EarthLink Announces Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2010 Results

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EarthLink Announces Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2010 Results

ATLANTA, Feb. 8, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- EarthLink, Inc. (Nasdaq: ELNK) today announced financial results for its fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2010. EarthLink's fourth quarter results include the transaction-related expenses associated with the December 8, 2010 closing of the acquisition of ITC^Deltacom as well as the financial impact of 24 days of Deltacom's operations.  EarthLink's fourth quarter results also include transaction-related expenses associated with the December 20, 2010 announcement of the agreement to acquire One Communications, which is expected to close in the second quarter, and therefore does not include any transaction closing expenses or operating results.

Highlights for the fourth quarter include:

    --  Record low consumer churn
    --  Net income of $5.3 million or $0.05 per share; $0.19 per share excluding
        acquisition-related costs (a non-GAAP measure)
    --  Adjusted EBITDA (a non-GAAP measure) of $54.2 million
    --  Free cash flow (a non-GAAP measure) of $38.9 million
    --  Dividend payments to shareholders of $17.4 million
    --  Ending cash and marketable securities balance of $563.1 million
    --  Announced full year 2011 Adjusted EBITDA guidance of $250 million to
        $260 million

"These results are indicative of the long-term thought process and diligent approach with which EarthLink operates its business. We believe this business discipline and operational rigor will allow us to create value for our shareholders and position us to continue to invest in the future of EarthLink as an IP managed services company with a path for growth," stated EarthLink Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Rolla P. Huff.

"With the acquisition of Deltacom complete and the One Communications acquisition on track to close in the second quarter of this year, we will have dense fiber network across the eastern half of the United States and a ubiquitous IP footprint that makes us unique in terms of the value proposition we can offer multi-location enterprise customers," added Huff.

Financial and Operating Results

EarthLink reported revenue of $166.8 million in the fourth quarter and $622.2 million for the full year 2010, representing a 1 percent increase from the fourth quarter of 2009 and down 14 percent from the full year 2009.  Business services segment revenue comprised 36% of EarthLink's revenue in the fourth quarter of 2010, up from 21% in the year-ago quarter due to the inclusion of Deltacom's revenue. Broadband comprised 63% of EarthLink's consumer access revenue in the fourth quarter of 2010, up from 59% in the year-ago quarter.

For the company's consumer segment, net subscriber losses were 79,000 in the fourth quarter, an improvement from 93,000 in the third quarter of 2010 and 132,000 in the year-ago quarter. As EarthLink's subscriber base continues to increase in tenure, the company reported record performance in consumer customer churn. Consumer subscriber churn improved to 2.8% in the fourth quarter of 2010, down from 3.1% in the third quarter of 2010 and 3.2% in the year-ago quarter.  In the fourth quarter of 2010, 90% of EarthLink's consumer narrowband and DSL customers had two or more years of tenure with the company and 58% had five or more years of tenure, with churn rates of 2.6% and 2.0%, respectively.

The company continues to aggressively manage expenses to keep costs in line with revenue trends. Total sales and marketing, operations, customer support, and general and administrative expenses were $50.9 million for the fourth quarter of 2010 and $178.4 million for the full year 2010, a 10% reduction from fourth quarter 2009 expenses and a 20% reduction from full year 2009 expenses.

Profitability and Other Financial Measures

Net income was $5.3 million, or $0.05 per share, in the fourth quarter of 2010 and $81.5 million, or $0.74 per share, for the full year 2010. Net income excluding acquisition-related costs (a non-GAAP measure, see definition in "Non-GAAP Measures" below) was $21.6 million, or $0.19 per share, in the fourth quarter of 2010 and $98.9 million, or $0.90 per share, for the full year 2010. These compared to net income of $193.3 million, or $1.79 per share, in the fourth quarter of 2009, and $287.1 million, or $2.66 per share, for the full year 2009.

The fourth quarter and full year 2009 results included a $24.1 million non-cash impairment charge for goodwill and intangible assets and included an income tax benefit of $181.8 million and $126.1 million, respectively, primarily due to releases of EarthLink's valuation allowance related to its deferred tax assets. The fourth quarter and full year 2010 results included a $1.7 million non-cash impairment charge for intangible assets and included an income tax provision of $7.7 million and $56.8 million, respectively.

EarthLink's strong results in customer retention, combined with its ability to aggressively manage costs ahead of revenue declines, resulted in the company generating Adjusted EBITDA (a non-GAAP measure, see definition in "Non-GAAP Measures" below) of $54.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2010 and $219.1 million for the full year 2010. This compares to Adjusted EBITDA of $50.9 million for the fourth quarter 2009 and $249.1 million for the full year 2009.

Balance Sheet and Cash Flow

EarthLink generated free cash flow (a non-GAAP measure, see definition in "Non-GAAP Measures" below) of $38.9 million during the fourth quarter of 2010 and $195.1 million for the full year 2010, compared to $48.4 million in the fourth quarter of 2009 and $236.0 million in the full year 2009.

EarthLink ended 2010 with $563.1 million in cash and marketable securities, reflecting a decrease of $207.5 million from the prior quarter ended September 30, 2010. The company used $215.0 million of cash during the fourth quarter of 2010 in connection with its acquisition of Deltacom and pending acquisition of One Communications, which included the net cash to acquire Deltacom as well as one-time payments for banker fees, severance and stock award payouts. Capital expenditures for the company were $15.3 million in the fourth quarter and $24.0 million for the full year. EarthLink made $17.4 million of dividend payments in the fourth quarter, for a total of $67.5 million of dividend payments to shareholders during the full year 2010.

Business Outlook

The following statements are forward-looking, and actual results may differ materially.  See comments under "Cautionary Information Regarding Forward-Looking Statements" below.  EarthLink undertakes no obligation to update these statements.

Today EarthLink announced guidance for the full year 2011, inclusive of the acquisition of Deltacom, but not including the pending acquisition of One Communications. Management expects 2011 Adjusted EBITDA of $250 million to $260 million; free cash flow of $160 million to $185 million; capital expenditures of $75 million to $90 million; and net income of $48 million to $53 million for the full year 2011.  Subsequent to the closing of the One Communications acquisition, EarthLink will update its full year guidance.

Non-GAAP Measures

Adjusted EBITDA is defined as net income before interest expense and other, net, income taxes, depreciation and amortization, stock-based compensation expense, gain (loss) on investments, net, impairment of goodwill and intangible assets, and restructuring and acquisition-related costs.  Free cash flow is defined as net income before interest expense and other, net, income taxes, depreciation and amortization, stock-based compensation expense, gain (loss) on investments, net, impairment of goodwill and intangible assets, and restructuring and acquisition-related costs, less cash used for purchases of property and equipment and purchases of subscriber bases. Net income per share excluding acquisition-related costs is defined as net income before acquisition-related costs, including an estimated tax impact.

Adjusted EBITDA, free cash flow and net income per share excluding acquisition-related costs are non-GAAP financial performance measures. They should not be considered in isolation or as an alternative to measures determined in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Please refer to the Consolidated Financial Highlights for a reconciliation of these non-GAAP financial performance measures to the most comparable measures reported in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles and Footnote 5 of the Consolidated Financial Highlights for a discussion of the presentation, comparability and use of such financial performance measures.

Conference Call for Analysts and Investors

    Conference Call Details
    -----------------------
    Tuesday, February 8, 2011, at 8:30 a.m. ET  hosted by EarthLink's
     Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Rolla P. Huff and Chief
     Financial Officer, Bradley A. Ferguson.

    U.S. and Canada Dial-in Number           800-706-0730
    International Dial-in Number             706-634-5173

    Participants should reference "EarthLink's 4th Quarter 2010
     Conference Call" and dial in 10 minutes prior to scheduled start
     time.

    Webcast
    -------
    A live Webcast of the conference call will be available at:  http://
     ir.earthlink.net/index.cfm

    Replay
    ------
    Replay available from 11:30 a.m. ET on February 8 through 12:00
     midnight on February 15.

    Dial 800-642-1687 from US and Canada, International callers dial
     706-645-9291.

    The replay confirmation code is 40269024.

    The Webcast will be archived on the company's website at: http://
     ir.earthlink.net/events.cfm

About EarthLink

EarthLink, Inc. (NASDAQ: ELNK) is a leading provider of Internet Protocol (IP) infrastructure and services to medium-sized and large businesses, enterprise organizations and over 1.5 million consumers across the United States. The company has been providing Internet access and communications services for decades and has earned an award-winning reputation for both outstanding customer service and product innovation.  For consumers, EarthLink is a leading Internet Service Provider connecting people to the power and possibilities of the Internet.  EarthLink Business(TM) provides voice, data, mobile and equipment services over a Southeast fiber network and MPLS-based services nationwide. For more information, visit EarthLink's website http://www.earthlink.net.

Cautionary Information Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release includes "forward-looking" statements (rather than historical facts) that are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described. Although we believe that the expectations expressed in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot promise that our expectations will turn out to be correct. Our actual results could be materially different from and worse than our expectations. With respect to such forward-looking statements, we seek the protections afforded by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These risks include, without limitation, the successful completion of the pending acquisition of One Communications Corp., including the receipt of required regulatory approvals; the ability to realize expected synergies, cost savings and growth opportunities; the possibility that the anticipated benefits from the acquisition cannot be fully realized or may take longer or present greater cost to realize than expected; our ability to successfully integrate the operations of One Communications Corp. upon its acquisition without detracting from our current operations; and other unforeseen difficulties that may occur. These risks and uncertainties also include (1) that we may not be able to execute our business strategy to transition to a leading IP infrastructure and managed services provider, which could adversely impact our results of operations and cash flows; (2) that we may be unsuccessful in making and integrating acquisitions into our business, including integrating ITC^Deltacom, which could result in operating difficulties, losses and other adverse consequences; (3)  that we are exposed to additional risks specific to ITC^DeltaCom's business and industry, which could adversely affect our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows; (4) that the continued decline of our consumer access subscribers, combined with the change in mix of our consumer access subscriber base from narrowband to broadband, will adversely affect our results of operations; (5) that we will have less ability in the future to implement cost reductions to offset our revenue declines, which will adversely affect our results of operations; (6) that we face significant competition which could reduce our profitability; (7) that adverse economic conditions may harm our business; (8) that our commercial and alliance arrangements may not be renewed or may not generate expected benefits, which could adversely affect our results of operations; (9) that our business is dependent on the availability of third-party telecommunications service providers; (10) that we may be unable to retain sufficient qualified personnel, particularly in light of recent workforce and cost reduction initiatives and in a recovering economy, and the loss of any of our key executive officers could adversely affect us; (11) that if we do not continue to innovate and provide products and services that are useful to subscribers, we may not remain competitive, and our revenues and operating results could suffer; (12) that our business may suffer if third parties used for customer service and technical support and certain billing services are unable to provide these services or terminate their relationships with us; (13) that interruption or failure of our network and information systems and other technologies could impair our ability to provide our services, which could damage our reputation and harm our operating results; (14) that government regulations could adversely affect our business or force us to change our business practices; (15) that privacy concerns relating to our business could damage our reputation and deter current and potential users from using our services;  (16) that we may not be able to protect our intellectual property; (17) that we may be accused of infringing upon the intellectual property rights of third parties, which is costly to defend and could limit our ability to use certain technologies in the future; (18) that if we are unable to successfully defend against legal actions we could face substantial liabilities; (19) that our business depends on effective business support systems, processes and personnel; (20) that as a result of our continuing review of our business, we may have to undertake further restructuring plans that would require additional charges, including incurring facility exit and restructuring charges; (21) that we may be required to recognize additional impairment charges on our goodwill and intangible assets, which would adversely affect our results of operations and financial position; (22) that we may have exposure to greater than anticipated tax liabilities and the use of our net operating losses and certain other tax attributes could be limited in the future; (23) that we may reduce, or cease payment of, quarterly dividends; (24) that our stock price may be volatile; (25) that our indebtedness could adversely affect our financial health and limit our ability to react to changes in our industry; and (26) that provisions of our second restated certificate of incorporation, amended and restated bylaws and other elements of our capital structure could limit our share price and delay a change of management. These risks and uncertainties, as well as other risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual results to differ significantly from management's expectations, are not intended to represent a complete list of all risks and uncertainties inherent in our business, and should be read in conjunction with the more detailed cautionary statements and risk factors included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009 and our Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2010.

                                     EARTHLINK, INC.
                Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements Of Operations
                          (in thousands, except per share data)

                                       Three Months Ended
                                          December 31,
                                       ------------------
                                       2009              2010
                                       ----              ----

    Revenues                       $164,548          $166,789

    Operating costs and
     expenses (1):
      Cost of revenues
       (exclusive of
       operating items shown
       below)                        59,741            64,600
      Selling, general and
       administrative
       (exclusive of
       operating items shown
       below)                        56,611         50,900
      Depreciation and
       amortization                   5,352             9,738
      Impairment of goodwill
       and intangible assets
       (2)                           24,145             1,711
      Restructuring and
       acquisition-related
       costs (3)                        297            19,101
                                        ---            ------
        Total operating costs
         and expenses               146,146           146,050

    Income from operations           18,402            20,739
    Gain (loss) on
     investments, net                (1,626)                -
    Interest expense and
     other, net                      (5,346)           (7,740)
                                     ------            ------
        Income before income
         taxes                       11,430            12,999
    Income tax benefit
     (provision)                    181,839            (7,691)
                                    -------            ------
        Net income                 $193,269            $5,308
                                   ========            ======

    Net income per share
      Basic                           $1.80             $0.05
                                      =====             =====
      Diluted                         $1.79             $0.05
                                      =====             =====

    Weighted average common
     shares outstanding
      Basic                         107,075           108,320
                                    =======           =======
      Diluted                       108,178           111,317
                                    =======           =======

                                  Twelve Months Ended December
                                               31,
                                 ----------------------------
                                      2009               2010
                                      ----               ----

    Revenues                      $723,729           $622,212

    Operating costs and
     expenses (1):
      Cost of revenues
       (exclusive of
       operating items shown
       below)                      265,668            234,633
      Selling, general and
       administrative
       (exclusive of
       operating items shown
       below)                      222,181         178,417
      Depreciation and
       amortization                 23,962             23,390
      Impairment of goodwill
       and intangible assets
       (2)                          24,145              1,711
      Restructuring and
       acquisition-related
       costs (3)                     5,615             22,368
                                     -----             ------
        Total operating costs
         and expenses              541,571            460,519

    Income from operations         182,158            161,693
    Gain (loss) on
     investments, net               (1,321)               572
    Interest expense and
     other, net                    (19,804)           (23,981)
                                   -------            -------
        Income before income
         taxes                     161,033            138,284
    Income tax benefit
     (provision)                   126,085            (56,804)
                                   -------            -------
        Net income                $287,118            $81,480
                                  ========            =======

    Net income per share
      Basic                          $2.69              $0.75
                                     =====              =====
      Diluted                        $2.66              $0.74
                                     =====              =====

    Weighted average common
     shares outstanding
      Basic                        106,909            108,057
                                   =======            =======
      Diluted                      108,084            109,468
                                   =======            =======

                            EARTHLINK, INC.
     Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements Of Operations (4)
                 (in thousands, except per share data)

                                            Three Months Ended
                                             December 31, 2010
                                             -----------------
                               EarthLink       DeltaCom        Consolidated
                               ---------       --------        ------------

    Revenues                     $140,186        $26,603            166,789

    Operating costs and
     expenses (1):
      Cost of revenues
       (exclusive of
       operating items shown
       below)                      51,626         12,974             64,600
      Selling, general and
       administrative
       (exclusive of
       operating items shown
       below)                      40,640      10,260          50,900
      Depreciation and
       amortization                 4,853          4,885              9,738
      Impairment of goodwill
       and intangible assets
       (2)                          1,711              -              1,711
      Restructuring and
       acquisition-related
       costs (3)                   12,336          6,765             19,101
                                   ------          -----             ------
        Total operating costs
         and expenses             111,166         34,884            146,050

    Income (loss) from
     operations                    29,020         (8,281)            20,739
    Gain on investments,
     net                                -              -                  -
    Interest expense and
     other, net                    (5,651)        (2,089)            (7,740)
                                   ------         ------             ------
        Income before income
         taxes                     23,369        (10,370)            12,999
    Income tax (provision)
     benefit                      (11,842)         4,151             (7,691)
                                  -------          -----             ------
        Net income (loss)         $11,527        $(6,219)            $5,308
                                  =======        =======             ======

                                            Twelve Months Ended
                                              December 31, 2010
                                              -----------------
                               EarthLink        DeltaCom        Consolidated
                               ---------        --------        ------------

    Revenues                     $595,609         $26,603            622,212

    Operating costs and
     expenses (1):
      Cost of revenues
       (exclusive of
       operating items shown
       below)                     221,659          12,974            234,633
      Selling, general and
       administrative
       (exclusive of
       operating items shown
       below)                     168,157       10,260         178,417
      Depreciation and
       amortization                18,505           4,885             23,390
      Impairment of goodwill
       and intangible assets
       (2)                          1,711               -              1,711
      Restructuring and
       acquisition-related
       costs (3)                   15,603           6,765             22,368
                                   ------           -----             ------
        Total operating costs
         and expenses             425,635          34,884            460,519

    Income (loss) from
     operations                   169,974          (8,281)           161,693
    Gain on investments,
     net                              572               -                572
    Interest expense and
     other, net                   (21,892)         (2,089)           (23,981)
                                  -------          ------            -------
        Income before income
         taxes                    148,654         (10,370)           138,284
    Income tax (provision)
     benefit                      (60,955)          4,151            (56,804)
                                  -------           -----            -------
        Net income (loss)         $87,699         $(6,219)           $81,480
                                  =======         =======            =======

                           EARTHLINK, INC.
     Reconciliation of Net Income (Loss) to Adjusted EBITDA (5)
                (in thousands, except per share data)

                                          Three Months Ended
                                           December 31, 2010
                                           -----------------
                             EarthLink       DeltaCom        Consolidated
                             ---------       --------        ------------

    Net income (loss)           $11,527        $(6,219)            $5,308
    Interest expense and
     other, net                   5,651          2,089              7,740
    Income tax (provision)
     benefit                     11,842         (4,151)             7,691
    Depreciation and
     amortization                 4,853          4,885              9,738
    Stock-based
     compensation expense         2,773            109              2,882
    Gain on investments,
     net                              -              -                  -
    Impairment of goodwill
     and intangible assets
     (2)                          1,711              -              1,711
    Restructuring and
     acquisition-related
     costs (3)                   12,336          6,765             19,101
                                 ------          -----             ------
      Adjusted EBITDA (5)       $50,693         $3,478            $54,171
                                =======         ======            =======

                                          Twelve Months Ended
                                            December 31, 2010
                                            -----------------
                             EarthLink        DeltaCom        Consolidated
                             ---------        --------        ------------

    Net income (loss)           $87,699         $(6,219)           $81,480
    Interest expense and
     other, net                  21,892           2,089             23,981
    Income tax (provision)
     benefit                     60,955          (4,151)            56,804
    Depreciation and
     amortization                18,505           4,885             23,390
    Stock-based
     compensation expense         9,850             109              9,959
    Gain on investments,
     net                           (572)              -               (572)
    Impairment of goodwill
     and intangible assets
     (2)                          1,711               -              1,711
    Restructuring and
     acquisition-related
     costs (3)                   15,603           6,765             22,368
                                 ------           -----             ------
      Adjusted EBITDA (5)      $215,643          $3,478           $219,121
                               ========          ======           ========

                          EARTHLINK, INC.
     Reconciliation of Net Income (Loss) to Free Cash Flow (5)
               (in thousands, except per share data)

                                          Three Months Ended
                                           December 31, 2010
                                           -----------------
                             EarthLink       DeltaCom        Consolidated
                             ---------       --------        ------------

    Net income (loss)           $11,527        $(6,219)            $5,308
    Interest expense and
     other, net                   5,651          2,089              7,740
    Income tax (provision)
     benefit                     11,842         (4,151)             7,691
    Depreciation and
     amortization                 4,853          4,885              9,738
    Stock-based
     compensation expense         2,773            109              2,882
    Gain on investments,
     net                              -              -                  -
    Impairment of goodwill
     and intangible assets
     (2)                          1,711              -              1,711
    Restructuring and
     acquisition-related
     costs (3)                   12,336          6,765             19,101
    Purchases of property
     and equipment               (4,762)       (10,515)           (15,277)
                                 ------        -------            -------
      Free cash flow (5)        $45,931        $(7,037)           $38,894
                                =======        =======            =======

                                          Twelve Months Ended
                                            December 31, 2010
                                            -----------------
                             EarthLink        DeltaCom        Consolidated
                             ---------        --------        ------------

    Net income (loss)           $87,699         $(6,219)           $81,480
    Interest expense and
     other, net                  21,892           2,089             23,981
    Income tax (provision)
     benefit                     60,955          (4,151)            56,804
    Depreciation and
     amortization                18,505           4,885             23,390
    Stock-based
     compensation expense         9,850             109              9,959
    Gain on investments,
     net                           (572)              -               (572)
    Impairment of goodwill
     and intangible assets
     (2)                          1,711               -              1,711
    Restructuring and
     acquisition-related
     costs (3)                   15,603           6,765             22,368
    Purchases of property
     and equipment              (13,510)        (10,515)           (24,025)
                                -------         -------            -------
      Free cash flow (5)       $202,133         $(7,037)          $195,096
                               ========         =======           ========

                                   EARTHLINK, INC.
                 Reconciliation of Net Income to Adjusted EBITDA (5)
                                   (in thousands)

                                   Three Months Ended
                                                    December 31,
                                   ------------------
                                   2009             2010
                                   ----             ----

    Net income                 $193,269           $5,308
    Interest expense
     and other, net               5,346            7,740
    Income tax
     (benefit)
     provision               (181,839)           7,691
    Depreciation and
     amortization               5,352            9,738
    Stock-based
     compensation
     expense                    2,679            2,882
    Gain (loss) on
     investments, net           1,626                -
    Impairment of
     goodwill and
     intangible assets
     (2)                       24,145            1,711
    Restructuring and
     acquisition-
     related costs (3)            297           19,101
                                  ---           ------
             Adjusted
             EBITDA (5)       $50,875          $54,171
                             ========

                               Twelve Months Ended December
                                                          31,
                               ----------------------------
                                    2009               2010
                                    ----               ----

    Net income                  $287,118            $81,480
    Interest expense
     and other, net               19,804             23,981
    Income tax
     (benefit)
     provision                (126,085)            56,804
    Depreciation and
     amortization               23,962             23,390
    Stock-based
     compensation
     expense                    13,231              9,959
    Gain (loss) on
     investments, net            1,321               (572)
    Impairment of
     goodwill and
     intangible assets
     (2)                        24,145              1,711
    Restructuring and
     acquisition-
     related costs (3)           5,615             22,368
                                 -----             ------
             Adjusted
             EBITDA (5)       $249,111           $219,121
                             =========

                                EARTHLINK, INC.
              Reconciliation of Net Income to Free Cash Flow (5)
                                (in thousands)

                            Three Months Ended
                                December 31,
                            ------------------
                             2009            2010
                             ----            ----

    Net income           $193,269          $5,308
    Interest expense
     and other, net         5,346           7,740
    Income tax
     (benefit)
     provision           (181,839)          7,691
    Depreciation and
     amortization           5,352           9,738
    Stock-based
     compensation
     expense                2,679           2,882
    Gain (loss) on
     investments,
     net                    1,626               -
    Impairment of
     goodwill and
     intangible
     assets (2)            24,145           1,711
    Restructuring
     and
     acquisition-
     related costs
     (3)                      297        19,101
    Purchases of
     property and
     equipment             (2,471)        (15,277)
                           ------         -------
      Free cash flow
       (5)                $48,404         $38,894
                          =======         =======

                            Twelve Months Ended
                                December 31,
                            -------------------
                              2009            2010
                              ----            ----

    Net income            $287,118         $81,480
    Interest expense
     and other, net         19,804          23,981
    Income tax
     (benefit)
     provision            (126,085)         56,804
    Depreciation and
     amortization           23,962          23,390
    Stock-based
     compensation
     expense                13,231           9,959
    Gain (loss) on
     investments,
     net                     1,321            (572)
    Impairment of
     goodwill and
     intangible
     assets (2)             24,145           1,711
    Restructuring
     and
     acquisition-
     related costs
     (3)                     5,615        22,368
    Purchases of
     property and
     equipment             (13,119)        (24,025)
                           -------         -------
      Free cash flow
       (5)                $235,992        $195,096
                          ========        ========

                            EARTHLINK, INC.
    Reconciliation of Net Income to Net Income Per Share Excluding
                     Acquisition-Related Costs (5)
                (in thousands, except per share amounts)

                              Three
                             Months       Twelve Months
                             Ended            Ended
                            December
                               31,         December 31,
                                 2010              2010
                                 ----              ----
    Net income                 $5,308           $81,480
    Acquisition-related
     costs (3)                 18,953            20,953
    Estimated tax impact
     *                         (2,686)           (3,565)
    Net income excluding
     acquisition-
     related costs (5)        $21,575           $98,868
                              =======           =======

    Diluted per share
     amount                     $0.19             $0.90
                                =====             =====

    * Acquisition-related costs for purposes of this reconciliation have
    been reduced by an estimated tax impact. The tax impact does not
    necessarily reflect the actual amount that would have resulted had
    EarthLink not incurred these costs during the periods presented.

                           EARTHLINK, INC.
    Reconciliation of Guidance Provided in Non-GAAP Measures (5)
                            (in millions)

                               Year
                              Ending
                             December
                                31,
                                  2011
                                  ----
    Net income               $48 - $53
    Interest expense
     and other, net                 48
    Income tax
     provision               31 - 36
    Depreciation and
     amortization                   93
    Stock-based
     compensation
     expense                        16
    Restructuring and
     acquisition-
     related costs (3)              14
                                   ---
      Adjusted EBITDA (5)  $250 - $260
                           ===========

                               Year
                              Ending
                             December
                                31,
                                  2011
                                  ----
    Net income               $48 - $53
    Interest expense
     and other, net                 48
    Income tax
     provision               31 - 36
    Depreciation and
     amortization                   93
    Stock-based
     compensation
     expense                        16
    Restructuring and
     acquisition-
     related costs (3)              14
    Purchases of
     property and
     equipment             (90) - (75)
                           -----------
      Free cash flow (5)   $160 - $185
                           ===========

                                 EARTHLINK, INC.
                           Supplemental Financial Data

                          December
                             31,          June 30,
                               2009            2010
                               ----            ----
                                (in thousands)
    Balance Sheet
     Data
    Cash and
     marketable
     securities            $695,961        $740,100
    Debt (6)                258,750         255,791
    Stockholders'
     equity                 734,024         757,899

    Employee Data
    Number of
     employees at
     end of period
     (7)                        623             576

                         September 30,      December 31,
                                  2010               2010
                                  ----               ----
                          (in thousands)
    Balance Sheet
     Data
    Cash and
     marketable
     securities               $770,555           $563,070
    Debt (6)                   255,791            580,791
    Stockholders'
     equity                    764,922            757,868

    Employee Data
    Number of
     employees at
     end of period
     (7)                           560              1,870

                                   EARTHLINK, INC.
                         Consumer Services Operating Metrics

                              December 31,      June 30,
                                      2009           2010
                                      ----           ----
    Consumer Subscriber
     Detail
    Narrowband access
     subscribers                 1,225,000      1,060,000
    Broadband access
     subscribers                   804,000        748,000
                                   -------        -------
      Total consumer
       subscribers               2,029,000      1,808,000
                                 =========      =========

                               September 30,     December 31,
                                        2010             2010
                                        ----             ----
    Consumer Subscriber
     Detail
    Narrowband access
     subscribers                     988,000          932,000
    Broadband access
     subscribers                     727,000          704,000
                                     -------          -------
      Total consumer
       subscribers                 1,715,000        1,636,000
                                   =========        =========

                                    Three Months Ended
                                        December 31,
                                    ------------------
                                      2009           2010
                                      ----           ----
    Consumer Subscriber
     Activity
    Subscribers at
     beginning of period         2,161,000      1,715,000
    Gross organic
     subscriber additions           71,000         59,000
    Adjustment (8)                       -              -
    Churn                         (203,000)      (138,000)
    Subscribers at end of
     period                      2,029,000      1,636,000
                                 =========      =========

    Consumer Metrics
    Average subscribers
     (9)                         2,093,000      1,675,000
    ARPU (10)                       $20.72         $21.10
    Churn rate (11)                    3.2%           2.8%

                                     Twelve Months Ended
                                         December 31,
                                     -------------------
                                       2009             2010
                                       ----             ----
    Consumer Subscriber
     Activity
    Subscribers at
     beginning of period          2,643,000        2,029,000
    Gross organic
     subscriber additions           399,000          265,000
    Adjustment (8)                   (7,000)               -
    Churn                        (1,006,000)        (658,000)
    Subscribers at end of
     period                       2,029,000        1,636,000
                                  =========        =========

    Consumer Metrics
    Average subscribers
     (9)                          2,310,000        1,817,000
    ARPU (10)                        $20.76           $21.16
    Churn rate (11)                     3.6%             3.0%

                                 EARTHLINK, INC.
                       Business Services Operating Metrics

                         December 31, June 30, September 30, December 31,
                                 2009     2010          2010         2010
                                 ----     ----          ----         ----

    Legacy EarthLink
     Business Metrics
      Narrowband access
       subscribers              8,000    8,000         8,000        7,000
      Broadband access
       subscribers             54,000   53,000        53,000       53,000
      Web hosting
       accounts                75,000   70,000        68,000       66,000

    ITC^DeltaCom
     Business Metrics
      Total fiber optic
       route miles                  -        -             -       16,504
      Colocations                   -        -             -          294
      Voice and data
       switches                     -        -             -           20

      Retail voice lines            -        -             -      414,000
      Wholesale voice
       lines                        -        -             -        6,000
                                  ---      ---           ---        -----
      Total business
       voice lines                  -        -             -      420,000

                      EARTHLINK, INC.
     Supplemental Schedule of Segment Information (12)
                       (in thousands)

                                         Three Months Ended December 31,
                                         -------------------------------
                                                 2009                2010
                                                 ----                ----
    Consumer Services
      Revenues
        Access and service                   $113,565             $92,025
        Value-added services                   16,503              14,027
                                               ------              ------
        Total revenues                        130,068             106,052
      Cost of revenues                         40,517              33,500
                                               ------              ------
      Gross margin                             89,551              72,552
      Segment operating expenses               27,577              21,382
      Segment income from
       operations                             $61,974             $51,170
                                              =======             =======

    Business Services
      Revenues
        Access and service                    $33,944             $60,219
        Value-added services                      536                 518
                                                  ---                 ---
        Total revenues                         34,480              60,737
      Cost of revenues                         19,224              31,100
                                               ------              ------
      Gross margin                             15,256              29,637
      Segment operating expenses               10,336              19,821
      Segment income from
       operations                              $4,920              $9,816
                                               ======              ======

    Consolidated
      Revenues
        Access and service                   $147,509            $152,244
        Value-added services                   17,039              14,545
                                               ------              ------
        Total revenues                        164,548             166,789
      Cost of revenues                         59,741              64,600
                                               ------              ------
      Gross margin                            104,807             102,189
      Direct segment operating
       expenses                                37,913              41,203
                                               ------              ------
      Segment income from
       operations                              66,894              60,986
      Stock-based compensation
       expense                                  2,679               2,882
      Depreciation and amortization             5,352               9,738
      Impairment of goodwill and
       intangible assets (2)                   24,145               1,711
      Restructuring and
       acquisition-related costs
       (3)                                        297              19,101
      Other operating expenses                 16,019               6,815
      Income from operations                  $18,402             $20,739
                                              =======             =======

                                          Twelve Months Ended December 31,
                                         --------------------------------
                                                 2009                  2010
                                                 ----                  ----
    Consumer Services
      Revenues
        Access and service                   $503,769              $403,174
        Value-added services                   71,643                58,274
                                               ------                ------
        Total revenues                        575,412               461,448
      Cost of revenues                        183,248               143,956
                                              -------               -------
      Gross margin                            392,164               317,492
      Segment operating expenses              122,575                87,660
      Segment income from
       operations                            $269,589              $229,832
                                             ========              ========

    Business Services
      Revenues
        Access and service                   $146,087              $158,677
        Value-added services                    2,230                 2,087
                                                -----                 -----
        Total revenues                        148,317               160,764
      Cost of revenues                         82,420                90,677
                                               ------                ------
      Gross margin                             65,897                70,087
      Segment operating expenses               40,249                50,096
      Segment income from
       operations                             $25,648               $19,991
                                              =======               =======

    Consolidated
      Revenues
        Access and service                   $649,856              $561,851
        Value-added services                   73,873                60,361
                                               ------                ------
        Total revenues                        723,729               622,212
      Cost of revenues                        265,668               234,633
                                              -------               -------
      Gross margin                            458,061               387,579
      Direct segment operating
       expenses                               162,824               137,756
                                              -------               -------
      Segment income from
       operations                             295,237               249,823
      Stock-based compensation
       expense                                 13,231                 9,959
      Depreciation and amortization            23,962                23,390
      Impairment of goodwill and
       intangible assets (2)                   24,145                 1,711
      Restructuring and
       acquisition-related costs
       (3)                                      5,615                22,368
      Other operating expenses                 46,126                30,702
      Income from operations                 $182,158              $161,693
                                             ========              ========

                       EARTHLINK, INC.
       Footnotes to Consolidated Financial Highlights

                                Certain amounts in prior periods have been
                                reclassified to conform to the current period.
                                Specifically, EarthLink reclassified
    1.                          depreciation
      expense from cost of revenues and selling, general
       and administrative expenses to depreciation and
       amortization expense. In addition,
      EarthLink combined sales and marketing, operations
       and customer support and general and administrative
       into selling, general and
      administrative expense. EarthLink's results of
       operations were not impacted by these
       reclassifications.

                                During the fourth quarter of 2009, EarthLink
                                concluded that the goodwill and certain of the
                                intangible assets recorded as a result of its
    2.                          April 2006
      acquisition of New Edge Networks were impaired and
       recorded non-cash impairment charges of $24.1
       million. EarthLink concluded the carrying
      value of its goodwill and certain of the intangible
       assets related to the New Edge acquisition were
       impaired in conjunction with its annual test of
      goodwill and intangible assets deemed to have
       indefinite lives as well as updating its long-term
       outlook.  During the fourth quarter of 2010,
      EarthLink recorded a non-cash impairment charge of
       $1.7 million to write-down its New Edge trade name
       as a result of a strategic decision to
      re-brand New Edge as EarthLink Business.

    3.   Restructuring and acquisition-related costs consisted of the
         following for the periods presented:

                                     Three Months
                                        Ended
                                     December 31,
                                     ------------
                                  2009          2010
                                  ----          ----
                                   (in thousands)
      Transaction-
       related costs                $-        $8,164
      Stock-based
       compensation                  -         5,742
      Severance and
       retention                     -         5,047
                                   ---         -----
           Acquisition-
            related costs            -        18,953
      Facility exit and
       restructuring
       costs                       297           148
                                   ---           ---
           Total restructuring
            and acquisition-
            related               $297       $19,101
                                  ====       =======

                                    Twelve Months
                                        Ended
                                     December 31,
                                     ------------
                                   2009         2010
                                   ----         ----
                                (in thousands)
      Transaction-
       related costs                 $-      $10,164
      Stock-based
       compensation                   -        5,742
      Severance and
       retention                      -        5,047
                                    ---        -----
           Acquisition-
            related costs             -       20,953
      Facility exit and
       restructuring
       costs                      5,615        1,415
                                  -----        -----
           Total restructuring
            and acquisition-
            related              $5,615      $22,368
                                 ======      =======

      Acquisition-related costs consist of external costs directly related
      to EarthLink's acquisitions, such as advisory, legal, accounting,
      valuation and
      other professional fees. Acquisition-related costs during the year
      ended December 31, 2010 also include stock-based compensation
      expenses
      and employee severance and benefit costs associated with EarthLink's
      acquisition of ITC^DeltaCom. Stock-based compensation expense
      included in acquisition-related costs resulted from cash paid to
      settle stock-based awards attributable to postcombination service
      in connection
      with the ITC^DeltaCom acquisition. EarthLink expects to incur
      approximately $5.0 million of acquisition-related costs in the
      first quarter of 2011.

      Facility exit and restructuring costs consist of costs incurred for
      EarthLink's restructuring plans. In August 2007, EarthLink adopted a
      restructuring plan (the "2007 Plan") to reduce costs and improve the
      efficiency of the Company's operations. The 2007 Plan was the result
      of a comprehensive review of operations within and across the
      Company's functions and businesses. Under the 2007 Plan, the Company
      reduced its workforce by approximately 900 employees, closed office
      facilities in Orlando, Florida; Knoxville, Tennessee; Harrisburg,
      Pennsylvania; and San Francisco, California and consolidated its
      office facilities in Atlanta, Georgia and Pasadena, California. The
      2007
      Plan was primarily implemented during 2007 and 2008. However, since
      management continues to evaluate EarthLink's businesses,
      there have been and may continue to be supplemental provisions for
      new plan initiatives as well as changes in estimates to amounts
      previously recorded.

          On December 8, 2010, EarthLink completed its
          acquisition of ITC^DeltaCom, a provider of
          integrated communications services to
    4.    customers
      in the southeastern U.S., in an all-cash
       transaction for $3.00 per share. Under the terms
       of the merger agreement, EarthLink acquired 100%
       of
      ITC^DeltaCom in a merger transaction with
       ITC^DeltaCom surviving as a wholly-owned
       subsidiary of EarthLink. The results of
       operations of
      ITC^DeltaCom have been included in EarthLink's
       consolidated financial statements since the
       acquisition date. These condensed consolidating
      statements of operations are being presented for
       informational purposes.

          Adjusted EBITDA is defined as net income
          before interest expense and other, net,
          income taxes, depreciation and amortization,
    5.    stock-based
      compensation, gain (loss) on investments, net,
       impairment of goodwill and intangible assets, and
       restructuring and acquisition-related costs.
      Free cash flow is defined as net income before
       interest expense and other, net, income taxes,
       depreciation and amortization, stock-based
      compensation, gain (loss) on investments, net,
       impairment of goodwill and intangible assets, and
       restructuring and acquisition-related costs,
      less purchases cash used for of property and
       equipment and purchases of subscriber bases. Net
       income per share excluding acquisition-related
      costs is defined as net income before acquisition-
       related costs, including an estimated tax impact.

      Adjusted EBITDA, free cash flow and net income per
       share excluding acquisition-related costs are
       non-GAAP measures and are
      not determined in accordance with U.S. generally
       accepted accounting  principles. These financial
       performance measures are not indicative of
      cash provided or used by operating activities and
       may differ from comparable information provided
       by other companies, and they should not be
      considered in isolation, as an alternative to, or
       more meaningful than measures of financial
       performance determined in accordance with U.S.
      generally accepted accounting principles. These
       financial performance measures are commonly used
       in the industry and are presented because
      EarthLink believes they provide relevant and
       useful information to investors. EarthLink
       utilizes these financial performance measures to
       assess
      its ability to meet future capital expenditures
       and working capital requirements. EarthLink also
       uses these financial performance measures to
      evaluate the performance of its business, for
       budget planning purposes and as factors in its
       employee compensation programs. Management
      believes that excluding the effects of the items
       noted above enables investors to better
       understand and analyze the current period's
       results
      and provides a better measure of comparability.

          Debt includes the principal amount of
          EarthLink's Convertible Senior Notes and
          ITC^DeltaCom's Senior Secured Notes. The
    6.    principal amount of the
      Convertible Senior Notes was $258.8 million,
       $255.8 million, $255.8 million and $255.8 million
       as of December 31, 2009, June 30, 2010, September
      30, 2010 and December 31, 2010, respectively. The
       unamortized discount was $26.5 million, $19.6
       million, $16.2 million and $12.7 million as of
      December 31, 2009, June 30, 2010, September 30,
       2010 and December 31, 2010, respectively. The net
       carrying value was $232.2 million, $236.2
      million, $239.6 million and $243.1 million as of
       December 31, 2009, June 30, 2010, September 30,
       2010 and December 31, 2010, respectively. The
      principal amount of the DeltaCom notes was $325.0
       million and the carrying value was $351.3
       million.

    7.   Represents full-time equivalents.

          During the twelve months ended December 31,
          2009, EarthLink removed approximately 7,000
          satellite subscribers from its broadband
    8.    subscriber
      count and total subscriber count as a result of
       the sale of these subscriber accounts.

          Average subscribers for the three month
          periods is calculated by averaging the ending
          monthly subscribers or accounts for the four
    9.    months
      preceding and including the end of the quarterly
       period. Average subscribers for the twelve month
       periods is calculated by averaging the ending
      monthly subscribers or accounts for the thirteen
       months preceding and including the end of the
       period.

          ARPU represents the average monthly revenue
          per user (subscriber). ARPU is computed by
          dividing average monthly revenue for the
    10.   period by the
      average number of subscribers for the period.
       Average monthly revenue used to calculate ARPU
       includes recurring service revenue as well as
      nonrecurring revenues associated with equipment
       and other one-time charges associated with
       initiating or discontinuing services.

          Churn rate is used to measure the rate at
          which subscribers discontinue service on a
          voluntary or involuntary basis.  Churn rate
    11.   is computed by
      dividing the average monthly number of subscribers
       that discontinued service during the period by
       the average subscribers for the period.

          The Company reports segment information along
          the same lines that its chief executive
          officer reviews its operating results in
    12.   assessing
      performance and allocating resources. The Company
       operates two reportable segments, Consumer
       Services and Business Services.
      The Company's Consumer Services segment provides
       Internet access services and related value-added
       services to individual customers.
      These services include dial-up and high-speed
       Internet access and voice-over-Internet
       protocol services, among others. The Company's
      Business Services segment provides integrated
       communications services and related value-added
       services to businesses and communications
      carriers. These services include data services,
       including managed IP-based network services and
       broadband Internet access services; voice
      services, including local exchange, long-distance
       and conference calling; mobile data and voice
       services; and web hosting.

      EarthLink evaluates performance of its operating
       segments based on segment income from operations.
       Segment income from operations
      includes revenues from external customers, related
       cost of revenues and operating expenses directly
       attributable to the segment, which include
      expenses over which segment managers have direct
       discretionary control, such as advertising and
       marketing programs, customer support
      expenses, site operations expenses, product
       development expenses, certain technology and
       facilities expenses, billing operation and
       provisions
      for doubtful accounts. Segment income from
       operations excludes other income and expense
       items and certain expenses that segment
      managers do not have discretionary control over.
       Costs excluded from segment income from
       operations include various corporate expenses
      (consisting of certain costs such as corporate
       management, human resources, finance and legal),
       depreciation and amortization, stock-
      based compensation expense, impairment of goodwill
       and intangible assets and restructuring and
       acquisition-related costs, as they are not
      evaluated in the measurement of segment
       performance.

SOURCE  EarthLink

EarthLink

CONTACT: Investors: Louis Alterman, +1-404-748-7650, +1-678-472-3252, altermanlo@corp.earthlink.com, Media: Michele Sadwick, +1-404-748-7255, +1-404-769-8421, sadwick@corp.earthlink.com

Web Site: http://www.earthlink.net

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