Singapore Technologies Telemedia (ST Telemedia) and Global Crossing said yesterday that they had finalised a deal by which ST Telemedia will invest $250 million in Global Crossing for a 61.5 percent equity share of the company. This allows Global Crossing to emerge from Chapter 11. The reorganization plan, which was confirmed by the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York on 26 December last year, became effective on Tuesday.
“Global Crossing today emerges with an unmatched asset – an IP-based network reaching more than 500 major commercial centers around the world and serving tens of thousands of customers, including more than 40 percent of the Fortune 500,” says Global Crossing’s new CEO, John Legere. “Our network, coupled with a streamlined business model and the most dedicated employees in the industry, will cement our standing as a pivotal player in global telecommunications.”
“This announcement is good news for Global Crossing’s customers and employees,” adds Lee Theng Kiat, president and CEO of ST Telemedia. “ST Telemedia intends to position Global Crossing to be a dynamic, global competitor,” he added. “We’ll be working with Global Crossing’s management to integrate and expand services across markets. With its depth of leadership skills, telecom experience and a committed team of employees, I’m confident that the new Global Crossing will be a model for our industry in both business acumen and practices.”
In addition to its $250 million equity investment, ST Telemedia has agreed to purchase $200 million in senior secured notes that originally were to be distributed to former creditors. Under the final, amended plan of reorganization, the $200 million cash injection by ST Telemedia was used by Global Crossing to pay its creditors. According to Lee, this additional investment emphasizes ST Telemedia’s “strong commitment to Global Crossing’s employees, customers and future success.”
While in Chapter 11, Global Crossing under went a massive rationalisation. However, the company retains a revenue base of nearly $3 billion, while reducing telecommunications segment operating expenses from continuing operations by approximately 63 percent from a peak annualized spend of approximately $2 billion at the beginning of 2001 to an estimated current annualized level of just over $700 million currently. In addition, Global Crossing’s long-term debt and convertible preferred stock was reduced from roughly $11 billion at the end of 2001, including approximately $1 billion of Asia Global Crossing debt, to $200 million of debt post-emergence. Completion of its network has enabled Global Crossing to reduce capital expenditures approximately 95 percent from slightly more than $4.1 billion in 2000, including approximately $800 million of Asia Global Crossing’s capital expenditures, to less than $200 million estimated for 2003.
Global Crossing signed approximately 4,200 new and renewal customer contracts, valued over the life of the contracts at $1.7 billion, during its restructuring. Furthermore, it is on track to transmit 17 billion minutes of Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) traffic in 2003, for a 15-fold increase in VoIP volume since 2001, and overall IP traffic is expected to grow by more than 700 percent over the same period.
“We’ve overcome tremendous obstacles in order to effect a turnaround and emerge a strong, healthy and viable business,” continue s Legere. “Global Crossing is well positioned for growth and has a promising future ahead.”
Lee underscored the important role that Global Crossing’s new board of directors will play in corporate governance and business strategy. The new board will be comprised of ten individuals with backgrounds in telecommunications, business and security. Under Global Crossing’s plan of reorganization, ST Telemedia appoints eight directors, and Global Crossing’s former major creditors appoint two. Lodewijk Christiaan van Wachem, former chairman of the supervisory board of Royal Dutch Petroleum Company, will serve as chairman of Global Crossing’s board. The management team will remain in place.
Global Crossing’s plan of reorganization included the cancellation of existing preferred and common stock. The holders of these previously publicly traded securities received no consideration under the company’s plan of reorganization. Under the plan of reorganization, Global Crossing issued 61.5 percent of the equity or 18 million shares of new preferred stock and 6.6 million shares of new common stock to ST Telemedia in consideration for its $250 million equity investment in the new Global Crossing. The remaining 38.5 percent of the equity or 15.4 million shares of the new common stock has been distributed to Global Crossing’s former secured and unsecured creditors. The common stock will initially trade in the Over-the-Counter Market, and Global Crossing has applied for quotation of its new common stock on the NASDAQ National Market.
Global Crossing, together with its independent auditor, Grant Thornton LLP, has finalized its audit of financial results for the years ended December 31, 2001 and December 31, 2002. On December 8, 2003, Global Crossing filed its 10-K with the Securities and Exchange Commission for the year ended December 31, 2002.