Edgar Filing: NEXT LEVEL COMMUNICATIONS INC

Next Level Communications, Inc. Form 10-Q 9-30-02

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q


(Mark One)

[X]		QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
		SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

		For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2002


[ ]		TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
		SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Commission file number: 0-27877

NEXT LEVEL COMMUNICATIONS, INC.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)



DELAWARE		94-3342408
(State or Other Jurisdiction of		(I.R.S. Employer
Incorporation or Organization)		Identification No.)

6085 State Farm Drive
Rohnert Park, California 94928
(Address of Principal Executive Offices, Including Zip Code)

Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code: (707) 584-6820

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. [X] Yes [ ] No

The number of shares of our common stock, par value $0.01 per share, outstanding as of October 31, 2002 was 86,692,161.

TABLE OF CONTENTS


PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
	Item 1. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
	Item 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
	ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
	ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
	Item 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
	Item 2. CHANGES IN SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS
	Item 6. EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K
SIGNATURES

TABLE OF CONTENTS


		Page No.

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements		1
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations		8
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk		26
Item 4. Controls and Procedures		26
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. Legal Proceedings		27
Item 2. Changes in Securities and Use of Proceeds		27
Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K		28

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Next Level Communications, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
Three months and nine months ended September 30, 2002 and 2001
(In Thousands, except per share data) (Unaudited)


			Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
			September 30,						September 30,

			2002			2001			2002			2001

Revenues			$	12,344		$	20,198		$	43,200		$	80,840
Cost of revenues				11,357			17,569			37,714			66,135
Inventory charges				—			—			—			72,016

Gross profit (loss)				987			2,629			5,486			(57,311	)

Operating expenses
	Research & development			5,545			11,788			19,075			38,742
	Selling, general and administrative			7,693			12,932			25,611			42,280
	Asset impairments and disposals, net			1,934			—			1,934			796

		Total operating expenses		15,172			24,720			46,620			81,818

Operating loss				(14,185	)		(22,091	)		(41,134	)		(139,129	)
Interest expense, net				(6,218	)		(5,441	)		(21,066	)		(8,525	)
Investment impairments and other expense, net				(53	)		(236	)		(891	)		(4,648	)

Net loss			$	(20,456	)	$	(27,768	)	$	(63,091	)	$	(152,302	)
Accretion and dividends payable on preferred stock				(2,218	)		—			(3,841	)		—

Net loss available to common shareholders			$	(22,674	)	$	(27,768	)	$	(66,932	)	$	(152,302	)

Basic and diluted net loss per common share			$	(0.26	)	$	(0.32	)	$	(0.78	)	$	(1.79	)

Shares used to compute basic and diluted net loss per common share				86,436			85,473			86,210			85,115

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

Next Level Communications, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
September 30, 2002 and December 31, 2001
(In Thousands, except share data) (Unaudited)


				September 30,			December 31,
				2002			2001

Assets
	Current assets
		Cash and cash equivalents		$	27,895		$	20,580
		Trade receivables, net			10,586			15,989
		Other receivables			6,007			3,373
		Inventories			45,961			62,645
		Prepaid expenses and other current assets			1,542			3,104

			Total current assets		91,991			105,691
	Property and equipment, net				40,460			46,740
	Long-term investments and other assets				1,604			1,604

			Total assets	$	134,055		$	154,035

Liabilities and stockholders’ deficit
	Current liabilities
		Accounts payable		$	6,701		$	13,938
		Accrued liabilities			14,615			19,213
		Notes and loans payable			9,788			24,340
		Notes and loans payable — due to Motorola, net of discount			43,874			—
		Deferred revenue			649			415

			Total current liabilities		75,627			57,906
	Long-term liabilities
		Due to Motorola
			Note payable, net of discount		—			55,984
			Tax sharing agreement liability		29,346			29,346
		Mortgage Note, net of discount			18,336			19,098

			Total long term liabilities		47,682			104,428

	Redeemable convertible preferred stock				68,772			—

	Stockholders’ deficit
		Common stock — $.01 par value, 400,000,000 shares authorized, 86,601,027 and 85,869,316 shares issued and outstanding			798			791
		Additional paid-in-capital			492,784			479,426
		Accumulated deficit			(551,608	)		(488,516	)

	Total stockholders’ deficit				(58,026	)		(8,299	)

	Total liabilities and stockholders’ deficit			$	134,055		$	154,035

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

Next Level Communications, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2002 and 2001
(In Thousands) (Unaudited)


			September 30,

			2002			2001

OPERATING ACTIVITIES
	Net loss			(63,091	)		(152,302	)
	Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:
		Inventory charge		—			72,016
		Depreciation and amortization		7,227			12,451
		Amortization of discount on note payable		15,949			6,433
		Warrants issued for letter of certification		407			—
		Write-down of investments and property and equipment		1,278			6,586
		Other		—			592
		Equity in net loss of investee		—			536
	Changes in assets and liabilities:
		Trade receivables		5,403			14,682
		Inventories		16,684			(51,490	)
		Other assets		(1,071	)		(3,139	)
		Accounts payable		(7,237	)		(519	)
		Accrued liabilities and deferred revenue		(4,573	)		(2,121	)

		Net cash used in operating activities		(29,024	)		(96,275	)

INVESTING ACTIVITIES
	Purchases of property and equipment			(732	)		(4,059	)
	Long-term investments			—			(6,500	)

		Net cash used in investing activities		(732	)		(10,559	)

FINANCING ACTIVITIES
	Proceeds from issuance of convertible stock and warrants to Motorola			53,000			—
	Issuance of common stock			486			2,182
	Proceeds from Tax Sharing Agreement			—			17,300
	Proceeds from Motorola financing			—			64,000
	Repayment of borrowings			(16,415	)		—
	Repayment of capital lease obligations			—			(239	)

		Net cash provided by financing activities		37,071			83,243

Net Increase (Decrease) in Cash and Cash Equivalents				7,315			(23,591	)
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Beginning of Period				20,580			35,863

Cash and Cash Equivalents, End of Period			$	27,895		$	12,272

NONCASH INVESTING AND FINANCING ACTIVITIES
	Conversion of Motorola note payable to convertible redeemable preferred stock			32,000			—
	Conversion of vendor payables and commitments into note payable			—			24,340
	Building acquisition and related mortgage assumption			1,054			—

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

NEXT LEVEL COMMUNICATIONS, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (unaudited)

BASIS OF PRESENTATION

Next Level Communications, Inc. (the “Company”) is a leading provider of broadband communications systems that enable telephone companies and other emerging communications service providers to cost-effectively deliver voice, data and video services over the existing copper wire telephone infrastructure.

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America for interim financial information and pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. While these financial statements reflect all adjustments which are, in the opinion of management, necessary to present fairly the results of the interim period, they do not include all information and footnotes required by generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements. These financial statements and notes should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes thereto, for the year ended December 31, 2001 contained in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K. Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation. The results of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2002 are not necessarily indicative of the operating results for the full year.

Use of Estimates — The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the year. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

New Accounting Pronouncements — In June 2002, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 146, “Accounting for Costs Associated with Exit or Disposal Activities”, which addresses accounting for restructuring and similar costs. SFAS 146 supersedes previous accounting guidance, principally Emerging Issues Task Force Issue No. 94-3. The Company will adopt the provisions of SFAS 146 for restructuring activities initiated after December 31, 2002. SFAS 146 requires that the liability for costs associated with an exit or disposal activity be recognized when the liability is incurred. Under Issue 94-3, a liability for an exit cost was recognized at the date of the Company’s commitment to an exit plan. SFAS 146 also establishes that the liability should initially be measured and recorded at fair value. Accordingly, SFAS 146 may affect the timing of recognizing future restructuring costs as well as the amounts recognized.

REDEEMABLE CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCK ISSUANCES TO MOTOROLA, INC.

On February 20, June 25 and September 26, 2002, the Company issued to Motorola, Inc. (“Motorola”) shares of redeemable, convertible preferred stock. Each share of Series A preferred (February issuance) is convertible into two shares of common stock; each share of Series A-1 preferred (June and September issuances) is convertible into 100 shares of common stock. Both Series A and Series A-1 preferred shares (“Preferred”) are entitled to cumulative dividends at an annual rate of 7.5% payable in cash or additional shares of Preferred. In the event of insolvency or dissolution of the Company, certain change in control, merger or consolidation events, or sales or

transfers of a material portion of the Company’s assets outside the ordinary course of business, each share of Preferred is entitled to a liquidation preference equal to 250% of the Preferred’s initial purchase price. Motorola has waived its right to receive the liquidation preference in the event of a change of control or sale of a material portion of the Company’s assets if such event occurs prior to April 1, 2003. Holders of a majority of the Preferred may require the Company to redeem the Preferred on or after the five year anniversary of issuance at a per share redemption price equal to 120% of the Preferred’s initial purchase price. The Preferred shares were issued for cash and in connection with conversions of outstanding notes payable with Motorola. Upon the conversion of the note payable amounts into Preferred shares, the Company recorded additional interest expense for any remaining unamortized discount related to this portion of the note payable. In connection with the issuance of the Preferred, the Company granted Motorola warrants to purchase additional shares of the Company’s common stock. The warrants issued in exchange for cash are exercisable immediately and expire five years from the date of issuance. Warrants issued for debt to equity conversions and redemption waivers become exercisable five years from the date of the preferred issuance and expire ten years from the date of the preferred issuance.

The following table details the significant components of the transactions.


		Feb. 20,		June 25,		Sept. 26,
(in millions, except price per share data)		2002		2002		2002

Preferred Stock Issued — Shares			6.9		0.3		0.2
Preferred Stock Issued — Price Per Share		$	4.34	$	119.00	$	93.00
Common Stock Equivalent⁽¹⁾ — Shares			13.8		27.7		23.7
Common Stock Equivalent — Price Per Share		$	2.17	$	1.19	$	0.93
Warrants Issued — Shares			6.9		6.3		6.1
Warrant Average Exercise Price Per Share		$	2.38	$	1.23	$	0.97
Cash Proceeds		$	30.0	$	13.0	$	10.0
Debt Conversions		$	—	$	20.0	$	12.0

	Total	$	30.0	$	33.0	$	22.0
Amount allocated to warrants			6.5		3.9		3.2
Amount allocated to beneficial conversion feature			—		2.7		3.7

Net amount allocated to Preferred Stock		$	23.5	$	26.4	$	15.1

Remaining unamortized discount charged to interest expense on conversion		$	—	$	3.6	$	1.7


⁽¹⁾	Common stock equivalents refer to the number and price into which the preferred shares are convertible.

The total amounts of these issuances were allocated between the preferred shares, warrants and any beneficial conversion feature on the preferred shares, as shown above. The fair values of the warrants were estimated using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following assumptions: no dividends; risk free interest rate in effect (4.6%) and volatility percent calculation (from 101% to 107%) at the time of issuance; and the contractual life of the warrants.

The Company is accreting the Preferred shares to their stated redemption price. The Company accreted $1.0 million on all outstanding Series A and A-1 Preferred in the current quarter, and $1.7 million in the nine-month period ended September 30, 2002, which has been reflected as an increase in the carrying value of the Preferred and a corresponding decrease to additional paid in capital. During the quarter ended September 30, 2002, the Company accrued $1.2 million for the payment of dividends. During the nine-month period ended September 30, 2002, the Company accrued $2.1 million for the payment of dividends.

$35 Million Financing Commitment —

At September 30, 2002, $12.0 million remains available under the March 29, 2002 $35.0 million financing commitment from Motorola.

Letter of Certification —

On April 22, 2002, in connection with the Company maintaining compliance under the Nasdaq National Market listing requirements, Motorola provided to Nasdaq a Letter of Certification pursuant to which Motorola agreed (i) to waive, through November 1, 2002, Motorola’s right of redemption under Section B(2) of the Certificate of Designation of the Series A Preferred in the event of a change of control or sale of a material portion of the Company’s assets and (ii) not to transfer the Series A Preferred unless the transferee agrees in writing to be bound by the waiver. This waiver by Motorola allowed the Company to classify the preferred stock that had been issued to Motorola as equity for purposes of meeting the net tangible asset listing requirement which required the Company to maintain, at a minimum, a net tangible worth of $4.0 million. As consideration for the Letter of Certification, the Company issued to Motorola fully-vested and non-forfeitable warrants to purchase common stock, exercisable five years from the date of the letter, with an exercise price of $2.00 per share and expiring on April 22, 2012, as follows: (i) 100,000 warrants for the Letter of Certification and the overall contingent re-structuring; and (ii) 300,000 warrants for the waiver of the redemption in the event of a change of control relating to the $30.0 million Series A Preferred issued to Motorola in February 2002.

The fair value of the warrants ($0.4 million) was charged to other expense on the date of issuance. The fair value of the warrants was estimated using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following assumptions: no dividends; risk free interest rate of 4.6%; volatility 101%; and a contractual life of ten years.

NOTES PAYABLE

Vendor Note Payable —

On May 18, 2002, a principal and interest payment of $13.0 million was made under the Company’s vendor note payable. The remaining principal and interest payment of $9.5 million is due on March 31, 2003.

Note Payable to Motorola —

On May 17, 2002, warrants to purchase 1,000,000 shares of common stock, issued in connection with the note payable to Motorola, became exercisable since full repayment under the note had not been made by that date. In addition, on May 30, 2002, the Company and Motorola amended the note to provide that the remaining warrants to purchase 2,000,000 shares of common stock became fully vested and exercisable. As a result, a measurement date was reached with respect to these warrants and their value was fixed.

On October 22, 2002, the Company and Motorola agreed to amend the note to extend the maturity date from May 16, 2003 to May 16, 2006. The extension was accounted for as an extinguishment of debt with a related party under EITF 96-19 and APB 26. Accordingly, the remaining unamortized warrant discount of $6.5 million on the $51.0 million outstanding under the note was accounted for as a dividend to a stockholder. As consideration for the extension, the Company granted to Motorola a warrant to purchase 3.0 million shares of common stock with an exercise price of $0.76, which represented the average closing price of the Company’s stock over the five days prior to the agreement. The fair value of the warrants ($1.7 million) was treated as a

cost associated with debt extinguishment, and as a result, was also accounted for as a dividend to a stockholder.

INVENTORIES

Inventories at September 30, 2002 and December 31, 2001 consisted of (in millions):


	September 30,		December 31,
	2002		2001

Raw materials	$	24.1	$	26.2
Work-in-process		2.7		1.7
Finished goods		19.2		34.7

Total	$	46.0	$	62.6

LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

The Company is a party to various claims, litigation and other matters. Management believes that the ultimate resolution of these matters will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements taken as a whole.

NET LOSS PER SHARE

Basic net loss per share excludes dilution and is computed by dividing net loss by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding for the period. Diluted net loss per share is computed based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding plus the dilutive effect of outstanding stock options and warrants. Diluted net loss per common share was the same as basic net loss per common share for all periods presented. As of September 30, 2002 and 2001, the Company had securities outstanding that could potentially dilute basic earnings per share in the future, but were excluded from the computation of diluted net loss per share, as their effect would have been anti-dilutive, given the Company’s losses. Such outstanding securities consisted of the following (in millions):


	September 30,

	2002		2001

Motorola warrants		30.2		7.5
Other stockholder warrants		5.6		5.6
Outstanding employee stock options		22.8		16.2

Total		58.6		29.3

7. COMPREHENSIVE LOSS

During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2002 and 2001, comprehensive loss was the same as net loss.

Item 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Some of the statements in the following discussion and elsewhere in this report constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. We intend these forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, and we are including this statement for purposes of complying with these safe harbor provisions. These statements relate to future events or our future financial performance. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “expect,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “predict,” “potential” or “continue” or the negative of such terms or other comparable terminology. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our or our industry’s actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These factors include, among other things, those listed under “Risk Factors” below and elsewhere in this report.

Although we believe that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot guarantee future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements.

OVERVIEW

We design and market broadband communications equipment that enables telephone companies and other communications service providers to cost-effectively deliver a full suite of voice, data and video services over the existing copper wire telephone infrastructure. We commenced operations in July 1994 and recorded our first sale in September 1997. From January 1998 until November 1999, we operated through Next Level Communications L.P., which was formed in connection with the transfer of all of the net assets, management and workforce of a wholly-owned subsidiary of General Instrument. In November 1999, the business and assets of that partnership were merged into Next Level Communications, Inc. as part of our recapitalization. In January 2000, General Instrument was acquired by Motorola, Inc., making us an indirect subsidiary of Motorola.

We generate our revenues primarily from sales of our equipment. A small number of customers have accounted for a large part of our revenues to date, and we expect this concentration to continue in the future.

Qwest accounted for $2.7 million or 22% of our total revenues for the quarter ended September 30, 2002, and $4.2 million or 21% of our total revenues for the quarter ended September 30, 2001. Sales to Qwest were reduced in the current quarter due to an overall reduction in capital spending by Qwest from 2001 to 2002. Additionally, Qwest has slowed its purchases of our equipment while it re-evaluates its plans regarding the deployment of VDSL across its network. Sales to Qwest in the future are dependent upon its decision regarding the deployment of our product and its overall capital spending plans. Qwest has recently undergone changes in its senior management, has reported significant operating losses for the third quarter of 2002, and has reported that it will restate prior period financial statements. These factors may have an impact on Qwest’s decision regarding the deployment of our product.

Our agreements with our largest customers do not obligate the customers to purchase any products. In addition, our significant customer agreements generally contain fixed-price provisions.

As a result, our ability to generate a profit on these contracts depends upon our ability to produce and market our products at costs lower than these fixed prices, which is heavily dependent on our production volume of these products.

The timing of our revenues is difficult to predict because of the length and variability of the sales cycle for our products. Customers view the purchase of our products as a significant and strategic decision. As a result, customers typically undertake significant evaluation, testing and trial of our products before deploying them. This evaluation process frequently results in a lengthy sales cycle, typically ranging from nine months to more than a year. While our customers are evaluating our products and before they place an order, if at all, we may incur substantial sales and marketing expenses and expend significant management efforts.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Revenues. Total revenues in the quarter ended September 30, 2002 decreased to $12.3 million from $20.2 million in the third quarter of 2001. Total revenues in the nine months ended September 30, 2002 decreased to $43.2 million from $80.8 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2001. The decrease was primarily due to a decrease in equipment sales to Qwest.

A revenue analysis by channel is detailed in the following chart. Our equipment revenue is analyzed using three channels: Independent operating companies (IOC), major carriers which currently includes Qwest and other North American regional bell operating companies (MAJOR CARRIERS), and other customers which include, among others, multiple service organizations and international customers (OTHER).


(In millions)	Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
	September 30,				September 30,

CHANNEL	2002		2001		2002		2001

IOC	$	9.3	$	14.4	$	30.2	$	37.5
MAJOR CARRIERS (PRIMARILY QWEST)		2.8		4.2		12.5		37.6
OTHER — EQUIPMENT		0.2		0.9		0.5		3.4
SOFTWARE		—		0.7		—		2.3

TOTAL REVENUE	$	12.3	$	20.2	$	43.2	$	80.8

Sales to Qwest were significantly reduced in the current quarter due to an overall reduction in capital spending by Qwest. Additionally, Qwest has slowed its purchases of our equipment while it re-evaluates its plans regarding the deployment of VDSL across its network. Sales to Qwest in the future are dependent upon its decision regarding the deployment of our product and its overall capital spending plans. Qwest has recently undergone changes in its senior management, has reported significant operating losses for the third quarter of 2002, and has reported that it will restate prior period financials for certain incorrectly recorded transactions. These factors may have an impact on Qwest’s decision regarding the deployment of our product.

Sales to IOCs and our other customers decreased in the current quarter due to a general slowdown in the telecommunications industry and the resulting reduction of our customers’ capital expenditures.

We expect to continue to derive substantially all of our revenues from sales of equipment to regional bell operating companies and local, foreign and independent telephone companies for the foreseeable future. Revenue levels in future quarters will depend significantly upon Qwest’s and other major carriers’ future decisions and general economic conditions, as well as whether and how

quickly our existing customers roll out broadband services in their coverage areas and whether and how quickly we obtain new customers.

Cost of Revenues. Total cost of revenues decreased to $11.4 million in the quarter ended September 30, 2002 from $17.6 million in the quarter ended September 30, 2001. Total cost of revenues in the first nine months of 2002 decreased to $37.7 million from $138.2 million in the first nine months of 2001. The decrease in our cost of revenues was primarily due to a $72.0 million inventory charge related to excess inventory, obsolescence and lower of cost or market adjustments taken in the second quarter of 2001. The remaining difference resulted from lower sales of equipment.

At September 30, 2002, we had inventories of $46.0 million. At each reporting period we perform a detailed review of raw material and finished goods inventories on hand, components under purchase commitments, and a detailed analysis of our sales forecasts and product end-of-life estimates, to determine whether any inventory charges, in addition to those taken in 2001, are required. At September 30, 2002, no additional charges were recorded.

Our gross margin percentage decreased to 8.0% in the third quarter of 2002 from 13.0% in the third quarter of 2001. Our gross margin percentage decreased to 12.7% in the nine-month period ended September 30, 2002 from 18.7% in the first nine months of 2001 (excluding inventory write-down related charges). The decline in our gross margin percentage was primarily related to spreading the manufacturing overhead elements of product cost over reduced sales volumes.

Our gross margins are affected by a number of factors including, but not limited to, overall sales volume, customer mix, volume discounts, product mix, excess inventory, obsolete inventory, the timing and size of orders received, the availability of adequate supplies of key components and assemblies and cost reduction programs. Because various customer groups order different product mixes and have different volume pricing discounts, gross profit will vary as a result of changes in our customer order flow. Individual products have different profit margins and, therefore, the mix of products sold has an impact on the margins generated by those sales. The size of discounts given to a customer may vary depending on the type and size of the sales order. Our ability to successfully implement cost reduction programs affects fixed and variable costs that impact profit margins. In a rapidly changing industry, introduction of new products using new technologies may result in existing inventory becoming obsolete, requiring such obsolete inventory to be expensed.

Research and development. Research and development expenses decreased to $5.5 million in the quarter ended September 30, 2002 from $11.8 million in the quarter ended September 30, 2001. Research and development expenses decreased to $19.1 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2002 from $38.7 million in the first nine months of 2001. The decrease in the research and development expenses was primarily due to cost-cutting measures, including a reduction in research and development personnel. In the near term, research and development expenses could increase slightly, primarily due to costs associated with new product introductions.

Selling, general and administrative. Selling, general and administrative expenses decreased to $7.7 million in the quarter ended September 30, 2002 from $12.9 million in the quarter ended September 30, 2001. Selling, general and administrative expenses decreased to $25.6 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2002 from $42.3 million in the first nine months of 2001. The decrease was primarily due to cost-cutting measures, including a reduction in selling, general and administrative personnel. In addition, the three and nine month 2001 periods included $1.7 million and $5.0 million, respectively, in goodwill amortization, of which there is none in 2002.

Asset impairments and disposals, net. In the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2002, asset impairments totaled $1.9 million and related to facility consolidation charges. These charges consisted of the present value of future minimum lease payments and impaired leasehold improvements on vacated premises of $0.9 million and cancellation charges on a facility expansion project of $1.0 million. In the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2001, asset impairments totaled $0.8 million and related to the discontinuation of our Vietnam operation. We continually evaluate our occupancy needs, particularly with respect to the force reductions we have experienced in the past several quarters. If, in the future, we decide to further consolidate our facilities, we may incur related termination costs.

Interest expense, net. Interest expense in the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2002 and September 30, 2001 was primarily attributable to cash and noncash interest related to our credit agreement with Motorola as well cash interest on our vendor note payable and mortgage note payable and is detailed in the following table.


(In millions)		Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,

		2002			2001			2002			2001

Motorola Credit Facility
	Cash interest	$	(0.9	)	$	(0.5	)	$	(3.1	)	$	(0.8	)
	Noncash interest — recurring		(3.2	)		(3.8	)		(10.6	)		(6.4	)
	Noncash interest — non-recurring		(1.7	)		0.0			(5.3	)		0.0
Mortgage interest			(0.4	)		(0.1	)		(1.1	)		(0.1	)
Vendor note payable interest			(0.2	)		(0.6	)		(1.3	)		(0.9	)
Other interest income (expense)			0.2			(0.4	)		0.3			(0.3	)

		$	(6.2	)	$	(5.4	)	$	(21.1	)	$	(8.5	)

Non-recurring noncash interest is related to debt to equity conversions that took place in June and September 2002 (See Note 2 to the condensed consolidated financial statements). Noncash interest is expected to decrease in future periods as the entire remaining warrant discount of $6.5 million related to the Motorola credit facility was expensed as a dividend upon the extended maturity commitment date of October 22, 2002 (see Note 2 to the condensed consolidated financial statements).

Investment impairments and other expense, net. Investment impairments and other expense in the three-month period ended September 30, 2002 was $0.1 million and consisted of state sales tax expense. Investment impairments and other expense in the nine-month period ended September 30, 2002 was $0.9 million and consisted primarily of state sales tax expense and warrant issuance expense (see Note 2 to the condensed consolidated financial statements). Investment impairments and other expense in the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2001 was $0.2 million and $4.6 million, respectively. The expenses for the nine-month period in 2001 related primarily to the write-down of certain investments and certain property, plant and equipment.

Accretion and dividends payable on preferred stock. Accretion and dividends payable on preferred stock in the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2002 was $2.2 and $3.8 million and related to the issuance of Series A and Series A-1 Preferred Stock to Motorola in February 2002, June 2002 and September 2002 (see Note 2 to the condensed consolidated financial statements).

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Net cash used in operating activities was $29.0 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2002 and $96.3 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2001. The primary use of cash continues to be our net losses, which were $62.2 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2002 and $152.3 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2001. The improvement of cash used in operating activities reflects the favorable impact on cash flow of our operating expense reductions, which decreased from $81.8 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2001 to $45.6 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2002, serving to more than offset the unfavorable impact of the reduction in revenues of $37.6 million over the same period. Cash flows of $9.2 million generated by positive working capital changes in the current nine-month period primarily related to a $5.4 million reduction in accounts receivable and a $16.7 million reduction in inventories, partially offset by a decrease in accounts payable and accrued liabilities of $11.8 million. During the nine-month period ended September 30, 2001, the use of working capital of $42.6 million was primarily related to a $51.5 million increase in inventories, partially offset by a $14.7 million reduction in accounts receivable. Noncash changes in the 2001 period included the conversion of $14.3 million in vendor payables and $10.0 million in vendor purchase commitments into a note payable.

Net cash used in investing activities of $0.7 million in the nine-month period ended September 30, 2002 was related to capital expenditures. Net cash used in investing activities of $10.6 million in the nine-month period ended September 30, 2001 was primarily attributable to a $6.5 million investment made in Virtual Access, a network access company, and $4.1 million in capital expenditures made to support our engineering and testing activities.

Net cash provided by financing activities of $37.1 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2002 was primarily related to the proceeds received in connection with the issuance of $53.0 million of redeemable convertible preferred stock to Motorola in February, June and September 2002, partially offset by principal payments totaling $15.6 million under our vendor note payable and $0.8 million under our mortgage note payable. Net cash provided by financing activities of $83.2 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2001 was primarily related to borrowings of $64.0 million from Motorola, and receipt of $17.3 million related to our tax-sharing agreement with Motorola.

Vendor Note Payable — During the nine months ended September 30, 2002, we made principal and interest payments totaling $18.0 million under our vendor note payable. The remaining principal and interest payment of $9.5 million is due on March 31, 2003.

Contractual Obligations — The following table sets forth our contractual obligations as of September 30, 2002 (Note Payable to Motorola as of October 22, 2002) (in millions):


			Payments Due by Period

			4th Quarter
			2002		2003		2004		2005		2006		Thereafter		Total

Vendor Note Payable (1)				—	$	8.7		—		—		—		—	$	8.7
Motorola Debt
		Note Payable (2)		—		—		—		—	$	51.0		—		51.0
		Tax Sharing Liability (3)		—		—		—		—		29.3		—		29.3
Mortgage Debt (4)			$	0.3		1.2	$	1.3	$	1.4		1.5	$	13.5		19.2
Off-Balance Sheet Commitments
	Vendor Purchase Commitments (5)			12.2		0.4		—		—		—		—		12.6
	Operating Leases (6)			0.4		1.3		1.0		0.9		0.7		—		4.3

Total Contractual Obligations			$	12.9	$	11.6	$	2.3	$	2.3	$	82.5	$	13.5	$	125.1

(1)		Due March 31, 2003.




(2)		Extended maturity from May 16, 2003 to May 16, 2006.




(3)		Due in 2006 if Motorola does not achieve expected tax benefits. Maturity will be accelerated in whole or in part if certain conditions (such as our completion of a debt or equity offering greater than $25.0 million) are met.




(4)		Annual principal payments required plus $4.9 million due in 2011.




(5)		Represents commitments as of September 30, 2002, with various suppliers to purchase certain raw materials and finished goods.




(6)		Future minimum lease payments under non-cancelable operating leases for certain facilities and equipment.

At September 30, 2002, we had cash and cash equivalents of $27.9 million and $12.0 million available to us under the March 29, 2002 $35.0 million financing commitment from Motorola. Management believes that given present assumptions about working capital and expense levels, such cash on hand and amounts available to us will be sufficient to enable us to meet our financial obligations and sustain our operations through the first quarter of 2003. We are actively exploring additional financing arrangements, but there can be no assurance that we will be successful in our efforts to obtain additional funding sources.

Since late 2000, we have been significantly dependent on Motorola for financial resources. Loans from Motorola totaled $15.0 million in 2000 and $97.3 million in 2001. In addition, during the nine-month period ended September 30, 2002, we received a total of $53.0 million in exchange for the issuance of redeemable convertible preferred stock to Motorola. The maturity date of the note payable of $51.0 million to Motorola, originally May 16, 2003, has been extended to May 16, 2006.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES

Our discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations are based on our condensed consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Our preparation of these condensed consolidated financial statements requires us to make judgments and estimates that

affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results may differ from such estimates under different assumptions or conditions. The following summarizes our critical accounting policies and significant estimates used in preparing our consolidated financial statements:

Revenue — We recognize revenue when contractual obligations have been satisfied, title and risk of loss have been transferred to the customer and collection of the resulting receivable is reasonably assured. Generally, we recognize revenue from equipment sales upon shipment. In cases where title and risk of loss pass upon delivery, we recognize revenue from equipment sales upon receipt by the customer. Revenue from installation services is recognized when the services have been completed and acceptance by the customer has occurred. Revenue from field trials is recognized when the trial has been completed and full payment has been received. We accrue a provision for estimated sales returns as a reduction of revenue at the time of revenue recognition.

Accrued Warranty Reserves — We accrue the estimated cost of product warranties at the time revenues are recognized. While we engage in product quality programs and processes, including actively monitoring and evaluating the quality of our contract manufacturers, our warranty obligation is affected by actual warranty costs including, material usage and service delivery costs incurred in correcting a product failure. If actual product failure rates, material usage or service delivery costs differ from our estimates, revisions to the estimated warranty liability would be required.

Employee Stock-based Compensation — We account for employee stock-based compensation under Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25. If we were to account for this compensation under Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123, results would have changed.

NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

In June 2002, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued SFAS No. 146, “Accounting for Costs Associated with Exit or Disposal Activities,” which addresses accounting for restructuring and similar costs. Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) 146 supersedes previous accounting guidance, principally Emerging Issues Task Force Issue No. 94-3. We will adopt the provisions of SFAS 146 for restructuring activities initiated after December 31, 2002. SFAS 146 requires that the liability for costs associated with an exit or disposal activity be recognized when the liability is incurred. Under Issue 94-3, a liability for an exit cost was recognized at the date of our commitment to an exit plan. SFAS 146 also establishes that the liability should initially be measured and recorded at fair value. Accordingly, SFAS 146 may affect the timing of recognizing future restructuring costs as well as the amounts recognized.

RISK FACTORS

You should carefully consider the risk factors set forth below.

We have been financially dependent on Motorola and any change in their level of commitment could have an adverse impact on us.

Since late 2000, we have been significantly dependent on Motorola for financial resources. Loans from Motorola totaled $15.0 million in 2000 and $97.3 million in 2001. In addition, during the nine-month period ended September 30, 2002, we received a total of $53.0 million in exchange for the issuance of redeemable convertible preferred stock to Motorola, Inc Any change in Motorola’s level of commitment to us could adversely impact our ability to continue operations.

If we do not obtain additional capital funding, we may not be able to continue operations.

At September 30, 2002, we had cash and cash equivalents of $27.9 million and $12.0 million available to us under the March 29, 2002 $35.0 million financing with Motorola. Management believes that given present assumptions about working capital and expense levels, such cash on hand and amounts available to us, will be sufficient to enable us to meet our financial obligations and sustain our operations through the first quarter of 2003. We are actively exploring additional financing arrangements, but there can be no assurance that we will be successful in our efforts to obtain additional funding sources.

If we fail to meet the continued listing requirements of the Nasdaq Stock Market, our stock could be delisted.

Our stock is currently listed on the Nasdaq National Market. The Nasdaq Stock Market’s Marketplace Rules impose certain minimum financial requirements on us for the continued listing of our stock. Two such requirements are our shareholders’ equity and the minimum bid price on our stock of $1.00 per share. Beginning in 2002 there have been periods of time during which we have been out of compliance with one or both of the net tangible assets and $1.00 minimum bid requirements of the Nasdaq National Market.

In March 2002 we received a letter from Nasdaq notifying us that we were not in compliance with the net tangible assets requirement. In response to that letter, Motorola, which is our largest stockholder and holds all of our Series A Preferred Stock, agreed to waive the change of control redemption right contained in our Series A Preferred Stock through November 2002. In addition, Motorola agreed in a letter of certification to Nasdaq that it would undertake that to the extent necessary for us to achieve compliance with all current Nasdaq National Market listing requirements (including, when applicable, the stockholders’ equity requirement) by June 30, 2002 and for the remainder of fiscal year 2002, it would: (a) modify all or a portion of its financing facility by amending the terms of the financing facility such that any draw-downs by us under the financing facility will be in exchange for the issuance of Series A Preferred subject to a waiver of the change of control redemption right; (b) if the modification to the financing facility contemplated by clause (a) is not sufficient for us to maintain compliance with the listing requirements, convert up to $6.0 million of our existing indebtedness to Motorola to equity such that the converted indebtedness will be classified as equity on our balance sheet on a going forward basis; and (c) if necessary to comply with the Nasdaq National Market’s stockholders’ equity requirement once it becomes mandatory in the fourth quarter of 2002, further amend the terms of the Series A Preferred such that it would be classified as equity on our balance sheet on a going forward basis for purposes of the stockholders’ equity listing requirement. In consideration of Motorola’s undertakings, we granted Motorola warrants to purchase 400,000 shares of our common stock for $2.00 per share.

On June 25, 2002, we issued to Motorola 277,311 shares of the Series A-1 Preferred at a per share purchase price of $119.00, for a total purchase price of approximately $33.0 million. The total purchase price consisted of (i) the conversion of the $20.0 million under the Convertible Promissory Note issued by the Company to Motorola into shares of Series A-1 Preferred and (ii) cash in the amount of $13.0 million representing a drawdown on the Financing Facility.

On September 26, 2002 we issued to Motorola 236,559 shares of the Series A-1 Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock of the Company (“Series A-1 Preferred”) at a per share purchase price of $93.00, for a total purchase price of approximately $22.0 million. The total purchase price consisted of (i) the cancellation of $12.0 million under the Credit Agreement (Multi-Draw Term Loan Facility), dated as of May 16, 2001 between the Company and Motorola, as amended, and (ii) cash in the amount of $10.0 million. In addition, Motorola agreed to waive the change of control redemption right contained in our Series A Preferred Stock through April 2003.

Through these transactions, we achieved compliance with the Nasdaq National Market shareholder equity listing requirement as of June 30, 2002 and September 30, 2002.

On October 14, 2002, we received notification from Nasdaq that for the 30 days prior to the notice, the price of our common stock had closed below the minimum $1.00 per share requirement for continued inclusion under Marketplace Rule 4450(a)(5) (the “Rule”). Therefore, we have been provided 90 calendar days, or until January 13, 2003, to regain compliance. If, at any time before January 13, 2002, the bid price of our common stock closes at $1.00 per share or more for a minimum of 10 consecutive trading days, Nasdaq will provide us with written notification that we are in compliance with the Rule.

If we are out of compliance in the future with Nasdaq listing requirements, we may take other actions in addition to the modifications to Motorola’s investment in us described above in order to achieve compliance, which actions may include a transfer to the Nasdaq Small Cap Market and/or a reverse split of our common stock. If an initial delisting decision is made by the staff, we may appeal the decision as permitted by Nasdaq rules. If we are delisted and cannot obtain listing on another major market or exchange, our stock’s liquidity would suffer, and we would likely experience reduced analyst coverage and investor interest. Such factors may result in a decrease in our stock’s trading price. Delisting also may restrict us from issuing additional securities or securing additional financing.

We have incurred net losses and negative cash flow for our entire history and we expect to incur future losses and negative cash flow.

We incurred net losses of $63.1 million in the nine-month period ended September 30, 2002, and we expect to continue to incur net losses in future quarters. Our ability to achieve profitability will depend on the successful design, development, testing, introduction, marketing and sale of our broadband equipment products. There is no guarantee that we will be successful in achieving profitability.

If we do not increase sales volumes and gross profit margins, we may not achieve profitability.

We expect to continue to incur significant product development, sales and marketing, and administrative expenses. In addition, we depend in part on cost reductions to improve gross profit margins because the fixed-price nature of most of our long-term customer agreements prevents us from increasing prices. As a result, we will need to generate significant revenues and improve gross profit margins to achieve and maintain profitability. We may not be successful in reducing our costs or in selling our products in sufficient volumes to realize cost benefits from our manufacturers. We cannot be certain that we can achieve sufficient revenues or gross profit margin improvements to generate profitability.

The loss of or reduction in business from Qwest could cause our sales to fall significantly.

Qwest accounted for 22% and 21% of total revenues in the quarters ended September 30, 2002 and 2001. Our agreements with our customers are cancelable by these customers on short

notice, without penalty, do not obligate the customers to purchase any products and are not exclusive. Sales to Qwest have been reduced from 2001 to 2002 due to an overall reduction in capital spending by Qwest. Additionally, Qwest has slowed its purchases of our equipment while it re-evaluates its plans regarding the deployment of VDSL across its network. Sales to Qwest in the future are dependent upon its decision regarding the deployment of our product and its overall capital spending plans. Qwest has recently undergone changes in its senior management, has reported significant operating losses for the third quarter of 2002, and has reported that it will restate prior period financials for certain incorrectly recorded transactions. These factors may have an impact on Qwest’s decision regarding the deployment of our product. Any continued significant reduction in purchases of our equipment by Qwest could have a material adverse effect on us.

A significant market for our products may not develop if telephone companies do not successfully deploy broadband services such as high-speed data and video.

Telephone companies have only recently begun widely offering high-speed data services, and most telephone companies have not offered video services at all. Sales of our products largely depends on the increased use and widespread adoption of broadband services and the ability of our customers to market and sell broadband services, including video services, to their customers. Certain critical issues concerning use of broadband services are unresolved and will likely affect their use. These issues include security, reliability, speed and volume, cost, government regulation and the ability to operate with existing and new equipment. Unless more large telephone companies make the strategic decision to enter the market for providing broadband services, a significant market for our products may not develop. In this regard, announced capital expenditures by most telephone companies have decreased from 2001 to 2002.

A number of factors may lead customers to delay or forego deployment, which would hinder our ability to meet our business objectives.

Our customers have delayed deployments in the past and may delay deployments in the future. Factors that could cause telephone companies not to deploy, to delay deployment of, or to fail to deploy successfully the services for which our products are designed include the following:

		- general economic conditions and telephone company capital spending plans;

		- industry consolidation;

		- regulatory uncertainties and delays;

		- varying quality of telephone companies’ network infrastructure and cost of infrastructure upgrades and maintenance;

		- inexperience of telephone companies in obtaining access to video programming content from third-party providers;

		- inexperience of telephone companies in providing broadband services and the lack of sufficient technical expertise and personnel to install products and implement services effectively;

		- uncertain subscriber demand for broadband services; and

		- inability of telephone companies to predict return on their investment in broadband capable infrastructure and equipment.

Unless our products are successfully deployed by telephone companies in the near term, we will not be able to achieve our business objectives and increase our revenues.

We expect our quarterly revenues and operating results to fluctuate, and these fluctuations may make our stock price volatile.

Our quarterly revenues and operating results have fluctuated in the past and are likely to fluctuate significantly in the future. As a result, we believe that quarter-to-quarter comparisons of our operating results may not be meaningful. Fluctuations in our quarterly revenues or operating results may cause volatility in the price of our stock. It is likely that in some future quarter our operating results may be below the expectations of public market analysts and investors, which may cause the price of our stock to fall. Factors likely to cause variations in our quarterly revenues and operating results include:

		- delays or cancellations of any orders by Qwest, which accounted for approximately 22% of our revenues in the first nine months of 2002, or by any other customer accounting for a significant portion of our revenues;

		- variations in the timing, mix and size of orders and shipments of our products throughout a quarter or year;

		- new product introductions by us or by our competitors;

		- the timing of upgrades of telephone companies’ infrastructure;

		- general economic conditions and variations in capital spending budgets of telephone companies; and

		- increased expenses, whether related to sales and marketing, product development or administration.

The amount and timing of our operating expenses generally will vary from quarter to quarter depending on the level of actual and anticipated business activity. Because most of our operating expenses are fixed in the short term, we may not be able to quickly reduce spending if our revenues are lower than we had projected and our results of operations could be harmed.

Consolidation among telephone companies may reduce our sales.

Consolidation in the telecommunications industry may cause delays in the purchase of our products and cause a reexamination of strategic and purchasing decisions by our customers. In addition, we may lose relationships with key personnel within a customer’s organization due to budget cuts, layoffs, or other disruptions following a consolidation

Because our sales cycle is lengthy and variable, the timing of our revenue is difficult to predict, and we may incur sales and marketing expenses with no guarantee of a future sale.

Customers view the purchase of our products as a significant and strategic decision. As a result, customers typically undertake significant evaluation, testing and trial of our products before deployment. This evaluation process frequently results in a lengthy sales cycle, typically ranging from nine months to more than a year. Before a customer places an order, we may incur substantial sales and marketing expenses and expend significant management efforts. In addition, product purchases are frequently subject to unexpected administrative, processing and other delays on the part of our customers. This is particularly true for customers for whom our products represent a very small percentage of their overall purchasing activities. As a result, sales forecasted to be made to a specific customer for a particular quarter may not be realized in that quarter; and this could result in lower than expected revenues in that quarter.

Government regulation of our customers and related uncertainty could cause our customers to delay the purchase of our products.

The Telecommunications Act of 1996 requires telephone companies, such as the regional Bell operating companies, to offer their competitors cost-based access to some elements of their networks, including facilities and equipment used to provide high-speed data and video services. These telephone companies may not wish to make expenditures for infrastructure and equipment required to provide broadband services if they will be forced to allow competitors access to this infrastructure and equipment.

The Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) has announced that, except in limited circumstances, it will not require incumbent carriers to offer their competitors access to the facilities and equipment used to provide high-speed data services. Nevertheless, other regulatory and judicial proceedings relating to telephone companies’ obligations to provide elements of their network to competitors are pending. The FCC also requires incumbent carriers to permit competitive carriers to collocate certain of their equipment with the local switching equipment of the incumbents.

The FCC’s rules regarding the unbundling of the high frequency spectrum of wirelines as to enable competitive local exchange carriers to provide DSL services has been vacated and continue to be subject to regulatory proceedings as well as the subject of proposed legislation. The FCC has also issued a ruling that classified cable modem service as an interstate information service that is subject to FCC jurisdiction but not subject to common carrier regulation. As a result, such services are not currently regulated by the FCC and should not be subject to separate state and local regulation. This ruling may improve the competitive position of cable providers who compete with our customers who provide wireline-based broadband services. There is also currently a pending rulemaking proceeding in which the FCC proposes to classify broadband Internet access services provided by wireline-based telephone companies as interstate information services.

We cannot predict when or how these various regulatory issues will be decided. The uncertainties caused by the above described regulatory proceedings may cause telephone

companies to delay purchasing decisions at least until the proceedings and any related judicial appeals are completed. The outcomes of these regulatory proceedings, as well as other FCC regulation, may cause telephone companies not to deploy services for which our products are designed or to further delay deployment. Additionally, telephone companies’ deployment of broadband services may be slowed down or stopped because of the need for telephone companies to obtain permits from city, state or federal authorities to implement infrastructure.

Our customers and potential customers will not purchase our products if they do not have the infrastructure necessary to use our products.

The copper wire infrastructures over which telephone companies may deliver voice, data and video services using our products vary in quality and reliability. As a result, some of these telephone companies may not be able to deliver a full set of voice, data and video services to their customers, despite their intention to do so, and this could harm our sales. Even after installation of our products, we remain highly dependent on telephone companies to continue to maintain their infrastructure so that our products will operate at a consistently high performance level. Infrastructure upgrades and maintenance may be costly, and telephone companies may not have the necessary financial resources. This may be particularly true for our smaller customers and potential customers such as independent telephone companies and domestic local telephone companies. If our current and potential customers’ infrastructure is inadequate, we may not be able to generate anticipated revenues from them.

If competing technologies that offer alternative solutions to our products achieve widespread acceptance, the demand for our products may not develop.

Technologies that compete with our products include other telecommunications-related wireline technologies, cable-based technologies, fixed wireless technologies and satellite technologies. If these alternative technologies are chosen by our existing and potential customers, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be harmed. In particular, cable operators are currently deploying products that will be capable of delivering voice, high-speed data and video services over cable, including products from Motorola, our principal stockholder. Our technology may not be able to compete effectively against these technologies on price, performance or reliability.

Our customers or potential customers that also offer cable-based services may choose to purchase cable-based technologies. Cable service providers that offer not only data and video but also telephony over cable systems will give subscribers the alternative of purchasing all communications services from a single communications service provider, allowing the potential for more favorable pricing and a single point of contact for bill payment and customer service. If these services are implemented successfully over cable connections, they will compete directly with the services offered by telephone companies using our products. In addition, several telephone companies have commenced the marketing of video services over direct broadcast satellite while continuing to provide voice and data services over their existing copper wire infrastructure. If any of these services are accepted by consumers, the demand for our products may not develop and our ability to generate revenues will be harmed.

We face intense competition in providing equipment for telecommunications networks from larger and more established companies, and we may not be able to compete effectively with these companies.

Many of our current and potential competitors have longer operating histories, greater name recognition and significantly greater financial, technical, marketing and distribution resources than we do. These competitors may undertake more extensive marketing campaigns, adopt more aggressive pricing policies and devote substantially more resources to developing new products than we are able to, which could result in the loss of current customers and impair our ability to attract potential customers.

Our significant current competitors include Advanced Fibre Communications, Alcatel, Cisco Systems, Efficient Networks, Ericsson, Lucent Technologies, Nokia, Nortel Networks, BAE Systems, Scientific Atlanta, Siemens and our largest stockholder, Motorola, as well as emerging companies that are developing new technologies. Some of these competitors have existing relationships with our current and prospective customers. In addition, we anticipate that other large companies, such as Matsushita Electric Industrial which markets products under the Panasonic brand name, Microsoft, Network Computer, Philips, Sony, STMicroelectronics and Toshiba America will likely introduce products that compete with our N(3) Residential Gateway product in the future. Our customer base may be attracted by the names and resources of these large, well-known companies and may prefer to purchase products from them instead of us.

Consolidation of our competitors may cause us to lose customers and negatively affect our sales.

Consolidation in the telecommunications equipment industry may strengthen our competitors’ positions in our market, cause us to lose customers and hurt our sales. For example, Alcatel acquired DSC Communications, Lucent acquired Ascend Communications and BAE Systems, CNI Division, formerly GEC Marconi, acquired RELTEC. Acquisitions such as these may strengthen our competitors’ financial, technical and marketing resources and provide them access to regional Bell operating companies and other potential customers. Consolidation may also allow some of our competitors to penetrate new markets that we have targeted, such as domestic local, independent and international telephone companies. This consolidation may negatively affect our ability to increase revenues.

If we do not respond quickly to changing customer needs and frequent new product introductions by our competitors, our products may become obsolete.

Our position in existing markets or potential markets could be eroded rapidly by product advances. The life cycles of our products are difficult to estimate. Our growth and future financial performance will depend in part upon our ability to enhance existing products and develop and introduce new products that keep pace with:

			- the increasing use of the Internet;

			- the growth in remote access by telecommuters;

			- the increasingly diverse distribution sources for high quality digital video; and

			- other industry and technological trends.

We expect that our product development efforts will continue to require substantial investments. We may not have sufficient resources to make the necessary investments. If we fail to timely and cost-effectively develop new products that respond to new technologies and customer needs, the demand for our products may fall and we could lose revenues.

Our executive officers and certain key personnel are critical to our business and the loss of their services could disrupt our operations and our customer relationships.

Except for J. Michael Norris, our President and Chief Executive Officer, none of our executive officers or key employees is bound by an employment agreement. Many of these employees have a significant number of options to purchase our common stock. Many of these options are currently vested and some of our key employees may leave us once they have exercised their options. In addition, our engineering and product development teams are critical in developing our products and have developed important relationships with our regional Bell operating company customers and their technical staffs. The loss of any of these key personnel could harm our operations and customer relationships.

Our limited ability to protect our intellectual property may affect our ability to compete, and we could lose customers.

We rely on a combination of patent, copyright and trademark laws, and on trade secrets and confidentiality provisions and other contractual provisions to protect our intellectual property. There is no guarantee that these safeguards will protect our intellectual property and other valuable confidential information. If our methods of protecting our intellectual property in the United States or abroad are not adequate, our competitors may copy our technology or independently develop similar technologies and we could lose customers. In addition, the laws of some foreign countries do not protect our proprietary rights as fully as do the laws of the United States. If we fail to adequately protect our intellectual property, it would be easier for our competitors to sell competing products, which could harm our business.

Third-party claims regarding intellectual property matters could cause us to stop selling our products, license additional technology or pay monetary damages.

From time to time, third parties, including our competitors and customers, have asserted patent, copyright and other intellectual property rights to technologies that are important to us. We expect that we will increasingly be subject to infringement claims as the number of products and competitors in our market grows and the functionality of products overlaps, and our products may currently infringe on one or more United States or international patents. The results of any litigation are inherently uncertain. In the event of an adverse result in any litigation with third parties that could arise in the future, we could be required:

			- to pay substantial damages, including paying treble damages if we are held to have willfully infringed;

			- to halt the manufacture, use and sale of infringing products;

			- to expend significant resources to develop non-infringing technology; and/or

			- to pay significant sums to obtain licenses to the infringing technology.

Licenses may not be available from any third party that asserts intellectual property claims against us, on commercially reasonable terms, or at all. In addition, litigation frequently involves substantial expenditures and can require significant management attention, even if we ultimately prevail. In addition, we indemnify our customers for patent infringement claims, and we may be required to obtain licenses on their behalf, which could subject us to significant additional costs.

We depend on third-party manufacturers and any disruption in their manufacture of our products would harm our operating results.

We contract for the manufacture of all of our products and have limited in-house manufacturing capabilities. We currently rely primarily on two large contract manufacturers: Flextronics Enclosures and Sanmina-SCI Systems. The efficient operation of our business will depend, in large part, on our ability to have Flextronics Enclosures and Sanmina-SCI Systems and other companies manufacture our products in a timely manner, cost-effectively and in sufficient volumes, while maintaining consistent quality. As our business grows, Flextronics Enclosures and Sanmina-SCI Systems and other contract manufacturing companies may not have the capacity to keep up with the increased demand. Any manufacturing disruption could impair our ability to fulfill orders and could cause us to lose revenue and/or customers.

We have no long-term contracts with our manufacturers, and we may not be able to deliver our products on time if any of these manufacturers stop making our products.

We currently have no long-term contracts or arrangements with any of our contract manufacturers that guarantee product availability, the continuation of particular payment terms or the extension of credit limits. If our manufacturers are unable or unwilling to continue manufacturing our products in required volumes, we will have to identify acceptable alternative manufacturers, which could take in excess of three months. It is possible that a source may not be available to us when needed or be in a position to satisfy our production requirements at acceptable prices and on a timely basis. If we cannot find alternative sources for the manufacture of our products, we will not be able to meet existing demand. As a result, we may lose existing customers, and our ability to gain new customers may be significantly constrained.

Our inability to produce sufficient quantities of our products because of our dependence on components from key sole suppliers could result in delays in the delivery of our products and could harm our revenues.

Some parts, components and equipment used in our products are obtained from sole sources of supply. If our sole source suppliers or we fail to obtain components in sufficient quantities when required, delivery of our products could be delayed resulting in decreased revenues. Additional sole-sourced components may be incorporated into our equipment in the future. We do not currently have any long-term supply contracts to ensure sources of supply. In addition, our suppliers may enter into exclusive arrangements with our competitors, stop selling their products or components to us at commercially reasonable prices or refuse to sell their products or components to us at any price, which could harm our operating results.

The occurrence of any defects, errors or failures in our products could result in delays in installation, product returns and other losses to us or to our customers or end users.

Our products are complex and may contain undetected defects, errors or failures. These problems have occurred in our products in the past and additional problems may occur in our products in the future and could result in the loss of or delay in market acceptance of our products.

In addition, we have limited experience with commercial deployment and we expect additional defects, errors and failures as our business expands from trials to commercial deployment at certain customers. We will have limited experience with the problems that could arise with any new products that we introduce. Further, our customer agreements generally include a longer warranty for defects than our manufacturing agreements. These defects could result in a loss of sales and additional costs and liabilities to us as well as damage to our reputation and the loss of our customers.

We do not have significant experience in international markets and may have unexpected costs and difficulties in developing international revenues.

We plan to extend the marketing and sales of our products internationally. International operations are generally subject to inherent risks and challenges that could harm our operating results, including:

			- unexpected changes in telecommunications regulatory requirements;

			- limited number of telephone companies operating internationally;

			- expenses associated with developing and customizing our products for foreign countries;

			- tariffs, quotas and other import restrictions on telecommunications equipment;

			- longer sales cycles for our products;

			- fluctuating exchange rates affecting costs, pricing and revenues; and

			- compliance with international standards that differ from domestic standards.

To the extent that we generate international sales in the future, any negative effects on our international business could harm our business, operating results and financial condition.

Motorola may exercise significant influence over our business and affairs and our stockholder votes and, for its own reasons, could prevent transactions which our other stockholders may view as favorable.

Motorola beneficially owns (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)) approximately 87.7% of the outstanding shares of our common stock as of October 31, 2002. Motorola also has designated two directors on our board. As a result, Motorola will be able to exercise significant influence over all matters relating to our business and affairs, including approval of significant corporate transactions, which could delay or prevent someone from acquiring or merging with us and could prevent you from receiving a premium for your shares.

We do not know whether Motorola’s plans for our business and affairs will be different than our existing plans and whether any changes that may be implemented under Motorola’s control will be beneficial or detrimental to our other stockholders.

Motorola may have interests that conflict with the best interests of our other stockholders and us and may cause us to forgo opportunities or take actions that disproportionately benefit our principal stockholder.

It is possible that Motorola could be in a position involving a conflict of interest with us. In addition, individuals who are officers or directors of Motorola and of us may have fiduciary duties to both companies. For example, a conflict may arise if Motorola were to engage in activities or pursue corporate opportunities that may overlap with our business. These conflicts could harm our business and operating results. Our certificate of incorporation contains provisions intended to protect our principal stockholder in these situations. These provisions limit your legal remedies.

The price of our common stock has been and may continue to be highly volatile.

The stock markets have in general, and with respect to high technology companies, including us, in particular, recently experienced extreme stock price and volume volatility, often unrelated to the financial performance of particular companies. The price at which our common stock will trade in the future is likely to also be highly volatile and may fluctuate substantially due to factors such as:

			- actual or anticipated fluctuations in our operating results;

			- changes in or our failure to meet securities analysts’ expectations;

			- announcements of technological innovations by us or our competitors;

			- introduction of new products and services by us or our competitors;

			- limited public float of our common stock;

			- conditions and trends in the telecommunications and other technology industries; and

			- general economic and market conditions.

Sales of shares of our common stock by existing stockholders could cause the market price of our common stock to drop significantly.

As of October 31, 2002, Motorola owned 64.1 million shares of our common stock, 7.4 million shares of preferred stock convertible into 65.2 million shares of common stock and warrants to purchase an additional 33.2 million shares of our common stock; Kevin Kimberlin Partners, LP and its affiliates owned 2.9 million shares of our common stock and its affiliates held warrants to purchase an additional 4.3 million shares of our common stock. If Motorola, Kevin Kimberlin Partners LP and its affiliates, or any of our other stockholders sells substantial amounts of common stock, including shares issued upon exercise of outstanding options and warrants, in the public market, the market price of the common stock could fall. In addition, any distribution of shares of our common stock by Motorola to its stockholders could also have an adverse effect on the market price.

Motorola and Kevin Kimberlin Partners LP and its related persons and their transferees are entitled to registration rights pursuant to which they may require that we register their shares under the Securities Act of 1933.

In addition, as of October 31, 2002, there were outstanding options to purchase approximately 22.7 million shares of our common stock. Subject to vesting provisions and, in the case of our affiliates, volume and manner of sale restrictions, the shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of our outstanding employee options will be eligible for sale into the public market at various times.

Anti-takeover provisions in our charter documents and Delaware law could prevent or delay a change in control of our company that a stockholder may consider favorable.

Several provisions of our certificate of incorporation and by laws and Delaware law may discourage, delay or prevent a merger or acquisition that a stockholder may consider favorable. These provisions include:

			- authorizing the issuance of preferred stock without stockholder approval;

			- providing for a classified board of directors with staggered, three-year terms;

			- prohibiting cumulative voting in the election of directors;

			- restricting business combinations with interested stockholders;

			- limiting the persons who may call special meetings of stockholders;

			- prohibiting stockholder action by written consent;

			- establishing advance notice requirements for nominations for election to the board of directors and for proposing matters that can be acted on by stockholders at stockholder meetings; and

			- requiring super-majority voting to effect amendments to our certificate of incorporation and by laws.

Some of these provisions do not currently apply to Motorola and its affiliates.

ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

Our exposure to market risk is limited to interest rate fluctuation. Interest on our debt to Motorola is variable, payable monthly and is determined on either the base rate, as defined in the agreement, plus 2% or the Eurodollar rate plus 3 1/2% (5.4% at September 30, 2002). If interest rates increased by 10% (0.5% change in interest rate), our interest expense on this debt would increase by approximately $0.3 million. We do not engage in any hedging activities, and we do not use derivatives or equity investments for cash investment purposes.

ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

We maintain disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our Exchange Act reports is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. In designing and evaluating the disclosure controls and

procedures, management recognized that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives, and management necessarily was required to apply its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible controls and procedures.

Within 90 days prior to the date of this report, we carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures. Based on the foregoing, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective.

There have been no significant changes in our internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect the internal controls subsequent to the date we completed our evaluation.

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

From time to time, we are a party to other actions which arise in the normal course of business. In our opinion, the ultimate disposition of these matters will not have a material adverse effect on our condensed consolidated financial statements taken as a whole.

Item 2. CHANGES IN SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

(c) The following is a summary of transactions by us during the fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2002, involving sales of the Company’s securities that were not registered under the Securities Act of 1993 (the “Securities Act”):

On September 26, 2002, we sold 236,559 shares of our Series A-1 Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock under the terms of a Securities Purchase Agreement to Motorola in conformity with Rule 506 under Regulation D and under Section 4(2) of the Securities Act at a price of $93.00 per share. The total purchase price consisted of (i) the cancellation of $12.0 million under the Credit Agreement (Multi-Draw Term Loan Facility), dated as of May 16, 2001 between us and Motorola, as amended, and (ii) cash in the amount of $10.0 million. We and Motorola concurrently entered into a Registration Rights Agreement under which we agreed to register such 236,559 shares under the Securities Act under certain circumstances set forth within the Registration Rights Agreement. Concurrently, we also issued warrants to purchase (i) an aggregate of 5,913,978 shares of our common stock under the terms of certain warrants at an exercise price of $0.93 per share and (ii) an aggregate of 220,000 shares of our common stock under the terms of certain warrants at an exercise price of $2.00 per share. These warrants were issued pursuant to Rule 506 under Regulation D and under Section 4(2) of the Securities Act. Pursuant to the terms of the Warrants we have undertaken to register such 6,133,978 shares under the Securities Act within a time frame specified in the warrants. No underwriting or broker’s commissions were paid in connection with the foregoing transactions.

Item 6. EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K

	(a)		Exhibits:

			None.

	(b)		Reports on Form 8-K:

We filed a Current Report on Form 8-K, dated September 26, 2002 relating to our issuance of Series A-1 Preferred to Motorola.

We filed a Current Report on Form 8-K, dated August 14, 2002, relating to our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer certification of our second quarterly report filed on Form 10-Q on August 14, 2002.

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

	NEXT LEVEL COMMUNICATIONS, INC.


Date: November 14, 2002	By:	/s/ J. MICHAEL NORRIS

		J. Michael Norris Chief Executive Officer and President


Date: November 14, 2002	By:	/s/ JAMES F. IDE

		James F. Ide Chief Financial Officer

CERTIFICATIONS

I, J. Michael Norris, certify that:

1.		I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Next Level Communications, Inc.;

2.		Based on my knowledge, this quarterly report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this quarterly report; and

3.		Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this quarterly report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this quarterly report.

4.		The registrant’s other certifying officers and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14) for the registrant and we have:

	(a)		designed such disclosure controls and procedures to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this quarterly report is being prepared;

	(b)		evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures as of a date within 90 days prior to the filing date of this quarterly report (the “Evaluation Date”); and

	(c)		presented in this quarterly report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures based on our evaluation as of the Evaluation Date;

The registrant’s other certifying officers and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent function):

	(a)		all significant deficiencies in the design or operation of internal controls which could adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial data and have identified for the registrant’s auditors any material weaknesses in internal controls; and

	(b)		any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal controls; and

The registrant’s other certifying officers and I have indicated in this quarterly report whether or not there significant changes in internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect internal controls subsequent to the date of our most recent

evaluation, including any corrective actions with regard to significant deficiencies and material weaknesses.




Date: November 14, 2002		/s/ J. Michael Norris

		Chief Executive Officer and President

I, James F. Ide, certify that:

1.		I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Next Level Communications, Inc.;

2.		Based on my knowledge, this quarterly report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this quarterly report; and

3.		Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this quarterly report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this quarterly report.

4.		The registrant’s other certifying officers and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14) for the registrant and we have:

	(a)		designed such disclosure controls and procedures to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this quarterly report is being prepared;

	(b)		evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures as of a date within 90 days prior to the filing date of this quarterly report (the “Evaluation Date”); and

	(c)		presented in this quarterly report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures based on our evaluation as of the Evaluation Date;

	(a)		all significant deficiencies in the design or operation of internal controls which could adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial data and have identified for the registrant’s auditors any material weaknesses in internal controls; and

	(b)		any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal controls; and




Date: November 14, 2002		/s/ James F. Ide

		Chief Financial Officer

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