Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
Certain statements contained in or incorporated by reference into this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (this "Report"), other than purely historical information, including, but not limited to, estimates, projections, statements relating to our business plans, objectives and expected operating results, and the assumptions upon which those statements are based, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements generally are identified by the words "believe," "project," "expect," "anticipate," "estimate," "intend," "strategy," "plan," "may," "should," "will," "would," "will be," "will continue," "will likely result," and similar expressions, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. These forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and assumptions that are subject to risks and uncertainties which may cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements, such as the statements regarding our ability to develop and expand our business (including our ability to monetize our spectrum rights), our anticipated capital spending, our ability to manage costs, our ability to exploit and respond to technological innovation, the effects of laws and regulations (including tax laws and regulations) and legal and regulatory changes (including regulation related to the use of our spectrum), the opportunities for strategic business combinations and the effects of consolidation in our industry on us and our competitors, our anticipated future revenues, our anticipated financial resources, our expectations about the future operational performance of our satellites (including their projected operational lives), our expectations for future increases in our revenue and profitability, our performance and financial results under the Service Agreements, the expected strength of and growth prospects for our existing customers and the markets that we serve, commercial acceptance of new products, problems relating to the ground-based facilities operated by us or by independent gateway operators, worldwide economic, geopolitical and business conditions and risks associated with doing business on a global basis, business interruptions due to natural disasters, unexpected events or public health crises, including viral pandemics such as the COVID-19 coronavirus, and other statements contained in this Report regarding matters that are not historical facts, involve predictions. Risks and uncertainties that could cause or contribute to such differences include, without limitation, those in Item 1A. Risk Factors in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") on March 1, 2023 (the "2022 Annual Report"). We do not intend, and undertake no obligation, to update any of our forward-looking statements after the date of this Report to reflect actual results or future events or circumstances.
New risk factors emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for us to predict all risk factors, nor can we assess the impact of all factors on our business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements. We undertake no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements. You should not rely upon forward-looking statements as predictions of future events or performance. We cannot assure you that the events and circumstances reflected in the forward-looking statements will be achieved or occur. These cautionary statements qualify all forward-looking statements attributable to us or persons acting on our behalf.
This "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition" should be read in conjunction with the "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition" and information included in our 2022 Annual Report.
Overview
Mobile Satellite Services Business
Globalstar, Inc. ("we", "us" or the "Company") provides Mobile Satellite Services (“MSS”) including voice and data communications services as well as wholesale capacity services through its global satellite network. We offer these services over our network of in-orbit satellites and our active ground stations (“gateways”), which we refer to collectively as the Globalstar System. In addition to supporting Internet of Things ("IoT") data transmissions in a variety of applications, we provide reliable connectivity in areas not served or underserved by terrestrial wireless and wireline networks and in circumstances where terrestrial networks are not operational due to natural or man-made disasters. By providing wireless communications services across the globe, we meet our customers' increasing desire for connectivity.
Communications Products and Services
We currently provide the following communications services:
•two-way voice communication and data transmissions via our GSP-1600 and GSP-1700 phone ("Duplex");
•one-way or two-way communication and data transmissions using mobile devices, including our SPOT family of products, such as SPOT X®, SPOT Gen4™ and SPOT Trace®, that transmit messages and the location of the device ("SPOT");
•one-way data transmissions using a mobile or fixed device that transmits its location and other information to a central monitoring station, including our commercial IoT products, such as our battery- and solar-powered SmartOne, STX-3, ST100, ST-150 and Integrity 150 ("Commercial IoT");
•satellite network access and related services utilizing our satellite spectrum and network of satellites and gateways ("Wholesale Capacity Services"); and
•engineering and other communication services using our MSS and terrestrial spectrum licenses ("Engineering and Other").
As technological advancements are made, we continue to explore opportunities to develop new products and provide new services over our network to meet the needs of our existing and prospective customers. We have pursued and continue to pursue initiatives that we expect will expand our satellite communications business and more effectively utilize our network assets. These initiatives are focused in part on further investment in the development of IoT-enabled devices, including a two-way reference design module that is expected to significantly expand our Commercial IoT offerings.
Our Commercial IoT use cases continue to expand. In 2022, we introduced the Realm Enablement Suite, an innovative portfolio of satellite asset tracking hardware and software solutions featuring a powerful application enablement platform for processing smart data at the edge. With Realm, partners can accelerate new solutions to market with smart applications that generate an advanced level of telematics data. The Realm Enablement Suite includes Integrity 150, the first solar-powered, deployment-ready satellite asset tracking device with an application enablement platform; ST150M, a satellite modem module that drastically simplifies product development; and the Realm application enablement platform, which will offer tools and an extensive library for quickly accessing and developing smart applications at the edge for vertical-specific solutions.
Globalstar System
Our constellation of Low Earth Orbit ("LEO") satellites includes second-generation satellites and certain first-generation satellites. We designed our satellite network to maximize the probability that at least one satellite is visible from any point on the Earth's surface between the latitudes 70° north and 70° south. We designed our second-generation satellites to last twice as long in space, have 40% greater capacity and be built at a significantly lower cost compared to our first-generation satellites.
Our goal is to provide service levels and call or message success rates equal to or better than our MSS competitors so our products and services are attractive to potential customers. We believe that our system outperforms geostationary (“GEO”) satellites used by some of our competitors. GEO satellite signals must travel approximately 42,000 additional miles on average, which introduces considerable delay and signal degradation to GEO calls.
Our ground network includes our ground equipment, which uses patented CDMA technology to permit communication to multiple satellites. Our system architecture provides full frequency re-use. This maximizes satellite diversity (which maximizes quality) and network capacity as we can reuse the assigned spectrum in every satellite beam in every satellite. In addition, we have developed a proprietary technology for our SPOT and Commercial IoT services.
In February 2022, we entered into a satellite procurement agreement with Macdonald, Dettwiler and Associates Corporation ("MDA") pursuant to which we expect to acquire 17 satellites that will replenish our existing constellation and ensure long-term continuity of our mobile satellite services. We are acquiring the satellites to provide continuous satellite services to Partner under the Service Agreements, as well as services to our current and future customers. We have committed to purchase these new satellites for a total contract price of $327.0 million and have the option to purchase additional satellites at a lower per unit cost, subject to certain conditions. The technical specifications and design of these new satellites are similar to our current second-generation satellites. Rocket Lab USA, Inc. is the Vendor’s satellite bus subcontractor. The satellite procurement agreement requires the Vendor to deliver 17 new satellites by 2025, all of which are expected to be launched by the end of 2025. In addition, MDA will procure a satellite operations control center for $4.9 million. Under the Service Agreements, subject to certain terms and conditions, Partner has agreed to make service payments equal to 95% of the approved capital expenditures under the satellite procurement agreement (to be paid on a straight-line basis over the useful life of the satellites) and certain other costs incurred for the new satellites, as adjusted based on certain provisions, beginning with the Phase 2 Service Period.
Customers
For our subscriber driven revenue, the specialized needs of our global customers span many industries. As of March 31, 2023, we had approximately 761,000 subscribers worldwide, principally within the following markets: recreation and personal; government; public safety and disaster relief; oil and gas; maritime and fishing; natural resources, mining and forestry; construction; utilities; animal tracking and transportation. Our subscriber count does not include our Partner's subscribers. Our system is able to offer our customers cost-effective communications solutions completely independent of cellular coverage. Although traditional users of wireless telephony and broadband data services have access to these services in developed locations, our customers often operate, travel and/or live in remote regions or regions with under-developed telecommunications infrastructure where these services are not readily available or are not provided on a reliable basis. Our top revenue-generating markets in the United States and Canada are government (including federal, state and local agencies), public safety and disaster relief, oil and gas, recreation and personal telecommunications. In recent years, the number of Commercial IoT devices on our network has increased significantly.
In addition to our subscribers, we also provide services to our Partner under the Service Agreements. Our FCC license allows us to provide service over our network to up to 250 million users in the United States.
For the three months ended March 31, 2023 and March 31, 2022, our Partner under the Service Agreements was responsible for 52% and 21%, respectively. of our revenue; no other customer was responsible for more than 10%.
Spectrum and Regulatory Structure
We benefit from a worldwide allocation of radio frequency spectrum in the international radio frequency tables administered by the International Telecommunications Union ("ITU"). Access to this globally harmonized spectrum enables us to design satellites, networks and terrestrial infrastructure enhancements more cost effectively because the products and services can be deployed and sold worldwide. In addition, this broad spectrum assignment enhances our ability to capitalize on existing and emerging wireless and broadband applications.
Terrestrial Authority for Globalstar's Licensed 2.4 GHz Spectrum
We are authorized to provide terrestrial broadband services over the 11.5 MHz portion of our licensed MSS spectrum.
We have successfully completed the Third Generation Partnership Project (“3GPP”) standardization process for the 11.5 MHz of our licensed MSS spectrum terrestrially authorized by the FCC. The 3GPP designated the band as Band 53 with the 5G variant of our Band 53 known as n53. This new band class provides a pathway for our terrestrial spectrum to be integrated into handset and infrastructure ecosystems. Additional follow-on 3GPP specifications and approvals are expected in the future.
We have executed agreements with partners that we believe allow our potential device ecosystem to expand significantly to include the most popular smartphones, laptops, tablets, automated equipment and other IoT modules. Most recently, in September 2022, we announced the Service Agreements, which provide for the enablement of Band 53/n53 use in cellular-enabled devices designated by Partner in connection with the Services, subject to certain terms and conditions; we believe this inclusion significantly enhances the device ecosystem for Band 53/n53. Prior to that, in 2019, we executed a spectrum manager lease agreement with Nokia in order to permit Nokia to utilize Band 53 within its equipment domestically and have such equipment type-certified for sale and deployment. In February 2021, Qualcomm Technologies announced its new Snapdragon X65 modem-RF System, which includes support for Band n53.
We believe our MSS spectrum position provides potential for harmonized terrestrial authority across many international regulatory domains and have been seeking approvals in various international jurisdictions. To date, we have received additional terrestrial authorizations in various countries, including Brazil, Canada, South Africa and Spain, among others.
We expect our terrestrial authority will allow future partners to develop high-density dedicated networks using the TD-LTE and 5G protocols for private networks as well as the densification of cellular networks. We believe that our offering has competitive advantages over other conventional commercial spectrum allocations. We believe that our licensed 2.4 GHz band holds physical, regulatory and ecosystem qualities that distinguishes it from other current and anticipated allocations, and that it is well positioned to balance favorable range, capacity and attenuation characteristics.
Performance Indicators
Our management reviews and analyzes several key performance indicators in order to manage our business and assess the quality and potential variability of our earnings and cash flows. These key performance indicators include:
•total revenue, which is an indicator of our overall business growth;
•subscriber growth and churn rate, which are both indicators of the satisfaction of our customers;
•average monthly revenue per user, or ARPU, which is an indicator of our pricing and ability to obtain effectively long-term, high-value customers. We calculate ARPU separately for each type of our subscriber-driven revenue, including Duplex, Commercial IoT, and SPOT;
•operating income and adjusted EBITDA, both of which are indicators of our financial performance; and
•capital expenditures, which are an indicator of future revenue growth potential and cash requirements.
Comparison of the Results of Operations for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022
Revenue
Our revenue is categorized as service revenue and equipment revenue. We provide services to customers using technology from our satellite and ground network. Equipment revenue is generated from the sale of devices that work over our network. For the three months ended March 31, 2023, total revenue increased 79% to $58.6 million from $32.8 million for the same period in 2022. See below for a further discussion of the fluctuations in revenue.
The following table sets forth amounts and percentages of our revenue by type of service (dollars in thousands).
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Three Months Ended March 31, 2023 | | Three Months Ended March 31, 2022 | | | | |
| Revenue | | % of Total Revenue | | Revenue | | % of Total Revenue | | | | | | | | |
Service Revenue: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Subscriber services | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Duplex | $ | 5,751 | | | 10 | % | | $ | 6,146 | | | 19 | % | | | | | | | | |
SPOT | 11,314 | | | 19 | | | 11,255 | | | 34 | | | | | | | | | |
Commercial IoT | 5,178 | | | 9 | | | 4,670 | | | 14 | | | | | | | | | |
Wholesale capacity services (1) | 30,411 | | | 51 | | | 6,843 | | | 21 | | | | | | | | | |
Engineering and other services | 300 | | | 1 | | | 430 | | | 1 | | | | | | | | | |
Total Service Revenue | $ | 52,954 | | | 90 | % | | $ | 29,344 | | | 89 | % | | | | | | | | |
The following table sets forth amounts and percentages of our revenue generated from equipment sales (dollars in thousands).
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Three Months Ended March 31, 2023 | | Three Months Ended March 31, 2022 | | | | |
| Revenue | | % of Total Revenue | | Revenue | | % of Total Revenue | | | | | | | | |
Equipment Revenue: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Duplex | $ | 19 | | | — | % | | $ | 130 | | | — | % | | | | | | | | |
SPOT | 1,926 | | | 3 | | | 1,475 | | | 5 | | | | | | | | | |
Commercial IoT | 3,812 | | | 7 | | | 1,806 | | | 6 | | | | | | | | | |
Other | (67) | | | — | | | 17 | | | — | | | | | | | | | |
Total Equipment Revenue | $ | 5,690 | | | 10 | % | | $ | 3,428 | | | 11 | % | | | | | | | | |
The following table sets forth our average number of subscribers and ARPU by type of revenue.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Three Months Ended March 31, | | |
| 2023 | | 2022 | | | | |
Average number of subscribers for the period: | | | | | | | |
Duplex | 36,616 | | | 43,565 | | | | | |
SPOT | 266,067 | | | 276,863 | | | | | |
Commercial IoT | 462,077 | | | 423,519 | | | | | |
Other | 400 | | | 13,346 | | | | | |
Total | 765,160 | | | 757,293 | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
ARPU (monthly): | | | | | | | |
Duplex | $ | 52.35 | | | $ | 47.03 | | | | | |
SPOT | 14.17 | | | 13.55 | | | | | |
Commercial IoT | 3.74 | | | 3.68 | | | | | |
The numbers reported in the above table are subject to immaterial rounding inherent in calculating averages.
We count "subscribers" based on the number of devices that are subject to agreements that entitle them to use our voice or data communications services rather than the number of persons or entities who own or lease those devices.
Wholesale capacity service revenue includes revenue generated from satellite network access and related services under the Service Agreements and engineering and other service revenue includes revenue generated primarily from certain governmental and engineering service contracts; neither of these service revenue items is subscriber driven. Accordingly, we do not present ARPU for wholesale capacity service revenue and engineering and other service revenue in the table above.
In response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, during the first quarter of 2022, we disconnected satellite services to gateways in Russia that were operated by an independent gateway operator. Accordingly, approximately 25,000 subscribers that previously received satellite services through these gateways were removed from our subscriber count; these subscribers were included in "Other" in the table above.
Service Revenue
Duplex service revenue decreased $0.4 million for the three month period ended March 31, 2023 due primarily to a decrease in average subscribers, offset partially by higher ARPU. The decrease in average subscribers is due to churn exceeding gross activations over the last twelve months as we no longer manufacture and sell Duplex devices, and instead focus our investments on IoT-enabled devices and wholesale capacity services.
SPOT service revenue increased 1% for the three months ended March 31, 2023 due to offsetting variances in ARPU and average subscribers. ARPU increased 5% due to the mix of subscribers on various rate plans compared to the prior period. Average subscribers were impacted by lower equipment sales, and therefore gross subscriber activations, over the last twelve months due to supply chain issues that lowered the number of devices available in the sales channel.
Commercial IoT service revenue increased 11% for the three months ended March 31, 2023 due to positive variances in both average subscribers and ARPU, which increased 9% and 2%, respectively. Gross subscriber activations have increased 74% when comparing the preceding twelve month periods. Our average subscriber base has grown and we have fulfilled the back orders that accumulated in 2022 following production delays for certain of our Commercial IoT products (discussed further below).
Wholesale capacity service revenue increased $23.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023 compared to the same period in 2022. Fluctuations in wholesale capacity service revenue are due primarily to the timing and amount of revenue recognized associated with the Service Agreements. The increase in revenue recognized during 2023 is due primarily to consideration received for service fees under the Service Agreement which commenced after service launch in November 2022. Additionally, in connection with the amendment of the Service Agreements in February 2023, Partner agreed to pay us
$6.5 million as consideration related to performance obligations completed in prior periods. The Company recognized this revenue during the first quarter of 2023.
Subscriber Equipment Sales
Revenue from Duplex equipment sales decreased $0.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023 compared to the same period in 2022. These decreases were driven primarily by a lower sales volume of phones and accessories due to a lack of available inventory since these devices are no longer being manufactured.
Revenue from SPOT equipment sales increased $0.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023 compared to the same period in 2022. This increase is primarily attributable to sales of our SPOT Trace® device due to an over 80% increase in units sold quarter over quarter.
Revenue from Commercial IoT equipment sales increased $2.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023 compared to the same period in 2022. The volume of our SmartOne Solar device sales increased over 180% from the first quarter of 2022 and revenue from this product increased over $1.8 million during the same period. Devices sales have improved significantly in 2023 as we have largely resolved the supply chain disruptions that negatively impacted sales during 2022.
Operating Expenses
Total operating expenses increased to $51.5 million from $46.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023 compared to the same period in 2022. Higher cost of services, management, general and administrative ("MG&A") costs, and subscriber equipment sales were partially offset by lower depreciation, amortization, and accretion expense. The main contributors to the variance in operating expenses are explained in further detail below.
Cost of Services
Cost of services increased $1.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023 compared to the same period in 2022 due primarily to higher lease expense associated with new gateway sites, which contributed $0.8 million to the total increase. These leases were executed in connection with the gateway expansion project associated with the Service Agreements; these lease and related costs are being reimbursed to us, and this consideration is being recognized as revenue (as further discussed above in "Wholesale Capacity Service Revenue"). Higher information technology maintenance also contributed to the total increase. Personnel costs were flat year-over-year due to the offsetting impact of merit and headcount increases in 2023, offset by non-recurring personnel costs from the first quarter of 2022 related to annual cash bonuses and separation pay.
Cost of Subscriber Equipment Sales
Cost of subscriber equipment sales increased $1.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023 from the same period in 2022. This increase is generally consistent with the increase in total revenue from subscriber equipment sales.
Marketing, General and Administrative
MG&A expenses increased $4.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023 compared to the same period in 2022. This increase was partially driven by a $1.0 million accrual reversal in the first quarter of 2022 to professional services associated with the 2018 shareholder litigation. Based on our assessment and considering the passage of time, we concluded it was appropriate to release the accrual, which resulted in a decrease in MG&A expense in the first quarter of 2022. An increase in net personnel costs of $2.1 million included non-recurring stock based compensation. Also contributing to the MG&A increase were higher legal fees of $0.6 million for various efforts, including defense of our spectrum assets and negotiation of new commercial arrangements, An increase in advertising costs of $0.4 million also contributed to the increase.
Depreciation, Amortization, and Accretion
Depreciation, amortization, and accretion expenses decreased $1.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023, compared to the same period in 2022 due to a net reduction in total property and equipment. In connection with Partner's announcement concerning the Services in September 2022, our strategy relative to our second-generation Duplex assets shifted. Due to this shift in strategy, we re-assessed our asset grouping for long-lived assets and determined that the second-generation Duplex assets (including the gateways and related technology capable of providing commercial traffic to support Sat-Fi2®) were no longer part of our overall satellite and ground network. These assets totaled approximately $161.2 million prior to their write down in September 2022. Our first-generation Duplex assets (i.e. handsets and related ground infrastructure) were not impacted. Offsetting this decrease is depreciation expense from the on-ground spare satellite that was launched and placed into service in June 2022.
Other (Expense) Income
Loss on Extinguishment of Debt
We recorded a loss on extinguishment of debt of $10.4 million during the first quarter of 2023 following the full pay-off of the 2019 Facility Agreement in March 2023. The extinguishment loss was recognized due to the remaining deferred financing costs and debt discount associated with the instrument at the time of repayment. Similar activity did not occur in 2022.
Interest Income and Expense
Interest income and expense, net, decreased $7.5 million during the three months ended March 31, 2023, compared to the same period in 2022. The decrease was driven by higher capitalized interest (which decreases interest expense) of $4.3 million and lower gross interest costs totaling $3.2 million.
Gross interest costs were lower due to $4.4 million less in interest under the 2019 Facility Agreement due to the partial paydown in November 2022, offset partly by interest of $1.2 million due to MDA under the vendor financing arrangement that was not in place during the first quarter of 2022.
Derivative Loss
We recorded a derivative loss of $0.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022. We recognize gains or losses due to the change in the value of certain embedded features within our debt instruments that require standalone derivative accounting. The loss recorded during the three months ended March 31, 2022 was impacted primarily by an increase in the discount rate used in the valuation of the derivative associated with our 2019 Facility Agreement. Partially offsetting this loss was a gain on the valuation adjustment of the embedded derivative associated with our 2013 8.00% Notes. There were no derivatives outstanding as of March 31, 2023.
See Note 7: Fair Value Measurements to our condensed consolidated financial statements for further discussion of the computation of the fair value of our derivatives.
Foreign Currency Gain
Foreign currency gain decreased $1.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023, compared to the same period in 2022. Changes in foreign currency gains and losses are driven by the remeasurement of financial statement items, which are denominated in various currencies, at the end of each reporting period. For both periods presented, the foreign currency gains were due to the weakening of the U.S. dollar relative to other currencies.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Overview
Our principal near-term liquidity requirements include funding our operating costs and capital expenditures. Our principal sources of liquidity include cash on hand, cash flows from operations and proceeds under the prepayment agreement with our Partner under the Service Agreements.
Beyond the next twelve months, our liquidity requirements also include paying our debt service obligations.
As of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, we held cash and cash equivalents of $20.5 million and $32.1 million, respectively, on our consolidated balance sheet.
The total carrying amount of our debt and vendor financing outstanding was $182.2 million at March 31, 2023, compared to $191.7 million at December 31, 2022. The $9.5 million decrease was driven by the payoff of the remaining balances due under the 2019 Facility Agreement and the vendor financing arrangement of $132.1 million and $59.6 million, respectively, offset partially by the sale of $200.0 million in aggregate principal amount of non-convertible 13% Senior Notes due 2029 (the “Notes”), which were issued net of a 5% OID of $10 million and $7.8 million in financing costs.
Cash Flows for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022
The following table shows our cash flows from operating, investing and financing activities (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| Three Months Ended |
| March 31, 2023 | | March 31, 2022 |
Net cash provided by operating activities | $ | 22,805 | | | $ | 7,569 | |
Net cash used in investing activities | (71,575) | | | (10,451) | |
Net cash provided by financing activities | 37,148 | | | 8 | |
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents | 27 | | | 89 | |
Net decrease in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash | $ | (11,595) | | | $ | (2,785) | |
Cash Flows Provided by Operating Activities
Net cash provided by operations includes primarily cash receipts from subscribers related to the purchase of equipment and satellite voice and data services as well as cash received from the performance of wholesale capacity services. We use cash in operating activities primarily for network expenditures, personnel costs, inventory purchases and other general corporate expenditures. Net cash provided by operating activities during the three months ended March 31, 2023 was $22.8 million compared to $7.6 million during the same period in 2022. The primary driver for the increase was higher net income after adjusting for noncash items due primarily to wholesale capacity service fees under the Service Agreement which commenced after service launch in November 2022. (see Note 2: Revenue to our condensed consolidated financial statements for further discussion). This activity was offset partially by an unfavorable change in working capital due primarily to a larger decrease in deferred revenue during the first quarter 2023 related to the timing and amount of customer payments in each period.
Cash Flows Used in Investing Activities
Net cash used in investing activities was $71.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023 compared to $10.5 million for the same period in 2022. Net cash used in investing activities during both periods included network upgrades associated with the Service Agreements. The increase is primarily due to payments to MDA during the first quarter of 2023 under the vendor financing arrangement totaling $59.6 million (excluding capitalized interest).
Cash Flows Provided by Financing Activities
Net cash provided by financing activities was $37.1 million during the three month period ended March 31, 2023. This activity resulted from $190.0 million received in proceeds (net of OID) from the sale of our Notes, which were used to pay the remaining principal amount due under the 2019 Facility Agreement of $148.3 million and financing costs of $0.6 million (with additional amounts paid in April 2023 due to timing). We also paid dividends of $4.0 million to our preferred stockholders during the first quarter of 2023.
Indebtedness
For further discussion on all of our debt and other financing arrangements, see Note 5: Long-Term Debt and Other Financing Arrangements to our condensed consolidated financial statements.
13% Senior Notes
On March 31, 2023, we completed the sale of $200.0 million in aggregate principal amount of our Notes, non-convertible 13% Senior Notes due 2029. The Notes are senior, unsecured obligations of the Company and have a stated maturity of September 15, 2029. The Notes were sold at an issue price of 95% of the principal amount and bear interest at a rate of 13.00% per annum payable semi-annually in arrears. The Company has agreed with its Partner under the Service Agreements to pay cash interest on the Notes at a rate of 6.5% per annum and paid-in-kind ("PIK") interest at a rate of 6.5% per annum.
The Notes may be redeemed at the option of the Company at any time, subject to the conditions of the Indenture. Additionally, in the event of a Change of Control (as such term is defined in the Indenture) or certain other events, holders of the Notes have the right to require the Company to repurchase all or a portion of their Notes at a price (as calculated by the Company) in cash equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest and certain tax payments. The Indenture includes customary terms and covenants, including restrictions on the Company’s and the Subsidiary Guarantors’ ability to incur indebtedness, make guarantees, sell equity interests, and customary events of default.
2019 Facility Agreement
In 2019, we entered into a $199.0 million facility agreement with Thermo, an affiliate of EchoStar Corporation and certain other unaffiliated lenders (the "2019 Facility Agreement"). The 2019 Facility Agreement was scheduled to mature in November 2025. The loans under the 2019 Facility Agreement bore interest at a rate of 14.0% per annum.
The Service Agreements required us to refinance all loans outstanding under the 2019 Facility Agreement. A portion was refinanced in November 2022 and the remaining portion was refinanced in March 2023. Using a portion of the proceeds from the sale of the 13% Senior Notes, we repaid all of our outstanding obligations under the 2019 Facility Agreement of approximately $148 million.
We recorded a loss on extinguishment of debt of $10.4 million during the first quarter of 2023 representing the difference between the net carrying amount prior to extinguishment (including unamortized deferred financing costs, debt discounts and derivatives) and the reacquisition price of the debt.
Vendor Financing
In February 2022, we entered into a satellite procurement agreement with MDA (see Note 8: Commitments and Contingencies for further discussion). This agreement (as amended in October 2022 and January 2023) provided for deferrals of milestone payments through March 15, 2023. Interest accrued on the amount outstanding at an annual rate of 7%, which increased to 10.5% on balances between December 2022 and March 2023. We have made payments totaling $76.1 million to MDA under this vendor financing arrangement, of which $62.1 million (including $2.5 million of interest) was paid during the first quarter of 2023. As of March 31, 2023, we fully repaid the outstanding vendor financing balance.
Prepayment Agreement
On February 27, 2023, Globalstar and Partner agreed to amend the Service Agreements to provide for, among other things, Partner’s prepayment of $252 million to us (the “Prepayment Agreement”). We plan to use the proceeds of the Prepayment to pay future amounts due under our previously disclosed Satellite Procurement Agreement with MDA, as well as launch, insurance and ancillary costs incurred in connection with the construction and launch of these satellites. The Prepayment Agreement replaces our requirement to raise third-party financing for such costs as previously required under the Service Agreements and will be funded on a quarterly basis, subject to certain conditions in the agreement. The remaining amount of the satellite costs is expected to be funded from our operating cash flows. Partner made the first payment under the Prepayment Agreement in April 2023 in an amount of $87.7 million. These proceeds were used to pay amounts owed to MDA for milestones completed as of the payment date, with $39.6 million reimbursing us for a payment made on March 31, 2023 and the remaining $48.1 million paid to MDA in April 2023.
The amount of the Prepayment and fees payable thereon will be recouped from amounts payable by our Partner for services provided by us under the Service Agreements. The Prepayment is expected to be recouped in installments for a period of 16 quarters beginning no later than the third quarter of 2025. The Prepayment may also be repaid over time through excess cash flow sweeps or voluntary prepayments, as provided under the terms of the prepayment agreement. For as long as any portion of the Prepayment is outstanding, we will be subject to certain covenants including (i) minimum cash balance of $30 million, (ii) interest coverage and leverage ratios, and (iii) limitations on certain asset transfers, expenditures and investments.
Subject to applicable shareholder approval, amounts payable by us in connection with the Prepayment would be guaranteed by Thermo under a guaranty agreement among Thermo, Globalstar and Partner. In addition, Thermo has agreed directly with Partner to provide support of certain of our obligations under the Service Agreements, the Satellite Procurement Agreement, and certain related contracts.
Series A Preferred Stock
On November 15, 2022, we issued 149,425 shares of 7.0% Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series A, with a liquidation preference of $1,000 per share (the “Series A Preferred Stock”). The Company recorded the Series A Preferred Stock at fair value of the shares totaling $105.3 million on its consolidated balance sheet.
Holders of Series A Preferred Stock are entitled to receive, when, as and if declared by our Board of Directors, cumulative cash dividends based on the liquidation preference of the Series A Preferred Stock, at a fixed rate equal to 7.00% per annum, payable quarterly in arrears on January 1, April 1, July 1 and October 1 of each year. In January and April 2023, our Board of Directors approved the payment of dividends totaling $1.3 million for the period November 15, 2022 through December 31, 2022 and $2.6 million for the first quarter of 2023; these dividends have been paid.
The shares of Series A Preferred Stock do not possess voting rights, other than certain matters specifically affecting the rights and obligations of the Series A Preferred. Series A Preferred Stock may be redeemed by us, in whole or in part, at any time. The holders of the Series A Preferred Stock do not have any rights to convert or require us to redeem such stock.
Off-Balance Sheet Transactions
We have no material off-balance sheet transactions.
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
We review recently issued accounting guidance as new standards are issued. Certain accounting standards issued or effective may be applicable to us; however, we have not identified any standards that will have a material impact on our condensed consolidated financial statements.