As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 13, 2019

Registration No. 333-          

 

 

 

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM S-4

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

UNDER

THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

 

 

 

APX Group Holdings, Inc.		APX Group, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)		(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware		Delaware
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)		(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
7380		7380
(Primary Standard Industrial Classification Code Number)		(Primary Standard Industrial Classification Code Number)
46-1304852		20-4658652
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)		(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
4931 North 300 West Provo, Utah 84604 (801) 377-9111		4931 North 300 West Provo, Utah 84604 (801) 377-9111
(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of registrant’s principal executive offices)		(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of registrant’s principal executive offices)

SEE TABLE OF ADDITIONAL REGISTRANTS

 

 

Shawn J. Lindquist

Chief Legal Officer

APX Group Holdings, Inc.

4931 North 300 West

Provo, Utah 84604

(801) 377-9111

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

 

 

With a copy to:

Igor Fert

Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP

425 Lexington Avenue

New York, New York 10017-3954

(212) 455-2000

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

 

 

Approximate date of commencement of proposed exchange offer: As soon as practicable after this Registration Statement is declared effective.

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

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

If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(d) 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.  ☐

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

 

Large accelerated filer		☐		Accelerated filer		☐
Non-accelerated filer		☒		Smaller reporting company		☐
				Emerging growth company		☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act.  ☐

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

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

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

 

 

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

 

Title of Each Class of Securities to be Registered		Amount to be Registered		Proposed Maximum Offering Price Per Note		Proposed Maximum Aggregate Offering Price (1)		Amount of Registration Fee
8.50% Senior Secured Notes due 2024		$225,000,000.00		100%		$225,000,000.00		$27,270.00
Guarantees of 8.50% Senior Secured Notes due 2024 (2)		N/A		N/A		N/A		N/A(3)

(1)	Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee under Rule 457(f) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”).

(2)	See inside facing page for table of registrant guarantors.

(3)	Pursuant to Rule 457(n) under the Securities Act, no separate filing fee is required for the guarantees.

 

 

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

 

 

 

Table of Additional Registrant Guarantors

 

Exact Name of Registrant Guarantor as Specified in its Charter (or Other Organizational Document)		State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization		I.R.S. Employer Identification Number		Primary Standard Industrial Classification Code Number		Address, Including Zip Code, and Telephone Number, Including Area Code, of Registrant Guarantor’s Principal Executive Offices
313 Aviation, LLC		Utah		80-0872606		7380		4931 North 300 West Provo, Utah 84604 (801) 377-9111
Vivint, Inc.		Utah		20-3754038		7380		4931 North 300 West Provo, Utah 84604 (801) 377-9111
Vivint Purchasing, LLC		Utah		45-2644263		7380		4931 North 300 West Provo, Utah 84604 (801) 377-9111
AP AL LLC		Delaware		26-3670401		7380		4931 North 300 West Provo, Utah 84604 (801) 377-9111
Vivint Wireless, Inc.		Delaware		80-0917588		7380		4931 North 300 West Provo, Utah 84604 (801) 377-9111
Farmington IP LLC		Delaware		38-3926661		7380		4931 North 300 West Provo, Utah 84604 (801) 377-9111
IPR LLC		Delaware		38-3944718		7380		4931 North 300 West Provo, Utah 84604 (801) 377-9111
Smartrove Inc.		Delaware		46-0581286		7380		4931 North 300 West Provo, Utah 84604 (801) 377-9111
Smart Home Pros, Inc.		Utah		26-2819709		7380		491 South 1325 W #3-4, Orem UT 84058 (801) 377-9111
Space Monkey, LLC		Delaware		38-3937398		7380		4931 North 300 West Provo, Utah 84604 (801) 377-9111
Vivint FireWild, LLC		Delaware		46-4644442		7380		4931 North 300 West Provo, Utah 84604 (801) 377-9111
Vivint Group, Inc.		Delaware		61-1750524		7380		4931 North 300 West Provo, Utah 84604 (801) 377-9111
Vivint Louisiana LLC		Louisiana		37-1719559		7380		1701 Old Minden Rd., Suite 32, Bossier City, LA 71111 (844) 318-3354

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

 

Subject to Completion, dated June 13, 2019

 

APX Group, Inc.

Offer to Exchange

 

 

$225,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 8.50% Senior Secured Notes due 2024 (the “exchange notes”), which have been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), for any and all outstanding $225,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 8.50% Senior Secured Notes due 2024 that were issued on May 10, 2019 (the “outstanding 2024 notes”). The exchange notes and the outstanding 2024 notes are collectively referred to herein as the “notes.”

The exchange notes will be fully and unconditionally guaranteed, jointly and severally, on a senior secured basis, by APX Group Holdings, Inc., our parent company, and each of our existing and future material wholly-owned U.S. restricted subsidiaries to the extent such entities guarantee indebtedness under our revolving credit facility or our other indebtedness or indebtedness of any subsidiary guarantor as described herein.

We are conducting the exchange offer in order to provide you with an opportunity to exchange your unregistered outstanding 2024 notes for freely tradeable exchange notes that have been registered under the Securities Act.

 

 

The Exchange Offer

 

•

We will exchange all outstanding 2024 notes that are validly tendered and not validly withdrawn for an equal principal amount of exchange notes that are freely tradeable.

 

•

You may withdraw tenders of outstanding 2024 notes at any time prior to the expiration date of the exchange offer.

 

•

The exchange offer expires at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on                 , 2019 which is the 21st business day after the date of this prospectus.

 

•

The exchange of outstanding 2024 notes for exchange notes in the exchange offer will not be a taxable event for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

 

•

The terms of the exchange notes to be issued in the exchange offer are substantially identical to the outstanding 2024 notes, except that the exchange notes will be freely tradeable.

Results of the Exchange Offer:

 

•

The exchange notes may be sold in the over-the-counter market, in negotiated transactions or through a combination of such methods. We do not plan to list the exchange notes on a national market.

All untendered outstanding 2024 notes will continue to be subject to the restrictions on transfer set forth in such outstanding 2024 notes and in the indenture governing the notes. In general, the outstanding 2024 notes may not be offered or sold, unless registered under the Securities Act, except pursuant to an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the Securities Act and applicable state securities laws. Other than in connection with the exchange offer, we do not currently anticipate that we will register the outstanding 2024 notes under the Securities Act.

 

 

You should carefully consider the “Risk Factors” beginning on page 11 of this prospectus before participating in the exchange offer.

Each broker dealer that receives exchange notes for its own account pursuant to the exchange offer must acknowledge that it will deliver a prospectus in connection with any resale of such exchange notes. This prospectus, as it may be amended or supplemented from time to time, may be used by a broker dealer in connection with resales of exchange notes received in exchange for outstanding 2024 notes where such outstanding 2024 notes were acquired as a result of market making activities or other trading activities.

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of the exchange notes to be distributed in the exchange offer or passed upon the accuracy or adequacy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

The date of this prospectus is                 , 2019.

We have not authorized anyone to provide you with information other than that contained in this prospectus, and we do not take any responsibility for, and cannot provide any assurance as to the reliability of, any information other than the information contained in this prospectus. This prospectus may be used only for the purposes for which it has been published and no person has been authorized to give any information not contained herein. We are not making an offer of these securities in any state where the offer is not permitted.

 

i

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

Forward-Looking Statements			iii
Market, Ranking and Other Industry Data			v
Trademarks			v
Basis of Presentation			v
Prospectus Summary			1
Risk Factors			11
Use of Proceeds			44
Capitalization			45
Selected Historical Consolidated Financial Information			46
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations			47
Business			79
Management			94
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management			124
Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions			127
Description of the Notes			130
The Exchange Offer			217
Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations			227
Certain ERISA Considerations			228
Plan of Distribution			230
Legal Matters			231
Experts			231
Where You Can Find More Information			231

 

ii

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This prospectus includes forward-looking statements regarding, among other things, our plans, strategies and prospects, both business and financial. These statements are based on the beliefs and assumptions of our management. Although we believe that our plans, intentions and expectations reflected in or suggested by these forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot assure you that we will achieve or realize these plans, intentions or expectations. Forward-looking statements are inherently subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Generally, statements that are not historical facts, including statements concerning our possible or assumed future actions, business strategies, events or results of operations, are forward-looking statements. These statements may be preceded by, followed by or include the words “believes,” “estimates,” “expects,” “projects,” “forecasts,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “seeks,” “plans,” “scheduled,” “anticipates” or “intends” or similar expressions. Forward-looking statements contained in this prospectus include, but are not limited to, statements about our ability to:

 

•

accelerate adoption of our smart home solution;

 

•

establish and grow through new subscriber acquisition channels;

 

•

increase brand awareness;

 

•

meet customer expectations and address key friction points for smart home adoption and use;

 

•

expand our ecosystem with third-party and proprietary devices;

 

•

reduce subscriber attrition;

 

•

lower net subscriber acquisition costs;

 

•

improve unit economics and grow subscription revenues per subscriber over time

 

•

increase new subscriber originations, customer usage, and customer satisfaction;

 

•

develop, design, and sell our own Smart Home Services that are differentiated from those of our competitors;

 

•

attract, train and retain an effective sales force and other key personnel;

 

•

upgrade and maintain our information technology systems;

 

•

acquire and protect intellectual property;

 

•

meet future liquidity requirements and comply with restrictive covenants related to our long-term indebtedness;

 

•

enhance our future operating and financial results;

 

•

comply with laws and regulations applicable to our business; and

 

•

successfully defend litigation brought against us.

Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of performance. You should not put undue reliance on these statements which speak only as of the date hereof. You should understand that the following important factors, in addition to those discussed in “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in this prospectus, could affect our future results and could cause those results or other outcomes to differ materially from those expressed or implied in our forward-looking statements:

 

•

risks of the smart home and security industry, including risks of and publicity surrounding the sales, subscriber origination and retention process;

 

•

the highly competitive nature of the smart home and security industry and product introductions and promotional activity by our competitors;

 

iii

•

litigation, complaints, product liability claims and/or adverse publicity;

 

•

the impact of changes in consumer spending patterns, consumer preferences, local, regional, and national economic conditions, crime, weather, demographic trends and employee availability;

 

•

increases and/or decreases in utility and other energy costs, increased costs related to utility or governmental requirements;

 

•

cost increases or shortages in smart home and security technology products or components;

 

•

the introduction of unsuccessful new Smart Home Services;

 

•

privacy and data protection laws, privacy or data breaches, or the loss of data; and

 

•

the impact to our business, results of operations, financial condition, regulatory compliance and customer experience of the Vivint Flex Pay (as defined below) plan and our ability to successfully compete in retail sales channels.

In addition, the origination and retention of new subscribers will depend on various factors, including, but not limited to, market availability, subscriber interest, the availability of suitable components, the negotiation of acceptable contract terms with subscribers, local permitting, licensing and regulatory compliance and our ability to manage anticipated expansion and to hire, train and retain personnel, the financial viability of subscribers and general economic conditions.

These and other factors that could cause actual results to differ from those implied by the forward-looking statements in this prospectus are more fully described in “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in this prospectus. The risks described in “Risk Factors” are not exhaustive. Other sections of this prospectus describe additional factors that could adversely affect our business, financial condition or results of operations. New risk factors emerge from time to time and it is not possible for us to predict all such risk factors, nor can we assess the impact of all such risk factors on our business or the extent to which any factor or combination of factors may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements attributable to us or persons acting on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the foregoing cautionary statements. We undertake no obligations to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

In addition, statements that “we believe” and similar statements reflect our beliefs and opinions on the relevant subject. These statements are based upon information available to us as of the date such statements are made, and while we believe such information forms a reasonable basis for such statements, such information may be limited or incomplete, and our statements should not be read to indicate that we have conducted an exhaustive inquiry into, or review of, all potentially available relevant information. These statements are inherently uncertain and you are cautioned not to unduly rely upon these statements.

 

iv

MARKET, RANKING AND OTHER INDUSTRY DATA

Market, ranking and industry data used throughout this prospectus, including statements regarding subscriber acquisition costs, attrition and adoption rates, is based on the good faith estimates of management, which in turn are based upon management’s review of internal surveys, independent industry surveys and publications, including reports by third parties and publicly available information. Although we believe that these third-party sources are reliable, we do not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of this information, and neither we nor the initial purchasers have independently verified this information. Similarly, internal company surveys, while believed by us to be reliable, have not been verified by any independent sources.

TRADEMARKS

Vivint and related marks are registered trademarks or trademark applications of, or are otherwise owned or used by, Vivint, Inc. Any trademarks, trade names or service marks of other companies appearing herein = are, to our knowledge, the property of their respective owners. Solely for convenience, the trademarks, service marks and trade names referred to in this prospectus may appear without the ^®, TM or SM symbols, but the absence of such references does not indicate the registration status of the trademarks, service marks and trade names and is not intended to indicate, in any way, that we will not assert, to the fullest extent under applicable law, our rights or the right of the applicable licensor to such trademarks, service marks and trade names.

BASIS OF PRESENTATION

On November 16, 2012, APX Group, Inc. and two of its affiliates, V Solar Holdings, Inc. (“Solar”) and 2GIG Technologies, Inc. (“2GIG”), were acquired by an investor group (collectively, the “Investors”) comprised of certain investment funds affiliated with Blackstone Capital Partners VI L.P. (“Blackstone” or the “Sponsor”), and certain co-investors and management investors. This acquisition was accomplished through certain mergers and related reorganization transactions (collectively, the “Merger” and, together with certain related financing transactions, the “Transactions”) pursuant to which each of APX Group, Inc., Solar and 2GIG became indirect wholly-owned subsidiaries of 313 Acquisition LLC (“Acquisition LLC”), an entity wholly-owned by the Investors. Upon the consummation of the Merger, APX Group, Inc. and 2GIG became consolidated subsidiaries of APX Group Holdings, Inc. (“Holdings,” or “Parent Guarantor”), which in turn is wholly-owned by Vivint Smart Home, Inc. (f/k/a APX Parent Holdco, Inc.), which in turn is owned by Acquisition LLC, and Solar became a direct wholly-owned subsidiary of Acquisition LLC. As of December 31, 2018, Acquisition LLC controls Vivint Smart Home, Inc., which, in turn, owned 100% of the issued and outstanding shares of common stock of Parent Guarantor, which, in turn owned 100% of the issued and outstanding shares of common stock of APX Group, Inc. Acquisition LLC, Vivint Smart Home, Inc. and Parent Guarantor have no independent operations and were formed for the purpose of facilitating the Merger.

Unless the context suggests otherwise, references in this prospectus to “Vivint ^®,” the “Company,” “we,” “us” and “our” refer to the Parent Guarantor and its subsidiaries. References to the “Issuer” refer to APX Group, Inc., exclusive of its subsidiaries. References to “Parent Guarantor” refer to Holdings, exclusive of its subsidiaries.

On April 1, 2013 we completed the sale of 2GIG and its subsidiary (the “2GIG Sale”) to Nortek, Inc. In connection with the 2GIG Sale, we entered into a five-year supply agreement with 2GIG, pursuant to which they are the exclusive provider of our control panel requirements, subject to certain exceptions as provided in the supply agreement. Due to our continuing involvement with 2GIG under the supply agreement, it was not considered a discontinued operation. As a result of the Transactions, while Solar was a variable interest entity through the date of Solar’s initial public offering in October 2014, we have not been its primary beneficiary since after the date of the Transactions. Accordingly, Solar has not been required to be included in the consolidated financial statements of the Company in periods following the date of the Transactions.

Unless specified otherwise, amounts in this prospectus are presented in U.S. dollars.

Defined terms in the financial statements contained in this prospectus have the meanings ascribed to them in the financial statements.

 

v

 

1

 

2

 

3

 

4

 

5

 

6

 

7

 

8

 

9

 

10

RISK FACTORS

You should carefully consider the following risk factors and all other information contained in this prospectus before participating in the exchange offer. The risks and uncertainties described below are not the only risks facing us and your investment in the exchange notes. Additional risks and uncertainties that we are unaware of, or those we currently deem immaterial, also may become important factors that affect us. The following risks could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, cash flows or results of operations.

Risks Related to the Exchange Offer

If you choose not to exchange your outstanding 2024 notes in the exchange offer, the transfer restrictions currently applicable to your outstanding 2024 notes will remain in force and the market price of your outstanding 2024 notes could decline.

If you do not exchange your outstanding 2024 notes for exchange notes in the exchange offer, then you will continue to be subject to the transfer restrictions on the outstanding 2024 notes as set forth in the offering memorandum distributed in connection with the private offering of the outstanding 2024 notes. In general, the outstanding 2024 notes may not be offered or sold unless they are registered or exempt from registration under the Securities Act and applicable state securities laws. Except as required by the registration rights agreement, we do not intend to register resales of the outstanding 2024 notes under the Securities Act.

The tender of outstanding 2024 notes under the exchange offer will reduce the remaining principal amount of the outstanding 2024 notes, which may have an adverse effect upon and increase the volatility of, the market price of the outstanding 2024 notes due to reduction in liquidity.

Your ability to transfer the exchange notes may be limited by the absence of an active trading market, and an active trading market may not develop for the notes.

We cannot assure you as to the development or liquidity of any trading market for the exchange notes. The liquidity of any market for the exchange notes will depend on a number of factors, including:

 

•

the number of holders of exchange notes;

 

•

our operating performance and financial condition;

 

•

the market for similar securities;

 

•

the interest of securities dealers in making a market in the exchange notes; and

 

•

prevailing interest rates.

Historically, the market for non-investment grade debt has been subject to disruptions that have caused substantial volatility in the prices of securities similar to the exchange notes. The market, if any, for the exchange notes may face similar disruptions that may adversely affect the prices at which you may sell your exchange notes. Therefore, you may not be able to sell your exchange notes at a particular time and the price that you receive when you sell may not be favorable.

Risks Related To Our Business and Industry

Our industry is highly competitive.

We operate in a highly competitive industry. We face, and may in the future face, competition from other providers of information and communication products and services, including cable and telecommunications companies, Internet service providers, large technology companies singular experience companies, industrial and

 

11

smart hardware companies, and others that may have greater capital and resources than we do. We also face competition from large residential security companies that have or may have greater capital and other resources than us. Competitors that are larger in scale and have greater resources may benefit from greater economies of scale and other lower costs that permit them to offer more favorable terms to consumers (including lower service costs) than we offer, causing such consumers to choose to enter into contracts with such competitors. For instance, cable and telecommunications companies are expanding into the smart home and security industries and are bundling their existing offerings with automation and monitored security services. In some instances, it appears that certain components of such bundled offerings are significantly underpriced and, in effect, subsidized by the rates charged for the other product or services offered by these companies. These bundled pricing alternatives may influence subscribers’ desire to subscribe to our services at rates and fees we consider appropriate. These competitors may also benefit from greater name recognition and superior advertising, marketing, promotional and other resources. To the extent that such competitors utilize any competitive advantages in markets where our business is more highly concentrated, the negative impact on our business may increase over time. In addition to potentially reducing the number of new subscribers we are able to originate, increased competition could also result in increased subscriber acquisition costs and higher attrition rates that would negatively impact us over time. The benefit offered to larger competitors from economies of scale and other lower costs may be magnified by an economic downturn in which subscribers put a greater emphasis on lower cost products or services. In addition, we face competition from regional competitors that concentrate their capital and other resources in targeting local markets.

We also face potential competition from do-it-yourself, or DIY, systems, which enable consumers to install their own systems and monitor and control their home over the Internet without the need for a subscription agreement with a service provider. Improvements in these systems may result in more subscribers choosing to take on the responsibility for installation, maintenance, and management of connected home systems themselves. In addition, consumers may prefer individual device solutions that provide more narrowly targeted functionality instead of a more comprehensive integrated smart home solution. Pricing pressure or improvements in technology and shifts in consumer preferences towards DIY and/or individual solutions could adversely impact our subscriber base or pricing structure and have a material and adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

Cable and telecommunications companies actively targeting the smart home market and expanding into the monitored security space, and large technology companies expanding into the smart home market could result in pricing pressure, a shift in subscriber preferences towards the services of these companies and a reduction in our market share. Continued pricing pressure from these competitors or failure to achieve pricing based on the competitive advantages previously identified above could prevent us from maintaining competitive price points for our products and services resulting in lost subscribers or in our inability to attract new subscribers and have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

We rely on long-term retention of subscribers and subscriber attrition can have a material adverse effect on our results.

We incur significant upfront costs to originate new subscribers. Accordingly, our long-term performance is dependent on our subscribers remaining with us for several years after the initial 36 to 60 month term of their contracts. A significant reason for attrition occurs when subscribers move and do not reconnect. Subscriber moves are impacted by changes in the housing market. See “-Our business is subject to macroeconomic, microeconomic and demographic factors that may negatively impact our results of operations.” Some other factors that can increase subscriber attrition include problems experienced with the quality of our products or services, unfavorable general economic conditions, adverse publicity and the preference for lower pricing of competitors’ products and services. In addition, we generally experience an increased level of subscriber cancellations in the months surrounding the expiration of such subscribers’ initial contract term. If we fail to retain our subscribers for a sufficient period of time, our profitability, business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows could be materially and adversely affected. Our inability to retain subscribers for a

 

12

long term could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, cash flows or results of operations.

Litigation, complaints or adverse publicity or unauthorized use of our brand name could negatively impact our business, financial condition and results of operations.

From time to time, we engage in the defense of, and may in the future be subject to, certain investigations, claims and lawsuits arising in the ordinary course of our business. For example, we have been named as defendants in putative class actions alleging violations of wage and hour laws, the Telephone Consumer Protection Act, common law privacy and consumer protection laws. From time to time our subscribers have communicated and may in the future communicate complaints to organizations such as the Better Business Bureau, regulators, law enforcement or the media. Any resulting actions or negative subscriber sentiment or publicity could reduce the volume of our new subscriber originations or increase attrition of existing subscribers. Any of the foregoing may materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, cash flows or results of operations.

Given our relationship with Vivint Solar and the fact that Vivint Solar uses our registered trademark, “Vivint”, in its name pursuant to a licensing agreement, our subscribers and potential subscribers may associate us with any problems experienced with Vivint Solar or adverse publicity related to Vivint Solar’s business. We may not be able to take remedial action to cure any issues Vivint Solar has with its subscribers, and our trademark, brand and reputation may be adversely affected.

Unauthorized use of our brand name by third parties may also adversely affect our business and reputation, including the perceived quality and reliability of our Products and Services. We rely on trademark law, internal policies and agreements with our employees, subscribers, business partners and others to protect the value of our brand name. Despite our precautions, we cannot provide assurance that those procedures are sufficiently effective to protect against unauthorized third-party use of our brand name. We may not be successful in investigating, preventing or prosecuting all unauthorized third-party use of our brand name. Future litigation with respect to such unauthorized use could also result in substantial costs and diversion of our resources. These factors could adversely affect our reputation, business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

We are highly dependent on our ability to attract, train and retain an effective sales force and other key personnel.

Our business is highly dependent on our ability to attract, train and retain an effective sales force, especially for our peak April through August sales season. In addition, because sales representatives become more productive as they gain experience, retaining those individuals is very important for our success. If we are unable to attract, train and retain an effective sales force, our business, financial condition, cash flows or results of operations could be adversely affected. In addition, our business is dependent on our ability to attract and retain other key personnel in other critical areas of our business. If we are unable to attract and retain key personnel in our business, it could adversely affect our business, financial condition, cash flows and results of operations.

Our operations depend upon third-party providers of telecommunication technologies and services.

Our operations depend upon third-party cellular and other telecommunications providers to communicate signals to and from our subscribers in a timely, cost-efficient and consistent manner. The failure of one or more of these providers to transmit and communicate signals in a timely manner could affect our ability to provide services to our subscribers. There can be no assurance that third-party telecommunications providers and signal-processing centers will continue to transmit and communicate signals to or from our third-party providers and the monitoring stations without disruption. Any such disruption, particularly one of a prolonged duration, could have a material adverse effect on our business. In addition, failure to renew contracts with existing providers or to contract with other providers on commercially acceptable terms or at all may adversely impact our business.

 

13

Certain elements of our operating model have historically relied on our subscribers’ continued selection and use of traditional landline telecommunications to transmit signals to and from our subscribers. There is a growing trend for consumers to switch to the exclusive use of cellular, satellite or internet communication technology in their homes, and telecommunication providers may discontinue their landline services in the future. In addition, many of our subscribers who use cellular communication technology for their systems use products that rely on older 2G and 3G technologies, and certain telecommunication providers have discontinued 2G services in certain markets, and these and other telecommunication providers are expected to discontinue 2G and 3G services in other markets in the future. The discontinuation of landline, 2G, 3G and any other services by telecommunications providers in the future would require our subscriber’s system to be upgraded to alternative, and potentially more expensive, technologies. This could increase our subscriber attrition rates and slow our new subscriber originations. To maintain our subscriber base that uses components that are or could become obsolete, we may be required to upgrade or implement new technologies, including by offering to subsidize the replacement of subscribers’ outdated systems at our expense. Any such upgrades or implementations could require significant capital expenditures and also divert management’s attention and other important resources away from our customer service and new subscriber origination efforts.

We depend on third-party providers of internet access services that may impair, degrade or otherwise block our services that could lead to additional expenses or loss of users.

Our interactive services are accessed through the internet and our security monitoring services are increasingly delivered using internet-based technologies. In addition, our distributed cloud storage solution, including the Vivint Smart Drive, is dependent upon internet services for shared storage. Some providers of broadband access may take measures that affect their subscribers’ ability to use these products and services, such as degrading the quality of the data packets we transmit over their lines, giving those packets low priority, giving other packets higher priority than ours, blocking our packets entirely or attempting to charge their subscribers more for using our services or terminating the subscriber’s contract.

The Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) released an order that became effective on June 11, 2018, that repeals most of the rules that the agency previously had in place that prevented providers of broadband internet access services from impairing, degrading or blocking services provided by third parties to us. The prior rules prohibiting impairment, degradation and blocking, are commonly referred to as “network neutrality” rules. Numerous parties have appealed the FCC order which is before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia. We cannot predict whether the FCC order will be upheld, reversed or remanded, nor the timing of the appellate court’s resolution of the appeal.

Following the adoption of the FCC’s order reversing the network neutrality rules, a number of states have passed network neutrality laws. The laws vary by state both in substance and in scope. There is legal uncertainty as to whether states have authority to pass laws that would conflict with the recent FCC order due to the interstate nature of internet communications and for other reasons. We cannot predict whether state laws that are interpreted to conflict with the FCC’s order will survive judicial scrutiny if challenged.

The largest providers of broadband internet access services have publicly stated that network neutrality rules are not required as they would not engage in some of the practices that the rules prohibit. While it is difficult to predict what would occur in the absence of such rules, it is possible that as a result of the lack of network neutrality rules, we could incur greater operating expenses which could harm our results of operations. While we think it is unlikely and that other laws may be implicated should broadband internet access providers affirmatively interfere with the delivery of our services that rely on broadband internet connections, interference with our services by broadband internet access service providers for using our products and services could cause us to lose existing subscribers, impair our ability to attract new subscribers and materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

 

14

Changes in laws or regulations that impact our underlying providers of telecommunications services could adversely impact our business

Telecommunications service providers are subject to extensive regulation in the markets where we operate or may expand in the future. Changes in the applicable laws or regulations affecting telecommunication services could require us to change the way we operate, which could increase costs or otherwise disrupt our operations, which in turn could adversely affect our business, financial condition, cash flows or results of operations.

We must successfully upgrade and maintain our information technology systems.

We rely on various information technology systems to manage our operations. We are currently implementing modifications and upgrades to these systems, and have replaced certain of our legacy systems with successor systems with new functionality.

There are inherent costs and risks associated with modifying or changing these systems and implementing new systems, including potential disruption of our internal control structure, substantial capital expenditures, additional administration and operating expenses, retention of sufficiently skilled personnel to implement and operate the new systems, demands on management time and other risks and costs of delays or difficulties in transitioning to new systems or of integrating new systems into our current systems. For example, we encountered issues associated with the implementation of our integrated customer resource management, or CRM, system in 2014, which resulted in an immaterial error in our financial statements for the quarter ended June 30, 2014. This error was corrected during the quarter ended September 30, 2014. As a result of the issues encountered associated with the CRM implementation, we also issued a significant number of billing-related subscriber credits during the year ended December 31, 2014, which reduced our revenue. While management seeks to identify and remediate issues, we can provide no assurance that our identification and remediation efforts will be successful or that we will not encounter additional issues as we complete the implementation of these and other systems. In addition, our information technology system implementations may not result in productivity improvements at a level that outweighs the costs of implementation, or at all. The implementation of new information technology systems may also cause disruptions in our business operations and have an adverse effect on our business, cash flows and operations.

Privacy and data protection concerns, and laws, and regulations relating to privacy, data protection and information security could have a material adverse effect on our business.

In the course of our operations, we gather, process, transmit and store subscriber information, including personal, payment, credit and other confidential and private information. We may use this information for operational and marketing purposes in the course of operating our business.

Our collection, retention, transfer and use of this information are governed by U.S. and foreign laws and regulations relating to privacy, data protection and information security, industry standards and protocols or it may be asserted that such industry standards or protocols apply to us. The regulatory framework for privacy and information security issues worldwide is rapidly evolving and is likely to remain uncertain for the foreseeable future. In North America, federal and various state and provincial governmental bodies and agencies have adopted or are considering adopting laws and regulations limiting, or laws and regulations regarding the collection, distribution, use, disclosure, storage, and security of certain categories of information. Some of these requirements include obligations of companies to notify individuals of security breaches involving particular personal information, which could result from exploitation of a vulnerability in our systems or services or breaches experienced by our service providers and/or partners. For example, the State of California recently enacted the California Consumer Privacy ACT (“CCPA”), which will be effective in January 2020. The CCPA expands the scope of what is considered “personal information” and creates new data access and opt-out rights for consumers, which may create new requirements for us and other companies that operate in California. We are also subject to state and federal laws and regulations regarding telemarketing and other telephonic communications and state and federal laws regarding unsolicited commercial emails, as well as regulations relating to automated telemarketing calls, texts or SMS messages.

 

15

Many jurisdictions have established their own data security and privacy legal and regulatory frameworks with which we or our vendors or partners must comply to the extent our operations expand into these geographies or the laws and regulations in these frameworks otherwise may be interpreted to apply to us. Laws and regulations in these jurisdictions apply broadly to the collection, use, storage, disclosure and security of data that identifies or may be used to identify or locate an individual, such as names, email addresses and, in some jurisdictions, Internet Protocol addresses. We also are bound by contractual requirements relating to privacy, data protection and information security, and may agree to additional contractual requirements addressing these matters from time to time.

Our compliance with these various requirements increases our operating costs, and additional laws, regulations, standards or protocols (or new interpretations of existing laws, regulations, standards or protocols) in these areas may further increase our operating costs and adversely affect our ability to effectively market our Products and Services. In view of new or modified legal obligations relating to privacy, data protection or information security, or any changes in their interpretation, we may find it necessary or desirable to fundamentally change our business activities and practices or to expend significant resources to modify our products and services and otherwise adapt to these changes. We may be unable to make such changes and modifications in a commercially reasonable manner or at all, and our ability to develop new services and features could be limited.

Further, our failure or perceived failure to comply with any of these laws, regulations, standards, protocols or other obligations could result in a loss of subscriber data, fines, sanctions and other liabilities and additional restrictions on our collection, transfer or use of subscriber data. In addition, our failure to comply with any of these laws, regulations, standards, protocols or other obligations could result in a material adverse effect on our reputation, subscriber attrition, new subscriber origination, financial condition, cash flows or results of operations.

If our security controls are breached or unauthorized or inadvertent access to subscriber information or other data is otherwise obtained, our services may be perceived as insecure, we may lose existing subscribers or fail to attract new subscribers, our business may be harmed, and we may incur significant liabilities.

Use of our solutions involves the storage, transmission and processing of personal, payment, credit and other confidential and private information of our subscribers, and may in certain cases permit access to our subscribers’ homes or property or help secure them. We also maintain and process other confidential and proprietary information in our business, including our employees’ and contractors’ personal information and confidential business information. We rely on proprietary and commercially available systems, software, tools and monitoring to protect against unauthorized use or access of the information we process and maintain. Our services and the networks and information systems we utilize in our business are at risk for breaches as a result of third-party action, employee, vendor or partner error, malfeasance, or other factors. For example, we have experienced instances of our employees, contractors and other third parties improperly accessing our and/or our subscribers’ systems and information in violation of our internal policies and procedures.

Criminals and other nefarious actors are using increasingly sophisticated methods, including cyber-attacks, phishing, social engineering and other illicit acts to capture, access or alter various types of information, to engage in illegal activities such as fraud and identity theft, and to expose and exploit potential security and privacy vulnerabilities in corporate systems and web sites. Unauthorized intrusion into the portions of our systems and networks and data storage devices that process and store subscriber confidential and private information, the loss of such information or the deployment of malware or other harmful code to our services or our networks or systems, may result in negative consequences including the actual or alleged malfunction of our products or services. In addition, third parties, including our partners and vendors, could also be sources of security risks to us in the event of a failure of their own security systems and infrastructure. The threats we and our partners and vendors face continue to evolve and are difficult to predict due to advances in computer capabilities, new discoveries in the field of cryptography and new and sophisticated methods used by criminals.

 

16

There can be no assurances that our defensive measures will prevent cyber-attacks or that we will discover network or system intrusions or other breaches on a timely basis or at all. We cannot be certain that we will not suffer a compromise or breach of the technology protecting the systems or networks that house or access our products and services or on which we or our partners or vendors process or store personal information or other sensitive information or data, or that any such incident will not be believed or reported to have occurred. Any such actual or perceived compromises or breaches to systems, or unauthorized access to, or acquisition or loss of, data, whether suffered by us, our partners or vendors, or other third parties, whether as a result of employee error or malfeasance or otherwise, could harm our business. They could, for example, cause interruptions in operations, loss of data, loss of confidence in our services and products, and damage to our reputation, and could limit the adoption of our services and products. They could also subject us to costs, regulatory investigations and orders, litigation, contract damages, indemnity demands and other liabilities and materially and adversely affect our subscriber base, sales, revenues and profits. Any of these could, in turn, have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition, cash flows or results of operations.

Further, if a high profile security breach occurs with respect to another provider of smart home solutions, our subscribers and potential subscribers may lose trust in the security of our services or in the smart home space generally, which could adversely impact our ability to retain existing subscribers or attract new ones. Even in the absence of any security breach, subscriber concerns about security, privacy or data protection may deter them from using our service. Our errors and omissions insurance policies covering certain security and privacy damages and claim expenses may not be sufficient to compensate for all potential liability. Although we maintain cyber liability insurance, we cannot be certain that our coverage will be adequate for liabilities actually incurred or that insurance will continue to be available to us on economically reasonable terms, or at all.

Our Vivint Flex Pay plan is a new business model that may subject us to additional risks.

In 2017, we introduced a new program (“Vivint Flex Pay”) that allowed subscribers to finance the purchase of their Products and related installation through our Vivint Flex Pay plan. Under Vivint Flex Pay we offer to our qualified subscribers an opportunity to finance through a third party the purchase of Products and related installation used in connection with our Smart Home Services. We offer certain of our subscribers who do not qualify for third party financing the opportunity to finance their purchase of Products and related installation under a RIC, which is financed by us. Under Vivint Flex Pay, subscribers pay separately for the Products and our Smart Home Services. As an alternative to the financing offered under these programs, subscribers are able to purchase the Products by check, ACH, credit or debit card, and pay in full at the time of installation.

There can be no assurance that the Vivint Flex Pay plan will be successful. If this plan is not favorably received by subscribers or is otherwise not performing as intended by us, it could have an adverse effect on our business, subscriber growth rate, financial condition and results of operations. In addition, reductions in consumer lending and/or the availability of consumer credit under the Vivint Flex Pay plan could limit the number of subscribers with the financial means to purchase the Products and thus limit the number of subscribers who are able to subscribe to our Smart Home Services. There is no assurance that our current provider of installment loans, Citizens Bank, N.A., or any other companies that may in the future offer financing to our subscribers will continue to provide subscribers with access to credit or that credit limits under such arrangements will be sufficient. In addition, a severe disruption in the global financial markets could impact the providers of installment loans under the Vivint Flex Pay plan and such instability could also affect the ability of subscribers to access financing under the Vivint Flex Pay plan or otherwise. Such restrictions or limitations on the availability of consumer credit or unfavorable reception of the Vivint Flex Pay plan by potential subscribers could have a material adverse impact on our business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.

In addition, the Vivint Flex Pay plan subjects us to additional regulatory requirements and compliance obligations. In particular, the Vivint Flex Pay plan may require that we be licensed as a lender in certain jurisdictions in which we operate. We may face the risk of increased consumer complaints, potential supervision, examinations or enforcement actions by federal and state licensing and regulatory agencies and/or penalties for

 

17

violation of financial services, consumer protections and other applicable laws and regulations. We currently offer RICs in all of the jurisdictions in which we operate and therefore are subject to regulation by state and local authorities for the use of RICs. We provide intensive training to our employees regarding sales practices and the content of our RICs and strive to comply in all material respects with these laws; however, we cannot be certain that our employees will abide by our policies and applicable laws, which violations could have a material and adverse impact on our business. We also offer RICs to our Canadian subscribers, and as a result are subject to additional regulatory requirements in Canada. In the future, we may elect to offer installment loans and other financial services products similar to the Consumer Financing Program directly to qualified subscribers. If we elect to offer such financial services directly, this may further expand our regulatory and compliance obligations. In addition, as Vivint Flex Pay evolves, we may become subject to additional regulatory requirements and compliance obligations.

We are subject to payment related risks.

We accept payments using a variety of methods, including check, credit card, debit card, direct debit from subscriber’s bank account and consumer invoicing. For existing and future payment options we offer to our subscribers, we may become subject to additional regulations, compliance requirements and fraud. For certain payment methods, including credit and debit cards, we pay interchange and other fees, which may increase over time and raise our operating costs and lower profitability. We rely on third parties to provide payment-processing services, including the processing of credit cards, debit cards and electronic checks, and it could disrupt our business if these companies become unwilling or unable to provide these services to us. We are also subject to payment card association operating rules, including data security rules, certification requirements and rules governing electronic funds transfers, which could change or be reinterpreted to make it difficult or impossible for us to comply. If we fail to comply with these rules or requirements, or if our data security systems are breached or compromised, we may be liable for card issuing banks’ costs, subject to fines and higher transaction fees, and lose our ability to accept credit and debit card payments from our subscribers, process electronic funds transfers, or facilitate other types of online payments, and our business and operating results could be adversely affected. See “—Privacy and data protection concerns, and laws and regulations relating to privacy, data protection and information security, could have a material adverse effect on our business” and “—If our security controls are breached or unauthorized or inadvertent access to subscriber information or other data is otherwise obtained, our services may be perceived as insecure, we may lose existing subscribers or fail to attract new subscribers, our business may be harmed, and we may incur significant liabilities.”

We may fail to obtain or maintain necessary licenses or otherwise fail to comply with applicable laws and regulations.

Our business focuses on contracts and transactions with residential subscribers and therefore is subject to a variety of laws, regulations and licensing requirements that govern our interactions with residential consumers, including those pertaining to privacy and data security, consumer financial and credit transactions, home improvements, warranties and door-to-door solicitation. We are a licensed service provider in each market where such licensure is required and we are responsible for every subscriber installation. Our business may become subject to additional such requirements in the future. In certain jurisdictions, we are also required to obtain licenses or permits to comply with standards governing marketing and sales efforts, installation of equipment or servicing of subscribers, monitoring station employee selection and training and to meet certain standards in the conduct of our business. These laws and regulations are dynamic and subject to potentially differing interpretations, and various legislative and regulatory bodies may expand current laws or regulations, or enact new laws and regulations, regarding these matters. We strive to comply with all applicable laws and regulations relating to our interactions with residential subscribers. It is possible, however, that these requirements may be interpreted and applied in a manner that is inconsistent from one jurisdiction to another and may conflict with other rules or our practices. Our non-compliance with any such law or regulations could also expose us to claims, proceedings, litigation and investigations by private parties and regulatory authorities, as well as substantial fines and negative publicity, each of which may materially and adversely affect our business. We have incurred, and

 

18

will continue to incur, significant expenses to comply with such laws and regulations, and increased regulation of matters relating to our interactions with residential consumers could require us to modify our operations and incur significant additional expenses, which could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. If we expand the scope of our products or services, or our operations in new markets, we may be required to obtain additional licenses and otherwise maintain compliance with additional laws, regulations or licensing requirements.

Changes in these laws or regulations or their interpretation, as well as new laws, regulations or licensing requirements which may be enacted, could dramatically affect how we do business, acquire subscribers, and manage and use information we collect from and about current and prospective subscribers and the costs associated therewith. For example, certain U.S. municipalities have adopted, or are considering adopting, laws, regulations or policies aimed at reducing the number of false alarms, including: (1) subjecting companies to fines or penalties for transmitting false alarms, (2) imposing fines on subscribers for false alarms or (3) imposing limitations on law enforcement response. These measures could adversely affect our future operations and business by increasing our costs, reducing subscriber satisfaction or affecting the public perception of the effectiveness of our products and services. In addition, federal, state and local governmental authorities have considered, and may in the future consider, implementing consumer protection rules and regulations, which could impose significant constraints on our sales channels.

Regulations have been issued by the Federal Trade Commission, or FTC, FCC, and Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission, or CRTC that place restrictions on direct-to-home marketing, telemarketing, email marketing and general sales practices. These restrictions include, but are not limited to, limitations on methods of communication, requirements to maintain a “do not call” list, cancellation rights and required training for personnel to comply with these restrictions.

The FTC regulates both general sales practices and telemarketing specifically and has broad authority to prohibit a variety of advertising or marketing practices that may constitute “unfair or deceptive acts or practices.” The CRTC has enforcement authority under the Canadian Anti-Spam Law, or CASL, which prohibits the sending of commercial emails without prior consent of the recipient or an existing business relationship and sets forth rules governing the sending of commercial emails. CASL allows for a private right of action for the recovery of damages or provides for enforcement by CRTC permitting the recovery of significant civil penalties, costs and attorneys’ fees in the event that regulations are violated. Similarly, most of the statutes and regulations in the United States allow a private right of action for the recovery of damages or provide for enforcement by the FTC, state attorneys general or state agencies permitting the recovery of significant civil or criminal penalties, costs and attorneys’ fees in the event that regulations are violated. Any new or changed laws, regulations or licensing requirements, or the interpretation of such laws, regulations or licensing requirements could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, cash flows or results of operations. We strive to comply with all such applicable regulations, but cannot assure you that we or third parties that we may rely on for telemarketing, email marketing and other lead generation activities will be in compliance with all applicable regulations at all times. Although our contractual arrangements with such third parties expressly require them to comply with all such regulations and to indemnify us for their failure to do so, we cannot assure you that the FTC, FCC, CRTC, private litigants or others will not attempt to hold us responsible for any unlawful acts conducted by such third parties or that we could successfully enforce or collect upon such indemnities. Additionally, certain FCC rulings and/or FTC enforcement actions may support the legal position that we may be held vicariously liable for the actions of third parties, including any telemarketing violations by our independent, third party authorized dealers that are performed without our authorization or that are otherwise prohibited by our policies. Both the FCC and the FTC have relied on certain actions to support the notion of vicarious liability, including but not limited to, the use of the company brand or trademark, the authorization or approval of telemarketing scripts or the sharing of consumer prospect lists. Changes in such regulations or the interpretation thereof that further restrict such activities could result in a material reduction in the number of leads for our business and could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

 

19

The policies of the U.S. Government may adversely impact our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Certain changes in U.S. social, political, regulatory and economic conditions or in laws and policies governing foreign trade, manufacturing, development and investment could adversely affect our business. General trade tensions between the U.S. and China escalated in 2018, with three rounds of U.S. tariffs on Chinese goods taking effect in July, August, and September 2018, each followed by a round of retaliatory Chinese tariffs on U.S. goods. If duties on existing tariffs are raised or if additional tariffs are announced, many of our inbound products to the United States would be subject to tariffs assessed in the cost of goods as imported. If these duties are imposed on such products, we may be required to raise our prices, which may result in the loss of subscribers and harm our operating performance. Alternatively, we may seek to shift production outside of China, resulting in additional costs and disruption to our operations. Additionally, the current administration continues to signal that it may alter trade agreements and terms between China and the United States, including limiting trade with China, and may impose additional tariffs on imports from China.

On December 22, 2017, the U.S. President signed into law the “Tax Cuts and Jobs Act” (the “Act”). Among other changes, the Act imposes limitations on the deductibility of interest. Moreover, the effects of the Act are not yet entirely clear and will depend on, among other things, additional regulatory and administrative guidance, as well as any statutory technical corrections that are subsequently enacted, which could have an adverse effect on the U.S. federal income taxation of our and our subsidiaries’ operations.

While there is currently a substantial lack of clarity and uncertainty around the likelihood, timing and details of any such policies and reforms, such policies and reforms may materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations and the value of our securities.

Increased adoption of laws purporting to characterize certain charges in our subscriber contracts as unlawful, may adversely affect our operations.

If a subscriber cancels prior to the end of the initial term of the contract, other than in accordance with the contract, we may, under the terms of the subscriber contract, charge the subscriber the amount that would have been paid over the remaining term of the contract. Several states have adopted, or are considering adopting, laws restricting the charges that can be imposed upon contract cancellation prior to the end of the initial contract term. Such initiatives could negatively impact our business and have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, cash flows or results of operations. Adverse rulings regarding these matters could increase legal exposure to subscribers against whom such charges have been imposed and the risk that certain subscribers may seek to recover such charges from us through litigation or otherwise. In addition, the costs of defending such litigation and enforcement actions could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition, cash flows or results of operations.

Our new Products and Services may not be successful.

We launched our first smart home Products and Services beginning in 2010. Since that time we have launched a number of other offerings. We anticipate launching additional Products and Services in the future. These Products and Services and the new Products and Services we may launch in the future may not be well-received by our subscribers, may not help us to generate new subscribers, may adversely affect the attrition rate of existing subscribers, may increase our subscriber acquisition costs and may increase the costs to service our subscribers. For example, during the year ended December 31, 2015 we recorded restructuring and asset impairment charges for our Wireless Internet business totaling $59.2 million, which resulted in $52.5 million of asset impairment charges related to write downs of our network assets, subscriber acquisition costs, certain intellectual property and goodwill and $5.1 million in net restructuring charges related to employee severance and termination benefits as well as write offs of certain vendor contracts. Any profits we may generate from these or other new products or services may be lower than profits generated from our other Products and Services and may not be sufficient for us to recoup our development or subscriber acquisition costs incurred. New Products and Services may also have lower gross margins, particularly to the extent that they do not fully utilize

 

20

our existing infrastructure. In addition, new Products and Services may require increased operational expenses or subscriber acquisition costs and present new and difficult technological and intellectual property challenges that may subject us to claims or complaints if subscribers experience service disruptions or failures or other quality issues. To the extent our new Products and Services are not successful, it could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, cash flows or results of operations.

Our new retail strategy may subject us to additional risks.

Historically, we have primarily originated subscribers through our direct-to-home and inside sales channels. However, in 2017 we developed a new strategy to enter into the retail channel in order to expand our reach to the broad consumer market. For example, on May 4, 2017, we announced an agreement with Best Buy, pursuant to which the parties had agreed to jointly market and sell smart home products and services. In July 2018, as part of certain cost reduction initiatives, the goal of which was to reduce certain of our general and administrative, subscriber service, and sales support fixed costs, we agreed in principle to end the co-branded Best Buy Smart Home by Vivint arrangement and in December 2018 we formally terminated our relationship with Best Buy. We continue to explore other retail strategy opportunities and may devote significant management attention, significant capital and other resources in connection with such efforts. However, despite these efforts and expenses, we may not be able to establish retail distribution channels for our products and services.

The technology we employ may become obsolete, which could require significant capital expenditures.

Our industry is subject to continual technological innovation. Our Products and Services interact with the hardware and software technology of systems and devices located at our subscribers’ property. We may be required to implement new technologies or adapt existing technologies in response to changing market conditions, subscriber preferences, industry standards or inability to secure necessary intellectual property licenses, which could require significant capital expenditures. It is also possible that one or more of our competitors could develop a significant technological advantage that allows them to provide additional or superior products or services, or to lower their price for similar products or services, that could put us at a competitive disadvantage. Our inability to adapt to changing technologies, market conditions or subscriber preferences in a timely manner could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, cash flows or results of operations.

Our future operating and financial results are uncertain.

Prior growth rates in revenues and other operating and financial results should not be considered indicative of our future performance. Our future performance and operating results depend on, among other things: (1) our ability to renew and/or upgrade contracts with existing subscribers and maintain subscriber satisfaction with existing subscribers, (2) our ability to generate new subscribers, including our ability to scale the number of new subscribers generated through inside sales and other channels, (3) our ability to increase the density of our subscriber base for existing service locations or continue to expand into new geographic markets, (4) our ability to successfully develop and market new and innovative Products and Services, (5) the level of product, service and price competition, (6) the degree of saturation in, and our ability to further penetrate, existing markets, (7) our ability to manage growth, revenues, origination or acquisition costs of new subscribers and attrition rates, the cost of servicing our existing subscribers and general and administrative costs and (8) our ability to attract, train and retain qualified employees. If our future operating and financial results suffer as a result of any of the other reasons mentioned above, or any other reasons, there could be a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, cash flows or results of operations.

There can be no assurance that we will be able to achieve or maintain profitability or positive cash flow from operations.

Our ability to generate future positive operating results and cash flows depends, in part, on our ability to generate new subscribers in a cost effective manner, while minimizing attrition of existing subscribers. New subscriber acquisitions play a particularly important role in our financial model as they not only increase our

 

21

future operating cash flows, but also help to replace the cash flows lost as a result of subscriber attrition. If we are unable to cost-effectively generate new subscribers or retain our existing subscribers, our business, operating results and financial condition would be materially adversely affected. In addition, to drive our growth, we have made significant upfront investments in subscriber acquisition costs, as well as technology and infrastructure to support our growing subscriber base. As a result of these investments, we have incurred losses and used significant amounts of cash to fund operations. As our business scales, we expect recurring revenue to increase due to growth in our total subscribers. If such increase occurs, a greater percentage of our net acquisition costs for new subscribers may be funded through revenues generated by our existing subscriber base. We also expect the number of new subscribers to decrease as a percentage of our total subscribers as our business scales, which we believe, along with the expected growth in recurring revenue, will improve operating results and operating cash flows over time. Our ability to improve our operating results and cash flows, however, is subject to a number of risks and uncertainties and there can be no assurance that we will achieve such improvements. To the extent the number of new subscribers does not decrease as a percentage of our total subscribers or we do not reduce the percentage of our revenue used to support new investments, we will continue to incur losses and require a significant amount of cash to fund our operations, which in turn could have a material adverse effect on our business, cash flows, operating results and financial condition.

Our business is subject to economic and demographic factors that may negatively impact our results of operations.

Our business is generally dependent on national, regional and local economic conditions. Historically, both the U.S. and worldwide economies have experienced cyclical economic downturns, some of which have been prolonged and severe. These economic downturns have generally coincided with, and contributed to, increased energy costs, concerns about inflation, slower economic activity, decreased consumer confidence and spending, reduced corporate profits and capital spending, adverse business conditions and liquidity concerns. These conditions and concerns result in a decline in business and consumer confidence and increased unemployment.

Where disposable income available for discretionary spending is reduced (due to, for example, higher housing, energy, interest or other costs or where the perceived wealth of subscribers has decreased) and disruptions in the financial markets adversely impact the availability and cost of credit, our business may experience increased attrition rates, a reduced ability to originate new subscribers and reduced consumer demand.

For instance, recoveries in the housing market increase the occurrence of relocations which may lead to subscribers disconnecting service and not contracting with us in their new homes. We cannot predict the timing or duration of any economic slowdown or the timing or strength of a subsequent economic recovery, worldwide, or in the specific markets where our subscribers are located.

Furthermore, any deterioration in new construction and sales of existing single-family homes could reduce opportunities to originate new subscribers and increase attrition among our existing subscribers. Such downturns in the economy in general, and the housing market in particular may negatively affect our business.

In addition, unfavorable shifts in population and other demographic factors may cause us to lose subscribers as people migrate to markets where we have little or no presence, or if the general population shifts into a less desirable age, geographic or other demographic group from our business perspective.

Our inside sales and retail channels depend on third parties and other sources that we do not control to generate leads that we then convert into subscribers. If our third party partners and lead generators are not successful in generating leads for our inside sales and retail sales channels, if the quality of those leads deteriorates, or if we are unable to generate leads through other sources that are cost effective and successfully convert into subscribers, it could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, cash flows or results of operations.

Also, our subscribers consist largely of homeowners, who are subject to economic, credit, financial and other risks, as applicable. These risks could materially and adversely affect a subscriber’s ability to make required payments to us on a timely basis. Any such decrease or delay in subscriber payments may have a

 

22

material adverse effect on us. As a result of financial distress, subscribers may apply for relief under bankruptcy and other laws relating to creditors’ rights. In addition, subscribers may be subject to involuntary application of such bankruptcy and other laws relating to creditors’ rights. The bankruptcy of a subscriber could adversely affect our ability to collect payments, to protect our rights and otherwise realize the value of our contract with the subscriber. This may occur as a result of, among other things, application of the automatic stay, delays and uncertainty in the bankruptcy process and potential rejection of such subscriber contracts. Our subscribers’ inability to pay, whether as a result of economic or credit issues, bankruptcy or otherwise, could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, cash flows or results of operations.

We depend on a limited number of suppliers to provide our Products and Services. Our product suppliers, in turn, rely on a limited number of suppliers to provide significant components and materials used in our products. A change in our existing preferred supply arrangements or a material interruption in supply of products or third party services could increase our costs or prevent or limit our ability to accept and fill orders for our products and services.

We obtain important components of our systems from several suppliers. Should such suppliers cease to manufacture the products we purchase from them or become unable to timely deliver these products in accordance with our requirements, or should such other suppliers choose not to do business with us, we may be required to locate alternative suppliers. We also rely on a number of sole or limited source suppliers for critical components of our solution. In particular we rely on Alpha Networks Inc. for our indoor cameras. Replacing this sole source supplier or our limited source suppliers could require the expenditure of significant resources and time to redesign and resource these products. In addition, any financial or other difficulties our suppliers face may have negative effects on our business. We may be unable to locate alternate suppliers on a timely basis or to negotiate the purchase of control panels or other equipment on favorable terms, if at all. In addition, our equipment suppliers, in turn, depend upon a limited number of outside unaffiliated suppliers for key components and materials used in our control panels and other equipment. If any of these suppliers cease to or are unable to provide components and materials in sufficient quantity and of the requisite quality, especially during our summer selling season when a large percentage of our new subscriber originations occur, and if there are not adequate alternative sources of supply, we could experience significant delays in the supply of equipment. Any such delay in the supply of equipment of the requisite quality could adversely affect our ability to originate subscribers and cause our subscribers not to continue, renew or upgrade their contracts or to choose not to purchase such products or services from us. This would result in delays in or loss of future revenues and could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, cash flows or results of operations. Also, if previously installed components and materials were found to be defective, we might not be able to recover the costs associated with the recall, repair or replacement of such products, across our installed subscriber base, and the diversion of personnel and other resources to address such issues could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, cash flows or results of operations.

Currency fluctuations could materially and adversely affect us and we have not hedged this risk.

Historically, a portion of our revenue has been denominated in Canadian Dollars. For the three months ended March 31, 2019, before intercompany eliminations, approximately $17.8 million of our revenues were denominated in Canadian Dollars. As of March 31, 2019, $246.5 million of our total assets and $217.4 million of our total liabilities were denominated in Canadian Dollars. In the future, we expect to continue generating revenue denominated in Canadian Dollars and other foreign currencies. Accordingly, we may be materially and adversely affected by currency fluctuations in the U.S. Dollar versus these currencies. Weaker foreign currencies relative to the U.S. Dollar may result in lower levels of reported revenues with respect to foreign currency-denominated subscriber contracts, net income, assets, liabilities and accumulated other comprehensive income on our U.S. Dollar-denominated financial statements. We have not historically hedged against this exposure. Foreign exchange rates are influenced by many factors outside of our control, including but not limited to: changing supply and demand for a particular currency, monetary policies of governments (including exchange-control programs, restrictions on local exchanges or markets and limitations on foreign investment in a country

 

23

or on investment by residents of a country in other countries), changes in balances of payments and trade, trade restrictions and currency devaluations and revaluations. Also, governments may from time to time intervene in the currency markets, directly and by regulation, to influence prices directly. As such, these events and actions are unpredictable. The resulting volatility in the exchange rates for the other currencies could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

We rely on certain third-party providers of licensed software and services integral to the operations of our business.

Certain aspects of the operation of our business depend on third-party software and service providers. We rely on certain software technology that we license from third parties and use in our products and services to perform key functions and provide critical functionality. For example, our subscribers with Go! Control panels utilize technology hosted by Alarm.com to access their systems remotely through a smart phone application or through web interface. With regard to licensed software technology, we are, to a certain extent, dependent upon the ability of third parties to maintain, enhance or develop their software and services on a timely and cost-effective basis, to meet industry technological standards and innovations to deliver software and services that are free of defects or security vulnerabilities, and to ensure their software and services are free from disruptions or interruptions. Further, these third-party services and software licenses may not always be available to us on commercially reasonable terms or at all.

If our agreements with third-party software or services vendors are not renewed or the third-party software or services become obsolete, fail to function properly, are incompatible with future versions of our products or services, are defective or otherwise fail to address our needs, there is no assurance that we would be able to replace the functionality provided by the third-party software or services with software or services from alternative providers. Furthermore, even if we obtain licenses to alternative software or services that provide the functionality we need, we may be required to replace hardware installed at our monitoring stations and at our subscribers’ homes, including security system control panels and peripherals, to affect our integration of or migration to alternative software products. Any of these factors could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, cash flows or results of operations.

We are highly dependent on the proper and efficient functioning of our computer, data back-up, information technology, telecom and processing systems, platform and our redundant monitoring stations.

Our ability to keep our business operating is highly dependent on the proper and efficient operation of our computer systems, information technology systems, telecom systems, data- processing systems and subscriber software platform. Although we have redundant central monitoring facilities, back-up computer and power systems and disaster recovery tests, if there is a catastrophic event, natural disaster, security breach, negligent or intentional act by an employee or other extraordinary event, we may be unable to provide our subscribers with uninterrupted services.

Furthermore, because computer and data back-up and processing systems are susceptible to malfunctions and interruptions, we cannot guarantee that we will not experience service failures in the future. A significant or large-scale malfunction or interruption of any computer or data back-up and processing system could adversely affect our ability to keep our operations running efficiently and respond to alarm system signals. We do not have a backup system for our subscriber software platform. If a malfunction results in a wider or sustained disruption, it could have a material adverse effect on our reputation, business, financial condition, cash flows or results of operations.

We are subject to unionization and labor and employment laws and regulations, which could increase our costs and restrict our operations in the future.

Currently, a very small minority of our employees are represented by a union. As we continue to grow, and enter different regions, unions may make further attempts to organize all or part of our employee base. If more or all of our workforce were to become unionized, and the terms of the collective bargaining agreement were significantly different from our current compensation arrangements, it could increase our costs and adversely impact our profitability. Additionally, responding to such organization attempts distracts our management and

 

24

results in increased legal and other professional fees; and, labor union contracts could put us at increased risk of labor strikes and disruption of our operations.

Our business is subject to a variety of employment laws and regulations and may become subject to additional such requirements in the future. Although we believe we are in material compliance with applicable employment laws and regulations, in the event of a change in requirements, we may be required to modify our operations or to utilize resources to maintain compliance with such laws and regulations. Moreover, we may be subject to various employment-related claims, such as individual or class actions or government enforcement actions relating to alleged employment discrimination, employee classification and related withholding, wage-hour, labor standards or healthcare and benefit issues. Our failure to comply with applicable employment laws and regulations and related legal actions against us, may affect our ability to compete or have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, cash flows or results of operations.

The loss of our senior management could disrupt our business.

Our senior management is important to the success of our business because there is significant competition for executive personnel with experience in the smart home and security industry and our sales channels. As a result of this need and the competition for a limited pool of industry-based executive experience, we may not be able to retain our existing senior management. In addition, we may not be able to fill new positions or vacancies created by expansion or turnover. We do not and do not currently expect to have in the future “key person” insurance on the lives of any member of our senior management. The loss of any member of our senior management team without retaining a suitable replacement could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, cash flows or results of operations.

If we are unable to acquire necessary intellectual property or adequately protect our intellectual property, we could be competitively disadvantaged.

Our intellectual property, including our patents, trademarks, copyrights, trade secrets and other proprietary rights, constitutes a significant part of our value. Our success depends, in part, on our ability to protect our proprietary technology, brands and other intellectual property against dilution, infringement, misappropriation and competitive pressure by defending our intellectual property rights. To protect our intellectual property rights, we rely on a combination of patent, trademark, copyright and trade secret laws of the United States, Canada and other countries and a combination of confidentiality procedures, contractual provisions and other methods, all of which offer only limited protection. In addition, we make efforts to acquire rights to intellectual property necessary for our operations. However, there can be no assurance that these measures will be successful in any given case, particularly in those countries where the laws do not protect our proprietary rights as fully as in the United States.

We own a portfolio of issued U.S. patents and pending U.S. and foreign patent applications that relate to a variety of smart home, security and wireless Internet technologies utilized in our business. We may file additional patent applications in the future in the United States and internationally. The process of obtaining patent protection is expensive and time-consuming, and we may not be able to prosecute all necessary or desirable patent applications at a reasonable cost or in a timely manner all the way through to the successful issuance of a patent. We may choose not to seek patent protection for certain innovations and may choose not to pursue patent protection in certain jurisdictions. In addition, issuance of a patent does not guarantee that we have an absolute right to practice the patented invention.

If we fail to acquire necessary intellectual property rights or adequately protect or assert our intellectual property rights, competitors may dilute our brands or manufacture and market similar products and services or convert our subscribers, which could adversely affect our market share and results of operations. We may not receive patents or trademarks for all our pending patent and trademark applications, and existing or future patents or licenses may not provide competitive advantages for our products and services. Furthermore, it is possible that our patent applications may not issue as granted patents, that the scope of our issued patents will be insufficient or not have the coverage originally sought, and that our issued patents will not provide us with any competitive

 

25

advantages. Our competitors may challenge, invalidate or avoid the application of our existing or future intellectual property rights that we obtain or license. In addition, patent rights may not prevent our competitors from developing, using or selling products or services that are similar to or address the same market as our products and services. The loss of protection for our intellectual property rights could reduce the market value of our brands and our products and services, reduce new subscriber originations or upgrade sales to existing subscribers, lower our profits, and could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, cash flows or results of operations.

Our policy is to require our employees that were hired to develop material intellectual property included in our products to execute written agreements in which they assign to us their rights in potential inventions and other intellectual property created within the scope of their employment (or, with respect to consultants and service providers, their engagement to develop such intellectual property), but we cannot assure you that we have adequately protected our rights in every such agreement or that we have executed an agreement with every such party. Finally, in order to benefit from the protection of patents and other intellectual property rights, we must monitor and detect infringement, misappropriation or other violations of our intellectual property rights and pursue infringement, misappropriation or other claims in certain circumstances in relevant jurisdictions, all of which are costly and time-consuming. As a result, we may not be able to obtain adequate protection or to effectively enforce our issued patents or other intellectual property rights.

In addition to patents and registered trademarks, we rely on trade secret rights, copyrights and other rights to protect our unpatented proprietary intellectual property and technology. Despite our efforts to protect our proprietary technologies and our intellectual property rights, unauthorized parties, including our employees, consultants, service providers or subscribers, may attempt to copy aspects of our products or obtain and use our trade secrets or other confidential information. We generally enter into confidentiality agreements with our employees and third parties that have access to our material confidential information, and generally limit access to and distribution of our proprietary information and proprietary technology through certain procedural safeguards. These agreements may not effectively prevent unauthorized use or disclosure of our intellectual property or technology, could be breached or otherwise may not provide meaningful protection for our trade secrets and know-how related to the design, manufacture or operation of our products and may not provide an adequate remedy in the event of unauthorized use or disclosure. We cannot assure you that the steps taken by us will prevent misappropriation of our intellectual property or technology or infringement of our intellectual property rights. Competitors may independently develop technologies or products that are substantially equivalent or superior to our solutions or that inappropriately incorporate our proprietary technology into their products or they may hire our former employees who may misappropriate our proprietary technology or misuse our confidential information. In addition, if we expand the geography of our service offerings, the laws of some foreign countries where we may do business in the future do not protect intellectual property rights and technology to the same extent as the laws of the United States, and these countries may not enforce these laws as diligently as government agencies and private parties in the United States.

From time to time, legal action by us may be necessary to enforce our patents and other intellectual property rights, to protect our trade secrets, to determine the validity and scope of the intellectual property rights of others or to defend against claims of infringement, misappropriation or invalidity. Such litigation could result in substantial costs and diversion of resources and could negatively affect our business, operating results and financial condition. If we are unable to protect our intellectual property and technology, we may find ourselves at a competitive disadvantage to others who need not incur the additional expense, time and effort required to create the innovative products that have enabled us to be successful to date.

From time to time, we are subject to claims for infringing, misappropriating or otherwise violating the intellectual property rights of others, and will be subject to such claims in the future, which could have an adverse effect on our business and operations.

We cannot be certain that our products and services or those of third parties that we incorporate into our offerings do not and will not infringe the intellectual property rights of others. Many of our competitors and

 

26

others may now and in the future have significantly larger and more mature patent portfolios than we have. We have been in the past, and may be in the future, subject to claims based on allegations of infringement, misappropriation or other violations of the intellectual property rights of others, including litigation brought by special purpose or so-called “non-practicing” entities that focus solely on extracting royalties and settlements by enforcing intellectual property rights and against whom our patents may therefore provide little or no deterrence or protection. Regardless of their merits, intellectual property claims divert the attention of our personnel and are often time-consuming and expensive. In addition, to the extent claims against us are successful, we may have to pay substantial monetary damages (including, for example, treble damages if we are found to have willfully infringed patents and increased statutory damages if we are found to have willfully infringed copyrights) or discontinue or modify certain products or services that are found to infringe another party’s rights or enter into licensing agreements with costly royalty payments. Defending against claims of infringement, misappropriation or other violation or being deemed to be infringing, misappropriating or otherwise violating the intellectual property rights of others could impair our ability to innovate, develop, distribute and sell our current and planned products and services. We have in the past and will continue in the future to seek one or more licenses to continue offering certain products or services, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, cash flows or results of operations.

In some cases, we indemnify our channel partners against claims that our products infringe, misappropriate or otherwise violate the intellectual property rights of third parties. Such claims could arise out of our indemnification obligation with our channel partners and end-subscribers, whom we typically indemnify against such claims. Furthermore, because of the substantial amount of discovery required in connection with intellectual property litigation, there is a risk that some of our confidential information could be compromised by the discovery process. Although claims of this kind have not materially affected our business to date, there can be no assurance material claims will not arise in the future.

Although third parties may offer a license to their technology or other intellectual property, the terms of any offered license may not be acceptable, and the failure to obtain a license or the costs associated with any license could cause our business, financial condition and results of operations to be materially and adversely affected. In addition, some licenses may be non-exclusive, and therefore our competitors may have access to the same technology licensed to us. If a third party does not offer us a license to its technology or other intellectual property on reasonable terms, or at all, we could be enjoined from continued use of such intellectual property. As a result, we may be required to develop alternative, non-infringing technology, which could require significant time (during which we could be unable to continue to offer our affected products, subscriptions or services), effort, and expense and may ultimately not be successful. Furthermore, a successful claimant could secure a judgment or we may agree to a settlement that prevents us from distributing certain products, providing certain subscriptions or performing certain services or that requires us to pay substantial damages, royalties or other fees. Any of these events could harm our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Our solutions contain third-party open source software components, and failure to comply with the terms of the underlying open source software licenses could restrict our ability to sell our products and subscriptions.

Certain of our solutions contain software modules licensed to us by third-party authors under “open source” licenses. The use and distribution of open source software may entail greater risks than the use of third-party commercial software, as open source licensors generally do not provide warranties or other contractual protections regarding infringement claims or the quality of the code.

Some open source licenses contain requirements that we make available source code for modifications or derivative works we create based upon the type of open source software we use. If we combine our proprietary software with open source software in a certain manner, we could, under certain open source licenses, be required to release the source code of our proprietary software to the public. This would allow our competitors to create similar products with lower development effort and time and ultimately could result in a loss of sales for us.

 

27

Although we monitor our use of open source software and try to ensure that none is used in a manner that would require us to disclose our proprietary source code or that would otherwise breach the terms of an open source agreement, the terms of many open source licenses have not been interpreted by U.S. courts, and there is a risk that these licenses could be construed in ways that could impose unanticipated conditions or restrictions on our ability to commercialize solutions incorporating such software. Moreover, we cannot assure you that our processes for controlling our use of open source software in our solutions will be effective. From time to time, we may face claims from third parties asserting ownership of, or demanding release of, the open source software or derivative works that we developed using such software (which could include our proprietary source code), or otherwise seeking to enforce the terms of the applicable open source license. These claims could result in litigation. If we are held to have breached the terms of an open source software license, we could be required to seek licenses from third parties to continue offering our products on terms that are not economically feasible, to re-engineer our products, to discontinue the sale of our products if re- engineering could not be accomplished on a timely or cost-effective basis, or to make generally available, in source code form, our proprietary code, any of which could adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.

If we fail to maintain effective internal control over financial reporting at a reasonable assurance level, we may not be able to accurately report our financial results, which could have a material adverse effect on our operations, investor confidence in our business and the trading prices of our securities.

A material weakness is a deficiency, or a combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of a company’s annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. If material weaknesses in our internal controls are discovered, they may adversely affect our ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information timely and accurately and, as a result, our financial statements may contain material misstatements or omissions.

In addition, it is possible that control deficiencies could be identified by our management or by our independent registered public accounting firm in the future or may occur without being identified. Such a failure could result in regulatory scrutiny, and cause investors to lose confidence in our reported financial condition, lead to a default under our indebtedness and otherwise have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, cash flow or results of operations.

Product or Service defects or shortfalls in subscriber service could have an adverse effect on us.

Our inability to provide Products, Services or subscriber service in a timely manner or defects with our products or services, including products and services of third parties that we incorporate into our offerings, could adversely affect our reputation and subject us to claims or litigation. In addition, our inability to meet subscribers’ expectations with respect to our Products, Services or subscriber service could increase attrition rates or affect our ability to generate new subscribers and thereby have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, cash flow or results of operations.

We are exposed to greater risk of liability for employee acts or omissions or system failure, than may be inherent in other businesses.

The nature of the Products and Services we provide potentially exposes us to greater risks of liability for employee acts or omissions or system failures than may be inherent in other businesses. If subscribers believe that they incurred losses as a result of our action or inaction, the subscribers (or their insurers) have and could in the future bring claims against us. Although our service contracts contain provisions limiting our liability for such claims, no assurance can be given that these limitations will be enforced, and the costs of such litigation or the related settlements or judgments could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition. In addition, there can be no assurance that we are adequately insured for these risks. Certain of our insurance policies and the laws of some states may limit or prohibit insurance coverage for punitive or certain other types of damages or liability arising from gross negligence. If significant uninsured damages are assessed against us, the resulting liability could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, cash flows or results of operations.

 

28

Future transactions could pose risks.

We frequently evaluate strategic opportunities both within and outside our existing lines of business. We expect from time to time to pursue additional business opportunities and may decide to eliminate or acquire certain businesses, products or services. For example, in August 2014, we acquired Space Monkey, a distributed cloud storage technology solution company. Such acquisitions or dispositions could be material. There are various risks and uncertainties associated with potential acquisitions and divestitures, including: (1) availability of financing, (2) difficulties related to integrating previously separate businesses into a single unit, including product and service offerings, distribution and operational capabilities and business cultures, (3) general business disruption, (4) managing the integration process, (5) diversion of management’s attention from day-to-day operations, (6) assumption of costs and liabilities of an acquired business, including unforeseen or contingent liabilities or liabilities in excess of the amounts estimated, (7) failure to realize anticipated benefits and synergies, such as cost savings and revenue enhancements, (8) potentially substantial costs and expenses associated with acquisitions and dispositions, (9) failure to retain and motivate key employees and (10) difficulties in applying our internal control over financial reporting and disclosure controls and procedures to an acquired business. Any or all of these risks and uncertainties, individually or collectively, could have material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, cash flow or results of operations. We can offer no assurance that any such strategic opportunities will prove to be successful. Among other negative effects, our pursuit of such opportunities could cause our cost of investment in new subscribers to grow at a faster rate than our recurring revenue and fees collected at the time of installation. Additionally, any new product or service offerings could require developmental investments or have higher cost structures than our current arrangements, which could reduce operating margins and require more working capital

Goodwill and other identifiable intangible assets represent a significant portion of our total assets, and we may never realize the full value of our intangible assets.

As of March 31, 2019, we had approximately $1.1 billion of goodwill and identifiable intangible assets. Goodwill and other identifiable intangible assets are recorded at fair value on the date of acquisition. In addition, as of March 31, 2019, we had $1.1 billion of capitalized contract costs, net. We review such assets for impairment at least annually. Impairment may result from, among other things, deterioration in performance, adverse market conditions, adverse changes in applicable laws or regulations, including changes that restrict the activities of or affect the Products and Services we offer, challenges to the validity of certain intellectual property, reduced sales of certain products or services incorporating intellectual property, increased attrition and a variety of other factors. The amount of any quantified impairment must be expensed immediately as a charge to results of operations. Depending on future circumstances, it is possible that we may never realize the full value of our intangible assets. Any future determination of impairment of goodwill or other identifiable intangible assets could have a material adverse effect on our financial position and results of operations.

Insurance policies may not cover all of our operating risks and a casualty loss beyond the limits of our coverage could negatively impact our business.

We are subject to all of the operating hazards and risks normally incidental to the provision of our products and services and business operations. In addition to contractual provisions limiting our liability to subscribers and third parties, we maintain insurance policies in such amounts and with such coverage and deductibles as required by law and that we believe are reasonable and prudent. See “-We are exposed to greater risk of liability for employee acts or omissions or system failure, than may be inherent in other businesses.” Nevertheless, such insurance may not be adequate to protect us from all the liabilities and expenses that may arise from claims for personal injury, death or property damage arising in the ordinary course of our business and current levels of insurance may not be able to be maintained or available at economical prices. If a significant liability claim is brought against us that is not covered by insurance, then we may have to pay the claim with our own funds, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, cash flows or results of operations.

 

29

Our business is concentrated in certain markets.

Our business is concentrated in certain markets. As of March 31, 2019, subscribers in Texas and California represented approximately 19% and 9%, respectively, of our total subscriber base. Accordingly, our business and results of operations are particularly susceptible to adverse economic, weather and other conditions in such markets and in other markets that may become similarly concentrated.

Catastrophic events may disrupt our business.

Unforeseen events, or the prospect of such events, including war, terrorism and other international conflicts, public health issues including health epidemics or pandemics and natural disasters such as fire, hurricanes, earthquakes, tornados or other adverse weather and climate conditions, whether occurring in the United States, Canada or elsewhere, could disrupt our operations, disrupt the operations of suppliers or subscribers or result in political or economic instability. These events could reduce demand for our products and services, make it difficult or impossible to receive equipment from suppliers or impair our ability to deliver products and services to subscribers on a timely basis. Any such disruption could damage our reputation and cause subscriber attrition. We could be subject to claims or litigation with respect to losses caused by such disruptions. Our property and business interruption insurance may not cover a particular event at all or be sufficient to fully cover our losses.

If the insurance industry changes its practice of providing incentives to homeowners for the use of residential electronic security services, we may experience a reduction in new subscriber growth or an increase in our subscriber attrition rate.

Some insurers provide a reduction in premium rates for insurance policies written on homes that have monitored electronic security systems. There can be no assurance that insurance companies will continue to offer these rate reductions. If these incentives were reduced or eliminated, homeowners who otherwise may not feel the need for our products or services would be removed from our potential subscriber pool, which could hinder the growth of our business, and existing subscribers may choose to cancel or not renew their contracts, which could increase our attrition rates. In either case, our results of operations and growth prospects could be adversely affected.

We have recorded net losses in the past and we may experience net losses in the future.

We have recorded consolidated net losses in each of the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 as well as each of the previous three years ended December 31, 2018, and we may likely continue to record net losses in future periods.

The nature of our business requires the application of complex revenue and expense recognition rules and the current legislative and regulatory environment affecting generally accepted accounting principles is uncertain. Significant changes in current principles could affect our financial statements going forward and changes in financial accounting standards or practices may cause adverse, unexpected financial reporting fluctuations and harm our operating results.

The accounting rules and regulations that we must comply with are complex and subject to interpretation by the Financial Accounting Standards Board, or FASB, the SEC and various bodies formed to promulgate and interpret appropriate accounting principles. Recent actions and public comments from the FASB and the SEC have focused on the integrity of financial reporting and internal controls. In addition, many companies’ accounting policies are being subject to heightened scrutiny by regulators and the public. Further, the accounting rules and regulations are continually changing in ways that could materially impact our financial statements. For example, in May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606), as amended, which superseded nearly all existing revenue recognition guidance. We adopted the new standard effective January 1, 2018 utilizing a modified retrospective approach with the cumulative effect of initially applying the new standard recognized at the date of initial application and providing certain additional disclosures.

 

30

Risks Relating to the Notes and Our Indebtedness

Our substantial indebtedness could adversely affect our financial condition and prevent us from fulfilling our obligations under the notes.

Net cash interest paid for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and the year ended December 31, 2018 related to our indebtedness (excluding finance or capital leases) totaled $36.3 million and $236.7 million, respectively. Our net cash used in operating activities for the three months ended March 31, 2019 before these interest payments, was $6.7 million. Our net cash from operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2018, before these interest payments, was $16.2 million. Accordingly, our net cash provided by operating activities for each of the three months ended March 31, 2019 and the year ended December 31, 2018 was insufficient to cover these interest payments.

As of March 31, 2019, after giving effect to the offering of the outstanding 2024 notes and the use of proceeds thereof, we had approximately $3,106.3 million aggregate principal amount of total debt outstanding, $2,252.0 million of which was secured debt, which requires significant interest and principal payments. Subject to the limits contained in the agreements governing our existing indebtedness and the notes , we may be able to incur substantial additional debt from time to time to finance working capital, capital expenditures, investments or acquisitions, or for other purposes. If we do so, the risks related to our high level of debt could increase. Specifically, our high level of debt could have important consequences to the holders of the notes, including the following:

 

•

making it more difficult for us to satisfy our obligations with respect to the notes and our other debt;

 

•

limiting our ability to obtain additional financing to fund future working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions or other general corporate requirements;

 

•

requiring a substantial portion of our cash flows to be dedicated to debt service payments instead of other purposes, thereby reducing the amount of cash flows and future borrowings available for working capital, capital expenditures (including subscriber acquisition costs), acquisitions and other general corporate purposes;

 

•

increasing our vulnerability to general adverse economic and industry conditions;

 

•

exposing us to the risk of increased interest rates as certain of our borrowings are at variable rates of interest;

 

•

limiting our flexibility in planning for and reacting to changes in the industry in which we compete;

 

•

placing us at a disadvantage compared to other, less leveraged competitors; and

 

•

increasing our cost of borrowing.

We may be able to incur significant additional indebtedness in the future.

Despite our current level of indebtedness, we may be able to incur substantially more debt and enter into other transactions, which could further exacerbate the risks to our financial condition described above. As of March 31, 2019, we had up to $249.7 million of availability to incur secured indebtedness under the revolving credit facility (including $15.4 million of Series D Revolving Commitments which terminated effective April 1, 2019 and after giving effect to $13.9 million of outstanding letters of credit and $40.0 million of borrowings). In addition to the foregoing availability under the revolving credit facility, we are permitted to incur incremental facilities under the revolving credit facility in an aggregate principal amount of up to $225.0 million, and we are permitted to incur incremental facilities under the term loan facility based on pro forma compliance with specified leverage levels, in each case subject to certain conditions being satisfied. Under both the term loan facility and the revolving credit facility, up to $60.0 million may be incurred on the same “superpriority” basis as the revolving credit facility. Moreover, although the debt agreements governing our existing indebtedness contain restrictions on the incurrence of additional indebtedness and entering into certain types of other transactions, these restrictions are subject to a number of qualifications and exceptions. Additional indebtedness incurred in compliance with these restrictions could be substantial. These restrictions also do not prevent us from

 

31

incurring obligations, such as trade payables, that do not constitute indebtedness as defined under our debt instruments. To the extent new debt is added to our current debt levels, the substantial leverage risks described in the previous risk factor would increase.

In addition, the exceptions to the restrictive covenants permit us to enter into certain other transactions. Accordingly, subject to market conditions, we opportunistically seek to access the credit and capital markets from time to time, whether to refinance or retire our existing indebtedness, for the investment in and operation of our business, or for other general corporate purposes. Such transactions may take the form of new or amended senior secured credit facilities, including term or revolving loans, secured or unsecured notes and/or other instruments or indebtedness. These transactions may result in an increase in our total indebtedness, secured indebtedness and/or debt service costs.

Our variable rate indebtedness subjects us to interest rate risk, which could cause our indebtedness service obligations to increase significantly.

Borrowings under our revolving credit facility and term loan facility are at variable rates of interest and expose us to interest rate risk. If interest rates increase, our debt service obligations on the variable rate indebtedness would increase even though the amount borrowed remained the same, and our net income and cash flows, including cash available for servicing our indebtedness, would correspondingly decrease. Our variable rate indebtedness uses LIBOR as a benchmark for establishing the interest rate. LIBOR is the subject of recent national, international and other regulatory guidance and proposals for reform. In the event that LIBOR is phased out as is currently expected, the term loan credit agreement provides that the Company and the administrative agent thereunder may amend the term loan credit agreement to replace the LIBOR definition included therein with a successor rate based on prevailing market convention. In the event no such successor rate has yet been established as market convention, the Company and the administrative agent under the term loan credit agreement may select a different rate which is reasonably practicable for the administrative agent to administer subject to receiving consent, within 15 business days of notice of such change, from lenders holding at least a majority of the aggregate principal amount of term loans then outstanding under the term loan credit agreement. The consequences of these developments cannot be entirely predicted, but could include an increase in the interest cost of our variable rate indebtedness.

We may be unable to service our indebtedness, including the notes.

Our ability to make scheduled payments on and to refinance our indebtedness, including the notes, depends on and is subject to our financial and operating performance, which in turn is affected by general and regional economic, financial, competitive, business and other factors beyond our control, including the availability of financing in the international banking and capital markets. We cannot assure you that our business will generate sufficient cash flow from operations or that future borrowings will be available to us in an amount sufficient to enable us to service our debt, including the notes, to refinance our debt or to fund our other liquidity needs (including funding subscriber acquisition costs). Moreover, the Issuer is a holding company and accordingly is dependent upon distributions from its subsidiaries to make payments in respect of the notes.

If we are unable to meet our debt service obligations or to fund our other liquidity needs, we will need to restructure or refinance all or a portion of our debt, including the notes, which could cause us to default on our debt obligations and impair our liquidity. Any refinancing of our indebtedness could be at higher interest rates and may require us to comply with more onerous covenants that could further restrict our business operations.

Moreover, in the event of a default, the holders of our indebtedness, including the notes and borrowings under our revolving credit facility and our term loan facility, could elect to declare all the funds borrowed to be due and payable, together with accrued and unpaid interest. The lenders under our revolving credit facility could also elect to terminate their commitments thereunder and cease making further loans, and the lenders under both our revolving credit facility and our term loan facility could institute foreclosure proceedings against their collateral, and we could be forced into bankruptcy or liquidation. If we breach our covenants under our credit

 

32

facilities, we would be in default under the applicable credit facility. The lenders could exercise their rights, as described above, and we could be forced into bankruptcy or liquidation.

The debt agreements governing our existing indebtedness and the notes impose significant operating and financial restrictions on us and our subsidiaries, which may prevent us from capitalizing on business opportunities.

The debt agreements governing our existing indebtedness and the notes impose significant operating and financial restrictions on us. These restrictions limit our ability to, among other things:

 

•

incur or guarantee additional debt or issue disqualified stock or preferred stock;

 

•

pay dividends and make other distributions on, or redeem or repurchase, capital stock;

 

•

make certain investments;

 

•

incur certain liens;

 

•

enter into transactions with affiliates;

 

•

merge or consolidate;

 

•

materially change the nature of our business;

 

•

amend, prepay, redeem or purchase certain subordinated debt;

 

•

enter into agreements that restrict the ability of certain subsidiaries to make dividends or other payments to the Issuer; and

 

•

transfer or sell assets.

In addition, our revolving credit facility requires that we maintain a consolidated first lien net leverage ratio of not more than 5.35 to 1.0 on the last day of each applicable test period.

As a result of these restrictions, we are limited as to how we conduct our business and we may be unable to raise additional debt or equity financing to compete effectively or to take advantage of new business opportunities. The terms of any future indebtedness we may incur could include more restrictive covenants. We cannot assure you that we will be able to maintain compliance with these covenants in the future and, if we fail to do so, that we will be able to obtain waivers from the lenders and/or amend the covenants.

Our failure to comply with the restrictive covenants described above as well as other terms of our existing indebtedness and/or the terms of any future indebtedness from time to time could result in an event of default, which, if not cured or waived, could result in our being required to repay these borrowings before their due date. If we are forced to refinance these borrowings on less favorable terms or cannot refinance these borrowings, our results of operations and financial condition could be adversely affected.

Our failure to comply with the agreements relating to our outstanding indebtedness, including as a result of events beyond our control, could result in an event of default that could materially and adversely affect our results of operations and our financial condition.

If there were an event of default under any of the agreements relating to our outstanding indebtedness, the holders of the defaulted debt could cause all amounts outstanding with respect to that debt to be due and payable immediately. We cannot assure you that our assets or cash flows would be sufficient to fully repay borrowings under our outstanding debt instruments if accelerated upon an event of default. Further, if we are unable to repay, refinance or restructure our indebtedness under our secured debt, the holders of such debt could proceed against the collateral securing that indebtedness. In addition, any event of default or declaration of acceleration under one debt instrument could also result in an event of default under one or more of our other debt instruments.

 

33

Claims of holders of the notes will be structurally subordinated to claims of creditors of certain of our subsidiaries that will not guarantee the notes.

The notes will not be guaranteed by certain of our existing and future subsidiaries, including all of our non-U.S. subsidiaries. Accordingly, claims of holders of the notes will be structurally subordinated to the claims of creditors of these non-guarantor subsidiaries, including trade creditors and will not be satisfied from the assets of these non-guarantor subsidiaries until their creditors are paid in full. Before intercompany eliminations, revenues from our non-guarantor subsidiaries were approximately $17.8 million, or 6.4% of our total revenues, during the three months ended March 31, 2019. As of March 31, 2019, before intercompany eliminations, liabilities of our non-guarantor subsidiaries were approximately $217.4 million, or 5.3% of our total liabilities. Our guarantor subsidiaries also guarantee our existing notes and any indebtedness incurred under our revolving credit facility and our term loan facility. All obligations of our non-guarantor subsidiaries will have to be satisfied before any of the assets of such subsidiaries would be available for distribution, upon liquidation or otherwise, to us or a guarantor of the notes. The debt agreements governing our existing indebtedness and the notes permit these subsidiaries to incur certain additional debt and do not limit their ability to incur other liabilities that are not considered indebtedness under such agreements.

Federal and state statutes may allow courts, under specific circumstances, to void the notes, the guarantees and the security interests, subordinate claims in respect of the notes, the guarantees and the security interests and/or require holders of the notes to return payments received from us.

Under federal bankruptcy laws and comparable provisions of state fraudulent transfer laws, the notes, the guarantees and the security interests, could be voided, or claims in respect of the notes, the guarantees and the security interests, could be subordinated to all of our other debt, if the issuance of the notes, a guarantee or a grant of security was found to have been made for less than reasonably equivalent value or fair consideration and we or the guarantors, at the time we incurred the indebtedness evidenced by the notes or guarantees:

 

•

were insolvent or rendered insolvent by reason of such indebtedness;

 

•

were engaged in, or about to engage in, a business or transaction for which our or such guarantor’s remaining assets constituted unreasonably small capital; or

 

•

intended to incur, or believed that we or such guarantor would incur, debts beyond our or such guarantor’s ability to repay such debts as they mature.

A court might also void the issuance of the notes, a guaranty or a grant of security, without regard to the above factors, if the court found that we issued the notes or the guarantors entered into the applicable guaranty or security agreements with actual intent to hinder, delay or defraud our or their respective creditors.

As a general matter, value is given for a transfer or an obligation if, in exchange for the transfer or obligation, property is transferred or a valid antecedent debt is satisfied. A court would likely find that we or a guarantor did not receive reasonably equivalent value or fair consideration for the notes or the guarantees and the security agreements, respectively, if we or a guarantor did not substantially benefit directly or indirectly from the issuance of the notes. Specifically, it may be asserted (and a court may consequently determine) that the guarantors incurred their guarantees for our benefit and did not themselves receive a direct or indirect benefit from the issuance of the notes, such that they incurred the obligations under the note guarantees or granted the liens for less than reasonably equivalent value or fair consideration. Therefore, a court could void the obligations under the guarantees (and the related security interests), subordinate them to the applicable guarantor’s other debt or take other action detrimental to the holders of the notes. If a court were to void the issuance of the notes, the guarantees or the related security agreements, you would no longer have a claim against us or the guarantors or, in the case of the security agreements, a claim with respect to the related collateral. Sufficient funds to repay the notes may not be available from other sources, including the remaining guarantors, if any; accordingly, in the event of a finding that a fraudulent transfer or conveyance occurred, you may not receive any repayment on the notes. In addition, the court might direct you to repay any amounts that you already received from us or the guarantors or, with respect to the notes, any guarantee or the collateral.

 

34

In addition, any payment by us or a guarantor pursuant to the notes or the guarantees made at a time when we or a guarantor were subsequently found to be insolvent could be voided as a preferential transfer and required to be returned to us or a guarantor or to a fund for the benefit of our or the guarantor’s creditors if such payment is made to an insider within a one-year period prior to a bankruptcy filing or within 90 days for any outside party and such payment would give the creditors more than such creditors would have received in a hypothetical liquidation under Title 11 of the United States Code, as amended (the “Bankruptcy Code”).

The measures of insolvency for purposes of these fraudulent and preferential transfer laws will vary depending upon the law applied in any proceeding to determine whether a fraudulent or preferential transfer has occurred. Generally, however, we or a guarantor would be considered insolvent if:

 

•

the sum of our or such guarantor’s debts, including contingent liabilities, were greater than the fair value of all our assets;

 

•

the present fair saleable value of our or such guarantor’s assets were less than the amount that would be required to pay our or such guarantor’s probable liability on existing debts, including contingent liabilities, as they become absolute and mature; or

 

•

we or a guarantor could not pay our or such guarantor’s debts as they become due.

On the basis of historical financial information, recent operating history and other factors, we or the guarantors believe that, after giving effect to the indebtedness incurred in the offering of the outstanding 2024 notes and the application of the proceeds therefrom, we will not be insolvent, will not have unreasonably small capital for the business in which we or the guarantors’ are engaged or about to engage in and will not have incurred debts beyond our or the guarantors’ ability to pay such debts as they mature. There can be no assurance, however, as to what standard a court would apply in making such determinations or that a court would agree with our conclusions in this regard or, regardless of the standard that a court uses, that it would not determine that we or a guarantor were indeed insolvent on that date; that any payments to the holders of the notes (including under the guarantees) did not constitute preferences, fraudulent transfers or conveyances on other grounds; or that the issuance of the notes and the guarantees would not be subordinated to any issuer’s or any guarantor’s other debt.

The indenture governing the notes contains a “savings clause,” which limits the liability of each guarantor on its guarantee to the maximum amount that such guarantor can incur without risk that its guarantee will be subject to avoidance as a fraudulent transfer or otherwise. We cannot assure you that this limitation will protect such guarantees from fraudulent transfer or any other challenges or, if it does, that the remaining amount due and collectible under the guarantees would suffice, if necessary, to pay the notes in full when due. Accordingly, this provision may not be effective to protect those guarantees from being voided under fraudulent transfer law or otherwise, or may reduce that guarantor’s obligation to an amount that effectively makes its guarantee worthless. In Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors of TOUSA, Inc. v Citicorp North America, Inc., the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in the Southern District of Florida held that a savings clause similar to the savings clause that is included in the indenture governing the notes was unenforceable. As a result, the subsidiary guarantees were found to be fraudulent conveyances. The United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit affirmed the liability findings of the Bankruptcy Court without ruling directly on the enforceability of savings clauses generally. If the TOUSA bankruptcy court decision was followed by other courts, the risk that the guarantees would be deemed fraudulent conveyances would be significantly increased.

Finally, as a court of equity, the bankruptcy court may subordinate the claims in respect of the notes or the guarantees to other claims against us or the guarantors under the principle of equitable subordination, if the court determines that: (i) the holders of the notes engaged in some type of inequitable conduct; (ii) such inequitable conduct resulted in injury to our other creditors or conferred an unfair advantage upon the holder of the notes; and (iii) equitable subordination is not inconsistent with the provisions of the Bankruptcy Code.

 

35

Because each guarantor’s liability under its guarantees may be reduced to zero, avoided or released under certain circumstances, holders of notes may not receive any payments from some or all of the guarantors.

Holders of notes have the benefit of the guarantees of the guarantors. However, the guarantees by the guarantors are limited to the maximum amount that the guarantors are permitted to guarantee under applicable law. As a result, a guarantor’s liability under its guarantee could be reduced to zero, depending upon the amount of other obligations of such guarantor. Further, under the circumstances discussed more fully above, a court under federal and state fraudulent conveyance and transfer statutes could void the obligations under a guarantee or further subordinate it to all other obligations of the guarantor. See “—Federal and state statutes may allow courts, under specific circumstances, to void the notes, the guarantees and the security interests, subordinate claims in respect of the notes, the guarantees and the security interests and/or require holders of the notes to return payments received from us.” In addition, you will lose the benefit of a particular guarantee if it is released under certain circumstances described under “Description of the Notes—Guarantees.”

We may not be able to finance a change of control offer required by the indenture.

Upon a change of control, as defined under the indenture governing the notes, you will have the right to require us to offer to purchase all of the notes then outstanding at a price equal to 101% of the principal amount of the notes, plus accrued interest. In order to obtain sufficient funds to pay the purchase price of the outstanding notes, we expect that we would have to refinance the notes. We cannot assure you that we would be able to refinance the notes on reasonable terms, if at all. Our failure to offer to purchase all outstanding notes or to purchase all validly tendered notes would be an event of default under the indenture governing the notes. Such an event of default may cause the acceleration of our other debt, including debt under our revolving credit facility and our term loan facility. Our future debt also may contain restrictions on repayment requirements with respect to specified events or transactions that constitute a change of control under the indenture governing the notes.

Certain important corporate events, such as leveraged recapitalizations, may not, under the indenture governing the notes, constitute a “change of control” that would require us to repurchase the notes, notwithstanding the fact that such corporate events could increase the level of our indebtedness or otherwise adversely affect our capital structure, credit ratings or the value of the notes. In addition, the definition of change of control in the indenture governing the notes includes a phrase relating to the sale of “all or substantially all” of our assets. There is no precise established definition of the phrase “substantially all” under applicable law. Accordingly, the ability of a holder of notes to require us to repurchase its notes as a result of a sale of less than all our assets to another person may be uncertain. See “Description of the Notes—Repurchase at the Option of Holders—Change of Control.”

A lowering or withdrawal of the ratings assigned to our debt securities by rating agencies may adversely affect the market price or liquidity of the notes.

Our debt currently has a non-investment grade rating, and there can be no assurances that any rating assigned will remain for any given period of time or that a rating will not be lowered or withdrawn entirely by a rating agency if, in that rating agency’s judgment, future circumstances relating to the basis of the rating, such as adverse changes, so warrant. Credit ratings are not recommendations to purchase, hold or sell the notes, and may be revised or withdrawn at any time. Additionally, credit ratings may not reflect the potential effect of risks relating to the structure or marketing of the notes. If any credit rating initially assigned to the notes is subsequently lowered or withdrawn for any reason, you may not be able to resell your notes without a substantial discount.

If the notes are rated investment grade by both S&P and Moody’s, certain covenants contained in the indenture governing the notes will be suspended, and holders of the notes will lose the protection of these covenants unless and until the notes subsequently fall back below investment grade.

The indenture governing the notes contains certain covenants that will be suspended for so long as the notes are rated investment grade by both S&P and Moody’s. These covenants restrict the Issuer’s and its restricted subsidiaries’ ability to, among other things:

 

•

incur additional indebtedness or issue preferred stock;

 

36

•

make distributions or other restricted payments;

 

•

sell capital stock or other assets;

 

•

engage in transactions with affiliates; and

 

•

designate our subsidiaries as unrestricted subsidiaries.

Because these restrictions will not apply when the notes are rated investment grade, we will be able to incur additional debt and consummate transactions that may impair our ability to satisfy our obligations with respect to the notes. In addition, we will not have to make certain offers to repurchase the notes.

Your right to take enforcement action with respect to the liens securing the notes is limited in certain circumstances, and you will receive the proceeds from such enforcement only after “superpriority” obligations under the revolving credit facility and any incremental facilities have been paid in full.

The existing senior secured notes, the notes and indebtedness and other obligations under our revolving credit facility and our term loan facility will be secured by first-priority liens on the same collateral. Under the terms of the security documents and/or intercreditor agreement, however, the proceeds of any collection, sale, disposition or other realization of collateral received in connection with the exercise of remedies (including distributions of cash, securities or other property on account of the value of the collateral in a bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or similar proceedings) will be applied first to repay “superpriority” obligations, including borrowings under our revolving credit facility (including any refinancing thereof) and additional “superpriority” borrowings that we may incur in the future under the incremental facilities in an amount not to exceed $60.0 million (including any post-petition interest with respect thereto), before the lenders under our term loan facility and the holders of the existing senior secured notes and the notes receive any proceeds. As of March 31, 2019, we had $249.7 million available (including $15.4 million of Series D Revolving Commitments which terminated effective April 1, 2019 and after giving effect to $13.9 million of outstanding letters of credit and $40.0 million in borrowings) for future borrowing under our revolving credit facility. As a result, the claims of holders of the notes to such proceeds will effectively rank behind the claims, including interest, of holders of “superpriority” obligations under our revolving credit facility. See “Description of Other Indebtedness—Revolving Credit Facility—Ranking” and “Description of the Notes—Intercreditor Agreement.” We are permitted to add, in addition to the revolving credit facility and our term loan facility, incremental facilities, of which up to $60.0 million may be incurred on the same “superpriority” basis as the revolving credit facility, with the balance available to be incurred on a pari passu basis with the existing senior secured notes and the notes . If you (or the applicable trustee on your behalf) receive any proceeds as a result of an enforcement of security interests or the guarantees prior to the satisfaction of the claims of those that are superior or ratable with those of the notes, you (or the trustee on your behalf) will be required to turn over such proceeds until superior claims are satisfied and until ratable claims are equally satisfied. Accordingly, you will recover less from the proceeds of an enforcement of interests in the collateral than you otherwise would have. As a result of these and other provisions governing the guarantees and the collateral and in the security documents, you may not be able to recover any amounts under the guarantees or the collateral in the event of a default on the notes.

The terms of the security documents and/or intercreditor agreement contain provisions restricting the rights of holders of the notes to take enforcement or other action with respect to the liens securing such notes in certain circumstances (including if we or a guarantor filed for bankruptcy). These provisions will generally provide that the trustee for the notes and the agents for the lenders under the revolving credit facility and our term loan facility and/or holders of indebtedness incurred under the incremental facilities on the same “superpriority” basis as the revolving credit facility must generally engage in certain consultative processes before enforcing the liens securing the notes. Conflicts of interest and disagreements could arise between the holders of the notes, or between the trustee acting on behalf of the holders of the notes, the agents for the lenders under the term loan facility and the agents for the lenders under the revolving credit facility and/or holders of indebtedness incurred under the incremental facilities on the same “superpriority” basis as the revolving credit facility. For example, in an enforcement proceeding, lenders under the revolving credit facility and/or other holders of “superpriority”

 

37

secured indebtedness may likely be more concerned with quickly recovering amounts sufficient to repay such indebtedness than with maximizing the recovery of claims of other holders of first priority liens on the same collateral, including those of holders of the notes. Such conflicts of interest and disagreements could limit or delay the ability of the holders of the notes to enforce their liens. Delays in the enforcement could decrease or eliminate recovery values. In addition, because the obligations to the lenders under the revolving credit facility and/or other holders of “superpriority” secured indebtedness arise under different agreements and contractual arrangements than the obligations to the holders of the notes, it is possible that holders of such “superpriority” indebtedness would be placed in a separate class from other holders of secured indebtedness, including holders of the notes, in a bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or similar proceeding. Such separate classification may occur even though the security documents and intercreditor agreement will not provide an independent or senior lien to the holders of such “superpriority” indebtedness relative to that of holders of the notes. Other factors, such as the valuation of the collateral securing our secured indebtedness, may also bear on the determination of whether such separate classification will occur. Such separate class treatment of holders of “superpriority” indebtedness could adversely impact the recovery of holders of the notes in any such proceeding.

Finally, the holders of the notes will not have any independent power to enforce, or have recourse to, any of the security documents or to exercise any rights or powers arising under the security documents and intercreditor agreement except through the collateral agent. By accepting the notes, you will be deemed to have agreed to these restrictions. As a result of these restrictions, holders of the notes will have limited remedies and recourse against us and the guarantors in the event of a default.

The imposition of certain permitted liens could materially and adversely affect the value of the collateral securing the notes.

The collateral securing the notes will also be subject to liens permitted under the terms of the agreements governing our existing secured indebtedness. The existence of any permitted liens could materially adversely affect the value of the collateral that could be realized by the holders of the notes as well as the ability of the collateral agent to realize or foreclose on such collateral. The collateral securing the notes may also secure future indebtedness and other obligations of ours on a superior or pari passu basis to the extent permitted by the indenture and the security documents and as a result your rights to the collateral would be diluted by any increase in the indebtedness secured on a superior or pari passu basis by the collateral securing the notes. See “—Your right to take enforcement action with respect to the liens securing the notes is limited in certain circumstances, and you will receive the proceeds from such enforcement only after “superpriority” obligations under the revolving credit facility and any incremental facilities have been paid in full.”

Holders of the notes may not be able to fully realize the value of their liens.

The security interests and liens for the benefit of holders of the notes may be released without such holders’ consent in specified circumstances. In particular, to the extent the collateral agent for the lenders under our revolving credit facility and/or our term loan facility or the collateral agent for the holders of other superior or pari passu indebtedness subject to the intercreditor agreement releases any liens in connection with foreclosure on or other exercise of remedies with respect to the collateral (to the extent such exercise of remedies is permitted under the terms of the intercreditor agreement), the lien on such collateral securing the notes will also be released. As a result, we cannot assure holders of the notes that the notes will continue to be secured by a substantial portion of our assets. In addition, the capital stock of our subsidiaries will be excluded from the collateral to the extent liens thereon would trigger reporting obligations under Rule 3-16 of Regulation S-X, which requires financial statements from any company whose securities are collateral if its book value or market value, whichever is greater, would exceed 20% of the principal amount of the senior secured notes secured thereby.

Moreover, the collateral agent may need to evaluate the impact of potential liabilities before determining to foreclose on collateral consisting of real property because secured creditors that take ownership of or operate real property under certain circumstances may be held liable under environmental laws for the costs of remediating or preventing the release or threatened release of hazardous substances at such real property. Consequently, the

 

38

collateral agent may decline to foreclose on such collateral or exercise remedies available in respect thereof if it does not receive indemnification to its satisfaction from the holders of the notes.

In addition, all or a portion of the collateral may be released:

 

•

to enable the sale, transfer or other disposal of such collateral in a transaction not prohibited under the indenture governing the notes or the credit agreements governing our revolving credit facility and our term loan facility, including the sale of assets in accordance with the asset sale covenant in the indenture governing the notes and the sale of any entity in its entirety that owns or holds such collateral;

 

•

with respect to collateral held by a guarantor, upon the release of such guarantor from its guarantee; and

 

•

to the extent required pursuant to the terms of the intercreditor agreement.

In addition, the guarantee of a subsidiary guarantor will be released in connection with a sale of such subsidiary guarantor in a transaction not prohibited by the indenture governing the notes or upon certain other events described in the “Description of the Notes.” See “Description of the Notes—Repurchase at the Option of Holders—Asset Sales.”

The indenture governing the notes also permits us to designate one or more of our restricted subsidiaries that is a guarantor of the notes as an unrestricted subsidiary. If we designate a subsidiary guarantor as an unrestricted subsidiary, all of the liens on any collateral owned by such subsidiary or any of its subsidiaries and any guarantees of the notes by such subsidiary or any of its subsidiaries will be released under the indenture. Designation of a subsidiary as unrestricted will reduce the aggregate value of the collateral securing the notes to the extent that liens on the assets of the unrestricted subsidiary and its subsidiaries are released. In addition, the creditors of the unrestricted subsidiary and its subsidiaries will have a senior claim on the assets of such unrestricted subsidiary and its subsidiaries.

The collateral may not be valuable enough to satisfy all the obligations secured by such collateral.

The notes will be secured on a first-priority lien basis (subject to certain exceptions and permitted liens) by substantially all of the assets of our and the guarantors’ assets, including all of the capital stock of the Issuer and each restricted subsidiary (which, in the case of foreign subsidiaries, will be limited to 65% of the capital stock of each first-tier foreign subsidiary). In addition, certain categories of assets are excluded from the collateral securing the notes and the guarantees. See “Description of the Notes—Excluded Assets”. The actual value of the collateral at any time will depend upon market and other economic conditions. As of March 31, 2019, the book value of our total tangible assets (calculated by deducting approximately $1,071.0 million of goodwill and intangible assets from our total assets), was approximately $1,522.4 million.

In addition, under the terms of the security documents and/or intercreditor agreement, the proceeds of any collection or other realization of collateral received in connection with the exercise of remedies will be applied first to repay “superpriority” obligations, including borrowings under our revolving credit facility and up to an additional “superpriority” borrowings that we may incur in the future under the incremental facilities in an amount not to exceed $60.0 million, before the holders of the notes receive such proceeds. See “—Your right to take enforcement action with respect to the liens securing the notes is limited in certain circumstances, and you will receive the proceeds from such enforcement only after “superpriority” obligations under the revolving credit facility and any incremental facilities have been paid in full.” As of March 31, 2019, we had $249.7 million available (including $15.4 million of Series D Revolving Commitments which terminated effective April 1, 2019 and after giving effect to $13.9 million of outstanding letters of credit and $40.0 million in borrowings) for future borrowing under our revolving credit facility. We are permitted to add incremental facilities, of which up to $60.0 million may be incurred on the same “superpriority” basis as the revolving credit facility, with the balance available to be incurred on a pari passu basis with the existing senior secured notes and the notes. Any grant of additional liens on the collateral securing the notes would further dilute the value of the lien on such collateral securing the notes.

 

39

Moreover, the asset sale covenant and the definition of asset sale in the indenture governing the notes has a number of significant exceptions pursuant to which we will be able to sell collateral securing the notes without being required to reinvest the proceeds of such sale into assets that will comprise collateral or to make an offer to the holders of the notes to repurchase such notes.

The value of the pledged assets in the event of a liquidation will depend upon market and economic conditions, the availability of buyers and similar factors. No independent appraisals of any of the pledged property have been prepared by or on behalf of us in connection with this exchange offering. Accordingly, we cannot assure holders of the notes that the proceeds of any sale of the pledged assets following an acceleration to maturity with respect to the notes would be sufficient to satisfy, or would not be substantially less than, amounts due on the notes and the other debt secured thereby. If the proceeds of any sale of the pledged assets were not sufficient to repay all amounts due on the notes, the holders of the notes (to the extent their notes were not repaid from the proceeds of the sale of the pledged assets) would have only an unsecured claim against our remaining assets. By their nature, some or all of the pledged assets may be illiquid and may have no readily ascertainable market value. Likewise, we cannot assure holders of the notes that the pledged assets will be saleable or, if saleable, that there will not be substantial delays in their liquidation. To the extent that liens, rights and easements granted to third parties encumber assets located on property owned by us or constitute subordinate liens on the pledged assets, those third parties may have or may exercise rights and remedies with respect to the property subject to such encumbrances (including rights to require marshalling of assets) that could adversely affect the value of the pledged assets located at that site and the ability of the collateral agent to realize or foreclose on the pledged assets at that site.

In addition, the indenture governing the notes permits us to issue additional secured debt, including debt secured equally and ratably by the same assets pledged for the benefit of the holders of the notes. This could reduce amounts payable to holders of the notes from the proceeds of any sale of the collateral.

The value of the collateral securing the notes may not be sufficient to secure post-petition interest, fees and expenses.

In the event of a bankruptcy, liquidation, dissolution, reorganization or similar proceeding against us, holders of the notes will only be entitled to post-petition interest, fees and expenses under the Bankruptcy Code to the extent that the value of their security interest in the collateral is greater than their pre-bankruptcy claim. Holders of the notes that have a security interest in collateral with a value equal or less than their pre-bankruptcy claim will not be entitled to post-petition interest, fees and expenses under the Bankruptcy Code. In addition, holders of the notes will not be entitled to adequate protection on account of the under-secured portion of their claims. No appraisal of the fair market value of the collateral has been prepared in connection with this exchange offer and we therefore cannot assure you that the value of the noteholders’ interest in the collateral equals or exceeds the principal amount of the notes. See “—The collateral may not be valuable enough to satisfy all the obligations secured by such collateral.”

Certain significant assets will be excluded from the collateral.

Certain assets are excluded from the collateral securing the notes as described under “Description of the Notes—Excluded Assets” including, among other things, any assets held by foreign and unrestricted subsidiaries, any assets in real property (including leaseholds) other than fee interests having a value in excess of certain amounts, as well as other exclusions. In addition, the collateral will not include any capital stock of a subsidiary of the Issuer, to the extent that the pledge of such capital stock results in our being required to file separate financial statements of such subsidiary with the SEC, and any such capital stock that triggers such a requirement to file financial statements of such subsidiary of the Issuer with the SEC would be automatically released from the collateral. The value of this excluded collateral is significant and in certain circumstances may be pledged to other lenders. Additionally, we are not required to create or perfect liens in assets where we reasonably determine that such creation or perfection would be considered excessive in view of the benefits obtained therefrom by the holders of the notes (including material adverse tax consequences). See “Description of the Notes—Excluded

 

40

Assets.” We will in most cases have control over the collateral, and the sale of particular assets by us could reduce the pool of assets securing the notes and the guarantees.

The collateral documents allow us to remain in possession of, retain exclusive control over, freely operate, and collect, invest and dispose of any income from, the collateral securing the notes and the guarantees. In addition, we will not be required to comply with all or any portion of Section 314(d) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the “Trust Indenture Act”) if we determine, in good faith based on advice of counsel, that, under the terms of that Section and/or any interpretation or guidance as to the meaning thereof of the SEC and its staff, including “no action” letters or exemptive orders, all or such portion of Section 314(d) of the Trust Indenture Act is inapplicable to the released collateral. For example, so long as no default or event of default under the indenture would result therefrom and such transaction would not violate the Trust Indenture Act, we may, among other things, without any release or consent by the applicable trustee, conduct ordinary course activities with respect to collateral, such as selling, factoring, abandoning or otherwise disposing of collateral and making ordinary course cash payments (including repayments of indebtedness). With respect to such releases, we must deliver to the collateral agent, from time to time, an officers’ certificate to the effect that all releases and withdrawals during the preceding six-month period in which no release or consent of the collateral agent was obtained in the ordinary course of our business were not prohibited by the indenture.

Bankruptcy laws may limit the ability of holders of the notes to realize value from the collateral.

The right of the collateral agent to foreclose upon, repossess and dispose of the pledged assets upon the occurrence of an event of default under the indenture governing the notes is likely to be significantly impaired (or at a minimum delayed) by applicable bankruptcy law if a bankruptcy case were to be commenced by or against us before the collateral agent repossessed and disposed of the pledged assets. For example, under the Bankruptcy Code, pursuant to the automatic stay imposed upon the bankruptcy filing, a secured creditor is prohibited from repossessing its security from a debtor in a bankruptcy case, or from disposing of security repossessed from such debtor or creating, perfecting or enforcing any lien against a debtor, or taking other actions to levy against a debtor, without prior bankruptcy court approval (which may not be given under the facts and circumstances of any particular situation). Moreover, the Bankruptcy Code permits the debtor to continue to retain and to use collateral (including cash collateral) and to provide liens senior to the lien of the collateral agent in respect of the notes to secure indebtedness incurred after the commencement of a bankruptcy case even though the debtor is in default under the applicable debt instruments, provided that the secured creditor is given “adequate protection.” The meaning of the term “adequate protection” may vary according to circumstances (and is within the discretion of the bankruptcy court), but it is intended in general to protect the value of the secured creditor’s interest in the collateral and may include cash payments or the granting of additional security, if and at such times as the court in its discretion determines, for any diminution in the value of the collateral as a result of the automatic stay of repossession or disposition or any use of the collateral by the debtor during the pendency of the bankruptcy case. Generally, adequate protection payments, in the form of interest or otherwise, are not required to be paid by a debtor to a secured creditor unless the bankruptcy court determines that the value of the secured creditor’s interest in the collateral is declining during the pendency of the bankruptcy case. In addition, the bankruptcy court may determine not to provide cash payments as adequate protection to the holders of the notes if, among other possible reasons, the bankruptcy court determines that the fair market value of the collateral with respect to the notes on the date of the bankruptcy filing was less than the then-current principal amount of the notes. Furthermore, due to the imposition of the automatic stay, the lack of a precise definition of the term “adequate protection” and the broad discretionary powers of a bankruptcy court, it is impossible to predict (1) whether or when payments under the notes could be made following commencement of a bankruptcy case or the length of any delay in making such payments, (2) whether or when the collateral agent could or would repossess or dispose of the pledged assets or (3) whether or to what extent holders of the notes would be compensated for any delay in payment or loss of value of the pledged assets through the requirement of “adequate protection.”

Furthermore, any disposition of the collateral during a bankruptcy case outside of the ordinary course of our business would also require prior approval from the bankruptcy court (which may not be given under the facts and circumstances of any particular situation).

 

41

The intercreditor agreement will also prohibit the holders of the notes from objecting following the filing of a bankruptcy petition to certain matters regarding the collateral that have been consented to by the lenders under the revolving credit facility, or to take certain actions with respect to the collateral without the consent thereof.

The collateral is subject to casualty risks.

We are obligated under the credit agreements governing our revolving credit facility and our term loan facility to at all times cause all the pledged assets to be properly insured and kept insured against loss or damage by fire or other hazards to the extent that such properties are usually insured by corporations operating in the same or similar business. There are, however, some losses, including losses resulting from terrorist acts that may be either uninsurable or not economically insurable, in whole or in part. As a result, we cannot assure holders of the notes that the insurance proceeds will compensate us fully for our losses. If there is a total or partial loss of any of the pledged assets, we cannot assure holders of the notes that the proceeds received by us in respect thereof will be sufficient to satisfy all the secured obligations, including the notes.

In the event of a total or partial loss to any of the mortgaged properties, certain items of equipment and inventory may not be easily replaced. Accordingly, even though there may be insurance coverage, the extended period needed to manufacture replacement units or inventory could cause significant delays.

Rights of holders of the notes in the collateral may be adversely affected by the failure to perfect security interests in the collateral.

Applicable law requires that a security interest in certain tangible and intangible assets can only be properly perfected and its priority retained through certain actions undertaken by the secured party. The liens in the collateral securing the notes may not be perfected with respect to the claims of the notes if the collateral agent was not able to take the actions necessary to perfect any of these liens on or prior to the issue date of the notes.

In addition, applicable law requires that certain property and rights acquired after the grant of a general security interest, such as real property, equipment subject to a certificate of title and certain proceeds, can only be perfected at the time such property and rights are acquired and identified. We and the guarantors have limited obligations to perfect the security interest of the holders of the notes in specified collateral. There can be no assurance that the trustee or the collateral agent for the notes will monitor, or that we will inform such trustee or collateral agent of, the future acquisition of property and rights that constitute collateral, and that the necessary action will be taken to properly perfect the security interest in such after-acquired collateral. Neither the trustee nor the collateral agent for the notes has an obligation to monitor the acquisition of additional property or rights that constitute collateral or the perfection of any security interest. Such failure may result in the loss of the security interest in the collateral or the priority of the security interest in favor of the notes against third parties.

Even if liens on collateral acquired in the future are properly perfected, such liens may (as described further herein) potentially be avoidable as a preference or otherwise in any bankruptcy case under certain circumstances. If the Issuer or any guarantor were to become subject to a bankruptcy proceeding, any liens recorded or perfected or any mortgages delivered after the issue date of the notes would face a greater risk of being invalidated or avoided than if they had been recorded, perfected or delivered on the issue date of the notes. Liens recorded or perfected or any mortgages delivered after such issue date may be treated under bankruptcy law as if they were delivered to secure previously existing indebtedness. In bankruptcy proceedings commenced within 90 days of lien perfection or mortgage delivery, a lien or mortgage given to secure previously existing debt is significantly more likely to be avoided as a preference by the bankruptcy court than if delivered and promptly recorded on the original issue date. Accordingly, if the Issuer or a guarantor were to file for bankruptcy protection and the liens had been perfected or the mortgages had been delivered less than 90 days before commencement of such bankruptcy proceeding, or not yet perfected or delivered at all, the liens or mortgages securing the notes may be especially subject to challenge as a result of having not been perfected or delivered on or before the issue date of the notes. To the extent that such challenge succeeded, you would lose the benefit of the security that the collateral was intended to provide.

 

42

Any future pledge of collateral or guarantee might be avoidable by a trustee in bankruptcy.

Any security interests or guarantees issued after the issue date of the notes may be treated under bankruptcy law as if they were delivered to secure or guarantee previously existing indebtedness. Any future pledge of collateral or future issuance of a guarantee in favor of the holders of the notes, including pursuant to security documents or guarantees delivered in connection therewith after the date the notes are issued, may be avoidable as a preference or otherwise if, among other circumstances, (i) the pledgor or guarantor is insolvent at the time of the pledge or the issuance of the guarantee, (ii) the pledge or the issuance of the guarantee permits the holders of the notes to receive a greater recovery in a hypothetical Chapter 7 case than if the pledge or guarantee had not been given, and (iii) a bankruptcy case in respect of the pledgor or guarantor is commenced within 90 days following the pledge or the perfection thereof or the issuance of the guarantee (as applicable), or, in certain circumstances, a longer period. Accordingly, if the Issuer or any guarantor were to file for bankruptcy protection after the issue date of the notes and (1) any liens not granted on the issue date of the notes had been perfected, or (2) any guarantees not issued on the issue date of the notes (as applicable) had been issued, less than 90 days before commencement of such bankruptcy case, such liens or guarantees are more likely to be avoided as a preference by the bankruptcy court than if delivered and promptly recorded on the issue date of the notes (even if the liens perfected or other guarantees issued on the issue date of the notes would no longer be subject to such risk). To the extent that the grant of any such mortgage or other security interest and/or guarantee is avoided as a preference or otherwise, holders of the notes would lose the benefit of the mortgage or security interest and/or guarantee (as applicable).

Pledges of equity interests in our foreign subsidiaries may not be enforceable under the laws of the jurisdictions where such foreign subsidiaries are organized.

Part of the security for the repayment of the notes consists of a pledge of the capital stock of or equity interests in certain foreign subsidiaries (with capital stock of such foreign subsidiaries capped at 65%). Although such pledges are granted under security documents governed by U.S. law, some foreign jurisdictions may not recognize such security interests as enforceable. Consequently, the collateral agent may be unable to exercise remedies against the equity interests in foreign subsidiaries.

In the event of a bankruptcy of us or any of the guarantors, holders of the notes may be deemed to have an unsecured claim to the extent that our obligations in respect of such notes exceed the fair market value of the collateral securing such notes.

In any bankruptcy proceeding with respect to us or any of the guarantors, it is possible that the bankruptcy trustee, the debtor-in-possession or competing creditors will assert that the fair market value of the collateral with respect to the notes on the date of the bankruptcy filing was less than the then-current principal amount of the notes and other obligations secured on a pari passu basis with the notes. Upon a finding by the bankruptcy court that the notes are under-collateralized, the claims in the bankruptcy proceeding with respect to the notes would be bifurcated between a secured claim and an unsecured claim, and the unsecured claim would not be entitled to the benefits of security in the collateral. Other consequences of a finding of under-collateralization would be, among other things, a lack of entitlement on the part of the notes to receive post-petition interest, fees and expenses and a lack of entitlement on the part of the unsecured portion of the notes to receive “adequate protection” under federal bankruptcy laws. In addition, if any payments of post-petition interest, fees and expenses had been made at the time of such a finding of under-collateralization, those payments could be recharacterized by the bankruptcy court as a reduction of the principal amount of the secured claim with respect to the notes.

 

43

USE OF PROCEEDS

We will not receive any proceeds from the issuance of the exchange notes in the exchange offer. The exchange offer is intended to satisfy our obligations under the registration rights agreement that we entered into in connection with the private offering of the outstanding 2024 notes. As consideration for issuing the exchange notes as contemplated in this prospectus, we will receive in exchange a like principal amount of outstanding 2024 notes, the terms of which are identical in all material respects to the exchange notes, except that the exchange notes will not contain terms with respect to transfer restrictions or additional interest upon a failure to fulfill certain of our obligations under the registration rights agreement. The outstanding 2024 notes that are surrendered in exchange for the exchange notes will be retired and cancelled and cannot be reissued. As a result, the issuance of the exchange notes will not result in any change in our capitalization.

 

44

CAPITALIZATION

The following table sets forth our cash and cash equivalents and capitalization as of March 31, 2019, on a historical basis and on an as adjusted basis after giving to the issuance of the outstanding 2024 notes and the redemption of the 8.75% Senior Notes due 2020. This table should be read in conjunction with “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations”, as well as our audited consolidated financial statements and unaudited condensed interim financial statements and the related notes thereto included elsewhere in this prospectus.

 

		As of March 31, 2019 (1)
		Actual				As Adjusted
		(in thousands)
Cash and cash equivalents (1)		$	3,691			$	3,691
Existing Debt (2):
Revolving Credit Facility (3)		$	40,000			$	40,000
Term Loan Facility			805,950				805,950
8.750% Senior Notes due 2020			679,299				454,299
8.875% Senior Secured Notes due 2022			270,000				270,000
7.875% Senior Secured Notes due 2022			900,000				900,000
7.625% Senior Notes due 2024			400,000				400,000
8.50% Senior Secured Notes due 2024			—				225,000
Finance leases			11,066				11,066
Total debt			3,106,315				3,106,315
Total stockholders’ deficit			(1,484,364	)			(1,484,364	)
Total capitalization		$	1,621,951			$	1,621,951

 

(1)

All information in the table above is as of March 31, 2019 and does not reflect cash provided or used, changes in outstanding debt or other activity since March 31, 2019. As adjusted cash and cash equivalents does not reflect any issue premiums, discounts, fees or expenses of the offering of the outstanding 2024 notes.

(2)	Amounts reflect the aggregate principal amount of debt and do not reflect any premiums, discounts or unamortized deferred financing costs.

(3)

Consists of a $303.6 million revolving credit facility with maturities through 2021, of which $249.7 million remained available as of March 31, 2019 (including $15.4 million of Series D Revolving Commitments which terminated effective April 1, 2019 and after giving effect to $13.9 million of letters of credit outstanding and $40.0 million in borrowings).

 

45

SELECTED HISTORICAL CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL INFORMATION

The following selected historical consolidated financial information and other data set forth below should be read in conjunction with “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and our historical consolidated financial statements and the related notes thereto contained elsewhere in this prospectus.

The selected historical consolidated financial information and other data presented below for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 and the selected consolidated balance sheet data as of December 31, 2018 and 2017 have been derived from our audited consolidated financial statements included in this prospectus. The selected historical consolidated financial information and other data presented below for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 and the selected consolidated balance sheet data as of December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 have been derived from our audited consolidated financial statements which are not included in this prospectus.

The selected consolidated financial data as of March 31, 2019 and for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and March 31, 2018 have been derived from our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements included in this prospectus. The unaudited financial data presented have been prepared on a basis consistent with our audited consolidated financial statements. In the opinion of management, such unaudited financial data reflect all adjustments, consisting only of normal and recurring adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of the results for those periods. The results of operations for the interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year or any future period.

 

		Three Months ended,								Year ended,
		March 31, 2019				March 31, 2018				December 31, 2018 (1)				December 31, 2017				December 31, 2016				December 31, 2015				December 31, 2014
		(in thousands)
Statement of Operations Data:
Total revenue		$	276,249			$	246,597			$	1,050,441			$	881,983			$	757,907			$	653,721			$	563,677
Total costs and expenses			304,227				318,228				1,292,500				1,037,476				829,009				762,396				657,546
Loss from operations			(27,978	)			(71,631	)			(242,059	)			(155,493	)			(71,102	)			(108,675	)			(93,869	)
Other expenses:
Interest expense			(63,748	)			(58,790	)			(245,214	)			(225,772	)			(197,965	)			(161,339	)			(147,511	)
Interest income			23				31				425				130				432				90				1,455
Other income (expenses)			2,246				45,240				17,323				(27,986	)			(7,255	)			(8,832	)			1,779
Loss from operations before income taxes			(89,457	)			(85,150	)			(469,525	)			(409,121	)			(275,890	)			(278,756	)			(238,146	)
Income tax (benefit) expense			(301	)			(433	)			(1,611	)			1,078				67				351				514
Net loss		$	(89,156	)		$	(84,717	)		$	(467,914	)		$	(410,199	)		$	(275,957	)		$	(279,107	)		$	(238,660	)
Balance Sheet Data:
Cash		$	3,691			$	3,473			$	12,773			$	3,872			$	43,520			$	2,559			$	10,807
Working capital			(356,267	)			(220,130	)			(340,038	)			(162,406	)			(80,170	)			(120,952	)			(51,569	)
Adjusted working capital deficit (excluding cash and capital or finance lease obligation)			(352,844	)			(212,966	)			(345,068	)			(155,664	)			(113,893	)			(115,895	)			(56,827	)
Total assets			2,593,392				2,519,295				2,524,491				2,868,847				2,547,662				2,303,644				2,255,586
Total debt			3,084,090				2,838,380				3,045,195				2,820,297				2,486,700				2,138,112				1,835,068
Total shareholders’ (deficit) equity		$	(1,484,364	)		$	(1,022,235	)		$	(1,396,601	)		$	(653,526	)		$	(245,182	)		$	(76,993	)		$	224,486

 

(1)

Includes the impact of adopting Topic 606. See Note 3 “Revenue and Capitalized Contract Costs” in the accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements for additional information related to the impact of adopting this standard and a discussion of our updated policies related to revenue recognition and accounting for costs to obtain and fulfill a customer contract.

 

46

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF

FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following discussion and analysis provides information which management believes is relevant to an assessment and understanding of the Company’s consolidated results of operations and financial condition. The discussion should be read in conjunction with “Selected Historical Consolidated Financial Information” and the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included elsewhere in this prospectus. For a discussion of the Company’s financial condition and results of operation for the year ended December 31, 2016, see Part II. Item 7. “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K/A for the year ended December 31, 2018. This discussion contains forward-looking statements and involves numerous risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, those described in “Risk Factors.” Actual results may differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements. Unless the context otherwise requires, references in this “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” to “we”, “us”, “our”, and “the Company” are intended to mean the business and operations of APX Group Holdings, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries.

Business Overview

We are a smart home technology company. Our purpose-built platform has all the components required to deliver on the promise of a true smart home experience. Our smart home platform is comprised of the following five pillars: (1) our Smart Home Operating System, (2) our AI-driven smart home automation and assistance software, Vivint Assist, (3) our portfolio of proprietary, internally developed smart devices, (4) our curated yet extensible partner-neutral ecosystem, and (5) our people delivering tech-enabled premium services, including consultative selling, professional installation, and support.

We were founded by our CEO Todd Pedersen in 1999 and have grown to become one of the largest smart home solutions providers in North America with over 1.4 million subscribers as of March 31, 2019, managing over 20 million devices and processing over 1.3 billion home-related events on a daily basis. Our nationwide sales and service footprint covers 98% of U.S. zip codes.

Our culture and our history are characterized by a spirit of continuous innovation, resulting in the development of cutting-edge proprietary smart home devices and tech-enabled services for the smart home. Consistent with our Vivint brand name, which represents ‘to live intelligently’, our solution allows subscribers to live intelligently and to enjoy the benefits of a smart home. Our approach has focused on putting the subscriber experience first, which we do by presenting our subscribers with the right combination of technology and support, delivered by people who care.

Our go-to-market strategy is based on directly educating consumers about the value and benefits of a smart home experience. We reach consumers through a variety of efficient customer acquisition channels, including our direct-to-home, inside sales, and retail partnership programs. We continue to scale these efforts through our proprietary operations technology, by launching new and innovative Products and Services, and by building out our consultative sales channels. We continue to strengthen our relationships with existing subscribers by offering them the ability to use Vivint Flex Pay to finance an upgrade of their existing system and to add new devices and features to their smart homes as our portfolio of offerings expands.

Key Performance Measures

In evaluating our results, we review several key performance measures discussed below. We believe that the presentation of such metrics is useful to our investors and lenders because they are used to measure the value of companies such as ours with recurring revenue streams. All key performance measures defined below exclude our wireless internet business and sales channel pilot programs.

 

47

Total Subscribers

Total subscribers is the aggregate number of active smart home and security subscribers at the end of a given period.

Total Monthly Revenue

Total monthly revenue, or Total MR, is the average monthly total revenue recognized during the period.

Average Monthly Revenue per User

Average monthly revenue per user, or AMRU, is Total MR divided by average monthly Total Subscribers during a given period.

Total Monthly Service Revenue

Total monthly service revenue, or MSR, is the contracted recurring monthly service billings to our smart home and security subscribers, based on the Total Subscribers number as of the end of a given period.

Average Monthly Service Revenue per User

Average monthly service revenue per user, or AMSRU, is Total MSR divided by Total Subscribers at the end of a given period.

Attrition Rate

Attrition rate is the aggregate number of canceled smart home and security subscribers during the prior 12 month period divided by the monthly weighted average number of Total Subscribers based on the Total Subscribers at the beginning and end of each month of a given period. Subscribers are considered canceled when they terminate in accordance with the terms of their contract, are terminated by us or if payment from such subscribers is deemed uncollectible (when at least four monthly billings become past due). If a sale of a service contract to third parties occurs, or a subscriber relocates but continues their service, we do not consider this as a cancellation. If a subscriber transfers their service contract to a new subscriber, we do not consider this as a cancellation.

Average Subscriber Lifetime

Average subscriber lifetime, in number of months, is 100% divided by our expected long-term annualized attrition rate (which is currently estimated at 13%) multiplied by 12 months.

Net Service Cost per Subscriber

Net service cost per subscriber is the average monthly service costs incurred during the period (both period and capitalized service costs), including monitoring, customer service, field service and other service support costs, less total non-recurring Smart Home Services billings for the period divided by average monthly Total Subscribers for the same period.

Net Service Margin

Net service margin is the monthly average MSR for the period, less total average net service costs for the period divided by the monthly average MSR for the period.

 

48

New Subscribers

New subscribers is the aggregate number of net new smart home and security subscribers originated during a given period. This metric excludes new subscribers acquired by the transfer of a service contract from one subscriber to another.

Net Subscriber Acquisition Costs per New Subscriber

Net subscriber acquisition costs per New Subscriber is the net cash cost to create new smart home and security subscribers during a given 12 month period divided by New Subscribers for that period. These costs include commissions, Products, installation, marketing, sales support and other allocations (general and administrative and overhead); less upfront payment received from the sale of Products associated with the initial installation, and installation fees. These costs exclude capitalized contract costs and upfront proceeds associated with contract modifications.

Total Bookings

Total bookings is total monthly Service revenue for New Subscribers multiplied by Average Subscriber Lifetime, plus total Product revenue to be recognized over the contract term from New Subscribers.

Total Monthly Service Revenue for New Subscribers

Total Monthly Service Revenue for New Subscribers is the contracted recurring monthly service billings to our New Subscribers during a given period.

Average Monthly Service Revenue per New Subscriber

Average Monthly Service Revenue per New Subscriber is Total Monthly Service Revenue for New Subscribers divided by New Subscribers during a given period.

Lifetime Service Revenue per New Subscriber

Lifetime service revenue per new subscriber is Total Monthly Service Revenue for New Subscribers divided by New Subscribers, multiplied by Average Subscriber Lifetime.

Lifetime Service Revenue Multiple

Lifetime service revenue multiple is Lifetime Service Revenue per New Subscriber divided by Net Subscriber Acquisition Costs per New Subscriber

Total Subscriber Lifetime Backlog

Total subscriber lifetime backlog is total unrecognized Product revenue plus total Service revenue expected to be recognized over the remaining subscriber lifetime for Total Subscribers.

Recent Developments

2024 Notes Offering

On May 10, 2019, we issued $225.0 million aggregate principal amount of our 8.500% Senior Notes due 2024 (the “outstanding 2024 notes”). We used the proceeds from the outstanding 2024 notes offering to redeem $225.0 million aggregate principal amount of the outstanding 2020 notes and pay the related accrued interest and redemption premium, and to pay all fees and expenses related thereto. Any remaining net proceeds have been or will be used for general corporate purposes. The indenture governing the outstanding 2024 notes contains covenants similar to those applicable to our existing 2022 notes.

 

49

Wireless Internet Business

In connection with our ongoing efforts to deliver additional cost savings and cash-flow improvements, we are evaluating exit options in respect of our non-core wireless internet business, including, but not limited to, a sale or spin-off of that business.

Revolving Credit Facility Commitments

Effective April 1, 2019, revolving commitments of $15.4 million previously available under our revolving credit facility terminated, thereby reducing the aggregate commitments available under the credit agreement to $288.2 million.

Key Factors Affecting Operating Results

Our future operating results and cash flows are dependent upon a number of opportunities, challenges and other factors, including our ability to efficiently grow our subscriber base, expand our Product and Service offerings to generate increased revenue per user, provide high quality Products and subscriber service to maximize subscriber lifetime value and improve the leverage of our business model.

Key factors affecting our operating results include the following:

Subscriber Lifetime

Our ability to retain subscribers has a significant impact on our financial results, including revenues, operating income, and operating cash flows. Because we operate a business built on recurring revenues, subscriber lifetime is a key determinant of our operating success. Our Average Subscriber Lifetime is 91 months (approximately 8 years) as of March 31, 2019. If our expected long-term annualized attrition rate increased by 1% to 14%, Average Subscriber Lifetime would decrease to approximately 85 months. Conversely, if our expected attrition decreased by 1% to 12%, our Average Subscriber Lifetime would increase to approximately 99 months. A portion of the subscriber base can be expected to cancel its service every year. Subscribers may choose not to renew or may terminate their contracts for a variety of reasons, including, but not limited to, relocation, cost, switching to a competitor’s service or service issues. We analyze our retention by tracking the number of subscribers who remain as a percentage of the monthly average number of subscribers at the end of each 12 month period. We caution investors that not all companies, investors and analysts in our industry define retention in this manner.

The table below presents our subscriber data for the twelve months ended March 31, 2019 and the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017:

 

		Twelve months ended March 31,				Year ended December 31,
		2019				2018				2017
Beginning balance of subscribers			1,313,742				1,292,698				1,146,746
Net new additions			314,608				322,574				279,735
Subscriber contracts sold			—				—				—
Attrition			(183,001	)			(170,450	)			(133,783	)
Ending balance of subscribers			1,445,349				1,444,822				1,292,698
Monthly average subscribers			1,416,184				1,380,741				1,214,696
Attrition rate			12.9	%			12.3	%			11.0	%

 

50

Historically, we have experienced an increased level of subscriber cancellations in the months surrounding the expiration of such subscribers’ initial contract term. Attrition in any twelve month period may be impacted by the number of subscriber contracts reaching the end of their initial term in such period. Attrition in the twelve months ended March 31, 2019 and March 31, 2018, reflects the effect of the 2013 60-month and 2015 42-month contracts reaching the end of their initial contract term. We believe this trend in cancellations at the end of the initial contract term is comparable to other companies within our industry.

Our subscribers are the foundation of our recurring revenue-based model. Our operating results are affected by the level of our net acquisition costs to generate those subscribers and the value of Products and Services purchased by them. A reduction in net subscriber acquisition costs or an increase in the total value of Products or Services purchased by a new subscriber increases the life-time value of that subscriber, which in turn, improves our operating results and cash flows over time.

The net upfront cost of adding incremental subscribers is a key factor impacting our ability to scale. Vivint Flex Pay has made it more affordable to accelerate the growth in New Subscribers. Prior to Vivint Flex Pay, we recovered the cost of equipment installed in subscribers’ homes over time through their monthly service billings. From the introduction of Vivint Flex Pay in early 2017 through March 31, 2019, 28% of subscribers have financed their equipment purchases through RICs, which we fund through our balance sheet. We expect the percentage of subscriber contracts financed through RICs to continue decreasing over time. In addition, since the introduction of Vivint Flex Pay in 2017, 100% of new subscribers have either opted to use this program to finance their equipment costs or paid for their equipment themselves at the time of contract origination. This has greatly reduced our net cost per acquisition, as well as the balance sheet impact of acquiring subscribers. Moving forward, we will continue to explore ways to grow our subscriber base in a cost-effective manner through our existing sales and marketing channels, through the growth of our financing programs, as well as through strategic partnerships and new channels, as these opportunities arise.

We believe the Vivint Flex Pay program will result in higher retention, more revenue per user, and thus greater subscriber lifetime values. Existing subscribers are also able to use Vivint Flex Pay to upgrade their systems or to add new Products and Services, which we believe further increases subscriber lifetime value. This positively impacts our operating performance, and we anticipate that adding additional financing partners to the Vivint Flex Pay program, both in the United States and Canada, will generate additional revenue growth and a subsequent increase in subscriber lifetime value.

Sales and Marketing Efficiency

Our continued ability to attract and sign new subscribers in a cost-effective manner across the United States and Canada will be a key determinant of our future operating performance. Because our direct-to-home and inside sales channels are currently our primary means of subscriber acquisition, we have invested heavily in scaling these teams. There is a lag in the productivity of new hires, which we anticipate will improve over the course of their tenure, impacting our subscriber acquisition rates and overall operating success. These Smart Home Pros are instrumental to subscriber growth in the regions we cover, and their continued productivity is vital to our future success.

Generating subscriber growth through these investments in our sales teams depends, in part, on our ability to launch cost-effective marketing campaigns, both online and offline. This is particularly true for our NIS channel, because NIS fields inbound requests from subscribers who find us using online search and submitting our on-site contact form. Our marketing campaigns attract potential subscribers and successfully build awareness of our brand across all our sales channels. We also believe that building brand awareness is important to countering the competition we face from other companies in the geographies we serve, particularly in those markets where our direct-to-home sales representatives are present. We expect to scale our retail channel through several pilot programs. Similar to the delay between the hiring of a Smart Home Pro and the resulting revenue generation, we anticipate that our retail efforts will take time to reach capacity. Once they do, we hope to accelerate subscriber acquisition and revenue growth by scaling this channel, while maintaining our unit economics.

 

51

Expansion of Platform Monetization

As smart home technology develops, we will continue expanding the breadth and depth of our offerings to reflect the growing needs of our subscriber base and focus on expanding our platform through the addition of new smart home experiences and use cases. As a result of our investments to date, our smart home platform is active in over 1.4 million households. We will continue to develop our Smart Home Operating System to include new complex automation capabilities, use case scenarios, and comprehensive device integrations. Our platform supports over 20 million connected devices, as of March 31, 2019.

With each new Product, Service, or feature we add to our platform, we create an opportunity to generate revenue, either through sales to our existing subscribers or through the acquisition of new subscribers. As a result, we anticipate that offering a broader range of smart home experiences will allow us to grow revenue, because it improves our ability to offer tailored service packages to subscribers with different needs. This is the rationale behind our addition of Carguard, a service that expands our smart home experience beyond the four walls of the home. We believe this expansion of our Product and Service offerings will allow us to build our subscriber base, while maintaining or improving margins.

Whether we upsell existing subscribers or acquire new ones, expansion of our platform and corresponding monetization strategies directly impacts our revenue growth and our average revenue per user, and therefore, our operating results.

Subscribers who contract for a smart home are signing up for our combined proprietary smart home devices and tech-enabled service offerings. At the time of signing, subscribers choose the subscription-based service that matches their smart home needs. Because our revenue and operating margins are determined by which package a subscriber signs up for, ensuring that new subscribers choose the appropriate service offering is a major determinant of our operating success. Additionally, because we cover 98% of US zip codes, our service costs greatly impact our operating margins. Over time, as our organization grows, we achieve economies of scale on our service costs. While we anticipate that our service costs per subscriber will decline over time, an unanticipated increase in service costs could negatively impact our profitability moving forward.

Investment in Future Projects

To date, we have made significant investments in the development of our organization, and expect to leverage these investments to continue expanding our Product and Service offerings over time, including integration with third party products to drive future revenue. Our ability to expand our smart home platform and to monetize the platform as it develops will significantly impact our operating performance and profitability in the future.

We believe that the smart home of the future will be an ecosystem in which businesses will seek to deliver products and services to subscribers in a way that addresses the individual subscriber’s lifestyle and needs. As the smart home becomes the setting for the delivery of a wide range of these products and services, including healthcare, entertainment, home maintenance, elder care, beauty, and consumer goods, we hope to become the hub of this ecosystem and the strategic partner of choice for the businesses delivering these products and services.

Our success in connecting with business partners who integrate with our Smart Home Operating System in order to reach and interact with our subscriber base will be a key determinant of our continued operating success. We expect that additional partnerships will generate incremental revenue, because we will share in the revenue generated by each partner-provided product or service sale that occurs as a result of integration with our smart home platform. If we are able to continue expanding our curated set of partnerships with influential companies, as we already have with Google, Amazon, and Philips, we believe that this will help us to increase our revenue and resulting profitability.

 

52

Our ability to introduce a full suite of high-quality innovative new offerings that further expands our existing smart home platform will affect our ability to retain, grow and further monetize our subscriber base. Furthermore, we believe that by vertically integrating the development and design of our Products and Services with our existing sales and subscriber service activities allows us to more quickly respond to market needs, and better understand our subscribers’ interactions and engagement with our Products and Services. This provides critical data that we expect to enable us to continue improving the power, usability and intelligence of these Products and Services. We expect to continue investing in technologies that will make our platform more valuable and engaging for subscribers.

Basis of Presentation

We conduct business through one operating segment, Vivint. We primarily operate in two geographic regions: United States and Canada. See Note 15 in the accompanying audited consolidated financial statements and Note 16 in the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements for more information about our geographic segments.

Components of Results of Operations

Total Revenues

Recurring and other revenue. Our revenues are generated through the sale and installation of our Smart Home Services contracted for by our subscribers. Recurring Smart Home Services for our subscriber contracts are billed directly to the subscriber in advance, generally monthly, pursuant to the terms of subscriber contracts and recognized ratably over the service period. Revenues from Products are deferred and generally recognized on a straight-line basis over the customer contract term, the amount of which is dependent on the total sales price of Products sold. Imputed interest associated with RIC receivables is recognized over the initial term of the RIC. The amount of revenue from Services is dependent upon which of our service offerings is included in the subscriber contracts. Our smart home and video offerings generally provide higher service revenue than our base smart home service offering. Historically, we have generally offered contracts to subscribers that range in length from 36 to 60 months that are subject to automatic monthly renewal after the expiration of the initial term. In addition, to a lesser extent, we have contracts that are offered as month-to-month at the time of origination. At the end of each monthly period, the portion of recurring fees related to services not yet provided are deferred and recognized as these services are provided.

Total Costs and Expenses

Operating expenses. Operating expenses primarily consists of labor associated with monitoring and servicing subscribers and labor and expenses associated with Products used in service repairs. We also incur equipment costs associated with excess and obsolete inventory and rework costs related to Products removed from subscribers’ homes. In addition, a portion of general and administrative expenses, comprised of certain human resources, facilities and information technology costs are allocated to operating expenses. This allocation is primarily based on employee headcount and facility square footage occupied. Because our full-time smart home professionals (“SHPs”) perform most subscriber installations related to customer moves, customer upgrades or generated through our inside sales channels, the costs incurred within field service associated with these installations are allocated to capitalized contract costs. We generally expect our operating expenses to increase in absolute dollars as the total number of subscribers we service continues to grow, but to remain relatively constant in the near to intermediate term as a percentage of our revenue.

Selling expenses. Selling expenses are primarily comprised of costs associated with housing for our direct-to-home sales representatives, advertising and lead generation, marketing and recruiting, certain portions of sales commissions (residuals), overhead (including allocation of certain general and administrative expenses) and other costs not directly tied to a specific subscriber origination. These costs are expensed as incurred. We

 

53

generally expect our selling expenses to increase in absolute dollars as the total number of subscriber originations continues to grow, but to remain relatively constant in the near to intermediate term as a percentage of our revenue.

General and administrative expenses. General and administrative expenses consist largely of finance, legal, research and development, human resources, information technology and executive management expenses, including stock-based compensation expense. Stock-based compensation expense is recorded within various components of our costs and expenses. General and administrative expenses also include the provision for doubtful accounts. We allocate approximately one-third of our gross general and administrative expenses, excluding the provision for doubtful accounts, into operating and selling expenses in order to reflect the overall costs of those components of the business. We generally expect our general and administrative expenses to increase in absolute dollars to support the overall growth in our business, but to decrease in the near to intermediate term as a percentage of our revenue.

Depreciation and amortization. Depreciation and amortization consists of depreciation from property, plant and equipment, amortization of equipment leased under finance leases, capitalized contract costs and intangible assets. We generally expect our depreciation and amortization expenses to increase in absolute dollars as we grow our business and increase the number of new subscribers originated on an annual basis, but to remain relatively constant in the near to intermediate term as a percentage of our revenue.

Restructuring Expenses. Restructuring expenses are comprised of costs incurred in relation to activities to exit or dispose of portions of our business that do not qualify as discontinued operations. Expenses for related termination benefits are recognized at the date we notify the employee, unless the employee must provide future service, in which case the benefits are expensed ratably over the future service period. Liabilities related to termination of a contract are measured and recognized at fair value when the contract does not have any future economic benefit to the entity and the fair value of the liability is determined based on the present value of the remaining obligation.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

In preparing our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements, we make assumptions, judgments and estimates that can have a significant impact on our revenue, loss from operations and net loss, as well as on the value of certain assets and liabilities on our unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets. We base our assumptions, judgments and estimates on historical experience and various other factors that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results could differ materially from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions. At least quarterly, we evaluate our assumptions, judgments and estimates and make changes accordingly. Historically, our assumptions, judgments and estimates relative to our critical accounting estimates have not differed materially from actual results. We believe that the assumptions, judgments and estimates involved in the accounting for revenue recognition, deferred revenue, capitalized contract costs, derivatives, retail installment contract receivables, allowance for doubtful accounts, loss contingencies, valuation of intangible assets, fair value and income taxes have the greatest potential impact on our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements; therefore, we consider these to be our critical accounting estimates. For information on our significant accounting policies, see Note 2 to the accompanying audited consolidated financial statements and Note 1 to our accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

Revenue Recognition

We offer our customers smart home services combining Products, including a proprietary control panel, door and window sensors, door locks, security cameras and smoke alarms; installation; and a proprietary back-end cloud platform software and Services. These together create an integrated system that allows our customers to monitor, control and protect their home. Our customers are buying this integrated system that provides them with these Smart Home Services. The number and type of Products purchased by a customer

 

54

depends on their desired functionality. Because the Products and Services included in the customer’s contract are integrated and highly interdependent, and because they must work together to deliver the Smart Home Services, we have concluded that installed Products, related installation and Services contracted for by the customer are generally not distinct within the context of the contract and, therefore, constitute a single, combined performance obligation. Revenues for this single, combined performance obligation are recognized on a straight-line basis over the customer’s contract term. We have determined that certain contracts that do not require a long-term commitment for monitoring services by the customer contain a material right to renew the contract, because the customer does not have to purchase Products upon renewal. Proceeds allocated to the material right are recognized over the period of benefit, which is generally three years.

The majority of our subscription contracts are between three and five years in length and are non-cancelable. These contracts with customers generally convert into month-to-month agreements at the end of the initial term, and some customer contracts are month-to-month from inception. Payment for recurring monitoring and other Smart Home Services is generally due in advance on a monthly basis.

Sales of Products and other one-time fees such as service fees or installation fees are invoiced to the customer at the time of sale. Revenues for wireless internet service provided by Vivint Wireless Inc. and any Products or Services that are considered separate performance obligations are recognized when those Products or Services are delivered. Taxes collected from customers and remitted to governmental authorities are not included in revenue. Payments received or amounts billed in advance of revenue recognition are reported as deferred revenue.

We consider Products, related installation, and our proprietary back-end cloud platform software and services an integrated system that allows our customers to monitor, control and protect their homes. These Smart Home Services are accounted for as a single performance obligation that is recognized over the customer’s contract term, which is generally three to five years.

Deferred Revenue

Our deferred revenues primarily consist of amounts for sales (including upfront proceeds) of Smart Home Services. Deferred revenues are recognized over the term of the related performance obligation, which is generally three to five years.

Capitalized Contract Costs

Capitalized contract costs represent the costs directly related and incremental to the origination of new contracts, modification of existing contracts or to the fulfillment of the related subscriber contracts. These include commissions, other compensation and related costs incurred directly for the origination and installation of new or upgraded customer contracts, as well as the cost of Products installed in the customer home at the commencement or modification of the contract. These costs are deferred and amortized on a straight-line basis over the expected period of benefit that we have determined to be five years. Amortization of capitalized contract costs is included in “Depreciation and Amortization” on the consolidated statements of operations. These deferred costs are periodically reviewed for impairment. Contract costs not directly related and incremental to the origination of new contracts, modification of existing contracts or to the fulfillment of the related subscriber contracts are expensed as incurred. These costs include those associated with housing, marketing and recruiting, non-direct lead generation costs, certain portions of sales commissions and residuals, overhead and other costs considered not directly and specifically tied to the origination of a particular subscriber.

We defer and amortize these costs for new or modified subscriber contracts on a straight-line basis over the expected period of benefit of five years. During the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, we capitalized contract costs of $14.1 million and $4.2 million, respectively associated with modifications of customer contracts. During the year ended December 31, 2018, we capitalized contract costs of $29.9 million associated with modifications of customer contracts.

 

55

On the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated statement of cash flows, capitalized contract costs are classified as operating activities and reported as “Capitalized contract costs – deferred contract costs” as these assets represent deferred costs associated with subscriber contracts.

Consumer Financing Program

Vivint Flex Pay became our primary sales model beginning in March 2017. Under Vivint Flex Pay, customers pay separately for the products (including control panel, security peripheral equipment, smart home equipment, and related installation) (“Products”) and Vivint’s smart home and security services (“Services”). The customer has the following three options to pay for the Products: (1) qualified customers in the United States may finance the purchase of Products through a third-party financing provider (“Consumer Financing Program”), (2) customers not eligible for the Consumer Financing Program, but who qualify under our underwriting criteria, may enter into a retail installment contract (“RIC”) directly with us, or (3) customers may purchase the Products at the outset of the service contract by check, automatic clearing house payments (“ACH”), credit or debit card.

Under the Consumer Financing Program, qualified customers are eligible for installment loans provided by a third-party financing provider of up to $4,000 for either 42 or 60 months.

For a certain third-party provider, we pay a monthly fee based on the average daily outstanding balance of the installment loans. Additionally, we share in the liability for credit losses depending on the credit quality of the customer. Because of the nature of these provisions with this third-party provider, we record a derivative liability at its fair value when the third-party financing provider originates installment loans to customers, which reduces the amount of estimated revenue recognized on the provision of the services. The derivative liability represents the estimated remaining amounts to be paid to the third-party provider by us related to outstanding installment loans, including the monthly fees based on the outstanding installment loan balances, shared liabilities for credit losses and customer payment processing fees. The derivative liability is reduced as payments are made by us to the third-party financing provider. Subsequent changes to the fair value of the derivative liability are realized through other income, net in the condensed consolidated statement of operations.

For a separate third-party financing provider, we receive net proceeds from installment loans (net of fees and expected losses) for which we have no further obligation to the third-party. We record these net proceeds to deferred revenue.

Retail Installment Contract Receivables

For subscribers that enter into a RIC to finance the purchase of Products and related installation, we record a receivable for the amount financed. The RIC receivables are recorded at their present value, net of the imputed interest discount. At the time of installation, we record a long-term note receivable within long-term notes receivables and other assets, net on the condensed consolidated balance sheets for the present value of the receivables that are expected to be collected beyond 12 months of the reporting date. The unbilled receivable amounts that are expected to be collected within 12 months of the reporting date are included as a short-term notes receivable within accounts and notes receivable, net on the condensed consolidated balance sheets. The billed amounts of notes receivables are included in accounts receivable within accounts and notes receivable, net on the condensed consolidated balance sheets.

We impute the interest on the RIC receivable using a risk adjusted market interest rate and record it as an adjustment to deferred revenue and as an adjustment to the face amount of the related receivable. The imputed interest discount considers a number of factors, including collection experience, aging of the remaining RIC receivable portfolios, credit quality of the subscriber base and other qualitative considerations, including macro-economic factors. The imputed interest income is recognized over the term of the RIC contract as recurring and other revenue on the condensed consolidated statement of operations.

 

56

When we determine that there are RIC receivables that have become uncollectible, we record an adjustment to the imputed interest discount and reduce the related note receivable balance. Account balances are written-off if collection efforts are unsuccessful and future collection is unlikely based on the length of time from the day accounts become past due.

Accounts Receivable

Accounts receivable consists primarily of amounts due from subscribers for recurring monthly monitoring Services and the billed portion of RIC receivables. The accounts receivable are recorded at invoiced amounts and are non-interest bearing and are included within accounts and notes receivable, net on the condensed consolidated balance sheets. Accounts receivable totaled $20.0 million and $16.5 million at March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively net of the allowance for doubtful accounts of $5.8 million and $5.6 million at March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively. We estimate this allowance based on historical collection experience and subscriber attrition rates. When we determine that there are accounts receivable that are uncollectible, they are charged off against the allowance for doubtful accounts. The provision for doubtful accounts is included in general and administrative expenses in the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations and totaled $5.9 million and $4.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively and $19.4 million and $22.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

Loss Contingencies

We record accruals for various contingencies including legal proceedings and other claims that arise in the normal course of business. The accruals are based on judgment, the probability of losses and, where applicable, the consideration of opinions of legal counsel. We record an accrual when a loss is deemed probable to occur and is reasonably estimable. Factors that we consider in the determination of the likelihood of a loss and the estimate of the range of that loss in respect of legal matters include the merits of a particular matter, the nature of the litigation, the length of time the matter has been pending, the procedural posture of the matter, whether we intend to defend the matter, the likelihood of settling for an insignificant amount and the likelihood of the plaintiff accepting an amount in this range. However, the outcome of such legal matters is inherently unpredictable and subject to significant uncertainties.

Goodwill and Intangible Assets

Purchase accounting requires that all assets and liabilities acquired in a transaction be recorded at fair value on the acquisition date, including identifiable intangible assets separate from goodwill. For significant acquisitions, we obtain independent appraisals and valuations of the intangible (and certain tangible) assets acquired and certain assumed obligations as well as equity. Identifiable intangible assets include customer relationships, spectrum licenses and other purchased and internally developed technology, which totaled $235.6 million and $255.1 million as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively. Goodwill represents the excess of cost over the fair value of net assets acquired and was $835.4 million and $834.9 million as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively.

The estimated fair values and useful lives of identified intangible assets are based on many factors, including estimates and assumptions of future operating performance and cash flows of the acquired business, estimates of cost avoidance, the nature of the business acquired, the specific characteristics of the identified intangible assets and our historical experience and that of the acquired business. The estimates and assumptions used to determine the fair values and useful lives of identified intangible assets could change due to numerous factors, including product demand, market conditions, regulations affecting the business model of our operations, technological developments, economic conditions and competition.

We conduct a goodwill impairment analysis annually in the fourth fiscal quarter, as of October 1, and as necessary if changes in facts and circumstances indicate that the fair value of our reporting units may be less than

 

57

their carrying amounts. When indicators of impairment do not exist and certain accounting criteria are met, we are able to evaluate goodwill impairment using a qualitative approach. When necessary, our quantitative goodwill impairment test consists of two steps. The first step requires that we compare the estimated fair value of our reporting units to the carrying value of the reporting unit’s net assets, including goodwill. If the fair value of the reporting unit is greater than the carrying value of its net assets, goodwill is not considered to be impaired and no further testing is required. If the fair value of the reporting unit is less than the carrying value of its net assets, we would be required to complete the second step of the test by analyzing the fair value of its goodwill. If the carrying value of the goodwill exceeds its fair value, an impairment charge is recorded. Our reporting units are determined based on our current reporting structure, which as of December 31, 2018 and March 31, 2019 consisted of two reporting units. As of March 31, 2019, there were no changes in facts and circumstances since the most recent annual impairment analysis to indicate impairment existed.

Property, Plant and Equipment and Long-lived Assets

Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost and depreciated on the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets or the lease term for assets under finance leases, whichever is shorter. Intangible assets with definite lives are amortized over the remaining estimated economic life of the underlying technology or relationships, which ranges from five to ten years. Definite-lived intangible assets are amortized on the straight-line method over the estimated useful life of the asset or in a pattern in which the economic benefits of the intangible asset are consumed. Amortization expense associated with leased assets is included with depreciation expense. Routine repairs and maintenance are charged to expense as incurred.

We review long-lived assets, including property, plant and equipment, capitalized contract costs, and definite-lived intangibles for impairment when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. We consider whether or not indicators of impairment exist on a regular basis and as part of each quarterly and annual financial statement close process. Factors we consider in determining whether or not indicators of impairment exist include market factors and patterns of customer attrition. If indicators of impairment are identified, we estimate the fair value of the assets. An impairment loss is recognized if the carrying amount of a long-lived asset is not recoverable and exceeds its fair value.

We conduct an indefinite-lived intangible impairment analysis annually as of October 1, and as necessary if changes in facts and circumstances indicate that the fair value of our indefinite-lived intangibles may be less than the carrying amount. When indicators of impairment do not exist and certain accounting criteria are met, we are able to evaluate indefinite-lived intangible impairment using a qualitative approach. When necessary, our quantitative impairment test consists of two steps. The first step requires that we compare the estimated fair value of our indefinite-lived intangibles to the carrying value. If the fair value is greater than the carrying value, the intangibles are not considered to be impaired and no further testing is required. If the fair value is less than the carrying value, an impairment loss in an amount equal to the difference is recorded.

Income Taxes

We account for income taxes based on the asset and liability method. Under the asset and liability method, deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases and operating loss and tax credit carryforwards. Valuation allowances are established when necessary to reduce deferred tax assets when it is determined that it is more likely than not that some portion, or all, of the deferred tax asset will not be realized.

We recognize the effect of an uncertain income tax position on the income tax return at the largest amount that is more likely than not to be sustained upon audit by the relevant taxing authority. An uncertain income tax position will not be recognized if it has less than a 50% likelihood of being sustained. Our policy for recording interest and penalties is to record such items as a component of the provision for income taxes.

 

58

Changes in tax laws and rates could also affect recorded deferred tax assets and liabilities in the future. We record the effect of a tax rate or law change on our deferred tax assets and liabilities in the period of enactment. Future tax rate or law changes could have a material effect on our results of operations, financial condition, or cash flows.

Results of operations

 

		Three months ended March 31,								Year ended December 31,
		2019				2018				2018				2017
		(in thousands)
Total revenues		$	276,249			$	246,597			$	1,050,441			$	881,983
Total costs and expenses			304,227				318,228				1,292,500				1,037,476
Loss from operations			(27,978	)			(71,631	)			(242,059	)			(155,493	)
Other expenses			61,479				13,519				227,466				253,628
Loss before taxes			(89,457	)			(85,150	)			(469,525	)			(409,121	)
Income tax (benefit) expense			(301	)			(433	)			(1,611	)			1,078
Net loss		$	(89,156	)		$	(84,717	)		$	(467,914	)		$	(410,199	)

Key performance measures

 

		As of March 31,								As of December 31,
		2019				2018				2018				2017
Total Subscribers (in thousands)			1,445.3				1,313.7				1,444.8				1,292.7
Total MSR (in thousands)		$	76,975			$	70,946			$	76,103			$	70,992
AMSRU		$	53.26			$	54.00			$	52.67			$	54.92
Net subscriber acquisition costs per new subscriber		$	1,142			$	1,488			$	1,189			$	1,594
Net service cost per subscriber		$	13.83			$	17.04			$	16.27			$	15.69
Net service margin			74	%			69	%			69	%			72	%
Average subscriber lifetime (months)			91				90				91				90
Total bookings (in millions) (1)		$	1,644			$	1,596			$	1,676			$	1,524
Lifetime service revenue per new subscriber		$	4,277			$	4,303			$	4,233			$	4,366
Lifetime service revenue multiple			3.75x				2.89x				3.56x				2.74x
Total subscriber lifetime backlog (in millions)		$	5,242			$	4,733			$	5,163			$	4,758

 

		Three months ended March 31								Year ended December 31,
		2019				2018				2018								2017
										As Reported				As Adjusted (1)
Total MR (in thousands)		$	92,083			$	82,199			$	87,537			$	83,879			$	73,499
AMRU		$	63.78			$	62.97			$	63.11			$	60.47			$	60.21

 

(1)

As adjusted excludes the impact of adopting Topic 606 associated with total revenues recognized. See Note 3 “Revenue and Capitalized Contract Costs” in the accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements for additional information related to the impact of adopting this standard and a discussion of our updated policies related to revenue recognition and accounting for costs to obtain and fulfill a customer contract.

 

59

Three Months Ended March 31, 2019 Compared to the Three Months Ended March 31, 2018

Revenues

The following table provides our revenue for the three month periods ended March 31, 2019 and March 31, 2018 (in thousands, except for percentages):

 

		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2019				2018				% Change
Recurring and other revenue		$	276,249			$	246,597				12	%

Recurring and other revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2019 increased $29.7 million, or 12%, as compared to the three months ended March 31, 2018. Approximately $26.5 million of this increase was due to an increase in Total Subscribers of approximately 10% and approximately $4.1 million of the increase was due to an increase in AMRU. When compared to the three months ended March 31, 2018, currency translation negatively affected total revenues by $0.9 million, as computed on a constant foreign currency basis.

Costs and Expenses

The following table provides the significant components of our costs and expenses for the three month periods ended March 31, 2019 and March 31, 2018 (in thousands, except for percentages):

 

		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2019				2018				% Change
Operating expenses		$	83,076			$	83,760				(1	)%
Selling expenses			43,591				59,243				(26	)%
General and administrative			46,339				50,967				(9	)%
Depreciation and amortization			131,221				124,258				6	%
Total costs and expenses		$	304,227			$	318,228				(4	)%

Operating expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2019 decreased $0.7 million, or 1%, as compared to the three months ended March 31, 2018. The primary drivers of the decrease were a $2.6 million decrease in costs associated with our retail channel and other sales pilots and lower equipment costs of $2.2 million. These cost decreases were partially offset by increases in personnel and related support costs of $1.9 million, customer payment processing costs of $0.6 million, and information technology software costs of $0.4 million.

Selling expenses, excluding capitalized contract costs, decreased by $15.7 million, or 26%, for the three months ended March 31, 2019 as compared to the three months ended March 31, 2018. The primary drivers of the decrease were $11.2 million in lower costs associated with our retail channel and other sales pilots, a decrease in personnel and related support costs of $3.0 million and lower marketing-related costs of $1.1 million.

General and administrative expenses decreased $4.6 million, or 9%, for the three months ended March 31, 2019 as compared to the three months ended March 31, 2018. The primary drivers of the decrease were a reduction in professional and legal contracted services costs of $2.8 million, lower marketing related cost of $1.4 million, a decrease in personnel and related support costs of $1.3 million and lower information technology costs of $0.5 million. The decreases were partially offset by a $1.9 million increase in bad debt.

Depreciation and amortization for the three months ended March 31, 2019 increased $7.0 million, or 6%, as compared to the three months ended March 31, 2018, primarily due to increased amortization of capitalized contract costs related to new subscribers.

 

60

Other Expenses, net

The following table provides the significant components of our other expenses, net for the three month periods ended March 31, 2019 and March 31, 2018 (in thousands, except for percentages):

 

		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2019				2018				% Change
Interest expense		$	63,748			$	58,790				8	%
Interest income			(23	)			(31	)			(26	)%
Other income, net			(2,246	)			(45,240	)			(95	)%
Total other expenses, net		$	61,479			$	13,519				355	%

Interest expense increased $5.0 million, or 8%, for the three months ended March 31, 2019, as compared with the three months ended March 31, 2018, due to higher balances on our total debt.

Other income, net, decreased $43.0 million, or 95% for the three months ended March 31, 2019, as compared to the three months ended March 31, 2018, primarily due to the gain on sale of spectrum of $50.4 million that occurred during the three months ended March 31, 2018. This change was offset by the change in foreign currency exchange of $3.8 million, a decrease in loss on derivative of $2.1 million and an increase in the gain on corporate securities of $1.9 million.

Income Taxes

The following table provides the significant components of our income tax benefit for the three month periods ended March 31, 2019 and March 31, 2018 (in thousands, except for percentages):

 

		Three Months Ended March 31,								% Change
		2019				2018
Income tax benefit		$	(301	)		$	(433	)			NM

Income tax benefit decreased $0.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019, as compared to the three months ended March 31, 2018. The income tax benefit for both the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 resulted primarily from losses in our Canadian subsidiary.

Year Ended December 31, 2018 Compared to the Year Ended December 31, 2017

Revenues

The following table provides the significant components of our revenue for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017:

 

		2018												2017				% Change
		As Reported				Topic 606 Adjustments				As Adjusted (1)								As Reported				As Adjusted
		(in thousands)
Recurring and other revenue		$	1,050,441			$	(99,780	)		$	950,661			$	843,420				25	%			13	%
Service and other sales revenue			—				46,177				46,177				26,988				NM	(2)			71	%
Activation fees			—				9,705				9,705				11,575				NM				(16	)%
Total revenues		$	1,050,441			$	(43,898	)		$	1,006,543			$	881,983				19	%			14	%

 

(1)	As adjusted excludes the impact of adopting Topic 606. See Note 3 “Revenue and Capitalized Contract Costs” in the accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements for additional information related

 

61

to the impact of adopting this standard and a discussion of our updated policies related to revenue recognition and accounting for costs to obtain and fulfill a customer contract.

(2)	Not Meaningful (“NM”)

Total revenues increased $168.5 million, or 19%, for the year ended December 31, 2018 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2017, of which $43.9 million was associated with the adoption of Topic 606 related to the timing of revenue recognition. The impact of Topic 606 primarily related to the change in timing of revenue recognition associated with customer payments related to Products.

Recurring and other revenue for the year ended December 31, 2018 increased $207.0 million, or 25%, as compared to the year ended December 31, 2017, of which $99.8 million related to the adoption of Topic 606 associated with the timing of revenue recognition and classification of revenue components. The as adjusted recurring and other revenue for the year ended December 31, 2018 totaled $950.7 million, an increase of $107.2 million, or 13%. Approximately $110.1 million of this increase in recurring and other revenue was due to an increase in Total Subscribers. Recognized deferred revenue increased $46.0 million and recognized RIC imputed interest increased $7.6 million, due to the increased subscriber base, increases in sales of Products and the company’s transition to Vivint Flex Pay in 2017. When compared to the year ended December 31, 2017, currency translation had an immaterial impact, as computed on a constant currency basis. The increase in recurring and other revenue was partially offset by $53.7 million from a decrease in the AMSRU of approximately $3.00 attributable to the Company’s transition to Vivint Flex Pay in early 2017 and a decrease of $2.7 million related to wireless.

Total service and other sales revenue for the year ended December 31, 2017 totaled $27.0 million. The as adjusted service and other sales revenue for the year ended December 31, 2018 totaled $46.2 million, which represented an increase of $19.2 million, or 71%, as compared to the year ended December 31, 2017, primarily due to upgrade Product sales and increased service related billings.

Revenues recognized related to activation fees for the year ended December 31, 2017 totaled $11.6 million. The as adjusted revenues recognized related to activation fees for the year ended December 31, 2018 totaled $9.7 million, which represented a decrease of $1.9 million, or 16% as compared to the year ended December 31, 2017. This change was primarily due to activation fees no longer being billed separately to subscribers at the time of installation under Vivint Flex Pay.

Costs and Expenses

The following table provides the significant components of our costs and expenses for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017:

 

		2018																% Change
		As Reported				Topic 606 Adjustments				As Adjusted (1)				2017				As Reported				As Adjusted
		(in thousands)
Operating expenses		$	355,813			$	29,859			$	385,672			$	321,476				11	%			20	%
Selling expenses			213,386				—				213,386				198,348				8	%			8	%
General and administrative			204,536				—				204,536				188,397				9	%			9	%
Depreciation and amortization			514,082				(146,203	)			367,879				329,255				56	%			12	%
Restructuring and asset impairment charges			4,683				—				4,683				—				NM				NM
Total costs and expenses		$	1,292,500			$	(116,344	)		$	1,176,156			$	1,037,476				25	%			13	%

 

62

 

(1)

As adjusted excludes the impact of adopting Topic 606. See Note 3 “Revenue and Capitalized Contract Costs” in the accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements for additional information related to the impact of adopting this standard and a discussion of our updated policies related to revenue recognition and accounting for costs to obtain and fulfill a customer contract.

Operating expenses for the year ended December 31, 2018 increased $34.3 million, or 11%, as compared to the year ended December 31, 2017, which excluded $29.9 million related to certain contract costs previously expensed, but are now included in capitalized contract costs after the adoption of Topic 606. As adjusted operating expenses for the year ended December 31, 2018 increased $64.2 million, or 20% as compared to the year ended December 31, 2017. This increase was primarily due to increases of $62.9 million in personnel and related costs for field service and customer care, an increase of $11.1 million in non-capitalized equipment and shipping costs, and an increase of $2.7 million of payment processing and bank fees associated with the increase in Total Subscribers and the Company’s transition to Vivint Flex Pay. These increases were offset by decreases of $6.8 million in costs associated with our retail and other sales pilots, contracted services of $5.0 million primarily associated with third-party field services and information technology operating expenses of $2.1 million.

Selling expenses, excluding capitalized contract costs (formerly subscriber acquisition costs), increased by $15.0 million, or 8%, for the year ended December 31, 2018 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2017, primarily due to increases of $14.1 million in personnel and related costs, sales-related information technology costs of $7.9 million, housing and related costs of $6.0 million and marketing costs of $4.7 million primarily associated with lead generation. These increases were offset by a decrease of $18.8 million in costs associated with our retail and other sales pilots.

General and administrative expenses increased $16.1 million, or 9%, for the year ended December 31, 2018 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2017, primarily due to increases in personnel and related costs of $25.4 million, including $6.0 million associated with us offering a 401(k) match beginning in 2018, research and development costs of $5.3 million, information technology costs of $4.3 million and an increase in contracted services costs of $2.3 million. These costs were offset by a decrease of $10.4 million in costs associated with our retail and other sales pilots and a decrease of $9.1 million in legal and litigation matters.

Depreciation and amortization for the year ended December 31, 2018 increased $184.8 million, or 56%, as compared to the year ended December 31, 2017, of which $146.2 million was associated with the adoption of Topic 606, relating to the timing of amortization of capitalized contract costs. As adjusted depreciation and amortization for the year ended December 31, 2018 increased $38.6 million, or 12%, as compared to the year ended December 31, 2017 primarily due to increased amortization of capitalized contract costs (formerly subscriber acquisition costs) related to new subscribers.

Restructuring expenses for the year ended December 31, 2018 related to employee severance and termination benefits expenses (See Note 11 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements for further information).

 

63

Other Expenses, net

The following table provides the significant components of our other expenses, net, for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017:

 

		Year ended December 31,								% Change
		2018				2017
		(in thousands)
Interest expense		$	245,214			$	225,772				9	%
Interest income			(425	)			(130	)			NM
Other (income) loss, net			(17,323	)			27,986				NM
Total other expenses, net		$	227,466			$	253,628				(10	)%

Interest expense increased $19.4 million, or 9%, for the year ended December 31, 2018, as compared with the year ended December 31, 2017, due to a higher principal balance on our debt. See Note 5 to our accompanying consolidated financial statements for further information on our long-term debt.

Other (income) loss, net, represented income of $17.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2018, as compared to a loss of $28.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2017. The other income during the year ended December 31, 2018 was primarily due to the $50.4 million gain associated with the sale of our spectrum intangible assets (see Note 8 to our accompanying consolidated financial statements for further information), offset by a loss on debt modification and extinguishment of $14.6 million, a loss on our derivative instrument of $12.6 million and a foreign currency exchange loss of $7.1 million. The other loss during the year ended December 31, 2017 was primarily due to a loss of $23.0 million resulting from our debt modification and extinguishment and a loss on our derivative instrument of $9.6 million, offset by a foreign currency exchange gain of $4.9 million.

See Note 5 to our accompanying consolidated financial statements for further information on our long-term debt related to other expenses, net.

Income Taxes

The following table provides the significant components of our income tax (benefit) expense for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017:

 

		Year ended December 31,								% Change
		2018				2017
		(in thousands)
Income tax (benefit) expense		$	(1,611	)		$	1,078				NM

Income tax benefit was $2.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2018, as compared to an income tax expense of $1.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2017. Our tax benefit and expense for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively, resulted primarily from the loss and earnings in our Canadian subsidiary, as well as U.S. minimum state taxes.

Unaudited Quarterly Results of Operations

The following tables present our unaudited quarterly consolidated results of operations for the eight quarters ended March 31, 2019. This unaudited quarterly consolidated information has been prepared on the same basis as our audited consolidated financial statements and, in the opinion of management, the statement of operations data includes all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring adjustments, necessary for the fair presentation of the results of operations for these periods. You should read these tables in conjunction with our audited consolidated

 

64

financial statements and related notes located elsewhere in this prospectus. The results of operations for any quarter are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations for a full year or any future periods.

 

		Three Months Ended
		March 31, 2019				December 31, 2018				September 31, 2018				June 30, 2018
		(in thousands)
Statement of operations data
Revenue		$	276,249			$	276,542			$	272,335			$	254,967
Loss from operations			(27,978	)			(46,137	)			(44,058	)			(80,233	)
Net loss			(89,156	)			(118,586	)			(120,226	)			(144,385	)

 

		Three Months Ended
		March 31, 2018				December 31, 2017				September 30, 2017				June 30, 2017
		(in thousands)
Statement of operations data
Revenue		$	246,597			$	235,846			$	228,658			$	212,126
Loss from operations			(71,631	)			(68,356	)			(40,147	)			(30,463	)
Net loss			(84,717	)			(135,406	)			(107,920	)			(84,237	)

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Our primary source of liquidity has historically been cash from operations, proceeds from the issuance of debt securities (including pursuant to the 2024 Term Loan B (as defined below)), and borrowing availability under our revolving credit facility and, to a lesser extent, capital contributions. As of March 31, 2019, we had $3.7 million of cash and cash equivalents and $249.7 million of availability under our revolving credit facility (including $15.4 million of Series D Revolving Commitments which terminated effective April 1, 2019 and after giving effect to $13.9 million of letters of credit outstanding and $40.0 million of borrowings).

As market conditions warrant, we and our equity holders, including the Sponsor, its affiliates and members of our management, may from time to time, seek to purchase our outstanding debt securities or loans in privately negotiated or open market transactions, by tender offer or otherwise. Subject to any applicable limitations contained in the agreements governing our indebtedness, any purchases made by us may be funded by the use of cash on our balance sheet or the incurrence of new secured or unsecured debt, including additional borrowings under our revolving credit facility. The amounts involved in any such purchase transactions, individually or in the aggregate, may be material. Any such purchases may be with respect to a substantial amount of a particular class or series of debt, with the attendant reduction in the trading liquidity of such class or series. In addition, any such purchases made at prices below the “adjusted issue price” (as defined for U.S. federal income tax purposes) may result in taxable cancellation of indebtedness income to us, which amounts may be material, and in related adverse tax consequences to us. Depending on conditions in the credit and capital markets and other factors, we will, from time to time, consider various financing transactions, the proceeds of which could be used to refinance our indebtedness or for other purposes. For example, in September 2018, we borrowed $810 million under the 2024 Term Loan B (the “2024 Term Loan B”). We used a portion of the net proceeds from the borrowings under the 2024 Term Loan B to redeem in full the entire $269.5 million outstanding aggregate principal amount of the 6.375% senior secured notes due 2019 (the “2019 notes”) and pay the related accrued interest and redemption premium, to repurchase approximately $250.7 million aggregate principal amount of the outstanding 2020 notes, and to pay fees and expenses related to the 2024 Term Loan B Agreement.

Cash Flow and Liquidity Analysis

Our cash flows provided by operating activities include recurring monthly billings, cash received from the sale of Products to our subscribers that either pay-in-full at the time of installation or finance their purchase of

 

65

Products under the Consumer Financing Program and other fees received from the subscribers we service. Cash used in operating activities includes the cash costs to monitor and service our subscribers, a portion of subscriber acquisition costs and general and administrative costs. Historically, we financed subscriber acquisition costs through our operating cash flows, the issuance of debt, and to a lesser extent, through the issuance of equity and sale of contracts to third parties. Currently, the upfront proceeds under Vivint Flex Pay, and those that are paid-in-full at the time of the sale of Products, offset a portion of the upfront investment associated with subscriber acquisition costs.

Sales from our direct-to-home channel are seasonal in nature. We make investments in the recruitment of our direct-to-home sales representatives, inventory and other support costs for the April through August sales period prior to each sales season. We experience increases in capitalized contract costs, as well as costs to support the sales force throughout North America, prior to and during this time period. The incremental inventory purchased to support the direct-to-home sales season is generally consumed prior to the end of the calendar year in which it is purchased.

The following table provides a summary of cash flow data (in thousands):

 

		Three Months Ended March 31,								Year ended December 31,
		2019				2018				2018				2017
Net cash used in operating activities		$	(43,017	)		$	(59,582	)		$	(220,499	)		$	(309,332	)
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities			(1,811	)			46,586				32,922				(21,661	)
Net cash provided by financing activities			35,721				12,616				196,407				291,213

Cash Flows from Operating Activities

We generally reinvest the cash flows from our recurring monthly billings and cash received from the sale of Products associated with the initial installation into our business, primarily to (1) maintain and grow our subscriber base, (2) expand our infrastructure to support this growth, (3) enhance our existing Smart Home Services offerings, (4) develop new Smart Home Services offerings and (5) expand into new sales channels. These investments are focused on generating new subscribers, increasing the revenue from our existing subscriber base, enhancing the overall quality of service provided to our subscribers, and increasing the productivity and efficiency of our workforce and back-office functions necessary to scale our business.

For the three months ended March 31, 2019, net cash used in operating activities was $43.0 million. This cash used was primarily from a net loss of $89.2 million, adjusted for:

 

•

$133.3 million in non-cash amortization, depreciation, and stock-based compensation

 

•

a provision for doubtful accounts of $5.9 million, and

 

•

a $2.2 million unrealized gain on equity securities.

Cash used in operating activities resulting from changes in operating assets and liabilities, including:

 

•

a $80.6 million increase in capitalized contract costs,

 

•

a $43.7 million increase in inventories in advance of our direct-to-home summer selling season,

 

•

a $10.4 million increase in accounts receivable driven primarily by the increase in billed RICs under Vivint Flex Pay and the growth in the number of our Total Subscribers,

 

•

a $8.1 million decrease in accrued payroll and commissions, accrued expenses, other current and long-term liabilities, and current and long-term operating lease liabilities due primarily to a decrease in accrued payroll and commissions of $31.6 million and a decrease in the accrued Blackstone monitoring

 

66