispositions of accounts receivable in connection with the compromise, settlement or collection thereof in the ordinary course of business or in bankruptcy or similar proceedings;

 

(l)            any disposition of property or assets or the issuance of securities by a Restricted Subsidiary to us or by us or a Restricted Subsidiary to a Restricted Subsidiary or us;

 

(m)          an exchange of assets for assets (including a combination of assets and Cash Equivalents) related to a similar business of comparable or greater market value or usefulness to the business of us and the Restricted Subsidiaries as a whole, as determined in good faith by senior management or the Board of Directors;

 

(n)           any sale of assets pursuant to the Equipment Financing Agreements;

 

(o)           any swap of owned or leased satellite transponder capacity for other satellite transponder capacity of comparable or greater value or usefulness to the business of us and the Restricted Subsidiaries as a whole, as determined in good faith by senior management or the Board of Directors;

 

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(p)           any swap of assets in exchange for services in the ordinary course of business of comparable or greater value or usefulness to the business of us and the Restricted Subsidiaries as a whole, as determined in good faith by senior management or the Board of Directors;

 

(q)           sales or other dispositions of satellites for a consideration of comparable or greater value or usefulness to the business of us and the Restricted Subsidiaries as a whole, as determined in good faith by senior management or the Board of Directors, and sales or other dispositions of satellites in connection with the end of their life;

 

(r)            sales or other dispositions of rights to construct or launch satellites;

 

(s)           a disposition, including by way of lease, of any satellite capacity;

 

(t)            termination of hedging or similar arrangements; and

 

(u)           any disposition of property or assets the net proceeds from which are re-invested in any Permitted Investment.

 

Bankruptcy Law” means title 11, U.S. Code or any similar federal or state law for the relief of debtors.

 

Board of Directors” means the Board of Directors of the Issuer.

 

Capital Lease Obligation” means, as to any Person, the obligations of such Person under a lease that are required to be classified and accounted for as capital lease obligations under GAAP and, for purposes of this definition, the amount of such obligations at the time any determination thereof is to be made shall be the amount of the liability in respect of a capital lease that would at such time be so required to be capitalized on a balance sheet in accordance with GAAP.

 

Capital Stock” means any and all shares, interests, participations, rights or other equivalents, however designated, of corporate stock or partnership or membership interests, whether common or preferred.

 

Cash Equivalents” means: (a) United States dollars, pounds sterling, euros, national currency of any participating member state in the European Union or, in the case of any non-U.S. Subsidiary that is a Restricted Subsidiary, such local currencies held by it from time to time in the ordinary course of business; (b) securities issued or directly and fully guaranteed or insured by the United States government or any country that is a member of the European Union or any agency or instrumentality thereof having maturities of not more than two years from the date of acquisition; (c) certificates of deposit and eurodollar time deposits with maturities of one year or less from the date of acquisition, bankers’ acceptances with maturities not exceeding one year and overnight bank deposits, in each case with any domestic commercial bank having capital and surplus in excess of $500 million; (d) repurchase obligations with a term of not more than 30 days for underlying securities of the types described in clauses (b) and (c) entered into with any financial institution meeting the qualifications specified in clause (c) above; (e) commercial paper rated P-2, A-2 or better or the equivalent thereof by Moody’s or S&P, respectively, and in each case maturing within twelve months after the date of acquisition; (f) money market funds offered by any domestic commercial or investment bank having capital and surplus in excess of $500 million at least 95% of the assets of which constitute Cash Equivalents of the kinds described in clauses (a) through (e) of this definition; and (g) securities representing an interest or interests in AAA rated money market funds registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940.

 

Change of Control” means: (a) any transaction or series of transactions the result of which is that any Person (other than the Principal or a Related Party) individually owns more than 50% of the total voting power of the voting Equity Interests of Parent; (b) the first day on which a majority of the members of the Board of Directors of Parent are not Continuing Directors; or (c) any time that Parent shall cease to beneficially own 100% of our Equity Interests.

 

Coface Facility” means the Coface Covered Export Credit Agreement, dated October 29, 2010 among Hughes Network Systems, LLC, the companies listed in Schedule I as Original Guarantors, BNP Paribas and Societe

 

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Generale, as Original Lenders, BNP Paribas and Societe Generale, as Mandated Lead Arrangers, BNP Paribas, as Facility Agent, Documentation Agent and Security Agent, and Societe Generale as Structuring Bank, as such agreement may be amended or modified or reinstated from time to time, and the promissory notes (billets à ordre) issued in connection therewith as such promissory notes may be amended or modified from time to time.

 

Communications Laws” means the federal Communications Act of 1934, as amended, and all relevant rules, regulations and published policies of the FCC.

 

Consolidated Cash Flow” means, with respect to any Person for any period, the Consolidated Net Income of such Person for such period, plus, to the extent deducted in computing Consolidated Net Income: (a) provision for taxes based on income, profits or capital, including state franchise and similar taxes and tax distributions made to holders of Capital Stock of such Person; (b) Consolidated Interest Expense; (c) depreciation and amortization (including amortization of goodwill and other intangibles) of such Person for such period; (d) the amount of any restructuring charges or expenses (which, for the avoidance of doubt, shall include retention, severance, systems establishment costs or excess pension charges); (e) any extraordinary loss and any net loss realized in connection with any Asset Sale; and (f) Consolidated Non-cash Charges, in each case, on a consolidated basis determined in accordance with GAAP minus non-cash items increasing Consolidated Net Income for such period (excluding any items which represent the reversal of any accrual of, or cash reserve for, anticipated cash charges in any prior period and any items for which cash was received in any prior period); provided that Consolidated Cash Flow shall not include interest income derived from the net proceeds of the offering of the Secured Notes.

 

Consolidated Interest Expense” means, with respect to any Person for any period, consolidated interest expense of such Person for such period, whether paid or accrued, including amortization of original issue discount and deferred financing costs, non-cash interest payments and the interest component of Capital Lease Obligations, on a consolidated basis determined in accordance with GAAP; provided, however, that with respect to the calculation of the consolidated interest expense of us, the interest expense of Unrestricted Subsidiaries shall be excluded.

 

Consolidated Net Income” means, with respect to any Person for any period, the aggregate of the Net Income of such Person and its Subsidiaries or, if such Person is Hughes Satellite Systems, of Hughes Satellite Systems and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, on a consolidated basis, determined in accordance with GAAP; provided, however, that: (a) the Net Income of any Person that is not a Subsidiary or that is accounted for by the equity method of accounting shall be included only to the extent of the amount of dividends or distributions paid in cash to the referent Person, in the case of a gain, or to the extent of any contributions or other payments by the referent Person, in the case of a loss; (b) the Net Income of any Person that is a Subsidiary that is not a Wholly Owned Subsidiary shall be included only to the extent of the amount of dividends or distributions paid in cash to the referent Person; (c) the Net Income of any Subsidiary of such Person shall be excluded to the extent that the declaration or payment of dividends or similar distributions is not at the time permitted by operation of the terms of its charter or bylaws or any other agreement, instrument, judgment, decree, order, statute, rule or government regulation to which it is subject; (d) the cumulative effect of a change in accounting principles shall be excluded; (e) any net after-tax extraordinary or nonrecurring or unusual gains or losses (less all fees and expenses relating thereto), or income or expense or charge (including, without limitation, any severance, relocation or other restructuring costs, fees and expenses) and fees, expenses or charges related to any offering of equity interests of such Person, Investment, acquisition or Indebtedness permitted to be incurred by the Unsecured Indenture (in each case, whether or not successful), including any such fees, expenses or charges related to the Transactions, in each case, shall be excluded; (f) any increase in amortization or depreciation or any one-time non-cash charges resulting from purchase accounting in connection with the Acquisition and any acquisition that is consummated after the Issue Date shall be excluded; (g) any net after-tax income or loss from discontinued operations and any net after-tax gains or losses on disposal of discontinued operations shall be excluded; (h) any net after-tax gains or losses (less all fees and expenses or charges relating thereto) attributable to the early extinguishment of Indebtedness shall be excluded; (i) any non-cash impairment charge or asset write-off resulting from the application of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 142 and 144, and the amortization of intangibles arising pursuant to Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 141, shall be excluded; (j) any non-cash expenses realized or resulting from employee benefit plans or post-employment benefit plans, grants of stock appreciation or similar rights, stock options or other rights to officers, directors and employees of such Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries shall be excluded; (k) any one-time non-cash compensation charges shall be excluded; (l) non-cash gains, losses, income and expenses resulting from fair value accounting required by Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 133 and related

 

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interpretations shall be excluded; and (m) the effects of purchase accounting as a result of the Acquisition and any acquisition that is consummated after the Issue Date shall be excluded.

 

Consolidated Net Tangible Assets” means, with respect to any Person, the aggregate amount of assets of such Person (less applicable reserves and other properly deductible items) after deducting therefrom (to the extent otherwise included therein) (a) all current liabilities and (b) all goodwill, trade names, trademarks, patents, unamortized debt discount and expense and other like intangibles, all as set forth on the books and records of such Person and its consolidated Subsidiaries as of the end of the most recently ended fiscal quarter and computed in accordance with GAAP.

 

Consolidated Non-cash Charges” means, with respect to any Person for any period, the aggregate depreciation, amortization, impairment, non-cash compensation, non-cash rent and other non-cash expenses of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period on a consolidated basis and otherwise determined in accordance with GAAP, but excluding (i) any such charge which consists of or requires an accrual of, or cash reserve for, anticipated cash charges for any future period and (ii) the non-cash impact of recording the change in fair value of any embedded derivatives under Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 133 and related interpretations as a result of the terms of any agreement or instrument to which such Consolidated Non-cash Charges relate.

 

Continuing Director” means, as of any date of determination, any member of the Board of Directors of Parent who: (a) was a member of such Board of Directors on the Issue Date; or (b) was nominated for election or elected to such Board of Directors with the affirmative vote of a majority of the Continuing Directors who were members of such Board at the time of such nomination or election or was nominated for election or elected by the Principal and his Related Parties.

 

Default” means any event that is, or with the passage of time or the giving of notice or both would be, an Event of Default.

 

Deferred Payments” means Indebtedness owed to satellite construction or launch contractors incurred after the Issue Date in connection with the construction or launch of one or more satellites of the Issuer or the Issuer’s Restricted Subsidiaries used by the Issuer and/or them in the businesses described in the covenant “— Limitations on Activities of the Issuer” in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $50.0 million at any one time outstanding.

 

Designated Non-Cash Consideration” means the fair market value of non-cash consideration received by the Issuer or one of its Restricted Subsidiaries in connection with an Asset Sale that is so designated as “Designated Non-Cash Consideration” pursuant to an officer’s certificate, setting forth the basis of such valuation, less the amount of cash or Cash Equivalents received in connection with a subsequent sale of such Designated Non-Cash Consideration.

 

Disqualified Stock” means any Capital Stock which, by its terms (or by the terms of any security into which it is convertible or for which it is exchangeable), or upon the happening of any event, matures or is mandatorily redeemable, pursuant to a sinking fund obligation or otherwise, or redeemable at the option of the holder thereof, in whole or in part, on or prior to the date on which the Unsecured Notes mature; provided, however, that any such Capital Stock may require the issuer of such Capital Stock to make an offer to purchase such Capital Stock upon the occurrence of certain events if the terms of such Capital Stock provide that such an offer may not be satisfied and the purchase of such Capital Stock may not be consummated until the 91st day after the Old Unsecured Notes and the Unsecured Notes have been paid in full.

 

Domestic Subsidiary” means, with respect to any Person, any Restricted Subsidiary of such Person other than a Foreign Subsidiary.

 

Eligible Institution” means a commercial banking institution that has combined capital and surplus of not less than $500 million or its equivalent in foreign currency, whose debt is rated Investment Grade at the time as of which any investment or rollover therein is made.

 

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Equipment Financing Agreements” means (A) any and all agreements entered into by us or our Restricted Subsidiaries providing for the lease of equipment to enterprise customers, (B) any and all assignment agreements entered into by us and our Restricted Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business as contemplated by clause (A) of this definition, in each case, as the same may be refinanced, amended, modified, restated, renewed, supplemented or replaced, and (C) any agreements between us or any of our Restricted Subsidiaries and any third-party relating generally to the subject matter of the agreements set forth in clause (A) of this definition.

 

Equity Interests” means Capital Stock and all warrants, options or other rights to acquire Capital Stock (but excluding any debt security that is convertible into, or exchangeable for, Capital Stock).

 

Escrowed Proceeds” means the proceeds from the offering of any debt securities or other Indebtedness paid into an escrow account with an independent escrow agent on the date of the applicable offering or Incurrence pursuant to escrow arrangements that permit the release of amounts on deposit in such escrow account upon satisfaction of certain conditions or the occurrence of certain events.  The term “Escrowed Proceeds” shall include any interest earned on the amounts held in escrow.

 

Exchange Act” means the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 

Existing Indebtedness” means the Old Unsecured Notes and any other Indebtedness of us and our Subsidiaries in existence on the Issue Date or, in the case of Hughes Communications, Inc. or any of its subsidiaries, the Escrow Release Date (including, for the avoidance of doubt, any such Indebtedness of Hughes Communications, Inc. or any of its subsidiaries in existence on the Escrow Release Date); until such amounts are repaid.

 

FCC” means the Federal Communications Commission or any successor agency thereto.

 

FCC Licenses” means broadcasting and other licenses, authorizations, waivers and permits which are issued from time to time by the FCC.

 

Foreign Subsidiary” means, with respect to any Person, any Subsidiary of such Person that is not organized or existing under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia, and any Subsidiary of such Subsidiary.

 

GAAP” means United States generally accepted accounting principles set forth in the opinions and pronouncements of the Accounting Principles Board of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and statements and pronouncements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board or in such other statements by such other entity as may be approved by a significant segment of the accounting profession of the United States, which are applicable as of the Issue Date; provided that, for purposes of complying with the obligations under the covenant “Reports”, such reports shall utilize GAAP as then in effect.

 

Government Securities” means direct obligations of, or obligations guaranteed by, the United States of America for the payment of which guarantee or obligations the full faith and credit of the United States of America is pledged.

 

Governmental Authority” shall mean any Federal, state, provincial, local, foreign or other governmental, quasi-governmental or administrative (including self-regulatory) body, instrumentality, department, agency, authority, board, bureau, commission, office of any nature whatsoever or other subdivision thereof, or any court, tribunal, administrative hearing body, arbitration panel or other similar dispute-resolving body, whether now or hereafter in existence.

 

guarantee” means a guarantee (other than by endorsement of negotiable instruments for collection in the ordinary course of business), direct or indirect, in any manner (including, without limitation, letters of credit and reimbursement agreements in respect thereof), of all or any part of any Indebtedness.

 

Guarantee” means a guarantee by a Guarantor of the Unsecured Notes.

 

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Guarantor” means any entity that executes a Guarantee of the obligations of Hughes Satellite Systems under the Unsecured Notes, and their respective successors and assigns.

 

Hedging Obligations” means, with respect to any Person, the obligations of such Person pursuant to any arrangement with any other Person, whereby, directly or indirectly, such Person is entitled to receive from time to time periodic payments calculated by applying either floating or a fixed rate of interest on a stated notional amount in exchange for periodic payments made by such other Person calculated by applying a fixed or a floating rate of interest on the same notional amount and shall include, without limitation, interest rate swaps, caps, floors, collars and similar agreements designed to protect such Person against fluctuations in interest rates.

 

Immaterial Subsidiary” means any one or more Subsidiaries of the Issuer that have less than $5.0 million in total assets in the aggregate.

 

Indebtedness” means, with respect to any Person, any indebtedness of such Person, whether or not contingent, in respect of borrowed money or evidenced by bonds, notes, debentures or similar instruments or letters of credit (or reimbursement agreements in respect thereof) or representing the balance deferred and unpaid of the purchase price of any property (including pursuant to capital leases) or representing any Hedging Obligations, except any such balance that constitutes an accrued expense or trade payable, if and to the extent any of the foregoing (other than Hedging Obligations) would appear as a liability upon a balance sheet of such Person prepared in accordance with GAAP, and also includes, to the extent not otherwise included, the amount of all obligations of such Person with respect to the redemption, repayment or other repurchase of any Disqualified Stock or, with respect to any Subsidiary of such Person, the liquidation preference with respect to, any Preferred Equity Interests (but excluding, in each case, any accrued dividends) as well as the guarantee of items that would be included within this definition.

 

Indebtedness to Cash Flow Ratio” means, with respect to any Person, the ratio of: (a) the Indebtedness of such Person and its Subsidiaries (or, if such Person is Hughes Satellite Systems, of Hughes Satellite Systems and its Restricted Subsidiaries) as of the end of the most recently ended fiscal quarter, plus the amount of any Indebtedness incurred subsequent to the end of such fiscal quarter; to (b) such Person’s Consolidated Cash Flow for the most recently ended four full fiscal quarters for which internal financial statements are available immediately preceding the date on which such event for which such calculation is being made shall occur (the “Measurement Period”); provided, however, that if such Person or any of its Subsidiaries (or, if such Person is the Issuer, any of its Restricted Subsidiaries) consummates an acquisition, merger or other business combination or an Asset Sale or other disposition of assets subsequent to the commencement of the Measurement Period for which the calculation of the Indebtedness to Cash Flow Ratio is made, then the Indebtedness to Cash Flow Ratio shall be calculated giving pro forma effect to such transaction(s) as if the same had occurred at the beginning of the applicable period.

 

In-Orbit Insurance” means, with respect to any satellite (or, if the entire satellite is not owned by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, the portion of the satellite it owns or for which it has risk of loss), insurance or other contractual arrangement providing for coverage against the risk of loss of or damage to such satellite (or portion, as applicable) attaching upon the expiration of the launch insurance therefor and attaching, during the commercial in-orbit service of such satellite (or portion, as applicable), upon the expiration of the immediately preceding corresponding policy or other contractual arrangement, as the case may be, subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Unsecured Indenture.

 

Investment Grade” means, with respect to a security, that such security is rated at least BBB- or higher by S&P or Baa3 or higher by Moody’s (or, in the event of a change in ratings systems, the equivalent of such ratings by S&P or Moody’s), or the equivalent rating of another nationally recognized statistical rating organization.

 

Investments” means, with respect to any Person, all investments by such Person in other Persons (including Affiliates) in the forms of loans (including guarantees), advances or capital contributions (excluding commission, travel and similar advances to officers and employees made in the ordinary course of business), purchases or other acquisitions for consideration of Indebtedness, Equity Interests or other securities and all other items that are or would be classified as investments on a balance sheet prepared in accordance with GAAP.

 

Issue Date” means June 1, 2011.

 

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Lien” means, with respect to any asset, any mortgage, lien, pledge, charge, security interest or encumbrance of any kind in respect of such asset, whether or not filed, recorded or otherwise perfected under applicable law (including any conditional sale or other title retention agreement, any lease in the nature thereof, any option or other agreement to sell or give a security interest in and any filing of or agreement to give any financing statement under the Uniform Commercial Code (or equivalent statute) of any jurisdiction).

 

Marketable Securities” means: (a) Government Securities; (b) any certificate of deposit maturing not more than 365 days after the date of acquisition issued by, or time deposit of, an Eligible Institution; (c) commercial paper or corporate securities maturing not more than 18 months after the date of acquisition issued by a corporation (other than an Affiliate of us) with an Investment Grade rating, at the time as of which any investment therein is made, issued or offered by an Eligible Institution; (d) any bankers’’ acceptances or money market deposit accounts issued or offered by an Eligible Institution; and (e) any fund investing exclusively in investments of the types described in clauses (a) through (d) above.

 

Maximum Secured Amount” means 3.50 times the Trailing Cash Flow Amount, or, if greater and following a Suspension Event, 15% of our Consolidated Net Tangible Assets.

 

Merger Agreement” means that certain Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of February 13, 2011, by and among EchoStar Satellite Services L.L.C., Broadband Acquisition Corporation, EchoStar Corporation and Hughes Communications, Inc.

 

Moody’s” means Moody’s Investors Service, Inc., a subsidiary of Moody’s Corporation.

 

Net Income” means, with respect to any Person, the net income (loss) of such Person, determined in accordance with GAAP, excluding, however, any gain (but not loss), together with any related provision for taxes on such gain (but not loss), realized in connection with any Asset Sale (including, without limitation, dispositions pursuant to sale and leaseback transactions), and excluding any extraordinary gain (but not loss), together with any related provision for taxes on such extraordinary gain (but not loss) and excluding any unusual gain (but not loss) relating to recovery of insurance proceeds on satellites, together with any related provision for taxes on such extraordinary gain (but not loss).

 

Net Proceeds” means the aggregate cash proceeds received by us or any of our Restricted Subsidiaries, as the case may be, in respect of any Asset Sale, net of the direct costs relating to such Asset Sale (including, without limitation, legal, accounting and investment banking fees, and sales commissions) and any relocation expenses incurred as a result thereof, taxes paid or payable as a result thereof (after taking into account any available tax credits or deductions and any tax sharing arrangements), amounts required to be applied to the repayment of Indebtedness secured by a Lien on the asset or assets that are the subject of such Asset Sale and any reserve for adjustment in respect of the sale price of such asset or assets. Net Proceeds shall exclude any non-cash proceeds received from any Asset Sale, but shall include such proceeds when and as converted by us or any Restricted Subsidiary to cash.

 

Non-Recourse Indebtedness” of any Person means Indebtedness of such Person that: (i) is not guaranteed by any other Person (except a Wholly Owned Subsidiary of the referent Person); (ii) is not recourse to and does not obligate any other Person (except a Wholly Owned Subsidiary of the referent Person) in any way; (iii) does not subject any property or assets of any other Person (except a Wholly Owned Subsidiary of the referent Person), directly or indirectly, contingently or otherwise, to the satisfaction thereof; and (iv) is not required by GAAP to be reflected on the financial statements of any other Person (other than a Subsidiary of the referent Person) prepared in accordance with GAAP.

 

Offering Memorandum” means the offering memorandum, dated as of May 17, 2011, relating to the offering of the Old Unsecured Notes.

 

Pari Passu Indebtedness” means Indebtedness of the Issuer or a Guarantor that is pari passu in right of payment (and not expressly subordinated) to the Unsecured Notes or, in the case of a Guarantor, that is pari passu in right of payment (and not expressly subordinated) to its Guarantee.

 

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“Permitted Business” means any business conducted or proposed to be conducted by the Issuer (including through its Subsidiaries and joint ventures) on the Issue Date (including any activity conducted by Hughes Communications, Inc. or its Subsidiaries or joint ventures), any business activity that is a reasonable extension, development or expansion thereof or ancillary, incidental, similar, complementary or reasonably related thereto, and any business conducted or proposed to be conducted after the Issue Date as approved by the Board of Directors in good faith.

 

Permitted Investments” means: (a) Investments in us or in a Restricted Subsidiary; (b) Investments in Cash Equivalents and Marketable Securities; and (c) Investments by us or any of our Subsidiaries in a Person if, as a result of such Investment: (i) such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary, or (ii) such Person is merged, consolidated or amalgamated with or into, or transfers or conveys substantially all of its assets to, or is liquidated into, us or a Restricted Subsidiary; provided that if at any time a Restricted Subsidiary shall cease to be a Subsidiary of us, we shall be deemed to have made a Restricted Investment in the amount of its remaining investment, if any, in such former Subsidiary.

 

Permitted Liens” means:

 

(a)           Liens securing the Old Secured Notes and Liens securing any guarantee thereof;

 

(b)           Liens securing the Deferred Payments;

 

(c)           Liens securing any Indebtedness permitted under the covenant described under “Certain Covenants— Limitation on Incurrence of Indebtedness” above; provided that such Liens under this clause (c) together with Liens under clause (a) of “Permitted Liens”  shall not secure Indebtedness in an amount exceeding the Maximum Secured Amount at the time that such Lien is incurred;

 

(d)           Liens securing Indebtedness permitted under clause (7) of the second paragraph of the covenant described under “Certain Covenants— Limitation on Incurrence of Indebtedness”; provided that such Indebtedness was permitted to be incurred by the terms of the Unsecured Indenture and such Liens do not extend to any assets of us or our Restricted Subsidiaries other than the assets so acquired;

 

(e)           Liens securing Indebtedness the proceeds of which are used to develop, construct, launch or insure any satellites; provided that such Indebtedness was permitted to be incurred by the terms of the Unsecured Indenture and such Liens do not extend to any assets of us or our Restricted Subsidiaries other than such satellites being developed, constructed, launched or insured, and to the related licenses, permits and construction, launch and TT&C contracts;

 

(f)            Liens on orbital slots, licenses and other assets and rights of us; provided that such orbital slots, licenses and other assets and rights relate solely to the satellites referred to in clause (e) of this definition;

 

(g)           Liens on property of a Person existing at the time such Person is merged into or consolidated with us or any of our Restricted Subsidiaries; provided that such Liens were not incurred in connection with, or in contemplation of, such merger or consolidation, other than in the ordinary course of business;

 

(h)           Liens on property of an Unrestricted Subsidiary at the time that it is designated as a Restricted Subsidiary pursuant to the definition of “Unrestricted Subsidiary;” provided that such Liens were not incurred in connection with, or in contemplation of, such designation;

 

(i)            Liens on property existing at the time of acquisition thereof by us or any Restricted Subsidiary; provided that such Liens were not incurred in connection with, or in contemplation of, such acquisition and do not extend to any assets of us or any of our Restricted Subsidiaries other than the property so acquired;

 

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(j)            Liens to secure the performance of statutory obligations, bid, surety or appeal bonds or performance bonds, or landlords’, carriers’, warehousemen’s, mechanics’, suppliers’, materialmen’s or other like Liens, in any case incurred in the ordinary course of business and with respect to amounts not yet delinquent or being contested in good faith by appropriate process of law, if a reserve or other appropriate provision, if any, as is required by GAAP shall have been made therefor;

 

(k)           Liens existing on the Issue Date or, in the case of Hughes Communications, Inc. or any of its subsidiaries, the Escrow Release Date (including, for the avoidance of doubt, any such Liens of Hughes Communications, Inc. or any of its subsidiaries existing on the Escrow Release Date);

 

(l)            Liens for taxes, assessments or governmental charges or claims that are not yet delinquent or that are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings promptly instituted and diligently concluded; provided that any reserve or other appropriate provision as shall be required in conformity with GAAP shall have been made therefor;

 

(m)          Liens incurred by us or any of our Restricted Subsidiaries with respect to obligations that do not exceed $50 million in principal amount in the aggregate at any one time outstanding;

 

(n)           Liens securing Indebtedness permitted under clause (10) of the second paragraph of the covenant described under “Certain Covenants— Limitation on Incurrence of Indebtedness”; provided that such Liens shall not extend to assets other than the assets that previously secured such Indebtedness being refinanced;

 

(o)           Liens securing Indebtedness permitted under clause (12) of the second paragraph of the covenant described under “Certain Covenants— Limitation on Incurrence of Indebtedness”;

 

(p)           Liens securing Indebtedness permitted under clause (13) of the second paragraph of the covenant described under “Certain Covenants— Limitation on Incurrence of Indebtedness”;

 

(q)           Liens securing Indebtedness permitted under clause (16) of the second paragraph of the covenant described under “Certain Covenants— Limitation on Incurrence of Indebtedness”; provided that such Liens do not extend to any assets of us or our Restricted Subsidiaries other than the assets so acquired;

 

(r)            Liens securing Indebtedness permitted under clause (17) of the second paragraph of the covenant described under “Certain Covenants— Limitation on Incurrence of Indebtedness”; provided that such Liens do not extend to any assets of us or our Restricted Subsidiaries other than the assets so acquired;

 

(s)           survey exceptions, encumbrances, Liens, restrictions, easements or reservations of, or rights of others for, licenses, rights-of-way, sewers, electric lines, telegraph and telephone lines and other similar purposes, or zoning or other restrictions as to the use of real properties or Liens incidental to the conduct of the business of such Person or to the ownership of its properties which were not incurred in connection with Indebtedness and which do not in the aggregate materially impair their use in the operation of the business of such Person;

 

(t)            leases and subleases of real property granted to others in the ordinary course of business that do not (i) materially interfere with the ordinary conduct of the business of us or our Restricted Subsidiaries or (ii) secure any Indebtedness;

 

(u)           Liens arising from Uniform Commercial Code financing statement filings regarding operating leases entered into by us and our Restricted Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business;

 

(v)           Liens on equipment of us or any Restricted Subsidiary granted in the ordinary course of business to our customers at the site at which such equipment is located;

 

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(w)          Liens in favor of customers on satellites or portions thereof (including insurance proceeds relating thereto) or the satellite construction or acquisition agreement relating thereto;

 

(x)            grants of software and other licenses in the ordinary course of business;

 

(y)           Liens securing insurance premiums financing arrangements, provided that such Liens are limited to the applicable unearned insurance premiums;

 

(z)            Liens not provided for in clauses (a) through (y) above, securing Indebtedness incurred in compliance with the terms of the Unsecured Indenture; provided that the Unsecured Notes are secured by the assets subject to such Liens on an equal and ratable basis or on the basis prior to such Liens; provided further that to the extent that such Lien secures Indebtedness that is subordinated to the Unsecured Notes, such Lien shall be subordinated to and be later in priority than the Unsecured Notes on the same basis;

 

(aa)         extensions, renewals or refundings of any Liens referred to in clauses (a) through (z) above; provided that (i) any such extension, renewal or refunding does not extend to any assets or secure any Indebtedness not securing or secured by the Liens being extended, renewed or refinanced and (ii) any extension, renewal or refunding of a Lien originally incurred pursuant to clause (c) above shall not secure Indebtedness in an amount greater than the Maximum Secured Amount at the time of such extension, renewal or refunding; and

 

(bb)         Liens on Escrowed Proceeds for the benefit of the related holders of debt securities or other Indebtedness (or the underwriters or arrangers thereof) or on cash set aside at the time of the Incurrence of any Indebtedness or government securities purchased with such cash, in either case to the extent such cash or government securities prefund the payment of interest on such Indebtedness and are held in an escrow account or similar arrangement to be applied for such purpose.

 

Permitted Refinancing” has the meaning given in clause (10)(C) of the second paragraph of the covenant described under “Certain Covenants— Limitation on Incurrence of Indebtedness.”

 

Person” means any individual, corporation, partnership, joint venture, association, joint-stock company, trust, unincorporated organization, limited liability company, government or any agency or political subdivision thereof or any other entity.

 

Preferred Equity Interest,” in any Person, means an Equity Interest of any class or classes (however designated) which is preferred as to the payment of dividends or distributions, or as to the distribution of assets upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation or dissolution of such Person, over Equity Interests of any other class in such Person.

 

Principal” means Charles W. Ergen.

 

Purchase Money Indebtedness” means (i) Indebtedness of us or any Guarantor incurred (within 365 days of such purchase) to finance the purchase of any assets (including the purchase of Equity Interests of Persons that are not our Affiliates or Guarantors) to the extent the amount of Indebtedness thereunder does not exceed 100% of the purchase cost of such assets; and (ii) Indebtedness of us or any Guarantor which refinances Indebtedness referred to in clause (i) of this definition; provided that such refinancing satisfies clause (i).

 

Rating Agency” or “Rating Agencies” means:

 

(a)           S&P;

 

(b)           Moody’s; or

 

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(c)           if S&P or Moody’s or both shall not make a rating of the Unsecured Notes publicly available, a nationally recognized securities rating agency or agencies, as the case may be, selected by the Issuer, which shall be substituted for S&P or Moody’s or both, as the case may be.

 

“Receivables Trust” means a trust organized solely for the purpose of securitizing the accounts receivable held by the Accounts Receivable Subsidiary that:

 

(a)           shall not engage in any business other than (i) the purchase of accounts receivable or participation interests therein from the Accounts Receivable Subsidiary and the servicing thereof, (ii) the issuance of and distribution of payments with respect to the securities permitted to be issued under clause (b) below and (iii) other activities incidental to the foregoing;

 

(b)           shall not at any time incur Indebtedness or issue any securities, except (i) certificates representing undivided interests in the trust issued to the Accounts Receivable Subsidiary and (ii) debt securities issued in an arm’s length transaction for consideration solely in the form of cash and Cash Equivalents, all of which (net of any issuance fees and expenses) shall promptly be paid to the Accounts Receivable Subsidiary; and

 

(c)           shall distribute to the Accounts Receivable Subsidiary as a distribution on the Accounts Receivable Subsidiary’s beneficial interest in the trust no less frequently than once every six months all available cash and Cash Equivalents held by it, to the extent not required for reasonable operating expenses or reserves therefor or to service any securities issued pursuant to clause (b) above that are not held by the Accounts Receivable Subsidiary.

 

“Refinancing Indebtedness” has the meaning given in clause (10) of the second paragraph of the covenant described under “Certain Covenants— Limitation on Incurrence of Indebtedness.”

 

Registration Rights Agreement” means the Registration Rights Agreement dated as of the Issue Date among the Issuer, the Guarantors and Deutsche Bank Securities Inc., as supplemented by a joinder agreement to the Registration Rights Agreement, dated June 8, 2011, among the guarantors listed on the signature pages thereto and Deutsche Bank Securities Inc.

 

Related Party” means, with respect to the Principal, (a) the spouse and each immediate family member of the Principal, (b) each trust, corporation, partnership or other entity of which the Principal beneficially holds an 80% or more controlling interest and (c) all trusts, including grantor retained annuity trusts, established by the Principal for the benefit of his family.

 

Replacement Assets” means, on any date, property or assets (including Capital Stock of an entity owning such property or assets), of a nature or type that are used in any Permitted Business.

 

Replacement Satellite Vendor Indebtedness” means Indebtedness of the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary provided by a satellite or satellite launch vendor, insurer or insurance agent or Affiliate thereof for the (i) construction, launch or insurance of all or part of one or more replacement satellites or satellite launches for such satellites, where “replacement satellite” means a satellite that is to be used: (x) as a replacement for any of the satellites owned, leased or under construction by the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary on the Issue Date or, in the case of Hughes Communications, Inc. or any of its subsidiaries, the Escrow Release Date, or (y) for continuation or expansion of the satellite service of the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary as a replacement for, or supplement to, a satellite that is retired or relocated (due to a deterioration in operating useful life) within the existing service area or reasonably determined by the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary to no longer meet the requirements for such service or as a supplement to one or more existing satellites to provide additional capacity or (ii) the replacement of a spare satellite that has been launched or that is no longer capable of being launched or suitable for launch. Replacement Satellite Vendor Indebtedness includes any Refinancing Indebtedness thereof.

 

Restricted Investment” means an Investment other than Permitted Investments.

 

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Restricted Subsidiary” or “Restricted Subsidiaries” means any corporation, association or other business entity of which more than 50% of the total voting power of shares of Capital Stock entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of directors, managers or trustees thereof is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by us or one or more Subsidiaries of us or a combination thereof, other than Unrestricted Subsidiaries.

 

S&P” means Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services, a division of The McGraw Hill Companies, Inc.

 

SEC” means the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

Securities Act” means the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

 

Significant Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary that would be a “significant subsidiary” as defined in Article 1, Rule 1-02 of Regulation S-X promulgated pursuant to the Securities Act, as such regulation is in effect on the Issue Date.

 

Subsidiary” or “Subsidiaries” means, with respect to any Person, any corporation, association or other business entity of which more than 50% of the total voting power of shares of Capital Stock entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of directors, managers or trustees thereof is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by such Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of such Person or a combination thereof.

 

Trailing Cash Flow Amount” means our Consolidated Cash Flow during the most recent four fiscal quarters for which financial statements are available; provided that if we or any of our Restricted Subsidiaries consummates a merger, acquisition or other business combination or an Asset Sale or other disposition of assets subsequent to the commencement of such period but prior to or contemporaneously with the event for which the calculation of Trailing Cash Flow Amount is made, then Trailing Cash Flow Amount shall be calculated giving pro forma effect to such material acquisition or Asset Sale or other disposition of assets, as if the same had occurred at the beginning of the applicable period.

 

Transactions” means the Acquisition, the repayment of certain existing indebtedness of Hughes Communications, Inc. and its subsidiaries in connection with the Acquisition, the offering of the Old Unsecured Notes and the Old Secured Notes contemplated by the Offering Memorandum and other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement.

 

TT&C” means telemetry, tracking and control.

 

Unrestricted Subsidiary” or “Unrestricted Subsidiaries” means any Subsidiary of us designated as an Unrestricted Subsidiary after the Issue Date in a resolution of our Board of Directors:

 

(a)           no portion of the Indebtedness or any other obligation (contingent or otherwise) of which, immediately after such designation: (i) is guaranteed by us or any other Subsidiary of us (other than another Unrestricted Subsidiary); (ii) is recourse to or obligates us or any other Subsidiary of us (other than another Unrestricted Subsidiary) in any way; or (iii) subjects any property or asset of us or any other Subsidiary of us (other than another Unrestricted Subsidiary), directly or indirectly, contingently or otherwise, to satisfaction thereof;

 

(b)           with which neither we nor any other Subsidiary of us (other than another Unrestricted Subsidiary) has any contract, agreement, arrangement, understanding or is subject to an obligation of any kind, written or oral, other than on terms no less favorable to us or such other Subsidiary than those that might be obtained at the time from Persons who are not our Affiliates; and

 

(c)           with which neither we nor any other Subsidiary of us (other than another Unrestricted Subsidiary) has any obligation: (i) to subscribe for additional shares of Capital Stock or other equity

 

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interests therein; or (ii) to maintain or preserve such Subsidiary’s financial condition or to cause such Subsidiary to achieve certain levels of operating results.

 

If at any time after the Issue Date we designate an additional Subsidiary as an Unrestricted Subsidiary, we will be deemed to have made a Restricted Investment in an amount equal to the fair market value (as determined in good faith by our Board of Directors evidenced by a resolution of our Board of Directors and set forth in an officers’ certificate delivered to the Trustee no later than ten business days following a request from the Trustee, which certificate shall cover the six months preceding the date of the request) of such Subsidiary and to have incurred all Indebtedness of such Unrestricted Subsidiary. An Unrestricted Subsidiary may be designated as a Restricted Subsidiary if, at the time of such designation after giving pro forma effect thereto, no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred or be continuing.

 

Weighted Average Life to Maturity” means, when applied to any Indebtedness at any date, the number of years obtained by dividing (a) the then outstanding principal amount of such Indebtedness into (b) the total of the product obtained by multiplying (i) the amount of each then remaining installment, sinking fund, serial maturity or other required payments of principal, including payment at final maturity, in respect thereof, by (ii) the number of years (calculated to the nearest one-twelfth) that will elapse between such date and the making of such payment.

 

Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary” means a Wholly Owned Subsidiary of the Issuer that is a Restricted Subsidiary.

 

Wholly Owned Subsidiary” means, with respect to any Person, any Subsidiary all of the outstanding voting stock (other than directors’ qualifying shares) of which is owned by such Person, directly or indirectly.

 

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REGISTRATION RIGHTS

 

We are making the exchange offer to comply with our obligations under the registration rights agreement to register the exchange of the Notes for the Old Notes.  In the registration rights agreement, we also agreed under certain circumstances, described below, to file a shelf registration statement to register the resale of certain Old Notes and Notes.  The following summary of the registration rights that are provided in the registration rights agreement and the Notes is not complete.  You should refer to the registration rights agreement and the Notes for a full description of the registration rights that apply to the Notes.

 

We and the initial purchaser of the Old Notes entered into the registration rights agreement on June 1, 2011. In the registration rights agreement relating to the Notes, we agreed to file the exchange offer registration statement relating to the Notes with the SEC and use our reasonable best efforts to have it then declared effective within 365 days after the release of the proceeds of the offering of the Old Notes from escrow. We also agreed to use our reasonable best efforts to cause that exchange offer registration statement to be effective continuously, to keep the exchange offer open for a period of not less than 20 business days and cause the exchange offer to be consummated no later than the 395th day after the release of the proceeds of the offering of the Old Notes from escrow. Pursuant to the exchange offer, certain holders of Old Notes that constitute “transfer restricted securities” will be allowed to exchange their transfer restricted securities for registered Notes.

 

If (i) we determine, after consultation with counsel, either (x) that an exchange offer is not permitted by applicable law or SEC policy or (y) that an exchange offer is not effective to make Notes freely tradeable to the extent contemplated by the registration rights agreement under applicable law or SEC policy or (ii) any holder of Old Notes that are transfer restricted securities notifies us prior to the consummation of such exchange offer that (a) it is prohibited by law or policy of the SEC from participating in the exchange offer; (b) it may not resell the Notes acquired by it in the exchange offer to the public without delivering a prospectus, and the prospectus contained in the exchange offer registration statement is not appropriate or available for such resales by it, other than by reason of such holder being an affiliate of the Company; or (c) it is a broker-dealer and holds the Old Notes acquired directly from us or any of our affiliates, we will file with the SEC a shelf registration statement to register for public resale the transfer restricted securities held by any such holder who provides us with certain information for inclusion in the shelf registration statement.

 

For purposes of the registration rights agreement, “transfer restricted securities” means each Old Note until the earliest on the date of which (i) such Old Note is exchanged in the exchange offer and is entitled to be resold to the public by the holder thereof without complying with the prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act, (ii) such Old Note has been effectively registered under the Securities Act and disposed of in accordance with the shelf registration statement, or (iii) such Old Note is distributed to the public of by a broker-dealer pursuant to the “Plan of Distribution” contemplated by this registration statement (including delivery of the prospectus contained herein).

 

The registration rights agreement provides that the following events will constitute a “registration default”:

 

·                  if the exchange offer registration statement is not declared effective by the SEC on or prior to the 365th day after the release of the proceeds of the offering of the Old Notes from escrow;

·                  if the exchange offer is not consummated on or before the 395th day after the release of the proceeds of the offering of the Old Notes from escrow;

·                  if obligated to file the shelf registration statement and we fail to file the shelf registration statement with the SEC on or prior to the 90th day after such filing obligation arises (such later date, the “Filing Deadline”);

·                  if obligated to file a shelf registration statement and the shelf registration statement is not declared effective on or prior to the 365th day after the Filing Deadline; or

·                  except in certain circumstances, if the exchange offer registration statement or the shelf registration statement, as the case may be, is declared effective but thereafter (and before the second anniversary of the initial sale of the Old Notes) ceases to be effective or useable in connection with resales of the transfer restricted securities, for such time of non-effectiveness or non-usability.

 

If there is a registration default, then we will pay to each holder of transfer restricted securities affected thereby additional interest in an amount equal to $0.05 per week per $1,000 in principal amount of transfer restricted

 

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securities held by such holder for each week or portion thereof that the registration default continues for the first 90-day period immediately following the occurrence of that registration default. The amount of the additional interest shall increase by an additional $0.05 per week per $1,000 in principal amount of transfer restricted securities with respect to each subsequent 90-day period until all registration defaults have been cured or until the transfer restricted securities become freely tradable without registration under the Securities Act, up to a maximum amount of additional interest of $0.25 per week per $1,000 in principal amount of transfer restricted securities. We shall not be required to pay additional interest for more than one of these registration defaults at any given time. Following the cure of all of these registration defaults, the accrual of additional interest will cease.

 

We will pay all accrued additional interest to holders entitled thereto by wire transfer to the accounts specified by them or by mailing checks to their registered address if no such accounts have been specified.

 

Holders of Old Notes are required to make certain representations to us, as described elsewhere in this prospectus, in order to participate in the exchange offer and are required to deliver information to be used in connection with the shelf registration statement and to provide comments on the shelf registration statement within the time periods set forth in the registration rights agreement in order to have their Old Notes included in the shelf registration statement and benefit from the provisions regarding additional interest set forth above.

 

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MATERIAL UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS

 

This section is a summary of the material United States federal income tax consequences of owning the Notes.  It applies to you only if you acquire the Notes in the offering at their initial offering price and you hold the Notes as capital assets for tax purposes.

 

This section does not apply to you if you are a member of a class of holders subject to special rules, such as:

 

·                  a dealer in securities,

 

·                  a trader in securities that elects to use a mark-to-market method of accounting for your securities holdings,

 

·                  a bank,

 

·                  a life insurance company,

 

·                  a tax-exempt organization,

 

·                  a United States expatriate,

 

·                  a person subject to the alternative minimum tax,

 

·                  a person that owns Notes that are a hedge or that are hedged against interest rate risks,

 

·                  a person that owns Notes as part of a straddle or conversion transaction for tax purposes,

 

·                  a person that purchases or sells Notes as part of a wash sale for tax purposes, or

 

·                  a United States holder (as defined below) whose functional currency for tax purposes is not the United States dollar.

 

If you purchase the Notes at a price other than the initial offering price, the amortizable bond premium or market discount rules may also apply to you.  You should consult your tax advisor regarding this possibility.

 

This summary does not discuss the effect of any applicable estate, gift, state, local or non-U.S. tax laws.  This section is based on the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, its legislative history, existing and proposed regulations under the Internal Revenue Code, published rulings and court decisions, all as currently in effect.  These laws are subject to change, possibly on a retroactive basis.

 

If an entity treated as a partnership for United States federal income tax purposes holds the Notes, the United States federal income tax treatment of a partner will generally depend on the status of the partner and the tax treatment and activities of the partnership.  A partner in a partnership holding the Notes should consult its tax advisor with regard to the United States federal income tax treatment of an investment in the Notes.

 

Please consult your own tax advisor concerning the consequences of owning these Notes in your particular circumstances under the Internal Revenue Code and the laws of any other taxing jurisdiction.

 

The Exchange Offer

 

If a Holder exchanges Old Notes for Notes in the exchange offer, the exchange should not be a taxable transaction for United States federal income tax purposes.  Accordingly, Holders should not recognize any gain or loss when they receive the Notes, and should be required to continue to include interest on the Notes in gross income as described below.  Further, the Notes should have the same issue price as the Old Notes immediately before the

 

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exchange, and a Holder’s adjusted tax basis and holding period in the Notes should be equal to the adjusted tax basis and holding period that the Holder had in the Old Notes immediately before the exchange.

 

Change of Control Event

 

Following the occurrence of a Change of Control Event, we may be obligated to pay amounts in excess of stated interest or principal on the Notes.  The Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) could assert that this contingency will cause the Notes to be treated as contingent payment debt instruments for United States federal income tax purposes, with the result that the timing, amount of income included and the character of income recognized may be different from the consequences discussed herein.  However, the Treasury regulations regarding debt instruments that provide for one or more contingent payments state that, for purposes of determining whether a debt instrument is a contingent payment debt instrument, contingencies which are remote or incidental as of the issue date are disregarded.  We believe that as of the issue date, the foregoing contingency should be viewed as remote and/or incidental and, accordingly, we do not intend to treat the Notes as contingent payment debt instruments.  Such determination by us is binding on all holders unless a holder discloses its differing position in a statement attached to its timely filed United States federal income tax return for the taxable year during which a Note was acquired.  Our determination is not, however, binding on the IRS, and if the IRS were to challenge this determination, a holder subject to United States federal income taxation might be required to accrue income on its Notes in excess of stated interest and to treat as ordinary income rather than capital gain any income realized on the taxable disposition of a Note.  This discussion assumes that the Notes will not be treated as contingent payment debt instruments for United States federal income tax purposes.

 

United States Holders

 

This subsection describes the tax consequences of owning the Notes to a United States holder.  You are a United States holder if you are a beneficial owner of a Note and you are for United States federal income tax purposes:

 

·                  an individual who is a citizen or resident of the United States,

 

·                  a domestic corporation,

 

·                  an estate whose income is subject to United States federal income tax regardless of its source, or

 

·                  a trust if (i) a United States court can exercise primary supervision over the trust’s administration and one or more United States persons are authorized to control all substantial decisions of the trust, or (ii) in the case of a trust that was treated as a domestic trust under the law in effect before 1997, a valid election is in place under applicable Treasury regulations to treat such trust as a domestic trust.

 

If you are not a United States holder, this subsection does not apply to you and you should refer to “United States Alien Holders” below.

 

Stated Interest

 

You will be taxed on the stated interest on your Notes as ordinary income at the time you receive the stated interest or when it accrues, depending on your method of accounting for tax purposes.

 

Sale, Exchange, Redemption and Retirement of the Notes

 

You will generally recognize capital gain or loss on the sale, exchange, redemption, retirement, or repurchase of your Notes equal to the difference between the amount (including make-whole premium, if any) you realize on the sale, exchange, redemption, retirement, or repurchase excluding any amounts attributable to accrued but unpaid stated interest (which will be taxable as described above), and your tax basis in your Notes.  Your tax basis in your Notes should be determined as described above under “-The Exchange Offer”.  Capital gain of a noncorporate United States holder is generally taxed at preferential rates where the Notes are held for more than one year. The

 

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holding period of the Notes should be determined as described above under “-The Exchange Offer.” The deductibility of capital losses is subject to certain limitations.

 

Medicare Tax

 

For taxable years beginning after December 31, 2012, a United States holder that is an individual or estate, or a trust that does not fall into a special class of trusts that is exempt from such tax, will be subject to a 3.8% tax on the lesser of (1) the United States holder’s “net investment income” for the relevant taxable year and (2) the excess of the United States holder’s modified adjusted gross income for the taxable year over a certain threshold (which in the case of individuals will be between $125,000 and $250,000, depending on the individual’s circumstances).  A holder’s net investment income will generally include its interest income and its net gains from the disposition of Notes, unless such interest income or net gains are derived in the ordinary course of the conduct of a trade or business (other than a trade or business that consists of certain passive or trading activities).  If you are a United States holder that is an individual, estate or trust, you are urged to consult your tax advisors regarding the applicability of the Medicare tax to your income and gains in respect of your investment in the Notes.

 

United States Alien Holders

 

This subsection describes the tax consequences of owning the Notes to a United States alien holder.  You are a United States alien holder if you are the beneficial owner of the Notes and are, for United States federal income tax purposes:

 

·                  a nonresident alien individual,

 

·                  a foreign corporation, or

 

·                  a foreign estate or trust.

 

If you are a United States holder, this subsection does not apply to you.

 

Under United States federal income tax law, and subject to the discussion of backup withholding below, if you are a United States alien holder of the Notes, we and other United States payors generally will not be required to deduct United States withholding tax from payments of principal and interest to you, provided that, in the case of payments of interest:

 

1.                                       you do not actually or constructively own 10% or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company entitled to vote,

 

2.                                       you are not a controlled foreign corporation that is related to the Company through stock ownership,

 

3.                                       you are not a bank that received such interest on an extension of credit made pursuant to a loan agreement entered into in the ordinary course of your trade or business; and

 

4.                                       the United States payor does not have actual knowledge or reason to know that you are a United States person and:

 

a.                                       you have furnished to the United States payor an IRS Form W-8BEN or an acceptable substitute form upon which you certify, under penalties of perjury, that you are a non-United States person,

 

b.                                      in the case of payments made outside the United States to you at an offshore account (generally, an account maintained by you at a bank or other financial institution at any location outside the United States), you have furnished to the United States payor documentation that establishes your identity and your status

 

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as the beneficial owner of the payment for United States federal income tax purposes and as a non-United States person,

 

c.                                       the United States payor has received a withholding certificate (furnished on an appropriate IRS Form W-8 or an acceptable substitute form) from a person claiming to be:

 

i.                                          a withholding foreign partnership (generally a foreign partnership that has entered into an agreement with the IRS to assume primary withholding responsibility with respect to distributions and guaranteed payments it makes to its partners),

 

ii.                                       a qualified intermediary (generally a non-United States financial institution or clearing organization or a non-United States branch or office of a United States financial institution or clearing organization that is a party to a withholding agreement with the IRS), or

 

iii.                                    a United States branch of a non-U.S. bank or of a non-United States insurance company,

 

and the withholding foreign partnership, qualified intermediary or United States branch has received documentation upon which it may rely to treat the payment as made to a non-United States person that is, for United States federal income tax purposes, the beneficial owner of the payment on the Notes in accordance with United States Treasury regulations (or, in the case of a qualified intermediary, in accordance with its agreement with the IRS),

 

d.                                      the United States payor receives a statement from a securities clearing organization, bank or other financial institution that holds customers’ securities in the ordinary course of its trade or business,

 

i.                                          certifying to the United States payor under penalties of perjury that an IRS Form W-8BEN or an acceptable substitute form has been received from you by it or by a similar financial institution between it and you, and

 

ii.                                       to which is attached a copy of the IRS Form W-8BEN or acceptable substitute form, or

 

e.                                       the United States payor otherwise possesses documentation upon which it may rely to treat the payment as made to a non-United States person that is, for United States federal income tax purposes, the beneficial owner of the payments on the Notes in accordance with United States Treasury regulations.

 

If the above conditions are not met, your interest income will be subject to a 30% United States federal withholding tax unless the interest is effectively connected to a United States trade or business (as described below) or the interest is subject to a reduction in or an exemption from United States federal income and withholding tax under an income tax treaty between the United States and your country of residence. To claim a reduction or exemption under an income tax treaty, you must generally complete an IRS Form W-8BEN and claim the reduction or exemption on the form.

 

A United States alien holder of a Note generally will not be subject to United States federal income tax with respect to gain recognized on a sale, exchange, redemption, repurchase, or other taxable disposition of the Note (other than any amount representing accrued but unpaid interest on the Note, which will be treated as described above) unless (i) the gain is effectively connected with a United States trade or business of the United States alien holder as described below (and, if required by an applicable income tax treaty, is attributable to a United States

 

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permanent establishment); or (ii) in the case of a United States alien holder who is an individual, such holder is present in the United States for a period or periods aggregating 183 days or more during the taxable year of the disposition and certain other requirements are met.  A United States alien holder described in clause (ii) of the preceding sentence generally will be subject to United States federal income tax at a 30% rate (unless a lower applicable treaty rate applies) on any such realized gain (net of certain United States source losses).

 

If interest or gain from a disposition of the Notes is effectively connected with your conduct of a United States trade or business (and if required by an applicable income tax treaty, is attributable to a United States permanent establishment), you may be subject to United States federal income tax on the interest or gain on a net income basis in the same manner as if you were a United States holder. A foreign corporation that is a holder of a Note may also be subject to a branch profits tax equal to 30% of its effectively connected earnings and profits for the taxable year, subject to certain adjustments, unless it qualifies for a lower rate under an applicable income tax treaty.  For this purpose, interest on a Note or gain realized on the disposition of a Note will be included in earnings and profits if the interest or gain is effectively connected with the conduct by the foreign corporation of a trade or business in the United States.  The 30% withholding tax described above in the paragraph immediately preceding the previous paragraph will not apply to effectively connected interest income (assuming an appropriate certification is provided, generally IRS Form W-8ECI).

 

Backup Withholding and Information Reporting

 

In general, if you are a noncorporate United States holder, we and other payors are required to report to the IRS all payments of stated interest on your Note.  In addition, we and other payors are required to report to the IRS any payment of proceeds (including make-whole premium, if any) of the sale or other disposition (including a retirement, redemption or repurchase) of your Note.  Additionally, backup withholding will apply to any such amounts if you fail to provide an accurate taxpayer identification number or you are notified by the IRS that you are subject to backup withholding due to a prior failure to report all stated interest and dividends required to be shown on your federal income tax returns or in certain circumstances you have failed to comply with applicable certification requirements.

 

In general, if you are a United States alien holder, payments of interest made by us and other payors to you will not be subject to backup withholding and information reporting, provided that the certification requirements described above under “— United States Alien Holders” are satisfied or you otherwise establish an exemption.  However, we and other payors are required to report payments of interest on your Notes on IRS Form 1042-S even if the payments are not otherwise subject to information reporting requirements.  In addition, payment of the proceeds (including make-whole premium, if any) from the sale or other disposition (including a retirement, redemption or repurchase) of Notes effected at a United States office of a broker will not be subject to backup withholding and information reporting provided that:

 

·                  the broker does not have actual knowledge or reason to know that you are a United States person and you have furnished to the broker:

 

·                  an appropriate IRS Form W-8 or an acceptable substitute form upon which you certify, under penalties of perjury, that you are not a United States person, or

 

·                  other documentation upon which it may rely to treat the payment as made to a non-United States person in accordance with United States Treasury regulations, or

 

·                  you otherwise establish an exemption.

 

If you fail to establish an exemption and the broker does not possess adequate documentation of your status as a non-United States person, the payments may be subject to information reporting and backup withholding.

 

In general, payment of the proceeds (including make-whole premium, if any) from the sale or other disposition (including a retirement, redemption or repurchase) of a Note effected at a foreign office of a broker generally will not be subject to information reporting or backup withholding. However, a sale or other disposition (including a

 

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retirement, redemption or repurchase) of a Note that is effected at a foreign office of a broker will generally be subject to information reporting and backup withholding if:

 

·                  the proceeds are transferred to an account maintained by you in the United States,

 

·                  the payment of proceeds or the confirmation of the sale is mailed to you at a United States address, or

 

·                  the sale has some other specified connection with the United States as provided in United States Treasury regulations,

 

unless the documentation requirements described above are met (and the broker does not have actual knowledge or reason to know you are a United States person) or you otherwise establish an exemption.

 

In addition, a sale or other disposition (including a retirement, redemption or repurchase) of a Note effected at a foreign office of a broker will be generally subject to information reporting if the broker is:

 

·                  a United States person,

 

·                  a controlled foreign corporation for United States tax purposes,

 

·                  a foreign person 50% or more of whose gross income is effectively connected with the conduct of a United States trade or business for a specified three-year period, or

 

·                  a foreign partnership, if at any time during its tax year:

 

·                  one or more of its partners are “United States persons,” as defined in United States Treasury regulations, who in the aggregate hold more than 50% of the income or capital interest in the partnership, or

 

·                  such foreign partnership is engaged in the conduct of a United States trade or business,

 

unless the documentation requirements described above are met (and the broker does not have actual knowledge or reason to know you are a United States person) or you otherwise establish an exemption.

 

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BENEFIT PLAN INVESTOR CONSIDERATIONS

 

A fiduciary of a pension, profit-sharing or other employee benefit plan subject to the U.S. Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”) (each, a “Plan”), should consider the fiduciary standards of ERISA in the context of the Plan’s particular circumstances before authorizing an investment in the Notes. Among other factors, the fiduciary should consider whether the investment would satisfy the prudence and diversification requirements of ERISA and would be consistent with the documents and instruments governing the Plan, and whether the investment would involve a prohibited transaction under ERISA or the U.S. Internal Revenue Code (the “Code”).

 

Section 406 of ERISA and Section 4975 of the Code prohibit Plans, as well as individual retirement accounts, Keogh plans any other plans that are subject to Section 4975 of the Code (also “Plans”), from engaging in certain transactions involving “plan assets” with persons who are “parties in interest” under ERISA or “disqualified persons” under the Code with respect to the Plan. A violation of these prohibited transaction rules may result in excise tax or other liabilities under ERISA or the Code for those persons, unless exemptive relief is available under an applicable statutory, regulatory or administrative exemption. Employee benefit plans that are governmental plans (as defined in Section 3(32) of ERISA), certain church plans (as defined in Section 3(33) of ERISA) and non-U.S. plans (as described in Section 4(b)(4) of ERISA) (“Non-ERISA Arrangements”) are not subject to the requirements of  Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code but may be subject to similar provisions under applicable federal, state, local, non-U.S or other laws (“Similar Laws”).

 

The acquisition and holding of the Notes by a Plan or any entity whose underlying assets include “plan assets” by reason of any Plan’s investment in the entity (a “Plan Asset Entity”) with respect to which the Issuer, the Guarantor, the Calculation Agent, the Registrar and Paying Agent or a Manager or any of their respective affiliates is or becomes a party in interest or disqualified person may result in a prohibited transaction under ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code, unless the Notes are acquired and held pursuant to an applicable exemption. The U.S. Department of Labor has issued five prohibited transaction class exemptions, or “PTCEs”, that may provide exemptive relief if required for direct or indirect prohibited transactions that may arise from the purchase or holding of the Notes. These exemptions are PTCE 84-14 (for certain transactions determined by independent qualified professional asset managers), PTCE 90-1 (for certain transactions involving insurance company pooled separate accounts), PTCE 91-38 (for certain transactions involving bank collective investment funds), PTCE 95-60 (for transactions involving certain insurance company general accounts), and PTCE 96-23 (for transactions managed by in-house asset managers). In addition, ERISA Section 408(b)(17) and Section 4975(d)(20) of the Code provide an exemption for the purchase and sale of the Notes, provided that neither the issuer of the Notes nor any of its affiliates have or exercise any discretionary authority or control or render any investment advice with respect to the assets of any Plan involved in the transaction, and provided further that the Plan pays no more and receives no less than “adequate consideration” in connection with the transaction (the “service provider exemption”).  There can be no assurance that all of the conditions of any such exemptions will be satisfied.

 

Any purchaser or holder of the Notes or any interest therein will be deemed to have represented by its purchase and holding of the Notes or any interest therein that it either (1) is not a Plan, a Plan Asset Entity or a Non-ERISA Arrangement and is not purchasing the Notes on behalf of or with the assets of any Plan, a Plan Asset Entity or Non-ERISA Arrangement or (2) the purchase and holding of the lthe Notes will not constitute a non-exempt prohibited transaction under ERISA or the Code or a similar violation under any applicable Similar Laws.

 

Due to the complexity of these rules and the penalties that may be imposed upon persons involved in non-exempt prohibited transactions, it is important that fiduciaries or other persons considering purchasing the Notes on behalf of or with the assets of any Plan, a Plan Asset Entity or Non-ERISA Arrangement consult with their counsel regarding the availability of exemptive relief under any of the PTCEs listed above, the service provider exemption or the potential consequences of any purchase or holding under Similar Laws, as applicable. Purchasers of the Notes have exclusive responsibility for ensuring that their purchase and holding of the Notes do not violate the fiduciary or prohibited transaction rules of ERISA or the Code or any similar provisions of Similar Laws. The sale of any Notes to a Plan, Plan Asset Entity or Non-ERISA Arrangement is in no respect a representation by us or any of our affiliates or representatives that such an investment meets all relevant legal requirements with respect to investments by any such Plans, Plan Asset Entities or Non-ERISA Arrangements generally or any particular Plan, Plan Asset

 

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Entity or Non-ERISA Arrangement or that such investment is appropriate for such Plans, Plan Asset Entities or Non-ERISA Arrangements generally or any particular Plan, Plan Asset Entity or Non-ERISA Arrangement.

 

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BOOK-ENTRY, DELIVERY AND FORM

 

We will issue the Notes sold in the form of one or more global Notes.  The global Notes will be deposited with, or on behalf of, the clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act that is designated to act as depositary for the Notes and registered in the name of the depositary or its nominee.  The DTC will be the initial depositary.

 

Investors may hold their interests in a global Note directly through DTC if they are DTC participants, or indirectly through organizations that are DTC participants.

 

Except as set forth below, the global Notes may be transferred, in whole or in part, only to another nominee of DTC or to a successor of DTC or its nominee.

 

Depositary Procedures

 

DTC has advised us that DTC is:

 

·      a limited-purpose trust company organized under the laws of the State of New York;

·      a member of the Federal Reserve System;

·      a “clearing corporation” within the meaning of the New York Uniform Commercial Code; and

·      a “clearing agency” registered pursuant to the provisions of Section 17A of the Exchange Act.

 

DTC was created to hold securities of its participants and to facilitate the clearance and settlement of securities transactions among its participants in securities through electronic book-entry changes in accounts of the participants, thereby eliminating the need for physical movement of securities certificates.  DTC’s participants include:

 

·      securities brokers and dealers;

·      banks;

·      trust companies;

·      clearing corporations; and

·      certain other organizations.

 

Access to DTC’s book-entry system is also available to others such as banks, brokers, dealers and trust companies that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a participant, whether directly or indirectly.

 

We expect that pursuant to the procedures established by DTC (i) upon the issuance of the global Notes, DTC will credit, on its book-entry registration and transfer system, the respective principal amount of the individual beneficial interests represented by the global Notes to the accounts of participants, and (ii) ownership of beneficial interests in the global Notes will be shown on, and the transfer of those ownership interests will be effected only through, records maintained by DTC (with respect to participants’ interests) and the participants (with respect to the owners of beneficial interests in the global Notes other than participants).  The accounts to be credited will be designated by the initial purchasers of the beneficial interests.  Ownership of beneficial interests in global Notes is limited to participants or persons that may hold interests through participants.

 

So long as DTC or its nominee is the registered holder and owner of the global Notes, DTC or its nominee, as the case may be, will be considered the sole legal owner of the Notes represented by the global Notes for all purposes under the respective Indentures and the Notes issued thereunder.  Except as set forth below, owners of beneficial interests in the global Notes will not be entitled to receive definitive notes and will not be considered to be the owners or holders of any notes under the global Notes.  We understand that under existing industry practice, in the event an owner of a beneficial interest in a global exchange note desires to take any action that DTC, as the holder of the global Notes, is entitled to take, DTC would authorize the participants to take the action, and that participants would authorize beneficial owners owning through the participants to take the action or would otherwise act upon the instructions of beneficial owners owning through them.  No beneficial owner of an interest in global

 

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Notes will be able to transfer the interest except in accordance with DTC’s applicable procedures, in addition to those provided for under the Indenture.

 

We will make payments of the principal of, and interest on, the Notes represented by the global Notes registered in the name of and held by DTC or its nominee to DTC or its nominee, as the case may be, as the registered owner and holder of the global Notes.

 

We expect that DTC or its nominee, upon receipt of any payment of principal or interest in respect of the global Notes, will credit participants’ accounts with payments in amounts proportionate to their respective beneficial interests in the principal amount of the global Notes as shown on the records of DTC or its nominee.  We also expect that payments by participants and indirect participants to owners of beneficial interests in the global Notes held through such participants will be governed by standing instructions and customary practices, as is now the case with securities held for accounts of customers registered in the names of nominees for these customers.  The payments, however, will be the responsibility of the participants and indirect participants, and neither we, the trustee nor any paying agent will have any responsibility or liability for:

 

·      any aspect of the records relating to, or payments made on account of, beneficial ownership interest in the global Notes;

·      maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to the beneficial ownership interests;

·      any other aspect of the relationship between DTC and its participants; or

·      the relationship between the participants and indirect participants and the owners of beneficial interests in global Notes.

 

Unless and until it is exchanged in whole or in part for definitive notes, global Notes may not be transferred except as a whole by DTC to a nominee of DTC or by a nominee of DTC to DTC or another nominee of DTC.

 

Participants in DTC will effect transfers with other participants in the ordinary way in accordance with DTC rules and will settle transfers in same-day funds.  Participants in Euroclear and Clearstream Banking will effect transfers with other participants in the ordinary way in accordance with the rules and operating procedures of Euroclear and Clearstream Banking, as applicable.  If a holder requires physical delivery of a definitive note for any reason, including to sell notes to persons in jurisdictions which require physical delivery or to pledge notes, the holder must transfer its interest in the global Notes in accordance with the normal procedures of DTC and the procedures set forth in the Indenture.

 

We expect that DTC will take any action permitted to be taken by a holder of notes (including the presentation of notes for exchange as described below) only at the direction of one or more participants to whose accounts at the DTC interests in the global Notes are credited and only in respect of the portion of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes as to which the participant or participants has or have given direction.  However, if there is an event of default under the Notes, DTC will exchange the global Notes for definitive notes, which it will distribute to its participants.  These definitive notes are subject to certain restrictions on registration of transfers and will bear appropriate legends restricting their transfer.  Although we expect that DTC will agree to the foregoing procedures in order to facilitate transfers of interests in global Notes among participants of DTC, DTC is under no obligation to perform or continue to perform these procedures, and these procedures may be discontinued at any time.  Neither we nor the trustee have any responsibility for the performance by DTC or its participants or indirect participants of their obligations under the rules and procedures governing its operations.

 

If DTC is at any time unwilling or unable to continue as a depositary for the global Notes or ceases to be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act and we do not appoint a successor depositary within 90 days, we will issue definitive notes in exchange for the global Notes.  The definitive notes will be subject to certain restrictions on registration of transfers and will bear appropriate legends concerning these restrictions.

 

The information in this section concerning DTC and its book-entry systems has been obtained from sources that we believe are reliable, but we take no responsibility for the accuracy thereof.

 

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PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

 

Based on interpretations by the Staff set forth in no-action letters issued to third parties, including “Exxon Capital Holdings Corporation,” available May 13, 1988, “Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated,” available June 5, 1991, “Mary Kay Cosmetics, Inc.,” available June 5, 1991, and “Warnaco, Inc.,” available October 11, 1991, we believe that Notes issued in exchange for the Old Notes may be offered for resale, resold and otherwise transferred by holders so long as such holder is not (i) our affiliate, (ii) a broker-dealer who acquired Old Notes directly from us or our affiliate or (iii) a broker-dealer who acquired Old Notes as a result of market-making or other trading activities.  Offers, sales and transfers may be made without compliance with the registration and prospectus delivery provisions of the Securities Act, provided that such Notes are acquired in the ordinary course of such holders’ business, and such holders are not engaged in, and do not intend to engage in, and have no arrangement or understanding with any person to participate in, a distribution of such Notes and that participating broker-dealers receiving Notes in the exchange offer will be subject to a prospectus delivery requirement with respect to resales of such Notes.  To date, the staff of the SEC has taken the position that participating broker-dealers may fulfill their prospectus delivery requirements with respect to transactions involving an exchange of securities such as the exchange pursuant to the exchange offer (other than a resale of an unsold allotment from the sale of the Old Notes to the initial purchasers) with the prospectus contained in the registration statement relating to the exchange offer.  Pursuant to the registration rights agreement, we have agreed to permit participating broker-dealers and other persons, if any, subject to similar prospectus delivery requirements to use this prospectus in connection with the resale of such Notes.  We have agreed that, for a period of one year after the consummation of the exchange offer, we will make this prospectus and any amendment or supplement to this prospectus available to any broker-dealer that requests such documents in the letter of transmittal for the exchange offer.  Each holder of the Old Notes who wishes to exchange its Old Notes for Notes in the exchange offer will be required to make certain representations to us as set forth in “The Exchange Offer.”  In addition, each holder who is a broker-dealer and who receives Notes for its own account in exchange for the Old Notes that were acquired by it as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities will be required to acknowledge that it will deliver a prospectus in connection with any resale by it of such Notes.

 

We will not receive any proceeds from any sale of Notes by broker-dealers.  Notes received by brokers-dealers for their own account pursuant to the exchange offer may be sold from time to time in one or more transactions in the over-the-counter market, in negotiated transactions, through the writing of options on the Notes or a combination of such methods of resale, at market prices prevailing at the time of resale, at prices related to such prevailing market prices or at negotiated prices.  Any such resale may be made directly to purchasers or to or through brokers or dealers who may receive compensation in the form of commissions or concessions from any such broker-dealer and/or the purchasers of any such Notes.  Any broker-dealer that resells Notes that were received by it for its own account pursuant to the exchange offer and any broker or dealer that participates in a distribution of such Notes may be deemed to be an “underwriter” within the meaning of the Securities Act and any profit on any such resale of Notes and any commissions or concessions received by any such persons may be deemed to be underwriting compensation under the Securities Act.  The letter of transmittal for the exchange offer states that by acknowledging that it will deliver and by delivering a prospectus, a broker-dealer will not be deemed to admit that it is an “underwriter” within the meaning of the Securities Act.

 

We will pay all out-of-pocket expenses that we reasonably incur in connection with the registration of the Notes, including SEC filing fees, costs of printing or word processing or other production of documents incurred in connection with the exchange offer, fees and expenses of the trustee, and any transfer or exchange agent, all fees and expenses of compliance with federal securities and state Blue Sky or securities laws, all application and filing fees in connection with listing the Notes on a national securities exchange automated quotation system pursuant to the requirements hereof and all expenses of printing (including printing certificates for the Notes to be issued in the exchange offer and printing of prospectuses), messenger and delivery services and telephone, as set forth in the registration rights agreement relating to the offering of the Old Notes.  We will indemnify holders of the Notes (including any broker-dealers) against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, as set forth in the registration rights agreement.

 

Following consummation of the exchange offer, we may, in our sole discretion, commence one or more additional exchange offers to holders of Old Notes who did not exchange their Old Notes for Notes in the exchange offer, on terms that may differ from those contained in the registration statement.  This prospectus, as it may be

 

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amended or supplemented from time to time, may be used by us in connection with any such additional exchange offers.  Such additional exchange offers will take place from time to time until all outstanding Old Notes have been exchanged for Notes pursuant to the terms and conditions herein.

 

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VALIDITY OF THE NOTES

 

The validity of the Notes offered hereby will be passed upon on our behalf by Sullivan & Cromwell LLP, Palo Alto, California.  Sullivan & Cromwell LLP will rely on the opinion of Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, LLP as to matters of Colorado law and on the opinion of Parr Brown Gee & Loveless as to matters of Utah law.

 

EXPERTS

 

The combined financial statements of EH Holding Corporation as of December 31, 2010 and 2009, and for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2010, have been included herein in reliance upon the report of KPMG LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, appearing elsewhere herein, and upon the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

 

The consolidated financial statements of Hughes Communications, Inc. as of December 31, 2010 and 2009, and for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, included in this prospectus, have been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report appearing herein. Such consolidated financial statements are included in reliance upon the report of such firm given upon their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.

 

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INDEX TO EH HOLDING CORPORATION’S COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2010, 2009 AND 2008

 

 

Page

Combined Financial Statements:

 

 

 

Report of KPMG LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

F–2

Combined Balance Sheets at December 31, 2010 and 2009

F–3

Combined Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008

F–4

Combined Statements of Net Investment in EH Holding Corporation for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008

F–5

Combined Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008

F–6

Notes to Combined Financial Statements

F–7

 

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Table of Contents

 

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 

The Board of Directors and Stockholder

EH Holding Corporation:

 

We have audited the accompanying combined balance sheets of EH Holding Corporation as of December 31, 2010 and 2009, and the related combined statements of operations, net investment, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2010. These combined financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these combined financial statements based on our audits.

 

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

In our opinion, the combined financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of EH Holding Corporation as of December 31, 2010 and 2009, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2010, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

 

 

/s/ KPMG LLP

 

 

Denver, Colorado

 

March 29, 2011

 

 

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EH HOLDING CORPORATION

COMBINED BALANCE SHEETS

(Dollars in thousands, except share amounts)

 

 

 

As of December 31,

 

 

 

2010

 

2009

 

Assets

 

 

 

 

 

Current Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

106

 

$

 

Trade accounts receivable - DISH Network, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of zero

 

32,455

 

26,957

 

Trade accounts receivable - other, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $4,725 and $2,243, respectively

 

6,505

 

5,352

 

Deferred tax assets

 

4,994

 

4,986

 

Other current assets

 

8,261

 

8,594

 

Total current assets

 

52,321

 

45,889

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Noncurrent Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

Restricted cash and cash equivalents

 

16,575

 

17,362

 

Property and equipment, net

 

818,087

 

769,117

 

FCC authorizations

 

65,658

 

65,658

 

Other noncurrent assets, net

 

44,035

 

44,703

 

Total noncurrent assets

 

944,355

 

896,840

 

Total assets

 

$

996,676

 

$

942,729

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities and Net investment in EHHC

 

 

 

 

 

Current Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

Trade accounts payable - other

 

$

9,273

 

$

905

 

Trade accounts payable - DISH Network

 

8,703

 

 

Accrued expenses and other

 

20,049

 

19,141

 

Current portion of long-term debt and capital lease obligations

 

52,213

 

52,284

 

Total current liabilities

 

90,238

 

72,330

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Long-Term Obligations, Net of Current Portion:

 

 

 

 

 

Long-term debt and capital lease obligations, net of current portion

 

359,550

 

391,609

 

Deferred tax liabilities

 

66,021

 

41,198

 

Other long-term liabilities

 

234

 

12

 

Total long-term obligations, net of current portion

 

425,805

 

432,819

 

Total liabilities

 

516,043

 

505,149

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commitments and Contingencies (Note 9)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net investment in EHHC:

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock, $.01 par value, 1,000,000 shares authorized

 

 

 

Owner's net investment

 

480,633

 

437,580

 

Total net investment in EHHC

 

480,633

 

437,580

 

Total liabilities and net investment in EHHC

 

$

996,676

 

$

942,729

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these combined financial statements.

 

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EH HOLDING CORPORATION

COMBINED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(In thousands)

 

 

 

For the Years Ended December 31,

 

 

 

2010

 

2009

 

2008

 

Revenue:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Services and other revenue - DISH Network

 

$

208,364

 

$

131,111

 

$

149,513

 

Services and other revenue - other

 

53,815

 

41,135

 

30,138

 

Total revenue

 

262,179

 

172,246

 

179,651

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Costs and Expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of sales - services and other (exclusive of depreciation shown below - Note 3)

 

65,469

 

35,035

 

37,282

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses (Note 2)

 

12,072

 

9,512

 

6,868

 

Depreciation and amortization (Note 3)

 

95,069

 

107,471

 

141,701

 

Impairments of long-lived assets (Note 4)

 

 

 

234,959

 

Total costs and expenses

 

172,610

 

152,018

 

420,810

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating income (loss)

 

89,569

 

20,228

 

(241,159

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other Income (Expense):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized

 

(23,640

)

(23,567

)

(30,836

)

Other, net

 

1,315

 

115

 

56

 

Total other income (expense)

 

(22,325

)

(23,452

)

(30,780

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income (loss) before income taxes

 

67,244

 

(3,224

)

(271,939

)

Income tax (provision) benefit, net

 

(24,812

)

396

 

98,126

 

Net income (loss)

 

$

42,432

 

$

(2,828

)

$

(173,813

)

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these combined financial statements.

 

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EH HOLDING CORPORATION

COMBINED STATEMENTS OF NET INVESTMENT IN EH HOLDING CORPORATION

(In thousands)

 

 

 

Net

 

 

 

Investment

 

 

 

in EHHC

 

Balance, January 1, 2008

 

$

522,492

 

Advances (distributions) to owner

 

(13,989

)

Stock-based compensation

 

809

 

Other

 

81

 

Net income (loss)

 

(173,813

)

Balance, December 31, 2008

 

335,580

 

Advances (distributions) to owner

 

103,971

 

Stock-based compensation

 

861

 

Other

 

(4

)

Net income (loss)

 

(2,828

)

Balance, December 31, 2009

 

437,580

 

Advances (distributions) to owner

 

274

 

Stock-based compensation

 

349

 

Other

 

(2

)

Net income (loss)

 

42,432

 

Balance, December 31, 2010

 

$

480,633

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these combined financial statements.

 

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EH HOLDING CORPORATION

COMBINED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(In thousands)

 

 

 

For the Years Ended December 31,

 

 

 

2010

 

2009

 

2008

 

Cash Flows From Operating Activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

 

$

42,432

 

$

(2,828

)

$

(173,813

)

Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash flows from operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

95,069

 

107,471

 

141,701

 

Impairments of long-lived assets

 

 

 

234,959

 

Non-cash, stock-based compensation

 

349

 

861

 

809

 

Deferred tax expense (benefit)

 

24,812

 

(396

)

(98,126

)

Other, net

 

(1,174

)

7

 

(73

)

Change in noncurrent assets

 

2,437

 

(20,881

)

(4,881

)

Changes in current assets and current liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Trade accounts receivable - other

 

(3,635

)

(2,678

)

(1,028

)

Allowance for doubtful accounts

 

2,482

 

1,853

 

390

 

Trade accounts receivable - DISH Network

 

(5,498

)

(5,057

)

(21,900

)

Other current assets

 

333

 

(2,472

)

(2,786

)

Trade accounts payable - other

 

1,096

 

1,099

 

(40

)

Trade accounts payable - DISH Network

 

8,703

 

(239

)

239

 

Accrued expenses and other

 

121

 

1,445

 

5,222

 

Net cash flows from operating activities

 

167,527

 

78,185

 

80,673

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash Flows From Investing Activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Purchases of property and equipment

 

(120,450

)

(123,196

)

(69,569

)

Proceeds from insurance settlement

 

 

 

40,750

 

Change in restricted cash and cash equivalents

 

787

 

(15,000

)

788

 

Other, net

 

(528

)

 

 

Net cash flows from investing activities

 

(120,191

)

(138,196

)

(28,031

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash Flows From Financing Activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Repayment of long-term debt and capital lease obligations

 

(47,504

)

(43,960

)

(38,653

)

Advances (distributions) to owner

 

274

 

103,971

 

(13,989

)

Net cash flows from financing activities

 

(47,230

)

60,011

 

(52,642

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in cash

 

106

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period

 

$

106

 

$

 

$

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash paid for interest (including capitalized interest)

 

$

41,627

 

$

31,764

 

$

31,564

 

Capitalized interest

 

$

17,996

 

$

8,197

 

$

716

 

Cash received for interest

 

$

26

 

$

23

 

$

52

 

Satellites financed under capital lease obligations

 

$

55,873

 

$

152,814

 

$

 

Reduction of capital lease obligations and associated asset value for AMC-16 (Note 3)

 

$

39,442

 

$

 

$

4,687

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these combined financial statements.

 

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EH HOLDING CORPORATION

NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

1.         Organization and Business Activities

 

Principal Business

 

EH Holding Corporation (referred to as “EHHC,” the “Company,” “we,” “us” and/or “our”) is a holding company and a direct, wholly-owned subsidiary of EchoStar Corporation (“EchoStar”), a publicly traded company listed on the Nasdaq Global Select Market.  EHHC was formed under Colorado law in March 2011 and its common stock is held by EchoStar.  Our historical combined financial statements reflect the historical financial position and results of combined operations of entities included in the consolidated financial statements of EchoStar that generally represent EchoStar’s satellite services business.  The assets and liabilities included in these historical financial statements were contributed to EHHC, effective March 2011, except as disclosed in Note 2.  EHHC operates in only one reportable business segment in North America, the satellite services segment, which uses our ten owned and leased in-orbit satellites and related Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) licenses to lease capacity on a full-time and occasional-use basis primarily to DISH Network Corporation (“DISH Network”), and secondarily to Dish Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V. (“Dish Mexico”), U.S. government service providers, state agencies, Internet service providers, broadcast news organizations, programmers and private enterprise customers.  We also use certain of our satellites to offer our ViP-TV service, which transports MPEG-4 IP encapsulated standard-definition and high-definition programming to telecommunications companies and rural cable operators.

 

Effective January 1, 2008, DISH Network completed its distribution to EchoStar (the “Spin-off”) of its digital set-top box business and certain infrastructure and other assets, including certain of its satellites, uplink and satellite transmission assets, real estate and other assets and related liabilities (generally the satellites and related satellite service assets transferred in the Spin-off form what is EHHC).  Prior to the January 1, 2008 Spin-off of EchoStar, the assets and liabilities comprising EchoStar’s satellite services business were an integral part of DISH Network’s subscription television service.  Since the Spin-off, EchoStar and DISH Network have operated as separate publicly-traded companies, and neither entity has any ownership interest in the other.  However, a substantial majority of the voting power of the shares of both companies is owned beneficially by Charles W. Ergen, our Chairman, and by certain trusts established by Mr. Ergen for the benefit of his family.

 

The following table summarizes the significant entities included in these combined financial statements.

 

 

 

Referred to

 

Legal Entities

 

Herein As

 

EH Holding Corporation

 

EHHC

 

EchoStar Satellite Services L.L.C.

 

ESS

 

EchoStar Satellite Operating Corporation

 

ESOC

 

EchoStar 77 Corporation

 

E77C

 

 

2.         Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

 

Basis of Presentation

 

As indicated above, the combined financial statements reflect the historical financial position, results of operations and cash flows of certain entities included in the consolidated financial statements and accounting records of EchoStar that principally represent its satellite services business.

 

The combined statements of operations include expenses that were clearly identifiable to us as a specific entity or subsidiary of EchoStar engaged in the satellite services business, as well as expense allocations for certain centralized corporate functions, including overhead, provided to us by EchoStar.  These expense allocations include services for, among other things, treasury, tax, accounting and reporting, risk management, legal, internal audit, human resources, and information technology.  For expenses that were clearly identifiable to us, allocations were made to us on a specific identification basis.  For expenses that were not clearly identifiable to us, allocations were

 

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EH HOLDING CORPORATION

NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — Continued

 

based on the relative percentages, as compared to EchoStar’s other business, of revenue, headcount or other appropriate methods depending on the nature of each item of cost allocated.

 

While we believe the allocations, including their related assumptions, in the combined financial statements are reasonable, the combined financial statements included herein may not reflect our future results of operations, financial position and cash flows or reflect what our results of operations, financial position and cash flows would have been had we been a separate, stand-alone company during the periods presented.

 

These combined financial statements reflect consideration of the accounting and disclosure impacts of subsequent events through March 29, 2011, the date of issuance.

 

Principles of Combination

 

We have included in the combined financial statements all majority owned subsidiaries and investments in entities in which we have controlling influence.  Non-majority owned investments are accounted for using the equity method when we have the ability to significantly influence the operating decisions of the investee.  When we do not have the ability to significantly influence the operating decisions of an investee, the cost method is used.  All significant intercompany transactions and accounts have been eliminated.

 

Use of Estimates

 

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”) requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expense for each reporting period.  Estimates are used in accounting for, among other things, allowances for doubtful accounts, self-insurance obligations, deferred taxes and related valuation allowances, uncertain tax positions, loss contingencies, fair value of options granted under EchoStar’s stock-based compensation plans, fair value of assets and liabilities acquired in business combinations, capital leases, asset impairments, useful lives of property, equipment and intangible assets.  Weakened economic conditions have increased the inherent uncertainty in the estimates and assumptions indicated above.  Actual results may differ from previously estimated amounts, and such differences may be material to the combined financial statements.  Estimates and assumptions are reviewed periodically, and the effects of revisions are reflected prospectively in the period they occur.

 

Accounts Receivable

 

Management estimates the amount of required allowances for the potential non-collectability of accounts receivable based upon past collection experience and consideration of other relevant factors.  However, past experience may not be indicative of future collections and therefore additional charges could be incurred in the future to reflect differences between estimated and actual collections.

 

Cash and Cash Equivalents

 

We consider all liquid investments purchased with an original maturity of 90 days or less to be cash equivalents.  Our cash and cash equivalents historically were managed by EchoStar.  Cash generated and used by us was therefore effectively transferred between EchoStar and us as reported in “Advances (distributions) to owner” in our Combined Statements of Cash Flows and Net Investment in EH Holding Corporation.

 

Property and Equipment

 

Property and equipment are stated at cost.  Depreciation is recorded on a straight-line basis over lives ranging from one to fifteen years.  Repair and maintenance costs are charged to expense when incurred.  Renewals and betterments are capitalized.

 

The cost of satellites under construction, including certain amounts prepaid under our satellite service agreements, is capitalized during the construction phase, assuming the eventual successful launch and in-orbit operation of the

 

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Table of Contents

 

EH HOLDING CORPORATION

NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — Continued

 

satellite.  If a satellite were to fail during launch or while in-orbit, generally, the resultant loss would be charged to expense in the period such loss was incurred.  The amount of any such loss would be reduced to the extent of insurance proceeds estimated to be received, if any.

 

Long-Lived Assets

 

We review our long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable.  This evaluation is performed at the lowest level for which identifiable cash flows are largely independent of the cash flows of other assets and liabilities.  For assets which are held and used in operations, the asset would be impaired if the carrying value of the asset exceeded its undiscounted future net cash flows.  Once an impairment is determined, the actual impairment is reported as the difference between the carrying value and the fair value as estimated using discounted cash flows.  Assets which are to be disposed of are reported at the lower of the carrying amount or fair value less costs to sell.  We consider relevant cash flow, estimated future operating results, trends and other available information in assessing whether the carrying value of assets are recoverable.

 

Intangible Assets and FCC Authorizations

 

We do not amortize intangible assets with indefinite useful lives, but test for impairment annually or whenever indicators of impairments arise.  Intangible assets that have finite lives are amortized over their estimated useful lives and tested for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable.  Generally, we have determined that our FCC licenses have indefinite useful lives due to the following:

 

·                  FCC spectrum is a non-depleting asset;

 

·                  replacement satellite applications are generally authorized by the FCC subject to certain conditions, without substantial cost under a stable regulatory, legislative and legal environment;

 

·                  maintenance expenditures in order to obtain future cash flows are not significant; and

 

·                  we intend to use these assets indefinitely.

 

In conducting our annual impairment tests, we have historically determined that the estimated fair value of the FCC licenses, calculated using the discounted cash flow analysis, exceeded their carrying amount.

 

All of the owned satellites (as disclosed in Note 3) and the related FCC licenses that are included in our combined financial statements are currently held by our parent, EchoStar, and have historically been attributed to EchoStar’s satellite services segment.  As part of the contribution of the satellite services segment to us, EchoStar has submitted a request to the FCC to effect a transfer and assignment of the licenses to us and our subsidiaries.  The proposed transfer is considered “pro forma” under FCC rules and regulations because the entities receiving the licenses are wholly owned by EchoStar and no actual change in control over the licenses will occur.  While there can be no assurance that the FCC will grant EchoStar’s request, we expect the FCC to rule on EchoStar’s request during the second quarter of 2011.  If the FCC grants EchoStar’s request, EchoStar will transfer and assign the satellites and FCC licenses to us and our subsidiaries.

 

Sales Taxes

 

We account for sales taxes imposed on our goods and services on a net basis in the combined statements of operations.  Since we primarily act as an agent for the governmental authorities, the amount charged to the customer is collected and remitted directly to the appropriate jurisdictional entity.

 

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Table of Contents

 

EH HOLDING CORPORATION

NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — Continued

 

Income Taxes

 

We establish a provision for income taxes currently payable or receivable and for income tax amounts deferred to future periods.  Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recorded for the estimated future tax effects of differences that exist between the book and tax basis of assets and liabilities.  Deferred tax assets are offset by valuation allowances when we believe it is more likely than not that such net deferred tax assets will not be realized.

 

Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes

 

From time to time, we engage in transactions where the tax consequences may be subject to uncertainty.  We record a liability when, in management’s judgment, a tax filing position does not meet the more likely than not threshold.  For tax positions that meet the more likely than not threshold, we may record a liability depending on management’s assessment of how the tax position will ultimately be settled.  We adjust our estimates periodically based on ongoing examinations by and settlements with various taxing authorities, as well as changes in tax laws, regulations and precedent.  We classify interest and penalties, if any, associated with our uncertain tax positions as a component of “Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized” and “Other, net,” respectively.

 

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

 

As of December 31, 2010 and 2009, the carrying value of our cash and cash equivalents; trade accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts; current liabilities and long-term debt is equal to or approximates fair value due to their short-term nature or proximity to current market rates.

 

Revenue Recognition

 

Revenue is recognized when an arrangement exists, prices are determinable, collectability is reasonably assured and the goods or services have been delivered.  If any of these criteria are not met, revenue recognition is deferred until such time as all of the criteria are met.  Revenue from satellite services is therefore generally recognized when the related services are performed.

 

Cost of Sales

 

The costs associated with satellite services are recognized as the services are performed or as incurred.

 

Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents

 

As of December 31, 2010 and 2009, our restricted cash and cash equivalents included amounts required as collateral for our letters of credit or surety bonds.

 

3.         Property and Equipment

 

Property and equipment consist of the following:

 

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Table of Contents

 

EH HOLDING CORPORATION

NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — Continued

 

 

 

Depreciable

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Life

 

As of December 31,

 

 

 

(In Years)

 

2010

 

2009

 

 

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

Furniture, fixtures, equipment and other

 

1-10

 

$

13,812

 

$

13,044

 

Satellites:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EchoStar III - fully depreciated

 

N/A

 

234,083

 

234,083

 

EchoStar IV - fully depreciated

 

N/A

 

78,511

 

78,511

 

EchoStar VI

 

12

 

244,305

 

244,305

 

EchoStar VIII

 

12

 

175,801

 

175,801

 

EchoStar IX

 

12

 

127,376

 

127,376

 

EchoStar XII

 

10

 

190,051

 

190,051

 

Satellites acquired under capital leases

 

10-15

 

534,673

 

508,553

 

Construction in process

 

 

316,180

 

199,239

 

Total property and equipment

 

 

 

1,914,792

 

1,770,963

 

Accumulated depreciation

 

 

 

(1,096,705

)

(1,001,846

)

Property and equipment, net

 

 

 

$

818,087

 

$

769,117

 

 

“Construction in process” consists of the following:

 

 

 

 

 

As of December 31,

 

 

 

 

 

2010

 

2009

 

 

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

Progress amounts for satellite construction, including certain amounts prepaid under satellite service agreements:

 

 

 

 

 

EchoStar XVI

 

 

 

$

100,312

 

$

30,400

 

QuetzSat-1

 

 

 

162,947

 

102,315

 

Other

 

 

 

51,981

 

66,483

 

Other

 

 

 

940

 

41

 

Construction in process

 

 

 

$

316,180

 

$

199,239

 

 

Depreciation and amortization expense consists of the following:

 

 

 

For the Years Ended December 31,

 

 

 

2010

 

2009

 

2008

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

Satellites

 

$

92,875

 

$

105,301

 

$

139,079

 

Furniture, fixtures, equipment and other

 

2,190

 

2,167

 

2,122

 

Identifiable intangible assets subject to amortization

 

4

 

3

 

500

 

Total depreciation and amortization

 

$

95,069

 

$

107,471

 

$

141,701

 

 

Cost of sales and operating expense categories included in our accompanying Combined Statements of Operations do not include depreciation expense.

 

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EH HOLDING CORPORATION

NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — Continued

 

Satellites

 

We currently utilize ten satellites in geostationary orbit approximately 22,300 miles above the equator, four of which are leased.  Three of our leased satellites are accounted for as capital leases and are depreciated over the terms of the satellite service agreements.  We also lease capacity on one satellite from DISH Network that is accounted for as an operating lease.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Original

 

 

 

 

 

Degree

 

Useful Life/

 

 

 

Launch

 

Orbital

 

Lease Term

 

Satellites

 

Date

 

Location

 

(In Years)

 

Owned:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EchoStar III (1)

 

October 1997

 

61.5

 

12

 

EchoStar IV (2)

 

May 1998

 

77

 

12

 

EchoStar VI (1)

 

July 2000

 

77

 

12

 

EchoStar VIII (1)

 

August 2002

 

77

 

12

 

EchoStar IX (1)

 

August 2003

 

121

 

12

 

EchoStar XII (1)

 

July 2003

 

61.5

 

10

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Leased from DISH Network:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EchoStar I (1)

 

December 1995

 

77

 

12

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Leased from Other Third Parties:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

AMC-15 (3)

 

December 2004

 

105

 

10

 

AMC-16 (3)

 

January 2005

 

85

 

10

 

Nimiq 5 (1) (3)

 

September 2009

 

72.7

 

15

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Under Construction:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

QuetzSat-1 (leased) (1)

 

2011

 

77

 

10

 

EchoStar XVI (owned) (1)

 

2012

 

61.5

 

15

 

 


(1)          See Note 12 for further discussion of our Related Party Agreements.

(2)          Fully depreciated and not currently in service.

(3)          These satellites are accounted for as capital leases.

 

We evaluate our satellites for impairment and test for recoverability whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that their carrying amount may not be recoverable.  This evaluation is performed at the lowest level for which identifiable cash flows are largely independent of the cash flows of other assets and liabilities.  Certain of the anomalies discussed below, may be considered to represent a significant adverse change in the physical condition of a particular satellite.  However, based on the redundancy designed within each satellite, these anomalies are not considered to be significant events that would require evaluation for impairment recognition because the projected cash flows have not been significantly affected by these anomalies.  There can be no assurance that future anomalies will not further impact the remaining useful life and commercial operation of any of these satellites.  There can be no assurance that we can recover critical transmission capacity in the event one or more of our in-orbit satellites were to fail.  We generally do not carry insurance for any of the in-orbit satellites that we use, and therefore we will bear the risk of any in-orbit failures.  Recent developments with respect to certain of our satellites are discussed below.

 

Owned Satellites

 

EchoStar III.  EchoStar III was originally designed to operate a maximum of 32 DBS transponders in a mode that provides service to the entire continental United States (“CONUS”) at approximately 120 watts per channel, switchable to 16 transponders operating at over 230 watts per channel, and was equipped with a total of 44 traveling wave tube amplifiers (“TWTAs”) to provide redundancy.  As a result of TWTA failures in previous years, during January and May 2010, and February 2011, only 10 transponders are currently available for use.  Although these failures have impacted the commercial operation of the satellite, the satellite has been fully depreciated.  It is likely

 

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Table of Contents

 

EH HOLDING CORPORATION

NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — Continued

 

that additional TWTA failures will occur from time to time in the future and such failures could further impact commercial operation of the satellite.

 

EchoStar VI.  EchoStar VI was designed with 108 solar array strings, of which approximately 102 are required to assure full power availability for the original minimum 12-year useful life of the satellite.  During March and August 2010, EchoStar VI experienced anomalies resulting in the loss of 24 solar array strings, reducing the number of functional solar array strings to 84.  While these anomalies did not reduce the estimated useful life of the satellite to less than 12 years, commercial operation has been impacted and there can be no assurance that future anomalies will not reduce its useful life or further impact its commercial operation.  The satellite was designed to operate 32 DBS transponders in CONUS at approximately 125 watts per channel, switchable to 16 DBS transponders operating at approximately 250 watts per channel.  The power reduction resulting from the solar array failures currently limits us to operating 24 DBS transponders in CONUS at approximately 125 watts per channel, switchable to 12 DBS transponders operating at approximately 250 watts per channel.  The number of transponders to which power can be provided is expected to decline in the future at the rate of approximately one transponder every three years.

 

EchoStar VIII.  EchoStar VIII was designed to operate 32 DBS transponders in CONUS at approximately 120 watts per channel, switchable to 16 DBS transponders operating at approximately 240 watts per channel.  EchoStar VIII was also designed with spot-beam technology.  This satellite has experienced several anomalies prior to 2011 and during January 2011, the satellite experienced an anomaly, which temporarily disrupted electrical power to some components causing an interruption of broadcast service.  In addition, one of the two CPUs used to control the satellite failed in connection with this anomaly.  None of these anomalies has impacted the commercial operation or estimated useful life of the satellite.  However, there can be no assurance that this anomaly or any future anomalies will not reduce its useful life or impact its commercial operation.

 

Leased Satellites

 

AMC-16.  AMC-16 commenced commercial operation during February 2005 and currently operates at the 85 degree orbital location.  This SES World Skies satellite is equipped with 24 Ku-band fixed satellite services (“FSS”) transponders that operate at approximately 120 watts per channel and a Ka-band payload consisting of 12 spot beams.  During 2008, AMC-16 experienced an anomaly and was no longer capable of operating at full capacity.  In addition, during the first quarter 2010, SES World Skies notified us that AMC-16 had experienced a solar-array anomaly that further reduced its available transponder capacity.  As a result, our monthly recurring payment was reduced accordingly and our capital lease obligation and the corresponding asset value were lowered by approximately $5 million and $39 million during 2008 and 2010, respectively.

 

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Table of Contents

 

EH HOLDING CORPORATION

NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — Continued

 

4.              Impairments of Long-Lived Assets

 

During the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, we did not record any impairments on long-lived assets.  During the year ended December 31, 2008, we recorded impairment charges in “Impairments of long-lived assets” on our Combined Statements of Operations, detailed in the table below and as described further below.

 

 

 

For the Year Ended

 

 

 

December 31, 2008

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

Impairments of long-lived assets:

 

 

 

Satellite impairments:

 

 

 

AMC-15

 

$

137,955

 

AMC-16

 

79,745

 

Casualty loss - AMC-14

 

12,799

 

Other impairments

 

4,460

 

Total impairments of long-lived assets

 

$

234,959

 

 

AMC-15 and AMC-16 Impairments.  During 2008, due to our inability to successfully generate planned cash inflows from business opportunities, together with a decrease in demand for satellite services as a result of the weak economy, we performed an impairment analysis and determined that the respective undiscounted cash flows would not recover the carrying amount of these satellites.  We estimated the fair values of these satellites using a discounted cash flow model based on discrete financial forecasts developed by management.  The discounted cash flow models used Level 3 inputs which are defined as unobservable inputs for which little or no market data exists and are consistent with reasonably available assumptions made by other market participants based on the best information available.

 

Based on the results of this analysis, the carrying value of AMC-15 and AMC-16 exceeded their fair value by $138 million and $80 million, respectively, and we recorded these amounts as impairment charges during 2008.

 

AMC-14 Casualty Loss.  On January 1, 2008, in connection with the Spin-off, the satellite services agreement with SES World Skies for AMC-14 was contributed to us.  During March 2008, AMC-14 experienced a launch anomaly and failed to reach its intended orbit.  SES World Skies subsequently declared the AMC-14 satellite a total loss due to a lack of viable options to reposition the satellite to its proper geostationary orbit.  Therefore, we have no obligation to make any future monthly lease payments to SES World Skies with respect to the satellite.  However, we did make up-front payments with respect to the satellite prior to launch and recorded capitalized interest and insurance costs related to the satellite.  These amounts, net of insurance proceeds of $41 million, totaled approximately $13 million and were written-off during 2008.

 

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Table of Contents

 

EH HOLDING CORPORATION

NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — Continued

 

5.              Long-Term Debt and Capital Lease Obligations

 

Long-Term Debt and Capital Lease Obligations

 

Long-term debt and capital lease obligations consist of the following:

 

 

 

As of December 31,

 

 

 

2010

 

2009

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

Capital lease obligations:

 

 

 

 

 

Satellites financed under capital lease obligations

 

$

405,449

 

$

436,923

 

8% note payable for EchoStar IX satellite vendor financing, payable over 14 years from launch

 

6,314

 

6,971

 

Total

 

411,763

 

443,894

 

Less current portion

 

(52,213

)

(52,285

)

Capital lease obligations and other notes payable, net of current portion

 

$

359,550

 

$

391,609

 

 

Capital Lease Obligations

 

As of December 31, 2010 and 2009, we had $535 million and $509 million capitalized for the estimated fair value of satellites acquired under capital leases included in “Property and equipment, net,” with related accumulated depreciation of $268 million and $240 million, respectively.  In our Combined Statements of Operations, we recognized $28 million, $21 million and $55 million in depreciation expense on satellites acquired under capital lease agreements during the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively.

 

Nimiq 5.  Nimiq 5 was launched in September 2009 and commenced commercial operation at the 72.7 degree orbital location during October 2009, where it provides additional high-powered capacity to our satellite fleet.  See Note 12 for further discussion.

 

AMC-15.  AMC-15, an FSS satellite, commenced commercial operation during January 2005.  This lease is renewable by us on a year-to-year basis following the initial ten-year term, and provides us with certain rights to lease capacity on replacement satellites.

 

AMC-16.  AMC-16 commenced commercial operation during February 2005.  This lease is renewable by us on a year-to-year basis following the initial ten-year term, and provides us with certain rights to lease capacity on replacement satellites.

 

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Table of Contents

 

EH HOLDING CORPORATION

NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — Continued

 

Future minimum lease payments under these capital lease obligations, together with the present value of the net minimum lease payments as of December 31, 2010 are as follows (in thousands):

 

For the Years Ended December 31,

 

 

 

2011

 

$

117,315

 

2012

 

117,315

 

2013

 

117,315

 

2014

 

111,971

 

2015

 

44,150

 

Thereafter

 

377,521

 

Total minimum lease payments

 

885,587

 

Less: Amount representing lease of the orbital location and estimated executory costs (primarily insurance and maintenance) including profit thereon, included in total minimum lease payments

 

(260,309

)

Net minimum lease payments

 

625,278

 

Less: Amount representing interest

 

(219,829

)

Present value of net minimum lease payments

 

405,449

 

Less: Current portion

 

(51,506

)

Long-term portion of capital lease obligations

 

$

353,943

 

 

6.              Income Taxes

 

Our income tax policy is to record the estimated future tax effects of temporary differences between the tax bases of assets and liabilities and amounts reported on our Combined Balance Sheets, as well as probable operating loss, tax credit and other carryforwards.  Deferred tax assets are offset by valuation allowances when we believe it is more likely than not that net deferred tax assets will not be realized.  We periodically evaluate our need for a valuation allowance.  Determining necessary valuation allowances requires us to make assessments about historical financial information as well as the timing of future events, including the probability of expected future taxable income and available tax planning opportunities.

 

EHHC joins with EchoStar in filing U.S. consolidated federal income tax returns and, in some states, combined or consolidated returns.  The federal and state income tax provisions or benefits recorded by EHHC are generally those that would have been recorded if EHHC had filed returns as a consolidated group independent of EchoStar.  Under our policy, cash is due and paid to EchoStar based on amounts that would be payable based on EchoStar consolidated or combined group filings.  Amounts are receivable from EchoStar on a basis similar to when they would be receivable from the IRS or other state taxing authorities.  No amounts were paid to EchoStar during the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008.

 

The components of pretax income (loss) are as follows:

 

 

 

For the Years Ended December 31,

 

 

 

2010

 

2009

 

2008

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

Domestic

 

$

67,434

 

$

(3,224

)

$

(271,939

)

Foreign

 

(190

)

 

 

Total

 

$

67,244

 

$

(3,224

)

$

(271,939

)

 

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Table of Contents

 

EH HOLDING CORPORATION

NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — Continued

 

The components of the (provision for) benefit from income taxes are as follows:

 

 

 

For the Years Ended December 31,

 

 

 

2010

 

2009

 

2008

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

Current (provision) benefit:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Federal

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

State

 

 

 

 

Foreign

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deferred (provision) benefit:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Federal

 

(23,033

)

2,164

 

95,106

 

State

 

(1,779

)

(1,768

)

3,020

 

 

 

(24,812

)

396

 

98,126

 

Total benefit (provision)

 

$

(24,812

)

$

396

 

$

98,126

 

 

The actual tax provisions for 2010, 2009 and 2008 reconcile to the amounts computed by applying the statutory Federal tax rate to income before taxes as shown below:

 

 

 

For the Years Ended December 31,

 

 

 

2010

 

2009

 

2008

 

 

 

% of pre-tax (income)/loss

 

Statutory rate

 

(35.0

)

35.0

 

35.0

 

State income taxes, net of Federal effect

 

(1.7

)

0.4

 

1.1

 

Stock option compensation

 

(0.1

)

(1.4

)

 

Effect of change in state tax rate

 

 

(21.7

)

 

Other

 

(0.1

)

 

 

Total benefit (provision) for income taxes

 

(36.9

)

12.3

 

36.1

 

 

The tax effects of temporary differences, which give rise to deferred tax assets and liabilities as of December 31, 2010 and 2009, are as follows:

 

 

 

As of December 31,

 

 

 

2010

 

2009

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

Deferred tax assets:

 

 

 

 

 

Net operating losses and other carryforwards (1)

 

$

25,576

 

$

42,525

 

Accrued expenses

 

4,651

 

4,643

 

Stock compensation

 

880

 

837

 

Total deferred tax assets

 

31,107

 

48,005

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deferred tax liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

Property, equipment and intangible assets, net

 

(86,421

)

(82,456

)

State taxes net of federal effect

 

(5,646

)

(1,761

)

Other deferred tax liabilities

 

(67

)

 

Total deferred tax liabilities

 

(92,134

)

(84,217

)

Net deferred tax asset (liability)

 

$

(61,027

)

$

(36,212

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current portion of net deferred tax asset (liability)

 

$

4,994

 

$

4,986

 

Noncurrent portion of net deferred tax asset (liability)

 

(66,021

)

(41,198

)

Total net deferred tax asset (liability)

 

$

(61,027

)

$

(36,212

)

 


(1)  Our net operating loss carryforwards begin to expire in 2028.

 

F-17



Table of Contents

 

EH HOLDING CORPORATION

NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — Continued

 

Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes

 

In addition to filing federal income tax returns with EchoStar, we will file income tax returns in all states that we have determined we are required to file.  We are not currently under any U.S. federal, state or local income tax examinations.  As of December 31, 2010, no taxing authority has proposed any significant adjustments to our tax positions.

 

A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits is as follows (in thousands):

 

 

 

For the Years Ended December 31,

 

Unrecognized tax benefit

 

2010

 

2009

 

2008

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

Balance as of beginning of period

 

$

13,373

 

$

3,857

 

$

 

Additions based on tax positions related to the current year

 

 

 

3,857

 

Additions based on tax positions related to prior years

 

2,693

 

9,516

 

 

Reductions based on tax positions related to prior years

 

 

 

 

Balance as of end of period

 

$

16,066

 

$

13,373

 

$

3,857

 

 

We have no unrecognized tax benefits that, if recognized, could favorably affect our effective tax rate.  We do not expect to pay or effectively settle any of the unrecognized tax benefits within the next twelve months.

 

Accrued interest and penalties on uncertain tax positions are recorded as a component of “Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized” and “Other, net,” respectively, on our Combined Statements of Operations.  During the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, we recorded no interest or penalty in earnings.  There was no accrued interest or penalties at December 31, 2010.

 

7.              Employee Benefit Plans

 

Employee Stock Purchase Plan

 

Our employees participate in EchoStar’s employee stock purchase plan (the “ESPP”), in which EchoStar is authorized to issue 2.5 million shares of its Class A common stock.  At December 31, 2010, EchoStar had 2.0 million shares of Class A common stock remaining available for issuance under this plan.  Substantially all full-time employees who have been employed by us for at least one calendar quarter are eligible to participate in the ESPP.  Employee stock purchases are made through payroll deductions.  Under the terms of the ESPP, employees may not deduct an amount which would permit such employee to purchase EchoStar’s capital stock under the ESPP at a rate which would exceed $25,000 in fair value of capital stock in any one year.  The purchase price of the stock is 85% of the closing price of the Class A common stock on the last business day of each calendar quarter in which such shares of Class A common stock are deemed sold to an employee under the ESPP.  Employee purchases of EchoStar Class A common stock by our employees was insignificant for each of the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008.

 

401(k) Employee Savings Plan

 

EchoStar sponsors a 401(k) Employee Savings Plan (the “401(k) Plan”) for eligible employees.  Voluntary employee contributions to the 401(k) Plan may be matched 50% by EchoStar, subject to a maximum annual contribution of $1,500 per employee.  Forfeitures of unvested participant balances which are retained by the 401(k) Plan may be used to fund matching and discretionary contributions.  EchoStar also may make an annual discretionary contribution to the plan with approval by its Board of Directors, subject to the maximum deductible limit provided by the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.  These contributions may be made in cash or in EchoStar stock.  The amount of expense associated with matching contributions and discretionary contributions was insignificant for each of the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008.

 

F-18



Table of Contents

 

EH HOLDING CORPORATION

NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — Continued

 

8.              Stock-Based Compensation

 

Stock Incentive Plans

 

EchoStar maintains stock incentive plans to attract and retain officers, directors and key employees.  Our employees participate in the EchoStar stock incentive plans.  Stock awards under these plans include both performance and non-performance based stock incentives.  As of December 31, 2010, there were outstanding under these plans stock options to acquire 289,547 shares of EchoStar’s Class A common stock and 3,166 restricted stock units associated with our employees.  Stock options granted prior to and on December 31, 2010 were granted with exercise prices equal to or greater than the market value of EchoStar’s Class A common stock at the date of grant and with a maximum term of ten years.  While historically EchoStar’s board of directors has issued stock awards subject to vesting, typically at the rate of 20% to 33% per year, some stock awards have been granted with immediate vesting, and other stock awards vest only upon the achievement of certain company-wide objectives.  As of December 31, 2010, EchoStar had 6.9 million shares of its Class A common stock available for future grant under its stock incentive plans.

 

In connection with the Spin-off, as permitted by DISH Network’s existing stock incentive plans and consistent with the Spin-off exchange ratio, each DISH Network stock option was converted into two stock options as follows:

 

·                  an adjusted DISH Network stock option for the same number of shares that were exercisable under the original DISH Network stock option, with an exercise price equal to the exercise price of the original DISH Network stock option multiplied by 0.831219.

 

·                  a new EchoStar stock option for one-fifth of the number of shares that were exercisable under the original DISH Network stock option, with an exercise price equal to the exercise price of the original DISH Network stock option multiplied by 0.843907.

 

Similarly, each holder of DISH Network restricted stock units retained his or her DISH Network restricted stock units and received one EchoStar restricted stock unit for every five DISH Network restricted stock units that they held.

 

Consequently, the fair value of the DISH Network stock award and the new EchoStar stock award immediately following the Spin-off was equivalent to the fair value of such stock award immediately prior to the Spin-off.

 

As of December 31, 2010, the following stock awards were outstanding:

 

 

 

As of December 31, 2010

 

 

 

EchoStar Awards

 

DISH Network Awards

 

 

 

 

 

Restricted

 

 

 

Restricted

 

 

 

Stock

 

Stock

 

Stock

 

Stock

 

Stock Awards Outstanding

 

Options

 

Units

 

Options

 

Units

 

Held by EHHC employees

 

289,547

 

3,166

 

59,622

 

17,951

 

 

EchoStar is responsible for fulfilling all stock awards related to EchoStar common stock, and DISH Network is responsible for fulfilling all stock awards related to DISH Network common stock, regardless of whether such stock awards are held by our or DISH Network’s employees.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, our stock-based compensation expense, resulting from stock awards outstanding at the Spin-off date, is based on the stock awards held by our employees regardless of whether such stock awards were issued by EchoStar or DISH Network.  Accordingly, stock-based compensation that we expense with respect to DISH Network stock awards is included in “Additional paid-in capital” on our Combined Balance Sheets.

 

F-19



Table of Contents

 

EH HOLDING CORPORATION

NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — Continued

 

Exercise prices for EchoStar stock options outstanding and exercisable associated with our employees as of December 31, 2010 are as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

Options Outstanding

 

Options Exercisable

 

 

 

 

 

Number

 

Weighted-

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Outstanding

 

Average

 

Weighted-

 

Number

 

Average

 

Weighted-

 

 

 

 

 

as of

 

Remaining

 

Average

 

Exercisable as of

 

Remaining

 

Average

 

 

 

 

 

December 31,

 

Contractual

 

Exercise

 

December 31,

 

Contractual

 

Exercise

 

 

 

 

 

2010

 

Life

 

Price

 

2010

 

Life

 

Price

 

$

10.00

-

$

15.00

 

9,000

 

8.25

 

$

14.83

 

1,800

 

8.25

 

$

14.83

 

$

15.00

-

$

20.00

 

122,000

 

9.38

 

$

18.62

 

6,000

 

8.67

 

$

17.62

 

$

20.00

-

$

25.00

 

6,967

 

4.07

 

$

24.66

 

3,967

 

3.94

 

$

24.64

 

$

25.00

-

$

30.00

 

148,680

 

1.32

 

$

29.49

 

141,960

 

1.04

 

$

29.49

 

$

35.00

-

$

40.00

 

2,900

 

6.25

 

$

36.66

 

1,440

 

6.25

 

$

36.66

 

$

10.00

-

$

40.00

 

289,547

 

5.05

 

$

24.41

 

155,167

 

1.54

 

$

28.81

 

 

Stock Award Activity

 

EchoStar stock option activity associated with our employees was as follows:

 

 

 

For the Years Ended December 31,

 

 

 

2010

 

2009

 

2008

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted-

 

 

 

Weighted-

 

 

 

Weighted-

 

 

 

 

 

Average

 

 

 

Average

 

 

 

Average

 

 

 

 

 

Exercise

 

 

 

Exercise

 

 

 

Exercise

 

 

 

Options

 

Price

 

Options

 

Price

 

Options

 

Price

 

Total options outstanding, beginning of period

 

493,947

 

$

27.69

 

430,227

 

$

29.31

 

66,153

 

$

15.90

 

Granted

 

89,000

 

$

19.08

 

64,000

 

$

16.79

 

400,000

 

$

29.54

 

Exercised

 

(5,000

)

$

16.50

 

 

$

 

(726

)

$

9.64

 

Forfeited and cancelled

 

(288,400

)

$

28.52

 

(280

)

$

27.69

 

(35,200

)

$

7.15

 

Total options outstanding, end of period

 

289,547

 

$

24.41

 

493,947

 

$

27.69

 

430,227

 

$

29.31

 

Performance based options outstanding, end of period (1)

 

3,500

 

$

26.40

 

11,000

 

$

25.23

 

11,000

 

$

25.23

 

Exercisable at end of period

 

155,167

 

$

28.81

 

94,906

 

$

29.02

 

11,346

 

$

26.11

 

 


(1)   These stock options, which are included in the caption “Total options outstanding, end of period,” were issued pursuant to a performance-based stock incentive plan.  Vesting of these stock options is contingent upon meeting a certain company goal which is not yet probable of being achieved.  See discussion of the 2005 LTIP below.

 

Tax benefits realized from stock awards exercised during the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008 was insignificant.

 

Based on the closing market price of EchoStar Class A common stock on December 31, 2010, the aggregate intrinsic value of EchoStar stock options associated with our employees was as follows:

 

 

 

As of December 31, 2010

 

 

 

Options

 

Options

 

 

 

Outstanding

 

Exercisable

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

Aggregate intrinsic value

 

$

868

 

$

64

 

 

EchoStar restricted stock unit activity associated with our employees was as follows:

 

F-20



Table of Contents

 

EH HOLDING CORPORATION

NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — Continued

 

 

 

For the Years Ended December 31,

 

 

 

2010

 

2009

 

2008

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted-

 

 

 

Weighted-

 

 

 

Weighted-

 

 

 

Restricted

 

Average

 

Restricted

 

Average

 

Restricted

 

Average

 

 

 

Stock

 

Grant Date

 

Stock

 

Grant Date

 

Stock

 

Grant Date

 

 

 

Units

 

Fair Value

 

Units

 

Fair Value

 

Units

 

Fair Value

 

Total restricted stock units outstanding, beginning of period

 

5,666

 

$

25.04

 

5,666

 

$

25.04

 

5,666

 

$

25.04

 

Granted

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

Vested

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

Forfeited and cancelled

 

(2,500

)

$

24.69

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

Total restricted stock units outstanding, end of period

 

3,166

 

$

25.32

 

5,666

 

$

25.04

 

5,666

 

$

25.04

 

Restricted Performance Units outstanding, end of period (1)

 

3,166

 

$

25.32

 

5,666

 

$

25.04

 

5,666

 

$

25.04

 

 


(1)   These Restricted Performance Units, which are included in the caption “Total restricted stock units outstanding, end of period,” were issued pursuant to a performance-based stock incentive plan.  Vesting of these Restricted Performance Units is contingent upon meeting a certain company goal which is not yet probable of being achieved.  See discussion of the 2005 LTIP below.

 

F-21



Table of Contents

 

EH HOLDING CORPORATION

NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — Continued

 

Long-Term Performance-Based Plans

 

2005 LTIP.  During 2005, DISH Network adopted a long-term, performance-based stock incentive plan (the “2005 LTIP”).  The 2005 LTIP provides stock options and restricted stock units, either alone or in combination, which vest over seven years at the rate of 10% per year during the first four years, and at the rate of 20% per year thereafter.  Exercise of the stock awards is subject to a performance condition that a company-specific goal is achieved by March 31, 2015.

 

Contingent compensation related to the participation of EHHC employees in the 2005 LTIP will not be recorded in our financial statements unless and until the achievement of the performance condition is probable.  The competitive nature of our industry and certain other factors can significantly impact achievement of the goal.  Consequently, while it was determined that achievement of the goal was not probable as of December 31, 2010, this assessment could change at any time.

 

If the stock awards under the 2005 LTIP were vested and the goal had been met, or if we had determined that achievement of the goal was probable during the year ended December 31, 2010, we would have recorded total non-cash, stock-based compensation expense for our employees as indicated in the table below.  If the goal is met and there are unvested stock awards at that time, the vested amounts would be expensed immediately on our Combined Statements of Operations, with the unvested portion recognized ratably over the remaining vesting period.

 

 

 

2005 LTIP

 

 

 

 

 

Vested

 

 

 

Total

 

Portion

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

DISH Network awards held by EHHC employees

 

$

620

 

$

351

 

EchoStar awards held by EHHC employees

 

124

 

70

 

Total

 

$

744

 

$

421

 

 

Of the 289,547 stock options and 3,166 restricted stock units outstanding under EchoStar stock incentive plans associated with our employees as of December 31, 2010, the following awards were outstanding pursuant to the 2005 LTIP:

 

 

 

As of December 31, 2010

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted-

 

 

 

 

 

Average

 

 

 

Number of

 

Exercise

 

 

 

Awards

 

Price

 

Stock options

 

3,500

 

$

26.40

 

Restricted performance units

 

3,166

 

 

 

Total

 

6,666

 

 

 

 

F-22



Table of Contents

 

EH HOLDING CORPORATION

NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — Continued

 

Stock-Based Compensation

 

Total non-cash, stock-based compensation expense for all of our employees is shown in the following table for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008 and was allocated to the same expense categories as the base compensation for such employees:

 

 

 

For the Years Ended December 31,

 

 

 

2010

 

2009

 

2008

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

Cost of sales - services and other

 

$

 

$

 

$

324

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses

 

349

 

861

 

485

 

Total non-cash, stock-based compensation

 

$

349

 

$

861

 

$

809

 

 

As of December 31, 2010, our total unrecognized compensation cost related to the non-performance based unvested stock awards was $1 million and includes compensation expense that we will recognize for DISH Network stock awards held by our employees as a result of the Spin-off.  This cost is based on an estimated future forfeiture rate of approximately 1.2% per year and will be recognized over a weighted-average period of approximately four years.  Share-based compensation expense is recognized based on stock awards ultimately expected to vest and is reduced for estimated forfeitures.  Forfeitures are estimated at the time of grant and revised, if necessary, in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ from those estimates.  Changes in the estimated forfeiture rate can have a significant effect on share-based compensation expense since the effect of adjusting the rate is recognized in the period the forfeiture estimate is changed.

 

Valuation

 

The fair value of each stock award for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008 was estimated at the date of the grant using a Black-Scholes option valuation model with the following assumptions:

 

 

 

For the Years Ended December 31,

 

Stock Options

 

2010

 

2009

 

2008

 

Risk-free interest rate

 

1.64% - 2.97%

 

1.70% - 3.16%

 

2.74% - 3.42%

 

Volatility factor

 

31.00% - 32.73%

 

28.48% - 42.68%

 

19.98% - 24.90%

 

Expected term of options in years

 

6.1 - 6.2

 

3.0 - 6.4

 

6.0 - 6.1

 

Weighted-average fair value of options granted

 

$6.44 - $9.11

 

$4.76 - $7.43

 

$7.63 - $9.29

 

 

EchoStar does not currently intend to pay dividends on its common stock and accordingly, the dividend yield percentage used in the Black-Scholes option valuation model is set at zero for all periods.  The Black-Scholes option valuation model was developed for use in estimating the fair value of traded stock options which have no vesting restrictions and are fully transferable.  Consequently, our estimate of fair value may differ from other valuation models.  Further, the Black-Scholes option valuation model requires the input of subjective assumptions.  Changes in the subjective input assumptions can materially affect the fair value estimate.

 

We will continue to evaluate the assumptions used to derive the estimated fair value of EchoStar’s stock options as new events or changes in circumstances become known.

 

F-23



Table of Contents

 

EH HOLDING CORPORATION

NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — Continued

 

9.              Commitments and Contingencies

 

Commitments

 

Future maturities of our contractual obligations are summarized as follows:

 

 

 

Payments due by period

 

 

 

Total

 

2011

 

2012

 

2013

 

2014

 

2015

 

Thereafter

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

Long-term debt obligations

 

$

6,314

 

$

707

 

$

764

 

$

826

 

$

892

 

$

963

 

$

2,162

 

Capital lease obligations

 

405,449

 

51,506

 

56,832

 

62,651

 

64,850

 

11,088

 

158,522

 

Interest expense on long-term debt and capital lease obligations

 

222,005

 

37,230

 

32,493

 

27,259

 

21,484

 

17,850

 

85,689

 

Satellite-related obligations

 

986,285

 

140,066

 

158,664

 

78,189

 

75,057

 

63,895

 

470,414

 

Purchase and other obligations

 

9,923

 

9,923

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

$

1,629,976

 

$

239,432

 

$

248,753

 

$

168,925

 

$

162,283

 

$

93,796

 

$

716,787

 

 

In certain circumstances the dates on which we are obligated to make these payments could be delayed.  These amounts will increase to the extent we procure insurance for our satellites or contract for the construction, launch or lease of additional satellites.

 

Satellite-Related Obligations

 

Satellites Under Construction.  As of December 31, 2010, we had entered into the following contracts to construct new satellites which are contractually scheduled to be completed within the next two years.  Future commitments related to these satellites are included in the table above under “Satellite-related obligations.”

 

QuetzSat-1.  During 2008, we entered into a ten-year satellite service agreement with SES Latin America S.A. (“SES”) to lease all of the capacity on QuetzSat-1.  QuetzSat-1 is expected to be launched during the second half of 2011 and will operate at the 77 degree orbital location.  Upon expiration of the initial term, we have the option to renew the transponder service agreement on a year-to-year basis through the end-of-life of the QuetzSat-1 satellite.  DISH Network has agreed to lease 24 of the 32 DBS transponders on this satellite from us.  The expected future payments related to QuetzSat-1 included in the table above are $287 million.

 

EchoStar XVI.  During November 2009, we entered into a contract for the construction of EchoStar XVI, a DBS satellite, which is expected to be completed during the second half of 2012 and will operate at the 61.5 degree orbital location.  DISH Network has agreed to lease all of the capacity on this satellite from us for a portion of its useful life.  The expected future payments related to EchoStar XVI included in the table above are $85 million.

 

Purchase Obligations

 

Our purchase obligations primarily consist of binding purchase orders for equipment and for our share of transitional service agreements.

 

Rent Expense

 

For the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009, and 2008, total rent expense for operating leases approximated $21 million, $3 million and $8 million, respectively.  The increase in rent expense from 2009 to 2010 primarily resulted from an increase in costs related to the EchoStar I satellite, which we began leasing from DISH Network during the first quarter of 2010.  The decrease in rent expense from 2008 to 2009 was primarily attributable to a decrease in transponder lease expense primarily resulting from the termination of a lease agreement.

 

Patents and Intellectual Property

 

Many entities, including some of our competitors, now have and may in the future obtain patents and other intellectual property rights that cover or affect products or services directly or indirectly related to those that we offer.  We may not be aware of all patents and other intellectual property rights that our products and services may

 

F-24



Table of Contents

 

EH HOLDING CORPORATION

NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — Continued

 

potentially infringe.  Damages in patent infringement cases can include a tripling of actual damages in certain cases.  Further, we cannot estimate the extent to which we may be required in the future to obtain licenses with respect to intellectual property rights held by others and the availability and cost of any such licenses.

 

Contingencies

 

In connection with the Spin-off, EchoStar entered into a separation agreement with DISH Network, which provides, among other things, for the division of certain liabilities, including liabilities resulting from litigation.  Under the terms of the separation agreement, EchoStar assumed certain liabilities that relate to its and our business including certain designated liabilities for acts or omissions prior to the Spin-off.

 

Other

 

We are subject to various legal proceedings and claims which arise in the ordinary course of business.  In our opinion, the amount of ultimate liability with respect to any of these actions is unlikely to materially affect our financial position, results of operations or liquidity.

 

10.    Transactions with Major Customers

 

Transactions with Major Customers.  During the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, our revenue primarily included sales to two major customers.  The following table summarizes sales to each customer and its percentage of total revenue.

 

 

 

For the Years Ended December 31,

 

 

 

2010

 

2009

 

2008

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

Total revenue:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DISH Network

 

$

208,364

 

$

131,111

 

$

149,513

 

Dish Mexico

 

8,520

 

8,300

 

175

 

Other

 

45,295

 

32,835

 

29,963

 

Total revenue

 

$

262,179

 

$

172,246

 

$

179,651

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Percentage of total revenue:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DISH Network

 

79.5

%

76.1

%

83.2

%

Dish Mexico

 

3.2

%

4.8

%

0.1

%

 

F-25



Table of Contents

 

EH HOLDING CORPORATION

NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — Continued

 

11.    Valuation and Qualifying Accounts

 

Our valuation and qualifying accounts as of December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008 are as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Recovery of

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at

 

 

 

Amounts

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Beginning

 

Charged to

 

Previously

 

 

 

Balance at

 

Allowance for doubtful accounts

 

of Year

 

Expense

 

Reserved

 

Deductions

 

End of Year

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

For the years ended:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

December 31, 2010

 

$

2,243

 

$

4,101

 

$

(833

)

$

(786

)

$

4,725

 

December 31, 2009

 

$

390

 

$

1,853

 

$

(142

)

$

142

 

$

2,243

 

December 31, 2008

 

$

 

$

390

 

$

 

$

 

$

390

 

 

12.    Related Party Transactions

 

Related Party Transactions with EchoStar

 

The combined statements of operations include expense allocations for certain centralized corporate functions, including overhead, provided to us by EchoStar and certain services provided by DISH Network, as described below.  These expense allocations include services for, among other things, treasury, tax, accounting and reporting, risk management, legal, internal audit, human resources, and information technology.  For expenses that were clearly identifiable to us, allocations were made to us on a specific identification basis.  For expenses that were not clearly identifiable to us, allocations were based on the relative percentages, as compared to EchoStar’s other business, of revenue, headcount or other appropriate methods depending on the nature of each item of cost allocated.  During the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, the combined statements of operations reflect charges for these services of $5 million, $3 million and $3 million, respectively.

 

Related Party Transactions with DISH Network

 

Following the Spin-off, EchoStar and DISH Network have operated as separate public companies and DISH Network has no ownership interest in us.  However, a substantial majority of the voting power of the shares of both companies is owned beneficially by our Chairman, Charles W. Ergen and by certain trusts established by Mr. Ergen for the benefit of his family.

 

In connection with the Spin-off and subsequent to the Spin-off, EchoStar and DISH Network have entered into certain agreements pursuant to which it and we obtain certain products, services and rights from DISH Network, DISH Network obtains certain services and rights from us and EchoStar, and EchoStar, we and DISH Network have indemnified each other against certain liabilities arising from our respective businesses.  We and EchoStar also may enter into additional agreements with DISH Network in the future.  The following is a summary of the terms of the principal agreements that we or EchoStar have entered into with DISH Network that may have an impact on our financial position and results of operations.

 

Generally, the prices charged for services provided under the agreements entered into in connection with the Spin-off are based on our cost plus a fixed margin (unless noted differently below), which varies depending on the nature of the services provided.

 

“Services and other revenue — DISH Network”

 

Satellite Capacity Agreements.  In connection with the Spin-off and subsequent to the Spin-off, we and EchoStar entered into certain satellite capacity agreements pursuant to which DISH Network leases certain satellite capacity on certain satellites owned or leased by us.  The fees for the services provided under these satellite capacity agreements depend, among other things, upon the orbital location of the applicable satellite and the length of the lease.  The term of each of the leases is set forth below:

 

F-26



Table of Contents

 

EH HOLDING CORPORATION

NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — Continued

 

EchoStar III, VI, VIII and XII.  DISH Network leases certain satellite capacity from us on EchoStar VI, VIII and XII.  The leases generally terminate upon the earlier of:  (i) the end of life or replacement of the satellite (unless DISH Network determines to renew on a year-to-year basis); (ii) the date the satellite fails; (iii) the date the transponder on which service is being provided fails; or (iv) a certain date, which depends upon, among other things, the estimated useful life of the satellite, whether the replacement satellite fails at launch or in orbit prior to being placed into service, and the exercise of certain renewal options.  DISH Network generally has the option to renew each lease on a year-to-year basis through the end of the respective satellite’s life.  There can be no assurance that any options to renew such agreements will be exercised.  In August 2010, DISH Network’s lease of EchoStar III terminated when it was replaced by EchoStar XV, which is owned by DISH Network.

 

EchoStar IX.  DISH Network leases certain satellite capacity from us on EchoStar IX.  Subject to availability, DISH Network generally has the right to continue to lease satellite capacity from us on EchoStar IX on a month-to-month basis.

 

EchoStar XVI.  DISH Network will lease certain satellite capacity from us on EchoStar XVI after its service commencement date and this lease generally terminates upon the earlier of:  (i) the end of life or replacement of the satellite; (ii) the date the satellite fails; (iii) the date the transponder(s) on which service is being provided under the agreement fails; or (iv) ten years following the actual service commencement date.  Upon expiration of the initial term, DISH Network has the option to renew on a year-to-year basis through the end of life of the satellite.  There can be no assurance that any options to renew this agreement will be exercised.  EchoStar XVI is expected to be launched during the second half of 2012.

 

EchoStar XV.  EchoStar XV is owned by DISH Network and is operated at the 61.5 degree orbital location.  The FCC has granted EchoStar an authorization to operate the satellite at the 61.5 degree orbital location.  For so long as EchoStar XV remains in service at the 61.5 degree orbital location, DISH Network is obligated to pay us a fee which varies depending on the number of frequencies being used by EchoStar XV.

 

Nimiq 5 Agreement.  During September 2009, EchoStar entered into a fifteen-year satellite service agreement with Telesat Canada (“Telesat”) to receive service on all 32 DBS transponders on the Nimiq 5 satellite at the 72.7 degree orbital location (the “Telesat Transponder Agreement”).  During September 2009, DISH Network also entered into a satellite service agreement (the “DISH Telesat Agreement”) with EchoStar, pursuant to which they will receive service from us on all 32 of the DBS transponders covered by the Telesat Transponder Agreement.  EchoStar and DISH Network are currently receiving service on 23 of these DBS transponders and will receive service on the remaining nine DBS transponders over a phase-in period that will be completed in 2012.

 

Under the terms of the DISH Telesat Agreement, DISH Network makes certain monthly payments to EchoStar that commenced in October 2009 when the Nimiq 5 satellite was placed into service and continue through the service term.  Unless earlier terminated under the terms and conditions of the DISH Telesat Agreement, the service term will expire ten years following the date it was placed into service.  Upon expiration of the initial term DISH Network has the option to renew the DISH Telesat Agreement on a year-to-year basis through the end of life of the Nimiq 5 satellite.  Upon in-orbit failure or end of life of the Nimiq 5 satellite, and in certain other circumstances, DISH Network has certain rights to receive service from us on a replacement satellite.  There can be no assurance that any options to renew this agreement will be exercised or that DISH Network will exercise its option to receive service on a replacement satellite.

 

QuetzSat-1 Lease Agreement.  During 2008, we entered into a ten-year satellite service agreement with SES, which provides, among other things, for the provision by SES to us of service on 32 DBS transponders on the QuetzSat-1 satellite expected to be placed into service at the 77 degree orbital location during the second half of 2011.  During 2008, we also entered into a transponder service agreement (“QuetzSat-1 Transponder Agreement”) with DISH Network pursuant to which they will receive service from us on 24 of the DBS transponders on QuetzSat-1, which will replace certain other transponders leased from us.  The remaining eight DBS transponders on QuetzSat-1 are expected to be used by Dish Mexico.

 

Under the terms of the QuetzSat-1 Transponder Agreement, DISH Network will make certain monthly payments to us commencing when the QuetzSat-1 satellite is placed into service and continuing through the service term.  Unless earlier terminated under the terms and conditions of the QuetzSat-1 Transponder Agreement, the service term will

 

F-27



Table of Contents

 

EH HOLDING CORPORATION

NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — Continued

 

expire ten years following the actual service commencement date.  Upon expiration of the initial term, DISH Network has the option to renew the QuetzSat-1 Transponder Agreement on a year-to-year basis through the end of life of the QuetzSat-1 satellite.  Upon a launch failure, in-orbit failure or end of life of the QuetzSat-1 satellite, and in certain other circumstances, DISH Network has certain rights to receive service from us on a replacement satellite.  There can be no assurance that any options to renew this agreement will be exercised or that DISH Network will exercise its option to receive service on a replacement satellite.

 

TT&C Agreement.  In connection with the Spin-off, EchoStar entered into a telemetry, tracking and control (“TT&C”) agreement pursuant to which we provide TT&C services to DISH Network and its subsidiaries for a period ending on January 1, 2012.  The fees for services provided under the TT&C agreement are calculated at cost plus a fixed margin.  DISH Network may terminate the TT&C agreement for any reason upon at least 60 days notice.

 

Satellite Procurement Agreement.  In connection with the Spin-off, EchoStar entered into a satellite procurement agreement pursuant to which DISH Network had the right, but not the obligation, to engage us to manage the process of procuring new satellite capacity for DISH Network.  The satellite procurement agreement expired on January 1, 2010.  However, EchoStar and DISH Network have agreed that following January 1, 2010, DISH Network shall continue to have the right, but not the obligation, to engage us to manage the process of procuring new satellite capacity for DISH Network pursuant to the Professional Services Agreement as described below.

 

“General and administrative expenses — DISH Network”

 

Management Services Agreement.  In connection with the Spin-off, EchoStar entered into a management services agreement with DISH Network pursuant to which DISH Network makes certain of its officers available to provide services (which are primarily legal and accounting services) to EchoStar.  Specifically, R. Stanton Dodge and Paul W. Orban remain employed by DISH Network, but also serve as EchoStar’s Executive Vice President and General Counsel, and Senior Vice President and Controller, respectively.  EchoStar makes payments to DISH Network based upon an allocable portion of the personnel costs and expenses incurred by DISH Network with respect to such DISH Network officers (taking into account wages and fringe benefits).  These allocations are based upon the estimated percentages of time to be spent by the DISH Network executive officers performing services for EchoStar under the management services agreement.  EchoStar also reimburses DISH Network for direct out-of-pocket costs incurred by DISH Network for management services provided to EchoStar.  EchoStar and DISH Network evaluate all charges for reasonableness at least annually and make any adjustments to these charges as EchoStar and DISH Network mutually agree upon.  A portion of these costs and expenses have been allocated to EHHC in the manner described under the caption “Related Party Transactions with EchoStar.”

 

The management services agreement automatically renewed on January 1, 2011 for an additional one-year period until January 1, 2012 and renews automatically for successive one-year periods thereafter, unless terminated earlier: (i) by EchoStar at any time upon at least 30 days notice; (ii) by DISH Network at the end of any renewal term, upon at least 180 days notice; or (iii) by DISH Network upon notice to EchoStar, following certain changes in control.

 

Transition Services Agreement.  In connection with the Spin-off, EchoStar entered into a transition services agreement with DISH Network pursuant to which EchoStar had the right, but not the obligation, to receive the following services from DISH Network:  finance, information technology, benefits administration, travel and event coordination, human resources, human resources development (training), program management, internal audit, legal, accounting and tax, and other support services.  The fees for the services provided under the transition services agreement were calculated at cost plus a fixed margin, which varied depending on the nature of the services provided.  A portion of these fees have been allocated to EHHC in the manner described under the caption “Related Party Transactions with EchoStar.”  The transition services agreement expired on January 1, 2010.  However, EchoStar and DISH Network have agreed that following January 1, 2010 EchoStar shall continue to have the right, but not the obligation, to receive from DISH Network certain of the services previously provided under the transition services agreement pursuant to the Professional Services Agreement, as discussed below.

 

Professional Services Agreement.  During 2009, EchoStar and DISH Network agreed that EchoStar shall continue to have the right, but not the obligation, to receive from DISH Network the following services, among others, certain of which were previously provided under the transition services agreement:  information technology, travel and

 

F-28



Table of Contents

 

EH HOLDING CORPORATION

NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — Continued

 

event coordination, internal audit, legal, accounting and tax, benefits administration, program acquisition services and other support services.  Additionally, EchoStar and DISH Network agreed that DISH Network shall continue to have the right, but not the obligation, to engage EchoStar to manage the process of procuring new satellite capacity for DISH Network (as discussed above, previously provided under the satellite procurement agreement) and receive logistics, procurement and quality assurance services and other support services from EchoStar (as discussed above, previously provided under the services agreement).  A portion of these fees have been allocated to EHHC in the manner described under the caption “Related Party Transactions with EchoStar.”  The professional services agreement expires on January 1, 2012, but renews automatically for successive one-year periods thereafter, unless terminated earlier by either party upon at least 60 days notice. However, either party may terminate the services it receives with respect to a particular service for any reason upon at least 30 days notice.

 

Other Agreements — DISH Network

 

Satellite Capacity Leased from DISH Network.  During 2009, we entered into a satellite capacity agreement pursuant to which we lease certain satellite capacity from DISH Network on EchoStar I.  The fee for the services provided under this satellite capacity agreement depends, among other things, upon the orbital location of the satellite and the length of the lease.  During the year ended December 31, 2010, the amount of those fees included in “Cost of sales — services and other” on the Combined Statements of Operations was approximately $19 million.  During the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, we did not lease satellite capacity from DISH Network on EchoStar I.  The lease generally terminates upon the earlier of:  (i) the end of life or replacement of the satellite (unless we determine to renew on a year-to-year basis); (ii) the date the satellite fails; (iii) the date the transponder on which service is being provided fails; or (iv) a certain date, which depends, among other things, upon the estimated useful life of the satellite, whether the replacement satellite fails at launch or in orbit prior to being placed into service, and the exercise of certain renewal options.  We generally have the option to renew this lease on a year-to-year basis through the end of the satellite’s life.  There can be no assurance that any options to renew this agreement will be exercised.

 

Tax Sharing Agreement.  As a subsidiary of EchoStar, we are an indirect party to EchoStar’s tax sharing agreement with DISH Network that was entered into in connection with the Spin-off.  This agreement governs EchoStar’s respective rights, responsibilities and obligations after the Spin-off with respect to taxes for the periods ending on or before the Spin-off.  Generally, all pre-Spin-off taxes, including any taxes that are incurred as a result of restructuring activities undertaken to implement the Spin-off, are borne by DISH Network, and DISH Network will indemnify EchoStar for such taxes.  However, DISH Network is not liable for and will not indemnify EchoStar for any taxes that are incurred as a result of the Spin-off or certain related transactions failing to qualify as tax-free distributions pursuant to any provision of Section 355 or Section 361 of the Code because of: (i) a direct or indirect acquisition of any of EchoStar’s stock, stock options or assets; (ii) any action that EchoStar takes or fails to take; or (iii) any action that EchoStar takes that is inconsistent with the information and representations furnished to the IRS in connection with the request for the private letter ruling, or to counsel in connection with any opinion being delivered by counsel with respect to the Spin-off or certain related transactions.  In such case, EchoStar will be solely liable for, and will indemnify DISH Network for, any resulting taxes, as well as any losses, claims and expenses.  The tax sharing agreement will only terminate after the later of the full period of all applicable statutes of limitations, including extensions, or once all rights and obligations are fully effectuated or performed.

 

Related Party Transactions with Dish Mexico

 

During 2008, EchoStar entered into a joint venture for a direct-to-home (“DTH”) satellite service in Mexico known as Dish Mexico.  Pursuant to these arrangements, we provide satellite capacity to Dish Mexico.  During the year ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, we sold satellite services of $9 million, $8 million and less than $1 million, respectively, to Dish Mexico.  As of December 31, 2010 and 2009, amounts receivable from Dish Mexico totaled $1 million and $1 million, respectively.

 

F-29



Table of Contents

 

EH HOLDING CORPORATION

NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — Continued

 

13.    Subsequent Events

 

Agreement and Plan of Merger

 

On February 13, 2011, Hughes Communications, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Hughes”), and the parent company of Hughes Network Systems, LLC (“HNS”), entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”) with EchoStar, ESS and Broadband Acquisition Corporation, a Delaware corporation (“Merger Sub”), pursuant to which, subject to the terms and conditions set forth therein, Merger Sub will merge with and into Hughes (the “Merger”), with Hughes continuing as the surviving entity, which will become a wholly owned subsidiary of EHHC.  The consummation of this transaction is subject to certain closing conditions, including FCC approval.

 

Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, upon the closing of the Merger, each issued and outstanding share of common stock, par value $0.001 per share (“Common Stock”), of Hughes (other than any Common Stock with respect to which appraisal rights have been duly exercised under Delaware law) will automatically be converted into the right to receive $60.70 in cash (without interest) and cancelled, which amount is estimated to be $1.45 billion in aggregate.  The Merger Agreement also contemplates the repayment of all of the outstanding debt of Hughes and HNS (including the 9½% Senior Notes due 2014 issued by HNS), except that the $115 million loan facility guaranteed by COFACE, the French Export Credit Agency, will continue to remain outstanding following the Merger if the requisite lender consents thereunder are obtained.

 

The Merger Agreement contains certain termination rights for both Hughes and EchoStar.  In addition to certain termination rights related to breaches of the agreement or actions taken by Hughes with respect to alternative transactions, so long as the failure of the terminating party to comply with its obligations is not the cause for delay in closing, each of EchoStar and Hughes has the right to terminate the Merger Agreement unilaterally if the Merger has not closed by a date nine months from the execution of the Merger Agreement.  In addition, the Merger Agreement provides that, upon termination of the Merger Agreement under specified circumstances, Hughes may be required to pay EchoStar a termination fee of $45 million.

 

EchoStar and ESS have obtained an aggregate financing commitment of $1.0 billion in senior secured bridge financing and $800 million in senior unsecured bridge financing, in each case from Deutsche Bank AG Cayman Islands Branch in connection with the pending transaction.  These funds, in addition to existing cash balances, will be sufficient to finance the cash consideration to Hughes stockholders and to refinance certain existing Hughes debt.  In addition to certain other conditions, the commitment of these funds is contingent on the closing of the transaction.  The funding of the financing commitment is not a condition to the transaction or to the obligations of EchoStar or Merger Sub under the Merger Agreement.

 

We currently expect that EHHC will incur indebtedness, through debt securities, credit facilities, or otherwise, to finance in part the cash consideration and the refinancing of certain existing Hughes debt.

 

F-30



Table of Contents

 

INDEX TO HUGHES SATELLITE SYSTEMS CORPORATION’S CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE THREE AND NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2011

 

 

Page

Consolidated Financial Statements:

 

 

 

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010 (Unaudited)

F—32

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010 (Unaudited)

F—33

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010 (Unaudited)

F—34

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

F—35

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

F-31



Table of Contents

 

HUGHES SATELLITE SYSTEMS CORPORATION

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In thousands, except share amounts)

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

As of

 

 

 

September 30,

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2011

 

2010

 

Assets

 

 

 

 

 

Current Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

194,212

 

$

106

 

Marketable investment securities

 

259,496

 

 

Trade accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $10,467 and $4,725, respectively

 

162,820

 

6,505

 

Trade accounts receivable - DISH Network, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of zero

 

36,178

 

32,455

 

Inventory

 

62,953

 

 

Deferred tax assets

 

17,090

 

4,994

 

Other current assets

 

43,210

 

8,261

 

Total current assets

 

775,959

 

52,321

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Noncurrent Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

Restricted cash and cash equivalents

 

19,765

 

16,575

 

Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $1,215,201 and $1,096,705, respectively

 

1,837,456

 

818,087

 

Goodwill

 

523,135

 

 

FCC authorizations

 

465,658

 

65,658

 

Intangible assets, net

 

388,152

 

11

 

Other investment securities

 

21,558

 

724

 

Other noncurrent assets, net

 

141,724

 

43,300

 

Total noncurrent assets

 

3,397,448

 

944,355

 

Total assets

 

$

4,173,407

 

$

996,676

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities and Shareholder’s Equity (Deficit)

 

 

 

 

 

Current Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

Trade accounts payable

 

$

105,970

 

$

9,273

 

Trade accounts payable - DISH Network

 

6,855

 

8,703

 

Advances from affiliates, net

 

8,854

 

 

Deferred revenue and other

 

63,718

 

3,403

 

Accrued interest

 

46,725

 

126

 

Accrued payments in connection with Hughes Acquisition

 

28,726

 

 

Accrued expenses and other

 

97,954

 

16,520

 

Current portion of long-term debt and capital lease obligations

 

57,370

 

52,213

 

Total current liabilities

 

416,172

 

90,238

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Long-Term Obligations, Net of Current Portion:

 

 

 

 

 

Long-term debt and capital lease obligations, net of current portion

 

2,338,942

 

359,550

 

Deferred tax liabilities

 

312,554

 

66,021

 

Long-term deferred revenue and other long-term liabilities

 

21,302

 

234

 

Total long-term obligations, net of current portion

 

2,672,798

 

425,805

 

Total liabilities

 

3,088,970

 

516,043

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commitments and Contingencies (Note 10)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shareholder’s Equity (Deficit):

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock, $0.01 par value; 1,000,000 shares authorized, 1,000 shares and zero shares issued and outstanding, respectively

 

 

 

Owner’s net investment

 

 

480,633

 

Additional paid-in capital

 

1,099,307

 

 

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

 

(6,380

)

 

Accumulated earnings (deficit)

 

(17,887

)

 

Total Hughes Satellite Systems Corporation (“HSS”) shareholder’s equity (deficit)

 

1,075,040

 

480,633

 

Noncontrolling interests

 

9,397

 

 

Total shareholder’s equity (deficit)

 

1,084,437

 

480,633

 

Total liabilities and shareholder’s equity (deficit)

 

$

4,173,407

 

$

996,676

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

F-32



Table of Contents

 

HUGHES SATELLITE SYSTEMS CORPORATION

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

(In thousands)

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

For the Three Months

 

For the Nine Months

 

 

 

Ended September 30,

 

Ended September 30,

 

 

 

2011

 

2010

 

2011

 

2010

 

Revenue:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Services and other revenue

 

$

243,569

 

$

14,751

 

$

331,775

 

$

38,571

 

Services and other revenue - DISH Network

 

54,429

 

51,691

 

160,457

 

157,114

 

Equipment revenue

 

58,257

 

428

 

83,444

 

946

 

Equipment revenue - DISH Network

 

97

 

 

97

 

 

Total revenue

 

356,352

 

66,870

 

575,773

 

196,631

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Costs and Expenses: (exclusive of depreciation shown separately below — Note 6)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of sales - services and other

 

125,380

 

17,888

 

185,277

 

48,193

 

Cost of sales — equipment

 

48,729

 

348

 

68,541

 

700

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses

 

69,733

 

3,440

 

93,029

 

9,133

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

101,048

 

23,146

 

163,976

 

71,799

 

Total costs and expenses

 

344,890

 

44,822

 

510,823

 

129,825

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating income (loss)

 

11,462

 

22,048

 

64,950

 

66,806

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other Income (Expense):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest income

 

1,538

 

1

 

1,823

 

5

 

Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized

 

(33,791

)

(4,204

)

(50,904

)

(19,527

)

Hughes Acquisition costs

 

(730

)

 

(35,230

)

 

Other, net

 

336

 

1,070

 

9,703

 

1,082

 

Total other income (expense)

 

(32,647

)

(3,133

)

(74,608

)

(18,440

)

Income (loss) before income taxes

 

(21,185

)

18,915

 

(9,658

)

48,366

 

Income tax (provision) benefit, net

 

9,134

 

(6,979

)

1,697

 

(17,846

)

Net income (loss)

 

(12,051

)

11,936

 

(7,961

)

30,520

 

Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests

 

270

 

 

357

 

 

Net income (loss) attributable to the HSS common shareholder

 

$

(12,321

)

$

11,936

 

$

(8,318

)

$

30,520

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Comprehensive Income (Loss):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

 

$

(12,051

)

$

11,936

 

$

(7,961

)

$

30,520

 

Foreign currency translation adjustments

 

(6,968

)

 

(7,330

)

 

Unrealized holding gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities, net

 

1,955

 

 

950

 

 

Comprehensive income (loss)

 

(17,064

)

11,936

 

(14,341

)

30,520

 

Less: Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests

 

(368

)

 

(635

)

 

Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to the HSS common shareholder

 

$

(16,696

)

$

11,936

 

$

(13,706

)

$

30,520

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

F-33



Table of Contents

 

HUGHES SATELLITE SYSTEMS CORPORATION

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(In thousands)

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

For the Nine Months

 

 

 

Ended September 30,

 

 

 

2011

 

2010

 

Cash Flows From Operating Activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

 

$

(7,961

)

$

30,520

 

Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash flows from operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

163,976

 

71,799

 

Equity in losses (earnings) of affiliates

 

(1,500

)

 

Amortization of debt issuance costs

 

1,561

 

 

Non-cash, stock-based compensation

 

284

 

550

 

Deferred tax expense (benefit)

 

2,431

 

17,846

 

Other, net

 

(14,296

)

(1,122

)

Change in noncurrent assets

 

(4,260

)

1,726

 

Changes in current assets and current liabilities, net

 

52,461

 

(6,629

)

Net cash flows from operating activities

 

192,696

 

114,690

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash Flows From Investing Activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Purchases of marketable investment securities

 

(213,815

)

 

Sales and maturities of marketable investment securities

 

424,808

 

 

Purchases of property and equipment

 

(184,993

)

(98,497

)

Acquisition of Hughes, net of cash acquired of $84,768

 

(2,089,845

)

 

Change in restricted cash and cash equivalents

 

2,046

 

787

 

Other, net

 

(5,221

)

 

Net cash flows from investing activities

 

(2,067,020

)

(97,710

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash Flows From Financing Activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt

 

2,000,000

 

 

Repayment of long-term debt and capital lease obligations

 

(41,660

)

(40,279

)

Debt issuance costs

 

(57,597

)

 

Contributions from (distributions to) parent

 

166,379

 

23,424

 

Other

 

553

 

 

Net cash flows from financing activities

 

2,067,675

 

(16,855

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Effect of exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents

 

755

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

 

194,106

 

125

 

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period

 

106

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents, end of the period

 

$

194,212

 

$

125

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information:

 

 

 

 

 

Cash paid for interest (including capitalized interest)

 

$

30,206

 

$

32,959

 

Capitalized interest

 

$

27,638

 

$

12,126

 

Cash received for interest

 

$

1,390

 

$

5

 

Cash paid to parent for income taxes, net

 

$

203

 

$

53

 

Cash paid for income taxes

 

$

2,253

 

$

 

Satellites and other assets financed under capital lease obligations

 

$

25,788

 

$

46,959

 

Reduction of capital lease obligations and associated asset value for AMC-16 (Note 6)

 

$

6,616

 

$

39,442

 

Capital expenditures included in accounts payable

 

$

14,423

 

$

7,872

 

Marketable investment securities contributed in connection with the Hughes Acquisition, excluding cash and cash equivalents

 

$

442,473

 

$

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

F-34



Table of Contents

 

HUGHES SATELLITE SYSTEMS CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

Note 1.                          Organization and Business Activities

 

Principal Business

 

Hughes Satellite Systems Corporation (referred to as “HSS,” the “Company,” “we,” “us” and/or “our”), formerly known as EH Holding Corporation, is a holding company and a direct, wholly-owned subsidiary of EchoStar Corporation (“EchoStar”). EchoStar is a publicly traded company listed on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol “SATS”. The Company was formed as a Colorado corporation in March 2011 to facilitate the acquisition (the “Hughes Acquisition”) of Hughes Communications, Inc. and its subsidiaries (“Hughes Communications”) and related financing transactions. In connection with our formation, EchoStar contributed the assets and liabilities of its satellite services business, including its principal operating subsidiary of its satellite services business, EchoStar Satellite Services L.L.C., to us. As a result, our historical financial statements, prior to June 9, 2011, reflect the historical consolidated financial position and operating results of EchoStar’s satellite services business.

 

Following the Hughes Acquisition, we operate two segments:

 

·                  EchoStar Satellite Services — which uses 10 of our 11 owned and leased in-orbit satellites and related Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) licenses to lease capacity on a full-time and occasional-use basis primarily to DISH Network Corporation (“DISH Network”), and secondarily to Dish Mexico, S. de R.L. de C.V. (“Dish Mexico”), U.S. government service providers, state agencies, Internet service providers, broadcast news organizations, programmers and private enterprise customers.

 

·                  Hughes — which provides broadband network services and systems to the domestic and international enterprise markets and satellite broadband Internet access to North American consumers.  Hughes also provides managed services to large enterprises and networking systems solutions to customers for mobile satellite and wireless backhaul systems.  Effective June 9, 2011, Hughes became a new segment as a result of the Hughes Acquisition, and the results of operations of Hughes Communications are included in this report only as of such date.  See Note 9 for further discussion of the transaction.

 

Effective January 1, 2008, DISH Network completed its distribution to EchoStar (the “Spin-off”) of its digital set-top box business and certain infrastructure and other assets, including certain of its satellites, uplink and satellite transmission assets, real estate and other assets and related liabilities.  Since the Spin-off, EchoStar and DISH Network have operated as separate publicly-traded companies, and neither entity has any ownership interest in the other.  However, a substantial majority of the voting power of the shares of EchoStar and DISH Network is owned beneficially by Charles W. Ergen, our Chairman, or by certain trusts established by Mr. Ergen for the benefit of his family.

 

Hughes Communications Acquisition

 

On June 8, 2011, we acquired all of the outstanding equity of Hughes Communications, Inc., pursuant to an agreement and plan of merger (the “Hughes Agreement”) by and between us, EchoStar, certain of EchoStar’s subsidiaries, and Hughes Communications, Inc., following which Hughes Communications, Inc. became a direct, wholly-owned subsidiary of HSS.  Pursuant to the Hughes Agreement, each issued and outstanding share of common stock and vested stock options of Hughes Communications, Inc. was converted into the right to receive $60.70 (minus any applicable exercise price) in cash and substantially all of the outstanding debt of Hughes Communications was repaid.  In addition, each share of unvested restricted stock and unvested stock option of Hughes Communications, Inc. was converted into the right to receive $60.70 (minus any applicable exercise price) in cash on the vesting date of the stock award.  The funding of the Hughes Acquisition was supported by the issuance of $1.1 billion of senior secured notes and $900 million of senior unsecured notes.  See Note 8 for further discussion. In addition to the debt securities issued, EchoStar contributed cash and marketable investment securities and forgave certain intercompany accounts payables, net totaling $609 million for HSS.

 

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Table of Contents

 

HUGHES SATELLITE SYSTEMS CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — Continued

(Unaudited)

 

Note 2.                          Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

 

Basis of Presentation

 

The accompanying unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”) and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X for interim financial information.  Accordingly, these statements do not include all of the information and notes required for complete financial statements prepared under GAAP.  In our opinion, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included.  Our results of operations for the interim periods presented are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the full year.  For further information, refer to the combined financial statements and notes thereto of HSS included in the Current Report on Form 8-K of EchoStar that was furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 11, 2011. Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation.

 

Our results of operations for the periods presented prior to March 2011 are presented on a combined basis and reflect the historical financial position, results of operations and cash flows of certain entities included in the condensed combined financial statements and accounting records of EchoStar that principally represented its satellite services business. The financial statements for all periods are labeled as condensed consolidated financial statements. Our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 includes the results of operations for Hughes Communications from June 9, 2011 through September 30, 2011. See the accounting policies below for changes related to the Hughes Acquisition.

 

Principles of Consolidation

 

We consolidate all majority owned subsidiaries, investments in entities in which we have controlling influence and variable interest entities where we have been determined to be the primary beneficiary.  Non-majority owned investments are accounted for using the equity method when we have the ability to significantly influence the operating decisions of the investee.  When we do not have the ability to significantly influence the operating decisions of an investee, the cost method is used.  All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

 

Use of Estimates

 

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expense for each reporting period.  Estimates are used in accounting for, among other things, deferred revenue and deferred subscriber acquisition costs (“SAC”) amortization periods, allowances for doubtful accounts, allowance for sales returns/rebates, warranty obligations, self-insurance obligations, deferred taxes and related valuation allowances, uncertain tax positions, loss contingencies, fair value of financial instruments, fair value of options granted under EchoStar’s stock-based compensation plans, fair value of assets and liabilities acquired in business combinations, capital leases, asset impairments, useful lives of property, equipment and intangible assets, and royalty obligations.  Weakened economic conditions may increase the inherent uncertainty in the estimates and assumptions indicated above.  We base our estimates and assumptions on historical experience and on various other factors that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances.  Due to the inherent uncertainty involved in making estimates, actual results may differ from previously estimated amounts, and such differences may be material to our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.  Estimates and assumptions are reviewed periodically, and the effects of revisions are reflected prospectively in the period they occur.

 

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Table of Contents

 

HUGHES SATELLITE SYSTEMS CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — Continued

(Unaudited)

 

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

 

As of September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, the carrying value of our cash and cash equivalents; current marketable investment securities; trade accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts; and current liabilities is equal to or approximates fair value due to their short-term nature or proximity to current market rates.

 

Revenue Recognition

 

Revenue is recognized when an arrangement exists, prices are determinable, collectability is reasonably assured and the goods or services have been delivered.  If any of these criteria are not met, revenue recognition is deferred until such time as all of the criteria are met.  Revenue from equipment sales is generally recognized upon shipment to customers.  Revenue from digital broadcast operations and satellite services and other is recognized when the related services are performed.  Upfront fees collected in connection with the service arrangements for customers in our consumer market are deferred and recognized as service revenue over the estimated subscriber life.

 

In situations where customer offerings represent a bundled arrangement for both services and hardware, revenue elements are separated into their relevant components (services or hardware) for revenue recognition purposes.  We offer a rebate to qualifying new consumer subscribers and record a reduction in revenue in the same period in which the related sale occurs based on an estimate of the number of rebates that will be redeemed.  This estimate is based on historical experience and actual sales during the promotion.

 

Our Hughes segment has a consumer rental program, which typically allows customers in our consumer market to rent equipment with a 24-month service contract.  Once the initial contract ends, it becomes a month-to-month contract.  Revenue on the rental equipment is recognized on a monthly basis as service revenue over the customer contract term.

 

In August 2010, Hughes Communications was awarded $59 million from the U.S. Government as the only recipient of a national award under the broadband stimulus programs established pursuant to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.  Under the broadband stimulus program, eligible customers in our consumer market generally have month-to-month service contracts and do not have to pay for the rental of the equipment.

 

In addition to providing standard product and service offerings, our Hughes segment also enters into contracts to design, develop and deliver telecommunication networks to customers in our enterprise market.  These contracts for telecommunication networks require significant effort to develop and construct the network, over an extended time period.  Revenues are also earned from long-term contracts for the sale of mobile satellite communications systems.  Sales under these long-term contracts are recognized using the percentage-of-completion (cost-to-cost) method of accounting.  Under this method, sales are recorded equivalent to costs incurred plus a portion of the profit expected to be realized, based on the ratio of costs incurred to estimated total costs at completion.  Profits expected to be realized on long-term contracts are based on estimates of total sale values and costs at completion.  These estimates are reviewed and revised periodically throughout the lives of the contracts, and adjustments to profits resulting from such revisions are recorded in the accounting period in which the revisions are made.  Estimated losses on contracts are recorded in the period in which they are identified.

 

Research and Development

 

The cost of research and development is charged to expense as incurred.  During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, research and development expense was $6 million and $7 million, respectively, and was recorded in “Selling, general and administrative expenses” on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss).

 

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Table of Contents

 

HUGHES SATELLITE SYSTEMS CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — Continued

(Unaudited)

 

Debt Issuance Costs

 

Costs of issuing debt are generally deferred and amortized utilizing the effective interest method with amortization included in “Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized” on our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss).

 

Inventory

 

Inventory is stated at the lower of cost or market value. We use standard costs adjusted to reflect actual cost, based on variance analyses performed throughout the year which approximates the first-in, first-out method. Inventories are adjusted to net realizable value using management’s best estimates of future use. In making its assessment of future use or recovery, management considers the aging and composition of inventory balances, the effects of technological and/or design changes, forecasted future product demand based on firm or near-firm customer orders and alternative means of disposition of excess or obsolete items.

 

Subscriber Acquisition Costs

 

SAC is included in “Other noncurrent assets, net” on our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.  SAC consists of costs paid to third-party dealers and customer service representative commissions on new service activations and, in certain cases, the cost of hardware and installation services provided to customers at the inception of service or the cost of services for activities related to the consumer rental program.  SAC is deferred when a customer commits to a service agreement, and the deferred SAC is amortized over the contractual term as the related service revenue is earned.  We monitor the recoverability of SAC and are entitled to an early termination fee (secured by customer credit card information) if the subscriber cancels service prior to the end of the commitment period.  The recoverability of deferred SAC is reasonably assured through the monthly service fee charged to customers, the ability to recover the equipment or charge an unreturned equipment fee, and/or the ability to charge an early termination fee.

 

Capitalized Software Costs

 

Software development costs are capitalized and amortized using the straight-line method over the estimated useful life of the software, not in excess of five years.  Internal use capitalized software costs are included in “Property and equipment, net” on our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.  Software program reviews are conducted at least annually, or as events and circumstances warrant such a review, to determine if capitalized software development costs have been impaired and to ensure that costs associated with programs that are no longer generating revenue are expensed.

 

Cash and Cash Equivalents

 

We consider all highly liquid investments with original maturities of ninety days or less at the date of investment to be cash equivalents. As of September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, our cash equivalents primarily consist of money market funds, government bonds and corporate notes.

 

Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents

 

As of September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, our restricted cash and cash equivalents primarily include amounts required as collateral for our letters of credit or surety bonds.

 

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Table of Contents

 

HUGHES SATELLITE SYSTEMS CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — Continued

(Unaudited)

 

Marketable and Other Investment Securities

 

Marketable investment securities

 

We currently classify all marketable investment securities as available-for-sale.  We adjust the carrying value of our available-for-sale securities to fair value and report the related temporary unrealized gains and losses as a separate component of “Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)” within “Total shareholder’s equity (deficit),” net of related deferred income tax.  Declines in the fair value of a marketable investment security which are determined to be “other-than-temporary” are recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss), thus establishing a new cost basis for such investment.

 

We evaluate our marketable investment securities portfolio on a quarterly basis to determine whether declines in the fair value of these securities are other-than-temporary. This quarterly evaluation consists of reviewing, among other things:

 

·      the fair value of our marketable investment securities compared to the carrying amount,

·      the historical volatility of the price of each security, and

·      market and company specific factors related to each security.

 

Declines in the fair value of investments below cost basis are generally accounted for as follows:

 

Length of Time
Investment Has Been In a
Continuous Loss Position

 

Treatment of the Decline in Value
(absent specific factors to the contrary)

Less than six months

 

Generally considered temporary.

 

 

 

Six to nine months

 

Evaluated on a case by case basis to determine whether any company or market-specific factors exist which would indicate that such decline is other-than-temporary.

 

 

 

Greater than nine months

 

Generally considered other-than-temporary. The decline in value is recorded as a charge to earnings.

 

In situations where the fair value of a debt security is below its carrying amount, we consider the decline to be other-than-temporary and record a charge to earnings if any of the following factors apply:

 

·      We have the intent to sell the security.

·      It is more likely than not that we will be required to sell the security before maturity or recovery.

·      We do not expect to recover the security’s entire amortized cost basis, even if there is no intent to sell the security.

 

In general, we use the first in, first out method to determine the cost basis on sales of marketable investment securities.

 

Other investment securities

 

Generally, we account for our unconsolidated debt and equity investments under either the fair value, equity and/or cost method of accounting.  Because these equity securities are generally not publicly traded, it is not practical to regularly estimate the fair value of the investments; however, these investments are subject to an evaluation for other-than-temporary impairment on a quarterly basis.  This quarterly evaluation consists of reviewing, among other things, company business plans and current financial statements, if available, for factors that may indicate an impairment of our investment.  Such factors may include, but are not limited to, cash flow concerns, material litigation, violations of

 

F-39



Table of Contents

 

HUGHES SATELLITE SYSTEMS CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — Continued

(Unaudited)

 

debt covenants, bankruptcy and changes in business strategy.  The fair value of these equity investments is not estimated unless there are identified changes in circumstances that may indicate an impairment exists and these changes are likely to have a significant adverse effect on the fair value of the investment.  When impairments occur related to our foreign investments, any cumulative translation adjustment associated with these investments will remain in “Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)” within “Total shareholder’s equity (deficit)” on our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets until the investments are sold or otherwise liquidated; at which time, they will be released into our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss).

 

Property and Equipment

 

Property and equipment are stated at cost.  Depreciation is recorded on a straight-line basis over lives ranging from one to forty years.  Repair and maintenance costs are charged to expense when incurred.  Renewals and betterments are capitalized.

 

The cost of satellites under construction, including certain amounts prepaid under our satellite service agreements, is capitalized during the construction phase, assuming the eventual successful launch and in-orbit operation of the satellite.  If a satellite were to fail during launch or while in-orbit, generally, the resultant loss would be charged to expense in the period such loss was incurred.  The amount of any such loss would be reduced to the extent of insurance proceeds estimated to be received, if any.

 

Intangible Assets and FCC Authorizations

 

We do not amortize goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite useful lives, but test for impairment annually or whenever indicators of impairments arise.  Intangible assets that have finite lives are amortized over their estimated useful lives and tested for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable.  Generally, we have determined that our FCC licenses have indefinite useful lives due to the following:

 

·      FCC spectrum is a non-depleting asset;

·      replacement satellite applications are generally authorized by the FCC subject to certain conditions, without substantial cost under a stable regulatory, legislative and legal environment;

·      maintenance expenditures in order to obtain future cash flows are not significant; and

·      we intend to use these assets indefinitely.

 

In conducting our annual impairment tests, we have historically determined that the estimated fair value of the FCC licenses, calculated using the discounted cash flow analysis, exceeded their carrying amount.

 

Goodwill

 

Goodwill represents the excess of purchase price over the fair value of identified net assets of businesses acquired. We evaluate our goodwill impairment on an annual basis, or earlier if events and circumstances occur indicating that goodwill might be impaired.

 

Long-Lived Assets

 

We review our long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. This evaluation is performed at the lowest level for which identifiable cash flows are largely independent of the cash flows of other assets and liabilities. For assets which are held and used in operations, the asset would be impaired if the carrying value of the asset exceeded its undiscounted future net cash flows. Once an impairment is determined, the actual impairment is reported as the difference between the carrying value and the fair value as estimated using discounted cash flows. Assets which are to be disposed of are reported at the lower of the carrying amount or fair value less costs to sell. We consider relevant

 

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Table of Contents

 

HUGHES SATELLITE SYSTEMS CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — Continued

(Unaudited)

 

cash flow, estimated future operating results, trends and other available information in assessing whether the carrying value of assets are recoverable.

 

Foreign Currency

 

Certain of our foreign operations have determined the local currency to be their functional currency.  Accordingly, these foreign entities translate assets and liabilities from their local currencies to U.S. dollars using period-end exchange rates while income and expense accounts are translated at the average rates in effect during the period.  The resulting translation adjustment is recorded in “Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss),” a separate component of equity.

 

We also have foreign operations where the U.S. dollar has been determined as the functional currency.  Gains and losses resulting from re-measurement of the foreign currency denominated assets, liabilities and transactions into the U.S. dollar are recognized currently in the statements of operations and were not material in each of the periods presented herein.

 

Market Concentration and Credit Risk

 

We provide services and extend credit to a number of communications equipment customers, service providers, and a large number of consumers, both in the United States and around the world. We monitor our exposure to credit losses and maintain, as necessary, allowances for anticipated losses. Our EchoStar Satellite Services segment depends on DISH Network for a substantial portion of its revenue. As a result, any termination or reduction in the services we provide to DISH Network would adversely impact our results of operations and require us to aggressively pursue alternative sources of revenue.

 

Financial instruments that potentially subject us to a concentration of credit risk consist of cash, cash equivalents and marketable investments. Although we maintain cash balances at financial institutions that exceed federally insured limits, these balances are placed with high credit quality financial institutions.

 

Recently Adopted Accounting Guidance

 

In October 2009, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2009-13 amending Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 605 “Revenue Recognition” related to revenue arrangements with multiple deliverables.  Among other things, ASU 2009-13 provides guidance for entities in determining the accounting for multiple deliverable arrangements and establishes a hierarchy for determining the amount of revenue to allocate to the various deliverables.  The adoption of ASU 2009-13 on January 1, 2011 did not have a material impact on our financial statements.

 

In October 2009, the FASB issued ASU 2009-14 to amend ASC 605 to change the accounting model for revenue arrangements that include both tangible products and software elements.  The adoption of ASU 2009-14 on January 1, 2011 did not have a material impact on our financial statements.

 

New Accounting Pronouncements

 

In September 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-08 amending ASC 350 “Intangibles- Goodwill and Other” related to goodwill impairment testing.  Among other things, ASU 2011-08 allows an entity to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is necessary to perform the two-step quantitative goodwill impairment test.  Under these amendments, an entity would not be required to calculate the fair value of a reporting unit unless the entity determines, based on a qualitative assessment, that it is more likely than not that its fair value is less than its carrying amount.  The amendments include a number of events and circumstances for an entity to consider in conducting the qualitative assessment.  Although early adoption is allowed, the amendment is effective for impairment tests performed for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2011. We do not expect the adoption of ASU 2010-08 to have a material impact on our financial position or results of operations.

 

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Table of Contents

 

HUGHES SATELLITE SYSTEMS CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — Continued

(Unaudited)

 

Note 3.                          Marketable Investment Securities and Other Investment Securities

 

Our marketable investment securities and other investment securities consist of the following:

 

 

 

As of

 

 

 

September 30,

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2011

 

2010

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

Marketable investment securities:

 

 

 

 

 

Current marketable investment securities - VRDNs

 

$

97,165

 

$

 

Current marketable investment securities - strategic

 

5,398

 

 

Current marketable investment securities — other

 

156,933

 

 

Total marketable investment securities — current

 

259,496

 

 

Other investment securities— noncurrent:

 

 

 

 

 

Cost method

 

15,557

 

 

Equity method

 

6,001

 

724

 

Total other investment securities — noncurrent

 

21,558

 

724

 

Total marketable and other investment securities

 

$

281,054

 

$

724

 

 

Marketable Investment Securities

 

Our marketable investment securities portfolio consists of various debt and equity instruments, all of which are classified as available-for-sale.

 

Current Marketable Investment Securities - VRDNs

 

Variable rate demand notes (“VRDNs”) are long-term floating rate municipal bonds with embedded put options that allow the bondholder to sell the security at par plus accrued interest. All of the put options are secured by a pledged liquidity source. Our VRDN portfolio is comprised of investments in many municipalities, which are backed by financial institutions or other highly rated companies that serve as the pledged liquidity source. While they are classified as marketable investment securities, the put option allows VRDNs to be liquidated generally on a same day or on a five business day settlement basis.

 

Current Marketable Investment Securities - Strategic

 

Our current strategic marketable investment securities are highly speculative and have experienced and continue to experience volatility.  As of September 30, 2011, our strategic investment portfolio consisted of securities of a single issuer and the value of that portfolio depends on the value of that issuer.

 

Current Marketable Investment Securities - Other

 

Our other current marketable investment securities portfolio includes investments in various debt instruments including corporate and government bonds.

 

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Table of Contents

 

HUGHES SATELLITE SYSTEMS CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — Continued

(Unaudited)

 

Other Investment Securities - Noncurrent

 

We account for our unconsolidated debt and equity investments under the fair value, equity and/or cost method of accounting.  We have several strategic investments in certain equity securities that are included in noncurrent “Other investment securities” on our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.

 

Non-majority owned investments in equity securities are generally accounted for using the equity method when we have the ability to significantly influence the operating decisions of an investee.  However, when we do not have the ability to significantly influence the operating decisions of an investee, the cost method is used.

 

Our ability to realize value from our strategic investments in companies that are not publicly traded depends on the success of those companies’ businesses and their ability to obtain sufficient capital to execute their business plans.  Because private markets are not as liquid as public markets, there is also increased risk that we will not be able to sell these investments, or that when we desire to sell them we will not be able to obtain fair value for them.

 

Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Marketable Investment Securities

 

We had no investments in marketable investment securities as of December 31, 2010. As of September 30, 2011, we had accumulated net unrealized gains of $1 million, net of related tax effect as a part of “Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)” within “Total shareholder’s equity (deficit).”  A full valuation allowance has been established against any net deferred tax assets that are capital in nature.  The components of our available-for-sale investments are summarized in the table below.

 

 

 

As of September 30, 2011

 

 

 

Marketable

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investment

 

Unrealized

 

 

 

Securities

 

Gains

 

Losses

 

Net

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

Debt securities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

VRDNs

 

$

97,165

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

Other

 

156,933

 

26

 

(1,301

)

(1,275

)

Equity securities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other

 

5,398

 

2,225

 

 

2,225

 

Total marketable investment securities

 

$

259,496

 

$

2,251

 

$

(1,301

)

$

950

 

 

As of September 30, 2011, we had debt securities of $210 million with contractual maturities of one year or less and $44 million with contractual maturities greater than one year.  Actual maturities may differ from contractual maturities as a result of our ability to sell these securities prior to maturity.

 

As of September 30, 2011, the aggregate fair value of our debt securities that were in a loss position, all of which had been in a loss position for six months or less, totaled $107 million. We do not intend to sell our investments in debt securities before they recover or mature, and it is more likely than not that we will hold these debt investments until that time.  In addition, we are not aware of any specific factors indicating that the underlying issuers of these debt securities would not be able to pay interest as it becomes due or repay the principal at maturity.  Therefore, we believe that these changes in the estimated fair values of these marketable investment securities are primarily related to temporary market fluctuations.

 

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Fair Value Measurements

 

We determine fair value based on the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants.  Market or observable inputs are the preferred source of values, followed by unobservable inputs or assumptions based on hypothetical transactions in the absence of market inputs.  We apply the following hierarchy in determining fair value:

 

·                  Level 1, defined as observable inputs being quoted prices in active markets for identical assets;

 

·                  Level 2, defined as observable inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1, including quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active; and model-derived valuations in which significant inputs and significant value drivers are observable in active markets; and

 

·                  Level 3, defined as unobservable inputs for which little or no market data exists, consistent with reasonably available assumptions made by other participants therefore requiring assumptions based on the best information available.

 

As of September 30, 2011, we classified our current debt securities as Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy, as they were based on quoted market prices that can be derived from assumptions observable in the marketplace, and our current equity securities as Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy, as they have quoted market prices in active markets. These assets were measured at fair value on a recurring basis.

 

Note 4.                          Trade Accounts Receivable

 

Our trade accounts receivable consist of the following:

 

 

 

As of

 

 

 

September 30,

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2011

 

2010

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

Trade accounts receivable

 

$

149,736

 

$

11,230

 

Contracts in process

 

23,551

 

 

Total trade accounts receivable

 

173,287

 

11,230

 

Allowance for doubtful accounts

 

(10,467

)

(4,725

)

Trade accounts receivable, net

 

$

162,820

 

$

6,505

 

 

As of September 30, 2011, advances and progress billings offset against contracts in process amounted to $15 million.

 

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Note 5.                          Inventory

 

We had no inventory as of December 31, 2010. As of September 30, 2011, our inventory, related to the Hughes segment, consists of the following:

 

 

 

Amount

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

Finished goods

 

$

38,061

 

Work-in-process

 

18,065

 

Raw materials

 

6,827

 

Total inventory

 

$

62,953

 

 

Note 6.                          Property and Equipment

 

Property and equipment consist of the following:

 

 

 

Depreciable

 

As of

 

 

 

Life

 

September 30,

 

December 31,

 

 

 

(In Years)

 

2011

 

2010

 

 

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

Land

 

 

$

11,402

 

$

 

Buildings and improvements

 

1-40

 

56,586

 

 

Consumer rental equipment

 

3-4

 

142,264

 

 

Furniture, fixtures, equipment and other

 

1-10

 

129,138

 

13,812

 

Satellites:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EchoStar III - fully depreciated

 

N/A

 

234,083

 

234,083

 

EchoStar IV - fully depreciated

 

N/A

 

78,511

 

78,511

 

EchoStar VI

 

12

 

244,305

 

244,305

 

EchoStar VIII

 

12

 

175,801

 

175,801

 

EchoStar IX

 

12

 

127,376

 

127,376

 

EchoStar XII

 

10

 

190,051

 

190,051

 

SPACEWAY 3

 

15

 

286,707

 

 

Satellites acquired under capital leases

 

10-15

 

566,817

 

534,673

 

Construction in process

 

 

809,616

 

316,180

 

Total property and equipment

 

 

 

3,052,657

 

1,914,792

 

Accumulated depreciation

 

 

 

(1,215,201

)

(1,096,705

)

Property and equipment, net

 

 

 

$

1,837,456

 

$

818,087

 

 

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“Construction in process” consists of the following:

 

 

 

As of

 

 

 

September 30,

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2011

 

2010

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

Progress amounts for satellite construction, including certain amounts prepaid under satellite service agreements and launch costs:

 

 

 

 

 

QuetzSat-1

 

$

180,759

 

$

162,947

 

EchoStar XVI

 

209,552

 

100,312

 

Jupiter

 

338,580

 

 

Other

 

23,064

 

51,981

 

Buildings and improvements

 

64

 

 

Uplink equipment

 

46,133

 

 

Other

 

11,464

 

940

 

Construction in process

 

$

809,616

 

$

316,180

 

 

For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, we recorded $13 million and $28 million, respectively, of capitalized interest related to our satellites under construction.  For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010, we recorded $5 million and $12 million, respectively, of capitalized interest related to our satellites under construction.

 

Depreciation and amortization expense consists of the following:

 

 

 

For the Three Months
Ended September 30,

 

For the Nine Months
Ended September 30,

 

 

 

2011

 

2010

 

2011

 

2010

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

Satellites

 

$

29,455

 

$

22,594

 

$

77,015

 

$

70,095

 

Furniture, fixtures, equipment and other (including Consumer rental equipment)

 

31,474

 

551

 

40,678

 

1,701

 

Identifiable intangible assets subject to amortization

 

38,990

 

1

 

44,932

 

3

 

Buildings and improvements

 

1,129

 

 

1,351

 

 

Total depreciation and amortization

 

$

101,048

 

$

23,146

 

$

163,976

 

$

71,799

 

 

Cost of sales and other expense categories included in our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss) do not include depreciation expense.

 

Satellites

 

We currently utilize 11 satellites in geostationary orbit approximately 22,300 miles above the equator, including the SPACEWAYTM 3 satellite, which was added to our satellite fleet as a result of the Hughes Acquisition.  Five of these satellites are leased, and four of our leased satellites are accounted for as capital leases and are depreciated over the terms of the satellite service agreements.  We also lease capacity on one satellite from DISH Network that is accounted for as an operating lease.  See Note 12 for further discussion of our satellite leases with DISH Network.  We depreciate our owned satellites over the useful life of each satellite.

 

QuetzSat-1.  During 2008, we entered into a ten-year satellite service agreement with SES Latin America S.A. (“SES”) to lease all of the capacity on the QuetzSat-1 satellite, which was launched on September 29, 2011. This

 

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lease will be accounted for as a capital lease.  Upon expiration of the initial term, we have the option to renew the transponder service agreement on a year-to-year basis through the end-of-life of the QuetzSat-1 satellite.  DISH Network has agreed to lease 24 of the 32 direct broadcast satellite (“DBS”) transponders on this satellite from us.

 

In addition, we have two owned satellites that are currently under construction, as follows:

 

EchoStar XVI.  In November 2009, we entered into a contract for the construction of EchoStar XVI, a DBS satellite, which is expected to be launched during the second half of 2012 and will operate at the 61.5 degree orbital location.  DISH Network has agreed to lease all of the capacity on this satellite from us for a portion of its useful life.

 

Jupiter.  In June 2009, Hughes Communications entered into an agreement with Space Systems/Loral, Inc. (“SS/L”) for the design and manufacture of our next-generation, high throughput geostationary satellite (“Jupiter”).  Jupiter will employ a multi-spot beam, bent pipe Ka-band architecture and will provide additional capacity for our HughesNet service to the consumer market in North America.  Jupiter is expected to be launched during the first half of 2012.

 

Satellite Anomalies

 

Prior to 2011, certain satellites in our fleet experienced anomalies, some of which have had a significant adverse impact on their remaining useful life and/or commercial operation.  There can be no assurance that future anomalies will not further impact the remaining useful life and commercial operation of any of these satellites.  See “Long-Lived Satellite Assets” below for further discussion of evaluation of impairment.  In addition, there can be no assurance that we can recover critical transmission capacity in the event one or more of our in-orbit satellites were to fail.  We generally do not carry insurance for any of the in-orbit satellites that we use, and therefore we will bear the risk of any uninsured in-orbit failures.  Recent developments with respect to certain of our satellites are discussed below.

 

Owned Satellites

 

EchoStar IV.  During the third quarter of 2011, EchoStar IV was removed from the 77 degree orbital location and retired from commercial service.  This retirement did not have a material impact on our results of operations or financial position.

 

EchoStar VIII.  EchoStar VIII was designed to operate 32 DBS transponders in the continental United States at approximately 120 watts per channel, switchable to 16 DBS transponders operating at approximately 240 watts per channel.  EchoStar VIII was also designed with spot-beam technology.  This satellite has experienced several anomalies prior to and during 2011.  In January 2011, the satellite experienced an anomaly which temporarily disrupted electrical power to some components, causing an interruption of broadcast service.  In addition, it has now been determined one of the two on-board computers used to control the satellite failed in connection with this anomaly.  None of these anomalies has impacted the commercial operation or estimated useful life of the satellite.  However, there can be no assurance that this anomaly or any future anomalies will not reduce its useful life or impact its commercial operation.

 

Leased Satellites

 

AMC-15.  AMC-15, a fixed satellite services (“FSS”) satellite, commenced commercial operation during January 2005 and currently operates at the 105 degree orbital location.  This SES satellite is equipped with 24 Ku FSS transponders that operate at approximately 120 watts per channel and a Ka FSS payload consisting of 12 spot beams.  During 2011, AMC-15 experienced solar-power anomalies, which caused a power loss that reduced its capacity.  Pursuant to the AMC-15 satellite services agreement with SES, we are negotiating a reduction of our monthly recurring payment, which could impact the carrying value of the satellite and the related capital lease obligation.

 

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AMC-16.  AMC-16, an FSS satellite, commenced commercial operation during February 2005 and currently operates at the 85 degree orbital location.  This SES satellite is equipped with 24 Ku-band FSS transponders that operate at approximately 120 watts per channel and a Ka-band payload consisting of 12 spot beams.  During the first quarter of 2010, SES notified us that AMC-16 had experienced a solar-power anomaly, which caused a power loss that reduced its capacity.  Pursuant to the AMC-16 satellite services agreement with SES, we are entitled to a reduction of our monthly recurring payment in the event of a partial loss of satellite capacity.  Effective in March and July 2010, the monthly recurring payment was reduced and as a result our capital lease obligation and the corresponding asset value was lowered by a total of $39 million.  In addition, beginning in May 2011, the monthly recurring payment was reduced again due to the March 2010 anomaly and as a result our capital lease obligation was lowered by approximately $7 million and a gain was recorded in “Other, net” on our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss).

 

Long-Lived Satellite Assets

 

We evaluate our satellites for impairment and test for recoverability whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that their carrying amount may not be recoverable.  This evaluation is performed at the lowest level for which identifiable cash flows are largely independent of the cash flows of other assets and liabilities.  Certain of the anomalies discussed above, and previously disclosed, may be considered to represent a significant adverse change in the physical condition of a particular satellite.  However, based on the redundancy designed within each satellite, these anomalies are not considered to be significant events that would require evaluation for impairment recognition because the projected cash flows have not been significantly affected by these anomalies.

 

Note 7.                          Intangible Assets and Goodwill

 

Intangible Assets

 

As of September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, our identifiable intangible assets subject to amortization consisted of the following:

 

 

 

As of

 

 

 

September 30, 2011

 

December 31, 2010

 

 

 

Intangible

 

Accumulated

 

Intangible

 

Accumulated

 

 

 

Assets

 

Amortization

 

Assets

 

Amortization

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

Customer relationships

 

$

280,000

 

$

(29,714

)

$

 

$

 

Contract-based

 

67,100

 

(11,580

)

 

 

Technology-based

 

51,417

 

(2,770

)

18

 

(7

)

Trademark portfolio

 

29,850

 

(479

)

 

 

Favorable leases

 

4,707

 

(379

)

 

 

Total

 

$

433,074

 

$

(44,922

)

$

18

 

$

(7

)

 

Amortization of these intangible assets is recorded on a straight line basis over an average finite useful life primarily ranging from approximately one to twenty years or in relation to the estimated discounted cash flows over the life of the intangible.  Amortization was $39 million and $45 million during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, respectively. Amortization was nominal during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010.

 

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Estimated future amortization of our identifiable intangible assets as of September 30, 2011 is as follows:

 

 

 

Amount

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

For the Years Ended December 31,

 

 

 

2011 (remaining three months)

 

$

36,400

 

2012

 

68,822

 

2013

 

46,497

 

2014

 

56,052

 

2015

 

45,495

 

Thereafter

 

134,886

 

Total

 

$

388,152

 

 

Goodwill

 

The excess of our investments in consolidated subsidiaries over net tangible and identifiable intangible asset value at the time of the investment is recorded as goodwill and is not subject to amortization but is subject to impairment testing annually or whenever indicators of impairment arise.  The goodwill associated with the Hughes Acquisition is detailed in the table below.

 

 

 

Amount

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

Balance as of December 31, 2010

 

$

 

Hughes Acquisition

 

523,135

 

Balance as of September 30, 2011

 

$

523,135

 

 

Note 8.                          Debt and Capital Lease Obligations

 

6 1/2% Senior Secured Notes due 2019

 

On June 1, 2011, we issued $1.1 billion aggregate principal amount of our 6 1/2% Senior Secured Notes (the “Senior Secured Notes”) at an issue price of 100.0%, pursuant to a Secured Indenture dated June 1, 2011 (the “Secured Indenture”).  The Senior Secured Notes mature on June 15, 2019.  Interest accrues at an annual rate of 6 1/2% and is payable semi-annually in cash, in arrears on June 15 and December 15 of each year, commencing on December 15, 2011.

 

The Senior Secured Notes are redeemable, in whole or in part, at any time at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof plus a “make-whole” premium, as defined in the Secured Indenture, together with accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of redemption.  Prior to June 15, 2014, we may also redeem up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of the Senior Secured Notes at a redemption price equal to 106.500% of the principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of redemption, with the net cash proceeds from certain equity offerings or capital contributions.  In addition, prior to June 15, 2015, we may redeem up to 10% of the outstanding Senior Secured Notes per year at a redemption price equal to 103% of the principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of redemption.

 

The Senior Secured Notes are:

 

·      our general secured obligations;

·      secured by a first priority security interest in substantially all of our assets and the assets of certain of our subsidiaries, subject to certain exceptions and Permitted Liens (as defined in the Secured Indenture);

·      effectively junior to our obligations that are secured by assets that are not part of the Collateral (as defined in the Secured Indenture) that is securing the Senior Secured Notes, in each case to the extent of the value of the Collateral securing such obligations;

·      effectively senior to our existing and future unsecured obligations to the extent of the value of the Collateral

 

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securing the Senior Secured Notes, after giving effect to Permitted Liens;

·      senior in right of payment to all of our existing and future obligations that are expressly subordinated to the Senior Secured Notes;

·      structurally junior to any existing and future obligations of any non-Guarantor Subsidiaries (as defined in the Secured Indenture); and

·      unconditionally guaranteed, jointly and severally, on a general senior secured basis by each Guarantor (as defined in the Secured Indenture).

 

Subject to certain exceptions, the Secured Indenture contains restrictive covenants that, among other things, impose limitations on our ability and, in certain instances, the ability of our Restricted Subsidiaries (as defined in the Secured Indenture), to:

 

·      pay dividends or make distributions on our capital stock or repurchase our capital stock;

·      incur additional debt;

·      make certain investments;

·      create liens or enter into sale and leaseback transactions;

·      merge or consolidate with another company;

·      transfer and sell assets;

·      enter into transactions with affiliates; and

·      allow to exist certain restrictions on the ability of certain of our subsidiaries to pay dividends, make distributions, make other payments, or transfer assets to us.

 

In the event of a change of control, as defined in the Secured Indenture, we would be required to make an offer to repurchase all or any part of a holder’s Senior Secured Notes at a purchase price equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount thereof, together with accrued and unpaid interest thereon to the date of repurchase.

 

7 5/8% Senior Notes due 2021

 

On June 1, 2011, we issued $900 million aggregate principal amount of our 7 5/8% Senior Notes (the “Senior Notes”) at an issue price of 100.0%, pursuant to an Unsecured Indenture dated June 1, 2011 (the “Unsecured Indenture”).  The Senior Notes mature on June 15, 2021.  Interest accrues at an annual rate of 7 5/8% and is payable semi-annually in cash, in arrears on June 15 and December 15 of each year, commencing on December 15, 2011.

 

The Senior Notes are redeemable, in whole or in part, at any time at a redemption price equal to 100.0% of the principal amount plus a “make-whole” premium, as defined in the Unsecured Indenture, together with accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of redemption.  Prior to June 15, 2014, we may also redeem up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of the Senior Notes at a redemption price equal to 107.625% of the principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of redemption, with the net cash proceeds from certain equity offerings or capital contributions.

 

The Senior Notes are:

 

·      our general unsecured obligations;

·      effectively junior to our obligations that are secured to the extent of the value of the collateral securing such obligations;

·      senior in right of payment to all of our existing and future obligations that are expressly subordinated to the Senior Notes;

·      structurally junior to any existing and future obligations of any non-Guarantor Subsidiaries (as defined in the Unsecured Indenture); and

·      unconditionally guaranteed, jointly and severally, on a general senior basis by each Guarantor (as defined in the Unsecured Indenture).

 

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Subject to certain exceptions, the Unsecured Indenture contains restrictive covenants that, among other things, impose limitations on our ability and, in certain instances, the ability of our Restricted Subsidiaries (as defined in the Unsecured Indenture), to:

 

·      pay dividends or make distributions on our capital stock or repurchase our capital stock;

·      incur additional debt;

·      make certain investments;

·      create liens or enter into sale and leaseback transactions;

·      merge or consolidate with another company;

·      transfer and sell assets;

·      enter into transactions with affiliates; and

·      allow to exist certain restrictions on the ability of certain subsidiaries to pay dividends, make distributions, make other payments, or transfer assets to us.

 

In the event of a change of control, as defined in the Unsecured Indenture, we would be required to make an offer to repurchase all or any part of a holder’s Senior Notes at a purchase price equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount thereof, together with accrued and unpaid interest thereon to the date of repurchase.

 

Fair Value of our Debt

 

The following table summarizes the carrying and fair values of our debt facilities:

 

 

 

As of

 

 

 

September 30, 2011

 

December 31, 2010

 

 

 

Carrying
Value

 

Fair Value

 

Carrying
Value

 

Fair
Value

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

6 1/2% Senior Secured Notes due 2019

 

$

1,100,000

 

$

1,072,500

 

$

 

$

 

7 5/8% Senior Notes due 2021

 

900,000

 

873,000

 

 

 

Mortgages and other notes payable

 

6,706

 

6,706

 

6,314

 

6,314

 

Subtotal

 

2,006,706

 

$

1,952,206

 

6,314

 

$

6,314

 

Capital lease obligations (1)

 

389,606

 

NA

 

405,449

 

NA

 

Total debt and capital lease obligations

 

$

2,396,312

 

 

 

$

411,763

 

 

 

 


(1) Disclosure regarding fair value of capital leases is not required.

 

Capital Lease Obligations

 

As of September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, we had $567 million and $535 million, respectively, capitalized for the estimated fair value of satellites acquired under capital leases included in “Property and equipment, net,” with related accumulated depreciation of $289 million and $268 million, respectively.  In our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss), we recognized depreciation expense associated with our satellites accounted for as capital leases of $7 million and $6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively, and $21 million and $22 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively. The following satellites are accounted for as capital leases and depreciated over the terms of the respective satellite service agreements.

 

AMC-15.  AMC-15 commenced commercial operation during January 2005.  This lease is renewable by us on a year-to-year basis following the initial ten-year term, and provides us with certain rights to lease capacity on replacement satellites.  During 2011, AMC-15 experienced solar-power anomalies, which caused a power loss that

 

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reduced its capacity.  Pursuant to the satellite services agreement, we are negotiating a reduction of our monthly recurring payment, which could impact the carrying value of the satellite and the related capital lease obligation.

 

AMC-16.  AMC-16 commenced commercial operation during February 2005.  This lease is renewable by us on a year-to-year basis following the initial ten-year term, and provides us with certain rights to lease capacity on replacement satellites.  Effective in March and July 2010, the monthly recurring payment was reduced as a result of a March 2010 anomaly and as a result our capital lease obligation and the corresponding asset value was lowered by a total of $39 million.  In addition, beginning in May 2011, the monthly recurring payment was reduced again due to the March 2010 anomaly and as a result our capital lease obligation was lowered by approximately $7 million and a gain was recorded in “Other, net” on our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss).

 

Nimiq 5.  Nimiq 5 was launched in September 2009 and commenced commercial operation at the 72.7 degree orbital location during October 2009, where it provides additional high-powered capacity to our satellite fleet.  See Note 12 for further discussion.

 

QuetzSat-1.  QuetzSat-1 was launched in September 2011.  This lease is renewable by us on a year-to-year basis following the initial ten-year term and provides us with certain rights to lease capacity on replacement satellites.  See Note 12 for further discussion.

 

Future minimum lease payments under these capital lease obligations, together with the present value of the net minimum lease payments as of September 30, 2011 are as follows:

 

 

 

Amount

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

For the Years Ended December 31,

 

 

 

2011 (three months remaining)

 

$

30,667

 

2012

 

122,477

 

2013

 

121,674

 

2014

 

115,925

 

2015

 

50,200

 

Thereafter

 

429,000

 

Total minimum lease payments

 

869,943

 

Less: Amount representing lease of the orbital location and estimated executory costs (primarily insurance and maintenance) including profit thereon, included in total minimum lease payments

 

(264,921

)

Net minimum lease payments

 

605,022

 

Less: Amount representing interest

 

(215,416

)

Present value of net minimum lease payments

 

389,606

 

Less: Current portion

 

(56,117

)

Long-term portion of capital lease obligations

 

$

333,489

 

 

The summary of future maturities of our outstanding debt as of September 30, 2011 is included in the commitments table in Note 10.

 

Note 9.                          Acquisition

 

When we acquire a business, we allocate the purchase price to the various components of the acquisition based upon the fair value of each component using various valuation techniques, including the market approach, income approach and/or cost approach.

 

The accounting standard for business combinations requires most identifiable assets, liabilities, noncontrolling interests and goodwill acquired to be recorded at fair value. Transaction costs related to the acquisition of the

 

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business are expensed as incurred. Costs associated with the issuance of debt associated with a business combination are capitalized and included as a yield adjustment to the underlying debt’s stated rate.

 

Acquired intangible assets other than goodwill are amortized over their estimated useful lives unless the lives are determined to be indefinite.

 

Hughes Communications

 

On June 8, 2011, we completed the Hughes Acquisition, pursuant to the Hughes Agreement by and between us, EchoStar, certain subsidiaries of EchoStar, and Hughes Communications, Inc., following which Hughes Communications, Inc. became a direct, wholly-owned subsidiary of HSS.  Pursuant to the Hughes Agreement, 100% of the issued and outstanding shares of common stock and vested stock options of Hughes Communications, Inc. were converted into the right to receive $60.70 (minus any applicable exercise price) in cash and substantially all of the outstanding debt of Hughes Communications was repaid.  The funding of the Hughes Acquisition was supported by the issuance of $1.1 billion of senior secured notes and $900 million of senior unsecured notes.  See Note 8 for further discussion. In addition to the debt securities issued, EchoStar contributed cash and marketable investment securities and forgave certain intercompany accounts payables, net totaling $609 million for HSS.

 

In connection with the Hughes Acquisition, each share of unvested restricted stock and unvested stock option of Hughes Communications, Inc. was converted into the right to receive $60.70 (minus any applicable exercise price) in cash on the vesting date of the stock award.  As of September 30, 2011, our maximum liability for these unvested stock awards of Hughes Communications, Inc. was approximately $34 million, which is payable based on the original vesting terms of the stock award.  Of the $34 million, $18 million was accrued as of September 30, 2011 included in “Accrued payments in connection with Hughes Acquisition” on our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, the remainder of which will be recognized over the remaining vesting period associated with the stock award, the last of which expires in 2014.

 

In addition, we are also liable to pay approximately $17 million, of which $11 million was accrued as of September 30, 2011 included in “Accrued payments in connection with Hughes Acquisition” on our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, in change of control bonuses to certain of the executives of Hughes Communications in December 2011. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, we recognized $9 million and $11 million of expense associated with the change of control bonuses.

 

Hughes is the global leader in broadband satellite technologies and services and a leading provider of managed network services.  Together with Hughes, we have an extensive fleet of owned and leased satellites, experienced personnel and communications facilities around the world.  The acquisition significantly expands our ability to provide new video and data products and solutions.

 

The Hughes Acquisition was accounted for as a business combination.  However, we have not completed allocating the purchase price among the assets that were acquired and thus the allocation in the table below may change.

 

 

 

Amount

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

Cash

 

$

84,768

 

Marketable investment securities

 

22,148

 

Other current assets

 

281,205

 

Property and equipment

 

917,240

 

Intangibles

 

433,057

 

Goodwill

 

523,135

 

FCC authorizations

 

400,000

 

Other noncurrent assets

 

55,776

 

Current liabilities

 

(266,017

)

Deferred tax liabilities

 

(244,781

)

Long-term liabilities

 

(22,239

)

Non-controlling interests

 

(9,679

)

Total purchase price

 

$

2,174,613

 

 

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In connection with the Hughes Acquisition, we incurred $35 million of acquisition related transaction costs consisting primarily of banking, bond forfeiture, legal and accounting fees. These costs are included in “Hughes Acquisition costs” on our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss).

 

In connection with the issuance of our 6 1/2% Senior Secured Notes due 2019 and our 7 5/8% Senior Notes due 2021, we incurred $58 million of debt issuance costs, which are included in “Other noncurrent assets, net” on our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.  For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, we amortized $1 million and $2 million, respectively, of debt issuance costs.

 

The following unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated operating results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010 give effect to the Hughes Acquisition as if it occurred on January 1, 2010, except for certain transaction and compensation costs of $9 million and $46 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, respectively, which are included in the pro forma amounts below.  These pro forma amounts are not necessarily indicative of the operating results that would have occurred if these transactions had occurred on such date and should not be used as a predictive measure of our future financial position, results of operations or liquidity.  The pro forma adjustments are based on currently available information and certain assumptions that we believe are reasonable.

 

 

 

For the Three Months

 

For the Nine Months

 

 

 

Ended September 30,

 

Ended September 30,

 

Supplemental pro forma financial information (Unaudited)

 

2011

 

2010

 

2011

 

2010

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

Total revenue

 

$

355,860

 

$

331,805

 

$

1,041,062

 

$

953,851

 

Net income (loss) attributable to the HSS common shareholder

 

$

4,439

 

$

(29,882

)

$

(35,607

)

$

(60,986

)

 

Effective June 9, 2011, revenue and expenses associated with the Hughes Acquisition are included within the Hughes segment in our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss).  See Note 11 for further discussion.

 

Note 10.                   Commitments and Contingencies

 

Commitments

 

As of September 30, 2011, future maturities of our contractual obligations are summarized as follows:

 

 

 

Payments due by period

 

 

 

Total

 

2011

 

2012

 

2013

 

2014

 

2015

 

Thereafter

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

Long-term debt obligations

 

$

2,006,706

 

$

222

 

$

1,134

 

$

1,009

 

$

1,068

 

$

1,100

 

$

2,002,173

 

Capital lease obligations

 

389,606

 

13,573

 

57,486

 

62,528

 

64,284

 

12,487

 

179,248

 

Interest expense on long-term debt and capital lease obligations

 

1,481,289

 

85,351

 

175,292

 

169,982

 

164,219

 

160,528

 

725,917

 

Satellite-related obligations

 

1,165,149

 

105,056

 

275,841

 

126,768

 

99,773

 

78,774

 

478,937

 

Operating lease obligation

 

41,891

 

3,512

 

12,966

 

8,983

 

6,861

 

4,557

 

5,012

 

Purchase and other obligations

 

7,590

 

6,201

 

676

 

510

 

203

 

 

 

Payments in connection with Hughes Acquisition

 

22,426

 

5,798

 

7,012

 

5,866

 

3,750

 

 

 

Total

 

$

5,114,657

 

$

219,713

 

$

530,407

 

$

375,646

 

$

340,158

 

$

257,446

 

$

3,391,287

 

 

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(Unaudited)

 

Future commitments related to satellites, including two launch contracts for satellites that are currently under construction, as described below, are included in the table above under “Satellite-related obligations.”  Payments related to the QuetzSat-1 capital lease are currently included in “Satellite-related obligations” but will be reclassified to “Capital lease obligations” when the satellite is placed into service later this year.

 

·      EchoStar XVI.  During November 2009, we entered into a contract for the construction of EchoStar XVI, a DBS satellite, which is expected to be completed during the second half of 2012 and will operate at the 61.5 degree orbital location.  DISH Network has agreed to lease all of the capacity on this satellite from us for a portion of its useful life.  As of September 30, 2011, the remaining obligation related to EchoStar XVI of $85 million, including the launch contract, is included in the table above.

 

·      Jupiter.  During June 2009, Hughes Communications entered into an agreement with SS/L for the construction of Jupiter, which is expected to launch in the first half of 2012.  Barrett Xplore Inc. has agreed to lease the user beams designed to operate in Canada, which represents a portion of the capacity available on the Jupiter satellite.  As of September 30, 2011, the remaining obligation related to Jupiter of $103 million, including the launch contract, is included in the table above.

 

In certain circumstances, the dates on which we are obligated to make these payments could be delayed. These amounts will increase to the extent we procure insurance for our satellites or contract for the construction, launch or lease of additional satellites.

 

Acquisition of Brazilian Orbital Slot.  On August 30, 2011, we were declared the winner of the right to select an orbital slot in an auction conducted by ANATEL, the Brazilian communications regulatory authority.  We selected the 45 degree west longitude orbital location for a bid of approximately $79 million using an exchange rate of $1 to 1.8291 Brazilian Real as of September 30, 2011.  This amount is not included in the table above.  We must comply with certain post-auction regulatory and payment requirements before we will receive the orbital slot.  Once we receive the orbital slot, the slot will be used to expand our video and data capabilities in South America.

 

Contingencies

 

Separation Agreement

 

In connection with the Spin-off, EchoStar entered into a separation agreement with DISH Network that provides, among other things, for the division of certain liabilities, including liabilities resulting from litigation. Under the terms of the separation agreement, EchoStar has assumed certain liabilities that relate to its business including certain designated liabilities for acts or omissions that occurred prior to the Spin-off. Certain specific provisions govern intellectual property related claims under which, generally, EchoStar will only be liable for its acts or omissions following the Spin-off and DISH Network will indemnify EchoStar for any liabilities or damages resulting from intellectual property claims relating to the period prior to the Spin-off as well as DISH Network’s acts or omissions following the Spin-off.

 

Litigation

 

We are involved in a number of legal proceedings (including those described below) concerning matters arising in connection with the conduct of our business activities.  Many of these proceedings are at preliminary stages, and many of these cases seek an indeterminate amount of damages.  We regularly evaluate the status of legal proceedings in which we are involved, to assess whether a loss is probable or there is a reasonable possibility that a loss or additional loss may have been incurred and determine if accruals are appropriate.  We further evaluate each

 

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(Unaudited)

 

legal proceeding to assess whether an estimate of the possible loss or range of possible loss can be made, if accruals are not appropriate.

 

We are subject to various legal proceedings and claims which arise in the ordinary course of business. In our opinion, the amount of ultimate liability with respect to any of these actions is unlikely to materially affect our financial position, results of operations or liquidity.

 

Note 11.                   Segment Reporting

 

Operating segments are components of an enterprise for which separate financial information is available and regularly evaluated by the chief operating decision maker(s) of an enterprise. Total assets by segment have not been specified because the information is not available to the chief operating decision-maker. Under this definition, we operate two segments.

 

·      EchoStar Satellite Services — which uses 10 of our 11 owned and leased in-orbit satellites and related FCC licenses to lease capacity on a full-time and occasional-use basis primarily to DISH Network, and secondarily to Dish Mexico, U.S. government service providers, state agencies, Internet service providers, broadcast news organizations, programmers and private enterprise customers.

 

·      Hughes — which provides broadband network services and systems to the domestic and international enterprise markets and satellite broadband Internet access to North American consumers.  Hughes also provides managed services to large enterprises and networking systems solutions to customers for mobile satellite and wireless backhaul systems.  Effective June 9, 2011, Hughes became a new segment as a result of the Hughes Acquisition and the results of operations of Hughes Communications are included in this report only as of such date.  See Note 9 for further discussion of the transaction.

 

The “All Other” category consists of revenue and net income (loss) attributable to the HSS common shareholder from other operations including our corporate investment portfolio for which segment disclosure requirements do not apply.  In addition, this category includes interest expense related to our 6 1/2% Senior Secured Notes due 2019 and our 7 5/8% Senior Notes due 2021, net of capitalized interest.

 

The following table reports our operating segment data and reconciles earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”) to reported “Net income (loss) attributable to the HSS common shareholder” in our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss):

 

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(Unaudited)

 

 

 

EchoStar
Satellite
Services
Segment

 

Hughes
Segment

 

All
Other

 

Consolidated
Total

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2011

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total revenue

 

$

68,491

 

$

287,861

 

$

 

$

356,352

 

EBITDA (1)

 

44,371

 

67,294

 

181

 

111,846

 

Interest income (expense), net

 

(9,781

)

104

 

(22,576

)

(32,253

)

Income tax benefit (provision), net

 

7,694

 

1,440

 

 

9,134

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

(23,686

)

(77,362

)

 

(101,048

)

Net income (loss) attributable to the HSS common shareholder

 

$

18,598

 

$

(8,524

)

$

(22,395

)

$

(12,321

)

For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2011

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total revenue

 

$

205,989

 

$

369,784

 

$

 

$

575,773

 

EBITDA (1)

 

149,255

 

87,527

 

(33,740

)

203,042

 

Interest income (expense), net

 

(29,545

)

102

 

(19,638

)

(49,081

)

Income tax benefit (provision), net

 

(5,799

)

(171

)

7,667

 

1,697

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

(70,581

)

(93,395

)

 

(163,976

)

Net income (loss) attributable to the HSS common shareholder

 

$

43,330

 

$

(5,937

)

$

(45,711

)

$

(8,318

)

For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2010

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total revenue

 

$

66,870

 

$

 

$

 

$

66,870

 

EBITDA (1)

 

46,264

 

 

 

46,264

 

Interest income (expense), net

 

(9,491

)

 

5,288

 

(4,203

)

Income tax benefit (provision), net

 

(9,664

)

 

2,685

 

(6,979

)

Depreciation and amortization

 

(23,146

)

 

 

(23,146

)

Net income (loss) attributable to the HSS common shareholder

 

$

3,963

 

$

 

$

7,973

 

$

11,936

 

For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2010

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total revenue

 

$

196,631

 

$

 

$

 

$

196,631

 

EBITDA (1)

 

139,687

 

 

 

139,687

 

Interest income (expense), net

 

(31,652

)

 

12,130

 

(19,522

)

Income tax benefit (provision), net

 

(17,443

)

 

(403

)

(17,846

)

Depreciation and amortization

 

(71,799

)

 

 

(71,799

)

Net income (loss) attributable to the HSS common shareholder

 

$

18,793

 

$

 

$

11,727

 

$

30,520

 

 


(1)           EBITDA is not a measure determined in accordance with GAAP and should not be considered a substitute for operating income, net income or any other measure determined in accordance with GAAP.  Conceptually, EBITDA measures the amount of income generated each period that could be used to service debt, pay taxes and fund capital expenditures.  EBITDA should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures of performance prepared in accordance with GAAP.  EBITDA is used by our management as a measure of operating efficiency and overall financial performance for benchmarking against our peers and competitors.  Management believes EBITDA provides meaningful supplemental information regarding liquidity and the underlying operating performance of our business.  Management also believes that EBITDA is useful to investors because it is frequently used by securities analysts, investors and other interested parties to evaluate companies in our industries.

 

Geographic Information and Transactions with Major Customers

 

Geographic Information. Revenues are attributed to geographic regions based upon the location where the goods and services are provided. North American revenue includes transactions with North American customers. All other revenue includes transactions with customers in Asia, Africa, Australia, Europe, South America and the Middle East. The following table summarizes total long-lived assets and revenue attributed to the North American and other foreign locations.

 

 

 

As of

 

 

 

September 30,

 

December 31,

 

Long-lived assets, including FCC authorizations:

 

2011

 

2010

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

North America

 

$

3,188,306

 

$

883,756

 

All other

 

26,095

 

 

Total

 

$

3,214,401

 

$

883,756

 

 

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NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Continued

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

For the Three Months

 

For the Nine Months

 

 

 

Ended September 30,

 

Ended September 30,

 

Revenue:

 

2011

 

2010

 

2011

 

2010

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

North America

 

$

297,897

 

$

66,870

 

$

497,625

 

$

196,631

 

All other

 

58,455

 

 

78,148

 

 

Total

 

$

356,352

 

$

66,870

 

$

575,773

 

$

196,631

 

 

Transactions with Major Customers. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, our revenue included sales to one major customer.  The following table summarizes sales to this customer and its percentage of total revenue.

 

 

 

For the Three Months

 

For the Nine Months

 

 

 

Ended September 30,

 

Ended September 30,

 

Revenue:

 

2011

 

2010

 

2011

 

2010

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

DISH Network

 

$

54,526

 

$

51,691

 

$

160,554

 

$

157,114

 

All other

 

301,826

 

15,179

 

415,219

 

39,517

 

Total revenue

 

$

356,352

 

$

66,870

 

$

575,773

 

$

196,631

 

Percentage of total revenue:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DISH Network

 

15.3

%

77.3

%

27.9

%

79.9

%

All other

 

84.7

%

22.7

%

72.1

%

20.1

%

 

Note 12.                   Related Party Transactions

 

EchoStar

 

Our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss) include expense allocations for certain centralized corporate functions, including overhead, provided to us by EchoStar and certain services provided to us by DISH Network, as described below. These expense allocations include services for, among other things, treasury, tax, accounting and reporting, risk management, legal, internal audit, human resources, and information technology. For expenses that were clearly identifiable to us, allocations were made to us on a specific identification basis. For expenses that were not clearly identifiable to us, allocations were based on the relative percentages, as compared to EchoStar’s other businesses, of revenue, headcount or other appropriate methods depending on the nature of each item of cost allocated. We recorded expense for these services of $2 million and $1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively, and $6 million and $3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

 

DISH Network

 

Following the Spin-off, EchoStar and DISH Network have operated as separate public companies and DISH Network has no ownership interest in EchoStar or us.  However, a substantial majority of the voting power of the shares of EchoStar and DISH Network is owned beneficially by Charles W. Ergen, our Chairman, or by certain trusts established by Mr. Ergen for the benefit of his family.

 

In connection with the Spin-off and subsequent to the Spin-off, EchoStar and DISH Network have entered into certain agreements pursuant to which EchoStar and we obtain certain products, services and rights from DISH

 

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Network, DISH Network obtains certain products, services and rights from us and EchoStar, and we, EchoStar and DISH Network have indemnified each other against certain liabilities arising from our respective businesses.  In addition, we and EchoStar may enter into additional agreements with DISH Network in the future.

 

Generally, the prices charged for products and services provided under the agreements entered into in connection with the Spin-off are based on our cost plus a fixed margin (unless noted differently below), which varies depending on the nature of the products and services provided.

 

The following is a summary of the terms of the principal agreements that we have entered into with DISH Network that may have an impact on our financial position and results of operations.

 

“Services and other revenue — DISH Network”

 

Satellite Capacity Agreements.  In connection with the Spin-off and subsequent to the Spin-off, we entered into certain satellite capacity agreements pursuant to which DISH Network leases satellite capacity on certain satellites owned or leased by us.  The fees for the services provided under these satellite capacity agreements depend, among other things, upon the orbital location of the applicable satellite and the length of the lease.  The term of each of the leases is set forth below:

 

EchoStar III, VI, VIII and XII.  DISH Network leases certain satellite capacity from us on EchoStar VI, VIII and XII.  The leases generally terminate upon the earlier of:  (i) the end of life or replacement of the satellite (unless DISH Network determines to renew on a year-to-year basis); (ii) the date the satellite fails; (iii) the date the transponder on which service is being provided fails; or (iv) a certain date, which depends upon, among other things, the estimated useful life of the satellite, whether the replacement satellite fails at launch or in orbit prior to being placed into service, and the exercise of certain renewal options.  DISH Network generally has the option to renew each lease on a year-to-year basis through the end of the respective satellite’s life.  There can be no assurance that any options to renew such agreements will be exercised.  In August 2010, DISH Network’s lease of EchoStar III terminated when it was replaced by EchoStar XV, which is owned by DISH Network.

 

EchoStar IX.  DISH Network leases certain satellite capacity from us on EchoStar IX.  Subject to availability, DISH Network generally has the right to continue to lease satellite capacity from us on EchoStar IX on a month-to-month basis.

 

EchoStar XVI.  DISH Network will lease certain satellite capacity from us on EchoStar XVI after its service commencement date, and this lease generally terminates upon the earlier of:  (i) the end of life or replacement of the satellite; (ii) the date the satellite fails; (iii) the date the transponder(s) on which service is being provided under the agreement fails; or (iv) ten years following the actual service commencement date.  Upon expiration of the initial term, DISH Network has the option to renew on a year-to-year basis through the end of life of the satellite.  There can be no assurance that any options to renew this agreement will be exercised.  EchoStar XVI is expected to be launched during the second half of 2012.

 

EchoStar XV.  EchoStar XV is owned by DISH Network and is operated at the 61.5 degree orbital location.  The FCC has granted us an authorization to operate the satellite at the 61.5 degree orbital location.  For as long as EchoStar XV remains in service at the 61.5 degree orbital location, DISH Network is obligated to pay us a fee for the use of the orbital slot which varies depending on the number of frequencies being used by EchoStar XV.

 

Nimiq 5 Agreement.  During September 2009, we entered into a fifteen-year satellite service agreement with Telesat Canada (“Telesat”) to receive service on all 32 DBS transponders on the Nimiq 5 satellite at the 72.7 degree orbital location (the “Telesat Transponder Agreement”).  During September 2009, DISH Network also entered into a satellite service agreement (the “DISH Telesat Agreement”) with us, pursuant to which they will receive service from us on all 32 of the DBS transponders covered by the Telesat Transponder Agreement.  We and DISH Network

 

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(Unaudited)

 

are currently receiving service on 29 of these DBS transponders and will receive service on the remaining three DBS transponders on January 1, 2012.

 

Under the terms of the DISH Telesat Agreement, DISH Network makes certain monthly payments to us that commenced in October 2009 when the Nimiq 5 satellite was placed into service and continue through the service term.  Unless earlier terminated under the terms and conditions of the DISH Telesat Agreement, the service term will expire ten years following the date it was placed into service.  Upon expiration of the initial term, DISH Network has the option to renew the DISH Telesat Agreement on a year-to-year basis through the end of life of the Nimiq 5 satellite.  Upon in-orbit failure or end of life of the Nimiq 5 satellite, and in certain other circumstances, DISH Network has certain rights to receive service from us on a replacement satellite.  There can be no assurance that any options to renew this agreement will be exercised or that DISH Network will exercise its option to receive service on a replacement satellite.

 

QuetzSat-1 Agreement.  During 2008, we entered into a ten-year satellite service agreement with SES, which provides, among other things, for the provision by SES to us of service on 32 DBS transponders on the QuetzSat-1 satellite.  This satellite was launched on September 29, 2011 and was placed into service during the fourth quarter of 2011 at the 67.1 degree orbital location while we explore alternative uses for the QuetzSat-1 satellite.  We commenced payments under our agreement with SES upon the placement of the QuetzSat-1 satellite at the 67.1 degree orbital location.  During 2008, we also entered into a transponder service agreement  with DISH Network pursuant to which they will receive service from us on 24 of the DBS transponders on QuetzSat-1, which will replace certain other transponders leased from us.

 

Under the terms of our contractual arrangements with DISH Network, we will recognize revenue for the QuetzSat-1 satellite when it is placed into service at the 77 degree orbital location and continuing through the remainder of the service term.  Unless earlier terminated under the terms and conditions of our agreement with DISH Network for the QuetzSat-1 satellite, the initial service term will expire ten years following the date that QuetzSat-1 satellite was placed at the 67.1 degree orbital location.  Upon expiration of the initial service term, DISH Network has the option to renew the agreement for the QuetzSat-1 satellite on a year-to-year basis through the end of life of the QuetzSat-1 satellite.  Upon a launch failure, in-orbit failure or end of life of the QuetzSat-1 satellite, and in certain other circumstances, DISH Network has certain rights to receive service from us on a replacement satellite.  There can be no assurance that any options to renew this agreement will be exercised or that DISH Network will exercise its option to receive service on a replacement satellite.

 

TT&C Agreement.  In connection with the Spin-off, we entered into a telemetry, tracking and control (“TT&C”) agreement pursuant to which we provide TT&C services to DISH Network and its subsidiaries for a period ending on January 1, 2012.  The fees for services provided under the TT&C agreement are calculated at cost plus a fixed margin.  DISH Network may terminate the TT&C agreement for any reason upon at least 60 days notice.  We expect to enter into an agreement pursuant to which we will continue to provide certain TT&C services to DISH Network after January 1, 2012.

 

“General and administrative expenses — DISH Network”

 

Management Services Agreement.  In connection with the Spin-off, EchoStar entered into a management services agreement with DISH Network pursuant to which DISH Network makes certain of its officers available to provide services (which are primarily legal and accounting services) to us and EchoStar. Specifically, R. Stanton Dodge and Paul W. Orban remain employed by DISH Network, but also served as EchoStar’s Executive Vice President and General Counsel, and Senior Vice President and Controller, respectively, during the quarter ended September 30, 2011. EchoStar makes payments to DISH Network based upon an allocable portion of the personnel costs and expenses incurred by DISH Network with respect to such DISH Network officers (taking into account wages and fringe benefits). These allocations are based upon the estimated percentages of time to be spent by the DISH Network executive officers performing services for us and EchoStar under the management services agreement. EchoStar also reimburses DISH Network for direct out-of-pocket costs incurred by DISH Network for management

 

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HUGHES SATELLITE SYSTEMS CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Continued

(Unaudited)

 

services provided to us and EchoStar. EchoStar and DISH Network evaluate all charges for reasonableness at least annually and make any adjustments to these charges as EchoStar and DISH Network mutually agree upon. A portion of these costs and expenses has been allocated to HSS in the manner described above under the caption “EchoStar.”

 

The management services agreement automatically renewed on January 1, 2011 for an additional one-year period until January 1, 2012 and renews automatically for successive one-year periods thereafter, unless terminated earlier: (i) by us at any time upon at least 30 days notice; (ii) by DISH Network at the end of any renewal term, upon at least 180 days notice; or (iii) by DISH Network upon notice to us, following certain changes in control.

 

Professional Services Agreement.  Prior to 2010, in connection with the Spin-off, EchoStar entered into various agreements with DISH Network including the Transition Services Agreement, Satellite Procurement Agreement and Services Agreement, which all expired on January 1, 2010 and were replaced by the Professional Services Agreement.  During 2009, EchoStar and DISH Network agreed that EchoStar shall continue to have the right, but not the obligation, to receive from DISH Network the following services, among others, certain of which were previously provided under the transition services agreement:  information technology, travel and event coordination, internal audit, legal, accounting and tax, benefits administration, program acquisition services and other support services.  Additionally, EchoStar and DISH Network agreed that DISH Network shall continue to have the right, but not the obligation, to engage us to manage the process of procuring new satellite capacity for DISH Network (as discussed above, previously provided under the satellite procurement agreement) and receive logistics, procurement and quality assurance services from EchoStar (as discussed above, previously provided under the services agreement).  A portion of these fees has been allocated to us in the manner described above under the caption “EchoStar.” The professional services agreement expires on January 1, 2012, but renews automatically for successive one-year periods thereafter, unless terminated earlier by either party upon at least 60 days notice. However, either party may terminate the services it receives with respect to a particular service for any reason upon at least 30 days notice.

 

Other Agreements — DISH Network

 

Satellite Capacity Leased from DISH Network.  During 2009, we entered into a satellite capacity agreement pursuant to which we lease certain satellite capacity from DISH Network on EchoStar I. The fee for the services provided under this satellite capacity agreement depends, among other things, upon the orbital location of the satellite and the length of the lease.During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 the amount of those fees included in “Cost of sales — services and other” on our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss) was approximately $6 million and $17 million, respectively. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010, the amount of those fees included in “Cost of sales — services and other” on our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss) was approximately $5 million and $13 million, respectively.  The lease generally terminates upon the earlier of:  (i) the end of life or replacement of the satellite (unless we determine to renew on a year-to-year basis); (ii) the date the satellite fails; (iii) the date the transponder on which service is being provided fails; or (iv) a certain date, which depends, among other things, upon the estimated useful life of the satellite, whether the replacement satellite fails at launch or in orbit prior to being placed into service, and the exercise of certain renewal options. We generally have the option to renew this lease on a year-to-year basis through the end of the satellite’s life. There can be no assurance that any options to renew this agreement will be exercised.

 

Tax Sharing Agreement.  As a subsidiary of EchoStar, we are an indirect party to EchoStar’s tax sharing agreement with DISH Network that was entered into in connection with the Spin-off. This agreement governs EchoStar and DISH Network’s respective rights, responsibilities and obligations after the Spin-off with respect to taxes for the periods ending on or before the Spin-off. Generally, all pre-Spin-off taxes, including any taxes that are incurred as a result of restructuring activities undertaken to implement the Spin-off, are borne by DISH Network, and DISH Network will indemnify EchoStar for such taxes. However, DISH Network is not liable for and will not indemnify EchoStar for any taxes that are incurred as a result of the Spin-off or certain related transactions failing to qualify as tax-free distributions pursuant to any provision of Section 355 or Section 361 of the Code because of: (i) a direct or

 

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HUGHES SATELLITE SYSTEMS CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Continued

(Unaudited)

 

indirect acquisition of any of EchoStar’s stock, stock options or assets; (ii) any action that EchoStar takes or fails to take; or (iii) any action that EchoStar takes that is inconsistent with the information and representations furnished to the IRS in connection with the request for the private letter ruling, or to counsel in connection with any opinion being delivered by counsel with respect to the Spin-off or certain related transactions. In such case, EchoStar will be solely liable for, and will indemnify DISH Network for, any resulting taxes, as well as any losses, claims and expenses. The tax sharing agreement will only terminate after the later of the full period of all applicable statutes of limitations, including extensions, or once all rights and obligations are fully effectuated or performed.

 

Blockbuster.  On April 26, 2011, DISH Network acquired substantially all of the assets of Blockbuster, Inc. (“Blockbuster”).  Hughes Communications provides broadband products and services to Blockbuster.  For each of the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, we recognized less than $1 million and $1 million of revenue from Blockbuster, respectively.  As of September 30, 2011, we had a receivable balance of less than $1 million due from Blockbuster.

 

Hughes Systique Corporation (“Hughes Systique”)

 

We contract with Hughes Systique for software development services. In addition to our 45% ownership in Hughes Systique, Pradman Kaul, the CEO and President of Hughes Communications, Inc. and a member of EchoStar’s board of directors and his brother, who is the CEO and President of Hughes Systique, in the aggregate, owned approximately 26%, on an undiluted basis, of Hughes Systique’s outstanding shares as of September 30, 2011. Furthermore, Mr. Pradman Kaul serves on the board of directors of Hughes Systique. We are considered the “primary beneficiary” of Hughes Systique and as a result, we are required to consolidate Hughes Systique’s results of operations in our operating results.

 

Dish Mexico

 

During 2008, EchoStar entered into a joint venture for a direct-to-home (“DTH”) satellite service in Mexico known as Dish Mexico. Pursuant to these arrangements, we provide satellite capacity to Dish Mexico. For each of the three month periods ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, we recognized $2 million of revenue from Dish Mexico. For each of the nine month periods ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, we recognized $6 million of revenue from Dish Mexico. As of September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, amounts receivable from Dish Mexico totaled $1 million.

 

Note 13.                   Supplemental Guarantor and Non-Guarantor Financial Information

 

On June 1, 2011, the Company issued $1.1 billion aggregate principal amount of the Senior Secured Notes and $900 million aggregate principal amount of the Senior Notes.  See Note 8 for further information on the Senior Secured Notes and the Senior Notes.  Certain of the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiaries (together, the “Guarantor Subsidiaries”) have fully and unconditionally guaranteed, on a joint and several basis, the obligations of the Company under the Senior Secured Notes and the Senior Notes.

 

In lieu of separate financial statements of the Guarantor Subsidiaries, condensed consolidating financial information prepared in accordance with Rule 3-10(f) of Regulation S-X is presented below, including the condensed balance sheet information, the condensed statement of operations information and the condensed statement of cash flows information of the Company, the Guarantor Subsidiaries on a combined basis and the non-guarantor subsidiaries of the Company on a combined basis and the eliminations necessary to arrive at the corresponding information of the Company on a consolidated basis.

 

No condensed consolidating financial information is presented as of any date or for any period prior to January 1, 2011, as the Company had no independent assets or operations, and any subsidiaries of the Company other than the Guarantor Subsidiaries then existing, which have fully and unconditionally guaranteed, on a joint and several basis, the obligations of the Company under the Senior Secured Notes and the Senior Notes, were minor prior to January 1,

 

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HUGHES SATELLITE SYSTEMS CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Continued

(Unaudited)

 

2011.  As discussed in Note 8, the Secured Indenture and the Unsecured Indenture contain restrictive covenants that, among other things, impose limitations on the ability of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries to pay dividends or make distributions, incur additional debt, make certain investments, create liens or enter into sale and leaseback transactions, merge or consolidate with another company, transfer and sell assets, or enter into transactions with affiliates.

 

These condensed consolidating financial information should be read in conjunction with the Company’s consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included herein.

 

Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet as of September 30, 2011

(In thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

Guarantor

 

Non-Guarantor

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

HSS

 

Subsidiaries

 

Subsidiaries

 

Eliminations

 

Total

 

Assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

150,451

 

$

30,838

 

$

12,923

 

$

 

$

194,212

 

Marketable investment securities

 

254,099

 

5,397

 

 

 

259,496

 

Trade receivables, net

 

 

115,846

 

46,974

 

 

162,820

 

Trade receivables — DISH Network, net

 

 

36,097

 

81

 

 

36,178

 

Advances to affiliates, net

 

371,365

 

 

 

(371,365

)

 

Inventory

 

 

47,592

 

15,361

 

 

62,953

 

Other current assets

 

7

 

40,371

 

19,993

 

(71

)

60,300

 

Total current assets

 

775,922

 

276,141

 

95,332

 

(371,436

)

775,959

 

Restricted cash and cash equivalents

 

 

18,471

 

1,294

 

 

19,765

 

Property and equipment, net

 

 

1,809,057

 

28,399

 

 

1,837,456

 

Goodwill

 

 

523,135

 

 

 

523,135

 

FCC authorizations

 

 

465,658

 

 

 

465,658

 

Investment in subsidiaries

 

 

50,474

 

 

(50,474

)

 

Intercompany note and interest receivables

 

2,228,175

 

 

 

(2,228,175

)

 

Other noncurrent assets

 

134,244

 

495,864

 

1,248

 

(79,922

)

551,434

 

Total assets

 

$

3,138,341

 

$

3,638,800

 

$

126,273

 

$

(2,730,007

)

$

4,173,407

 

Liabilities and Shareholder’s Equity (Deficit)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Trade accounts payable

 

$

 

$

91,606

 

$

14,364

 

$

 

$

105,970

 

Trade accounts payable — DISH Network

 

5

 

6,850

 

 

 

6,855

 

Advances from affiliates, net

 

 

414,685

 

21,859

 

(427,690

)

8,854

 

Accrued expenses and other

 

63,296

 

146,448

 

27,418

 

(39

)

237,123

 

Current portion of long-term debt

 

 

55,890

 

1,480

 

 

57,370

 

Total current liabilities

 

63,301

 

715,479

 

65,121

 

(427,729

)

416,172

 

Long-term debt and capital lease obligations, net of current portion

 

2,000,000

 

336,981

 

1,961

 

 

2,338,942

 

Intercompany note and interest payables

 

 

2,228,175

 

 

(2,228,175

)

 

Other long-term liabilities

 

 

413,432

 

378

 

(79,954

)

333,856

 

Total HSS shareholder’s equity(deficit)

 

1,075,040

 

(55,267

)

49,416

 

5,851

 

1,075,040

 

Noncontrolling interests

 

 

 

9,397

 

 

9,397

 

Total liabilities and shareholder’s equity (deficit)

 

$

3,138,341

 

$

3,638,800

 

$

126,273

 

$

(2,730,007

)

$

4,173,407

 

 

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HUGHES SATELLITE SYSTEMS CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Continued

(Unaudited)

 

Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2011

(In thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

Guarantor

 

Non-Guarantor

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

HSS

 

Subsidiaries

 

Subsidiaries

 

Eliminations

 

Total

 

Revenue:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Services and revenue

 

$

 

$

289,512

 

$

46,977

 

$

(4,714

)

$

331,775

 

Services and revenue — DISH Network

 

 

160,405

 

52

 

 

160,457

 

Equipment revenue

 

 

76,871

 

11,952

 

(5,379

)

83,444

 

Equipment revenue — DISH Network

 

 

97

 

 

 

97

 

Total revenue

 

 

526,885

 

58,981

 

(10,093

)

575,773

 

Costs and Expenses (exclusive of depreciation shown separately below):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of sales — services and other

 

 

155,483

 

34,292

 

(4,498

)

185,277

 

Cost of sales — equipment

 

 

64,818

 

8,571

 

(4,848

)

68,541

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses

 

964

 

81,555

 

11,257

 

(747

)

93,029

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

160,818

 

3,158

 

 

163,976

 

Total costs and expenses

 

964

 

462,674

 

57,278

 

(10,093

)

510,823

 

Operating income (loss)

 

(964

)

64,211

 

1,703

 

 

64,950

 

Other Income (Expense):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest income

 

54,179

 

299

 

975

 

(53,630

)

1,823

 

Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized

 

(48,269

)

(55,525

)

(740

)

53,630

 

(50,904

)

Equity in earnings of subsidiaries

 

12,686

 

(739

)

 

(11,947

)

 

Other, net

 

(35,240

)

10,268

 

(555

)

 

(25,527

)

Total other income (expense)

 

(16,644

)

(45,697

)

(320

)

(11,947

)

(74,608

)

Income (loss) before income taxes

 

(17,608

)

18,514

 

1,383

 

(11,947

)

(9,658

)

Income tax (provision) benefit, net

 

9,647

 

(5,901

)

(2,049

)

 

1,697

 

Net income (loss)

 

(7,961

)

12,613

 

(666

)

(11,947

)

(7,961

)

Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests

 

 

 

357

 

 

357

 

Net income (loss) attributable to the HSS common shareholder

 

$

(7,961

)

$

12,613

 

$

(1,023

)

$

(11,947

)

$

(8,318

)

 

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HUGHES SATELLITE SYSTEMS CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Continued

(Unaudited)

 

Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations for the Three Months Ended September 30, 2011

(In thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

Guarantor

 

Non-Guarantor

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

HSS

 

Subsidiaries

 

Subsidiaries

 

Eliminations

 

Total

 

Revenue:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Services and revenue

 

$

 

$

209,478

 

$

37,310

 

$

(3,219

)

$

243,569

 

Services and revenue — DISH Network

 

 

54,377

 

52

 

 

54,429

 

Equipment revenue

 

 

55,906

 

6,554

 

(4,203

)

58,257

 

Equipment revenue — DISH Network

 

 

97

 

 

 

97

 

Total revenue

 

 

319,858

 

43,916

 

(7,422

)

356,352

 

Costs and Expenses (exclusive of depreciation shown separately below):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of sales — services and other

 

 

101,632

 

26,822

 

(3,074

)

125,380

 

Cost of sales — equipment

 

 

47,402

 

5,090

 

(3,763

)

48,729

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses

 

944

 

60,738

 

8,636

 

(585

)

69,733

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

98,488

 

2,560

 

 

101,048

 

Total costs and expenses

 

944

 

308,260

 

43,108

 

(7,422

)

344,890

 

Operating income (loss)

 

(944

)

11,598

 

808

 

 

11,462

 

Other Income (Expense):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest income

 

43,488

 

200

 

940

 

(43,090

)

1,538

 

Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized

 

(36,067

)

(40,091

)

(723

)

43,090

 

(33,791

)

Equity in earnings of subsidiaries

 

(14,946

)

(930

)

 

15,876

 

 

Other, net

 

(740

)

990

 

(644

)

 

(394

)

Total other income (expense)

 

(8,265

)

(39,831

)

(427

)

15,876

 

(32,647

)

Income (loss) before income taxes

 

(9,209

)

(28,233

)

381

 

15,876

 

(21,185

)

Income tax (provision) benefit, net

 

(2,842

)

13,116

 

(1,140

)

 

9,134

 

Net income (loss)

 

(12,051

)

(15,117

)

(759

)

15,876

 

(12,051

)

Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests

 

 

 

270

 

 

270

 

Net income (loss) attributable to the HSS common shareholder

 

$

(12,051

)

$

(15,117

)

$

(1,029

)

$

15,876

 

$

(12,321

)

 

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HUGHES SATELLITE SYSTEMS CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Continued

(Unaudited)

 

Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2011

(In thousands)

 

 

 

HSS

 

Guarantor
Subsidiaries

 

Non-
Guarantor
Subsidiaries

 

Eliminations

 

Total

 

Cash Flows From Operating Activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

 

$

(7,961

)

$

12,613

 

$

(666

)

$

(11,947

)

$

(7,961

)

Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash flows from operating activities

 

180,805

 

(11,905

)

19,810

 

11,947

 

200,657

 

Net cash flows provided by operating activities

 

172,844

 

708

 

19,144

 

 

192,696

 

Cash Flows From Investing Activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Purchases of marketable securities

 

(213,815

)

 

 

 

(213,815

)

Sales of maturities of marketable securities

 

424,808

 

 

 

 

424,808

 

Purchases of property and equipment

 

 

(182,669

)

(2,324

)

 

(184,993

)

Acquisition of Hughes, net

 

 

 

(2,089,845

)

 

 

(2,089,845

)

Intercompany note relating to Hughes Acquisition

 

(2,174,614

)

 

 

2,174,614

 

 

Change in restricted cash and cash equivalents

 

 

3,340

 

(1,294

)

 

2,046

 

Other, net

 

(1,226

)

(3,995

)

 

 

(5,221

)

Net cash flows from investing activities

 

(1,964,847

)

(2,273,169

)

(3,618

)

2,174,614

 

(2,067,020

)

Cash Flows From Financing Activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt

 

2,000,000

 

 

 

 

2,000,000

 

Intercompany note payable relating to Hughes Acquisition

 

 

2,174,614

 

 

(2,174,614

)

 

Repayments of long-term debt and capital lease obligations

 

 

(38,196

)

(3,464

)

 

(41,660

)

Debt issuance costs

 

(57,597

)

 

 

 

(57,597

)

Contributions from (distributions to) parent

 

 

166,379

 

 

 

166,379

 

Other

 

51

 

502

 

 

 

553

 

Net cash flows from financing activities

 

1,942,454

 

2,303,299

 

(3,464

)

(2,174,614

)

2,067,675

 

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

 

 

 

755

 

 

755

 

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

 

150,451

 

30,838

 

12,817

 

 

194,106

 

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

 

 

 

106

 

 

106

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

 

$

150,451

 

$

30,838

 

$

12,923

 

$

 

$

194,212

 

 

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Table of Contents

 

INDEX TO HUGHES COMMUNICATIONS, INC.’S CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2010, 2009, AND 2008

 

 

 

Page

Consolidated Financial Statements:

 

 

 

 

 

Report of Deloitte & Touche LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

F–68

Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 2010 and 2009

 

F–69

Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008

 

F–70

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008

 

F–71

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008

 

F–72

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

F–73

 

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Table of Contents

 

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 

To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of

Hughes Communications, Inc.

Germantown, Maryland

 

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Hughes Communications, Inc. and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2010 and 2009, and the related consolidated statements of operations, changes in equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2010. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.

 

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

In our opinion, such consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Hughes Communications, Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2010 and 2009, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2010, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

 

/s/ DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP

 

Baltimore, Maryland

March 7, 2011 (January 20, 2012 as to Note 26)

 

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Table of Contents

 

HUGHES COMMUNICATIONS, INC.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

 

 

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2010

 

2009

 

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

Current assets:

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

138,131

 

$

261,038

 

Marketable securities

 

44,532

 

47,188

 

Receivables, net

 

186,692

 

163,816

 

Inventories

 

57,819

 

60,244

 

Prepaid expenses and other

 

26,127

 

22,476

 

Total current assets

 

453,301

 

554,762

 

Property, net

 

774,052

 

602,403

 

Capitalized software costs, net

 

46,092

 

49,776

 

Intangible assets, net

 

11,440

 

14,524

 

Goodwill

 

5,093

 

5,093

 

Other assets

 

73,197

 

75,836

 

Total assets

 

$

1,363,175

 

$

1,302,394

 

LIABILITIES AND EQUITY

 

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable

 

$

120,202

 

$

119,461

 

Short-term debt

 

6,285

 

6,750

 

Accrued liabilities and other

 

128,790

 

131,774

 

Total current liabilities

 

255,277

 

257,985

 

Long-term debt

 

740,576

 

714,957

 

Other long-term liabilities

 

27,308

 

16,356

 

Total liabilities

 

1,023,161

 

989,298

 

Commitments and contingencies

 

 

 

 

 

Equity:

 

 

 

 

 

Hughes Communications, Inc. (“HCI”) stockholders’ equity:

 

 

 

 

 

Preferred stock, $0.001 par value; 1,000,000 shares authorized and no shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2010 and 2009

 

 

 

Common stock, $0.001 par value; 64,000,000 shares authorized; 21,834,787 shares and 21,633,539 shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively

 

22

 

22

 

Additional paid in capital

 

735,233

 

730,809

 

Accumulated deficit

 

(387,756

)

(410,543

)

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

 

(18,449

)

(16,247

)

Total HCI stockholders’ equity

 

329,050

 

304,041

 

Noncontrolling interests

 

10,964

 

9,055

 

Total equity

 

340,014

 

313,096

 

Total liabilities and equity

 

$

1,363,175

 

$

1,302,394

 

 

See accompanying Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

 

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Table of Contents

 

HUGHES COMMUNICATIONS, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

 

 

 

Year Ended December 31,

 

 

 

2010

 

2009

 

2008

 

Revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Services revenues

 

$

791,324

 

$

712,592

 

$

611,247

 

Hardware revenues

 

252,003

 

297,107

 

449,106

 

Total revenues

 

1,043,327

 

1,009,699

 

1,060,353

 

Operating costs and expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of services

 

493,023

 

448,804

 

406,697

 

Cost of hardware

 

234,805

 

289,516

 

378,264

 

Selling, general and administrative

 

206,512

 

180,675

 

177,848

 

Loss on impairments

 

 

50,639

 

 

Research and development

 

20,279

 

22,296

 

26,833

 

Amortization of intangible assets

 

3,084

 

5,457

 

6,419

 

Total operating costs and expenses

 

957,703

 

997,387

 

996,061

 

Operating income

 

85,624

 

12,312

 

64,292

 

Other income (expense):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest expense

 

(59,345

)

(64,119

)

(51,327

)

Interest income

 

2,043

 

2,222

 

4,377

 

Other income, net

 

374

 

214

 

178

 

Income (loss) before income tax expense and equity in earnings (losses) of unconsolidated affiliates

 

28,696

 

(49,371

)

17,520

 

Income tax expense

 

(5,716

)

(2,446

)

(7,593

)

Equity in earnings (losses) of unconsolidated affiliates

 

 

170

 

(599

)

Net income (loss)

 

22,980

 

(51,647

)

9,328

 

Net income attributable to the noncontrolling interests

 

(193

)

(1,046

)

(310

)

Net income (loss) attributable to HCI stockholders

 

$

22,787

 

$

(52,693

)

$

9,018

 

Income (loss) per share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

$

1.05

 

$

(2.46

)

$

0.44

 

Diluted

 

$

1.00

 

$

(2.46

)

$

0.44

 

Shares used in computation of per share data:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

21,606,162

 

21,393,151

 

20,317,155

 

Diluted

 

22,738,207

 

21,393,151

 

20,633,833

 

 

See accompanying Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

 

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Table of Contents

 

HUGHES COMMUNICATIONS, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN EQUITY

(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

 

 

 

HCI Shareholders’ Equity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common
Stock
($.001 par value)

 

Additional
Paid-In
Capital

 

Accumulated
Deficit

 

Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Loss

 

Noncontrolling
Interest

 

Total

 

Comprehensive
Income (Loss)

 

Balance at January 1, 2008

 

$

19

 

$

631,300

 

$

(366,868

)

$

(2,016

)

$

5,327

 

$

267,762

 

 

 

Issuance of common stock in connection with equity offering

 

2

 

93,044

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

93,046

 

 

 

Issuance of common stock through exercise of stock options

 

 

75

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

75

 

 

 

Issuance of restricted stock

 

1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1

 

 

 

Retirement of restricted stock and bonus units

 

 

 

(6,032

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

(6,032

)

 

 

Share-based compensation

 

 

 

5,724

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5,724

 

 

 

Other

 

 

 

447

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

447

 

 

 

Comprehensive income (loss):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

 

 

 

 

9,018

 

 

 

310

 

9,328

 

$

9,328

 

Foreign currency translation adjustments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(13,594

)

(923

)

(14,517

)

(14,517

)

Unrealized loss on hedging instruments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(13,931

)

 

(13,931

)

(13,931

)

Reclassification of realized loss on hedging instruments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,010

 

 

2,010

 

2,010

 

Unrealized loss on available-for-sale securities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(55

)

 

(55

)

(55

)

Balance at December 31, 2008

 

$

22

 

$

724,558

 

$

(357,850

)

$

(27,586

)

$

4,714

 

$

343,858

 

$

(17,165

)

Consolidation of Hughes Systique Corporation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3,372

 

3,372

 

 

 

Retirement of restricted stock

 

 

 

(724

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

(724

)

 

 

Share-based compensation

 

 

 

7,371

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7,371

 

 

 

Purchase of subsidiary shares from noncontrolling interests

 

 

 

(396

)

 

 

(19

)

(430

)

(845

)

 

 

Comprehensive income (loss):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

 

 

 

 

 

(52,693

)

 

 

1,046

 

(51,647

)

$

(51,647

)

Foreign currency translation adjustments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6,910

 

353

 

7,263

 

7,263

 

Unrealized gain on hedging instruments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,180

 

 

2,180

 

2,180

 

Reclassification of realized loss on hedging instruments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4,701

 

 

4,701

 

4,701

 

Unrealized loss on available-for-sale securities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(2,433

)

 

(2,433

)

(2,433

)

Balance at December 31, 2009

 

$

22

 

$

730,809

 

$

(410,543

)

$

(16,247

)

$

9,055

 

$

313,096

 

$

(39,936

)

Share-based compensation

 

 

 

7,514

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7,514

 

 

 

Retirement of restricted stock and bonus units

 

 

 

(3,224

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

(3,224

)

 

 

Issuance of common stock through exercise of stock options

 

 

 

134

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

134

 

 

 

Investment in a joint venture

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,462

 

1,462

 

 

 

Comprehensive income (loss):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

 

 

 

 

22,787

 

 

 

193

 

22,980

 

$

22,980

 

Foreign currency translation adjustments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

642

 

254

 

896

 

896

 

Unrealized loss on hedging instruments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(7,938

)

 

(7,938

)

(7,938

)

Reclassification of realized loss on hedging instruments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5,559

 

 

5,559

 

5,559

 

Unrealized loss on available-for-sale securities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(465

)

 

(465

)

(465

)

Balance at December 31, 2010

 

$

22

 

$

735,233

 

$

(387,756

)

$

(18,449

)

$

10,964

 

$

340,014

 

$

21,032

 

 

See accompanying Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

 

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Table of Contents

 

HUGHES COMMUNICATIONS, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(In thousands)

 

 

 

Year Ended December 31,

 

 

 

2010

 

2009

 

2008

 

Cash flows from operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

 

$

22,980

 

$

(51,647

)

$

9,328

 

Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash flows from operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

131,586

 

102,731

 

68,937

 

Amortization of debt issuance costs

 

2,818

 

2,025

 

1,424

 

Share-based compensation expense

 

7,514

 

7,371

 

5,724

 

Equity in (earnings) losses from unconsolidated affiliates

 

 

(170

)

599

 

Loss on impairments

 

 

50,639

 

 

Other

 

(56

)

535

 

(97

)

Change in other operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisition:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Receivables, net

 

(22,371

)

41,584

 

(2,540

)

Inventories

 

1,697

 

6,438

 

(2,710

)

Prepaid expenses and other

 

1,721

 

5,369

 

(9,319

)

Accounts payable

 

20,098

 

13,954

 

6,314

 

Accrued liabilities and other

 

(17,266

)

(27,447

)

(5,957

)

Net cash provided by operating activities

 

148,721

 

151,382

 

71,703

 

Cash flows from investing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Change in restricted cash

 

1,211

 

223

 

3,104

 

Purchases of marketable securities

 

(105,692

)

(62,118

)

(2,070

)

Proceeds from sales of marketable securities

 

108,289

 

15,000

 

19,190

 

Expenditures for property

 

(282,819

)

(150,764

)

(81,669

)

Expenditures for capitalized software

 

(13,073

)

(12,772

)

(14,564

)

Proceeds from sale of property

 

205

 

397

 

 

Acquisition of Helius, Inc., net of cash received

 

 

 

(10,543

)

Cash acquired, consolidation of Hughes Systique Corporation

 

 

828

 

 

Long-term loan receivable

 

 

(10,000

)

 

Investment in Hughes Systique Corporation

 

 

 

(1,500

)

Hughes Systique Corporation note receivables

 

 

 

(500

)

Other, net

 

1,847

 

(830

)

 

Net cash used in investing activities

 

(290,032

)

(220,036

)

(88,552

)

Cash flows from financing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Short-term revolver borrowings

 

4,761

 

6,791

 

 

Repayments of revolver borrowings

 

(5,347

)

(7,861

)

 

Net increase in notes and loans payable

 

 

 

223

 

Proceeds from equity offering

 

 

 

93,046

 

Proceeds from exercise of stock options

 

134

 

 

75

 

Long-term debt borrowings

 

31,602

 

147,849

 

3,606

 

Repayment of long-term debt

 

(6,252

)

(12,377

)

(13,749

)

Debt issuance costs

 

(7,140

)

(4,612

)

 

Net cash provided by financing activities

 

17,758

 

129,790

 

83,201

 

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

 

646

 

(3,914

)

3,372

 

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

 

(122,907

)

57,222

 

69,724

 

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the period

 

261,038

 

203,816

 

134,092

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of the period

 

$

138,131

 

$

261,038

 

$

203,816

 

Supplemental cash flow information:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash paid for interest, net of amounts capitalized

 

$

53,205

 

$

60,410

 

$

54,138

 

Cash paid for income taxes

 

$

7,521

 

$

5,659

 

$

3,622

 

Supplemental non-cash disclosures related to:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Capitalized software and property acquired, not paid

 

$

26,954

 

$

26,946

 

 

 

Investment in Hughes Telematics, Inc.

 

 

 

$

13,000

 

 

 

Consolidation of Hughes Systique Corporation

 

 

 

$

5,328

 

 

 

95 West capital lease

 

 

 

 

 

$

5,751

 

 

See accompanying Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

 

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Table of Contents

 

HUGHES COMMUNICATIONS, INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Note 1:  Organization and Description of Business

 

Hughes Communications, Inc. (“HCI”) and, together with its consolidated subsidiaries, the “Company” or “we”) was formed as a Delaware corporation on June 23, 2005 and we are a publicly traded company. Our stock trades on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol “HUGH.”

 

We operate our business primarily through our wholly-owned subsidiary, Hughes Network Systems, LLC (“HNS”). We are a telecommunications company that provides equipment and services to the broadband communications marketplace. We have extensive technical expertise in satellite, wireline and wireless communications which we utilize in a number of product and service offerings. In particular, we offer a spectrum of broadband equipment and services to the managed services market, which is comprised of enterprises with a requirement to connect a large number of geographically dispersed locations with reliable, scalable, and cost-effective applications, such as credit card verification, inventory tracking and control, and broadcast video. We provide broadband network services and systems to the international and domestic enterprise markets and satellite broadband Internet access to North American consumers, which we refer to as the Consumer market. In addition, we provide networking systems solutions to customers for mobile satellite, wireless backhaul systems and telematics. These services are generally provided on a contract or project basis and may involve the use of proprietary products engineered by us.

 

We have five reportable segments, which we operate and manage as strategic business units and organize by products and services. We measure and evaluate our reportable segments based on the operating earnings of the respective segments. Our business segments include: (i) the North America Broadband segment; (ii) the International Broadband segment; (iii) the Telecom Systems segment; (iv) the HTS Satellite segment; and (v) the Corporate and Other segment. The North America Broadband segment consists of the Consumer group, which delivers broadband Internet service to consumer customers, and the Enterprise group, which provides satellite, wireline and wireless communication network products and services to enterprises. The International Broadband segment consists of our international service companies and provides managed network services and equipment to enterprise customers and broadband service providers worldwide. The Telecom Systems segment consists of the Mobile Satellite Systems group, the Terrestrial Microwave group, and the Telematics group. The Mobile Satellite Systems group provides turnkey satellite ground segment systems to mobile system operators. The Terrestrial Microwave group provides point-to-multipoint microwave radio network systems that are used for both cellular backhaul and broadband wireless access. The Telematics group provides development, engineering and manufacturing services to Hughes Telematics, Inc. (“HTI”). However, as a result of the unfavorable impact of the economy on the automobile industry in 2009, HTI terminated substantially all of the development, engineering and manufacturing services with us in August 2009. We expect our future revenue from the Telematics group to be insignificant. The HTS Satellite segment, which is a new segment starting in 2010, consists of activities related to the development, construction and launch of high throughput satellites (“HTS”) and currently represents construction activities of our new satellite named Jupiter and the development of related network equipment. As a result of the newly established HTS Satellite segment in 2010, construction activities of Jupiter in 2009, which was included in the North America Broadband segment, have been reclassified to the HTS Satellite segment to conform to the current period presentation. The Corporate and Other segment includes certain minority interest investments held by us and our corporate offices and assets not specifically related to another business segment.

 

Note 2:  Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

 

Basis of Presentation

 

The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with: (i) generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“GAAP”); (ii) the instructions to Form 10-K; and (iii) the guidance of Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, for financial statements required to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). They include the assets, liabilities, results of operations and cash flows of the Company, including its domestic and foreign

 

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HUGHES COMMUNICATIONS, INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — Continued

 

subsidiaries that are more than 50% owned or for which the Company is deemed to be the primary beneficiary as defined by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (the “ASC” or the “Codification”) 810, “Consolidation.” Entities in which the Company holds at least 20% ownership or in which there are other indicators of significant influence are generally accounted for by the equity method, whereby the Company records its proportionate share of the entities’ results of operations. Entities in which the Company holds less than 20% ownership and does not have the ability to exercise significant influence are generally carried at cost. As a result of our new segment in 2010, the HTS Satellite segment, certain prior period items in these consolidated financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation.

 

Effective January 1, 2009, we adopted the update to ASC 810 relating to noncontrolling interests, which did not have a material impact on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. However, the update impacted the presentation and disclosure of noncontrolling interests on our consolidated financial statements. As a result, certain prior period items in these consolidated financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation.

 

All intercompany balances and transactions with subsidiaries and other consolidated entities have been eliminated.

 

Use of Estimates in the Preparation of the Consolidated Financial Statements

 

The preparation of our consolidated financial statements in accordance with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses. Management bases its estimates and assumptions on historical experience and on various other factors that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. Due to the inherent uncertainty involved in making estimates, actual results reported in future periods may be affected by changes in those estimates.

 

Market Concentrations and Credit Risk

 

We provide services and extend credit to a number of communications equipment customers, service providers, and a large number of consumers, both in the United States and around the world. We monitor our exposure to credit losses and maintain, as necessary, allowances for anticipated losses. No single customer accounted for more than 10% of total annual revenues in any of the periods presented in this report. Financial instruments which potentially subject us to a concentration of credit risk consist of cash, cash equivalents and marketable investments. Although we maintain cash balances at financial institutions that exceed federally insured limits, these balances are placed with high credit quality financial institutions.

 

Revenue Recognition

 

Service revenues and hardware revenues are generally recognized when services are rendered or products are installed and as title passes to those customers, net of sales taxes. Billings for revenues that have not been earned are deferred and recognized in the period when earned. In situations where customer offerings represent a bundled arrangement for both services and hardware, revenue elements are separated into their relevant components (services or hardware) for revenue recognition purposes. We offer a rebate to qualifying new consumer subscribers and record a reduction in revenue in the same period in which the related sale occurs based on an estimate of the number of rebates that will be redeemed. This estimate is based on historical experience and actual sales during the promotion.

 

Our consumer rental program allows consumer customers to rent the equipment with a 24-month service contract. Once the initial contract ends, it becomes a month-to-month contract. Revenue on the rental equipment is recognized on a monthly basis as service revenue until the customer terminates the contracts with us.

 

In August 2010, we were awarded $58.7 million from the U.S. Government as the only national provider of high-speed satellite broadband service under the broadband stimulus programs, established pursuant to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. Under the consumer broadband stimulus program, eligible consumer customers have month-to-month service contracts and do not have to pay for the rental of the equipment.

 

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Table of Contents

 

HUGHES COMMUNICATIONS, INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — Continued

 

All upfront fees collected in connection with the service arrangements are deferred and recognized as service revenue over the term of the customer arrangement.

 

In addition to providing standard product and service offerings, we also enter into contracts to design, develop and deliver telecommunication networks to customers. These contracts for telecommunication networks require significant effort to develop and construct the network, over an extended time period. Revenues are also earned from long-term contracts for the sale of mobile satellite communications systems. Sales under these long-term contracts are recognized using the percentage-of-completion (cost-to-cost) method of accounting. Under this method, sales are recorded equivalent to costs incurred plus a portion of the profit expected to be realized, based on the ratio of costs incurred to estimated total costs at completion. Profits expected to be realized on long-term contracts are based on estimates of total sale values and costs at completion. These estimates are reviewed and revised periodically throughout the lives of the contracts, and adjustments to profits resulting from such revisions are recorded in the accounting period in which the revisions are made. Estimated losses on contracts are recorded in the period in which they are identified.

 

Income Taxes

 

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases and for operating loss and tax credit carryforwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to be applied to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. Under the terms of the April 22, 2005 agreement entered into between LightSquared, Inc. (“LightSquared,” formerly SkyTerra Communications, Inc.) and DTV Network Systems, Inc. (“DTV Networks”) whereby LightSquared acquired 50% of HNS voting, or Class A membership interests, DIRECTV retains the tax benefits from the net operating losses generated by DTV Networks and has responsibility for all of the pre-closing domestic and international income tax liabilities of DTV Networks. We have recorded a liability in the balance sheet for the estimated amount we may be required to pay to DIRECTV resulting from prepaid taxes exceeding tax liabilities as of April 22, 2005.

 

We record net deferred tax assets to the extent we believe these assets will more-likely-than-not be realized. In making such determination, we consider all available positive and negative evidence, including scheduled reversals of deferred tax liabilities, projected future taxable income, tax planning strategies and recent financial operations. In the event we were to determine that we would be able to realize our deferred income tax assets in the future in excess of their net recorded amount, we would make an adjustment to the valuation allowance which may reduce the provision for income taxes.

 

Income tax positions must meet a more-likely-than-not recognition threshold at the effective date to be recognized upon the adoption of ASC 740 and in subsequent periods. ASC 740 provides that a tax benefit from an uncertain tax position may be recognized when it is more-likely-than-not that the position will be sustained upon examination, including resolutions of any related appeals or litigation processes, based on the technical merits. It also provides guidance on measurement, derecognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure and transition.The Company recognizes interest accrued related to unrecognized tax benefits in operating expenses and penalties in income tax expense in the consolidated statements of operations.

 

As a result of the revision in ASC 805, “Business Combinations,” effective January 1, 2009, adjustments recorded to the valuation allowance related to deferred tax assets recognized in connection with earlier business combinations will impact tax expense in lieu of recording an adjustment to intangible assets.

 

Cash and Cash Equivalents

 

We consider all highly liquid investments with original maturities of ninety days or less at the date of investment to be cash equivalents.

 

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HUGHES COMMUNICATIONS, INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — Continued

 

Restricted Cash

 

Cash subject to restrictions expiring within one year is included in Prepaid expenses and other in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets. Cash subject to restrictions expiring beyond one year is included in Other assets in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets. As of December 31, 2010 and 2009, we had $0.7 million and $1.9 million of restricted cash, respectively, which secures certain of our letters of credit. As of December 31, 2010, restrictions on the cash relating to letters of credit will be released as the letters of credit expire through December 2013.

 

Marketable Securities

 

We classify all debt securities with original maturities exceeding ninety days as available-for-sale investments in accordance with ASC 320, “Investment—Debt and Equity Securities.” Securities classified as available-for-sale securities are carried at fair value with the related unrealized gains and losses reported as a component of accumulated other comprehensive loss (“AOCL”). Fair value is based on quoted market prices as of the reporting date. The book value of these securities is adjusted for amortization or accretion of premium and discounts over the contractual lives of the securities, which is included in Interest income in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations.

 

Available-for-sale investments in debt securities that have an unrealized loss are evaluated for impairment in accordance with ASC 320. Our management uses judgments to evaluate each security held at a loss based on market conditions and other factors to determine if the decline in the market value of the security indicates an other-than-temporary impairment. When our management believes that the security is impaired, we recognize the impairment charge by writing down the amortized cost basis of the security to its estimated fair market value.

 

The Company had no investments classified as trading or held-to-maturity at December 31, 2010 and 2009.

 

Property and Depreciation

 

Property and equipment are carried at cost and depreciated or amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives, generally three to thirty years. Land is carried at cost, and land improvements are depreciated over ten years. Buildings are depreciated over thirty years. Leasehold improvements are amortized over the lesser of their estimated useful lives or lease term.

 

A significant component of our property and equipment is the capitalized costs associated with the satellite and related assets, which include costs associated with the construction of the satellite, launch services, insurance premiums for the satellite launch and the in-orbit testing period, capitalized interest incurred during the construction of the satellite, and other costs directly related to the satellite. Capitalized satellite costs are depreciated on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful life of 15 years. The Company periodically reviews, at least annually, the remaining estimated useful life of the satellite to determine if revisions to the estimated life are necessary.

 

Our Consumer rental equipment is related to our consumer rental program which allows consumer customers to rent the equipment with a 24-month service contract. Once the initial contract ends, it becomes a month-to-month contract. Consumer rental equipment includes the cost of installation and customer premise equipment, which is depreciated on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful life of 2-4 years.

 

Capitalized Software Costs

 

Software development costs are capitalized in accordance with ASC 985-20, “Costs of Computer Software to Be Sold, Leased, or Otherwise Marketed.” Capitalized software development costs are amortized using the straight-line method over their estimated useful lives, not in excess of five years. Software program reviews are conducted at least annually, or as events and circumstances warrant such a review, to ensure that capitalized software development costs are not impaired and that costs associated with programs that are no longer generating revenue are expensed. Amortization of software development costs was $10.1 million, $14.2 million and $11.3 million for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively.

 

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HUGHES COMMUNICATIONS, INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — Continued

 

Intangible Assets

 

Intangible assets acquired in connection with business combinations which have finite lives are amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives. Intangible assets are retired when they are fully amortized. Intangible assets and their estimated useful lives as of December 31, 2010 are as follows:

 

 

 

Life (Years)

Customer relationships

 

7 – 8

Patented technology

 

8

Trademarks

 

10

Favorable leases

 

3

 

Goodwill

 

Goodwill is the excess of purchase price over the fair value of identified net assets of businesses acquired. Goodwill is accounted for in accordance with ASC 350, “Intangibles—Goodwill and Other.” Under the provisions of this statement, the Company’s goodwill is tested at the reporting unit level for impairment on an annual basis during the fourth quarter, or earlier if events and circumstances occur indicating that goodwill might be impaired. During 2010, 2009 and 2008, the Company did not recognize any goodwill impairment charges.

 

Debt Issuance Costs

 

Debt issuance costs are amortized based upon the lives of the associated debt obligations using the effective interest method with such amortization included in Interest expense in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations. For the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, we amortized $2.8 million, $2.0 million and $1.4 million, respectively, of debt issuance costs related to our debts. As of December 31, 2010 and 2009, the Company had $17.2 million and $12.9 million, respectively, of unamortized debt issuance costs included in Other assets in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets.

 

Subscriber Acquisition Costs (“SAC”)

 

SAC is an important component of our costs to acquire new consumer subscribers. SAC consists of costs paid to third-party dealers and customer service representative commissions on new installations and, in certain cases, the cost of hardware and installation provided to customers at the inception of service or cost of services for activities related to the consumer rental program, which we began to offer to our consumer customers in September 2008. SAC is deferred when a customer commits to a service agreement, and the deferred SAC is amortized over the commitment period as the related service revenue is earned. Prior to 2007, service agreements were 12 to 15 months in duration. In May 2007, the Company began to offer only 24 month service agreements. Customers who receive hardware and installation under these service agreements have a higher monthly service rate than is charged to customers who purchase their equipment outright at the inception of service. The Company monitors the recoverability of subscriber acquisition costs and is entitled to an early termination fee (secured by customer credit card information) if the subscriber cancels service prior to the end of the commitment period. The recoverability of deferred subscriber acquisition costs is reasonably assured through the increased monthly service fee charged to customers, the ability to recover the equipment, and/or the ability to charge an early termination fee. At December 31, 2010 and 2009, the Company had $25.7 million and $29.9 million of deferred SAC, respectively, included in Other assets in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets.

 

Valuation of Long-Lived Assets

 

The Company evaluates the carrying value of long-lived assets to be held and used annually or when events and circumstances warrant such a review. The carrying value of a long-lived asset is considered impaired when the carrying value of the asset exceeds the aggregate amount of its separately identifiable undiscounted future cash flows. In that event, a loss is recognized based on the amount by which the carrying value exceeds the fair value of the long-lived asset. Changes in estimates of future cash flows could result in a write-down of long-lived assets in a future period. During 2010 and 2008, the Company did not recognize any impairment charges on long-lived assets.

 

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HUGHES COMMUNICATIONS, INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — Continued

 

In 2009, the Company recognized $50.6 million of impairment charges on long-lived assets associated mainly with our prepaid deposit (the “Deposit”) paid to Sea Launch Company, LLC (“Sea Launch”). See Note 22— Commitments and Contingencies for further detail.

 

Foreign Currency

 

Certain foreign operations have determined the local currency to be their functional currency. Accordingly, these foreign entities translate assets and liabilities from their local currencies to U.S. dollars using period-end exchange rates while income and expense accounts are translated at the average rates in effect during the period. The resulting translation adjustment is recorded in AOCL, a separate component of equity. Translation adjustments for foreign currency denominated equity investments are not material and are recorded as part of AOCL.

 

The Company also has foreign operations where the U.S. dollar has been determined as the functional currency. Gains and losses resulting from re-measurement of the foreign currency denominated assets, liabilities and transactions into the U.S. dollar are recognized currently in the statements of operations and were not material in each of the periods presented herein.

 

Investments and Financial Instruments

 

The Company maintains its investments in equity securities in Other assets in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets. Non-marketable equity securities are carried at cost. Marketable equity securities are considered available-for-sale and carried at fair value based on quoted market prices with unrealized gains or losses (excluding other-than-temporary losses), reported as part of AOCL. The Company continually reviews its investments to determine whether a decline in fair value below the cost basis is “other-than-temporary.” The Company considers, among other factors: the magnitude and duration of the decline; the financial health and business outlook of the investee, including industry and sector performance, changes in technology, and operational and financing cash flow factors; and the Company’s intent and ability to hold the investment. If the decline in fair value is judged to be other-than-temporary, the carrying value of the security is written down to its estimated fair value, and the impairment on the security is recognized in the statements of operations in (i) Other income (loss), net and recorded as a reclassification adjustment from AOCL for marketable equity securities and (ii) Loss on impairments for non-marketable securities.

 

Investments in which the Company owns at least 20% of the voting securities or has significant influence are accounted for under the equity method of accounting. Equity method investments are recorded at cost and adjusted for the appropriate share of the net earnings or losses of the investee. The carrying value of investments may include a component of goodwill if the cost of our investment exceeds the fair value of the investment, and any such goodwill is subject to an evaluation for impairment pursuant to ASC 323—“Investments—Equity Method and Joint Ventures.” Investee losses are recorded up to the amount of the investment plus advances and loans made to the investee, and financial guarantees made on behalf of the investee. In certain instances, this can result in the Company recognizing investee earnings or losses in excess of its ownership percentage. We had cost method investments of $6.7 million and $7.0 million as of December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively, and equity method investments of $8.3 million as of each December 31, 2010 and 2009.

 

The carrying value of cash and cash equivalents; receivables, net; other assets; accounts payable; and amounts included in accrued liabilities and other liabilities meeting the definition of a financial instrument approximated their respective fair value at December 31, 2010 and 2009 because of their short-term maturity.

 

The Company carries all derivative financial instruments in the balance sheets at fair value based on quoted market prices. The Company uses derivative contracts to minimize the financial impact of changes in the fair value of recognized assets, liabilities, and unrecognized firm commitments, or the variability of cash flows associated with forecasted transactions in accordance with internal risk management policies. Changes in fair value of designated, qualified, and effective fair value hedges are recognized in earnings as offsets to the changes in fair value of the related hedged items. Changes in fair value of designated, qualified, and effective cash flow hedges are deferred and recorded as a component of AOCL until the hedged transactions occur and are recognized in earnings. Changes related to amounts excluded from the effectiveness assessment of a hedging derivative’s change in fair value and the ineffective portion of a hedge is immediately recognized in the statements of operations. Both at the inception of the

 

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HUGHES COMMUNICATIONS, INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — Continued

 

hedge and on an on-going basis, we assess whether the derivatives are highly effective. Hedge accounting is prospectively discontinued when hedge instruments are no longer highly effective. During 2010 and 2009, the Company did not enter into any material hedge transactions.

 

The Company enters into interest rate swaps from time to time to manage its interest rate exposure. These derivatives may be designated as cash flow hedges or fair value hedges depending on the nature of the risk being hedged. Derivatives used to hedge risk associated with changes in the cash flows of certain variable rate debt obligations are designated as cash flow hedges. Derivatives used to hedge risk associated with changes in the fair value of certain fixed rate debt obligations are designated as fair value hedges. Consequently, changes in the fair value of the hedged debt obligations that are attributable to the hedged risk are recognized in the current period earnings.

 

The Company’s cash flows and earnings are subject to fluctuations resulting from changes in foreign currency exchange rates, interest rates, and changes in the market value of its equity investments. We manage our exposure to these market risks through internally established policies and procedures and, when deemed appropriate, through the use of derivative financial instruments. We enter into derivative instruments only to the extent considered necessary to meet our risk management objectives and do not enter into derivative contracts for speculative purposes.

 

The Company generally conducts its business in U.S. dollars with some business conducted in a variety of foreign currencies and, therefore, is exposed to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates. Our objective in managing our exposure to foreign currency changes is to reduce earnings and cash flow volatility associated with foreign exchange rate fluctuations. Accordingly, we enter into foreign exchange contracts to mitigate risks associated with foreign currency denominated assets, liabilities, commitments and anticipated foreign currency transactions. The gains and losses on derivative foreign exchange contracts offset changes in the value of the related exposures. As of December 31, 2010 and 2009, we had purchased foreign exchange contracts totaling $5.9 million and $4.1 million, respectively, to mitigate foreign currency fluctuation risks associated with short-term U.S. dollar denominated obligations. The differences between the face amount of the foreign exchange contracts and their estimated fair values were not material at December 31, 2010 and 2009. All of the forward exchange contracts outstanding at December 31, 2010 expire in 2011.

 

The Company is exposed to credit risk in the event of non-performance by the counterparties to its derivative financial instrument contracts. While the Company believes this risk is remote, credit risk is managed through the periodic monitoring and approval of financially sound counterparties.

 

Net Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share

 

Basic net earnings (loss) per common share is computed by dividing net income (loss) attributable to HCI stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding. Diluted net earnings (loss) per common share reflects the potential dilution from the exercise or conversion of securities into the Company’s common stock. However, in accordance with ASC 260, “Earnings Per Share,” potential common shares have been excluded from the computation of any diluted per share amount in periods when a loss from continuing operations exists, such as 2009. The potential dilutive effect of outstanding stock options and warrants is calculated using the “treasury stock” method. The Company excluded 547,400 stock options that were granted in 2008 from the computation of diluted net earnings (loss) per common share for 2008, as the effect would have been anti-dilutive.

 

The following table provides a reconciliation of the shares used in calculating earnings (loss) per common share:

 

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HUGHES COMMUNICATIONS, INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — Continued

 

 

 

Year Ended December 31,

 

 

 

2010

 

2009

 

2008

 

Basic weighted average common shares outstanding

 

21,606,162

 

21,393,151

 

20,317,155

 

Effect of dilutive securities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Restricted stock units

 

11,615

 

 

51,070

 

Restricted stock awards

 

120,714

 

 

201,829

 

Options to purchase common stock

 

322,211

 

 

63,779

 

HNS Bonus Unit Plan

 

31,803

 

 

 

HNS Class B Unit Plan

 

645,702

 

 

 

Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding

 

22,738,207

 

21,393,151

 

20,633,833

 

 

New Accounting Pronouncements

 

Recently Adopted Accounting Guidance

 

In January 2010, the FASB issued Accounting Standard Update (“ASU”) 2010-06 to improve disclosures about fair value measurements. ASU 2010-6 clarifies certain existing disclosures and requires new disclosure regarding significant transfers in and out of Level 1 and Level 2 of fair value measurements and the reasons for the transfer. In addition, ASU 2010-06 clarifies existing fair value disclosures about the level of disaggregation and about inputs and valuation techniques used to measure fair value. The amendments in ASU 2010-06 were effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2009, and for interim periods within those fiscal periods. The adoption of ASU 2010-06 did not have a material impact on our disclosure about fair value measurements.

 

In June 2009 and December 2009, the FASB amended ASC 810 changing certain consolidation guidance and requiring improved financial reporting by enterprises involved with variable interest entities (“VIE”). The amendments provide guidance in determining when a reporting entity should include the assets, liabilities, noncontrolling interest and results of activities of a VIE in its consolidated financial statements. The amendments to ASC 810 were effective for the first annual reporting period beginning after November 15, 2009, for interim periods within that first annual reporting period, and for interim and annual reporting periods thereafter. The adoption of amendments to consolidation rules did not have any impact on our disclosures relating to our VIE activity and our financial statements.

 

Accounting Guidance Not Yet Effective

 

In October 2009, the FASB issued ASU 2009-14 to amend ASC 605 “Revenue Recognition.” The amendments in this update change the accounting model for revenue arrangements that include both tangible products and software elements. The amendments in ASU 2009-14 will be effective for us beginning January 1, 2011. We believe that ASU 2009-13 will not have a material impact on our financial statements.

 

In October 2009, the FASB issued ASU 2009-13 amending ASC 605 related to revenue arrangements with multiple deliverables. Among other things, ASU 2009-13 provides guidance for entities in determining the accounting for multiple deliverable arrangements and establishes a hierarchy for determining the amount of revenue to allocate to the various deliverables. The amendments in ASU 2009-13 will be effective for us beginning January 1, 2011. We believe that ASU 2009-13 will not have a material impact on our on our financial statements

 

Note 3:  Consolidation of Hughes Systique Corporation

 

Hughes Systique Corporation (“Hughes Systique”) is a communications consulting and software company. HNS has contracts with Hughes Systique for software development services. The founders of Hughes Systique include Pradman Kaul, our Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and President and certain former employees of HNS, including Pradeep Kaul, who is the CEO and President of Hughes Systique, HNS’ former Executive Vice President and the brother of our CEO and President. The Company acquired an equity investment in Hughes Systique Series A

 

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Table of Contents

 

HUGHES COMMUNICATIONS, INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — Continued

 

Preferred Stock (“HSC Preferred Stock”) of $3.0 million and $1.5 million in October 2005 and January 2008, respectively.

 

In February 2008, the Company and Nextwave Broadband Inc. (“Nextwave”), a former significant shareholder of Hughes Systique, agreed to make available to Hughes Systique a term loan facility (the “Loan”) of up to $3.0 million. Under the Loan, each loan request was to be at least $1.0 million, and the Loan was to be funded equally by the Company and Nextwave. The Loan has a fixed interest rate of 6%, and it is convertible into common shares of Hughes Systique upon non-payment or an event of default. Hughes Systique has the option to pay the interest annually or to convert the interest to principal as a “payment in kind.” In February 2008, the Company and Nextwave each funded $0.5 million as part of a $1.0 million loan drawdown by Hughes Systique under the Loan. In March 2009, Hughes Systique requested and the Company funded the remaining $1.0 million of its original $1.5 million loan commitment. As a result, the Company is not obligated to provide any further funding to Hughes Systique under the Loan.

 

On March 11, 2009, Hughes Systique entered into a termination and settlement agreement with Nextwave (the “Termination Agreement”). The Termination Agreement provided for the following: (i) Hughes Systique relieved Nextwave of its obligation to fund its remaining commitment under the Loan; (ii) Nextwave waived Hughes Systique’s obligation to repay amounts previously funded, together with accrued interest; and (iii) Hughes Systique waived Nextwave’s obligations for the purchase of services under existing agreements between Nextwave and Hughes Systique and Nextwave’s obligation to repay outstanding accounts receivable of approximately $0.8 million. Additionally, Nextwave’s ownership in HSC Preferred Stock, which represented approximately 31.79% of Hughes Systique’s equity, was converted to a reduced level of ownership, representing a 5% interest in Hughes Systique’s common stock. The effect of these transactions has increased, on an undiluted basis, our ownership in Hughes Systique to approximately 45.23% and the ownership of our CEO and President and his brother in Hughes Systique to approximately 25.61%. Pursuant to ASC 810, these transactions caused a reconsideration event on March 11, 2009, resulting in the Company becoming the “primary beneficiary” of Hughes Systique, a VIE. As a result, the Company is required to consolidate Hughes Systique’s assets and liabilities and results of operations for periods beginning on or after March 12, 2009 (the “Consolidation Date”). In accordance with ASC 805 “Business Combinations,” the basis of Hughes Systique’s assets and liabilities were adjusted to their fair values. The excess of the fair value of the net assets consolidated from Hughes Systique over their carrying value has been reflected as goodwill in accordance with ASC 805. We believe that the goodwill resulting from the consolidation of Hughes Systique corresponds to the expected future prospects of Hughes Systique. The total amount of goodwill is not expected to be deductible for tax purposes.

 

The following table summarizes the fair values of Hughes Systique’s assets and liabilities at the Consolidation Date (in thousands):

 

 

 

Amount

 

Current assets

 

$

5,250

 

Property

 

717

 

Intangible assets

 

1,329

 

Goodwill

 

2,432

 

Total assets

 

9,728

 

Current liabilities

 

(2,808

)

Long-term liabilities

 

(763

)

Total liabilities

 

(3,571

)

Net assets consolidated prior to noncontrolling interest

 

6,157

 

Noncontrolling interest

 

(3,372

)

Net assets consolidated

 

$

2,785

 

 

Based on the valuation of Hughes Systique’s intangible assets, using an income approach, the fair values of the intangible assets at the Consolidation Date were as follows (in thousands):

 

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HUGHES COMMUNICATIONS, INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — Continued

 

 

 

Weighted Average

 

 

 

 

 

Useful Lives

 

 

 

 

 

(years)

 

Amount

 

Customer relationships

 

7

 

$

620

 

Favorable leases

 

3

 

629

 

Backlog

 

2

 

80

 

Total amortizable intangible assets

 

5

 

$

1,329

 

 

Hughes Systique’s revenue, after eliminating inter-company transactions, was $4.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2010 compared to $2.4 million for the same period in 2009 (since the acquisition date). Pro forma financial statements are not presented for Hughes Systique at the acquisition date as its results of operations were not material to our consolidated financial statements.

 

Note 4:  Marketable Securities

 

The amortized cost basis and estimated fair values of available-for-sale marketable securities are summarized as follows (in thousands):

 

 

 

Cost

 

Gross Unrealized

 

Estimated

 

 

 

Basis

 

Losses

 

Gain

 

Fair Value

 

December 31, 2010:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Municipal commercial paper

 

$

17,875

 

$

 

$

 

$

17,875

 

U.S. government bonds and treasury bills

 

5,000

 

 

 

5,000

 

Other debt securities

 

21,665

 

(8

)

 

21,657

 

Total available-for-sale securities

 

$

44,540

 

$

(8

)

$

 

$

44,532

 

December 31, 2009:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. government bonds and treasury bills

 

$

22,155

 

$

 

$

6

 

$

22,161

 

Other debt securities

 

25,019

 

 

8

 

25,027

 

Total available-for-sale securities

 

$

47,174

 

$

 

$

14

 

$

47,188

 

 

Our investments in municipal commercial papers have A-1/A-1+ and P-1 ratings from Standard & Poor’s (“S&P”) and Moody’s, respectively, and our investments in U.S. government bonds and treasury bills have AAa and Aaa ratings from S&P and Moody’s, respectively. The investments in Other debt securities have A-1/A-1+ and P-1 ratings from S&P and Moody’s, respectively. In addition to these investments, we hold marketable equity securities as a long-term investment in Other assets (see Note 10—Other Assets for further discussion).

 

Note 5:  Receivables, Net

 

Receivables, net consisted of the following (in thousands):

 

 

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2010

 

2009

 

Trade receivables

 

$

172,309

 

$

154,863

 

Contracts in process

 

25,208

 

16,952

 

Other receivables

 

4,332

 

4,101

 

Total receivables

 

201,849

 

175,916

 

Allowance for doubtful accounts

 

(15,157

)

(12,100

)

Total receivables, net

 

$

186,692

 

$

163,816

 

 

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HUGHES COMMUNICATIONS, INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — Continued

 

Trade receivables included $5.8 million and $8.7 million of amounts due from affiliates as of December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively. Advances and progress billings offset against contracts in process amounted to $2.8 million and $0.3 million as of December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

 

Note 6:  Inventories

 

Inventories consisted of the following (in thousands):

 

 

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2010

 

2009

 

Production materials and supplies

 

$

7,270

 

$

7,896

 

Work in process

 

12,828

 

15,615

 

Finished goods

 

37,721

 

36,733

 

Total inventories

 

$

57,819

 

$

60,244

 

 

Inventories are carried at the lower of cost or market, principally using standard costs adjusted to reflect actual cost, based on variance analyses performed throughout the year. Inventories are adjusted to net realizable value using management’s best estimates of future use. In making its assessment of future use or recovery, management considers the aging and composition of inventory balances, the effects of technological and/or design changes, forecasted future product demand based on firm or near-firm customer orders and alternative means of disposition of excess or obsolete items.

 

Note 7:  Property, Net

 

Property, net consisted of the following (dollars in thousands):

 

 

 

Estimated

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Useful Lives

 

December 31,

 

 

 

(years)

 

2010

 

2009

 

Land and improvements

 

10

 

$

5,888

 

$

5,885

 

Buildings and leasehold improvements

 

2 - 30

 

35,643

 

32,996

 

Satellite related assets

 

15

 

380,394

 

380,394

 

Machinery and equipment

 

1 - 7

 

213,419

 

179,923

 

Consumer rental equipment

 

2 - 4

 

140,616

 

71,725

 

VSAT operating lease hardware

 

2 - 5

 

13,137

 

18,945

 

Furniture and fixtures

 

5 - 7

 

1,732

 

1,571

 

Construction in progress

—Jupiter

 

 

 

238,358

 

66,555

 

 

—Other

 

 

 

15,924

 

12,888

 

Total property

 

 

 

1,045,111

 

770,882

 

Accumulated depreciation

 

 

 

(271,059

)

(168,479

)

Total property, net

 

 

 

$

774,052

 

$

602,403

 

 

Satellite related assets primarily consist of SPACEWAYTM 3 (“SPACEWAY 3”), a broadband satellite system with a unique architecture for broadband data communications. In April 2008, we placed SPACEWAY 3 into service and began to depreciate its related costs on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful life of 15 years. Satellite related assets include the costs associated with the construction and launch of the satellite, insurance premiums for the satellite launch and the in-orbit testing period, interest incurred during the construction of the satellite, and other costs directly related to the satellite.

 

In June 2009, HNS entered into an agreement with Space Systems/Loral, Inc. (“SS/L”) under which SS/L will manufacture Jupiter, our next-generation and geostationary high throughput satellite. Jupiter will employ a multi-spot beam, bent pipe Ka-band architecture and will provide additional capacity for the HughesNet service in North

 

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HUGHES COMMUNICATIONS, INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — Continued

 

America. The construction of Jupiter began in July 2009 and we began to capitalize all direct costs associated with the construction and the launch of the satellite, including interest incurred during the construction of the satellite. Jupiter is scheduled to be launched in the first half of 2012.

 

We capitalized $14.0 million and $1.7 million of interest for 2010 and 2009, respectively, related to the construction of Jupiter. In 2008, we capitalized $4.8 million of interest related to the construction of SPACEWAY 3. During 2010, 2009 and 2008, depreciation expense for property was $111.6 million, $83.1 million and $51.2 million, respectively.

 

Note 8:  Intangible Assets, Net

 

Intangible assets, net consisted of the following (dollars in thousands):

 

 

 

Estimated

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Useful Lives

 

Cost

 

Accumulated

 

Net

 

 

 

(years)

 

Basis

 

Amortization

 

Basis

 

December 31, 2010:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Customer relationships

 

7 - 8

 

$

10,405

 

$

(5,473

)

$

4,932

 

Patented technology and trademarks

 

8 - 10

 

15,275

 

(9,012

)

6,263

 

Favorable leases

 

3

 

629

 

(384

)

245

 

Total intangible assets, net

 

 

 

$

26,309

 

$

(14,869

)

$

11,440

 

December 31, 2009:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Backlog and customer relationships

 

2 - 8

 

$

22,312

 

$

(16,133

)

$

6,179

 

Patented technology and trademarks

 

2 - 10

 

15,745

 

(7,854

)

7,891

 

Favorable leases

 

3

 

629

 

(175

)

454

 

Total intangible assets, net

 

 

 

$

38,686

 

$

(24,162

)

$

14,524

 

 

We amortize the recorded values of our intangible assets over their estimated useful lives. As of December 31, 2010, $12.4 million of fully amortized intangible assets were retired and as a result, it is not included in the balance included in the table above. For the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, we recorded $3.1 million, $5.5 million and $6.4 million, respectively, of amortization expense. In 2010, we did not incur costs to renew or extend the term of our intangible assets. Estimated future amortization expense as of December 31, 2010 is as follows (in thousands):

 

 

 

Amount

 

Year ending December 31,

 

 

 

2011

 

3,028

 

2012

 

2,854

 

2013

 

2,818

 

2014

 

1,326

 

2015

 

1,326

 

Thereafter

 

88

 

Total estimated future amortization expense

 

$

11,440

 

 

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HUGHES COMMUNICATIONS, INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — Continued

 

Note 9:  Goodwill

 

Goodwill consisted of the following (in thousands):

 

 

 

Amount

 

Balance at December 31, 2008

 

$

2,661

 

Goodwill related to consolidation of Hughes Systique

 

2,432

 

Total goodwill at December 31, 2010 and 2009(1)

 

$

5,093

 

 


(1) Consisted of $2.6 million related to the North America Broadband segment and $2.4 million related to the Corporate and Other segment.

 

Note 10:  Other Assets

 

Other assets consisted of the following (in thousands):

 

 

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2010

 

2009

 

Subscriber acquisition costs

 

$

25,695

 

$

29,884

 

Debt issuance costs

 

17,150

 

12,899

 

Other

 

30,352

 

33,053

 

Total other assets

 

$

73,197

 

$

75,836

 

 

As of December 31, 2010, “Other” included our cost method and equity method investments, which includes our investment in HTI. On March 12, 2009, we exchanged $13.0 million of receivables that HTI owed to us for HTI convertible preferred stock (“HTI Preferred Stock”) as part of a $50.0 million private placement of HTI Preferred Stock. In connection with the merger of HTI with Polaris Acquisition Corp. (the “HTI Merger”), which occurred on March 31, 2009, HTI became a publicly traded company and our HTI Preferred Stock was converted into approximately 3.3 million shares of HTI common stock (“HTI Shares”), of which 1.3 million shares and 2.0 million shares are referred to as Non-escrowed shares and Escrowed shares, respectively. The Escrowed shares are subject to certain restrictions and/or earn-out provisions pursuant to the HTI Merger agreement.

 

As of December 31, 2010, the Non-escrowed shares had a fair value of $3.8 million. We recorded an unrealized loss of $0.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2010 and of $2.9 million since the inception of our investment in the Non-escrowed shares in AOCL.

 

The Escrowed Shares are held by HTI in escrow, and the release of these shares is subject to various earn-out provisions based on HTI attaining specified stock prices of $20.00, $24.50 and $30.50 over specified periods within 5 years of the Merger. If the full earn-out is achieved, our investment could represent approximately 3.6% of HTI’s outstanding common stock. If the earn-out is not attained, all or a portion of the Escrowed Shares will be forfeited. In addition to the risk and valuation fluctuations associated with the earn-out target, the carrying value of the investment in HTI may be subject to fair value adjustments in future reporting periods. We account for the Escrowed Shares using the cost method in accordance with ASC 325 “Investments—Other,” as the Escrowed Shares are not considered marketable equity securities as of December 31, 2010. In accordance with ASC 320-10-35, “Investments—Debt and Equity Securities—Subsequent Measurement”, we recognized $5.2 million of other than temporary impairment loss in December 2009 based on our estimate of fair value of Escrowed Shares in “Loss on impairments” included in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations. HTI investment is related to our Corporate and Other segment. As of December 31, 2010, the carrying value and estimated fair value of the HTI Escrowed Shares was $1.1 million and $0.5 million, respectively.

 

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HUGHES COMMUNICATIONS, INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — Continued

 

Note 11:  Accrued Liabilities and Other

 

Accrued liabilities and other consisted of the following (in thousands):

 

 

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2010

 

2009

 

Accrued and other liabilities

 

$

47,107

 

$

44,456

 

Progress billings to customers

 

40,912

 

47,911

 

Payroll and other compensation

 

27,698

 

26,512

 

Accrued interest expense

 

13,073

 

12,895

 

Total accrued liabilities and other

 

$

128,790

 

$

131,774

 

 

Note 12:  Debt

 

Short-term and the current portion of long-term debt consisted of the following (dollars in thousands):

 

 

 

Interest Rates at

 

December 31,

 

 

 

December 31, 2010

 

2010

 

2009

 

VSAT hardware financing

 

7.27% - 15.00%

 

$

3,109

 

3,158

 

Revolving bank borrowings

 

8.75%

 

967

 

1,547

 

Capital lease and other

 

5.50% - 39.60%

 

2,209

 

2,045

 

Total short-term and the current portion of long-term debt

 

 

 

$

6,285

 

$

6,750

 

 

As of December 31, 2010, HNS had outstanding revolving bank borrowings of $1.0 million, which had a variable interest rate of 8.75%. The borrowing was obtained by HNS’ Indian subsidiary under its revolving line of credit with a local bank. There is no requirement for compensating balances for these borrowings. The total amount available for borrowing by our foreign subsidiaries under various revolving lines of credit was $4.1 million as of December 31, 2010.

 

Long-term debt consisted of the following (dollars in thousands):

 

 

 

Interest Rates at

 

December 31,

 

 

 

December 31, 2010

 

2010

 

2009

 

Senior Notes(1)

 

9.50%

 

$

590,173

 

$

587,874

 

Term Loan Facility

 

7.62%

 

115,000

 

115,000

 

COFACE Guaranteed Facility

 

5.13%

 

27,403

 

 

VSAT hardware financing

 

7.27% - 15.00%

 

3,214

 

5,861

 

Capital lease and other

 

5.50% - 39.60%

 

4,786

 

6,222

 

Total long-term debt

 

 

 

$

740,576

 

$

714,957

 

 


(1) Includes 2006 Senior Notes and 2009 Senior Notes.

 

On October 29, 2010, HNS entered into a $115 million loan agreement with BNP Paribas and Societe Generale (“COFACE Guaranteed Facility”), which is guaranteed by COFACE, the French Export Credit Agency, to finance the launch related costs for Jupiter satellite. Pursuant to the COFACE Guaranteed Facility agreement, loan draw-downs, which began in the fourth quarter of 2010, will occur over the construction period for the launch vehicle up to the time of the launch, which is estimated to be in the first half of 2012. COFACE Guaranteed Facility has a fixed interest rate of 5.13%, payable semi-annually in arrears starting six months after each borrowing, and requires that principal repayments are to be paid in 17 consecutive equal semi-annual installments starting the earlier of (i) six months after the in-orbit delivery, or (ii) December 1, 2012. The agreement also contains covenants and conditions which are customary for financings of this type. As of December 31, 2010, HNS had $27.4 million of borrowings outstanding under the loan and an available borrowing capacity of $87.6 million.

 

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HUGHES COMMUNICATIONS, INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — Continued

 

On March 16, 2010, HNS entered into a credit agreement with JP Morgan Chase Bank, N.A. and Barclays Capital to amend and restate its senior secured $50 million revolving credit facility (the “Revolving Credit Facility”). Pursuant to the terms of the agreement, among other changes, the maturity date of the Revolving Credit Facility was extended to March 16, 2014, subject to an early maturity date of 91 days prior to March 16, 2014 in the event HNS’ 2009 and 2006 Senior Notes and HNS’ Term Loan Facility (as defined below) are not (i) repaid in full or (ii) refinanced with new debt (or amended) with maturities of no earlier than 91 days after March 16, 2014. The terms of the Revolving Credit Facility were amended to be: (i) in respect of the interest rate, at our option, the Alternative Borrowing Rate (as defined in the Revolving Credit Facility) plus 2.00% or the Adjusted London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) (as defined in the Revolving Credit Facility) plus 3.00% and (ii) in respect of the participation fee for outstanding letters of credit, 3.00% per annum, in each case subject to downward adjustment based on our leverage ratio. For the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, there was no borrowing under the Revolving Credit Facility. As of December 31, 2010, the Revolving Credit Facility had total outstanding letters of credit of $4.4 million and an available borrowing capacity of $45.6 million.

 

On May 27, 2009, HNS, along with its subsidiary, HNS Finance Corp., as co-issuer, completed a private debt offering of $150.0 million of 9.50% senior notes maturing on April 15, 2014 (the “2009 Senior Notes”). The terms and covenants with respect to the 2009 Senior Notes are substantially identical to those of the 2006 Senior Notes. Interest on the 2009 Senior Notes is accrued from April 15, 2009 and is paid semi-annually in arrears on April 15 and October 15 of each year, beginning on October 15, 2009. After the original issue discount of $13.6 million and related offering expenses of approximately $4.5 million, HNS received net proceeds of approximately $133.6 million, including $1.7 million of prepaid interest received from the note holders, from the offering. The 2009 Senior Notes were offered and sold in the United States only to qualified institutional buyers pursuant to Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, (the “Securities Act”) and in offshore transactions to non-United States persons in reliance on Regulation S of the Securities Act. In connection with the offering of the 2009 Senior Notes, HNS entered into a registration rights agreement requiring HNS to complete a registered exchange offer relating to the 2009 Senior Notes within 360 days after May 27, 2009. On August 17, 2009, HNS completed the registered exchange offer pursuant to the registration rights agreement. Accordingly, the 2009 Senior Notes have been registered under the Securities Act. As of December 31, 2010 and 2009, HNS recorded $3.0 million of accrued interest payable related to the 2009 Senior Notes.

 

In February 2007, HNS borrowed $115 million from a syndicate of banks (the “Term Loan Facility”), which matures on April 15, 2014. The interest on the Term Loan Facility is paid quarterly at Adjusted LIBOR (as defined in the Term Loan Facility) plus 2.50% per annum. To mitigate the variable interest rate risk associated with the Term Loan Facility, HNS entered into a swap agreement to swap the Adjusted LIBOR for a fixed interest rate of 5.12% per annum (the “Swap Agreement”). As a result, the Term Loan Facility has a fixed interest rate of 7.62% per annum. As of December 31, 2010 and 2009, interest accrued based on the Swap Agreement and the Term Loan Facility was $0.7 million and $0.8 million, respectively.

 

In April 2006, HNS issued $450 million of 9.50% senior notes maturing on April 15, 2014 (the “2006 Senior Notes”). Interest on the 2006 Senior Notes is paid semi-annually in arrears on April 15 and October 15. As of December 31, 2010 and 2009, we recorded $8.9 million of accrued interest payable related to the 2006 Senior Notes.

 

Although the terms and covenants with respect to the 2009 Senior Notes are substantially identical to the 2006 Senior Notes, the 2009 Senior Notes were issued under a separate indenture and do not vote together with the 2006 Senior Notes. Each of the indentures governing the 2006 Senior Notes and the 2009 Senior Notes (collectively, the “Senior Notes”), the agreement governing the amended Revolving Credit Facility, the agreement governing the COFACE Guaranteed Facility and the agreement governing the Term Loan Facility require HNS to comply with certain affirmative and negative covenants: (i) in the case of the indentures, for so long as any Senior Notes are outstanding; (ii) in the case of the amended Revolving Credit Facility, so long as the amended Revolving Credit Facility is in effect; (iii) in the case of the COFACE Guaranteed Facility, for so long as the COFACE Guaranteed Facility remains outstanding; and (iv) in the case of the Term Loan Facility, for so long as the Term Loan Facility remains outstanding. Negative covenants contained in these agreements include limitations on the ability of HNS and/or certain of its subsidiaries to incur additional indebtedness; issue redeemable stock and subsidiary preferred stock; incur liens; pay dividends or distributions or redeem or repurchase capital stock; prepay, redeem or repurchase debt; make loans and investments; enter into agreements that restrict distributions from HNS’ subsidiaries; sell assets and capital stock of our subsidiaries; enter into certain transactions with affiliates;

 

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HUGHES COMMUNICATIONS, INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — Continued

 

consolidate or merge with or into, or sell substantially all of our assets to, another person; and enter into new lines of business. In addition to these negative covenants, the amended Revolving Credit Facility, the indentures governing the Senior Notes, the COFACE Guaranteed Facility and/or the agreement governing the Term Loan Facility contain affirmative covenants that require us to: (i) preserve our businesses and properties; (ii) maintain insurance over our assets; (iii) pay and discharge all material taxes when due; and (iv) furnish the lenders’ administrative agent our financial statements for each fiscal quarter and fiscal year, certificates from a financial officer certifying that no Event of Default or Default has occurred during the fiscal period being reported, litigation and other notices, compliance with laws, maintenance of records and other such customary covenants. HNS and its subsidiaries comprise a substantial portion of the Company’s net assets and results of operations since January 1, 2006. Because of the negative covenants above, there are certain restrictions on the sale of HNS’ assets. As of December 31, 2010 and 2009, HNS’ net assets were $221.9 million and $200.0 million, respectively. Management believes that HNS was in compliance with all of its debt covenants as of December 31, 2010.

 

Prior to September 2005, we leased certain VSAT hardware under an operating lease with customers which were funded by two financial institutions at the inception of the operating lease for the future operating lease revenues. As part of the agreement, the financial institution received title to the equipment and obtained the residual rights to the equipment after the operating lease with the customer expires and assumed the credit risk associated with non-payment by the customers. However, we retained a continuing obligation to the financing institution to indemnify it from losses it may incur (up to the original value of the hardware) from non-performance of our system (a “Non-Performance Event”). Accordingly, we recognized a liability to the financial institution for the funded amount. We have not provided a reserve for a Non-Performance Event because we believe that the possibility of an occurrence of a Non-Performance Event due to a service outage is remote, given the ability to quickly re-establish customer service at relatively nominal costs.

 

In July 2006, we entered into a capital lease with 95 West Co., Inc. (“95 West Co.”) and its parent, Miraxis License Holdings, LLC (“MLH”), which are our related parties as discussed in Note 20—Transactions with Related Parties. Pursuant to the capital lease agreement, 95 West Co. and MLH agreed to provide a series of coordination agreements allowing HNS to operate SPACEWAY 3 at the 95° orbital slot where 95 West Co. and MLH have higher priority rights. As of December 31, 2010, the remaining debt balance under the capital lease was $4.9 million, which was included in “Capital lease and other” in the short-term and long-term debt tables above. The remaining payments under the capital lease are subject to conditions in the agreement including our ability to operate SPACEWAY 3 and are $1.0 million for each of the years ending December 31, 2011 through 2016.

 

Principal payments of our debt at December 31, 2010 are as follows (in thousands):

 

 

 

Amount

 

Year ending December 31,

 

 

 

2011

 

$

6,285

 

2012

 

4,803

 

2013

 

4,817

 

2014

 

709,634

 

2015

 

4,260

 

Thereafter

 

17,062

 

Total debt

 

$

746,861

 

 

Note 13:  Financial Instruments

 

Interest Rate Swap

 

The interest on the Term Loan Facility was at Adjusted LIBOR plus 2.50% per annum. To mitigate the variable interest rate risk associated with the Term Loan Facility, we entered into the Swap Agreement to swap the Adjusted LIBOR for a fixed interest rate of 5.12% per annum. As a result, the Term Loan Facility has a fixed interest rate of 7.62% per annum. We account for the Swap Agreement as a cash flow hedge in accordance with ASC 815-30

 

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HUGHES COMMUNICATIONS, INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — Continued

 

“Derivatives and Hedging—Cash Flow Hedges.” Accordingly, in connection with the fair market valuation of the interest rate swap, we recorded a net unrealized loss of $2.4 million, a net unrealized gain of $6.9 million and a net unrealized loss of $11.9 million for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively, in AOCL. The remaining net interest payments based on the Swap Agreement and the Term Loan Facility are paid quarterly and estimated to be approximately $8.8 million for each of the years ending December 31, 2011 through 2013 and $3.3 million for the year ending December 31, 2014. We recorded interest expense of $8.9 million, $9.0 million and $8.9 million for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively, on the Term Loan Facility.

 

Note 14:  Fair Value

 

Under ASC 820 “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures,” fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability (exit price) in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date, and the principal market is defined as the market in which the reporting entity would sell the asset or transfer the liability with the greatest volume and level of activity for the asset or liability. If there is no principal market, the most advantageous market is used. This is the market in which the reporting entity would sell the asset or transfer the liability with the price that maximizes the amount that would be received for the asset or minimizes the amount that would be paid to transfer the liability. ASC 820 clarifies that fair value should be based on assumptions market participants would make in pricing the asset or liability. Where available, fair value is based on observable quoted market prices or derived from observable market data. Where observable prices or inputs are not available, valuation models are used (i.e. Black-Scholes, a barrier option model or a binomial model). ASC 820 established the following three levels used to classify the inputs used in measuring fair value measurements:

 

Level 1-Inputs are unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities available at the measurement date.

 

Level 2-Inputs are unadjusted quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets and liabilities in markets that are not active, inputs, other than quoted prices, that are observable, and inputs derived from or corroborated by observable market data.

 

Level 3-Inputs are unobservable inputs which reflect the reporting entity’s own assumptions on the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability based on the best available information.

 

In determining fair value, we use various valuation approaches, including market, income and/or cost approaches. Other valuation techniques involve significant management judgment. As of December 31, 2010, the carrying values of cash and cash equivalents, receivables, net, accounts payable, and short-term debt approximated their respective fair values because of their short-term maturities.

 

Our investment in the HTI Shares was measured using Level 1 and Level 2 inputs for the Non-escrowed shares and Escrowed shares, respectively. The fair value of the Non-escrowed shares, as shown in the table below, was determined based on the quoted market prices. For the year ended December 31, 2010, we recognized unrealized losses of $0.5 million in AOCL related to the Non-escrowed shares. The fair value of the Escrowed shares, as shown in the table below, was determined using market observable data and utilizing a barrier option pricing model. The valuation of the Escrowed shares reflects the Company’s best estimate of what market participants would use in pricing the investment based on the best available information. For the year ended December 31, 2010, the estimated fair value of the Escrowed shares declined by $0.6 million from its carrying value of $1.1 million at December 31, 2009 to $0.5 million as of December 31, 2010. Based on our valuation analysis in accordance with ASC 320-10-35 “Investments—Debt and Equity Securities—Subsequent Measurement,” we determined that the decline in the estimated fair value of the Escrowed shares during 2010 is not an “other than temporary” impairment.

 

Our Senior Notes were categorized as Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy as we utilized pricing for recent market transactions for identical notes.

 

Our Term Loan Facility originally had a variable interest rate based on observable interest rates plus 2.50% per annum. To mitigate the variable interest rate risk, we entered into the Swap Agreement to swap the Adjusted LIBOR

 

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HUGHES COMMUNICATIONS, INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — Continued

 

for a fixed interest rate of 5.12% per annum. As a result, the Term Loan Facility has a fixed interest rate of 7.62% per annum. We adjust the value of the interest rate swap on a quarterly basis. The fair value of the interest rate swap was categorized as Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.

 

Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis are summarized below (dollars in thousands):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

December 31, 2010

 

 

 

 

 

Included

 

Carrying

 

Fair

 

 

 

Level

 

In

 

Value

 

Value

 

Marketable securities

 

2

 

Marketable securities

 

$

39,532

 

$

39,532

 

Marketable security

 

1

 

Marketable securities

 

$

5,000

 

$

5,000

 

HTI Non-escrowed Shares

 

1

 

Other assets

 

$

3,770

 

$

3,770

 

HTI Escrowed Shares

 

2

 

Other assets

 

$

1,121

 

$

499

 

2006 Senior Notes

 

1

 

Long-term debt

 

$

450,000

 

$

464,625

 

2009 Senior Notes

 

1

 

Long-term debt

 

$

140,173

(1)

$

153,750

 

Term Loan Facility

 

2

 

Long-term debt

 

$

115,000

 

$

110,688

 

COFACE Guaranteed Facility

 

2

 

Long-term debt

 

$

27,403

 

$

29,018

 

Orbital slot commitment

 

2

 

Short-term/Long-term debt

 

$

4,917

 

$

5,487

 

VSAT hardware financing

 

2

 

Short-term/Long-term debt

 

$

6,323

 

$

6,323

 

Interest rate swap on the Term Loan Facility

 

2

 

Other long-term liabilities

 

$

12,901

 

$

12,901

 

 


(1) Amount represents the face value of $150.0 million, net of the remaining original issue discount of $9.8 million.

 

Note 15:  Income Taxes

 

The income (loss) before income tax expense and equity in earnings (losses) of unconsolidated affiliates and the corresponding income tax expense (benefit) reflected on the consolidated statements of operations for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008 consisted of the following (in thousands):

 

 

 

Year Ended December 31,

 

 

 

2010

 

2009

 

2008

 

Income (loss) before income tax expense and equity in earnings (losses) of unconsolidated affiliates:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Domestic income (loss)

 

$

19,984

 

$

(60,612

)

$

9,093

 

Foreign income

 

8,712

 

11,241

 

8,427

 

Total

 

$

28,696

 

$

(49,371

)

$

17,520

 

Components of income tax expense:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current income tax expense:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Foreign

 

$

5,950

 

$

2,750

 

$

2,373

 

State

 

756

 

650

 

803

 

Total current income tax expense

 

6,706

 

3,400

 

3,176

 

Deferred income tax expense (benefit):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Foreign

 

(990

)

(954

)

4,417

 

Federal

 

 

 

 

Total deferred income tax expense (benefit)

 

(990

)

(954

)

4,417

 

Total income tax expense

 

$

5,716

 

$

2,446

 

$

7,593

 

 

We entered into a tax sharing agreement with LightSquared (the “Tax Sharing Agreement”) at the time of the separation of the Company from LightSquared during 2006, pursuant to which we are responsible for all LightSquared tax liabilities through February 21, 2006. As a result, we paid LightSquared $1.1 million for its 2006 alternative minimum tax (“AMT”) liability. In accordance with the Tax Sharing Agreement, we are entitled to reimbursement of the $1.1 million from LightSquared at such time LightSquared realizes the benefit of the AMT

 

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HUGHES COMMUNICATIONS, INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — Continued

 

credit. Recent tax legislation contains provisions enabling the acceleration of AMT credit refund, which LightSquared collected from the Internal Revenue Service and forwarded to the Company in December 2010.

 

Our consolidated temporary differences that give rise to the net deferred tax assets at December 31, 2010 and 2009 are as follows (in thousands):

 

 

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2010

 

2009

 

Deferred tax assets:

 

 

 

 

 

Net operating loss carryforwards

 

$

149,246

 

$

141,041

 

Capital loss carryforwards

 

3,649

 

4,797

 

Alternative minimum tax credit

 

475

 

475

 

Research and development credit

 

6,952

 

5,568

 

Other assets

 

13,490

 

12,201

 

Total gross deferred tax assets

 

173,812

 

164,082

 

Deferred tax liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

Investment in Hughes Network Systems, LLC

 

80,599

 

75,490

 

Compensation expense on restricted stock

 

490

 

554

 

Total gross deferred tax liability

 

81,089

 

76,044

 

Net deferred tax assets before valuation allowance

 

92,723

 

88,038

 

Valuation allowance

 

(87,075

)

(83,540

)

Net deferred tax assets

 

$

5,648

 

$

4,498

 

 

As we have not met the more-likely-than-not criteria of ASC 740 on deferred tax assets in certain jurisdictions and therefore have maintained a full valuation allowance on these deferred tax assets as of December 31, 2010. Certain deferred tax assets, namely $5.1 million associated with our foreign subsidiaries and $0.5 million associated with our AMT credit, require no valuation allowance.

 

As of December 31, 2010, our Federal and State net operating losses (“NOL”) carryforwards are approximately $334.6 million expiring between the years 2012 and 2029, if unused, and our capital loss carryforwards were approximately $10.4 million expiring between 2011 and 2014, if unused.

 

Our German and United Kingdom (“U.K.”) subsidiaries have approximately $35.2 million and $50.8 million of NOL carryforwards, respectively. As the U.K. subsidiary is treated as a disregarded entity for U.S. income tax purposes, its net income or loss is reported on HNS’ partnership income tax return and subsequently allocated to us. The NOL carryforwards are available to reduce future U.K. taxable income and do not expire. The NOL carryforwards of the German subsidiary are available to reduce future German taxable income and do not expire.

 

As the German and U.K. subsidiaries have not met the more-likely—than-not criteria of ASC 740, we maintained a full valuation allowance on the German and U.K. deferred tax assets as of December 31, 2010. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income during the periods in which those temporary differences become deductible. We considered the scheduled reversal of deferred tax liabilities, projected future taxable income and tax planning in making these assessments.

 

For the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, income tax expense differs from the amounts computed by applying the statutory rates to our income from continuing operations before income taxes as follows (in thousands):

 

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NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — Continued

 

 

 

Year Ended December 31,

 

 

 

2010

 

2009

 

2008

 

Income (loss) before income tax expense and equity in earnings (losses) of unconsolidated affiliates:

 

$

28,696

 

$

(49,371

)

$

17,520

 

Federal income tax @ 35%

 

$

10,043

 

$

(17,280

)

$

6,132

 

Net permanent differences

 

(1,385

)

274

 

512

 

Change in valuation allowance

 

(5,804

)

20,677

 

896

 

State taxes, net of federal benefit

 

756

 

648

 

803

 

Foreign taxes in excess of federal tax (benefit)

 

2,106

 

(1,873

)

(750

)

Total income tax expense

 

$

5,716

 

$

2,446

 

$

7,593

 

 

We have not provided for U.S. deferred income taxes or foreign withholding taxes on $33.1 million of our undistributed earnings for certain non-U.S. subsidiaries earnings because these earnings are intended to be permanently reinvested in operations outside the United States.

 

Under ASC740, we may recognize the tax benefit from an uncertain tax position only if it is more-likely-than-not that the tax position will be sustained on examination by the taxing authorities, based on the technical merits of the position. The tax benefits recognized in the financial statements from such a position should be measured based on the largest benefit that has a greater than fifty percent likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement with a taxing authority that has full knowledge of all relevant information. ASC 740 requires increased disclosures and also provides guidance on de-recognition, classification, interest and penalties on income taxes and accounting in interim periods.

 

A tabular reconciliation of a change in unrecognized tax benefits for the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009 is as follows (in thousands):

 

 

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2010

 

2009

 

2008

 

Beginning balance of unrecognized tax benefits

 

$

11,142

 

$

10,222

 

$

8,708

 

Gross increases—tax positions in prior periods

 

44

 

230

 

989

 

Gross decreases—tax positions in prior periods

 

(7,794

)

 

 

Gross increases—tax positions in current period

 

741

 

690

 

525

 

Ending balance of unrecognized tax benefits

 

$

4,133

 

$

11,142

 

$

10,222

 

 

In accordance with ASC 740, we have identified unrecognized tax benefits related to tax positions of $11.1 million as of December 31, 2009, an additional $0.8 million, and a reduction of $7.8 million of unrecognized tax benefits in 2010. If recognized, the total unrecognized tax benefits would impact our effective tax rate. We anticipate that uncertain tax positions will increase within the next twelve months in a range of $0.5 million to $1.0 million.

 

We recognize interest accrued related to unrecognized tax benefits in operating expenses and penalties in income tax expense in the consolidated statements of operations. As of December 31, 2010, we have not recorded any liability for the payment of interest or penalties associated with uncertain tax positions. Following is a description of the tax years that remain subject to examination by major tax jurisdictions:

 

United States - Federal

 

1997 and forward

United States - Various States

 

1997 and forward

United Kingdom

 

2005 and forward

Germany

 

2004 and forward

Italy

 

2006 and forward

India

 

1995 and forward

Mexico

 

2000 and forward

Brazil

 

2004 and forward

 

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HUGHES COMMUNICATIONS, INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — Continued

 

During 2009, the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) conducted an audit of the Company’s 2007 U.S. Income Tax Return. The Company received a final determination letter with no adjustments proposed by the IRS.

 

Note 16:  Employee Share-Based Payments

 

2006 Equity and Incentive Plan

 

In January 2006, we adopted and our Board of Directors approved the 2006 Equity and Incentive Plan (the “Plan”). The Plan provides for the grant of equity-based awards, including restricted common stock, restricted stock units, stock options, stock appreciation rights and other equity-based awards, as well as cash bonuses and long-term cash awards to directors, officers, other employees, advisors and consultants of the Company and its subsidiaries who are selected by our Compensation Committee for participation in the Plan. Unless earlier terminated by our Board of Directors, the Plan will expire on the tenth anniversary of the date of its adoption. Termination of the Plan is not intended to adversely affect any award that is then outstanding without the award holder’s consent. Our Board of Directors may amend the Plan at any time. Plan amendments are not intended to adversely affect any award that is then outstanding without the award holder’s consent, and the Company must obtain stockholder approval of a plan amendment if stockholder approval is required to comply with any applicable law, regulation or stock exchange rule.

 

The Plan provides for the issuance of up to 2,700,000 shares of our common stock which may be issued in the form of restricted stock, stock options or stock appreciation rights; provided that the maximum number of shares that may be issued pursuant to the exercise of incentive stock options may not exceed 1,350,000 shares. In accordance with the terms of the Plan, in August 2006, the Board of Director delegated to the CEO the authority to award, at the CEO’s discretion, up to 250,000 shares in the aggregate of restricted stock to employees (other than Section 16 reporting persons) up to a maximum award of 4,000 shares per employee. The CEO has issued restricted stock awards and restricted stock units to employees, for which 50% of the shares vest on the second anniversary of the issuance date, and an additional 25% of the shares vest on each of the third and fourth anniversaries of the issuance date. The fair value of the shares is calculated based on the market price on the grant date.

 

We also issue shares under the Plan to directors, officers and key employees and contractors of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. These awards are issued at their fair market value on the date of grant. In February 2009, we issued an aggregate of 90,000 shares of restricted stock, which vest over a three year period, to members of our Board of Directors.

 

The Company and HNS account for shares issued in accordance with the provisions of ASC 718, “Compensation—Stock Compensation.” The Company records compensation expense for restricted stock awards and restricted stock units on a straight-line basis over their vesting period. For the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, we recorded compensation expense related to the issuance of restricted stock awards and restricted stock units, after adjustment for forfeitures, of $2.4 million, $2.9 million and $3.2 million, respectively. As of December 31, 2010, we had $1.5 million of unrecognized compensation expense related to the restricted stock awards and restricted stock units, which will be recognized over a weighted average life of 1.89 years. We recognized a tax benefit of $3.8 million, $1.2 million and $2.6 million related to restricted stock awards, restricted stock units and stock options for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively.

 

Summaries of non-vested restricted stock awards and restricted stock units are as follows:

 

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NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — Continued

 

Restricted Stock Awards

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted-Average

 

 

 

 

 

Grant-Date

 

 

 

Shares

 

Fair Value

 

Non-vested at December 31, 2009

 

162,360

 

$

27.37

 

Forfeited

 

(2,950

)

$

46.89

 

Vested

 

(81,084

)

$

33.60

 

Non-vested at December 31, 2010

 

78,326

 

$

20.19

 

 

The weighted-average grant date fair value of restricted stock awards granted for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008 were $11.13 and $47.95, respectively. No restricted stock awards were granted for the year ended December 31, 2010. The total fair value of shares vested during the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008 were $2.7 million, $3.6 million and $6.9 million, respectively.

 

Restricted Stock Units

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted-Average

 

 

 

 

 

Grant-Date

 

 

 

Shares

 

Fair Value

 

Non-vested at December 31, 2009

 

8,675

 

$

28.73

 

Granted

 

18,000

 

$

28.99

 

Vested

 

(3,175

)

$

45.35

 

Non-vested at December 31, 2010

 

23,500

 

$

26.68

 

 

The weighted-average grant date fair value of restricted stock units granted for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008 were $28.99, $8.82 and $43.27, respectively. The total fair value of units vested during the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008 were $0.1 million, $0.1 million and $0.2 million, respectively.

 

Stock Option Program

 

On April 24, 2008, our Compensation Committee made stock options awards under the Plan (the “Stock Option Program”), which consisted of the issuance of non-qualified stock options to employees of the Company and its subsidiaries. A total of 1,250,000 options (the “Option Pool”) have been authorized under the Stock Option Program for option awards during the period of April 24, 2008 to December 31, 2011. The grant and exercise price of the stock options is the closing price of the Company’s common stock on the date of the grant. Any options forfeited or cancelled before exercise will be deposited back into the Option Pool and will become available for award under the Stock Option Program. In accordance with the terms of the Stock Option Program, the Compensation Committee delegated to our Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and President the authority to award options, at his discretion, to the current and future employees of the Company and its subsidiaries. Each grant has a 10 year life and vests 50% on the second anniversary of the grant date and 25% on each of the third and fourth anniversaries of the grant date. The fair value of each option award was estimated on the date of grant using a Black-Scholes option valuation model based on the assumptions noted in the table below.

 

Since we became a public registrant in February 2006, we did not have sufficient history to measure expected volatility using our own stock price history nor have the history to compute the expected term of the stock options at the time of issuing stock options to employees. As a result, we utilized an average volatility based on a group of companies identified as our peers. We estimated the expected term of the stock options, which is closely aligned with the identified peer group, based upon the current anticipated corporate growth, the currently identified market value of the stock price at issuance and the vesting schedule of the stock options. The risk-free interest rate is based on the published U.S. Treasury Yield Curve as of the grant date for the period of 5 years which most closely

 

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NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — Continued

 

correlates to the expected term of the option award. Dividend yield is zero as we have not, nor do we currently plan to, issue dividends to our shareholders.

 

On March 19, 2009, we offered eligible participants in the Stock Option Program the opportunity to exchange (the “Exchange Offer”) all or a portion of their eligible outstanding stock options for new stock options, on a one-for-one basis, through an exchange offer, which expired on April 16, 2009. Each new option (the “New Option”) has an exercise price of $14.47, which was the closing price of our common stock on April 15, 2009, and a new vesting schedule to reflect the new grant date of April 16, 2009.

 

As a result of the Exchange Offer, which was completed on April 16, 2009, 546,900 outstanding stock options (representing 100% participation) were exchanged, and the estimated fair value of the New Options of $2.3 million was computed using a Black-Scholes option valuation model based on the new grant date. The compensation expense related to the New Options is recognized on a straight-line basis over the four-year vesting period beginning on the date of grant.

 

The key assumptions for the option awards for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008 are as follows:

 

 

 

Year Ended December 31,

 

 

 

2010

 

2009

 

2008

 

Volatility range

 

45.33% — 45.90%

 

45.97% — 47.92%

 

47.60% — 55.0%

 

Weighted-average volatility

 

45.40%

 

47.62%

 

47.67%

 

Expected term

 

5 years

 

5 years

 

5 years

 

Risk-free interest rate range

 

1.18% — 2.59%

 

1.71% — 2.20%

 

3.15% — 1.50%

 

Weighted-average risk-free interest rate

 

1.20%

 

1.79%

 

3.14%

 

 

A summary of option activity under the Stock Option Program is presented below:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Average

 

Aggregate

 

 

 

Option

 

Weighted-Average

 

Remaining

 

Intrinsic

 

 

 

Shares

 

Exercise Price

 

Contractual Life

 

Value(1)

 

Outstanding at January 1, 2008

 

 

$

 

 

 

 

 

Granted

 

562,400

 

$

53.67

 

 

 

 

 

Forfeited or expired

 

(10,000

)

$

54.00

 

 

 

 

 

Outstanding at December 31, 2008

 

552,400

 

$

53.67

 

9.32

 

$

 

Retired

 

(546,900

)

$

54.00

 

 

 

 

 

Granted

 

647,400

 

$

16.77

 

 

 

 

 

Forfeited or expired

 

(4,850

)

$

20.84

 

 

 

 

 

Outstanding at December 31, 2009

 

648,050

 

$

16.77

 

9.37

 

$

6,326

 

Granted

 

572,500

 

$

28.99

 

 

 

 

 

Forfeited or expired

 

(22,350

)

$

19.56

 

 

 

 

 

Exercised

 

(1,250

)

$

17.03

 

 

 

 

 

Outstanding at December 31, 2010

 

1,196,950

 

$

22.56

 

9.04

 

$

21,412

 

Vested and expected to vest at December 31, 2010

 

1,077,255

 

$

22.56

 

9.04

 

$

19,271

 

Exercisable at December 31, 2010

 

1,250

 

$

17.03

 

7.96

 

$

29

 

 


(1) In thousands.

 

The weighted-average grant date fair value of options granted during the years 2010, 2009 and 2008 were $28.99, $16.77 and $53.67, respectively. The total intrinsic value of options exercised for the year ended December 31, 2010 was minimal. The compensation expense related to stock option awards is recognized on a straight-line basis over the four-year vesting period beginning on the date of grant. We recorded $4.3 million, $3.5 million and $2.0 million compensation expense for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively. As of December 31, 2010, we had $12.6 million of unrecognized compensation expense for non-vested

 

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NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — Continued

 

stock options, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 3.08 years. As of December 31, 2010, there were 1,250 stock options outstanding and exercisable, which have an exercise price of $17.03.

 

HNS’ Bonus Unit Plan

 

In July 2005, HNS adopted an incentive bonus unit plan (the “Bonus Unit Plan”) pursuant to which 4.4 million bonus units representing approximately 4% of the increase in the value of HNS, as defined in the Bonus Unit Plan, were granted to certain of its employees. The bonus units provide for time vesting over five years and are subject to a participant’s continued employment with HNS. Pursuant to the Bonus Unit Plan, if participants are employed by HNS on the predetermined exchange dates, they are entitled to exchange their vested bonus units for shares of our common stock.

 

The first exchange occurred on July 15, 2008, when approximately 1.9 million bonus units were exchanged for 192,399 shares of our common stock. The number of our common stock shares to be issued upon each exchange is calculated based upon the fair market value of the vested bonus unit divided by the closing trading price of our common stock for the 20 business days immediately preceding the date of the exchange. The fair value of the bonus units on the grant date was approximately $1.2 million, after adjustment for a 13% estimated forfeiture rate, based on the estimated increase in the fair market value of HNS’ net equity at the time of the grant.

 

On September 19, 2008, HNS issued 310,000 bonus units to certain of its employees pursuant to the terms of the Bonus Unit Plan. The fair value of the new issuance of bonus units was determined using a forward pricing model. The total estimated compensation expense for the new issuance of bonus units is $1.7 million, after adjustment for a 10% estimated forfeiture rate. Pursuant to ASC 718, we amortize the compensation expense of the Bonus Unit Plan over the vesting period beginning on the date of grant. For the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, we recognized compensation expense of $0.8 million, $0.8 million and $0.4 million, respectively. On July 15, 2010, the 2.1 million vested bonus units vested were exchanged for approximately 207,000 shares (net of income tax withholding) of our common stock pursuant to the Bonus Unit Plan. The remaining 300,000 bonus units will vest on July 15, 2011.

 

The following table summarizes changes in bonus units under the Bonus Unit Plan:

 

 

 

Year Ended December 31,

 

 

 

2010

 

2009

 

Non-vested beginning balance

 

2,453,250

 

2,500,000

 

Converted to HCI common shares

 

(2,139,500

)

 

Forfeited

 

(13,750

)

(46,750

)

Non-vested ending balance

 

300,000

 

2,453,250

 

 

HNS Class B Membership Interests

 

HNS’ Class B membership interests were issued to certain members of our senior management, two of HNS’ former senior management and a member of our Board of Directors. The Class B membership interests are subject to certain vesting requirements, with 50% of the Class B membership interests subject to time vesting over five years and the other 50% vesting based upon certain performance criteria. At the holders’ election, vested Class B membership interests may be exchanged for our common stock. The number of shares of our common stock to be issued upon such exchange is based upon the fair market value of such vested Class B membership interest tendered for exchange divided by the average closing trading price of our common stock for the 20 business days immediately preceding the date of such exchange. As of December 31, 2010, 3,272 of the 3,280 outstanding Class B membership interests were vested. If the total outstanding Class B membership interests were to convert into our common stock as of December 31, 2010, they could be exchanged for approximately 646,000 shares of our common stock. On September 25, 2009, we registered 75,000 shares of our common stock with the SEC on Form S-8 to be issued, from time to time, upon the exchange of the Class B membership interests.

 

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HUGHES COMMUNICATIONS, INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — Continued

 

Pursuant to ASC 718 “Compensation—Stock Compensation,” HNS determined that the Class B membership interests had nominal value at the date of grant, and, accordingly, $0.1 million compensation expense was recorded for each of the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008. A summary of changes in Class B membership interests is as follows:

 

 

 

Year Ended December 31,

 

 

 

2010

 

2009

 

Outstanding beginning balance

 

3,330

 

3,656

 

Converted to HCI common shares

 

(50

)

(326

)

Outstanding ending balance

 

3,280

 

3,330

 

 

LightSquared’s 1998 Long Term Incentive Plan

 

Pursuant to LightSquared’s 1998 Long Term Incentive Plan (the “LightSquared Plan”), the compensation committee of the Board of Directors of LightSquared was required to make an equitable adjustment to the terms of options issued under the LightSquared Plan in the event a special, large and nonrecurring dividend or distribution affects LightSquared’s common stock such that an adjustment is appropriate in order to prevent dilution or enlargement of the rights of the participants under the LightSquared Plan. LightSquared’s compensation committee has discretion to make such an adjustment to any option issued under the LightSquared Plan by adjusting the number and kind of shares that may be issued in respect of outstanding options or the exercise price relating to such options. Pursuant to this provision, LightSquared’s compensation committee determined that holders of stock options issued under the LightSquared Plan who were members of LightSquared’s management and Board of Directors as of the date of the distribution, when LightSquared separated us into a publicly traded company in 2006 (the “Distribution”), as well as a consultant and former directors who were involved with LightSquared’s acquisition of HNS, would receive an option to purchase one share of our common stock for each option to purchase two shares of LightSquared common stock that they held as of the date of the Distribution. The issuance of such options to purchase our common stock was in lieu of a larger adjustment to the exercise price of the LightSquared options that such holders would otherwise have been entitled to, had they not received options to purchase our common stock. A reduction in the exercise price (or in some cases, an increase in the number of shares) was the manner in which all other LightSquared options outstanding under the plan were adjusted. In February 2006, the Company issued options to purchase 435,836 shares of our common stock to holders of LightSquared options under the Plan.

 

The exercise price of such options to purchase shares of our common stock that were issued to certain holders of options to purchase LightSquared common stock was determined by multiplying the exercise price of such LightSquared option by a fraction, the numerator of which was the closing price of a share of our common stock on the first trading day after the Distribution date multiplied by the exchange ratio of 0.5 and the denominator of which was that price multiplied by the exchange ratio plus the closing price of a share of LightSquared common stock on the first trading day after the Distribution date and further dividing such result by the exchange ratio.

 

The fair value of each share or option, as applicable, was determined on the date of grant, except for shares of restricted stock issued to a consultant. In accordance with ASC 505-50, “Equity-Based Payments to Non-Employees”, the fair value of such shares is adjusted at the end of the reporting period, and accordingly, the fair value as of December 31, 2010 was used for determining compensation expense attributable to such shares.

 

The following table summarizes stock option activity and related information for the LightSquared Plan for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008:

 

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NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — Continued

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted

 

 

 

 

 

Number of

 

Average

 

Aggregate

 

 

 

Shares

 

Exercise Price

 

Intrinsic Value*

 

Options outstanding & exercisable at January 1, 2008

 

65,834

 

$

19.80

 

$

2,292

 

Exercised by holders of LightSquared options

 

(3,334

)

$

22.53

 

$

 

Options outstanding & exercisable at December 31, 2008

 

62,500

 

$

19.65

 

$

 

Options outstanding & exercisable at December 31, 2009

 

62,500

 

$

19.65

 

$

399

 

Exercised by holders of LightSquared options

 

(5,000

)

$

22.53

 

$

 

Options outstanding & exercisable at December 31, 2010

 

57,500

 

$

19.40

 

$

1,210

 

 


*       In thousands.

 

The following table summarizes information about stock options that are outstanding and exercisable as of December 31, 2010:

 

 

 

Stock Options Outstanding and Exercisable

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted

 

Average

 

 

 

Number of

 

Average

 

Remaining Life

 

Range of Exercise Prices

 

Shares

 

Exercise Price

 

(Years)

 

$1.48

 

5,000

 

$

1.48

 

3.13

 

$20.23 - $22.53

 

52,500

 

$

21.11

 

4.30

 

 

 

57,500

 

$

19.40

 

4.20

 

 

Note 17:  Other Benefits

 

401(k) Plan

 

We have a 401(k) salary deferral program for eligible employees in the United States who have met certain service requirements. Eligible employees may contribute up to 25% (16% for highly compensated employees) of their eligible compensation into the plan on a pre-tax basis each payroll period, subject to a limit of $16,500 in 2010 per the IRS. Employee contributions are immediately vested. We will match 100% of employee contributions up to 3% of eligible compensation and 50% of employee contributions on up to an additional 6% of eligible compensation. Matching contributions are 100% vested after eligible employees have completed three years of service. During 2010, 2009 and 2008, we made $6.7 million, $6.9 million and $6.9 million, respectively, of matching contributions.

 

In addition, as allowed by the IRS, participants who are age 50 or older may make additional contributions (“catch-up contributions”), up to $5,500 in 2010, into the plan. The Company does not match the catch-up contributions. The plan also permits participants to make contributions on an after-tax basis.

 

Long-Term Cash Incentive Retention Program

 

In 2005, HNS established a one-time employee retention program (“Retention Program”), which was designed to retain certain employees chosen by HNS’ senior management. As a result of HNS successfully attaining 100% of its earnings goal for 2008, as defined in the Retention Program, HNS paid an aggregate of $14.7 million to eligible participants under the Retention Program in 2009, of which $13.2 million was accrued as of December 31, 2008. The Company has no further obligation associated with the Retention Program.

 

Note 18:  Stockholders’ Equity

 

The Company is a publicly-traded company and is authorized to issue 64,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.001 per share. The Company is also authorized to issue 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value

 

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NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — Continued

 

$0.001 per share. The preferred stock can be issued in one or more classes or series, and the Board of Directors have the authority to establish voting rights, preferences, and other rights related to dividends, convertibility, redemptions and other limitations as may be permitted by the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware. As of December 31, 2010, no class or series of preferred stock had been established by the Company’s Board of Directors.

 

Note 19:  Segment Data and Geographic Data

 

Set forth below is selected financial information for our operating segments (in thousands). There were no intersegment transactions in 2010, 2009 and 2008.

 

 

 

North

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

America

 

International

 

Telecom

 

HTS

 

Corporate

 

 

 

 

 

Broadband

 

Broadband

 

Systems

 

Satellite

 

and Other

 

Consolidated

 

As of or For the Year Ended December 31, 2010

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenues

 

$

733,750

 

$

205,607

 

$

95,069

 

$

3,317

 

$

5,584

 

$

1,043,327

 

Operating income (loss)

 

$

67,884

 

$

10,571

 

$

14,183

 

$

(3,350

)

$

(3,664

)

$

85,624

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

$

111,743

 

$

15,029

 

$

4,182

 

$

 

$

632

 

$

131,586

 

Assets

 

$

633,775

 

$

185,316

 

$

44,252

 

$

249,952

 

$

249,880

 

$

1,363,175

 

Capital expenditures(1)

 

$

95,628

 

$

10,295

 

$

343

 

$

180,741

 

$

8,885

 

$

295,892

 

As of or For the Year Ended December 31, 2009

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenues

 

$

690,279

 

$

203,886

 

$

112,500

 

$

 

$

3,034

 

$

1,009,699

 

Operating income (loss)(2)

 

$

(7,991

)

$

15,120

 

$

14,227

 

$

(37

)

$

(9,007

)

$

12,312

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

$

84,706

 

$

13,355

 

$

4,078

 

$

 

$

592

 

$

102,731

 

Assets

 

$

632,803

 

$

184,461

 

$

45,500

 

$

66,596

 

$

373,034

 

$

1,302,394

 

Capital expenditures(1)

 

$

95,556

 

$

15,124

 

$

1,213

 

$

44,065

 

$

7,578

 

$

163,536

 

As of or For the Year Ended December 31, 2008

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenues

 

$

667,665

 

$

237,188

 

$

155,038

 

$

 

$

462

 

$

1,060,353

 

Operating income (loss)

 

$

21,339

 

$

21,679

 

$

25,116

 

$

 

$

(3,842

)

$

64,292

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

$

55,868

 

$

9,233

 

$

3,836

 

$

 

$

 

$

68,937

 

Assets

 

$

648,603

 

$

197,087

 

$

64,727

 

$

 

$

279,976

 

$

1,190,393

 

Capital expenditures(1)

 

$

71,696

 

$

11,188

 

$

2,223

 

$

 

$

11,126

 

$

96,233

 

 


(1) Capital expenditures on an accrual basis were: $295.9 million, $190.5 million and $96.2 million for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively.

(2) Operating loss for North America Broadband includes $44.4 million of impairment loss related to our prepaid deposit to Sea Launch, which was impaired in 2009.

 

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NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — Continued

 

For the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, no single customer accounted for more than 10% of total revenues. Revenues by geographic area are summarized by customers’ locations as follows (in thousands):

 

 

 

Year Ended December 31,

 

 

 

2010

 

2009

 

2008

 

North America

 

$

829,948

 

$

801,808

 

$

803,496

 

Africa, Asia and the Middle East

 

89,679

 

88,939

 

106,627

 

Europe

 

62,607

 

69,430

 

115,495

 

South America and the Caribbean

 

61,093

 

49,522

 

34,735

 

Total revenues

 

$

1,043,327

 

$

1,009,699

 

$

1,060,353

 

 

Individual countries with significant revenues for the three years ended December 31, 2010 are as follows (in thousands):

 

 

 

Year Ended December 31,

 

 

 

2010

 

2009

 

2008

 

United States

 

$

800,327

 

$

774,719

 

$

785,349

 

Brazil

 

$

56,791

 

$

42,167

 

$

30,038

 

India

 

$

47,237

 

$

39,294

 

$

48,067

 

United Kingdom

 

$

21,457

 

$

29,257

 

$

66,555

 

 

Total property, net by geographic area is summarized customers’ locations as follows (in thousands):

 

 

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2010

 

2009

 

North America:

 

 

 

 

 

United States

 

$

744,758

 

$

573,755

 

Mexico

 

5

 

55

 

Total North America

 

744,763

 

573,810

 

South America and the Caribbean

 

13,377

 

12,702

 

Africa, Asia and the Middle East

 

11,284

 

10,768

 

Europe

 

4,628

 

5,123

 

Total property, net

 

$

774,052

 

$

602,403

 

 

Note 20:  Transactions with Related Parties

 

In the ordinary course of our operations, we enter into transactions with related parties to purchase and/or sell telecommunications services, equipment, and inventory. Related parties include all entities that are related to Apollo Management, L.P. and its affiliates (collectively “Apollo”), our controlling stockholder.

 

Separation Agreement

 

As part of the Distribution in 2006, LightSquared and the Company entered into a separation agreement (“Separation Agreement”). Among other things, the Separation Agreement provides for certain indemnifications, tax sharing, consulting services and access to facilities.

 

Indemnification—The Separation Agreement provides that the Company will indemnify LightSquared against losses based on, arising out of, or resulting from (i) the ownership or the operation of the assets or properties transferred to the Company under the Separation Agreement, and the operation or conduct of the business of, including contracts entered into and any activities engaged in by, the Company, whether in the past or future; (ii) any other activities the Company engages in; (iii) any guaranty or keep well of or by LightSquared provided to

 

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NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — Continued

 

any parties with respect to any of the Company’s actual or contingent obligations; and (iv) certain other matters described in the Separation Agreement. The Separation Agreement provides that LightSquared will indemnify the Company against losses based on, arising out of, or resulting from the ownership or operation of the assets or properties of Mobile Satellite Ventures LP (“MSV”) and TerreStar Networks, Inc., (“TerreStar”) or the operation or conduct of their businesses, including the contracts entered into by them, and certain other matters described in the Separation Agreement.

 

Tax sharing agreement—The tax sharing agreement governs the allocation between the Company and LightSquared of tax liabilities and related tax matters, such as the preparation and filing of tax returns and tax contests, for all taxable periods ended on or before February 21, 2006. The Company will generally be responsible for, and indemnify LightSquared and its subsidiaries against, all tax liabilities imposed on or attributable to (i) the Company and any of its subsidiaries relating to all taxable periods and (ii) LightSquared and any of its subsidiaries for all taxable periods or portions thereof ending on or prior to a change of control of LightSquared, in each case, after taking into account any tax attributes of LightSquared or any of its subsidiaries that are available to offset such tax liabilities. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company is not responsible for any taxes relating to MSV, TerreStar or a change of control of LightSquared. Additionally, under the tax sharing agreement, LightSquared is responsible for, and indemnifies the Company and its subsidiaries against, all tax liabilities imposed on or attributable to MSV and TerreStar relating to all taxable periods, LightSquared and any of its subsidiaries relating to all taxable periods or portions thereof beginning and ending after a change of control, and any change of control of LightSquared.

 

Hughes Telematics, Inc.

 

In July 2006, HNS granted a limited license to HTI allowing HTI to use the HUGHES trademark. The license is limited in that HTI may use the HUGHES trademark only in connection with its business of automotive telematics and only in combination with the TELEMATICS name. As partial consideration for the license, the agreement provides that HNS will be HTI’s preferred engineering services provider. The license is royalty-free, except that HTI has agreed to pay a royalty to HNS in the event HTI no longer has a commercial or affiliated relationship with HNS.

 

In October 2007, HNS entered into an agreement with HTI and a customer of HTI, whereby HNS agreed to assume the rights and performance obligations of HTI in the event that HTI fails to perform its obligations due to a fundamental cause such as bankruptcy or the cessation of its telematics business. In connection with that agreement, HNS and HTI have entered into a letter agreement pursuant to which HTI has agreed to take certain actions to enable HNS to assume HTI’s obligations in the event that such action is required. However, as a result of the Merger, as defined and described in Note 10—Other Assets, HNS’ obligations to HTI and its customer expired when HTI became a public company in March 2009 with an initial market capitalization value greater than $300.0 million. In January 2008, HNS entered into an agreement with HTI for the development of an automotive telematics system for HTI, comprising the telematics system hub and the Telematics Control Unit (“TCU”), which will serve as the user appliance in the telematics system.

 

In March 2009, we made an equity investment in HTI, which represented approximately 3.8% of HTI’s outstanding common stock. See Note 10—Other Assets for further discussion. In August 2009, HTI terminated substantially all of the development, engineering and manufacturing services with HNS as a result of the bankruptcy filing of one of HTI’s customers.

 

On December 18, 2009, HNS entered into a promissory note with HTI (“Promissory Note”) for $8.3 million of account receivables that HTI owed to HNS. The Promissory Note had a maturity date of December 31, 2010 and an interest rate of 12% per annum. On November 5, 2010, the Company revised the term of the Promissory Note to extend the maturity date to December 31, 2011. As of December 31, 2010, the remaining Promissory Note, including accrued interest, had a balance of $5.6 million. HNS expects to fully recover $5.6 million.

 

HTI is controlled by an affiliate of Apollo. Jeffrey A. Leddy, a member of HNS’ Board of Managers and our Board of Directors, is the CEO and a director of HTI and owns less than 1.5% of HTI’s equity as of December 31, 2010. In addition, Andrew Africk and Aaron Stone, members of HNS’ Board of Managers and our Board of Directors, are directors of HTI and partners of Apollo.

 

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NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — Continued

 

Hughes Systique Corporation

 

HNS has contracted with Hughes Systique, an entity consolidated with the Company, for software development services. In addition to our 45.23% ownership in Hughes Systique, our CEO and President and his brother, who is the CEO and President of Hughes Systique and our former Executive Vice President, in the aggregate, owned approximately 25.61%, on an undiluted basis, of Hughes Systique’s outstanding shares as of December 31, 2010. Furthermore, our CEO and President and Jeffrey A. Leddy, a member of our Board of Directors and HNS’ Board of Managers, serve on the board of directors of Hughes Systique. As a result of the Termination Agreement, we are required to consolidate Hughes Systique’s results of operations in our operating results. For a description of additional transactions entered into between the Company and Hughes Systique, see Note 3—Consolidation of Hughes Systique Corporation.

 

Agreement with 95 West Co., Inc.

 

In July 2006, HNS entered into an agreement with 95 West Co. and its parent, MLH, pursuant to which 95 West Co. and MLH agreed to provide a series of coordination agreements which allow HNS to operate its SPACEWAY 3 at an orbital position where such parties have higher-priority rights. Jeffrey A. Leddy, a member of our Board of Directors and HNS’ Board of Managers, is the managing director of 95 West Co. and MLH and also owns a small interest in each. Andrew Africk, another member of our Board of Directors and HNS’ Board of Managers, is also a director of MLH. As part of the agreement, HNS agreed to pay $9.3 million, in annual installments of $0.3 million in 2006, $0.75 million in each year between 2007 and 2010 and $1.0 million in each year between 2011 and 2016 for the use of the orbital position, subject to conditions in the agreement including HNS’ ability to operate SPACEWAY 3. As of December 31, 2010, the remaining debt balance under the capital lease was $4.9 million, which was included in “Capital lease and other” in the short-term and long-term debt tables included in Note 12—Debt. During 2010, we paid $0.75 million to 95 West Co. pursuant to the agreement.

 

Smart & Final, Inc.

 

As of December 31, 2010, Apollo owned, directly or indirectly, 96% of Smart & Final, Inc. (“Smart & Final”). We provide broadband products and services to Smart & Final.

 

CKE Restaurants, Inc.

 

On July 12, 2010, an affiliate of Apollo acquired CKE Restaurants, Inc. (“CKE”). As a result, CKE indirectly became our related party as of that date. We provide broadband products and services to CKE.

 

Intelsat Holdings Limited

 

The Company and its subsidiaries lease satellite transponder capacity from Intelsat Holdings Limited (“Intelsat”). In addition, our Italian subsidiary, Hughes Network Systems, S.r.L., entered into a cooperation agreement with Intelsat, Telespazio and Telecom Italia. Under this agreement, the parties are cooperating to provide broadband satellite services for Italian businesses operating in Eastern Europe and North Africa. Effective February 4, 2008, Apollo divested its entire ownership interest in Intelsat, and as a result, Intelsat is no longer a related party.

 

Other

 

Certain members of our Board of Directors and officers serve on the boards of directors of some of our affiliates. In some cases, such directors and officers have received stock-based compensation from such affiliates for their service. In those cases, the amount of stock-based compensation received by the directors and officers is comparable to stock-based compensation awarded to other non-executive members of the affiliates’ boards of directors.

 

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NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — Continued

 

Related Party Transactions

 

Sales and purchase transactions with related parties are as follows (in thousands):

 

 

 

Year Ended December 31,

 

 

 

2010

 

2009

 

2008

 

Sales:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

HTI

 

$

501

 

$

23,644

 

$

31,065

 

Others

 

1,046

 

476

 

897

 

Total sales

 

$

1,547

 

$

24,120

 

$

31,962

 

Purchases:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hughes Systique(1)

 

$

 

$

1,591

 

$

9,419

 

95 West Co.

 

 

 

750

 

Intelsat(2)

 

 

 

10,074

 

Total purchases

 

$

 

$

1,591

 

$

20,243

 

 


(1) For the period after March 11, 2009, Hughes Systique’s results of operations are consolidated with the Company’s operating results.

(2) Subsequent to February 4, 2008, Intelsat is no longer a related party.

 

Assets resulting from transactions with related parties are as follows (in thousands):

 

 

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2010

 

2009

 

Due from related parties:

 

 

 

 

 

HTI

 

$

5,632

 

$

8,652

 

Others

 

159

 

52

 

Total due from related parties

 

$

5,791

 

$

8,704

 

 

Note 21:  Net Income (loss) Attributable to HCI stockholders and Transfer from Noncontrolling Interests

 

 

 

Year Ended December 31,

 

 

 

2010

 

2009

 

2008

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

Net income (loss) attributable to HCI stockholders

 

$

22,787

 

$

(52,693

)

$

9,018

 

Transfers from the noncontrolling interest:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Decrease in HCI paid-in capital for purchase of subsidiary shares

 

 

(396

)

 

Change from net income (loss) attributable to HCI stockholders and transfers from the noncontrolling interest

 

$

22,787

 

$

(53,089

)

$

9,018

 

 

Note 22:  Commitments and Contingencies

 

Litigation

 

We are periodically involved in litigation in the ordinary course of our business involving claims regarding intellectual property infringement, product liability, property damage, personal injury, contracts, employment and worker’s compensation. We do not believe that there are any such pending or threatened legal proceedings, including ordinary litigation incidental to the conduct of our business and the ownership of our properties that, if adversely determined, would have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations or liquidity.

 

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NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — Continued

 

In October 2008, Hughes Telecommunicaçoes do Brasil Ltda. (“HTB”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of HNS, received a tax assessment of approximately $7.6 million from the State of São Paulo Treasury Department. The tax assessment alleges that HTB failed to pay certain import taxes to the State of São Paulo. Recent decrees and legislative actions by the State of São Paulo will alleviate approximately $4.8 million of the tax assessment over time with no impact to the Company. We do not believe the assessment is valid and plan to dispute the State of São Paulo’s claims and to defend vigorously against these allegations. Therefore, we have not recorded a liability. It is the opinion of management that such litigation is not expected to have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

 

In March 2009, an arbitration panel ruled in favor of HNS in its arbitration against Sea Launch Limited Partnership and Sea Launch Company, LLC (collectively, “Sea Launch”) entitling HNS to a full refund of $44.4 million (the “Deposit”) in payments made to Sea Launch in connection with launch services for SPACEWAY 3, in addition to interest of 10% per annum on the $44.4 million from July 10, 2007 until payment on the Deposit is received in full. On June 22, 2009, Sea Launch filed a voluntary petition to reorganize under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware. As a result of this filing, our efforts to pursue collection of the arbitral award from Sea Launch were stayed under the bankruptcy laws. On May 27, 2010, HNS entered into a settlement agreement with Sea Launch to resolve the claim that HNS filed in the Sea Launch bankruptcy (the “Settlement Agreement”). The Settlement Agreement provides that Sea Launch will irrevocably issue to HNS two credits, each in the amount of $22.2 million (the “Credits”), in satisfaction and discharge of HNS’ bankruptcy claim. The Credits may be used by HNS to defray the cost of up to two launches contracted by December 31, 2015, and scheduled to occur by December 31, 2017. In addition, subject to the terms and conditions of the Settlement Agreement, one or both Credits may be transferred to third parties. The bankruptcy court has approved the Settlement Agreement, and its terms have been incorporated into the court’s order approving Sea Launch’s plan of reorganization. The Settlement Agreement became effective on October 27, 2010.

 

On May 18, 2009, the Company and HNS received notice of a complaint filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California by two California subscribers to the HughesNet service. The plaintiffs complain about the speed of the HughesNet service, the Fair Access Policy, early termination fees and certain terms and conditions of the HughesNet subscriber agreement. The plaintiffs seek to pursue their claims as a class action on behalf of other California subscribers. On June 4, 2009, the Company and HNS received notice of a similar complaint filed by another HughesNet subscriber in the Superior Court of San Diego County, California. The plaintiff in this case also seeks to pursue his claims as a class action on behalf of other California subscribers. Both cases have been consolidated into a single case in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California. In January 2011, the Company agreed to settle this consolidated case on a nationwide basis, subject to court approval. As a result, the Company has accrued $1.9 million for estimated settlement costs, plaintiffs’ attorney fees and other related expenses. In the event that the settlement is not effectuated, the Company would revert to its previous position of vigorously defending these matters as it believes that the allegations in these complaints are not meritorious.

 

On December 18, 2009, the Company and HNS received notice of a complaint filed in the Cook County, Illinois, Circuit Court by a former subscriber to the HughesNet service. The complaint seeks a declaration allowing the former subscriber to file a class arbitration challenging early termination fees under the subscriber agreement. The Company was dismissed from this case in September 2010, while HNS remains a defendant. HNS’s motion to dismiss, filed in September 2010, is pending, and HNS will continue to vigorously defend the case.

 

Some or all of the Company, its Directors, EchoStar Corporation, EchoStar Satellite Services, L.L.C. (“EchoStar LLC”), Broadband Acquisition Corporation (“Merger Sub”), and Apollo Global Management, LLC (“AGM”) have been named as defendants in four shareholder class action lawsuits in connection with the proposed transaction in which EchoStar will acquire all of the outstanding equity of HCI and its subsidiaries. See Note 25—Subsequent Events for further discussion. On February 18, 2011, the Gottlieb Family Foundation filed its class action complaint in the Circuit Court for Montgomery County, Maryland. On February 23, 2011, Plymouth County Retirement System filed its shareholder class action complaint in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware. On February 24, 2011, Edward Ostensoe filed a shareholder class action complaint in the Circuit Court for Montgomery County, Maryland. On February 28, 2011, Nina J. Shah Rohrbasser Irr. Trust filed a shareholder class action complaint in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware. Each complaint alleges that the directors of the Company breached their fiduciary duties in agreeing to the transaction. The complaints also allege that some or all

 

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NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — Continued

 

of the Company, EchoStar, EchoStar LLC, Merger Sub and AGM aided and abetted such breaches by the directors of the Company. In each case, the Plaintiffs seek to enjoin the proposed transaction and/or damages, costs, and attorney fees. The Company believes that the allegations in all of these complaints are not meritorious and we intend to vigorously defend these matters.

 

Product Warranties

 

We warrant our hardware products over 12 months, depending on the products sold, following the date of installation. A large portion of our enterprise customers enter into maintenance agreements under which we recognize revenue for providing maintenance services that prolong the life and effectiveness of the installed hardware, thus minimizing the potential for warranty claims or repairs. Warranty reserves are determined based on historical warranty repair experience and an assessment of the number of units remaining under warranty coverage. Long-term contracts for the sale of wireless communications systems may include contractual provisions relating to warranty coverage for fixed terms generally not exceeding five years. Warranty provisions for these contracts are included in the determination of overall contract costs and earnings, based on management’s estimates of the cost of the related coverage. Accrued contract warranty costs are reviewed and adjusted, as appropriate, over the term of the contractual warranty period.

 

Changes in accrued warranty costs were as follows (in thousands):

 

 

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2010

 

2009

 

Balance beginning of period

 

$

1,943

 

$

3,909

 

Warranty costs accrual

 

342

 

2,372

 

Warranty costs incurred

 

(567

)

(4,338

)

Balance at end of period

 

$

1,718

 

$

1,943

 

 

Leases

 

We have non-cancelable operating leases having lease terms in excess of one year, primarily for real property. Future minimum payments under such leases at December 31, 2010 are as follows (in thousands):

 

 

 

Amount

 

Year ending December 31,

 

 

 

2011

 

$

13,071

 

2012

 

10,956

 

2013

 

7,347

 

2014

 

5,705

 

2015

 

3,017

 

Thereafter

 

4,097

 

Total minimum lease payments

 

$

44,193

 

 

Rental expenses under operating leases, net of sublease income, were $15.3 million, $14.4 million and $12.8 million for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively. The total of minimum rentals to be received in the future under non-cancelable subleases as of December 31, 2010 was $0.1 million.

 

We have non-cancelable vendor obligations for acquisition of transponder capacity. Future minimum payments under such obligations at December 31, 2010 are as follows (in thousands):

 

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HUGHES COMMUNICATIONS, INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — Continued

 

 

 

Amount

 

Year ending December 31,

 

 

 

2011

 

$

119,466

 

2012

 

67,483

 

2013

 

49,846

 

2014

 

35,685

 

2015

 

28,337

 

Thereafter

 

11,947

 

Total minimum lease payments

 

$

312,764

 

 

Rental expenses under operating leases for transponder capacity were $172.6 million, $180.9 million and $193.3 million for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively.

 

Commitments

 

In June 2009, HNS entered into an agreement with SS/L for the construction of Jupiter and has agreed to make installment payments to SS/L upon the completion of each milestone as set forth in the agreement. HNS entered into a contract with Barrett Xplore Inc. (“Barrett”), whereby Barrett agreed to lease user beams and purchase gateways and Ka-band terminals for the Jupiter satellite that are designed to operate in Canada. In April 2010, HNS entered into an agreement with Arianespace for the launch of Jupiter in the first half of 2012. Pursuant to the agreement, the Ariane 5 will launch Jupiter into geosynchronous transfer orbit from Guiana Space Centre in Kourou, French Guiana. As of December 31, 2010, our remaining obligation for the construction and launch of Jupiter was approximately $210.8 million.

 

We are contingently liable under standby letters of credit and bonds in the aggregate amount of $16.2 million that were undrawn as of December 31, 2010. Of this amount, $4.4 million was issued under the Revolving Credit Facility; $0.7 million was secured by restricted cash; $1.1 million related to insurance bonds; and $10.0 million was issued under credit arrangements available to our Indian and Brazilian subsidiaries. Certain letters of credit issued by our foreign subsidiaries are secured by certain assets. As of December 31, 2010, these obligations were scheduled to expire as follows: $13.5 million in 2011; $1.0 million in 2012; $0.4 million in 2013; and $1.3 million in 2014 and thereafter.

 

Note 23:  Supplemental Guarantor and Non-Guarantor Financial Information

 

On August 8, 2007, the Company filed a shelf registration statement on Form S-3, as amended on November 15, 2007, to register shares of our common stock, preferred stock, and warrants and debt securities and non-convertible debt securities of HNS and HNS Finance Corp., a finance subsidiary which is HNS’s wholly-owned subsidiary (the “Co-Issuer”), as co issuers. In connection with any future issuance of debt securities of HNS and the Co-Issuer, we will, and one or more of our other subsidiaries may, on a joint and several basis, offer full and unconditional guarantees of the obligations of HNS and the Co-Issuer, under such debt securities. The registration statement was declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 19, 2007 and expired on November 19, 2010.

 

In lieu of providing separate audited financial statements of HNS, the Co-Issuer and HNS’ guarantor subsidiaries, condensed financial statements prepared in accordance with Rule 3-10 and Rule 5-04 of Regulation S-X are presented below. The column marked “Parent” represents our results of operations, with the subsidiaries accounted for using the equity method. The column marked “Subsidiary Issuer” represents the results of HNS. The column marked “Guarantor Subsidiaries” includes the results of HNS’ guarantor subsidiaries and the Co-Issuer, which is a co-issuer of HNS’ Senior Notes and which had no assets, operations, revenues or cash flows for the periods presented. The column marked “Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries” includes the results of non-guarantor subsidiaries of the Company and HNS. Eliminations necessary to arrive at the information for the Company on a consolidated basis for the periods presented are included in the column so labeled. Separate financial statements and other disclosures concerning the Co-Issuer and HNS’ Guarantor Subsidiaries are not presented because management has determined that they are not material to investors.

 

F-106



Table of Contents

 

HUGHES COMMUNICATIONS, INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — Continued

 

The following represents the supplemental condensed financial statements of the Company, HNS, the Guarantor Subsidiaries and the Non-guarantor Subsidiaries. These condensed financial statements should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and notes thereto. In 2010, the Company liquidated one of its wholly-owned non-guarantor subsidiaries. As a result, certain prior period items in the following supplemental condensed financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation.

 

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2010
(In thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

Subsidiary

 

Guarantor

 

Non-Guarantor

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Parent

 

Issuer

 

Subsidiaries

 

Subsidiaries

 

Eliminations

 

Total

 

Assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

56,583

 

$

67,707

 

$

256

 

$

13,585

 

$

 

138,131

 

Marketable securities

 

37,857

 

6,675

 

 

 

 

44,532

 

Receivables, net

 

9,437

 

141,422

 

38

 

61,067

 

(25,272

)

186,692

 

Inventories

 

 

45,388

 

 

12,431

 

 

57,819

 

Prepaid expenses and other

 

181

 

9,172

 

70

 

16,704

 

 

26,127

 

Total current assets

 

104,058

 

270,364

 

364

 

103,787

 

(25,272

)

453,301

 

Property, net

 

 

713,007

 

32,948

 

28,097

 

 

774,052

 

Investment in subsidiaries

 

221,665

 

118,080

 

 

 

(339,745

)

 

Other assets

 

7,404

 

98,967

 

1,405

 

29,746

 

(1,700

)

135,822

 

Total assets

 

$

333,127

 

$

1,200,418

 

$

34,717

 

$

161,630

 

$

(366,717

)

1,363,175

 

Liabilities and equity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable

 

$

681

 

$

101,684

 

$

199

 

$

36,764

 

$

(19,126

)

120,202

 

Short-term debt

 

 

2,284

 

 

4,001

 

 

6,285

 

Accrued liabilities and other

 

756

 

109,561

 

 

24,619

 

(6,146

)

128,790

 

Total current liabilities

 

1,437

 

213,529

 

199

 

65,384

 

(25,272

)

255,277

 

Long-term debt

 

 

737,677

 

 

2,899

 

 

740,576

 

Other long-term liabilities

 

 

27,308

 

 

1,700

 

(1,700

)

27,308

 

Total HCI stockholders’ equity

 

329,050

 

221,904

 

26,194

 

91,647

 

(339,745

)

329,050

 

Noncontrolling interests

 

2,640

 

 

8,324

 

 

 

10,964

 

Total liabilities and equity

 

$

333,127

 

$

1,200,418

 

$

34,717

 

$

161,630

 

$

(366,717

)

1,363,175

 

 

F-107



Table of Contents

 

HUGHES COMMUNICATIONS, INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — Continued

 

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2009

(In thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

Subsidiary

 

Guarantor

 

Non-Guarantor

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Parent

 

Issuer

 

Subsidiaries

 

Subsidiaries

 

Eliminations

 

Total

 

Assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

74,825

 

$

173,991

 

$

1,091

 

$

11,131

 

$

 

261,038

 

Marketable securities

 

16,062

 

31,126

 

 

 

 

47,188

 

Receivables, net

 

7,888

 

115,948

 

628

 

63,405

 

(24,053

)

163,816

 

Inventories

 

 

47,437

 

138

 

12,669

 

 

60,244

 

Prepaid expenses and other

 

264

 

7,421

 

234

 

14,557

 

 

22,476

 

Total current assets

 

99,039

 

375,923

 

2,091

 

101,762

 

(24,053

)

554,762

 

Property, net

 

 

542,642

 

32,792

 

26,969

 

 

602,403

 

Investment in subsidiaries

 

200,687

 

115,136

 

 

 

(315,823

)

 

Other assets

 

8,903

 

102,045

 

3,221

 

32,663

 

(1,603

)

145,229

 

Total assets

 

$

308,629

 

$

1,135,746

 

$

38,104

 

$

161,394

 

$

(341,479

)

1,302,394

 

Liabilities and equity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable

 

$

753

 

$

97,114

 

$

2,272

 

$

39,122

 

$

(19,800

)

119,461

 

Short-term debt

 

 

2,054

 

 

4,696

 

 

6,750

 

Accrued liabilities and other

 

701

 

110,088

 

714

 

24,524

 

(4,253

)

131,774

 

Total current liabilities

 

1,454

 

209,256

 

2,986

 

68,342

 

(24,053

)

257,985

 

Long-term debt

 

 

710,259

 

 

4,698

 

 

714,957

 

Other long-term liabilities

 

 

16,191

 

 

1,768

 

(1,603

)

16,356

 

Total HCI stockholders’ equity

 

304,041

 

200,040

 

29,197

 

86,586

 

(315,823

)

304,041

 

Noncontrolling interests

 

3,134

 

 

5,921

 

 

 

9,055

 

Total liabilities and equity

 

$

308,629

 

$

1,135,746

 

$

38,104

 

$

161,394

 

$

(341,479

)

1,302,394

 

 

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations for the Year Ended December 31, 2010

(In thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

Subsidiary

 

Guarantor

 

Non-Guarantor

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Parent

 

Issuer

 

Subsidiaries

 

Subsidiaries

 

Eliminations

 

Total

 

Revenues

 

$

902

 

$

907,682

 

$

1,911

 

$

164,187

 

$

(31,355

)

$

1,043,327

 

Operating costs and expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Costs of revenues

 

 

635,057

 

306

 

120,871

 

(28,406

)

727,828

 

Selling, general and administrative

 

3,834

 

168,742

 

3,641

 

33,244

 

(2,949

)

206,512

 

Research and development

 

 

19,824

 

455

 

 

 

20,279

 

Amortization of intangible assets

 

 

2,582

 

168

 

334

 

 

3,084

 

Total operating costs and expenses

 

3,834

 

826,205

 

4,570

 

154,449

 

(31,355

)

957,703

 

Operating income (loss)

 

(2,932

)

81,477

 

(2,659

)

9,738

 

 

85,624

 

Other income (expense):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest expense

 

 

(58,098

)

 

(1,497

)

250

 

(59,345

)

Interest and other income, net

 

729

 

625

 

870

 

443

 

(250

)

2,417

 

Equity in earnings of subsidiaries

 

24,558

 

2,252

 

 

 

(26,810

)

 

Income (loss) before income tax expense

 

22,355

 

26,256

 

(1,789

)

8,684

 

(26,810

)

28,696

 

Income tax expense

 

(25

)

(863

)

 

(4,828

)

 

(5,716

)

Net income (loss)

 

22,330

 

25,393

 

(1,789

)

3,856

 

(26,810

)

22,980

 

Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests

 

457

 

 

(1,214

)

564

 

 

(193

)

Net income (loss) attributable to HCI stockholders

 

$

22,787

 

$

25,393

 

$

(3,003

)

$

4,420

 

$

(26,810

)

$

22,787

 

 

F-108



Table of Contents

 

HUGHES COMMUNICATIONS, INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — Continued

 

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations for the Year Ended December 31, 2009

(In thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

Subsidiary

 

Guarantor

 

Non-Guarantor

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Parent

 

Issuer

 

Subsidiaries

 

Subsidiaries

 

Eliminations

 

Total

 

Revenues

 

$

600

 

$

873,794

 

$

9,680

 

$

158,719

 

$

(33,094

)

$

1,009,699

 

Operating costs and expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Costs of revenues

 

 

644,750

 

5,281

 

117,810

 

(29,521

)

738,320

 

Selling, general and administrative

 

3,879

 

147,793

 

5,173

 

27,403

 

(3,573

)

180,675

 

Loss on impairments

 

6,239

 

44,400

 

 

 

 

50,639

 

Research and development

 

 

19,574

 

2,722

 

 

 

22,296

 

Amortization of intangible assets

 

 

4,038

 

1,126

 

293

 

 

5,457

 

Total operating costs and expenses

 

10,118

 

860,555

 

14,302

 

145,506

 

(33,094

)

997,387

 

Operating income (loss)

 

(9,518

)

13,239

 

(4,622

)

13,213

 

 

12,312

 

Other income (expense):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest expense

 

 

(62,972

)

 

(1,344

)

197

 

(64,119

)

Interest and other income, net

 

987

 

1,541

 

 

275

 

(197

)

2,606

 

Equity in earnings (losses) of subsidiaries

 

(44,466

)

4,033

 

 

 

40,433

 

 

Income (loss) before income tax (expense) benefit

 

(52,997

)

(44,159

)

(4,622

)

12,144

 

40,433

 

(49,201

)

Income tax (expense) benefit

 

2

 

(746

)

 

(1,702

)

 

(2,446

)

Net income (loss)

 

(52,995

)

(44,905

)

(4,622

)

10,442

 

40,433

 

(51,647

)

Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests

 

302

 

 

(1,842

)

494

 

 

(1,046

)

Net income (loss) attributable to HCI stockholders

 

$

(52,693

)

$

(44,905

)

$

(6,464

)

$

10,936

 

$

40,433

 

$

(52,693

)

 

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations for the Year Ended December 31, 2008

(In thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

Subsidiary

 

Guarantor

 

Non-Guarantor

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Parent

 

Issuer

 

Subsidiaries

 

Subsidiaries

 

Eliminations

 

Total

 

Revenues

 

$

462

 

$

894,885

 

$

13,873

 

$

186,728

 

$

(35,595

)

$

1,060,353

 

Operating costs and expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Costs of revenues

 

24

 

676,339

 

5,878

 

134,476

 

(31,756

)

784,961

 

Selling, general and administrative

 

4,280

 

140,747

 

5,533

 

31,127

 

(3,839

)

177,848

 

Research and development

 

 

23,931

 

2,902

 

 

 

26,833

 

Amortization of intangible assets

 

 

5,387

 

1,032

 

 

 

6,419

 

Total operating costs and expenses

 

4,304

 

846,404

 

15,345

 

165,603

 

(35,595

)

996,061

 

Operating income (loss)

 

(3,842

)

48,481

 

(1,472

)

21,125

 

 

64,292

 

Other income (expense):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest expense

 

(2

)

(49,898

)

 

(1,429

)

2

 

(51,327

)

Interest and other income, net

 

802

 

2,448

 

 

708

 

(2

)

3,956

 

Equity in earnings of subsidiaries

 

12,096

 

11,988

 

 

 

(24,084

)

 

Income (loss) before income tax expense

 

9,054

 

13,019

 

(1,472

)

20,404

 

(24,084

)

16,921

 

Income tax expense

 

(5

)

(923

)

 

(6,665

)

 

(7,593

)

Net income (loss)

 

9,049

 

12,096

 

(1,472

)

13,739

 

(24,084

)

9,328

 

Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests

 

(31

)

 

(381

)

102

 

 

(310

)

Net income (loss) attributable to HCI stockholders

 

$

9,018

 

$

12,096

 

$

(1,853

)

$

13,841

 

$

(24,084

)

$

9,018

 

 

F-109



Table of Contents

 

HUGHES COMMUNICATIONS, INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — Continued

 

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for the Year Ended December 31, 2010

(In thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

Subsidiary

 

Guarantor

 

Non-Guarantor

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Parent

 

Issuer

 

Subsidiaries

 

Subsidiaries

 

Eliminations

 

Total

 

Cash flows from operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

 

$

22,330

 

$

25,393

 

$

(1,789

)

$

3,856

 

$

(26,810

)

$

22,980

 

Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash flows from operating activities

 

(19,275

)

107,216

 

3,036

 

7,954

 

26,810

 

125,741

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

 

3,055

 

132,609

 

1,247

 

11,810

 

 

148,721

 

Cash flows from investing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Change in restricted cash

 

 

1,103

 

 

108

 

 

1,211

 

Purchases of marketable securities

 

(76,412

)

(29,280

)

 

 

 

(105,692

)

Proceeds from sales of marketable securities

 

54,596

 

53,693

 

 

 

 

108,289

 

Expenditures for property

 

 

(271,863

)

(2,082

)

(8,874

)

 

(282,819

)

Expenditures for capitalized software

 

 

(13,073

)

 

 

 

(13,073

)

Proceeds from sales of property

 

 

19

 

 

186

 

 

205

 

Other, net

 

385

 

 

 

1,462

 

 

1,847

 

Net cash used in investing activities

 

(21,431

)

(259,401

)

(2,082

)

(7,118

)

 

(290,032

)

Cash flows from financing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Short-term revolver borrowings

 

 

 

 

4,761

 

 

4,761

 

Repayments of revolver borrowings

 

 

 

 

(5,347

)

 

(5,347

)

Proceeds from exercise of stock options

 

134

 

 

 

 

 

134

 

Long-term debt borrowings

 

 

29,702

 

 

1,900

 

 

31,602

 

Repayment of long-term debt

 

 

(2,054

)

 

(4,198

)

 

(6,252

)

Debt issuance costs

 

 

(7,140

)

 

 

 

(7,140

)

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

 

134

 

20,508

 

 

(2,884

)

 

17,758

 

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

 

 

 

 

646

 

 

646

 

Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents

 

(18,242

)

(106,284

)

(835

)

2,454

 

 

(122,907

)

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

 

74,825

 

173,991

 

1,091

 

11,131

 

 

261,038

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

 

$

56,583

 

$

67,707

 

$

256

 

$

13,585

 

$

 

$

138,131

 

 

F-110



Table of Contents

 

HUGHES COMMUNICATIONS, INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — Continued

 

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for the Year Ended December 31, 2009

(In thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

Subsidiary

 

Guarantor

 

Non-Guarantor

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Parent

 

Issuer

 

Subsidiaries

 

Subsidiaries

 

Eliminations

 

Total

 

Cash flows from operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

 

$

(52,995

)

$

(44,905

)

$

(4,622

)

$

10,442

 

$

40,433

 

$

(51,647

)

Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash flows from operating activities

 

40,051

 

202,417

 

8,534

 

(7,540

)

(40,433

)

203,029

 

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities

 

(12,944

)

157,512

 

3,912

 

2,902

 

 

151,382

 

Cash flows from investing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Change in restricted cash

 

331

 

(1

)

 

(107

)

 

223

 

Purchases of marketable securities

 

(21,038

)

(41,080

)

 

 

 

(62,118

)

Proceeds from sales of marketable securities

 

5,000

 

10,000

 

 

 

 

15,000

 

Expenditures for property

 

 

(133,746

)

(4,837

)

(12,181

)

 

(150,764

)

Expenditures for capitalized software

 

 

(12,772

)

 

 

 

(12,772

)

Proceeds from sales of property

 

 

14

 

3

 

380

 

 

397

 

Cash acquired, consolidation of Hughes Systique

 

 

 

 

828

 

 

828

 

Long-term loan receivable

 

 

(10,000

)

 

 

 

(10,000

)

Other, net

 

(75

)

(410

)

 

(345

)

 

(830

)

Net cash used in investing activities

 

(15,782

)

(187,995

)

(4,834

)

(11,425

)

 

(220,036

)

Cash flows from financing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Short-term revolver borrowings

 

 

 

 

6,791

 

 

6,791

 

Repayments of revolver borrowings

 

 

 

 

(7,861

)

 

(7,861

)

Long-term debt borrowings

 

 

138,024

 

 

9,825

 

 

147,849

 

Repayment of long-term debt

 

 

(4,894

)

 

(7,483

)

 

(12,377

)

Debt issuance costs

 

 

(4,612

)

 

 

 

(4,612

)

Net cash provided by financing activities

 

 

128,518

 

 

1,272

 

 

129,790

 

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

 

 

 

 

(3,914

)

 

(3,914

)

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

 

(28,726

)

98,035

 

(922

)

(11,165

)

 

57,222

 

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

 

103,551

 

75,956

 

2,013

 

22,296

 

 

203,816

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

 

$

74,825

 

$

173,991

 

$

1,091

 

$

11,131

 

$

 

$

261,038

 

 

F-111



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HUGHES COMMUNICATIONS, INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — Continued

 

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for the Year Ended December 31, 2008

(In thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

Subsidiary

 

Guarantor

 

Non-Guarantor

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Parent

 

Issuer

 

Subsidiaries

 

Subsidiaries

 

Eliminations

 

Total

 

Cash flows from operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

 

$

9,049

 

$

12,096

 

$

(1,472

)

$

13,739

 

$

(24,084

)

$

9,328

 

Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash flows from operating activities

 

(7,509

)

40,452

 

8,174

 

(2,826

)

24,084

 

62,375

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

 

1,540

 

52,548

 

6,702

 

10,913

 

 

71,703

 

Cash flows from investing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Change in restricted cash

 

 

3,577

 

 

(473

)

 

3,104

 

Purchases of marketable securities

 

(2,070

)

 

 

 

 

(2,070

)

Proceeds from sales of marketable securities

 

8,100

 

11,090

 

 

 

 

19,190

 

Expenditures for property

 

 

(69,535

)

(4,839

)

(7,295

)

 

(81,669

)

Expenditures for capitalized software

 

 

(14,564

)

 

 

 

(14,564

)

Proceeds from sales of property

 

 

(10,543

)

 

 

 

(10,543

)

Investment in Hughes Systique

 

(1,500

)

 

 

 

 

(1,500

)

Hughes Systique note receivables

 

(500

)

 

 

 

 

(500

)

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities

 

4,030

 

(79,975

)

(4,839

)

(7,768

)

 

(88,552

)

Cash flows from financing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net increase in notes and loans payable

 

 

 

 

223

 

 

223

 

Proceeds from equity offering

 

93,046

 

 

 

 

 

93,046

 

Proceeds from exercise of stock options

 

75

 

 

 

 

 

75

 

Long-term debt borrowings

 

 

173

 

 

3,433

 

 

3,606

 

Repayment of long-term debt

 

 

(10,320

)

 

(3,429

)

 

(13,749

)

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

 

93,121

 

(10,147

)

 

227

 

 

83,201

 

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

 

 

 

 

3,372

 

 

3,372

 

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

 

98,691

 

(37,574

)

1,863

 

6,744

 

 

69,724

 

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

 

4,860

 

113,530

 

150

 

15,552

 

 

134,092

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

 

$

103,551

 

$

75,956

 

$

2,013

 

$

22,296

 

$

 

$

203,816

 

 

F-112



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HUGHES COMMUNICATIONS, INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — Continued

 

Note 24:  Supplementary Unaudited Quarterly Financial Information

 

The following table sets forth selected unaudited quarterly financial data, which included all adjustments that are necessary, in the opinion of our management, for a fair presentation of its results of operations for the interim periods (in thousands, except per share data):

 

 

 

1st

 

2nd

 

3rd

 

4th

 

 

 

Quarter

 

Quarter

 

Quarter

 

Quarter

 

2010:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenues

 

$

243,193

 

$

252,368

 

$

266,282

 

$

281,484

 

Gross margin

 

$

66,594

 

$

73,390

 

$

81,506

 

$

94,009

 

Net income (loss)

 

$

(6,174

)

$

1,529

 

$

9,968

 

$

17,657

 

Net income (loss) attributable to HCI stockholders

 

$

(6,140

)

$

1,910

 

$

10,137

 

$

16,880

 

Basic earnings (loss) per share

 

$

(0.29

)

$

0.09

 

$

0.47

 

$

0.78

 

Diluted earnings (loss) per share

 

$

(0.29

)

$

0.08

 

$

0.45

 

$

0.74

 

2009:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenues

 

$

240,215

 

$

255,827

 

$

251,417

 

$

262,240

 

Gross margin

 

$

59,340

 

$

67,485

 

$

69,003

 

$

75,551

 

Net income (loss)

 

$

(4,328

)

$

(47,432

)

$

(2,529

)

$

2,642

 

Net income (loss) attributable to HCI stockholders

 

$

(4,696

)

$

(47,742

)

$

(2,622

)

$

2,367

 

Basic earnings (loss) per share

 

$

(0.22

)

$

(2.23

)

$

(0.12

)

$

0.11

 

Diluted earnings (loss) per share

 

$

(0.22

)

$

(2.23

)

$

(0.12

)

$

0.11

 

 

Note 25:  Subsequent Event—Agreement and Plan of Merger

 

On February 13, 2011, we entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”) with EchoStar Corporation, a Nevada corporation (“EchoStar”), EchoStar Satellite Services L.L.C., a Colorado limited liability company (“Satellite Services”), and Broadband Acquisition Corporation, a Delaware corporation (“Merger Sub”), pursuant to which, subject to the terms and conditions set forth therein, Merger Sub will merge with and into the Company (the “Merger”), with the Company continuing as the surviving entity and becoming a wholly owned subsidiary of EchoStar.

 

Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, upon the closing of the Merger, each of our issued and outstanding share of common stock (other than any of our common stock with respect to which appraisal rights have been duly exercised under Delaware law) will automatically be converted into the right to receive $60.70 in cash (without interest) and cancelled. Vested restricted stock award and restricted stock units will become our common stock upon the closing of the Merger and are therefore entitled to the right to receive $60.70 in cash (without interest) and cancelled. Unvested restricted stock awards and restricted stock units at the closing of the Merger have the right to receive $60.70 in cash (without interest) and cancel, payable at the time such restricted stocks vest.

 

Vested stock options to acquire our common stock will continue to be outstanding until the closing of the Merger. Upon the closing of the Merger, vested options will be cancelled, and within 10 days after the closing of the Merger, each vested stock option will receive $60.70 in cash (without interest) minus the exercise price of the stock option per share. Unvested stock option at closing of the Merger will be converted into the right to receive $60.70 in cash (without interest) minus the exercise price of the stock option per share and cancel, payable at the time such options vest.

 

F-113



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HUGHES COMMUNICATIONS, INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — Continued

 

The Merger Agreement also contemplates to refinance certain of HNS’ existing debts, including the 2009 and 2006 Senior Notes. The COFACE Guaranteed Facility will continue to remain outstanding following the Merger if the requisite lender consents thereunder are obtained.

 

Each of the boards of directors of the Company and Merger Sub approved the Merger Agreement and deemed it advisable and fair to, and in the best interests of, their respective companies and stockholders, to enter into the Merger Agreement and to consummate the Merger and the transactions and agreements contemplated thereby. The board of directors of EchoStar approved the Merger Agreement and deemed it advisable and fair to, and in the best interests of, its stockholders to enter into the Merger Agreement and to consummate the transactions and agreements contemplated thereby.

 

The Merger is expected to close later this year, subject to certain closing conditions, including among others, (i) receiving the required approvals of our stockholders, which approval was effected on February 13, 2011, by written consent of a majority of our stockholders (the “Majority Stockholders’ Written Consents”), (ii) 20 business days having elapsed since the mailing to our stockholders of the definitive information statement, with respect to such adoption of the Merger Agreement, in accordance with the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, (iii) receiving certain government regulatory approvals, including approval by the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”), the expiration or termination of the waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended, and the receipt of the consents required under certain export control laws, (iv) the absence of any order or injunction by a court of competent jurisdiction preventing the consummation of the Merger, and the absence of any action taken, or any law enacted, entered, enforced or made applicable to the Merger, by any governmental entity that makes the consummation of the Merger illegal or otherwise restrains, enjoins or prohibits the Merger, (v) the absence of any proceeding in which the Office of Communications of the United Kingdom seeks to prohibit or enjoin the Merger, (vi) the accuracy of the representations and warranties made by the Company, EchoStar and Merger Sub, (vii) the performance, in all material respects, by each of the Company, EchoStar and Merger Sub of all its respective obligations, agreements and covenants under the Merger Agreement, (viii) subject to certain customary exceptions, the absence of (a) a change or event that has a material adverse effect on the business, financial condition or results of operations of the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole or (b) any event, change, occurrence or effect that would prevent, materially delay or materially impede the performance by the Company of its obligations under this Agreement or the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, if not cured, in either case since February 13, 2011 and (ix) holders of the Company’s common stock representing in excess of 25% of the Company’s outstanding common stock shall not have exercised (or if exercised, shall not have withdrawn prior to the commencement of the marketing period for the financing of the pending transaction) rights of dissent in connection with the Merger. The Merger Agreement clarifies that no party may rely on a failure of conditions to be satisfied if such party’s breach was the proximate cause of the failure.

 

The Merger Agreement contains customary representations, warranties and covenants of the Company, EchoStar and Merger Sub. In particular, the Company makes certain representations and warranties related to the business in which it operates, including with respect to its communications licenses; the health of its satellite currently in orbit and other related information; that there are no claims under coordination and concession agreements; the status of the HNS’ earth stations; and compliance with regulatory and export control laws. EchoStar and Merger Sub also make a representation that EchoStar and Satellite Services have sufficient financing in order to complete the Merger.

 

The Company has agreed to various covenants in the Merger Agreement, including, among others, covenants (i) to use commercially reasonable efforts to conduct its business in the ordinary course consistent with past practice during the interim period between the execution of the Merger Agreement and completion of the Merger, (ii) not to engage in certain kinds of transactions during this interim period and (iii) to cooperate and use commercially reasonable efforts to take all actions necessary to obtain all governmental and antitrust, FCC and regulatory approvals, subject to certain customary limitations. As noted above, EchoStar and Satellite Services represent and warrant in the Merger Agreement that at the closing of the Merger they will have access to sufficient funds to consummate the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, and there is no closing condition related to them having procured such financing.

 

The Merger Agreement also contains a covenant pursuant to which the Company has agreed, subject to certain customary exceptions described below, that it will not, and will cause its representatives not to, solicit, facilitate

 

F-114



Table of Contents

 

HUGHES COMMUNICATIONS, INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — Continued

 

(including by providing information) or participate in any negotiations or discussions with any person relating to, any takeover proposal, as further described in the Merger Agreement. The Merger Agreement contains a “fiduciary-out” provision, which provides that, prior to the time the Company’s stockholders have adopted and approved the Merger Agreement (which adoption and approval was obtained on February 13, 2011 pursuant to the Majority Stockholders’ Written Consents), the Company’s board of directors may engage with alternative purchasers, change their recommendation to the Company’s stockholders or enter into a definitive agreement with respect to an unsolicited acquisition proposal, only if the Company’s board of directors have determined in good faith (a) that failure to take such action is likely to be inconsistent with the board’s fiduciary duties, and (b) that the acquisition proposal constitutes a “Superior Proposal.” However, as the Company’s stockholders have approved and adopted the Merger Agreement, the “fiduciary-out” provision no longer provides an exception to the non-solicitation obligations described in this paragraph.

 

The Merger Agreement also contains a covenant pursuant to which EchoStar or the surviving entity must indemnify officers, directors and employees of Hughes Communications and its subsidiaries for a period of six years following the closing of the Merger for all liabilities or claims related to their service or employment with the Company’s or its subsidiaries occurring prior to the closing of the Merger. This covenant further requires EchoStar to keep in place the Company’s directors and officers liability and fiduciary liability insurance policies in effect at the closing, or purchase a “tail policy” offering similar coverage unless the Company purchases such a policy prior to closing.

 

The Merger Agreement contains certain termination rights for both the Company and EchoStar. In addition to certain termination rights related to breaches of the agreement or actions taken by the Company with respect to alternative transactions, so long as the failure of the terminating party to comply with its obligations is not the cause for delay in closing, each of EchoStar and the Company has the right to terminate the Merger Agreement unilaterally if the Merger has not closed by a date nine months from the execution of the Merger Agreement. In addition, the Merger Agreement provides that, upon termination of the Merger Agreement under specified circumstances, the Company may be required to pay EchoStar a termination fee of $45 million.

 

The Merger Agreement also contains termination and other rights related to the occurrence of certain reductions in performance or total loss of the Company’s satellite currently in orbit, and certain waivers increasing risks associated with construction, launch or operation of the Company’s satellite currently under construction (a “Material Satellite Event”). Upon a Material Satellite Event, EchoStar is entitled to terminate the Merger Agreement until 60 days after the Company provides a written plan describing its intended response (the “Mitigation Plan”). If EchoStar has not provided written consent to the Mitigation Plan 30 days after delivery, the Company can then terminate the Merger Agreement. In addition, from the date of any Material Satellite Event until EchoStar’s approval of the Mitigation Plan, the Company will also be required to provide EchoStar with daily reports of customer complaints and subscriber cancellations.

 

The foregoing description of the Merger Agreement and the transactions and agreements contemplated thereby does not purport to be complete and is subject to and qualified in its entirety by reference to the Merger Agreement.

 

Note 26: Subsequent Event—Acquisition by EchoStar

 

On June 8, 2011, EchoStar completed its previously announced acquisition of the Company, pursuant to which a wholly owned subsidiary of EchoStar merged with and into HCI with HCI becoming an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of EchoStar Corporation and a direct wholly owned subsidiary of EH Holding Corporation.  EH Holding Corporation is a holding company wholly owned by EchoStar Corporation that was formed in March 2011 to facilitate the Merger and related financing transactions.  EH Holding Corporation was renamed Hughes Satellite Systems Corporation (“HSS”) in October 2011.  The cash portion of the Merger, related costs and repayment of certain indebtedness of the Company, including of its wholly owned subsidiary HNS, was financed with a combination of the net proceeds from the issuance of $1.1 billion of HSS’ 6½% Senior Secured Notes due 2019 and $900 million of HSS’ 75/8% Senior Notes due 2021 (together referred to as the “New Senior Debt”) and existing cash balances and marketable securities at EchoStar Corporation and the Company.

 

Upon the closing of the Merger, HCI and certain of its wholly-owned subsidiaries, including HNS, fully and unconditionally guaranteed, on a joint and several basis, the obligations of HSS under the New Senior Debt.

 

F-115



Table of Contents

 

HUGHES COMMUNICATIONS, INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — Continued

 

The condensed consolidating financial information set forth below is prepared in accordance with Rule 3-10 of Regulation S-X, based on the guarantor structure of the New Senior Debt as related to HCI and its subsidiaries, including the condensed balance sheet information, the condensed statement of operations information and the condensed statement of cash flows information of HCI and the guarantor subsidiaries on a combined basis and the non-guarantor subsidiaries on a combined basis and the eliminations necessary to arrive at the corresponding information of the Company on a consolidated basis. These condensed financial statements should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and notes thereto.

 

Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2010
(In thousands)

 

 

 

Guarantor
Subsidiaries

 

Non-
Guarantor
Subsidiaries

 

Eliminations

 

Total

 

Assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

124,546

 

$

13,585

 

$

 

$

138,131

 

Marketable securities

 

44,532

 

 

 

44,532

 

Receivables, net

 

144,751

 

61,067

 

(19,126

)

186,692

 

Inventories

 

45,388

 

12,431

 

 

57,819

 

Prepaid expenses and other

 

9,423

 

16,704

 

 

26,127

 

Total current assets

 

368,640

 

103,787

 

(19,126

)

453,301

 

Property, net

 

745,955

 

28,097

 

 

774,052

 

Investment in subsidiary

 

91,647

 

 

(91,647

)

 

Other assets

 

107,776

 

29,746

 

(1,700

)

135,822

 

Total assets

 

$

1,314,018

 

$

161,630

 

(112,473

)

$

1,363,175

 

Liabilities and equity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable

 

$

102,564

 

$

36,764

 

$

(19,126

)

$

120,202

 

Short term debt

 

2,284

 

4,001

 

 

6,285

 

Accrued liabilities and other

 

104,171

 

24,619

 

 

128,790

 

Total current liabilities

 

209,019

 

65,384

 

(19,126

)

255,277

 

Long-term debt

 

737,677

 

2,899

 

 

740,576

 

Other long-term liabilities

 

27,308

 

1,700

 

(1,700

)

27,308

 

Total HCI stockholders’ equity

 

329,050

 

91,647

 

(91,647

)

329,050

 

Noncontrolling interests

 

10,964

 

 

 

10,964

 

Total liabilities and equity

 

$

1,314,018

 

$

161,630

 

$

(112,473

)

$

1,363,175

 

 

F-116



Table of Contents

 

HUGHES COMMUNICATIONS, INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — Continued

 

Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations for the Year Ended December 31, 2010

(In thousands)

 

 

 

Guarantor
Subsidiaries

 

Non-
Guarantor
Subsidiaries

 

Eliminations

 

Total

 

Revenues

 

$

910,311

 

$

164,187

 

$

(31,171

)

$

1,043,327

 

Operating costs and expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Costs of revenues

 

635,179

 

120,871

 

(28,222

)

727,828

 

Selling, general and administrative

 

176,217

 

33,244

 

(2,949

)

206,512

 

Research and development

 

20,279

 

 

 

20,279

 

Amortization of intangible assets

 

2,750

 

334

 

 

3,084

 

Total operating costs and expenses

 

834,425

 

154,449

 

(31,171

)

957,703

 

Operating income (loss)

 

75,886

 

9,738

 

 

85,624

 

Other income (expense):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest expense

 

(58,098

)

(1,497

)

250

 

(59,345

)

Other income, net

 

2,224

 

443

 

(250

)

2,417

 

Equity in earnings of subsidiaries

 

4,420

 

 

(4,420

)

 

Income (loss) before income taxes expense

 

24,432

 

8,684

 

(4,420

)

28,696

 

Income tax (expense) benefit

 

(888

)

(4,828

)

 

(5,716

)

Net income (loss)

 

23,544

 

3,856

 

(4,420

)

22,980

 

Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests

 

(757

)

564

 

 

(193

)

Net income (loss) attributable to HCI stockholders

 

$

22,787

 

$

4,420

 

$

(4,420

)

$

22,787

 

 

F-117



Table of Contents

 

HUGHES COMMUNICATIONS, INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — Continued

 

Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows for the Year Ended December 31, 2010

(In thousands)

 

 

 

Guarantor

 

Non-
Guarantor

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Subsidiaries

 

Subsidiaries

 

Eliminations

 

Total

 

Cash Flows From Operating Activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

 

$

23,544

 

$

3,856

 

$

(4,420

)

$

22,980

 

Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash flows from operating activities

 

113,367

 

7,954

 

4,420

 

125,741

 

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities

 

136,911

 

11,810

 

 

148,721

 

Cash Flows From Investing Activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Change in restricted cash

 

1,103

 

108

 

 

1,211

 

Purchases of marketable securities

 

(105,692

)

 

 

(105,692

)

Sales of marketable securities

 

108,289

 

 

 

108,289

 

Expenditures for property

 

(273,945

)

(8,874

)

 

(282,819

)

Expenditures for capitalized software

 

(13,073

)

 

 

(13,073

)

Proceeds from sale of property

 

19

 

186

 

 

205

 

Other, net

 

385

 

1,462

 

 

1,847

 

Net cash used in investing activities

 

(282,914

)

(7,118

)

 

(290,032

)

Cash Flows From Financing Activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Short-term revolver borrowings

 

 

4,761

 

 

4,761

 

Repayments of revolver borrowings

 

 

(5,347

)

 

(5,347

)

Proceeds from exercise of stock options

 

134

 

 

 

134

 

Long-term debt borrowings

 

29,702

 

1,900

 

 

31,602

 

Repayment of long-term debt

 

(2,054

)

(4,198

)

 

(6,252

)

Debt issuance costs

 

(7,140

)

 

 

(7,140

)

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

 

20,642

 

(2,884

)

 

17,758

 

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

 

 

646

 

 

646

 

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

 

(125,361

)

2,454

 

 

(122,907

)

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

 

249,907

 

11,131

 

 

261,038

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

 

$

124,546

 

$

13,585

 

$

 

$

138,131

 

 

F-118



Table of Contents

 

INDEX TO HUGHES COMMUNICATIONS, INC.’S CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED MARCH 31, 2011

 

 

Page

Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements:

 

 

 

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets at March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010 (Unaudited)

F—120

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010 (Unaudited)

F—121

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity for the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010 (Unaudited)

F—122

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010 (Unaudited)

F—123

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

F—124

 

F-119



Table of Contents

 

HUGHES COMMUNICATIONS, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

March 31,
2011

 

December 31,
2010

 

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

Current assets:

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

116,914

 

$

138,131

 

Marketable securities

 

23,672

 

44,532

 

Receivables, net

 

183,357

 

186,692

 

Inventories

 

59,627

 

57,819

 

Prepaid expenses and other

 

26,794

 

26,127

 

Total current assets

 

410,364

 

453,301

 

Property, net

 

837,601

 

774,052

 

Capitalized software costs, net

 

45,326

 

46,092

 

Intangible assets, net

 

10,683

 

11,440

 

Goodwill

 

5,093

 

5,093

 

Other assets

 

74,980

 

73,197

 

Total assets

 

$

1,384,047

 

$

1,363,175

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND EQUITY

 

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable

 

$

97,559

 

$

120,202

 

Short-term debt

 

4,700

 

6,285

 

Accrued liabilities and other

 

151,760

 

128,790

 

Total current liabilities

 

254,019

 

255,277

 

Long-term debt

 

756,450

 

740,576

 

Other long-term liabilities

 

26,764

 

27,308

 

Total liabilities

 

1,037,233

 

1,023,161

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commitments and contingencies

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity:

 

 

 

 

 

Hughes Communications, Inc. (“HCI”) stockholders’ equity:

 

 

 

 

 

Preferred stock, $0.001 par value; 1,000,000 shares authorized and no shares issued and outstanding as of March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010

 

 

 

Common stock, $0.001 par value; 64,000,000 shares authorized; 21,835,000 shares and 21,834,787 shares issued and outstanding as of March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively

 

22

 

22

 

Additional paid in capital

 

736,993

 

735,233

 

Accumulated deficit

 

(386,918

)

(387,756

)

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

 

(14,132

)

(18,449

)

Total HCI stockholders’ equity

 

335,965

 

329,050

 

Noncontrolling interests

 

10,849

 

10,964

 

Total equity

 

346,814

 

340,014

 

Total liabilities and equity

 

$

1,384,047

 

$

1,363,175

 

 

See accompanying Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

 

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Table of Contents

 

HUGHES COMMUNICATIONS, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
March 31,

 

 

 

2011

 

2010

 

Revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

Services revenues

 

$

215,670

 

$

187,940

 

Hardware revenues

 

48,422

 

55,253

 

Total revenues

 

264,092

 

243,193

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating costs and expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of services

 

132,710

 

115,713

 

Cost of hardware

 

49,574

 

60,886

 

Selling, general and administrative

 

60,977

 

50,325

 

Research and development

 

5,154

 

4,915

 

Amortization of intangible assets

 

757

 

790

 

Total operating costs and expenses

 

249,172

 

232,629

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating income

 

14,920

 

10,564

 

Other income (expense):

 

 

 

 

 

Interest expense

 

(12,505

)

(16,110

)

Interest income

 

419

 

591

 

Other income (loss), net

 

(248

)

 

Income (loss) before income tax expense

 

2,586

 

(4,955

)

Income tax expense

 

(1,901

)

(1,219

)

Net income (loss)

 

685

 

(6,174

)

Net loss attributable to the noncontrolling interests

 

153

 

34

 

Net income (loss) attributable to HCI stockholders

 

$

838

 

$

(6,140

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income (loss) per share:

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

$

0.04

 

$

(0.29

)

Diluted

 

$

0.04

 

$

(0.29

)

Shares used in computation of per share data:

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

21,766,155

 

21,480,908

 

Diluted

 

23,360,821

 

21,480,908

 

 

See accompanying Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

 

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Table of Contents

 

HUGHES COMMUNICATIONS, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN EQUITY

(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

HCI Shareholders’ Equity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common
Stock
($.001 par value)

 

Additional
Paid-In
Capital

 

Accumulated
Deficit

 

Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Loss

 

Noncontrolling
Interest

 

Total

 

Balance at January 1, 2010

 

$

22

 

$

730,809

 

$

(410,543

)

$

(16,247

)

$

9,055

 

$

313,096

 

Share-based compensation

 

 

 

1,871

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,871

 

Comprehensive income (loss):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss

 

 

 

 

 

(6,140

)

 

 

(34

)

(6,174

)

Foreign currency translation adjustments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(980

)

251

 

(729

)

Unrealized loss on hedging instruments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(2,323

)

 

(2,323

)

Reclassification of realized loss on hedging instruments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,368

 

 

1,368

 

Unrealized loss on available-for-sale securities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(647

)

 

(647

)

Balance at March 31, 2010

 

$

22

 

$

732,680

 

$

(416,683

)

$

(18,829

)

$

9,272

 

$

306,462

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at January 1, 2011

 

$

22

 

$

735,233

 

$

(387,756

)

$

(18,449

)

$

10,964

 

$

340,014

 

Share-based compensation

 

 

 

1,868

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,868

 

Retirement of restricted stocks

 

 

 

(108

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

(108

)

Comprehensive income (loss):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

 

 

 

 

 

838

 

 

 

(153

)

685

 

Foreign currency translation adjustments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,607

 

38

 

1,645

 

Unrealized loss on hedging instruments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(189

)

 

(189

)

Reclassification of realized loss on hedging instruments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,404

 

 

1,404

 

Unrealized gain on available-for-sale securities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,495

 

 

1,495

 

Balance at March 31, 2011

 

$

22

 

$

736,993

 

$

(386,918

)

$

(14,132

)

$

10,849

 

$

346,814

 

 

See accompanying Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

 

F-122



Table of Contents

 

HUGHES COMMUNICATIONS, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(In thousands)

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

 

 

2011

 

2010

 

Cash flows from operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

 

$

685

 

$

(6,174

)

Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash flows from operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

37,501

 

30,133

 

Amortization of debt issuance costs

 

861

 

616

 

Share-based compensation expense

 

1,868

 

1,871

 

Other

 

230

 

61

 

Change in other operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisition:

 

 

 

 

 

Receivables, net

 

4,405

 

2,680

 

Inventories

 

(1,581

)

(2,078

)

Prepaid expenses and other

 

(939

)

919

 

Accounts payable

 

(35,558

)

(20,789

)

Accrued liabilities and other

 

41,336

 

5,363

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

 

48,808

 

12,602

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from investing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Change in restricted cash

 

373

 

86

 

Purchases of marketable securities

 

(11,999

)

(27,781

)

Proceeds from sales of marketable securities

 

32,868

 

15,000

 

Expenditures for property

 

(101,269

)

(63,671

)

Expenditures for capitalized software

 

(2,752

)

(3,166

)

Proceeds from sale of property

 

80

 

 

Net cash used in investing activities

 

(82,699

)

(79,532

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from financing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Short-term revolver borrowings

 

898

 

1,999

 

Repayments of revolver borrowings

 

(945

)

(2,430

)

Long-term debt borrowings

 

16,822

 

1,220

 

Repayment of long-term debt

 

(2,756

)

(1,721

)

Debt issuance costs

 

(1,015

)

(1,742

)

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

 

13,004

 

(2,674

)

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

 

(330

)

1,739

 

Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents

 

(21,217

)

(67,865

)

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the period

 

138,131

 

261,038

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of the period

 

$

116,914

 

$

193,173

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Supplemental cash flow information:

 

 

 

 

 

Cash paid for interest

 

$

2,491

 

$

2,413

 

Cash paid for income taxes

 

$

3,441

 

$

2,341

 

Supplemental non-cash disclosures related to:

 

 

 

 

 

Capitalized software and property acquired, not paid

 

$

21,829

 

$

25,303

 

 

See accompanying Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

 

F-123



Table of Contents

 

HUGHES COMMUNICATIONS, INC.

 

NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Note 1: Organization and Description of Business

 

Hughes Communications, Inc. (“HCI” and, together with its consolidated subsidiaries, the “Company” or “we”) was formed as a Delaware corporation on June 23, 2005 and we are a publicly traded company. Our stock trades on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol “HUGH.”

 

We operate our business primarily through our wholly-owned subsidiary, Hughes Network Systems, LLC (“HNS”). We are a telecommunications company that provides equipment and services to the broadband communications marketplace. We have extensive technical expertise in satellite, wireline and wireless communications which we utilize in a number of product and service offerings. In particular, we offer a spectrum of broadband equipment and services to the managed services market, which is comprised of enterprises with a requirement to connect a large number of geographically dispersed locations with reliable, scalable, and cost-effective applications, such as credit card verification, inventory tracking and control, and broadcast video. We provide broadband network services and systems to the international and domestic enterprise markets and satellite broadband Internet access to North American consumers, which we refer to as the Consumer market. In addition, we provide networking systems solutions to customers for mobile satellite and wireless backhaul systems. These services are generally provided on a contract or project basis and may involve the use of proprietary products engineered by us.

 

We have five reportable segments, which we operate and manage as strategic business units and organize by products and services. We measure and evaluate our reportable segments based on the operating earnings of the respective segments. Our business segments include: (i) the North America Broadband segment; (ii) the International Broadband segment; (iii) the Telecom Systems segment; (iv) the HTS Satellite segment; and (v) the Corporate and Other segment. The North America Broadband segment consists of the Consumer group, which delivers broadband Internet service to consumer customers, and the Enterprise group, which provides satellite, wireline and wireless communication network products and services to enterprises. The International Broadband segment consists of our international service companies and provides managed network services and equipment to enterprise customers and broadband service providers worldwide. The Telecom Systems segment consists of the Mobile Satellite Systems group and the Terrestrial Microwave group. The Mobile Satellite Systems group provides turnkey satellite ground segment systems to mobile system operators. The Terrestrial Microwave group provides point-to-multipoint microwave radio network systems that are used for both cellular backhaul and broadband wireless access. The HTS Satellite segment consists of activities related to the development, construction and launch of high throughput satellites (“HTS”) and currently represents construction activities of our new satellite named Jupiter and the development of related network equipment. The Corporate and Other segment includes certain minority interest investments held by us, our corporate offices and assets not specifically related to another business segment.

 

Note 2: Basis of Presentation and New Accounting Pronouncements

 

Basis of Presentation

 

The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with: (i) generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“GAAP”) for interim financial information; (ii) the instructions to Form 10-Q; and (iii) the guidance of Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, for financial statements required to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). They include the assets, liabilities, results of operations and cash flows of the Company, including its domestic and foreign subsidiaries that are more than 50% owned or for which the Company is deemed to be the primary beneficiary as defined by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (the “ASC”) 810 “Consolidation.” Entities in which the Company holds at least 20% ownership or in which there are other indicators of significant influence are generally accounted for by the equity method, whereby the Company records its proportionate share of the entities’ results of operations. Entities in which the Company holds less than 20% ownership and does not have the ability to exercise significant influence

 

F-124



Table of Contents

 

HUGHES COMMUNICATIONS, INC.

NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — Continued

 

are generally carried at cost. As permitted under Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X, certain notes and other financial information normally required by GAAP have been condensed or omitted. Management believes the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements reflect all normal and recurring adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of the Company’s financial position, results of operations, and cash flows as of and for the periods presented herein. Our results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2011 may not be indicative of our future results. These condensed consolidated financial statements are unaudited and should be read in conjunction with our audited consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010.

 

All intercompany balances and transactions with subsidiaries and other consolidated entities have been eliminated.

 

Use of Estimates in the Preparation of the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

 

The preparation of our condensed consolidated financial statements in accordance with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses. Management bases its estimates and assumptions on historical experience and on various other factors that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. Due to the inherent uncertainty involved in making estimates, actual results reported in future periods may be affected by changes in those estimates.

 

New Accounting Pronouncements

 

Recently Adopted Accounting Guidance

 

In October 2009, the FASB issued ASU 2009-13 amending ASC 605 “Revenue Recognition” related to revenue arrangements with multiple deliverables. Among other things, ASU 2009-13 provides guidance for entities in determining the accounting for multiple deliverable arrangements and establishes a hierarchy for determining the amount of revenue to allocate to the various deliverables. The adoption of ASU 2009-13 on January 1, 2011 did not have a material impact on our financial statements.

 

In October 2009, the FASB issued ASU 2009-14 to amend ASC 605 to change the accounting model for revenue arrangements that include both tangible products and software elements. The adoption of ASU 2009-14 on January 1, 2011 did not have a material impact on our financial statements.

 

Note 3: Recent Developments

 

On February 13, 2011, we entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”) with EchoStar Corporation, a Nevada corporation (“EchoStar”), EchoStar Satellite Services L.L.C., a Colorado limited liability company (“Satellite Services”), and Broadband Acquisition Corporation, a Delaware corporation (“Merger Sub”), pursuant to which, subject to the terms and conditions set forth therein, Merger Sub will merge with and into the Company (the “Merger”), with the Company continuing as the surviving entity and becoming a wholly owned subsidiary of EchoStar.

 

Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, upon the closing of the Merger, each of our issued and outstanding shares of common stock (other than any of our common stock with respect to which appraisal rights have been duly exercised under Delaware law) will automatically be converted into the right to receive $60.70 in cash (without interest) and cancelled. Vested restricted stock awards and restricted stock units will become our common stock upon the closing of the Merger and are therefore entitled to the right to receive $60.70 in cash (without interest) and will be cancelled. Unvested restricted stock awards and restricted stock units at the closing of the Merger have the right to receive $60.70 in cash (without interest) payable at the time such restricted stocks vest, and will likewise be cancelled.

 

Vested options to acquire our common stock will continue to be outstanding until the closing of the Merger. Upon the closing of the Merger, vested options will be cancelled, and within 10 days after the closing of the Merger, each vested stock option will receive $60.70 in cash (without interest) minus the exercise price of the stock option per share. Unvested stock options at closing of the Merger will be converted into the right to receive $60.70 in cash (without interest) minus the exercise price of the stock option per share, payable at the time such options vest.

 

F-125



Table of Contents

 

HUGHES COMMUNICATIONS, INC.

NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — Continued

 

The Merger Agreement also contemplates refinancing certain of HNS’ existing debt, including the 2009 and 2006 Senior Notes. The COFACE Guaranteed Facility will continue to remain outstanding following the Merger if the requisite lender consents thereunder are obtained. See Note 10—Debt for details of the 2006 and 2009 Senior Notes and the COFACE Guaranteed Facility.

 

Each of the boards of directors of the Company and Merger Sub approved the Merger Agreement and deemed it advisable and fair to, and in the best interests of, their respective companies and stockholders to enter into the Merger Agreement and to consummate the Merger and the transactions and agreements contemplated thereby. The board of directors of EchoStar approved the Merger Agreement and deemed it advisable and fair to, and in the best interests of, its stockholders to enter into the Merger Agreement and to consummate the transactions and agreements contemplated thereby.

 

The Merger is expected to close later this year, subject to certain closing conditions, including among others, receipt of approval by the Federal Communications Commission, as detailed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010.

 

The foregoing description of the Merger Agreement and the transactions and agreements contemplated thereby does not purport to be complete and is subject to and qualified in its entirety by reference to the Merger Agreement.

 

Note 4: Marketable Securities

 

The amortized cost basis and estimated fair value of available-for-sale marketable securities are summarized as follows (in thousands):

 

 

 

Cost
Basis

 

Gross
Unrealized
Losses

 

Estimated
Fair Value

 

March 31, 2011:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Money market instruments

 

$

13,674

 

$

 

$

13,674

 

Certificate of deposit

 

6,000

 

(2

)

5,998

 

Municipal commercial paper

 

4,000

 

 

4,000

 

Total available-for-sale securities

 

$

23,674

 

$

(2

)

$

23,672

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

December 31, 2010:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Money market instruments

 

$

21,665

 

$

(8

)

$

21,657

 

Municipal commercial paper

 

17,875

 

 

17,875

 

U.S. government bonds and treasury bills

 

5,000

 

 

5,000

 

Total available-for-sale securities

 

$

44,540

 

$

(8

)

$

44,532

 

 

As of March 31, 2011, our investments have ratings of A-1+ and P-1 from Standard & Poor’s (“S&P”) and Moody’s, respectively, for money market instruments and ratings of A-1 and P-1 from S&P and Moody’s, respectively, for municipal commercial paper. There was no investment rating for certificate of deposit. In addition to these investments, we hold marketable equity securities as a long-term investment in Other Assets.

 

Note 5: Receivables, Net

 

Receivables, net consisted of the following (in thousands):

 

 

 

March 31,
2011

 

December 31,
2010

 

Trade receivables

 

$

174,833

 

$

172,309

 

Contracts in process

 

21,891

 

25,208

 

Other receivables

 

4,360

 

4,332

 

Total receivables

 

201,084

 

201,849

 

Allowance for doubtful accounts

 

(17,727

)

(15,157

)

Total receivables, net

 

$

183,357

 

$

186,692

 

 

F-126



Table of Contents

 

HUGHES COMMUNICATIONS, INC.

NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — Continued

 

Trade receivables included $5.6 million and $5.8 million of amounts due from related parties as of March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively. Advances and progress billings offset against contracts in process amounted to $11.3 million and $2.8 million as of March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively.

 

Note 6: Inventories

 

Inventories consisted of the following (in thousands):

 

 

 

March 31,
2011

 

December 31,
2010

 

Production materials and supplies

 

$

7,399

 

$

7,270

 

Work in process

 

11,537

 

12,828

 

Finished goods

 

40,691

 

37,721

 

Total inventories

 

$

59,627

 

$

57,819

 

 

Inventories are carried at the lower of cost or market, principally using standard costs adjusted to reflect actual cost, based on variance analyses performed throughout the year. Inventories are adjusted to net realizable value using management’s best estimates of future use. In making its assessment of future use or recovery, management considers the aging and composition of inventory balances, the effects of technological and/or design changes, forecasted future product demand based on firm or near-firm customer orders and alternative means of disposition of excess or obsolete items.

 

Note 7: Property, Net

 

Property, net consisted of the following (dollars in thousands):

 

 

 

Estimate
Useful
Lives

(years)

 

March 31,
2011

 

December 31,
2010

 

Land and improvements

 

10

 

$

5,907

 

$

5,888

 

Buildings and leasehold improvements

 

2 -30

 

36,693

 

35,643

 

Satellite related assets

 

15

 

380,394

 

380,394

 

Machinery and equipment

 

1 - 7

 

217,711

 

213,419

 

Consumer rental

 

2 - 4

 

172,438

 

140,616

 

VSAT operating lease hardware

 

2 - 5

 

10,910

 

13,137

 

Furniture and fixtures

 

5 - 7

 

1,766

 

1,732

 

Construction in progress- Jupiter

 

 

 

294,494

 

238,358

 

- Other

 

 

 

19,609

 

15,924

 

Total property

 

 

 

1,139,922

 

1,045,111

 

Accumulated depreciation

 

 

 

(302,321

)

(271,059

)

Total property, net

 

 

 

$

837,601

 

$

774,052

 

 

Property and equipment are carried at cost and depreciated or amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives. A significant component of our property and equipment is associated with our SPACEWAYTM 3 (“SPACEWAY 3”) satellite, capitalized costs associated with our Jupiter satellite and related assets, and the consumer rental equipment, related to our consumer rental program.

 

F-127



Table of Contents

 

HUGHES COMMUNICATIONS, INC.

NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — Continued

 

In June 2009, HNS entered into an agreement with Space Systems/Loral, Inc. (“SS/L”), under which SS/L will manufacture Jupiter, our next-generation and geostationary high throughput satellite. Jupiter will employ a multi-spot beam, bent pipe Ka-band architecture and will provide additional capacity for the HughesNet service in North America. The construction of Jupiter began in July 2009 and we began to capitalize all direct costs associated with the construction and the launch of the satellite, including interest incurred during the construction of the satellite. Jupiter is scheduled to be launched in the first half of 2012.

 

Capitalized satellite costs are depreciated on a straight-line basis over the estimated satellite useful life of 15 years. For the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010, we recorded $6.4 million and $2.0 million, respectively, of capitalized interest related to Jupiter.

 

Note 8: Intangible Assets, Net

 

Intangible assets, net consisted of the following (dollars in thousands):

 

 

 

Estimated
Useful Lives
(years)

 

Cost Basis

 

Accumulated
Amortization

 

Net Basis

 

March 31, 2011:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Customer relationships

 

7 - 8

 

$

10,405

 

$

(5,775

)

$

4,630

 

Patented technology and trademarks

 

8 - 10

 

15,275

 

(9,414

)

5,861

 

Favorable leases

 

3

 

629

 

(437

)

192

 

Total intangible assets, net

 

 

 

$

26,309

 

$

(15,626

)

$

10,683

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

December 31, 2010:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Backlog and customer relationships

 

7 - 8

 

$

10,405

 

$

(5,473

)

$

4,932

 

Patented technology and trademarks

 

8 - 10

 

15,275

 

(9,012

)

6,263

 

Favorable leases

 

3

 

629

 

(384

)

245

 

Total intangible assets, net

 

 

 

$

26,309

 

$

(14,869

)

$

11,440

 

 

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HUGHES COMMUNICATIONS, INC.

NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — Continued

 

We amortize the recorded values of our intangible assets over their estimated useful lives. For each of the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010, we recorded $0.8 million of amortization expense. Estimated future amortization expense as of March 31, 2011 is as follows (in thousands):

 

 

 

Amount

 

Remaining nine months ending December 31, 2011

 

$

2,271

 

Year ending December 31,

 

 

 

2012

 

2,854

 

2013

 

2,818

 

2014

 

1,326

 

2015

 

1,325

 

2016

 

89

 

Total estimated future amortization expense

 

$

10,683

 

 

Note 9: Other Assets

 

Other assets consisted of the following (in thousands):

 

 

 

March 31,
2011

 

December 31,
2010

 

Subscriber acquisition costs

 

$

25,755

 

$

25,695

 

Debt issuance costs

 

17,304

 

17,150

 

Other

 

31,921

 

30,352

 

Total other assets

 

$

74,980

 

$

73,197

 

 

As of March 31, 2011, “Other” included our cost method and equity method investments, which includes our investment in Hughes Telematics, Inc. (“HTI”). As of March 31, 2011, we have 3.3 million shares of HTI common stock (“HTI Shares”), of which 1.3 million shares and 2.0 million shares are referred to as Non-escrowed shares and Escrowed shares, respectively.

 

The Non-escrowed shares had a fair value of $5.2 million as of March 31, 2011. We recorded an unrealized gain of $1.4 million and an unrealized loss of $0.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively, and an unrealized loss of $1.4 million since the inception of our investment in the Non-escrowed shares in “Accumulated other comprehensive loss” (“AOCL”).

 

The Escrowed shares are subject to achievement of certain “earn-out” targets by HTI pursuant to HTI’s merger agreement with Polaris Acquisition Corp. If the full earn-out is achieved, our investment could represent approximately 3.5% of HTI’s outstanding common stock. If the earn-out is not attained, all or a portion of the Escrowed shares will be forfeited. In addition to the risk and valuation fluctuations associated with the earn-out targets, the carrying value of the investment in HTI may be subject to fair value adjustments in future reporting periods. As the Escrowed shares are not considered marketable equity securities as of March 31, 2011, we account for the Escrowed shares using the cost method in accordance with ASC 325 “Investments—Other.” As of March 31, 2011, the carrying value of the Escrowed shares of $1.1 million approximated its estimated fair value.

 

Note 10: Debt

 

Short-term and current portion of long-term debt consisted of the following (dollars in thousands):

 

 

 

Interest Rates at
March 31, 2011

 

March 31,
2011

 

December 31,
2010

 

Revolving bank borrowings

 

8.75%

 

$

898

 

$

967

 

VSAT hardware financing

 

7.27% -15.00%

 

2,036

 

3,109

 

Capital lease and other

 

5.50% -39.60%

 

1,766

 

2,209

 

Total short-term and the current portion of long-term debt

 

 

 

$

4,700

 

$

6,285

 

 

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HUGHES COMMUNICATIONS, INC.

NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — Continued

 

As of March 31, 2011, HNS had outstanding revolving bank borrowings of $0.9 million, which had a variable interest rate of 8.75%. The borrowings were obtained by HNS’ Indian subsidiary under its revolving line of credit with a local bank. There is no requirement for compensating balances for these borrowings. The total amount available for borrowing by our foreign subsidiaries under various revolving lines of credit was $5.1 million and $4.1 million as of March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively.

 

Long-term debt consisted of the following (dollars in thousands):

 

 

 

Interest Rates at
March 31, 2011

 

March 31,
2011

 

December 31,
2010

 

Senior Notes(1)

 

9.50%

 

$

590,792

 

$

590,173

 

Term Loan Facility

 

7.62%

 

115,000

 

115,000

 

COFACE Guaranteed Facility

 

5.13%

 

43,523

 

27,403

 

VSAT hardware financing

 

7.27% - 15.00%

 

2,139

 

3,214

 

Capital lease and other

 

5.50% - 13.80%

 

4,996

 

4,786

 

Total long-term debt

 

 

 

$

756,450

 

$

740,576

 

 


(1)          Includes 2006 Senior Notes and 2009 Senior Notes.

 

On October 29, 2010, HNS entered into a $115 million loan agreement with BNP Paribas and Societe Generale (the “COFACE Guaranteed Facility”), which is guaranteed by COFACE, the French Export Credit Agency, to finance the launch related costs for our Jupiter satellite. Pursuant to the COFACE Guaranteed Facility, loan draw-downs, which began in the fourth quarter of 2010, will occur over the construction period for the Jupiter launch vehicle up to the time of the launch, which is estimated to be in the first half of 2012. The COFACE Guaranteed Facility has a fixed interest rate of 5.13%, payable semi-annually in arrears starting six months after each borrowing, and requires that principal repayments be paid in 17 consecutive equal semi-annual installments starting the earlier of (i) six months after the in-orbit delivery of Jupiter, or (ii) December 1, 2012. The agreement also contains covenants and conditions which are customary for financings of this type. As of March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, the COFACE Guaranteed Facility had an available borrowing capacity of $71.5 million and $87.6 million, respectively.

 

On March 16, 2010, HNS entered into a credit agreement with JP Morgan Chase Bank, N.A. and Barclays Capital to amend and restate its senior secured $50 million revolving credit facility (the “Revolving Credit Facility”). Pursuant to the terms of the agreement, among other changes, the maturity date of the Revolving Credit Facility was extended to March 16, 2014, subject to an early maturity date of 91 days prior to March 16, 2014 in the event the 2009 and 2006 Senior Notes and the Term Loan Facility (as defined below) of HNS are not (i) repaid in full or (ii) refinanced with new debt (or amended) with maturities of no earlier than 91 days after March 16, 2014. The terms of the Revolving Credit Facility were amended to be: (i) in respect of the interest rate, at our option, the Alternative Borrowing Rate (as defined in the Revolving Credit Facility) plus 2.00% or the Adjusted London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) (as defined in the Revolving Credit Facility) plus 3.00% and (ii) in respect of the participation fee for outstanding letters of credit, 3.00% per annum, in each case subject to downward adjustment based on our leverage ratio. As of March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, the Revolving Credit Facility had no outstanding borrowing, $4.6 million and $4.4 million, respectively, of outstanding letters and an available borrowing capacity of $45.4 million and $45.6 million, respectively.

 

In May 2009, HNS, along with its subsidiary, HNS Finance Corp., as co-issuer, completed a private debt offering of $150.0 million of 9.50% senior notes maturing on April 15, 2014 (the “2009 Senior Notes”). The terms and covenants with respect to the 2009 Senior Notes are substantially identical to those of the 2006 Senior Notes (as defined below). Interest on the 2009 Senior Notes is accrued from April 15, 2009 and is paid semi-annually in

 

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HUGHES COMMUNICATIONS, INC.

NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — Continued

 

arrears on April 15 and October 15 of each year, beginning on October 15, 2009. As of March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, HNS recorded $6.5 million and $3.0 million, respectively, of accrued interest payable related to the 2009 Senior Notes.

 

In February 2007, HNS borrowed $115 million from a syndicate of banks (the “Term Loan Facility”), which matures on April 15, 2014. The interest on the Term Loan Facility is paid quarterly at Adjusted LIBOR (as defined in the Term Loan Facility) plus 2.50% per annum. To mitigate the variable interest rate risk associated with the Term Loan Facility, HNS entered into a swap agreement to swap the Adjusted LIBOR for a fixed interest rate of 5.12% per annum (the “Swap Agreement”). As a result, the Term Loan Facility has a fixed interest rate of 7.62% per annum. As of March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, interest accrued based on the Swap Agreement and the Term Loan Facility was $0.7 million.

 

In April 2006, HNS issued $450 million of 9.50% senior notes maturing on April 15, 2014 (the “2006 Senior Notes”). Interest on the 2006 Senior Notes is paid semi-annually in arrears on April 15 and October 15. As of March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, we recorded $19.6 million and $8.9 million, respectively, of accrued interest payable related to the 2006 Senior Notes.

 

Although the terms and covenants with respect to the 2009 Senior Notes are substantially identical to the 2006 Senior Notes, the 2009 Senior Notes were issued under a separate indenture and do not vote together with the 2006 Senior Notes. Each of the indentures governing the 2006 Senior Notes and the 2009 Senior Notes (collectively, the “Senior Notes”), the agreement governing the amended Revolving Credit Facility, the agreement governing the COFACE Guaranteed Facility and the agreement governing the Term Loan Facility require HNS to comply with certain affirmative and negative covenants: (i) in the case of the indentures, for so long as any Senior Notes are outstanding; (ii) in the case of the amended Revolving Credit Facility, so long as the amended Revolving Credit Facility is in effect; (iii) in the case of the COFACE Guaranteed Facility, for so long as the COFACE Guaranteed Facility remains outstanding; and (iv) in the case of the Term Loan Facility, for so long as the Term Loan Facility remains outstanding. Negative covenants contained in these agreements include limitations on the ability of HNS and/or certain of its subsidiaries to incur additional indebtedness; issue redeemable stock and subsidiary preferred stock; incur liens; pay dividends or distributions or redeem or repurchase capital stock; prepay, redeem or repurchase debt; make loans and investments; enter into agreements that restrict distributions from HNS’ subsidiaries; sell assets and capital stock of our subsidiaries; enter into certain transactions with affiliates; consolidate or merge with or into, or sell substantially all of our assets to, another person; and enter into new lines of business. In addition to these negative covenants, the amended Revolving Credit Facility, the indentures governing the Senior Notes, the COFACE Guaranteed Facility and/or the agreement governing the Term Loan Facility contain affirmative covenants that require us to: (i) preserve our businesses and properties; (ii) maintain insurance over our assets; (iii) pay and discharge all material taxes when due; and (iv) furnish the lenders’ administrative agent our financial statements for each fiscal quarter and fiscal year, certificates from a financial officer certifying that no Event of Default or Default (as defined in the respective agreements) has occurred during the fiscal period being reported, litigation and other notices, compliance with laws, maintenance of records and other such customary covenants. HNS and its subsidiaries comprise a substantial portion of the Company’s net assets and results of operations since January 1, 2006. Because of the negative covenants above, there are certain restrictions on the sale of HNS’ assets. As of March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, HNS’ net assets were $230.1 million and $221.9 million, respectively. Management believes that HNS was in compliance with all of its debt covenants as of March 31, 2011.

 

Prior to September 2005, we leased certain VSAT hardware under an operating lease with customers which were funded by two financial institutions at the inception of the operating lease for the future operating lease revenues. As part of the agreement, the financial institution received title to the equipment and obtained the residual rights to the equipment after the operating lease with the customer expires and assumed the credit risk associated with non-payment by the customers. However, we retained a continuing obligation to the financing institution to indemnify it from losses it may incur (up to the original value of the hardware) from non-performance of our system (a “Non-Performance Event”). Accordingly, we recognized a liability to the financial institution for the funded amount. We have not provided a reserve for a Non-Performance Event because we believe that the possibility of an occurrence of a Non-Performance Event due to a service outage is remote, given the ability to quickly re-establish customer service at relatively nominal costs.

 

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HUGHES COMMUNICATIONS, INC.

NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — Continued

 

In July 2006, we entered into a capital lease with 95 West Co., Inc. (“95 West Co.”) and its parent, Miraxis License Holdings, LLC (“MLH”), which are our related parties as discussed in Note 15—Transactions with Related Parties. Pursuant to the capital lease agreement, 95 West Co. and MLH agreed to provide a series of coordination agreements allowing HNS to operate SPACEWAY 3 at the 95° orbital slot where 95 West Co. and MLH have higher priority rights. As of March 31, 2011, the remaining debt balance under the capital lease was $4.9 million, which was included in “Capital lease and other” in the short-term and long-term debt tables above. The remaining payments under the capital lease are subject to conditions in the agreement including our ability to operate SPACEWAY 3 and are $1.0 million for each of the years ending December 31, 2011 through 2016.

 

Note 11: Financial Instruments

 

Interest Rate Swap

 

The interest on the Term Loan Facility was at Adjusted LIBOR plus 2.50% per annum. To mitigate the variable interest rate risk associated with the Term Loan Facility, we entered into the Swap Agreement to swap the Adjusted LIBOR for a fixed interest rate of 5.12% per annum. As a result, the Term Loan Facility has a fixed interest rate of 7.62% per annum. We account for the Swap Agreement as a cash flow hedge in accordance with ASC 815-30 “Derivatives and Hedging—Cash Flow Hedges.” Accordingly, we recorded a net unrealized gain of $1.2 million and a net unrealized loss of $1.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively, in AOCL associated with the fair market valuation of the interest rate swap. The net interest payments based on the Swap Agreement and the Term Loan Facility are paid quarterly and estimated to be approximately $8.8 million for each of the years ending December 31, 2011 through 2013 and $3.3 million for the year ending December 31, 2014. For each of the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010, we recorded $2.2 million of interest expense on the Term Loan Facility.

 

Note 12: Fair Value

 

Under ASC 820 “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures,” fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability (exit price) in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date, and the principal market is defined as the market in which the reporting entity would sell the asset or transfer the liability with the greatest volume and level of activity for the asset or liability. If there is no principal market, the most advantageous market is used. This is the market in which the reporting entity would sell the asset or transfer the liability with the price that maximizes the amount that would be received for the asset or minimizes the amount that would be paid to transfer the liability. ASC 820 clarifies that fair value should be based on assumptions market participants would make in pricing the asset or liability. Where available, fair value is based on observable quoted market prices or derived from observable market data. Where observable prices or inputs are not available, valuation models are used (i.e. Black-Scholes, a barrier option model or a binomial model). ASC 820 established the following three levels used to classify the inputs used in measuring fair value measurements:

 

Level 1-Inputs are unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities available at the measurement date.

 

Level 2-Inputs are unadjusted quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets and liabilities in markets that are not active, inputs, other than quoted prices, that are observable, and inputs derived from or corroborated by observable market data.

 

Level 3-Inputs are unobservable inputs which reflect the reporting entity’s own assumptions on the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability based on the best available information.

 

In determining fair value, we use various valuation approaches, including market, income and/or cost approaches. Other valuation techniques involve significant management judgment. As of March 31, 2011, the carrying values of cash and cash equivalents, receivables, net, accounts payable, and short-term debt approximated their respective fair values because of their short-term maturities.

 

Our investment in HTI was measured using Level 1 and Level 2 inputs for the Non-escrowed shares and Escrowed shares, respectively. The fair value of the Non-escrowed shares, as shown in the table below, was determined based on the quoted market prices. As of March 31, 2011, the Non-escrowed shares had a fair value of

 

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HUGHES COMMUNICATIONS, INC.

NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — Continued

 

$5.2 million. We recognized an unrealized gain of $1.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011 and an unrealized loss of $1.4 million since the inception of our investment in the Non-escrowed shares in AOCL. The fair value of the Escrowed shares, as shown in the table below, was determined using market observable data and utilizing a barrier option pricing model. The valuation of the Escrowed shares reflects the Company’s best estimate of what market participants would use in pricing the investment based on the best available information.

 

As of March 31, 2011, the carrying value of the Escrowed shares of $1.1 million approximated its estimated fair value. Based on our valuation analysis in accordance with ASC 320-10-35 “Investments—Debt and Equity Securities—Subsequent Measurement,” we determined that the decline in the estimated fair value of the Escrowed shares during 2010 is not an “other than temporary” impairment.

 

Our Senior Notes were categorized as Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy as we utilized pricing for recent market transactions for identical notes.

 

Our Term Loan Facility originally had a variable interest rate based on observable interest rates plus 2.50% per annum. To mitigate the variable interest rate risk, we entered into the Swap Agreement to swap the Adjusted LIBOR for a fixed interest rate of 5.12% per annum. As a result, the Term Loan Facility has a fixed interest rate of 7.62% per annum. We adjust the value of the interest rate swap on a quarterly basis. The fair value of the interest rate swap was categorized as Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.

 

Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis are summarized below (dollars in thousands):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

March 31, 2011

 

 

 

Level

 

Included In

 

Carrying
Value

 

Fair
Value

 

Marketable securities

 

2

 

Marketable securities

 

$

23,672

 

$

23,672

 

2006 Senior Notes

 

1

 

Long-term debt

 

$

450,000

 

$

465,750

 

2009 Senior Notes

 

1

 

Long-term debt

 

$

140,792

(1)

$

157,500

 

Term Loan Facility

 

2

 

Long-term debt

 

$

115,000

 

$

114,425

 

COFACE Guaranteed Facility

 

2

 

Long-term debt

 

$

43,523

 

$

44,379

 

Interest rate swap on the Term Loan Facility

 

2

 

Other long-term liabilities

 

$

11,686

 

$

11,686

 

Capital lease and others

 

2

 

Long-term debt

 

$

4,996

 

$

5,047

 

VSAT hardware financing

 

2

 

Long-term debt

 

$

2,139

 

$

2,029

 

 


(1)          Amount represents the face value of $150.0 million, net of the remaining original issue discount of $9.2 million.

 

Note 13: Income Taxes

 

For the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010, we recorded a net income tax expense of $1.9 million and $1.2 million, respectively. Because of our U.S. federal net operating loss (“NOL”) carryforward position and full valuation allowance against our net deferred tax assets, our income tax expense represents taxes associated with our foreign subsidiaries and state taxes. As of March 31, 2011, we estimated that our remaining NOL carry-forwards were approximately $319.3 million, expiring between the years 2012 and 2029, if unused, and our capital loss carry-forwards were approximately $10.4 million, expiring between 2011 and 2014, if unused.

 

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HUGHES COMMUNICATIONS, INC.

NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — Continued

 

As of March 31, 2011, our German and United Kingdom (“U.K.”) subsidiaries have approximately $38.5 million and $56.2 million of NOL carryforwards, respectively. As the U.K. subsidiary is treated as a disregarded entity for U.S. income tax purposes, its net income or loss is reported on HNS’ partnership income tax return and subsequently allocated to us. The NOL carryforwards are available to reduce future U.K. taxable income and do not expire. The NOL carryforwards of the German subsidiary are available to reduce future German taxable income and do not expire.

 

As of March 31, 2011, we have not met the “more-likely-than-not” criteria of ASC 740 “Income Taxes” on deferred tax assets in certain jurisdictions, thus we maintained a full valuation allowance on these deferred tax assets. Any benefit realized from the reversal of valuation allowance will be recorded as a reduction to income tax expense.

 

In accordance with ASC 740, we have identified unrecognized tax benefits related to tax positions of $4.1 million as of December 31, 2010 and additional unrecognized tax benefits of $0.2 million through March 31, 2011. If recognized, the total unrecognized tax benefits would impact our effective tax rate. We do not believe that the unrecognized tax benefits will significantly fluctuate within the next twelve months. Following is a description of the tax years that remain subject to examination by major tax jurisdictions:

 

United States - Federal

 

1997 and forward

United States - Various States

 

1997 and forward

United Kingdom

 

2005 and forward

Germany

 

2004 and forward

Italy

 

2006 and forward

India

 

1995 and forward

Mexico

 

2000 and forward

Brazil

 

2004 and forward

 

Note 14: Employee Share-Based Payments

 

2006 Equity and Incentive Plan

 

In January 2006, we adopted and our Board of Directors approved the 2006 Equity and Incentive Plan (the “Plan”). The Plan provides for the grant of equity-based awards, including restricted common stock, restricted stock units, stock options, stock appreciation rights and other equity-based awards, as well as cash bonuses and long-term cash awards to directors, officers, other employees, advisors and consultants of the Company and its subsidiaries who are selected by our Compensation Committee for participation in the Plan. We recorded compensation expense related to the restricted stock awards, issued to members of our Board of Directors, our executives, a contractor and HNS’ employees, and restricted stock units, issued only to our international employees, after adjustment for forfeitures, of $0.3 million and $0.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively. As of March 31, 2011, we had $1.2 million of unrecognized compensation expense related to the restricted stock awards and restricted stock units, which will be recognized over a weighted average life of 1.84 years.

 

Summaries of non-vested restricted stock awards and restricted stock units are as follows:

 

Restricted Stock Awards

 

 

 

Shares

 

Weighted-Average
Grant-Date
Fair Value

 

Non-vested at December 31, 2010

 

78,326

 

$

20.19

 

Vested

 

(22,175

)

$

14.87

 

Non-vested at March 31, 2011

 

56,151

 

$

22.29

 

 

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HUGHES COMMUNICATIONS, INC.

NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — Continued

 

Restricted Stock Units

 

 

 

Shares

 

Weighted-Average
Grant-Date
Fair Value

 

Non-vested at December 31, 2010

 

23,500

 

$

26.68

 

Vested

 

(2,000

)

$

8.82

 

Non-vested at March 31, 2011

 

21,500

 

$

28.34

 

 

Stock Option Program

 

Our Compensation Committee makes stock option awards under the Plan (the “Stock Option Program”), which consists of the issuance of non-qualified stock options to employees of the Company and its subsidiaries. The grant and exercise price of the stock options is the closing price of the Company’s common stock on the date of the grant. Any options forfeited or cancelled before exercise will be deposited back into the option pool and will become available for award under the Stock Option Program. Each grant has a 10 year life and vests 50% on the second anniversary of the grant date and 25% on each of the third and fourth anniversaries of the grant date. The fair value of each option award was estimated on the date of grant using a Black-Scholes option valuation model.

 

The key assumptions for the option awards for the three months ended March 31, 2011 are as follows:

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
March 31, 2011

 

Volatility

 

45.4

%

Weighted-average volatility

 

45.4

%

Expected term

 

5 years

 

Risk-free interest rate

 

2.02

%

Dividend yield

 

 

Discount for post-vesting restrictions

 

 

 

A summary of option activity under the Stock Option Program is presented below:

 

 

 

Option
Shares

 

Weighted-Average
Exercise Price

 

Weighted
Average
Remaining
Contractual

Life

 

Aggregate
Intrinsic

Value
(In thousands)

 

Outstanding at December 31, 2010

 

1,196,950

 

$

22.56

 

9.04

 

$

21,412

 

Granted

 

5,000

 

$

61.59

 

9.85

 

 

Forfeited or expired

 

(3,250

)

$

20.17

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Outstanding at March 31, 2011

 

1,198,700

 

$

22.73

 

8.80

 

$

44,289

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Vested and expected to vest at March 31, 2011

 

1,137,578

 

$

22.74

 

8.80

 

$

42,024

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exercisable at March 31, 2011

 

1,250

 

$

17.03

 

7.71

 

$

53

 

 

The compensation expense related to stock option awards is recognized on a straight-line basis over the four-year vesting period beginning on the date of grant. We recorded $1.4 million and $1.0 million of compensation expense for the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively. As of March 31, 2011, we had $11.3 million of unrecognized compensation expense for non-vested stock options, which will be recognized over a weighted average period of 2.88 years.

 

HNS’ Bonus Unit Plan

 

In July 2005, HNS adopted an incentive bonus unit plan (the “Bonus Unit Plan”), pursuant to which bonus units were granted to certain employees of the Company. The bonus units provide for time vesting over five years and are subject to a participant’s continued employment with HNS. Pursuant to the Bonus Unit Plan, if participants

 

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HUGHES COMMUNICATIONS, INC.

NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — Continued

 

in the Bonus Unit Plan are employed by HNS at the time of the predetermined exchange dates, they are entitled to exchange their vested bonus units for shares of our common stock. The number of our common stock shares to be issued upon each exchange is calculated based upon the fair market value of the vested bonus unit divided by the average closing trading price of our common stock for the 20 business days immediately preceding the date of the exchange. We recognized compensation expense of $0.1 million and $0.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively, related to the Bonus Unit Plan. As of March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, HNS had 290,000 and 300,000, respectively, of outstanding bonus units, which will vest on July 15, 2011. If the total outstanding bonus units were to convert into our common stock as of March 31, 2011, they could be exchanged for approximately 33,900 shares of our common stock, net of applicable tax withholding. For the three months ended March 31, 2011, 10,000 bonus units were forfeited.

 

HNS’ Class B Membership Interests

 

HNS’ Class B membership interests were issued to certain members of our senior management, two of HNS’ former senior management and a member of our Board of Directors. The Class B membership interests are subject to certain vesting requirements, with 50% of the Class B membership interests subject to time vesting over five years and the other 50% vesting based upon certain performance criteria. At the holders’ election, vested Class B membership interests may be exchanged for our common stock. The number of shares of our common stock to be issued upon such exchange is based upon the fair market value of such vested Class B membership interest tendered for exchange divided by the average closing trading price of our common stock for the 20 business days immediately preceding the date of such exchange. On September 25, 2009, we registered 75,000 shares of our common stock with the SEC on a Registration Statement on Form S-8 to be issued, from time to time, upon the exchange of the Class B membership interests.

 

Pursuant to ASC 718 “Compensation—Stock Compensation,” HNS determined that the Class B membership interests had nominal value at the date of grant, and, accordingly, minimal compensation expense was recorded for each of the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010.

 

As of March 31, 2011, we had 3,280 outstanding Class B membership interests, which were fully vested. If the total outstanding Class B membership interests were to convert into our common stock as of March 31, 2011, they could be exchanged for approximately 693,100 shares of our common stock.

 

LightSquared 1998 Long Term Incentive Plan

 

In connection with the acquisition of HNS in 2006, the compensation committee of LightSquared, Inc. (“LightSquared”) determined that certain holders of stock options issued under the LightSquared 1998 Long Term Incentive Plan (the “LightSquared Plan”) would receive options to purchase our common stock, subject to certain terms under the LightSquared Plan, at the date LightSquared separated us into a publicly traded company (the “Distribution”). As of March 31, 2011, we had 57,500 options outstanding to purchase our common stock with a weighted average exercise price of $19.40 per share and an aggregate intrinsic value of $2.3 million.

 

The fair value of each option, as applicable, was determined on the date of grant, except for shares of restricted stock issued to a consultant. In accordance with ASC 505-50, “Equity-Based Payments to Non-Employees”, the fair value of such shares is adjusted at the end of the reporting period, and accordingly, the fair value as of March 31, 2011 was used for determining compensation expense attributable to such shares.

 

Note 15:  Transactions with Related Parties

 

In the ordinary course of our operations, we enter into transactions with related parties to purchase and/or sell telecommunications services, equipment, and inventory. Related parties include all entities that are controlled by Apollo Management, L.P. and its affiliates (collectively “Apollo”), our controlling stockholder.

 

Separation Agreement

 

As part of the Distribution in 2006, LightSquared and the Company entered into a separation agreement (the “Separation Agreement”). Among other things, the Separation Agreement provides for certain indemnifications, tax sharing, consulting services and access to facilities.

 

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HUGHES COMMUNICATIONS, INC.

NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — Continued

 

Indemnification —The Separation Agreement provides that the Company will indemnify LightSquared against losses based on, arising out of, or resulting from (i) the ownership or the operation of the assets or properties transferred to the Company under the Separation Agreement, and the operation or conduct of the business of, including contracts entered into and any activities engaged in by, the Company, whether in the past or future; (ii) any other activities the Company engages in; (iii) any guaranty or keep well of or by LightSquared provided to any parties with respect to any of the Company’s actual or contingent obligations; and (iv) certain other matters described in the Separation Agreement. The Separation Agreement provides that LightSquared will indemnify the Company against losses based on, arising out of, or resulting from the ownership or operation of the assets or properties of Mobile Satellite Ventures LP (“MSV”) and TerreStar Networks, Inc., (“TerreStar”) or the operation or conduct of their businesses, including the contracts entered into by them, and certain other matters described in the Separation Agreement.

 

Tax sharing agreement—The tax sharing agreement governs the allocation between the Company and LightSquared of tax liabilities and related tax matters, such as the preparation and filing of tax returns and tax contests, for all taxable periods ended on or before February 21, 2006. The Company will generally be responsible for, and indemnify LightSquared and its subsidiaries against, all tax liabilities imposed on or attributable to (i) the Company and any of its subsidiaries relating to all taxable periods and (ii) LightSquared and any of its subsidiaries for all taxable periods or portions thereof ending on or prior to a change of control of LightSquared, in each case, after taking into account any tax attributes of LightSquared or any of its subsidiaries that are available to offset such tax liabilities. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company is not responsible for any taxes relating to MSV, TerreStar or a change of control of LightSquared. Additionally, under the tax sharing agreement, LightSquared is responsible for, and indemnifies the Company and its subsidiaries against, all tax liabilities imposed on or attributable to MSV and TerreStar relating to all taxable periods, LightSquared and any of its subsidiaries relating to all taxable periods or portions thereof beginning and ending after a change of control, and any change of control of LightSquared.

 

Hughes Telematics, Inc.

 

HTI is controlled by an affiliate of Apollo. Jeffrey A. Leddy, a member of HNS’ Board of Managers and our Board of Directors, is the Chief Executive Officer and a director of HTI and owns less than 1.5% of HTI’s equity as of March 31, 2011. In addition, Andrew Africk and Aaron Stone, members of HNS’ Board of Managers and our Board of Directors, are directors of HTI and partners of Apollo.

 

In July 2006, HNS granted a limited license to HTI allowing HTI to use the HUGHES trademark. The license is limited in that HTI may use the HUGHES trademark only in connection with its business of automotive telematics and only in combination with the TELEMATICS name. As partial consideration for the license, the agreement provides that HNS will be HTI’s preferred engineering services provider. The license is royalty-free, except that HTI has agreed to pay a royalty to HNS in the event HTI no longer has a commercial or affiliated relationship with HNS.

 

In October 2007, HNS entered into an agreement with HTI and a customer of HTI, whereby HNS agreed to assume the rights and performance obligations of HTI in the event that HTI fails to perform its obligations due to a fundamental cause such as bankruptcy or the cessation of its telematics business. In connection with that agreement, HNS and HTI have entered into a letter agreement pursuant to which HTI has agreed to take certain actions to enable HNS to assume HTI’s obligations in the event that such action is required. However, as a result of the merger between HTI and Polaris Acquisition Corp in 2009, HNS’ obligations to HTI and its customer expired. In January 2008, HNS entered into an agreement with HTI for the development of an automotive telematics system for HTI, comprising the telematics system hub and the Telematics Control Unit (“TCU”), which will serve as the user appliance in the telematics system.

 

In March 2009, we made an equity investment in HTI, which represented approximately 3.8% of HTI’s outstanding common stock as of March 31, 2011 before giving effect to the “earn-out” of the Escrowed shares. If the full earn-out targets are achieved, our investment could represent approximately 3.5% of HTI’s outstanding common stock. In addition to the risk and valuation fluctuations associated with the “earn-out” targets, the carrying value of the investment in HTI may be subject to fair value adjustments in future reporting periods.

 

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HUGHES COMMUNICATIONS, INC.

NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — Continued

 

In August 2009, HTI terminated substantially all of the development, engineering and manufacturing services with HNS as a result of the bankruptcy filing of one of HTI’s customers.

 

On December 18, 2009, HNS entered into a promissory note with HTI (the “Promissory Note”) for $8.3 million of account receivables that HTI owed to HNS. The Promissory Note had an amended maturity date of December 31, 2011 and an interest rate of 12% per annum. As of March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, the remaining Promissory Note had a balance of $5.5 million and $5.6 million, respectively.

 

95 West Co., Inc.

 

In July 2006, HNS entered into an agreement with 95 West Co. and its parent, MLH, pursuant to which 95 West Co. and MLH agreed to provide a series of coordination agreements which allow HNS to operate its SPACEWAY 3 at an orbital position where such parties have higher-priority rights. Jeffrey A. Leddy, a member of our Board of Directors and HNS’ Board of Managers, is the managing director of 95 West Co. and MLH and also owns a small interest in each. Andrew Africk, another member of our Board of Directors and HNS’ Board of Managers, is also a director of MLH. As part of the agreement, HNS agreed to pay $9.3 million, in annual installments of $0.3 million in 2006, $0.75 million in each year between 2007 and 2010 and $1.0 million in each year between 2011 and 2016 for the use of the orbital position, subject to conditions in the agreement including HNS’ ability to operate SPACEWAY 3. As of March 31, 2011, the remaining debt balance under the capital lease was $4.9 million, which was included in “Capital lease and other” in the short-term and long-term debt tables included in Note 10—Debt.

 

Smart & Final, Inc.

 

As of March 31, 2011, Apollo has controlled of Smart & Final, Inc. (“Smart & Final”). Therefore, Smart & Final is indirectly our related party. We provide broadband products and services to Smart & Final.

 

CKE Restaurants, Inc.

 

On July 12, 2010, an affiliate of Apollo acquired CKE Restaurants, Inc. (“CKE”). As a result, CKE indirectly became our related party as of that date. We provide broadband products and services to CKE.

 

Other

 

Certain members of our Board of Directors and officers serve on the boards of directors of some of our affiliates. In some cases, such directors and officers have received stock-based compensation from such affiliates for their service. In those cases, the amount of stock-based compensation received by the directors and officers is comparable to stock-based compensation awarded to other non-executive members of the affiliates’ boards of directors.

 

Related Party Transactions

 

Sales and purchase transactions with related parties are as follows (in thousands):

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
March 31,

 

 

 

2011

 

2010

 

Sales:

 

 

 

 

 

HTI

 

$

 

$

301

 

Others

 

244

 

123

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total sales

 

$

244

 

$

424

 

 

Assets resulting from transactions with related parties are as follows (in thousands):

 

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HUGHES COMMUNICATIONS, INC.

NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — Continued

 

 

 

March 31,
2011

 

December 31,
2010

 

Due from related parties:

 

 

 

 

 

HTI

 

$

5,527

 

$

5,632

 

Others

 

89

 

159

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total due from related parties

 

$

5,616

 

$

5,791

 

 

Note 16:  Segment Data

 

Set forth below is selected financial information for our operating segments (in thousands). There were no intersegment transactions.

 

 

 

North
America
Broadband

 

International
Broadband

 

Telecom
Systems

 

HTS
Satellite

 

Corporate
and Other

 

Consolidated

 

As of or For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2011

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenues

 

$

193,706

 

$

51,672

 

$

16,692

 

$

602

 

$

1,420

 

$

264,092

 

Operating income (loss)

 

$

21,745

 

$

(738

)

$

(316

)

$

(1,304

)

$

(4,467

)

$

14,920

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

$

32,792

 

$

3,750

 

$

820

 

$

 

$

139

 

$

37,501

 

Assets

 

$

635,871

 

$

187,843

 

$

45,790

 

$

308,731

 

$

205,812

 

$

1,384,047

 

Capital expenditures(1)

 

$

39,200

 

$

1,556

 

$

10

 

$

60,405

 

$

2,850

 

$

104,021

 

As of or For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2010

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenues

 

$

173,995

 

$

43,456

 

$

24,692

 

$

 

$

1,050

 

$

243,193

 

Operating income (loss)

 

$

9,616

 

$

(1,156

)

$

3,708

 

$

(858

)

$

(746

)

$

10,564

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

$

25,519

 

$

3,426

 

$

1,024

 

$

 

$

164

 

$

30,133

 

Assets

 

$

636,622

 

$

168,771

 

$

45,877

 

$

99,515

 

$

328,710

 

$

1,279,495

 

Capital expenditures(1)

 

$

26,138

 

$

4,187

 

$

153

 

$

32,767

 

$

3,592

 

$

66,837

 

 


(1)   Capital expenditures on an accrual basis were $98.9 million and $65.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

 

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HUGHES COMMUNICATIONS, INC.

NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — Continued

 

Note 17:  Comprehensive Income (Loss)

 

Comprehensive income (loss) is as follows (in thousands)(1):

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
March  31,

 

 

 

2011

 

2010

 

Net income (loss)

 

$

685

 

$

(6,174

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other comprehensive income (loss):

 

 

 

 

 

Foreign currency translation adjustments

 

1,645

 

(729

)

Unrealized loss on hedging instruments

 

(189

)

(2,323

)

Reclassification of realized loss on hedging instruments

 

1,404

 

1,368

 

Unrealized gain (loss) on available-for-sale securities

 

1,495

 

(647

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total other comprehensive income (loss)

 

4,355

 

(2,331

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Comprehensive income (loss)

 

5,040

 

(8,505

)

Comprehensive (income) loss attributable to the noncontrolling interest

 

115

 

(217

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to HCI

 

$

5,155

 

$

(8,722

)

 


(1)          There is no tax impact for items included in the table since the Company has a full valuation allowance against its net deferred income taxes for all reporting periods.

 

Note 18:  Commitments and Contingencies

 

Litigation

 

We are periodically involved in litigation in the ordinary course of our business involving claims regarding intellectual property infringement, product liability, property damage, personal injury, contracts, employment and worker’s compensation. We do not believe that there are any such pending or threatened legal proceedings, including ordinary litigation incidental to the conduct of our business and the ownership of our properties that, if adversely determined, would have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations or liquidity.

 

In October 2008, Hughes Telecommunicaçoes do Brasil Ltda. (“HTB”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of HNS, received a tax assessment of approximately $8.0 million from the State of São Paulo Treasury Department. The tax assessment alleges that HTB failed to pay certain import taxes to the State of São Paulo. We do not believe the assessment is valid and plan to dispute the State of São Paulo’s claims and to defend vigorously against these allegations. Recent decrees and legislative actions by the State of São Paulo will alleviate approximately $5.1 million of the tax assessment over time with no impact to the Company. Therefore, we have not recorded a liability. It is the opinion of management that such litigation is not expected to have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

 

On May 18, 2009, the Company and HNS received notice of a complaint filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California by two California subscribers to the HughesNet service. The plaintiffs complain about the speed of the HughesNet service, the Fair Access Policy, early termination fees and certain terms and conditions of the HughesNet subscriber agreement. The plaintiffs seek to pursue their claims as a class action on behalf of other California subscribers. On June 4, 2009, the Company and HNS received notice of a similar complaint filed by another HughesNet subscriber in the Superior Court of San Diego County, California. The plaintiff in this case also seeks to pursue his claims as a class action on behalf of other California subscribers. Both cases have been consolidated into a single case in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California. In January 2011, the Company agreed to settle this consolidated case on a nationwide basis, subject to court approval. As a result, the Company accrued $1.9 million for estimated settlement costs, plaintiffs’ attorney fees and other related expenses as of December 31, 2010. In the event that the settlement is not effectuated, the Company would revert to its previous position of vigorously defending these matters as it believes that the allegations in these complaints are not meritorious.

 

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HUGHES COMMUNICATIONS, INC.

NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — Continued

 

On December 18, 2009, the Company and HNS received notice of a complaint filed in the Cook County, Illinois, Circuit Court by a former subscriber to the HughesNet service. The complaint seeks a declaration allowing the former subscriber to file a class arbitration challenging early termination fees under the subscriber agreement. The Company was dismissed from this case in September 2010, while HNS remains a defendant. HNS’s motion to dismiss, filed in September 2010, is pending, and HNS will continue to vigorously defend the case.

 

Some or all of the Company, its directors, EchoStar, EchoStar Satellite Services, L.L.C. (“EchoStar LLC”), Broadband Acquisition Corporation (“Merger Sub”), and Apollo Global Management, LLC (“AGM”) have been named as defendants in five shareholder class action lawsuits in connection with the proposed transaction in which EchoStar will acquire all of the outstanding equity of the Company. On February 18, 2011, the Gottlieb Family Foundation filed its class action complaint in the Circuit Court for Montgomery County, Maryland. On February 23, 2011, Plymouth County Retirement System filed its shareholder class action complaint, which has since been voluntarily dismissed by the plaintiffs, in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware. On February 24, 2011, Edward Ostensoe filed his shareholder class action complaint in the Circuit Court for Montgomery County, Maryland. On February 28, 2011, Nina J. Shah Rohrbasser Irr. Trust filed its shareholder class action complaint in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware. On March 8, 2011, entities affiliated with ALJ Capital Management, LLC filed their shareholder class action complaint in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware. Each complaint alleges, among other things, that the directors of the Company breached their fiduciary duties in agreeing to the transaction and that some or all of the Company, EchoStar, EchoStar LLC, Merger Sub and AGM aided and abetted such breaches by the directors of the Company. In each case, the plaintiffs seek to enjoin the proposed transaction and/or damages, costs, and attorney fees. On April 28, 2011, the Company, its directors, and AGM entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with the plaintiffs in the Maryland actions that contains the essential terms of a settlement agreed to in principle between the parties (the “Settlement”). The Settlement remains subject to the approval of the court or courts, and contemplates the dismissal with prejudice of all four actions. The Company believes that the allegations in all of these complaints are not meritorious and if necessary, will vigorously contest these actions.

 

No other material legal proceedings have commenced or been terminated during the period covered by this report.

 

Commitments

 

In June 2009, HNS entered into an agreement with SS/L, under which HNS is obligated to pay an aggregate of approximately $252.0 million for the construction of our Jupiter satellite and has agreed to make installment payments to SS/L upon the completion of each milestone set forth in the agreement. As of March 31, 2011, the remaining obligation for the construction and the launch of Jupiter was $164.9 million. We anticipate launching Jupiter in the first half of 2012. In connection with the construction of Jupiter, HNS has entered into a contract with Barrett Xplore Inc. (“Barrett”), whereby Barrett has agreed to lease user beams and purchase gateways and terminals for the Jupiter satellite that are designed to operate in Canada.

 

We are contingently liable under standby letters of credit and bonds in the aggregate amount of $19.0 million that were undrawn as of March 31, 2011. Of this amount, $4.6 million was issued under the Revolving Credit Facility; $0.7 million was secured by restricted cash; $1.1 million related to insurance bonds; and $12.6 million was issued under credit arrangements available to our foreign subsidiaries. Certain letters of credit issued by our foreign subsidiaries are secured by their assets. As of March 31, 2011, these obligations were scheduled to expire as follows: $7.8 million in 2011; $8.3 million in 2012; $0.5 million in 2013; $0.3 million in 2014; and $2.1 million thereafter.

 

Note 19:  Supplemental Guarantor and Non-Guarantor Financial Information

 

In lieu of providing separate unaudited financial statements of HNS, the Co-Issuer and HNS’ guarantor subsidiaries, condensed financial statements prepared in accordance with Rule 3-10 and Rule 5-04 of Regulation S-X are presented below. The column marked “Parent” represents our results of operations, with the subsidiaries accounted for using the equity method. The column marked “Subsidiary Issuer” represents the results of HNS. The column marked “Guarantor Subsidiaries” includes the results of HNS’ guarantor subsidiaries and the Co-Issuer, which is a co-issuer of HNS’ Senior Notes and which had no assets, operations, revenues or cash flows for the periods presented. The column marked “Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries” includes the results of non-guarantor subsidiaries of the Company and HNS. Eliminations necessary to arrive at the information for the Company on a

 

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HUGHES COMMUNICATIONS, INC.

NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — Continued

 

consolidated basis for the periods presented are included in the column so labeled. Separate financial statements and other disclosures concerning the Co-Issuer and HNS’ Guarantor Subsidiaries are not presented because management has determined that they are not material to investors.

 

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HUGHES COMMUNICATIONS, INC.

NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — Continued

 

The following represents the supplemental condensed financial statements of the Company, HNS, the Guarantor Subsidiaries and the Non-guarantor Subsidiaries. These condensed financial statements should be read in conjunction with our condensed consolidated financial statements and notes thereto. In 2010, the Company liquidated one of its wholly-owned non-guarantor subsidiaries. As a result, certain prior period items in the following supplemental condensed financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation.

 

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as of March 31, 2011

(In thousands)

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

Parent

 

Subsidiary
Issuer

 

Guarantor
Subsidiaries

 

Non-
Guarantor
Subsidiaries

 

Eliminations

 

Total

 

Assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

72,186

 

$

33,091

 

$

144

 

$

11,493

 

$

 

$

116,914

 

Marketable securities

 

20,993

 

2,679

 

 

 

 

23,672

 

Receivables, net

 

11,856

 

138,217

 

72

 

61,849

 

(28,637

)

183,357

 

Inventories

 

 

47,337

 

 

12,290

 

 

59,627

 

Prepaid expenses and other

 

81

 

8,862

 

71

 

17,817

 

(37

)

26,794

 

Total current assets

 

105,116

 

230,186

 

287

 

103,449

 

(28,674

)

410,364

 

Property, net

 

 

776,370

 

33,497

 

27,734

 

 

837,601

 

Investment in subsidiaries

 

229,461

 

118,600

 

 

 

(348,061

)

 

Other assets

 

8,363

 

99,729

 

135

 

30,541

 

(2,686

)

136,082

 

Total assets

 

$

342,940

 

$

1,224,885

 

$

33,919

 

$

161,724

 

$

(379,421

)

$

1,384,047

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities and equity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable

 

$

3,313

 

$

77,347

 

$

123

 

$

37,717

 

$

(20,941

)

$

97,559

 

Short-term debt

 

 

1,304

 

 

3,396

 

 

4,700

 

Accrued liabilities and other

 

1,263

 

135,690

 

 

22,503

 

(7,696

)

151,760

 

Total current liabilities

 

4,576

 

214,341

 

123

 

63,616

 

(28,637

)

254,019

 

Long-term debt

 

 

753,664

 

 

2,786

 

 

756,450

 

Other long-term liabilities

 

 

26,764

 

 

2,723

 

(2,723

)

26,764

 

Total HCI stockholders’ equity

 

335,965

 

230,116

 

25,346

 

92,599

 

(348,061

)

335,965

 

Noncontrolling interests

 

2,399

 

 

8,450

 

 

 

10,849

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total liabilities and equity

 

$

342,940

 

$

1,224,885

 

$

33,919

 

$

161,724

 

$

(379,421

)

$

1,384,047

 

 

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HUGHES COMMUNICATIONS, INC.

NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — Continued

 

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2010

(In thousands)

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

Parent

 

Subsidiary
Issuer

 

Guarantor
Subsidiaries

 

Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries

 

Eliminations

 

Total

 

Assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

56,583

 

$

67,707

 

$

256

 

$

13,585

 

$

 

$

138,131

 

Marketable securities

 

37,857

 

6,675

 

 

 

 

44,532

 

Receivables, net

 

9,437

 

141,422

 

38

 

61,067

 

(25,272

)

186,692

 

Inventories

 

 

45,388

 

 

12,431

 

 

57,819

 

Prepaid expenses and other

 

181

 

9,172

 

70

 

16,704

 

 

26,127

 

Total current assets

 

104,058

 

270,364

 

364

 

103,787

 

(25,272

)

453,301

 

Property, net

 

 

713,007

 

32,948

 

28,097

 

 

774,052

 

Investment in subsidiaries

 

221,665

 

118,080

 

 

 

(339,745

)

 

Other assets

 

7,404

 

98,967

 

1,405

 

29,746

 

(1,700

)

135,822

 

Total assets

 

$

333,127

 

$

1,200,418

 

$

34,717

 

$

161,630

 

$

(366,717

)

$

1,363,175

 

Liabilities and equity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable

 

$

681

 

$

101,684

 

$

199

 

$

36,764

 

$

(19,126

)

$

120,202

 

Short-term debt

 

 

2,284

 

 

4,001

 

 

6,285

 

Accrued liabilities and other

 

756

 

109,561

 

 

24,619

 

(6,146

)

128,790

 

Total current liabilities

 

1,437

 

213,529

 

199

 

65,384

 

(25,272

)

255,277

 

Long-term debt

 

 

737,677

 

 

2,899

 

 

740,576

 

Other long-term liabilities

 

 

27,308

 

 

1,700

 

(1,700

)

27,308

 

Total HCI stockholders’ equity

 

329,050

 

221,904

 

26,194

 

91,647

 

(339,745

)

329,050

 

Noncontrolling interests

 

2,640

 

 

8,324

 

 

 

10,964

 

Total liabilities and equity

 

$

333,127

 

$

1,200,418

 

$

34,717

 

$

161,630

 

$

(366,717

)

$

1,363,175

 

 

F-144



Table of Contents

 

HUGHES COMMUNICATIONS, INC.

NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — Continued

 

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2011

(In thousands)

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

Parent

 

Subsidiary
Issuer

 

Guarantor
Subsidiaries

 

Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries

 

Eliminations

 

Total

 

Revenues

 

$

205

 

$

229,340

 

$

362

 

$

41,996

 

$

(7,811

)

$

264,092

 

Operating costs and expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Costs of revenues

 

 

156,842

 

 

32,487

 

(7,045

)

182,284

 

Selling, general and administrative

 

4,305

 

47,753

 

835

 

8,850

 

(766

)

60,977

 

Research and development

 

 

5,154

 

 

 

 

5,154

 

Amortization of intangible assets

 

 

682

 

 

75

 

 

757

 

Total operating costs and expenses

 

4,305

 

210,431

 

835

 

41,412

 

(7,811

)

249,172

 

Operating income (loss)

 

(4,100

)

18,909

 

(473

)

584

 

 

14,920

 

Other income (expense):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest expense

 

 

(12,324

)

 

(227

)

46

 

(12,505

)

Interest and other income (loss), net

 

83

 

(28

)

 

162

 

(46

)

171

 

Equity in earnings (losses) of subsidiaries

 

4,769

 

(1,111

)

 

 

(3,658

)

 

Income (loss) before income tax expense

 

752

 

5,446

 

(473

)

519

 

(3,658

)

2,586

 

Income tax expense

 

(131

)

(282

)

 

(1,488

)

 

(1,901

)

Net income (loss)

 

621

 

5,164

 

(473

)

(969

)

(3,658

)

685

 

Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests

 

217

 

 

(375

)

311

 

 

153

 

Net income (loss) attributable to HCI stockholders

 

$

838

 

$

5,164

 

$

(848

)

$

(658

)

$

(3,658

)

$

838

 

 

F-145



Table of Contents

 

HUGHES COMMUNICATIONS, INC.

NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — Continued

 

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2010

(In thousands)

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

Parent

 

Subsidiary
Issuer

 

Guarantor
Subsidiaries

 

Non-
Guarantor
Subsidiaries

 

Eliminations

 

Total

 

Revenues

 

$

251

 

$

212,471

 

$

988

 

$

35,826

 

$

(6,343

)

$

243,193

 

Operating costs and expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Costs of revenues

 

 

155,328

 

306

 

26,947

 

(5,982

)

176,599

 

Selling, general and administrative

 

770

 

41,086

 

1,372

 

7,458

 

(361

)

50,325

 

Research and development

 

 

4,460

 

455

 

 

 

4,915

 

Amortization of intangible assets

 

 

534

 

168

 

88

 

 

790

 

Total operating costs and expenses

 

770

 

201,408

 

2,301

 

34,493

 

(6,343

)

232,629

 

Operating income (loss)

 

(519

)

11,063

 

(1,313

)

1,333

 

 

10,564

 

Other income (expense):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest expense

 

 

(15,793

)

 

(348

)

31

 

(16,110

)

Interest and other income (loss), net

 

56

 

(359

)

870

 

55

 

(31

)

591

 

Equity in earnings (losses) of subsidiaries

 

(5,812

)

(246

)

 

 

6,058

 

 

Income (loss) before income tax (expense) benefit

 

(6,275

)

(5,335

)

(443

)

1,040

 

6,058

 

(4,955

)

Income tax expense

 

(2

)

(227

)

(3

)

(987

)

 

(1,219

)

Net income (loss)

 

(6,277

)

(5,562

)

(446

)

53

 

6,058

 

(6,174

)

Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests

 

137

 

 

(141

)

38

 

 

34

 

Net income (loss) attributable to HCI stockholders

 

$

(6,140

)

$

(5,562

)

$

(587

)

$

91

 

$

6,058

 

$

(6,140

)

 

F-146



Table of Contents

 

HUGHES COMMUNICATIONS, INC.

NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — Continued

 

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2011

(In thousands)

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

Parent

 

Subsidiary
Issuer

 

Guarantor
Subsidiaries

 

Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries

 

Eliminations

 

Total

 

Cash flows from operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

 

$

621

 

$

5,164

 

$

(473

)

$

(969

)

$

(3,658

)

$

685

 

Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash flows from operating activities

 

(1,888

)

44,127

 

1,384

 

842

 

3,658

 

48,123

 

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities

 

(1,267

)

49,291

 

911

 

(127

)

 

48,808

 

Cash flows from investing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Change in restricted cash

 

 

 

 

373

 

 

373

 

Purchases of marketable securities

 

(11,999

)

 

 

 

 

(11,999

)

Proceeds from sales of marketable securities

 

28,869

 

3,999

 

 

 

 

32,868

 

Expenditures for property

 

 

(98,898

)

(1,023

)

(1,348

)

 

(101,269

)

Expenditures for capitalized software

 

 

(2,752

)

 

 

 

(2,752

)

Proceeds from sales of property

 

 

 

 

80

 

 

80

 

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities

 

16,870

 

(97,651

)

(1,023

)

(895

)

 

(82,699

)

Cash flows from financing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Short-term revolver borrowings

 

 

 

 

898

 

 

898

 

Repayments of revolver borrowings

 

 

 

 

(945

)

 

(945

)

Long-term debt borrowings

 

 

16,490

 

 

332

 

 

16,822

 

Repayment of long-term debt

 

 

(1,731

)

 

(1,025

)

 

(2,756

)

Debt issuance costs

 

 

(1,015

)

 

 

 

(1,015

)

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

 

 

13,744

 

 

(740

)

 

13,004

 

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

 

 

 

 

(330

)

 

(330

)

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

 

15,603

 

(34,616

)

(112

)

(2,092

)

 

(21,217

)

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

 

56,583

 

67,707

 

256

 

13,585

 

 

138,131

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

 

$

72,186

 

$

33,091

 

$

144

 

$

11,493

 

$

 

$

116,914

 

 

F-147



Table of Contents

 

HUGHES COMMUNICATIONS, INC.

NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — Continued

 

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2010

(In thousands)

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

Parent

 

Subsidiary
Issuer

 

Guarantor
Subsidiaries

 

Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries

 

Eliminations

 

Total

 

Cash flows from operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

 

$

(6,277

)

$

(5,562

)

$

(446

)

$

53

 

$

6,058

 

$

(6,174

)

Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash flows from operating activities

 

5,222

 

18,845

 

218

 

549

 

(6,058

)

18,776

 

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities

 

(1,055

)

13,283

 

(228

)

602

 

 

12,602

 

Cash flows from investing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Change in restricted cash

 

 

(1

)

 

87

 

 

86

 

Purchases of marketable securities

 

(5,166

)

(22,615

)

 

 

 

(27,781

)

Proceeds from sales of marketable securities

 

5,000

 

10,000

 

 

 

 

15,000

 

Expenditures for property

 

 

(59,409

)

(642

)

(3,620

)

 

(63,671

)

Expenditures for capitalized software

 

 

(3,166

)

 

 

 

(3,166

)

Net cash used in investing activities

 

(166

)

(75,191

)

(642

)

(3,533

)

 

(79,532

)

Cash flows from financing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Short-term revolver borrowings

 

 

 

 

1,999

 

 

1,999

 

Repayments of revoler borrowings

 

 

 

 

(2,430

)

 

(2,430

)

Long-term debt borrowings

 

 

550

 

 

670

 

 

1,220

 

Repayment of long-term debt

 

 

(443

)

 

(1,278

)

 

(1,721

)

Debt issuance costs

 

 

(1,742

)

 

 

 

(1,742

)

Net cash provided by financing activities

 

 

(1,635

)

 

(1,039

)

 

(2,674

)

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

 

 

 

 

1,739

 

 

1,739

 

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

 

(1,221

)

(63,543

)

(870

)

(2,231

)

 

(67,865

)

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

 

74,825

 

173,991

 

1,091

 

11,131

 

 

261,038

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

 

$

73,604

 

$

110,448

 

$

221

 

$

8,900

 

$

 

$

193,173

 

 

F-148



Table of Contents

 

HUGHES COMMUNICATIONS, INC.

NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — Continued

 

Note 20: Subsequent Event—Acquisition by EchoStar Corporation

 

On June 8, 2011, EchoStar completed its previously announced acquisition of the Company, pursuant to which a wholly owned subsidiary of EchoStar Corporation merged with and into HCI with HCI becoming an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of EchoStar Corporation and a direct wholly owned subsidiary of EH Holding Corporation.  EH Holding Corporation is a holding company wholly owned by EchoStar Corporation that was formed in March 2011 to facilitate the Merger and related financing transactions.  EH Holding Corporation was renamed Hughes Satellite Systems Corporation (“HSS”) in October 2011.  The cash portion of the Merger, related costs and repayment of certain indebtedness of the Company, including of its wholly owned subsidiary HNS, was financed with a combination of the net proceeds from the issuance of $1.1 billion of HSS’ 6½% Senior Secured Notes due 2019 and $900 million of HSS’ 75/8% Senior Notes due 2021 (together referred to as the “New Senior Debt”) and existing cash balances and marketable securities at EchoStar Corporation and the Company.

 

Upon the closing of the Merger, HCI and certain of its wholly-owned subsidiaries, including HNS, fully and unconditionally guaranteed, on a joint and several basis, the obligations of HSS under the New Senior Debt.

 

The condensed consolidating financial information set forth below is prepared in accordance with Rule 3-10 of Regulation S-X, based on the guarantor structure of the New Senior Debt as related to HCI and its subsidiaries, including the condensed balance sheet information, the condensed statement of operations information and the condensed statement of cash flows information of HCI and the guarantor subsidiaries on a combined basis and the non-guarantor subsidiaries on a combined basis and the eliminations necessary to arrive at the corresponding information of the Company on a consolidated basis. These condensed financial statements should be read in conjunction with our condensed consolidated financial statements and notes thereto.

 

Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet as of March 31, 2011

(In thousands)

 

 

 

Guarantor
Subsidiaries

 

Non-
Guarantor
Subsidiaries

 

Eliminations

 

Total

 

Assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

105,421

 

$

11,493

 

$

 

$

116,914

 

Marketable securities

 

23,672

 

 

 

23,672

 

Receivables, net

 

142,449

 

61,849

 

(20,941

)

183,357

 

Inventories

 

47,337

 

12,290

 

 

59,627

 

Prepaid expenses and other

 

9,014

 

17,817

 

(37

)

26,794

 

Total current assets

 

327,893

 

103,449

 

(20,978

)

410,364

 

Property, net

 

809,867

 

27,734

 

 

837,601

 

Investment in subsidiary

 

92,599

 

 

(92,599

)

 

Other assets

 

108,227

 

30,541

 

(2,686

)

136,082

 

Total assets

 

$

1,338,586

 

$

161,724

 

$

(116,263

)

$

1,384,047

 

Liabilities and equity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable

 

$

80,783

 

$

37,717

 

$

(20,941

)

$

97,559

 

Short term debt

 

1,304

 

3,396

 

 

4,700

 

Accrued liabilities and other

 

129,257

 

22,503

 

 

151,760

 

Total current liabilities

 

211,344

 

63,616

 

(20,941

)

254,019

 

Long-term debt

 

753,664

 

2,786

 

 

756,450

 

Other long-term liabilities

 

26,764

 

2,723

 

(2,723

)

26,764

 

Total HCI stockholders’ equity

 

335,965

 

92,599

 

(92,599

)

335,965

 

Noncontrolling interests

 

10,849

 

 

 

10,849

 

Total liabilities and equity

 

$

1,338,586

 

$

161,724

 

$

(116,263

)

$

1,384,047

 

 

F-149



Table of Contents

 

HUGHES COMMUNICATIONS, INC.

NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — Continued

 

Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2011

(In thousands)

 

 

 

Guarantor
Subsidiaries

 

Non-
Guarantor
Subsidiaries

 

Eliminations

 

Total

 

Revenues

 

$

229,907

 

$

41,996

 

$

(7,811

)

$

264,092

 

Operating costs and expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Costs of revenues

 

156,842

 

32,487

 

(7,045

)

182,284

 

Selling, general and administrative

 

52,893

 

8,850

 

(766

)

60,977

 

Research and development

 

5,154

 

 

 

 

5,154

 

Amortization of intangible assets

 

682

 

75

 

 

 

757

 

Total operating costs and expenses

 

215,571

 

41,412

 

(7,811

)

249,172

 

Operating income (loss)

 

14,336

 

584

 

 

14,920

 

Other income (expense):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest expense

 

(12,324

)

(227

)

46

 

(12,505

)

Other income, net

 

55

 

162

 

(46

)

171

 

Equity in earnings of subsidiaries

 

(658

)

 

658

 

 

Income (loss) before income taxes expense

 

1,409

 

519

 

658

 

2,586

 

Income tax (expense) benefit

 

(413

)

(1,488

)

 

(1,901

)

Net income (loss)

 

996

 

(969

)

658

 

685

 

Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests

 

(158

)

311

 

 

153

 

Net income (loss) attributable to HCI stockholders

 

$

838

 

(658

)

658

 

838

 

 

Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2010

(In thousands)

 

 

 

Guarantor
Subsidiaries

 

Non-
Guarantor
Subsidiaries

 

Eliminations

 

Total

 

Revenues

 

$

213,710

 

$

35,826

 

$

(6,343

)

$

243,193

 

Operating costs and expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Costs of revenues

 

155,634

 

26,947

 

(5,982

)

176,599

 

Selling, general and administrative

 

43,228

 

7,458

 

(361

)

50,325

 

Research and development

 

4,915

 

 

 

4,915

 

Amortization of intangible assets

 

702

 

88

 

 

790

 

Total operating costs and expenses

 

204,479

 

34,493

 

(6,343

)

232,629

 

Operating income (loss)

 

9,231

 

1,333

 

 

10,564

 

Other income (expense):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest expense

 

(15,793

)

(348

)

31

 

(16,110

)

Other income, net

 

567

 

55

 

(31

)

591

 

Equity in earnings of subsidiaries

 

91

 

 

(91

)

 

Income (loss) before income taxes expense

 

(5,904

)

1,040

 

(91

)

(4,955

)

Income tax (expense) benefit

 

(232

)

(987

)

 

(1,219

)

Net income (loss)

 

(6,136

)

53

 

(91

)

(6,174

)

Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests

 

(4

)

38

 

 

34

 

Net income (loss) attributable to HCI stockholders

 

$

(6,140

)

$

91

 

$

(91

)

$

(6,140

)

 

F-150



Table of Contents

 

HUGHES COMMUNICATIONS, INC.

NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — Continued

 

Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2011

(In thousands)

 

 

 

Guarantor

 

Non-
Guarantor

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Subsidiaries

 

Subsidiaries

 

Eliminations

 

Total

 

Cash Flows From Operating Activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

 

$

996

 

$

(969

)

$

658

 

$

685

 

Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash flows from operating activities

 

47,939

 

842

 

(658

)

48,123

 

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities

 

48,935

 

(127

)

 

48,808

 

Cash Flows From Investing Activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Change in restricted cash

 

 

373

 

 

373

 

Purchases of marketable securities

 

(11,999

)

 

 

(11,999

)

Sales of marketable securities

 

32,868

 

 

 

32,868

 

Expenditures for property

 

(99,921

)

(1,348

)

 

(101,269

)

Expenditures for capitalized software

 

(2,752

)

 

 

(2,752

)

Proceeds from sale of property

 

 

80

 

 

80

 

Other, net

 

 

 

 

 

Net cash used in investing activities

 

(81,804

)

(895

)

 

(82,699

)

Cash Flows From Financing Activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Short-term revolver borrowings

 

 

898

 

 

898

 

Repayments of revolver borrowings

 

 

(945

)

 

(945

)

Proceeds from exercise of stock options

 

 

 

 

 

Long-term debt borrowings

 

16,490

 

332

 

 

16,822

 

Repayment of long-term debt

 

(1,731

)

(1,025

)

 

(2,756

)

Debt issuance costs

 

(1,015

)

 

 

(1,015

)

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

 

13,744

 

(740

)

 

13,004

 

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

 

 

(330

)

 

(330

)

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

 

(19,125

)

(2,092

)

 

(21,217

)

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

 

124,546

 

13,585

 

 

138,131

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

 

$

105,421

 

$

11,493

 

$

 

$

116,914

 

 

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Table of Contents

 

HUGHES COMMUNICATIONS, INC.

NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — Continued

 

Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2010

(In thousands)

 

 

 

Guarantor

 

Non-Guarantor

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Subsidiaries

 

Subsidiaries

 

Eliminations

 

Total

 

Cash Flows From Operating Activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

 

$

(6,136

)

$

53

 

$

(91

)

$

(6,174

)

Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash flows from operating activities

 

18,027

 

658

 

91

 

18,776

 

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities

 

11,891

 

711

 

 

12,602

 

Cash Flows From Investing Activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Change in restricted cash

 

(1

)

87

 

 

86

 

Purchases of marketable securities

 

(27,781

)

 

 

(27,781

)

Sales of marketable securities

 

15,000

 

 

 

15,000

 

Expenditures for property

 

(60,051

)

(3,620

)

 

(63,671

)

Expenditures for capitalized software

 

(3,166

)

 

 

(3,166

)

Net cash used in investing activities

 

(75,999

)

(3,533

)

 

(79,532

)

Cash Flows From Financing Activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Short-term revolver borrowings

 

 

1,999

 

 

1,999

 

Repayments of revolver borrowings

 

 

(2,430

)

 

(2,430

)

Long-term debt borrowings

 

550

 

670

 

 

1,220

 

Repayment of long-term debt

 

(443

)

(1,278

)

 

(1,721

)

Debt issuance costs

 

(1,742

)

 

 

(1,742

)

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

 

(1,635

)

(1,039

)

 

(2,674

)

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

 

 

1,739

 

 

1,739

 

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

 

(65,743

)

(2,122

)

 

(67,865

)

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

 

249,869

 

11,169

 

 

261,038

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

 

$

184,126

 

$

9,047

 

$

 

$

193,173

 

 

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Hughes Satellite Systems Corporation

 

Offer to Exchange up to $1,100,000,000 aggregate principal amount of new
6
1/2% Senior Secured Notes due 2019 and
up to $900,000,000 aggregate principal amount of new 7
5/8% Senior Notes due 2021,
which have been registered under the Securities Act of 1933,
for any and all of its outstanding 61/2% Senior Secured Notes due 2019 and 75/8% Senior Notes due 2021

 


 

PROSPECTUS

 

             , 2012

 


 

All tendered Old Notes, executed letters of transmittal and other related documents should be directed to the exchange agent at the numbers and address below.  Requests for assistance and for additional copies of the prospectus, the letter of transmittal and other related documents should also be directed to the exchange agent.

 

The exchange agent for the exchange offer is:

 

WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

 

By Facsimile:

(612) 667-6282

 

For Information or Confirmation by telephone:

(800) 344-5128

 

By registered mail or certified

mail:

Wells Fargo Bank, National Association

MAC - N9303-121

Corporate Trust Operations

P.O. Box 1517

Minneapolis, Minnesota 55480-1517

 

By regular mail or overnight

courier:

Wells Fargo Bank, National Association

MAC - N9303-121

Corporate Trust Operations

Sixth Street & Marquette Avenue

Minneapolis, Minnesota 55479

 

By hand:

Wells Fargo Bank, National Association

Northstar East Building – 12th floor

Corporate Trust Services

608 Second Avenue South

Minneapolis, Minnesota 55402

 



Table of Contents

 

PART II

INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

 

ITEM 20. Indemnification of Directors and Officers

 

The following subparagraphs briefly describe indemnification provisions for directors, officers and controlling persons of the Registrants against liability, including liability under the Securities Act.

 

Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the Registrants pursuant to the foregoing provisions, each of the Registrants has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is therefore unenforceable.

 

Colorado Corporations

 

A Colorado corporation may eliminate or limit the personal liability of a director to the corporation or to its shareholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director; except that, in accordance with Section 7-108-402 of the Colorado Business Corporation Act (the “Colorado Corporation Act”), such provision shall not eliminate or limit the liability of a director to the corporation or to its shareholders for monetary damages for: (i) any breach of the director’s duty of loyalty to the corporation or to its shareholders; (ii) acts or omissions not in good faith or that involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law; (iii) acts specified in Section 7-108-403 of the Colorado Corporation Act with respect to unlawful distributions; or (iv) any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit.  In addition, no such provision shall eliminate or limit the liability of a director to the corporation or to its shareholders for monetary damages for any act or omission occurring prior to the date when such provision becomes effective.

 

HSS and EchoStar Satellite Operating Corporation (the “Colorado Corporate Registrants”) are corporations organized under the laws of the State of Colorado.  In accordance with the Colorado Corporations Act, the provisions of the Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws of EchoStar Satellite Operating Corporation have limited the liability of its directors and officers to the maximum extent permitted under applicable law.

 

Under the Colorado Corporation Act and the provisions of the Bylaws of each of the Colorado Corporate Registrants, each person who is or was a director or officer of the Colorado Corporate Registrant will be indemnified by the Colorado Corporate Registrant as a matter of right summarized as follows:

 

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a)              Under the Colorado Act, a person who is wholly successful on the merits in defense of a suit or proceeding brought against him by reason of the fact that he is a director of the Colorado Corporate Registrant shall be indemnified against reasonable expenses (including attorneys’ fees) in connection with such suit or proceeding;

 

b)             Except as provided in subparagraph (c) below, a director may be indemnified under such law against both (1) reasonable expenses (including attorneys’ fees), and (2) judgments, penalties, fines and amounts paid in settlement, if he acted in good faith and reasonably believed, in the case of conduct in his official capacity as a director, that his conduct was in the Colorado Corporate Registrant’s best interests, or in all other cases that his conduct was not opposed to the best interests of the Colorado Corporate Registrant, and with respect to any criminal action, he had no reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful, but the Colorado Corporate Registrant may not indemnify the director if the director is found liable to the Colorado Corporate Registrant in connection with a suit or proceeding by or in the right of the corporation or is found liable on the basis that personal benefit was improperly received by the director in connection with any suit or proceeding charging improper personal benefit to the director;

 

c)              In connection with a suit or proceeding by or in the right of the Colorado Corporate Registrant, indemnification is limited to reasonable expenses incurred in connection with the suit or proceeding; and

 

d)             Officers of the Colorado Corporate Registrant will be indemnified to the same extent as directors as described in (a), (b), and (c).

 

Colorado Limited Liability Companies

 

Section 7-80-407 of the Colorado Limited Liability Company Act (the “Colorado LLC Act”) empowers a Colorado limited liability company to reimburse a person who is or was a member or manager for payments made, and indemnify a person who is or was a member or manager for liabilities incurred by the person, in the ordinary course of the business of the limited liability company or for the preservation of its business or property, if such payments were made or liabilities incurred without violation of the person’s duties to the limited liability company.

 

Each of EchoStar Satellite Services L.L.C., EchoStar Orbital L.L.C. and EchoStar Government Services L.L.C. (the “Colorado LLC Registrants”) is a limited liability company organized under the laws of the State of Colorado.

 

The governing documents of each of EchoStar Orbital L.L.C. and EchoStar Government Services L.L.C. state that such company shall indemnify, to the maximum extent permitted under applicable law, any person, and the estate and personal representative of any such person, against all liability and expense incurred by reason of the fact that such person is or was a manager, officer, employee or fiduciary of the company or, while serving as manager, officer, employee or fiduciary of the company, such person is or was serving at the request of the company as a manager, director, officer, partner, trustee, employee, fiduciary or agent of, or in any similar managerial fiduciary position of, another domestic or foreign entity or other individual or entity or of an employee benefit plan.

 

Delaware Corporations

 

Section 145(a) of the Delaware General Corporation Law (the “DGCL”) provides that a Delaware corporation may indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (other than an action by or in the right of the corporation) by reason of the fact that such person is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, against expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by the person in connection with such action, suit or proceeding if the person acted in good faith and in a manner the person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests

 

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of the corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe the person’s conduct was unlawful.

 

Section 145(b) of the DGCL provides that a Delaware corporation may indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action or suit by or in the right of the corporation to procure a judgment in its favor by reason of the fact that such person acted in any of the capacities set forth above, against expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection with the defense or settlement of such action or suit if the person acted in good faith and in a manner the person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, except that no indemnification shall be made in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which such person shall have been adjudged to be liable to the corporation, unless and only to the extent that the Court of Chancery or the court in which such action or suit was brought shall determine upon application that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all the circumstances of the case, such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses which the court shall deem proper.

 

Further subsections of DGCL Section 145 provide that:

 

a)              To the extent a present or former director or officer of a corporation has been successful on the merits or otherwise in the defense of any action, suit or proceeding referred to in subsections (a) and (b) of Section 145 or in the defense of any claim, issue or matter therein, such person shall be indemnified against expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection therewith;

 

b)             The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided for pursuant to Section 145 shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which those seeking indemnification or advancement of expenses may be entitled under any bylaw, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise; and

 

c)              The corporation shall have the power to purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, against any liability asserted against such person and incurred by such person in any such capacity, or arising out of such person’s status as such, whether or not the corporation would have the power to indemnify such person against such liability under Section 145.

 

Under Section 102(b)(7) of the DGCL, a corporation may relieve its directors from personal liability to such corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for any breach of their fiduciary duty as directors except (i) for a breach of the duty of loyalty, (ii) for failure to act in good faith, (iii) for intentional misconduct or knowing violation of law, (iv) for willful or negligent violations of certain provisions in the DGCL imposing certain requirements with respect to stock repurchases, redemptions and dividends, or (v) for any transactions from which the director derived an improper personal benefit.

 

EchoStar 77 Corporation (the “EchoStar Delaware Corporate Registrant”) and each of Hughes Communications, Inc., HNS Finance Corp., Hughes Network Systems International Service Company, HNS-India VSAT, Inc. and HNS-Shanghai, Inc. (the “Hughes Delaware Corporate Registrants” and, together with the EchoStar Delaware Corporate Registrant, the “Delaware Corporate Registrants”) are corporations organized under the laws of the State of Delaware.

 

Section 145 of the DGCL makes provision for the indemnification of officers and directors in terms sufficiently broad to indemnify officers and directors of each Delaware Corporate Registrant under certain circumstances from liabilities (including reimbursement for expenses incurred) arising under the Act.

 

Under the DGCL and the provisions of the Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws of the EchoStar Delaware Corporate Registrant, each person who is or was a director or officer of the EchoStar Delaware Corporate Registrant will be indemnified by the EchoStar Delaware Corporate Registrant to the fullest extent permitted under the DGCL.  As used with respect to EchoStar Delaware Corporate Registrant, the term “proceeding”

 

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means any threatened, pending, or completed action, suit, or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative, or investigative and whether formal or informal.  The EchoStar Delaware Corporate Registrant will indemnify a person made party to a proceeding because the person is or was a director against liability incurred in the proceeding if the person conducted himself in good faith and the person reasonably believed: in the case of conduct in an official capacity with the EchoStar Delaware Corporate Registrant, that his conduct was in the EchoStar Delaware Corporate Registrant’s best interests; and in all other cases, that his conduct was at least not opposed to the EchoStar Delaware Corporate Registrant’s best interests; and in the case of any criminal proceeding, the person had no reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful.  The EchoStar Delaware Corporate Registrant will indemnify directors against both reasonable expenses (including attorneys’ fees), and judgments, penalties, fines and amounts paid in settlement.  The EchoStar Delaware Corporate Registrant may not indemnify a director in connection with a proceeding in which the director was adjudged liable to the EchoStar Delaware Corporate Registrant or in connection with any other proceeding charging that the director derived an improper personal benefit, whether or not involving action in an official capacity, in which proceeding the director was adjudged liable on the basis that he derived an improper personal benefit. The EchoStar Delaware Corporate Registrant may indemnify and advance expenses to an officer to the same extent as a director.

 

Under the DGCL and the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws of Hughes Communications, Inc., Hughes Communications, Inc. will indemnify its directors and officers to the fullest extent authorized or permitted by applicable law, and such right to indemnification shall continue as to a person who has ceased to be a director or officer of Hughes Communications, Inc. and shall inure to the benefit of his heirs, executors and personal and legal representatives; provided, however, that, except for proceedings to enforce rights to indemnification, Hughes Communications, Inc. shall not be obligated to indemnify any director or officer (or his heirs, executors or personal or legal representatives) in connection with a proceeding (or part thereof) initiated by such person unless such proceeding (or part thereof) was authorized or consented to by the board of directors.  Hughes Communications, Inc. will indemnify and advance expenses to its directors and officers, both as to action in their official capacity and as to action in another capacity while holding such office.  Hughes Communications, Inc. may also, by action of the board of directors, provide rights to indemnification and to the advancement of expenses to employees and agents of Hughes Communications, Inc. similar to those conferred to directors and officers of Hughes Communications, Inc.

 

Under the DGCL and the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws of HNS Finance Corp., HNS Finance Corp. will indemnify a director for breach of fiduciary duty as a director to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL.  HNS Finance Corp. will also indemnify to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL any person involved in any proceeding by reason of the fact that he was or is a director, officer, employee or agent of HNS Finance Corp.  However, such person must have acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in, or not opposed to, the best interests of HNS Finance Corp. and, with respect to a criminal action, had no reason to believe that his conduct was unlawful.  HNS Finance Corp. must advance expenses incurred by each indemnitee upon delivery to HNS Finance Corp. of an undertaking by or on behalf of such indemnitee, to repay all amounts advanced if it is ultimately determined by final judicial decision that such indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified for such expenses.

 

Under the DGCL and the provisions of the Bylaws of Hughes Network Systems International Service Company (“HNSISC”), HNSISC will indemnify and advance expenses to every director, officer and employee (and such person’s heirs, executors and administrators) in the manner and to the fullest extent permitted by law against any and all judgments, fines, amounts paid in settlement and reasonable expenses, including attorneys’ fees, incurred by such person in connection with any claim, action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative by reason of the fact that such person is or was a director, officer or employee of HNSISC or is or was serving at the request of HNSISC as a director, officer, employee, fiduciary or member of any other corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, enterprise or organization.  The board of directors of HNSISC may, to the fullest extent permitted by law, authorize an appropriate officer to purchase and maintain insurance to indemnify HNSISC for any obligation which it incurs as a result of the indemnification of directors, officers, or employees and to indemnify directors, officers and employees in instances in which they may not otherwise be indemnified.

 

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Under the DGCL and the provisions of the Bylaws of HNS-India VSAT, Inc., HNS-India VSAT, Inc. will indemnify and advance expenses to any person involved in any proceeding by reason of the fact that he was or is a director, officer, or agent of HNS-India VSAT, Inc.  HNS-India VSAT, Inc. is not required to indemnify a person in connection with a proceeding initiated by such person if the proceeding was not authorized by the board of directors of HNS-India VSAT, Inc.  With respect to employees, the HNS-India VSAT, Inc. may advance expenses in the manner described above.  The ultimate determination as to whether an employee is entitled to indemnification will be made by the board of directors or by a committee of the board of directors.  The board of directors of HNS-India VSAT, Inc. may, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, authorize an appropriate officer to purchase and maintain at the corporation’s expense insurance to indemnify HNS-India VSAT, Inc. for any obligation which it incurs as a result of the indemnification of directors, officers and employees and to indemnify or insure directors, officers and employees against liability in instances in which they may not otherwise be indemnified.

 

Under the DGCL and the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation of HNS-Shanghai, Inc., no director will be personally liable for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty except for breach of the duty of loyalty, for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or knowing violation of the law, under section 174 of the DGCL, or for any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit. The Bylaws of HNS-Shanghai, Inc. provide that HNS-Shanghai, Inc. will indemnify any person involved in any proceeding by reason of the fact that he was a director, officer, employee, or agent of HNS-Shanghai, Inc. if such person acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of HNS-Shanghai, Inc. or, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful. HNS-Shanghai, Inc. will also indemnify any person involved in a proceeding by or in the right of HNS-Shanghai, Inc. to procure a judgment in its favor by reason of the fact that he is or was a director, officer, employee or agent if he acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the HNS-Shanghai, Inc. The board of directors may authorize HNS-Shanghai, Inc. to purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent against any liability asserted and incurred by him in any such capacity.

 

Delaware Limited Liability Companies

 

Section 108 of the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act (the “Delaware LLC Act”) provides that subject to such standards and restrictions, if any, as are set forth in its limited liability company agreement, a limited liability company may, and shall have the power to, indemnify and hold harmless any member or manager or other person from and against any and all claims and demands whatsoever.

 

Hughes Network Systems, LLC, HNS Real Estate, LLC, Advanced Satellite Research, LLC and HNS License Sub, LLC are limited liability companies organized under the laws of the State of Delaware.

 

The Second Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of Hughes Network Systems, LLC (the “Hughes Network Systems, LLC Agreement”) provides that Hughes Network Systems, LLC may indemnify its members, members of the board of managers, officers or affiliates to the maximum extent permitted by the Delaware LLC Act unless the loss or damage for which indemnification is sought is for acts or omissions involving intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, or for any transaction from which the person received any improper personal benefit.  The Hughes Network Systems, LLC Agreement also provides that expenses incurred in connection with an action or proceeding for which indemnification is sought may be paid by Hughes Network Systems, LLC in advance of the final disposition of such action upon receipt of an undertaking by such manager, officer, employee or other agent to repay such amount if it is ultimately determined that such person is not entitled to be indemnified by Hughes Network Systems, LLC.

 

The Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of HNS Real Estate, LLC provides that HNS Real Estate, LLC may, to the fullest extent permitted by the Delaware LLC Act, indemnify any person or entity who was or is a party, or is threatened to be made a party, to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative and whether formal or informal, by reason of the fact that it is or was a member of HNS Real Estate, LLC, or who is or was serving as a director, officer, partner, manager, member, trustee, employee or agent of HNS Real Estate, LLC or another corporation,

 

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partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise, whether for profit or not at the request of HNS Real Estate, LLC, against expenses (including attorney’s fees), judgments, settlements, penalties and fines (including excise taxes assessed with respect to employee benefit plans) actually or reasonably incurred in accordance with such action, suit or proceeding.

 

The Operating Agreement of Advanced Satellite Research, LLC (the “Advanced Satellite Research, LLC Operating Agreement”) provides that neither the sole member nor any officer, director, employee or agent (a “Covered Person”) of Advanced Satellite Research, LLC nor any employee, representative, agent or affiliate of the sole member is liable to Advanced Satellite Research, LLC or any person bound by the Advanced Satellite Research, LLC Operating Agreement, and Advanced Satellite Research, LLC will indemnify such Covered Person to the fullest extent of the law, for any loss, damage or claim incurred by reason of any act or omission performed or omitted by such individual in good faith on behalf of Advanced Satellite Research, LLC and in a manner reasonably believed to be within the scope of the authority conferred on such individual by the Advanced Satellite Research, LLC Operating Agreement, except for any such loss, damage or claim incurred by reason of such individual’s willful misconduct.  Such indemnity is to be provided out of and to the extent of the assets of Advanced Satellite Research, LLC.  The Advanced Satellite Research, LLC Operating Agreement provides that Advanced Satellite Research, LLC will, from time to time, advance expenses incurred by a Covered Person defending any claim, demand, action, suit or proceeding prior to the final disposition of such claim, demand, action, suit or proceeding, provided that the Covered Person undertakes to repay such amount if such Covered Person is not entitled to indemnification.

 

HNS License Sub, LLC is subject to the provisions of the Delaware LLC Act.

 

Utah Limited Liability Companies

 

Sections 1801 through 1809 of the Utah Revised Limited Liability Company Act (the “URLLCA”), subject to the limitations and procedures contained therein, provide for mandatory and discretionary indemnification of a limited liability company’s managers, members and other personnel, and related matters.

 

Section 1802 of the URLLCA provides that a company may indemnify an individual who was, is or is threatened to be made a named defendant or respondent (a “party”) in any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative and whether formal or informal (a “proceeding”), because the individual is or was a manager of a company (an “indemnifiable manager”), against any obligation incurred with respect to a proceeding, including any judgment, settlement, penalty, fine (including an excise tax assessed with respect to an employee benefit plan) or reasonable expenses incurred in the proceeding if: (i) the conduct of the indemnifiable manager was in good faith; (ii) the indemnifiable manager reasonably believed that his conduct was in, or not opposed to, the best interests of the company; and (iii) in the case of any criminal proceeding, the indemnifiable manager had no reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful. Section 1802 of the URLLCA further provides, however, that the company may not indemnify an indemnifiable manager thereunder: (i) in connection with a proceeding by or in the right of the company in which the indemnifiable manager was adjudged liable to the company; or (ii) in connection with any other proceeding charging that the indemnifiable manager derived an improper personal benefit, whether or not involving action in his official capacity, in which proceeding he was adjudged liable on the basis that he derived an improper personal benefit.

 

The URLLCA also provides that:

 

a)              Unless limited by the company’s articles of organization, and to the extent that an indemnifiable manager was successful on the merits or otherwise in the defense of any proceeding, or in the defense of any claim, issue, or matter in the proceeding, to which the indemnifiable manager was a party because of being an indemnifiable manager of the company, such indemnifiable manager is indemnified against reasonable expenses (including attorneys’ fees) incurred by the indemnifiable manager in connection with the proceeding or claim to which the indemnifiable manager has been successful;

b)             Unless a company’s articles of organization provide otherwise, an indemnifiable manager of the company who is or was a party to a proceeding may apply for indemnification to the court or other decision-maker conducting the proceeding or to another court of competent jurisdiction;

 

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c)              A company may pay for or reimburse the reasonable expenses incurred by an indemnifiable manager who is a party to a proceeding in advance of the final disposition of the proceeding if the indemnifiable manager furnishes the company with certain affirmations and undertakings, and the company determines that the facts then known to those making the determination would not preclude indemnification under Sections 1801 through 1809 of the URLLCA;

d)             Unless a company’s articles of organization provide otherwise, a member of a company is entitled to mandatory indemnification under Section 1803 of the URLLCA and is entitled to apply for court-ordered indemnification under Section 1805 of URLLCA in each case to the same extent as an indemnifiable manager; a company may indemnify and advance expenses to a member, employee, fiduciary, or agent of the company to the same extent as to an indemnifiable manager; a company may also indemnify and advance expenses to a member, employee, fiduciary, or agent who is not an indemnifiable manager to a greater extent, if not inconsistent with public policy, and if provided for by its articles of organization, operating agreement, general or specific action of its managers or members, or contract; and

e)              A company may purchase and maintain liability insurance on behalf of an individual who is or was a manager, member, employee, fiduciary, or agent of the company or who, while serving as a manager, member, employee, fiduciary, or agent of the company, is or was serving at the request of the company as a manager, member, director, officer, partner, trustee, employee, fiduciary, or agent of another foreign or domestic limited liability company or other person, or of an employee benefit plan against liability asserted against or incurred by the individual in that capacity or arising from the individual’s status as such, whether or not the company would have power to indemnify the individual against the same liability under Sections 1802, 1803 and 1807 of the URLLCA.

 

Helius, LLC and Helius Acquisition, LLC (the “Utah LLC Registrants”) are limited liability companies organized under the laws of the State of Utah.

 

In accordance with the URLLCA, the Operating Agreement of each of the Utah LLC Registrants provides that the Utah LLC Registrant will indemnify the sole member, any employee or agent of the Utah LLC Registrant to the extent that a limited liability company may indemnify any of its members, employees or agents against expenses actually and reasonably incurred by any member, employee or agent in connection with the defense of any action, suit or proceeding, whether civil or criminal, in which any member, employee or agent is made a party.

 

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ITEM 21. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules

 

(a)  Exhibits

 

 

EXHIBIT NO.

 

DESCRIPTION

 

 

 

3.1(a) (H)

 

Articles of Incorporation of EH Holding Corporation (currently known as Hughes Satellite Systems Corporation), dated as of March 16, 2011.

 

 

 

3.1(b) (H)

 

Articles of Amendment of EH Holding Corporation (currently known as Hughes Satellite Systems Corporation), dated as of October 26, 2011.

 

 

 

3.2 (H)

 

Bylaws of EH Holding Corporation.

 

 

 

3.3(a) (H)

 

Certificate of Incorporation of EchoStar Leasing Corporation (EchoStar 77), dated as of March 14, 2008.

 

 

 

3.3(b) (H)

 

Certificate of Amendment of EchoStar Leasing Corporation (EchoStar 77), dated as of November 21, 2008.

 

 

 

3.4 (H)

 

Bylaws of EchoStar Leasing Corporation (EchoStar 77).

 

 

 

3.5(a) (H)

 

Articles of Incorporation of EchoStar FSS Corporation (EchoStar Satellite Services L.L.C.), dated as of June 14, 2006.

 

 

 

3.5(b) (H)

 

Articles of Amendment of EchoStar FSS Corporation (EchoStar Satellite Services L.L.C.), dated as of July 23, 2009.

 

 

 

3.5(c) (H)

 

Statement of Conversion of EchoStar Satellite Services Corporation (EchoStar Satellite Services L.L.C.), dated as of July 23, 2009.

 

 

 

3.5(d) (H)

 

Articles of Organization of EchoStar Satellite Services L.L.C., dated as of July 23, 2009.

 

 

 

3.5(e) (H)

 

Operating Agreement of EchoStar Satellite Services L.L.C., dated July 23, 2009.

 

 

 

3.6(a) (H)

 

Articles of Organization of EchoStar Orbital L.L.C., dated as of March 15, 2010.

 

 

 

3.6(b) (H)

 

Operating Agreement of EchoStar Orbital L.L.C., dated March 15, 2010.

 

 

 

3.7(a) (H)

 

Articles of Organization of EchoStar Broadband I L.L.C. (EchoStar Government Services L.L.C.), dated as of August 5, 2009.

 

 

 

3.7(b) (H)

 

Articles of Amendment of EchoStar Broadband I L.L.C. (EchoStar Government Services L.L.C.), dated as of July 16, 2010.

 

 

 

3.7(c) (H)

 

Operating Agreement of EchoStar Broadband I L.L.C. (EchoStar Government Services L.L.C.), dated August 5, 2009.

 

 

 

3.8 (H)

 

Articles of Incorporation of EchoStar Satellite Operating Corporation, dated as of September 29, 2008.

 

 

 

3.9 (H)

 

Bylaws of EchoStar Satellite Operating Corporation.

 

 

 

3.10*

 

Certificate of Incorporation of Hughes Communications, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K of Hughes Communications, Inc. filed June 9, 2011 (File No. 001-33040)).

 

 

 

3.11*

 

Amended and Restated By-Laws of Hughes Communications, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Current Report on Form 8-K of Hughes Communications, Inc. filed June 9, 2011 (File No. 001-33040)).

 

 

 

3.12*

 

Certificate of Formation of Hughes Network Systems, LLC filed in the State of Delaware on November 12, 2004 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Registration Statement on Form S-4 of Hughes Network Systems, Inc. filed October 16, 2006).

 

 

 

3.13*

 

Second Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of Hughes Network Systems, LLC, dated February 28, 2006 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Registration Statement on Form S-4 of Hughes Network Systems, Inc. filed October 16, 2006).

 

 

 

3.14*

 

Certificate of Incorporation of HNS Finance Corp. filed in the State of Delaware on March 27, 2006 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.3 to the Registration Statement on Form S-4 of Hughes Network Systems, Inc. filed October 16, 2006).

 

 

 

3.15*

 

By-laws of HNS Finance Corp. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.4 to the Registration Statement on Form S-4 of Hughes Network Systems, Inc. filed October 16, 2006).

 

 

 

3.16*

 

Certificate of Incorporation of Hughes Network Systems International Service Company filed in the State of Delaware on April 27, 1990, including all amendments thereto and as last amended on June 12, 1990 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.5 to the Registration Statement on Form S-4 of Hughes Network Systems, Inc. filed October 16, 2006).

 

 

 

3.17*

 

By-laws of Hughes Network Systems International Service Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.6 to the Registration Statement on Form S-4 of Hughes Network Systems, Inc. filed October 16, 2006).

 

II-8



Table of Contents

 

EXHIBIT NO.

 

DESCRIPTION

3.18*

 

Certificate of Formation of HNS Real Estate, LLC filed in the State of Delaware on April 19, 2005 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.7 to the Registration Statement on Form S-4 of Hughes Network Systems, Inc. filed October 16, 2006).

 

 

 

3.19*

 

Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of HNS Real Estate, LLC, dated April 22, 2005 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.8 to the Registration Statement on Form S-4 of Hughes Network Systems, Inc. filed October 16, 2006).

 

 

 

3.20*

 

Certificate of Incorporation of HNS-India VSAT, Inc. filed in the State of Delaware on November 15, 1991 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.9 to the Registration Statement on Form S-4 of Hughes Network Systems, Inc. filed October 16, 2006).

 

 

 

3.21*

 

By-laws of HNS-India VSAT, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.10 to the Registration Statement on Form S-4 of Hughes Network Systems, Inc. filed October 16, 2006).

 

 

 

3.22*

 

Certificate of Incorporation of HNS-Shanghai, Inc. filed in the State of Delaware on October 9, 1990, including all amendments thereto and as last amended on May 23, 1994 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.11 to the Registration Statement on Form S-4 of Hughes Network Systems, Inc. filed October 16, 2006).

 

 

 

3.23*

 

By-laws of HNS-Shanghai, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.12 to the Registration Statement on Form S-4 of Hughes Network Systems, Inc. filed October 16, 2006).

 

 

 

3.24(a)*

 

Articles of Conversion of Helius, LLC filed in the State of Utah on February 12, 2008 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.13 to the Registration Statement on Form S-4 of Hughes Network Systems, LLC filed June 29, 2009).

 

 

 

3.24(b) (H)

 

Amended and Restated Articles of Organization of Helius, LLC filed in the State of Utah on September 30, 2010.

 

 

 

3.25*

 

Second Amended and Restated Operating Agreement of Helius, LLC, dated May 20, 2009 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.14 to the Registration Statement on Form S-4 of Hughes Network Systems, LLC filed June 29, 2009).

 

 

 

3.26*

 

Articles of Organization of Helius Acquisition, LLC filed in the State of Utah on February 12, 2008 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.15 to the Registration Statement on Form S-4 of Hughes Network Systems, LLC filed June 29, 2009).

 

 

 

3.27*

 

Amended and Restated Operating Agreement of Helius Acquisition, LLC, dated May 20, 2009 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.16 to the Registration Statement on Form S-4 of Hughes Network Systems, LLC filed June 29, 2009).

 

 

 

3.28*

 

Certificate of Formation of Advanced Satellite Research, LLC filed in the State of Delaware on June 8, 2007 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.17 to the Registration Statement on Form S-4 of Hughes Network Systems, LLC filed June 29, 2009).

 

 

 

3.29(a)*

 

Limited Liability Company Agreement of Advanced Satellite Research, LLC, dated May 31, 2007 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.18 to the Registration Statement on Form S-4 of Hughes Network Systems, LLC filed June 29, 2009).

 

 

 

3.29(b)*

 

First Amendment to the Limited Liability Company Agreement of Advanced Satellite Research, LLC, dated February 6, 2008 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.19 to the Registration Statement on Form S-4 of Hughes Network Systems, LLC filed June 29, 2009).

 

 

 

3.30 (H)

 

Certificate of Formation of HNS License Sub, LLC filed in the State of Delaware on December 22, 2004.

 

 

 

4.1*

 

Indenture relating to the EH Holding Corporation (currently known as Hughes Satellite Systems Corporation) 61/2% Senior Secured Notes due 2019, dated as of June 1, 2011, by and among EH Holding Corporation, the guarantors listed on the signature page thereto, and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as collateral agent and trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to EchoStar’s Current Report on Form 8-K that was filed with the SEC on June 2, 2011).

 

 

 

4.2*

 

Indenture relating to the EH Holding Corporation (currently known as Hughes Satellite Systems Corporation) 75/8% Senior Notes due 2021, dated as of June 1, 2011, by and among EH Holding Corporation, the guarantors listed on the signature page thereto, and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to EchoStar’s Current Report on Form 8-K that was filed with the SEC on June 2, 2011).

 

 

 

4.3*

 

Supplemental Indenture relating to the EH Holding Corporation (currently known as Hughes Satellite Systems Corporation) 61/2% Senior Secured Notes due 2019, dated as of June 8, 2011, by and among EH Holding Corporation, the guarantors listed on the signature page thereto, and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as collateral agent and trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to EchoStar’s Current Report on Form 8-K that was filed with the SEC on June 9, 2011).

 

 

 

4.4*

 

Supplemental Indenture relating to the EH Holding Corporation (currently known as Hughes Satellite Systems Corporation) 75/8% Senior Notes due 2021, dated as of June 8, 2011, by and among EH Holding Corporation, the guarantors listed on the signature page thereto, and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to EchoStar’s Current Report on Form 8-K that was filed with the SEC on June 9, 2011).

 

 

 

4.5*

 

Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of June 1, 2011, among EH Holding Corporation (currently known as Hughes Satellite Systems Corporation), the guarantors listed on the signature page thereto and Deutsche Bank Securities Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to EchoStar’s Current Report on Form 8-K that was filed with the SEC on June

 

II-9



Table of Contents

 

EXHIBIT NO.

 

DESCRIPTION

 

 

2, 2011).

 

 

 

4.6*

 

Security Agreement, dated as of June 8, 2011, among EH Holding Corporation (currently known as Hughes Satellite Systems Corporation), the guarantors listed on the signature pages thereto, and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as collateral agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to EchoStar’s Current Report on Form 8-K that was filed with the SEC on June 9, 2011).

 

 

 

4.7*

 

Form of Note for 61/2% Senior Secured Notes due 2019 (included as part of Exhibit 4.1).

 

 

 

4.8*

 

Form of Note for 75/8% Senior Notes due 2021 (included as part of Exhibit 4.2).

 

 

 

5.1(H)

 

Opinion of Sullivan & Cromwell LLP regarding the legality of the securities being registered.

 

 

 

5.2(H)

 

Opinion of Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, LLP.

 

 

 

5.3(H)

 

Opinion of Parr Brown Gee & Loveless.

 

 

 

10.1*

 

Form of Tax Sharing Agreement between EchoStar Corporation and DISH Network (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to Amendment No. 3 of EchoStar Corporation’s Form 10 dated December 28, 2007, Commission File No. 001-33807).

 

 

 

10.2*

 

Form of Employee Matters Agreement between EchoStar Corporation and DISH Network Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to Amendment No. 3 of EchoStar Corporation’s Form 10 dated December 28, 2007, Commission File No. 001-33807).

 

 

 

10.3*

 

Form of Intellectual Property Matters Agreement between EchoStar Corporation, EchoStar Acquisition L.L.C., Echosphere L.L.C., DISH DBS Corporation, EIC Spain SL, EchoStar Technologies Corporation and DISH Network Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to Amendment No. 3 of EchoStar Corporation’s Form 10 dated December 28, 2007, Commission File No. 001-33807).

 

 

 

10.4*

 

Form of Management Services Agreement between EchoStar Corporation and DISH Network Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to Amendment No. 3 of EchoStar Corporation’s Form 10 dated December 28, 2007, Commission File No. 001-33807).

 

 

 

10.5*

 

Manufacturing Agreement, dated as of March 22, 1995, between HTS and SCI Technology, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.12 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 of Dish Ltd., Commission File No. 33-81234).

 

 

 

10.6*

 

Agreement between HTS, EchoStar Satellite L.L.C. and ExpressVu Inc., dated January 8, 1997, as amended (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.18 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K of DISH Network Corporation for the year ended December 31, 1996, as amended, Commission File No. 0-26176).

 

 

 

10.7*

 

Agreement to Form NagraStar L.L.C., dated as of June 23, 1998, by and between Kudelski S.A., DISH Network Corporation and EchoStar Satellite L.L.C. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.28 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K of DISH Network Corporation for the year ended December 31, 1998, Commission File No. 0-26176).

 

 

 

10.8*

 

Satellite Service Agreement, dated as of March 21, 2003, between SES Americom, Inc., EchoStar Satellite Corporation and DISH Network (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of DISH Network for the quarter ended March 31, 2003, Commission File No.0-26176).

 

 

 

10.9*

 

Amendment No. 1 to Satellite Service Agreement dated March 31, 2003 between SES Americom Inc., EchoStar Satellite L.L.C. and DISH Network Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of DISH Network Corporation for the quarter ended September 30, 2003, Commission File No. 0-26176).

 

 

 

10.10*

 

Satellite Service Agreement dated as of August 13, 2003 between SES Americom Inc., EchoStar Satellite L.L.C. and DISH Network Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of DISH Network Corporation for the quarter ended September 30, 2003, Commission File No. 0-26176).

 

 

 

10.11*

 

Satellite Service Agreement, dated February 19, 2004, between SES Americom, Inc., EchoStar Satellite L.L.C. and DISH Network Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of DISH Network Corporation for the quarter ended March 31, 2004, Commission File No. 0-26176).

 

 

 

10.12*

 

Amendment No. 1 to Satellite Service Agreement, dated March 10, 2004, between SES Americom, Inc., EchoStar Satellite L.L.C. and DISH Network Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of DISH Network Corporation for the quarter ended March 31, 2004, Commission File No. 0-26176).

 

 

 

10.13*

 

Amendment No. 3 to Satellite Service Agreement, dated February 19, 2004, between SES Americom, Inc., EchoStar Satellite L.L.C. and DISH Network Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of DISH Network Corporation for the quarter ended March 31, 2004, Commission File No. 0-26176).

 

 

 

10.14*

 

Amendment No. 2 to Satellite Service Agreement, dated April 30, 2004, between SES Americom, Inc., EchoStar Satellite L.L.C. and DISH Network Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of DISH Network Corporation for the quarter ended June 30, 2004, Commission File No. 0-26176).

 

 

 

10.15*

 

Amendment No. 4 to Satellite Service Agreement, dated October 21, 2004, between SES Americom, Inc., EchoStar Satellite L.L.C. and DISH Network Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.23 to the Annual Report on

 

II-10



Table of Contents

 

EXHIBIT NO.

 

DESCRIPTION

 

 

Form 10-K of DISH Network Corporation for the year ended December 31, 2004, Commission File No. 0-26176).

 

 

 

10.16*

 

Amendment No. 3 to Satellite Service Agreement, dated November 19, 2004 between SES Americom, Inc., EchoStar Satellite L.L.C. and DISH Network Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.24 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K of DISH Network Corporation for the year ended December 1, 2004, Commission File No. 0-26176).

 

 

 

10.17*

 

Amendment No. 5 to Satellite Service Agreement, dated November 19, 2004, between SES Americom, Inc., EchoStar Satellite L.L.C. and DISH Network Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.25 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K of DISH Network Corporation for the year ended December 31, 2004, Commission File No. 0-26176).

 

 

 

10.18*

 

Amendment No. 6 to Satellite Service Agreement, dated December 20, 2004, between SES Americom, Inc., EchoStar Satellite L.L.C. and DISH Network Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.26 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K of DISH Network Corporation for the year ended December 31, 2004, Commission File No. 0-26176).

 

 

 

10.19*

 

Amendment No. 4 to Satellite Service Agreement, dated April 6, 2005, between SES Americom, Inc., EchoStar Satellite L.L.C. and DISH Network Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of DISH Network Corporation for the quarter ended June 30, 2005, Commission File No. 0-26176).

 

 

 

10.20*

 

Amendment No. 5 to Satellite Service Agreement, dated June 20, 2005, between SES Americom, Inc., EchoStar Satellite L.L.C. and DISH Network Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of DISH Network Corporation for the quarter ended June 30, 2005, Commission File No. 0-26176).

 

 

 

10.21*

 

Form of EchoStar Corporation 2008 Class B CEO Stock Option Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.25 to Amendment No. 3 of EchoStar Corporation’s Form 10 dated December 28, 2007, Commission File No. 001-33807).

 

 

 

10.22*

 

Form of Satellite Capacity Agreement between EchoStar Holding Corporation and EchoStar Satellite L.L.C. (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.28 to Amendment No. 2 to Form 10 of EchoStar Corporation filed on December 26, 2007, Commission File No. 001-33807).

 

 

 

10.23*

 

Pricing Agreement, dated March 11, 2008, by and among EchoStar Technologies L.L.C., Bell ExpressVu Inc., in its capacity as General Partner of Bell ExpressVu Limited Partnership, Bell Distribution Inc, and Bell Canada (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of EchoStar for the quarter ended March 31, 2008, Commission File No.001-33807).

 

 

 

10.24*

 

QuetzSat-1 Satellite Service Agreement, dated November 24, 2008, between SES Latin America S.A. and EchoStar 77 Corporation, a direct wholly-owned subsidiary of EchoStar (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.24 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K of EchoStar Corporation for the year ended December 31, 2009, Commission File No. 001-33807).

 

 

 

10.25*

 

QuetzSat-1 Transponder Service Agreement, dated November 24, 2008, between EchoStar 77 Corporation, a direct wholly-owned subsidiary of EchoStar, and DISH Network L.L.C (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.25 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K of EchoStar Corporation for the year ended December 31, 2009, Commission File No. 001-33807).

 

 

 

10.26*

 

Bell TV Pricing Amendment, dated February 6, 2009, between EchoStar and Bell TV (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.26 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K of EchoStar Corporation for the year ended December 31, 2009, Commission File No. 001-33807).

 

 

 

10.27*

 

Amended and Restated EchoStar Corporation 2008 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (incorporated by reference to the Definitive Proxy Statement on Form 14 filed on March 31, 2009, Commission File No. 001-33807).

 

 

 

10.28*

 

Amended and Restated EchoStar Corporation 2008 Stock Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to the Definitive Proxy Statement on Form 14 filed on March 31, 2009, Commission File No. 001-33807).

 

 

 

10.29*

 

Amended and Restated EchoStar Corporation 2008 Non-Employee Director Stock Option Plan (incorporated by reference to the Definitive Proxy Statement on Form 14 filed on March 31, 2009, Commission File No. 001-33807).

 

 

 

10.30*

 

NIMIQ 5 Whole RF Channel Service Agreement, dated September 15, 2009, between Telesat Canada and EchoStar (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.30 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K of EchoStar Corporation for the year ended December 31, 2009, Commission File No. 001-33807).

 

 

 

10.31*

 

NIMIQ 5 Whole RF Channel Service Agreement, dated September 15, 2009, between EchoStar and DISH Network L.L.C. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.31 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K of EchoStar Corporation for the year ended December 31, 2009, Commission File No. 001-33807).

 

 

 

10.32*

 

Professional Services Agreement, dated August 4, 2009, between EchoStar and DISH Network (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.3 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2009, Commission File No. 001-33807).

 

 

 

10.33*

 

Allocation Agreement, dated August 4, 2009, between EchoStar and DISH Network (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.4 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of EchoStar for the quarter ended September 30, 2009, Commission File No. 001-33807).

 

 

 

10.34*

 

Amendment to form of Satellite Capacity Agreement (Form A) between EchoStar Corporation and DISH Network L.L.C. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.34 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K of EchoStar Corporation for the year ended December 31, 2009, Commission File No. 001-33807).

 

II-11



Table of Contents

 

EXHIBIT NO.

 

DESCRIPTION

10.35*

 

Amendment to Form of Satellite Capacity Agreement (Form B) between EchoStar Satellite Services L.L.C. and DISH Network L.L.C. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.35 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K of EchoStar Corporation for the year ended December 31, 2009, Commission File No. 001-33807).

 

 

 

10.36*

 

EchoStar XVI Satellite Capacity Agreement between EchoStar Satellite Services L.L.C. and DISH Network L.L.C. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.36 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K of EchoStar Corporation for the year ended December 31, 2009, Commission File No. 001-33807).

 

 

 

10.37*

 

Assignment of Rights Under Launch Service Contract from EchoStar to DISH Orbital II L.L.C. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.37 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K of EchoStar Corporation for the year ended December 31, 2009, Commission File No. 001-33807).

 

 

 

10.38*

 

Separation Agreement, dated as of December 30, 2005, by and between Hughes Communications, Inc. and SkyTerra Communications, Inc. (currently known as LightSquared, Inc.) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K of SkyTerra Communications, Inc. filed January 3, 2006 (File No. 000-13865)).

 

 

 

10.39*

 

First Amendment to Separation Agreement, dated as of February 3, 2006, by and between Hughes Communications, Inc. and SkyTerra Communications, Inc. (currently known as LightSquared, Inc.) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to Amendment No. 3 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 of Hughes Communications, Inc. filed February 6, 2006 (File No. 333-130136)).

 

 

 

10.40*

 

Tax Sharing Agreement, dated as of December 30, 2005, by and between Hughes Communications, Inc. and SkyTerra Communications, Inc. (currently known as LightSquared, Inc.) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Current Report on Form 8-K of SkyTerra Communications, Inc. filed January 3, 2006 (File No. 000-13865)).

 

 

 

10.41*

 

Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement, dated as of April 22, 2005, by and between Hughes Network Systems, Inc. and SkyTerra Communications, Inc. (currently known as LightSquared, Inc.) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.3 to the Current Report on Form 8-K of SkyTerra Communications, Inc. filed April 26, 2005 (File No. 000-13865)).

 

 

 

10.42*

 

Contribution and Membership Interest Purchase Agreement, dated December 3, 2004, by and among The DIRECTV Group, Inc., Hughes Network Systems, Inc., SkyTerra Communications, Inc. (currently known as LightSquared, Inc.) and Hughes Network Systems, LLC (incorporated by reference to the Current Report on Form 8-K of SkyTerra Communications, Inc. filed December 9, 2004 (File No. 000-13865)).

 

 

 

10.43*

 

Membership Interest Purchase Agreement, dated as of November 10, 2005, by and among SkyTerra Communications, Inc. (currently known as LightSquared, Inc.), SkyTerra Holdings, Inc., The DIRECTV Group, Inc., DTV Network Systems, Inc. and Hughes Network Systems, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K of SkyTerra Communications, Inc. filed November 14, 2005 (File No. 000-13865)).

 

 

 

10.44*

 

Second Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of Hughes Network Systems, LLC, dated as of February 28, 2006, by and among Hughes Communications, Inc., the Class B Members and the other signatories thereto (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K of Hughes Communications, Inc. filed March 3, 2006 (File No. 000-51784)).

 

 

 

10.45*

 

Form of Indemnification Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K of Hughes Communications, Inc. filed June 22, 2006 (File No. 000-51784)).

 

 

 

10.46*

 

Contract between Hughes Network Systems, LLC and Space Systems/Loral, Inc. for the Hughes Jupiter 1 Satellite Program dated June 8, 2009 (Confidential treatment has been granted for certain portion of this exhibit pursuant to Rule 24b-2 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which portions have been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Hughes Communications, Inc. filed August 7, 2009 (File No. 001-33040)).

 

 

 

12.1 (H)

 

Statement regarding computation of ratio of earnings to fixed charges.

 

 

 

21 (H)

 

Subsidiaries of Hughes Satellite Systems Corporation

 

 

 

23.1 (H)

 

Consent of KPMG LLP.

 

 

 

23.2 (H)

 

Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP.

 

 

 

23.3 (H)

 

Consent of Sullivan & Cromwell LLP (included as part of Exhibit 5.1).

 

 

 

23.4 (H)

 

Consent of Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, LLP (included as part of Exhibit 5.2).

 

 

 

23.5 (H)

 

Consent of Parr Brown Gee & Loveless (included as part of Exhibit 5.3).

 

 

 

24.1 (H)

 

Powers of Attorney (included on the signature pages hereto).

 

II-12



Table of Contents

 

EXHIBIT NO.

 

DESCRIPTION

25.1 (H)

 

Statement of Eligibility on Form T-1 under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 of Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee under the indentures governing the Notes.

 

 

 

99.1 (H)

 

Form of Letter of Transmittal.

 

 

 

99.2 (H)

 

Form of Notice of Guaranteed Delivery.

 


(H)                               Filed herewith.

*                                         Incorporated by reference.

 

ITEM 22. Undertakings

 

(i)

Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the Registrants pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the Registrants have been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrants of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the Registrants in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the Registrants will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of approximate jurisdiction the question of whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

 

 

(ii)

The undersigned Registrants hereby undertake to respond to requests for information that is incorporated by reference into the prospectus pursuant to items 4, 10(b), 11, or 13 of this Form, within one business day of receipt of such request, and to send the incorporating documents by first class mail or other equally prompt means. This includes information contained in the documents filed subsequent to the effective date of the Registration Statement through the date of responding to the request.

 

 

(iii)

The undersigned Registrants hereby undertake to supply by means of a post-effective amendment all information concerning a transaction, and the company being acquired involved therein, that was not the subject of and included in the Registration Statement when it became effective.

 

 

(iv)

The undersigned Registrants hereby undertake that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the Registrants’ annual report pursuant to section 13(a) or section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan’s annual report pursuant to section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that is incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

 

 

(v)

The undersigned Registrants hereby undertake:

 

(a)   To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement:

 

1.     To include any prospectus required by section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act.

 

2.     To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the Registration Statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the Registration Statement.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total

 

II-13



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dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the SEC pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20% change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the effective Registration Statement.

 

3.     To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the Registration Statement or any material change to such information in the Registration Statement.

 

(b)   That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

 

(c)   To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.

 

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SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the Registrant has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Englewood, State of Colorado, on January 20, 2012.

 

HUGHES SATELLITE SYSTEMS CORPORATION

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Michael T. Dugan

 

 

Name:

Michael T. Dugan

 

 

Title:

President and Chief Executive Officer

 

 



Table of Contents

 

POWER OF ATTORNEY

 

KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Dean A. Manson his true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this registration statement and any and all additional registration statements pursuant to Rule 462(b) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and all other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto each said attorney-in-fact and agent full power and authority to do and perform each and every act in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorney-in-fact and agent or his substitute or substitutes may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated:

 

Signature

 

Title

 

Date

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Michael T. Dugan

 

President, Chief Executive Officer and
Director

 

 

Michael T. Dugan

 

(Principal Executive Officer)

 

January 20, 2012

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Kenneth G. Carroll

 

Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial

 

 

Kenneth G. Carroll

 

and Accounting Officer)

 

January 20, 2012

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Charles W. Ergen

 

 

 

 

Charles W. Ergen

 

Chairman

 

January 20, 2012

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Dean A. Manson

 

 

 

 

Dean A. Manson

 

Director

 

January 20, 2012

 



Table of Contents

 

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the Registrants have duly caused this registration statement to be signed on their behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Englewood, State of Colorado, on January 20, 2012.

 

EchoStar Orbital L.L.C.

 

EchoStar Government Services L.L.C.

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Michael T. Dugan

 

 

Name:

Michael T. Dugan

 

 

Title:

President and Chief Executive Officer

 

 



Table of Contents

 

POWER OF ATTORNEY

 

KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Dean A. Manson his true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this registration statement and any and all additional registration statements pursuant to Rule 462(b) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and all other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto each said attorney-in-fact and agent full power and authority to do and perform each and every act in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorney-in-fact and agent or his substitute or substitutes may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated:

 

Signature

 

Title

 

Date

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Michael T. Dugan

 

President and Chief Executive Officer

 

 

Michael T. Dugan

 

(Principal Executive Officer)

 

January 20, 2012

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chief Financial Officer

 

 

/s/ Kenneth G. Carroll

 

(Principal Financial

 

 

Kenneth G. Carroll

 

and Accounting Officer)

 

January 20, 2012

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Michael T. Dugan

 

 

 

 

Hughes Satellite Systems Corporation

 

 

 

 

As Sole Member

 

 

 

 

By: Michael T. Dugan

 

 

 

 

President and Chief Executive Officer

 

Sole Member

 

January 20, 2012

 



Table of Contents

 

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the Registrants have duly caused this registration statement to be signed on their behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Englewood, State of Colorado, on January 20, 2012.

 

EchoStar Satellite Services L.L.C.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Michael T. Dugan

 

 

Name:

Michael T. Dugan

 

 

Title:

Chief Executive Officer

 

 


 


Table of Contents

 

POWER OF ATTORNEY

 

KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Dean A. Manson his true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this registration statement and any and all additional registration statements pursuant to Rule 462(b) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and all other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto each said attorney-in-fact and agent full power and authority to do and perform each and every act in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorney-in-fact and agent or his substitute or substitutes may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated:

 

Signature

 

Title

 

Date

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Michael T. Dugan

 

Chief Executive Officer

 

 

Michael T. Dugan

 

(Principal Executive Officer)

 

January 20, 2012

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chief Financial Officer

 

 

/s/ Kenneth G. Carroll

 

(Principal Financial

 

 

Kenneth G. Carroll

 

and Accounting Officer)

 

January 20, 2012

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Michael T. Dugan

 

 

 

 

Hughes Satellite Systems Corporation

 

 

 

 

As Sole Member

 

 

 

 

By: Michael T. Dugan

 

 

 

 

President and Chief Executive Officer

 

Sole Member

 

January 20, 2012

 



Table of Contents

 

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the Registrant has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Englewood, State of Colorado, on January 20, 2012.

 

EchoStar Satellite Operating Corporation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Michael T. Dugan

 

 

Name:

Michael T. Dugan

 

 

Title:

President and Chief Executive Officer

 

 

 



Table of Contents

 

POWER OF ATTORNEY

 

KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Dean A. Manson his true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this registration statement and any and all additional registration statements pursuant to Rule 462(b) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and all other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto each said attorney-in-fact and agent full power and authority to do and perform each and every act in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorney-in-fact and agent or his substitute or substitutes may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated:

 

Signature

 

Title

 

Date

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

President, Chief Executive Officer and

 

 

/s/ Michael T. Dugan

 

Director

 

 

Michael T. Dugan

 

(Principal Executive Officer)

 

January 20, 2012

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chief Financial Officer

 

 

/s/ Kenneth G. Carroll

 

(Principal Financial

 

 

Kenneth G. Carroll

 

and Accounting Officer)

 

January 20, 2012

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Charles W. Ergen

 

 

 

 

Charles W. Ergen

 

Chairman

 

January 20, 2012

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Dean A. Manson

 

 

 

 

Dean A. Manson

 

Director

 

January 20, 2012

 



Table of Contents

 

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the Registrant has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Englewood, State of Colorado, on January 20, 2012.

 

EchoStar 77 Corporation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Michael T. Dugan

 

 

Name:

Michael T. Dugan

 

 

Title:

President and Chief Executive Officer

 

 



Table of Contents

 

POWER OF ATTORNEY

 

KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Dean A. Manson his true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this registration statement and any and all additional registration statements pursuant to Rule 462(b) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and all other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto each said attorney-in-fact and agent full power and authority to do and perform each and every act in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorney-in-fact and agent or his substitute or substitutes may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated:

 

Signature

 

Title

 

Date

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

President, Chief Executive Officer and

 

 

/s/ Michael T. Dugan

 

Director

 

 

Michael T. Dugan

 

(Principal Executive Officer)

 

January 20, 2012

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chief Financial Officer

 

 

/s/ Kenneth G. Carroll

 

(Principal Financial

 

 

Kenneth G. Carroll

 

and Accounting Officer)

 

January 20, 2012

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Charles W. Ergen

 

 

 

 

Charles W. Ergen

 

Chairman

 

January 20, 2012

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Dean A. Manson

 

 

 

 

Dean A. Manson

 

Director

 

January 20, 2012

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Orlando Figueroa

 

 

 

 

Orlando Figueroa

 

Director

 

January 20, 2012

 


 


Table of Contents

 

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the Registrant certifies that it has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Germantown, State of Maryland, on January 20, 2012.

 

Hughes Communications, Inc.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Pradman P. Kaul

 

 

Name:

Pradman P. Kaul

 

 

Title:

Chief Executive Officer and President

 

 



Table of Contents

 

POWER OF ATTORNEY

 

KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Dean A. Manson his true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this registration statement and any and all additional registration statements pursuant to Rule 462(b) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and all other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto each said attorney-in-fact and agent full power and authority to do and perform each and every act in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorney-in-fact and agent or his substitute or substitutes may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated:

 

Signature

 

Title

 

Date

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Pradman P. Kaul

 

Chief Executive Officer and President

 

 

Pradman P. Kaul

 

(Principal Executive Officer)

 

January 20, 2012

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Executive Vice President

 

 

/s/ Grant A. Barber

 

and Chief Financial Officer

 

 

Grant A. Barber

 

(Principal Financial Officer)

 

January 20, 2012

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Senior Vice President and Chief

 

 

/s/ Thomas J. McElroy

 

Accounting Officer (Principal

 

 

Thomas J. McElroy

 

Accounting Officer)

 

January 20, 2012

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Charles W. Ergen

 

 

 

 

Charles W. Ergen

 

Chairman

 

January 20, 2012

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Dean A. Manson

 

 

 

 

Dean A. Manson

 

Director

 

January 20, 2012

 



Table of Contents

 

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the Registrant certifies that it has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Germantown, State of Maryland, on January 20, 2012.

 

HUGHES NETWORK SYSTEMS, LLC

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Pradman P. Kaul

 

 

Name:

Pradman P. Kaul

 

 

Title:

Chief Executive Officer and Sole Member
of the Board of Managers

 

 



Table of Contents

 

POWER OF ATTORNEY

 

Each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Grant A. Barber and Dean A. Manson, and each of them, his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, each with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments, including post-effective amendments, to this Registration Statement, and any registration statement relating to the offering covered by this Registration Statement and filed pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, and to file or cause to be filed the same, with all exhibits thereto and all other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done, as fully to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that each of said attorneys-in-fact and agents or his or her or their substitute or substitutes may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities and on the date indicated below.

 

Signature

 

Title

 

Date

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chief Executive Officer and Sole

 

 

/s/ Pradman P. Kaul

 

Member of the Board of Managers

 

 

Pradman P. Kaul

 

(Principal Executive Officer)

 

January 20, 2012

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Executive Vice President

 

 

 

 

and Chief Financial Officer

 

 

/s/ Grant A. Barber

 

(Principal Financial

 

 

Grant A. Barber

 

and Accounting Officer)

 

January 20, 2012

 



Table of Contents

 

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, the registrant has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Germantown, State of Maryland, on January 20, 2012.

 

HNS FINANCE CORP.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Pradman P. Kaul

 

 

Name:

Pradman P. Kaul

 

 

Title:

President and Chief Executive Officer

 

 



Table of Contents

 

POWER OF ATTORNEY

 

Each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Grant A. Barber and Dean A. Manson, and each of them, his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, each with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments, including post-effective amendments, to this Registration Statement, and any registration statement relating to the offering covered by this Registration Statement and filed pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, and to file or cause to be filed the same, with all exhibits thereto and all other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done, as fully to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that each of said attorneys-in-fact and agents or his or her or their substitute or substitutes may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities and on the date indicated below.

 

Signature

 

Title

 

Date

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Pradman P. Kaul

 

Chief Executive Officer, President and

 

 

Pradman P. Kaul

 

Director (Principal Executive Officer)

 

January 20, 2012

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Executive Vice President, Chief Financial

 

 

/s/ Grant A. Barber

 

Officer and Director (Principal Financial

 

 

Grant A. Barber

 

Officer)

 

January 20, 2012

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Thomas J. McElroy

 

Vice President and Controller (Principal

 

 

Thomas J. McElroy

 

Accounting Officer)

 

January 20, 2012

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Dean A. Manson

 

Vice President, General Counsel,

 

 

Dean A. Manson

 

Secretary and Director

 

January 20, 2012

 



Table of Contents

 

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, the registrant has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Germantown, State of Maryland, on January 20, 2012.

 

 

HUGHES NETWORK SYSTEMS INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
COMPANY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Bahram Pourmand

 

 

Name:

Bahram Pourmand

 

 

Title:

President

 

 



Table of Contents

 

POWER OF ATTORNEY

 

Each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Grant A. Barber and Dean A. Manson, and each of them, his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, each with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments, including post-effective amendments, to this Registration Statement, and any registration statement relating to the offering covered by this Registration Statement and filed pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, and to file or cause to be filed the same, with all exhibits thereto and all other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done, as fully to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that each of said attorneys-in-fact and agents or his or her or their substitute or substitutes may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities and on the date indicated below.

 

Signature

 

Title

 

Date

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Bahram Pourmand

 

 

 

 

Bahram Pourmand

 

President (Principal Executive Officer)

 

January 20, 2012

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chief Financial Officer and Director

 

 

/s/ Grant A. Barber

 

(Principal Financial Officer and Principal

 

 

Grant A. Barber

 

Accounting Officer)

 

January 20, 2012

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Pradman P. Kaul

 

 

 

 

Pradman P. Kaul

 

Director

 

January 20, 2012

 



Table of Contents

 

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, the registrant has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Germantown, State of Maryland, on January 20, 2012.(1)

 

HNS REAL ESTATE, LLC

 

 

By:

HUGHES NETWORK SYSTEMS, LLC,

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Pradman P. Kaul

 

 

Name:

Pradman P. Kaul

 

 

Title:

Chief Executive Officer

 

 



Table of Contents

 

POWER OF ATTORNEY

 

Each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Grant A. Barber and Dean A. Manson, and each of them, his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, each with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments, including post-effective amendments, to this Registration Statement, and any registration statement relating to the offering covered by this Registration Statement and filed pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, and to file or cause to be filed the same, with all exhibits thereto and all other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done, as fully to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that each of said attorneys-in-fact and agents or his or her or their substitute or substitutes may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities and on the date indicated below.

 

Signature

 

Title

 

Date

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Pradman P. Kaul

 

 

 

 

Pradman P. Kaul

 

President (Principal Executive Officer)

 

January 20, 2012

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chief Financial Officer (Principal

 

 

/s/ Grant A. Barber

 

Financial Officer and Principal

 

 

Grant A. Barber

 

Accounting Officer)

 

January 20, 2012

 


(1)           HNS Real Estate, LLC (“HNSRE”) is a single member limited liability company managed by its sole member, Hughes Network Systems, LLC. HNSRE does not have a board of directors or similar body. A separate signature page of Hughes Network Systems, LLC is included elsewhere in this Registration Statement.

 



Table of Contents

 

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, the registrant has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Germantown, State of Maryland, on January 20, 2012.(1)

 

 

HNS LICENSE SUB, LLC

 

 

By:

HUGHES NETWORK SYSTEMS, LLC,

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Pradman P. Kaul

 

 

Name:

Pradman P. Kaul

 

 

Title:

Chief Executive Officer

 

 



Table of Contents

 

POWER OF ATTORNEY

 

Each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Grant A. Barber and Dean A. Manson, and each of them, his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, each with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments, including post-effective amendments, to this Registration Statement, and any registration statement relating to the offering covered by this Registration Statement and filed pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, and to file or cause to be filed the same, with all exhibits thereto and all other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done, as fully to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that each of said attorneys-in-fact and agents or his or her or their substitute or substitutes may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities and on the date indicated below.

 

Signature

 

Title

 

Date

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Pradman P. Kaul

 

 

 

 

HUGHES NETWORK SYSTEMS,
LLC
As Sole Member
By: Pradman P. Kaul
Chief Executive Officer

 

Sole Member

 

January 20, 2012

 


(1)           HNS License Sub, LLC (“HNSLS”) is a single member limited liability company managed by its sole member, Hughes Network Systems, LLC. HNSLC does not have a board of directors or similar body or any officers. A separate signature page of Hughes Network Systems, LLC is included elsewhere in this Registration Statement.

 



Table of Contents

 

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, the registrant has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Germantown, State of Maryland, on January 20, 2012.

 

 

HNS-INDIA VSAT, INC.

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Pradman P. Kaul

 

 

Name:

Pradman P. Kaul

 

 

Title:

President

 

 



Table of Contents

 

POWER OF ATTORNEY

 

Each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Grant A. Barber and Dean A. Manson, and each of them, his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, each with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments, including post-effective amendments, to this Registration Statement, and any registration statement relating to the offering covered by this Registration Statement and filed pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, and to file or cause to be filed the same, with all exhibits thereto and all other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done, as fully to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that each of said attorneys-in-fact and agents or his or her or their substitute or substitutes may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities and on the date indicated below.

 

Signature

 

Title

 

Date

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Pradman P. Kaul

 

President and Director (Principal

 

 

Pradman P. Kaul

 

Executive Officer)

 

January 20, 2012

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chief Financial Officer (Principal

 

 

/s/ Grant A. Barber

 

Financial Officer and Principal

 

 

Grant A. Barber

 

Accounting Officer)

 

January 20, 2012

 



Table of Contents

 

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, the registrant has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Germantown, State of Maryland, on January 20, 2012.

 

 

HNS-SHANGHAI, INC.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Pradman P. Kaul

 

 

Name:

Pradman P. Kaul

 

 

Title:

President

 

 



Table of Contents

 

POWER OF ATTORNEY

 

Each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Grant A. Barber and Dean A. Manson, and each of them, his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, each with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments, including post-effective amendments, to this Registration Statement, and any registration statement relating to the offering covered by this Registration Statement and filed pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, and to file or cause to be filed the same, with all exhibits thereto and all other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done, as fully to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that each of said attorneys-in-fact and agents or his or her or their substitute or substitutes may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities and on the date indicated below.

 

Signature

 

Title

 

Date

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Pradman P. Kaul

 

President and Director (Principal

 

 

Pradman P. Kaul

 

Executive Officer)

 

January 20, 2012

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chief Financial Officer (Principal

 

 

/s/ Grant A. Barber

 

Financial Officer and Principal

 

 

Grant A. Barber

 

Accounting Officer)

 

January 20, 2012

 



Table of Contents

 

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, the registrant has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Germantown, State of Maryland, on January 20, 2012.

 

HELIUS, LLC

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ T. Paul Gaske

 

 

Name:

T. Paul Gaske

 

 

Title:

President

 

 



Table of Contents

 

POWER OF ATTORNEY

 

Each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Grant A. Barber and Dean A. Manson, and each of them, his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, each with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments, including post-effective amendments, to this Registration Statement, and any registration statement relating to the offering covered by this Registration Statement and filed pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, and to file or cause to be filed the same, with all exhibits thereto and all other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done, as fully to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that each of said attorneys-in-fact and agents or his or her or their substitute or substitutes may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities and on the date indicated below.

 

Signature

 

Title

 

Date

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ T. Paul Gaske

 

President and Director (Principal

 

 

T. Paul Gaske

 

Executive Officer)

 

January 20, 2012

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chief Financial Officer (Principal

 

 

/s/ Grant A. Barber

 

Financial Officer and Principal

 

 

Grant A. Barber

 

Accounting Officer)

 

January 20, 2012

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Dean A. Manson

 

 

 

 

Dean A. Manson

 

Secretary and Director

 

January 20, 2012

 



Table of Contents

 

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, the registrant has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Germantown, State of Maryland, on January 20, 2012.

 

HELIUS ACQUISITION, LLC

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ T. Paul Gaske

 

 

Name:

T. Paul Gaske

 

 

Title:

President

 

 



Table of Contents

 

POWER OF ATTORNEY

 

Each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Grant A. Barber and Dean Manson, and each of them, his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, each with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments, including post-effective amendments, to this Registration Statement, and any registration statement relating to the offering covered by this Registration Statement and filed pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, and to file or cause to be filed the same, with all exhibits thereto and all other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done, as fully to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that each of said attorneys-in-fact and agents or his or her or their substitute or substitutes may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities and on the date indicated below.

 

Signature

 

Title

 

Date

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ T. Paul Gaske

 

President and Director (Principal

 

 

T. Paul Gaske

 

Executive Officer)

 

January 20, 2012

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chief Financial Officer (Principal

 

 

/s/ Grant A. Barber

 

Financial Officer and Principal

 

 

Grant A. Barber

 

Accounting Officer)

 

January 20, 2012

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Dean A. Manson

 

 

 

 

Dean A. Manson

 

Secretary and Director

 

January 20, 2012

 



Table of Contents

 

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, the registrant has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Germantown, State of Maryland, on January 20, 2012.

 

ADVANCED SATELLITE RESEARCH, LLC

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ T. Paul Gaske

 

 

Name:

T. Paul Gaske

 

 

Title:

President

 

 



Table of Contents

 

POWER OF ATTORNEY

 

Each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Grant A. Barber and Dean A.  Manson, and each of them, his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, each with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments, including post-effective amendments, to this Registration Statement, and any registration statement relating to the offering covered by this Registration Statement and filed pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, and to file or cause to be filed the same, with all exhibits thereto and all other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done, as fully to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that each of said attorneys-in-fact and agents or his or her or their substitute or substitutes may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities and on the date indicated below.

 

Signature

 

Title

 

Date

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ T. Paul Gaske

 

 

 

 

T. Paul Gaske

 

President (Principal Executive Officer)

 

January 20, 2012

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Grant A. Barber

 

Treasurer (Principal Financial Officer and

 

 

Grant A. Barber

 

Principal Accounting Officer)

 

January 20, 2012

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Dean A. Manson

 

 

 

 

Dean A. Manson

 

Secretary

 

January 20, 2012

 


Exhibit 3.1(a)

 

 

 

Document must be filed electronically.

Paper documents will not be accepted.

Document processing fee

Fees & forms/cover sheets

are subject to change.

To access other information or print

copies of filed documents,

visit www.sos.state.co.us and

select Business Center.

 

 

 

$50.00

 

Colorado Secretary of State

Date and Time: 03/16/2011 08:02 AM

ID Number: 20111159069

 

Document number: 20111159069

Amount Paid: $50.00

 

ABOVE SPACE FOR OFFICE USE ONLY

 

Articles of Incorporation for a Profit Corporation
filed pursuant to § 7-102-101 and § 7-102-102 of the Colorado Revised Statutes (C.R.S.)

 

1. The domestic entity name for the corporation is

 

 

EH Holding Corporation

.

 

(The name of a corporation must contain the term or abbreviation “corporation”, “incorporated”, “company”, “limited”, “corp.”, inc. ”, “co. ” or “ltd.”. See §7-90- 601, C.R.S. If the corporation is a professional or special purpose corporation, other law may apply.)

 

(Caution: The use of certain terms or abbreviations are restricted by law. Read instructions for more information.)

 

2. The principal office address of the corporation’s initial principal office is

 

Street address

100 Inverness Terrace East

 

(Street number and name)

 

 

 

Englewood

 

CO

 

80112

 

(City)

 

(State)

 

(ZIP/Postal Code)

 

 

 

United States

 

 

 

(Province — if applicable)

 

(Country)

 

 

 

Mailing address

P.O. Box 6655

(leave blank if same as street address)

(Street number and name or Post Office Box information)

 

 

 

Englewood

 

CO

 

80155

 

(City)

 

(State)

 

(ZIP/Postal Code)

 

 

 

United States

.

 

 

(Province — if applicable)

 

(Country)

 

 

 

 

3. The registered agent name and registered agent address of the corporation’s initial registered agent are

 

Name

Dodge

 

R.

 

Stanton

 

 

(if an individual)

(Last)

 

(First)

 

(Middle)

 

(Suffix)

 

 

OR

 

 

 

(if an entity)

 

(Caution: Do not provide both an individual and an entity name.)

 

Street address

9601 S. Meridian Blvd.

 

(Street number and name)

 

 

 

Englewood

 

CO

 

80112

 

(City)

 

(State)

 

(ZIP/Postal Code)

 

1



 

Mailing address

P.O. Box 6655

 

(leave blank if same as street address)

(Street number and name or Post Office Box information)

 

 

 

 

 

Englewood

 

CO

 

80155

.

 

(City)

 

(State)

 

(ZIP/Postal Code)

 

(The following statement is adopted by marking the box.)

x          The person appointed as registered agent above has consented to being so appointed.

 

4. The true name and mailing address of the incorporator are

 

Name

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(if an individual)

(Last)

 

(First)

 

(Middle)

 

(Suffix)

 

 

OR

 

 

 

(if an entity)

EchoStar Corporation

(Caution: Do not provide both an individual and an entity name.)

 

Mailing address

100 Inverness Terrace East

 

(Street number and name or Post Office Box information)

 

 

 

Englewood

 

CO

 

80112

 

(City)

 

(State)

 

(ZIP/Postal Code)

 

 

 

United States

.

 

 

(Province — if applicable)

 

(Country)

 

 

 

(If the following statement applies, adopt the statement by marking the box and include an attachment.)

o            The corporation has one or more additional incorporators and the name and mailing address of each additional incorporator are stated in an attachment.

 

5.    The classes of shares and number of shares of each class that the corporation is authorized to issue are as follows.

 

(If the following statement applies, adopt the statement by marking the box and enter the number of shares.)

x          The corporation is authorized to issue 1,000,000 common shares that shall have unlimited voting rights and are entitled to receive the net assets of the corporation upon dissolution.

 

(If the following statement applies, adopt the statement by marking the box and include an attachment.)

o            Additional information regarding shares as required by section 7-106-101, C.R.S., is included in an attachment.

 

(Caution: At least one box must be marked. Both boxes may be marked, if applicable.)

 

6.         (If the following statement applies, adopt the statement by marking the box and include an attachment.)

o    This document contains additional information as provided by law.

 

7.         (Caution: Leave blank if the document does not have a delayed effective date. Stating a delayed effective date has significant legal consequences. Read instructions before entering a date.)

 

(If the following statement applies, adopt the statement by entering a date and, if applicable, time using the required format.)

The delayed effective date and, if applicable, time of this document is/are                                                                                     .

                                                                                                                                          (mm/dd/yyyy hour:minute am/pm)

 

2



 

Notice:

 

Causing this document to be delivered to the Secretary of State for filing shall constitute the affirmation or acknowledgment of each individual causing such delivery, under penalties of perjury, that the document is the individual’s act and deed, or that the individual in good faith believes the document is the act and deed of the person on whose behalf the individual is causing the document to be delivered for filing, taken in conformity with the requirements of part 3 of article 90 of title 7, C.R.S., the constituent documents, and the organic statutes, and that the individual in good faith believes the facts stated in the document are true and the document complies with the requirements of that Part, the constituent documents, and the organic statutes.

 

This perjury notice applies to each individual who causes this document to be delivered to the Secretary of State, whether or not such individual is named in the document as one who has caused it to be delivered.

 

8. The true name and mailing address of the individual causing the document to be delivered for filing are

 

 

Lee

 

Savannah

 

 

 

 

 

(Last)

 

(First)

 

(Middle)

 

(Suffix)

 

P.O. Box 6655

 

(Street number and name or Post Office Box information)

 

 

 

Englewood

 

CO

 

80155

 

(City)

 

(State)

 

(ZIP/Postal Code)

 

 

 

United States

.

 

 

(Province — if applicable)

 

(Country)

 

 

 

(If the following statement applies, adopt the statement by marking the box and include an attachment.)

o          This document contains the true name and mailing address of one or more additional individuals causing the document to be delivered for filing.

 

Disclaimer:

 

This form/cover sheet, and any related instructions, are not intended to provide legal, business or tax advice, and are furnished without representation or warranty. While this form/cover sheet is believed to satisfy minimum legal requirements as of its revision date, compliance with applicable law, as the same may be amended from time to time, remains the responsibility of the user of this form/cover sheet. Questions should be addressed to the user’s legal, business or tax advisor(s).

 

3


Exhibit 3.1(b)

 

 

 

Document must be filed electronically.

Paper documents will not be accepted.

Document processing fee

Fees & forms/cover sheets

are subject to change.

To access other information or print

copies of filed documents,

visit www.sos.state.co.us and

select Business.

 

 

 

$25.00

 

Colorado Secretary of State

Date and Time: 10/26/2011 08:18 AM

ID Number: 20111159069

 

Document number: 20111596103

Amount Paid: $25.00

 

ABOVE SPACE FOR OFFICE USE ONLY

 

Articles of Amendment

filed pursuant to §7-90-301, et seq. and §7-110-106 of the Colorado Revised Statutes (C.R.S.)

 

ID number:

 

20111159069

 

 

 

 

 

1. Entity name:

 

EH Holding Corporation

 

 

(If changing the name of the corporation, indicate name BEFORE the name change)

 

 

 

2. New Entity name:
(if applicable)

 

Hughes Satellite Systems Corporation

 

 

 

3. Use of Restricted Words (if any of these

 

 

terms are contained in an entity name, true

name of an entity, trade name or trademark

stated in this document, mark the applicable box):

 

o “bank” or “trust” or any derivative thereof

o “credit union”         o  “savings and loan”

o “insurance”, “casualty”, “mutual”, or “surety”

 

4. Other amendments, if any, are attached.

 

5. If the amendment provides for an exchange, reclassification or cancellation of issued shares, the attachment states the provisions for implementing the amendment.

 

6. If the corporation’s period of duration as amended is less than perpetual, state the date on which the period of duration expires:

 

 

 

 

 

(mm/dd/yyyy)

 

 

 

OR

 

 

If the corporation’s period of duration as amended is perpetual, mark this box:  x

 

7. (Optional) Delayed effective date:

 

 

 

(mm/dd/yyyy)

 

 

Notice:

 

Causing this document to be delivered to the secretary of state for filing shall constitute the affirmation or acknowledgment of each individual causing such delivery, under penalties of perjury, that the document is the individual’s act and deed, or that the individual in good faith believes the document is the act and deed of the person on whose behalf the individual is causing the document to be delivered for filing, taken in conformity with the requirements of part 3 of article 90 of title 7, C.R.S., the constituent documents, and the organic statutes, and that the individual in good faith believes the facts stated in the document are true and the document complies with the requirements of that Part, the constituent documents, and the organic statutes.

 

This perjury notice applies to each individual who causes this document to be delivered to the secretary of state, whether or not such individual is named in the document as one who has caused it to be delivered.

 

1



 

8. Name(s) and address(es) of the individual(s) causing the document to be delivered for filing:

 

Yost

 

Jeanne

 

Anna

 

 

 

 

(Last)

 

(First)

 

(Middle)

 

(Suffix)

 

 

11717 Exploration Lane

 

 

(Street name and number or post office information)

 

 

 

 

 

Germantown

 

MD

 

20876

 

 

(City)

 

(State)

 

(Postal/Zip Code)

 

 

 

 

United States

 

 

 

 

(Province — if applicable)

 

(Country — if not US)

 

 

 

(The document need not state the true name and address of more than one individual. However, if you wish to state the name and address of any additional individuals causing the document to be delivered for filing, mark this box o and include an attachment stating the name and address of such individuals.)

 

Disclaimer:

 

This form, and any related instructions, are not intended to provide legal, business or tax advice, and are offered as a public service without representation or warranty. While this form is believed to satisfy minimum legal requirements as of its revision date, compliance with applicable law, as the same may be amended from time to time, remains the responsibility of the user of this form. Questions should be addressed to the user’s attorney.

 

2


Exhibit 3.2

 

BYLAWS

 

OF

 

EH HOLDING CORPORATION

 

ARTICLE I
OFFICES

 

1.1                               Principal Office. The principal offices of the Corporation shall initially be at 100 Inverness Terrace East, Englewood, Colorado 80112, but the Corporation may, in the discretion of the board of directors, maintain offices wherever the business of the Corporation may require.

 

1.2                               Registered Office and Agent. The Corporation shall continuously maintain in the State of Colorado a registered office and a registered agent whose business office is identical with the registered office. The initial registered office and the initial registered agent are specified in the original Articles of Incorporation for the Corporation. The Corporation may change its registered office, its registered agent, or both, upon filing a statement as specified by law in the office of the Secretary of State of Colorado.

 

ARTICLE II
SHAREHOLDERS

 

2.1                               Time and Place. Any meeting of the shareholders may be held at such time and place, within or outside the State of Colorado, as may be fixed by the board of directors or as shall be specified in the notice or waiver of notice of the meeting. If the place for a meeting is not fixed by the board of directors, such meeting shall be held at the Corporation’s principal office.

 

2.2                               Annual Shareholders’ Meeting. The annual shareholders’ meeting shall be held on the date and at the time and place fixed from time to time by the board of directors; provided, however, that the first annual meeting shall be held on a date that is within six months after the close of the first fiscal year of the Corporation, and each successive annual meeting shall be held on a date that is within the earlier of six months after the close of the year or fifteen months after the last annual meeting.

 

2.3                               Special Shareholders’ Meeting. A special shareholders meeting for any purpose or purposes, may be called by the board of directors or the president. The Corporation shall also hold a special shareholders meeting in the event it receives, in the manner specified in Section 8.3, one or more written demands for the meeting, stating the purpose or purposes for which it is to be held, signed and dated by the holders of shares representing not less than one-tenth of all of the votes entitled to be cast on any issue to be determined at the meeting. Special meetings shall be held at the principal office of the Corporation or at such other place as the board of directors or the president may determine.

 

1



 

2.4                               Record Date for Determination of Shareholders.

 

(a)                                  In order to make a determination of shareholders entitled to (i) notice of or to vote at any shareholders meeting or at any adjournment of a shareholders meeting, (ii) demand a special shareholders meeting, (iii) take any other action or (iv) receive payment of a share dividend or a distribution, or for any other purpose, the board of directors may fix a future date as the record date for such determination of shareholders. The record date may be fixed not more than seventy days before the date of the proposed action.

 

(b)                                 Unless otherwise specified when the record date is fixed, the time of day for determination of shareholders shall be as of the Corporation’s close of business on the record date.

 

(c)                                  A determination of shareholders entitled, to be given notice of or to vote at a shareholders meeting is effective for any adjournment of the meeting unless the board of directors fixes a new record date, which the board shall do if the meeting is adjourned to a date more than one hundred twenty days after the date fixed for the original meeting.

 

(d)                                 If no record date is otherwise fixed, the record date for determining shareholders entitled to be given notice of and to vote at an annual or special shareholders meeting is the day before the first notice is given to shareholders.

 

(e)                                  The record date for determining shareholders entitled to take action without a meeting pursuant to Section 2.11 is the date a writing upon which the action is taken is first received by the Corporation.

 

2.5                               Voting List.

 

(a)                                  After a record date is fixed for a shareholders meeting, the secretary shall prepare a list of the names of all its shareholders who are entitled to be given notice of the meeting. The list (i) shall be arranged by voting groups and within each voting group by class or series of shares, (ii) shall be alphabetical within each class or series and (iii) shall show the address of, and the number of shares of each such class and series that are held by, each shareholder.

 

(b)                                 The shareholders’ list shall be available for inspection by any shareholder, beginning the earlier of ten days before the meeting for which the list was prepared or two business days after notice of the meeting is given and continuing through the meeting, and any adjournment thereof, at the Corporation’s principal office or at a place identified in the notice of the meeting in the city where the meeting will be held.

 

(c)                                  The secretary shall make the shareholders list available at the meeting, and any shareholder or agent or attorney of a shareholder is entitled to inspect the list at any time during the meeting or any adjournment thereof.

 

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2.6                                 Notice to Shareholders.

 

(a)                                  The secretary shall give notice to shareholders of the date, time and place of each annual and special shareholders meeting no fewer than ten nor more than sixty days before the date of the meeting; except that, if the articles of incorporation are to be amended to increase the number of authorized shares, at least thirty days notice shall be given. Except as otherwise required by the Colorado Business Corporation Act (the “Act”), the secretary shall be required to give such notice only to shareholders entitled to vote at the meeting.

 

(b)                                 Notice of an annual shareholders meeting need not include a description of the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is called unless a purpose of the meeting is to consider an amendment to the articles of incorporation, a restatement of the articles of incorporation, a plan of merger or share exchange, disposition of substantially all of the property of the Corporation, consent by the Corporation to the disposition of property by another entity or dissolution of the Corporation,

 

(c)                                  Notice of a special shareholders meeting shall include a description of the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is called.

 

(d)                                 Notice of a shareholders meeting shall be in writing and shall be given

 

(i)                                     by deposit in the United States mail, properly addressed to the shareholder’s address shown in the Corporation’s current record of shareholders, first class postage prepaid, and, if so given, shall be effective when mailed; or

 

(ii)                                  by telegraph, teletype, electronically transmitted facsimile, electronic mail, mail or private carrier or by personal delivery to the shareholder, and, if so given, shall be effective when actually received by the shareholder.

 

(e)                                  If an annual or special shareholders meeting is adjourned to a different date, time or place, notice need not be given of the new date, time or place if the new date, time or place is announced at the meeting before adjournment; provided, however, that, if a new record date for the adjourned meeting is fixed pursuant to Section 2.4, notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given to persons who are shareholders as of the new record date.

 

(f)                                    If three successive notices are given by the Corporation, whether with respect to a shareholders meeting or otherwise, to a shareholder and are returned as undeliverable, no further notices to such shareholder shall be necessary until another address for the shareholder is made known to the Corporation.

 

2.7                               Quorum. Shares entitled to vote as a separate voting group may take action on a matter at a meeting only if a quorum of those shares exists with respect to that matter. A majority of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter by the voting group shall constitute a quorum of that voting group for action on the matter. If a quorum does not exist with respect to any voting group, the president or any shareholder or proxy that is present at the meeting,

 

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whether or not a member of that voting group, may adjourn the meeting to a different date, time or place, and (subject to the next sentence) notice need not be given of the new date, time or place if the new date, time or place is announced at the meeting before adjournment. If a new record date for the adjourned meeting is or must be fixed pursuant to Section 2.4, notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given pursuant to Section 2.6 to persons who are shareholders as of the new record date. At any adjourned meeting at which a quorum exists, any matter must be acted upon that could have been acted upon at a meeting originally called; provided, however, that, if new notice is given of the adjourned meeting, then such notice shall state the purpose or purposes of the adjourned meeting sufficiently to permit action on such. Once a share is represented for any purpose at a meeting, including the purpose of determining that a quorum exists, it is deemed present for quorum purposes for the remainder of the meeting and for any adjournment of that meeting unless a new record date is or shall be set for that adjourned meeting.

 

2.8                               Voting Entitlement of Shares. Except as stated in the articles of incorporation, each outstanding share, regardless of class, is entitled to one vote, and each fractional share is entitled to a corresponding fractional vote, on each matter voted on at a shareholders meeting.

 

2.9                               Proxies, Acceptance of Votes and Consents.

 

(a)                                  A shareholder may vote either in person or by proxy.

 

(b)                                 An appointment of a proxy is not effective against the Corporation until the appointment is received by the Corporation. An appointment is valid for eleven months unless a different period is expressly provided in the appointment form.

 

(c)                                  The Corporation may accept or reject any appointment of a proxy, revocation of appointment of a proxy, vote, consent, waiver or other writing purportedly signed by or for a shareholder, if such acceptance or rejection is in accordance with the provisions of Sections 7-107-203 and 7-107-205 of the Act.

 

2.10                         Waiver of Notice.

 

(a)                                  A shareholder may waive any notice required by the Act, the articles of incorporation or the bylaws, whether before or after the date or time stated in the notice as the date or time when any action will occur or has occurred. The waiver shall be in writing, be signed by the shareholder entitled to the notice and be delivered to the Corporation for inclusion in the minutes or filing with the corporate records, but such delivery and filing shall not be conditions of the effectiveness of the waiver.

 

(b)                                 A shareholder’s attendance at a meeting (i) waives objection to lack of notice or defective notice of the meeting, unless the shareholder at the beginning of the meeting objects to holding the meeting or transacting business at the meeting because of lack of notice or defective notice and (ii) waives objection to consideration of a particular matter at the meeting that is not within the purpose or purposes described in the meeting notice, unless the shareholder objects to considering the matter when it is presented.

 

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2.11                         Action by Shareholders Without a Meeting. Any action required or permitted to be taken at a shareholders meeting may be taken without a meeting if all of the shareholders entitled to vote thereon consent to such action in writing. Action pursuant to this Section 2.11 shall be effective when the Corporation has received writings that describe and consent to the action, signed by all of the shareholders entitled to vote thereon. Action taken pursuant to this Section 2.11 shall be effective as of the date the last writing necessary to effect the action is received by the Corporation, unless all of the writings necessary to effect the action specify another date, which may be before or after the date the writings are received by the Corporation. Such action shall have the same effect as action taken at a meeting of shareholders and may be described as such in any document. Any shareholder who has signed a writing describing and consenting to an action taken pursuant to this Section 2.11 may revoke such consent by a writing signed by the shareholder describing the action and stating that the shareholder’s prior consent thereto is revoked, if such writing is received by the Corporation before the effectiveness of the action.

 

2.12                         Meetings by Telecommunications. Any or all of the shareholders may participate in an annual or special shareholders meeting by, or the meeting may be conducted through the use of, any means of communication by which all persons participating in the meeting may hear each other during the meeting. A shareholder participating in a meeting by this means is deemed to be present in person at the meeting.

 

ARTICLE III
DIRECTORS

 

3.1                               Authority of the Board of Directors. The corporate powers shall be exercised by or under the authority of, and the business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed under the direction of, a board of directors.

 

3.2                               Number. The number of directors shall be fixed by resolution of the board of directors from time to time and may be increased or decreased by resolution adopted by the board of directors from time to time, but no decrease in the number of directors shall have the effect of shortening the term of any incumbent director.

 

3.3                               Qualification. Directors shall be natural persons at least eighteen years old but need not be residents of the State of Colorado or shareholders of the Corporation.

 

3.4                               Election. The board of directors shall be elected at the annual meeting of the shareholders or at a special meeting called for that purpose.

 

3.5                               Term. Each director shall be elected to hold office until the next annual meeting of shareholders and until the director’s successor is elected and qualified.

 

3.6                               Resignation. A director may resign at any time by giving written notice of his or her resignation to any other director or (if the director is not also the secretary) to the secretary.

 

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The resignation shall be effective when it is received by another director or the secretary, as the case may be, unless the notice of resignation specifies a later effective date. Acceptance of such resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective unless the notice so provides.

 

3.7                               Removal. Any director may be removed by the shareholders, with or without cause, at a meeting called for that purpose. The notice of the meeting shall state that the purpose, or one of the purposes, of the meeting is removal of the director. A director may be removed only if the number of votes cast in favor of removal exceeds the number of votes cast against removal.

 

3.8                               Vacancies.

 

(a)                                  If a vacancy occurs on the board of directors, including a vacancy resulting from an increase in the number of directors:

 

(i)                                     The shareholders may fill the vacancy at the next annual meeting or at a special meeting called for that purpose; or

 

(ii)                                  The board of directors may fill the vacancy; or

 

(iii)                               If the directors remaining in office constitute fewer than a quorum of the board, they may fill the vacancy by the affirmative vote of a majority of all the directors remaining in office.

 

(b)                                 Notwithstanding Section 3.8(a), if the vacant office was held by a director elected by a voting group of shareholders, then, if one or more of the remaining directors were elected by the same voting group, only such directors are entitled to vote to fill the vacancy if it is filled by directors, and they may do so by the affirmative vote of a majority of such directors remaining in office; and only the holders of shares of that voting group are entitled to vote to fill the vacancy if it is filled by the shareholders.

 

(c)                                  A vacancy that will occur at a specific later date, by reason of a resignation that will become effective at a later date under Section 3.6 or otherwise, may be filled before the vacancy occurs, but the new director may not take office until the vacancy occurs.

 

3.9                               Meetings. The board of directors may hold regular or special meetings within or outside of Colorado. A regular meeting shall be held without notice immediately after and at the same place as the annual meeting of the shareholders. The board of directors may, by resolution, establish other dates, times and places for additional regular meetings, which may thereafter be held without further notice. Special meetings may be called by the president or by any two directors and shall be held at the principal office of the Corporation unless otherwise specified in the notice of the meeting. At any time when the board consists of a single director, that director may act at any time, date or place without notice.

 

3.10                         Notice of Special Meeting. Notice of a special meeting shall be given to every director at least twenty-four hours before the time of the meeting, stating the date, time and place

 

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of the meeting. The notice need not describe the purpose of the meeting. Notice may be given orally to the director, personally or by telephone or other wire or wireless communication. Notice may also be given in writing by telegraph, teletype, electronically transmitted facsimile, electronic mail or private carrier. Notice shall be effective at the earliest of (a) the time it is received; (b) five days after it is deposited in the United States mail, properly addressed to the last address for the director shown on the records of the Corporation, first class postage prepaid or (c) the date shown on the return receipt if mailed by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, in the United States mail and if the return receipt is signed by the director to whom the notice is addressed.

 

3.11                         Quorum. Except as provided in Section 3.8, a majority of the number of directors fixed in accordance with these bylaws shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at all meetings of the board of directors. The act of a majority of the directors present at any meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the act of the board of directors, except as otherwise specifically required by law,

 

3.12                         Waiver of Notice.

 

(a)                                  A director may waive any notice of a meeting before or after the time and date of the meeting stated in the notice. Except as provided by Section 3.12(b), the waiver shall be in writing and shall be signed by the director. Such waiver shall be delivered to the secretary for filing with the corporate records, but such delivery and filing shall not be conditions of the effectiveness of the waiver.

 

(b)                                 A director’s attendance at or participation in a meeting waives any required notice to him or her of the meeting unless, at the beginning of the meeting or promptly upon his or her later arrival, the director objects to holding the meeting or transacting business at the meeting because of lack of notice or defective notice and does not thereafter vote for or assent to action taken at the meeting.

 

3.13                         Meetings by Telecommunications. One or more directors may participate in a regular or special meeting by, or conduct the meeting through the use of, any means of communication by which all directors participating may hear each other during the meeting. A director participating in a meeting by this means is deemed to be present in person at the meeting.

 

3.14                         Deemed Assent to Action. A director who is present at a meeting of the board of directors when corporate action is taken shall be deemed to have assented to all action taken at the meeting unless

 

(i)                                     a director objects at the beginning of the meeting, or promptly upon his or her arrival, to holding the meeting or transacting business at the meeting and does not thereafter vote for or assent to any action taken at the meeting;

 

(ii)                                  The director contemporaneously requests that his or her dissent or abstention as to any specific action taken be entered in the minutes of the meeting; or

 

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(iii)                               The director causes written notice of his or her dissent or abstention as to any specific action to be received by the presiding officer of the meeting before adjournment of the meeting or by the secretary (or, if the director is the secretary, by another director) promptly after adjournment of the meeting. The right of dissent or abstention pursuant to this Section 3.14 as to a specific action is not available to a director who votes in favor of the action taken.

 

3.15                         Action by Directors Without a Meeting. Any action required or permitted by law to be taken at a board of directors meeting may be taken without a meeting if all members of the board consent to such action in writing. The action shall be deemed to have been so taken by the board at the time the last director signs a writing describing the action, unless, before such time, any director has revoked his or her consent by a writing signed by the director and received by the president or the secretary or any other person authorized by the board of directors to receive such a revocation. Such action shall be effective at the time and date it is so taken unless the directors establish a different effective time or date. Such action has the same effect as action taken at a meeting of directors and may be described as such in any document.

 

ARTICLE IV

COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

 

4.1                               Subject to the provisions of Section 7-109-106 of the Act, the board of directors may create one or more committees and appoint one or more members of the board of directors to serve on them. The creation of a committee and appointment of members to it shall require the approval of a majority of all the directors in office when the action is taken, whether or not those directors constitute a quorum of the board.

 

4.2                               The provisions of these bylaws governing meetings, action without meeting, notice, waiver of notice and quorum and voting requirements of the board of directors apply to committees and their members as well.

 

4.3                               To the extent specified by resolution adopted from time to time by a majority of all the directors in office when the resolution is adopted, whether or not those directors constitute a quorum of the board, each committee shall exercise the authority of the board of directors with respect to the corporate powers and the management of the business and affairs of the Corporation, except that a committee shall not:

 

(a)                                  authorize distributions;

 

(b)                                 approve or propose to shareholders action that the Act requires to be approved by shareholders;

 

(c)                                  fill vacancies on the board of directors or on any of its committees;

 

(d)                                 amend the articles of incorporation pursuant to Section 7-110-102 of the Act;

 

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(e)                                  adopt, amend or repeal bylaws;

 

(f)                                    approve a plan of merger not requiring shareholder approval;

 

(g)                                 authorize or approve reacquisition of shares, except according to a formula or method prescribed by the board of directors; or

 

(h)                                 authorize or approve the issuance or sale of shares, or a contract for the sale of shares, or determine the designation and relative rights, preferences and limitations of a class or series of shares, except that the board of directors may authorize a committee or an officer to do so within limits specifically prescribed by the board of directors.

 

4.4                               The creation of, delegation of authority to, or action by, a committee does not alone constitute compliance by a director with applicable standards of conduct.

 

ARTICLE V
OFFICERS

 

5.1                               General. The Corporation shall have as officers a president, a secretary, and a treasurer, who shall be appointed by the board of directors. The board of directors may appoint as additional officers a chairman and other officers of the board. The board of directors, the president, and such other subordinate officers as the board of directors may authorize from time to time, acting singly, may appoint as additional officers one or more vice presidents, assistant secretaries, assistant treasurers, and such other subordinate officers as the board of directors, the president, or such other appointing officer deems necessary or appropriate. The officers of the Corporation shall hold their offices for such terms and shall exercise such authority and perform such duties as shall be determined from time to time by these Bylaws, the board of directors, or (with respect to officers who are appointed by the president or other appointing officers) the persons appointing them; provided, however, that the board of directors may change the term of offices and the authority of any officer appointed by the president or other appointing officers. Any two or more officers may be held by the same person. The officers of the Corporation shall be natural persons at least eighteen years old.

 

5.2                               Term. Each officer shall hold office from the time of appointment until the time of removal or resignation pursuant to Section 3.6 or until the officer’s death.

 

5.3                               Removal and Resignation. Any officer appointed by the board of directors may be removed at any time by the board of directors. Any officer appointed by the president or other appointing officer may be removed at any time by the board of directors or by the person appointing the officer. Any officer may resign at any time by giving written notice of resignation to any director (or to any director other than the resigning officer if the officer is also a director), to the president, to the secretary or to the officer who appointed the officer. Acceptance of such resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective, unless the notice so provides.

 

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5.4                               President. The president shall preside at all meetings of shareholders, and the president shall also preside at all meetings of the board of directors unless the board of directors has appointed a chairman, vice chairman, or other officer of the board and has authorized such person to preside at meetings of the board of directors instead of the president. Subject to the direction and control of the board of directors, the president shall be the chief executive officer of the Corporation and as such shall have general and active management of the business of the Corporation and shall see that all orders and resolutions of the board of directors are carried into effect. The president may negotiate, enter into and execute contracts, deeds and other instruments on behalf of the Corporation as are necessary and appropriate to the conduct to the business and affairs of the Corporation or as are approved by the board of directors. The president shall have such additional authority and duties as are appropriate and customary for the office of president and chief executive officer, except as the same may be expanded or limited by the board of directors from time to time.

 

5.5                               Vice President. The vice president, if any, or, if there are more than one, the vice presidents in the order determined by the board of directors or the president (or, if no such determination is made, in the order of their appointment), shall be the officer or officers next in seniority after the president. Each vice president shall have such authority and duties as are prescribed by the board of directors or the president. Upon the death, absence, or disability of the president, the vice president, if any, or, if there are more than one, the vice presidents in the order of seniority as determined above, shall have the authority and duties of the president.

 

5.6                               Secretary. The secretary shall be responsible for the preparation and maintenance of minutes of the meetings of the board of directors and of the shareholders and of the other records and information required to be kept by the Corporation under Section 7-116-101 of the Act and for authenticating records of the Corporation. The secretary shall also give, or cause to be given, notice of all meetings of the shareholders and special meetings of the board of directors, keep the minutes of such meetings, have charge of the corporate seal and have authority to affix the corporate seal to any instrument requiring it (and, when so affixed, it may be attested by the secretary’s signature), be responsible for the maintenance of all other corporate records and files and for the preparation and filing of reports to governmental agencies (other than tax returns), and have such other authority and duties as are appropriate and customary for the office of secretary, except as the same may be expanded or limited by the board of directors from time to time.

 

5.7                               Assistant Secretary. The assistant secretary, if any, or, if there are more than one, the assistant secretaries shall, under the supervision of the secretary, perform such duties and have such authority as may be prescribed from time to time by the board of directors or the secretary. Upon the death, absence or disability of the secretary, the assistant secretary, if any, or, if there are more than one, the assistant secretary in the order designated by the board of directors or the secretary (or, if no such determination is made, in the order of their appointment), shall have the authority and duties of the secretary.

 

5.8                               Treasurer. The treasurer shall have control of the funds and the care and custody of all stocks, bonds and other securities owned by the Corporation, and shall be responsible for

 

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the preparation and filing of tax returns. The treasurer shall receive all monies paid to the Corporation and, subject to any limits imposed by the board of directors, shall have authority to receive receipts and vouchers, to sign and endorse checks and warrants in the Corporation’s name and on the Corporation’s behalf, and give full discharge for the same. The treasurer shall also have charge of disbursement of funds of the Corporation, shall keep full and accurate records of the receipts and disbursements, and shall deposit all monies and other valuable effects in the name and to the credit of the Corporation in such depositories as shall be designated by the board of directors. The treasurer shall have such additional authority and duties as are appropriate and customary for the office of treasurer, except as the same may be expanded or limited by the board of directors from time to time.

 

5.9                               Assistant Treasurer. The assistant treasurer, if any, or, if there are more than one, the assistant treasurers shall, under the supervision of the treasurer, have such authority and duties as may be prescribed from time to time by the board of directors or the treasurer. Upon the death, absence or disability of the treasurers, the assistant treasurer, if any, or if there are more than one, the assistant treasurers in the order determined by the board of directors or the treasurer (of, if no such determination is made, in the order of their appointment), shall have the authority and duties of the treasurer.

 

5.10                         Compensation. Officers shall receive such compensation for their services as may be authorized or ratified by the board of directors. Election or appointment of an officer shall not of itself create a contractual right to compensation for services performed as such officer.

 

ARTICLE VI
INDEMNIFICATION

 

6.1                               Definitions. As used in this Article VI:

 

(a)                                  “Corporations” includes any domestic or foreign entity that is a predecessor of the Corporation by reason of a merger or other transaction in which the predecessor’s existence ceased upon consummation of the transaction.

 

(b)                                 “Director” means an individual who is or was a director of the Corporation or an individual who, while a director of the Corporation, is or was serving at the Corporation’s request as a director, officer, partner, trustee, employee, fiduciary or agent of another domestic or foreign corporation or other person or of an employee benefit plan. A director is considered to be serving an employee benefit plan at the Corporation’s request if his or her duties to the Corporation also impose duties on or otherwise involve services by, the director to the plan or to participants in or beneficiaries of the plan. “Director” includes, unless the context requires otherwise, the estate or personal representative of a director.

 

(c)                                  “Expenses” includes counsel fees.

 

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(d)                                 “Liability” means the obligation incurred with respect to a proceeding to pay a judgment, settlement, penalty, fine, including an excise tax assessed with respect to an employee benefit plan or reasonable expenses.

 

(e)                                  “Official capacity” means, when used with respect to a director, the office of director in the Corporation and, when used with respect to a person other than a director as contemplated in Section 6.7, the office in the Corporation held by the officer or the employment, fiduciary or agency relationship undertaken by the employee, fiduciary or agent on behalf of the Corporation. “Official capacity” does not include service for any other domestic or foreign corporation or other person or employee benefit plan.

 

(f)                                    “Party” includes a person who was, is or is threatened to be made, a named defendant or respondent in a proceeding.

 

(g)                                 “Proceeding” means any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative and whether formal or informal.

 

6.2                          Authority to Indemnify Directors.

 

(a)                                  Except as provided in Section 6.2(d), the Corporation shall indemnify a person made a party to a proceeding because the person is or was a director against liability incurred in the proceeding if:

 

(i) The person conducted himself or herself in good faith; and

 

(ii) The person reasonably believed:

 

(A)                              In the case of conduct in an official capacity with the Corporation, that his or her conduct was in the Corporation’s best interests; and

 

(B)                                In all other cases, that his or her conduct was at least not opposed to the Corporation’s best interests; and

 

(iii)                               In the case of any criminal proceeding, the person had no reasonable cause to believe his or her conduct was unlawful.

 

(b)                                 A director’s conduct with respect to any employee benefit plan for a purpose the director reasonably believed to be in the interests of the participants in or beneficiaries of the plan is conduct that satisfies the requirement of Section 6.2(a)(ii)(B). A director’s conduct with respect to an employee benefit plan for a purpose that the director did not reasonably believe to be in the interests of the participants in or beneficiaries of the plan shall be deemed not to satisfy the requirements of Section 6.2(a)(i).

 

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(c)                                  The termination of a proceeding by judgment, order, settlement, conviction or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent is not, of itself, determinative that the director did not meet the standard of conduct described in this Section 6.2.

 

(d)                                 Except to the extent authorized by a court as provided in Section 6.5, the Corporation may not indemnify a director under this Section 6.2:

 

(i)                                     In connection with a proceeding by or in the right of the Corporation in which the director was adjudged liable to the Corporation; or

 

(ii)                                  In connection with any other proceeding charging that the director derived an improper personal benefit, whether or not involving action in an official capacity, in which proceeding the director was adjudged liable on the basis that he or she derived an improper personal benefit.

 

(e)                                  Indemnification permitted under this Section 6.2 in connection with a proceeding by or in the right of the Corporation is limited to reasonable expenses incurred in connection with the proceeding.

 

6.3                               Mandatory Indemnification of Directors. The Corporation shall indemnify a person who was wholly successful, on the merits or otherwise, in the defense of any proceeding to which the person was a party because the person is or was a director, against reasonable expenses incurred by him or her in connection with the proceeding.

 

6.4                               Advance of Expenses to Directors.

 

(a)                                  The Corporation shall pay for or reimburse the reasonable expenses incurred by a director who is a party to a proceeding in advance of final disposition of the proceeding if:

 

(i)                                     The director furnishes to the Corporation a written affirmation of the director’s good faith belief that he or she has met the standard of conduct described in Section 6.2.

 

(ii)                                  The director furnishes to the Corporation a written undertaking, executed personally or on the director’s behalf, to repay the advance if it is ultimately determined that he or she did not meet the standard of conduct; and

 

(iii)                               A determination is made that the facts then known to those making the determination would not preclude indemnification under this Article VI.

 

(b)                                 The undertaking required by Section 6.4(a)(ii) shall be an unlimited general obligation of the director but need not be secured and may be accepted without reference to financial ability to make repayment.

 

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(c)                                  Determinations and authorizations of payments under this Section 6.4 shall be made in the manner specified in Section 6.6.

 

6.5                               Court-Ordered Indemnification of Directors. A director who is or was a party to a proceeding may apply for indemnification to the court conducting the proceeding or to another court of competent jurisdiction. On receipt of an application, the court, after giving any notice the court considers necessary, may order indemnification in the following manner:

 

(i)                                     If it determines that the director is entitled to mandatory indemnification under Section 6.3, the court shall order indemnification, in which case the court shall also order the Corporation to pay the director’s reasonable expenses incurred to obtain court-ordered indemnification.

 

(ii)                                  If it determines that the director is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnification in view of all the relevant circumstances, whether or not the director met the standard of conduct set forth in Section 6.2(a) or was adjudged liable in the circumstances described in Section 6.2(d), the court may order such indemnification as the court deems proper; except that the indemnification with respect to any proceeding in which liability shall have been adjudged in the circumstances described in Section 6.2(d) is limited to reasonable expenses incurred in connection with the proceeding and reasonable expenses incurred to obtain court ordered indemnification.

 

6.6                               Determination and Authorization of Indemnification of Directors.

 

(a)                                  Except to the extent authorized by a court as provided in Section 6.5, the Corporation shall not indemnify a director under Section 6.2 unless authorized in the specific case after a determination has been made that indemnification of the director is permissible in the circumstances because the director has met the standard of conduct set forth in Section 6.2. The Corporation shall not advance expenses to a director under Section 6.4 unless authorized in the specific case after written affirmation and undertaking required by Section 6.4(a)(i) and 6.4(a)(ii) are received and the determination required by Section 6.4(a)(iii) has been made.

 

(b)                                 The determinations required by Section 6.6(a) shall be made:

 

(i)                                     By the board of directors by a majority vote of those present at a meeting at which a quorum is present, and only those directors not parties to the proceeding shall be counted in satisfying the quorum; or

 

(ii)                                  If a quorum cannot be obtained, by a majority vote of a committee of the board of directors designated by the board of directors, which committee shall consist of two or more directors not parties to the proceeding; except that directors who are parties to the proceeding may participate in the designation of directors for the committee.

 

(c)                                  If a quorum cannot be obtained as contemplated in Section 6.6(b)(i), and a committee cannot be established under Section 6.6(b)(ii), or even if a quorum is obtained or a

 

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committee is designated, if a majority of the directors constituting such quorum or such committee so directs, the determination required to be made by Section 6.6(a) shall be made.

 

(i)                                     By independent legal counsel selected by a vote of the board of directors or the committee in the manner specified in Section 6.6(b)(i) or 6.6(b)(ii), or, if a quorum of the full board cannot be obtained and a committee cannot be established, by independent legal counsel selected by a majority vote of the full board of directors; or

 

(ii)                                  By the shareholders.

 

(d)                                 Authorization of indemnification and advance of expenses shall be made in the same manner as the determination that indemnification or advance of expenses is permissible; except that, if the determination that indemnification or advance of expenses is required or permissible is made by independent legal counsel, authorization of indemnification and advance of expenses shall be made by the body that selected such counsel.

 

6.7                               Indemnification of Officers, Employees, Fiduciaries and Agents.

 

(a)                                  The Corporation may indemnify and advance expenses to an officer to the same extent as a director.

 

(b)                                 The Corporation may indemnify and advance expenses to an employee, fiduciary or agent of the Corporation to the same extent as to a director.

 

(c)                                  The Corporation may also indemnify and advance expenses to an officer, employee, fiduciary or agent who is not a director to a greater extent than is provided in these bylaws, if not inconsistent with public policy, and if provided for by general or specific action of its board of directors of shareholders or by contract.

 

6.8                               Insurance. The Corporation may purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of a person who is or was a director, officer, employee, fiduciary or agent of the Corporation or who, while a director, officer, employee, fiduciary or agent of the Corporation, is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, partner, officer, employee, fiduciary or agent of another domestic or foreign corporation or other person or of an employee benefit plan, against liability asserted against or incurred by the person in that capacity or arising from his or her status as a director, officer, employee, fiduciary or agent, whether or not the Corporation would have power to indemnify the person against the same liability under Sections 6.2, 6.3, or 6.7. Any such insurance may be procured from any insurance company designated by the board of directors, whether such insurance company is formed under the laws of this state or any other jurisdiction of the United States or elsewhere, including any insurance company in which the Corporation has an equity or any other interest through stock ownership or otherwise.

 

6.9                               Notice to Shareholders of Indemnification of Director. If the Corporation indemnifies or advances expenses to a director under this Article VI in connection with a proceeding by or in the right of the Corporation, the Corporation shall give written notice of the indemnification or advance to the shareholders with or before the notice of the next shareholders

 

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meeting. If the next shareholder action is taken without a meeting at the instigation of the board of directors, such notice shall be given to the shareholders at or before the time the first shareholder signs a writing consenting to such action.

 

ARTICLE VII
SHARES

 

7.1                               Certificates. Certificates representing shares of the capital stock of the Corporation shall be in such form as is approved by the board of directors and shall be signed by the chairman or vice chairman of the board of directors (if any), or the president or any vice president, and by the secretary or an assistant secretary or the treasurer or an assistant treasurer. All certificates shall be consecutively numbered, and the names of owners, the number of shares and the date of issue shall be entered on the books of the Corporation. Each certificate representing shares shall state upon its face;

 

(a)                                  that the Corporation is organized under the laws of the State of Colorado;

 

(b)                                 the name of the person to whom the shares are issued;

 

(c)                                  the number and class of the shares and the designation of the series, if any, that the certificate represents;

 

(d)                                 the par value, if any, of each share represented by the certificate;

 

(e)                                  on the front or the back, (i) a summary of the designations, preferences, limitations and relative rights applicable to each class, the variations in preferences, limitations and rights determined for each series, and the authority of the board of directors to determine variations for future classes or series; or (ii) a conspicuous statement that the Corporation will furnish to the shareholder, on request in writing and without charge, information concerning the designations, preferences, limitations and relative rights applicable to each claim, the variations in preferences, limitations and rights determined for each series, and the authority of the board of directors to determine variations for future classes or series; and

 

(f)                                    any restrictions imposed by the Corporation upon the transfer of the shares represented by the certificate.

 

7.2                               Facsimile Signatures. Where a certificate is signed (a) by a transfer agent other than the Corporation or its employee, or (b) by a registrar other than the Corporation or its employee, any or all of the officers’ signatures on the certificate required by Section 7.1 may be by facsimile. If any officer, transfer agent or registrar who has signed, or whose facsimile signature or signatures have been placed upon, any certificate, shall cease to be such officer, transfer agent or registrar, whether because of death, resignation or otherwise, before the certificate is issued by the Corporation, it may nevertheless be issued by the Corporation with the same effect as if he or she were such officer, transfer agent or registrar at the date of issue.

 

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7.3                               Transfers of Shares. Transfers of shares shall be made on the books of the Corporation only upon presentation of the certificate or certificates representing such shares properly endorsed by the person or persons appearing upon the face of such certificate to be the owner, or accompanied by a proper transfer or assignment separate from the certificates except as may otherwise be expressly provided by the statutes of the State of Colorado or by order of a court of competent jurisdiction. The officers or transfer agents of the Corporation may, in their discretion, require a signature guaranty before making any transfer. Except to the extent the Corporation otherwise provides pursuant to Section 7.4 and except for the assertion of dissenters’ rights to the extent provided in Article 113 of the Act, the Corporation shall be entitled to treat the person in whose name any shares are registered on its books as the owner of those shares for all purposes and shall not be bound to recognize any equitable or other claim or interest in the shares on the part of any other person, whether or not the Corporation shall have notice of such claim or interest.

 

7.4                               Shares Held for Account of Another. The board of directors may adopt by resolution a procedure whereby a shareholder of the Corporation may certify in writing to the Corporation that all or a portion of the shares registered in the name of such shareholder are held for the account of a specified person or persons. The resolution shall set forth:

 

(a)                                  the clarification of shareholders who may certify;

 

(b)                                 the purpose or purposes for which the certification may be made;

 

(c)                                  the form of certification and the information to be contained therein;

 

(d)                                 if the certification is with respect to a record date or closing of the stock transfer books, the time after the record date or the closing of the stock transfer books within which the certification must be received by the Corporation; and

 

(e)                                  such other provisions with respect to the procedure as are deemed necessary or desirable. Upon receipt by the Corporation of a certification complying with the procedure, the persons specified in the certification shall be deemed, for the purpose or purposes set forth in the certification, to be the holders of record of the number of shares specified in place of the shareholder making the certification.

 

ARTICLE VIII
GENERAL

 

8.1                               Corporate Seal. The board of directors may adopt a seal, circular in form and bearing the name of the Corporation and the words “SEAL” and “COLORADO,” which, when adopted, shall constitute the seal of the Corporation. The seal may be used by causing it or a facsimile of it to be impressed, affixed, manually reproduced or rubber stamped with indelible ink.

 

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8.2                               Fiscal Year. The board of directors may, by resolution, adopt a fiscal year for the Corporation.

 

8.3                               Receipt of Notices by the Corporation. Notices, shareholder writings consenting to an action, and other documents or writings shall be deemed to have been received by the Corporation when they are received:

 

(a)                                  at the registered office of the Corporation in the State of Colorado;

 

(b)                                 at the principal office of the Corporation (as that office is designated in the most recent document filed by the Corporation with the Secretary of State for the State of Colorado designating a principal office) addressed to the attention of the secretary of the Corporation;

 

(c)                                  by the secretary of the Corporation wherever the secretary may be found; or

 

(d)                                 by any other person authorized from time to time by the board of directors, the president or the secretary to move such writings, when such person is found.

 

8.4                               Amendment of Bylaws. These Bylaws may at any time and from time to time be amended, supplemented or repealed by the board of directors.

 

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The undersigned, being the duly elected Secretary of the Corporation, hereby certifies that the foregoing Bylaws were duly adopted by the Board of Directors on the 16th day of March, 2011.

 

 

 

/s/ R. Stanton Dodge

 

R. Stanton Dodge

 

Secretary

 

19


Exhibit 3.3(a)

 

STATE of DELAWARE

CERTIFICATE of INCORPORATION

A STOCK CORPORATION

 

·      First: The name of this Corporation is EchoStar Leasing Corporation.

 

·      Second: Its registered office in the State of Delaware is to be located at 2711 Centerville road Suite 400 Street in the City of Wilmington, DE County of New Castle Zip Code 19808.  The registered agent in charge thereof is Corporation Service Company.

 

·      Third: The purpose of the corporation is to engage in any lawful act or activity for which corporations may be organized under the General Corporation Law of Delaware.

 

·      Fourth: The amount of the total stock of this corporation is authorized to issue is 10 shares (number of authorized shares) with a par value of 0.0100000000 per share.

 

·      Fifth: The name and mailing address of the incorporator are as follows:

Name EchoStar Corporation

Mailing Address 90 Inverness Circle East

                            Englewood, CO Zip Code 80112

 

·      I, The Undersigned, for the purpose of forming a corporation under the laws of the State of Delaware, do make, file and record this Certificate, and do certify that the facts herein stated are true, and I have accordingly hereunto set my hand this 14th day of March, A.D. 2008.

 

EchoStar Corporation

 

 

90 Inverness Circle East

 

 

BY:

/s/ R. Stanton Dodge

Englewood, CO 80112

 

(Incorporator)

 

 

 

 

 

NAME :

R. Stanton Dodge

 

 

 

(type or print) Sole Shareholder

 


Exhibit 3.3(b)

 

CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT

 

OF

 

CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

 

OF

ECHOSTAR LEASING CORPORATION, A DELAWARE CORPORATION

 

FIRST. The sole incorporator of said corporation hereby amends the certificate of incorporation of said corporation so that, as amended, said certificate of incorporation shall read in its entirety as follows:

 

1.               The name of the corporation is EchoStar 77 Corporation (hereinafter called the “Corporation”).

 

2.               The address of the Corporation’s registered office in the State of Delaware is 2711 Centerville Road, Suite 400 in the City of Wilmington Delaware in the County of New Castle with a Zip Code of 19808. The name of the Corporation’s registered agent at such address is Corporation Service Company.

 

3.               The nature of the business or purpose to be conducted or promoted by the Corporation is to engage exclusively in the following business and financial activities:

 

(a)                                  satellite transponder capacity leasing;

 

(b)                                 to negotiate, authorize, execute, deliver, assume the obligations under, and perform, any agreement or instrument or document relating to the activities set forth in clause (a) above; and

 

(c) to engage in any lawful activity and to exercise any powers permitted to corporations organized under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware that are related or incidental to and necessary, advisable or convenient for the accomplishment of the foregoing.

 



 

4.               The total number of shares of all classes of capital stock that the Corporation shall have authority to issue is 50,000 shares of common stock, all of such shares shall be with a par value of $.001 (“Common Stock”). All shares of Common Stock will be identical and will entitle the holders thereof to the same rights and privileges.

 

(a)          Voting Rights. Except as otherwise expressly required by law, each outstanding share of Common Stock shall be entitled to vote on each matter on which the stockholders of the Corporation shall be entitled to vote, and each holder of Common Stock shall be entitled to one vote for each share of such stock held by such holder.

 

(b)         Dividends and Other Distributions. The Board of Directors of the Corporation may cause dividends to be paid to holders of shares of Common Stock out of funds legally available for the payment of dividends. Any dividend or distribution of the Common Stock shall be payable on shares of Common Stock share and share alike.

 

(c)          Liquidation. In the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation, after payment or provision for payment of the debts and other liabilities of the Corporation, the holders of shares of Common Stock shall be entitled to share ratably, share and share alike, in the remaining net assets of the Corporation.

 

5.               In furtherance and not in limitation of the powers conferred by statute, the Corporation’s Board of Directors is expressly authorized to alter, amend, repeal or adopt the By-Laws of the Corporation, provided, however, that any such alteration, amendment, repeal or adoption that modifies Article II, Section 2, 3, 5, 6, 9 or 10 or Article XII, Section 1 or 2 thereof, or that otherwise relates to or affects in any way the

 

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criteria for, qualifications of, or requirement that the Corporation maintain at least one “Independent Director” (as such term is defined in Article Seven below), must receive the prior affirmative vote or written consent of each Independent Director.

 

6.               Elections of directors need not be by written ballot unless, and to the extent, so provided in the Corporation’s By-Laws. The initial Board of Directors of the Corporation shall consist of the following members each of whom shall serve until the first annual meeting of shareholders and until his successor is duly elected and qualified:

 

Director

 

Address

 

 

 

Charles W. Ergen

 

90 Inverness Circle East

Englewood, Colorado 80112

 

 

 

Mark W. Jackson

 

90 Inverness Circle East

Englewood, Colorado 80112

 

 

 

R. Stanton Dodge

 

90 Inverness Circle East

Englewood, Colorado 80112

 

 

 

Philip A. Martone

 

48 Wall Street, 27th Floor

New York, New York 10005

 

7.               (a) The Corporation shall at all times (except as noted hereafter in the event of death, incapacity, resignation or removal) have at least one director (an “Independent Director”) of the Board of Directors who is not and never was (i) a stockholder, director, officer, employee, affiliate, associate, customer or supplier of, or any person that has received any benefit (excluding, however, any compensation received in such person’s capacity as an Independent Director) in any form whatever from or any person that has provided any service (excluding, however, any service provided in such person’s capacity as an Independent Director) in any form whatever to, the Corporation or any of its affiliates or associates, (ii) any person owning beneficially, directly or

 

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indirectly, any outstanding shares of common stock of the Corporation or any of its affiliates, or a stockholder, director, officer, employee, affiliate, associate, customer or supplier of, or any person that has received any benefit (excluding, however, any compensation received in such person’s capacity as an Independent Director) in any form whatever from, or any person that has provided any service (excluding, however, any service provided in such person’s capacity as an Independent Director) in any form whatever to, such beneficial owner or any of such beneficial owner’s affiliates or associates, (iii) a person related to any person referred to in clauses (i) and (ii), or (iv) a trustee, conservator or receiver for the Corporation or any of its affiliates or associates. In the event of the death, incapacity, resignation or removal of any Independent Director, the Board of Directors shall promptly appoint a replacement Independent Director. The Board of Directors shall not vote on any matter requiring the vote of an Independent Director under this Certificate of Incorporation unless and until at least one Independent Director is then serving on the Board.

 

(b) As used in this Article Seven, the term “person” means a natural person, corporation or other entity, government, or political subdivision, agency, or instrumentality of a government; as used in this Certificate of Incorporation, an “affiliate” of a person is a person that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls or is controlled by, or is under common control with, or owns, directly or indirectly, fifty percent (50%) or more of the person specified; and the term “associate,” when used to indicate a relationship with any person in this Article Seven, means (i)a corporation or organization of which such person is an officer, director or partner or is, directly or indirectly, the beneficial owner of ten percent (10%) or more of any class of

 

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equity securities, (ii) any trust or other estate in which such person serves as trustee or in a similar capacity, and (iii) any relative or spouse of such person, or any relative of such spouse, who has the same home as such person.

 

(c) Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, an Independent Director may not be removed unless (i) for cause and (ii) his or her successor has been elected, provided, however that the Corporation continues to comply with the terms of this Article Seven.

 

8.               To the fullest extent permitted under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, none of the Corporation’s directors shall be personally liable to the Corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of any fiduciary duty as a director, except for liability (a) for any breach of the director’s duty of loyalty to the Corporation, (b) for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of the law, (c) under Section 174 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, or (d) for any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit. Any repeal or modification of this Article Eight by the Corporation’s stockholders shall be prospective only, and shall not adversely affect any limitation on the personal liability of any director of the Corporation existing at the time of such repeal or modification.

 

9.               Meetings of stockholders shall be held at such places within or without the State of Delaware, as may be designated by or in the manner provided in the By-Laws or, if not so designated or provided, at the registered office of the Corporation in the State of Delaware. The books of Corporation may be kept (subject to any provision contained in any applicable statute) outside the State of Delaware at such place or places as may be

 

5



 

designated from time to time by the Board of Directors or in the By-Laws of the Corporation.

 

10.         Notwithstanding any other provision of this Certificate of Incorporation and any provision of law, the Corporation shall not do any of the following without the affirmative vote of all of the members of the Board of Directors of the Corporation (which must include the affirmative vote of an Independent Director): (i) make an assignment for the benefit of creditors, (ii) file a petition in bankruptcy, (iii) petition or apply to any tribunal for the appointment of a custodian, receiver or any trustee for it or for a substantial part of its property, (iv) commence any proceeding under any bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, readjustment of debt, dissolution or liquidation law or statute of any jurisdiction, whether now or hereinafter in effect, (v) consent to or acquiesce in the filing of any such petition, application, proceeding or appointment of or taking possession by the custodian, receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee, sequestrator (or other similar official) of the Corporation or any substantial part of its property, (vi) admit its inability to pay its debts generally as they become due, or (vii) take any corporate action in furtherance of the actions set forth in clauses (i) through (vi) of this paragraph.

 

When voting on whether the Corporation will take any action described above, each Director shall owe its primary fiduciary duty to the Corporation (including, without limitation, the Corporation’s creditors) and not to the stockholders (except as may be required by the Laws of Delaware). Every stockholder shall be deemed to have consented to the foregoing by virtue of such stockholder’s purchase of shares of capital stock of the Corporation, no further act or deed of any stockholder being required to

 

6



 

evidence such consent. Notwithstanding the limitations on the activities of the Corporation set forth in this Article Ten and for the avoidance of doubt, the Corporation may enter into and perform its obligations under the Primary Service Agreement, the DISH SSA, and the EC SSA, and otherwise in accordance with Article Three hereof.

 

11.         (a) In furtherance and not in limitation of the powers conferred by statute, the Board of Directors of the Corporation is expressly authorized by a majority of the Board of Directors to designate one or more committees, each committee to consist of one or more of the directors of the Corporation. The Board of Directors may designate one or more directors as alternate members of any committee, who may replace any absent or disqualified member at any meeting of the committee. The By-Laws may provide that in the absence or disqualification of a member of a committee, the member or members thereof present at any meeting and not disqualified from voting, whether or not he or they constitute a quorum, may unanimously appoint another member of the Board of Directors to act at the meeting in the place of any such absent or disqualified member. Any such committee, to the extent provided in the resolution of the Board of Directors, or in the By-Laws of the Corporation, shall have and may exercise all the powers and authority of the Board of Directors in the management of the business and affairs of the Corporation, and may authorize the seal of the Corporation to be affixed to all papers which may require it; but no such committee shall have the power or authority in reference to amending the Certificate of Incorporation, authorizing or taking any action restricted by the Restricted Articles (as defined below in Article Twelve), adopting an agreement of merger or consolidation, recommending the sale, lease, or exchange of all or substantially all of the Corporation’s property and assets, recommending to the

 

7



 

stockholders a dissolution of the Corporation or a revocation of a dissolution, or amending the By-Laws of the Corporation; and, unless the resolution or By-Laws expressly so provide, no such committee shall have the power or authority to declare a dividend or to authorize the issuance of stock.

 

(b) In addition to the foregoing, the Corporation shall ensure at all times that (i) it maintains separate corporate records and books of account from those of EchoStar Corporation or any affiliate thereof, (ii) the Corporation’s assets will be separately identifiable to the extent the Corporation’s assets are commingled with those of EchoStar Corporation or any affiliate thereof, (iii) it maintains an arms’ length relationship with EchoStar Corporation and each affiliate thereof; provided, however, that the relationship, in the ordinary course of business between EchoStar Corporation and its affiliates (including, without limitation, certain transition service and other agreements entered into between EchoStar Corporation and its affiliates in connection with the spin-off of EchoStar Corporation from DISH Network Corporation) and the Corporation are hereby deemed to be arms’ length, (iv) it shall hold itself out to the public under its own name as a legal entity separate and distinct from EchoStar Corporation or any affiliate thereof, and (v) it shall hold at least one duly noticed meeting per year of its Board of Directors or circulate a written consent of its Board of Directors in lieu of such meeting and make and retain minutes of such meeting or retain copies of such written consent.

 

12.         The Corporation reserves the right to amend, alter, change or repeal any provision contained in this Certificate of Incorporation in any manner now or hereafter provided herein or by statute; provided, however, that the Corporation shall not amend, alter, change or repeal Article Three, Five, Seven, Ten, Eleven, or Twelve of this

 

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Certificate of Incorporation (the “Restricted Articles”) without the affirmative vote of all of the members of the Board of Directors (which must include the affirmative vote of an Independent Director); provided further, however, the Corporation’s By-Laws or any amendment, alteration, change or repeal thereof shall not in any manner impair, alter, or impair the intent of the Restricted Articles; and provided further, however, that the Corporation shall not amend or change any provision of any Article other than the Restricted Articles so as to be inconsistent with the Restricted Articles.

 

13.         The Corporation is to have perpetual existence.

 

SECOND. The Corporation hereby certifies the Corporation has not received any payment for any of its stock.

 

THIRD. The foregoing amendment has been duly adopted by the sole incorporator in accordance with the provisions of Section 241 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, EchoStar Leasing Corporation caused this certificate to be signed by its sole incorporator on the 21st day of November, 2008.

 

 

EchoStar Corporation

 

Sole Incorporator

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By

/s/ R. Stanton Dodge

 

R. Stanton Dodge

 

Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary

 

90 Inverness Circle East

 

Englewood, CO 80112

 

9


Exhibit 3.4

 

BY-LAWS

 

OF

 

ECHOSTAR LEASING CORPORATION

 

ARTICLE I.

 

Meetings of Stockholders

 

Section 1.  Annual Meetings. The annual meeting of the stockholders for the election of directors and for the transaction of such other business as may properly come before the meeting shall be held on the date and at the time and place fixed from time to time by the board of directors (“Board of Directors”) of EchoStar Leasing Corporation (the “Company”) , within or without the State of Delaware or at such other time as shall be designated by the Board of Directors.

 

Section 2.  Special Meetings. A special meeting of the stockholders for any purpose or purposes, unless otherwise prescribed by statute, may be called at any time by the President or the Board of Directors. Special meetings shall be held at the principal office of the Company or at such other place as the Board of Directors or the President may determine.

 

Section 3.  Time and Place of Meetings. All meetings of the stockholders shall be held at such times and places, within or without the State of Delaware, as may from time to time be fixed by the Board of Directors, by the President or as shall be specified or fixed in the respective notices or waivers of notice thereof.

 

(a)           Notice of Meetings. Except as otherwise expressly required by law or by the Certificate of Incorporation of the Company, notice of each meeting of the stockholders shall be given, at least fifteen (15) days in the case of an annual meeting, and ten (10) days in the case of a special meeting, before the day on which the meeting is to be held, to each stockholder of record entitled to vote at such meeting: (i) by mailing such notice in a postage prepaid envelope addressed to the stockholder at the stockholder’s last post-office address appearing on the stock records of the Company; or (ii) by telegraph, teletype, electronically transmitted facsimile, electronic mail, mail or private carrier or by personal delivery to the stockholder, and, if so given, shall be effective when actually received by the stockholder. Except as otherwise expressly required by law, no publication of any notice of a meeting of the stockholders shall be required. At special meetings of stockholders no business other than that specified in the notice of the meeting or germane thereto shall be transacted at such meeting. Except as otherwise expressly required by law, notice of any adjourned meeting of the stockholders need not be given. Notice of any meeting of stockholders may be waived in writing by a majority of the stockholders entitled to vote thereat.

 

Section 4.  Quorum. At each meeting of the stockholders, except as otherwise expressly required by law or by the Certificate of Incorporation, stockholders holding a majority of the shares of stock of the Company, issued and outstanding, and entitled to be

 



 

voted thereat, shall be present in person or by proxy to constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. In the absence of a quorum at any such meeting or any adjournment or adjournments thereof, a majority in voting interest of those present in person or by proxy and entitled to vote thereat, or in the absence therefrom of all the stockholders, any officer entitled to preside at, or to act as Secretary of, such meeting may adjourn such meeting from time to time until stockholders holding the amount of stock requisite for a quorum shall be present or represented. At any such adjourned meeting at which a quorum may be present, any business may be transacted which might have been transacted at the meeting as originally called; provided, however, that, if new notice is given of the adjourned meeting, then such notice shall state the purpose or purposes of the adjourned meeting sufficiently to permit action on such. Once a share is represented for any purpose at a meeting, including the purpose of determining that a quorum exists, it shall be deemed present for quorum purposes for the remainder of the meeting and for any adjournment of that meeting unless a new record date is or shall be set for such adjourned meeting.

 

Section 5.  Organization. At each meeting of the stockholders, one of the following shall act as chairman of the meeting and preside thereat, in the following order of precedence:

 

(a)           the President or his designee;

 

(b)           a person designated by the Board of Directors to act as chairman of said meetings and to preside thereat;

 

(c)           a stockholder of record of the Company who shall be chosen chairman of such meeting by a majority in voting interest of the stockholders present in person or by proxy and entitled to vote thereat.

 

The Secretary, or, if he or she shall be absent from such meeting, the person (who shall be an Assistant Secretary, if an Assistant Secretary shall be present thereat) whom the chairman of such meeting shall appoint, shall act as Secretary of such meeting and keep the minutes thereof.

 

Section 6.  Order of Business. The order of business at each meeting of the stockholders shall be determined by the chairman of such meeting, but such order of business at any meeting at which a quorum is present may be changed by the vote of a majority in voting interest of those present in person or by proxy at such meeting and entitled to vote thereat; provided that at special meetings of stockholders no business other than that specified in the notice of the meeting or germane thereto shall be transacted.

 

Section 7.  Proxies, Acceptance of Votes and Consents.

 

(a)           A stockholder may vote either in person or by proxy.

 

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(b)           An appointment of a proxy shall not be effective against the Company until such appointment is received in writing by the Company. Any such appointment shall be valid for eleven months or for such other period as may be expressly provided in the appointment form.

 

(c)           Except as provided by law, the Company may accept or reject any appointment of a proxy, revocation of appointment of a proxy, vote, consent, waiver or other writing purportedly signed by or for a stockholder.

 

Section 8.  Voting. Each stockholder shall, at each meeting of the stockholders, be entitled to one vote in person or by proxy for each share of stock of the Company held by the stockholder and registered in the stockholder’s name on the books of the Company on the date fixed or determined pursuant to the provisions of  Section 5 of Article V of these By-Laws as the record date for the determination of stockholders who shall be entitled to receive notice of and to vote at such meeting.

 

Shares of its own stock belonging to the Company shall not be voted directly or indirectly. Any vote on stock of the Company may be given at any meeting of the stockholders by the stockholder entitled thereto in person or by the stockholder’s proxy appointed by an instrument in writing delivered to the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company or to the Secretary of the meeting. The attendance at any meeting of a stockholder who may theretofore have given a proxy shall not have the effect of revoking the same unless the stockholder shall in writing so notify the Secretary of the meeting prior to the voting of the proxy. At all meetings of the stockholders all matters, except as otherwise provided in these By-Laws or by law, shall be decided by the vote of a majority in voting interest of the stockholders present in person or by proxy and entitled to vote thereat, a quorum being present. Subject to Article II, Section 3, the vote at any meeting of the stockholders on any question need not be by ballot, unless so directed by the chairman of the meeting. On a vote by ballot each ballot shall be signed by the stockholder voting, or by the stockholder’s proxy, if there be such proxy.

 

Section 9.  List of Stockholders. It shall be the duty of the Secretary or other officer of the Company who shall have charge of its stock ledger to prepare and make, at least ten (10) days before every meeting of the stockholders, a complete list of the stockholders entitled to vote thereat, arranged in alphabetical order, and showing the address of each stockholder and the number of shares registered in the name of each stockholder. Such list shall be open to the examination of any stockholder, for any purpose germane to the meeting, during ordinary business hours, for a period of at least ten (10) days prior to said meeting either at a place within the city where said meeting is to be held and which place shall be specified in the notice of said meeting, or, if not so specified, at the place where said meeting is to be held, and such list shall be produced and kept at the time and place of said meeting during the whole time thereof, and may be inspected by any stockholder who is present. The stock ledger shall be the only evidence as to who are the stockholders entitled to examine the stock ledger or such list or the books of the Company, or to vote in person or by proxy at any meeting of stockholders.

 

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Section 10.  Inspectors or Judges. The Board of Directors, in advance of any meeting of stockholders, may appoint one or more inspectors or judges to act at such meeting or any adjournment thereof. If the inspectors or judges shall not be so appointed, or if any of them shall fail to appear or act, the chairman of such meeting shall appoint the inspectors or judges, or such replacement or replacements therefor, as the case may be. Such inspectors or judges, before entering on the discharge of their duties, shall take and sign an oath or affirmation faithfully to execute the duties of inspectors or judges at meetings for which they are appointed. At such a meeting, the inspectors or judges shall receive and take in charge the proxies and ballots and decide all questions touching the qualification of voters and the validity of proxies and the acceptance or rejection of votes. An inspector or judge need not be a stockholder of the Company, and any officer of the Company may be an inspector or judge on any question other than a vote for or against his election to any position with the Company.

 

Section 11.  Action Without a Meeting. Except as otherwise provided by law or by the Certificate of Incorporation of the Company, any action which may be taken at any annual or special meeting of stockholders may be taken without a meeting, without prior notice and without a vote, if a consent in writing, setting forth the action so taken, shall be signed by the holders of outstanding stock having not less than the minimum number of votes that would be necessary to authorize or take such action at a meeting at which all shares entitled to vote thereon were present and voted. Prompt notice of the taking of the corporate action without a meeting by less than unanimous written consent shall be given to those stockholders who have not consented in writing. Any stockholder who has signed a writing describing and consenting to an action taken pursuant to this Section may revoke such consent by a writing signed by the stockholder describing the action and stating that the stockholder’s prior consent thereto is revoked, if such writing is received by the Company before the effectiveness of the action.

 

ARTICLE II.

 

Board of Directors

 

Section 1.  General Powers. Subject to the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation of the Company, the business, properties and affairs of the Company shall be managed by the Board of Directors, which, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, shall have power to elect and appoint officers of the Company, to appoint and direct agents, to grant general or limited authority to officers, employees and agents of the Company, to make, execute and deliver contracts and other instruments and documents in the name and on behalf of the Company and over its seal, without specific authority in each case, and, by resolution adopted by a majority of the whole Board of Directors, to appoint committees of the Board of Directors, the membership of which may consist of one or more directors, and which may, except as limited by the Certificate of Incorporation of the Company, advise the Board of Directors with respect to any matters relating to the conduct of the Company’s business. In addition, the Board of Directors may exercise all the powers of the Company and do all lawful acts and things which are not reserved to the stockholders by law or by the Certificate of Incorporation of the Company or by these By-Laws.

 

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Section 2.  Number and Time of Holding Office. Subject to the requirements of the laws of the State of Delaware, the number of directors shall be four. There shall be at least one Independent Director (as defined by the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation). Subject to Section 7 of the Certificate of Incorporation of the Company, each of the directors of the Company shall hold office until the expiration of his or her term and until his or her successor shall be elected or until their earlier death, resignation, retirement, disqualification or removal. Directors need not be stockholders.

 

Section 3.  Election of Directors. Subject to the requirements of Section 7 of the Certificate of Incorporation of the Company, at each meeting of the stockholders for the election of directors, at which a quorum is present, the persons receiving the greatest number of votes, up to the number of directors to be elected, shall be the directors. Such election shall be by ballot, provided, however, a nomination shall be accepted and votes cast for a nominee shall be counted by the inspectors or judges of the election, only if the Secretary of the Company has received at least 24 hours prior to the meeting a statement over the signature of the nominee that he or she consents to being a nominee and, if elected, intends to serve as a director.

 

Section 4.  Organization and Order of Business. At each meeting of the Board, one of the following shall act as chairman of the meeting and preside thereat, in the following order of precedence:

 

(a)           the President or his designee;

 

(b)           a person designated by the Board of Directors; or

 

(c)           any director chosen by a majority of the directors present thereat.

 

The Secretary, or in case of his or her absence any Assistant Secretary (who shall be present thereat) or the person (who shall be present thereat) whom the chairman of such meeting shall appoint, shall act as Secretary of such meeting and keep the minutes thereof The order of business at each meeting of the Board of Directors shall be determined by the chairman of such meeting.

 

Section 5.  Resignations. Any director may resign at any time by giving written notice of his or her resignation to the President or the Secretary of the Company. Any such resignation shall take effect at the time specified therein, or, if the time when it shall become effective shall not be specified therein, then it shall take effect when accepted by action of the Board of Directors. Except as aforesaid, the acceptance of such resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective.

 

Section 6.  Vacancies. Subject to the requirements of Section 7 of the Certificate of Incorporation of the Company, in case of any vacancy on the Board of Directors, a director to fill the vacancy for the unexpired portion of the term being filled may be elected by the holders of shares of stock of the Company entitled to vote in respect thereof at an annual or special meeting of said holders or by a majority of the directors of the Company then in office though less than a quorum.

 

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Section 7.  Meetings. The Board of Directors may hold regular or special meetings within or outside of Delaware. A regular meeting shall be held without notice immediately after and at the same place as the annual meeting of the stockholders. The Board of Directors may, by resolution, establish other dates, times and places for additional regular meetings, which may thereafter be held without further notice. Special meetings may be called by the President or by any two directors and shall be held at the principal office of the Company unless otherwise specified in the notice of the meeting. At any time when the Board of Directors consists of a single director, that director may act at any time, date or place without notice.

 

Section 8.  Special Meetings; Notice. Notice of a special meeting shall be given to every director at least twenty-four hours before the time of the meeting, stating the date, time and place of the meeting. The notice need not describe the purpose of the meeting. Notice may be given orally to the director, personally or by telephone or other wire or wireless communication. Notice may also be given in writing by telegraph, teletype, electronically transmitted facsimile, electronic mail or private carrier. Notice shall be effective at the earliest of (a) the time it is received; (b) five days after it is deposited in the United States mail, properly addressed to the last address for the director shown on the records of the Company, first class postage prepaid or (c) the date shown on the return receipt if mailed by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, in the United States mail and if the return receipt is signed by the director to whom the notice is addressed.

 

Section 9.  Quorum and Manner of Acting. Subject to the requirements of the Certificate of Incorporation of the Company, and except as otherwise provided in these By-Laws, the Certificate of Incorporation of the Company, or by law, at least one-half of the members of the Board of Directors at the time in office shall be present in person at any meeting of the Board of Directors in order to constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at such meeting, and the affirmative vote of a majority of directors present at any such meeting, at which a quorum is present, shall be necessary for the passage of any resolution or act of the Board. In the absence of a quorum, a majority of the Board of Directors may adjourn any meeting, from time to time, until a quorum is present. No notice of any adjourned meeting need be given other than by announcement at the meeting that is being adjourned.

 

Section 10.  Action by Consent. Unless otherwise restricted by the Certificate of Incorporation of the Company, any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Board of Directors, or of any committee thereof, may be taken without a meeting, if prior to such action a written consent thereto is signed by all members of the Board of Directors or of such committee as the case may be, and such written consent is filed with the minutes of proceedings of the Board of Directors or committee.

 

Section 11.  Committees. The Board of Directors may appoint standing committees of its members. Unless otherwise restricted by the Certificate of Incorporation of the Company, such committees shall have such powers as are conferred by these By-Laws or authorized by the Board of Directors. The members of all standing committees shall be appointed annually at the first meeting of the Board of Directors after

 

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the annual meeting of the stockholders and shall continue as members until their successors are appointed, subject to the power of the Board of Directors to remove any member of a committee at any time and to appoint a successor.

 

Section 12.  Meeting by Communications Equipment. Members of the Board of Directors or any committee appointed by the Board of Directors, may participate in a meeting of the Board of Directors or of such committee by means of conference telephone or similar communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other, and such participation in a meeting shall constitute presence in person at such meeting.

 

ARTICLE III.

 

Officers

 

Section 1.  Election, Appointment, Term of Office. The officers of the Company shall consist of a President, Treasurer and Secretary.

 

(a)                                  Any officer may hold two or more offices, the duties of which can be consistently performed by the same person.

 

(b)                                 The Board of Directors, the President, and such other subordinate officers as the Board of Directors may authorize from time to time, acting singly, may appoint as additional officers one or more vice presidents, assistant secretaries, assistant treasurers, and such other subordinate officers as the Board of Directors, the President, or such other appointing officer deems necessary or appropriate.

 

(c)                                  All officers of the Company shall be regularly elected or appointed by the majority vote of the members of the Board of Directors at its first meeting after the annual meeting of the stockholders and shall hold office until the first meeting of the Board after the next annual meeting of the stockholders, and until their successors are elected or appointed.

 

(d)                                 If additional officers are elected or appointed during the year, they shall hold office until the next annual meeting of the Board of Directors at which officers are regularly elected or appointed and until their successors are elected or appointed.

 

(e)                                  A vacancy in any office may be filled for the unexpired portion of the term in the same manner as provided for election or appointment to such office.

 

(f)                                    All officers and agents elected or appointed by the Board of Directors, the President, or such other appointing officer shall be subject to removal at any time by the Board of Directors or by the person appointing the officer, either for or without cause, by an affirmative vote of a majority of the whole Board of Directors, at any regular meeting or at any special meeting.

 

(h)                                 Any officer may resign at any time by giving written notice of resignation to any director (or to any director other than the resigning officer if the officer

 

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is also a director), to the President, to the Secretary or to the officer who appointed the officer. Acceptance of such resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective, unless the notice so provides.

 

Section 2.  President. The President shall be the chief executive officer of the Company, and shall have the powers and perform the duties incident to that position. Subject to the Board of Directors, he or she shall be in general and active charge of the entire business and all the affairs of the Company, and shall be its chief policy-making officer. He or she shall have general authority to execute bonds, deeds and contracts in the name and on behalf of the Company and responsibility for the employment or appointment of such employees, agents and officers (except officers to be elected solely by the Board of Directors pursuant to Section 1 of this Article III) as may be required to carry on the operations of the business, and be or she shall have authority to fix the compensation of such agents and officers. He or she shall have such other powers and perform such other duties as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors or provided herein.

 

Section 3.  Vice Presidents. Each Vice President, if any, shall have such powers and duties as shall be prescribed by the Board of Directors at the time of his or her election and such other powers and duties as may be assigned to him or her from time to time by the President or the Board of Directors.

 

Section 4.  Treasurer. The Treasurer shall be responsible for safeguarding the cash and securities of the Company and the formulation of the investment and financial policies of the Company. He or she shall keep a full and accurate account of all monies received and paid on account of the Company and shall render a statement of his or her accounts whenever the Board of Directors shall require. He or she shall have such other powers and duties as may be assigned to him or her by the President or the Board of Directors. In the absence of the Treasurer, the Assistant Treasurer, or such person as shall be designated by the President, shall perform the duties of the Treasurer.

 

Section 5.  Secretary. The Secretary shall attend to the giving of notice of all meetings of stockholders and of the Board of Directors and committees thereof, and as provided in Section 6 of Article I and Section 4 of Article II of these By-Laws, shall keep the minutes of all proceedings at meetings of the stockholders and of the Board of Directors at which he or she is present, as well as of all proceedings at all meetings of committees of the Board of Directors on which he or she has served as Secretary and, where some other person has served as Secretary thereto, the Secretary shall maintain custody of the minutes of such proceedings. He or she shall affix the seal of the Company to all deeds, contracts, bonds or other instruments requiring the corporate seal when the same have been signed on behalf of the Company by a duly authorized officer. He or she shall perform such other duties as may be assigned to him or her from time to time by the President or the Board of Directors.

 

Section 6.  Compensation. Officers shall receive such compensation for their services as may be authorized or ratified by the Board of Directors. Election or

 

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appointment of an officer shall not of itself create a contractual right to compensation for services performed as such officer.

 

ARTICLE IV.

 

Contracts, Checks, Drafts, Bank Accounts, Etc.

 

Section 1.  Execution of Documents by Officers. All of the officers of the Company elected as provided in Section 1 of Article III of these By-Laws, shall have power to execute and deliver any deeds, contracts, mortgages, bonds, debentures and other documents for and in the name of the Company.

 

All appointed officers shall have such powers with respect to execution and delivery of deeds, contracts, mortgages, bonds, debentures and other documents as may be assigned to them by the Board of Directors, the President, or such other appointing officer.

 

Section 2.  Deposits. All funds of the Company not otherwise employed shall be deposited from time to time to the credit of the Company or otherwise as the Board of Directors, the President, the Treasurer or the Assistant Treasurer shall direct in such banks, trust companies or other depositories as the Board of Directors may select or as may be selected by any officer or officers or agent or agents of the Company to whom power in that respect shall have been delegated by the Board of Directors. For the purpose of deposit and for the purpose of collection for the account of the Company, checks, drafts and other orders for the payment of money which are payable to the order of the Company may be endorsed, assigned and delivered by any officer or agent of the Company.

 

Section 3.  Proxies in Respect of Stock or Other Securities of Other Corporations. Unless otherwise provided by resolution adopted by the Board of Directors, each of the officers of the Company elected or appointed as provided in Article III of the By-Laws may from time to time appoint an attorney or attorneys or agent or agents of the Company to exercise in the name and on behalf of the Company the powers and rights which the Company may have as the holder of stock or other securities in any other corporation to vote or consent in respect of such stock or other securities, may instruct the person or persons so appointed as to the manner of exercising such powers and rights, and may execute or cause to be executed in the name and on behalf of the Company and under its corporate seal, or otherwise, all such written proxies, powers of attorney or other instruments as such officer may deem necessary or proper in order that the Company may exercise its said powers and rights.

 

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ARTICLE V.

 

Shares and Their Transfer;

 

Examination of Books

 

Section 1.  Certificates for Stock. Every holder of stock of the Company shall be entitled to have a certificate or certificates, in such form as the Board of Directors shall prescribe, certifying the number of shares of stock of the Company owned by the stockholder. The certificates representing shares of such stock shall be numbered in the order in which they shall be issued and shall be signed in the name of the Company by the person who was at the time of signing the chairman or vice chairman of the Board of Directors, or the President or a Vice President and by the person who was at the time of signing the Treasurer or the Assistant Treasurer, or Secretary or the Assistant Secretary and its seal shall be affixed thereto; provided, however, that the signatures of such officers of the Company and the seal of the Company may be facsimile. In case any officer or officers of the Company who shall have signed, or whose facsimile signature or signatures shall have been used on, any such certificate or certificates shall cease to be such officer or officers, whether because of death, resignation or otherwise, before such certificate or certificates shall have been delivered by the Company such certificate or certificates may nevertheless be adopted by the Company and be issued and delivered as though the person or persons who signed such certificate or certificates, or whose facsimile signature or signatures shall have been used thereon, had not ceased to be such officer or officers. A record shall be kept of the respective names of the persons, firms or corporations owning the stock represented by certificates for stock of the Company, the number of shares represented by such certificates, respectively, and the respective dates thereof, and in case of cancellation, the respective dates of cancellation. Every certificate surrendered to the Company for exchange or transfer shall be canceled and a new certificate or certificates shall not be issued in exchange for any existing certificate until such existing certificate shall have been so canceled except in cases provided for in Section 4 of this Article V.

 

Section 2.  Transfers of Stock. Transfers of shares of the stock of the Company shall be made only on the books of the Company by the registered holder thereof, or by his or her attorney thereunto authorized by power of attorney duly executed and filed with the Secretary of the Company, or with a transfer clerk or a transfer agent appointed as in Section 3  of this Article V provided, and upon surrender of the certificate or certificates for such shares properly endorsed and payment of all taxes thereon. The person in whose name shares of stock stand on the books of the Company shall be deemed the owner thereof for all purposes as regards the Company.

 

Section 3.  Regulations. The Board of Directors may make such rules and regulations as it may deem expedient, not inconsistent with these By-Laws, concerning the issue, transfer and registration of certificates for stock of the Company. The Board of Directors may appoint or authorize any officer or officers to appoint one or more transfer clerks, any of whom may be employees of the Company, or one or more transfer agents and one or more registrars, and may require all certificates for stock to bear the signature

 

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or signatures of any of them; provided, however, that the signature of any transfer clerk, transfer agent, or registrar may be facsimile. In case any transfer clerk, transfer agent or registrar who has signed or whose facsimile signature has been placed upon a certificate shall have ceased to be such transfer clerk, transfer agent, or registrar before such certificate is issued, it may be issued by the Company with the same effect as if he were such transfer clerk, transfer agent, or registrar at the date of issue.

 

Section 4.  Lost, Stolen, Destroyed and Mutilated Certificates. The owner of any stock of the Company shall immediately notify the Company of any loss, theft, destruction or mutilation of the certificate therefor, and the Company may issue a new certificate of stock in the place of any certificate theretofore issued by the Company, which is delivered to the Company, in the case of a mutilated certificate, or alleged to have been lost, stolen or destroyed, and the Board of Directors may, in its discretion, require the owner of the lost, stolen or destroyed certificate, or his or her legal representatives, to furnish evidence to the Company, which it shall in its discretion determine is satisfactory, of the loss, theft or destruction of such certificate and of the ownership thereof, and to give the Company a bond in such sum, limited or unlimited, and in such form and with such surety or sureties, as the Board of Directors shall in its uncontrolled discretion determine, to indemnify the Company against any claim that may be made against it on account of the alleged loss or destruction of any such certificate, or the issuance of such new certificate.

 

Section 5.  Record Date. To determine the stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at any meeting of stockholders or any adjournment thereof, or entitled to receive payment of any dividend or other distribution or allotment of any rights, or entitled to exercise any rights in respect of any change, conversion or exchange of stock or for the purpose of any other lawful action, the Board of Directors may fix, in advance, a record date, which shall not be more than sixty (60) nor less than ten (10) days before the date of such meeting, nor more than sixty (60) days prior to any other action. If no record date is fixed by the Board of Directors:

 

(a)                                  The Board of Directors may fix a future date as the record date for determining stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of stockholders.

 

(b)                                 A determination of stockholders of record entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall apply to any adjournment of the meeting unless the Board of Directors shall fix a new record date for the adjourned meeting.

 

(c)                                  The record date for determining stockholders for any other purpose shall be at the close of business on the day on which the Board of Directors adopts the resolution relating thereto.

 

Section 6. Examination of Books by Stockholders. The Board of Directors may determine, from time to time, whether and to what extent, at what times and places, and under what conditions and regulations, the accounts and books of the Company, or any of them, shall be open to the inspection of the stockholders, and no stockholder shall have any right to inspect any account or book or document of the Company, except as

 

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conferred by the laws of the State of Delaware or as authorized by resolution adopted by the Board or by the stockholders of the Company entitled to vote in respect thereof.

 

ARTICLE VI.

 

Offices

 

Section 1.  Registered Office and Agent. The registered office of the Company in the State of Delaware and the name of the resident agent in charge thereof shall be specified in the Articles of Incorporation for the Company.

 

Section 2.  Principal Office. The Company also may have an office or offices other than said office in Section 1 of this Article VI at such place or places, either within or without the State of Delaware, as provided in these By-Laws or as the Board may from time to time appoint or as the business of the Company may require.

 

Section 3.  Books and Records. Except as otherwise required by law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these By-Laws, the Company may keep the books and records of the Company in such place or places within or without the State of Delaware as the Board of Directors may from time to time by resolution determine or the business of the Company may require; provided, however, the principal accounting books and records of the Company, including the records of meetings of the Board of Directors, shall be kept at the principal office of the Company, unless otherwise determined by resolution of the Board of Directors.

 

ARTICLE VII.

 

Dividends

 

Subject to the provisions of law, of the Certificate of Incorporation of the Company and of these By-Laws, the Board of Directors may declare and pay dividends upon the shares of the stock of the Company either (a) out of its net assets in excess of its capital as computed in accordance with the provisions of the laws of the State of Delaware or (b) in case there shall be no such excess, out of its net profits for the fiscal year then current and/or the preceding fiscal year, whenever and in such amounts as, in the opinion of the Board of Directors, the condition of the affairs of the Company shall render it advisable. Dividends upon the shares of stock of the Company may be declared at any regular meeting of the Board of Directors and also at a special meeting.

 

ARTICLE VIII.

 

Seal

 

The Board shall provide a corporate seal, which shall be in the form of a circle and shall bear the full name of the Company and the words and figures “Incorporated 2008 Delaware”, or words and figures of similar import. The seal or a facsimile thereof

 

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may be impressed or affixed or reproduced or other use made thereof by the Secretary or any Assistant Secretary or any other officer authorized by the Board.

 

ARTICLE IX.

 

Fiscal Years

 

The fiscal year may be adopted by resolution of the Board of Directors.

 

ARTICLE X.

 

Waiver of Notices

 

Whenever any notice whatever is required to be given pursuant to these By-Laws or by the Certificate of Incorporation of the Company or by the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, a waiver thereof in writing, signed by the person or persons entitled to said notice, or by telegraph, cable, wireless or other form of recorded communication, whether before or after the time stated therein, or if such person shall attend a meeting, except when that person attends such meeting for the express purpose of objections at the beginning of the meeting, to the transaction of any business because the meeting is not lawfully called or convened, shall be deemed equivalent thereto. Neither the business to be transacted at, nor the purpose of, any meeting need be specified in any notice or written notice of waiver unless so required by the Certificate of Incorporation of the Company or by these By-Laws.

 

ARTICLE XI.

 

Indemnification

 

Section 1.  Definitions. As used in this Article XI:

 

(a)                                       “Corporations” includes any domestic or foreign entity that is a predecessor of the Company by reason of a merger or other transaction in which the predecessor’s existence ceased upon consummation of the transaction.

 

(b)                                      “Director” means an individual who is or was a director of the Company or an individual who, while a director of the Company, is or was serving at the Company’s request as a director, officer, partner, trustee, employee, fiduciary or agent of another domestic or foreign corporation or other person or of an employee benefit plan. A director is considered to be serving an employee benefit plan at the Company’s request if his or her duties to the Company also impose duties on or otherwise involve services by, the director to the plan or to participants in or beneficiaries of the plan. “Director” includes, unless the context requires otherwise, the estate or personal representative of a director.

 

(c)                                       “Expenses” includes counsel fees.

 

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(d)                                           “Liability” means the obligation incurred with respect to a proceeding to pay a judgment, settlement, penalty, fine, including an excise tax assessed with respect to an employee benefit plan or reasonable expenses.

 

(e)                                            “Official capacity” means, when used with respect to a director, the office of director in the Company and, when used with respect to a person other than a director as contemplated in Section 7 of this Article XI, the office in the Company held by the officer or the employment, fiduciary or agency relationship undertaken by the employee, fiduciary or agent on behalf of the Company. “Official capacity” does not include service for any other domestic or foreign corporation or other person or employee benefit plan.

 

(f)                                              “Party” includes a person who was, is or is threatened to be made, a named defendant or respondent in a proceeding.

 

(g)                                           “Proceeding” means any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative and whether formal or informal.

 

Section 2.  Authority to Indemnify Directors.

 

(a)                                            Except as provided in Section 2(d) of this Article XI, the Company shall indemnify a person made a party to a proceeding because the person is or was a director against liability incurred in the proceeding if:

 

(i) The person conducted himself or herself in good faith; and

 

(ii) The person reasonably believed:

 

(A)                              In the case of conduct in an official capacity with the Company, that his or her conduct was in the Company’s best interests; and

 

(B)                                In all other cases, that his or her conduct was at least not opposed to the Company’s best interests; and

 

(iii)                     In the case of any criminal proceeding, the person had no reasonable cause to believe his or her conduct was unlawful.

 

(b)                                           A director’s conduct with respect to any employee benefit plan for a purpose the director reasonably believed to be in the interests of the participants in or beneficiaries of the plan is conduct that satisfies the requirement of Section 2(a)(ii)(B) of this Article XI. A director’s conduct with respect to an employee benefit plan for a purpose that the director did not reasonably believe to be in the interests of the participants in or beneficiaries of the plan shall be deemed not to satisfy the requirements of Section 2(a)(i) of this Article XI.

 

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(c)                                  The termination of a proceeding by judgment, order, settlement, conviction or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent is not, of itself, determinative that the director did not meet the standard of conduct described in this Section 2 of this Article XI.

 

(d)                                 Except to the extent authorized by a court as provided in Section 5 of this Article XI, the Company may not indemnify a director under this Section 2 of this Article XI:

 

(i)                                     In connection with a proceeding by or in the right of the Company in which the director was adjudged liable to the Company; or

 

(ii)                                  In connection with any other proceeding charging that the director derived an improper personal benefit, whether or not involving action in an official capacity, in which proceeding the director was adjudged liable on the basis that he or she derived an improper personal benefit.

 

(e)                                            Indemnification permitted under this Section 2 of this Article XI in connection with a proceeding by or in the right of the Company is limited to reasonable expenses incurred in connection with the proceeding.

 

Section 3.  Mandatory Indemnification of Directors. The Company shall indemnify a person who was wholly successful, on the merits or otherwise, in the defense of any proceeding to which the person was a party because the person is or was a director, against reasonable expenses incurred by him or her in connection with the proceeding.

 

Section 4.  Advance of Expenses to Directors.

 

(a)                                  The Company shall pay for or reimburse the reasonable expenses incurred by a director who is a party to a proceeding in advance of final disposition of the proceeding if:

 

(i)                                     The director furnishes to the Company a written affirmation of the director’s good faith belief that he or she has met the standard of conduct described in Section 2 of this Article XI.

 

(ii)                                  The director furnishes to the Company a written undertaking, executed personally or on the director’s behalf, to repay the advance if it is ultimately determined that he or she did not meet the standard of conduct; and

 

(iii)                               A determination is made that the facts then known to those making the determination would not preclude indemnification under this Article XI.

 

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(b)                                           The undertaking required by Section 4(a)(ii) of this Article XI shall be an unlimited general obligation of the director but need not be secured and may be accepted without reference to financial ability to make repayment.

 

(c)                                            Determinations and authorizations of payments under this Section 4 of this Article XI shall be made in the manner specified in Section 6 of this Article XI.

 

Section 5.  Court-Ordered Indemnification of Directors. A director who is or was a party to a proceeding may apply for indemnification to the court conducting the proceeding or to another court of competent jurisdiction. On receipt of an application, the court, after giving any notice the court considers necessary, may order indemnification in the following manner:

 

(i)                                     If it determines that the director is entitled to mandatory indemnification under Section 3 of this Article XI, the court shall order indemnification, in which case the court shall also order the Company to pay the director’s reasonable expenses incurred to obtain court-ordered indemnification.

 

(ii)                                  If it determines that the director is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnification in view of all the relevant circumstances, whether or not the director met the standard of conduct set forth in Section 2(a)  of this Article XI or was adjudged liable in the circumstances described in Section 2(d) of this Article XI, the court may order such indemnification as the court deems proper; except that the indemnification with respect to any proceeding in which liability shall have been adjudged in the circumstances described in Section 2(d) of this Article XI is limited to reasonable expenses incurred in connection with the proceeding and reasonable expenses incurred to obtain court ordered indemnification.

 

Section 6.  Determination and Authorization of Indemnification of Directors.

 

(a)                                       Except to the extent authorized by a court as provided in Section 5 of this Article XI, the Company shall not indemnify a director under Section 2 of this Article XI unless authorized in the specific case after a determination has been made that indemnification of the director is permissible in the circumstances because the director has met the standard of conduct set forth in Section 2 of this Article XI. The Company shall not advance expenses to a director under Section 4 of this Article XI unless authorized in the specific case after written affirmation and undertaking required by Section 4(a)(i) and 4(a)(ii) of this Article XI are received and the determination required by Section 4(a)(iii) of this Article XI has been made.

 

(b)                                      The determinations required by Section 6(a) of this Article XI shall be made:

 

(i)                                     By the Board of Directors by a majority vote of those present at a meeting at which a quorum is present, and only those directors not parties to the proceeding shall be counted in satisfying the quorum; or

 

16



 

(ii)           If a quorum cannot be obtained, by a majority vote of a committee of the Board of Directors designated by the Board of Directors, which committee shall consist of two or more directors not parties to the proceeding; except that directors who are parties to the proceeding may participate in the designation of directors for the committee.

 

(c)           If a quorum cannot be obtained as contemplated in Section 6(b)(i) of this Article XI, and a committee cannot be established under Section 6(b)(ii) of this Article XI, or even if a quorum is obtained or a committee is designated, if a majority of the directors constituting such quorum or such committee so directs, the determination required to be made by Section 6(a) of this Article XI shall be made.

 

(i)            By independent legal counsel selected by a vote of the Board of Directors or the committee in the manner specified in Section 6(b)(i) or 6(b)(ii) of this Article XI, or, if a quorum of the full board cannot be obtained and a committee cannot be established, by independent legal counsel selected by a majority vote of the full Board of Directors; or

 

(ii)           By the stockholders.

 

(d)           Authorization of indemnification and advance of expenses shall be made in the same manner as the determination that indemnification or advance of expenses is permissible; except that, if the determination that indemnification or advance of expenses is required or permissible is made by independent legal counsel, authorization of indemnification and advance of expenses shall be made by the body that selected such counsel.

 

Section 7.  Indemnification of Officers, Employees, Fiduciaries and Agents.

 

(a)           The Company may indemnify and advance expenses to an officer to the same extent as a director.

 

(b)           The Company may indemnify and advance expenses to an employee, fiduciary or agent of the Company to the same extent as to a director.

 

(c)           The Company may also indemnify and advance expenses to an officer, employee, fiduciary or agent who is not a director to a greater extent than is provided in these bylaws, if not inconsistent with public policy, and if provided for by general or specific action of its Board of Directors of stockholders or by contract.

 

Section 8.  Insurance. The Company may purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of a person who is or was a director, officer, employee, fiduciary or agent of the Company or who, while a director, officer, employee, fiduciary or agent of the Company, is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director, partner, officer, employee, fiduciary or agent of another domestic or foreign corporation or other person or of an

 

17



 

employee benefit plan, against liability asserted against or incurred by the person in that capacity or arising from his or her status as a director, officer, employee, fiduciary or agent, whether or not the Company would have power to indemnify the person against the same liability under Sections 2, 3, or 7 of this Article XI. Any such insurance may be procured from any insurance company designated by the Board of Directors, whether such insurance company is formed under the laws of this state or any other jurisdiction of the United States or elsewhere, including any insurance company in which the Company has an equity or any other interest through stock ownership or otherwise.

 

Section 9.  Notice to Stockholders of Indemnification of Director. If the Company indemnifies or advances expenses to a director under this Article XI in connection with a proceeding by or in the right of the Company, the Company shall give written notice of the indemnification or advance to the stockholders with or before the notice of the next stockholders meeting. If the next stockholder action is taken without a meeting at the instigation of the Board of Directors, such notice shall be given to the stockholders at or before the time the first stockholder signs a writing consenting to such action.

 

ARTICLE XII.

 

Miscellaneous

 

Section 1.  Amendments. These By-Laws, as they shall be at any time, may be amended, altered or repealed by the Board of Directors at any regular meeting of the Board of Directors or at any special meeting if the proposed amendment, alteration or repeal is stated in the notice of the special meeting; provided that in no event shall any amendment, alteration or repeal of any By-Law in any manner impair, or impair the intent of, or be inconsistent with, the Certificate of Incorporation of the Company.

 

Section 2.  Amendment of Certain By-Laws. Notwithstanding any other provision of these By-Laws, the affirmative vote of 100% of the members of the Board of Directors of the Company and the affirmative vote of each of the directors required by Section 7 of the Certificate of Incorporation of the Company shall be required in order to amend, modify or delete Article II, Sections 2, 3, 5, 6, 9 or 10 or Article XII, Sections 1 or 2 of these By-Laws, or to adopt any by-law which would have the substantive effect of amending, modifying or deleting Article II, Sections 2, 3, 5, 6, 9 or 10 or Article XII, Sections 1 or 2 of these By-Laws; provided that, if there shall not be directors required by Section 7 of the Certificate of Incorporation of the Company then in office and acting, a vote upon any matter set forth in this Article XII, Section 2 shall not be taken unless and until a director meeting the requirements of Section 7 of the Certificate of Incorporation of the Company shall have been elected.

 

18


Exhibit 3.5(a)

 

Document processing fee

If document is filed on paper

If document is filed electronically

Fees & forms/cover sheets
are subject to change.

To file electronically, access instructions
for this form/cover sheet and other
information or print copies of filed
documents, visit www.sos.state.co.us
and select Business Center.

 

$125.00

$  25.00

Colorado Secretary of State
Date and Time: 06/14/2006 03:23 PM
Id Number: 20061245765

Document number: 20061245765

 

Paper documents must be typewritten or machine printed.

 

ABOVE SPACE FOR OFFICE USE ONLY

 

Articles of Incorporation
filed pursuant to §7-90-301, et seq. and §7-102-102 of the Colorado Revised Statutes (C.R.S)

 

1. Entity name:

 

EchoStar FSS Corporation

 

 

(The name of a corporation must contain the term or abbreviation “corporation”, “incorporated”, “company”, “limited”, “corp.”, inc.”, “co.” or “ltd”; If the corporation is a professional corporation, it must contain the term or abbreviation “professional corporation”, “p.c.”, or “pc” §7- 90-601, C.R.S.)

 

 

 

2. Use of Restricted Words (if any of these terms are contained in an entity name, true name of an entity, trade name or trademark stated in this document, mark the applicable box):

 

 

o   “bank” or “trust” or any derivative thereof

o   “credit union”    o   “savings and loan”

o   “insurance”, “casualty”, “mutual”, or “surety”

 

 

 

3. Principal office street address:

 

9601 S. Meridian Blvd.

 

 

(Street name and number)

 

 

 

 

 

Englewood

 

 

CO

 

 

80112

 

 

(City)

 

(State)

 

(Postal/Zip Code)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

United States

 

 

 

(Province – if applicable)

 

(Country – if not US)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4. Principal office mailing address:

 

P.O. Box 6655

(if different from above):

 

(Street name and number or Post Office Box information)

 

 

 

 

 

Englewood

 

 

CO

 

 

80155

 

 

(City)

 

(State)

 

(Postal/Zip Code)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

United States

 

 

 

(Province – if applicable)

 

(Country – if not US)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5. Registered agent: (if an individual):

 

Moskowitz

 

David

 

K.

 

 

 

 

(Last)

 

(First)

 

(Middle)

 

(Suffix)

OR (if a business organization):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6. The person appointed as registered agent in the document has consented to being so appointed.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7. Registered agent street address:

 

9601 S. Meridian Blvd.

 

 

(Street name and number)

 

 

 

 

 

Englewood

 

 

CO

 

 

80112

 

 

(City)

 

(State)

 

(Postal/Zip Code)

 

1



 

8. Registered agent mailing address:

 

P.O. Box 6655

(LEAVE BLANK if same as above)

 

(Street name and number or Post Office Box information)

 

 

 

 

 

Englewood

 

 

CO

 

 

80155

 

 

(City)

 

(State)

 

(Postal/Zip Code)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

United States

 

 

 

(Province – if applicable)

 

(Country – if not US)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

9. If the corporation’s period of duration is less than perpetual, state the date on which the period of duration expires:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(mm/dd/yyyy)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

10. (OPTIONAL) Delayed effective date:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(mm/dd/yyyy)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

11. Name(s) and address(es) of incorporator(s):
  (if an individual)

 

Moskowitz

 

David

 

K.

 

 

 

 

(Last)

 

(First)

 

(Middle)

 

(Suffix)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OR (if a business organization)

 

 

 

 

9601 S. Meridian Blvd.

 

 

(Street name and number or Post Office Box information)

 

 

 

 

 

Englewood

 

 

CO

 

 

80112

 

 

(City)

 

(State)

 

(Postal/Zip Code)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

United States

 

 

 

(Province – if applicable)

 

(Country – if not US)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(if an individual)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Last)

 

(First)

 

(Middle)

 

(Suffix)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OR (if a business organization)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Street name and number or Post Office Box information)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(City)

 

(State)

 

(Postal/Zip Code)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

United States

 

 

 

(Province – if applicable)

 

(Country – if not US)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(if an individual)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Last)

 

(First)

 

(Middle)

 

(Suffix)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OR (if a business organization)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Street name and number or Post Office Box information)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(City)

 

(State)

 

(Postal/Zip Code)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

United States

 

 

 

(Province – if applicable)

 

(Country – if not US)

 

2



 

(If there are more than three incorporators, mark this box   o   and include an attachment stating the true names and mailing addresses of all additional incorporators.)

 

12. The corporation is authorized to issue 10,000 shares of common stock.

(number)

(Additional classes of capital stock may be authorized and additional information regarding the corporation’s stock may be stated, mark this box   o   and include an attachment stating pertinent information.)

 

13. Additional information may be included pursuant to §7-102-102, C.R.S. and other organic statutes such as title 12, C.R.S. If applicable, mark this box   o   and include an attachment stating the additional information.

 

Notice:

 

Causing this document to be delivered to the secretary of state for filing shall constitute the affirmation or acknowledgment of each individual causing such delivery, under penalties of perjury, that the document is the individual’s act and deed, or that the individual in good faith believes the document is the act and deed of the person on whose behalf the individual is causing the document to be delivered for filing, taken in conformity with the requirements of part 3 of article 90 of title 7, C.R.S., the constituent documents, and the organic statutes, and that the individual in good faith believes the facts stated in the document are true and the document complies with the requirements of that Part, the constituent documents, and the organic statutes.

 

This perjury notice applies to each individual who causes this document to be delivered to the secretary of state, whether or not such individual is named in the document as one who has caused it to be delivered.

 

14. Name(s) and address(es) of the individual(s) causing the document to be delivered for filing:

 

Strickland

 

Tracy

 

A.

 

 

 

 

(Last)

 

(First)

 

(Middle)

 

(Suffix)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

P.O. Box 6655

 

 

(Street name and number or Post Office Box information)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Englewood

 

 

CO

 

 

80155

 

 

(City)

 

(State)

 

(Postal/Zip Code)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

United States

 

 

 

(Province – if applicable)

 

(Country – if not US)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(The document need not state the true name and address of more than one individual. However, if you wish to state the name and address of any additional individuals causing the document to be delivered for filing, mark this box   o   and include an attachment stating the name and address of such individuals.)

 

Disclaimer:

 

This form, and any related instructions, are not intended to provide legal, business or tax advice, and are offered as a public service without representation or warranty. While this form is believed to satisfy minimum legal requirements as of its revision date, compliance with applicable law, as the same may be amended from time to time, remains the responsibility of the user of this form. Questions should be addressed to the user’s attorney.

 

3


 

Exhibit 3.5(b)

 

 

Document processing fee

If document is filed on paper

If document is filed electronically

Fees & forms/cover sheets
are subject to change.

To file electronically, access instructions
for this form/cover sheet and other information or print copies of filed documents, visit www.sos.state.co.us
and select Business Center.

 

 

$125.00

$ 25.00

 

Colorado Secretary of State

Date and Time: 07/23/2009 01:20 PM

ID Number: 20061245765

 

Document number: 20091391592

Amount Paid: $25.00

 

 

Paper documents must be typewritten or machine printed.

ABOVE SPACE FOR OFFICE USE ONLY

 

Articles of Amendment
filed pursuant to §7-90-301, et seq. and §7-110-106 of the Colorado Revised Statutes (C.R.S.)

 

ID number:

 

20061245765

 

 

 

 

1. Entity name:

 

EchoStar FSS Corporation

 

 

(If changing the name of the corporation, indicate name BEFORE the name change)

 

 

 

2. New Entity name:
(if applicable)

 

EchoStar Satellite Services Corporation

 

 

 

 

 

 

3. Use of Restricted Words (if any of these terms are contained in an entity name, true name of an entity, trade name or trademark stated in this document, mark the applicable box):

 

o “bank” or “trust” or any derivative thereof

o “credit union”  o  “savings and loan”

o “insurance”, “casualty”, “mutual”, or “surety”

 

4. Other amendments, if any, are attached.

 

5. If the amendment provides for an exchange, reclassification or cancellation of issued shares, the attachment states the provisions for implementing the amendment.

 

6. If the corporation’s period of duration as amended is less than perpetual, state the date on which the period of duration expires:

 

 

 

(mm/dd/yyyy)

 

 

 

OR

 

 

If the corporation’s period of duration as amended is perpetual, mark this box:  x

 

7. (Optional) Delayed effective date:

 

 

 

(mm/dd/yyyy)

 

 

Notice:

 

Causing this document to be delivered to the secretary of state for filing shall constitute the affirmation or acknowledgment of each individual causing such delivery, under penalties of perjury, that the document is the individual’s act and deed, or that the individual in good faith believes the document is the act and deed of the person on whose behalf the individual is causing the document to be delivered for filing, taken in conformity with the requirements of part 3 of article 90 of title 7, C.R.S., the constituent documents, and the organic statutes, and that the individual in good faith believes the facts stated in the document are true and the document complies with the requirements of that Part, the constituent documents, and the organic statutes.

 

1



 

This perjury notice applies to each individual who causes this document to be delivered to the secretary of state, whether or not such individual is named in the document as one who has caused it to be delivered.

 

8. Name(s) and address(es) of the individual(s) causing the document to be delivered for filing:

Strickland

 

Tracy

 

A.

 

(Last)

 

(First)

 

(Middle)

 

(Suffix)

 

P.O. Box 6655

 

(Street name and number or Post Office information)

 

 

 

 

 

Englewood

 

CO

 

80155

 

(City)

 

(State)

 

(Postal/Zip Code)

 

 

 

United States

 

 

 

(Province — if applicable)

 

(Country — if not US)

 

 

 

(The document need not state the true name and address of more than one individual. However, if you wish to state the name and address of any additional individuals causing the document to be delivered for filing, mark this box o and include an attachment stating the name and address of such individuals.)

 

Disclaimer:

 

This form, and any related instructions, are not intended to provide legal, business or tax advice, and are offered as a public service without representation or warranty. While this form is believed to satisfy minimum legal requirements as of its revision date, compliance with applicable law, as the same may be amended from time to time, remains the responsibility of the user of this form. Questions should be addressed to the user’s attorney.

 

2


Exhibit 3.5(c)

 

 

Document must be filed electronically.

Paper documents will not be accepted.

Document processing fee

Fees & forms/cover sheets
are subject to change.

To access other information or print
copies of filed documents,
visit www.sos.state.co.us and
select Business Center.

 

 

 

$50.00

 

Colorado Secretary of State

Date and Time: 07/23/2009 01:39 PM

ID Number: 20061245765

 

Document number: 20091391652

Amount Paid: $100.00

 

ABOVE SPACE FOR OFFICE USE ONLY

 

Statement of Conversion
filed pursuant to § 7-90-201.7 (3) of the Colorado Revised Statutes (C.R.S.)

 

1. For the converting entity, its ID number (if applicable), entity name or true name, form of entity, jurisdiction under the law of which it is formed, and principal address are

 

ID number

20061245765

 

 

(Colorado Secretary of State ID number)

 

 

 

 

Entity name or true name

EchoStar Satellite Services Corporation

 

 

Form of entity

Corporation

 

 

Jurisdiction

Colorado

 

 

Street address

100 Inverness Terrace East

 

(Street number and name)

 

 

 

Englewood

 

CO

 

80112

 

(City)

 

(State)

 

(ZIP/Postal Code)

 

 

 

United States

 

 

 

(Province — if applicable)

 

(Country)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mailing address

P.O. Box 6655

 

 

 

 

(leave blank if same as street address)

(Street number and name or Post Office Box information)

 

 

 

Englewood

 

CO

 

80155

 

(City)

 

(State)

 

(ZIP/Postal Code)

 

 

 

United States

 

 

 

(Province — if applicable)

 

(Country)

 

 

 

 

2. The entity name of the resulting entity is

EchoStar Satellite Services L.L.C.

.

(Caution: The use of certain terms or abbreviations are restricted by law. Read instructions for more information.)

 

3. The converting entity has been converted into the resulting entity pursuant to section 7-90-201.7, C.R.S.

 

4. (If applicable, adopt the following statement by marking the box and include an attachment.)

o This document contains additional information as provided by law.

 

1



 

5. (Caution: Leave blank if the document does not have a delayed effective date. Stating a delayed effective date has significant legal consequences. Read instructions before entering a date.)

 

(If the following statement applies, adopt the statement by entering a date and, if applicable, time using the required format.)

The delayed effective date and, if applicable, time of this document are

 

.

 

(mm/dd/yyyy hour:minute am/pm)

 

 

Notice:

 

Causing this document to be delivered to the Secretary of State for filing shall constitute the affirmation or acknowledgment of each individual causing such delivery, under penalties of perjury, that such document is such individual’s act and deed, or that such individual in good faith believes such document is the act and deed of the person on whose behalf such individual is causing such document to be delivered for filing, taken in conformity with the requirements of part 3 of article 90 of title 7, C.R.S. and, if applicable, the constituent documents and the organic statutes, and that such individual in good faith believes the facts stated in such document are true and such document complies with the requirements of that Part, the constituent documents, and the organic statutes.

 

This perjury notice applies to each individual who causes this document to be delivered to the Secretary of State, whether or not such individual is identified in this document as one who has caused it to be delivered.

 

6. The true name and mailing address of the individual causing this document to be delivered for filing are

 

 

Strickland

 

Tracy

 

A

 

 

 

(Last)

 

(First)

 

(Middle)

 

(Suffix)

 

P.O. Box 6655

 

(Street number and name or Post Office Box information)

 

 

 

Englewood

 

CO

 

80155

 

(City)

 

(State)

 

(ZIP/Postal Code)

 

 

 

United States

.

 

 

(Province — if applicable)

 

(Country)

 

 

 

(If applicable, adopt the following statement by marking the box and include an attachment.)

o This document contains the true name and mailing address of one or more additional individuals causing the document to be delivered for filing.

 

Disclaimer:

 

This form/cover sheet, and any related instructions, are not intended to provide legal, business or tax advice, and are furnished without representation or warranty. While this form/cover sheet is believed to satisfy minimum legal requirements as of its revision date, compliance with applicable law, as the same may be amended from time to time, remains the responsibility of the user of this form/cover sheet. Questions should be addressed to the user’s legal, business or tax advisor(s).

 

2



 

 

Document must be filed electronically.
Paper documents will not be accepted.

Document processing fee

Fees & forms/cover sheets

are subject to change.

To access other information or print

copies of filed documents,

visit www.sos.state.co.us and

select Business Center.

 

 

$50.00

 

Colorado Secretary of State
Date and Time: 07/23/2009 01:39 PM
ID Number: 20061245765

 

Document number: 20091391652
Amount Paid: $100.00

 

 

 

ABOVE SPACE FOR OFFICE USE ONLY

 

Articles of Organization

filed pursuant to § 7-80-203 and § 7-80-204 of the Colorado Revised Statutes (C.R.S.)

 

1. The domestic entity name of the limited liability company is

 

 

EchoStar Satellite Services L.L.C.

 

 

(The name of a limited liability company must contain the term or abbreviation “limited liability company”, “ltd. liability company”, “limited liability co.”, “ltd. liability co.”, “limited”, “l.l.c.”, “llc”, or “ltd.”. See §7-90-601, C.R.S)

 

 

 

(Caution: The use of certain terms or abbreviations are restricted by law. Read instructions for more information.)

 

 

 

2. The principal office address of the limited liability company’s initial principal office is

 

 

 

Street address

 

100 Inverness Terrace East

 

 

(Street number and name)

 

 

 

 

 

Englewood

 

 

CO

 

 

80112

 

 

(City)

 

(State)

 

(ZIP/Postal Code)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

United States

 

 

 

(Province — if applicable)

 

(Country)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mailing address

 

P.O. Box 6655

(leave blank if same as street address)

 

(Street number and name or Post Office Box information)

 

 

 

 

 

Englewood

 

 

CO

 

 

80155

 

 

(City)

 

(State)

 

(ZIP/Postal Code)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

United States

 .

 

 

(Province — if applicable)

 

(Country)

 

 

 

 

 

 

3. The registered agent name and registered agent address of the limited liability company’s initial registered agent are

 

Name

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(if an individual)

 

Dodge

 

R.

 

Stanton

 

 

 

 

(Last)

 

(First)

 

(Middle)

 

(Suffix)

OR

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(if an entity)

 

 

(Caution: Do not provide both an individual and an entity name.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Street address

 

9601 S. Meridian Blvd.

 

 

(Street number and name)

 

 

 

Englewood

 

 

CO

 

 

80112

 

 

(City)

 

(State)

 

(ZIP Code)

 

1



 

Mailing address

 

P.O. Box 6655

(leave blank if same as street address)

 

(Street number and name or Post Office Box information)

 

 

 

 

 

Englewood

 

 

CO

 

 

80155

 

 

(City)

 

(State)

 

(ZIP Code)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(The following statement is adopted by marking the box.)

x The person appointed as registered agent has consented to being so appointed.

4. The true name and mailing address of the person forming the limited liability company are

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Name

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(if an individual)

 

(Last)

 

(First)

 

(Middle)

 

(Suffix)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OR

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(if an entity)

 

EchoStar Corporation

(Caution: Do not provide both an individual and an entity name.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mailing address

 

100 Inverness Terrace East

 

 

(Street number and name or Post Office Box information)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Englewood

 

 

CO

 

 

80112

 

 

(City)

 

(State)

 

(ZIP/Postal Code)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

United States

 

 

 

(Province – if applicable)

 

(Country)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(if the following statement applies, adopt the statement by marking the box and include on attachment.)

o  The limited liability company has one or more additional persons forming the limited liability company and the name and mailing address of each such person are stated in an attachment.

 

5. The management of the limited liability company is vested in

(Mark the applicable box.)

o   one or more managers.

OR

x   the members.

 

6. (The following statement is adopted by marking the box.)

x   There is at least one member of the limited liability company.

 

7. (If the following statement applies, adopt the statement by marking the box and include an attachment.)

o  This document contains additional information as provided by law.

 

8. (Caution: Leave blank if the document does not have a delayed effective date. Stating a delayed effective date has significant legal consequences. Read instructions before entering a date.)

 

(If the following statement applies, adopt the statement by entering a date and, if applicable, time using the required format.)

The delayed effective date and, if applicable, time of this document is/are                                                                                                

                                                                                                                                      (mm/dd/yyyy hour:minute am/pm)

 

2



 

Notice:

 

Causing this document to be delivered to the Secretary of State for filing shall constitute the affirmation or acknowledgment of each individual causing such delivery, under penalties of perjury, that the document is the individual’s act and deed, or that the individual in good faith believes the document is the act and deed of the person on whose behalf the individual is causing the document to be delivered for filing, taken in conformity with the requirements of part 3 of article 90 of title 7, C.R.S., the constituent documents, and the organic statutes, and that the individual in good faith believes the facts stated in the document are true and the document complies with the requirements of that Part, the constituent documents, and the organic statutes.

 

This perjury notice applies to each individual who causes this document to be delivered to the Secretary of State, whether or not such individual is named in the document as one who has caused it to be delivered.

 

9. The true name and mailing address of the individual causing the document to be delivered for filing are

 

 

 

Strickland

 

Tracy

 

A

 

 

 

 

(Last)

 

(First)

 

(Middle)

 

(Suffix)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

P.O. Box 6655

 

 

(Street number and name or Post Office Box information)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Englewood

 

 

CO

 

 

80155

 

 

(City)

 

(State)

 

(ZIP/Postal Code)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

United States

 

 

 

(Province – if applicable)

 

(Country)

 

 

(If the following statement applies, adopt the statement by marking the box and include an attachment.)

o  This document contains the true name and mailing address of one or more additional individuals causing the document to be delivered for filing.

 

Disclaimer:

 

This form/cover sheet, and any related instructions, are not intended to provide legal, business or tax advice, and are furnished without representation or warranty. While this form/cover sheet is believed to satisfy minimum legal requirements as of its revision date, compliance with applicable law, as the same may be amended from time to time, remains the responsibility of the user of this form/cover sheet. Questions should be addressed to the user’s legal, business or tax advisor(s).

 

3


Exhibit 3.5(d)

 

 

 

Document must be filed electronically.

Paper documents will not be accepted.

Document processing fee

Fees & forms/cover sheets

are subject to change.

To access other information or print

copies of filed documents,

visit www.sos.state.co.us and

select Business Center.

 

 

 

$50.00

 

Colorado Secretary of State
Date and Time: 07/23/2009 01:39 PM
ID Number: 20061245765

 

Document number: 20091391652
Amount Paid: $100.00

 

 

ABOVE SPACE FOR OFFICE USE ONLY

 

Articles of Organization
filed pursuant to § 7-80-203 and § 7-80-204 of the Colorado Revised Statutes (C.R.S.)

 

1.

The domestic entity name of the limited liability company is

 

 

 

EchoStar Satellite Services L.L.C.

 

 

 

(The name of a limited liability company must contain the term or abbreviation “limited liability company”, “ltd. liability company”, “limited liability co.”, “ltd. liability co.”, “limited”, “l.l.c. ”, “llc”, or “ltd.”. See §7-90-601, C.R.S.)

 

(Caution: The use of certain terms or abbreviations are restricted by law. Read instructions for more information.)

 

 

2.

The principal office address of the limited liability company’s initial principal office is

 

 

Street address

 

100 Inverness Terrace East

 

 

 

(Street number and name)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Englewood

 

CO

 

80112

 

 

 

(City)

 

(State)

 

(ZIP/Postal Code)

 

 

 

 

 

United States

 

 

 

 

(Province – if applicable)

 

(Country)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mailing address

 

P.O. Box 6655

 

(leave blank if same as street address)

 

(Street number and name or Post Office Box information)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Englewood

 

CO

 

80155

 

 

 

(City)

 

(State)

 

(ZIP/Postal Code)

 

 

 

 

 

 

United States

 .

 

 

 

(Province – if applicable)

 

(Country)

 

 

 

3.

The registered agent name and registered agent address of the limited liability company’s initial registered agent are

 

 

Name

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(if an individual)

 

Dodge

 

R.

 

Stanton

 

 

 

 

 

(Last)

 

(First)

 

(Middle)

 

(Suffix)

 

OR

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(if an entity)

 

 

 

(Caution: Do not provide both an individual and an entity name.)

 

 

 

 

 

Street address

 

9601 S. Meridian Blvd.

 

 

 

(Street number and name)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Englewood

 

CO

 

80112

 

 

 

(City)

 

(State)

 

(ZIPCode)

 

1



 

 

Mailing address

 

P.O. Box 6655

 

 

(leave blank if same as street address)

 

(Street number and name or Post Office Box information)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Englewood

 

CO

 

80155

.

 

 

 

(City)

 

(State)

 

(ZIPCode)

 

 

 

 

 

(The following statement is adopted by marking the box.)

 

x The person appointed as registered agent has consented to being so appointed.

 

 

4.

The true name and mailing address of the person forming the limited liability company are

 

 

Name

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(if an individual)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Last)

 

(First)

 

(Middle)

 

(Suffix)

 

OR

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(if an entity)

 

EchoStar Corporation

 

(Caution: Do not provide both an individual and an entity name.)

 

 

Mailing address

 

100 Inverness Terrace East

 

 

 

(Street number and name or Post Office Box information)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Englewood

 

CO

 

80112

 

 

 

(City)

 

(State)

 

(ZIP/Postal Code)

 

 

 

 

 

 

United States

 .

 

 

 

(Province – if applicable)

 

(Country)

 

 

(If the following statement applies, adopt the statement by marking the box and include an attachment.)

 

o     The limited liability company has one or more additional persons forming the limited liability company and the name and mailing address of each such person are stated in an attachment.

 

5.

The management of the limited liability company is vested in

 

(Mark the applicable box.)

 

o  one or more managers.

 

OR

 

x  the members.

 

 

6.

(The following statement is adopted by marking the box.)

 

x  There is at least one member of the limited liability company.

 

 

7.

(If the following statement applies, adopt the statement by marking the box and include an attachment.)

 

o  This document contains additional information as provided by law.

 

 

8.

(Caution: Leave blank if the document does not have a delayed effective date. Stating a delayed effective date has significant legal consequences. Read instructions before entering a date.)

 

 

 

(If the following statement applies, adopt the statement by entering a date and, if applicable, time using the required format.)

 

The delayed effective date and, if applicable, time of this document is/are                                                                                         .

 

                                                                                                                                     (mm/dd/yyyy hour:minute am/pm)

 

2



 

Notice:

 

Causing this document to be delivered to the Secretary of State for filing shall constitute the affirmation or acknowledgment of each individual causing such delivery, under penalties of perjury, that the document is the individual’s act and deed, or that the individual in good faith believes the document is the act and deed of the person on whose behalf the individual is causing the document to be delivered for filing, taken in conformity with the requirements of part 3 of article 90 of title 7, C.R.S., the constituent documents, and the organic statutes, and that the individual in good faith believes the facts stated in the document are true and the document complies with the requirements of that Part, the constituent documents, and the organic statutes.

 

This perjury notice applies to each individual who causes this document to be delivered to the Secretary of State, whether or not such individual is named in the document as one who has caused it to be delivered.

 

9.

The true name and mailing address of the individual causing the document to be delivered for filing are

 

 

 

 

Strickland

 

Tracy

 

A

 

 

 

 

 

(Last)

 

(First)

 

(Middle)

 

(Suffix)

 

 

 

P.O. Box 6655

 

 

 

(Street name and number or Post Office Box information)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Englewood

 

CO

 

80155

 

 

 

(City)

 

(State)

 

(Zip/Postal Code)

 

 

 

 

 

United States

 .

 

 

 

(Province – if applicable)

 

(Country)

 

 

 

(If the following statement applies, adopt the statement by marking the box and include an attachment.)

 

o     This document contains the true name and mailing address of one or more additional individuals causing the document to be delivered for filing.

 

Disclaimer:

 

This form/cover sheet, and any related instructions, are not intended to provide legal, business or tax advice, and are furnished without representation or warranty. While this form/cover sheet is believed to satisfy minimum legal requirements as of its revision date, compliance with applicable law, as the same may be amended from time to time, remains the responsibility of the user of this form/cover sheet. Questions should be addressed to the user’s legal, business or tax advisor(s).

 

3


Exhibit 3.5(e)

 

WRITTEN CONSENT OF THE SOLE MEMBER
AND OPERATING AGREEMENT
OF
ECHOSTAR SATELLITE SERVICES L.L.C.
AS OF
JULY 23, 2009

 

The undersigned, being the sole member (the “Member”) of EchoStar Satellite Services L.L.C., a Colorado limited liability company (the “Company”), in lieu of holding an organizational meeting, hereby adopts the following operating agreement and resolutions by written consent in accordance with the Colorado Limited Liability Company Act, as amended (the “Act”).

 

1.             Discharge of Organizer.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the organizer of the Company is hereby forever discharged, released, and indemnified by the Company from and against any and all expense or liability actually incurred by the organizer by reason of having been the organizer of the Company; and further

 

2.           Adoption of Articles of Organization.

 

RESOLVED, that the Articles of Organization which were filed in the office of the Colorado Secretary of State on July 23, 2009, are hereby approved and adopted, and that said Articles of Organization shall be placed in the records of the Company; and further

 

3.           Appointment of Officers.

 

RESOLVED, that the Company hereby appoints the following officers of the Company to act with the authority customarily exercised by officers of a Corporation formed under Colorado law holding corresponding titles:

 

President and Chief Executive Officer

-

 

Charles W. Ergen

President—EchoStar Satellite Services

-

 

Dean Olmstead

Executive Vice President, General

 

 

 

Counsel and Secretary

-

 

R. Stanton Dodge

 

4.             Banking.

 

RESOLVED, that the Company shall open bank accounts as deemed necessary by any officer of the Company for the operation of the Company’s business, and each officer is authorized and directed to execute, acknowledge and deliver any and all documents as may be required to open accounts and borrow funds from a bank with such additional provisions and restrictions as the officer in his or her discretion deems appropriate; and further

 



 

RESOLVED, that a copy of the form of bank resolution filed with such bank pursuant to the foregoing resolution be attached hereto and made a part of the minutes and that all resolutions contained therein be adopted as resolutions made by the Member at this meeting; and further

 

5.           Payment of Organizational Expenses.

 

RESOLVED, that the Company is authorized and directed to pay all charges and expenses incident to or arising out of the organization of the Company and to reimburse the organizer which has advanced said charges and expenses on behalf of the Company in connection with the organization of the Company; and further

 

6.           Miscellaneous.

 

RESOLVED, that the officers be, and each one of them acting alone or with one or more other officers hereby is, authorized and directed to do any and all acts and to execute any and all documents necessary or appropriate to carry out the foregoing resolutions; and further

 

RESOLVED, that any actions taken on behalf of the Company prior to the date of this Consent by the organizer of the Company, are hereby approved and ratified in all respects.

 

The action taken by this Consent shall have the same force and effect as if taken by the undersigned at an organizational meeting, duly called and constituted pursuant to the Act.

 



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned, being the sole member of the Company, hereby consents to, approves, and adopts the foregoing resolutions effective as of the date first written above.

 

 

 

SOLE MEMBER

 

 

 

EchoStar Corporation

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Charles W. Ergen

 

Name:

Charles W. Ergen

 

Title:

Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President

 


 

Exhibit 3.6(a)

 

ARTICLES OF ORGANIZATION

OF


ECHOSTAR ORBITAL L.L.C.

 

I, the undersigned natural person of the age of eighteen years or more, acting as organizer of a limited liability company under the Colorado Limited Liability Company Act (the “Act”), adopt the following Articles of Organization for such limited liability company:

 

ARTICLE I

 

The name of the limited liability company is EchoStar Orbital L.L.C. (the “Company”).

 

ARTICLE II

 

The principal place of business of the Company is 100 Inverness Terrace East, Englewood, Colorado 80112.

 

ARTICLE III

 

The street address of the initial registered office of the Company is 100 Inverness Terrace East, Englewood, Colorado 80112.

 

The mailing address of the initial registered office of the Company is P.O. Box 6655, Englewood, Colorado 80155. The name of the proposed initial registered agent of the Company in Colorado at that address is R. Stanton Dodge.

 

ARTICLE IV

 

The purposes for which the Company is organized and its powers are as follows:

 

4.1                                 To engage in the transaction of all business or pursue any other lawful purpose or purposes for which a limited liability company may be organized under Colorado law.

 

4.2                                 To have, enjoy, and exercise all of the rights, powers, and privileges conferred upon limited liability companies organized pursuant to Colorado law, whether now or hereafter in effect, and whether or not herein specifically mentioned.

 

The foregoing enumeration of purposes and powers shall not limit or restrict in any manner the transaction of other business, the pursuit of other purposes, or the exercise of other and further rights and powers that may now or hereafter be permitted to provide by law.

 



 

ARTICLE V

 

The management of the company is initially vested in its sole member. The number of members of the Company shall be fixed by the Operating Agreement, provided that the number of members shall not be more than ten nor less than one.

 

ARTICLE VI

 

The name and the business address of the initial member is:

 

EchoStar Corporation

100 Inverness Terrace East

Englewood, Colorado 80112

 

ARTICLE VII

 

The Company shall have perpetual existence.

 

ARTICLE VIII

 

The Company shall indemnify, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law in effect from time to time, any person, and the estate and personal representative of any such person, against all liability and expense (including attorneys’ fees) incurred by reason of the fact that such person is or was a manager, officer, employee or fiduciary of the Company or, while serving as manager, officer, employee, or fiduciary of the Company, such person is or was serving at the request of the Company as a manager, director, officer, partner, trustee, employee, fiduciary or agent of, or in any similar managerial or fiduciary position of, another domestic or foreign entity or other individual or entity or of an employee benefit plan. The Company shall also indemnify any person, and the estate and personal representative of any such person, who is serving or has served the Company as manager, officer, employee, fiduciary, or agent, to the extent and in the manner provided in any article of organization, resolution of any of the Company’s members, contract, or otherwise, so long as such provision is legally permissible.

 

[Signature page follows.]

 



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has signed and acknowledged these Articles of Organization this 15th day of March, 2010.

 

 

EchoStar Corporation

 

Organizer

 

 

 

By:

/s/ R. Stanton Dodge

 

Name:

R. Stanton Dodge

 

Title:

Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary

 

 

R. STANTON DODGE hereby consents to the appointment as the initial registered agent for EchoStar Orbital L.L.C.

 

 

/s/ R. Stanton Dodge

 

R. Stanton Dodge

 

Initial Registered Agent

 

 

The (a) name or names, and (b) mailing address or addresses, of any one or more of the individuals who cause this document to be delivered for filing, and to whom the Secretary of State may deliver notice of filing of this document if refused, are: Eric P. Lentell, 9601 S. Meridian Blvd., Englewood, CO 80112.

 


Exhibit 3.6(b)

 

WRITTEN CONSENT OF THE SOLE MEMBER
AND OPERATING AGREEMENT
OF
ECHOSTAR ORBITAL L.L.C.
AS OF
MARCH 15, 2010

 

The undersigned, being the sole member (the “Member”) of EchoStar Orbital L.L.C., a Colorado limited liability company (the “Company”), in lieu of holding an organizational meeting, hereby adopts the following operating agreement and resolutions by written consent in accordance with the Colorado Limited Liability Company Act, as amended (the “Act”).

 

1.                                Discharge of Organizer.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the organizer of the Company is hereby forever discharged, released, and indemnified by the Company from and against any and all expense or liability actually incurred by the organizer by reason of having been the organizer of the Company; and further

 

2.                                Adoption of Articles of Organization.

 

RESOLVED, that the Articles of Organization which were filed in the office of the Colorado Secretary of State on March 15, 2010, are hereby approved and adopted, and that said Articles of Organization shall be placed in the records of the Company; and further

 

3.                                Appointment of Officers.

 

RESOLVED, that the Company hereby appoints the following officers of the Company to act with the authority customarily exercised by officers of a Corporation formed under Colorado law holding corresponding titles:

 

Chairman

-

 

Charles W. Ergen

President and Chief Executive Officer

-

 

Michael T. Dugan

President - EchoStar Satellite Services

-

 

Dean Olmstead

Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary

-

 

R. Stanton Dodge

 

4.                                Banking.

 

RESOLVED, that the Company shall open bank accounts as deemed necessary by any officer of the Company for the operation of the Company’s business, and each officer is authorized and directed to execute, acknowledge and deliver any and all documents as may be required to open accounts and borrow funds from a bank with such additional provisions and restrictions as the officer in his or her discretion deems appropriate; and further

 



 

RESOLVED, that a copy of the form of bank resolution filed with such bank pursuant to the foregoing resolution be attached hereto and made a part of the minutes and that all resolutions contained therein be adopted as resolutions made by the Member at this meeting; and further

 

5.                                Payment of Organizational Expenses.

 

RESOLVED, that the Company is authorized and directed to pay all charges and expenses incident to or arising out of the organization of the Company and to reimburse the organizer which has advanced said charges and expenses on behalf of the Company in connection with the organization of the Company; and further

 

6.                                Miscellaneous.

 

RESOLVED, that the officers be, and each one of them acting alone or with one or more other officers hereby is, authorized and directed to do any and all acts and to execute any and all documents necessary or appropriate to carry out the foregoing resolutions; and further

 

RESOLVED, that any actions taken on behalf of the Company prior to the date of this Consent by the organizer of the Company, are hereby approved and ratified in all respects.

 

The action taken by this Consent shall have the same force and effect as if taken by the undersigned at an organizational meeting, duly called and constituted pursuant to the Act.

 

[Signature page follows.]

 



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned, being the sole member of the Company, hereby consents to, approves, and adopts the foregoing resolutions effective as of the date first written above.

 

 

 

SOLE MEMBER

 

 

 

EchoStar Corporation

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ R. Stanton Dodge

 

Name:

R. Stanton Dodge

 

Title:

Executive Vice President,

 

 

General Counsel and Secretary

 


Exhibit 3.7(a)

 

ARTICLES OF ORGANIZATION


OF


ECHOSTAR BROADBAND I L.L.C.

 

I, the undersigned natural person of the age of eighteen years or more, acting as organizer of a limited liability company under the Colorado Limited Liability Company Act (the “Act”), adopt the following Articles of Organization for such limited liability company:

 

ARTICLE I

 

The name of the limited liability company is EchoStar Broadband I L.L.C. (the “Company”).

 

ARTICLE II

 

The principal place of business of the Company is 100 Inverness Terrace East, Englewood, Colorado 80112.

 

ARTICLE III

 

The street address of the initial registered office of the Company is 100 Inverness Terrace East, Englewood, Colorado 80112.

 

The mailing address of the initial registered office of the Company is P.O. Box 6655, Englewood, Colorado 80155. The name of the proposed initial registered agent of the Company in Colorado at that address is R. Stanton Dodge.

 

ARTICLE IV

 

The purposes for which the Company is organized and its powers are as follows:

 

4.1                                 To engage in the transaction of all business or pursue any other lawful purpose or purposes for which a limited liability company may be organized under Colorado law.

 

4.2                                 To have, enjoy, and exercise all of the rights, powers, and privileges conferred upon limited liability companies organized pursuant to Colorado law, whether now or hereafter in effect, and whether or not herein specifically mentioned.

 

The foregoing enumeration of purposes and powers shall not limit or restrict in any manner the transaction of other business, the pursuit of other purposes, or the exercise of other and further rights and powers that may now or hereafter be permitted to provide by law.

 



 

ARTICLE V

 

The management of the company is initially vested in its sole member. The number of members of the Company shall be fixed by the Operating Agreement, provided that the number of members shall not be more than ten nor less than one.

 

ARTICLE VI

 

The name and the business address of the initial member is:

 

EchoStar Corporation

100 Inverness Terrace East

Englewood, Colorado 80112

 

ARTICLE VII

 

The Company shall have perpetual existence.

 

ARTICLE VIII

 

The Company shall indemnify, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law in effect from time to time, any person, and the estate and personal representative of any such person, against all liability and expense (including attorneys’ fees) incurred by reason of the fact that such person is or was a manager, officer, employee or fiduciary of the Company or, while serving as manager, officer, employee, or fiduciary of the Company, such person is or was serving at the request of the Company as a manager, director, officer, partner, trustee, employee, fiduciary or agent of, or in any similar managerial or fiduciary position of, another domestic or foreign entity or other individual or entity or of an employee benefit plan. The Company shall also indemnify any person, and the estate and personal representative of any such person, who is serving or has served the Company as manager, officer, employee, fiduciary, or agent, to the extent and in the manner provided in any article of organization, resolution of any of the Company’s members, contract, or otherwise, so long as such provision is legally permissible.

 

[Signature page follows.]

 



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has signed and acknowledged these Articles of Organization this 5th day of August, 2009.

 

 

EchoStar Corporation

 

Organizer

 

 

 

By:

/s/ R. Stanton Dodge

 

Name:

R. Stanton Dodge

 

Title:

Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary

 

 

R. STANTON DODGE hereby consents to the appointment as the initial registered agent for EchoStar Broadband I L.L.C.

 

 

/s/ R. Stanton Dodge

 

R. Stanton Dodge

 

Initial Registered Agent

 

 

The (a) name or names, and (b) mailing address or addresses, of any one or more of the individuals who cause this document to be delivered for filing, and to whom the Secretary of State may deliver notice of filing of this document if refused, are: Tracy Strickland, 9601 S.Meridian Blvd., Englewood, CO 80112.

 


Exhibit 3.7(b)

 

 

 

Document must be filed electronically.

Paper documents will not be accepted.

Document processing fee

Fees & forms/cover sheets
are subject to change.

To access other information or print copies of filed documents,
visit www.sos.state.co.us and
select Business.

 

 

 

$25.00

 

Colorado Secretary of State

Date and Time: 07/16/2010 12:25 PM

ID Number: 20091420920

 

Document number: 20101398935

Amount Paid: $25.00

 

 

ABOVE SPACE FOR OFFICE USE ONLY

 

Articles of Amendment
filed pursuant to §7-90-301, et seq. and §7-80-209 of the Colorado Revised Statutes (C.R.S.)

 

ID number:

 

20091420920

 

 

 

 

1.

Entity name:

 

EchoStar Broadband I L.L.C

 

 

 

(If changing the name of the limited liability company, indicate name BEFORE the name change)

 

 

 

 

2.

New Entity name:

 

 

 

(if applicable)

 

EchoStar Government Services L.L.C.

 

 

 

 

3.

Use of Restricted Words (if any of these terms are contained in an entity name, true name of an entity, trade name or trademark stated in this document, mark the applicable box):

 

 

o  “bank” or “trust” or any derivative thereof

o  “credit union”     o  “savings and loan”

o  “insurance”, “casualty”, “mutual”, or “surety”

 

 

 

 

4.

Other amendments, if any, are attached.

 

 

 

 

 

 

5.

If the limited liability company’s period of duration as amended is less than perpetual, state the date on which the period of duration expires:

 

 

 

 

 

(mm/dd/yyyy)

 

 

 

 

 

OR

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If the limited liability company’s period of duration as amended is perpetual, mark this box:    x

 

 

 

 

6.

(Optional) Delayed effective date:

 

 

 

 

 

(mm/dd/yyyy)

 

Notice:

 

Causing this document to be delivered to the secretary of state for filing shall constitute the affirmation or acknowledgment of each individual causing such delivery, under penalties of perjury, that the document is the individual’s act and deed, or that the individual in good faith believes the document is the act and deed of the person on whose behalf the individual is causing the document to be delivered for filing, taken in conformity with the requirements of part 3 of article 90 of title 7, C.R.S., the constituent documents, and the organic statutes, and that the individual in good faith believes the facts stated in the document are true and the document complies with the requirements of that Part, the constituent documents, and the organic statutes.

 

This perjury notice applies to each individual who causes this document to be delivered to the secretary of state, whether or not such individual is named in the document as one who has caused it to be delivered.

 

1



 

7.

Name(s) and address(es) of the individual(s) causing the document to be delivered for filing:

 

Strickland

 

Tracy

 

A.

 

 

 

 

 

(Last)

 

(First)

 

(Middle)

 

(Suffix)

 

 

 

P.O. Box 6655

 

 

 

(Street name and number or Post Office Box information)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Englewood

 

CO

 

80155

 

 

 

(City)

 

(State)

 

(Postal/Zip Code)

 

 

 

 

 

United States

 

 

 

 

(Province – if applicable)

 

(Country – if not US)

 

 

 

(The document need not state the true name and address of more than one individual. However, if you wish to state the name and address of any additional individuals causing the document to be delivered for filing, mark this box  o  and include an attachment stating the name and address of such individuals.)

 

Disclaimer:

 

This form, and any related instructions, are not intended to provide legal, business or tax advice, and are offered as a public service without representation or warranty. While this form is believed to satisfy minimum legal requirements as of its revision date, compliance with applicable law, as the same may be amended from time to time, remains the responsibility of the user of this form. Questions should be addressed to the user’s attorney.

 

2


Exhibit 3.7(c)

 

WRITTEN CONSENT OF THE SOLE MEMBER
AND OPERATING AGREEMENT
OF
ECHOSTAR BROADBAND I L.L.C.
AS OF
AUGUST 5, 2009

 

The undersigned, being the sole member (the “Member”) of EchoStar Broadband I L.L.C., a Colorado limited liability company (the “Company”), in lieu of holding an organizational meeting, hereby adopts the following operating agreement and resolutions by written consent in accordance with the Colorado Limited Liability Company Act, as amended (the “Act”).

 

1.                                 Discharge of Organizer.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the organizer of the Company is hereby forever discharged, released, and indemnified by the Company from and against any and all expense or liability actually incurred by the organizer by reason of having been the organizer of the Company; and further

 

2.                                 Adoption of Articles of Organization.

 

RESOLVED, that the Articles of Organization which were filed in the office of the Colorado Secretary of State on August 5, 2009, are hereby approved and adopted, and that said Articles of Organization shall be placed in the records of the Company; and further

 

3.                                 Appointment of Officers.

 

RESOLVED, that the Company hereby appoints the following officers of the Company to act with the authority customarily exercised by officers of a Corporation formed under Colorado law holding corresponding titles:

 

President and Chief Executive Officer

 

-

 

Charles W. Ergen

President - EchoStar Satellite Services

 

-

 

Dean Olmstead

Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary

 

-

 

R. Stanton Dodge

 

4.                                      Banking.

 

RESOLVED, that the Company shall open bank accounts as deemed necessary by any officer of the Company for the operation of the Company’s business, and each officer is authorized and directed to execute, acknowledge and deliver any and all documents as may be required to open accounts and borrow funds from a bank with such additional provisions and restrictions as the officer in his or her discretion deems appropriate; and further

 



 

RESOLVED, that a copy of the form of bank resolution filed with such bank pursuant to the foregoing resolution be attached hereto and made a part of the minutes and that all resolutions contained therein be adopted as resolutions made by the Member at this meeting; and further

 

5.                                 Payment of Organizational Expenses.

 

RESOLVED, that the Company is authorized and directed to pay all charges and expenses incident to or arising out of the organization of the Company and to reimburse the organizer which has advanced said charges and expenses on behalf of the Company in connection with the organization of the Company; and further

 

6.                                 Miscellaneous.

 

RESOLVED, that the officers be, and each one of them acting alone or with one or more other officers hereby is, authorized and directed to do any and all acts and to execute any and all documents necessary or appropriate to carry out the foregoing resolutions; and further

 

RESOLVED, that any actions taken on behalf of the Company prior to the date of this Consent by the organizer of the Company, are hereby approved and ratified in all respects.

 

The action taken by this Consent shall have the same force and effect as if taken by the undersigned at an organizational meeting, duly called and constituted pursuant to the Act.

 

[Signature page follows.]

 



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned, being the sole member of the Company, hereby consents to, approves, and adopts the foregoing resolutions effective as of the date first written above.

 

 

 

 

SOLE MEMBER

 

 

 

 

 

EchoStar Corporation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ R. Stanton Dodge

 

 

Name:

R. Stanton Dodge

 

 

Title:

Executive Vice President,

 

 

 

General Counsel and Secretary

 


Exhibit 3.8

 

 

Colorado Secretary of State

 

Date and Time: 09/29/2008 01:18 PM

Document must be filed electronically.

 

ID Number: 20081516377

Paper documents will not be accepted.

 

 

Document processing fee

$50.00

Document number: 20081516377

Fees & forms/cover sheets

 

Amount Paid: $50.00

are subject to change.

 

 

To access other information or print

 

 

copies of filed documents,

 

 

visit www.sos.state.co.us and

 

 

select Business Center.

 

 

 

ABOVE SPACE FOR OFFICE USE ONLY

 

Articles of Incorporation for a Profit Corporation
filed pursuant to § 7-102-101 and § 7-102-102 of the Colorado Revised Statutes (C.R.S.)

 

1. The domestic entity name for the corporation is

 

EchoStar Satellite Operating Corporation.

 

 

(The name of a corporation must contain the term or abbreviation “corporation”, “incorporated”, “company”, “limited”, “corp.”, inc. ”, “co. ” or “ltd. ”. See §7-90- 601, C.R.S. If the corporation is a professional or special purpose corporation, other law may apply.)

 

 

 

(Caution: The use of certain terms or abbreviations are restricted by law. Read instructions for more information.)

 

 

 

2. The principal office address of the corporation’s initial principal office is

 

 

 

Street address

 

90 Inverness Circle East

 

 

(Street number and name)

 

 

 

 

 

Englewood

 

CO

 

80112

 

 

(City)

 

(State)

 

(ZIP/Postal Code)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

United States

 

 

 

 

(Province – if applicable)

 

(Country)

 

 

 

 

 

Mailing address

 

P.O. Box 6655

(leave blank if same as street address)

 

(Street number and name or Post Office Box information)

 

 

 

 

 

Englewood

 

CO

 

80155

 

 

(City)

 

(State)

 

(ZIP/Postal Code)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

United States

.

 

 

 

(Province – if applicable)

 

(Country)

 

 

 

 

 

3. The registered agent name and registered agent address of the corporation’s initial registered agent are

 

 

 

Name

 

Dodge

 

R.

 

Stanton

 

 

(if an individual)

 

(Last)

 

(First)

 

(Middle)

 

(Suffix)

 

 

 

OR

 

 

 

 

 

(if an entity)

 

 

(Caution: Do not provide both an individual and an entity name.)

 

 

 

Street address

 

9601 S. Meridian Blvd.

 

 

(Street number and name)

 

 

 

 

 

Englewood

 

CO

 

80112

 

 

(City)

 

(State)

 

(ZIP/Postal Code)

 

1



 

Mailing address

 

P.O. Box 6655

(leave blank if same as street address)

 

(Street number and name or Post Office Box information)

 

 

 

 

 

Englewood

 

CO

 

80155.

 

 

(City)

 

(State)

 

(ZIP/Postal Code)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(The following statement is adopted by marking the box.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

x  The person appointed as registered agent above has consented to being so appointed.

 

 

 

 

 

4. The true name and mailing address of the incorporator are

 

 

 

 

 

Name

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(if an individual)

 

(Last)

 

(First)

 

(Middle)

 

(Suffix)

 

 

 

OR

 

 

 

 

 

(if an entity)

 

EchoStar Corporation

(Caution: Do not provide both an individual and an entity name.)

 

Mailing address

 

90 Inverness Circle East

 

 

(Street number and name or Post Office Box information)

 

 

 

 

 

Englewood

 

CO

 

80112

 

 

(City)

 

(State)

 

(ZIP/Postal Code)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

United States

.

 

 

 

(Province – if applicable)

 

(Country)

 

 

 

(If the following statement applies, adopt the statement by marking the box and include an attachment.)

o         The corporation has one or more additional incorporators and the name and mailing address of each additional incorporator are stated in an attachment.

 

5.          The classes of shares and number of shares of each class that the corporation is authorized to issue are as follows.

 

(If the following statement applies, adopt the statement by marking the box and enter the number of shares.)

x       The corporation is authorized to issue 10,000 common shares that shall have unlimited voting rights and are entitled to receive the net assets of the corporation upon dissolution.

 

(If the following statement applies, adopt the statement by marking the box and include an attachment.)

o         Additional information regarding shares as required by section 7-106-101, C.R.S., is included in an attachment.

(Caution: At least one box must be marked. Both boxes may be marked, if applicable.)

 

6.               (If the following statement applies, adopt the statement by marking the box and include an attachment.)

o  This document contains additional information as provided by law.

 

7.               (Caution: Leave blank if the document does not have a delayed effective date. Stating a delayed effective date has significant legal consequences. Read instructions before entering a date.)

 

(If the following statement applies, adopt the statement by entering a date and, if applicable, time using the required format.)

The delayed effective date and, if applicable, time of this document is/are                                                                                           .

                                                                                                                                              (mm/dd/yyyy hour:minute am/pm)

 

2



 

Notice:

 

Causing this document to be delivered to the Secretary of State for filing shall constitute the affirmation or acknowledgment of each individual causing such delivery, under penalties of perjury, that the document is the individual’s act and deed, or that the individual in good faith believes the document is the act and deed of the person on whose behalf the individual is causing the document to be delivered for filing, taken in conformity with the requirements of part 3 of article 90 of title 7, C.R.S., the constituent documents, and the organic statutes, and that the individual in good faith believes the facts stated in the document are true and the document complies with the requirements of that Part, the constituent documents, and the organic statutes.

 

This perjury notice applies to each individual who causes this document to be delivered to the Secretary of State, whether or not such individual is named in the document as one who has caused it to be delivered.

 

8. The true name and mailing address of the individual causing the document to be delivered for filing are

 

 

 

Strickland

 

Tracy

 

A.

 

 

 

 

(Last)

 

(First)

 

(Middle)

 

(Suffix)

 

 

 

 

 

P.O. Box 6655

 

 

(Street number and name or Post Office Box information)

 

 

 

 

 

Englewood

 

CO

 

80155

 

 

(City)

 

(State)

 

(ZIP/Postal Code)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

United States

.

 

 

 

(Province – if applicable)

 

(Country)

 

 

 

(If the following statement applies, adopt the statement by marking the box and include an attachment.)

o        This document contains the true name and mailing address of one or more additional individuals causing the document to be delivered for filing.

 

Disclaimer:

 

This form/cover sheet, and any related instructions, are not intended to provide legal, business or tax advice, and are furnished without representation or warranty. While this form/cover sheet is believed to satisfy minimum legal requirements as of its revision date, compliance with applicable law, as the same may be amended from time to time, remains the responsibility of the user of this form/cover sheet. Questions should be addressed to the user’s legal, business or tax advisor(s).

 

3


Exhibit 3.9

 

BYLAWS

 

OF

 

ECHOSTAR SATELLITE OPERATING CORPORATION

 

ARTICLE I

OFFICES

 

1.1           Principal Office.  The principal offices of the Corporation shall initially be at 90 Inverness Circle East, Englewood, Colorado 80112, but the Corporation may, in the discretion of the board of directors, maintain offices wherever the business of the Corporation may require.

 

1.2           Registered Office and Agent.  The Corporation shall continuously maintain in the State of Colorado a registered office and a registered agent whose business office is identical with the registered office. The initial registered office and the initial registered agent are specified in the original Articles of Incorporation for the Corporation. The Corporation may change its registered office, its registered agent, or both, upon filing a statement as specified by law in the office of the Secretary of State of Colorado.

 

ARTICLE II

SHAREHOLDERS

 

2.1           Time and Place.  Any meeting of the shareholders may be held at such time and place, within or outside the State of Colorado, as may be fixed by the board of directors or as shall be specified in the notice or waiver of notice of the meeting. If the place for a meeting is not fixed by the board of directors, such meeting shall be held at the Corporation’s principal office.

 

2.2           Annual Shareholders’ Meeting.  The annual shareholders’ meeting shall be held on the date and at the time and place fixed from time to time by the board of directors; provided, however, that the first annual meeting shall be held on a date that is within six months after the close of the first fiscal year of the Corporation, and each successive annual meeting shall be held on a date that is within the earlier of six months after the close of the year or fifteen months after the last annual meeting.

 

2.3           Special Shareholders’ Meeting.  A special shareholders meeting for any purpose or purposes, may be called by the board of directors or the president. The Corporation shall also hold a special shareholders meeting in the event it receives, in the manner specified in Section 8.3, one or more written demands for the meeting, stating the purpose or purposes for which it is to be held, signed and dated by the holders of shares representing not less than one-tenth of all of the votes entitled to be cast on any issue to be determined at the meeting. Special meetings shall

 

1



 

be held at the principal office of the Corporation or at such other place as the board of directors or the president may determine.

 

2.4           Record Date for Determination of Shareholders.

 

(a)           In order to make a determination of shareholders entitled to (i) notice of or to vote at any shareholders meeting or at any adjournment of a shareholders meeting, (ii) demand a special shareholders meeting, (iii) take any other action or (iv) receive payment of a share dividend or a distribution, or for any other purpose, the board of directors may fix a future date as the record date for such determination of shareholders. The record date may be fixed not more than seventy days before the date of the proposed action.

 

(b)           Unless otherwise specified when the record date is fixed, the time of day for determination of shareholders shall be as of the Corporation’s close of business on the record date.

 

(c)           A determination of shareholders entitled, to be given notice of or to vote at a shareholders meeting is effective for any adjournment of the meeting unless the board of directors fixes a new record date, which the board shall do if the meeting is adjourned to a date more than one hundred twenty days after the date fixed for the original meeting.

 

(d)           If no record date is otherwise fixed, the record date for determining shareholders entitled to be given notice of and to vote at an annual or special shareholders meeting is the day before the first notice is given to shareholders.

 

(e)           The record date for determining shareholders entitled to take action without a meeting pursuant to Section 2.11 is the date a writing upon which the action is taken is first received by the Corporation.

 

2.5           Voting List.

 

(a)           After a record date is fixed for a shareholders meeting, the secretary shall prepare a list of the names of all its shareholders who are entitled to be given notice of the meeting. The list (i) shall be arranged by voting groups and within each voting group by class or series of shares, (ii) shall be alphabetical within each class or series and (iii) shall show the address of, and the number of shares of each such class and series that are held by, each shareholder.

 

(b)           The shareholders’ list shall be available for inspection by any shareholder, beginning the earlier of ten days before the meeting for which the list was prepared or two business days after notice of the meeting is given and continuing through the meeting, and any adjournment thereof, at the Corporation’s principal office or at a place identified in the notice of the meeting in the city where the meeting will be held.

 

2



 

(c)           The secretary shall make the shareholders list available at the meeting, and any shareholder or agent or attorney of a shareholder is entitled to inspect the list at any time during the meeting or any adjournment thereof.

 

2.6           Notice to Shareholders.

 

(a) The secretary shall give notice to shareholders of the date, time and place of each annual and special shareholders meeting no fewer than ten nor more than sixty days before the date of the meeting; except that, if the articles of incorporation are to be amended to increase the number of authorized shares, at least thirty days notice shall be given. Except as otherwise required by the Colorado Business Corporation Act (the “Act”), the secretary shall be required to give such notice only to shareholders entitled to vote at the meeting.

 

(b)           Notice of an annual shareholders meeting need not include a description of the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is called unless a purpose of the meeting is to consider an amendment to the articles of incorporation, a restatement of the articles of incorporation, a plan of merger or share exchange, disposition of substantially all of the property of the Corporation, consent by the Corporation to the disposition of property by another entity or dissolution of the Corporation,

 

(c)           Notice of a special shareholders meeting shall include a description of the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is called.

 

(d)           Notice of a shareholders meeting shall be in writing and shall be given

 

(i)            by deposit in the United States mail, properly addressed to the shareholder’s address shown in the Corporation’s current record of shareholders, first class postage prepaid, and, if so given, shall be effective when mailed; or

 

(ii)           by telegraph, teletype, electronically transmitted facsimile, electronic mail, mail or private carrier or by personal delivery to the shareholder, and, if so given, shall be effective when actually received by the shareholder.

 

(e)           If an annual or special shareholders meeting is adjourned to a different date, time or place, notice need not be given of the new date, time or place if the new date, time or place is announced at the meeting before adjournment; provided, however, that, if a new record date for the adjourned meeting is fixed pursuant to Section 2.4, notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given to persons who are shareholders as of the new record date.

 

(f)            If three successive notices are given by the Corporation, whether with respect to a shareholders meeting or otherwise, to a shareholder and are returned as undeliverable, no further notices to such shareholder shall be necessary until another address for the shareholder is made known to the Corporation.

 

3



 

2.7           Quorum. Shares entitled to vote as a separate voting group may take action on a matter at a meeting only if a quorum of those shares exists with respect to that matter. A majority of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter by the voting group shall constitute a quorum of that voting group for action on the matter. If a quorum does not exist with respect to any voting group, the president or any shareholder or proxy that is present at the meeting, whether or not a member of that voting group, may adjourn the meeting to a different date, time or place, and (subject to the next sentence) notice need not be given of the new date, time or place if the new date, time or place is announced at the meeting before adjournment. If a new record date for the adjourned meeting is or must be fixed pursuant to Section 2.4, notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given pursuant to Section 2.6 to persons who are shareholders as of the new record date. At any adjourned meeting at which a quorum exists, any matter must be acted upon that could have been acted upon at a meeting originally called; provided, however, that, if new notice is given of the adjourned meeting, then such notice shall state the purpose or purposes of the adjourned meeting sufficiently to permit action on such. Once a share is represented for any purpose at a meeting, including the purpose of determining that a quorum exists, it is deemed present for quorum purposes for the remainder of the meeting and for any adjournment of that meeting unless a new record date is or shall be set for that adjourned meeting.

 

2.8           Voting Entitlement of Shares. Except as stated in the articles of incorporation, each outstanding share, regardless of class, is entitled to one vote, and each fractional share is entitled to a corresponding fractional vote, on each matter voted on at a shareholders meeting.

 

2.9           Proxies, Acceptance of Votes and Consents.

 

(a)             A shareholder may vote either in person or by proxy.

 

(b)             An appointment of a proxy is not effective against the Corporation until the appointment is received by the Corporation. An appointment is valid for eleven months unless a different period is expressly provided in the appointment form.

 

(c)             The Corporation may accept or reject any appointment of a proxy, revocation of appointment of a proxy, vote, consent, waiver or other writing purportedly signed by or for a shareholder, if such acceptance or rejection is in accordance with the provisions of Sections 7-107-203 and 7-107-205 of the Act.

 

2.10         Waiver of Notice.

 

(a)             A shareholder may waive any notice required by the Act, the articles of incorporation or the bylaws, whether before or after the date or time stated in the notice as the date or time when any action will occur or has occurred. The waiver shall be in writing, be signed by the shareholder entitled to the notice and be delivered to the Corporation for inclusion in the minutes or filing with the corporate records, but such delivery and filing shall not be conditions of the effectiveness of the waiver.

 

4



 

(b)             A shareholder’s attendance at a meeting (i) waives objection to lack of notice or defective notice of the meeting, unless the shareholder at the beginning of the meeting objects to holding the meeting or transacting business at the meeting because of lack of notice or defective notice and (ii) waives objection to consideration of a particular matter at the meeting that is not within the purpose or purposes described in the meeting notice, unless the shareholder objects to considering the matter when it is presented.

 

2.11         Action by Shareholders Without a Meeting.  Any action required or permitted to be taken at a shareholders meeting may be taken without a meeting if all of the shareholders entitled to vote thereon consent to such action in writing. Action pursuant to this Section 2.11 shall be effective when the Corporation has received writings that describe and consent to the action, signed by all of the shareholders entitled to vote thereon. Action taken pursuant to this Section 2.11 shall be effective as of the date the last writing necessary to effect the action is received by the Corporation, unless all of the writings necessary to effect the action specify another date, which may be before or after the date the writings are received by the Corporation. Such action shall have the same effect as action taken at a meeting of shareholders and may be described as such in any document. Any shareholder who has signed a writing describing and consenting to an action taken pursuant to this Section 2.11 may revoke such consent by a writing signed by the shareholder describing the action and stating that the shareholder’s prior consent thereto is revoked, if such writing is received by the Corporation before the effectiveness of the action.

 

2.12         Meetings by Telecommunications. Any or all of the shareholders may participate in an annual or special shareholders meeting by, or the meeting may be conducted through the use of, any means of communication by which all persons participating in the meeting may hear each other during the meeting. A shareholder participating in a meeting by this means is deemed to be present in person at the meeting.

 

ARTICLE III

DIRECTORS

 

3.1           Authority of the Board of Directors. The corporate powers shall be exercised by or under the authority of, and the business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed under the direction of, a board of directors.

 

3.2           Number. The number of directors shall be fixed by resolution of the board of directors from time to time and may be increased or decreased by resolution adopted by the board of directors from time to time, but no decrease in the number of directors shall have the effect of shortening the term of any incumbent director.

 

3.3           Qualification. Directors shall be natural persons at least eighteen years old but need not be residents of the State of Colorado or shareholders of the Corporation.

 

5



 

3.4           Election. The board of directors shall be elected at the annual meeting of the shareholders or at a special meeting called for that purpose.

 

3.5           Term. Each director shall be elected to hold office until the next annual meeting of shareholders and until the director’s successor is elected and qualified.

 

3.6           Resignation. A director may resign at any time by giving written notice of his or her resignation to any other director or (if the director is not also the secretary) to the secretary. The resignation shall be effective when it is received by another director or the secretary, as the case may be, unless the notice of resignation specifies a later effective date. Acceptance of such resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective unless the notice so provides.

 

3.7           Removal. Any director may be removed by the shareholders, with or without cause, at a meeting called for that purpose. The notice of the meeting shall state that the purpose, or one of the purposes, of the meeting is removal of the director. A director may be removed only if the number of votes cast in favor of removal exceeds the number of votes cast against removal.

 

3.8           Vacancies.

 

(a)           If a vacancy occurs on the board of directors, including a vacancy resulting from an increase in the number of directors:

 

(i)            The shareholders may fill the vacancy at the next annual meeting or at a special meeting called for that purpose; or

 

(ii)           The board of directors may fill the vacancy; or

 

(iii)          If the directors remaining in office constitute fewer than a quorum of the board, they may fill the vacancy by the affirmative vote of a majority of all the directors remaining in office.

 

(b)           Notwithstanding Section 3.8(a), if the vacant office was held by a director elected by a voting group of shareholders, then, if one or more of the remaining directors were elected by the same voting group, only such directors are entitled to vote to fill the vacancy if it is filled by directors, and they may do so by the affirmative vote of a majority of such directors remaining in office; and only the holders of shares of that voting group are entitled to vote to fill the vacancy if it is filled by the shareholders.

 

(c)           A vacancy that will occur at a specific later date, by reason of a resignation that will become effective at a later date under Section 3.6 or otherwise, may be filled before the vacancy occurs, but the new director may not take office until the vacancy occurs.

 

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3.9           Meetings. The board of directors may hold regular or special meetings within or outside of Colorado. A regular meeting shall be held without notice immediately after and at the same place as the annual meeting of the shareholders. The board of directors may, by resolution, establish other dates, times and places for additional regular meetings, which may thereafter be held without further notice. Special meetings may be called by the president or by any two directors and shall be held at the principal office of the Corporation unless otherwise specified in the notice of the meeting. At any time when the board consists of a single director, that director may act at any time, date or place without notice.

 

3.10         Notice of Special Meeting. Notice of a special meeting shall be given to every director at least twenty-four hours before the time of the meeting, stating the date, time and place of the meeting. The notice need not describe the purpose of the meeting. Notice may be given orally to the director, personally or by telephone or other wire or wireless communication. Notice may also be given in writing by telegraph, teletype, electronically transmitted facsimile, electronic mail or private carrier. Notice shall be effective at the earliest of (a) the time it is received; (b) five days after it is deposited in the United States mail, properly addressed to the last address for the director shown on the records of the Corporation, first class postage prepaid or (c) the date shown on the return receipt if mailed by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, in the United States mail and if the return receipt is signed by the director to whom the notice is addressed.

 

3.11         Quorum. Except as provided in Section 3.8, a majority of the number of directors fixed in accordance with these bylaws shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at all meetings of the board of directors. The act of a majority of the directors present at any meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the act of the board of directors, except as otherwise specifically required by law,

 

3.12         Waiver of Notice.

 

(a)             A director may waive any notice of a meeting before or after the time and date of the meeting stated in the notice. Except as provided by Section 3.12(b), the waiver shall be in writing and shall be signed by the director. Such waiver shall be delivered to the secretary for filing with the corporate records, but such delivery and filing shall not be conditions of the effectiveness of the waiver.

 

(b)             A director’s attendance at or participation in a meeting waives any required notice to him or her of the meeting unless, at the beginning of the meeting or promptly upon his or her later arrival, the director objects to holding the meeting or transacting business at the meeting because of lack of notice or defective notice and does not thereafter vote for or assent to action taken at the meeting.

 

3.13         Meetings by Telecommunications. One or more directors may participate in a regular or special meeting by, or conduct the meeting through the use of, any means of communication by which all directors participating may hear each other during the

 

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meeting. A director participating in a meeting by this means is deemed to be present in person at the meeting.

 

3.14         Deemed Assent to Action. A director who is present at a meeting of the board of directors when corporate action is taken shall be deemed to have assented to all action taken at the meeting unless

 

(i)                a director objects at the beginning of the meeting, or promptly upon his or her arrival, to holding the meeting or transacting business at the meeting and does not thereafter vote for or assent to any action taken at the meeting;

 

(ii)               The director contemporaneously requests that his or her dissent or abstention as to any specific action taken be entered in the minutes of the meeting; or

 

(iii)              The director causes written notice of his or her dissent or abstention as to any specific action to be received by the presiding officer of the meeting before adjournment of the meeting or by the secretary (or, if the director is the secretary, by another director) promptly after adjournment of the meeting. The right of dissent or abstention pursuant to this Section 3.14 as to a specific action is not available to a director who votes in favor of the action taken.

 

3.15         Action by Directors Without a Meeting. Any action required or permitted by law to be taken at a board of directors meeting may be taken without a meeting if all members of the board consent to such action in writing. The action shall be deemed to have been so taken by the board at the time the last director signs a writing describing the action, unless, before such time, any director has revoked his or her consent by a writing signed by the director and received by the president or the secretary or any other person authorized by the board of directors to receive such a revocation. Such action shall be effective at the time and date it is so taken unless the directors establish a different effective time or date. Such action has the same effect as action taken at a meeting of directors and may be described as such in any document.

 

ARTICLE IV

COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

 

4.1           Subject to the provisions of Section 7-109-106 of the Act, the board of directors may create one or more committees and appoint one or more members of the board of directors to serve on them. The creation of a committee and appointment of members to it shall require the approval of a majority of all the directors in office when the action is taken, whether or not those directors constitute a quorum of the board.

 

4.2           The provisions of these bylaws governing meetings, action without meeting, notice, waiver of notice and quorum and voting requirements of the board of directors apply to committees and their members as well.

 

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4.3           To the extent specified by resolution adopted from time to time by a majority of all the directors in office when the resolution is adopted, whether or not those directors constitute a quorum of the board, each committee shall exercise the authority of the board of directors with respect to the corporate powers and the management of the business and affairs of the Corporation, except that a committee shall not:

 

(a)           authorize distributions;

 

(b)           approve or propose to shareholders action that the Act requires to be approved by shareholders;

 

(c)           fill vacancies on the board of directors or on any of its committees;

 

(d)           amend the articles of incorporation pursuant to Section 7-110-102 of the Act;

 

(e)           adopt, amend or repeal bylaws;

 

(f)            approve a plan of merger not requiring shareholder approval;

 

(g)           authorize or approve reacquisition of shares, except according to a formula or method prescribed by the board of directors; or

 

(h)           authorize or approve the issuance or sale of shares, or a contract for the sale of shares, or determine the designation and relative rights, preferences and limitations of a class or series of shares, except that the board of directors may authorize a committee or an officer to do so within limits specifically prescribed by the board of directors.

 

4.4           The creation of, delegation of authority to, or action by, a committee does not alone constitute compliance by a director with applicable standards of conduct.

 

ARTICLE V

OFFICERS

 

5.1           General. The Corporation shall have as officers a president, a secretary, and a treasurer, who shall be appointed by the board of directors. The board of directors may appoint as additional officers a chairman and other officers of the board. The board of directors, the president, and such other subordinate officers as the board of directors may authorize from time to time, acting singly, may appoint as additional officers one or more vice presidents, assistant secretaries, assistant treasurers, and such other subordinate officers as the board of directors, the president, or such other appointing officer deems necessary or appropriate. The officers of the Corporation shall hold their offices for such terms and shall exercise such authority and perform such duties as shall be determined from time to time by these Bylaws, the board of directors, or (with respect to officers who

 

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are appointed by the president or other appointing officers) the persons appointing them; provided, however, that the board of directors may change the term of offices and the authority of any officer appointed by the president or other appointing officers. Any two or more officers may be held by the same person. The officers of the Corporation shall be natural persons at least eighteen years old.

 

5.2           Term. Each officer shall hold office from the time of appointment until the time of removal or resignation pursuant to Section 3.6 or until the officer’s death.

 

5.3           Removal and Resignation. Any officer appointed by the board of directors may be removed at any time by the board of directors. Any officer appointed by the president or other appointing officer may be removed at any time by the board of directors or by the person appointing the officer. Any officer may resign at any time by giving written notice of resignation to any director (or to any director other than the resigning officer if the officer is also a director), to the president, to the secretary or to the officer who appointed the officer. Acceptance of such resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective, unless the notice so provides.

 

5.4           President. The president shall preside at all meetings of shareholders, and the president shall also preside at all meetings of the board of directors unless the board of directors has appointed a chairman, vice chairman, or other officer of the board and has authorized such person to preside at meetings of the board of directors instead of the president. Subject to the direction and control of the board of directors, the president shall be the chief executive officer of the Corporation and as such shall have general and active management of the business of the Corporation and shall see that all orders and resolutions of the board of directors are carried into effect. The president may negotiate, enter into and execute contracts, deeds and other instruments on behalf of the Corporation as are necessary and appropriate to the conduct to the business and affairs of the Corporation or as are approved by the board of directors. The president shall have such additional authority and duties as are appropriate and customary for the office of president and chief executive officer, except as the same may be expanded or limited by the board of directors from time to time.

 

5.5           Vice President. The vice president, if any, or, if there are more than one, the vice presidents in the order determined by the board of directors or the president (or, if no such determination is made, in the order of their appointment), shall be the officer or officers next in seniority after the president. Each vice president shall have such authority and duties as are prescribed by the board of directors or the president. Upon the death, absence, or disability of the president, the vice president, if any, or, if there are more than one, the vice presidents in the order of seniority as determined above, shall have the authority and duties of the president.

 

5.6           Secretary. The secretary shall be responsible for the preparation and maintenance of minutes of the meetings of the board of directors and of the shareholders and of the other records and information required to be kept by the Corporation under Section 7-116-101 of the Act and for authenticating records of the Corporation. The

 

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secretary shall also give, or cause to be given, notice of all meetings of the shareholders and special meetings of the board of directors, keep the minutes of such meetings, have charge of the corporate seal and have authority to affix the corporate seal to any instrument requiring it (and, when so affixed, it may be attested by the secretary’s signature), be responsible for the maintenance of all other corporate records and files and for the preparation and filing of reports to governmental agencies (other than tax returns), and have such other authority and duties as are appropriate and customary for the office of secretary, except as the same may be expanded or limited by the board of directors from time to time.

 

5.7           Assistant Secretary. The assistant secretary, if any, or, if there are more than one, the assistant secretaries shall, under the supervision of the secretary, perform such duties and have such authority as may be prescribed from time to time by the board of directors or the secretary. Upon the death, absence or disability of the secretary, the assistant secretary, if any, or, if there are more than one, the assistant secretary in the order designated by the board of directors or the secretary (or, if no such determination is made, in the order of their appointment), shall have the authority and duties of the secretary.

 

5.8           Treasurer. The treasurer shall have control of the funds and the care and custody of all stocks, bonds and other securities owned by the Corporation, and shall be responsible for the preparation and filing of tax returns. The treasurer shall receive all monies paid to the Corporation and, subject to any limits imposed by the board of directors, shall have authority to receive receipts and vouchers, to sign and endorse checks and warrants in the Corporation’s name and on the Corporation’s behalf, and give full discharge for the same. The treasurer shall also have charge of disbursement of funds of the Corporation, shall keep full and accurate records of the receipts and disbursements, and shall deposit all monies and other valuable effects in the name and to the credit of the Corporation in such depositories as shall be designated by the board of directors. The treasurer shall have such additional authority and duties as are appropriate and customary for the office of treasurer, except as the same may be expanded or limited by the board of directors from time to time.

 

5.9           Assistant Treasurer. The assistant treasurer, if any, or, if there are more than one, the assistant treasurers shall, under the supervision of the treasurer, have such authority and duties as may be prescribed from time to time by the board of directors or the treasurer. Upon the death, absence or disability of the treasurers, the assistant treasurer, if any, or if there are more than one, the assistant treasurers in the order determined by the board of directors or the treasurer (of, if no such determination is made, in the order of their appointment), shall have the authority and duties of the treasurer.

 

5.10         Compensation. Officers shall receive such compensation for their services as may be authorized or ratified by the board of directors. Election or appointment of an officer shall not of itself create a contractual right to compensation for services performed as such officer.

 

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ARTICLE VI

INDEMNIFICATION

 

6.1           Definitions. As used in this Article VI:

 

(a)               “Corporations” includes any domestic or foreign entity that is a predecessor of the Corporation by reason of a merger or other transaction in which the predecessor’s existence ceased upon consummation of the transaction.

 

(b)              “Director” means an individual who is or was a director of the Corporation or an individual who, while a director of the Corporation, is or was serving at the Corporation’s request as a director, officer, partner, trustee, employee, fiduciary or agent of another domestic or foreign corporation or other person or of an employee benefit plan. A director is considered to be serving an employee benefit plan at the Corporation’s request if his or her duties to the Corporation also impose duties on or otherwise involve services by, the director to the plan or to participants in or beneficiaries of the plan. “Director” includes, unless the context requires otherwise, the estate or personal representative of a director.

 

(c)               “Expenses” includes counsel fees.

 

(d)              “Liability” means the obligation incurred with respect to a proceeding to pay a judgment, settlement, penalty, fine, including an excise tax assessed with respect to an employee benefit plan or reasonable expenses.

 

(e)               “Official capacity” means, when used with respect to a director, the office of director in the Corporation and, when used with respect to a person other than a director as contemplated in Section 6.7, the office in the Corporation held by the officer or the employment, fiduciary or agency relationship undertaken by the employee, fiduciary or agent on behalf of the Corporation. “Official capacity” does not include service for any other domestic or foreign corporation or other person or employee benefit plan.

 

(f)            “Party” includes a person who was, is or is threatened to be made, a named defendant or respondent in a proceeding.

 

(g)           “Proceeding” means any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative and whether formal or informal.

 

6.2           Authority to Indemnify Directors.

 

(a)           Except as provided in Section 6.2(d), the Corporation shall indemnify a person made a party to a proceeding because the person is or was a director against liability incurred in the proceeding if:

 

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(i) The person conducted himself or herself in good faith; and

 

(ii) The person reasonably believed:

 

(A)          In the case of conduct in an official capacity with the Corporation, that his or her conduct was in the Corporation’s best interests; and

 

(B)           In all other cases, that his or her conduct was at least not opposed to the Corporation’s best interests; and

 

(iii)          In the case of any criminal proceeding, the person had no reasonable cause to believe his or her conduct was unlawful.

 

(b)           A director’s conduct with respect to any employee benefit plan for a purpose the director reasonably believed to be in the interests of the participants in or beneficiaries of the plan is conduct that satisfies the requirement of Section 6.2(a)(ii)(B). A director’s conduct with respect to an employee benefit plan for a purpose that the director did not reasonably believe to be in the interests of the participants in or beneficiaries of the plan shall be deemed not to satisfy the requirements of Section 6.2(a)(i).

 

(c)           The termination of a proceeding by judgment, order, settlement, conviction or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent is not, of itself, determinative that the director did not meet the standard of conduct described in this Section 6.2.

 

(d)           Except to the extent authorized by a court as provided in Section 6.5, the Corporation may not indemnify a director under this Section 6.2:

 

(i)            In connection with a proceeding by or in the right of the Corporation in which the director was adjudged liable to the Corporation; or

 

(ii)           In connection with any other proceeding charging that the director derived an improper personal benefit, whether or not involving action in an official capacity, in which proceeding the director was adjudged liable on the basis that he or she derived an improper personal benefit.

 

(e)           Indemnification permitted under this Section 6.2 in connection with a proceeding by or in the right of the Corporation is limited to reasonable expenses incurred in connection with the proceeding.

 

6.3           Mandatory Indemnification of Directors.  The Corporation shall indemnify a person who was wholly successful, on the merits or otherwise, in the defense of any proceeding to which the person was a party because the person is or was a

 

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director, against reasonable expenses incurred by him or her in connection with the proceeding.

 

6.4           Advance of Expenses to Directors.

 

(a)           The Corporation shall pay for or reimburse the reasonable expenses incurred by a director who is a party to a proceeding in advance of final disposition of the proceeding if:

 

(i)            The director furnishes to the Corporation a written affirmation of the director’s good faith belief that he or she has met the standard of conduct described in Section 6.2.

 

(ii)           The director furnishes to the Corporation a written undertaking, executed personally or on the director’s behalf, to repay the advance if it is ultimately determined that he or she did not meet the standard of conduct; and

 

(iii)          A determination is made that the facts then known to those making the determination would not preclude indemnification under this Article VI.

 

(b)           The undertaking required by Section 6.4(a)(ii) shall be an unlimited general obligation of the director but need not be secured and may be accepted without reference to financial ability to make repayment.

 

(c)           Determinations and authorizations of payments under this Section 6.4 shall be made in the manner specified in Section 6.6.

 

6.5           Court-Ordered Indemnification of Directors. A director who is or was a party to a proceeding may apply for indemnification to the court conducting the proceeding or to another court of competent jurisdiction. On receipt of an application, the court, after giving any notice the court considers necessary, may order indemnification in the following manner:

 

(i)            If it determines that the director is entitled to mandatory indemnification under Section 6.3, the court shall order indemnification, in which case the court shall also order the Corporation to pay the director’s reasonable expenses incurred to obtain court-ordered indemnification.

 

(ii)           If it determines that the director is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnification in view of all the relevant circumstances, whether or not the director met the standard of conduct set forth in Section 6.2(a) or was adjudged liable in the circumstances described in Section 6.2(d), the court may order such indemnification as the court deems proper; except that the indemnification with respect to any proceeding in which liability shall have been adjudged in the circumstances described in Section 6.2(d) is limited to reasonable expenses incurred in connection with the proceeding and reasonable expenses incurred to obtain court ordered indemnification.

 

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6.6           Determination and Authorization of Indemnification of Directors.

 

(a)           Except to the extent authorized by a court as provided in Section 6.5, the Corporation shall not indemnify a director under Section 6.2 unless authorized in the specific case after a determination has been made that indemnification of the director is permissible in the circumstances because the director has met the standard of conduct set forth in Section 6.2. The Corporation shall not advance expenses to a director under Section 6.4 unless authorized in the specific case after written affirmation and undertaking required by Section 6.4(a)(i) and 6.4(a)(ii) are received and the determination required by Section 6.4(a)(iii) has been made.

 

(b)           The determinations required by Section 6.6(a) shall be made:

 

(i)            By the board of directors by a majority vote of those present at a meeting at which a quorum is present, and only those directors not parties to the proceeding shall be counted in satisfying the quorum; or

 

(ii)           If a quorum cannot be obtained, by a majority vote of a committee of the board of directors designated by the board of directors, which committee shall consist of two or more directors not parties to the proceeding; except that directors who are parties to the proceeding may participate in the designation of directors for the committee.

 

(c)           If a quorum cannot be obtained as contemplated in Section 6.6(b)(i), and a committee cannot be established under Section 6.6(b)(ii), or even if a quorum is obtained or a committee is designated, if a majority of the directors constituting such quorum or such committee so directs, the determination required to be made by Section 6.6(a) shall be made.

 

(i)            By independent legal counsel selected by a vote of the board of directors or the committee in the manner specified in Section 6.6(b)(i) or 6.6(b)(ii), or, if a quorum of the full board cannot be obtained and a committee cannot be established, by independent legal counsel selected by a majority vote of the full board of directors; or

 

(ii)           By the shareholders.

 

(d)           Authorization of indemnification and advance of expenses shall be made in the same manner as the determination that indemnification or advance of expenses is permissible; except that, if the determination that indemnification or advance of expenses is required or permissible is made by independent legal counsel, authorization of indemnification and advance of expenses shall be made by the body that selected such counsel.

 

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6.7           Indemnification of Officers, Employees, Fiduciaries and Agents.

 

(a)           The Corporation may indemnify and advance expenses to an officer to the same extent as a director.

 

(b)           The Corporation may indemnify and advance expenses to an employee, fiduciary or agent of the Corporation to the same extent as to a director.

 

(c)           The Corporation may also indemnify and advance expenses to an officer, employee, fiduciary or agent who is not a director to a greater extent than is provided in these bylaws, if not inconsistent with public policy, and if provided for by general or specific action of its board of directors of shareholders or by contract.

 

6.8           Insurance. The Corporation may purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of a person who is or was a director, officer, employee, fiduciary or agent of the Corporation or who, while a director, officer, employee, fiduciary or agent of the Corporation, is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, partner, officer, employee, fiduciary or agent of another domestic or foreign corporation or other person or of an employee benefit plan, against liability asserted against or incurred by the person in that capacity or arising from his or her status as a director, officer, employee, fiduciary or agent, whether or not the Corporation would have power to indemnify the person against the same liability under Sections 6.2, 6.3, or 6.7. Any such insurance may be procured from any insurance company designated by the board of directors, whether such insurance company is formed under the laws of this state or any other jurisdiction of the United States or elsewhere, including any insurance company in which the Corporation has an equity or any other interest through stock ownership or otherwise.

 

6.9           Notice to Shareholders of Indemnification of Director. If the Corporation indemnifies or advances expenses to a director under this Article VI in connection with a proceeding by or in the right of the Corporation, the Corporation shall give written notice of the indemnification or advance to the shareholders with or before the notice of the next shareholders meeting. If the next shareholder action is taken without a meeting at the instigation of the board of directors, such notice shall be given to the shareholders at or before the time the first shareholder signs a writing consenting to such action.

 

ARTICLE VII

SHARES

 

7.1           Certificates. Certificates representing shares of the capital stock of the Corporation shall be in such form as is approved by the board of directors and shall be signed by the chairman or vice chairman of the board of directors (if any), or the president or any vice president, and by the secretary or an assistant secretary or the treasurer or an assistant treasurer. All certificates shall be consecutively numbered, and the names of owners, the number of shares and the date of issue shall be entered on the books of the Corporation. Each certificate representing shares shall state upon its face;

 

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(a)           that the Corporation is organized under the laws of the State of Colorado;

 

(b)           the name of the person to whom the shares are issued;

 

(c)           the number and class of the shares and the designation of the series, if any, that the certificate represents;

 

(d)           the par value, if any, of each share represented by the certificate;

 

(e)           on the front or the back, (i) a summary of the designations, preferences, limitations and relative rights applicable to each class, the variations in preferences, limitations and rights determined for each series, and the authority of the board of directors to determine variations for future classes or series; or (ii) a conspicuous statement that the Corporation will furnish to the shareholder, on request in writing and without charge, information concerning the designations, preferences, limitations and relative rights applicable to each claim, the variations in preferences, limitations and rights determined for each series, and the authority of the board of directors to determine variations for future classes or series; and

 

(f)            any restrictions imposed by the Corporation upon the transfer of the shares represented by the certificate.

 

7.2           Facsimile Signatures. Where a certificate is signed (a) by a transfer agent other than the Corporation or its employee, or (b) by a registrar other than the Corporation or its employee, any or all of the officers’ signatures on the certificate required by Section 7.1 may be by facsimile. If any officer, transfer agent or registrar who has signed, or whose facsimile signature or signatures have been placed upon, any certificate, shall cease to be such officer, transfer agent or registrar, whether because of death, resignation or otherwise, before the certificate is issued by the Corporation, it may nevertheless be issued by the Corporation with the same effect as if he or she were such officer, transfer agent or registrar at the date of issue.

 

7.3           Transfers of Shares. Transfers of shares shall be made on the books of the Corporation only upon presentation of the certificate or certificates representing such shares properly endorsed by the person or persons appearing upon the face of such certificate to be the owner, or accompanied by a proper transfer or assignment separate from the certificates except as may otherwise be expressly provided by the statutes of the State of Colorado or by order of a court of competent jurisdiction. The officers or transfer agents of the Corporation may, in their discretion, require a signature guaranty before making any transfer. Except to the extent the Corporation otherwise provides pursuant to Section 7.4 and except for the assertion of dissenters’ rights to the extent provided in Article 113 of the Act, the Corporation shall be entitled to treat the person in whose name any shares are registered on its books as the owner of those shares for all purposes and shall not be bound to recognize any equitable or other claim or interest in

 

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the shares on the part of any other person, whether or not the Corporation shall have notice of such claim or interest.

 

7.4           Shares Held for Account of Another. The board of directors may adopt by resolution a procedure whereby a shareholder of the Corporation may certify in writing to the Corporation that all or a portion of the shares registered in the name of such shareholder are held for the account of a specified person or persons. The resolution shall set forth:

 

(a)           the clarification of shareholders who may certify;

 

(b)           the purpose or purposes for which the certification may be made;

 

(c)           the form of certification and the information to be contained therein;

 

(d)           if the certification is with respect to a record date or closing of the stock transfer books, the time after the record date or the closing of the stock transfer books within which the certification must be received by the Corporation; and

 

(e)           such other provisions with respect to the procedure as are deemed necessary or desirable. Upon receipt by the Corporation of a certification complying with the procedure, the persons specified in the certification shall be deemed, for the purpose or purposes set forth in the certification, to be the holders of record of the number of shares specified in place of the shareholder making the certification.

 

ARTICLE VIII

GENERAL

 

8.1           Corporate Seal. The board of directors may adopt a seal, circular in form and bearing the name of the Corporation and the words “SEAL” and “COLORADO,” - which, when adopted, shall constitute the seal of the Corporation. The seal may be used by causing it or a facsimile of it to be impressed, affixed, manually reproduced or rubber stamped with indelible ink.

 

8.2           Fiscal Year. The board of directors may, by resolution, adopt a fiscal year for the Corporation.

 

8.3           Receipt of Notices by the Corporation. Notices, shareholder writings consenting to an action, and other documents or writings shall be deemed to have been received by the Corporation when they are received:

 

(a)           at the registered office of the Corporation in the State of Colorado;

 

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(b)           at the principal office of the Corporation (as that office is designated in the most recent document filed by the Corporation with the Secretary of State for the State of Colorado designating a principal office) addressed to the attention of the secretary of the Corporation;

 

(c)           by the secretary of the Corporation wherever the secretary may be found; or

 

(d)           by any other person authorized from time to time by the board of directors, the president or the secretary to move such writings, when such person is found.

 

8.4           Amendment of Bylaws. These Bylaws may at any time and from time to time be amended, supplemented or repealed by the board of directors.

 

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The undersigned, being the duly elected Secretary of the Corporation, hereby certifies that the foregoing Bylaws were duly adopted by the Board of Directors on the 29h day of September, 2008.

 

 

 

/s/ R. Stanton Dodge

 

R. Stanton Dodge

 

Secretary

 

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Exhibit 3.24(b)

 

AMENDED AND RESTATED ARTICLES OF ORGANIZATION

 

OF

 

HELIUS, LLC

 

The undersigned, acting pursuant to the Utah Revised Limited Liability Company Act (the “Act”), adopts the following Amended and Restated Articles of Organization for the purpose of amending and restating the articles of organization of Helius, LLC (the “Company”). The Company’s original articles of organization were filed on February 6, 2008.

 

1.                                            Name.  The Company’s name is Helius, LLC.

 

2.                                            Term.  The Company will continue until 99 years after the date of the Company’s formation, unless sooner dissolved by law or as provided in the Company’s operating agreement.

 

3.                                            Business Purpose.  The Company’s purpose is to engage in any lawful act or activity for which a limited liability company may be organized under the Act.

 

4.                                            Management.  The Company will be member-managed. The name and street address of the Company’s sole member are as follows:

 

Hughes Network Systems, LLC

11717 Exploration Lane

Germantown, Maryland 20876

 

5.                                            Registered Agent.  The name and street address of the Company’s registered agent are: C.T. Corporation System, 136 East South Temple, Suite 2100, Salt Lake City, Utah 84111.

 

6.                                            Designated Office.  The Company’s designated office shall be: 333 South 520 West, Suite 330, Lindon, Utah 84042.

 

7.                                            Amendments.  The Company reserves the right to amend these Articles of Organization from time to time in accordance with the Act.

 

These Amended and Restated Articles of Organization were adopted by the sole member of the Company on the date hereof as required by Section 48-2c-803 of the Act or as otherwise required by the Company’s articles of organization or operating agreement, and were duly signed and filed in accordance with Section 48-2c-409 of the Act.

 

DATED: September 30, 2010.

 

 

Hughes Network Systems, LLC

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Dean A. Manson

 

 

 

 

Name: Dean A. Manson

 

 

 

Title: Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary

 


Exhibit 3.30

 

CERTIFICATE OF FORMATION

 

OF

 

HNS LICENSE SUB, LLC

 

1.                                                                         The name of the limited liability company is HNS LICENSE  SUB, LLC.

 

2.                                                                         The address of its registered office in the State of Delaware is Corporation Trust Center, 1209 Orange Street, in the City of Wilmington, County of New Castle. The name of its registered agent at such address is The Corporation Trust Company.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Certificate of Formation of HNS LICENSE  SUB, LLC this 21st day of December, 2004.

 

 

/s/ Kathy P. Spicer

 

Kathy P. Spicer, Authorized Signatory

 


Exhibit 5.1

 

[Sullivan & Cromwell LLP Letterhead]

 

 

January 20, 2012

 

Hughes Satellite Systems Corporation,

100 Inverness Terrace East,

Englewood, Colorado 80112.

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

In connection with the registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), of (a) $1,100,000,000 principal amount of 6½% Senior Secured Notes due 2019 (the “Secured Notes”) of Hughes Satellite Systems Corporation, a Colorado corporation (the “Company”), to be issued in exchange for the Company’s outstanding 6½% Senior Secured Notes due 2019 pursuant to an Indenture, dated as of June 1, 2011 (as supplemented, the “Secured Indenture”), among the Company, the subsidiaries of the Company party thereto (collectively, the “Initial Guarantors”) and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee (the “Trustee”) and collateral agent (the “Collateral Agent”), as supplemented by a Supplemental Indenture, dated as of June 8, 2011, among the Company, the Initial Guarantors, the supplemental guarantors party thereto (the “Supplemental Guarantors” and, together with the Initial Guarantors, the “Guarantors”) and the Trustee and Collateral Agent, (b) $900,000,000 principal amount of 75/8% Senior Notes due 2021 (the “Unsecured Notes” and, together with the Secured Notes, the “Notes”) of the Company, to be issued in exchange for the Company’s outstanding 75/8% Senior Notes due 2021 pursuant to an Indenture, dated as of June 1, 2011 (as supplemented, the “Unsecured Indenture” and, together with the Secured Indenture, the “Indentures”), among the Company, the Initial Guarantors and the Trustee, as supplemented by a Supplemental Indenture, dated as of June 8, 2011, among the Company, the Initial Guarantors, the Supplemental Guarantors and the Trustee, and (c) the Guarantees (the “Guarantees”) of each of the Guarantors endorsed upon the Notes, we, as your special counsel, have examined such corporate records, certificates and other

 



 

documents, and such questions of law, as we have considered necessary or appropriate for the purposes of this opinion.

 

Upon the basis of such examination, we advise you that, in our opinion, when the Registration Statement on Form S-4 relating to the Notes and the Guarantees (the “Registration Statement”) has become effective under the Securities Act, the terms of the Notes and the Guarantees and of their issuance have been duly established in conformity with the respective Indenture so as not to violate any applicable law or result in a default under or breach of any agreement or instrument binding upon the Company or any of the Guarantors and so as to comply with any requirement or restriction imposed by any court or governmental body having jurisdiction over the Company or any of the Guarantors, and the Notes and the Guarantees have been duly executed, delivered and authenticated in accordance with the respective Indenture and issued as contemplated in the Registration Statement, the Notes and the Guarantees will constitute valid and legally binding obligations of the Company and the Guarantors, respectively, subject to bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent transfer, reorganization, moratorium and similar laws of general applicability relating to or affecting creditors’ rights and to general equity principles.

 

The foregoing opinion is limited to the Federal laws of the United States, the laws of the State of New York, the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act, the Colorado Business Corporation Act, the Colorado Limited Liability Company Act and the Utah Revised Limited Liability Company Act and we are expressing no opinion as to the effect of the laws of any other jurisdiction, nor with respect to any Federal or state laws relating to communications or telecommunications, including, without limitation, the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, and any laws that regulate individuals, companies or businesses because such entities provide communications or telecommunications services, including the provision of satellite broadcast television services, or because such entities own, operate or manage satellites. With respect to all matters of Colorado law, we have, with your approval, relied upon the opinion, dated the date hereof, of Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, LLP, delivered to you, and our opinion is subject to the same assumptions, qualifications and limitations with respect to such matters as are contained in such opinion.  With respect to all matters of Utah law, we have, with your approval, relied upon the opinion, dated the date hereof, of Parr Brown Gee & Loveless, delivered to you, and our opinion is subject to the same assumptions, qualifications and limitations with respect to such matters as are contained in such opinion.

 

We have relied as to certain factual matters on information obtained from public officials, officers of the Company and the Guarantors and other sources believed

 

2



 

by us to be responsible, and we have assumed that the Indentures have been duly authorized, executed and delivered by each of the parties thereto other than the Company and the Guarantors, that the Notes and the Guarantees to be endorsed thereon will conform to the specimens thereof examined by us, and that the signatures on all documents examined by us are genuine, assumptions which we have not independently verified.

 

We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement and to the reference to us under the heading “Validity of the Notes” in the prospectus forming a part of the Registration Statement. In giving such consent, we do not thereby admit that we are in the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act.

 

 

Very truly yours,

 

 

 

/s/ Sullivan & Cromwell LLP

 

3


Exhibit 5.2

 

 

January 20, 2012

 

Hughes Satellite Systems Corporation

100 Inverness Terrace East

Englewood, Colorado 80112

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

We have acted as special Colorado counsel to Hughes Satellite Systems Corporation, a Colorado corporation (the “Company”), and each of the entities listed on Exhibit 1 hereto (such entities listed on Exhibit 1 are collectively referred to herein as the “Colorado Issuers”) in connection with the filing by the Company of the Registration Statement on Form S-4 (the “Registration Statement”) with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), relating to the issuance by the Company of (a) $1,100,000,000 aggregate principal amount of its 6½% Senior Secured Notes due 2019 (the “Secured Notes”) to be issued in exchange for the Company’s outstanding 6½% Senior Secured Notes due 2019 issued on June 1, 2011, and (b) $900,000,000 aggregate principal amount of its 75/8% Senior Notes due 2021 (the “Unsecured Notes” and, together with the Secured Notes, the “Exchange Notes”) to be issued in exchange for the Company’s outstanding 75/8% Senior Notes due 2021 issued on June 1, 2011.  The Secured Notes will be issued under an indenture dated as of June 1, 2011 (as supplemented, the “Secured Indenture”), among the Company, the subsidiaries of the Company party thereto (including the Colorado Issuers, collectively, the “Initial Guarantors”) and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee (the “Trustee”) and collateral agent (the “Collateral Agent”), as supplemented by a Supplemental Indenture dated as of June 8, 2011, among the Company, the Initial Guarantors, the supplemental guarantors party thereto (the “Supplemental Guarantors” and, together with the Initial Guarantors, the “Guarantors”) and the Trustee and Collateral Agent. The Unsecured Notes will be issued under an indenture dated as of June 1, 2011 (as supplemented, the “Unsecured Indenture” and, together with the Secured Indenture, the “Indentures”), among the Company, the Initial Guarantors and the Trustee, as supplemented by a Supplemental Indenture, dated as of June 8, 2011, among the Company, the Initial Guarantors, the Supplemental Guarantors and the Trustee. The Exchange Notes will be guaranteed (the “Exchange Guarantees”) by the Guarantors.  The Indentures, the Exchange Notes, and the Exchange Guarantees will be referred to herein as the “Operative Documents.”

 

In our capacity as such counsel, we are familiar with the proceedings taken and proposed to be taken by the Company and the Colorado Issuers in connection with the authorization and issuance of the Exchange Notes and the Exchange Guarantees, all as referenced in the Registration Statement.  For purposes of this opinion letter, we have assumed all such proceedings will be timely completed in the manner presently proposed and the terms of such issuance will be in compliance with applicable laws.

 

We have made such legal and factual examinations and inquiries, including an examination of originals or copies certified, or otherwise identified to our satisfaction, as being true copies of the Registration Statement, the Operative Documents, the articles of incorporation and bylaws of the Company and each of the Colorado Issuers that is a corporation, the articles of organization and operating agreement

 

410 Seventeenth Street, Suite 2200 | Denver, CO 80202-4432

303.223.1100 tel

Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, LLP | bhfs.com

303.223.1111 fax

 



 

of each of the Colorado Issuers that is a limited liability company, the resolutions of the board of directors of the Company with respect to the Operative Documents and the resolutions of the board of directors, managers or members, as applicable, of each of the Colorado Issuers with respect to the Operative Documents, and such other documents, agreements, instruments, corporate records and limited liability company records as we have deemed necessary or appropriate for the purpose of issuing this opinion letter.  We have also obtained from officers and other representatives and agents of the Company and the Colorado Issuers, and from public officials, and have relied upon such certificates, representations and assurances as we have deemed necessary and appropriate for the purpose of issuing this opinion letter.

 

Without limiting the generality of the foregoing in our examination and in rendering this opinion letter, we have, with your permission, assumed without independent verification, that (i) except to the extent set forth in our opinions below, the obligations of each party set forth in the documents we have reviewed are its valid and binding obligations, enforceable against such party in accordance with their respective terms; (ii) the statements of fact and representations and warranties set forth in the documents we reviewed are true and correct as to factual matters; (iii) each natural person executing a document has sufficient legal capacity to do so; (iv) all documents submitted to us as originals are authentic, the signatures on all documents that we examined are genuine, and all documents submitted to us as certified, conformed, photostatic, electronic or facsimile copies conform to the original documents; and (v) all corporate and limited liability company records made available to us by the Company and the Colorado Issuers, and all public records we have reviewed, are accurate and complete.

 

We are qualified to practice law in the State of Colorado.  The opinions set forth herein are expressly limited to and based exclusively on the internal laws of the State of Colorado generally applicable to business entities and in effect on the date hereof, and we do not purport to be experts on, or to express any opinion with respect to the applicability or effect of, the laws of any other jurisdiction or as to matters of local law or the laws, rules, regulations or ordinances of local governmental departments or agencies within the State of Colorado.  We express no opinion herein concerning, and we assume no responsibility as to laws or judicial decisions related to, or any orders, consents or other authorizations or approvals as may be required by, any federal laws, rules or regulations, including, without limitation, any federal securities laws, rules or regulations, any state securities or “blue sky” laws, rules or regulations.

 

Based on the foregoing, and in reliance thereon, and having regard to legal considerations and other information that we deem relevant, we are of the opinion that:

 

1.            Each of the Company and each of the Colorado Issuers that is a corporation is validly existing as a corporation in good standing under the laws of the State of Colorado, with the corporate power and authority to carry on its business as currently conducted, to own, lease and operate its properties, and to authorize, execute and deliver the Operative Documents to which it is a party and to perform its obligations thereunder.

 

2.            Each of the Colorado Issuers that is a limited liability company is validly existing as a limited liability company in good standing under the laws of the State of Colorado, with the limited liability power and authority to carry on its business as currently conducted, to own, lease and operate its properties, and to authorize, execute and deliver the Operative Documents to which it is a party and to perform its obligations thereunder.

 

3.            The Exchange Notes have been duly authorized by the Company under Colorado law.

 

2



 

4.            The Exchange Guarantees of each Colorado Issuer have been duly authorized by such Colorado Issuer under Colorado law.

 

5.            The Indentures have been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company and each Colorado Issuer which is a party thereto.

 

6.            The authorization, execution and delivery by each of the Company and the Colorado Issuers of the Operative Documents to which it is a party and the performance by each of the Company and the Colorado Issuers of its obligations thereunder do not and will not violate (a) its articles of incorporation or bylaws, or its articles of organization or operating agreement, as applicable, each as amended to date, or (b) any applicable Colorado law.

 

The opinions set forth above are subject to (i) the effects of bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, reorganization, moratorium and other similar laws relating to or affecting creditors’ rights generally, and (ii) general equitable principles (whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law), including an implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing.

 

The opinions expressed herein are based upon the applicable laws of the State of Colorado and the facts in existence as of the date of this opinion letter.  In delivering this opinion letter to you, we disclaim any obligation to update or supplement the opinions set forth herein or to apprise you of any changes in any laws or facts after such time as the Registration Statement is declared effective.  No opinion is offered or implied as to any matter, and no inference may be drawn, beyond the strict scope of the specific issues expressly addressed by the opinions set forth herein.

 

We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion letter as an exhibit to the Registration Statement and to the reference to us under the heading “Validity of the Notes” in the prospectus forming a part of the Registration Statement.  In giving such consent, we do not admit that we are within the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act or the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder.  Subject to all of the qualifications, limitations, exceptions, restrictions and assumptions set forth herein, Sullivan & Cromwell LLP may rely on this opinion letter as if it were an addressee hereof on this date for the sole purpose of rendering its opinion letter to the Company relating to the Operative Documents, as filed with the Commission as Exhibit 5.1 to the Registration Statement.

 

Very truly yours,
/s/ Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, LLP

 

3



 

Exhibit 1

 

Colorado Issuers

 

EchoStar Satellite Services L.L.C., formed on June 14, 2006

EchoStar Orbital L.L.C., formed on March 15, 2010

EchoStar Government Services L.L.C., formed on August 5, 2009

EchoStar Satellite Operating Corporation, formed on September 29, 2008

 


Exhibit 5.3

 

January 20, 2012

 

Hughes Satellite Systems Corporation

100 Inverness Terrace East

Englewood, Colorado 80112

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

We have acted as special local counsel to Helius, LLC and Helius Acquisition, LLC, each a Utah limited liability company (the “Utah Guarantors”), in connection with the registration by Hughes Satellite Systems Corporation, a Colorado corporation (the “Company”), under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), of (a) $1,100,000,000 aggregate principal amount of its 6½% Senior Secured Notes due 2019 (the “Secured Notes”) to be issued in exchange for the Company’s outstanding 6½% Senior Secured Notes due 2019 issued on June 1, 2011, and (b) $900,000,000 aggregate principal amount of its 75/8% Senior Notes due 2021 (the “Unsecured Notes” and, together with the Secured Notes, the “Exchange Notes”) to be issued in exchange for the Company’s outstanding 75/8% Senior Notes due 2021 issued on June 1, 2011.  The Secured Notes will be issued under an indenture dated as of June 1, 2011 (as supplemented, the “Secured Indenture”), among the Company, the subsidiaries of the Company party thereto (collectively, the “Initial Guarantors”) and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee (the “Trustee”) and collateral agent (the “Collateral Agent”), as supplemented by a Supplemental Indenture, dated as of June 8, 2011 (the “Secured Supplemental Indenture”), among the Company, the Initial Guarantors, the Utah Guarantors, the other supplemental guarantors party thereto (together with the Utah Guarantors, the “Supplemental Guarantors” and, together with the Initial Guarantors, the “Guarantors”) and the Trustee and Collateral Agent. The Unsecured Notes will be issued under an indenture dated as of June 1, 2011 (as supplemented, the “Unsecured Indenture” and, together with the Secured Indenture, the “Indentures”), among the Company, the Initial Guarantors and the Trustee, as supplemented by a Supplemental Indenture, dated as of June 8, 2011 (the “Unsecured Supplemental Indenture” and, together with the Secured Supplemental Indenture, the “Supplemental Indentures”), among the Company, the Initial Guarantors, the Supplemental Guarantors and the Trustee. The Exchange Notes will be guaranteed (the “Exchange Guarantees”) by the Guarantors.

 

In our capacity as such counsel and in connection with this opinion, we have examined such agreements, instruments, documents and corporate records of the Utah Guarantors as we have deemed necessary or appropriate as a basis for the opinions hereinafter expressed.  We have also reviewed copies of the following documents (collectively, the “Operative Documents”):

 

1.               the Exchange Notes;

 

2.               the Exchange Guarantees; and

 

3.               the Indentures.

 



 

In our review, we have assumed the legal capacity of all natural persons, the genuineness of all signatures, the authenticity of all items submitted to us as originals, and the conformity with originals of all items submitted to us as copies.  We have neither examined nor requested an examination of the indices or records of any court or governmental or other agency, authority, instrumentality, or entity for the purposes of this opinion letter.  As to any other facts material to this opinion, we have examined and relied upon statements and representations of officers and other representatives of the Company and the Utah Guarantors, including without limitation any representations and warranties set forth in the Operative Documents .  In making our examination of documents executed by entities other than the Utah Guarantors, we have assumed that each other entity had the power and authority (corporate and otherwise) to enter into and perform all of its obligations thereunder, and we have also assumed the due authorization by each such entity of all requisite actions, the due execution and delivery of such documents by each such other entity, and that such documents are the valid, binding and enforceable obligations of such entities.  We have also assumed that each Utah Guarantor has received adequate consideration and value in exchange for incurring the obligations and liabilities imposed on it by or in connection with the Operative Documents, including without limitation the obligation to issue the Exchange Guarantees.

 

We call your attention to the fact that the Operative Documents provide that they are to be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.  We are admitted to practice in the State of Utah and we express no opinion whatsoever as to the application or effect of the laws of any other jurisdiction other than the State of Utah or the laws of the United States of America, or as to the interpretation of any agreements or instruments that would arise from the application of the laws of any other jurisdiction.

 

Based upon and subject to the foregoing, having regard for such legal considerations as we deem relevant, and subject to the further qualifications and limitations stated herein, we are of the opinion that:

 

1.               Each of the Utah Guarantors has been duly organized and is validly existing as a limited liability company in good standing under the laws of the State of Utah.

 

2.               The Exchange Guarantees of each Utah Guarantor have been duly authorized by such Utah Guarantor and, when the Registration Statement on Form S-4 relating to the Exchange Notes and the Exchange Guarantees (the “Registration Statement”) has become effective under the Securities Act and when the Exchange Notes are executed and authenticated in accordance with the respective Indenture and issued as contemplated in the Registration Statement, the Exchange Guarantees of each Utah Guarantor endorsed thereon will be valid and binding obligations of such Utah Guarantor under Utah law, subject to bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent transfer, reorganization, moratorium and similar laws of general applicability relating to or affecting creditors’ rights and to general equity principles.

 

3.               The Supplemental Indentures have been duly authorized by each Utah Guarantor party thereto, and the Supplemental Indentures have been duly and validly executed and delivered by each of the Utah Guarantors.

 



 

In addition to the foregoing:

 

1.               We assume no obligation to supplement this opinion if any applicable laws change after the date hereof or if we become aware of any facts that might change the opinions expressed herein after the date hereof.

 

2.               This opinion letter offers opinions only with respect to the specific legal issues explicitly addressed above.  No opinion, unless expressly stated above, may be implied or inferred from any of the foregoing.

 

We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion letter as an exhibit to the Registration Statement and to the reference to us under the heading “Validity of the Notes” in the prospectus forming a part of the Registration Statement.  In giving such consent, we do not thereby admit that we are in the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act.  We hereby also consent to the reliance on this opinion by Sullivan & Cromwell LLP in connection with the delivery by such firm of its legal opinion pursuant to the Registration Statement.

 

 

Very truly yours,

 

 

 

/s/ Parr Brown Gee & Loveless

 

 

 

Parr Brown Gee & Loveless,

 

a Utah professional corporation

 


Exhibit 12.1

 

HUGHES SATELLITE SYSTEMS CORPORATION

STATEMENT OF COMPUTATION OF RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES

(Dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

For the Years

 

For the Nine Months

 

 

 

Ended December 31,

 

Ended September 30,

 

 

 

2010

 

2009

 

2008

 

2011

 

2010

 

Earnings:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income (loss) before income taxes

 

$

67,244

 

$

(3,224

)

$

(271,939

)

$

(9,658

)

$

48,366

 

Equity in earnings of affiliates

 

(196

)

 

 

(1,500

)

 

Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized

 

23,640

 

23,567

 

30,836

 

50,904

 

19,527

 

Amortization of capitalized interest (estimate)

 

3,719

 

5,407

 

5,375

 

2,788

 

2,788

 

Interest component of rent expense (1)

 

1,051

 

120

 

376

 

794

 

578

 

Earnings before fixed charges

 

$

95,458

 

$

25,870

 

$

(235,352

)

$

43,328

 

$

71,259

 

Fixed Charges:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized

 

23,640

 

23,567

 

30,836

 

50,904

 

19,527

 

Capitalized interest

 

17,996

 

8,197

 

716

 

27,638

 

12,126

 

Interest component of rent expense (1)

 

1,051

 

120

 

376

 

794

 

578

 

Total fixed charges

 

$

42,687

 

$

31,884

 

$

31,928

 

$

79,336

 

$

32,231

 

Ratio of earnings to fixed charges (2)

 

2.24x

 

 

 

 

2.21x

 

Deficiency of earnings to fixed charges (2)

 

 

 

$

(6,014

)

$

(267,280

)

$

(36,008

)

 

 


(1)    The interest component of rent expense has been estimated by taking the difference between our gross rent expense and the net present value of our rent expense using the weighted average cost of debt for our senior notes and capital lease obligations during each respective period.  The rates applied are approximately 9% for the years ended December 31, 2008 through December 31, 2010 and for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2011.

 

(2)    For purposes of computing the ratio of earnings to fixed charges, earnings consist of earnings before income taxes, plus fixed charges. Fixed charges consist of interest incurred on all indebtedness, including capitalized interest and the imputed interest component of rental expense under noncancelable operating leases.

 


Exhibit 21

 

Hughes Satellite Systems Corporation

Subsidiaries

 

The following table sets forth our subsidiaries as of September 30, 2011:

 

Company(1)

 

Place of
Incorporation

 

Ownership
Interest

 

EchoStar Satellite Services L.L.C.

 

Colorado

 

100

%

EchoStar 77 Corporation

 

Delaware

 

100

%

EchoStar Government Services L.L.C.

 

Colorado

 

100

%

EchoStar Satellite Operating Corp.

 

Colorado

 

100

%

EchoStar IOM Satellite Limited (Foreign Corp.)

 

Colorado

 

100

%

EchoStar VisionStar Corp.

 

Colorado

 

100

%

VisionStar Inc.

 

New York

 

90

%

EchoStar Orbital L.L.C.

 

Colorado

 

100

%

Hughes Communications Inc.

 

Delaware

 

100

%

Hughes Network Systems, LLC

 

Delaware

 

100

%

Rare Medium, LLC

 

Delaware

 

100

%

Hughes Systique Corporation

 

Delaware

 

45.23

%

HNS Finance Corp.

 

Delaware

 

100

%

HNS License Sub, LLC

 

Delaware

 

100

%

HNS Real Estate, LLC

 

Delaware

 

100

%

HNS-India VSAT, Inc.

 

Delaware

 

100

%

HNS-Shanghai, Inc.

 

Delaware

 

100

%

Hughes Network Systems International Service Company

 

Delaware

 

100

%

Advance Satellite Research, LLC

 

Delaware

 

100

%

Helius, LLC

 

Utah

 

100

%

Helius Acquisition, LLC

 

Utah

 

100

%

Hughes Network Systems Australia Pty. Ltd.

 

Australia

 

100

%

HNS Participações e Empreendimentos Ltda.

 

Brazil

 

100

%

HNS Américas Comunicações Ltda.

 

Brazil

 

100

%

Hughes Telecomunicações do Brasil Ltda.

 

Brazil

 

99.99

%

Hughes Network Systems (Beijing) Co., Ltd.

 

China

 

100

%

Hughes Network Systems Canada ULC

 

Canada

 

100

%

Hughes Network Systems GmbH

 

Germany

 

100

%

Hughes China Holdings Company Limited

 

Hong Kong

 

100

%

Hughes UnifiedNet China Holding Company Ltd.

 

Hong Kong

 

45

%

HughesNet China Co. Ltd.

 

China

 

45

%

Hughes Communications India Limited (“HCIL”)(2)

 

India

 

71.17

%

Hughes Network Systems India Limited

 

India

 

99.99

%

HCIL Comtel Limited(3)

 

India

 

71.15

%

P.T. Hughes Network Systems Indonesia

 

Indonesia

 

100

%

Hughes Network Systems S.r.L.

 

Italy

 

100

%

HNS Mauritius Ltd.

 

Mauritius

 

100

%

HNS de México S.A. de C.V.

 

México

 

100

%

Hughes Network Systems Europe Limited

 

United Kingdom

 

100

%

Hughes Network Systems Limited

 

United Kingdom

 

100

%

HNS License Sub Limited

 

United Kingdom

 

100

%

 


(1)   Excludes certain inactive subsidiaries which, in the aggregate as a single subsidiary, would not constitute a significant subsidiary as of September 30, 2011.

(2)   Our ownership interest in HCIL is owned indirectly through (i) our wholly owned subsidiaries, HNS-India VSAT, Inc. and HNSI, which own 47.42% and 12.84%, respectively, of HCIL and (ii) Escorts Motors Limited, which owns 22.26% of HCIL and which we indirectly own 49%.

(3)   Our ownership interest in HCIL Comtel Limited is owned indirectly through our subsidiary, HCIL, which owns 99.98% of HCIL Comtel Limited.

 


Exhibit 23.1

 

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

The Board of Directors
Hughes Satellite Systems Corporation (formerly known as EH Holding Corporation):

 

We consent to the use of our report dated March 29, 2011, with respect to the combined balance sheets of EH Holding Corporation as of December 31, 2010 and 2009, and the related combined statements of operations, net investment, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2010, included herein and to the reference to our firm under the heading “Experts” in the prospectus.

 

 

/s/ KPMG LLP

 

 

McLean, Virginia
January 20, 2012

 


 

Exhibit 23.2

 

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 

We consent to the use in this Registration Statement on Form S-4 of our report dated March 7, 2011, except for Note 26 as to which the date is January 20, 2012,  relating to the consolidated financial statements of Hughes Communications, Inc. appearing in the Prospectus, which is part of this Registration Statement.  We also consent to the reference to us under the heading “Experts” in such Prospectus.

 

 

/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP

 

 

 

Baltimore, Maryland

 

 

 

January 20, 2012

 

 


Exhibit 25.1

 

 

 

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C.  20549

 


 

FORM T-1

 

STATEMENT OF ELIGIBILITY
UNDER THE TRUST INDENTURE ACT OF 1939 OF A
CORPORATION DESIGNATED TO ACT AS TRUSTEE

 


 

o    CHECK IF AN APPLICATION TO DETERMINE ELIGIBILITY OF A TRUSTEE PURSUANT TO
SECTION 305(b) (2)

 

WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

(Exact name of trustee as specified in its charter)

 

A National Banking Association

 

94-1347393

(Jurisdiction of incorporation or
organization if not a U.S. national
bank)

 

(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)

 

101 North Phillips Avenue
Sioux Falls, South Dakota

 

57104

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

(Zip code)

 

Wells Fargo & Company

Law Department, Trust Section

MAC N9305-175

Sixth Street and Marquette Avenue, 17th Floor

Minneapolis, Minnesota 55479

(612) 667-4608

(Name, address and telephone number of agent for service)

 


 

Hughes Satellite Systems Corporation

(Exact name of obligor as specified in its charter)

 

Colorado

 

45-0897865

(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)

 

100 Inverness Terrace East
Englewood, Colorado

 

80112

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

(Zip code)

 



 

ADDITIONAL REGISTRANTS

 

Exact Name of Additional
Registrants as Specified in their
Respective Charters*

 

Jurisdiction of Incorporation/
Organization

 

IRS Employer Identification No.

 

Address, including Zip Code and
Telephone Number, including
Area Code, of Registrant’s
Principal Executive Offices

EchoStar Satellite Services L.L.C.

 

Colorado

 

20-5109074

 

100 Inverness Terrace East, Englewood, Colorado 80112

EchoStar Satellite Operating Corporation

 

Colorado

 

35-2353699

 

100 Inverness Terrace East, Englewood, Colorado 80112

EchoStar 77 Corporation

 

Delaware

 

26-2191105

 

100 Inverness Terrace East, Englewood, Colorado 80112

EchoStar Orbital L.L.C.

 

Colorado

 

27-2342485

 

100 Inverness Terrace East, Englewood, Colorado 80112

EchoStar Government Services L.L.C.

 

Colorado

 

27-0682004

 

100 Inverness Terrace East, Englewood, Colorado 80112

Hughes Communications, Inc.

 

Delaware

 

13-3871202

 

11717 Exploration Lane, Germantown, Maryland 20876

Hughes Network Systems, LLC

 

Delaware

 

11-3735091

 

11717 Exploration Lane, Germantown, Maryland 20876

Helius, LLC

 

Utah

 

87-0547594

 

333 South 520 West, Suite 330, Lindon, Utah 84042

Helius Acquisition, LLC

 

Utah

 

30-0565987

 

333 South 520 West, Suite 330, Lindon, Utah 84042

Advanced Satellite Research, LLC

 

Delaware

 

30-0565980

 

333 South 520 West, Suite 330, Lindon, Utah 84042

HNS Finance Corp.

 

Delaware

 

56-2571546

 

11717 Exploration Lane, Germantown, Maryland 20876

HNS Real Estate, LLC

 

Delaware

 

20-2712714

 

11717 Exploration Lane, Germantown, Maryland 20876

Hughes Network Systems International Service Company

 

Delaware

 

52-1691571

 

11717 Exploration Lane, Germantown, Maryland 20876

HNS-India VSAT, Inc.

 

Delaware

 

52-1755631

 

11717 Exploration Lane, Germantown, Maryland 20876

HNS-Shanghai, Inc.

 

Delaware

 

52-1720113

 

11717 Exploration Lane, Germantown, Maryland 20876

HNS License Sub, LLC

 

Delaware

 

86-1124461

 

11717 Exploration Lane, Germantown, Maryland 20876

 


 

6½% Senior Secured Notes due 2019
7
% Senior Notes due 2021

(Title of the indenture securities)

 

 

 



 

Item 1.  General Information.  Furnish the following information as to the trustee:

 

(a)                       Name and address of each examining or supervising authority to which it is subject.

 

Comptroller of the Currency

Treasury Department

Washington, D.C.

 

Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation

Washington, D.C.

 

Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco

San Francisco, California 94120

 

(b)                      Whether it is authorized to exercise corporate trust powers.

 

The trustee is authorized to exercise corporate trust powers.

 

Item 2.  Affiliations with the Obligor.  If the obligor is an affiliate of the trustee, describe each such affiliation.

 

None with respect to the trustee.

 

No responses are included for Items 3-14 of this Form T-1 because the obligor is not in default as provided under Item 13.

 

Item 15.  Foreign Trustee.

 

Not applicable.

 

 

 

Item 16.  List of Exhibits.

 

List below all exhibits filed as a part of this Statement of Eligibility.

 

 

 

Exhibit 1.

 

A copy of the Articles of Association of the trustee now in effect.*

 

 

 

Exhibit 2.

 

A copy of the Comptroller of the Currency Certificate of Corporate Existence and Fiduciary Powers for Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, dated February 4, 2004.**

 

 

 

Exhibit 3.

 

See Exhibit 2

 

 

 

Exhibit 4.

 

Copy of By-laws of the trustee as now in effect.***

 

 

 

Exhibit 5.

 

Not applicable.

 

 

 

Exhibit 6.

 

The consent of the trustee required by Section 321(b) of the Act.

 

 

 

Exhibit 7.

 

A copy of the latest report of condition of the trustee published pursuant to law or the requirements of its supervising or examining authority.

 

 

 

Exhibit 8.

 

Not applicable.

 

 

 

Exhibit 9.

 

Not applicable.

 



 


*

Incorporated by reference to the exhibit of the same number to the trustee’s Form T-1 filed as exhibit 25 to the Form S-4 dated

December 30, 2005 of file number 333-130784-06.

 

 

**

Incorporated by reference to the exhibit of the same number to the trustee’s Form T-1 filed as exhibit 25 to the Form T-3 dated

March 3, 2004 of file number 022-28721.

 

 

***

Incorporated by reference to the exhibit of the same number to the trustee’s Form T-1 filed as exhibit 25 to the Form S-4 dated

May 26, 2005 of file number 333-125274.

 



 

SIGNATURE

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, the trustee, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, a national banking association organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America, has duly caused this statement of eligibility to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, all in the City of Minneapolis and State of Minnesota on the 3rd day of January, 2012.

 

 

 

WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Richard Prokosch

 

 

Richard Prokosch

 

Vice President

 



 

EXHIBIT 6

 

January 3, 2012

 

Securities and Exchange Commission

Washington, D.C.  20549

 

Gentlemen:

 

In accordance with Section 321(b) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, the undersigned hereby consents that reports of examination of the undersigned made by Federal, State, Territorial, or District authorities authorized to make such examination may be furnished by such authorities to the Securities and Exchange Commission upon its request therefor.

 

 

 

Very truly yours,

 

 

 

WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Richard Prokosch

 

 

Richard Prokosch

 

Vice President

 



 

Exhibit 7
Consolidated Report of Condition of

 

Wells Fargo Bank National Association

of 101 North Phillips Avenue, Sioux Falls, SD 57104

And Foreign and Domestic Subsidiaries,

at the close of business September 30, 2011, filed in accordance with 12 U.S.C. §161 for National Banks.

 

 

 

 

 

Dollar Amounts

 

 

 

 

 

In Millions

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and balances due from depository institutions:

 

 

 

 

 

Noninterest-bearing balances and currency and coin

 

 

 

$

18,415

 

Interest-bearing balances

 

 

 

68,507

 

Securities:

 

 

 

 

 

Held-to-maturity securities

 

 

 

0

 

Available-for-sale securities

 

 

 

172,686

 

Federal funds sold and securities purchased under agreements to resell:

 

 

 

 

 

Federal funds sold in domestic offices

 

 

 

859

 

Securities purchased under agreements to resell

 

 

 

17,996

 

Loans and lease financing receivables:

 

 

 

 

 

Loans and leases held for sale

 

 

 

28,871

 

Loans and leases, net of unearned income

 

700,233

 

 

 

LESS: Allowance for loan and lease losses

 

16,825

 

 

 

Loans and leases, net of unearned income and allowance

 

 

 

683,408

 

Trading Assets

 

 

 

38,062

 

Premises and fixed assets (including capitalized leases)

 

 

 

8,098

 

Other real estate owned

 

 

 

4,769

 

Investments in unconsolidated subsidiaries and associated companies

 

 

 

518

 

Direct and indirect investments in real estate ventures

 

 

 

108

 

Intangible assets

 

 

 

 

 

Goodwill

 

 

 

21,171

 

Other intangible assets

 

 

 

23,005

 

Other assets

 

 

 

55,781

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total assets

 

 

 

$

1,142,254

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES

 

 

 

 

 

Deposits:

 

 

 

 

 

In domestic offices

 

 

 

$

797,541

 

Noninterest-bearing

 

202,607

 

 

 

Interest-bearing

 

594,934

 

 

 

In foreign offices, Edge and Agreement subsidiaries, and IBFs

 

 

 

87,450

 

Noninterest-bearing

 

1,897

 

 

 

Interest-bearing

 

85,553

 

 

 

Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase:

 

 

 

 

 

Federal funds purchased in domestic offices

 

 

 

5,657

 

Securities sold under agreements to repurchase

 

 

 

12,477

 

 



 

 

 

Dollar Amounts

 

 

 

In Millions

 

 

 

 

 

Trading liabilities

 

23,501

 

Other borrowed money

 

 

 

(includes mortgage indebtedness and obligations under capitalized leases)

 

35,308

 

Subordinated notes and debentures

 

18,407

 

Other liabilities

 

37,319

 

 

 

 

 

Total liabilities

 

$

1,017,660

 

 

 

 

 

EQUITY CAPITAL

 

 

 

Perpetual preferred stock and related surplus

 

0

 

Common stock

 

519

 

Surplus (exclude all surplus related to preferred stock)

 

99,254

 

Retained earnings

 

18,795

 

Accumulated other comprehensive income

 

4,823

 

Other equity capital components

 

0

 

 

 

 

 

Total bank equity capital

 

123,391

 

Noncontrolling (minority) interests in consolidated subsidiaries

 

1,203

 

 

 

 

 

Total equity capital

 

124,594

 

 

 

 

 

Total liabilities, and equity capital

 

$

1,142,254

 

 

 

I, Timothy J. Sloan, EVP & CFO of the above-named bank do hereby declare that this Report of Condition has been prepared in conformance with the instructions issued by the appropriate Federal regulatory authority and is true to the best of my knowledge and belief.

 

 

 

Timothy J. Sloan

 

EVP & CFO

 

We, the undersigned directors, attest to the correctness of this Report of Condition and declare that it has been examined by us and to the best of our knowledge and belief has been prepared in conformance with the instructions issued by the appropriate Federal regulatory authority and is true and correct.

 

 

John Stumpf

Directors

Carrie Tolstedt

 

Avid Modjtabai

 

 


EXHIBIT 99.1

 

THE EXCHANGE OFFER WILL EXPIRE AT 5:00 P.M., NEW YORK CITY TIME, ON                   , 2012, UNLESS EXTENDED (THE “EXPIRATION DATE”). TENDERS MAY BE WITHDRAWN PRIOR TO THE EXPIRATION DATE.

 

 

 

HUGHES SATELLITE SYSTEMS CORPORATION

100 Inverness Terrace East

Englewood, Colorado 80112

 

LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL

 

To Exchange
6½% Senior Secured Notes due 2019

and

75/8% Senior Notes due 2021

 

Exchange Agent:

 

WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

 

 

 

To: Wells Fargo Bank, National Association

 

By registered mail or certified
mail:
Wells Fargo Bank,
National Association
MAC - N9303-121
Corporate Trust Operations
P.O. Box 1517
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55480-1517

 

By regular mail or overnight
courier:
Wells Fargo Bank,
National Association
MAC - N9303-121
Corporate Trust Operations
Sixth Street & Marquette Avenue
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55479

 

By hand:
Wells Fargo Bank,
National Association
Northstar East Building —
12
th floor
Corporate Trust Services
608 Second Avenue South
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55402

 

By Facsimile (Eligible Institutions Only): (612) 667-6282

For Information or Confirmation by Telephone: (800) 344-5128

 

Delivery of this instrument to an address other than as set forth above or transmission of this instrument to a facsimile number other than as set forth above does not constitute a valid delivery.

 



 

The undersigned acknowledges receipt of the Prospectus dated                 , 2012 (the “Prospectus”) of Hughes Satellite Systems Corporation (formerly known as EH Holding Corporation), a Colorado corporation (the “Issuer”), and this Letter of Transmittal (this “Letter”) for the Issuer’s 6½% Senior Secured Notes due 2019 and 75/8% Senior Notes due 2021 which may be amended from time to time, which together constitute the Issuer’s offer (the “Exchange Offer”) to exchange $2,000 principal amount or integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof of its newly issued 6½% Senior Secured Notes due 2019 (the “New 2019 Notes”) and 75/8% Senior Notes due 2021 (the “New 2021 Notes” and, together with the New 2019 Notes, the “Exchange Notes”) for each $2,000 in principal amount or integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof of its outstanding 6½% Senior Secured Notes due 2019 (the “Old 2019 Notes”) and 75/8% Senior Notes due 2021 (the “Old 2021 Notes” and, together with the Old 2019 Notes, the “Old Notes”), respectively, that were issued and sold in a transaction exempt from registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”).

 

The undersigned has completed, executed and delivered this Letter to indicate the action he or she desires to take with respect to the Exchange Offer.

 

All holders of Old Notes who wish to tender their Old Notes must, prior to the Expiration Date: (1) complete, sign, date and deliver this Letter, or a facsimile thereof, to the Exchange Agent, in person or to the address set forth above; and (2) tender his or her Old Notes or, if a tender of Old Notes is to be made by book-entry transfer to the account maintained by the Exchange Agent at The Depository Trust Company (the “Book-Entry Transfer Facility”), confirm such book-entry transfer (a “Book-Entry Confirmation”), in each case in accordance with the procedures for tendering described in the Instructions to this Letter.  Holders of Old Notes whose certificates are not immediately available, or who are unable to deliver their certificates or Book-Entry Confirmation and all other documents required by this Letter to be delivered to the Exchange Agent on or prior to the Expiration Date, must tender their Old Notes according to the guaranteed delivery procedures set forth under the caption “The Exchange Offer—How to use the guaranteed delivery procedures if you will not have enough time to send all documents to us” in the Prospectus. (See Instruction 1).

 

Upon the terms and subject to the conditions of the Exchange Offer, the acceptance for exchange of Old Notes validly tendered and not withdrawn and the issuance of the Exchange Notes will be made on the Exchange Date. For the purposes of the Exchange Offer, the Issuer shall be deemed to have accepted for exchange validly tendered Old Notes when, as and if the Issuer has given written notice thereof to the Exchange Agent.  The Instructions included with this Letter must be followed in their entirety. Questions and requests for assistance or for additional copies of the Prospectus or this Letter may be directed to the Exchange Agent, at the address listed above, or to Dean A. Manson, Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary, Hughes Satellite Systems Corporation, 100 Inverness Terrace East, Englewood, Colorado 80112.

 

PLEASE READ THE ENTIRE LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL, INCLUDING THE INSTRUCTIONS TO THIS LETTER, CAREFULLY BEFORE CHECKING ANY BOX BELOW.

 

Capitalized terms used in this Letter and not defined herein shall have the respective meanings ascribed to them in the Prospectus.

 

2



 

List in Box 1 below the Old Notes of which you are the holder. If the space provided in Box 1 is inadequate, list the certificate numbers and principal amount of Old Notes on a separate signed schedule and affix that schedule to this Letter.

 

BOX 1

 

TO BE COMPLETED BY ALL TENDERING HOLDERS

 

6½% SENIOR SECURED NOTES DUE 2019

 

Name(s) and
Address(es) of
Registered Holder(s)
(Please fill in if blank)

 

Certificate Number(s)(1)

 

Aggregate Principal
Amount of Old 2019
Notes

 

Principal Amount of Old
2019 Notes Tendered if
less than all (2)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Old 2019 Notes Tendered: $

 


(1)             Need not be completed if Old 2019 Notes are being tendered by book-entry.

 

(2)             Unless otherwise indicated, the entire principal amount of Old 2019 Notes represented by a certificate or Book- Entry Confirmation delivered to the Exchange Agent will be deemed to have been tendered.

 

75/8% SENIOR NOTES DUE 2021

 

Name(s) and
Address(es) of
Registered Holder(s)
(Please fill in if blank)

 

Certificate Number(s)(3)

 

Aggregate Principal
Amount of Old 2021
Notes

 

Principal Amount of Old
2021 Notes Tendered if
less than all (4)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Old 2021 Notes Tendered: $

 


(3)             Need not be completed if Old 2021 Notes are being tendered by book-entry.

 

(4)             Unless otherwise indicated, the entire principal amount of Old 2021 Notes represented by a certificate or Book- Entry Confirmation delivered to the Exchange Agent will be deemed to have been tendered.

 

3



 

The Exchange Offer is subject to the more detailed terms set forth in the Prospectus and, in case of any conflict between the terms of the Prospectus and this Letter, the Prospectus shall prevail.

 

o                                    CHECK HERE IF TENDERED OLD NOTES ARE BEING DELIVERED BY BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER MADE TO THE ACCOUNT MAINTAINED BY THE EXCHANGE AGENT WITH DTC AND COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING:

 

Name of Tendering Institution:

 

 

 

DTC Account Number:

 

 

 

Transaction Code Number:

 

 

 

o                                    CHECK HERE IF TENDERED OLD NOTES ARE BEING DELIVERED PURSUANT TO A NOTICE OF GUARANTEED DELIVERY PREVIOUSLY SENT TO THE EXCHANGE AGENT AND COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING:

 

Name(s) of Registered Owner(s):

 

 

 

Date of Execution of Notice of Guaranteed Delivery:

 

 

 

Window Ticket Number (if available):

 

 

 

Name of Eligible Institution which Guaranteed Delivery:

 

 

 

o                                    CHECK HERE IF OLD NOTES ARE BEING DELIVERED BY BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER AND NON-EXCHANGED OR UNTENDERED OLD NOTES ARE TO BE RETURNED BY CREDITING THE DTC ACCOUNT NUMBER(S) SET FORTH ABOVE.

 

4



 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

Upon the terms and subject to the conditions of the Exchange Offer, the undersigned tenders to the Issuer the principal amount of Old Notes indicated above. Subject to, and effective upon, the acceptance for exchange of the Old Notes tendered with this Letter, the undersigned exchanges, assigns and transfers to, or upon the order of, the Issuer all right, title and interest in and to the Old Notes tendered.  The undersigned constitutes and appoints the Exchange Agent as his or her agent and attorney-in-fact (with full knowledge that the Exchange Agent also acts as the agent of the Issuer) with respect to the tendered Old Notes, with full power of substitution, to: (a) deliver certificates for such Old Notes; (b) deliver Old Notes and all accompanying evidence of transfer and authenticity to or upon the order of the Issuer upon receipt by the Exchange Agent, as the undersigned’s agent, of the Exchange Notes to which the undersigned is entitled upon the acceptance by the Issuer of the Old Notes tendered under the Exchange Offer; and (c) receive all benefits and otherwise exercise all rights of beneficial ownership of the Old Notes, all in accordance with the terms of the Exchange Offer. The power of attorney granted in this paragraph shall be deemed irrevocable and coupled with an interest.

 

The undersigned hereby represents and warrants that he or she has full power and authority to tender, exchange, assign and transfer the Old Notes tendered hereby and to acquire the Exchange Notes and that the Issuer will acquire good, marketable and unencumbered title thereto, free and clear of all security interests, liens, restrictions, charges and encumbrances and not subject to any adverse claim. The undersigned will, upon request, execute and deliver any additional documents deemed by the Issuer to be necessary or desirable to complete the exchange, assignment and transfer of the Old Notes tendered for exchange hereby.  The undersigned agrees that acceptance of any tendered Old Notes by the Issuer and the issuance of Exchange Notes in exchange therefor shall constitute performance in full by the Issuer of its obligations under the Registration Rights Agreement (as defined in the Prospectus) and that, upon the issuance of the Exchange Notes, the Issuer will have no further obligations or liabilities thereunder (except in certain limited circumstances).

 

The undersigned hereby further represents to the Issuer that (i) the Exchange Notes to be acquired pursuant to the Exchange Offer will be acquired in the ordinary course of business of the person acquiring the Exchange Notes, whether or not such person is the undersigned, (ii) neither the undersigned nor any person receiving any Exchange Notes directly or indirectly from the undersigned pursuant to the Exchange Offer is engaging or intends to engage in the distribution of the Exchange Notes and none of them have any arrangement or understanding with any person to participate in the distribution of the Exchange Notes, (iii) the undersigned and each person receiving any Exchange Notes directly or indirectly from the undersigned pursuant to the Exchange Offer acknowledge and agree that any broker-dealer or any person participating in the Exchange Offer for the purpose of distributing the Exchange Notes (x) must comply with the registration and prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act in connection with a secondary resale transaction of the Exchange Notes acquired by such person and (y) cannot rely on the position of the staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) set forth in the Exxon Capital Holdings Corporation no-action letter (available May 13, 1988) and the Morgan Stanley and Co., Inc. no-action letter (available June 5, 1991), as interpreted in the Commission’s no-action letter to Shearman & Sterling dated July 2, 1993, and similar no-action letters, (iv) the undersigned and each person receiving any Exchange Notes directly or indirectly from the undersigned pursuant to the Exchange Offer understand that a secondary resale transaction described in clause (iii) above should be covered by an effective registration statement and (v) neither the undersigned nor any person receiving any Exchange Notes directly or indirectly from the undersigned pursuant to the Exchange Offer is an “affiliate” of the Company, as defined under Rule 405 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). If the undersigned is a broker-dealer that will receive Exchange Notes for its own account in exchange for Old Notes that were acquired as a result of market making or other trading activities, it acknowledges that it will deliver a prospectus meeting the requirements of the Securities Act in connection with any resale of such Exchange Notes received in respect of such Old Notes pursuant to the Exchange Offer; however, by so acknowledging and by delivering a prospectus, the undersigned will not be deemed to admit that it is an “underwriter” within the meaning of the Securities Act.

 

All authority conferred or agreed to be conferred by this Letter shall survive the death, incapacity, liquidation, dissolution, winding up or any other event relating to the undersigned, and every obligation of the undersigned under this Letter shall be binding upon the undersigned’s heirs, personal representatives, successors, assigns, executors and administrators. Tenders may be withdrawn only in connection with the procedures set forth in the Instructions contained in this Letter.  Except as otherwise stated in the Prospectus, this tender is irrevocable.

 

5



 

Unless otherwise indicated under “Special Delivery Instructions” in Box 4 below, the Exchange Agent will deliver Exchange Notes (and, if applicable, a certificate for any Old Notes not tendered but represented by a certificate also encompassing Old Notes which are tendered) to the undersigned at the address set forth in Box 1.

 

6



 

PLEASE READ THE ACCOMPANYING INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY

 

BOX 2

 

PLEASE SIGN HERE WHETHER OR NOT OLD NOTES ARE BEING PHYSICALLY TENDERED HEREBY

 

This box must be signed by registered holder(s) of Old Notes exactly as their name(s) appear(s) on certificate(s) for Old Notes, or by person(s) authorized to become registered holder(s) by endorsement and documents transmitted with this Letter. If signature is by a trustee, executor, administrator, attorney-in-fact, guardian, officer or other person acting in a fiduciary or representative capacity, such person must set forth his or her full title below. (See Instruction 3)

 

X

 

 

 

 

X

 

 

(Signature(s) of Owner(s) or Authorized Signatory)

 

Date:                           , 2012

 

Name(s)

 

 

(Please Print)

 

Capacity (Full Title):

 

 

 

Address:

 

 

(Include Zip Code)

 

Area Code and Telephone No.:

 

 

 

Taxpayer Identification Number or Social Security Number:

 

 

 

 

SIGNATURE GUARANTEE (SEE INSTRUCTION 3 BELOW)

certain signatures must be guaranteed by an eligible institution

 

 

 

(Name of Eligible Institution Guaranteeing Signatures)

 

 

 

Address (Including Zip Code)

 

Telephone Number (Including Area Code) of Firm:

 

 

 

 

 

(Authorized Signature)

 

 

(Title)

 

 

(Print Name)

 

Date:                           , 2012

 

7



 

BOX 3

 

SPECIAL ISSUANCE INSTRUCTIONS

(See Instructions 3 and 4)

 

To be completed ONLY if certificates for Old Notes in a principal amount not exchanged, or Exchange Notes, are to be issued in the name of someone other than the person whose signature appears in Box 2, or if Old Notes delivered by book-entry transfer which are not accepted for exchange are to be returned by credit to an account maintained at the Book-Entry Transfer facility other than the account indicated above.

 

Issue and deliver:

 

(Check appropriate boxes)

 

o            Old Notes not tendered

 

o            Exchange Notes, to:

 

(Please Print)

 

Name:

 

 

 

Address:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tax I.D. or Social Security Number:

 

 

 

BOX 4

 

SPECIAL DELIVERY INSTRUCTIONS

(See Instructions 3 and 4)

 

To be completed ONLY if the Exchange Notes and/or any Old Notes that are not tendered are to be sent to someone other than the registered holder of the Old Notes whose signature appears in Box 2, or to such registered holder at an address other than that shown in Box 2.

 

Mail:

 

(Check appropriate boxes)

 

o            Old Notes not tendered

 

o            Exchange Notes, to:

 

(Please Print)

 

Name:

 

 

 

Address:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tax I.D. or Social Security Number:

 

 

 

8


 


 

INSTRUCTIONS FORMING PART OF THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE EXCHANGE OFFER

 

1.             DELIVERY OF THIS LETTER AND CERTIFICATES. Certificates for Old Notes or a Book-Entry Confirmation, as the case may be, as well as a properly completed and duly executed copy of this Letter and any other documents required by this Letter, must be received by the Exchange Agent at one of its addresses set forth herein on or before the Expiration Date. The method of delivery of this Letter, certificates for Old Notes or a Book-Entry Confirmation, as the case may be, and any other required documents is at the election and risk of the tendering holder, but except as otherwise provided below, the delivery will be deemed made when actually received by the Exchange Agent. If delivery is by mail, the use of registered mail with return receipt requested, properly insured, is suggested.

 

If tendered Old Notes are registered in the name of the signer of the Letter of Transmittal and the Exchange Notes to be issued in exchange therefor are to be issued (and any untendered Old Notes are to be reissued) in the name of the registered holder and delivered to the registered holder’s address as set forth in Box 2 or if the Old Notes are tendered for the account of an Eligible Institution (as defined below), the signature of such signer need not be guaranteed. In any other case, the tendered Old Notes must be endorsed or accompanied by written instruments of transfer in a form satisfactory to the Issuer and duly executed by the registered holder, and the signature on the endorsement or instrument of transfer must be guaranteed by a bank, broker, dealer, credit union, savings association, clearing agency or other institution (each an “Eligible Institution”) that is a member of a recognized signature guarantee medallion program within the meaning of Rule 17Ad-15 under the Exchange Act. In all other cases, the signature on the Letter of Transmittal must be guaranteed by an Eligible Institution.

 

Any beneficial owner whose Old Notes are registered in the name of a broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee and who wishes to tender Old Notes should contact such registered holder promptly and instruct such holder to tender Old Notes on such beneficial owner’s behalf.  If such beneficial owner wishes to tender such Old Notes himself or herself, such beneficial owner must, prior to completing and executing the Letter of Transmittal and delivering such Old Notes, either make appropriate arrangements to register ownership of the Old Notes in such beneficial owner’s name or follow the procedures described in the immediately preceding paragraph. The transfer of record ownership may take considerable time.

 

Holders whose Old Notes are not immediately available or who cannot deliver their Old Notes or a Book-Entry Confirmation, as the case may be, and all other required documents to the Exchange Agent on or before the Expiration Date may tender their Old Notes pursuant to the guaranteed delivery procedures set forth in the Prospectus. Pursuant to such procedure: (i) tender must be made by or through an Eligible Institution; (ii) prior to the Expiration Date, the Exchange Agent must have received from the Eligible Institution a properly completed and duly executed Notice of Guaranteed Delivery (by facsimile transmission, mail or hand delivery) (x) setting forth the name and address of the holder, the description of the Old Notes and the principal amount of Old Notes tendered, (y) stating that the tender is being made thereby and (z) guaranteeing that, within three New York Stock Exchange trading days after the date of execution of such Notice of Guaranteed Delivery, this Letter together with the certificates representing the Old Notes or a Book-Entry Confirmation, as the case may be, and any other documents required by this Letter will be deposited by the Eligible Institution with the Exchange Agent; and (iii) the certificates for all tendered Old Notes or a Book-Entry Confirmation, as the case may be, as well as all other documents required by this Letter, must be received by the Exchange Agent within three New York Stock Exchange trading days after the date of execution of such Notice of Guaranteed Delivery, all as provided in the Prospectus under the caption “The Exchange Offer-How to use the guaranteed delivery procedures if you will not have enough time to send all documents to us.” The method of delivery of Old Notes and all other documents is at the election and risk of the holder. If sent by mail, it is recommended that registered mail, return receipt requested, be used, proper insurance be obtained, and the mailing be made sufficiently in advance of the Expiration Date to permit delivery to the Exchange Agent on or before the Expiration Date.

 

A tender will be deemed to have been received as of the date when the tendering holder’s properly completed and duly signed Letter of Transmittal accompanied by the Old Notes (or a timely Book-Entry Confirmation) is received by the Exchange Agent. Issuances of Exchange Notes in exchange for Old Notes tendered pursuant to a Notice of Guaranteed Delivery or letter or facsimile transmission to similar effect (as provided above) by an Eligible Institution will be made only against deposit of the Letter of Transmittal (and any other required documents) and the tendered Old Notes (or a timely Book-Entry Confirmation).

 

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All questions as to the validity, form, eligibility (including time of receipt), acceptance and withdrawal of tendered Old Notes will be determined by the Issuer, in its sole discretion, whose determination will be final and binding. The Issuer reserves the absolute right to reject any or all tenders that are not in proper form or the acceptance of which, in the opinion of the Issuer or its counsel, would be unlawful. The Issuer also reserves the right to waive any irregularities or conditions of tender as to particular Old Notes. All tendering holders, by execution of this Letter, waive any right to receive notice of acceptance of their Old Notes. The Issuer’s interpretation of the terms and conditions of the Exchange Offer (including the Letter of Transmittal and the instructions thereto) will be final and binding.

 

Neither the Issuer, the Exchange Agent nor any other person shall be obligated to give notice of defects or irregularities in any tender, nor shall any of them incur any liability for failure to give any such notice.

 

2.             PARTIAL TENDERS; WITHDRAWALS. Tenders of Old Notes will be accepted only in $2,000 principal amount or integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof.  If less than the entire principal amount of any Old Note evidenced by a submitted certificate or by a Book-Entry Confirmation is tendered, the tendering holder must fill in the principal amount tendered in the fourth column of Box 1 above. All of the Old Notes represented by a certificate or by a Book-Entry Confirmation delivered to the Exchange Agent will be deemed to have been tendered unless otherwise indicated. A certificate for Old Notes not tendered will be sent to the holder, unless otherwise provided in Box 4, as soon as practicable after the Expiration Date, in the event that less than the entire principal amount of Old Notes represented by a submitted certificate is tendered (or, in the case of Old Notes tendered by book-entry transfer, such non-exchanged Old Notes will be credited to an account maintained by the holder with the Book-Entry Transfer Facility).

 

If not yet accepted, a tender pursuant to the Exchange Offer may be withdrawn at any time prior to the Expiration Date.  For a withdrawal to be effective, a written or facsimile transmission notice of withdrawal must be timely received by the Exchange Agent at its address or facsimile number set forth in the back cover of the Prospectus prior to the Expiration Date. Any such notice of withdrawal must specify the person named in the Letter of Transmittal as having tendered Old Notes to be withdrawn, the certificate numbers of Old Notes to be withdrawn, the principal amount of Old Notes to be withdrawn, a statement that such holder is withdrawing his election to have such Old Notes exchanged, and the name of the registered holder of such Old Notes, and must be signed by the holder in the same manner as the original signature on the Letter of Transmittal (including any required signature guarantees) or be accompanied by evidence satisfactory to the Issuer that the person withdrawing the tender has succeeded to the beneficial ownership of the Old Notes being withdrawn. The Exchange Agent will return the properly withdrawn Old Notes promptly following receipt of notice of withdrawal. All questions as to the validity of notices of withdrawals, including time of receipt, will be determined by the Issuer, and such determination will be final and binding on all parties.

 

3.             SIGNATURES ON THIS LETTER; ASSIGNMENTS; GUARANTEE OF SIGNATURES. If this Letter is signed by the holder(s) of Old Notes tendered hereby, the signature must correspond with the name(s) as written on the face of the certificate(s) for such Old Notes, without alteration, enlargement or any change whatsoever.

 

If any of the Old Notes tendered hereby are owned by two or more joint owners, all owners must sign this Letter. If any tendered Old Notes are held in different names on several certificates, it will be necessary to complete, sign and submit as many separate copies of this Letter as there are names in which certificates are held.

 

If this Letter is signed by the holder of record and (i) the entire principal amount of the holder’s Old Notes are tendered; and/or (ii) untendered Old Notes, if any, are to be issued to the holder of record, then the holder of record need not endorse any certificates for tendered Old Notes, nor provide a separate bond power. In any other case, the holder of record must transmit a separate bond power with this Letter.

 

If this Letter or any certificate or assignment is signed by trustees, executors, administrators, guardians, attorneys-in-fact, officers of corporations or others acting in a fiduciary or representative capacity, such persons should so indicate when signing and proper evidence satisfactory to the Issuer of their authority to so act must be submitted, unless waived by the Issuer.

 

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Signatures on this Letter must be guaranteed by an Eligible Institution, unless Old Notes are tendered: (i) by a holder who has not completed the Box entitled “Special Issuance Instructions” or “Special Delivery Instructions” on this Letter; or (ii) for the account of an Eligible Institution. In the event that the signatures in this Letter or a notice of withdrawal, as the case may be, are required to be guaranteed, such guarantees must be by an Eligible Institution. If Old Notes are registered in the name of a person other than the signer of this Letter, the Old Notes surrendered for exchange must be endorsed by, or be accompanied by a written instrument or instruments of transfer or exchange, in satisfactory form as determined by the Issuer, in its sole discretion, duly executed by the registered holder with the signature thereon guaranteed by an Eligible Institution.

 

4.             SPECIAL ISSUANCE AND DELIVERY INSTRUCTIONS. Tendering holders should indicate, in Box 3 or 4, as applicable, the name and address to which the Exchange Notes or certificates for Old Notes not exchanged are to be issued or sent, if different from the name and address of the person signing this Letter. In the case of issuance in a different name, the tax identification number of the person named must also be indicated. Holders tendering Old Notes by book-entry transfer may request that Old Notes not exchanged be credited to such account maintained at the Book-Entry Transfer Facility as such holder may designate.

 

5.             TAX IDENTIFICATION NUMBER. A holder whose tendered Old Notes are accepted for exchange must provide the Exchange Agent (as payor) with his or her correct taxpayer identification number (“TIN”), which, in the case of the holder who is an individual, is his or her social security number.

 

6.             TRANSFER TAXES. The Issuer will pay all transfer taxes, if any, applicable to the transfer of Old Notes to it or its order pursuant to the Exchange Offer. If, however, the Exchange Notes or certificates for Old Notes not exchanged are to be delivered to, or are to be issued in the name of, any person other than the record holder, or if tendered certificates are recorded in the name of any person other than the person signing this Letter, or if a transfer tax is imposed by any reason other than the transfer of Old Notes to the Issuer or its order pursuant to the Exchange Offer, then the amount of such transfer taxes (whether imposed on the record holder or any other person) will be payable by the tendering holder. If satisfactory evidence of payment of taxes or exemption from taxes is not submitted with this Letter, the amount of transfer taxes will be billed directly to the tendering holder.  Except as provided in this Instruction 6, it will not be necessary for transfer tax stamps to be affixed to the certificates listed in this Letter.

 

7.             WAIVER OF CONDITIONS. The Issuer reserves the absolute right to amend or waive any of the specified conditions in the Exchange Offer in the case of any Old Notes tendered.

 

8.             MUTILATED, LOST, STOLEN OR DESTROYED CERTIFICATES. Any holder whose certificates for Old Notes have been mutilated, lost, stolen or destroyed should contact the Exchange Agent at the address indicated above, for further instructions.

 

9.             REQUESTS FOR ASSISTANCE OR ADDITIONAL COPIES. Questions relating to the procedure for tendering, as well as requests for additional copies of the Prospectus or this Letter, may be directed to the Exchange Agent.

 

IMPORTANT: THIS LETTER (TOGETHER WITH CERTIFICATES REPRESENTING TENDERED OLD NOTES OR A BOOK-ENTRY CONFIRMATION AND ALL OTHER REQUIRED DOCUMENTS) MUST BE RECEIVED BY THE EXCHANGE AGENT ON OR BEFORE THE EXPIRATION DATE.

 

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EXHIBIT 99.2

 

HUGHES SATELLITE SYSTEMS CORPORATION

 

NOTICE OF GUARANTEED DELIVERY

6½% Senior Secured Notes due 2019

and

75/8% Senior Notes due 2021

 

As set forth in the Prospectus dated               , 2012 (the “Prospectus”) of Hughes Satellite Systems Corporation, formerly known as EH Holding Corporation (the “Issuer”), under the caption “The Exchange Offer—How to use the guaranteed delivery procedures if you will not have enough time to send all documents to us” and the Letter of Transmittal to exchange the Issuer’s 6½% Senior Secured Notes due 2019 and 75/8% Senior Notes due 2021 (the “Letter of Transmittal”), this form or one substantially equivalent hereto must be used to accept the Exchange Offer (as defined below) if: (i) certificates for any outstanding 6½% Senior Secured Notes due 2019 (the “Old 2019 Notes”) or 75/8% Senior Notes due 2021 (the “Old 2021 Notes” and, together with the Old 2019 Notes, the “Old Notes”) to be tendered are not immediately available, (ii) time will not permit all required documents to reach the Exchange Agent (as defined below) on or prior to the Expiration Date (as defined below) or (iii) the procedures for book-entry transfer cannot be completed on or prior to the Expiration Date. Such form may be transmitted by facsimile or delivered by mail, hand delivery or overnight delivery to the Exchange Agent.

 

THE EXCHANGE OFFER WILL EXPIRE AT 5:00 P.M., NEW YORK CITY TIME, ON                         , 2012, UNLESS EXTENDED (THE “EXPIRATION DATE”).  TENDERS MAY BE WITHDRAWN PRIOR TO THE EXPIRATION DATE.

 

 

 

To: Wells Fargo Bank, National Association

 

By registered mail or certified

 

By regular mail or overnight

 

By hand:

mail:

 

courier:

 

Wells Fargo Bank,

Wells Fargo Bank,

 

Wells Fargo Bank,

 

National Association

National Association

 

National Association

 

Northstar East Building —

MAC - N9303-121

 

MAC - N9303-121

 

12th floor

Corporate Trust Operations

 

Corporate Trust Operations

 

Corporate Trust Services

P.O. Box 1517

 

Sixth Street & Marquette Avenue

 

608 Second Avenue South

Minneapolis, Minnesota 55480-1517

 

Minneapolis, Minnesota 55479

 

Minneapolis, Minnesota 55402

 

By Facsimile (Eligible Institutions Only): (612) 667-6282

For Information or Confirmation by Telephone: (800) 344-5128

 

 

 

Delivery of this instrument to an address other than as set forth above or transmission of this instrument to a facsimile number other than as set forth above does not constitute a valid delivery.

 

This form is not to be used to guarantee signatures.  If a signature on the Letter of Transmittal is required to be guaranteed by an “Eligible Institution” under the instructions thereto, such signature guarantee must appear in the applicable space provided in the signature box on the Letter of Transmittal.

 



 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

The undersigned hereby tenders to the Issuer, upon the terms and conditions set forth in the Prospectus and the Letter of Transmittal (which together constitute the “Exchange Offer”), receipt of which are hereby acknowledged, the principal amount of Old Notes set forth below pursuant to the guaranteed delivery procedures described in the Prospectus and the Letter of Transmittal.

 

The undersigned understands that tenders of Old Notes will be accepted only in authorized denominations.  The undersigned understands that tenders of Old Notes pursuant to the Exchange Offer may not be withdrawn after the Expiration Date. Tenders of Old Notes may be withdrawn at any time prior to the Expiration Date or if the Exchange Offer is terminated or as otherwise provided in the Prospectus.

 

All authority herein conferred or agreed to be conferred by this Notice of Guaranteed Delivery shall survive the death, incapacity, liquidation, dissolution, winding up or any other event relating to the undersigned and every obligation of the undersigned under this Notice of Guaranteed Delivery shall be binding upon the heirs, personal representatives, executors, administrators, successors, assigns, trustees in bankruptcy and other legal representatives of the undersigned.

 


 

SIGNATURES

 

 

Signature of Owner

 

 

Signature of Owner (if more than one)

 

 

 

Dated:

 

 

 

 

 

Name(s):

 

(Please Print)

 

 

Address:

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Include Zip Code)

 

 

Area Code and Telephone Number:

 

 

 

Capacity (full title), if signing in a representative capacity:

 

 

 

Taxpayer Identification or Social Security Number:

 

 

 

Principal amount of Old 2019 Notes Exchanged: $

 

 

 

Certificate Nos. of Old 2019 Notes (if available):

 

 

 

 

 

Principal amount of Old 2021 Notes Exchanged: $

 

 

 

Certificate Nos. of Old 2021 Notes (if available):

 

 

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IF OLD NOTES WILL BE DELIVERED BY BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER, PROVIDE THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY (“DTC”) ACCOUNT NO.:

 

Account No.:

 

 

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GUARANTEE OF DELIVERY

(NOT TO BE USED FOR SIGNATURE GUARANTEE)

 

The undersigned, a member of a recognized signature guarantee medallion program within the meaning of Rule 17Ad-15 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, hereby guarantees delivery to the Exchange Agent, at its address set forth above, of the Old Notes tendered hereby, in proper form for transfer (or confirmation of the book-entry transfer of such Old Notes to the Exchange Agent’s account at The Depository Trust Company pursuant to the procedures for book-entry transfer set forth in the Prospectus), together with a properly completed and duly executed Letter of Transmittal (or facsimile thereof), with any required signature guarantees, and any other documents required by the Letter of Transmittal by 5:00 p.m., New York City time, within three New York Stock Exchange trading days following the date of execution of this Notice of Guaranteed Delivery.

 

 

Name of Firm

 

 

Number and Street or P.O. Box

 

 

City

State

Zip Code

 

 

 

Telephone No.:

 

 

 

Fax No.:

 

 

 

(Authorized Signature)

 

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

Date:

 

 

NOTE: DO NOT SEND CERTIFICATES REPRESENTING NOTES WITH THIS NOTICE. NOTES SHOULD BE SENT TO THE EXCHANGE AGENT TOGETHER WITH A PROPERLY COMPLETED AND DULY EXECUTED LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL.

 

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