Cogent Communications Reports First Quarter 2026 Results
Financial and Business Highlights
- Service revenue was
$239.2 million for Q1 2026 and was$240.5 million for Q4 2025.- Wavelength revenue increased by 12.3% sequentially from Q4 2025 to
$13.6 million for Q1 2026 and increased by 90.8% from Q1 2025.- Wavelength customer connections increased by 9.6% sequentially from Q4 2025 to 2,263 connections for Q1 2026 and increased by 71.2% from Q1 2025.
- On-net revenue increased by 1.0% sequentially from Q4 2025 to
$135.6 million for Q1 2026 and increased by 4.6% from Q1 2025.
- Wavelength revenue increased by 12.3% sequentially from Q4 2025 to
- Revenue from leasing IPv4 addresses increased by 3.9% sequentially from Q4 2025 to
$18.0 million for Q1 2026 and increased by 24.8% from Q1 2025. - EBITDA, as adjusted, was
$70.2 million for Q1 2026 and increased by 2.1% from Q1 2025.- EBITDA, as adjusted, margin was 29.3% for Q1 2026 and was 27.8% for Q1 2025.
- IP Network traffic for Q1 2026 increased by 4% from Q4 2025 and increased by 14% from Q1 2025.
- Cogent approved a quarterly dividend of
$0.02 per share for Q2 2026.
Foreign exchange rates positively impacted service revenue growth from the three months ended
On-net service is provided to customers located in buildings that are physically connected to Cogent's network by Cogent facilities. On-net revenue was
Off-net customers are located in buildings directly connected to Cogent's network using other carriers' facilities and services to provide the last mile portion of the link from the customers' premises to Cogent's network. Off-net revenue was
Wavelength revenue was
Non-core services are legacy services, which Cogent acquired and continues to support but does not actively sell. Non-core revenue was
GAAP gross profit is defined as total service revenue less network operations expense, depreciation and amortization and equity-based compensation included in network operations expense. GAAP gross margin is defined as GAAP gross profit divided by total service revenue. GAAP gross profit increased by 4.0% from the three months ended
GAAP gross margin was 23.4% for the three months ended
Non-GAAP gross profit represents service revenue less network operations expense, excluding equity-based compensation and amounts shown separately (depreciation and amortization expense). Non-GAAP gross margin is defined as Non-GAAP gross profit divided by total service revenue. Non-GAAP gross profit decreased by 2.0% from the three months ended
Non-GAAP gross margin was 46.1% for the three months ended
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities was
IP Transit Services Agreement
On
Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA), was
EBITDA margin, was 18.9% for the three months ended
Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA), as adjusted, for cash paid under the IP Transit Services Agreement, was
EBITDA margin, as adjusted for cash paid under the IP Transit Services Agreement, was 29.3% for the three months ended
Basic and diluted net (loss) per share was
Total customer connections decreased by 3.2% from
The number of on-net buildings increased by 105 on-net buildings from
Optical Wave Network
Acquiring the Sprint network has also allowed Cogent to construct a wavelength network using predominantly owned fiber. This enabled Cogent to expand its product offerings to include optical wavelength services. As of
Quarterly Dividend Approved
On
The payment of any future dividends and any other returns of capital will be at the discretion of the Board and may be reduced, eliminated or increased and will be dependent upon Cogent's financial position, results of operations, available cash, cash flow, capital requirements, limitations under Cogent's debt indentures and other factors deemed relevant by the Board.
Conference Call and Website Information
Cogent will host a conference call with financial analysts at
About
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Summary of Financial and Operational Results |
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Q1 2025 |
Q2 2025 |
Q3 2025 |
Q4 2025 |
Q1 2026 |
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Metric ($ in 000's, except share, per share, customer connections |
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On-Net revenue (13) |
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% Change from previous Qtr. |
0.7 % |
2.1 % |
2.2 % |
-0.7 % |
1.0 % |
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Off-Net revenue |
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% Change from previous Qtr. |
-5.2 % |
-4.8 % |
-6.9 % |
-2.3 % |
-4.2 % |
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Wavelength revenue (1) |
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% Change from previous Qtr. |
2.2 % |
27.2 % |
12.4 % |
18.8 % |
12.3 % |
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Non-Core revenue (2) |
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% Change from previous Qtr. |
-10.3 % |
-11.4 % |
-48.1 % |
-11.6 % |
-17.9 % |
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Service revenue – total (13) |
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% Change from previous Qtr. |
-2.1 % |
-0.3 % |
-1.7 % |
-0.6 % |
-0.6 % |
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Constant currency total revenue quarterly growth rate – sequential |
-1.9 % |
-1.3 % |
-2.1 % |
-0.5 % |
-0.7 % |
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Constant currency total revenue quarterly growth rate – year over |
-6.7 % |
-6.0 % |
-6.6 % |
-5.7 % |
-4.6 % |
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Constant currency and excise tax impact on total revenue |
-1.6 % |
-1.2 % |
-1.8 % |
-0.8 % |
-0.5 % |
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Constant currency and excise tax impact on total revenue |
-6.6 % |
-6.3 % |
-6.4 % |
-5.3 % |
-4.3 % |
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Excise Taxes included in service revenue (4) |
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% Change from previous Qtr. |
-3.6 % |
-1.0 % |
-4.1 % |
3.1 % |
-1.5 % |
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IPv4 Revenue, included in On-Net revenue |
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% Change from previous Qtr. |
14.8 % |
6.3 % |
14.1 % |
-0.9 % |
3.9 % |
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IPv4 Addresses Billed |
12,879,749 |
13,187,109 |
14,600,974 |
15,274,488 |
15,203,726 |
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% Change from previous Qtr. |
-1.2 % |
2.4 % |
10.7 % |
4.6 % |
-0.5 % |
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Corporate revenue (5) |
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% Change from previous Qtr. |
-2.1 % |
-1.5 % |
-3.5 % |
-2.3 % |
-1.7 % |
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Net-centric revenue (5) (13) |
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% Change from previous Qtr. |
-1.1 % |
5.1 % |
3.1 % |
3.1 % |
2.3 % |
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Enterprise revenue (5) |
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% Change from previous Qtr. |
-4.1 % |
-8.8 % |
-8.6 % |
-5.8 % |
-5.7 % |
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Network operations expenses (4) |
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% Change from previous Qtr. |
-11.5 % |
0.0 % |
-4.3 % |
-2.3 % |
0.7 % |
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GAAP gross profit (6) |
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% Change from previous Qtr. |
12.5 % |
-0.3 % |
48.9 % |
7.8 % |
4.0 % |
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GAAP gross margin (6) |
13.6 % |
13.6 % |
20.6 % |
22.3 % |
23.4 % |
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Non-GAAP gross profit (3) (7) |
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% Change from previous Qtr. |
12.8 % |
-0.8 % |
1.4 % |
1.5 % |
-2.0 % |
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Non-GAAP gross margin (3) (7) |
44.6 % |
44.4 % |
45.8 % |
46.8 % |
46.1 % |
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Selling, general and administrative expenses (8) |
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% Change from previous Qtr. |
19.0 % |
-8.4 % |
2.1 % |
-2.1 % |
7.2 % |
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Depreciation and amortization expense |
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% Change from previous Qtr. |
13.0 % |
-1.0 % |
-19.7 % |
-3.3 % |
-7.5 % |
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Equity-based compensation expense |
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% Change from previous Qtr. |
9.1 % |
-41.8 % |
91.5 % |
-46.2 % |
57.3 % |
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Operating income (loss) |
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% Change from previous Qtr. |
23.0 % |
21.9 % |
42.4 % |
37.5 % |
-19.2 % |
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Interest expense (9) |
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% Change from previous Qtr. |
-25.0 % |
43.1 % |
-11.4 % |
25.5 % |
-11.4 % |
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Non-cash change in valuation – Swap Agreement (9) |
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Net loss |
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Basic net loss per common share |
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Diluted net loss per common share |
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Weighted average common shares – basic |
47,676,735 |
47,592,836 |
47,603,287 |
47,724,101 |
47,774,617 |
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% Change from previous Qtr. |
0.3 % |
-0.2 % |
0.0 % |
0.3 % |
0.1 % |
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Weighted average common shares – diluted |
47,676,735 |
47,592,836 |
47,603,287 |
47,724,101 |
47,774,617 |
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% Change from previous Qtr. |
0.3 % |
-0.2 % |
0.0 % |
0.3 % |
0.1 % |
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EBITDA (3) |
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% Change from previous Qtr. |
4.6 % |
10.8 % |
0.6 % |
6.1 % |
-12.7 % |
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EBITDA margin (3) |
17.7 % |
19.7 % |
20.2 % |
21.5 % |
18.9 % |
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Cash payments under IP Transit Services Agreement (10) |
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EBITDA, as adjusted for payments under IP Transit Services |
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% Change from previous Qtr. |
2.9 % |
6.9 % |
0.4 % |
4.0 % |
-8.5 % |
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EBITDA, as adjusted for cash payments under IP Transit Services |
27.8 % |
29.8 % |
30.5 % |
31.9 % |
29.3 % |
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Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities |
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% Change from previous Qtr. |
150.1 % |
-221.1 % |
107.0 % |
-293.3 % |
347.6 % |
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Capital expenditures |
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% Change from previous Qtr. |
26.0 % |
-3.3 % |
-35.5 % |
2.2 % |
24.9 % |
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Principal payments of capital (finance) lease obligations |
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% Change from previous Qtr. |
-71.4 % |
6.5 % |
3.2 % |
-3.0 % |
56.6 % |
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Dividends paid |
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Gross Leverage Ratio (3) |
6.69 |
8.65 |
8.24 |
8.04 |
8.02 |
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Net Leverage Ratio (3) |
6.08 |
7.52 |
7.44 |
7.34 |
7.41 |
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Gross Leverage Ratio, adjusted for amounts Due from T-Mobile (3) |
5.81 |
7.74 |
7.45 |
7.35 |
7.40 |
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Net Leverage Ratio, adjusted for amounts Due from T-Mobile (3) |
5.21 |
6.61 |
6.65 |
6.64 |
6.79 |
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Gross Leverage Ratio under the Company's Indentures (3) |
5.86 |
6.82 |
5.66 |
6.13 |
6.10 |
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Secured Leverage Ratio under the Company's Indentures (3) |
3.44 |
4.20 |
3.49 |
3.80 |
3.79 |
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Interest Coverage Ratio under the Company's Indentures (3) |
2.80 |
2.43 |
2.62 |
2.39 |
2.29 |
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Customer Connections – end of period (13) |
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On-Net customer connections |
86,781 |
87,407 |
87,767 |
87,944 |
87,899 |
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% Change from previous Qtr. |
-0.8 % |
0.7 % |
0.4 % |
0.2 % |
-0.1 % |
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Off-Net customer connections |
27,508 |
26,239 |
25,518 |
24,656 |
24,014 |
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% Change from previous Qtr. |
-5.0 % |
-4.6 % |
-2.7 % |
-3.4 % |
-2.6 % |
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Wavelength customer connections (1) |
1,322 |
1,469 |
1,750 |
2,064 |
2,263 |
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% Change from previous Qtr. |
18.2 % |
11.1 % |
19.1 % |
17.9 % |
9.6 % |
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Non-Core customer connections (2) |
5,120 |
3,615 |
3,244 |
2,979 |
2,633 |
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% Change from previous Qtr. |
-11.8 % |
-29.4 % |
-10.3 % |
-8.2 % |
-11.6 % |
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Total customer connections (13) |
120,731 |
118,730 |
118,279 |
117,643 |
116,809 |
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% Change from previous Qtr. |
-2.1 % |
-1.7 % |
-0.4 % |
-0.5 % |
-0.7 % |
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Corporate customer connections (5) |
45,295 |
44,307 |
43,391 |
42,579 |
41,903 |
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% Change from previous Qtr. |
-2.3 % |
-2.2 % |
-2.1 % |
-1.9 % |
-1.6 % |
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Net-centric customer connections (5) (13) |
61,795 |
62,659 |
63,875 |
64,551 |
65,098 |
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% Change from previous Qtr. |
-0.7 % |
1.4 % |
1.9 % |
1.1 % |
0.8 % |
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Enterprise customer connections (5) |
13,641 |
11,764 |
11,013 |
10,513 |
9,808 |
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% Change from previous Qtr. |
-7.7 % |
-13.8 % |
-6.4 % |
-4.5 % |
-6.7 % |
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On-Net Buildings – end of period |
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Multi-Tenant office buildings |
1,867 |
1,871 |
1,869 |
1,881 |
1,875 |
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Carrier neutral data center buildings |
1,453 |
1,471 |
1,482 |
1,511 |
1,545 |
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Cogent data centers |
101 |
101 |
100 |
100 |
99 |
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Cogent edge data centers |
79 |
86 |
86 |
87 |
86 |
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Total on-net buildings |
3,500 |
3,529 |
3,537 |
3,579 |
3,605 |
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Total carrier neutral data center nodes |
1,668 |
1,675 |
1,686 |
1,715 |
1,744 |
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Wave enabled locations |
883 |
938 |
996 |
1,068 |
1,107 |
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Square feet – multi-tenant office buildings – on-net |
1,015,459,520 |
1,017,918,826 |
1,017,433,216 |
1,025,139,485 |
1,024,433,714 |
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Total Technical Buildings Owned (11) |
482 |
482 |
482 |
482 |
482 |
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Square feet – Technical Buildings Owned (11) |
1,603,569 |
1,603,569 |
1,603,569 |
1,603,569 |
1,603,569 |
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Network – end of period |
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Intercity route miles – Leased |
79,867 |
73,075 |
72,955 |
73,218 |
73,769 |
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Metro route miles – Leased |
30,788 |
31,297 |
31,388 |
32,634 |
33,036 |
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Metro fiber miles – Leased |
90,696 |
92,631 |
93,338 |
96,663 |
97,916 |
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Intercity route miles – Owned |
21,883 |
21,883 |
21,883 |
21,883 |
21,883 |
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Metro route miles – Owned |
1,704 |
1,704 |
1,704 |
1,704 |
1,704 |
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Connected networks – AS's |
8,240 |
8,085 |
8,043 |
7,659 |
7,630 |
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Headcount – end of period (12) |
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Sales force – quota bearing (12) |
629 |
628 |
617 |
590 |
568 |
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Sales force – total (12) |
820 |
820 |
802 |
777 |
749 |
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Total employees (12) |
1,899 |
1,889 |
1,882 |
1,833 |
1,795 |
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Sales rep productivity – units per full time equivalent sales rep |
3.8 |
4.8 |
4.6 |
4.1 |
4.1 |
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FTE – sales reps |
605 |
588 |
592 |
585 |
559 |
(1) In connection with the acquisition of the Wireline Business, Cogent began to provide optical wavelength services and optical transport services over its fiber network.
(2) Consists of legacy services of companies whose assets or businesses were acquired by Cogent.
(3) See Schedules of Non-GAAP measures below for definitions and reconciliations to GAAP measures.
(4) Network operations expense excludes equity-based compensation expense of
(5) In connection with the acquisition of the Wireline Business, Cogent classified revenue and customer connections as follows:
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$12.9 million of the Wireline Business monthly recurring revenue and 17,823 customer connections as corporate revenue and corporate customer connections, respectively, -
$6.5 million of monthly recurring revenue and 5,711 customer connections as net-centric revenue and net-centric customer connections, respectively, and -
$20.1 million of monthly recurring revenue and 23,209 customer connections as enterprise revenue and enterprise customer connections, respectively. - Conversely, Cogent reclassified
$0.3 million of monthly recurring revenue and 387 customer connections of legacy Cogent monthly recurring revenue to enterprise revenue and enterprise customer connections, respectively.
(6) GAAP gross profit is defined as total service revenue less network operations expense, depreciation and amortization and equity-based compensation included in network operations expense. GAAP gross margin is defined as GAAP gross profit divided by total service revenue.
(7) Non-GAAP gross profit represents service revenue less network operations expense, excluding equity-based compensation and amounts shown separately (depreciation and amortization expense). Non-GAAP gross margin is defined as non-GAAP gross profit divided by total service revenue. Management believes that non-GAAP gross profit and non-GAAP gross margin are relevant measures to provide investors. Management uses them to measure the margin available to the company after network service costs, in essence a measure of the efficiency of the Company's network.
(8) Excludes equity-based compensation expense of
(9) Through
(10) Includes cash payments under the IP Transit Services Agreement, as discussed above, of
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$25.0 million for the three months endedMarch 31, 2025 , and -
$25.0 million for the three months endedJune 30, 2025 , -
$25.0 million for the three months endedSeptember 30, 2025 , -
$25.0 million for the three months endedDecember 31, 2025 , and -
$25.0 million for the three months endedMarch 31, 2026 .
(11) In connection with the acquisition of the Wireline Business, Cogent acquired 482 technical buildings. Cogent converted 52 of those buildings to Cogent Data Centers and 87 into Cogent Edge Data Centers.
(12) In connection with the acquisition of the Wireline Business, Cogent hired 942 total employees, including 75 quota bearing sales employees and 114 sales employees.
- As of
March 31, 2025 , there were 618 employees remaining from the original Wireline Business employees. - As of
June 30, 2025 , there were 603 employees remaining from the original Wireline Business employees. - As of
September 30, 2025 , there were 588 employees remaining from the original Wireline Business employees. - As of
December 31, 2025 , there were 569 employees remaining from the original Wireline Business employees. - As of
March 31, 2026 , there were 559 employees remaining from the original Wireline Business employees.
(13) Net-centric revenue under the CSA (predominantly on-net revenue) was
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$0.7 million for the three months endedMarch 31, 2025 , -
$1.1 million for the three months endedJune 30, 2025 , -
$0.4 million for the three months endedSeptember 30, 2025 , -
$0.4 million for the three months endedDecember 31, 2025 , and -
$0.5 million for the three months endedMarch 31, 2026 .
Net-centric customer connections under the CSA were:
- 1,478 as of
March 31, 2025 , - 1,595 as of
June 30, 2025 , - 1,666 as of
September 30, 2025 , - 1,676 as of
December 31, 2025 , and - 1,676 as of
March 31, 2026 .
(14) Amounts Due from T-Mobile include 1) Due from T-Mobile, IP Transit Services Agreement, current portion, 1) Due from T-Mobile, IP Transit Services Agreement, long-term portion and 3) Due from T-Mobile, Purchase Agreement, all amounts net of their applicable discounts. These amounts totaled
NM Not meaningful
Schedules of Non-GAAP Measures
EBITDA, EBITDA, as adjusted for cash payments made to the Company under the IP Transit Services Agreement, EBITDA margin and EBITDA, as adjusted for cash payments made to the Company under the IP Transit Services Agreement, margin
EBITDA represents net cash flows provided by operating activities plus changes in operating assets and liabilities, cash interest expense and cash income tax expense. Management believes the most directly comparable measure to EBITDA calculated in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in
The Company believes that EBITDA, EBITDA, as adjusted for cash payments made to the Company under the IP Transit Services Agreement, EBITDA margin and EBITDA as adjusted for cash payments made to the Company under the IP Transit Services Agreement margin are useful measures of its ability to service debt, fund capital expenditures, pay dividends and expand its business. The company believes its EBITDA, as adjusted for cash payments made to the Company under the IP Transit Services Agreement, is a useful measure because it includes recurring cash flows stemming from the IP Transit Services Agreement that are of the same type as contracted payments under commercial contracts. The measurements are an integral part of the internal reporting and planning system used by management as a supplement to GAAP financial information. EBITDA, EBITDA, as adjusted for cash payments made to the Company under the IP Transit Agreement, EBITDA margin and EBITDA as adjusted for cash payments made to the Company under the IP Transit Agreement margin are not recognized terms under GAAP and accordingly, should not be viewed in isolation or as a substitute for the analysis of results as reported under GAAP, but rather as a supplemental measure to GAAP. For example, these measures are not intended to reflect the Company's free cash flow, as they do not consider certain current or future cash requirements, such as capital expenditures, contractual commitments, and changes in working capital needs, interest expenses and debt service requirements. The Company's calculations of these measures may also differ from the calculations performed by its competitors and other companies and as such, their utility as a comparative measure is limited.
EBITDA, and EBITDA, as adjusted cash payments made to the Company under the IP Transit Services Agreement, are reconciled to net cash provided by operating activities in the table below.
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Q1 |
Q2
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Q3 |
Q4 |
Q1
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($ in 000's) – unaudited |
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Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities |
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Changes in operating assets and liabilities |
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Cash interest expense and income tax expense |
34,022 |
50,290 |
36,740 |
49,940 |
43,724 |
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EBITDA |
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PLUS: Cash payments made to the Company under IP Transit Services Agreement |
25,000 |
25,000 |
25,000 |
25,000 |
25,000 |
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EBITDA, as adjusted for cash payments made to the Company under IP Transit Services Agreement |
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EBITDA margin |
17.7 % |
19.7 % |
20.2 % |
21.5 % |
18.9 % |
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EBITDA, as adjusted for cash payments made to the Company under IP Transit Services Agreement, margin |
27.8 % |
29.8 % |
30.5 % |
31.9 % |
29.3 % |
Constant currency revenue is reconciled to service revenue as reported in the tables below.
Constant currency impact on revenue changes – sequential periods
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($ in 000's) – unaudited |
Q1 2025 |
Q2 2025 |
Q3 2025 |
Q4 2025 |
Q1 2026 |
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Service revenue, as reported – current period |
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Impact of foreign currencies on service revenue |
542 |
(2,419) |
(938) |
191 |
(253) |
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Service revenue - as adjusted for currency impact (1) |
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Service revenue, as reported – prior sequential period |
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Constant currency revenue increase (decrease) |
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Constant currency revenue percent increase (decrease) |
-1.9 % |
-1.3 % |
-2.1 % |
-0.5 % |
-0.7 % |
|
|
|
|
(1) |
Service revenue, as adjusted for currency impact, is determined by translating the service revenue for the current period at the average foreign currency exchange rates for the prior sequential period. The Company believes that disclosing quarterly sequential revenue growth without the impact of foreign currencies on service revenue is a useful measure of sequential revenue growth. Service revenue, as adjusted for currency impact, is an integral part of the internal reporting and planning system used by management as a supplement to GAAP financial information. |
Constant currency impact on revenue changes – prior year periods
|
($ in 000's) – unaudited |
Q1 2025 |
Q2 2025 |
Q3 2025 |
Q4 2025 |
Q1 2026 |
|
Service revenue, as reported – current period |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Impact of foreign currencies on service revenue |
1,258 |
(1,507) |
(1,806) |
(2,659) |
(3,420) |
|
Service revenue - as adjusted for currency impact (2) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Service revenue, as reported – prior year period |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Constant currency revenue increase |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Constant currency percent revenue increase |
-6.7 % |
-6.0 % |
-6.6 % |
-5.7 % |
-4.6 % |
|
|
|
|
(2) |
Service revenue, as adjusted for currency impact, is determined by translating the service revenue for the current period at the average foreign currency exchange rates for the comparable prior year period. The Company believes that disclosing year over year revenue growth without the impact of foreign currencies on service revenue is a useful measure of revenue growth. Service revenue, as adjusted for currency impact, is an integral part of the internal reporting and planning system used by management as a supplement to GAAP financial information. |
Revenue on a constant currency basis and adjusted for the impact of excise taxes is reconciled to service revenue as reported in the tables below.
Constant currency and excise tax impact on revenue changes – sequential periods
|
($ in 000's) – unaudited |
Q1 2025 |
Q2 2025 |
Q3 2025 |
Q4 2025 |
Q1 2026 |
|
Service revenue, as reported – current period |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Impact of foreign currencies on service revenue |
542 |
(2,419) |
(938) |
191 |
(253) |
|
Impact of excise taxes on service revenue |
760 |
202 |
832 |
(598) |
296 |
|
Service revenue - as adjusted for currency and excise taxes impact (3) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Service revenue, as reported – prior sequential period |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Constant currency and excise taxes revenue increase (decrease) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Constant currency and excise tax revenue percent increase (decrease) |
-1.6 % |
-1.2 % |
-1.8 % |
-0.8 % |
-0.5 % |
|
|
|
|
(3) |
Service revenue, as adjusted for currency impact and the impact of excise taxes, is determined by translating the service revenue for the current period at the average foreign currency exchange rates for the prior sequential period and adjusting for the changes in excise taxes recorded as revenue between the periods presented. The Company believes that disclosing quarterly sequential revenue growth without the impact of foreign currencies and excise taxes on service revenue is a useful measure of sequential revenue growth. Service revenue, as adjusted for the impact of foreign currency and excise taxes, is an integral part of the internal reporting and planning system used by management as a supplement to GAAP financial information. |
Constant currency and excise tax impact on revenue changes – prior year periods
|
($ in 000's) – unaudited |
Q1 2025 |
Q2 2025 |
Q3 2025 |
Q4 2025 |
Q1 2026 |
|
Service revenue, as reported – current period |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Impact of foreign currencies on service revenue |
1,258 |
(1,507) |
(1,806) |
(2,659) |
(3,420) |
|
Impact of excise taxes on service revenue |
349 |
(816) |
586 |
1,174 |
710 |
|
Service revenue - as adjusted for currency and excise taxes impact (4) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Service revenue, as reported – prior year period |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Constant currency and excise taxes revenue increase |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Constant currency and excise tax percent revenue increase |
-6.6 % |
-6.3 % |
-6.4 % |
-5.3 % |
-4.3 % |
|
|
|
|
(4) |
Service revenue, as adjusted for currency impact and the impact of excise taxes, is determined by translating the service revenue for the current period at the average foreign currency exchange rates for the prior year period and adjusting for the changes in excise taxes recorded as revenue between the periods presented. The Company believes that disclosing quarterly sequential revenue growth without the impact of foreign currencies and excise taxes on service revenue is a useful measure of sequential revenue growth. Service revenue, as adjusted for the impact of foreign currency and excise taxes, is an integral part of the internal reporting and planning system used by management as a supplement to GAAP financial information. |
Non-GAAP gross profit and non-GAAP gross margin
Non-GAAP gross profit and non-GAAP gross margin are reconciled to GAAP gross profit and GAAP gross margin in the table below.
|
|
Q1 2025 |
Q2 2025 |
Q3 2025 |
Q4 2025 |
Q1 2026 |
|
($ in 000's) – unaudited |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Service revenue total |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Minus - Network operations expense including equity- |
213,477 |
212,782 |
192,106 |
186,776 |
183,284 |
|
GAAP Gross Profit (5) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Plus - Equity-based compensation – network |
490 |
506 |
570 |
319 |
319 |
|
Plus – Depreciation and amortization expense |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Non-GAAP Gross Profit (6) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
GAAP Gross Margin (5) |
13.6 % |
13.6 % |
20.6 % |
22.3 % |
23.4 % |
|
Non-GAAP Gross Margin (6) |
44.6 % |
44.4 % |
45.8 % |
46.8 % |
46.1 % |
|
|
|
|
(5) |
GAAP gross profit is defined as total service revenue less network operations expense, depreciation and amortization and equity-based compensation included in network operations expense. GAAP gross margin is defined as GAAP gross profit divided by total service revenue. |
|
|
|
|
(6) |
Non-GAAP gross profit represents service revenue less network operations expense, excluding equity-based compensation and amounts shown separately (depreciation and amortization expense). Non-GAAP gross margin is defined as non-GAAP gross profit divided by total service revenue. Management believes that non-GAAP gross profit and non-GAAP gross margin are relevant measures for investors, as they are metrics that management uses to measure the margin and amount available to the Company after network service costs, in essence, these are measures of the efficiency of the Company's network. |
Gross and Net Leverage Ratios
Gross leverage ratio is defined as total debt divided by the trailing 12 months EBITDA, as adjusted for cash payments under the IP Transit Services Agreement. Net leverage ratio is defined as total net debt (total debt minus cash and cash equivalents) divided by the last 12 months EBITDA, as adjusted for cash payments under the IP Transit Services Agreement. Gross leverage, adjusted for amounts Due from T-Mobile, is defined as total debt minus amounts due from T-Mobile divided by the last 12 months EBITDA, as adjusted for cash payments under the IP Transit Services Agreement. Net leverage, adjusted for amounts Due from T-Mobile, is defined as total net debt (total debt minus cash and cash equivalents) minus amounts due from T-Mobile divided by the last 12 months EBITDA, as adjusted for cash payments under the IP Transit Services Agreement.
Cogent's gross leverage ratios and net leverage ratios are shown below.
|
($ in 000's) – unaudited |
As of
|
As of
|
As of
|
As of
|
As of
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents & restricted cash |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Debt |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Capital (finance) leases – current portion |
24,685 |
26,523 |
24,990 |
26,112 |
23,967 |
|
Capital (finance) leases – long term |
543,852 |
578,634 |
576,851 |
597,239 |
604,981 |
|
Senior Secured 2032 Notes |
|
600,000 |
600,000 |
600,000 |
600,000 |
|
Senior Secured 2026 Notes |
500,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
Secured IPv4 Notes |
206,000 |
380,400 |
380,400 |
380,400 |
380,400 |
|
Senior Unsecured 2027 Notes |
750,000 |
750,000 |
750,000 |
750,000 |
750,000 |
|
Total debt |
2,024,537 |
2,335,557 |
2,332,241 |
2,353,751 |
2,359,348 |
|
Total net debt |
1,840,567 |
2,028,832 |
2,105,947 |
2,148,639 |
2,180,083 |
|
Trailing 12 months EBITDA, as adjusted for cash |
302,636 |
269,968 |
282,888 |
292,785 |
294,202 |
|
Gross leverage ratio |
6.69 |
8.65 |
8.24 |
8.04 |
8.02 |
|
Net leverage ratio |
6.08 |
7.52 |
7.44 |
7.34 |
7.41 |
|
Total amounts Due from T-Mobile |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total debt, adjusted for amounts Due from T-Mobile |
1,759,447 |
2,090,736 |
2,108,074 |
2,150,631 |
2,177,678 |
|
Total net debt, adjusted for amounts Due from T-Mobile |
1,575,477 |
1,784,011 |
1,881,780 |
1,945,519 |
1,998,413 |
|
Gross leverage ratio, adjusted for amounts Due from T-Mobile |
5.81 |
7.74 |
7.45 |
7.35 |
7.40 |
|
Net leverage ratio, adjusted for amounts Due from T-Mobile |
5.21 |
6.61 |
6.65 |
6.64 |
6.79 |
Ratios under the Company's indentures
Consolidated Leverage Ratio is defined in the Company's Indentures as total debt divided by Consolidated Cash Flow (as defined in the Company's Indentures) for the most recently completed period of four consecutive fiscal quarters of the Company (the "Reference Period"), subject to certain adjustments provided for in the Company's Indentures. Secured Leverage Ratio is defined in the Company's Indentures as total secured debt divided by Consolidated Cash Flow for the Reference Period, subject to certain adjustments provided for in the Company's Indentures. Net leverage ratio is presented as total net debt (total debt minus cash and cash equivalents) divided by the last 12 months Consolidated Cash Flow. Net leverage ratio is not a defined term in the Company's Indentures. Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio is defined in the Company's Indentures as Consolidated Cash Flow for the Reference Period divided by Fixed Charges (as defined in the Company's Indentures) for the Reference Period, which largely consist of interest expense, subject to certain adjustments provided for in the Company's Indentures. Cogent's ratios are shown in the table below.
|
($ in 000's) – unaudited |
As of
|
As of
|
As of
|
As of
|
As of
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents & restricted cash |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Debt |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Capital (finance) leases – current portion |
24,685 |
26,523 |
24,990 |
26,112 |
23,967 |
|
Capital (finance) leases – long term |
543,852 |
578,634 |
576,851 |
597,239 |
604,981 |
|
Letters of credit |
124 |
130 |
130 |
130 |
130 |
|
Senior Secured 2026 Notes |
500,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
Senior Secured 2032 Notes |
|
600,000 |
600,000 |
600,000 |
600,000 |
|
Senior Unsecured 2027 Notes |
750,000 |
750,000 |
750,000 |
750,000 |
750,000 |
|
Total debt |
1,818,661 |
1,955,287 |
1,951,971 |
1,973,481 |
1,979,078 |
|
Total net debt |
1,652,985 |
1,760,122 |
1,815,458 |
1,838,071 |
1,851,744 |
|
Total secured debt |
1,068,661 |
1,205,287 |
1,201,971 |
1,223,481 |
1,229,078 |
|
Consolidated Cash Flow (2) |
310,345 |
286,881 |
344,739 |
322,154 |
324,405 |
|
Consolidated Leverage Ratio for the Reference Period |
5.86 |
6.82 |
5.66 |
6.13 |
6.10 |
|
Net leverage ratio (1) |
5.33 |
6.14 |
5.27 |
5.71 |
5.71 |
|
Secured Leverage Ratio for the Reference Period (2) |
3.44 |
4.20 |
3.49 |
3.80 |
3.79 |
|
Fixed Charges for the Reference Period (2) |
110,704 |
118,290 |
131,688 |
134,836 |
141,394 |
|
Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio for the Reference Period (2) |
2.80 |
2.43 |
2.62 |
2.39 |
2.29 |
|
|
|
|
(1) |
Net leverage ratio is not a defined term under the Company's Indentures. |
|
(2) |
Consolidated Cash Flow as defined in the Company's |
|
Ratios under the Company's |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Q2 2025 |
Q3 2025 |
Q4 2025 |
Q1 2026 |
|
Consolidated Cash Flow under the Indentures |
286,881 |
344,739 |
322,154 |
324,405 |
|
PLUS: Cash Payments under IP Transit Services Agreement with TMUSA |
100,000 |
100,000 |
100,000 |
100,000 |
|
Consolidated Cash Flow - |
386,881 |
444,739 |
422,154 |
424,405 |
|
Consolidated Leverage Ratio for the Reference Period - |
5.05 |
4.39 |
4.67 |
4.66 |
|
Net leverage ratio - |
4.55 |
4.08 |
4.35 |
4.36 |
|
Secured Leverage Ratio for the Reference Period - |
3.12 |
2.70 |
2.90 |
2.90 |
|
Fixed Charges for the Reference Period |
118,290 |
131,688 |
134,836 |
141,394 |
|
Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio for the Reference Period - |
3.27 |
3.38 |
3.13 |
3.00 |
Cogent's
|
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
AS OF (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE DATA) |
||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
|
2026 |
|
December 31, 2025 |
||
|
|
|
(Unaudited) |
|
|
|
|
|
Assets |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current assets: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents |
|
$ |
140,265 |
|
$ |
148,515 |
|
Restricted cash |
|
|
39,000 |
|
|
56,597 |
|
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for credit losses of |
|
|
91,096 |
|
|
88,050 |
|
Due from T-Mobile, IP Transit Services Agreement, current portion, net of discount of |
|
|
91,305 |
|
|
89,599 |
|
Prepaid expenses and other current assets |
|
|
68,610 |
|
|
67,820 |
|
Total current assets |
|
|
430,276 |
|
|
450,581 |
|
Property and equipment: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Property and equipment |
|
|
3,696,974 |
|
|
3,642,906 |
|
Accumulated depreciation and amortization |
|
|
(1,964,092) |
|
|
(1,921,832) |
|
Total property and equipment, net |
|
|
1,732,882 |
|
|
1,721,074 |
|
Right-of-use leased assets |
|
|
303,051 |
|
|
310,523 |
|
IPv4 intangible assets |
|
|
458,000 |
|
|
458,000 |
|
Other intangible assets, net |
|
|
10,813 |
|
|
11,251 |
|
Deposits and other assets |
|
|
31,179 |
|
|
34,834 |
|
Due from T-Mobile, IP Transit Services Agreement, net of discount of
|
|
|
65,798 |
|
|
89,412 |
|
Due from T-Mobile, Purchase Agreement, net of discount of
|
|
|
24,567 |
|
|
24,109 |
|
Total assets |
|
$ |
3,056,566 |
|
$ |
3,099,784 |
|
Liabilities and stockholders' equity |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current liabilities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accounts payable |
|
$ |
36,095 |
|
$ |
30,571 |
|
Accrued and other current liabilities |
|
|
112,345 |
|
|
109,582 |
|
Current maturities, operating lease liabilities |
|
|
53,665 |
|
|
54,576 |
|
Finance lease obligations, current maturities |
|
|
23,967 |
|
|
26,112 |
|
Total current liabilities |
|
|
226,072 |
|
|
220,841 |
|
Senior secured 2032 notes, net of unamortized debt costs of
|
|
|
598,043 |
|
|
597,980 |
|
Senior unsecured 2027 notes, net of unamortized debt costs of
|
|
|
745,333 |
|
|
744,420 |
|
Secured IPv4 notes, net of debt costs of
|
|
|
372,061 |
|
|
371,537 |
|
Operating lease liabilities, net of current maturities |
|
|
263,698 |
|
|
269,753 |
|
Finance lease obligations, net of current maturities |
|
|
604,981 |
|
|
597,239 |
|
Deferred income tax liabilities |
|
|
321,724 |
|
|
333,294 |
|
Other long-term liabilities |
|
|
28,816 |
|
|
28,568 |
|
Total liabilities |
|
|
3,160,728 |
|
|
3,163,632 |
|
Commitments and contingencies: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stockholders' deficit: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common stock, |
|
|
50 |
|
|
50 |
|
Additional paid-in capital |
|
|
651,538 |
|
|
643,256 |
|
Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income |
|
|
(6,327) |
|
|
1,428 |
|
Accumulated deficit |
|
|
(749,423) |
|
|
(708,582) |
|
Total stockholders' deficit |
|
|
(104,162) |
|
|
(63,848) |
|
Total liabilities and stockholders' deficit |
|
$ |
3,056,566 |
|
$ |
3,099,784 |
|
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE LOSS
FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE AND PER SHARE DATA) |
||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
|
Three Months Ended
|
|
Three Months Ended
|
||
|
|
||||||
|
|
|
(Unaudited) |
|
(Unaudited) |
||
|
Service revenue |
|
$ |
239,187 |
|
$ |
247,048 |
|
Operating expenses: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Network operations (including |
|
|
129,229 |
|
|
137,439 |
|
Selling, general, and administrative (including |
|
|
72,338 |
|
|
73,863 |
|
Depreciation and amortization |
|
|
54,055 |
|
|
76,038 |
|
Total operating expenses |
|
|
255,622 |
|
|
287,340 |
|
Gains on lease terminations and other |
|
|
2,928 |
|
|
— |
|
Operating loss |
|
|
(13,507) |
|
|
(40,292) |
|
Interest expense, including change in valuation interest rate swap agreement |
|
|
(43,875) |
|
|
(34,216) |
|
Interest income – IP Transit Services Agreement |
|
|
3,093 |
|
|
4,686 |
|
Interest income (loss) – Purchase Agreement |
|
|
458 |
|
|
425 |
|
Interest income (loss) and other, net |
|
|
2,852 |
|
|
(865) |
|
Loss before income taxes |
|
|
(50,979) |
|
|
(70,262) |
|
Income tax benefit |
|
|
11,437 |
|
|
18,220 |
|
Net loss |
|
$ |
(39,542) |
|
$ |
(52,042) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Comprehensive loss: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net loss |
|
$ |
(39,542) |
|
$ |
(52,042) |
|
Foreign currency translation adjustment |
|
|
(7,755) |
|
|
11,752 |
|
Comprehensive loss |
|
$ |
(47,297) |
|
$ |
(40,290) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net loss per common share: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic net loss per common share |
|
$ |
(0.83) |
|
$ |
(1.09) |
|
Diluted net loss per common share |
|
$ |
(0.83) |
|
$ |
(1.09) |
|
Dividends declared per common share |
|
$ |
0.02 |
|
$ |
1.005 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted-average common shares - basic |
|
|
47,774,617 |
|
|
47,676,735 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted-average common shares - diluted |
|
|
47,774,617 |
|
|
47,676,735 |
|
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED (IN THOUSANDS) |
||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
|
Three Months Ended
|
|
Three Months Ended
|
||
|
|
|
(Unaudited) |
|
(Unaudited) |
||
|
Cash flows from operating activities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net loss |
|
$ |
(39,542) |
|
$ |
(52,042) |
|
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Depreciation and amortization |
|
|
54,055 |
|
|
76,038 |
|
Amortization of debt costs and discounts |
|
|
1,501 |
|
|
1,192 |
|
Amortization of discounts, due from T-Mobile, IP Transit Services & Purchase Agreements |
|
|
(3,551) |
|
|
(5,111) |
|
Equity-based compensation expense (net of amounts capitalized) |
|
|
7,563 |
|
|
8,013 |
|
Gains on lease terminations and other |
|
|
(2,928) |
|
|
— |
|
Deferred income taxes |
|
|
(11,570) |
|
|
(18,554) |
|
Changes in operating assets and liabilities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accounts receivable |
|
|
(3,046) |
|
|
8,979 |
|
Prepaid expenses and other current assets |
|
|
(790) |
|
|
2,261 |
|
Accounts payable, accrued liabilities and other long-term liabilities |
|
|
9,501 |
|
|
17,903 |
|
Deposits and other assets |
|
|
3,641 |
|
|
(2,328) |
|
Net cash provided by operating activities |
|
|
14,834 |
|
|
36,351 |
|
Cash flows from investing activities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash receipts - IP Transit Services Agreement – T-Mobile |
|
|
25,000 |
|
|
25,000 |
|
Purchases of property and equipment |
|
|
(46,239) |
|
|
(58,088) |
|
Net cash used in investing activities |
|
|
(21,239) |
|
|
(33,088) |
|
Cash flows from financing activities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dividends paid |
|
|
(1,299) |
|
|
(49,133) |
|
Proceeds from exercises of stock options |
|
|
— |
|
|
121 |
|
Principal payments of finance lease obligations |
|
|
(13,356) |
|
|
(8,003) |
|
Net cash used in financing activities |
|
|
(14,655) |
|
|
(57,015) |
|
Effect of exchange rates changes on cash |
|
|
(4,787) |
|
|
9,806 |
|
Net decrease in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash |
|
|
(25,847) |
|
|
(43,946) |
|
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, beginning of period |
|
|
205,112 |
|
|
227,916 |
|
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, end of period |
|
$ |
179,265 |
|
$ |
183,970 |
Except for historical information and discussion contained herein, statements contained in this release constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.
Such statements include, but are not limited to statements identified by words such as "believes," "expects," "anticipates," "estimates," "intends," "plans," "targets," "projects" and similar expressions.
The statements in this release are based upon the current beliefs and expectations of Cogent's management and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties.
Actual results may differ from those set forth in the forward-looking statements.
Numerous factors could cause or contribute to such differences, including the impact of our acquisition of the Wireline Business, including our difficulties integrating our business with the acquired Wireline Business, which may result in the combined company not operating as effectively or efficiently as expected; transition services required to support the acquired Wireline Business and the related costs continuing for a longer period than expected; transition related costs associated with the acquisition; the COVID-19 pandemic and the related government policies; delays in the delivery of network equipment or optical fiber; loss of key right-of-way agreements; future economic instability in the global economy, including the risk of economic recession, recent bank failures and liquidity concerns at certain other banks or a contraction of the capital markets, which could affect spending on Internet services and our ability to engage in financing activities; the impact of changing foreign exchange rates (in particular the Euro to USD and Canadian dollar to USD exchange rates) on the translation of our non-USD denominated revenues, expenses, assets and liabilities; legal and operational difficulties in new markets; the imposition of a requirement that we contribute to the
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