As
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 3,
2008
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Registration
No. 333-
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UNITED
STATES
SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON,
D.C. 20549
FORM
S-3
REGISTRATION
STATEMENT
UNDER
THE
SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
ICO
Global Communications (Holdings) Limited
(Exact
name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware
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98-0221142
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(State
or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization)
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(I.R.S.
Employer Identification No.)
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11700
Plaza America Drive, Suite 1010
Reston,
Virginia 20190
(703)
964-1400
(Address,
including zip code, and telephone number,
including
area code, of Registrant’s principal executive offices)
J.
Timothy Bryan
Chief
Executive Officer
ICO
Global Communications (Holdings) Limited
11700
Plaza America Drive, Suite 1010
Reston,
Virginia 20190
(703)
964-1400
(Name,
address, including zip code, and telephone number,
including
area code, of agent for service)
Garth
B. Jensen, Esq.
Holme
Roberts & Owen, LLP
1700
Lincoln Street
Suite
4100
Denver,
Colorado 80203-4541
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John
L. Flynn, Esq.
ICO
Global Communications (Holdings) Limited
11700
Plaza America Drive
Suite
1010
Reston,
VA 20190
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(303)
861-7000
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(703)
964-1400
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Approximate
date of commencement of proposed sale to the public:
From
time
to time after the effective date of this registration statement
If
the
only securities being registered on this Form are being offered pursuant to
dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following
box. o
If
any of
the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed
or
continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, other
than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest
reinvestment plans, check the following box. x
If
this
Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to
Rule
462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the
Securities Act 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(c) under the
Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration
statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same
offering. o
If
this
Form is a registration statement pursuant to General Instruction I.D. or a
post-effective amendment thereto that shall become effective upon filing with
the Commission pursuant to Rule 462(e) under the Securities Act, check the
following box. o
If
this
Form is a post-effective amendment to a registration statement filed pursuant
to
General Instruction I.D. filed to register additional securities or additional
classes of securities pursuant to Rule 413(b) under the Securities Act, check
the following box. o
CALCULATION
OF REGISTRATION FEE
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Title
of Each Class of Securities To Be Registered
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Amount to be
Registered
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Proposed
Maximum
Offering Price Per
Unit
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Proposed Maximum
Aggregate Offering
Price
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Amount of
Registration Fee
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Universal
Offering:
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Class
A Common Stock, $0.01 par value per share
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—
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Preferred
Stock, $0.01 par value per share
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—
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Debt
Securities
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—
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Warrants
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—
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Units
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—
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Total
Universal
Offering
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$
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400,000,000
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$
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15,720
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Specified
Offering:
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Class
A Common Stock, $0.01 par value per share
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7,574,416
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$
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3.24
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$
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24,541,108
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$
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965
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Total
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$
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424,541,108
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$
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16,685
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(1)
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With
respect to the universal offering, there are being registered hereunder
such indeterminate number of shares of Class A common stock and
preferred
stock, such indeterminate principal amount of debt securities,
such
indeterminate number of warrants to purchase common stock, preferred
stock
and/or debt securities, and such indeterminate number of units
as may be
sold by the registrant from time to time, as well as shares of
Class A
common stock that may be sold from time to time by stockholders
of the
registrant, which together shall have an aggregate initial offering
price
not to exceed $400,000,000. If any debt securities are issued at
an
original issued discount, then the offering price of such debt
securities
shall be in such greater principal amount at maturity as shall
result in
an aggregate offering price not to exceed $400,000,000, less the
aggregate
dollar amount of all securities previously issued hereunder. Any
securities registered hereunder may be sold separately or as units
with
the other securities registered hereunder. The proposed maximum
offering
price per unit will be determined, from time to time, by the registrant
or
selling stockholder, as applicable, in connection with the sale
of the
securities registered hereunder. The securities registered hereunder
also
include such indeterminate number of shares of Class A common stock
and
preferred stock and amount of debt securities as may be issued
upon
conversion of or exchange for preferred stock or debt securities
that
provide for conversion or exchange, upon exercise of warrants or
pursuant
to the antidilution provisions of any of such securities. In addition,
pursuant to Rule 416 under the Securities Act, the shares being
registered
hereunder include such indeterminate number of shares of Class
A common
stock and preferred stock as may be issuable with respect to the
shares
being registered hereunder as a result of stock splits, stock dividends
or
similar transactions. The shares of Class A common stock that may
be sold
by the selling stockholders as part of the universal offering are
currently outstanding and were issued to the selling stockholders
in
transactions that closed prior to the date of this registration
statement.
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(2)
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With
respect to the universal offering, the proposed maximum aggregate
offering
price will be determined from time to time by the registrant or
selling
stockholders, as applicable, in connection with the sale of the
securities
registered hereunder and is not specified as to each class of security
pursuant to General Instruction II.D. of Form S-3 under the Securities
Act.
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(3)
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Calculated
pursuant to Rule 457(o) under the Securities Act.
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(4)
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The
shares being registered in connection with the specified offering
relate
to the resale by certain selling stockholders of up to an aggregate
of
7,574,416 shares of the Class A common stock of the registrant
that were
acquired by the selling stockholders in a private placement by
the
registrant that closed on June 9, 2008 and June 18, 2008.
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(5)
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Estimated
solely for the purposes of computing the amount of the registration
fee
pursuant to Rule 457(c) promulgated under the Securities Act. The
price
per share and the aggregate offering price are based upon the average
high
and low sales process of the Registrant’s Class A common stock on July 1,
2008, as reported on the Nasdaq Global Market.
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The
Registrant hereby amends this Registration Statement on such date
or dates
as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the registrant
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, as amended, or until the Registration
Statement shall become effective on such date as the Commission,
acting
pursuant to said Section 8(a), may
determine.
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Subject
to Completion, Dated July 3, 2008
The
information in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed. Neither
we
nor any selling stockholder may sell or accept an offer to buy 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 is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any state
where the offer or sale is not permitted.
PROSPECTUS
$400,000,000
Class
A Common Stock
Preferred
Stock
Debt
Securities
Warrants
Units
7,574,416
shares of Class A common stock
Offered
by
the
Selling Stockholders
From
time
to time, we or the selling stockholders identified in a supplement to this
prospectus may offer up to an aggregate of $400,000,000 of any combination
of
the securities described in this prospectus, either individually or in units.
We
may also offer Class A common stock or preferred stock upon conversion of debt
securities, Class A common stock upon conversion of preferred stock, or Class
A
common stock, preferred stock or debt securities upon the exercise of
warrants.
In
addition, from time to time, the selling stockholders identified in a supplement
to this prospectus may separately sell up to an aggregate of 7,574,416 shares
of
our Class A common stock held by them.
We
will
provide specific terms of these offerings and securities in one or more
supplements to this prospectus. We may also authorize one or more free writing
prospectuses to be provided to you in connection with these offerings. The
prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus may also add,
update or change information contained in this prospectus. You should read
this
prospectus, the applicable prospectus supplement and any related free writing
prospectus carefully before buying any of the securities being offered.
Our
Class
A common stock is traded on the NASDAQ Global Market under the symbol “ICOG.” On
July 1, 2008, the last reported sale price of our Class A common stock on the
NASDAQ Global Market was $3.32.
Investing
in our securities involves risk. You should review carefully the risks and
uncertainties described under the heading “Risk Factors” beginning on page 2 and
under similar headings and contained in the applicable prospectus supplement
and
any related free writing prospectus, and in the other documents that are
incorporated by reference into this prospectus.
This
prospectus may not be used to consummate a sale of any securities unless
accompanied by a prospectus supplement.
The
securities may be sold directly by us or by the selling stockholders to
investors, through agents designated from time to time or to or through
underwriters or dealers, on a continuous or delayed basis. For additional
information on the methods of sale, you should refer to the section entitled
“Plan of Distribution” in this prospectus and any supplements to this
prospectus. If any agents or underwriters are involved in the sale of any
securities with respect to which this prospectus is being delivered, the names
of such agents or underwriters and any applicable fees, commissions, discounts
and over-allotment options, if any, will be set forth in a prospectus
supplement. The price to the public of such securities and the net proceeds
that
we expect to receive from such sale will also be set forth in a prospectus
supplement. We will not receive any proceeds from the sale of our Class A common
stock by the selling stockholders.
Neither
the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission
has
approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus
is
truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
The
date
of this prospectus is ____________, 2008.
TABLE
OF CONTENTS
ABOUT
THIS PROSPECTUS
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1
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THE
COMPANY
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1
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RISK
FACTORS
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2
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FORWARD-LOOKING
STATEMENTS
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13
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THE
SECURITIES WE MAY OFFER
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13
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THE
SECURITIES THE SELLING STOCKHOLDERS MAY OFFER
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15
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RATIO
OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
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15
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USE
OF PROCEEDS
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15
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DESCRIPTION
OF CAPITAL STOCK
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16
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DESCRIPTION
OF DEBT SECURITIES
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19
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LEGAL
OWNERSHIP OF SECURITIES
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24
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SELLING
STOCKHOLDERS
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26
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PLAN
OF DISTRIBUTION
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26
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LEGAL
MATTERS
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28
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EXPERTS
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28
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WHERE
YOU CAN FIND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
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29
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ABOUT
THIS PROSPECTUS
This
prospectus is part of a registration statement on Form S-3 that we filed with
the Securities and Exchange Commission utilizing a “shelf” registration process.
Under
this shelf registration process, we may offer shares of our Class A common
stock
and preferred stock, various series of debt securities and/or warrants to
purchase any of such securities, either individually or in units, and the
selling stockholders may offer shares of our Class A common stock, in one or
more offerings, up to a total dollar amount of $400,000,000. In addition, the
selling stockholders separately may sell up to an aggregate of 7,574,416 shares
of common stock in one or more offerings. This prospectus provides you with
a
general description of the securities we or the selling stockholders may offer.
Each time we offer a type or series of securities under this prospectus, or
the
selling stockholders sell Class A common stock, we will provide a prospectus
supplement that will contain more specific information about the terms of those
securities. We may also authorize one or more free writing prospectuses to
be
provided to you that may contain material information relating to these
offerings. This prospectus, together with applicable prospectus supplements
and
any related free writing prospectuses, includes all material information
relating to these offerings. We may also add, update or change in the prospectus
supplement, and in any related free writing prospectus that we may authorize
to
be provided to you, any of the information contained in this prospectus or
in
the documents that we have incorporated by reference into this prospectus.
We
urge you to read carefully this prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement
and any related free writing prospectus, together with the information
incorporated herein by reference as described under the heading “Where You Can
Find Additional Information,” before buying any of the securities being offered.
THIS
PROSPECTUS MAY NOT BE USED TO CONSUMMATE A SALE OF SECURITIES UNLESS IT IS
ACCOMPANIED BY A PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT.
You
should rely only on the information we have provided or incorporated by
reference in this prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement and any
related free writing prospectus that we may authorize to be provided to you.
We
have not, and
the
selling stockholders have not, authorized
anyone to provide you with different information. No dealer, salesperson or
other person is authorized to give any information or to represent anything
not
contained in this prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement or any
related free writing prospectus that we may authorize to be provided to you.
You
must not rely on any unauthorized information or representation. This prospectus
is an offer to sell only the securities offered hereby, and only under
circumstances and in jurisdictions where it is lawful to do so. You should
assume that the information in this prospectus, any applicable prospectus
supplement or any related free writing prospectus is accurate only as of the
date on the front of the document and that any information we have incorporated
by reference is accurate only as of the date of the document incorporated by
reference, regardless of the time of delivery of this prospectus, any applicable
prospectus supplement or any related free writing prospectus, or any sale of
a
security.
This
prospectus contains summaries of certain provisions contained in some of the
documents described herein, but reference is made to the actual documents for
complete information. All of the summaries are qualified in their entirety
by
the actual documents. Copies of some of the documents referred to herein have
been filed, will be filed or will be incorporated by reference as exhibits
to
the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, and you may
obtain copies of those documents as described below under “Where You Can Find
Additional Information.”
This
prospectus and the information incorporated herein by reference includes
trademarks, service marks and trade names owned by us. We also register certain
trademarks, service marks and trade names in countries outside of the United
States. All trademarks, service marks and trade names included or incorporated
by reference into this prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement or
any
related free writing prospectus are the property of their respective owners.
Unless
otherwise mentioned or unless the context requires otherwise, all references
in
this prospectus to the terms “ICO,” the “Company,” “we,” “our” and “us” refer to
ICO Global Communications (Holdings) Limited and its subsidiaries and, where
the
context indicates, its predecessor corporation.
THE
COMPANY
ICO
Global Communications (Holdings) Limited is a next-generation mobile satellite
service (“MSS”) operator. Through our majority owned subsidiary, ICO North
America, Inc., along with its subsidiaries (“ICO North America”), we are
authorized through the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) to offer
MSS services throughout the United States using a geosynchronous earth orbit
(“GEO”) satellite. We have applied to the FCC for authorization to integrate an
ancillary terrestrial component (“ATC”) into our MSS system (“MSS/ATC System”)
in order to provide integrated satellite and terrestrial services. Unlike
satellite-only MSS systems, which have historically appealed to a niche market,
we believe that integrated MSS/ATC services may be more likely to appeal to
a
mass market of consumers and businesses. At the present time, we are focusing
most of our resources on developing our U.S. MSS/ATC System. We have also
coordinated the spectrum to enable the operation of a medium earth orbit (“MEO”)
satellite system globally in compliance with regulations promulgated by the
United Kingdom and by the International Telecommunication Union (“ITU”), an
international organization within the United Nations system. In 2007, ICO North
America began to develop its ICO Mobile Interactive Media (“ICO mim™”) service
for use on our MSS/ATC System. ICO mim is intended as an interactive suite
of
services including mobile video, navigation, and roadside assistance. ICO mim
is
being developed in conjunction with several telecommunications vendors, and
an
alpha trial of the service is planned for the second half of 2008. During the
alpha trial, ICO intends to offer 6-10 channels of mobile video, interactive
navigation, and satellite text messaging and voice services.
In
August
2005, ICO North America issued $650 million aggregate principal amount of
convertible notes due on August 15, 2009 (“2009 Notes”) to fund the development
of our MSS/ATC System. In March 2008, ICO North America obtained a $40 million
working capital facility (“2009 Credit Facility”), which is collateralized by a
first priority lien on substantially all of the assets of ICO North America.
We
have
met the FCC milestones necessary to maintain authorization to use our assigned
MSS spectrum in the United States. On April 14, 2008, we launched
ICO G1, and subsequently, we certified to the FCC that we had satisfied our
launch milestone. On May 9, 2008, we certified to the FCC that our MSS
system is operational, satisfying our final milestone. On May 30, 2008, we
received our 2 GHz license and were granted our spectrum selection in the
2 GHz
band.
We
are a
Delaware corporation and were incorporated on March 17, 2000. Our principal
executive office is located at 11700 Plaza America Drive, Suite 1010, Reston,
Virginia 20190, and our telephone number is (703) 964-1400. Our website address
is www.ico.com.
The
information contained in, or that can be accessed through, our website is not
part of this prospectus.
RISK
FACTORS
Investing
in our securities involves risks. You should review carefully the risks and
uncertainties described under the heading “Risk Factors” contained in the
applicable prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus, and
under similar headings in the other documents that are incorporated by reference
into this prospectus. The following are risk factors that could affect our
business, financial results and results of operations. These risk factors should
be considered in connection with evaluating the forward-looking statements
and
information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus because
these factors could cause the actual results and conditions to differ materially
from those projected in forward-looking statements. Before you buy our
securities, you should know that making such an investment involves a high
degree of risk, including the risks described below. The risks that we have
highlighted here and in any prospectus supplement are not the only ones that
we
face. If any of the risks actually occur, our business, financial condition,
results of operations or cash flows could be negatively affected. In that case,
the trading price or value of our securities could decline, and you may lose
all
or part of your investment.
Risks
Related to Our Business
We
have no significant operations, revenues or operating cash flow and will need
additional liquidity to fund our operations and fully fund all necessary capital
expenditures.
We
were
restructured in a bankruptcy in 2000, and to date, have had no significant
operations or revenues and do not generate any cash from operations. With the
exception of 2005 when we recognized net income due to gains recognized on
certain contract settlements, we have incurred net losses since our inception.
We expect to have losses for the foreseeable future. We continue to incur
expenses, which must be funded out of cash reserves or the proceeds, if any,
of
future financings.
The
implementation of our business plan, including the construction and launch
of a
satellite system and the necessary terrestrial components of the MSS/ATC System,
will require significant funding. It is unclear when, or if, we will be able
to
generate sufficient cash from operations to cover our expenses and fund capital
expenditures beyond those required to complete the MSS portion of the MSS/ATC
System. Our current assets will not be sufficient to fund our expenses through
deployment of the integrated MSS/ATC System and commencement of
revenue-generating operations. We would need substantial additional capital
if
we determine to develop the necessary ATC ground infrastructure alone, rather
than with strategic partners. We expect that the additional funding needed
for
the type and scope of ATC service we would pursue without strategic partners
would range from approximately $300 million to $800 million, depending
on the business or consumer market we choose to serve, the type and extent
of
ATC infrastructure necessary to serve such market and the geographic scope
of
our service area. Moreover, the indenture governing the 2009 Notes restricts
our
ability to incur additional indebtedness and to sell, lease, transfer or
encumber any of our assets. There is a risk that we will not be able to obtain
the additional funding required in the amounts or at the time the funds are
required. If we are unable to obtain a partner or sufficient funds, we will
not
be able to pursue the ATC portion of our planned MSS/ATC System or any business
plan requiring an ATC System.
We
hold investments in Auction Rate Securities (“ARS”) that may not be immediately
convertible into cash which could impact the funding of future
operations.
In
early
2008, we used the proceeds from the sale and maturity of certain of our
investments and cash and cash equivalents to purchase approximately
$98 million of student loan backed ARS consisting of variable rate bonds,
with maturities ranging from 24 to 39 years, for which the interest
rates are reset through a dutch auction each month. These monthly auctions
have
historically provided a liquid market for these ARS. Our ARS, which were
purchased in accordance with our investment policy, are AAA/Aaa rated and are
collateralized by student loans. At March 31, 2008, on a weighted average basis,
approximately 93% of the underlying student loan collateral was issued under
the
Federal Family Education Loan Program (“FFELP”). Student loans issued under the
FFELP are currently 97% insured by the U.S. Department of Education. As a result
of the impact of the current conditions in the global financial markets, the
ARS
we purchased in 2008 have experienced multiple failed auctions as the amount
of
securities submitted for sale has exceeded the amount of purchase orders.
Therefore, cash from the sale of these ARS, which we anticipated would be
available during 2008, may not be available in 2008 to sufficiently fund our
operating activities. To the extent our ARS do not become liquid, or we do
not
secure funding beyond the working capital facility described below, we plan
to
significantly reduce our operating and development expenditures, which would
include, among others, capital expenditures for the terrestrial network
development of our MSS/ATC System, related personnel and vendor support, and
other overhead.
We
may not be successful in implementing our business plan and this failure would
have a material effect on our financial condition and ability to generate
revenues from operations and realize earnings.
Our
business plan contemplates building an MSS/ATC System serving all 50 states
in
the United States, as well as Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Neither
we nor any other company in the past has offered service over such an integrated
satellite and ATC network. We may be unable to develop such a network in the
timetable or within the total costs projected, or we may be unsuccessful at
selling the services provided by such a network. We are substantially dependent
on certain third party suppliers to develop and deliver the components of our
planned MSS/ATC System in working condition, and there are no readily available
substitutes for these suppliers. We presently have limited operations other
than
development of our MSS/ATC System and delays in the delivery of certain
components of our MSS/ATC System will be harmful to the implementation of our
business plan and, as a consequence, our financial condition and ability to
commence revenue-generating operations and realize earnings.
There
are significant risks associated with operating our G1 satellite.
Our
business plan contemplates operating one GEO satellite, exposing us to risks
inherent in satellite operations. Satellites generally are subject to
significant operational risks while in orbit. These risks include malfunctions,
commonly referred to as anomalies, which can occur as a result of various
factors, such as satellite manufacturers’ errors, problems with the power or
control systems of the satellites and general failures resulting from operating
satellites in the harsh environment of space. We suffered a launch failure
with
one of our MEO satellites, and another satellite in the MEO satellite system
that was successfully launched experienced an anomaly in orbit that delayed
functionality for several months. In addition, our GEO satellite systems will
utilize ground-based beam forming (“GBBF”), a new technology that has not been
implemented in a satellite system previously.
While
we
have obtained insurance for the on-going operations of our GEO satellite, such
insurance does not fully cover all losses we may experience. We may face delay
and/or financial loss in the case of a disruption in the GEO satellite’s
operation. We may not be able to obtain insurance to cover all the possible
sources of failures or other amounts of loss. We do not expect to insure against
business interruption, lost revenues or delay of revenues. Also, our insurance
contains certain customary exclusions and material change limitations that
would
limit our coverage.
An
operational failure of the satellite may also endanger our FCC authorization
to
provide MSS using the 2 GHz spectrum in the event that satellite services cannot
be promptly or fully initiated or restored. The loss of our MSS authorization
would eliminate the value of our spectrum assignment and ability to generate
revenues from commercial MSS/ATC System operations, which would have a material
adverse effect on our financial condition and cash flows.
There
are significant technological risks associated with development of our MSS/ATC
System.
The
successful development of our MSS/ATC System will require us, through our
subsidiaries and together with our suppliers and partners, to develop several
new systems. These include the integrated MSS and ATC systems, dual direction
GBBF for communications between the satellite and terrestrial equipment, and
the
development of mass-market dual mode devices that will meet the FCC’s
requirements. These devices are currently being developed. Although GBBF has
been used for satellites before, to the best of our knowledge, it has never
been
implemented in both directions to the extent planned for the GEO satellite.
Also, the GEO satellite operates at lower signal strength than other satellites,
increasing the challenge of developing a suitable dual mode device. Each of
these developments represents unique challenges that may impact schedule and
development cost. In addition, the end-user devices and the new network
infrastructure may be at a cost disadvantage, due to lack of manufacturing
scale. This may place us at a cost disadvantage with respect to other
terrestrial carriers.
Other
parties may have patents or pending patent applications related to integrated
MSS/ATC System technology. Those parties may claim that our products or services
infringe their intellectual property rights and bring suit against us for
infringement of patent or other intellectual property rights. Although we
believe that we do not (and we do not intend to), we may be found to infringe
on
or otherwise violate the intellectual property rights of others. If our products
or services are found to infringe or otherwise violate the intellectual property
rights of others, we may need to obtain licenses from those parties or design
around such rights, increasing development costs and potentially making the
system’s operation less efficient. We may not be able to obtain the necessary
licenses on commercially reasonable terms, or at all, or to design around such
rights. In addition, if a court finds that we infringe or otherwise violate
the
intellectual property rights of others, we could be required to pay substantial
damages or be enjoined from making, using or selling the infringing product
or
technology. We could also be enjoined while an infringement suit was pending.
Any such claim, suit or determination could have a material adverse effect
on
the operation of the MSS/ATC System, our competitive position, cash flows and
our ability to generate revenues.
We
will
have to license hardware and software for our MSS/ATC System and products.
There
is a risk that the necessary licenses will not be available on acceptable
commercial terms. Failure to obtain such licenses or other rights could have
a
material adverse effect on the operation of the MSS/ATC System, our ability
to
remain competitive and our ability generate revenues and cash flows from
operations.
The
success of our business plan may depend on our ability to form strategic
partnerships to develop our MSS/ATC System under the constraints of various
regulatory requirements.
Our
business plan contemplates that we may form strategic partnerships with parties
who are able to complement our satellite offerings and benefit from our
satellite and/or terrestrial network components. We currently have no strategic
partners for our MSS/ATC System, and we may be unable to form such partnerships
on attractive terms. Further, such partnerships may be subject to various
regulatory requirements on operation and ownership of satellite and terrestrial
assets that may significantly impact the value to a third-party of entering
into
a strategic relationship with us. Failure to obtain a strategic partner would
make it more difficult to meet our financing requirements and strategic
objectives.
We
face significant competition from companies that are larger or have greater
resources.
We
face
significant competition from companies that are larger or have greater resources
than us, and from companies that may introduce new technologies and new wireless
spectrum. While we plan to be one of the first companies to offer integrated
satellite and ATC-based terrestrial services, in parts of our business we will
face competition from many well-established and well-financed competitors,
including existing cellular/personal communications service operators who have
large established customer bases. Many of these competitors have substantially
greater access to capital and have significantly more operating experience
than
we do. Further, due to their larger size, many of these competitors enjoy
economies of scale benefits that are not available to us.
We
may
also face competition from other MSS operators planning to offer MSS/ATC
services. In addition, the FCC could make additional wireless spectrum available
to new or existing competitors. For example, in 2006 the FCC auctioned 90 MHz
of
spectrum designated for advanced wireless services, which includes a variety
of
wireless services such as Third Generation, or 3G, mobile broadband and advanced
terrestrial wireless services. In addition, the FCC recently auctioned 52 MHz
of
spectrum in the 700 MHz band and is currently considering rules to re-auction
10
more MHz in this band. The FCC has designated additional spectrum for advanced
wireless services, but has not yet adopted licensing or service rules for that
spectrum.
We
may
also face competition from the entry of new competitors or from companies with
new technologies, and we cannot at this time project the impact that this would
have on our business plan or our future results of operations.
We
may be unable to protect the proprietary information and intellectual property
rights that our operations and future growth will depend
on.
The
success of our business plan depends, in part, on our ability to develop or
acquire technical know-how and remain current on new technological developments.
As a result, our ability to compete effectively will depend, in part, on our
ability to protect our proprietary technologies and systems designs. While
we
have attempted to safeguard and maintain our proprietary rights, we do not
know
whether we have been or will be successful in doing so. We rely on patents,
trademarks, copyrights, trade secret laws and policies and procedures related
to
confidentiality to protect our technology, products and services. Some of our
technology, products and services, however, are not covered by any of these
protections.
We
do not
know whether any of our pending patent applications will be issued or, in the
case of patents issued or to be issued, that the claims allowed are or will
be
sufficiently broad to protect our intellectual property. Even if all of our
patent applications are issued and are sufficiently broad, our patents may
be
challenged, invalidated or circumvented. In addition, we do not know whether
we
will be successful in maintaining the rights to our granted trademarks and
these
trademark rights may be challenged. Moreover, patent and trademark applications
filed in foreign countries may be subject to laws, rules and procedures that
are
substantially different from those of the United States, and any resulting
foreign patents may be difficult and expensive to enforce. We could, therefore,
incur substantial costs and diversion of resources in prosecuting patent and
trademark infringement suits or otherwise protecting our intellectual property
rights, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition,
results of operations and cash flows, regardless of the final outcome. Despite
our efforts to protect our proprietary rights, we may not be successful in
doing
so or that our competitors will not independently develop or patent technologies
equivalent or superior to our technologies.
We
also
rely upon unpatented proprietary technology and other trade secrets. While
it is
our policy to enter into confidentiality agreements with our employees and
third
parties to protect our proprietary expertise and other trade secrets, these
agreements may not be enforceable, and, even if they are legally enforceable,
we
may not have adequate remedies for breaches of such agreements. The failure
of
our patents or confidentiality agreements to protect our proprietary technology
or trade secrets could have an adverse effect on our results of operations
and
cash flows.
We
may be
unable to determine when third parties are using our intellectual property
rights without our authorization. The unremedied use of our intellectual
property rights or the legitimate development or acquisition of intellectual
property similar to ours by third parties could reduce or eliminate any
competitive advantage we have as a result of our intellectual property,
adversely affecting our financial condition and results of operations. If we
must take legal action to protect, defend or enforce our intellectual property
rights, any suits or proceedings could result in significant costs and diversion
of our resources and management’s attention, and there is a risk that we may not
prevail in any such suits or proceedings.
The
Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) is reviewing the timing of our recognition of
certain gains reported on the disposition of securities through a variable
forward contract.
The
IRS
is currently considering whether a gain we reported in 2003 related to the
sale
of securities under a variable forward contract might be properly reported
in a
year prior to 2003. While the IRS has not proposed any changes to years prior
to
2003 with respect to the reporting of this gain, if the IRS were to assert
and
sustain a position that the gain on the securities is properly reportable in
a
year prior to 2003, we will incur a tax liability ranging from $13 million
to $138 million (including interest but excluding penalty), dependent upon
which year the gain may be reportable. In August 2007, we extended the statute
of limitations on the federal income tax return of ICO Global Limited (the
subsidiary that held the variable forward contract in 2000) to September
2008.
We
are engaged in litigation with The Boeing Company and Boeing Satellite Services
International, Inc. and expect to incur material expenses in pursuing this
litigation.
We
are
engaged in litigation with The Boeing Company and Boeing Satellite Services
International, Inc. (“BSSI”) arising out of agreements for the development
and launch of our MEO satellites. BSSI’s allegations are unproven and it has not
specified the amount of monetary relief it is seeking. We have asserted cross
claims that we believe are meritorious. From August 2004 through March 31,
2008, we have incurred approximately $14.5 million in pursuing this
litigation and expect that we will continue to incur additional costs through
the duration of this litigation. The trial began on June 16, 2008. Due to the
uncertain nature of litigation and the many factors beyond our control, we
could
incur greater costs as the litigation proceeds.
We
may be unable to deploy our terrestrial network in the appropriate timeframe
and
at an appropriate cost, which would have a material effect on our financial
condition and ability to generate revenues from operations and realize
earnings.
Our
business plan contemplates the deployment of a terrestrial network in certain
targeted markets, with planned expansion based upon customer needs. Tower sites
or leases of space on tower sites and governmental authorizations in desirable
areas may be costly and time consuming to obtain. Additionally, since the
terrestrial component of our planned network will be attached to buildings,
towers and other structures, natural disasters such as earthquakes, tornadoes,
hurricanes or other natural catastrophic events, terrorism or vandalism could
damage our network, interrupt our service and harm our business in the affected
area. Temporary disruptions could damage our reputation, the demand for our
services and adversely affect our financial condition and cash flows. If we
are
unable to obtain tower space, local zoning approvals or adequate
telecommunications transport capacity to develop our network or if we are unable
to repair or replace our towers in a timely fashion after a natural catastrophic
event or protect our towers after a man-made disaster, the launch of our network
will be delayed and, as a consequence, our financial condition and ability
to
commence revenue-generating operations and realize earnings may be adversely
affected.
We
are in the process of amending or terminating most of our MEO gateway agreements
and may incur additional material expenses in terminating these
agreements.
Certain
of our subsidiaries have agreements with the operators of the gateways for
our
MEO satellite system. Three of these agreements have been terminated, but there
has not been a settlement reached yet. We also have discontinued the funding
of
certain of the gateway agreements and may discontinue the funding of certain
of
our subsidiaries who are parties to the gateway agreements. We may incur costs
associated with further terminations and the operators of the gateways may
try
to hold us liable for these agreements. As of March 31, 2008, we had an
accrued liability of $50.8 million related to these unsettled agreements.
If we are unable to settle the remaining agreements on favorable terms, payments
will have a material adverse effect on our financial condition.
Our
success depends on certain key management personnel, including certain personnel
who have not yet been identified and whom we may not be able to
hire.
Our
future success depends largely on the expertise and reputation of our senior
management team. We are seeking to add members to our senior management team,
including a Chief Operating Officer. Although we believe we will be able to
hire
effective managers, we cannot be certain that we will be able to do so or that
such individuals, if hired, will perform to our expectations. In addition,
loss
of any of our key personnel or the inability to recruit and retain qualified
individuals could adversely affect our ability to implement our business
strategy and operate our business.
Regulatory
Risks
We
are subject to significant U.S. and international governmental
regulation.
Our
ownership and operation of satellite and wireless communication systems is
subject to regulation by the FCC, the ITU and U.K. Office of Communications
(“Ofcom”). In general, laws, policies and regulations affecting the satellite
and wireless communications industries are subject to change in response to
industry developments, new technology or political considerations. Legislators
or regulatory authorities in the United States, the United Kingdom and at the
ITU are considering or may consider, or may in the future adopt, new laws,
policies and regulations or changes to existing regulations regarding a variety
of matters that could, directly or indirectly, affect our operations or increase
the cost of providing services over our MSS/ATC System.
On
May
30, 2008, the FCC acknowledged that ICO had met the final regulatory milestone
relating to the construction, launch, and operation of MSS satellites, which
constitutes the satellite system component of its integrated MSS/ATC network.
Authorizations to provide ATC-related services are predicated on compliance
with
various rules relating to the operation of the underlying MSS system. Failure
to
comply with relevant FCC rules, or with the terms of FCC authorizations granted
to us to provide MSS or ATC services, could result in a cancellation of the
MSS
or ATC authorization, unless a waiver of the rules is obtained.
Ofcom
submits and maintains ITU filings on our behalf, pursuant to our continuing
compliance with U.K. due diligence requirements, which include obligations
to
proceed apace with our business plans and to comply with Ofcom and ITU
requirements related to filings made and activities undertaken on our behalf.
For example, in the event that Ofcom finds that ICO North America is not
developing its satellite system consistent with Ofcom’s due diligence
requirements, Ofcom may elect to permit a competitive U.K. filing for its
orbital location or refuse to further support ITU filings made on its behalf
for
that system, resulting in cancellation of the ITU filings. If Ofcom were to
permit the competitive U.K. system to deploy at the ICO North America orbital
location, future operations of the MSS/ATC System may be significantly
compromised as a result of difficulty of frequency coordination with the
competing U.K. system. If Ofcom were to indicate that it was withdrawing support
for ICO North America’s satellite system, it may have a material adverse effect
on our ability to deploy the MSS/ATC System, generate revenues and remain
competitive. We are subject to similar requirements with respect to the
development of the MEO satellite system. In the event that Ofcom finds that
our
MEO satellite system is not developing consistent with Ofcom’s due diligence
requirements, Ofcom may refuse to further support ITU filings made on our behalf
for that system, resulting in cancellation of the ITU filings. U.K. law also
imposes an indemnification requirement on us and ICO North America in the event
its satellite causes damage to another satellite in flight.
The
ITU
regulates the use of radio frequency bands and orbital locations used by
satellite networks to provide communications services. The use of spectrum
and
orbital resources by us and other satellite networks must be coordinated
pursuant to the ITU’s Radio Regulations in order to avoid interference among the
respective networks.
By
June 1, 2012, our GEO satellite system is required under ITU rules to be
brought into use and coordinated with those national administrations whose
satellite systems have superior ITU rights. If the system is not brought into
use by June 1, 2012, the ITU would automatically cancel the ITU filings for
that system, which could have a material adverse effect on our ability to deploy
the GEO satellite system. Further, if we fail to complete coordination with
such
administrations and systems prior to the launch of the system, the system may
be
prohibited under ITU rules from providing coverage to countries served by those
satellite systems.
Increased
competition for spectrum and orbital locations may make it difficult and costly
for us to obtain or retain the right to use the spectrum and orbital resources
required for our operations. In the future, we may not be able to coordinate
our
satellite operations successfully under international telecommunications
regulations and may not be able to obtain or retain spectrum and orbital
resources required to provide future services. If we lose U.S. or international
regulatory authorizations for orbital locations or spectrum, or fail to
coordinate our use of the spectrum successfully, we could lose the right to
operate, which would have a material adverse effect on our
business.
In
order to maintain our U.K. authorization to operate our MEO satellite system,
we
may need to secure additional satellite contracts and
funding.
We
have
in orbit one MEO satellite launched in June 2001, which currently provides
data
gathering services for an agency of the U.S. Government. In order to maintain
the ability to operate the MEO satellite system in compliance with U.K.
regulations, we must meet U.K. due diligence requirements, which include
compliance with European Commission rules and may include compliance with
Conference of European Posts and Telecommunications (“CEPT“) decisions as they
are developed for the provision of MSS in the 2 GHz band. We have certified
that
the MEO satellite system has met seven of the eight milestones specified in
the
1997 CEPT decisions that provisioned spectrum in Europe for 2 GHz MSS
systems.
A
new
regulatory framework for Europe is currently being implemented, and there is
considerable uncertainty as to how legacy systems, such as our MEO satellite
system, will be treated under the new regulatory environment. In particular,
the
EC has approved a “proposal for a decision of the European Parliament and the
Council on the selection and authorization of systems providing MSS (“Report”).”
This Report lays down the regulatory process and framework including milestones
and selection criteria for 2 GHz operators in Europe. The Report could impact
our claims to 2 GHz spectrum. The Report does not expressly recognize ICO’s
claims to spectrum in Europe, though it does allow the EC to take account of
special circumstances, and ICO would be eligible to compete for 2 GHz spectrum
on the same terms as other candidates. ICO and/or other operators may challenge
the Report through appropriate legal procedures, and the outcome of any legal
challenge is uncertain.
There
is
considerable uncertainty as to how legacy MEO satellite systems, such as ours,
would be treated in any new regulatory environment in Europe. While we continue
to have dialogue with the appropriate regulatory authorities, the fact that
ICO
has been unable to fully deploy its MEO constellation also continues to create
regulatory uncertainty. We have received communications from Ofcom stating
that
it is “minded to” take action to attempt to cancel the ITU filing for
coordination priority made on ICO’s behalf for our MEO system. Ofcom has
requested any additional materials or arguments we would like to present, and
we
have provided additional information and arguments, and may pursue other legal
action as we deem appropriate. Ofcom may nonetheless be minded to take action
to
remove their support for ITU filings made on ICO’s behalf for our MEO system. If
Ofcom does not support us in international forums, and if we are unable to
preserve our claim to priority and legacy rights, we will be entitled to pursue
international S-band operations on the same terms as all other operators.
Depending on the development of a MEO business plan and the associated costs
(including the costs to comply with the final milestone or any new milestones
imposed) and the evolution of the regulatory environment for S-band systems
globally, particularly in Europe, as well as the success of discussions with
potential partners who could provide the funding for the development of the
MEO
satellite system, we may or may not proceed with the development of our physical
and regulatory MEO assets. If we lose our authorizations, this could have a
material adverse effect on our ability to develop and operate the MEO satellite
system. If we are unable to proceed with a MEO system because of the loss of
these authorizations or for other reasons, this could have a material adverse
effect on our business.
We
have not yet obtained ATC authorization and, if we are not successful in
receiving authorization, it could have a material adverse effect on our ability
to deploy the integrated MSS/ATC System.
We
have
not yet obtained ATC authorization from the FCC, and it is possible that the
FCC
will not grant any such authorization request. We cannot commence commercial
ATC
service until the FCC grants our ATC application, which we filed in December
2007. The FCC’s rules impose certain “gating criteria” for ATC eligibility,
including a requirement to have a spare satellite on the ground available one
year after commencing ATC service. We also must apply for separate FCC
authorizations to cover terrestrial facilities used to provide MSS/ATC services,
including licenses and equipment certifications for the mobile handsets and
other end-user equipment. If we are unsuccessful in receiving ATC authorization
from the FCC, it could have a material adverse effect on our ability to deploy
our strategy, generate revenues from the operation of the integrated MSS/ATC
System and realize earnings.
Our
use of the 2 GHz band is subject to successful relocation of incumbent users,
and Sprint Nextel is seeking reimbursement of up to $100 million for relocation
costs.
There
are
currently incumbent users operating services in certain portions of the 2 GHz
band. Our operations in the 2 GHz band are subject to successful relocation
of
incumbent broadcast auxiliary service (“BAS”) users and other users in the
uplink band. The FCC’s rules require new entrants to the 2 GHz band, including 2
GHz MSS licensees, to relocate incumbent BAS users. Sprint Nextel, a new entrant
in the 2 GHz band, is required to relocate incumbent BAS users in the 2 GHz
MSS
uplink band.
On
September 4, 2007, Sprint Nextel made a filing with the FCC stating that
progress in relocating the BAS operations has been substantially delayed and
requested (as modified by a subsequent filing) a 24 month extension of its
clearing obligations—until August 2009. On March 5, 2008, the FCC ruled on
this request, granting Sprint Nextel until March 2009, subject to a number
of
conditions and clarifications. Delays in making sufficient progress in the
relocation effort could delay the alpha trial of the ICO mim service and the
start of commercial MSS operations. Any such delay would negatively impact
our
ability to develop our ICO mim service, our revenues during the period of the
delay and potentially delay the deployment of the integrated MSS/ATC
System.
On
June
26, 2008, Sprint Nextel filed an action against us in the U.S. District Court
in
the Eastern District of Virginia seeking a court order requiring us to reimburse
Sprint Nextel for current and estimated future relocation costs up to $100
million. The FCC’s rules establish the circumstances under which Sprint Nextel
may seek reimbursement of eligible clearing costs from MSS entrants such
as ICO.
We believe the FCC’s rules do not require payment under the existing
circumstances, which have arisen because of Sprint Nextel’s failure to meet its
clearing obligation, and intend to vigorously defend against Sprint
Nextel’s claims. However, there is a risk that the court could reach a contrary
conclusion or that the FCC could change the applicable rules. If we are required
to reimburse Sprint Nextel, payments could have a material adverse effect
on our
financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
New
entrants to the 2 GHz band also must relocate microwave incumbent users in
the 2
GHz MSS downlink band or reimburse other parties for their costs of relocating
those incumbent users. We may not be successful in clearing all of the necessary
microwave incumbents in a timely manner, and any such clearing delay may impact
the operation of our MSS/ATC System.
Our
spectrum assignment is subject to pending petitions for FCC
reconsideration.
On
December 8, 2005, the FCC increased the assignment to us of 2 GHz MSS
spectrum from 8 MHz to 20 MHz. Our spectrum assignment is subject to pending
petitions for reconsideration of this FCC decision, and is conditioned upon
any
reinstatement of a cancelled Globalstar LLC 2 GHz MSS authorization. FCC
reinstatement of the Globalstar authorization would likely result in a reduction
in the amount of spectrum assigned to us. Any reduction in our spectrum
assignment could reduce its value and adversely affect the implementation of
our
business plan, our financial condition, cash flows, and competitive
position.
Any
changes in control of certain of our subsidiaries are subject to prior FCC
approval.
Any
investment in our subsidiaries that hold various FCC assignments and
authorizations that could result in a change of control of those subsidiaries
would be subject to prior FCC approval. A request for FCC approval would involve
a lengthy review period prior to consummation of the change of control. We
may
be unable to obtain the necessary FCC approval in a reasonably timely fashion,
and the FCC could impose new or additional license conditions as part of such
a
review.
Risks
Related to the ICO North America 2009 Notes and 2009 Credit
Facility
Our
primary subsidiary, ICO North America, does not generate sufficient cash to
repay its 2009 Credit Facility and 2009 Notes upon maturity in May 2009 and
August 2009.
The
2009
Credit Facility and the 2009 Notes must be repaid in May and August 2009,
respectively. The total amounts due at maturity are expected to be
$45.4 million and $767.7 million, respectively. Our ability to repay
the 2009 Credit Facility and the 2009 Notes upon maturity will depend on our
ability to raise additional financing. With the current weakness of the credit
markets, we may be unable to repay or refinance the 2009 Credit Facility and
the
2009 Notes upon maturity.
ICO
North America has a substantial amount of indebtedness, which could adversely
affect our ability to execute our business plan and to obtain additional
financing, and the terms of the indenture may restrict ICO North America’s
current and future operations.
As
of
March 31, 2008, ICO North America had $678 million of the 2009 Notes and $40
million under the 2009 Credit Facility outstanding. This substantial debt could
have significant consequences, including, but not limited to:
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requiring
ICO North America to dedicate a substantial portion of its assets
and cash
flow, if any, to pay principal and interest on the 2009 Notes and
2009
Credit Facility, reducing the funds available for working capital,
capital
expenditures, payment of dividends, acquisitions and other general
corporate purposes;
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limiting
our ability to raise future financing for working capital, capital
expenditures, acquisitions, debt service requirements or other
purposes,
and potentially subjecting us to restrictive
covenants;
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limiting
our flexibility in planning for, and reacting to, changes in our
business
and industry;
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making
us more vulnerable to adverse changes in general economic, industry
and
competitive conditions and adverse changes in government regulation;
and
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placing
us at a disadvantage compared to our competitors who have less
debt.
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The
indenture governing the 2009 Notes contains a number of restrictive covenants
that impose significant operating restrictions that may limit ICO North America
and its subsidiaries’ ability to engage in acts that may be in their long-term
best interests. In addition, the indenture includes covenants restricting,
among
other things, ICO North America and its subsidiaries’ ability to:
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incur
additional debt (including guarantees and capital lease obligations)
or
issue preferred stock;
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pay
dividends (other than in the form of stock) on their capital stock,
make
redemptions or purchases of their capital stock or our capital
stock, or
make other payments to us;
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use
the proceeds of certain asset sales that are not applied or invested
in a
certain manner within one year to repay the 2009
Notes;
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engage
in mergers, consolidations, acquisitions and sales of substantially
all
their assets;
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change
the business conducted;
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enter
into transactions with affiliates (including the Company);
and
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sell,
lease or transfer the right to use their assets outside of the
ordinary
course of business or sell any capital stock of the
subsidiaries.
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A
breach
of any of the restrictive covenants could result in an event of default under
the indenture. If an event of default occurs, the indenture trustee or the
holders of 25% of the aggregate principal amount of the outstanding 2009 Notes
may elect to declare the notes to be immediately due and payable and to enforce
the guarantees of ICO North America’s subsidiaries, to enforce their security
interest or to enforce our pledge of ICO North America’s capital stock. If the
2009 Notes were accelerated, ICO North America and its subsidiaries’ assets may
not be sufficient to repay the notes.
The
2009 Credit Facility and the 2009 Notes are secured by a security interest
in
substantially all of ICO North America’s and its subsidiaries’ assets and by our
pledge of its capital stock that, in the event of certain defaults, could allow
the noteholders or the lenders under the 2009 Credit Facility to take ownership
of some or all of ICO North America’s assets.
The
2009
Credit Facility is secured by a first priority security interest in
substantially all of the assets of ICO North America and its present and future
subsidiaries to the extent permitted by law and by a first priority pledge
by us
of ICO North America’s capital stock, subject to certain exceptions. ICO North
America and its subsidiaries currently hold substantially all of our assets.
In
addition, the 2009 Credit Facility is fully and unconditionally guaranteed
by
all of ICO North America’s present and future subsidiaries, and those guarantees
are secured by a first priority pledge of substantially all of the guarantors’
assets to the extent permitted by law. If ICO North America were to default
under the 2009 Credit Facility, this security interest could allow the
administrative agent or the lenders under the 2009 Credit Facility to take
ownership of some or all of ICO North America’s and its subsidiaries’ assets,
subject to the terms and conditions of the 2009 Credit Facility.
The
2009
Notes are secured by a second priority security interest in substantially
all of
the assets of ICO North America and its present and future subsidiaries to
the
extent permitted by law and by a second priority pledge by us of ICO North
America’s capital stock, subject to certain exceptions. ICO North America and
its subsidiaries currently hold substantially all of our assets. In addition,
the 2009 Notes are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by all of ICO North
America’s present and future subsidiaries, and those guarantees are secured by a
second priority pledge of substantially all of the guarantors’ assets to the
extent permitted by law. In the event of certain defaults under the indenture,
subject to the terms and conditions of the indenture, this security interest
could allow the noteholders to take ownership of some or all of ICO’s North
America’s assets.
ICO
North America may not have the ability to finance the change of control
repurchase offer required by the indenture governing its 2009
Notes.
Upon
the
occurrence of certain events, including a change in control of ICO North
America, as that term is defined in the indenture governing the 2009 Notes,
or a
transaction pursuant to which any person holds an amount of our capital stock
that represents more votes in the election of our directors than is represented
by the capital stock held by Eagle River Satellite Holdings, LLC (“ERSH”), ICO
North America is required to make an offer to repurchase the 2009 Notes in
cash
at a purchase price equal to 107.5% of the aggregate principal
amount.
The
source of funds for any such repurchase would be any available cash or cash
generated from ICO North America’s operations or other sources, including
borrowings, sales of equity or funds provided by a new controlling person or
entity. It is possible that sufficient funds will be unavailable to ICO North
America at the time of any change of control event to repurchase all tendered
notes pursuant to this requirement.
The
2009 Notes are convertible into shares of ICO North America’s common stock, and,
if converted, our ownership of ICO North America would be reduced to
approximately 55%.
Holders
of ICO North America’s 2009 Notes may convert their notes into shares of ICO
North America’s Class A common stock at any time. Because ICO North America
did not complete a qualifying public offering by August 15, 2007, the
non-occurrence of this event triggered a change to the conversion price of
the
2009 Notes equal to a 2% premium on the fully diluted shares outstanding as
of
August 15, 2007. This beneficial conversion feature resulted in a reduction
to the conversion price of the 2009 Notes from $4.25 per share to $4.06 per
share. If all of the 2009 Notes were converted, our ownership interest in ICO
North America would be reduced to approximately 55%. Presently, we hold over
99%
of the capital stock of ICO North America and, therefore, have significant
discretion over the conduct of its operations, subject only to the restrictions
contained in the indenture governing the 2009 Notes and our obligations to
minority stockholders of ICO North America. While we would remain its
controlling stockholder even if all of the note holders choose to convert,
our
influence over the operations of ICO North America would be limited to our
ability to elect its directors, which would mean that our interests in its
operations would be balanced against any competing interests of the Class A
common stock holders, possibly resulting in delays in the implementation of,
and
changes to, the business plan for our primary subsidiary, ICO North America.
The
terms of the 2009 Credit Facility may restrict ICO North America’s current and
future operations.
The
2009
Credit Facility restricts the financing alternatives for, and contains a number
of restrictive covenants that impose significant operating restrictions that
may
limit ICO North America and its subsidiaries’ ability to engage in acts that may
be in their long-term best interests. The 2009 Credit Facility contains
restrictive covenants similar to those contained in the indenture governing
the
2009 Notes. In addition, under the 2009 Credit facility:
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ICO
North America is required
to prepay the facility in the event of any extraordinary
receipts and certain asset sales, including 50% of the proceeds
of the
sale of ARS that exceeds in the aggregate $57 million, with the
proceeds of certain issuances of debt and capital stock, and in
certain
circumstances with insurance and condemnation
proceeds;
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ICO
North America and its subsidiaries are prohibited
from prepaying
or modifying the terms of the 2009
Notes;
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ICO
North America and its subsidiaries are required
to maintain liquidity, which is defined as cash, cash equivalents
and the
market value of its ARS, of
$5 million;
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ICO
North America and its subsidiaries are prohibited from selling
their
assets or acquiring additional assets, except for certain ordinary
course
sales and acquisitions and other specified permitted sales and
acquisitions; and
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ICO
North America and its subsidiaries are prohibited from issuing
additional
capital stock, except for certain specified permitted
issuances.
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Risks
Related to Our Class A Common Stock
Future
sales of our Class A common stock could depress the market
price.
The
market price of our Class A common stock could decline as a result of sales
of a large number of shares. Most of our Class A common stock that is held
by non-affiliates can be sold without limitation under Rule 144 and certain
holders of our Class A common stock are able to sell their shares in
compliance with Rule 144. In addition, certain holders of our Class A
common stock have the ability to cause us to register the resale of their
shares, including, in the case of ERSH, shares of Class A common stock
acquired upon conversion of their Class B common stock. These sales might
also make it more difficult for us to sell shares in the future at a time and
price that we deem appropriate.
The
interests of our controlling stockholder may conflict with your interests as
a
holder of our Class A common stock.
ERSH
controls approximately 68% of the voting power of our outstanding capital stock.
As a result, ERSH has control over the outcome of matters requiring stockholder
approval, including:
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the
election of our directors;
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•
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amendments
to our charter or certain amendments to our bylaws;
and
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•
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the
adoption or prevention of mergers, consolidations or the sale of
all or
substantially all of our assets or the assets of our
subsidiaries.
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ERSH
also
will be able to delay, prevent or cause a change of control of us. Among other
effects, if a change in control transaction resulted in any person holding
capital stock representing more votes in the election of directors than the
number of votes represented by the capital stock held by ERSH, the consummation
of such a change in control would also trigger the requirement that ICO North
America offer to repurchase its 2009 Notes pursuant to the terms of the
indenture.
Eagle
River Investments, LLC (“Eagle River Investments”) has made significant
investments in other telecommunications companies and may in the future make
additional investments. Some of these companies may compete with us. Eagle
River
Investments and ERSH are not obligated to advise us of any investment or
business opportunities of which it is aware, and they are not restricted or
prohibited from competing with us.
Craig
O.
McCaw, our Chairman, is the Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and sole manager
and beneficial member of Eagle River Investments, which is the sole member
of
ERSH.
We
are a “controlled company” within the meaning of the NASD Marketplace Rules and,
as a result, will qualify for, and intend to rely on, exemptions from certain
corporate governance requirements.
ERSH
controls approximately 68% of the voting power of our outstanding capital stock.
As a result, we are a “controlled company” within the meaning of the Nasdaq
Global Market corporate governance standards. Under the NASD Marketplace Rules,
a company of which more than 50% of the voting power is held by another company
is a “controlled company” and may elect not to comply with certain Nasdaq Global
Market corporate governance requirements, including (1) the requirement
that a majority of the board of directors consist of independent directors,
(2) the requirement that the compensation of officers be determined, or
recommended to the board of directors for determination, by a majority of the
independent directors or a compensation committee comprised solely of
independent directors, and (3) the requirement that director nominees be
selected, or recommended for the board of directors’ selection, by a majority of
the independent directors or a nominating committee comprised solely of
independent directors with a written charter or board resolution addressing
the
nomination process. We have currently elected to utilize these exemptions.
As a
result, our stockholders may not have the same protections afforded to
stockholders of companies that are subject to all of the Nasdaq Global Market
corporate governance requirements.
Certain
provisions in our Restated Certificate of Incorporation may discourage
takeovers, which could affect the rights of holders of our Class A common
stock.
Our
Restated Certificate of Incorporation provides that we will take all necessary
and appropriate action to protect certain rights of our common stockholders
that
are set forth in the Restated Certificate of Incorporation, including voting,
dividend and conversion rights and their rights in the event of a liquidation,
merger, consolidation or sale of substantially all of our assets. It also
provides that we will not avoid or seek to avoid the observance or performance
of those rights by charter amendment, entry into an inconsistent agreement
or
reorganization, recapitalization, transfer of assets, consolidation, merger,
dissolution or the issuance or sale of securities. In particular, these rights
include our Class B common stockholder’s right to ten votes per share on
matters submitted to a vote of our stockholders and option to convert each
share
of Class B common stock into one share of Class A common
stock.
We
do not expect to pay dividends on our Class A common stock for the
foreseeable future.
We
have
never paid a cash dividend on shares of our equity securities, and do not intend
to pay any dividends on our Class A common shares in the foreseeable
future. Since we were restructured in a bankruptcy in May 2000, we have had
no
significant operations or revenues and have incurred net losses (other than
in
2005, but due solely to gains on gateway contract settlements in that year).
We
continue to incur expenses, which must be funded out of cash reserves or the
proceeds (if any) of future financings. We expect to have losses for the
foreseeable future.
Our
current plan is to focus most of our resources on the development of our MSS/ATC
System. ICO North America is at an early stage of development and does not
have
any revenue-generating operations. Its ability to generate cash in the future
will depend on its ability to successfully develop the MSS/ATC System and
implement and manage projected growth and development. There is a risk that
ICO
North America will not be successful in these endeavors.
In
addition, ICO North America and its subsidiaries are prohibited from paying
cash
dividends on their capital stock and from purchasing or redeeming their capital
stock (unless funded by a contemporaneous sale of capital stock) under the
terms
of the indenture governing ICO North America’s 2009 Notes.
FORWARD-LOOKING
STATEMENTS
This
prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference contain forward-looking
statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933,
as
amended (“Securities Act”) and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, as amended (“Exchange Act”). These statements are based upon current
expectations that involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other
factors which may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to
be
materially different from any future results, performances or achievements
expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements.
We
have
identified the forward-looking statements we make by using such terms as “may,”
“might,” “can,” “should,” “could,” “would,” “expect,” “plan,” “seek,”
“anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “project,” “intend,” “predict,”
“potential,” “if” and similar expressions which imply that the statements relate
to future events or expectations. These statements reflect our current views
with respect to future events and are based on assumptions and subject to risks
and uncertainties. Given these uncertainties, you should not place undue
reliance on these forward-looking statements. We discuss many of these risks,
uncertainties and other important factors in greater detail under the heading
“Risk Factors” contained in the applicable prospectus supplements and any
related free writing prospectuses that we may authorize to be provided to you,
and in our most recent annual report on Form 10-K and in our most recent
quarterly report on Form 10-Q, as well as any amendments thereto reflected
in
subsequent filings with the SEC. Given these risks, uncertainties and other
important factors, you should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking
statements. Also, these forward-looking statements represent our estimates
and
assumptions only as of the date of this prospectus.
You
should read carefully both this prospectus, any applicable prospectus
supplements and any related free writing prospectuses, together with the
information incorporated herein by reference as described under the heading
“Where You Can Find Additional Information,” completely and with the
understanding that our actual future results may be materially different from
what we expect. We may not update these forward-looking statements, even though
our situation may change in the future. We qualify all of our forward-looking
statements by these cautionary statements.
THE
SECURITIES WE MAY OFFER
We
may
offer shares of our Class A common stock and preferred stock, various series
of
debt securities and/or warrants to purchase any of such securities, either
individually or in units, with a total value
of
up
to
$400,000,000 from time to time under this prospectus at prices and on terms
to
be determined by market conditions at the time of any offering. The maximum
amount of securities we may offer will be reduced from $400,000,000 by the
value
of shares of Class A common stock that the selling stockholders sell beyond
the
initial 7,574,416 shares specified on the prospectus cover. This prospectus
provides you with a general description of the securities that may be offered.
Each time we offer a type or series of securities under this prospectus,
we will
provide a prospectus supplement that will describe the specific amounts,
prices
and other important terms of the securities, including, to the extent
applicable:
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designation
or classification;
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aggregate
principal amount or aggregate offering
price;
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maturity,
if applicable;
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rates
and times of payment of interest or dividends, if
any;
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redemption,
conversion, exercise, exchange or sinking fund terms, if
any;
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original
issue discount, if any;
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voting
or other rights, if any;
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conversion
prices, if any; and
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important
U.S. federal income tax
considerations.
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The
prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus that we may
authorize to be provided to you may also add, update or change information
contained in this prospectus or in documents we have incorporated by reference.
However, no prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus will offer a
security that is not registered and described in this prospectus at the time
of
the effectiveness of the registration statement of which this prospectus is
a
part.
THIS
PROSPECTUS MAY NOT BE USED TO CONSUMMATE A SALE OF SECURITIES UNLESS IT IS
ACCOMPANIED BY A PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT.
We
may
sell the securities directly to investors or to or through agents, underwriters
or dealers. We, and our agents or underwriters, reserve the right to accept
or
reject all or part of any proposed purchase of securities. If we do offer
securities through agents or underwriters, we will include in the applicable
prospectus supplement:
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the
names of those agents or
underwriters;
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applicable
fees, discounts and commissions to be paid to
them;
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details
regarding over-allotment options, if any; and
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the
net proceeds to us.
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Class
A Common Stock. We
may
issue shares of our Class A common stock from time to time. The holders of
Class
A common stock are entitled to one vote for each share held of record on all
matters submitted to a vote of the stockholders. Subject to preferences that
may
be applicable to any then outstanding shares of preferred stock, the holders
of
Class A common stock are entitled to receive ratably such dividends as may
be
declared by the board of directors out of funds legally available therefor.
Upon
our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, holders of our Class A common stock
are entitled to share ratably in all assets remaining after payment of
liabilities and the liquidation preferences of any outstanding shares of
preferred stock.
Preferred
Stock. We
may
issue shares of our preferred stock from time to time, in one or more series.
Our board of directors will determine the rights, preferences, privileges and
restrictions thereof, including dividend rights, conversion rights, voting
rights, terms of redemption, liquidation preferences, sinking fund terms and
the
number of shares constituting any series or the designation of such series,
without any further vote or action by stockholders. Convertible preferred stock
will be convertible into our common stock or exchangeable for our other
securities. Conversion may be mandatory or at your option and would be at
prescribed conversion rates.
If
we
sell any series of preferred stock under this prospectus and applicable
prospectus supplements, we will fix the rights, preferences, privileges and
restrictions of the preferred stock of such series in the certificate of
designation relating to that series. We will file as an exhibit to the
registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, or will incorporate
by reference from reports that we file with the SEC, the form of any certificate
of designation that describes the terms of the series of preferred stock we
are
offering before the issuance of the related series of preferred stock. We urge
you to read the applicable prospectus supplement (and any free writing
prospectus that we may authorize to be provided to you) related to the series
of
preferred stock being offered, as well as the complete certificate of
designation that contains the terms of the applicable series of preferred stock.
Debt
Securities. We
may
offer debt securities from time to time, in one or more series, as either senior
or subordinated debt or as senior or subordinated convertible debt. The senior
debt securities will rank equally with any other unsecured and unsubordinated
debt. The subordinated debt securities will be subordinate and junior in right
of payment, to the extent and in the manner described in the instrument
governing the debt, to all of our senior indebtedness. Convertible debt
securities will be convertible into or exchangeable for our common stock or
our
other securities. Conversion may be mandatory or at your option and would be
at
prescribed conversion rates.
The
debt
securities will be issued under one or more documents called indentures, which
are contracts between us and a national banking association or other eligible
party, as trustee. In this prospectus, we have summarized certain general
features of the debt securities. We urge you, however, to read the applicable
prospectus supplement (and any free writing prospectus that we may authorize
to
be provided to you) related to the series of debt securities being offered,
as
well as the complete indentures (including any supplemental indentures) that
contain the terms of the debt securities. Forms of indentures have been filed
as
exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part,
and
supplemental indentures and forms of debt securities containing the terms of
the
debt securities being offered will be filed as exhibits to the registration
statement of which this prospectus is a part or will be incorporated by
reference from reports that we file with the SEC.
Warrants.
We
may
issue warrants for the purchase of Class A common stock, preferred stock and/or
debt securities in one or more series. We may issue warrants independently
or
together with common stock, preferred stock and/or debt securities, and the
warrants may be attached to or separate from these securities. The warrants
will
be evidenced by warrant certificates issued under one or more warrant
agreements, which are contracts between us and an agent for the holders of
the
warrants. In this prospectus, we have summarized certain general features of
the
warrants. We urge you, however, to read the applicable prospectus supplement
(and any free writing prospectus that we may authorize to be provided to you)
related to the particular series of warrants being offered, as well as the
warrant agreements and warrant certificates that contain the terms of the
warrants. We will file as exhibits to the registration statement of which this
prospectus is a part, or will incorporate by reference reports that we file
with
the SEC forms of the warrant agreements and forms of warrant certificates
containing the terms of the warrants being offered.
We
will
evidence each series of warrants by warrant certificates that we will issue
under a separate agreement. We will enter into the warrant agreements with
a
warrant agent. Each warrant agent will be a bank or trust company that we
select. We will indicate the name and address of the warrant agent in the
applicable prospectus supplement relating to a particular series of warrants.
Units.
We
may
issue units consisting of Class A common stock, preferred stock, debt securities
and/or warrants for the purchase of common stock, preferred stock and/or debt
securities in one or more series. In this prospectus, we have summarized certain
general features of the units. We urge you, however, to read the applicable
prospectus supplement (and any free writing prospectus that we may authorize
to
be provided to you) related to the series of units being offered, as well as
the
unit agreements that contain the terms of the units. We will file as exhibits
to
the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, or will
incorporate by reference reports that we file with the SEC, the form of unit
agreement and any supplemental agreements that describe the terms of the series
of units we are offering before the issuance of the related series of units.
We
will
evidence each series of units by unit certificates that we will issue under
a
separate agreement. We will enter into the unit agreements with a unit agent.
Each unit agent will be a bank or trust company that we select. We will indicate
the name and address of the unit agent in the applicable prospectus supplement
relating to a particular series of units.
THE
SECURITIES
THE SELLING STOCKHOLDERS MAY OFFER
The
selling stockholders may resell or dispose of shares of our Class A common
stock, or interests therein, at fixed prices, at prevailing market prices
at the
time of sale or at prices negotiated with purchasers, to or through
underwriters, broker-dealers, agents, or through any other means described
under
“Plan of Distribution” or in a prospectus supplement for such sale of Class A
common stock. The selling stockholders will bear all commissions and discounts,
if any, attributable to the sale or disposition of shares, or interests therein.
We will bear all costs, expenses and fees in connection with the registration
of
these shares. We will not receive any of the net proceeds from the sale of
these
shares of Class A common stock by the selling stockholders. See “Selling
Stockholders.”
RATIO
OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
The
ratio
of earnings to fixed charges is computed by dividing earnings by the sum of
fixed charges. For these purposes, earnings is defined as income (loss) before
income taxes, plus fixed charges, less capitalized interest. Fixed charges
represent interest expensed and capitalized, amortization of discounts related
to indebtedness and the portion of rental expense that we believe is
representative of the interest component of rental expense. The following table
sets forth our ratio of earnings to fixed charges for each of the periods
presented.
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Three Months Ended
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Year
Ended December 31,
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March 31, 2008
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2007
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2006
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2005
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2004
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2003
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Ratio
of earnings to fixed charges
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—
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—
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—
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2.11
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—
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—
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Our
earnings were insufficient to cover fixed charges by $39.9 million for the
three
months ended March 31, 2008 and $107.2 million, $87.4 million, $902.1 million
and $235.2 million for the years ended December 31, 2007, 2006, 2004, and 2003,
respectively. No ratios are provided for these periods.
USE
OF PROCEEDS
We
will
retain broad discretion over the use of the net proceeds from the sale by us
of
the securities offered hereby. Except as described in any prospectus supplement
or in any related free writing prospectus that we may authorize to be provided
to you, we currently intend to use the net proceeds from the sale of the
securities offered hereby for research and development and general corporate
purposes. We may also use a portion of the net proceeds to acquire or invest
in
businesses, products and technologies that are complementary to our own, as
well
as for capital expenditures. We may also use a portion of the net proceeds
to
repay our or our subsidiaries’ indebtedness. Pending these uses, we expect to
invest the net proceeds in short-term, investment-grade securities. The
prospectus supplement may contain more details about our use of these
proceeds.
We
will
not receive any proceeds from the sale of Class A common stock by the selling
stockholders. The proceeds from the sale of these shares by the selling
stockholders pursuant to any prospectus supplement will be solely for the
accounts of the selling stockholders or their pledgees, donees, transferees
or
other successors-in-interest.
DESCRIPTION
OF CAPITAL STOCK
General
Our
authorized capital stock consists of 900,000,000 shares of Class A common
stock, par value $0.01 per share, 150,000,000 shares of Class B common
stock, par value $0.01 per share, and 75,000,000 shares of preferred stock,
par
value $0.01 per share. Only our Class A common stock is
registered.
As
of
March 31, 2008, adjusted for our sale of 7,574,416 shares of Class A common
stock in June 2008, there were 153,005,499 shares of Class A common stock
outstanding, with approximately 376 holders of record, and 53,660,000 shares
of
Class B common stock outstanding, with two holders of record. There are
also outstanding warrants exercisable for 3,172,110 shares of Class A
common stock and outstanding options exercisable for an aggregate of
11,337,323 shares of Class A common stock and 1,625,000 shares of
Class B common stock. No preferred stock is currently outstanding.
The
following summary description of our capital stock is based on the provisions
of
our certificate of incorporation and bylaws and the applicable provisions of
the
Delaware General Corporation Law (“DGCL”). This information may not be complete
in all respects and is qualified entirely by reference to the provisions of
our
certificate of incorporation, bylaws and the DGCL. For information on how to
obtain copies of our certificate of incorporation and bylaws, which are exhibits
to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part, see “Where
You Can Find Additional Information.”
Dividend
Rights
Holders
of our Class A common stock and Class B common stock are entitled to
receive dividends at such times and in such amounts as may be determined by
our
board of directors and declared out of any legally available funds. Any
dividends declared by the board of directors, whether payable in cash, property
or shares of our capital stock, will be paid equally, on a per share basis,
to
holders of Class A common stock and Class B common stock.
We
have
not paid any dividends since our inception and do not expect or intend to pay
dividends on our common stock in the foreseeable future. Our board of directors
may, at its discretion, modify or repeal our dividend policy. Future dividends,
if any, with respect to shares of our common stock will depend on, among other
things, our results of operations, cash requirements, financial condition,
contractual restrictions, provisions of applicable law and other factors that
our board of directors deems relevant.
Voting
Rights
Holders
of Class A common stock are entitled to one vote for each share of
Class A common stock held of record on the applicable record date, and
holders of Class B common stock are entitled to ten votes for each share of
Class B common stock held of record on the applicable record date, on each
matter submitted to a vote of our stockholders. Holders of Class A common
stock and Class B common stock vote together as a single class of common
stock on each matter submitted to a vote of our stockholders. Our charter and
bylaws do not provide for cumulative voting in the election of
directors.
In
general, corporate action to be taken by stockholder vote will be authorized
by
a majority of the votes cast by stockholders entitled to vote and present in
person or by proxy at the meeting. Directors, however, are elected at each
annual meeting by a plurality of the votes cast by stockholders entitled to
vote
and present in person or by proxy at the meeting. The stockholders may also
take
action without a meeting, and without a vote, if the holders of outstanding
stock with the minimum number of votes that would be required to take the action
at a meeting at which all shares entitled to vote were present and voting,
consent to the action in writing and deliver it to the Company.
We
do not
have a classified board of directors. Thus, each of our directors is up for
reelection at each annual meeting of stockholders.
Conversion
Rights of Class B common stock
Optional
Conversion.
The
Class B common stock is convertible at any time at the option of its
holders into shares of Class A common stock. Each share of Class B
common stock is convertible into one share of Class A common
stock.
Automatic
Conversion.
The
Class B common stock will be automatically converted into shares of
Class A common stock if the Class B common shares are voluntarily or
involuntarily sold, assigned, pledged, encumbered, or otherwise transferred
to
anyone other than the following persons or entities: (1) Eagle River,
(2) Craig O. McCaw, (3) William H. Gates III, (4) Cascade
Investment, L.L.C., (5) any affiliate of Eagle River, (6) any person
or entity that has executed a valid, irrevocable written proxy in favor of
Eagle
River (covering the Class B common stock for as long as such person or
entity owns the shares of Class B common stock), or (7) in the event
of a pledge by the holder, a lender, financing, or investment banking firm
(as
pledgees) as long as the pledgee acknowledges in writing that the shares are
subject to automatic conversion upon foreclosure or other action to sell the
shares.
Other
Rights of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common
Stock
Liquidation.
In the
event the Company is liquidated, dissolved, or wound up, whether voluntarily
or
involuntary, our remaining assets, after payment in full to creditors and
holders of any capital stock having preference over the common stock upon
liquidation, dissolution, or winding up that may then be outstanding, will
be
divided ratably and without regard to class among the holders of Class A
common stock and Class B common stock.
Reorganization,
Recapitalization, or Asset Sale.
In the
case of any consolidation, merger, recapitalization, reorganization or sale
of
all or substantially all of the Company’s assets, each holder of Class A
common stock will receive the same amount of consideration per share, and each
holder of Class B common stock will receive the same amount of
consideration per share as the Class A common stockholders (as if the
Class B common stock had been converted into Class A common stock).
Notwithstanding the foregoing, if all or part of the consideration payable
in
respect of shares of Class A common stock and Class B common stock
consists of securities, the securities issued to the holders of Class A
common stock and Class B common stock will be identical in all respects,
except that the disproportionate voting power of the Class B common stock
(i.e., each share of Class B common stock is entitled to ten votes per
share versus one vote per share for the Class A common stock) and the
conversion rights of the Class B common stock may be incorporated into the
terms of the securities issued to the holders of the Class B common
stock.
Other
Characteristics. Except
as
set forth in agreements between us and holders of our Class A common stock
and Class B common stock described in this registration statement, holders
of Class A common stock and Class B common stock do not have any
preemptive, conversion or other subscription rights with respect to any
additional shares of common stock which may be issued. Therefore, our board
of
directors may authorize the issuance and sale of shares of our common stock
without first offering them to our existing stockholders. No class of common
stock is subject to any redemption or sinking fund provisions.
Preferred
Stock
Our
board
of directors has the authority, without further action by the stockholders,
to
issue up to 75,000,000 shares of preferred stock in one or more series and
to
fix the rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions thereof, including
dividend rights, conversion rights, voting rights, terms of redemption,
liquidation preferences, sinking fund terms and the number of shares
constituting any series or the designation of such series, without any further
vote or action by stockholders. The issuance of preferred stock could adversely
affect the voting power of holders of common stock and the likelihood that
such
holders will receive dividend payments and payments upon liquidation and could
have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change in control of
ICO.
We
will
fix the rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions of the preferred stock
of each series in the certificate of designation relating to that series. We
will file as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus
is a part, or will incorporate by reference from reports that we file with
the
SEC, the form of any certificate of designation that describes the terms of
the
series of preferred stock we are offering before the issuance of the related
series of preferred stock. This description will include any or all of the
following, as required:
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the
title and stated value;
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the
number of shares we are offering;
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the
liquidation preference per share;
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the
dividend rate, period and payment date and method of calculation
for
dividends;
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whether
dividends will be cumulative or non-cumulative and, if cumulative,
the
date from which dividends will
accumulate;
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the
procedures for any auction and remarketing, if
any;
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the
provisions for a sinking fund, if
any;
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the
provisions for redemption or repurchase, if applicable, and any
restrictions on our ability to exercise those redemption and repurchase
rights;
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any
listing of the preferred stock on any securities exchange or
market;
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whether
the preferred stock will be convertible into our common stock, and,
if
applicable, the conversion price, or how it will be calculated, and
the
conversion period;
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whether
the preferred stock will be exchangeable into debt securities, and,
if
applicable, the exchange price, or how it will be calculated, and
the
exchange period;
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voting
rights, if any, of the preferred
stock;
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preemptive
rights, if any;
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restrictions
on transfer, sale or other assignment, if
any;
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whether
interests in the preferred stock will be represented by depositary
shares;
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a
discussion of any material or special U.S. federal income tax
considerations applicable to the preferred
stock;
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the
relative ranking and preferences of the preferred stock as to dividend
rights and rights if we liquidate, dissolve or wind up our
affairs;
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any
limitations on issuance of any class or series of preferred stock
ranking
senior to or on a parity with the series of preferred stock as to
dividend
rights and rights if we liquidate, dissolve or wind up our affairs;
and
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any
other specific terms, preferences, rights or limitations of, or
restrictions on, the preferred
stock.
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If
we
issue shares of preferred stock under this prospectus, the shares will be fully
paid and non-assessable.
The
DGCL
provides that the holders of preferred stock will have the right to vote
separately as a class on any proposal involving fundamental changes in the
rights of holders of that preferred stock. This right is in addition to any
voting rights that may be provided for in the applicable certificate of
designation.
Our
board
of directors may authorize the issuance of preferred stock with voting or
conversion rights that could adversely affect the voting power or other rights
of the holders of our common stock. Preferred stock could be issued quickly
with
terms designed to delay or prevent a change in control of our company or make
removal of management more difficult. Additionally, the issuance of preferred
stock may have the effect of decreasing the market price of our common stock.
Stock
Options and Warrants
As
of
March 31, 2008, a total of 20,917,573 shares of common stock have been
authorized for issuance under our stock incentive plan, consisting of 20 million
shares authorized under the plan, 695,000 shares authorized outside of the
plan,
but with similar terms and conditions as the Plan, and 222,573 shares assumed
by
us pursuant to our merger with ICO Global Limited. As of March 31, 2008,
14,142,323 shares have been issued and remain outstanding under the plan or
with
similar terms and conditions as the plan.
Warrants
to purchase a total of 3,172,110 shares of our Class A common stock are
outstanding, with an exercise price of $0.01 per share and expiring on
December 12, 2012. Each warrant contains provisions for the adjustment of
the exercise price and the number of shares issuable upon the exercise of the
warrant in the event of stock dividends, stock splits, reclassifications or
certain consolidations, mergers or reorganizations.
Delaware
Anti-Takeover Law and Certain Charter Provisions
Certain
additional provisions of Delaware law and our Restated Certificate of
Incorporation and Bylaws could make more difficult the acquisition of our
company by means of a tender offer or a proxy contest. These provisions may
discourage certain types of coercive takeover practices and inadequate takeover
bids and encourage persons seeking to acquire control of our company to first
negotiate with our company. We believe that the benefits of increased protection
of our company’s potential ability to negotiate with the proponent of an
unfriendly or unsolicited proposal to acquire or restructure our company
outweigh the disadvantages of discouraging such proposals because, among other
things, negotiation of such proposals could result in an improvement of their
terms.
Our
Restated Certificate of Incorporation provides that we will take all necessary
and appropriate action to protect the voting, dividend, conversion, liquidation
and merger/consolidation/asset sale rights described above and will not avoid
or
seek to avoid the observance or performance of those rights by charter
amendment, entry into an inconsistent agreement or reorganization,
recapitalization, transfer of assets, consolidation, merger, dissolution or
issuance or sale of securities.
We
have
elected not to be governed by Section 203 of the DGCL regulating corporate
takeovers which, subject to certain exceptions, prohibits a Delaware corporation
from engaging in any “business combination” (as defined below) with an
“interested stockholder” (as defined below) for a period of three years
following the date that such stockholder became an interested
stockholder.
Section 203
of the DGCL defines “business combination” to include: (i) any merger or
consolidation involving the corporation and the interested stockholder;
(ii) any sale, transfer, pledge or other disposition to or with the
interested stockholder of 10% or more of the aggregate market value of either
the consolidated assets or the outstanding stock of the corporation;
(iii) subject to certain exceptions, any transaction that results in the
issuance or transfer by the corporation of any stock of the corporation to
the
interested stockholder; (iv) any transaction involving the corporation that
has the effect of increasing the proportionate share of the stock of any class
or series of the corporation beneficially owned by the interested stockholder;
or (v) the receipt by the interested stockholder of the benefit of any
loans, advances, guarantees, pledges or other financial benefits provided by
or
through the corporation. In general, Section 203 defines an “interested
stockholder” as any entity or person beneficially owning 15% or more of the
outstanding voting stock of the corporation and any entity or person affiliated
with or controlling or controlled by such entity or person.
Transfer
Agent and Registrar
The
transfer agent and registrar for our common stock is Mellon Investor Services,
LLC. Its address is 480 Washington Blvd., Jersey City, NJ 07310-1900. Their
website address is: www.melloninvestor.com/isd.
The
transfer agent for any series of preferred stock will be named and described
in
the prospectus supplement for that series.
DESCRIPTION
OF DEBT SECURITIES
The
following description, together with the additional information that we include
in any applicable prospectus supplements and in any related free writing
prospectuses that we may authorize to be provided to you, summarizes the
material terms and provisions of the debt securities that we may offer under
this prospectus. While the terms we have summarized below will apply generally
to any future debt securities we may offer under this prospectus, we will
describe the particular terms of any debt securities that we may offer in more
detail in the applicable prospectus supplement. The terms of any debt securities
offered under a prospectus supplement may differ from the terms described below.
We
will
issue the senior debt securities under the senior indenture that we will enter
into with the trustee named in the senior indenture. We will issue the
subordinated debt securities under the subordinated indenture that we will
enter
into with the trustee named in the subordinated indenture. We have filed
proposed forms of these documents as exhibits to the registration statement
of
which this prospectus is a part, and the final form of these documents will
be
as negotiated with the trustee under the senior indenture and the trustee under
the subordinated indenture, as applicable. We use the term “indentures” in this
prospectus to refer to both the senior indenture and the subordinated indenture.
The
indentures will be qualified under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939. We use
the
term “debenture trustee” to refer to either the trustee under the senior
indenture or the trustee under the subordinated indenture, as applicable.
The
following summaries of material provisions of the senior debt securities, the
subordinated debt securities and the indentures are subject to, and qualified
in
their entirety by reference to, all of the provisions of the indenture
applicable to a particular series of debt securities. We urge you to read the
applicable prospectus supplements and any related free writing prospectuses
related to the debt securities that we may offer under this prospectus, as
well
as the indenture that contains the terms of the debt securities. Except as
we
may otherwise indicate, the terms of the senior indenture and the subordinated
indenture are identical.
General
We
will
describe in the applicable prospectus supplement any or all of the following
terms relating to a series of debt securities, as required:
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the
principal amount being offered, and if a series, the total amount
authorized and the total amount
outstanding;
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any
limit on the amount that may be
issued;
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whether
or not we will issue the series of debt securities in global form,
the
terms and who the depositary will
be;
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the
annual interest rate, which may be fixed or variable, or the method
for
determining the rate and the date interest will begin to accrue,
the dates
interest will be payable and the regular record dates for interest
payment
dates or the method for determining such
dates;
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whether
and under what circumstances, if any, we will pay additional amounts
on
any debt securities held by a person who is not a United States person
for
tax purposes, and whether we can redeem the debt securities if we
have to
pay such additional amounts;
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whether
or not the debt securities will be secured or unsecured, and the
terms of
any secured debt;
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the
terms of the subordination of any series of subordinated
debt;
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the
place where payments will be
payable;
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restrictions
on transfer, sale or other assignment, if
any;
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our
right, if any, to defer payment of interest and the maximum length
of any
such deferral period;
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the
date, if any, after which, and the price at which, we may, at our
option,
redeem the series of debt securities pursuant to any optional or
provisional redemption provisions and the terms of those redemption
provisions;
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the
date, if any, on which, and the price at which we are obligated,
pursuant
to any mandatory sinking fund or analogous fund provisions or otherwise,
to redeem, or at the holder’s option to purchase, the series of debt
securities and the currency or currency unit in which the debt securities
are payable;
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whether
the indenture will restrict our ability and/or the ability of our
subsidiaries to:
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incur
additional indebtedness;
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issue
additional securities;
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pay
dividends and make distributions in respect of our capital stock
and the
capital stock of our subsidiaries;
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place
restrictions on our subsidiaries’ ability to pay dividends, make
distributions or transfer assets;
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make
investments or other restricted
payments;
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sell
or otherwise dispose of assets;
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enter
into sale-leaseback transactions;
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engage
in transactions with stockholders and
affiliates;
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issue
or sell stock of our subsidiaries;
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effect
a consolidation or merger;
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whether
the indenture will require us to maintain any interest coverage,
fixed
charge, cash flow-based, asset-based or other financial
ratios;
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a
discussion of any material or special U.S. federal income tax
considerations applicable to the debt
securities;
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information
describing any book-entry features;
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provisions
for a sinking fund purchase or other analogous fund, if
any;
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the
applicability of the provisions in the indenture on
discharge;
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whether
the debt securities are to be offered at a price such that they will
be
deemed to be offered at an “original issue discount” as defined in
paragraph (a) of Section 1273 of the Internal Revenue
Code;
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the
denominations in which we will issue the series of debt securities,
if
other than denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple
thereof;
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the
currency of payment of debt securities if other than U.S. dollars
and the
manner of determining the equivalent amount in U.S. dollars;
and
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any
other specific terms, preferences, rights or limitations of, or
restrictions on, the debt securities, including any additional events
of
default or covenants provided with respect to the debt securities,
and any
terms that may be required by us or advisable under applicable laws
or
regulations.
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Conversion
or Exchange Rights
We
will
set forth in the prospectus supplement the terms on which a series of debt
securities may be convertible into or exchangeable for our common stock or
our
other securities. We will include provisions as to whether conversion or
exchange is mandatory, at the option of the holder or at our option. We may
include provisions pursuant to which the number of shares of our common stock
or
our other securities that the holders of the series of debt securities receive
would be subject to adjustment.
Consolidation,
Merger or Sale
The
proposed form of indentures filed as exhibits to the registration statement
of
which this prospectus is a part do not contain any covenant that restricts
our
ability to merge or consolidate, or sell, convey, transfer or otherwise dispose
of all or substantially all of our assets, and we anticipate that the final
form
of indentures will not contain any such covenant. However, under the proposed
form of indentures, any successor to or acquirer of such assets must assume
all
of our obligations under the indentures or the debt securities, as appropriate.
If the debt securities are convertible for our other securities or securities
of
other entities, the person with whom we consolidate or merge or to whom we
sell
all of our property must make provisions for the conversion of the debt
securities into securities that the holders of the debt securities would have
received if they had converted the debt securities before the consolidation,
merger or sale.
Events
of Default Under the Indenture
The
following are events of default under the indentures with respect to any series
of debt securities that we may issue:
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if
we fail to pay interest when due and payable and our failure continues
for
90 days and the time for payment has not been extended or
deferred;
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if
we fail to pay the principal, premium or sinking fund payment, if
any,
when due and payable and the time for payment has not been extended
or
delayed;
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if
we fail to observe or perform any other covenant contained in the
debt
securities or the indentures, other than a covenant specifically
relating
to another series of debt securities, and our failure continues for
90
days after we receive notice from the debenture trustee or holders
of at
least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities
of the applicable series; and
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if
specified events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization occur.
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If
an
event of default with respect to debt securities of any series occurs and is
continuing, other than an event of default specified in the last bullet point
above, the debenture trustee or the holders of at least 25% in aggregate
principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series, by notice
to
us in writing, and to the debenture trustee if notice is given by such holders,
may declare the unpaid principal of, premium, if any, and accrued interest,
if
any, due and payable immediately. If an event of default specified in the last
bullet point above occurs with respect to us, the principal amount of and
accrued interest, if any, of each issue of debt securities then outstanding
shall be due and payable without any notice or other action on the part of
the
debenture trustee or any holder.
The
holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities
of
an affected series may waive any default or event of default with respect to
the
series and its consequences, except defaults or events of default regarding
payment of principal, premium, if any, or interest, unless we have cured the
default or event of default in accordance with the indenture. Any waiver shall
cure the default or event of default.
Subject
to the terms of the indentures, if an event of default under an indenture shall
occur and be continuing, the debenture trustee will be under no obligation
to
exercise any of its rights or powers under such indenture at the request or
direction of any of the holders of the applicable series of debt securities,
unless such holders have offered the debenture trustee reasonable indemnity.
The
holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities
of
any series will have the right to direct the time, method and place of
conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the debenture trustee,
or
exercising any trust or power conferred on the debenture trustee, with respect
to the debt securities of that series, provided that:
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the
direction so given by the holder is not in conflict with any law
or the
applicable indenture; and
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subject
to its duties under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, the debenture
trustee
need not take any action that might involve it in personal liability
or
might be unduly prejudicial to the holders not involved in the proceeding.
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A
holder
of the debt securities of any series will only have the right to institute
a
proceeding under the indentures or to appoint a receiver or trustee, or to
seek
other remedies if:
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the
holder has given written notice to the debenture trustee of a continuing
event of default with respect to that
series;
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the
holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding
debt securities of that series have made written request, and such
holders
have offered reasonable indemnity to the debenture trustee to institute
the proceeding as trustee; and
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the
debenture trustee does not institute the proceeding, and does not
receive
from the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the
outstanding debt securities of that series other conflicting directions
within 90 days after the notice, request and offer.
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These
limitations do not apply to a suit instituted by a holder of debt securities
if
we default in the payment of the principal, premium, if any, or interest on,
the
debt securities.
We
will
periodically file statements with the debenture trustee regarding our compliance
with specified covenants in the indentures.
Modification
of Indenture; Waiver
We
and
the debenture trustee may change an indenture without the consent of any holders
with respect to specific matters:
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to
fix any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency in the
indenture;
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to
comply with the provisions described above under “Consolidation, Merger or
Sale;”
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to
comply with any requirements of the SEC in connection with the
qualification of any indenture under the Trust Indenture Act of
1939;
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to
add to, delete from or revise the conditions, limitations, and
restrictions on the authorized amount, terms, or purposes of issue,
authentication and delivery of debt securities, as set forth in the
indenture;
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to
provide for the issuance of and establish the form and terms and
conditions of the debt securities of any series as provided under
“General” to establish the form of any certifications required to be
furnished pursuant to the terms of the indenture or any series of
debt
securities, or to add to the rights of the holders of any series
of debt
securities;
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to
evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment hereunder
by a
successor trustee;
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to
provide for uncertificated debt securities in addition to or in place
of
certificated debt securities and to make all appropriate changes
for such
purpose;
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to
add to our covenants such new covenants, restrictions, conditions
or
provisions for the protection of the holders, and to make the occurrence,
or the occurrence and the continuance, of a default in any such additional
covenants, restrictions, conditions or provisions an event of default;
or
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to
change anything that does not materially adversely affect the interests
of
any holder of debt securities of any series.
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In
addition, under the indentures, the rights of holders of a series of debt
securities may be changed by us and the debenture trustee with the written
consent of the holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount
of
the outstanding debt securities of each series that is affected. However, we
and
the debenture trustee may only make the following changes with the consent
of
each holder of any outstanding debt securities affected:
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extending
the fixed maturity of the series of debt
securities;
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reducing
the principal amount, reducing the rate of or extending the time
of
payment of interest, or reducing any premium payable upon the redemption
of any debt securities; or
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reducing
the percentage of debt securities, the holders of which are required
to
consent to any amendment, supplement, modification or waiver.
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Discharge
Each
indenture provides that we can elect to be discharged from our obligations
with
respect to one or more series of debt securities, except for specified
obligations, including obligations to:
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register
the transfer or exchange of debt securities of the
series;
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replace
stolen, lost or mutilated debt securities of the
series;
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maintain
paying agencies;
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hold
monies for payment in trust;
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recover
excess money held by the debenture
trustee;
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compensate
and indemnify the debenture trustee;
and
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appoint
any successor trustee.
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In
order
to exercise our rights to be discharged, we must deposit with the debenture
trustee money or government obligations sufficient to pay all the principal
of,
any premium, if any, and interest on, the debt securities of the series on
the
dates payments are due.
Form,
Exchange and Transfer
We
will
issue the debt securities of each series only in fully registered form without
coupons and, unless we otherwise specify in the applicable prospectus
supplement, in denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof. The
indentures provide that we may issue debt securities of a series in temporary
or
permanent global form and as book-entry securities that will be deposited with,
or on behalf of, The Depository Trust Company or another depositary named by
us
and identified in a prospectus supplement with respect to that series. See
“Legal Ownership of Securities” for a further description of the terms relating
to any book-entry securities.
At
the
option of the holder, subject to the terms of the indentures and the limitations
applicable to global securities described in the applicable prospectus
supplement, the holder of the debt securities of any series can exchange the
debt securities for other debt securities of the same series, in any authorized
denomination and of like tenor and aggregate principal amount.
Subject
to the terms of the indentures and the limitations applicable to global
securities set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement, holders of the
debt securities may present the debt securities for exchange or for registration
of transfer, duly endorsed or with the form of transfer endorsed thereon duly
executed if so required by us or the security registrar, at the office of the
security registrar or at the office of any transfer agent designated by us
for
this purpose. Unless otherwise provided in the debt securities that the holder
presents for transfer or exchange, we will make no service charge for any
registration of transfer or exchange, but we may require payment of any taxes
or
other governmental charges.
We
will
name in the applicable prospectus supplement the security registrar, and any
transfer agent in addition to the security registrar, that we initially
designate for any debt securities. We may at any time designate additional
transfer agents or rescind the designation of any transfer agent or approve
a
change in the office through which any transfer agent acts, except that we
will
be required to maintain a transfer agent in each place of payment for the debt
securities of each series.
If
we
elect to redeem the debt securities of any series, we will not be required
to:
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issue,
register the transfer of, or exchange any debt securities of that
series
during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before
the
day of mailing of a notice of redemption of any debt securities that
may
be selected for redemption and ending at the close of business on
the day
of the mailing; or
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register
the transfer of or exchange any debt securities so selected for
redemption, in whole or in part, except the unredeemed portion of
any debt
securities we are redeeming in part.
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Information
Concerning the Debenture Trustee
The
debenture trustee, other than during the occurrence and continuance of an event
of default under an indenture, undertakes to perform only those duties as are
specifically set forth in the applicable indenture. Upon an event of default
under an indenture, the debenture trustee must use the same degree of care
as a
prudent person would exercise or use in the conduct of his or her own affairs.
Subject to this provision, the debenture trustee is under no obligation to
exercise any of the powers given it by the indentures at the request of any
holder of debt securities unless it is offered reasonable security and indemnity
against the costs, expenses and liabilities that it might incur.
Payment
and Paying Agents
Unless
we
otherwise indicate in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will make payment
of the interest on any debt securities on any interest payment date to the
person in whose name the debt securities, or one or more predecessor securities,
are registered at the close of business on the regular record date for the
interest.
We
will
pay principal of and any premium and interest on the debt securities of a
particular series at the office of the paying agents designated by us, except
that unless we otherwise indicate in the applicable prospectus supplement,
we
will make interest payments by check that we will mail to the holder or by
wire
transfer to certain holders. Unless we otherwise indicate in a prospectus
supplement, we will designate the corporate trust office of the debenture
trustee in the City of New York as our sole paying agent for payments with
respect to debt securities of each series. We will name in the applicable
prospectus supplement any other paying agents that we initially designate for
the debt securities of a particular series. We will maintain a paying agent
in
each place of payment for the debt securities of a particular series.
All
money
we pay to a paying agent or the debenture trustee for the payment of the
principal of or any premium or interest on any debt securities that remains
unclaimed at the end of two years after such principal, premium or interest
has
become due and payable will be repaid to us, and the holder of the debt security
thereafter may look only to us for payment thereof.
Governing
Law
The
indentures and the debt securities will be governed by and construed in
accordance with the laws of the State of New York, except to the extent that
the
Trust Indenture Act of 1939 is applicable.
Subordination
of Subordinated Debt Securities
The
subordinated debt securities may be unsecured and will be subordinate and junior
in priority of payment to certain of our other indebtedness to the extent
described in a prospectus supplement. The subordinated indenture does not limit
the amount of subordinated debt securities that we may issue. It also does
not
limit us from issuing any other secured or unsecured debt.
LEGAL
OWNERSHIP OF SECURITIES
We
can
issue securities in registered form or in the form of one or more global
securities. We describe global securities in greater detail below. We refer
to
those persons who have securities registered in their own names on the books
that we or any applicable trustee, depositary or warrant agent maintain for
this
purpose as the “holders” of those securities. These persons are the legal
holders of the securities. We refer to those persons who, indirectly through
others, own beneficial interests in securities that are not registered in their
own names, as “indirect holders” of those securities. As we discuss below,
indirect holders are not legal holders, and investors in securities issued
in
book-entry form or in street name will be indirect holders.
Book-Entry
Holders
We
may
choose to issue securities in book-entry form only, as we will specify in the
applicable prospectus supplement. This means securities may be represented
by
one or more global securities registered in the name of a financial institution
that holds them as depositary on behalf of other financial institutions that
participate in the depositary’s book-entry system. These participating
institutions, which are referred to as participants, in turn, hold beneficial
interests in the securities on behalf of themselves or their customers.
Only
the
person in whose name a security is registered is recognized as the holder of
that security. Securities issued in global form will be registered in the name
of the depositary or its participants. Consequently, for securities issued
in
global form, we will recognize only the depositary as the holder of the
securities, and we will make all payments on the securities to the depositary.
The depositary passes along the payments it receives to its participants, which
in turn pass the payments along to their customers who are the beneficial
owners. The depositary and its participants do so under agreements they have
made with one another or with their customers; they are not obligated to do
so
under the terms of the securities.
As
a
result, investors in a book-entry security will not own securities directly.
Instead, they will own beneficial interests in a global security, through a
bank, broker or other financial institution that participates in the
depositary’s book-entry system or holds an interest through a participant. As
long as the securities are issued in global form, investors will be indirect
holders, and not holders, of the securities.
Street
Name Holders
We
may
terminate a global security or issue securities in non-global form. In these
cases, investors may choose to hold their securities in their own names or
in
“street name.” Securities held by an investor in street name would be registered
in the name of a bank, broker or other financial institution that the investor
chooses, and the investor would hold only a beneficial interest in those
securities through an account he or she maintains at that institution.
For
securities held in street name, we will recognize only the intermediary banks,
brokers and other financial institutions in whose names the securities are
registered as the holders of those securities, and we will make all payments
on
those securities to them. These institutions pass along the payments they
receive to their customers who are the beneficial owners, but only because
they
agree to do so in their customer agreements or because they are legally required
to do so. Investors who hold securities in street name will be indirect holders,
not holders, of those securities.
Legal
Holders
Our
obligations, as well as the obligations of any applicable trustee and of any
third parties employed by us or a trustee, run only to the legal holders of
the
securities. We do not have obligations to investors who hold beneficial
interests in global securities, in street name or by any other indirect means.
This will be the case whether an investor chooses to be an indirect holder
of a
security or has no choice because we are issuing the securities only in global
form.
For
example, once we make a payment or give a notice to the holder, we have no
further responsibility for the payment or notice even if that holder is
required, under agreements with depositary participants or customers or by
law,
to pass it along to the indirect holders but does not do so. Similarly, we
may
want to obtain the approval of the holders to amend an indenture, to relieve
us
of the consequences of a default or of our obligation to comply with a
particular provision of the indenture or for other purposes. In such an event,
we would seek approval only from the holders, and not the indirect holders,
of
the securities. Whether and how the holders contact the indirect holders is
up
to the holders.
Special
Considerations For Indirect Holders
If
you
hold securities through a bank, broker or other financial institution, either
in
book-entry form or in street name, you should check with your own institution
to
find out:
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how
it handles securities payments and
notices;
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·
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whether
it imposes fees or charges;
|
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·
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how
it would handle a request for the holders’ consent, if ever
required;
|
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·
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whether
and how you can instruct it to send you securities registered in
your own
name so you can be a holder, if that is permitted in the
future;
|
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·
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how
it would exercise rights under the securities if there were a default
or
other event triggering the need for holders to act to protect their
interests; and
|
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·
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if
the securities are in book-entry form, how the depositary’s rules and
procedures will affect these matters.
|
Global
Securities
A
global
security is a security that represents one or any other number of individual
securities held by a depositary. Generally, all securities represented by the
same global securities will have the same terms.
Each
security issued in book-entry form will be represented by a global security
that
we deposit with and register in the name of a financial institution or its
nominee that we select. The financial institution that we select for this
purpose is called the depositary. Unless we specify otherwise in the applicable
prospectus supplement, The Depository Trust Company, New York, New York, known
as DTC, will be the depositary for all securities issued in book-entry form.
A
global
security may not be transferred to or registered in the name of anyone other
than the depositary, its nominee or a successor depositary, unless special
termination situations arise. We describe those situations below under “Special
Situations When a Global Security Will Be Terminated.” As a result of these
arrangements, the depositary, or its nominee, will be the sole registered owner
and holder of all securities represented by a global security, and investors
will be permitted to own only beneficial interests in a global security.
Beneficial interests must be held by means of an account with a broker, bank
or
other financial institution that in turn has an account with the depositary
or
with another institution that does. Thus, an investor whose security is
represented by a global security will not be a holder of the security, but
only
an indirect holder of a beneficial interest in the global security.
If
the
prospectus supplement for a particular security indicates that the security
will
be issued in global form only, then the security will be represented by a global
security at all times unless and until the global security is terminated. If
termination occurs, we may issue the securities through another book-entry
clearing system or decide that the securities may no longer be held through
any
book-entry clearing system.
Special
Considerations For Global Securities
As
an
indirect holder, an investor’s rights relating to a global security will be
governed by the account rules of the investor’s financial institution and of the
depositary, as well as general laws relating to securities transfers. We do
not
recognize an indirect holder as a holder of securities and instead deal only
with the depositary that holds the global security.
If
securities are issued only in the form of a global security, an investor should
be aware of the following:
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·
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an
investor cannot cause the securities to be registered in his or her
name,
and cannot obtain non-global certificates for his or her interest
in the
securities, except in the special situations we describe
below;
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·
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an
investor will be an indirect holder and must look to his or her own
bank
or broker for payments on the securities and protection of his or
her
legal rights relating to the securities, as we describe
above;
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·
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an
investor may not be able to sell interests in the securities to some
insurance companies and to other institutions that are required by
law to
own their securities in non-book-entry
form;
|
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·
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an
investor may not be able to pledge his or her interest in a global
security in circumstances where certificates representing the securities
must be delivered to the lender or other beneficiary of the pledge
in
order for the pledge to be
effective;
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·
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the
depositary’s policies, which may change from time to time, will govern
payments, transfers, exchanges and other matters relating to an investor’s
interest in a global security. We and any applicable trustee have
no
responsibility for any aspect of the depositary’s actions or for its
records of ownership interests in a global security. We and the trustee
also do not supervise the depositary in any
way;
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·
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the
depositary may, and we understand that DTC will, require that those
who
purchase and sell interests in a global security within its book-entry
system use immediately available funds, and your broker or bank may
require you to do so as well; and
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·
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financial
institutions that participate in the depositary’s book-entry system, and
through which an investor holds its interest in a global security,
may
also have their own policies affecting payments, notices and other
matters
relating to the securities.
|
There
may
be more than one financial intermediary in the chain of ownership for an
investor. We do not monitor and are not responsible for the actions of any
of
those intermediaries.
Special
Situations When a Global Security Will Be Terminated
In
a few
special situations described below, the global security will terminate and
interests in it will be exchanged for physical certificates representing those
interests. After that exchange, the choice of whether to hold securities
directly or in street name will be up to the investor. Investors must consult
their own banks or brokers to find out how to have their interests in securities
transferred to their own name, so that they will be direct holders. We have
described the rights of holders and street name investors above.
The
global security will terminate when the following special situations occur:
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·
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if
the depositary notifies us that it is unwilling, unable or no longer
qualified to continue as depositary for that global security and
we do not
appoint another institution to act as depositary within 90
days;
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·
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if
we notify any applicable trustee that we wish to terminate that global
security; or
|
|
·
|
if
an event of default has occurred with regard to securities represented
by
that global security and has not been cured or waived.
|
The
prospectus supplement may also list additional situations for terminating a
global security that would apply only to the particular series of securities
covered by the prospectus supplement. When a global security terminates, the
depositary, and not we or any applicable trustee, is responsible for deciding
the names of the institutions that will be the initial direct holders.
SELLING
STOCKHOLDERS
This
prospectus relates to the possible resale of shares of our Class A common
stock
by certain of our stockholders who are unable at the time of sale to sell
their
Class A common stock pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act without
regard to the volume limitations imposed by Rule 144. These potential selling
stockholders may include our officers, directors or other affiliates under
Rule
144. These potential selling stockholders acquired the shares of Class A
common
stock in transactions that were not registered under the Securities Act.
Some of
the shares of Class A common stock that may be sold pursuant to this prospectus
were issued to the selling stockholders upon the conversion of Class B common
stock that was acquired in transactions that were not registered under the
Securities Act. The amount of Class A common stock that may be sold by the
selling stockholders (exclusive of the 7,574,416 shares described below),
when
added to the aggregate amount of securities sold by the Company pursuant
to this
prospectus, may not exceed a total of $400,000,000. These shares, as well
as any
stock that we may issue or may be issuable by reason of any stock split,
stock
dividend or similar transaction involving these shares, may be sold or disposed
of in the manner contemplated under “Plan of Distribution” or in a prospectus
supplement for such sale.
This
prospectus also relates to the possible resale of up to an aggregate of
7,574,416 shares of our Class A common stock acquired by certain selling
stockholders in a private placement that closed in June 2008. We are registering
these shares of our Class A common stock to permit each of those selling
stockholders and their donees, pledgees, transferees or other
successors-in-interest that receive their shares after the date of this
prospectus to resell or otherwise dispose of the shares, or interests therein,
as well as any stock that we may issue or may be issuable by reason of any
stock
split, stock dividend or similar transaction involving these shares, in the
manner contemplated under “Plan of Distribution” or in a prospectus supplement
for such sale.
The
prospectus supplement for any offering of the Class A common stock by the
selling stockholders will include the following information:
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·
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the
names of the selling stockholders;
|
|
·
|
the
nature of any position, office or other material relationship which
each
selling stockholder has had within the last three years with us or
any of
our affiliates;
|
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·
|
the
number of shares held by each selling stockholder before and after
the
offering;
|
|
·
|
the
percentage of the Class A common stock held by each selling stockholder
before and after the offering; and
|
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·
|
the
number of shares of our Class A common stock offered by each selling
stockholder.
|
PLAN
OF DISTRIBUTION
We
or the
selling stockholders may sell the securities from time to time pursuant to
underwritten public offerings, negotiated transactions, block trades or a
combination of these methods. We or the selling stockholders may sell the
securities through underwriters or dealers, through agents, or directly to
one
or more purchasers. We or the selling stockholders may distribute securities
from time to time in one or more transactions:
|
·
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at
a fixed price or prices, which may be
changed;
|
|
·
|
at
market prices prevailing at the time of
sale;
|
|
·
|
at
prices related to such prevailing market prices;
or
|
A
prospectus supplement or supplements will describe the terms of the offering
of
the securities, including:
|
·
|
the
name or names of any underwriters, if
any;
|
|
·
|
the
purchase price of the securities and the proceeds we will receive
from the
sale;
|
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·
|
any
over-allotment options under which underwriters may purchase additional
securities from us;
|
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·
|
any
agency fees or underwriting discounts and other items constituting
agents’
or underwriters’ compensation;
|
|
·
|
any
public offering price;
|
|
·
|
any
discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers;
and
|
|
·
|
any
securities exchange or market on which the securities may be listed.
|
We
are
also registering the shares of Class A common stock covered by this prospectus
for the selling stockholders. The selling stockholders, which as used herein
includes donees, pledgees, transferees or other successors-in-interest selling
shares of Class A common stock or interests in shares of Class A common stock
received after the date of this prospectus from a selling stockholder as a
gift,
pledge, partnership distribution or other transfer, may, from time to time,
directly or through one or more underwriters, broker-dealers or agents, sell,
transfer or otherwise dispose of any or all of their shares of Class A common
stock or interests in shares of Class A common stock on any stock exchange,
market or trading facility on which the shares are traded, in the
over-the-counter market, or in private transactions. These dispositions may
be
at fixed prices that may be changed, at market prices prevailing at the time
of
sale, at prices related to prevailing market prices, at varying prices
determined at the time of sale or at prices otherwise negotiated. The selling
stockholders will act independently of us in making decisions with respect
to
the timing, manner and size of each sale by such persons. The selling
stockholders may still sell their shares of Class A common stock pursuant to
Rule 144 under the Securities Act during the effectiveness of the registration
statement of which this prospectus is a part.
Only
underwriters named in the prospectus supplement are underwriters of the
securities offered by the prospectus supplement.
If
underwriters are used in the sale, they will acquire the securities for their
own account and may resell the securities from time to time in one or more
transactions at a fixed public offering price or at varying prices determined
at
the time of sale. The obligations of the underwriters to purchase the securities
will be subject to the conditions set forth in the applicable underwriting
agreement. We or the selling stockholders may offer the securities to the public
through underwriting syndicates represented by managing underwriters or by
underwriters without a syndicate. Subject to certain conditions, the
underwriters will be obligated to purchase all of the securities offered by
the
prospectus supplement, other than securities covered by any over-allotment
option. Any public offering price and any discounts or concessions allowed
or
reallowed or paid to dealers may change from time to time. We or the selling
stockholders may use underwriters with whom we or the selling stockholders
have
a material relationship. We will describe in the prospectus supplement, naming
the underwriter, the nature of any such relationship.
We
or the
selling stockholders may sell securities directly or through agents we designate
from time to time. We will name any agent involved in the offering and sale
of
securities and we will describe any commissions we or the selling stockholders
will pay the agent in the prospectus supplement. Unless the prospectus
supplement states otherwise, our agent will act on a best-efforts basis for
the
period of its appointment.
We
or the
selling stockholders may authorize agents or underwriters to solicit offers
by
certain types of institutional investors to purchase securities from us at
the
public offering price set forth in the prospectus supplement pursuant to delayed
delivery contracts providing for payment and delivery on a specified date in
the
future. We will describe the conditions to these contracts and the commissions
we must pay for solicitation of these contracts in the prospectus supplement.
We
or the
selling stockholders may provide agents and underwriters with indemnification
against civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act,
or
contribution with respect to payments that the agents or underwriters may make
with respect to these liabilities. Agents and underwriters may engage in
transactions with, or perform services for, us in the ordinary course of
business.
All
securities we offer, other than Class A common stock offered by us or the
selling stockholders, will be new issues of securities with no established
trading market. Any underwriters may make a market in these securities, but
will
not be obligated to do so and may discontinue any market making at any time
without notice. We cannot guarantee the liquidity of the trading markets for
any
securities.
Any
underwriter may engage in overallotment, stabilizing transactions, short
covering transactions and penalty bids in accordance with Regulation M under
the
Exchange Act. Overallotment involves sales in excess of the offering size,
which
create a short position. Stabilizing transactions permit bids to purchase the
underlying security so long as the stabilizing bids do not exceed a specified
maximum price. Short covering transactions involve purchases of the securities
in the open market after the distribution is completed to cover short positions.
Penalty bids permit the underwriters to reclaim a selling concession from a
dealer when the securities originally sold by the dealer are purchased in a
covering transaction to cover short positions. Those activities may cause the
price of the securities to be higher than it would otherwise be. If commenced,
the underwriters may discontinue any of the activities at any time.
Any
underwriters that are qualified market makers on the NASDAQ Global Market may
engage in passive market making transactions in the securities on the NASDAQ
Global Market in accordance with Rule 103 of Regulation M under the Exchange
Act, during the business day prior to the pricing of the offering, before the
commencement of offers or sales of the securities. Passive market makers must
comply with applicable volume and price limitations and must be identified
as
passive market makers. In general, a passive market maker must display its
bid
at a price not in excess of the highest independent bid for such security;
if
all independent bids are lowered below the passive market maker’s bid, however,
the passive market maker’s bid must then be lowered when certain purchase limits
are exceeded.
Any
selling stockholder who is a “broker-dealer” will be deemed to be an
“underwriter” within the meaning of Section 2(11) of the Securities Act, unless
such selling stockholder purchased its shares in the ordinary course of
business, and at the time of its purchase of the shares to be resold, did not
have any view to or arrangements or understandings, directly or indirectly,
with
any person to distribute the shares.
In
compliance with guidelines of the National Association of Securities Dealers,
or
NASD, the maximum consideration or discount to be received by any NASD member
or
independent broker dealer may not exceed 8% of the aggregate amount of the
securities offered pursuant to this prospectus and any applicable prospectus
supplement.
LEGAL
MATTERS
In
connection with particular offerings of securities in the future, the legal
validity of the securities will be passed upon for us by Holme Roberts &
Owen LLP, Denver, Colorado, and for any underwriters, dealers or agents, by
counsel named in the applicable prospectus supplement.
EXPERTS
The
consolidated financial statements and the related financial statement schedule,
incorporated in this prospectus by reference from the Company’s Annual Report on
Form 10-K, and the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over
financial reporting have been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, an
independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their reports,
which
are incorporated herein by reference (which reports (1) related to the
consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedule expresses
an
unqualified opinion and includes emphasis of matter paragraphs relating to
the
Company being in the development stage and the restatement of the 2005 and
2006
financial statements, and an explanatory paragraph relating to the adoption
of
Financial Accounting Standards Board Interpretation No. 48, Accounting
for Uncertainty in Income Taxes an Interpretation of FASB Statement No.
109,
on
January 1, 2007, and (2) expresses an unqualified opinion on the effectiveness
of internal control over financial reporting). Such financial statements
and
financial statement schedule have been so incorporated in reliance upon the
reports of such firm given upon their authority as experts in accounting
and
auditing.
The
consolidated financial statements for the period from February 9, 2000 (date
of
inception) to December 31, 2002 (not separately presented) incorporated in
this
prospectus by reference to the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 2007 have been so incorporated in reliance on the report of
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm,
given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and
accounting.
WHERE
YOU CAN FIND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
We
file
annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information
with the SEC. You may read and copy any document we file at the SEC’s Public
Reference Room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call the
SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for more information about the operation of the public
reference room. The SEC maintains an Internet site that contains reports, proxy
and information statements, and other information regarding issuers that file
electronically with the SEC, including ICO. The SEC’s Internet site can be found
at www.sec.gov.
The
SEC
allows us to incorporate by reference the information we file with it, which
means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to
another document that we have filed separately with the SEC. You should read
the
information incorporated by reference because it is an important part of this
prospectus. We incorporate by reference the following information or documents
that we have filed with the SEC (Commission File No. 001-33088):
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·
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our
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31,
2007,
filed with the SEC on March 28,
2008;
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·
|
the
information specifically incorporated by reference into our Annual
Report
on Form 10-K from our definitive proxy statement on Schedule 14A,
filed
with the SEC on April 25, 2008;
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·
|
our
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2008,
filed
with the SEC on May 12, 2008;
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·
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our
Current Reports on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on February 19,
2008, March
6, 2008, March 13, 2008, April 1, 2008, April 8, 2008, April 17,
2008 and
June 6, 2008; and
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|
·
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The
description of our common stock contained in our Registration Statement
on
Form 8-A, filed with the SEC on September 8, 2006 under the Exchange
Act,
including any amendments or reports filed for the purpose of updating
such
description.
|
Any
information in any of the foregoing documents will automatically be deemed
to be
modified or superseded to the extent that information in this prospectus or
in a
later filed document that is incorporated or deemed to be incorporated herein
by
reference modifies or replaces such information.
We
also
incorporate by reference any future filings (other than current reports
furnished under Item 2.02 or Item 7.01 of Form 8-K and exhibits filed on such
form that are related to such items) made with the SEC pursuant to Sections
13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, until we file a post-effective
amendment which indicates the termination of the offering of the securities
made
by this prospectus. Information in such future filings updates and supplements
the information provided in this prospectus. Any statements in any such future
filings will automatically be deemed to modify and supersede any information
in
any document we previously filed with the SEC that is incorporated or deemed
to
be incorporated herein by reference to the extent that statements in the later
filed document modify or replace such earlier statements.
We
will
provide to each person, including any beneficial owner, to whom a prospectus
is
delivered, without charge upon written or oral request, a copy of any or all
of
the documents that are incorporated by reference into this prospectus but not
delivered with this prospectus, including exhibits which are specifically
incorporated by reference into such documents. Requests should be directed
to:
Investor Relations, ICO Global Communications (Holdings) Limited, 11700 Plaza
America Drive, Suite 1010, Reston, Virginia 20190, telephone: (703) 964-1400
or
by email to investor@ico.com.
PART
II
INFORMATION
NOT REQUIRED IN THE PROSPECTUS
Item
14. Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution.
The
following table sets forth the estimated costs and expenses, other than
underwriting discounts and commissions, payable by the registrant in connection
with the offering of the securities being registered. All the amounts shown
are
estimates, except for the SEC registration fee.
SEC
registration fee
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|
$
|
16,685
|
|
NASDAQ
Global Market listing fee
|
|
$
|
65,000*
|
|
Accounting
fees and expenses
|
|
$
|
30,000*
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|
Legal
fees and expenses
|
|
$
|
40,000*
|
|
Transfer
Agent fees and expenses
|
|
$
|
5,000*
|
|
Trustee
fees and expenses
|
|
$
|
15,000*
|
|
Printing
and miscellaneous expenses
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|
$
|
25,000*
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|
Total
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|
$
|
196,685*
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*Estimated.
None
of
the selling stockholders will bear the fees, costs and expenses set forth
above.
Item
15. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.
Registrant
is a Delaware corporation. Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation
Law provides that a 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 the 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 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
further provides that a 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 the 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) actually and reasonably incurred by
the 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 and 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 Delaware Court of Chancery or the court
in which such action or suit was brought shall determine 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 of Chancery or such other court shall deem proper.
Additionally,
Section 145 provides that indemnification provided by, or granted pursuant
to, that section, known as “permissive indemnification,” shall not be deemed
exclusive of any other rights to which a person seeking indemnification may
be
entitled under any bylaw, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested
directors or otherwise, both as to action in such person’s official capacity and
as to action in another capacity while holding such office.
Section 145
further provides that, to the extent a present or former director or officer
of
a corporation has been successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of
any
action, suit or proceeding referred to in its permissive indemnification
provisions, or in 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.
The
Registrant’s Certificate of Incorporation provides that Registrant shall
indemnify any person that it has the power to indemnify under Section 145
to the fullest extent permitted by that Section, as it may be amended or
supplemented from time to time. Registrant’s Certificate of Incorporation also
provides that Registrant shall, in the case of directors, and may, in the case
of officers, pay the expenses (including attorneys’ fees) incurred in defending
a civil or criminal proceeding in advance of its final disposition upon receipt
of an undertaking by or on behalf of such person to repay such amount if it
is
ultimately determined that such person is not entitled to be indemnified by
Registrant.
In
any
suit brought against Registrant to enforce these indemnification rights, it
shall be a defense that the person seeking indemnification has not met the
applicable standard of conduct set forth in the Delaware General Corporation
Law.
As
authorized by Section 102(b)(7) of the Delaware General Corporation
Law, Registrant’s Certificate of Incorporation provides that a director of
Registrant shall not be personally liable to Registrant or its stockholders
for
monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except for
liability for any breach of the director’s duty of loyalty to Registrant or its
stockholders, for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve
intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, under Section 174 of
the Delaware General Corporation Law (which relates to liability of directors
for unlawful dividend payments or unlawful stock purchases or redemptions),
or
for any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal
benefit. This provision, in effect, eliminates the rights of Registrant and
its
stockholders (through derivative suits on the Company’s behalf) to recover
monetary damages from a director for breach of his or her fiduciary duty of
care
as a director, except in the situations described. In addition, the Certificate
of Incorporation does not alter the liability of directors under U.S. federal
securities laws, and does not limit or eliminate the rights of Registrant or
any
stockholder to seek non-monetary relief, such as an injunction or rescission,
for a breach of a director’s duty of care.
Registrant
maintains a policy of directors and officers insurance in the amount of
$50,000,000, with a retention amount of $350,000 per incident for securities
claims and $250,000 per incident for all other claims. The policy also contains
coverage for employee practices claims.
Under
an
indemnification agreement between Registrant and Eagle River, Registrant is
required to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Eagle River, its affiliates,
and their respective members, directors, officers, agents, employees and
controlling persons against claims, liabilities, losses, damages and fees and
expenses incurred resulting from, or in connection with, the fact that such
entity or person is or was a shareholder, director, officer, or employee of
Registrant or any of its subsidiaries, or based on an alleged breach of his
or
her fiduciary duty as a director or officer of Registrant or any of its
subsidiaries. The indemnification obligation is subject to certain exceptions,
including losses and damages incurred through certain violations of the U.S.
securities laws and damages caused by acts that a court determines to be a
breach of fiduciary duties, gross negligence, or willful misconduct. Registrant
agreed to advance reasonable costs and expenses incurred for defending any
claim
upon receipt of an undertaking to repay the advanced amounts if it is ultimately
determined the indemnitee was not entitled to indemnification under the
agreement.
Under
an
indemnification agreement with Cascade Investment LLC, Registrant is similarly
required to indemnify Cascade Investment, its affiliates (including Mente,
LLC),
and their respective members, directors, officers, agents, employees and
controlling persons.
Registrant
is also a party to an indemnification agreement with CDR-Satco LLC, Clayton,
Dubilier & Rice, Inc. (“CD&R”) and The Clayton,
Dubilier & Rice Fund VI Limited Partnership, which obligates Registrant
to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless each of those entities and their
respective directors, officers, partners, members, employees, agents and
controlling persons under the same general terms as the indemnification
agreement with Eagle River, other than the addition of an obligation to
indemnify for any claims arising out of or based upon the provision by CD&R
of any consulting services (except to the extent a court finds that any of
the
indemnitees acted with gross negligence or intentional misconduct).
The
underwriting agreement that the registrant might enter into (Exhibit 1.1) will
provide for indemnification by any underwriters of the registrant, its
directors, its officers who sign the registration statement and the registrant’s
controlling persons for some liabilities, including liabilities arising under
the Securities Act.
Item
16. Exhibits.
Exhibit
|
|
|
Number
|
|
Description
of the Document
|
1.1
|
|
Form
of Underwriting Agreement (1)
|
4.1
|
|
Amended
and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (2)
|
4.2
|
|
Restated
Bylaws (2)
|
4.3.1
|
|
Amendment
to Restated Bylaws (3)
|
4.3.2
|
|
Amendment
to Restated Bylaws (4)
|
4.4
|
|
Specimen
Class A Common Stock Certificate (2)
|
4.5
|
|
Specimen
Preferred Stock Certificate and Form of Certificate of Designation
of
Preferred Stock (1)
|
4.6
|
|
Form
of Senior Debt Indenture, between Registrant and one or more trustees
to
be named*
|
4.7
|
|
Form
of Subordinated Debt Indenture, between Registrant and one or more
trustees to be named*
|
4.8
|
|
Form
of Senior Note (1)
|
4.9
|
|
Form
of Subordinated Note (1)
|
4.10
|
|
Form
of Common Stock Warrant Agreement and Warrant
Certificate (1)
|
4.11
|
|
Form
of Preferred Stock Warrant Agreement and Warrant
Certificate (1)
|
4.12
|
|
Form
of Debt Securities Warrant Agreement and Warrant Certificate
(1)
|
4.13
|
|
Form
of Unit Agreement (1)
|
4.14
|
|
Indenture,
dated August 15, 2005, among ICO North America, its subsidiaries
and The
Bank of New York, as trustee (2)
|
4.15
|
|
Form
of ICO North America 7.5% Convertible Senior Secured Note due 2009
(attached as exhibit to exhibit 4.14) (2)
|
4.16
|
|
First
Supplemental Indenture, dated November 30, 2005, among ICO North
America,
its subsidiaries and The Bank of New York, as trustee
(2)
|
4.17
|
|
Second
Supplemental Indenture, dated December 22, 2006, among ICO North
America,
its subsidiaries and The Bank of New York, as trustee
(5)
|
4.18
|
|
Amended
and Restated Revolving Credit Agreement, dated as of April 7, 2008,
among
ICO North America, its subsidiaries, Jefferies Finance, LLC and The
Bank
of New York, as collateral agent (6)
|
5.1
|
|
Opinion
of Holme Roberts & Owen, LLP*
|
12.1
|
|
Statement
of Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges*
|
23.1
|
|
Consent
of Deloitte & Touche LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting
Firm*
|
23.2
|
|
Consent
of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting
Firm*
|
23.3
|
|
Consent
of Holme Roberts & Owen, LLP (included in Exhibit
5.1)
|
24.1
|
|
Power
of Attorney (included on signature page)
|
25.1
|
|
Statement
of Eligibility of Trustee under the Senior Debt Indenture
(1)
|
25.2
|
|
Statement
of Eligibility of Trustee under the Subordinated Debt Indenture
(1)
|
*
filed
herewith
(1)
|
|
To
be filed by amendment or by a report filed under the Exchange Act,
and
incorporated herein by reference, if applicable.
|
|
(2)
|
|
Filed
as an exhibit to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form 10-12/G
(No. 000-52006) and incorporated herein by reference.
|
|
(3)
|
|
Filed
as an exhibit to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with
the SEC on December 20, 2006 and incorporated herein by reference.
(Commission File No. 000-52006)
|
|
(4)
|
|
Filed
as an exhibit to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with
the SEC on October 29, 2007 and incorporated herein by reference.
(Commission File No. 000-52006)
|
|
|
|
(5)
|
|
Filed
as an exhibit to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with
the SEC on December 28, 2006 and incorporated herein by
reference.
(Commission File No. 000-52006)
|
|
|
|
(6)
|
|
Filed
as an exhibit to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, filed
with the SEC on May 12, 2008 and incorporated herein by
reference.
(Commission
File No. 000-52006)
|
Item
17. Undertakings.
The
undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:
|
(1)
|
|
To
file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made,
a
post-effective amendment to this registration
statement:
|
|
(i)
|
|
To
include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities
Act;
|
|
|
|
(ii)
|
|
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 the
volume of securities offered (if the total 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 Securities and
Exchange
Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes
in
volume and price represent no more than 20% change in the maximum
aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration
Fee” table in the effective registration statement; and
|
|
|
|
(iii)
|
|
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;
|
provided,
however,
that
paragraphs (1)(i), (1)(ii) and (1)(iii) above do not apply if the information
required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is
contained in reports filed with or furnished to the Commission by the registrant
pursuant to Section 13 and Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act that are
incorporated by reference in the registration statement, or is contained in
a
form of prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) that is part of the
registration statement.
|
(2)
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
(3)
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
(4)
|
|
That,
for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act
to any
purchaser:
|
|
(A)
|
|
Each
prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3) shall
be
deemed to be part of the registration statement as of the date the
filed
prospectus was deemed part of and included in the registration statement;
and
|
|
|
|
(B)
|
|
Each
prospectus required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2), (b)(5),
or
(b)(7) as part of a registration statement in reliance on Rule 430B
relating to an offering made pursuant to Rule 415(a)(1)(i), (vii),
or (x)
for the purpose of providing the information required by Section
10(a) of
the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of and included in
the
registration statement as of the earlier of the date such form of
prospectus is first used after effectiveness or the date of the first
contract of sale of securities in the offering described in the
prospectus. As provided in Rule 430B, for liability purposes of the
issuer
and any person that is at that date an underwriter, such date shall
be
deemed to be a new effective date of the registration statement relating
to the securities in the registration statement to which that prospectus
relates, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be
deemed
to be the initial bona
fide offering
thereof. Provided,
however,
that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus
that is
part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated
or
deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement
or
prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to
a
purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such effective
date,
supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration
statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement
or
made in any such document immediately prior to such effective
date.
|
|
(5)
|
|
That,
for the purpose of determining liability of the registrant under
the
Securities Act to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the
securities, the undersigned registrant undertakes that in a primary
offering of securities of the undersigned registrant pursuant to
this
registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used
to sell
the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or
sold to
such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the
undersigned registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will
be
considered to offer or sell such securities to such
purchaser:
|
|
(i)
|
|
Any
preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned registrant
relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule
424;
|
|
|
|
(ii)
|
|
Any
free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on
behalf
of the undersigned registrant or used or referred to by the undersigned
registrant;
|
|
|
|
(iii)
|
|
The
portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering
containing material information about the undersigned registrant
or its
securities provided by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant;
and
|
|
|
|
(iv)
|
|
Any
other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the
undersigned registrant to the
purchaser.
|
|
(6)
|
|
That,
for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act,
each
filing of the registrant’s annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or
15(d) of the Exchange Act (and, where applicable, each filing of
an
employee benefit plan’s annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the
Exchange Act) 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 the securities
at that
time shall be deemed to be the initial bona
fide offering
thereof.
|
|
|
|
(7)
|
|
That,
for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act
of
1933, the information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as
part of
this registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained
in a form of prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to
Rule 424(b) (1) or (4) or 497(h) under the Securities Act
shall be deemed to be part of this registration statement as of the
time
it was declared effective.
|
|
|
|
|
|
(8)
|
|
That,
for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities
Act of
1933, each post-effective amendment that contains a form of prospectus
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
(9)
|
|
To
file an application for the purpose of determining the eligibility
of the
trustee to act under subsection (a) of Section 310 of the Trust Indenture
Act in accordance with the rules and regulations prescribed by the
Commission under Section 305(b)(2) of the Trust Indenture
Act.
|
Insofar
as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be
permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant
pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been
advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such
indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act
and
is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification
against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses
incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant
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 registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter
has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate
jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public
policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final
adjudication of such issue.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant
to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the registrant
certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of
the
requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this registration
statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly
authorized, in Reston, in the County of Fairfax, Commonwealth of Virginia,
on
July 3, 2008.
ICO
Global Communications (Holdings) Limited
|
|
|
By:
|
/s/
J. Timothy Bryan
|
|
J.
Timothy Bryan
|
|
Chief
Executive Officer
|
POWER
OF ATTORNEY
KNOW
ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below
constitutes and appoints J. Timothy Bryan and John L. Flynn, and each of them,
as true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full powers of
substitution and resubstitution, for them and in their name, place and stead,
in
any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including pre-effective
and post-effective amendments) to this registration statement and any additional
registration statements filed pursuant to Rule 462 of the Securities Act of
1933, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents
in
connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, and generally
to do all such things in their names and behalf in their capacities as officers
and directors to enable the registrant to comply with the provisions of the
Securities Act of 1933 and all requirements of 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 in connection therewith, as fully to all
intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, ratifying and
confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of them, or their
or his or her substitutes or substitute, may lawfully do or cause to be done
by
virtue hereof.
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the undersigned has executed this Power of Attorney
as
of the date indicated opposite the name.
Pursuant
to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this registration
statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities
and
on the dates indicated.
Signature
|
|
Title
|
|
Date
|
/s/
J. Timothy Bryan
|
|
Chief
Executive Officer and Director
|
|
July
3, 2008
|
J.
Timothy Bryan
|
|
(Principal
Executive Officer)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
/s/
Michael P. Corkery
|
|
Executive
Vice President, Chief Financial Officer
|
|
|
Michael
P. Corkery
|
|
(Principal
Financial and Accounting Officer)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
/s/
Craig O. McCaw
|
|
Chairman
of the Board of Directors
|
|
|
Craig
O. McCaw
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
/s/
Donna P. Alderman
|
|
Director
|
|
|
Donna
P. Alderman
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
/s/
Samuel L. Ginn
|
|
Director
|
|
|
Samuel
L. Ginn
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
/s/
Barry L. Rowan
|
|
Director
|
|
|
Barry
Rowan
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
/s/
R. Gerard Salemme
|
|
Director
|
|
|
R.
Gerard Salemme
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
/s/
H. Brian Thompson
|
|
Director
|
|
|
H.
Brian Thompson
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
/s/
David Wasserman
|
|
Director
|
|
|
David
Wasserman
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
/s/
Benjamin G. Wolff
|
|
Director
|
|
|
Benjamin
G. Wolff
|
|
|
|
|
EXHIBIT
INDEX
Exhibit
Number
|
|
Description
of the Document
|
1.1
|
|
Form
of Underwriting Agreement (1)
|
4.1
|
|
Amended
and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (2)
|
4.2
|
|
Restated
Bylaws (2)
|
4.3.1
|
|
Amendment
to Restated Bylaws (3)
|
4.3.2
|
|
Amendment
to Restated Bylaws (4)
|
4.4
|
|
Specimen
Class A Common Stock Certificate(2)
|
4.5
|
|
Specimen
Preferred Stock Certificate and Form of Certificate of Designation
of
Preferred Stock (1)
|
4.6
|
|
Form
of Senior Debt Indenture, between Registrant and one or more trustees
to
be named*
|
4.7
|
|
Form
of Subordinated Debt Indenture, between Registrant and one or more
trustees to be named*
|
4.8
|
|
Form
of Senior Note (1)
|
4.9
|
|
Form
of Subordinated Note (1)
|
4.10
|
|
Form
of Common Stock Warrant Agreement and Warrant Certificate
(1)
|
4.11
|
|
Form
of Preferred Stock Warrant Agreement and Warrant
Certificate (1)
|
4.12
|
|
Form
of Debt Securities Warrant Agreement and Warrant Certificate
(1)
|
4.13
|
|
Form
of Unit Agreement (1)
|
4.14
|
|
Indenture,
dated August 15, 2005, among ICO North America, its subsidiaries
and The
Bank of New York, as trustee (2)
|
4.15
|
|
Form
of ICO North America 7.5% Convertible Senior Secured Note due 2009
(attached as exhibit to exhibit 4.14) (2)
|
4.16
|
|
First
Supplemental Indenture, dated November 30, 2005, among ICO North
America,
its subsidiaries and The Bank of New York, as trustee
(2)
|
4.17
|
|
Second
Supplemental Indenture, dated December 22, 2006, among ICO North
America,
its subsidiaries and The Bank of New York, as trustee
(5)
|
4.18
|
|
Amended
and Restated Revolving Credit Agreement, dated as of April 7, 2008,
among
ICO North America, its subsidiaries, Jefferies Finance, LLC and
The Bank
of New York, as collateral agent (6)
|
5.1
|
|
Opinion
of Holme Roberts & Owen, LLP*
|
12.1
|
|
Statement
of Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges*
|
23.1
|
|
Consent
of Deloitte & Touche LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting
Firm*
|
23.2
|
|
Consent
of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting
Firm*
|
23.3
|
|
Consent
of Holme Roberts & Owen, LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1)
|
24.1
|
|
Power
of Attorney (included on signature page)
|
25.1
|
|
Statement
of Eligibility of Trustee under the Senior Debt Indenture (1)
|
25.2
|
|
Statement
of Eligibility of Trustee under the Subordinated Debt Indenture
(1)
|
*
filed herewith
(1)
|
|
To
be filed by amendment or by a report filed under the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, as amended, and incorporated herein by reference, if
applicable.
|
|
(2)
|
|
Filed
as an exhibit to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form 10-12/G
(No. 000-52006) and incorporated herein by reference.
|
|
(3)
|
|
Filed
as an exhibit to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with
the SEC on December 20, 2006 and incorporated herein by reference.
(Commission File No. 000-52006)
|
|
(4)
|
|
Filed
as an exhibit to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with
the SEC on October 29, 2007 and incorporated herein by reference.
(Commission File No. 000-52006)
|
|
|
|
(5)
|
|
Filed
as an exhibit to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with
the SEC on December 28, 2006 and incorporated herein by
reference.
(Commission File No. 000-52006)
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(6)
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Filed
as an exhibit to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, filed
with the SEC on May 12, 2008 and incorporated herein by
reference.
(Commission
File No. 000-52006)
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