I wouldn't be to sure it goes down, earnings were in line with estimates, and the outlook for the company looks very good.
biz.yahoo.com
Thursday July 15, 4:09 pm Eastern Time
Company Press Release
Metricom Reports Second Quarter 1999 Results
Company Sets the Stage for Ricochet High-Speed Nationwide Service
LOS GATOS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 15, 1999--Metricom, Inc. (Nasdaq:MCOM - news), leading provider of mobile data networking and technology, today announced results for its second quarter ended June 30, 1999.
Metricom reported revenues of $4.7 million for the second quarter up from $4.4 million for the same period of 1998. The Company reported a net loss for the second quarter of 1999 totaling $16.6 million, or $.86 per share, compared with a net loss of $13.2 million or $.71 per share for the second quarter of 1998. Losses are in line with expectations and are attributed to Metricom's investment in high-speed technology and right-of-way expansion efforts.
For the six-month period ended June 30, 1999, revenues totaled $8.8 million, up from $8.0 million for the same period of 1998. Net loss for the first six months of 1999 was $31.6 million, or $1.65 per share, compared with a loss of $24.9 million or $1.41 per share in the first six months of 1998.
''This was a monumental quarter for Metricom as we secured funding and a strategic partner to help us deliver on the vision of nationwide high-speed mobile data service. We are poised to advance our service, giving mobile professionals the freedom of anytime, anywhere access to replicate the experience of their office desktop in a wireless environment,'' said Tim Dreisbach, President and CEO of Metricom. ''In addition to validation of our business plan, through the backing of MCI WorldCom and Vulcan Ventures, Inc., the second quarter was marked by tangible progress toward making 128 kbps mobile data a reality.''
Metricom continued to execute on its strategy to provide high-speed mobile Internet and LAN access on a nationwide basis. Progress for the quarter includes:
-- Testing: Alpha network field tests incorporating the industry's first 128 kbps radio frequency equipment were successfully completed. Through this phase of testing, encompassing over 300 poletop radio transceivers, 3 ISM Wired Access Points (WAPs), and a fourth WAP using licensed WCS spectrum, the company was able to validate both the network system and the production hardware. During the quarter, Metricom also deployed a separate network for Beta testing comprising 333 poletops and 7 WAPs, covering 42 square miles. Beta testing was initiated with over 250 customers under an extensive test plan.
-- Infrastructure Readiness: The positive outcome of Metricom's Alpha test has translated into the confidence to begin high-volume equipment manufacturing. The Company recently signed an agreement with Sanmina for mass production of radio infrastructure equipment necessary for national network deployment beginning later this year.
-- Right-of-Way: Progress continued for the initial 12 markets in Metricom's rollout schedule. During the quarter, Metricom added 100 municipalities, including San Diego, Houston, Dallas and Phoenix, to its growing list of areas granting permission for deployment of Ricochet radio infrastructure.
-- Solution Development: A developer program aimed at enhancing Ricochet service with third party solutions for mobile workers was kicked off with an inaugural conference targeting software and hardware developers, and vertical application integrators. Participants experienced first-hand the performance on 128 kbps mobile data services during the conference. Under the program, Metricom announced two separate strategic relationships with AvantGo and Wireless Knowledge to provide Ricochet support for their services aimed at users with mobile devices.
-- Strategic Partnering: In June, Metricom announced an equity investment of $600 million from MCI WorldCom and Vulcan Ventures to fund national rollout of 128 kbps service in 46 markets by mid-2001, with the first areas coming on line in the middle of next year. In addition to funding, Metricom formed a strategic relationship with MCI WorldCom which includes a five-year, non-exclusive wholesale agreement valued at $350 million. Metricom will also utilize MCI WorldCom's high-speed data and Internet network and support operations as it expands nationally.
-- Subscriber Growth: While the Company is deferring aggressive marketing until the new service is available and distribution partners are reselling Ricochet, gross additions for the quarter rose over 3,600, with a total installed base nearing 29,000 for the current service in three markets. Metricom believes this growth validates both market demand and the value of its service, with the majority of new customers arriving via current-user referrals.
''Execution against plan has been our focus. We have continued to manage costs while hitting all of our milestones toward national service availability,'' said Dreisbach. ''We expect to continue to invest wisely as we manage under an aggressive plan that results in 128 kbps service turn up beginning next year.''
About Metricom
Metricom, Inc. is a leading provider of mobile data networking and technology. The Company's Ricochet service provides mobile professionals with high-performance, cost-effective untethered access to the Internet, private Intranets, local-area networks, e-mail, and other online services. Ricochet is generally available in the greater San Francisco Bay Area, Seattle, and Washington, D.C. metropolitan areas; in select areas of New York City; on corporate campuses; and at gate areas at major airports throughout the United States. For more information, call 800/Go-Wireless, or visit Metricom's Web site at metricom.com.
Note to Editors: Metricom and Ricochet are registered trademarks of Metricom, Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
This press release may contain forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from such forward-looking statements as a result of risks and uncertainties, including those described in Metricom's 1998 Form 10-K and other reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Metricom, Inc. Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (In thousands)
June 30, December 31, 1999 1998 (Unaudited) ASSETS Current Assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ 20,830 $ 19,141 Accounts receivable, net 2,548 1,450 Inventories, net 1,484 3,046 Prepaid expenses and other 3,911 1,522 --------- --------- Total current assets 28,773 25,159
Property and Equipment, net 7,103 5,555 Long-Term Investments 58 58 Other Assets, net 3,892 3,694 Total assets $ 39,826 $ 34,466 ========= =========
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT): Current Liabilities: Accounts payable $ 2,701 $ 5,061 Accrued liabilities 13,322 10,662 Notes Payable 10,008 40 --------- --------- Total current liabilities 26,031 15,763 --------- ---------
Long-Term Debt 75,281 55,098 Other Liabilities 348 680 Minority Interest 5,184 5,184
Stockholders' Equity: Common stock 20 19 Additional paid-in capital 197,999 191,184 Accumulated deficit (265,037) (233,462) --------- --------- Total stockholders' equity (deficit) (67,018) (42,259) --------- --------- Total liabilities and stockholders' equity (deficit) $ 39,826 $ 34,466 ========= =========
Metricom, Inc. Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations (In thousands, except per share amounts) (Unaudited)
Three Months Ended Six Months Ended June 30, June 30, June 30, June 30, 1999 1998 1999 1998
REVENUES: Service revenues $ 2,195 $ 2,277 $ 4,626 $ 4,251 Product revenues 2,468 2,084 4,223 3,713 -------- -------- -------- -------- Total revenues 4,663 4,361 8,849 7,964
COSTS AND EXPENSES: Cost of service revenues 4,459 6,419 8,892 12,177 Cost of product revenues 2,011 1,416 3,337 2,791 Research and development 8,806 4,860 17,041 8,318 Selling, general and administrative 4,529 4,605 8,669 8,866 -------- -------- -------- -------- Total costs and expenses 19,805 17,300 37,939 32,152 -------- -------- -------- -------- Loss from operations (15,142) (12,939) (29,090) (24,188)
INTEREST EXPENSE 1,601 953 2,814 1,965 INTEREST INCOME 186 671 329 1,224 ======== -------- -------- -------- Net loss $(16,557) $(13,221) $(31,575) $(24,929) ======== ======== ======== ========
Net loss per share $ (0.86) $ (0.71) $ (1.65) $ (1.41) ======== ======== ======== ======== Weighted average shares outstanding 19,296 18,512 19,084 17,728 ======== ======== ======== ========
Contact:
Metricom, Inc. David Pangburn, 408/399-8155 (IR) Jeannie Slone, 408/399-8136 (PR) |